AP....SMH

Facing Charges

Former Browns receiver Braylon Edwards was charged with misdemeanor assault today in connection with an incident outside a downtown nightclub several weeks ago, Cleveland Municipal Court officials said. Edwards was traded to the New York Jets days after he was accused of punching entertainment promoter Edward Givens about 2:30 a.m. outside the View Ultralounge & Nightclub on Prospect Avenue. Givens, a party promoter and friend of Cavs superstar LeBron James, said Edwards is jealous of James' success and that led to the attack. Edwards faces a sentence of up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, if convicted.

Change Needed in Tennessee

Fisher isn’t making that same commitment coming off the bye weekend and heading into Sunday’s game against the Jaguars at LP Field. It doesn’t mean he’s changing quarterbacks, but he’s changing his approach. “We’ve had a week to do some different things and considering the circumstances we’re in right now with the record, there’s things that you need to do differently,’’ Fisher said on Monday. “Let’s just say I am not going to be as specific and open-ended from a competitive standpoint.’’ Fisher made it clear, however, he remains confident in Collins, who has completed 54.8 percent of his passes while throwing five touchdowns and eight interceptions. Titans owner Bud Adams told The Tennessean last week he’d like to see Young play. The team’s first round draft pick in 2006 hasn’t started since Sept. 9, 2008 against the Jaguars.

Don't Blame Ted

Two weeks ago tonight, Dolphins receiver Ted Ginn made an impressive catch on a long touchdown that helped deliver a win over the Jets. On Sunday, however, Ginn was back to eating pre-game popcorn, with multiple key drops in the 46-34 loss to the Saints. From ESPN's Chris Mortensen, Ginn will see reduced playing time going forward. Mort also said that, if the trade deadline were tomorrow instead of last Tuesday, the Dolphins would be dialing up the Ravens and offering Ginn to the team whose offensive coordinator, Cam Cameron, drafted Ginn in 2007 with the ninth overall pick. In hindsight, it would have been a great time to sell high, with Ginn looking great against the Jets. As a result, Miami missed an opportunity, and now they're stuck with Ginn through the balance of the season. Ginn had one of his worst games, dropping three passes, one of which he deflected to a defender who scored on an interception return. Ginn caught only two of eight passes thrown his way, ran out of bounds a yard shy of a first down, and reinforced the perception he'll never fulfill his projected potential as a No. 9 overall draft pick in 2007.'' Ted is a young guy that's getting better,'' Sparano said. ''He just didn't have a good ballgame.'' Quarterback Chad Henne, making only his third NFL start, said the offense must react better to eight-man fronts. ''They're challenging you,'' Henne said. ''They have one extra guy you can't block, and that guy is up to me. We have to have good timing with the wideouts, have to run good routes, and I have to put the ball where it needs to be. There were some miscues there with me and the wide receivers.''For the Dolphins, there was plenty of blame to go around, starting with the head coach.

Senseless Tragedy

There’s something chilling about the final words I heard from Jasper Howard following UConn’s win over Louisville on Saturday. “You’ve got to play every play like it’s your last play … Coach Edsall always stresses that,” Howard said with a knit cap pulled over his ears sitting in the interview area. As a starting cornerback and team leader, Howard was talking about the sense of urgency UConn needed to play with in the fourth quarter. Then off he went back to campus, where his life would end nearly 12 hours later; the victim of a tragic and senseless stabbing outside the student union. It was powerful stuff, especially when Coach Edsall, fighting back tears, said, “There’s nothing in my job description that says you have to identify bodies, you have to make the phone calls to the parents, but that’s part of the job, and it’s very, very unfortunate and I just hope that I never have to go through what I went through today. Howard was going to be a father, leading to another emotional moment from senior Desi Cullen, who spoke so gracefully on behalf of the players, said, “Hearing the news that he’s a father breaks my heart. The idea that he will grow up without a father tears me apart … if I could talk to him or his family, I would them tell his son, or daughter, they will have 105 more uncles for the rest of their life.” Rest in Peace man. It is crazy what this world has come to. This tragic event will make an already close team even tighter. They will play the rest of the season, starting Saturday at West Virginia, in Howard’s honor.

Interview

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Dirty Hit

This should never happened:

QB Miscues

Drew Brees had a simple message for current Boilermakers signal caller Joey Elliott. "Drew Brees texted me last night and said: 'Hey, go out there and shock the world, have fun. I'll be watching."' Elliott did as he was told and led Purdue to its biggest upset in years. He threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns, and the Boilermakers stunned No. 7 Ohio State 26-18 on Saturday. The struggles of quarterback Terrelle Pryor and Co. were too much for the Buckeyes to overcome. The Buckeyes have won at least a share of the last four Big Ten crowns and played in four consecutive BCS games. If they don't get their offense in order soon, those streaks could come to an end this season. The Buckeyes lost to an unranked team for the first time since Illinois upset Ohio State at home in 2007. But that Illinois team went on to play in the Rose Bowl. This Purdue team had lost five straight coming in and will have to scramble to become bowl eligible. Pryor passed for 221 yards, but was held to 34 yards on 21 carries. He said the Buckeyes didn't respect the Boilermakers, despite the compliments Ohio State's coaching staff paid Purdue throughout the week. "I don't think we had as much intensity as we do going into any other game," Pryor said. "Not really belittling them, but thinking we were going to walk over them. Every week, you have to fear the underdog, and the underdog took care of us today. There's nothing else I can really say." Oh but best believe they got their credit after the game as Pryor gave Purdue's defense credit. "They did a real good job hiding some stuff I didn't see at all on film," Pryor said. "My hat's off to them. They played a great game." But when Buckeyes had five turnovers against Purdue, including four by quarterback Terrelle Pryor, you expect a loss and that's that.

Hopes Dashed

That will do it for the national title talk. In fact, after Saturday night's loss at Georgia Tech, No. 4 Virginia Tech will be in a battle just to win the Coastal Division of the ACC. The Hokies' offense couldn't capitalize on great field position. The battle of the Techs was won by Georgia's version, 28-23, ending a five-game winning streak and bombing BCS championship dreams for the Hokies. As the season's first BCS rankings came out, the Hokies will be left to wonder what might have been. They started three drives in Georgia Tech territory that resulted in zero points. Virginia Tech's defense will go back to the drawing board during its upcoming off week after allowing more than 270 rushing yards in the second half Saturday. Over the game's final 34 minutes, the Hokies gave up four plays that gained at least 30 yards. What is funny the D-Coordinator caution just that in practice this week, "They're going to get yards," he said. "What we can't do is give up big plays. If you keep it to three or four yards... it gives you a chance." So because they did give up the big plays, their ACC and national title hopes turned into a Georgia Tech party.

Back on Track

Mark Sanchez came back strong from his worst performance in his short pro career, effectively managing the offense in the Jets' 31-27 loss to the Dolphins Monday Night. The rookie quarterback, who threw three interceptions and had a critical fumble a week earlier against the Saints, took good care of the ball against the Dolphins. Sanchez connected on 12 of 24 attempts for 172 yards and a touchdown, and got into a comfortable rhythm with new target Braylon Edwards immediately, tossing him a 3-yard touchdown pass on the Jets' initial drive. "I felt comfortable out there and wanted to be smart with the football," said Sanchez, who soaked up the Hispanic Heritage Night atmosphere. "I definitely was that, and we had our chances to make plays down the field. I thought we made a couple of great ones. Braylon was lights out, just unbelievable. I've never seen anyone catch the ball like that. We did miss some opportunities on offense. We're not thrilled with our performance and have a heck of a lot of work to do." Edwards was solid in his Jets' debut with 64 yards and a touchdown on five catches. He immediately injected life into the offense, giving the Jets a big-play threat with his 6-3, 215-pound frame. But Edwards did have more than a few butterflies flying around inside his stomach. "I was excited," Edwards said. "I haven't been this nervous since my first start in college. So it was anxiety, nervousness a little bit. But once the whistle blows, it's football. It was fun." It was a big night no matter the outcome for the former Michigan players.

Oh by the way, Sanchez is still my Rookie of the Year.

QB of the Future is Here

The 53-yard pass from Henne to Ginn was hardly the only highlight during a wild fourth quarter Monday night, when the lead changed hands five times and the Dolphins won 31-27 on a TD with 6 seconds left. But Henne's long toss underscored the dramatic change his strong arm brings to Miami's offense, giving the Dolphins the deep threat they've lacked since Dan Marino retired nearly 10 years ago. Even last year, when Chad Pennington threw for 3,653 yards, the Dolphins rarely went deep. In the first four games this year, they had only two completions of 20 yards or more to wide receivers. A shoulder injury ended Pennington's season Sept. 27, and Henne became the Dolphins' 14th starting quarterback since Marino. The past two games suggest Miami finally has a long-term solution with a QB talented enough to lead a championship team. The Dolphins have scored 69 points in Henne's two starts, their biggest point total in consecutive games since 2002. They won both to reach the bye week at 2-3, putting them back in the AFC East race. They're ready to follow Henne. As a starter he's 34 for 48 for 356 yards, with three touchdowns and no turnovers. He repeatedly made good decisions against the Jets, and avoided being sacked even though they blitzed two dozen times. Henne outplayed the Jets' rookie Mark Sanchez, while facing a defense that had allowed only three touchdowns in the first four games. Henne led the Dolphins to three TDs in the fourth quarter alone, each time bringing them from behind.

Emerging

After an outstanding preseason, expectations were high for Nicks. The Giants, before the season, didn’t seem to have a clear cut number one receiver. Of course, that was role was filled by Steve Smith. But Nicks had a legitimate chance to take that role. Well, injuries hit, and Nicks missed the Dallas and Tampa Bay games, stunting his development. But, in Kansas City, something happened. Nicks dazzled us with a 54 yard touchdown off of a screen pass. He made guys miss. He showed great vision. He showed the capabilities of a number one receiver. Sunday against Oakland, we saw more of Nicks. He caught 4 passes for 49 yards, including a touchdown. He’s showing a nose for the endzone. Nicks will continue his impressive performances. But, from what he’s done, it’ safe to say that Nicks is emerging.

Philly "Egos"

Andy Reid is in the unaccustomed position of having to juggle some big-time offensive talent - and the egos that come with that talent. Reid and Donovan McNabb said after Sunday's win that the Bucs rolled their coverage to Jackson, a big part of why rookie Maclin always seemed open, to the tune of six catches for 142 yards and his first two NFL TDs. "It's definitely frustrating to go from a situation where you're getting all those catches, and then you have a game with one catch," Jackson said last night on ESPN 950's "DeSean Jackson Show." He has 13 catches for 260 yards in four games. "There's going to be times when the other team is going to try to take me out of the game. It was good to see Jeremy go over the top and make those catches ... Jeremy just came up huge ... As long as we're winning, everybody's happy." The other position, running back, Westbrook made it clear afterward that eight touches a game is not what he has in mind, now that he feels his ankle is healthy.Reid said the Eagles would rotate Westbrook and McCoy "as long as we need to, and as long as [Westbrook] feels comfortable with his foot. We can increase things, but right now, that's where we're at, and we'll see how it works this week."

Get Moss the Ball

Head coach Bill Belichick admitted on Monday that the Patriots need to get wide receiver Randy Moss more help. “They played a lot of the game in some type of coverage over the top to Randy and tried to squeeze off everyone else,” Belichick told the Boston Globe. “We got to do a better job of running the ball and we got to have a better job of having everybody contribute to the passing game. That’s the long and short of it.” Moss caught one pass from quarterback Tom Brady in Sunday’s loss to Denver, while also catching one pass from Kyle Orton on an interception at the end of the first half. The Patriots either have to take better advantage of the attention being paid to Moss or find a way to get him the ball. Moss has been getting the short of it this season, with teams refusing to let him beat them deep and quarterback Tom Brady self-admittedly misfiring when Moss has gotten behind defenses. Look for Moss to be more effective in the upcoming weeks.

Slowly Coming Back

Tomlinson ave a modest review of his performance Sunday night, his first action since suffering a high ankle sprain in the team’s opener. “I felt pretty good but I’m still working my way back,” Tomlinson said. “I wouldn’t say I was there. I’m a little rusty. I tripped and fell a couple times. I’ll play better.” The way Sunday night’s game in Pittsburgh played out didn’t allow many opportunities for Tomlinson. The Chargers fell two touchdowns behind in the first quarter and were forced to throw the ball 36 times. That left LT with just 15 yards on seven carries. “We got down so fast and we couldn’t run the ball,” Tomlinson said. “We weren’t able to stick to the game plan with what we wanted to do.” Here is an interview:

Q: Are you disappointed that you only got seven carries?

A: "We got down so fast, we couldn't run the ball and stick to our game plan."

Q: How did you feel physically?

A: I'm still working my way back, a little rusty. I tripped and fell a couple of times, lost my feet. Things I was seeing were there, but I was a little rusty. Just from not being in there.

Q: How did you feel about being beaten the way you guys were, especially early?

A: It was turning into something of an embarrassment starting out. I'm happy with the way we fought back. We made a run at the end. But at the same time, we'd like to stick to our game plan and not get behind like we did today.

Q: Is this bye week coming at a good time for the Chargers?

A: I think so. We've got quite a few guys who are banged up.

Q: You guys have a history of coming on late, but how concerning is it that Denver is 4-0?

A: Very concerned. They're playing great football offensively and defensively. They beat a very good team today in the Cowboys. That Monday night game (Oct. 19 vs. Denver) is going to be very important for us. But at the same time, Denver still has to play Pittsburgh, Baltimore, New England. They've still got a pretty tough schedule.

Q: Are you surprised to be 2-2 going into the bye?

A: We've had a tough first month, injuries, and we've lost to the two teams that were in the AFC championship game. We could very well see them again down the road.

Being the Best

Despite his popularity, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson doesn't act like a diva around Winter Park. But Peterson didn't mask his self-confidence in a conference call with St. Louis reporters. "Yeah, I play this game to be the best. Not only the best back, but the best player and that's how I look at it," said Peterson, who is second in rushing and third in yards from scrimmage. "If I looked at it any other way, I'd be cheating myself. Not only to narrow it down to running backs, but I feel like I'm the best player." Still, Peterson credited his offensive line for helping him on several occasions. "I am grateful and I know it comes along with my offensive line," he said. "Those guys really are the ones that open the holes for me and really pave my way. I've got the easy job - just run behind those guys."

Time for Change

Butch Davis is hopeful that a simple solution can be found this week that will solve North Carolina's growing offensive problems during a break from ACC play. UNC will scale down the details of its offensive game-planning before playing Georgia Southern. UNC is coming off consecutive losses in which it has scored a combined 10 points and rushed for a combined 56 yards. Davis will consider using Ryan Houston, the team's biggest and strongest tailback, more this week in place of struggling Shaun Draughn, who has rushed for 51 yards on 21 carries in the last two games, including a 24-7 loss at Georgia Tech. Draughn's longest run in those games was 9 yards. Davis said that Draughn will likely receive the most carries against Georgia Southern, and that the percentage of the split between Draughn and Houston would be about 60-40. Not only that, but there has been rumors about Freshman Bryn Renner's (who's considered North Carolina's quarterback of the future) possibility playing. Renner is considered one of the best quarterback prospects nationally in his class. Five games into the 2009 season, Renner, a 6-3, 195-pound freshman from West Springfield, Va., hasn't taken a snap. The plan had been to redshirt Renner. This would be the time since he will be playing lower Division I opponent this week, followed by a bye and 12 total days between games, is a window for Renner to get acclimated for a second half turnaround.

The Drama Finally Over!

And so it happened, as a months-long standoff turned into whirlwind negotiations. The sides broke their silence Sunday and quickly hammered out a six-year deal that includes $17 million in guaranteed money. Crabtree's contract was complete by about 2 a.m. Wednesday morning. By about 1 p.m., he was on the 49ers' practice field. The No. 10 pick in April's draft will not play in Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons. After the bye week, he could make his debut Oct. 25 against the Houston Texans. For now, Crabtree is just happy to put the prolonged negotiations behind him. "It's a humbling experience," he said. "I feel like going through that, it made me look at the world a different way, look at my teammates a different way. Hopefully, it works out for the best." Michael Crabtree may think he can jump right into the mix with the San Francisco 49ers, in which he is so wrong. The big thing will be how fast he can pick up the game in the NFL.

Cincy? Yes

The University of Cincinnati football team has risen in the Associated Press Top-25 football rankings to No. 8 from No. 10 in week 6. UC is the highest-ranked football team in Ohio; Ohio State is ranked at No. 9. In contrast, USA Today ranked Cincinnati at No. 10, while Ohio State came in at No. 8. The Bearcats stand at 5-0 this season and 1–0 in the Big East, while the Buckeyes are 4–1 overall and 2–0 in the Big Ten. They are def a BCS buster this year. Their "hardest" challenge is beating USF who is undefeated as well. It will be a good game and if they come out good and win the rest, the sky is the limit

Stepping Up Lately

The Trojans welcome a free Saturday this week, tailback Joe McKnight probably would like to just keep rolling. McKnight reached a milestone in the seventh-ranked Trojans' victory over California, carrying the ball a career-high 20 times for 119 yards and two touchdowns. "I wasn't getting tired," McKnight said Monday after a team meeting. "I'll take it as long as they keep giving it to me." The junior had expected a heavier workload against Cal after senior Stafon Johnsonsuffered a serious throat injury in a weightlifting accident last Monday. McKnight's previous high for carries was 16 against Ohio State on Sept. 12.

Goals Not Out of Sight

Sam Bradford said Tuesday that he plans to play against Baylor on Saturday, provided he has no medical setbacks during practices this week. Oklahoma's 2-2 record is only part of Bradford's incentive to turn this week. Everyone in Sooner Nation knows what looms for OU on Oct. 17 in Dallas. "To get a game under my belt before Texas would definitely be beneficial for me and for our offense," said Bradford, speaking to reporters for the first time in nearly a month. But before Sooners fans rejoice at the prospect of Bradford riding in to salvage the season, some significant "ifs" remain. Bradford intended to play last Saturday at Miami but felt soreness and fatigue in his arm as the week progressed. No one can rule out a repeat this week. Bradford also said surgery remains a possibility. "From everything the doctors have said, it's all a matter of how my arm reacts," he said. "Until I get out there, until I practice, until I make all the throws, until I play in a game, then I'm not going to know. As a Sam Bradford-guy, I am hoping that this is not the case because then everybody like Skip Bayless will be saying how he should have left when 4 out of his 5 lineman left. Well I know he wanted to stay because he felt like they left some plays in the BCS game, but looks like he will not be returning this year. But there's still a possibility. To win another Big 12 championship and become the first team to win four straight Big 12 championships, I still think there's a lot in front of this team.

Are the 'Canes back

Although the passing game has drawn the most attention, the 'Canes remain content on establishing the run. Coach Shannon said they were so successful in last week's 21-20 victory against Oklahoma because of their ability to run. Running back Javarris James rushed for a season-high 150 yards on 15 carries. "If our running game is going, it makes the passing game a lot easier," Shannon said. "Javarris starts running the football, the linebacker, the safeties have to come up." The performance came just a week after the Hurricanes were shut down against VT, rushing for a season-low 59 yards. Shannon said UM's offense has been most dominant with the presence of a run game. He cited the OU and Georgia Tech wins, both games where the Hurricanes topped 100 yards rushing. "(Our offense) can be really scary if you run the football like we did the other night," Shannon said. I mean as bad as I was rooting for OU this year, I have to give props to the U for making a comeback and is starting to be a team to contend with. I was a temporary U fan during Coker years so I have seen the best. If this team continues to get better they will really be making noise next year.