The Pittsburgh Steelers may have beaten the Tennessee Titans to open NFL Kickoff 2009 Weekend last night. But they lost a key member of their defense in the process. At least for a while. Steelers safety Troy Polamalu will be out an estimated 3-6 weeks with a sprained MCL in his left knee. Troy suffered the injury in the first half when he was trying to pick up and run with a fumble. He ended up doing a split when Titans tight end Alge Crumpler dropped all 262 pounds (and that’s being kind) on top of his knee. Ouch. Veteran …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
The Tennessee Titans lost this afternoon’s AFC Divisional Playoff game (13-10) more than the Baltimore Ravens won it. I’m not taking anything away from the Ravens. They did plenty of things well. But look at the stats. Tennessee held onto the ball longer (34:07 to 25:53), gained more yards (391 to 211) and had more first downs (21 to 9). Those totals really aren’t even close. What you can’t do is end up minus three in the turnover differential and expect to win any game in the National Football League, let alone a playoff game. …read more

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
It’s a little early for me to start talking fantasy football, but file the name of Tennessee Titans tight end Alge Crumpler away for safekeeping come draft day. Alge is eager for the ‘08 season to begin for a number of reasons. First of all, he is healthier than at anytime in the past three years and he’s ready to put past shoulder and knee problems behind him. Secondly, Alge says he’s ready for a fresh start with the Titans after leaving Atlanta. Since joining his new team, he’s dropped 15 pounds. I …read more

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
With the free agent signing period approaching, you’ll see teams releasing players here and there. Yesterday, the Atlanta Falcons took it to a new level, unloading six players in a major rebuilding effort. Gone are four-time Pro Bowl tight end Alge Crumpler, quarterback Byron Leftwich, defensive tackle Rod Coleman, offensive tackle Wayne Gandy, cornerback Lewis Sanders, wide receiver Jamin Elliott and linebacker Marcus Wilkins. In the NFL, it’s all about “what have you done for me lately.”
For the most part, I agree with these decisions. Alge Crumpler had the be the most …read more

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
Buffalo Bills TE Kevin Everett is just one of many fantastic stories of courage and achievement that make up the 2007 class of The Ed Block Courage Awards.
It’s well-known that Kevin suffered a spinal cord injury covering a kickoff in the Bills’ season opener against the Broncos. The injury was life-threatening, but the outstanding work of the Bills’ training staff and team doctors saved his life. Kevin was told that he may never walk again. Through hard work and determination not only was he able to walk again, he was able to …read more