MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK

Alex Smith will not play on Sunday



There was optimism about Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith‘s chances of playing early this week, but his calf injury has proven to be too big a hurdle.

Smith has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Seahawks. He did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday and was not seen working during the open portion of Friday’s practice either.

Dwayne Haskins will get the start in Smith’s place. He went 7-of-12 for 51 yards in relief of Smith last week. That was Haskins’ first playing time since being benched after the first four games of the season.

Head coach Ron Rivera said earlier this week that he was confident that Haskins would be ready to go if needed. He’s needed and we’ll see if Rivera’s faith was well placed come Sunday.

NBC

 

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers becomes first QB to throw 40 TDs in three separate seasons

All Aaron Rodgers does is throw touchdowns. OK, not really. But he throws them more often than anyone ever has. And his latest set another record.

The Packers star threw his league-leading 40th touchdown in the first quarter of Saturday's 24-16 win over the Panthers, making him the first QB in NFL history to hit that mark three times.

The record-setting throw went to tight end Robert Tonyan from 1-yard out to cap Green Bay's opening drive. Rodgers had thrown a TD on 6.2% of his throws for his career coming into Saturday, by far the highest frequency among QBs with at least 50 starts.

The rest of the game was relatively quiet for Rodgers in the air, however, as the Panthers' defense stepped up to sack him five times and limit him to a season-low 143 yards.

Rodgers entered Saturday with an average of three passing touchdowns per game this year. Despite the off night, he's still on pace to surpass his career high of 45 touchdowns from his first MVP season in 2011. Rodgers also tossed 40 in 2016, when he was an MVP finalist.

At 37 years old, he's making his case for a third trophy.

NFL.com

 

Report: Carson Wentz wants out, if he’s not the starter



At a time when the Eagles already are trying to set the stage for trading quarterback Carson Wentz (step one: act like you’re not interested in trading him), Wentz isn’t inclined to help the Eagles maximize their leverage.

Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports that Wentz is “not interested” in serving as a backup quarterback, and that he would want to leave the Eagles if rookie Jalen Hurts remains the starter. Schefter adds that Wentz “is not pleased with the way events have unfolded in the organization.”

This is a potentially dangerous game for Wentz and his agents to play. First, it won’t take much to lose the P.R. battle on this one, because the easy response to Wentz’s concern is that it’s his own fault for not playing well. Second, Hurts just delivered the signature win of the season, beating the Saints. Third, this new report tends to confirm Jay Glazer’s recent report that the decision to use a second-round pick on Hurts shattered Wentz’s confidence.

Franchise quarterbacks remain franchise quarterbacks only as long as they play like franchise quarterbacks. If any of the best quarterbacks in football went through an extended stretch of sucking, they’d eventually take a seat for someone else.

Wentz acting like he’s earned an automatic starting job doesn’t mesh with what we’ve seen from him this season. Other than the Colts, where former Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich serves as head coach, who would automatically install Wentz as the 2021 starter? In most cities, the fans and local media would cry out in unison “what are you thinking?” in response to the news that Wentz is the new QB1.

So what is Wentz thinking by making this known? It could simply be frustration bubbling over. The deeper strategy could be to ensure that the Eagles don’t play ultra-hardball in the offseason with Wentz’s contract, with today’s message being, “If you aren’t going to start me and you’re not going to trade me, you’re going to have a big problem.”

The problem with this approach is that Wentz’s next team won’t want to eventually be in the same position as his current team, if with his next team Wentz eventually plays at a level that gets him benched. Which could make it even harder to find a next team that will hand him a starting job.

NBC

 

He has never shown enough to warrant that contract of his. His level of play has frankly STUNK, and he should have been benched earlier this season than he was. The Eagles are showing life around Jalen Hurts and he has earned the right to start imo. Wentz wants out? Well, he will have to take a massive pay cut, get ready

 

Ben Roethlisberger: I’m not 100 percent, but no one is



The Pittsburgh Steelers have lost three straight games. Their offense has scored less than 20 points in four straight games. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is responsible for seven turnovers over the team’s last five games with multiple turnovers in back-to-back losses to Buffalo last week and Cincinnati on Monday night.

With Roethlisberger being 38 years old and coming off an elbow injury that ended his season a year ago, it’s fair to wonder if Roethlisberger’s slip in performance has had something to do with injuries. But the Steelers and Roethlisberger himself won’t attribute any dip in performance to injuries.

Roethlisberger was asked after the 27-17 loss to the Bengals on Monday night if he’s 100 percent.

“Well I don’t think anybody that plays this game at any position whether it’s Week 1 or Week 16 feels 100 percent. So I would say, no, I don’t feel 100 percent, but nobody does right now,” Roethlisberger told reporters.

While Roethlisberger’s statement is accurate, it also does a good job of obscuring any issues he may currently be dealing with. He hasn’t practiced on Wednesdays each of the last two weeks but the team has listed is absences as not injury related. He has been listed on the report every week since Week 11 with not injury related designations paired with knee and quadriceps issues.

Last week against the Bills, Roethlisberger completed 21-of-37 passes for 187 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Monday night against the Bengals, Roethlisberger was just 20-of-38 for 170 yards with a touchdown, interception and lost fumble. It’s the first time Roethlisberger has thrown for fewer than 200 yards in consecutive games since a three-game stretch over the final three weeks of the 2013 season.

NBC

 

49ers sign Josh Rosen



First-round flameout Josh Rosen will get another opportunity on an active roster.

The injury-plagued 49ers are signing Rosen from the Buccaneers’ practice squad, according to multiple reports.

Rosen will back up C.J. Beathard, who is slated to start with both Nick Mullens and Jimmy Garoppolo injured.

The Cardinals took Rosen with the 10th overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, then decided to draft Kyler Murray and move on from Rosen a year later. Arizona traded Rosen to Miami, where he didn’t look any better in his second season, and after running out of active roster options this year, he signed with the Buccaneers’ practice squad.

Now the 49ers are taking him from the Bucs’ practice squad, and he’ll get a step closer to a return to the field.

NBC

 

Derek Carr up to full participation at Raiders practice



Raiders quarterback Derek Carr said on Tuesday that he will do anything he can in order to play against the Dolphins this Saturday and it seems things are moving in that direction.

Carr was listed as a full participant in Wednesday’s practice. He was limited by the groin injury that knocked him out of the team’s Week 15 loss to the Chargers and word was that he’d miss 10-14 days, but the practice workloads suggest he’s moving toward a return to action.

Marcus Mariota replaced him against the Chargers and would start if Carr is unable to play.

Safety Johnathan Abram (concussion, knee), defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (hamstring), and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (concussion) were also upgraded to full participation. Defensive end Clelin Ferrell (shoulder) was the only Raiders player out of practice Wednesday.

PFT

 

Daniel Jones to start for Giants vs. Ravens



The Giants will get their starting quarterback on Sunday as they fight to win the NFC East.

Daniel Jones will start at quarterback for the Giants at Baltimore tomorrow, according to multiple reports.

Jones is struggling with both hamstring and ankle injuries, and he missed last week’s loss to the Browns. But he has reportedly looked better in practice this week, and he’ll give it a go while Colt McCoy moves back to the sideline.

The 5-9 Giants are still in contention in the NFC East, although 6-8 Washington will have to lose at least once for the Giants to be able to move into first place. The 5-9 Cowboys and 4-9-1 Eagles are also in contention in a division that may go down to the wire.

NBC

 

Report: Ben Roethlisberger hyperextended his knee in Week 13

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger says he’s not 100 percent, but that at this point of the season no one is. So just how not-100 percent is he?

It’s not clear, given the clear disconnect between the reporting on the subject and the team’s official injury report. Roethlisberger last was mentioned on the injury report as having a knee injury leading into Week 13. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Roethlisberger suffered a hyperextended knee in Week 13, against Washington.

If he hyperextended his knee in Week 13, Roethlisberger received no treatment for it (at least not from the team) in Week 14, Week 15, or Week 16.

Two weeks ago, Jason La Canfora of CBS reported that the Steelers have “serious concern” about Roethlisberger’s knee, and that it’s been an issue in practice and in games. Again, there has been no mention of “knee” for Roethlisberger on the injury report for the week preceding the day of the report, or since then.

Rapoport adds that Roethlisberger has arthritis in both knees. Given his size and the pounding he has taken since 2004, it’s no surprise. The question is whether and to what extent he can keep it going beyond 2020, or whether he even want to.

For now, there’s business to be taken care of. Today’s game against the Colts can clinch the division. A loss could make Week 17 an all-or-nothing AFC North battle against the Browns.

Then comes the postseason, where the Steelers will have their hands full. Especially if Roethlisberger’s knees are getting rickety.

NBC

 

Dwayne Haskins Set To Start For Washington...

 

Jared Goff’s thumb is indeed broken



There are mixed reports regarding whether Rams quarterback Jared Goff‘s suffered both a fractured and a dislocated thumb. Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Goff did.

The dislocation is indisputable. It happened out in the open, and Goff admitted after the game that it popped out, he popped it back in, and he kept playing.

Goff said that the thumb will be evaluated tomorrow. NFL Media has reported that it’s broken; ESPN has reported that it’s simply feared to be broken.

In confirming that the bone is broken (and it’s surely something that would have become obvious via post-game X-rays), our source says it’s unclear what that means for next week — echoing Goff’s explanation that his availability is “uncertain.” Here’s what is certain: Without him, they’ll be relying on John Wolford, who has no NFL regular-season experience and who led the AAF in passing touchdowns during its lone, and truncated, season.

Even if the Rams were inclined to sign a veteran, like 2019 No. 2 Blake Bortles, the COVID-19 protocols would keep Bortles from practicing for most of the week.

A loss by the Rams to the Cardinals next Sunday coupled with a win by the Bears over the Packers would make Goff’s availability for the postseason moot. The Rams would not qualify.

NBC

 

Help me out guys.
I thought that when the Packers won last night that they had wrapped up the #1 seed in the NFC. But no one is saying that today. The Saints are one game back with one to go and they lost to Green Bay in week 3. What am I missing?

 

If all teams finish 12-4 the Saints win the 3 way tie breaker. The Packers have to lose to the Bears and the Saints and Seahawks have to win to make it happen.

It's conference records. NO would be 10-2 and GB and Sea would be 9-3.

 

Thank You dirk. Didn't think of a three way tie. So now I'm a Bears this week.

 

Thank You dirk. Didn't think of a three way tie. So now I'm a Bears this week.


NO NO NO......please don't be a whining Bear Fan.....lol

 

You don't know when to quit, do you?

 

Yeah, you could be a hypocritical, instigating Titans fan instead.

 

Washington cuts Dwayne Haskins



Dwayne Haskins‘ tenure in Washington is over.

Washington’s first-round draft pick in 2019, Haskins has been released today, according to NFL Network.

The move comes after the latest lousy performance in a string of them from Haskins, who was once viewed as Washington’s future franchise quarterback but quickly proved himself not to be up to the task, either on the field or off.

Washington coach Ron Rivera wasn’t involved in drafting Haskins and was clearly never sold on him, and this year Haskins was demoted to third string, first behind Kyle Allen and then behind Alex Smith. On Sunday and in the postseason, Washington plans to start Alex Smith, with Taylor Heinicke backing him up.

Haskins will now be available on waivers to any team that wants him. If there’s another team out there that had a first-round grade on Haskins in next year’s draft, perhaps he’ll get claimed off waivers. But it wouldn’t be surprising if the rest of the NFL is as low on Haskins as Rivera is.

NBC

 

An example of how important it is that when you invest a mid to high 1st round pick on a QB you get it right.

Not even 2 years on the roster.

 

He sucked so bad that they cut him before the season ended. One more game and they said screw it.