CBSSports. The NFL will move umpires back to their old spots during the final five minutes of Thursdays preseason games.

Previously they were in the old spot for only the final two minutes of each half.

NFL spokesman Corry Rush confirmed the adjustment Wednesday.

League officials decided to move umpires from the old spot, in the middle of the defense, to behind the deepest running back for safety reasons. But Peyton Manning complained about the switch after being called twice for illegal snaps when the umpire couldnt get into position quickly enough last week at Green Bay.

The NFL will again re-evaluate the new policy after this weeks preseason finales. The change could become permanent when the regular season starts.

Posted on September 2nd, 2010 by admin
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The Carolina Panthers travel to Heinz Field this weekend to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL preseason finale for both teams, and as week four of exhibition play goes, this is the last dress rehearsal before the games do matter. Carolina earned their first win this past Saturday against the Tennessee Titans 15-7, after combining for that many points in consecutive losses to open their preseason schedule against the Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets. On the other hand, Pittsburgh won their first two games of exhibition play before losing to the Denver Broncos week three. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will get on the field for some reps with the starting offense one more time before taking a seat for at leastthe first four games of the regular season to serve his suspension.

NFL Betting: Carolina Panthers @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Why To Bet On The Panthers?

Despite playing well, neither Matt Moore or college football betting star Jimmy Clausen have thrown for a touchdown this preseason, a trend that the Panthers would undoubtedly hope to see end before next weeks regular season debut against the New York Giants. DeAngelo Williams has managed just 3.6 yards per carry during exhibition play, but should only get in for one series if any, and is largely not a factor for this contest. Clausen will get an extended look, and will try to show head coach John Fox and his staff that he is ready to contribute immediately as a football betting rookie.

Why To Bet On The Steelers?

The Steelers have shown a bit of an edge during this preseason, perhaps angered by the prognosticators that have them once again taking a back seat to the Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC North. Roethlisberger is expected to get in at least a couple of quarters of work, the final game action he will see before sitting down with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Friday to discuss whether his six-game suspension will be reduced down to four. Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin is expected to rest or give limited snaps to the majority of his starters, but this is a deep and talented roster that should come to play in front of its home crowd. Dennis Dixon and Byron Leftwich have both shown flashes in exhibition play. Look for Dixon to impress as he proves to Tomlin that he is more than capable of backing up Leftwich once the season begins.

How The Game Will Play Out?

he Panthers offense has looked stagnant through exhibition play, and when you consider that the most explosive playmaker on a roster that lacks depth will not see much time, its difficult to project Carolina putting up much points against a Steelers defense. All three Pittsburgh quarterbacks will likely see time, and when you consider how important these snaps are to all three for different reasons, its reasonable to think that they will do good things.

Panthers Steelers Betting Pick: Steelers

Posted on September 1st, 2010 by admin
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The New York Jets touch down at Lincoln Financial Field this Thursday to take on the Philadelphia Eagles in a match up of teams expected to contend in their respective conferences this season. While the Jets completed a major personnel overhaul a year ago, the Eagles are in the midst of a more subtle one in 2010, which includes replacing the most winning quarterback in the NFC over the past decade. With Kevin Kolb taking Donovan McNabbs starting spot for Philadelphia, head coach Andy Reid is hoping his team will have as much success in year one of their transition as the Jets did when they went all the way to the AFC Championship game last season.

NFL Betting: New York Jets @ Philadelphia Eagles

Why To Bet On The Jets?

After an improbable finish to a season in which the Jets offense sputtered for most of the year, former NCAA football betting star Mark Sanchez and company have reverted back to their old ways this preseason, including last weekends 16-11 loss at home to the Washington Redskins. Sanchez threw for just 139 yards, including one touchdown and one interception as the Jets offense managed only a field goal up until the midway point of the fourth quarter. The New York offense has been on a decline for three straight weeks now, a problem that head coach Rex Ryan would like to fix before the following weeks regular season debut against the Baltimore Ravens.

Why To Bet On The Eagles?

Kolb posted a passer rating of 39.2, was sacked four times, and threw an interception against the Kansas City Chiefs, not exactly a confidence boost for a fan base that has unreasonable expectations for its quarterbacks. The 26-year old will need to be better in the time he sees against the Jets, as week one of the regular season is against the high-flying Green Bay Packers. Michael Vick should see some extended action against New York, and looks better with every appearance he makes. The defense still has some question marks to answer after allowing both the Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars to reach 17 or more points, and will need to prove themselves against a Jets offense that has stalled in recent weeks.

How The Game Will Play Out?

The Jets have struggled on offense so far this preseason, and will be going against an Eagles defense that has suffered just the same. Most of the skills positions have already been determined for both teams, so this game will serve as more of a final run through. As far as the starters are concerned the Jets may have the edge, but given the limited time that they are expected to be on the field, the quality depth the Eagles boast, and the fact that they are playing at home will give Philadelphia the football Sports picks for the exhibition finale.

Jets Eagles Betting Pick: Eagles

Posted on September 1st, 2010 by admin
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CBSSports.com wi The New England Patriots lost a key player Tuesday when Leigh Bodden, their best cornerback, was placed on injured reserve.

Bodden, who led the Patriots with five interceptions last season, went on the season-ending list with a shoulder injury. He had been bothered by a knee injury earlier in training camp and returned to practice last week. He played in Thursday nights 36-35 exhibition loss to the St. Louis Rams.

The Patriots did not say which shoulder Bodden injured.

New England got down to the 75-player roster limit by Tuesdays deadline by releasing defensive back Terrence Johnson and placing three other players on injured reserve: safety Josh Barrett (shoulder), defensive back Brett Lockett (chest) and defensive lineman Darryl Richard (foot).

The loss of Bodden could thrust first-round draft pick Devin McCourty from Rutgers into a starting spot. The other first stringer is expected to be Darius Butler, a second-round pick last year from Connecticut.

Bodden joined the Patriots before the 2009 season as a free agent after five seasons with the Browns and one with the Lions. He started 14 of the 15 games he played, returned one interception for a 53-yard touchdown, forced a fumble and recovered another.

He tied a team record with three interceptions in a 31-14 win over the Jets on Nov. 22.

The Patriots picked up Barrett on waivers from the Broncos on Aug. 6. Lockett played primarily on special teams after being claimed off waivers from Cleveland last Sept. 7. Richard, a seventh-round draft choice last year, spent the season on the practice squad. Johnson is a rookie free agent from California (Pa.) University.

Posted on September 1st, 2010 by admin
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CBSSpor Former New York Giants Super Bowl star Plaxico Burress has come up short in his bid for work release during his two-year prison sentence in a gun case, a denial that could keep him behind bars until at least next spring, prison officials said Tuesday.

The state Department of Correctional Services said the nature of his November 2008 crime merited turning down his request for a work furlough, which would have let him spend some portion of his time free and working. Burress can appeal the decision but otherwise cant reapply for a work furlough until June 6, 2011, the date he comes up for potential full release if he gets time off for good behavior.

“The serious and negative impact illegal guns have on the community coupled with [the] dangerous nature of the weapon discharging in a public place renders him unsuitable for work release,” the agency said.

Burress lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, didnt immediately return a telephone call seeking comment Tuesday.

For now, the wide receiver remains in protective custody, because of his notoriety, at a prison in the central New York community of Oneida.

The work release request was Burress second since he started serving his sentence la less than 2 percent of the nearly 27,000 applications received last year were granted, New York prison system spokeswoman Linda Foglia said.

Burress, 33, pleaded guilty last year to attempted criminal possession of a weapon.

The case began when Burress went to the Latin Quarter nightclub with a .40-caliber gun tucked into the waistband of his track pants. He later said he was concerned for his safety because a teammate had been held up at gunpoint days before.

The weapon slipped down Burress leg and fired, injuring his right thigh. Prosecutors said the bullet narrowly missed a security guard.

The gun wasnt licensed in New York or New Jersey, where Burress was living, and his Florida concealed-weapons permit had expired. He also failed to report the incident to authorities.

The prison system hasnt released any letters written to officials about Burress latest work release attempt, but the Manhattan district attorneys office said it had opposed his request.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has ruled that Burress would be reinstated and eligible to sign with a team upon completing his sentence. But the NFL is facing uncertainty about its 2011 season, with the possibility of a lockout looming if players and owners cant agree on a new contract. The current contract expires after this season.

Giants general manager Jerry Reese has said the team will keep its options open with Burress, who caught the winning touchdown for the Giants over the New England Patriots in the final minute of the 2008 Super Bowl. And some of his former teammates seem ready to welcome him back: Halfback Brandon Jacobs went to training camp one day this summer sporting a custom-made T-shirt saying “Free 17 Let Him Ball Out,” a reference to Burress No. 17 jersey.

Burress has had a satisfactory record in prison, with one “misbehavior report” that cost him a week of phone privileges and 30 days of recreation privileges, Foglia said. A corrections officer said Burress had lied last November about having permission to use the phone to call his lawyer at a time when calls arent permitted, the report shows.

Burress also has completed an anger management program behind bars, Foglia said.

Posted on September 1st, 2010 by admin
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CBSSports.com
Aug. 30, 2010

Brett Favre already is getting injections into his troubled left ankle, is reporting.

SI’s Peter King reports that the Minnesota Vikings quarterback is getting injections of a lubricant to keep the ankle in playing shape.

King reported that Favre went into the locker room after logging eight series Saturday against the Seattle Seahawks, where he had an injection he described as “like a grease fitting.”

Fantasy Focus Brett Favre, QB, Vikings
Despite his balky left ankle, Favre is good enough to start as a low-end No. 1 QB. Read More >>

Favre has had three surgeries on the injured ankle, most recently on May 22 by Dr. James Andrews. A bone spur had returned when Favre was examined by Dr. Andrews a month ago.

The Vikings and Favre plan to manage the pain the spur brings, but Favre told SI he doesn’t think he will take anything stronger than Motrin.

When asked about his ankle holding up for the entire season, Favre wasn t sure.

“I dont know. I have no idea, really,” he said. “My ankle just seems to get easier to sprain. I know everyone thinks the New Orleans game [the NFC Championship Game] killed me, but it was bad before then. Now well see if I can make it. My minds telling me one thing, but my bodys telling me something else.

Posted on August 31st, 2010 by admin
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CBSSp Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after the teams final preseason game to see if his suspension will be reduced from six games to four.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed a report by Fox Sports on Sunday night that the two will meet soon but he declined to say when or where the meeting would take place.

“The commissioner has stated that he would make his decision prior to the start of the regular season and that he would meet with Ben again as part of the process,” Aiello told The Associated Press.

Roethlisberger was suspended for six games after being accused of sexually assaulting a Georgia college student in March. He was not criminally charged in the case.

If Roethlisbergers suspension is reduced to four games, hell be back for their game against Cleveland on Oct. 17.

Otherwise, he wouldnt be back until the Steelers play at New Orleans on Halloween night.

Either way, the Steelers will know before their opener against Atlanta on Sept. 12 how long theyll be without their two-time Super Bowl winning QB.

Roethlisberger didnt play very long in the Steelers game at Denver on Sunday night, giving way to Dennis Dixon after taking 11 snaps in the first quarter.

Roethlisberger was 4 for 6 for 67 yards, including a 47-yarder to Mike Wallace.

After he was pulled, Dixon got his first significant playing time with the starters. Dixon has started only one NFL game, and he is expected to be Byron Leftwichs backup when the season starts and Roethlisbergers suspension begins.

Posted on August 30th, 2010 by admin
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CBSSpor Calvin Pace will be si again.

The Jets outside linebacker will have surgery Monday in North Carolina to repair his broken right foot, and will miss New Yorks season opener against Baltimore on Sept. 13.

More on Jets Ryan confirms interest in Thomas How is Taylor still playing? Pasquarelli: Turning to Taylor?

“Hopefully, itll be a somewhat speedy recovery,” Pace said Sunday. “I probably definitely will miss the first game, thats safe to say, but beyond that, I dont really have an idea.”

The Jets top pass rusher had to sit out the first four games of last season after being suspended by the league for violating its policy on performance-enhancing substances. He still led New Yorks top-ranked defense with a career-high eight sacks.

“Im still upbeat, I really am,” Pace said. “Stuff happens in football. Ill say this: Its better to get injured playing rather than have to sit out four games because of a silly mistake as far as a supplement. It happens and Im going to stay upbeat and cheer the guys on.”

The procedure will be performed in Charlotte, N.C., by foot and ankle specialist Dr. Robert Anderson, who has treated several NFL players including Plaxico Burress, Brady Quinn, Felix Jones, Leonard Little, Ahmad Bradshaw and Aaron Ross.

“Well know more about the extent of the injury, obviously, after the surgery,” said coach Rex Ryan, declining to put a timetable on Paces retur of New Yorks preseason loss to Washington on Friday night. He said Redskins tackle Stephon Heyer tried to cut block him.

“I tried to block him away,” Pace said, “but I guess his helmet hit the side of my foot.”

X-rays in the locker room revealed a fracture, and Pace refused to call it a dirty play.

“Nah, thats football,” he said. “It happens. I guess I shouldve gotten my foot out of the way a little quicker.”

Jason Taylor, the NFLs active career sacks leader, and Vernon Gholston are expected to handle the bulk of plays at Paces spot in his absence. But Ryan also acknowledged having spoken to former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Adalius Thomas, a favorite of his when he was an assistant there.

“I would say it would be a possibility,” Ryan said. “Im not going to rule that out.”

Ryan said there were no plans to bring Thomas in for a physical as of Sunday afternoon, but said if the team were to make the move to sign him, hed prefer it to be soon.

“Theres still some other things involved, other factors involved,” Ryan said. “Sometimes what really makes sense might not make sense to the organization, so well see.”

The team needs to evaluate where Thomas would fit on the roster, and who would have to be let go before it signed him. Thomas, who was mostly disappointing the last three seasons with New England, was a two-time Pro Bowl selection with the Ravens.

“I dont want to bring A.D. up here not to have a roster spot for him if he plays the way we expect him to play,” Ryan said. “Right now, I cant say specifically that he would be on our team, so I dont want to bring him in until I know that if he plays to expectations that there would be room for him. Thats something were looking into.”

Ryan is also unfazed by the prospect of not having his top pass rusher and shutdown cornerback in Darrelle Revis, whose holdout reached 29 days, in Week 1.

“Weve got enough depth here, enough good football players that offenses need to be worried about our defense,” Ryan said. “Were definitely not worried about it.”

NOTES: Ryan said the established starters on offense and defense will not play at all in the Jets preseason finale at Philadelphia on Thursday so he can “keep them fresh.” … QB Mark Sanchez fell hard on his right shoulder against Washington, but Ryan said he was fine and had “no limitations whatsoever” Sunday.

Posted on August 30th, 2010 by admin
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CBSSports.com San Francisco 49ers nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin ended his lengthy holdout Saturday by signing a $7.003 million franchise tag tender.

Franklin passed a physical and officially signed the deal before the Niners played the Oakland Raiders in an exhibition game Saturday night. Franklin was going to watch that game before rejoining his teammates for practice next week.

He has a little more than two weeks to get ready for the season opener Sept. 12 against Seattle. Franklin said he wants to play the exhibition finale next Thursday against San Diego.

“Im anxious to go out there, see what I did this offseason, see whats going to help me out on the field,” he said. “Im anxious to go back out there with the guys, build on what we started on last year. I think another year with all of us together we can do a whole lot better this year on the defensive side and as a team.”

Franklin spent the offseason working with a personal trainer in Atlanta and believes hes in better shape than when he arrived at camp last year. He did boxing workouts with his trainer, boxing for a minute and then taking 30 seconds off to replicate playing in a game.

“We just tried to make it mimic plays like an average game, maybe like 64 plays, so I tried to do the same things with boxing,” he said.

Defensive coordinator Greg Manusky said this week that while Franklin had fallen behind his teammates by missing camp, he believed the nose tackle could get up to speed for the opener by playing one exhibition game. Manusky said the biggest issue for Franklin will be “getting his wind back.”

“Even though some of the starters are only playing 15 plays or 16 plays, at least theyre back in the rhythm and get their groove back,” Manusky said. “You cant really replicate that out here. But, hell be fine.”

Franklin emerged as one of the top nose tackles in the league last season with 36 tackles, two sacks and an interception.

The 30-year-old Franklin has recorded 291 tackles, four sacks, one interception and three forced fumbles in his seven-year career. He originally was a fifth-round pick by Baltimore in 2003 and joined the Niners as a free agent before the 2007 season.

The Niners placed the franchise tag tender on him in February and had hopes of agreeing to a long-term deal. But that did not happen by the July 15 deadline and Franklin chose not to report to training camp.

“The 49ers had their way with exercising the franchise tag,” Franklin said. “Me and my agent decided to do what we did because it was best for us.”

Of the six players who received franchise tag tenders this offseason, Franklin was the only one to miss training camp. New England defensive tackle Vince Wilfork and Green Bay defensive tackle Ryan Pickett signed long-term deals, and Oakland defensive lineman Richard Seymour, Seattle kicker Olindo Mare and Pittsburgh kicker Jeff Reed signed their tenders before camp started.

Second-year player Ricky Jean Francois, a seventh-round pick out of LSU last year, stepped up in Franklins absence, giving the Niners more depth on the line for the season.

Posted on August 29th, 2010 by admin
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CBSSports.com w Kansas City rookie linebacker Cameron Sheffield has been released from the hospital after hurting his neck while making a tackle in a preseason game against Philadelphia.

The Chiefs said in a statement Saturday that Sheffield has movement in all his extremities.

He was hurt Friday night when his helmet made contact with Mike Bells helmet as he took down the Eagles running back near the Chiefs sideline.

Trainers and coaches tended to Sheffield for several minutes before securing his body and lifting him into a cart. Sheffield was conscious and talking to team officials as he was removed.

He was drafted in the fifth round out of Troy and is competing for a job as a backup.

Posted on August 29th, 2010 by admin
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