Johnson still out of practice

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Update: CBSsports.com is reporting that Houston Texans WR Andre Johnson missed practice again Thursday with a sprained ankle. However, he was able to run a bit and will be a game-time decision. The injury occured in the team's week two game against the Washington Redskins and has been bothering him ever since.

Fantasy Impact: The combination of a sprained ankle and a tough matchup against Raiders CB Nnamdi Asomugha is enough reason to sit Johnson this week. When healthy, he is arguably the best WR in the NFL, but after missing a good chunk of playing time last week and totaling only 64 receiving yards for the game, fantasy owners should look for help elsewhere.



Best misses practice again

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Update: CBSsports.com is reporting that Detroit Lions RB Jahvid Best missed practice again Thursday with turf toe. He will most likely be a game-time decision for the Lions' week four game against the Green Bay Packers.

Fantasy Impact: If Best is able to play, he will be going up against a stiff Green Bay run defense. It's probably best if fantasy owners sit him this week and look to their bench or free agency to fill a RB slot. Consider Best to be a number three RB or flex option at best (no pun intended).



RB Thomas misses practice

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Update: CBSsports.com is reporting that New Orleans Saints RB Pierre Thomas missed practice again Thursday after injuring his ankle last week. The severity of the injury is unclear, but he is considered day-to-day.

Fantasy Impact: Thomas would most likely put up good numbers this week against the Carolina Panthers, so fantasy owners should monitor his status closely. If he is cleared to play, consider him a low number one or high number two RB in terms of fantasy points. However, it would be wise to pick up another RB off waivers just in case he doesn't play.



Rice predicts he’ll play Sunday

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Update: Yahoo! Sports is reporting that Baltimore Ravens RB Ray Rice believes he will play on Sunday, despite a bruised right knee suffered last week against the Cleveland Browns. Rice said he "feels great" and expects to play in week four against their division rival Pittsburgh Steelers.

Fantasy Impact: Even if he does play, Rice probably won't put up impressive numbers this week. The Steelers defense has been outstanding so far this year, limiting Tennessee Titans Pro Bowl RB Chris Johnson to just 34 yards rushing in week two. Fantasy owners should play Rice only if they have no reliable RBs on their bench.



Delhomme cleared to practice

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Update: ESPN.com is reporting that Cleveland Browns QB Jake Delhomme has been cleared to practice and will most likely start Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Delhomme missed the past two games due to a sprained ankle.

Fantasy Impact: Delhomme was shaky in his only game this season which was also his first with the Browns. Fantasy owners should steer clear of Delhomme unless its needed to fill a QB spot due to bye weeks or injuries. Beware, though, Delhomme has a reputation for throwing interceptions when under pressure.



John Carney to kick for Saints

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Update: ESPN.com is reporting that the New Orleans Saints are going with newly-acquired K John Carney in their game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. The move to sign Carney was probably influenced by K Garrett Hartley missing what would have been a game-winning 26 yard field goal in overtime against the Atlanta Falcons. Hartley is still on the Saints' 53-man roster.

Fantasy Impact: Kickers are a dime a dozen in fantasy leagues, so this isn't of much importance. Drop Hartley and grab another kicker off waivers before Sunday. Remember the skill of a kicker doesn't matter as much as the team they play on, so try to get the kicker that's on the best offensive team available.



What is the best sports-related comedy routine of all-time?

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Earlier today on Corporate Compliance Insights (another blog I manage), I posted the video of George Carlin’s epic Baseball versus Football comedy routine as part of the site’s “Coffee Break” section.

I also posted posted it to Reddit with the headline “If there is a better sports-related comedy routine than this, I’ve never heard it“. Well, that might not actually be true.

As Redditor Grimeden pointed out, there is at least one more legendary sports-related comedy routine that has to be in any discussion of “best ever”. It is, of course, Abbott and Costello’s classic “Who’s on First” bit. I’m not quite sure how I forgot about this one, but I did. Silly me.

Now the question is: which one is better? George Carlin or Abbott & Costello?

And to answer that, I present both videos and request your vote.

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



Michael Vick, Clay Matthews & IU Alum Courtney Roby Named NFC Players of the Month for September

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Quarterback MICHAEL VICK of the Philadelphia Eagles, linebacker CLAY MATTHEWS of the Green Bay Packers and kick returner-special teamer COURTNEY ROBY of the New Orleans Saints are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Month for September, the NFL announced today.

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Robert Mathis, Arian Foster & Mike Nugent Named AFC Players of the Month for September

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Running back ARIAN FOSTER of the Houston Texans, defensive end ROBERT MATHIS of the Indianapolis Colts and kicker MIKE NUGENT of the Cincinnati Bengals are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Month for September, the NFL announced today.

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Jets sign Pryce

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Update: ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter is reporting that the Jets have agreed to a contract with recently waived former Ravens defensive end Trevor Pryce.

Fantasy Impact: I hate to say I told you so, but didn’t I just say yesterday, when Pryce got cut, that he was going to sign with the Jets? It makes perfect sense for both sides. Pryce had his best years in Baltimore when Rex Ryan was his defensive coordinator and if there are any drops of play-making ability left in Pryce, Ryan will squeeze them out. As for the Jets, their defensive line has been clearly undermanned since Kris Jenkins’ season-ending ACL tear in Week 1, as the team’s pass-rush has been noticeably ineffective over the past couple weeks. The return of Calvin Pace should help in that regard, but it certainly helps to have a veteran defensive end opposite Shaun Ellis and to aid in the development of a young end, like Mike DeVito.



Chicago Bears-New York Giants Preview and Prediction

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The Chicago Bears are 3-0, and going into New York you’d think they have a very good chance to extend the win streak to four. The Giants are trying to get Tom Coughlin fired, or at least they’re playing like it.

The Giants, once a Super Bowl team just a few short years ago, are playing like the Bears did the last two years: unmotivated and lazy. But this is not a young team. This is a team of veterans playing terribly.

With a 1-2 record things are not looking up for the Giants as they host a rising Chicago team Sunday night in Week 4.

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Notre Dame-Boston College Preview and Prediction

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After being humiliated last week against Stanford, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish take on rival Boston College this weekend. Boston College has won the previous five games against the Irish.

Notre Dame needs a win badly. It’s been three straight losses, and after every loss the situation looks more and more ugly for Brian Kelly and his team. The morale seems to be down. The toughness and aggressiveness just isn’t there; but, this week the Irish play a team they can beat.

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NFL Week 4 – Can the Undefeated Teams Remain Undefeated?

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In 2009, things were different:

The NFL had seven undefeated teams, 18 squads with one or two wins in their pocket, as well as seven other squads with goose eggs in their win column as week four approached.

Times certainly have changed, especially in the current 2010 season, where only three teams remain undefeated and just five have yet to win a game. That said, five of those seven undefeated teams in ’09 made the playoffs, so does that add any pressure to the current three perfect teams?

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RB Mathews: "I feel terrific"

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Update: CBSsports.com is reporting that San Diego Chargers RB Ryan Mathews practiced in full on Wednesday and said he feels "terrific." Mathews was held out in week three as a precautionary measure. All signs point to him playing in week four against the Arizona Cardinals.

Fantasy Impact: The Cardinals have been fairly generous to running backs this year, giving up 425 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Mathews should be played in all leagues and considered a number one RB.



Shipley limited in practice

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Update: CBSsports.com is reporting that Cincinatti Bengals WR Jordan Shipley was limited in practice on Wednesday with a shoulder injury suffered in week three against the Carolina Panthers. He is expected to play against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

Fantasy Impact: The Bengals passing game has been struggling recently, and the Browns have only had one WR gain 100 receiving yards against them. Expect that to change on Sunday, but Shipley probably won't be the one to do it. Sit him in all leagues.