Feb 9, 2012
New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs apologized for telling supermodel Gisele Bundchen to “stay cute and shut up.”
Jacobs initially did not care for Bundchen's comments after the Giants' Super Bowl XLVI victory - but told ESPN late Wednesday that he should respect her. Bundchen is, after all, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's wife.
“Given the fact that it's a colleague of mine's wife, I do apologize for saying that, because I shouldn't have said that,” Jacobs said. “It's his wife and I should respect that just as much as anyone else.”
Bundchen was irate after she was heckled by Giants fans on Sunday.
“You (need) to catch the ball when you're supposed to catch the ball. My husband cannot (expletive) throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time," Bundchen said in a video obtained by TheInsider.com.
“I can't believe they dropped the ball so many times.”
Wes Welker and tight end Aaron Hernandez had notable drops in the fourth quarter.
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Feb 9, 2012
Report: Brady aggravated shoulder strain in Super Bowl
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady aggravated a left shoulder strain on a sack during the third quarter of Super Bowl XLVI, the Boston Herald reported.
Brady was sacked by New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck and required some treatment away from the sideline.
Backup Brian Hoyer warmed up as Brady received some attention, but the latter did not miss a play in the game. Brady is not expected to require additional attention during the offseason.
Brady completed just seven of 17 passes after that sack as the Patriots dropped a 21-17 decision to the Giants.
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Feb 9, 2012
Poll: Eagles QB Vick most disliked athlete in America
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick was voted as the most disliked athlete in America, according to a survey conducted by Nielsen and E-Poll Market Research.
The survey was published by Forbes.
Vick, who was imprisoned for 18 months for operating a dogfighting ring, received 60 percent of the respondents' vote as a player they “dislike”, “dislike somewhat” or “dislike a lot.”
“His awareness is up there with Peyton Manning, but a lot of it is people knowing him for the wrong reason,” said Stephen Master, who is the vice president of sports for Nielsen.
Golfer Tiger Woods also received 60 percent of the respondents' distain - but Vick earned the top spot because he received more of the “disliked a lot” votes, according to the poll.
Plaxico Burress finished third in the poll. The New York Jets wide receiver spent 20 months in jail after discharging a hand gun in a nightclub.
Detroit Lions defensive star Ndamukong Suh secured the fourth spot - perhaps receiving the push following his Thanksgiving Day stomp on national television.
NBA players Kris Humphries, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant are next on the list.
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Feb 8, 2012
Owens hoping IFL opens door back to NFL
The new part-owner of the Allen Wranglers was officially introduced Wednesday - and stressed that he has no plans to retire from the NFL yet.
Terrell Owens, who accepted an offer last month to play with the Indoor Football League team, said he still wants to play in the NFL and is hoping the Wranglers will provide an avenue for him to showcase his skills.
“I want to play a couple more years,” Owens said. “This right here will allow me to do that and assess where I am. I know I'm physically fit to play the game still.”
The 38-year-old Owens sat out the entire NFL season while rehabbing from offseason knee surgery. He attempted to make a comeback but no team made an offer.
Last month, the Wranglers said they offered Owens a package that could be worth up to $500,000 for the 2012 season, which gets underway on Feb. 25. The majority of IFL players earn $225 per game plus a bonus for wins.
Owens said he can be released from his contract if he is signed by an NFL team, but will still retain an ownership stake in the Wranglers.
The controversial wideout last played in the NFL with Cincinnati in 2010, hauling in 72 receptions for 983 yards and nine touchdowns.
A six-time Pro Bowler, Owens ranks second in NFL history with 15,934 receiving yards and and is tied for second 153 touchdown receptions.
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Feb 8, 2012
Jets WR Holmes cashes in for next two seasons
The New York Jets are banking on wide receiver Santonio Holmes and quarterback Mark Sanchez working out their differences.
A clause in Holmes' five-year contract was trigged Wednesday morning, guaranteeing the wideout $7.5 million for the 2013 season.
Holmes, who just completed his second season with the Jets, was already assured of guaranteed money for 2012.
The fractured relationship between Holmes and Sanchez was given as one of the reasons for New York's 8-8 season that finished with three straight losses.
Holmes reportedly was sulking and squabbling with teammates in the huddle before he was benched in the season finale. There also were reports that he had issues with Sanchez throughout the season.
Earlier this week, he reached out to Sanchez on his Twitter account with a posting that said: “Hope your getting as antsy as me for the 2012-13 season to start.”
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Feb 8, 2012
49ers DE McDonald arrested
San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Ray McDonald was arrested early Wednesday morning due to an outstanding warrant from 2010 on suspicion of driving under the influence.
The San Jose Mercury News reported that the warrant was issued in August because of a failure to provide completion of a first-offender program following the first arrest.
McDonald was pulled over by Sunnyvale police, who learned of the outstanding arrest warrant. He was arrested and released shortly after 7 a.m.
The 27-year-old McDonald just completed his fifth season with San Francisco, registering a career-high 5.5 sacks. He added 2.5 sacks in the NFC title game against the New York Giants.
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Feb 8, 2012
Steelers cut loose CB McFadden
The Pittsburgh Steelers terminated the contract of veteran cornerback Bryant McFadden on Wednesday.
McFadden has spent six of his seven seasons with the Steelers, but he played a limited role this season, making only 10 tackles in 13 games.
The 30-year-old McFadden had two interceptions and a career-high 82 tackles in 2010-11 with Pittsburgh.
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Feb 8, 2012
10 Things I Learned on Sunday: Super Bowl XLVI
Written by: James Burulcich
Edited by: Allie Fontana
Seven weeks ago the New York Giants were coming off their second loss of the season to the Washington Redskins. It was pathetic to say the least. Who would have predicted that they’d finish the 2011 season as Super Bowl Champions? For the second time in four years the Giants pulled off a miraculous run that saw them prove all the odds makers wrong. As a diehard fan of the G-Men, I’m absolutely giddy about the whole situation. Here’s what I learned on Super Bowl Sunday:
1. ELITE?
It doesn’t matter whether or not people think Eli Manning is an elite quarterback, the only thing that matters now is that the tailor gets his jacket size right. Manning is on his way to the NFL Hall of Fame after winning his second Super Bowl, receiving his second Super Bowl MVP award, defeating Tom Brady for a second time and leading his second game-winning touchdown drive. He finds himself in the elite company of Joe Montana, Terry Bradshaw, Bart Starr and Tom Brady as one of five quarterbacks to ever win two Super Bowl MVPs. B-ELI-eve it.
2. Who was that Guy?
Like many experts and fans, I’ve had Patriots quarterback Tom Brady on a pedestal. Maybe that’s because for a long time he was virtually untouchable. When the Giants faced the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII, I feared that Brady would gut take them apart. Why? Brady had an impressive postseason career with 10 wins, zero losses, and three Super Bowls victories up to that point in time. Since then, Brady’s had a mixed bag of postseason results including six wins, six losses and two failed Super Bowls. Like the sun, Brady once shined so bright. However like the sun, he will eventually burn out. I think we’re witnessing the beginning of the end of Brady’s dominance.
3. Glad He Scored.
Although I understand the thought process behind kneeling down rather than scoring a touchdown, I’m glad that Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw scored. Though the thought of giving Tom Brady one last chance to lead the Patriots downfield for a score was scary, I wanted the Giants to score and take the lead. The two field goals the kicker Lawrence Tynes made in the Super Bowl were shaky at best. Two weeks ago against the San Francisco 49ers, punter Steve Weatherford had to secure a low snap in order to properly place the ball for Tynes to kick. Field goals aren’t automatic, always take the points.
4. A Push?
For those of you who love to partake in Super Bowl prop betting, can you believe that Kelly Clarkson’s National Anthem time was a push? While I know that Vegas is usually right on with their betting lines (except for favoring the Patriots the last two Super Bowls, but I digress) how did they get this one dead on? The over/under was one minute and 34 seconds and Clarkson nailed it exactly. I wonder if it was coincidence or if Clarkson rehearsed it that way?
5. Madonn-huh?
Hey, at least it wasn’t the Black Eyed Peas.
6. Punters Need Love.
Two years ago after a loss to the Ravens, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick made the following observation in an interview with Judy Battista of the New York Times: “Show me a punter who coffin corners. You don’t see it. They don’t do it.” Tell that to Giants punter Steve Weatherford. Although he punted just four times on Sunday, three of them were downed at the 8-yard line or less, and one bounced into the end zone when two Giants had a chance to down it. Yes, Brady engineered a 96-yard touchdown drive; however starting behind your own 10-yard line for a good chunk of a game is never easy. It looks like the Giants have found their new Jeff Feagles and they have the New York Jets to thank for it.
7. Chase the Gronk!
Talk about a great story. New York Giants middle linebacker Chase Blackburn has always been a fan favorite. He started his career as an undrafted rookie from Akron in 2005 and became a perennial special teams’ hustler. Blackburn didn’t make the 53-man roster this season and got a job teaching high school math. He was on the job when the Giants called him back on November 18. This past Sunday Blackburn made a pure hustle play when he snatched the game’s only interception and helped the G-Men regain momentum. It’s not always the big name stars who make the team great, the lesser known guys who are all heart contribute too.
8. Commercials, What Commercials?
I can’t lie. I watched the game at a friend’s Super Bowl Party and was really, really into the game. I found myself pacing around far too much during commercial breaks and missed the majority of them. That said, aside from the amazing trailer for the new Avengers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGt-saFvkNk&feature=player_embedded ), which I don’t consider a real “commercial,” the only ads that got my attention were the ones with the dogs. As a happy dog owner, I’m a sucker for anything in which a dog acts like a human. For me, Volkswagen’s fat dog losing weight to fit through the doggy door and the Doritos Great Dane that buried the cat ads tied for the best Super Bowl commercials.
9. Oh Wes.
You had two hands on the ball, buddy. A lot of analysts blamed Tom Brady for an errant throw to Wes Welker on that fourth-quarter drive. Really? On 2nd-and-11 with 4:06 remaining, Welker simply dropped the 23-yard pass that would have given New England the ball in the red zone and almost certainly a fourth Super Bowl title. It’s Welker’s fault just as it was Asante Samuel’s after he intercepted Eli Manning in Super Bowl XLII and dropped the ball on what turned out to be the game-winning drive. Super Bowl champions make plays a la David Tyree and Mario Manningham. So Asante and Wes…Thanks guys!
10. Final Thoughts.
I’m still in utter shock that the New York Giants have given their fans another Super Bowl title and in such dramatic fashion. The last seven weeks have given me nothing but an anxiety disorder and it feels so good to finally take a deep breath. As much fun as it is to win the way the Giants have done it, I’d prefer a boring blow out once in a while. Super Bowl XXV was the first one that I watched. I was 9-years-old at the time, and while I don’t remember much about it other than Scott Norwood’s missed kick, I remember the Dave Brown quarterbacking the team through the 90s. I remember how bad I felt when the G-Men lost Super Bowl XXXV to Baltimore. Countless heartbreaking losses like the 49er playoff game in 2002. For as great as it was to hear my favorite team called “Champions” when the Giants defeated the undefeated Patriots in 2008, something about this victory just feels better. This one validates the first. It’s not luck. The New York Giants are a great team with great players and one of the greatest all time “clutch” quarterbacks. I can finally say that with the utmost confidence and no one can say otherwise. Ten to 15 years from now, I will take my family to Canton, Ohio to watch Eli Manning get inducted into the National Football League’s Hall of Fame. #ALLIN #BIGBLUE #THANKYOU
Thanks again Bruno Boys Nation for a tremendous season. I hope you enjoyed the blog this year and I look forward to doing all over again next year! Eight months until fantasy draft time!
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Feb 8, 2012
Bills re-sign K Lindell to 4-year, $11 million deal
Lindell will be returning for a 10th straight season in Buffalo and is the Bills' second-leading scorer with 878 career points.
The 35-year-old had played in 180 consecutive games before finishing the season on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.
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Feb 8, 2012
Raiders hire Ted Gilmore as wide receivers coach
Gilmore spent one season with the Trojans and helped develop two All-Americans at the receiver position.
The 44-year-old previously spent six seasons as Nebraska's wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator.
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Feb 8, 2012
Report: Chargers to waive LT McNeil
The two-time Pro Bowler is set to make $10 million in 2012, but must be cleared to play by doctors after a neck injury prematurely ended his 2011 season.
The 28-year-old's salary would become guaranteed on March 13.
McNeil has been with the Chargers since being selected in the second round of the 2006 draft out of Auburn.
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Feb 8, 2012
Jets re-sign WR Turner to one-year deal
Turner will also receive a $250,000 signing bonus.
Turner had eight catches for 96 yards and a touchdown last season and was scheduled to become a restricted free agent next month.
The 24-year-old was claimed off waivers from the Miami Dolphins in 2010.
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Feb 8, 2012
Report: Redskins to put franchise tag on TE Davis
Davis was having a breakout season when he was suspended for the last four games for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy.
If Davis signs the one-year franchise tender, he would be guaranteed a salary of about $5.5 million in 2012.
The 26-year old caught 59 passes for 796 yards and three touchdowns last season for the Redskins.
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Feb 7, 2012
Giants LB Kiwanuka on repeat: 'No doubt in my mind'
New York Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka is already thinking about next season.
With his team's Super Bowl triumph still fresh in his mind, Kiwanuka told the New York Post that he believes the team can do it again.
“If we won it this year, there's no doubt in my mind that we can (repeat),” Kiwanuka said. “We've just got to get in the playoffs. That's it.”
The Giants won five straight games to accomplish the feat - with the last coming at the expense of the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI.
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Feb 7, 2012
Giants TE Ballard attends parade on crutches
New York Giants tight end Jake Ballard was able to enjoy the parade following the team's Super Bowl victory - but needed crutches to do so.
Ballard suffered a torn left ACL during the second half of the Super Bowl on Sunday. He had two catches in the Giants' 21-17 victory over the New England Patriots.
An undrafted free agent, Ballard reeled in 38 receptions for 604 yards and four touchdowns this season.
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Feb 7, 2012
Panthers' Super Bowl playbook found at garage sale
A Carolina Panthers playbook from Super Bowl XXXVIII was found at a local garage sale, WCNC.com reported on Tuesday.
Matt Rowell, 26, found the discarded playbook stemming from the Panthers' Super Bowl loss to the New England Patriots. Also found at the garage sale was “sensitive financial information” on several players, as well as Kris Jenkins' locker room nameplate from the Super Bowl, the website reported.
Rowell decided to return the playbook and other documents to the Panthers, but elected to keep the nameplate.
“I enjoyed it for a week. I was like, you know what, this really belongs more to the fans than it does to me or for me selling it, because if I were to sell it on Craigslist or eBay or wherever, then that person may then sell it to the Falcons or to the Saints,” Rowell said.
“It's just stuff that you can't, as a die hard fan, you just can't do that.”
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Feb 7, 2012
Pawn shop takes jab at Welker with Butterfinger bars
Denver-based online pawn shop Pawngo decided to have a little fun at the expense of wide receiver Wes Welker and the New England Patriots.
While the New York Giants were celebrating their Super Bowl XLVI victory with a parade on Tuesday, Pawngo sent 8,000 Butterfinger bars to Copley Square in Boston.
“We at Pawngo thought Boston fans deserved a little something in return for their heartbreaking loss in the form of a great candy!” Pawngo CEO Todd Hillis told NFL.com on Tuesday.
“Sometimes there is a light side to sports and we thought Boston fans might at least get a laugh out of it. We have the utmost respect for Wes Welker and the Patriots.”
Welker was unable to reel in a pass during the fourth quarter, saying he “let the team down.”
It was not immediately known if supermodel Gisele Bundchen was behind the prank.
The wife of quarterback Tom Brady lashed out at Giants fan - and tossed the Patriots' wide receivers under the bus in the process.
“You (need) to catch the ball when you're supposed to catch the ball. My husband cannot (expletive) throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time," Bundchen said in a video obtained by TheInsider.com.
“I can't believe they dropped the ball so many times.”
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Feb 7, 2012
Big Blue Apple: Giants celebrate Super Bowl triumph with parade
The New York Giants were greeted by nearly one million well-wishers on Tuesday following the team's Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots.
The parade began at Battery Place and spanned through the Canyon of Heroes to Worth Street before eventually settling at MetLife Stadium.
“Two months ago, the experts doubted the Giants would even make the playoffs, but we're here today because the Giants believed in each other, and you believed in them,” Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.
Giants running back Brandon Jacobs walked around MetLife Stadium with the Vince Lombardi Trophy, allowing several of the Big Blue faithful to take an upclose look.
Defensive captain Justin Tuck took a shot at the rival New York Jets by stating the stadium is “our house.” The Jets and Giants share MetLife Stadium.
“We just came from a great parade in the Canyon of Heroes, but when you pull into this place and see all the fans, there really is no place like home," team co-owner John Mara said.
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Feb 7, 2012
Report: Ravens RB Williams to announce retirement
Williams previously retired from football on August 2, 2004 after violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy for a third time. Williams re-joined the Miami Dolphins on July 24, 2005 before violating the policy for a fourth time, which resulted in him being suspended for the entire 2006 season.
The 34-year-old played 11 NFL seasons for the New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens.
The former Heisman Trophy winner rushed for 10,009 yards and 66 touchdowns in his troubled NFL career.
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Feb 7, 2012
Broncos RB Moreno facing DUI charge
A Denver district attorney spokeswoman said Moreno is also charged with failure to provide proof of insurance and is due back in court March 2.
Moreno was pulled over on Feb. 1 after driving 70 mph in a 45 mph zone in his Bentley convertible.
“We take the incident involving Knowshon Moreno very seriously, and are thoroughly reviewing this matter. Our organization will continue to gather information and closely monitor this issue while the legal process takes its course,” the Broncos said in a statement on Monday.
The 24-year-old is currently rehabilitating a torn ACL he suffered during the 2011 season.
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Feb 7, 2012
Report: Bears name Bates as new quarterbacks coach
The Bears pursued Bates as offensive coordinator before the 2010 season, but he turned them down to join the Seattle Seahawks. Bates was later fired on Jan. 18, 2011 as offensive coordinator.
The 35-year-old previously coached for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Jets and Denver Broncos in various roles.
Bates is now re-united with Jay Cutler, who he previously worked with in Denver.
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Feb 7, 2012
Giants P Weatherford close to signing new deal with team
The team has already offered him a new contract and they're working out the details, he revealed on WFAN Giants on Tuesday.
The 29-year-old set a Super Bowl record on Sunday with three punts that forced the New England Patriots to start inside their own 10-yard line.
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Feb 7, 2012
Raiders hire Jason Tarver as defensive coordinator
Tarver was the co-defensive coordinator for Stanford last season.
Stanford's defense ranked either first or second in the Pac-12 in eight defensive categories last season.
Tarver had spent the previous decade as an assistant coach with the San Francisco 49ers, primarily as a linebackers coach.
He should bring some discipline to a Raiders team that set an NFL record last season with 163 penalties for 1,358 yards.
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Feb 7, 2012
Patriots owner Kraft praises team
“I'm real proud of them, they worked hard all year. They competed well all season and we won a lot of games. The ones we didn't win we fought right until the end and played very competitively. We did that last night and just up a little bit short. I have all the respect in the world for the team, and all the players, what they've done for over six months. It's not about the one game or one play or anything, it's a whole body of work,” said Kraft.
The Patriots began the season 5-3 and then followed with 10 wins in a row and another birth in the Super Bowl.
“We'll try to take a little time here and regroup, and figure out some of the things we need to do and move forward,” said head coach Bill Belichick. “For right now, we're just kind of collecting our thoughts and we'll figure it out here in due course.”
The Patriots dedicated the season to Kraft's late wife Myra, who lost a battle with cancer in Jul. 2011.
“When we dedicated this season to my sweetheart, I spoke with the coaches and the players and asked them to do something that would be special in her honor. The strength and spirit I saw with the team was unlike any other team I've seen in my 18 years in the NFL,” added Kraft.
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Feb 7, 2012
Super Bowl champion Giants return home
Fans lined up for hours at the Giants practice facility to give praise and hunt for autographs.
“It feels great with all these people,” defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy said.
The Giants got to spend Monday night at home, but have an action packed Tuesday to look forward to.
“Big Blue gave us a game to remember, and on Tuesday we're going to give them a parade to remember,” New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a press release.
The parade beings at 11 a.m. and Bloomberg is expected to present the team with keys to the city in a ceremony at City Hall.
A rally at MetLife Stadium will follow the parade at 3 p.m.
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Feb 6, 2012
Packers early Super Bowl favorites
Here's the full list of odds:
Green Bay Packers 6/1
New England Patriots 7/1
New Orleans Saints 8/1
Philadelphia Eagles 12/1
Pittsburgh Steelers 12/1
Houston Texans 12/1
Baltimore Ravens 14/1
New York Giants 15/1
San Diego Chargers 16/1
New York Jets 16/1
San Francisco 49ers 18/1
Dallas Cowboys 18/1
Detroit Lions 18/1
Atlanta Falcons 22/1
Chicago Bears 30/1
Arizona Cardinals 30/1
Miami Dolphins 35/1
Cincinnati Bengals 40/1
Indianapolis Colts 50/1
Tennessee Titans 40/1
Oakland Raiders 50/1
Carolina Panthers 50/1
Denver Broncos 50/1
Kansas City Chiefs 50/1
Seattle Seahawks 60/1
Buffalo Bills 60/1
Washington Redskins 60/1
Minnesota Vikings 75/1
St. Louis Rams 75/1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 75/1
Cleveland Browns 100/1
Jacksonville Jaguars 100/1
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Feb 6, 2012
Giants' Coughlin not considering retirement
Fresh off his second Super Bowl title, Tom Coughlin has no intention of calling it quits.
The veteran New York Giants coach plans on being on the sidelines at least until his contract runs out in 2012 and possibly beyond.
“I certainly hope so,” Coughlin said a day after the Giants won Super Bowl XLVI. “That is my intention. We have some ownership that has to give approval. I'm looking forward to it.”
The 65-year-old Coughlin became the oldest coach to win a Super Bowl.
Giants owner John Mara says the team will discuss an extension with Coughlin in the coming days.
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Feb 6, 2012
Reports: Haley to be OC of Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have hired former Arizona coach Todd Haley as the team's new offensive coordinator, according to multiple reports.
He replaces Bruce Arians, who left and accepted a position with the Indianapolis Colts.
Haley was fired by the Cardinals midway through the 2011 campaign. He went 19-27 during three years with Arizona, including winning the AFC West title in 2010.
The Steelers ranked 12th in the NFL in total offense last season.
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Feb 6, 2012
Super Bowl ratings just shy of last year's record-tying total
The New York Giants' Super Bowl victory on Sunday came in a sliver short of last year's record-tying numbers.
Sunday's game received an overnight rating of 47.8 and a 71 share, Nielsen Media Research revealed on Monday.
Last year's contest netted a 47.9/71 overnight rating following the Green Bay Packers' win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Giants' 39-20 victory over the Denver Broncos in 1987 also brought in big numbers (47.9/68).
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Feb 6, 2012
Jets WR Holmes reaches out to Sanchez over Twitter
New York Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes took to his Twitter account to reach out to quarterback Mark Sanchez on Sunday.
Shortly after the “other” New York-area team won the Super Bowl, Holmes set his sights on next season.
“Hope your getting as antsy as me for the 2012-13 season to start,” Holmes tweeted. “One more day til we start to make that journey.”
The fractured relationship between Holmes and Sanchez was given as one of the reasons for New York's 8-8 season that finished with three straight losses.
Holmes reportedly was sulking and squabbling with teammates in the huddle before he was benched in the season finale. There also were reports that he had issues with Sanchez throughout the season.
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Feb 6, 2012
NFL, NBC apologize for singer's gesture during Super Bowl halftime show
The NFC and the NBC network apologized on Monday after British singer M.I.A. extended her middle finger during Sunday's halftime show of the Super Bowl.
With approximately 110 million viewers, M.I.A. flipped the bird and appeared to swear during Madonna's halftime show.
NBC attempted to blur the screen in an attempt to prevent the gesture, but was a fraction of a second late in doing so..
“The obscene gesture in the performance was completely inappropriate, very disappointing and we apologize to our fans,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said.
“The NFL hired the talent and produced the halftime show,” NBC spokesman Christopher McCloskey said. “Our system was late to obscure the inappropriate gesture and we apologize to our viewers.”
The NFL has gone to great lengths to keep its halftime shows from any potential offenses after singer Janet Jackson briefly exposed her breast during the 2004 Super Bowl.
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Feb 6, 2012
Patriots TE Gronkowski: 'My ankle was fine'
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski mustered only two catches for 26 yards in Super Bowl XLVI, but refused to use his ailing ankle as an excuse.
“I was fine, my ankle was fine,” Gronkowski told the Boston Herald after the Giants posted a 21-17 victory.
“I was 100 percent out there. I did everything they asked me to do.”
The 22-year-old Gronkowski was plagued by a high ankle sprain, which he suffered during the team's AFC Championship Game victory over the Baltimore Ravens.
Gronkowski had a monster season, setting league records for tight ends for touchdowns (17) and receiving yards (1,327).
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Feb 6, 2012
Giants' Bradshaw: 'I tried (to stop), but my momentum just took me in'
New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw scored a 6-yard touchdown with 57 seconds to play in Super Bowl XLVI - and felt awful about it.
Bradshaw bolted through a hole the size of Texas before attempting to stop at the 1-yard line in an attempt to run out the clock.
“I tried (to stop), but my momentum just took me in,” Bradshaw told NFL Network. “All I could do after that was hope that they wouldn't score.”
“Well, he was trying to do (what he's coached to do), which is: 'Don't score. Get down to the 1-inch line, and pat it down to declare yourself down,'” New York offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said. “But no one touched him, and he rolled into the end zone. He was sitting down, trying to get down.”
The defense did its part and Giants held on for their second title in five years with a 21-17 victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday.
The Patriots made a strategic decision to let Bradshaw score and preserve 57 seconds to give Tom Brady a chance to produce another Super Bowl-winning drive.
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Feb 6, 2012
Gisele backs Brady, rips receivers after Super Bowl loss
As one might expect, Gisele Bundchen wasn't too pleased with the final result of Super Bowl XLVI.
The wife of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was hounded by New York Giants fans after the latter posted a 21-17 victory on Sunday.
After being taunted by fans who said, “Eli rules, Eli owns your husband,” the supermodel decided she had enough.
“You (need) to catch the ball when you're supposed to catch the ball. My husband cannot (expletive) throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time," Bundchen said in a video obtained by TheInsider.com.
“I can't believe they dropped the ball so many times.”
Wes Welker and tight end Aaron Hernandez had notable drops in the fourth quarter.
Brady came up short in his bid to join Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana as the only four-time Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks on Sunday.
It was a repeat of Super Bowl XLII, when the Giants derailed New England's run at the first 19-0 season in history with a stunning 17-14 upset.
“We came up short,” Brady said. "We; just didn't make enough plays."
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Feb 5, 2012
Safety wins one gambler $50,000
Tom Brady committed one of the costliest penalties in Super Bowl history - at least as far as the MGM Grand in Las Vegas is concerned.
The quarterback of the New England Patriots drew a penalty for intentional grounding on the team's very first offensive play of the game.
Because Brady was in the end zone and Justin Tuck of the New York Giants was bearing down on him, his heave down the middle of the field was called a safety, resulting in a huge payoff for one lucky better.
The odds of a safety being the first points in the Super Bowl were 50-1 - and one unidentified gambler cashed with a a $1,000 wager on the proposition bet.
That meant that Brady's throwaway toss amounted to a staggering payout of $50,000. Not a bad Super Bowl memory for one person.
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Feb 5, 2012
Brady unable to add to legacy
Tom Brady already has built an impressive Super Bowl legacy, but his bid to match the accomplishments of the game's all-time greats was snuffed out by the New York Giants - again.
Brady came up short in his bid to join Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana as the only four-time Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks when the New England Patriots fell to the New York Giants 21-17 in Super Bowl XLVI.
It was a repeat of Super Bowl XLII, when the Giants derailed New England's run at the first 19-0 season in history with a stunning 17-14 upset.
“We came up short,” Brady said. “We just didn't make enough plays."
During one magnificent stretch, Brady seemed to be making all the plays. He completed 16 consecutive passes to eclipse the Super Bowl record of 13 straight held by Joe Montana, his boyhood idol.
That followed a rocky start when Brady was penalized for intentional grounding while in the end zone, giving the Giants a safety. Brady heaved the ball well down the middle of the field with Justin Tuck bearing down on him.
“It’s a referee's judgment call," Brady said. "I; was looking down the field and Tuck, I think, was coming to get me. I tried to get rid of it and the ref made the call."
Brady rebounded by leading the Patriots on a 96-yard touchdown drive right before the half, tying the Super Bowl record for the longest in history. He connected on all 10 of his passes to give the Patriots a 10-9 lead heading into halftime.
The Patriots also scored on their opening drive of the second half to build a 17-9 lead on Brady's TD pass to Aaron Hernandez, but those were the last points they would manage.
The turning point for Brady and New England came when he was sacked by Tuck with just over six minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Brady appeared to hurt his left shoulder on the play and doctors quickly attended to him on the sideline. He had completed 20 of 24 passes to that point but connected only 7 of 17 attempts thereafter.
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Feb 5, 2012
Eli(te) status: Manning earns Super Bowl MVP award
Eli Manning caused a stir early in the season when he told the media he considered himself one of the league's elite quarterbacks.
Manning went out and backed up his words, outplaying Tom Brady to lead the New York Giants to a 21-17 victory in Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday night in Indianapolis.
Playing in the home stadium of his older brother Peyton, the quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts, Manning directed a nine-play, 88-yard scoring drive to give the Giants their second Super Bowl victory over the Patriots in five seasons.
And, as was the case in Super Bowl XLII, Manning earned his second Super Bowl MVP award - matching the number held by Brady.
Manning finished 30 of 40 for 296 yards and a touchdown to help the Giants end the season with six consecutive victories.
His biggest completion came on New York's final drive, when he threw a strike down the left sideline to Mario Manningham for a 38-yard gain to midfield.
Manning also improved to 3-0 in his last three matchups with Brady. Manning directed a last-minute comeback in Week 9 as the Giants snapped New England's 20-game regular-season home winning streak.
The Patriots had reeled off 10 straight victories since that time and appeared en route to an 11th after Brady directed two long scoring drives to help New England take a 17-9 lead early in the fourth quarter.
The Patriots did not score again, but Manning, who set a Super Bowl record by completing his first nine passes of the game, guided the Giants into position for two third-quarter field goals by Lawrence Tynes.
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Feb 5, 2012
Deja vu: Manning, Giants outlast Patriots in Super Bowl
Four years later, Eli Manning again got the best of Tom Brady on the NFL's biggest stage.
Manning drove the Giants 88 yards on nine plays, capped by Ahmad Bradshaw's 6-yard scoring run with 57 seconds to play, and the New York Giants squeaked out a 21-17 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday night in Indianapolis.
In a setting eerily familiar from their Super Bowl matchup in 2008, when Manning threw the winning touchdown pass with 35 seconds to play, the Giants used a dramatic late drive to capture the fourth Super Bowl championship in franchise history.
Manning earned his second Super Bowl MVP and won his third straight head-to-head matchup with Brady, including a 24-20 victory in Week 9 that snapped New England's streak of 20 consecutive regular-season home victories.
The Patriots (15-4) had won 10 straight games since that loss, but again came up short against the Giants in their bid for a fourth Super Bowl title in 11 seasons.
With the Giants boxed in at their own 12-yard line with 3:46 to play, Manning and Mario Manningham connected on a spectacular 38-yard pass to midfield to set up the winning touchdown after New England's Wes Welker was unable to haul in a pass on the previous possesion.
It evoked memories of Manning's amazing pass to David Tyree in Super Bowl XLII that helped end New England's bid for a perfect 19-0 season.
The Patriots made a strategic decision to let Bradshaw score and preserve 57 seconds to give Brady a chance to produce another Super Bowl-winning drive.
Instead, Brady watched wideout Deion Branch and tight Aaron Hernandez drop passes before he was sacked by Justin Tuck on third down.
The two-time Super Bowl MVP kept New England's hopes flicking by hitting Branch for 19 yards on fourth-and-16, but his Hail Mary pass in the end zone was batted down.
Manning completed 30 of 40 passes for 296 yards and one touchdown. Brady finished 27 of 41 for 276 yards with two TDs and one interception - the only turnover of the game.
New York (13-7) needed to win its final two games just to get in the postseason and extended its winning streak to six games.
The Giants scored the final 12 points of the game after the Patriots had ripped off 17 unanswered points to take a 17-9 lead on their first possession of the third quarter.
At one point, Brady completed 16 consecutive passes to snap the Super Bowl record of 13 held by Joe Montana with the San Francisco 49ers.
New York slowly chipped away at the lead, getting a pair of third-quarter field goals by Lawrence Tynes, of 38 and 33 yards, to pull within 17-15 entering the final 15 minutes.
The Giants' defense also imposed its will, holding Brady to 7 of 18 after he connected on 20 of his first 23 attempts.
The Patriots tied a Super Bowl record for the longest scoring drive, moving 96 yards on 14 plays to take a 10-9 lead into halftime.
Brady capped the lengthy march with a 4-yard toss to Danny Woodhead with only eight seconds left in the half as New England erased an early 9-0 deficit.
The Giants had the better of the play for much of the opening half, holding the ball for nearly 20 minutes.
The Patriots fell behind on their very first offensive play when Brady was called for intentional grounding from his own end zone when he threw deep downfield with Tuck bearing down on him.
It marked the first safety since Super Bowl XXV, when Giants quarterback Jeff Hostetler was sacked by Bruce Smith of the Buffalo Bills.
Manning drove the Giants 78 yards in nine plays on the subsequent possession, finishing the drive with a 2-yard scoring pass to Victor Cruz, who celebrated with his signature salsa dance.
The Patriots got on the board 72 seconds into the second quarter on a 29-yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski.
New England then went ahead behind a surgical performance by Brady, who completed all 10 passes for 98 yards on the record-tying drive.
Brady was 15 of 18 for 147 yards and a score while Manning went 13 of 17 for 120 yards and a TD in the first 30 minutes.
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Feb 5, 2012
NFL Super Bowl XLVI Recap: Giants 21, Patriots 17
Four years later, Eli Manning again got the best of Tom Brady on the NFL's biggest stage.
Manning drove the Giants 88 yards on nine plays, capped by Ahmad Bradshaw's 6-yard scoring run with 57 seconds to play, and the New York Giants squeaked out a 21-17 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday night in Indianapolis.
In a setting eerily familiar from their Super Bowl matchup in 2008, when Manning threw the winning touchdown pass with 35 seconds to play, the Giants used a dramatic late drive to capture the fourth Super Bowl championship in franchise history.
Manning earned his second Super Bowl MVP and won his third straight head-to-head matchup with Brady, including a 24-20 victory in Week 9 that snapped New England's streak of 20 consecutive regular-season home victories.
The Patriots (15-4) had won 10 straight games since that loss, but again came up short against the Giants in their bid for a fourth Super Bowl title in 11 seasons.
With the Giants boxed in at their own 12-yard line with 3:46 to play, Manning and Mario Manningham connected on a spectacular 38-yard pass to midfield to set up the winning touchdown after New England's Wes Welker was unable to haul in a pass on the previous possesion.
It evoked memories of Manning's amazing pass to David Tyree in Super Bowl XLII that helped end New England's bid for a perfect 19-0 season.
The Patriots made a strategic decision to let Bradshaw score and preserve 57 seconds to give Brady a chance to produce another Super Bowl-winning drive.
Instead, Brady watched wideout Deion Branch and tight Aaron Hernandez drop passes before he was sacked by Justin Tuck on third down.
The two-time Super BOwl MVP kept New England's hopes flicking by hitting Branch for 19 yards on fourth-and-16, but his Hail Mary pass in the end zone was batted down.
Manning completed 30 of 40 passes for 296 yards and one touchdown. Brady finished 27 of 41 for 276 yards with two TDs and one interception - the only turnover of the game.
New York (13-7) needed to win its final two games just to get in the postseason and extended its winning streak to six games.
The Giants scored the final 12 points of the game after the Patriots had ripped off 17 unanswered points to take a 17-9 lead on their first possession of the third quarter.
At one point, Brady completed 16 consecutive passes to snap the Super Bowl record of 13 held by Joe Montana with the San Francisco 49ers.
New York slowly chipped away at the lead, getting a pair of third-quarter field goals by Lawrence Tynes, of 38 and 33 yards, to pull within 17-15 entering the final 15 minutes.
The Giants' defense also imposed its will, holding Brady to 7 of 18 after he connected on 20 of his first 23 attempts.
The Patriots tied a Super Bowl record for the longest scoring drive, moving 96 yards on 14 plays to take a 10-9 lead into halftime.
Brady capped the lengthy march with a 4-yard toss to Danny Woodhead with only eight seconds left in the half as New England erased an early 9-0 deficit.
The Giants had the better of the play for much of the opening half, holding the ball for nearly 20 minutes.
The Patriots fell behind on their very first offensive play when Brady was called for intentional grounding from his own end zone when he threw deep downfield with Tuck bearing down on him.
It marked the first safety since Super Bowl XXV, when Giants quarterback Jeff Hostetler was sacked by Bruce Smith of the Buffalo Bills.
Manning drove the Giants 78 yards in nine plays on the subsequent possession, finishing the drive with a 2-yard scoring pass to Victor Cruz, who celebrated with his signature salsa dance.
The Patriots got on the board 72 seconds into the second quarter on a 29-yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski.
New England then went ahead behind a surgical performance by Brady, who completed all 10 passes for 98 yards on the record-tying drive.
Brady was 15 of 18 for 147 yards and a score while Manning went 13 of 17 for 120 yards and a TD in the first 30 minutes.
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Feb 5, 2012
Brady, Manning set marks for consecutive completions
Quarterbacks Tom Brady and Eli Manning each set records during Sunday night's Super Bowl XLVI.
Brady broke Joe Montana's record of 13 consecutive completions, hitting 16 straight passes as New England took a 17-9 lead early in the third quarter.
Manning completed his first nine passes of the game to set a Super Bowl record.
They were among the notable moments from Sunday's game.
The Giants got a safely when Brady was flagged for intentional grounding on a long pass from his end zone while being pressured by Justin Tuck. It was the first safety since since Super Bowl XXV, when Giants quarterback Jeff Hostetler was sacked by Bruce Smith of the Buffalo Bills.
New England also tied a Super Bowl record for the longest scoring drive, moving 96 yards on 14 plays just before halftime to take a 10-9 lead.
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Feb 5, 2012
Patriots hold 10-9 halftime lead over Giants
The New England Patriots held a 10-9 lead over the New York Giants at halftime of Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday night.
The Patriots tied a Super Bowl record for the longest scoring drive, moving 96 yards on 14 plays to go into the locker room with the lead.
Brady capped the lengthy march with a 4-yard toss to Danny Woodhead with only eight seconds left in the half as New England erased an early 9-0 deficit.
The Giants had the better of the play for much of the opening half, holding the ball for nearly 20 minutes.
The Patriots fell behind on their very first offensive play when Brady was called for intentional grounding from his own end zone when he threw deep downfield with Justin Tuck bearing down on him.
It marked the first safety since Super Bowl XXV, when Giants quarterback Jeff Hostetler was sacked by Bruce Smith of the Buffalo Bills.
Manning drove the Giants 78 yards in nine plays on the subsequent possession, finishing the drive with a 2-yard scoring pass to Victor Cruz, who celebrated with his signature salsa dance.
The Patriots got on the board 72 seconds into the second quarter on a 29-yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski.
New England then went ahead behind a surgical performance by Brady, who completed all 10 passes for 98 yards on the record-tying drive.
Brady was 15 of 18 for 147 yards and a score while Manning went 13 of 17 for 120 yards and a TD in the first 30 minutes.
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Feb 5, 2012
Knee injury knocks out Giants TE Beckum
New York Giants tight end Travis Beckum suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the second quarter of Sunday's Super Bowl matchup against the New England Patriots.
Beckum hurt his right knee early in the second quarter. He was hurt away from the play.
A third-round draft pick in 2009, Beckum has seven receptions in the postseason - two more than he had in the regular season.
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Feb 5, 2012
NFC's coin-toss streak ends at 14 years
The New England Patriots broke a streak before Super Bowl XLVI even kicked off.
The Patriots won the pregame coin toss, the first time the AFC has won the toss in 15 Super Bowls.
As the visiting team, the Giants called tails and the coin came up heads.
New England coach Bill Belichick deferred on receiving the kick until the second half.
The winner of the coin toss hasn't been an omen of success to come. The NFC won only five of the 14 games during the streak.
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Feb 5, 2012
Patriots TE Gronkowski to play in Super Bowl
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski will play in Sunday's Super Bowl against the New York Giants.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick told NFL Network's Alex Flanagan that Gronkowski “will definitely play.”
The 22-year-old hasn't practiced for two weeks with a high ankle sprain and may play a limited role Sunday.
Gronkowski has had a monster season, setting league records for tight ends for touchdowns (17) and receiving yards (1,327).
He also came up huge in New England's 45-10 playoff win over Denver, hauling in 10 catches for 145 yards and three touchdowns.
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Feb 5, 2012
NFL Commissioner Goodell unhappy with quality of play in Pro Bowl
Goodell appeared on the “Mike and Mike in the Morning” radio show and voiced concerns about this year's Pro Bowl.
“I really didn't think that was the kind of football that we want demonstrating to our fans…The fans were actively booing in the stands. They didn't like what they were seeing,” said Goodell.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers lashed out at his NFC teammates by saying they “embarrassed themselves” with the effort they gave in the game recently.
“We're either going to have to improve the quality of what we're doing in the Pro Bowl or consider other changes or even considering eliminating the game if that's the kind of quality game we're going to provide,” added Goodell.
The AFC defeated the NFC 59-41 in this year's Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu.
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Feb 5, 2012
Patriots cut WR Underwood on eve of Super Bowl
“Good Luck to the New England Organization, The Coaches, & All My Teammates. #PatsNation,” Underwood wrote on his Twitter account Saturday.
The 24-year-old played in eight games for the Patriots this season. He finished with three catches for 30 yards.
Silvestro plays on the punt and kickoff return units and could be filling in for tight end Rob Gronkowski on special teams, who is questionable for Sunday's Super Bowl with a high ankle sprain.
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Feb 5, 2012
Giants website mishap calls team Super Bowl champions prematurely
The NFL said in a statement:
“It is a common practice for both teams to create web pages in advance of the championship games and Super Bowl, In this case, the hidden URL for the page was inadvertently available for a brief period of time while it was being positioned on the NFL server for possible post tomorrow night.”
The Giants square off against the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl on Sunday.
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Feb 5, 2012
Eleven injured during pre-Super Bowl concert
Police made 22 arrests on Friday, mostly for public intoxication. One police car was damaged after concert-goers climbed on top of it.
“The crowd, everything is great…We've not having any problems with overcrowding,” said Indianapolis Department of Public Safety Capt. Kevin Givens on Saturday.
Super Bowl Host Committee spokeswoman Dianna Boyce said despite its overwhelming size, the crowd was good-natured and caused few problems.
Officers are prepared to close off access to the Super Bowl Village if crowds become too unruly on Sunday.
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Feb 4, 2012
Packers QB Rodgers named AP Most Valuable Player
The 28-year-old earned 48 of a possible 50 votes. New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees received the other two votes.
Rodgers led the NFL in passing with a 122.5 rating, throwing 45 touchdown passes to lead the Packers to a 15-1 record.
Rodgers was the third consecutive quarterback voted MVP. Tom Brady and Peyton Manning have alternated winning the award since 2007.
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Feb 4, 2012
Saints QB Brees wins AP Offensive Player of the Year award
Brees had a record-breaking season that saw him complete 71.6 percent of his passes and throw for 5,476 yards.
He received 43 of a possible 50 votes. Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers got the other seven votes.
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Feb 4, 2012
Ravens LB Suggs named AP Defensive Player of the Year
Suggs earned 21 of a possible 50 votes to beat out Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen, who tallied 14 votes.
Suggs had 70 tackles, 14 sacks and seven forced fumbles this season to lead a Baltimore defense that allowed the third-fewest points in the league this season.
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Feb 4, 2012
Broncos LB Miller named AP Defensive Rookie of the Year
Miller received 39 votes out of a possible 50. San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith earned the remaining 11 votes.
MIller finished with 64 tackles, 11.5 sacks and two forced fumbles for the Broncos this season.
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Feb 4, 2012
Lions QB Stafford named AP Comeback Player of the Year
Stafford received 21 of a possible 50 votes to beat out six other players who were considered for the award. Cleveland Browns lineback D'Qwell Jackson finished second with 15 votes.
The 28-year-old threw for 5,038 yards and 41 touchdowns this season.
Stafford missed most of the 2010 season with a shoulder injury.
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Feb 4, 2012
49ers HC Harbaugh voted AP Coach of the Year
Harbaugh led the 49ers to a 13-3 record and to the NFC Championship Game in his first season as an NFL head coach.
The 48-year-old received 45 of a possible 50 votes from media members who cover the NFL. Green Bay head coach Mike McCarthy received three votes, and Denver's John Fox took the other two votes.
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Feb 4, 2012
Panthers QB Newton voted AP Offensive Rookie of the Year
Newton is the first Panther to ever win the award, receiving 47 votes out of a possible 50. Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton received the other three votes.
The 22-year-old set an NFL record for rushing touchdowns in a single season by a quarterback with 14 and became the first player to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for 500.
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Feb 4, 2012
Martin headlines 2012 NFL Hall of Fame Class
Martin will be joined by defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy, defensive end Chris Doleman, left tackle Willie Roaf, Center Dermontti Dawson and cornerback Jack Butler as members of the 2012 class.
Martin was the NFL's fourth-leading leading rusher when he retired in 2005. Martin scored 90 rushing touchdowns and rushed for 100 or more yards in 56 games with the New England Patriots and New York Jets.
Kennedy is the former No. 3 overall pick in the 1990 NFL Draft. He enjoyed an 11-year career with the Seattle Seahawks. Kennedy collected 58 sacks and was elected to the Pro Bowl eight times.
Doleman is tied for third in NFL history with eight seasons of 10 or more sacks. He played the majority of his career with the Minnesota Vikings and was the 1992 Defensive Player of the Year.
Roaf was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1990's and was an All-Pro seven times in his career with the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs.
Dawson played in seven straight Pro Bowls from 1993 to 1998 and helped the Pittsburgh Steelers win five AFC Central titles and one AFC championship.
Butler retired with the second-most interceptions (52) in NFL history over nine seasons with the Steelers in the 1950's.
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Feb 4, 2012
Ticket sales suspended for NFL games in London, England
The Rams have agreed to give up a home game in each of the next three seasons to play in London at Wembley Stadium, but it violates the team's lease on the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.
“We're going to play the London games, We hope it will be with the Rams and the New England Patriots next year. That's what we planned…but there are issues that obviously are going to have to get resolved,” said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
NFL UK issued a statement saying they “have expressed optimism that a resolution is near.”
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Feb 4, 2012
Son of Jaguars coach Mularkey arrested on drug possession charge
The youngest son of new Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Mike Mularkey was arrested on cocaine possession charges Friday.
Shane Mularkey, 21, was among three University of North Carolina students arrested on the drug charge and trespassing.
Mike Mularkey was named head coach of the Jaguars last month after serving as offensive coordinator with the Atlanta Falcons.
"I; am grateful for the support that I've received from the Jaguars family and apologize for any distraction," Mularkey said. "We; are attempting to learn more about the situation, and I appreciate everyone's understanding that this is a private family matter, and therefore we cannot add anything further at this time."
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Feb 4, 2012
Weekend away solution for Jets' Holmes, Sanchez?
New York Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes has a plan to mend fences with quarterback Mark Sanchez - a weekend away together.
“It seemed like that was what Santonio was talking about,” Jets coach Rex Ryan told the New York Post.
The fractured relationship between Holmes and Sanchez was given as one of the reasons for New York's 8-8 season that finished with three straight losses.
Holmes reportedly was sulking and squabbling with teammates in the huddle before he was benched in the season finale. There also were reports that he had issues with Sanchez throughout the season.
“The first year they had good chemistry together,” Ryan said. “Whatever happened, happened but we'll learn from it. I'm confident because I think we have to be successful, they have to be successful together. I know one thing - they are both extremely competitive.”
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Feb 4, 2012
Report: Daboll named Chiefs new OC
Brian Daboll reportedly has been named the offensive coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs.
ESPN reported that Daboll was the choice to succeed Bill Muir, who decided to retire.
Chiefs quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn and former Oakland Raiders offensive coordinator Al Saunders also interviewed for the position
Daboll was the offensive coordinator with the Miami Dolphins last season and spent two seasons in a similar position with the Cleveland Browns.
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Feb 3, 2012
Super Bowl Round Fantasy Football Sit ‘Ems
- Written by Cory Steger
- Edited by Marc Caviglia
- Predictions are based on Staff Consensus
There’s one final game left in the season and it looks like it’s going to be a great one. Super Bowl XLVI features the New England Patriots and the New York Giants in a rematch of Super Bowl XLII. You may recall in that game the Giants upset the undefeated Patriots with a few miracle plays down the stretch. The rematch promises to just as epic, with both teams boasting great offenses.
A lot of playoff challenges force you to lock in rosters during the conference championship rounds. However, for those that don’t or for those doing a Super Bowl-only game can take solace in the fact that we’ve got our regular line of fantasy articles, including the Sit ‘Ems. This game appears to be an offensive shootout so not many players graced the list this week, but the ones that did are ones you’ll want to avoid.
RUNNING BACKS - SIT ‘EM
Brandon Jacobs (New York Giants) vs. New England
The positive about New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs is that he’s got good goal-line potential. That’s about all you can say about him, however. Jacobs does not get consistent touches nor does he get many yards. In the Giants’ three games thus far in the playoffs Jacobs went from 14 carries to nine to five, in that order. He also went from 92 yards to 22 yards to 15 yards. He did manage a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers and did rush for 92 yards against the Atlanta Falcons, but those were aberrations. Jacobs is not much of a factor in the offense and likely won’t be in this game either. Both teams favor a heavy passing game so running opportunities will be limited for the Giants, and you can expect Ahmad Bradshaw to get most of those.
WIDE RECEIVERS - SIT ‘EM
Deion Branch (New England Patriots) vs. New York Giants
For as much as the Patriots pass the ball you figure that wide receiver Deion Branch would catch more passes. However in the playoffs he’s combined for just five catches so far. The main targets are receiver Wes Welker and tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. Branch is good for a clutch catch here and there but overall he’s not targeted often enough to be a fantasy factor. Even if Gronkowski missed the game - which won’t happen - Branch still wouldn’t be a good option. In Super Bowl XXXIX when the Patriots held on for a close win over the Philadelphia Eagles, Branch was named the game’s MVP after catching 11 passes for 131 yards. However is far from the player he was back then, and won’t come close to duplicating that performance.
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS - SIT ‘EM
New England Patriots D/ST vs. New York Giants
For as much heat as the Patriots defense caught during the regular season, it was that side of the ball that won the AFC Conference Championship game over the Baltimore Ravens. However, New England is putting players into the lineup that wouldn’t crack the depth chart on other teams, including lining wide receiver Julian Edelman up at safety and Sterling Moore, who’s been cut multiple times by multiple teams this season at corner. That’s where the weakness of the defense is - defending the pass - which plays right into the hands of the Giants. The Patriots ranked 31st in the league passing yards allowed per game. The only thing that might save the Patriots D/ST here is that they intercept a lot of passes - 23 during the regular season - but with how well Eli Manning has been playing this season it’s unlikely he starts throwing picks left and right.
New York Giants D/ST vs. New England
Let’s be honest here, neither D/ST here is going to put up fantasy-worth statistics this week. It’s easy to rag on the Patriots but the Giants are just as bad defensively. New York 29th in the league in passing yards allowed per game, 27th in total yards allowed per game and 25th in points allowed per game. It’s hard to look at both defenses and not see a shootout happening here. The Giants did manage to hold the Packers to just 20 points in the NFC Championship but one good game does transform an average defense into a good one. As good as the defensive line is Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is one of the best players at getting rid of the ball when and where he needs to, which should nullify a lot of the speed from the defensive line. Also consider the Patriots offense ranks second in passing yards per game and total yards per game, as well as third in points per game.
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Feb 3, 2012
Super Bowl Round Fantasy Football Start ‘Ems
- Written by Brad Berreman
- Edited by Marc Caviglia
- Predictions are based on Staff Consensus
The 2011 NFL season will come to an end on February 5, as Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis will give us a rematch of the Super Bowl four years ago as the New England Patriots and New York Giants will square off.
Fantasy football owners that are still looking to finish well in their playoff leagues obviously don’t have a ton of options at this point, but the two teams offer some of the top options owners have relied on all season like Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and Eli Manning.
If you are looking for some worthy fantasy starters to secure a victory in your playoff league, feel free to check out our “Fantasy Football Start ‘Ems”for Super Bowl Sunday.
QUARTERBACKS-START ‘EM
Eli Manning (New York Giants) @ New England
Manning went 32-for-58 for 316 yards and two touchdowns last week against the San Francisco 49ers, and did not throw an interception despite being sacked six times in the game. He will get a chance to continue his playoff momentum in the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots in a favorable matchup. The Patriots had one of the league’s worst pass defenses during the regular season, and they just allowed over 300 passing yards to Joe Flacco of the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game. Against New England during the regular season, Manning threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. He is arguably playing better now than he was back then, so a better performance looks to be coming. The younger Manning is once again a no-brainer start in playoff leagues for Super Bowl XLVI.
RUNNING BACKS-START ‘EM
Ahmad Bradshaw (New York Giants) @ New England
Bradshaw had 20 carries for 74 yards along with six receptions for 52 yards against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game, as backfield mate Brandon Jacobs had just five carries in the game. Bradshaw gets an easier matchupagainst the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI, and his ability as a pass catcher only helps if the Giants have to throw a lot. He did not play against the Patriots when the two teams played in Week 9, but Jacobs had 100 combined yards from scrimmage and a rushing touchdown in that game. Bradshaw has at least 84 combined yards in all three games this postseason,and even if Jacobs vultures a few touches he should see plenty of work once again. Bradshaw is clearly the back from both teams fantasy football owners should be looking to start in the Super Bowl.
WIDE RECEIVERS-START ‘EM
Wes Welker (New England Patriots) vs. New York Giants
Welker had six catches (on eight targets) for 53 yards against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game, and now has at least six receptions in seven of his last eight games heading into Super Bowl XLVI against the New York Giants. Against the Giants back in Week 9, Welker had nine receptions for 136 yards as he was also targeted 10 times in the game. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady should look Welker’s way often with the Giants’ pass rush looking to get after him, so a lot of targets and catches should absolutely be coming. New York has been much better during the postseason, but they did allow the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers during the regular season and that should not be forgotten. Welker has been dealing with a knee injury recently, but there is virtually no way he misses the Super Bowl and is a rock-solid choice as a WR1 for those looking to finish strongly in their playoff league.
Victor Cruz (New York Giants) @ New England
Cruz broke out a small playoff funk in a big way in the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers, as he had 10 receptions for 142 yards and he was targeted a game-high 17 times. He gets a good chance at a second straight big game against the New England Patriots on Super Bowl Sunday, as the Patriots continue to struggle when faced with a talented group of receivers. Cruz himself had six catches (on 11 targets) for 91 yards against the Patriots in the regular season matchup of the two teams and he should again get plenty of looks from quarterback Eli Manning on Super Bowl Sunday. He was one of the biggest surprises of the fantasy football season in 2011, but at this point Cruz falls into the must-start category and he can be considered a WR1 with some upside for next Sunday’s game.
TIGHT ENDS-START ‘EM
Rob Gronkowski (New England Patriots) vs. New York Giants
Gronkowski had five receptions for a team-leading 87 yards against the Baltimore Ravens last week, and he did have to leave the game after suffering a severe-looking left ankle injury. Two weeks between games should give him ample time to recover, so he appears in no danger of missing Super Bowl XLVI against the New York Giants and a favorable matchup. The Giants allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends (8.6 per game) during the regular season, and they just allowed 112 yards and two touchdowns to Vernon Davis of the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. Against the Giants in Week 9, Gronkowski had eight receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown as was targeted a team-high 15 times in the game as well. As long as he remains on track to play on Super Bowl Sunday, “Gronk” should be regarded as the top tight end available.
KICKERS-START ‘EM
Stephen Gostkowski (New England Patriots) vs. New York Giants
Gostkowski made all three of his field goal attempts and went 2-for-2 on extra points against the Baltimore Ravens last week, and has missed just one field goal in his last seven games. A matchup with the New York Giants in the Super Bowl looks to be a fairly difficult matchup, as the Giants have allowed more than five points to an opposing kicker just one in their past five games. That said, Gostkowski went 2-for-3 on field goals, including a 45-yarder, and made both of his extra points against the Giants when the two teams met in the regular season. Being indoors at Lucas Oil Stadium may give him some long-range opportunities, as weather will not be a factor at all on Super Bowl Sunday. There obviously are only two kicker options available to fantasy owners at this point, but Gostkowski is the one with the most upside for the last game of the 2011 NFL season.
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Feb 3, 2012
Fantasy Football Super Bowl Rankings: Team Defense
—Written by Brad Berreman
—Edited by Marc Caviglia
—Predictions are based on Staff Consensus
::RANKINGS UPDATED AS OF FEBRUARY 2, 2012::
We have to wait until the calendar turns to February for more NFL football, not counting the Pro Bowl of course, and two of the best offenses and quarterbacks in the league will be on display with the New England Patriots and New York Giants play each other in the Super Bowl for the second time in recent years.
Since it looks likely to be a high-scoring affair at Lucas Oil Stadium, neither one of the defenses has a lot of appeal to fantasy owners looking to secure a victory in their playoff leagues.
Before we get going with our rankings for the Conference Championship games, here is a refresher on how to use our “Bruno Boys Star System” for ranking team defenses.
BRUNO BOYS DEFENSIVE STAR SYSTEM
5-Stars (*****)- Bruno Boys Top Plays of the Week
4-Stars (****)- Bruno Boys Very Solid Plays of the Week
3-Stars (*** - Bruno Boys Average Plays of the Week
2-Stars (**)- Bruno Boys Try To Avoid Playing This Week
1-Star (*)- Bruno Boys Do Not Start Unless You Have To
1. New York Giants (vs. New England)
The Giants had another solid defensive effort in the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers, as they allowed 17 points and 328 yards of offense while sacking quarterback Alex Smith three times. A much more difficult matchup is coming for the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots, who have had one of the league’s top offenses all season. The Giants actually put together a solid defensive effort against New England during the regular season, allowing 20 points while forcing four turnovers and sacking Tom Brady twice in the game. They did allow 438 offensive yards to the Patriots in that game, so they may be hard pressed to hold them off the scoreboard if they can’t force turnovers again. It looks likely to be a high-scoring contest on Super Bowl Sunday, but fantasy owners should hold the Giants defense is slightly higher regard for the game.
Bruno Boys Stars:**
2. New England Patriots (vs. New York Giants)
New England allowed nearly 400 yards of offense to the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game, including 306 passing yards to quarterback Joe Flacco, but they did hold the Ravens to 20 points and sack Flacco three times in the game. A much more difficult matchup is coming for Super Bowl XLVI against the New York Giants, have a much better overall offense than the Ravens. The Patriots allowed 24 points and 361 yards of offense to the Giants back in Week 9, as they forced two turnovers and failed to sack quarterback Eli Manning. Giants’ running back Ahmad Bradshaw did not play in that previous game, and Manning has played very well late in the season. Simply put, there is not a lot of upside here for fantasy owners on Super Bowl Sunday.
Bruno Boys Stars:*
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Feb 3, 2012
Fantasy Football Super Bowl Rankings: Kickers
- Written by Kyle Smith
- Edited by Marc Caviglia
- Predictions are based on Staff Consensus
::RANKINGS UPDATED AS OF FEBRUARY 2, 2012::
The Super Bowl features one of the best fantasy kickers (at least during the regular season) in New England’s Stephen Gostkowski, against one of the worst in New York’s Lawrence Tynes. Each has been fairly successful in the postseason however, with Gostkowski averaging 10 fantasy points per game and Tynes averaging 8.3. We anticipate both kickers getting past those numbers in the Super Bowl, so let’s take a look at our two-man rankings.
Standard Scoring
17-39 Yard Field Goal: 3 points | 40-49 Yard Field Goal: 4 points
50-plus Yard Field Goal: 5 points | Extra Point: 1 point
1. Stephen Gostkowski (New England Patriots) vs. New York Giants
Gostkowski has been perfect in New England’s pair of playoff contests, making all 12 of his kicks. He’s 4-for-4 in field goals and 8-for-8 in extra points. He hasn’t made or attempted a field goal from at least 40 yards out, so there have not been any bonus points for kicks from distance from him, but on the other hand, Gostkowski’s perfection means no negative points for missed kicks. The Giants stymied the Patriots’ offense in their last Super Bowl meeting, but even though New York has ramped up their defensive play, we have a hard time believing that will happen again.
Point Projection: 11 points
2. Lawrence Tynes (New York Giants) vs. New England
Tynes has made more field goals than any kicker this postseason with six, but he’s also missed a pair of kicks (he’s 9-for-9 on PATs). Like Gostkowski, Tynes has not made any kicks from at least 40 yards, going 0-for-1 from that distance. He was erratic during the regular season, and is a far riskier play in the Super Bowl for fantasy owners than the steady Gostkowski. The Giants should move the ball well enough to make Tynes a decent option, but not as good as his New England counterpart.
Point Projection: 9 points
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Feb 3, 2012
Belichick brushes off retirement talk, focuses on Giants
New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick is focused on his next game - not the ones that follow.
On Friday, Belichick was asked if he'd retire should the Patriots defeat the New York Giants in Super Boxl XLVI on Sunday.
His response? Well, none.
Belichick elected to brush aside the question and keep focused on both the Giants as well as the health of tight end Rob Gronkowski and his team in general.
The 59-year-old Belichick has spent 37 years of his life in the NFL.
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Feb 3, 2012
Goodell: NFL to play Thursday games from Weeks 2-15
The NFL will take a more prominent role on Thursdays.
Commissioner Roger Goodell announced on Friday that NFL Network will air 13 games in the upcoming 2012 NFL season.
The network, which currently airs eight games a season, will begin its coverage in Week 2.
“We think that's great for the fans ... and that's great for the network,” Goodell said at his annual state of the NFL news conference on Friday.
Goodell also noted that while he'd love for the NFL to have a team in Los Angeles, there has been no talk of expanding the league to 34 clubs.
There are two current proposals to build a new stadium in the suburban Los Angeles area.
Los Angeles is the nation's second largest media market.
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Feb 3, 2012
Giants' Canty plans parade, Patriots dismiss comments
New York Giants defensive tackle Chris Canty promised a parade next week, essentially guaranteeing a Super Bowl victory.
For their part, the New England Patriots were less than impressed with Canty's comments, according to the New York Daily News.
“They've got a parade?” Patriots wideout Deion Branch told the newspaper. “I don't know, man. Anybody can throw a parade. I can throw a parade if I want to. I think anybody can throw a parade.”
New England tackle Matt Light also dismissed Canty's comments, saying it goes “in one ear and out the other.”
Canty told the New York Daily News to “get ready for a great game on Super Bowl Sunday. And get ready for a parade on Tuesday.”
The two teams will play on Sunday in Super Bowl XLVI - with a parade going to the winner.
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Feb 3, 2012
Belichick on TE Gronkowski: 'I think he's OK'
New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick detailed on Friday that tight end Rob Gronkowski is no worse for wear after his first practice since suffering a left high ankle sprain.
“I think he's OK this morning. I think he's OK. I don't think we had any setbacks,” Belichick said.
Gronkowski, who returned to practice on a limited basis Thursday, is expected to play in Sunday's Super Bowl versus the New York Giants.
Prior to Thursday's practice, Gronkowski played to the camera and exagerated his injury to the laughter of many.
Gronkowski suffered the injury during the team's AFC Championship Game win over the Baltimore Ravens.
On Wednesday, Gronkowski said the team is looking into a specialized cleat he could wear on Sunday.
Gronkowski has had a monster season, setting league records for tight ends for touchdowns (17) and receiving yards (1,327).
He also came up huge in New England's 45-10 playoff win over Denver, hauling in 10 catches for 145 yards and three touchdowns.
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Feb 3, 2012
Lions QB Stafford wants Super Bowl ring before engagement one
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford admitted he wants a ring.
When pressed as to which he'd like first - a Super Bowl ring or one to announce an engagement - a clearly flushed Stafford chose the former.
Although Stafford has been dating girlfriend Kelly Hall, the Lions quarterback admitted that the young couple won't be headed to the alter “anytime soon.”
As for the question posed by the host of the “The Dan Patrick Show,” the 23-year-old Stafford admitted that winning on the NFL's grandest stage is his highest priority.
“Oh, my gosh, this guy,” Stafford answered. “Hopefully, (a) Super Bowl ring. Hopefully, (a) Super Bowl ring.”
The top overall pick of the 2009 draft, Stafford completed 421 of 663 passes for a career-best 5,038 yards with 41 touchdowns and 16 interceptions this season.
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Feb 3, 2012
Irsay refutes report, says Manning has not been cleared
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay refuted an ESPN report which detailed that quarterback Peyton Manning received clearance from doctors to return to football.
After the network reported that the NFL's only four-time Most Valuable Player had been medically cleared to resume his NFL career, Irsay took to Twitter to set the record straight.
“Peyton has not passed our physical nor has he been cleared to play for the Indianapolis Colts,” Irsay wrote late Thursday. “Team statement coming on Friday.”
Manning, who underwent three surgical procedures on his neck in a 19-month period that forced him to sit out the entire 2011 season, received the green light from two doctors, according to ESPN's report.
One of them was Dr. Robert Watkins, who performed the last surgery on Manning in September - a cervical neck fusion to repair a bulging disk.
However, Manning still faces a significant hurdle to getting back on the field as he awaits the nerves in his right arm to regenerate.
That has been the biggest issue since Manning was given the OK to resume throwing in December. Doctors have no way to predict a timetable for the nerve regeneration.
Signed to a long-term contract before the season, Manning is due a $28 million roster bonus on March 8. If the Colts decline to pay the bonus, he will become a free agent.
Indianapolis has the No. 1 selection in April's NFL draft and is expected to select Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck.
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Feb 2, 2012
Goodell: One team in L.A. could lead to expansion
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the league is not looking to relocate any of its current franchises to Los Angeles.
Goodell, appeared on “Costas Live” on Thursday night, said if the league decides to go forward with a team in Los Angeles, it would probably add another franchise to expand to 34 teams.
An odd number of teams would be problematic for scheduling purposes, a reason why Goodell said “We probably dont want to go to 33.”
There are two current proposals to build a new stadium in the suburban Los Angeles area.
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Feb 2, 2012
Saunders, Zorn interview for Chiefs OC position
The Kansas City Chiefs have interviewed quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn for the vacant offensive coordinator's position.
Al Saunders, who is still under contract with Oakland and was the offensive coordinator with Kansas City from 2001-05, also has interviewed for the position.
Zorn has served as head coach of the Washington Redskins. He was also the quarterbacks coach with the Seattle Seahawks prior to getting the job in Washington.
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Feb 2, 2012
Packers promote Clements to offensive coordinator
The Green Bay Packers promoted quarterbacks coach Tom Clements to their offensive coordinator Thursday.
Clements will succeed Joe Philbin, who was hired as head coach of the Miami Dolphins last month.
Clements has spent the past six seasons as Green Bay's quarterbacks coach. Prior to that, he was the offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills for two seasons.
"Tom; has been an integral part of our success and our staff, making it an obvious decision to promote him to offensive coordinator," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said in a statement. "He; has earned this opportunity and we look forward to continued offensive success in 2012."
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Feb 2, 2012
Report: Manning medically clear, but nerve issue remains
With ESPN reporting that Peyton Manning has been medically cleared to resume his NFL career, the reality is that little has changed for the NFL's only four-time Most Valuable Player.
Manning, who underwent three surgical procedures on his neck in a 19-month period that forced him to sit out the entire 2011 season, got the green light from two doctors, according to ESPN's report.
One of them was Dr. Robert Watkins, who performed the last surgery on Manning in September - a cervical neck fusion to repair a bulging disk.
However, Manning still faces a significant hurdle to getting back on the field as he awaits the nerves in his right arm to regenerate.
That has been the biggest issue since Manning was given the OK to resume throwing in December. Doctors have no way to predict a timetable for the nerve regeneration.
Signed to a long-term contract before the season, Manning is due a $28 million roster bonus on March 8. If the Colts decline to pay the bonus, he will become a free agent.
Indianapolis has the No. 1 selection in April's NFL draft and is expected to select Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck.
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Feb 2, 2012
NFL Super Bowl XLVI Preview: Giants at Patriots
THE STORY: Two Super Bowl MVP quarterbacks, a rematch of one of the biggest upsets in the game's history and fervent fan bases that share much of the same geographic region. Storylines abound for Sunday's Super Bowl XLVI matchup between the New York Giants and New England Patriots, yet much of the hype has centered on the left foot of a second-year tight end. An injury to New England's Rob Gronkowski, whose playing status is unclear due to a high ankle sprain, could have the biggest impact on the outcome when the Patriots and Giants clash in the Super Bowl for the second time in five seasons. New York won the previous matchup as a double-digit underdog, spoiling New England's bid for a perfect 19-0 season with a 17-14 victory in February 2008. The Giants are also the last team to beat the Patriots, who have won 10 straight games since a 24-20 loss to New York in Week 9 that snapped New England's streak of 20 consecutive regular-season home victories. In both matchups, Giants quarterback Eli Manning - the MVP of Super Bowl XLII - led a last-minute comeback to upstage Patriots QB Tom Brady, a two-time Super Bowl MVP.
TV: NBC, 6:30 p.m. ET. LINE: Patriots -2.5, O/U 54.5
ABOUT THE GIANTS (12-7): New York has taken a path that is eerily similar to its Super Bowl run four years ago, shaking off a mediocre regular season to rattle off five consecutive victories that included beating the NFC's top two seeds - Green Bay and San Francisco - on the road. Defense has sparked the turnaround for the Giants, who have surrendered only 39 points in three postseason victories while registering nine sacks and forcing seven turnovers. QB Eli Manning threw for a career-high 4,933 yards with 29 touchdowns vs. only 16 interceptions in the regular season and has been steely efficient in the postseason with eight TDs and one pick. Manning threw for a league-high 15 fourth-quarter touchdowns in the regular season, including two in the victory over the Patriots. WRs Hakeem Nicks (4 TDs in the postseason), Victor Cruz (NFC-high 1,536 yards) and Mario Manningham (3 TDs in the postseason) give Manning plenty of weapons. RB Ahmad Bradshaw, who missed the regular-season meeting, rushed for 74 yards in the NFC title game. He'll be complemented by bruiser Brandon Jacobs, who ran for 72 yards against the Patriots in November.
ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (15-3): Brady followed up a record-setting effort against Denver with one of his worst postseason performances in a 23-20 win over Baltimore in the AFC title game. He finished with 239 yards and was picked off twice while failing to throw a touchdown pass for the first time since Week 17 of the 2009 season. Brady overcame a wobbly start to throw for 342 yards and two TD passes against New York in November, but eight of those receptions and one TD went to Gronkowski, who has yet to practice since he was hurt. Gronkowski was the centerpiece of the Patriots' high-powered offense, hauling in 90 receptions and setting league records for TDs (17) and receiving yards (1,327) by a tight end. Brady, who threw for 5,235 yards, 39 TDs and 12 interceptions, will join John Elway as the only quarterback to start five Super Bowls and can surpass Joe Montana (16) for the most postseason victories. WR Wes Welker had a league-high 122 catches, including nine for 136 yards against the Giants. The big question is whether New England's much-maligned defense can stop Manning when it counts.
SUPER BOWL HISTORY
GIANTS (3-1): Def. Denver 39-20 (1986); def. Buffalo 20-19 (1990); lost to Baltimore 34-7 (2000); def. New England 17-14 (2007).
PATRIOTS (3-3): Lost to Chicago 46-10 (1985); lost to Green Bay 35-21 (1996); def. St. Louis 20-17 (2001); def. Carolina 32-29 (2003); def. Philadelphia 24-21 (2004); lost to N.Y. Giants (2007).
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Sunday's game will mark the first time that both starting quarterbacks have been Super Bowl MVPs.
2. New York is the second team to advance to the Super Bowl (Arizona 2008) by beating three playoff opponents with better records.
3. The previous four Super Bowl appearances by New England, all coming in a seven-year span, were decided by three points.
4. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and New York's Tom Coughlin each served on the same staff with the Giants under Bill Parcells.
5. In the Week 9 meeting, the Patriots and Giants played the first scoreless opening half of the season.
PREDICTION: Giants 27, Patriots 23. A hobbled Gronkowski is too much to overcome for New England's offense, particularly in the red zone, and New York makes it two Super Bowl wins in five seasons.
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Feb 2, 2012
Former Bears WR Hurd has trial set for April 2
Former NFL wide receiver Sam Hurd now knows his day in court.
A federal judge has set an April 2 trial date for Hurd, who is charged with trying to create a drug distribution network.
The trial could be delayed as Hurd, alleged co-conspirator Toby Lujan and federal prosecutors filed motions beforehand.
Hurd, 26, is accused of trying to purchase large quantities of marijuana and cocaine from an undercover agent for distribution.
He was released by the Chicago Bears two days after the arrest.
Investigators allege that Hurd met with an informant about the purchase of illegal drugs. Hurd said he was interested in buying “five to 10 kilograms of cocaine and 1,000 pounds of marijuana per week for distribution in the Chicago area.”
Hurd allegedly agreed to pay $25,000 per kilo of cocaine and $450 per pound of marijuana, and went on to say that he and an accomplice were prepared to distribute four kilograms of cocaine per week in Chicago.
He had appeared in 12 games with Chicago this season, hauling in eight passes for 109 yards. Hurd had spent the previous four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, making 45 catches in 62 games.
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Feb 2, 2012
Bundchen asks friends, family for positive thoughts for Brady, Patriots
Supermodel Gisele Bundchen is asking her friends and family to think positive thoughts as her husband prepares to play in the Super Bowl Sunday.
With Tom Brady and the New England Patriots set to face the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI, Bundchen is doing her best to give her man any advantage possible.
“I feel Tommy really needs our prayer, our support and love at this time,” Bundchen wrote in an e-mail, which was obtained by the New York Post and published on Thursday.
“Sunday will be a really important day in my husband's life,” Bundchen wrote. She added that she's asking for “positive energy so (Brady and the Patriots) can fulfill their dream of winning this Super Bowl.”
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Feb 2, 2012
Vikings RB Peterson keeps number, avoids $1M penalty
What's in a number? Well, if Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson elected to change his jersey number, it was going to cost him $1 million.
With that in mind, Peterson ended his brief flirtation with the idea and kept No. 28 as opposed to pursuing No. 23.
Peterson explained his decision in a post on his Twitter account.
“So here is the deal with the number change!” Peterson wrote. “So I received a call and I was informed that I would've to buy all jerseys that's been produced & Thus far! N the total amount that I would have to pay blew my mind!!!!!”
Peterson signed a seven-year deal worth $100 million prior to this season. He rushed 208 times for 970 yards and 12 touchdowns before a gruesome knee injury ended his campaign.
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Feb 2, 2012
Patriots TE Gronkowski expected to play in Super Bowl
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski continues to miss practice, but he will indeed play in Sunday's Super Bowl versus the New York Giants, ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted on Thursday.
“Barring a setback in practice this week, Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski will play in Super Bowl XLVI,” Schefter wrote. “(He is) expected to be limited at practice today.”
On Thursday, Gronkowski played to the camera and exaggerated his injury to the laughter of many.
“It's way better now than it was a week ago, so that's all that matters," Gronkowski said as he dragged his leg along. "Taking; positive strides, feeling way better. The pain's obviously been down way more than it was a week ago. It gets better every day, and that's all I can ask for.”
Gronkowski has missed practice this week due to the high ankle sprain he suffered during the team's AFC Championship Game win over the Baltimore Ravens.
On Wednesday, Gronkowski said the team is looking into a specialized cleat he could wear on Sunday.
Gronkowski has had a monster season, setting league records for tight ends for touchdowns (17) and receiving yards (1,327).
He also came up huge in New England's 45-10 playoff win over Denver, hauling in 10 catches for 145 yards and three touchdowns.
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Feb 2, 2012
Crowder eyes return to NFL, but not Ireland-led Dolphins
After missing this past season due to retirement, Channing Crowder would like to return to the NFL - well, with one stipulation.
Crowder is not interested in playing for his former team, the Miami Dolphins.
“I wouldn't go on a team with (Dolphins general manager) Jeff Ireland. I'm not very confident in him," the 28-year-old Crowder said. "He; doesn't know what he's doing in my opinion. He's real disrespectful, he doesn't know how to deal with people and the whole Dez Bryant (situation) kind of showed to the world what he's about, but guys in the building know what he's really about."
Crowder's reference of the Bryant situation stemmed from Ireland's pre-draft interview with the wideout in which he asked if the now Dallas Cowboys star's mother was once a prostitute.
“He's not a good person,” Crowder said of Ireland. “He has no class, and I wouldn't choose to go back and play there. And I would have to say it's the only team I don't want to play for."
The third-round selection of the Dolphins in 2005, Channing made a career-high 113 tackles in 2008, but injuries have since hampered his career.
The inside linebacker missed eight games to injury the past two seasons and has recorded 39 and 51 tackles, respectively. He was released by the Dolphins on July 29.
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Feb 2, 2012
Lions DE Avril not interested in franchise tag
Defensive end Cliff Avril loves playing for the Detroit Lions - he just doesn't wish to do so under the team's franchise tag.
“I definitely don't want to be franchised,” Avril told the Detroit Free Press on Thursday. “I mean, I've been in Detroit for four years, and I wouldn't mind being there for another couple more years or whatnot.
“The franchise tag kind of makes it a yearly thing, and you want security. You want to know you're going to be there for a couple years so your family can get comfortable.”
Avril collected a career-high 11 sacks and 36 tackles this past season. The 25-year-old has 30.5 sacks, 133 tackles and one interception in his career.
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Feb 2, 2012
Colts' Irsay plans to meet with Manning next week
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay plans to meet with Peyton Manning next week, but no decision will be made about the veteran quarterback's future until March at the earliest.
Manning is owed a $28 million option bonus on March 8. Should the Colts elect not to pay him, Manning would then become an unrestricted free agent.
Irsay told the NFL Network that he doesn't plan to make a decision based on sentiment or money - but rather reality.
“If it helps us win, I'll pay it in a second. But when it comes to salary cap ... we have real cap problems,” Irsay said. “You can't make a decision that straps you for the next three seasons.
“If we make a decision based on just affection, and we have cap problems for three years, the fans will call me an idiot.”
Manning declared on Tuesday that he is not planning on retiring after sitting out all of this season following his third neck surgery.
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Feb 2, 2012
10 Things I Learned This Season: A Look Back at 2011
Written by: James Burulcich
Edited by: Allie Fontana
Super Bowl XLVI is just a few days away and now is a good time to take a look back at the 2011 fantasy football season. We certainly had another great year full of surprises, sleepers, busts and Tebow. The lockout took the fun out of the offseason and for a long time it seemed that there might not be a 2011 NFL season. Fortunately that didn’t happen and before we know it, the 17 weeks of the regular season have come and gone. I always feel a little bit of a letdown when the season winds down. In my “A Look Back at 2010” article, I nailed a few of my predictions including the continued success of Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots; the lack of consistency among wide receivers; and that fans of the New York Jets should temper expectations for the team in 2011. Here’s a link to the article in its entirety for those of you who missed it: http://www.brunoboys.net/entry/10-things-i-learned-this-season-a-look-back-at-2010/. I’m confident that I’ll be right about my observations and predictions for the year ahead. In the meantime, here are 10 things that I learned this season:
1. Enter Tebow.
Do you think that I would start a “year that was” recollection blog without reminding everyone of possibly the single greatest story in NFL history? Five weeks into the 2011 season and the Denver Broncos had a 1-4 record and most people thought they were already out of playoff contention. Then like a whirlwind, Tim Tebow got his opportunity and went 7-4 as a starter, led his team to the AFC West title and eliminated the reigning AFC Division champion Pittsburgh Steelers from the playoffs. Sadly, a season like Tebow had—one full of comeback after comeback—surely won’t repeat itself. I believe that Tebow will enter the 2012 season as Denver’s starter; however the team will replace him before midseason. Let someone who truly believes in Tebow overdraft him in 2012 fantasy drafts. Don’t be the sucker.
2. Quarterbacks Abound.
Can you believe that we saw 10 quarterbacks throw for over 4,000 yards in 2011? Better yet, six signal callers went for over 4,600! Compare those numbers to 2010’s, when only five accomplished that feat, including Peyton Manning and Carson Palmer. It’s impossible to forget that Manning didn’t play a down this past season and Palmer landed in Oakland shortly before Week 7. Why does this matter? It’s simple. The potential exists for 12 quarterbacks to throw for over 4,000 yards next season, which in turn begs the question, just how important will it be for fantasy owners to draft a top-tier quarterback in 2012? I expect that more quarterbacks will be given full reign over new look, wide open offenses. If that’s the case, then I’m just not sure that grabbing a quarterback in the first round will be worth it.
3. R.I.P. Franchise Running Backs.
We’ve seen this coming for a long time haven’t we? This season finally showed us what we have known for a while now—the franchise quarterback is quickly becoming an endangered species. First let’s begin with the big name running backs who sustained injuries that caused them to miss one or more games or the majority of the season and makes fantasy owners question our trust in them for 2012: Adrian Peterson, Jamaal Charles, Darren McFadden, Matt Forte, Ahmad Bradshaw, Rashard Mendenhall, Fred Jackson, Jahvid Best, Peyton Hillis, Beanie Wells, Arian Foster, Knowshon Moreno and DeMarco Murray. Come to think of it, it might have been easier to name the guys who didn’t get injured. Basically, once you get past Arian Foster, Ray Rice, LeSean McCoy, and Maurice Jones-Drew, the running back consistency pool thins out rather quickly in next season.
4. Vick Squared.
Last year many fantasy owners were enamored with Michael Vick’s fantasy production. He could run and throw with such explosion, that some thought he was potentially the greatest fantasy weapon to ever take the field. But he had a weakness—durability. Enter Cam Newton. Like Vick, Newton has the arm and the legs, however he also has the frame and that gives him a vicious combination of skills, skills that would instill fear in Liam Neeson. Not only did he break the rookie passing yardage record with 4,051 yards, he also broke the quarterback rushing touchdown mark with an astonishing 14 scores. I would be shocked if Newton isn’t the third quarterback selected in 2012 drafts behind only Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees.
5. The Beast is Back.
Most of us forgot just what kind of running back the Seattle Seahawks traded for when they acquired Marshawn Lynch in 2010. This year he showed us that there was more to him than a young man with a funky hairdo and questionable decision-making skills. Lynch proved that he was a powerful and relentless running back—a beast if you will. While he got off to a slow start, head coach Pete Carroll stuck with him and he didn’t disappoint. Lynch put together a streak off 11 straight games with at least one touchdown or 100-plus yards and he capped off the season by being the first back to do both against the vaunted San Francisco 49ers defense. Just a few years ago Lynch was a late first-/early second-round fantasy pick. I believe that he’s reclaimed that value in 2012.
6. Tight End? You Sure?
I’m not sure the New England Patriots’ Rob Gronkowski and New Orleans Saints’ Jimmy Graham are really tight ends. While we have seen tight ends have great seasons before as far as touchdowns go, these two guys really pushed the bar up another level in 2012. Not only were Gronkowski and Graham the two best tight ends by a significant margin; they also finished among the top-six wide receivers this season. They outscored such stand out receivers as Larry Fitzgerald, Roddy White and Mike Wallace to name a few. With two of the league’s best quarterbacks throwing targeting them as their respective team’s first receiving option, I feel that they could be the second and third receivers off the board in 2012 drafts, behind only the next man.
7. A Class of His Own.
Megatron. Need I say more? Calvin Johnson’s 2011 season started off with a vengeance. Just four weeks in and he had already hauled in eight touchdowns and made it look easy doing it. Though Johnson had a bit of a lull in the middle of the year, his fantasy owners were rewarded in the final weeks of the season. He scored four touchdowns in three games and racked up 200-plus receiving yards in two. In fact, he was so dominant that he finished a full 44 fantasy points ahead of the second best wide receiver. Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford proved that he can finish a season healthy for the first time in three years. I believe Megatron’s ceiling is far from set. I firmly believe that Johnson will be the one to break the NFL single season record for receiving touchdowns (23) set by Randy Moss in 2007.
8. Fall from Grace.
How could I possibly have a 2011 retrospective without mentioning the crosstown rival New York Jets? No one likes a bully and this season Jets head coach Rex Ryan was the bully who finally got punched square in the mouth. After yet another Super Bowl prediction, the luster on that tongue is finally wearing thin. The Jets needed to win the final two games of the regular season to reach the playoffs for the straight time. Unfortunately for the team’s fans, the Jets fell apart. Quarterback Mark Sanchez regressed, wide receiver Santonio Holmes visibly quit on his team, running back LaDainian Tomlinson blasted the team atmosphere on Showtime’s Inside the NFL, linebacker Bart Scott flipped the bird to the media and even rookie quarterback Greg McElroy said the team had a “corrupt mindset.” What did I miss? The endless bravado works when you manage to slide into the playoffs two years in a row despite never winning the AFC Championship or even your own division, however when you collapse under the pressure, the truth finally comes out. Jets fans fell for fool’s gold and are now left with a green ring around their fingers.
9. Cruuuuzzzz.
Flashback to Monday, August 16, 2010. The New York Giants faced the New York Jets in Week 1 of the NFL preseason. In New York, these games always mean more than your standard preseason outing. The Giants were down 16-10 in the third quarter when an unknown wide receiver wearing No. 3 scored three touchdowns in the final 17:29 minutes. The wideout quickly fell back into obscurity. Twelve months later, Giants fans hammered general manager Jerry Reese for allowing wide receiver and Eli Manning’s safety net Steve Smith to walk and sign a free agent contract with hated NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles. Fast forward five months, 82 catches, 1,536 yards and nine touchdowns later and we have a new star. Tim Tebow aside, the best story of the 2011 season belonged to Victor Cruz. The undrafted University of Massachusetts wide receiver burst on the scene and became the fantasy year’s greatest waiver wire addition. Now everyone knows his name and his dance, and I for one, hope that he salsas the Giants to their fourth Lombardi trophy.
10. My 2012 Fantasy Sleeper Pick.
Michael Vick. Ugh. At the end of the 2010 fantasy season I picked Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo as my 2011 Sleeper Pick. And I’ll pick a member of the Philadelphia Eagles as my 2012 Sleeper pick. The Eagles 2011“dream team” was anything but. Michael Vick battled injury, DeSean Jackson struggled with maturity and the new free agent acquisitions, namely Nnamdi Asomugha failed to live up to the hype. Despite falling well short of expectations, head coach Andy Reid managed to keep his job. When it was apparent that the Eagles would almost certainly cut him loose after the season, his team responded despite falling short. Over the final three regular season games, Michael Vick put up three consecutive 20-point performances and showed flashes of the fantasy weapon that we fell in love with just one year ago. As much as I hate to say it, I trust Andy Reid. I believe him to be one of the best coaches in the NFL and I think that he will turn this team around in a big way in 2012. Vick played so poorly this year that I believe he will fall to the third round or later in next season’s fantasy drafts. He’ll be considered a steal as the season goes on. While I wouldn’t take Vick early in the first round or two because of injury concerns, if I can get him in the fourth round of fantasy drafts and actually pair him with other studs then I am all in.
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Feb 1, 2012
Steelers RB coach Wilson begins rehab program
Pittsburgh Steelers running backs coach Kirby Wilson remains hospitalized with severe burns but has started a physical rehabilitation program.
Wilson suffered burns on more than 45 percent of his body after a fire broke out in the kitchen of his home.
He is in serious condition at the Trauma Burn Unit at UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh.
“His status is stable, and he has started his physical rehabilitation,” the Steelers said in a statement. “The Wilson family would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support.”
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Feb 1, 2012
Giants DE Umenyiora fined $20,000 for missing media session
New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora makes his living piling up sacks. He got a taste of what it feels like Wednesday, courtesy of the NFL.
Umenyiora was fined $20,000 by the league after me missed a mandatory Super Bowl media session Wednesday morning.
In a statement released by the team, Umenyiora said he misunderstood the schedule and promised that it won't happen again.
“I apologize for any inconvenience my absence this morning may have caused,” Umenyiora said.
The league announced the fine a mere two hours after Umenyiora failed to show for the session.
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Feb 1, 2012
WR Burress sheds little light on Jets
Plaxico Burress sounded like he's one-and-done with the New York Jets.
Burress had little to say about his season and didn't offer a ringing endorsement of beleaguered Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez.
When asked his opinion on Sanchez, Burress told the New York Post: “Mark Sanchez is Mark Sanchez.”
The Jets lost their final three games to finish 8-8 and miss the playoffs. Wide receiver Santonio Holmes reportedly squabbled with Sanchez throughout the season.
Burress did not care to weigh in on the criticism aimed at Sanchez. “I haven't entertained any of it,” he said.
Signed with the Jets after spending 20 months in jail following an incident in which he accidentally shot himself in the leg at a Manhattan nightclub, Burress had 45 receptions for 612 yards and eight touchdowns last season.
His role in the offense diminished as the season wore on, another issue Burress did not care to specifically address.
“They used me the way they wanted to use me,” he said.
Running back LaDainian Tomlinson said after the season that New York's locker room was the worst he's ever been around.
Burress' take? “The Jets locker room is the Jets locker room,” he said.
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Feb 1, 2012
McNabb has eyes on 3 teams
Donovan McNabb sounded like he hopes to be under center in the NFL next season.
McNabb told NFL.com that there are three unnamed teams that he feels he can can add a little bit of flavor to it from what they have."
The future is murky for McNabb, who was released by the Minnesota Vikings last season weeks after he was benched for rookie Christian Ponder.
A six-time Pro Bowl selection, McNabb threw for 1,026 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions in six games last season.
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Feb 1, 2012
Giants RB Bradshaw practices on limited basis Wednesday
New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw practiced on a limited basis Wednesday.
It marked the first time in weeks that Bradshaw has practiced on a Wednesday. He missed four games earlier in the season with a broken bone in his foot, including a 24-20 win at the New England Patriots.
Bradshaw rushed for only 659 yards this season after amassing 1,235 yards in 2010.
He has 20 carries - his second-highest total of the season - for 74 yards in the NFC Championship Game against San Francisco.
The Giants and Patriots will clash in the Super Bowl on Sunday night in Indianapolis.
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Feb 1, 2012
LB Tatupu planning comeback after sitting out season
Pro Bowl linebacker Lofa Tatupu is planning to make a comeback next season.
Tatupu was released by the Seattle Seahawks prior to last season when he refused to take a pay cut, but a source close to the player told the National Football Post that a knee injury forced him to sit out the season.
Tatupu underwent arthroscopic surgery on both knees in January 2011 after collecting 88 tackles, one sack and one interception in 16 games in 2010.
It marked a career-low in tackles for Tatupu, who became the first Seattle player to lead the team in that category for four consecutive seasons from 2005-08.
The 29-year-old Tatupu had signed a six-year, $42 million contract extension in March 2008.
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Feb 1, 2012
Raiders name Knapp offensive coordinator
The Oakland Raiders named Greg Knapp as their offensive coordinator.
Knapp, who spent last season as the quarterbacks coach of the Houston Texans, had been the offensive coordinator for the Raiders in 2007 and 2008.
Hue Jackson, who was fired as Oakland's head coach last month, also had run the offense.
The Raiders hired Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Dennis Allen as their new head coach last week.
Oakland went 8-8 last season and has not made the playoffs since 2002.
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Feb 1, 2012
Chiefs OC Muir calls it quits
Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Bill Muir told the team Wednesday that he was retiring.
Muir spent just one season as offensive coordinator with the Chiefs, who fired Todd Haley during the season and elevated Romeo Crennel to head coach.
The 69-year-old Muir has coached 34 seasons in the NFL, including a stint as offensive coordinator with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2008.
"It; has been an honor to be a part of this great league for so long," Muir said in a statement. "Over; the years I've made a lot of great friends and worked with many talented players and coaches. This was a personal decision for me, the timing was right."
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Feb 1, 2012
Patriots TE Gronkowski sits out practice again
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski sat out practice again Wednesday due to his high ankle sprain.
Earlier Wednesday, Gronkowski said the team is looking into a specialized cleat he could wear in Sunday's Super Bowl matchup against the New York Giants.
Gronkowski has yet to practice since he suffered the injury the New England's AFC Championship Game.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Gronkowski is making improvements and getting better every day.
Gronkowski has had a monster season, setting league records for tight ends for touchdowns (17) and receiving yards (1,327).
He also came up huge in New England's 45-10 playoff win over Denver, hauling in 10 catches for 145 yards and three touchdowns.
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Feb 1, 2012
Fantasy Football Super Bowl Rankings: Tight Ends
- Written by Kyle Smith
- Edited by Marc Caviglia
- Predictions are based on Staff Consensus
::RANKINGS UPDATED AS OF FEBRUARY 1, 2012::
The Super Bowl match-up will feature a pair of outstanding tight ends for the Patriots with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. Anybody who played fantasy football this season is entirely familiar with the duo, but that doesn’t mean that New York’s tight end, Jake Ballard, should be discounted either. While he hasn’t done a whole lot this postseason, that doesn’t mean he won’t be a factor in the Super Bowl. We’ll explain as we get into the tight end rankings for the biggest sporting event of the year.
Standard Scoring
Pass TD: 4 points | All Other TDs: 6 points
25 Passing Yards: 1 point | All Turnovers: -2 points
10 Rushing Yards: 1 point | 10 Receiving Yards: 1 point
1. Rob Gronkowski (New England Patriots) vs. New York Giants
Gronkowski led the Patriots in receiving yards in each of their two postseason games, hauling in 10 catches for 145 yards and three touchdowns against Denver, and five receptions for 87 yards against Baltimore, though he did suffer an ankle injury that limited him. The ankle supposedly won’t be an issue against the Giants, and that’s good, because they can be exploited by tight ends. This postseason, they have allowed players at the position to catch 13 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns (though it should be noted that 49 percent of those yards – 112 – and both scores came via Vernon Davis in the NFC Championship game). New York allowed the fifth-most fantasy points in the league to opposing tight ends, and Gronkowski is the top player at the position. It doesn’t take much deep thinking to place him atop these rankings.
Point Projection: 15 points
2. Aaron Hernandez (New England Patriots) vs. New York Giants
Hernandez has amassed 11 catches for 121 yards and one touchdown in his pair of postseason contests, and added 70 rushing yards to boot. The 17 targets he’s received are just three fewer than Gronkowski and two more than wideout Wes Welker. Running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis is the only Patriots player who has touched the ball more often than Hernandez this postseason. Fantasy owners can take into account the fact that Hernandez should get at least a few carries in the Super Bowl, and if they don’t trust Gronkowski’s ankle to be 100 percent, should feel confident in plugging Hernandez into their lineups.
Point Projection: 11 points
3. Jake Ballard (New York Giants) vs. New England
Ballard has just three catches for 33 yards in New York’s three postseason games, but there are other variables that fantasy owners shouldn’t ignore. He has received 12 targets in those games, and should have scored at least once, but let a pass get through his hands in the end zone. During the regular season, he also showed that when the ball gets thrown his way, big plays happen. His average of 15.9 yards per catch was the highest among all tight ends, and was a better number than some notable wide receivers, such as Greg Jennings, Anquan Boldin, Hakeem Nicks, Dwayne Bowe, and Andre Johnson.
Point Projection: 5 points
4. Travis Beckum (New York Giants) vs. New England
Beckum has more catches this postseason than Ballard, with seven, but has gained only 45 yards with those receptions for an average of 6.4 YPC. Just one of his catches went for more than 10 yards, and he isn’t a dynamic option for fantasy owners. He’ll probably have a couple catches and pick up a few yards, but isn’t someone to get excited about.
Point Projection: 1 point
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Feb 1, 2012
Fantasy Football Super Bowl Rankings: Wide Receivers
- Written by Ryan Czopek
- Edited by Marc Caviglia
- Predictions are based on Staff Consensus
::RANKINGS UPDATED AS OF FEBRUARY 1, 2012::
It all comes down to this. The dust has cleared and the New York Giants and New England Patriots will play for the game’s ultimate prize. Football fans couldn’t ask for a better game with so many intriguing storylines. Will Tom Brady join Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw by winning his fourth Super Bowl title? If Eli Manning wins his second Super Bowl title will he be widely recognized as the better Manning? Is Tom Coughlin automatically a Hall of Fame coach if he wins his second Super Bowl? Whatever happens, the contest has all the makings of an instant classic.
It’s no secret that both the New York Giants and New England Patriots have bad pass defenses. It’s entirely possible that a receiver on either team could end up being the seventh receiver in NFL history to win the Super Bowl MVP award. Deion Branch has a chance to be the only wide receiver in NFL history to have two MVP awards. Who has the best chance to win the award? Check out our Super Bowl wide receiver rankings below to find out.
Standard Scoring
Pass TD: 4 points | All Other TDs: 6 points
25 Passing Yards: 1 point | All Turnovers: -2 points
10 Rushing Yards: 1 point | 10 Receiving Yards: 1 point
1. Hakeem Nicks (New York Giants) @ New England
There has been no receiver who has played a bigger role in helping his team win throughout the playoffs than Hakeem Nicks. Over the New York Giants last three games, Nicks has 18 catches for 335 yards and has scored four touchdowns. Nicks missed the regular season matchup against the New England Patriots in Week 9 due to injury. However, he should have no problem exploiting a New England Patriots’ team that allowed the second most receiving yards per game (311.1) and were the 31st overall ranked defense during the regular season. It’s possible that Nicks could join the likes of Santonio Holmes, Hines Ward and Deion Branch as receivers within the last 10 years to win Super Bowl MVP.
Point Projection: 17 points
2. Victor Cruz (New York Giants) @ New England
After catching only seven passes for 102 yards in the Wild Card and Division Championship rounds of the playoffs combined, Cruz broke out in the NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers. Cruz was targeted an outrageous 17 times and had 10 receptions for 142 yards. Cruz, who had seven 100 plus yard receiving games during the regular season, maybe on his way to another nice performance against a New England Patriots’ team he dissected in Week 9, catching six passes for 91 yards. The New England Patriots pass defense also hasn’t improved much since that week and have been ravaged by injuries. They recently surrendered a combined nine receptions for 183 yards and a touchdown to Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith during the AFC Championship game. Cruz has a solid chance to have another stellar game this week.
Point Projection: 16 points
3. Wes Welker (New England) vs. New York Giants
The 2011 regular season was the best season in an impressive, evolving career for the slot machine. Welker led the league in receptions (128), finished second in receiving yardage (1,569) and scored nine touchdowns. He hasn’t been as dominant during the playoffs then he was at times during the regular season, but he has helped the New England Patriots move the chains. Over the New England Patriots last two-playoff games, Welker has 12 catches for 108 yards and has scored a touchdown. Rob Gronkowski’s high ankle sprain may mean that Welker may see more targets this week, which maybe a bad sign for the New York Giants, considering Welker had nine catches for 136 yards against them in Week 9 of the regular season. However, Welker has had only one 100 plus yard receiving game over the New England Patriots last six games, including the playoffs. It seems likely that the New York Giants will key on Welker this time around, so it’s tough to expect a monster game from Welker this time around, but a productive one isn’t a stretch.
Point Projection: 12 points
4. Mario Manningham (New York Giants) @ New England
Even though he took a backseat to Victor Cruz during the 2011 regular season, Manningham has been a valuable receiver during the playoffs for the G-Men. Manningham hasn’t accumulated much receiving yardage during the playoffs, but he has managed to score a touchdown in all three of the New York Giants playoffs games. He didn’t exactly have a stellar game against the New England Patriots in Week 9 of the regular season, catching only three passes for 33 yards. However, he did find the end zone. Even though he won’t likely receive as many targets as Hakeem Nicks or Victor Cruz this week, don’t be surprised if Manningham garner’s another score against a New England Patriots’ team that allowed 19 touchdowns to the wide receiver position during the 2011 regular season.
Point Projection: 10 points
5. Deion Branch (New England) vs. New York Giants
Could Branch end up being the X-factor on offense for the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl? Could he win his second Super Bowl MVP? It’s possible, but it seems like a meager possibility this time around. Branch had a handful of productive games during the 2011 regular season, but he also had several poor ones. One of Branches poor games came against the New York Giants in Week 9 of the regular season. Branch only hauled in two receptions for 21 yards. Except for a 61-yard touchdown catch against the Denver Broncos in the Wild Card round, Branch hasn’t been very impressive during the playoffs. He only managed two receptions for 18 yards against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship game. It’s possible Branch could haul in a big reception against a leaky New Giants secondary, however; with the New York Giants defensive line consistently getting to the quarterback during the playoffs, big passing plays maybe few and far between. It wouldn’t be wise to bet on Branch, who has only five receptions over the past two New England Patriots’ playoff games, this week.
Point Projection: 6 points
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Feb 1, 2012
Titans WR Britt pleads guilty to disturbing the peace charge; fined $1,500
Britt entered the plea in Hoboken Municipal Court and paid a $1,500 fine.
The 23-year-old faced several charges stemming from an incident in New Jersey where he was suspected of carrying a marijuana cigar by police at a car wash in July.
Britt has had seven incidents involving the police since 2009.
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Feb 1, 2012
Patriots TE Gronkowski to wear specialized cleat for Super Bowl?
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski said Wednesday that the team is looking into a specialized cleat he could wear in Sunday's Super Bowl to make it easier for him to play with a high left ankle sprain.
The tight end was unsure if he would practice on Wednesday.
“I think he's making improvements, getting better every day. We'll just take it day-to-day and see what he's able to do today,” said Patriots head coach Brian Belichick.
Gronkowski has not practiced since suffering the injury in the third
quarter against the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC Championship game.
The 22-year-old has caught 15 passes for 232 yards and three touchdowns in two postseason games to date.
The Patriots face the New York Giants in Sunday's Super Bowl.
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Jan 31, 2012
Colts hire Arians as OC, name Goodwin as O-line coach
The Indianapolis Colts hired Bruce Arians to serve as the team's offensive coordinator on Tuesday.
Later in the day, the Colts also named Harold Goodwin as its offensive line coach.
The 59-year-old Arians has spent the last five seasons in charge of the Pittsburgh Steelers' offense.
He had officially retired before accepting a position with the Colts. Rumors have swirled that Arians was forced out of Pittsburgh as the team looks to return to its past run-first mentality.
The Steelers finished 12th in the NFL in offense last season.
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Jan 31, 2012
Patriots LT Light, RT Vollmer ill, miss Media Day
New England Patriots left tackle Matt Light and right tackle Sebastian Vollmer missed Media Day on Tuesday due to illness.
Light is not expected to be sidelined for long and will play in Super Bowl XLVI.
The news that he will compete may bother New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora, who said on Friday that Light's play “really gets under my skin.”
On Tuesday, Umenyiora offered his best wishes to Light - with tongue firmly planted in cheek.
“Matt Light, please get well soon,” Umenyiora told NFL Network. “I hope to see you on Sunday. You are one of my greatest friends.”
For his part, Vollmer has been sidelined for the last seven games with both back and foot injuries. He may play on Sunday, according to coach Bill Belichick.
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Jan 31, 2012
QB Rodgers rips NFC teammates for Pro Bowl effort
Aaron Rodgers ripped his own team on Tuesday.
No, not the Green Bay Packers. The quarterback blasted his NFC teammates for their effort - or lack thereof - in NFC Pro Bowl team on Sunday.
“I'll be honest with you,” Rodgers told ESPN 540 in Milwaukee. “I was a little bit disappointed. I felt like some of the guys on the NFC side embarrassed themselves.”
Rodgers, who fared well in a game which featured little - to no - defense, did not single out any specific players. The AFC rebounded from an early deficit to post a 59-41 victory at Aloha Stadium.
“I was just surprised that some of the guys either didn't want to play or when they were in there didn't put any effort into it,” Rodgers said.
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Jan 31, 2012
Peyton Manning plans to play again, no timetable on Colts' decision
Peyton Manning has every intention to returning to football, the quarterback told ESPN on Tuesday.
Manning also admitted that he has not discussed his future with Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay.
They will, according to Manning, “at the appropriate time, and when we do, I think some decisions will be made after that. But until then I'm just continuing to rehab, work hard, and to enjoy this week because it really is a special week for the city and certainly for my family.”
The city of Indianapolis is hosting Super Bowl XLVI, which features another Manning. Eli Manning and the New York Giants are facing the New England Patriots.
As for Peyton, he is still recovering from spinal fusion surgery in September, and said he felt well despite sitting out all of this season.
The Colts face a March 8 deadline for a decision on Manning, who is owed a $28 million option bonus on that date. If they elect not to pay, the Super Bowl-winning quarterback becomes an unrestricted free agent.
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