Porter Wants to Part With Fins

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Update: Armando Salguero, of The Miami Herald, reports Miami Dolphins LB Joey Porter said during an appearance on "Romeo in the Morning" on Hot 94.1 in Bakersfield, Calif., last week that he did not want to return to the Dolphins in 2010.

Fantasy Impact: Porter reportedly told Head Coach Tony Sparano that he was unhappy with him limited number of game time as well as being benched at one point. With 2 seasons left on his contract is is uncertain what will happen with Porter this off season or who will even be interested in his declining services.



Pats Eyeing Pass Rushers

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Update: Albert Breer, of The Boston Globe, reports the New England Patriots sat down with South Carolina LB Eric Norwood Monday, Jan. 25 as well as University of Michigan DE Brandon Graham sometime on the 26th.

Fantasy Impact: The Patriots who had a very up and down year which resulting in a wild card round loss to the Ravens are likely looking to boost their ailing defensive presence.



Browns Unsure About Quinn

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Update: Steve Doerschuk, of the Canton Repository, reports Cleveland Browns president Mike Holmgren said he needs more time before deciding to spend a high draft pick on one of the top draft-eligible quarterbacks. While appearing on a local radio radio station Tuesday, Jan. 26, Holmgren was asked his views on QB Brady Quinn. "Right now, I don't know the situation quite well enough. I've been busy doing other things. Everyone knows that position is the most important position on the a team," Holmgren said. "Is the quarterback of the Browns here already? Maybe. If not, then we'll have to go free agency or draft. We'll see."

Fantasy Impact: The Browns found late season success with their RB Jerome Williams, KR Joshua Cribbs as well as a number of O and D linemen but have struggled to find a consistent, quality QB.



Rhodes Undergoes MRI

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Update: Rich Cimini, of the New York Daily News, reports New York Jets SS Kerry Rhodes said via Twitter that he went for MRI exams on both shoulders, both feet and a knee.

Fantasy Impact: Rhodes season was up and down even being benched at one point, and getting into a shouting match with his secondary coach despite being resigned to a 5 year contract before the season started.



Reader Email: Vikings Fans Need to Get a Grip

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I received the email below from a Vikings fan named Tim. I thought it was interesting.

It is oh, so easy, to focus on what went wrong against the Saints.  Have any Vikes fans stopped to focus on what went right this year and reflect upon what a great season we had?  Would you rather be a Detroit Lions fan?  Childress and Favre were the reasons we were a breath away from the superbowl.  Rather than trying to figure out how we can blame them for our own grief, let’s do some soul searching about why we’ve turned so much of our emotional stability over to people that make millions of dollars and couldn’t care less about us.

[Read more...]

Email the author of this post: jerod@midwestsportsfans.com



Greg Oden Shows Maturity in Addressing Media Questions About Nude Photos (Video)

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greg-oden-addresses-media

Yesterday I wrote about the lessons that we can all learn from the unfortunate situation that Greg Oden has found himself dealing with.

If you didn’t hear, nude photos that Oden took of himself and sent to a female “friend” recently surfaced on the Internet. (BTW, it’s okay to click on that link…I didn’t include the pictures in my post.)

Some time after the pictures surfaced – and Google trends surrounding Oden’s name became volcanic – the Blazers’ center answered questions from the media about the photos.

Watch the video:

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Email the author of this post: jerod@midwestsportsfans.com



Titans Hire New Running Backs Coach

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Update: Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean reports that the Tennessee Titans' running backs coach Earnest Byner was relieved of his duties and replaced by Jaguars' running back coach Kennedy Pola. "I can't say anything about any of that,'' said Byner, who has one year left on his contract with the Titans. "You have to talk to Jeff. Just talk to him. I can't say a nything.'' When asked another question, Byner said: "Let it go, man. Just let it go." Fisher could not be reached for comment but in a news release from the Titans said: "I want to thank Earnest for his time with us and his contributions.

Fantasy Impact: Pola has 18 years of coaching experience, including 12 seasons as a college coach and one year with the Browns (2004). He spent four seasons at his alma mater, Southern California, as the running backs coach (2000, 2002-03) and special teams coordinator (2001-03).



Colts Will Wear Home Jerseys in Super Bowl

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Update: Mike Chappell of the Indy Star reports that the Indianapolis Colts will wear their home blue jerseys in Miami for Super Bowl XLIV against the New Orleans Saints. The Colts are making their fourth Super Bowl appearance and all have been in Miami. The Colts are 2-0 while wearing their white jerseys (Super Bowls XLI, V) and 0-1 in their blues (Super Bowl III).



Gholston’s Future Uncertian

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Update: Dave Hutchinson of The Star Ledger reports that New York Jets' LB Vernon Gholston's future is uncertain even though the team still owes him nearly $11 million in guaranteed money. Gholston has no sacks in 29 career games. The organization might be ready to move on, especially if 2010 is an uncapped year and the club can absorb the salary cap hit.



Lewis Hired as Falcons’ Secondary Coach

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Update: D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the Atlanta Falcons hired Tim Lewis as the team's secondary coach on Monday. Lewis, a former player, coach and defensive coordinator, replaces Emmitt Thomas on the coaching staff. Lewis was the Seattle Seahawks' defensive backs coach last season under former Falcons head coach Jim Mora.

Fantasy Impact: Thomas' contract was not renewed after the defense finished ranked 28th in the league against the pass.



Lewis Hired as Falcons’ Secondary Coach

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Update: D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the Atlanta Falcons hired Tim Lewis as the team's secondary coach on Monday. Lewis, a former player, coach and defensive coordinator, replaces Emmitt Thomas on the coaching staff. Lewis was the Seattle Seahawks' defensive backs coach last season under former Falcons head coach Jim Mora.

Fantasy Impact: Thomas' contract was not renewed after the defense finished ranked 28th in the league against the pass.



Horton Remains with Steelers

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Update: John Harris of the Pittsbugh Tribune-Review reports that the Pittsburgh Steelers' defensive backs coach Ray Horton will remain with the team after the University of Houston chose the Philadelphia Eagles' defensive special assistant Brain Stewart as the school's new defensive coordinator over Horton. "His prior experience as a defensive coordinator in the NFL and as a position coach at the collegiate level is exactly what we were looking for," Houston coach Kevin Sumlin said of Stewart. Horton told the tribune that he believed he was a finalist for the position.

Fantasy Impact: Horton, who has 25 years experience in the NFL as a coach and player, was the only finalist who lacked college coaching experience and has never served as a defensive coordinator on any level.



Ravens Hire Pees as LB Coach

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Update: Ron Fritz of the Baltimore Sun reports that Baltimore Ravens' head coach John Harbaugh announced today he had hired Dean Pees as the team's new linebackers coach replacing Vic Fangio. Pees, 60, just completed his sixth season with the New England Patriots with the last four as the team's defensive coordinator. “I’ve know Dean for 27 years, and he’s our type of coach – energetic, hard-working and innovative,” said Harbaugh. “He has worked with all three levels of defense – defensive line, linebackers and secondary. His experience and wealth of knowledge speak for themselves. Dean has also earned respect from his players and fellow coaches because he has been a coordinator. He’ll help our linebackers complement the guys up front and in the back end. He’ll fit in with us well, and we’re excited to get him.”

Fantasy Impact: The Patriots’ defense allowed less than 20 points per game in every season under Pees. In 2009, New England ranked 11th in the NFL in total defense (320.2 yards a game) and fifth in scoring defense (17.8 points a game).



Williams 50-50 on Retirement

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Update: According to the Star Tribune, the Minnesota Vikings' NT Pat Williams said he was 50-50 on whether he would return next season. Williams said he will go home and talk it over with his family and admitted he felt "drained" after Sunday's loss. "I feel good [physically]," he said. "But [the game] was tough on me. It was draining. You do all that work during the season, so you just feel drained." Williams, 37, said he does not have a timetable for making a decision and told Childress on Monday that he would call him once he makes up his mind.



Winfield To Have MRI

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Update: According to the Star Tribune, the Minnesota Vikings' CB Antoine Winfield re-injured his foot in the final plays of Sunday's 31-28 overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship game. Winfield is scheduled to have a MRI this week.