Banged-up Steelers lose Parker in win at Green Bay

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- Troy Polamalu called himself an accidental hero.--football gambling--

His 77-yard touchdown return of Brett Favre's fumble set the stage for Pittsburgh's 20-10 win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, when both teams turned to their stingy defenses to bail out their injury-ravaged offenses. --football gambling--

"I thought our defense played outstanding," said Favre, whose streak of 27 straight home games with a touchdown pass came to an end. "We have to help them out."Green Bay held the Steelers without a single third-down conversion, allowed just two field goals and a 20-yard TD drive. --football gambling--

Not bad, but not as good as Pittsburgh.--football gambling--The Steelers forced three turnovers that they turned into 17 points, including Polamalu's score on a play in which Favre was kicking himself for not just going to his hot read right away and settling for a field goal instead of trying to buy enough time for Walt Williams to get open for a touchdown.--football gambling--

Polamalu was kicking himself, too -- but only for a split second.--football gambling--"I missed the sack, which is pretty disappointing," Polamalu said. "Bryant McFadden made a great play. And fortunately enough, he had the sack and the fumble. I just saw the ball lying there and picked it up ran."--football gambling--

The Steelers (6-2) became the first team since the 1989-90 San Francisco 49ers and the fourth team overall to win 11 straight road games. And they did it without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (knee) and running back Jerome Bettis (thigh), who were joined on the sideline in the second half by starting tailback Willie Parker, who turned his left ankle.--football gambling--

Duce Staley, who replaced Bettis and had his first carries since the AFC championship in January, ran for 76 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.--football gambling--

The Packers fell to 1-7 at the halfway point for the first time since 1986 under Forrest Gregg.They've been in every game until the closing minutes and have actually outscored their opponents 168-159 -- a first for an NFL team that lost seven of its first eight.--football gambling--

"If we were getting stomped and crushed every time we played somebody, it probably would be hard to be optimistic," linebacker Nick Barnett said. "But we're right there. We're a play away, an inch away. And it is frustrating that we're not getting that inch or we're not getting that play."Polamalu's TD return came in the first half, when Green Bay trailed 6-3 and was about to forge ahead thanks to his 33-yard pass interference penalty that put the Packers on the Pittsburgh 3.Consecutive false starts backed up the Packers to the 12, when they went to an empty backfield on third-and-goal.--football gambling--

Big mistake.McFadden came on a cornerback blitz and wrapped up Favre for an 11-yard sack, spinning him to the ground and forcing the ball to pop out. Polamalu scooped it up and rumbled 77 yards for the big swing.--football gambling--

"You can put that one on me, that was my call," Packers coach Mike Sherman said.McFadden wasn't just satisfied with his first NFL sack on the play. He also provided the block on speedy tight end Donald Lee that allowed Polamalu to reach the end zone, something Pittsburgh's offense failed to do until it got the short field thanks to Tyrone Carter's interception in the fourth quarter.--football gambling--

Carter grabbed his fourth career interception when the ball bounced off Donald Driver and into his hands at the Packers' 20 with 8:11 left and Pittsburgh clinging to a 13-10 lead.--football gambling--

Four plays later, Staley slipped a backfield tackle by Barnett and trotted in from 3 yards out."I'm going to put it on my shoulders," Driver said. "If I make that catch we win the game."Steelers backup quarterback Charlie Batch made his first start since Dec. 2, 2001, when he was with Detroit. He completed 9 of 16 passes for 65 yards and one interception.-football gambling-

Pittsburgh settled for short field goals by Jeff Reed to take a 6-0 lead, which Ryan Longwell cut in half with a 40-yarder that made him the first Green Bay player to score 1,000 points in his career.--football gambling--

Longwell, however, was wide right from 31 yards after a promising 18-play drive by Green Bay that ate up 9½ minutes but stalled at the 13.--football gambling--

The Packers finally punched it in when Samkon Gado scored his first career touchdown from a yard out with 7:26 left in the third quarter, cutting Pittsburgh's lead to 13-10. --football gambling--

"I know I can play at this level, but I'm not happy with the way I got my chance, said Gado, whose 62 yards on 26 carries were a season high for the Packers.--football gambling--Game notesThe Packers were down to their fifth-string running back after Tony Fisher (fractured rib) was deactivated and ReShard Lee fumbled away on his second carry Sunday. ... WR Hines Ward caught just one pass, leaving him three shy of passing John Stallworth (536) for most in Steelers history.--football gambling--

The Bills Can't Win In The Trenches
Paul Hamilton - Wednesday, November 2, 2005 - 12:52 AM

As I left Gillette stadium Monday morning I was in the elevator with seven or eight New England writers. They were laughing and in amazement. Why? They couldn't understand how the Patriots were 1-for-7 on 3rd down, had the ball for just under 21 minutes, gave up a 136 yard rusher and a 125 yard receiver still won the game. The answer, they were playing a bad football team. A team that has gone quite a ways backwards instead of forward in just one season. I have defended a lot of Tom Donahoe's decisions over the years, but I just can't any more. There is no excuse for this and the man at the top must be held responsible. The offensive and defensive lines are a shambles. They let Pat Williams go without a suitable replacement. Ron Edwards was average and Tim Anderson and Justin Bannan are average back-ups at best. Lauvale Sape does not even belong in the NFL, yet there he is playing football and committing penalties on Sunday Night Football. Sam Adams has plain and simply stunk this year. He was finally benched in New England. After he was benched last year, he turned into an All Pro. It's too bad he doesn't have enough pride in himself to play well without a kick in the pants. London Fletcher has been operating all season with offensive linemen on him. That points to Adams and the defensive tackles. -NFL Football-

As far as the offensive line goes, Donahoe couldn't stand an independent thinker and a man that spoke the truth in his lockerroom. Ross Tucker couldn't be controlled so he was released. Bennie Anderson is a complete bust. He's adequate on the run, but he's going to get Kelly Holcomb or J.P. Losman killed one of these Sunday's. Tucker was twice the football player Anderson is and Tucker is just an average offensive lineman. Jason Peters got his first NFL start at RT Sunday Night and seemed to play well. With two weeks to heel, Mike Williams should be able to return. Mike Gandy has been average at best at LT. During these two weeks I would move Peters to LT and move Gandy to LG sending Anderson to the bench. It can't be any worse than what we've seen. -NFL Football-

For 3.5 quarters in New England I saw the Mike Mularkey offense that I liked and admired last season. Willis McGahee was running well, Holcomb was throwing well, the play calling was superb. With 7:50 left in the game the Bills held a 16-7 lead. That's when Corey Dillon made it 16-14. Josh Reed gets the kickoff out to the 29. McGahee runs it to the 32 and then Anderson whiffs on Roosevelt Colvin. Holcomb gets hammered, fumbles and the Pats take the lead two plays later. -NFL Football-

Buffalo's still in it and then the play calling that has gone so well all game falls apart on 4th down at the New England 40. It's 4th-and-8 and Mularkey calls a play to Roscoe Parrish who's playing in his second NFL game. Holcomb says Parrish was doubled and it would've been a sure interception so he dumped it off to Eric Moulds hoping he'd break a tackle. He didn't, it went down as no gain and the game was over. What???? Maybe send Moulds into the double coverage and throw it anyway. Let your highest paid receiver go up and try to make a play on the ball. Let Parrish, who's elusive be the outlet guy. It was another example of the Bills coaching staff trying to proof how clever they are. I guess they were thinking that New England will expect a pass to Moulds or Lee Evans so lets trick them. It worked like a lead balloon. Parrish was double covered. -NFL Football-

The Bills are now 3-and-5 and are 1.5 behind the Pats. If the Colts walk into Foxborough and win next Monday, the Bills will trail by one. Let's say that's great, but let's also be realistic and look at the games left. Kansas City comes to Orchard Park before a trip to San Diego. Carolina, New England and Denver still have to come to Wilson Stadium while the Bills travel to Cincinnati. That doesn't look like a schedule that will allow a bad football team win the AFC East. -NFL Football-

Carswell upgraded to serious condition

NFL.com wire reports

DENVER (Oct. 28, 2005) -- Denver Broncos offensive lineman Dwayne Carswell was upgraded to serious condition, a day after having his spleen removed and undergoing other surgery after a five-car traffic accident on his way to practice. -NFL Football-

"He's doing better, a lot better," coach Mike Shanahan said. "They think he will be able to sit up soon. He's still in the intensive care unit, but they're hoping he can be out of there by tomorrow." -NFL Football-

A team spokesman said Carswell had tubes removed and was breathing without assistance. -NFL Football-

"We feel good about his progress, which is a great sign," Shanahan said. "It's going to take some time to recover ... because a lot of those organs were pushed up very high in his body." -NFL Football-

Aurora police issued a summons to Marquita Brister, 22, for investigation of careless driving. Police spokesman Anthony Guzman said investigators believe she triggered the crash by making an abrupt lane change. Brister was treated and released from the hospital shortly after the accident. -NFL Football-

Carswell, a 12-year veteran, suffered multiple rib fractures, a ruptured diaphragm, ruptured spleen and other internal injuries. -NFL Football-

Guzman said Carswell was in one of three cars traveling south on Parker Road -- a busy, eight-lane thoroughfare that passes close to Broncos headquarters in suburban Denver -- when two northbound cars collided and veered into the southbound lanes. -NFL Football-

Both doors and much of the front and rear fenders on the driver's side of Carswell's car, a 1994 Chevrolet sedan, were torn off and crumpled. -NFL Football-

'I'm still the starting quarterback'
Smith says no reason for concern with Rattay gone
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) --- nfl ---
--- nfl ---
-- Alex Smith says the San Francisco 49ers have no reason to be concerned at quarterback now that veteran Tim Rattay has been traded.
The 49ers practiced Wednesday for the first time without Rattay, the team's former starting quarterback who was traded Tuesday to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after losing his starting job to Smith two weeks ago.--- nfl ---
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Rattay's departure leaves the 49ers with three quarterbacks who have a combined total of just eight NFL starts. Second-year veteran Cody Pickett, 25, is the oldest of that group. Ken Dorsey is 24 and Smith is 21.--- nfl ---
"Being so young, let people talk about us," Smith said. "We know what we're going to do and we know what we have to do. We're going to enjoy the challenge and we're going to get it done."--- nfl ---
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Smith, the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft this year, took over as the starter Oct. 9 against the Indianapolis Colts. Rattay started San Francisco's first four games this season after beating out Smith in training camp, but the sixth-year veteran struggled after leading the 49ers to a win over St. Louis in the season opener.--- nfl ---
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Smith threw four interceptions and committed five turnovers against the Colts in his starting debut. The only other San Francisco quarterback with starting experience is Dorsey, a third-year veteran who started seven games last year when Rattay was injured.--- nfl ---
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Coach Mike Nolan said he was reluctant to trade Rattay because of the safety net he provided the young quarterbacks, but ultimately decided the 49ers could get by this season with them learning on the job.--- nfl ---
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"That's the way it is," Nolan said. "It's where we're at and what we're working with. We know the situation. We didn't draft Alex to sit on the bench. We drafted him to play, and the only way he's going to get maturity and grow and learn the things is to play. So that's what we're doing with him."--- nfl ---
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Smith and Kyle Orton of the Chicago Bears are the only rookie quarterbacks currently starting in the league. Smith has been groomed for the starting role since he was drafted. He began training camp ahead of Rattay on the depth chart and started San Francisco's first two preseason games.--- nfl ---
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But the rookie played poorly in those games and Nolan announced Rattay would be the starter. Smith leaned on Rattay for advice and knowledge, but said he doesn't feel any more pressure now that the veteran no longer is around for support.--- nfl ---
"I'm still the starting quarterback, just like I was [before Tuesday's trade]," Smith said. "It was made clear to me before that, barring injury, I was going to be the guy the rest of the season. I was going to get all the [repetitions]. But it will definitely be different now. There will be three of us and obviously we're all pretty young."--- nfl ---
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Smith's backups will have to catch up fast. Dorsey has taken only a limited amount of practice snaps since the season began. Pickett hasn't taken a snap at quarterback since midway through the exhibition season. Both are eager to be moving up in the pecking order.--- nfl ---
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"[The trade] definitely took me by surprise, but it kind of motivates you to go out and work even that much harder because now the coaches have put their trust in you to do a job," Dorsey said. "Because now I'm that much closer to having to be in the game. They entrusted me in a job, and I intend to do that job to the best of my ability."--- nfl ---
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Dorsey was 1-6 as a starter last year during San Francisco's 2-14 season. He was in and out of the lineup as Rattay suffered five injuries in 2004, three of which required surgery.--- nfl ---
Dorsey completed 54 percent of his 226 passes last year for 1,231 yards and six touchdowns with nine interceptions. His 62.4 quarterback rating ranked last in the NFC among all players who qualified for those rankings.--- nfl ---
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"I'm excited about the position I'm in," Dorsey said. "It provides an opportunity for me to be the second-string guy now on a team that I love to play for. That's an exciting opportunity for me. I'm excited for Tim and the new opportunity that he has, and we're just going to move on here from where we're at."--- nfl ---

Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Starting WRs Engram, Jackson out for Seattle

KIRKLAND, Wash. (Oct. 7, 2005) -- Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said that injured wide receivers Bobby Engram and Darrell Jackson will not play at St. Louis in Week 5.

"Darrell had to go for a second opinion, so he's in Florida," Holmgren said. "And Bobby, he was getting treatment today and he can't move very well." - NFL Football -

Neither is expected to travel to St. Louis.

Holmgren said Joe Jurevicius and D.J. Hackett would start.

Engram cracked two ribs on the first play of Seattle's 20-17 overtime loss at Washington on Oct. 2. Engram had nine catches for 106 yards for the Seahawks (2-2), but did not play after the third quarter. - NFL Football -

Jackson has a bone bruise in his right knee that was aggravated against Washington. Jackson caught a 6-yard touchdown with 1:23 left that tied the score at 17. - NFL Football -

Holmgren said Jackson was getting the second opinion to make sure doctors in Florida were seeing the same injury as team physicians.

"It's pretty typical now that guys do that," Holmgren said. "He just wants to make sure that guy down there sees the same thing we're seeing." - NFL Football -

Jackson is third in the NFL with 29 receptions and Engram is tied for fourth with 27.

Jurevicius, signed as a free agent in the offseason, has seven catches for 103 yards and two TDs. Hackett will be making his first NFL start.

"I think they have had a good week of practice and they have functioned well," Holmgren said. "I don't see any reason to change too much." - NFL Football -

© 2005, NFL Enterprises LLC.

Several Defensive Stars on NFL Injury List

By The Associated Press

Takeo Spikes hurt his right Achilles in the Buffalo Bills' 24-16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, an injury that could end the Pro Bowl linebacker's season if the tendon is torn.

Coach Mike Mularkey wouldn't speculate on the extent of the injury, saying he'll know more Monday.

"He's the pulse," safety Troy Vincent said of the eight-year veteran and two-time Pro Bowl selection. "I don't know how bad it is, but it could be devastating."

Spikes was hurt in the second quarter while pressuring Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick deep in the Falcons' end.

He lay on the field face-down for a few minutes, then rolled over and slammed his helmet to the ground. After being helped to the sideline, Spikes appeared in tears as he was taken away on a cart. Angelo Crowell replaced him for the remainder of the game.

The Bills defense was already banged up: linebacker London Fletcher is nursing a hamstring injury, and safety Lawyer Milloy is playing with a protective cast on his right thumb.

Falcons CB DeAngelo Hall hurt his shoulder when he tackled Willis McGahee for no gain on the final play of the first quarter.

New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison, the NFL's career leader for sacks by a defensive back, injured his left leg in the win over Pittsburgh and was taken off the field on a stretcher. With the Steelers driving midway through the first quarter, Pittsburgh wide receiver Cedrick Wilson was taken down from behind, causing him to roll into Harrison's path and take out the safety's left leg.

Harrison was driven to team bus on a cart after the game.

The injury was the second of the day for a New England defense that went in without two of its top three cornerbacks, Tyrone Poole (ankle) and Randall Gay (ankle). Cornerback Duane Starks injured a wrist on the Steelers' first play from scrimmage. Tackle Matt Light had a cast on his right leg after the game.

In Seattle, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner injured his right groin while scrambling during the second quarter. Seahawks starting cornerback Andre Dyson also left the game after becoming sick in the first quarter.

Facing a third-and-9 at the Seattle 32 with 3:56 left in the first half, Warner was pressured and ran to his left. After throwing across his body, Warner began limping back toward the center of the field before going down and grabbing his right leg. He was replaced by Josh McCown on Arizona's next possession.

Arizona also lost nose tackle Russell Davis (biceps), linebacker Eric Johnson (left hamstring), and cornerbacks David Macklin (left hamstring) and Antrel Rolle (left knee) to injuries in the second half.

The New York Jets lost both starting quarterback Chad Pennington and his backup, Jay Fiedler, to shoulder injuries in an overtime loss to Jacksonville. Although Pennington returned when Fiedler went down, he was clearly hurting; each is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday.

Pennington, who had offseason surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in the same shoulder, was sacked on consecutive plays during the Jets' first series of the second half. Neither Pennington nor coach Herman Edwards wanted to speculate on the severity of the latest injury, but the quarterback said his shoulder felt "similar to last year."

Fiedler came in and led the Jets' next drive. But he was hit while completing a 16-yard pass — his sixth play in place of Pennington. Fiedler jogged off the field and into the locker room.

"I knew I wasn't going to be able to throw a football," Fiedler said.

Jets offensive tackle Jason Fabini left the game in the fourth quarter with an injured right knee and will have an MRI; linebacker Eric Barton has a sprained ankle. For the Jaguars, offensive tackle Maurice Williams sprained his right knee in overtime and right guard Chris Naeole also sprained his left knee, but coach Jack Del Rio said neither was serious.

Philadelphia Eagles ' kicker David Akers, who hurt his right hamstring in last week's win against San Francisco, appeared to reinjure the muscle during the opening kickoff against visiting Oakland. He later returned to make the game-winning field goal.

Akers came up limping after his first kickoff attempt, but a penalty was called and Philadelphia was forced to kick again. After the second attempt, he fell down and was helped off the field.

But another penalty was called, and third-string tight end Mike Bartrum was forced to kick off. The Eagles later used linebacker Mark Simoneau to try an extra point; his first attempt was blocked.

Akers returned to the game, however, to make a 23-yard field goal with 9 seconds left to lift the Eagles to a 23-20 victory.

"You know it's going to hurt for one second and then the game is over," said Akers, a two-time Pro Bowl kicker. "My whole leg hurts right now."

In St. Louis, Rams running back Steven Jackson missed the start of the second half with a rib injury; X-rays indicated no breaks. Jackson was back on the sideline and in uniform midway through the third quarter, but he didn't return.

The Rams were also without wide receiver Isaac Bruce, who sustained a turf toe injury near the end of the half.

Vikings defensive end Lance Johnstone left Minnesota's game against visiting New Orleans with a sprained shoulder, and cornerback Brian Williams did not return after spraining his knee in the second quarter. Minnesota was already playing without three injured starters: wide receiver Nate Burleson (sprained left knee), linebacker E.J. Henderson (sprained right ankle) and free safety Darren Sharper (sprained left knee).

The Bears lost tight end Desmond Clark to a neck strain in the first half of a home loss to Cincinnati.

In Miami, linebacker Junior Seau hurt his calf in the second half, and safety Tebucky Jones hurt his hamstring in the second quarter.

Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

DISH Network adds NFL Network to lineup

DISH Network adds NFL Network to lineup

(Sept. 12, 2005) -- EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) and NFL Network announced the DISH Network satellite TV service now offers NFL Network as part of the America's Top 120 programming package.

NFL Network is the first year-round channel dedicated to coverage of the National Football League and the sport of football.

NFL Network is now located on DISH Network Ch. 154 and offers the most unique access to the NFL on television. With a camera at each of the 32 team facilities, viewers of NFL Network get closer to the NFL experience than ever before.

"NFL Network complements DISH Network's powerful lineup of sports programming," said Eric Sahl, senior vice president of Programming for DISH Network. "The addition of NFL Network on DISH Network provides customers with access to more football and player information."

With the network's exclusive access into key league events, football fans will have access to more than 1,500 hours of programming on NFL Network.

"Adding DISH Network to our list of distributors is like adding Tom Brady or Michael Vick to your football team," said Adam Shaw, NFL Network's senior vice president of distribution. "This was a key missing piece of the NFL Network team and we are thrilled DISH Network is on our roster."

NFL Network is available to customers who subscribe to America's Top 120 programming package ($42.99 per month) or above. Customers can subscribe to DISH Network by going to www.DISHNetwork.com, calling 1-800-333-DISH (3474) or visiting a local DISH Network retailer.

© 2005, NFL Enterprises LLC.