MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK

Well it was Saturday's decision to start Ryan so he should get a little credit.

I don't agree with the hiring, but at the same time I think head coaches nowadays take on WAY too much. The micro managing of these teams is stressful to the point coordinators have no control over their side of the ball. Say what you will about Belichick micromanaging, he let's his coordinators run their offense/defense. He wants to know everything that has happened and everything they expect to happen, but he doesn't tell them how to make it happen. He holds them accountable to do their jobs. Maybe Saturday will stay out of their way and it will actually improve the process. Although, on the flip side, I will be shocked if he doesn't make some bonehead mistakes that only the HC can make in game, which could possibly cost them a game. Without coaching experience of some kind, there is no way he is prepared to do this week in and week out for the entire second half of the season.

 

Taylor Heinicke: Whatever decision they want to make at QB, let’s go



The Commanders won for the third time in their last four games by knocking off the previously undefeated Eagles on Monday night and Taylor Heinicke has been the starter in all three of those wins.

Heinicke was 17-of-29 for 211 yards and an interception in Monday’s game, which was the last that quarterback Carson Wentz must miss while on injured reserve. Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said last week that Wentz is throwing as he works his way back from a finger injury, but didn’t offer any update after Monday’s win about whether Wentz will be back at practice this week.


Rivera said he thinks Heinicke has grown as a quarterback from previous seasons while saying any quarterback plans for the future would be discussed on Tuesday. For his part, Heinicke said he feels “a lot more comfortable out there and a lot more confident” while adding that he won’t be disappointed if the team opts to move him back down the depth chart.

“Not at all. I said it back in OTAs that we brought Carson in to be a starter,” Heinicke said in his postgame press conference. “If my number is called, I’ll be ready to go in. Whatever decision they want to make, let’s go. If I’m backing up Carson next week, great. I’m going to help him in any way that I can to get ready for that Texans game. The biggest thing for me is let’s just go win. Let’s keep winning whether it means playing or not.”

The Commanders have gone from 2-4 to 5-5 since Wentz’s injury and that’s a pretty strong argument for staying the course with Heinicke. Rivera’s comments on Tuesday should shed some light on whether it’s one the Commanders agree with.

PFT

 

He's got a great attitude and 5-5 speaks for itself. Seems to me they have found their QB for now.

 

Agreed. Wentz is only average so going with the hot hand is for the best here.

 

Stafford back in Concussion Protocol.... again.

 

Not going anywhere this year rest him the rest of the season

 

Justin Fields on his injured left shoulder: The pain right now is pretty bad

Justin Fields was not wearing a sling to protect his injured left shoulder after Sunday’s loss to the Falcons, but the Bears and their quarterback don’t know how bad it is yet.

Fields took a cart back to the team’s locker room after the game, receiving an X-ray and IV treatment.


He will undergo an MRI on Monday.

“We will have an update on Wednesday,” coach Matt Eberflus said, via Courtney Cronin of ESPN. “We don’t know what exactly it is. That’s why we are going to take a look at it.”

Fields injured his non-throwing shoulder on the first play of the Bears’ final drive when he landed hard on it on a designed run. He took another hit on it soon after on another running play when Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett hit Fields with his helmet as the quarterback slid.

Fields originally injured his left shoulder Oct. 20 but said this injury is a different one. He is uncertain of his status for next week.

“The pain right now is pretty bad,” Fields said. “I’ll just take it day by day and see how it feels later in the week.”

Fields also received treatment for cramps in his hamstrings but played through it.

“I was hurting but it was the last drive of the game,” Fields said. “I was just trying to be there for my teammates and fight through the pain.”

PFT

 

Colt McCoy is in line to make his second consecutive start for the Arizona Cardinals as the NFL prepares to kick off from Mexico City tonight.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday morning that McCoy appears set to start against the San Francisco 49ers, per sources informed of the situation, as Kyler Murray continues to deal with a hamstring injury.

Murray would miss his second straight game after getting limited reps in practice.

McCoy was also limited in practice early in the week with a knee injury but is good to go and wasn't designated on the final injury report.

The 36-year-old QB led a steady offense in last week's 27-17 win over the Matthew Stafford-less Los Angeles Rams, completing 26 of 27 passes for 238 yards and a touchdown. On Monday night, however, he faces a much stiffer test against one of the top defenses in the NFL and an offense that will have its weapons at the ready in Mexico City.

NFL.com

 

Well, he's rich. He's got a ring and a hot wife. I've only got one of those and it's not money and jewelry

 

lol.

In an update, kinda sorta... The news that Stafford was in concussion protocol was not true, it was said by someone prematurely down at the 'Redzone'.

Per, ESPN;

NEW ORLEANS -- Quarterback Matthew Stafford was evaluated for a concussion during the Los Angeles Rams' 27-20 loss to the New Orleans Saints but is not in the concussion protocol, a team spokesperson said Sunday.

A determination of Stafford's status will be made Monday or Tuesday after he goes through further tests and procedures.

Stafford, who had cleared the concussion protocol Friday after missing the Rams' Week 10 game, went to the locker room in the third quarter. It was later announced that Stafford was being evaluated for a concussion.

Rams coach Sean McVay said after the game that he didn't know if Stafford was in the protocol or if he had been diagnosed with a concussion.
"I've got to talk to the doctors," McVay said. "Obviously we need to make a smart decision for Matthew and see where we're at with that.

"... I know how he was feeling. He communicated that, and then we made the decision that that was going to be in his best interest to not have him continue to play. So he wants to be out there continuing to battle with his guys, but I'll talk to [the medical staff] and then we'll make a decision that's best for Matthew."

On Stafford's final play Sunday, he was sacked for a 9-yard loss. It was the Saints' first sack of the game.

Stafford entered the concussion protocol Nov. 8 after the team's medical staff determined that it was the "appropriate" move for the quarterback following the Rams' Week 9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. McVay said he didn't have any indication during the game that Stafford was dealing with any concussion symptoms.

Stafford was replaced Sunday by quarterback Bryce Perkins, who completed 5 of 10 passes for 64 yards and ran for 39 yards on five carries. Backup quarterback John Wolford, who had started the Rams' Week 10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, was inactive with a neck injury.

The loss was the Rams' fourth straight, dropping them to 3-7 on the season.
________
__________________

And, according to one report, the NFL Players Association is now monitoring the situation.

 

Zach Wilson’s lack of accountability is becoming a problem



When an NFL quarterback looks like he’s only 12 years old, it becomes critical that he not act like he’s 12 years old, too.

After Sunday’s loss to the Patriots, Jets quarterback Zach Wilson acted his apparent age by declining to admit that his performance let down the defense, which held New England to just a field goal.


It should be easy got a quarterback to take public accountability, especially when it’s warranted. Of course he’s responsible, at least in part, for the failure of the Jets to score three points for the game — and to gain only two net yards in the second half.

Even if he believes deep down that it isn’t his fault, it’s important for the quarterback to embrace the scrutiny and not deflect it. The locker room is listening. Did the quarterback take the heat? Or did he point fingers?

And it wasn’t just the things Wilson said to reporters. Connor Hughes of SNY.tv reports, citing unnamed sources inside the team’s locker room, that Wilson “was walking around after the game ‘like he isn’t the problem.'” Per Hughes, Wilson’s demeanor “rubbed more than a few the wrong way.”

“I don’t listen to it at all,” Wilson told PFT by phone after the Jets beat the Bills two weeks ago, when asked about the outside noise sparked by the Week Eight loss to the Patriots.

“Of course, you know, it’s there and it’s impossible to completely block it out,” Wilson added. “But for me, when I do hear this motivation, and then for the most part, I’m not surrounding myself with that stuff because I understand the process. I understand my mentality is to learn and grow each and every game.”

There’s a pretty clear way in which Wilson needs to learn and grow after his team’s most recent game. He needs to learn to grow up. He needs to learn to take responsibility, publicly and privately.

Of course, none of that will matter if he doesn’t play better. Highly-drafted quarterbacks have three years to figure things out. The clock is ticking on Wilson, who is more than halfway through Year Two.

His third year is coming. If things keep going the way they are, there’s no guarantee he’ll get a third year. Given the way Jets fans may begin reacting to Wilson, he may not want one.

PFT

 

Matthew Stafford still being evaluated for a concussion



Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford left Sunday’s game in the third quarter to be evaluated for a concussion and there’s still no definitive word on whether he suffered one more than 24 hours later.

Head coach Sean McVay said at his Monday press conference that Stafford is still being evaluated and has not been placed in the league’s concussion protocol at this time. Stafford missed Week 10 while in the protocol, but was cleared to return for Sunday’s game in New Orleans.


It’s not clear why there’s no determination about whether Stafford suffered a concussion or not, but McVay said that the team is going to be “really smart” about any decisions regarding Stafford’s health. Given the recent clearance from the protocol, the NFL Players Association is monitoring how things unfold with Stafford this week.

Stafford left the game after being sacked by Demario Davis and Tanoh Kpassagnon. Bryce Perkins finished out the game for the NFC West club.

PFT

 

Jets don’t commit to starting Zach Wilson in Week 12



Jets quarterback Zach Wilson had a terrible game against the Patriots in Sunday’s 10-3 loss and he may not be getting a chance to rebound in Week 12.

Head coach Robert Saleh said at his Monday press conference that the team is not committing to starting Wilson against the Bears right now. Mike White has backed Wilson up the last few weeks and Joe Flacco started the first three games of the year when Wilson was out with a knee injury.


“Everything is on the table,” Saleh said.

Wilson was 9-of-22 for 77 yards and got sacked four times during Sunday’s loss. He then said he didn’t feel he let the defense down and his overall response to the poor outing reportedly rankled teammates. Wide receiver Garrett Wilson said that the team has to get better in the passing game because they can’t lose in games when the defense doesn’t allow a touchdown.

That response from the locker room will likely be part of Saleh’s thought process as he moves toward naming a starter this week and the fact that the Jets are considering a change is a clear illustration that things haven’t gone as planned for the second overall pick of the 2021 draft.

PFT

 

And, he's back in concussion protocol... terrible

 

Zach Wilson's rough 2022 season has reached a new low.

Mike White will start in place of a benched Wilson in New York's Week 12 game against the Chicago Bears, head coach Robert Saleh announced on Wednesday. Veteran Joe Flacco will serve as the backup, as Wilson will not dress for the game.

"The big thing I want to make sure I address on this one, just want to make sure you guys all listen to this very carefully please. Zach's career here is not over," Saleh said. "I know that's gonna be the narrative, I know that's what everyone wants to shout out and that's not even close to the case. The intent, the full intent, is to make sure Zach gets back onto the football field at some point this year. When that is, I'll make that decision, I'm going to take it day to day. The biggest thing with Zach, it's the same things we've talked about, is the young man needs a reset."

Wilson's benching wasn't a long time coming, but also isn't shocking. The second-year quarterback has struggled for much of this season, completing just 55.6% of his passes and posting a 4-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio and 72.6 passer rating. His worst performance was his most recent, a 9-for-22 outing for a whopping 77 yards in a 10-3 loss to New England.

Following the game, Wilson told reporters he didn't feel responsible for New York's second loss to New England in the last month. His response forced his teammates to answer for him in the days that followed, and by Wednesday, Saleh decided Wilson needed a sabbatical in order to preserve his long-term ambitions of becoming New York's franchise quarterback, telling reporters he didn't want to continue "throwing him out there" and seeing Wilson devolve further.

New York's two losses to New England account for half of the Jets' defeats this season, and the fault isn't solely Wilson's. Saleh admitted his team needs to be better as a whole in order to maximize the opportunity facing them.


"This isn't just a Zach thing," Saleh said. "We've all got to be better. We're not going to become the Greatest Show on Turf just because we're changing out one player."

Saleh said he believed Wilson's time on the sideline would benefit the quarterback over the long haul, focusing on Wilson's work ethic while emphasizing the importance of improving his fundamentals instead of preparing for the next opponent. When asked if the switch also gave the Jets their best chance of victory, Saleh responded affirmatively.

The timing of Saleh's decision, while unintentional, is fitting. New York faces a Chicago team that is enjoying a significant improvement from Justin Fields, a fellow member of the 2021 draft class whom the Bears selected nine picks after the Jets chose Wilson. Instead of setting up for a showdown of former first-rounders, the Jets are turning to White to lead them against Fields, whose status is uncertain after suffering a shoulder injury in Chicago's Week 11 loss to Atlanta.

It's also intriguing because the Jets aren't exactly running into a defensive buzz saw in the Bears. Chicago owns a middle-of-the-road defense that is better against the pass than the run, but is also in a transition period after trading away Robert Quinn and Roquan Smith before the deadline.

What could have been a get-right game for Wilson is now a landmark moment in the QB's career, which is still young but might also have reached a definitive fork in his NFL road. It will be up to Wilson to respond to his benching positively, using it as motivation to fix his fundamental issues before working his way back into the starting lineup.

In the meantime, the 6-4 Jets will continue their playoff push. Whether that ends up including Wilson remains to be seen.

NFL.com

 

Justin Fields has separated shoulder with partially torn ligaments



Bears quarterback Justin Fields clarified the injury to his left shoulder, saying he has “a separated shoulder with partially torn ligaments, basically an AC joint.”

Fields practiced on a limited basis Wednesday, and said afterward that if the game was today, he would not be able to play. He called the pain “pretty high” and said he feels it “pretty much every throw” on his follow through.

“We’ll see how it feels in four days,” Fields said, via Jason Leiser of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Fields acknowledged he would need a painkiller on game day if he’s able to go but is uncertain what he would wear to protect his injured non-throwing shoulder.

“If I can play, and I’m not furthering the risk of injury and I can do what I need to do to protect myself, that’ll be good enough for me to play,” Fields said. “Of course I’m not going to sacrifice playing in this game for me risking that I might not be able to play later . . . and have to sit out two or three more weeks after that. Just listening to my body and making sure I’m not forcing anything.”

Fields has thrown 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions this season.

Trevor Siemian is Fields’ backup.

The Jets benched their starting quarterback, Zach Wilson, so Mike White will start against the Bears on Sunday.

PFT

 

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers hinted that his right thumb might be broken during his weekly appearance with Pat McAfee and he confirmed it while speaking with reporters in Green Bay on Wednesday.

Rodgers said that he’s played with other broken fingers in the past, but that this is the first time he’s dealt with a broken thumb. He said surgery was never a consideration and that he thinks he’s played through other injuries that have had more of an impact on his play.

“I think I’ve had worse injuries I’ve played with. Definitely a challenge, but the days off helped. Feeling better this week,” Rodgers said, via Matt Schneidman of TheAthletic.com.

Rodgers is coming off a poor game in last Thursday’s loss to the Titans and another losing effort against the Eagles this Sunday night will leave the team with little realistic playoff hope for the season. Given the nature of the injury, it will be interesting to see if the Packers keep playing Rodgers when and if their postseason ambitions are totally extinguished.

PFT

 

Stafford ruled out vs Chiefs.

 

Rams ruled out against the Chiefs