Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning is having an MVP-type 2009 season. At the halfway point, he’s first in the National Football League in completion percentage (70.6), second in passing yards (2,545) and touchdown passes (16), and third in overall passer rating (105.2). Most importantly, his team is still undefeated at 8-0. This afternoon, he made some long-term noise by becoming the first quarterback in any decade to pass for 40,000 yards. Peyton was 34-of-50 passing for 318 yards and one touchdown as the Colts beat the Houston Texans 20-17.
Speaking of decades, Peyton now only needs three touchdown passes to become …read more

It’s been a busy week for FedEx shipments at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Yesterday, I wrote that Arizona Cards QB Kurt Warner was sending the jersey and a football from his record breaking game against the Jacksonville Jags Sunday. Now, Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson is shipping stuff to the HOF after his monster performance Sunday against the Houston Texans.
Chris amassed 197 rushing yards, 87 receiving yards, and three touchdowns in a 34-31 loss. Amazingly, however, he was snubbed for the Week Two Offensive Player-of-the-Week award—which went to Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub. Chris was good …read more

Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson is the best in the NFL—not just because he has prototypical size (6′3″, 228), runs great routes, has great hands and led the league in receptions last season with 115. But because he does his job better than everyone else while still remaining humble about it. In an era of crybaby, diva receivers who crave attention, all for the glorification of their massive egos, Andre (and AZ Cards WR Larry Fitzgerald) are a breath of fresh air.
Yesterday was just another Sunday for Andre as he caught 10 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns—this while …read more

Houston Texans cornerback Dunta Robinson was fined $25,000 for writing the words “Pay Me, Rick” on his shoes during last Sunday’s NFL Kickoff Weekend 2009 season opener against the N.Y. Jets. The message was aimed at Texans general manager Rick Smith and the fine was explained by the Texans as “conduct detrimental to the team.” Anyway, it backfired.
Dunta has been upset about not being able to reach a long-term contract with the team, so he thought a public expression of his displeasure would solve the problem. Unfortunately for Dunta, the stunt didn’t generate more income. It achieved just the opposite. …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
The opponents for all 2009 regular-season games have been determined and a complete list of each team’s home and away matchups was issued yesterday by the NFL. The scheduling formula implemented in 2002 with realignment guarantees that all teams play each other on a regular, rotating basis. Under the formula, every team within a division plays 16 games as follows:

Home and away against its three division opponents (6 games)
The four teams from another division within its conference on a rotating three-year cycle (4 games)
The four teams from a division in the other conference on a …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson might be the best receiver in the National Football League. It’s hard to argue with his numbers this season. Andre is leading the NFL in receptions (103) and receiving yards (1,408). But it’s his work off-the-field that might be most impressive on his resume. Andre’s foundation began in 2003 as a way to help single-parent homes. One of his goals is to let kids know they can go out and accomplish what they want in life despite any obstacles. Andre has special plans for the holiday season:
“Last year for Christmas, …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees received 951,246 votes to lead all NFL All-Stars in fan balloting for the 2009 NFL Pro Bowl. N.Y. Jets quarterback Brett Favre (880,833 votes) ranks second overall, while N.Y. Giants quarterback Eli Manning (821,852 votes), Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis (767,817 votes) and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner (673,710 votes) round out the top-five. Here is the list of Top-Ten vote-getters for the 2009 National Football League Pro Bowl:

Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
Brett Favre, N.Y. Jets
Eli Manning, N.Y. Giants
Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins
Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
Larry …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
The Houston Texans are 6-7 and with three games remaining on the 2008 schedule. Sadly, they find themselves three games behind in the race for the final AFC playoff spot. In other words, the Houston Texans are most likely going to miss the playoffs this season. But with an impressive 24-21 road win against the Green Bay Packers this afternoon, the Texans are offering a glimpse of what they could be next season. Of course, this is what they were expected to be this season, but better late than never, I guess. Head coach Gary …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
The NFL announced today the suspension without pay for four games of six players that violated the NFL Policy on Anabolic Steroids and Related Substances. The players specifically violated a longstanding provision of the policy relating to the use of diuretics and water pills, which serve as masking agents for steroids and are potentially dangerous to the health of players.
The policy states that the use of so-called “blocking” or “masking” agents, including diuretics and water pills, is prohibited and that a positive test will not be excused because it results from the use of a …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen was fined $50,000 yesterday for what was deemed two below-the-knee hits on Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub. Neither of the plays was flagged, but the Texans are calling both hits cheap shots. Jared couldn’t really defend himself:
“I’m going to avoid all questions on that right now until after my appeal. We’ll see how it works out.”
Jared has been very outspoken lately about the National Football League’s rules. And Vikings cornerback Cedric Griffin had a lot to say on the same subject during a conversation we had this past week. …read more