Brad Childress, Minnesota Vikings / Image: Zuma Press

I’m going to go out on a limb and assume the deal gets done, though. This was a make-or-break season for coach Childress. He pulled out all the stops by getting quarterback Brett Favre to unretire for a second time and join the Vikes. And at 8-1, he answered his critics by having his best year ever—so far. There are still seven games to play and perhaps there is some wording in that contract that refers directly to those last seven games and beyond—as in how the team fares in them and the impending playoffs. I wonder. At any rate, coach Childress has some paperwork to look over and his future is looking secure in Minnesota.

UPDATE: It didn’t take long for coach Childress to read and agree to the extension. The new deal runs through 2013 at a salary of $4-5 million per year. In a statement released by the team, coach Childress said:

“My family and I are very fortunate to be a part of the Minnesota Vikings organization. I value the opportunity to continue to lead this team over the next several years as we work toward our ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl for our passionate fans everywhere.”

Sources: Vikings.com, ESPN.com, NFL.com

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Brad Childress Gets Contract Extension

Ronnie Brown, Miami Dolphins / Image: Zuma Press

The injury is by no means career threatening, but it is severe enough to sideline Ronnie for a couple months, thus ending his 2009 season. Sadly, he was on a pace (648 yards after nine games) to set a career high for rushing yardage, much as he was in 2007 (602 yards after just seven games) before his season also ended early with a knee injury.

With Ronnie out, it drastically affects Miami’s offensive scheme. And if the team plans to continue with the Wildcat, it certainly means more playing time for slasher Pat White and running back Ricky Williams.

Source: MiamiDolphins.com

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Ronnie Brown Fractures Foot, Season Over

Dick Jauron fired by Buffalo Bills / Image: Zuma Press

Bills owner Ralph Wilson made the following statement today:

“I am announcing today that I am relieving Dick Jauron from his duties as our head coach, effective immediately. I have tremendous respect for Dick and thank him for all of his efforts during these past four years. While this was a very difficult decision, I felt that it is one that needed to be made at this time for the best interest of our team. We will now focus on moving forward and preparing for our game this week in Jacksonville.”

No word was immediately given as to who the interim coach would be (although I suspect defensive coordinator Perry Fewell). But you can bet the Bills will look outside the organization (at least one hopes) for a new head coach next season. Names like Bill Cowher and Mike Shanahan come to mind, but there will be a long list of worthy candidates trying to help the Bills return to their glory years.

Source: BuffaloBills.com

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Buffalo Bills Fire Head Coach Dick Jauron

Larry Johnson signed by Cincinnati Bengals / Image: Zuma Press

I figured the only other team that would even take a look at this guy would be the Oakland Raiders. The Bengals might be playing better football, but they still make some very questionable decisions when it comes to the character of the players they involve themselves with. It’s almost as though that aspect isn’t even a consideration.

Nevertheless, Larry might bring some needed depth at the running back position. Cedric Benson left Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a sore abductor muscle. His status for this weekend is still up-in-the-air. Backup rookie running back Bernard Scott was a training camp phenom and performed very well in Ced’s absence. Plus there’s hard-nosed running back who looks like a fullback Brian Leonard. So, I’m not really sure where Larry fits in, but if he can keep his mouth shut (and his Twitter under control) and let his game do the talking, the Bengals will have a very solid group of runners in their offensive backfield.

Source: Bengals.com

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Cincinnati Bengals Sign Larry Johnson

What’s with “the finger” anyway? It’s like the Jerry Seinfeld joke. It seems like such an arbitrary, ridiculous thing to just pick a finger and show it to someone. It’s a finger. What does it mean? Who invented this as an obscene gesture? Someone shows me one of their fingers and I’m supposed to feel bad. I don’t get it. Nevertheless, it is considered to be negative in our society and it’s kind of a trashy thing to do, so…

Mr. Adams apologized with the following statement today:

“I need to apologize for my actions yesterday near the end of the game. I got caught up in the excitement of a great day, but I do realize that those types of things shouldn’t happen. I need to specifically apologize to the Bills, their fans, our fans and the NFL. I obviously have a great deal of respect for Ralph Wilson and the history we have shared. I also understand there will probably be league discipline for my actions and I will accept those.”

Well, that about sums it up. It was a stupid thing to do and he apologized. End of story.

UPDATE: Mr. Adams was fined $250,000 for his obscene behavior.

Source: TitansOnline.com

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Bud Adams Shows Bills His Middle Fingers

Terrell Owens, Buffalo Bills / Photo: Newscom

After a sideline outburst during today’s 41-17 loss to the Tennessee Titans, Terrell was visibly annoyed with the media and sarcastic with his responses in his postgame presser. He continues to use the phrase: “I’m just going with the plays that are called.” Translated, that means the plays that are called stink.

T.O. was rather sullen after yesterday’s loss:

“Well, according to you (the media), I’m washed up and so is everybody else. It is what it is. I pay no mind to it. I hear it. I go out and I play. And again, I’m just going with the plays that are called. If I’m involved, I’m involved. If not, I try to do what I can with the running game ….. I’ve never been in this situation, with a losing record at this point in the season ….. Every team I’ve been on has been successful. And again, I’ve been involved everywhere that I’ve been.”

Clearly, that means that if T.O. was more involved in Buffalo, they would be successful. I think Terrell is trying to stay on his best behavior. And he would be well-advised to continue to do so. After all, this season is more or less an audition for next season when he certainly hopes to join a warmer weather contender. This one-year “experiment” with the Buffalo Bills was a mismatch from the get-go. And I would be stunned to see it continue beyond 2009.

Source: BuffaloBills.com

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T.O. Just Goes With the Plays Called

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts / Photo: Newscom

The Pats couldn’t challenge the controversial decision because they wasted two timeouts on their final drive and had nothing left to possibly overturn that ruling. As I saw it, Kevin had the first down when he caught the ball. But because he briefly bobbled it, he was not awarded forward progress that would’ve essentially ended the game in New England’s favor.

I don’t really blame Pats head coach Bill Belichick for going for it. After all, his success rate on 4th down is over 70%. But when you’re on your own 28-yard line with the game on the line, this is a very puzzling decision. It’s having supreme confidence in your team’s ability to convert, but it’s certainly going against the percentages. And it cost the Patriots the game.

As far as the Colts are concerned, this is an amazing comeback. After Peyton Manning threw his second interception of the game with just over seven minutes to play, I felt the game was over. But with their resolve and New England’s questionable decision-making, the door was opened for their victory. And the Colts merely walked through that door.

Source: NFL.com

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Colts Stun Patriots to Remain Unbeaten

Sidney Rice, Minnesota Vikings / Image: Zuma Press

Nevertheless, after nine games, there can really be no question that Sidney ranks among the NFL’s best receivers. With today’s seven-catch, 201-yard outburst in a 27-10 win over the Detroit Lions, he’s now 4th in the NFL in receiving yards. He catches practically everything thrown in his direction (and when he doesn’t, he does push-ups on the sideline). He’s also making explosive plays, averaging 18 yards/catch.

Sidney spent part of his offseason working with Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald and former Minnesota Vikings receiver Cris Carter (among others), thus earning himself a starting role opposite Bernard Berrian in training camp. And with the eventual addition of quarterback Brett Favre, Sidney’s offseason work has had much more of a chance to shine.

Source: Vikings.com, NFL.com

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Sidney Rice Among NFL’s Best Receivers

Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals / Image: Zuma Press

After the game, quarterback Carson Palmer credited his team’s work in the trenches:

“We kept grinding, and at the end of the day, I think the offensive line won that battle up front and pushed them around and gave us a chance to finish off that last drive with a field goal. We had a couple of nice first downs on some runs, and kept battling. And if you’re winning with field goals, you win. If you’re winning with touchdowns, you win. We’ll take a win any way we can get it.”

Check out these facts. It was the first time since 1998 the Bengals have season-swept the Steelers. And they essentially opened a two-game lead on Pittsburgh because they own the tiebreaker, should it come down to that. Plus, for the first time in the team’s history, the Bengals are 5-0 in the AFC North. Who dey! Who dey! Who dey think gonna beat dem Bengals? In the AFC North, nobody.

Sources: Bengals.com, NFL.com

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Bengals Take Control of AFC North

Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears / Photo: Newscom

The truth is, Jay was fined $20,000 for abusive conduct toward a game official in last week’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals. So, it really depends on how you look at it. The bottom line is that Jay Cutler threw five interceptions and the next day he was fined $20,000. The punishment fits the crime.

Source: NFL.com

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Jay Cutler Throws Interceptions, Gets Fined