Edwards, Williams on Injury Report

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Update: Chip Scoggins of the Star Tribune reports that Minnesota Vikings' DL Ray Edwards (knee) and DT Kevin Williams (knee) were listed on the injury report Wednesday and did not practice. Their status for Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the New Orleans Saints is unclear.

Fantasy Impact: Edwards set a team playoff record with three sacks while adding eight tackles, two tackles for loss, five quarterback hurries and a forced fumble.



Henderson Returns from Suspension

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Update: Chip Scoggins of the Star Tribune reports that Minnesota Vikings' back-up LB Erin Henderson returns to practice Wednesday after being reinstated by the NFL following a four-game suspension for violating its policy performance-enhancing drugs. Henderson declined to reveal what substance he tested positive for, but indicated it came from a prescription he received in training camp to treat an allergic reaction. “I still know in my heart of hearts that I didn’t do anything wrong,” he said. “The NFL is going to do what the NFL has to do. I can’t be mad at them. They have a zero tolerance policy. Zero means zero I guess.”



Bears to Interview Chudzinski for Offensive Coordinator

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Update: According to the Chicago Tribune, Rob Chudzinski flew to Chicago Wednesday and is scheduled to interview Thursday to be the Chicago Bears' offensive coordinator, league sources said. Chudzinski served as the Chargers' assistant head coach and tight ends coach last season. He was operating on a one-year contract in San Diego, which makes him a virtual coaching free agent.



Phillips receives two-year extension

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Update: According to dallasnews.com, Dallas Cowboys' head coach Wade Phillips receives a two-year extension through 2011. The agreement was announced in a press conference at Valley Ranch with Phillips and owner and general manager Jerry Jones. Phillips is 33-15 in his three seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and has won two NFC East titles. He joined the team in 2007 and became the team's full-time defensive coordinator for the 2009 season.



Sproles Could Receive Raise

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Update: Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports San Diego Chargers RB Darren Sproles could make 7.3 million next season if the Chargers tender him an offer as a restricted free agent. The two sides could not come to a long tern agreement so the Chargers will owe Sproles a 10% increase on the 6.6 million he made this season should they re-sign him for a year.

Fantasy Impact: With the decreased productivity of RB LaDainian Tomlinson over the past couple of seasons the Chargers will need to look for someone to take over as their feature RB and it seems that role could go to Darren Sproles for the time being, though since they could not reach a long term agreement it seems they may be looking for someone else to take over in the long run.



Ravens Trying to Re-Sign 2

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Update: Edward Lee and Jamison Hensley, of The Baltimore Sun, report Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said the Ravens will try to re-sign impending free-agents DT Justin Bannan and DE Dwan Edwards during the off season.

Fantasy Impact: With some star players now over the age of 30(Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Derrick Mason) Baltimore will need to look to re-sign its younger players to ensure the team doesn't fall out of competitiveness. The teams good use of draft picks however and emergence of its current RB's should help keep the team winning games.



Rice Hopes McGahee Returns

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Update: Edward Lee, of The Baltimore Sun, reports Baltimore Ravens RB Ray Rice said he hopes the team brings back RB Willis McGahee next season because he sees the two as a tandem running attack. " I’d definitely love to see him back here. He’s a great back, and what you can see is we’re different backs. You can see that when we’re both rolling, we’re tough to stop. I see us as a tandem, and we can give a lot of defenses problems just because of his style of running and my style of running," Rice said.

Fantasy Impact: McGahee likely wont be content with a back up role to Rice and could very easily be heading to a new club soon where he could be used as the feature RB, for the time being however he and Rice provide a running attack hard to find in the league with both men having different running styles. The Ravens obviously benefit from having the choice of two very talented RB's, but it will be hard to keep them both happy.



Cassell Excited About Weis

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Update: Adam Teicher of the Kansas City Star reports that Kansas City Chiefs QB Matt Cassell is happy about the teams addition of Offensive Coordinator Charlie Weis. Weis will take the OC responsibilities away from Head Coach Todd Haley. "Now that Charlie is here, it will be great to have a guy who can concentrate totally on offense."

Fantasy Impact: With players such as QB Matt Cassell, WR's Dwayne Bowe and Chris Chambers, and the emergence of RB Jamaal Charles, Kansas City certainly has a good selection of weapons, and now they will have someone who can dedicate all of his time to making them all work.



Odom Running Once Again

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Update: Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com reports that Cincinnati Bengals DE Antwan Odom (Achilles) has been able to start running, a first since he tore his Achilles tendon in week 6. Odom is hoping to be able to take part in weight training once off season workouts start.

Fantasy Impact: Odom had 8 sacks in the teams first 3 games but injured his Achilles tendon in week 6 and hasn't played since. The Bengals will definitely be looking to have him healthy by the start of training camp.



Forte Has Knee Surgery

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Update: Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune reports Chicago Bears RB Matt Forte underwent arthroscopic knee surgery sometime within the last 2 weeks, according to sources.

Fantasy Impact: After a stellar rookie season Forte struggled all year long and was considered a bust by many. He will likely try to get as healthy as possible this off season and attempt to regain some of the hype he had following his rookie campaign.



Photo Hilarity: Now That’s What I Call a ‘Cock Block’

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etwaun-moore-demetri-mccamey-crotch-grab-photo

Purdue snapped a three game losing streak earlier this week when the Boilermakers beat Illinois in Champaign. In the process, Boiler guard E’Twaun Moore lent further proof to the old adage that a picture is worth a thousand words.

He also gave us today’s edition of Photo Hilarity of the Day.

As you can see, Moore clearly has taken to Matt Painter’s credo of playing tough, physical defense. Demetri McCamey of the Fighting Illini, however, is probably wishing that Moore’s defense didn’t involve E’Twaun grabbing (or tickling, not exactly sure…he is from Purdue after all) McCamey in his twig and berries while the Illinois guard attempts a jump shot.

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



If Given Chance, How Would Cubs Fans Receive a Sammy Sosa Return?

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sammy-sosa-sign

Throughout the course of the day I engage in or passively read various email and forum conversations with other sports fans of the Midwest variety. A lot of these conversations tend to center around Chicago sports because, well, it’s the biggest market in the MSF realm.

One recent conversation that particularly piqued my interest is the question of how Cubs fans should/would receive Sammy Sosa in the event that he returns to the team or city in a manner similar to how Mark McGwire has returned to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Allow me to present a few of the more compelling arguments that I read on both sides. I will then give my opinion and provide you with an opportunity to give yours.

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



Wednesday Morning Link Dump: A Random Smattering of Stories

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What better way to kick off your morning than with some links, right? Enjoy.

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



CFL Rookie Signs with Eagles

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Update: According to Philly.com, the Philadelphia Eagles signed RB Martell Mallett after a recent workout with the team and was the Most Outstanding Rookie in the Canadian Football League this past season. Mallett, who played for the BC Lions, rushed for 1,280 yards and six touchdowns on 214 carries and had 43 receptions for 342 yards and two touchdowns. He was also named to the West Division All-Star team.

Fantasy Impact: Mallett, 23, played in college for Arkansas-Pine Bluff, where he rushed for 2,896 yards and 27 touchdowns in his 4-year career.



V. Young Added to Pro Bowl Roster

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Update: The Tennessean reports that Titans QB Vince Young is the latest addition to the Pro Bowl, which will be held January 31 in Miami. It will be Young’s 2nd appearance, as he also played in the contest at the end of his rookie season in 2006.

Fantasy Impact: They should change the name of the Pro Bowl to the All-Comer's Bowl.  Nothing against Young, but he didn't even start a game until mid-season.  We knew that more players would bow out of the Pro Bowl now that it falls the week before the Super Bowl, but this is getting ridiculous.  Expect several more players to be added as replacements following the conference championships this Sunday.  Keep Young on your radar during 2010 fantasy drafts.  He could be in line for a breakout season statistically.