2011年12月21日星期三

Injury roundup: Patriots' Carter placed on IR

 The New England Patriots have placed defensive end Andre Carter on injured reserve.

Tuesday's move ends the season of the team's leader in sacks with 10 and sidelines a key player on a struggling defense. The Patriots have allowed the most yards in the NFL for nearly the entire season.
Carter started all 14 games. He injured his left quadriceps late in the first quarter of Sunday's 41-23 win over the Denver Broncos and was driven off the field on a cart. He had signed as a free agent Aug. 8 after five years with the San Francisco 49ers and five with the Washington Redskins.
The Patriots also signed defensive lineman Cedric McKinley to the practice squad. He spent part of this season on the Minnesota Vikings practice squad.

Chris Johnson expected to play for Tennessee
NASHVILLE — Chris Johnson says he originally feared he had hurt his right ankle badly, but says he expects to be able to play Saturday as Tennessee (7-7) tries to keep its faint playoff hopes alive against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
At first, Johnson thought the injury was worse than the one he sustained in a playoff loss to Baltimore.
This has been Johnson's worst season after missing all preseason before signing a $53.5 million extension. Yet he is 70 yards away from 1,000 yards rushing for the season, which looked unlikely considering his struggles over the first half of the season.
Jacksonville's Maurice Jones-Drew is the NFL's rushing leader.
Texans' Andre Johnson will miss his sixth consecutive game
HOUSTON — Houston Texans star receiver Andre Johnson will sit out Thursday night's game against the Indianapolis Colts because of a strained left hamstring.
Johnson, who will miss his ninth game this season, was sidelined for six consecutive games earlier in the year with a right hamstring injury that required surgery.
Coach Gary Kubiak said Tuesday that Johnson is "very close" to returning to practice, but isn't quite ready.
The Texans (10-4) have already clinched the AFC South, so Kubiak is staying cautious with the franchise's career leader in receiving yards. Houston plays Tennessee in its regular-season finale on Jan. 1.
Darren McFadden still questionable for Raiders
ALAMEDA, Calif. —Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden did some light jogging Tuesday but it remains uncertain whether he'll play again this season after being sidelined with an ankle injury since mid-October.
Wide receiver Jacoby Ford's return is also uncertain. He has also progressed to jogging after sitting out the past month with his own foot injury.
With a short week, the Raiders would be hard-pressed to get either on the field for Saturday's game in Kansas City. Coach Hue Jackson wouldn't rule it out, though.
The outlook is only slightly more optimistic for quarterback Jason Campbell.
Campbell has been throwing passes up to 30 yards in his attempt to return after undergoing surgery for a broken collarbone in mid-October. He has yet to resume practicing, however.
Felix Jones uncertain for Cowboys
IRVING, Texas — Dallas running back Felix Jones missed practice Tuesday because of hamstring tightness. That left the Cowboys with two running backs who weren't even on an NFL roster a few weeks ago.
Sammy Morris, who made his season debut last week, split time at practice with Chauncey Washington, who signed with the Cowboys practice squad Nov. 30. Morris was cut at the end of training camp by New England while Washington was let go by St. Louis in August.
Coach Jason Garrett says he's hopeful that Jones will be able to practice some this week and be ready for Saturday's game against Philadelphia.
If not, Morris is the most logical choice to start since running backs DeMarco Murray and Phillip Tanner are on injured reserve.

2011年12月9日星期五

A's nab valued prospect Parker in deal for Cahill

Following the A's quiet departure in the Winter Conferences now, there still been around a residual unknown all around the team's direction. But simply eventually taken off the confines of Dallas, that path has become obvious.

The A's designed a bold statement on Friday, likely acquiring their stance together around the rebuild route, by dealing right-hander Trevor Cahill and lefty reliever Craig Breslow together with cash factors towards the D-backs.

In exchange, Concord received valued pitching prospect Jarrod Parker, right-hander Ryan Prepare and outfielder Colin Cowgill inside a deal that were within the works best for nearly per week.

"After we met up, it seemed like Trevor was the guy that might be a great fit on their behalf,Inch A's assistant gm David Forst stated. "And it was vital to us when we would trade Trevor, we would obtain a guy which has the opportunity to be considered a front-line starter back, and that we seem like Jarrod is the fact that guy. From there, we worked out trying to puzzle out which other pieces may help our Major League club in 2012."

Each bit, the A's hope, can help equal to a fighting team as soon as 2014. At that time, the A's might be getting into a brand new stadium in San Jose. A minimum of this is the plan if Mlb grants it, which many believe might happen in The month of january in the next owners' conferences.

The eco-friendly light would associate to some a number of years based on growing pains, as the A's look toward the next of countless playoff runs within their new house. Knowing that, Friday's move might be one of several in the future this offseason -- Gio Gonzalez and Andrew Bailey still function as trade bait -- and may ultimately envision reminiscences of the one which adopted the 2007 campaign.

The D-backs, coincidentally, were also prominent figures of Oakland's roster transformation that winter, too. Arizona acquired hurler Serta Haren and, consequently, shipped six gamers towards the A's, including Brett Anderson, Carlos Gonzalez and Chris Carter.

"It's type of come full circle," Anderson stated Friday. "I had been in Jarrod Parker's footwear, searching toward the near future. Now we are searching toward the near future again.

"It's difficult, particularly with it being Trevor. You realize the company side but they are torn due to the friendship side. I suppose you need to do notebook computer for the club, however, you never need to see your buddies go. The A's have been in a fascinating situation at this time, being unsure of whether there's likely to be a brand new stadium, therefore it is difficult to know whether or not to play like we are destined to be in Concord or maybe we are likely to be in San Jose. Tough goings in Concord at this time.Inch

After Anderson became a member of the A's in 2007, the club proceeded to seize your hands on Gonzalez, Ryan Sweeney and Fautino P Los Santos in the Whitened Sox inside a swap for Nick Swisher that winter. Trades that sent away pitchers Wealthy Harden and Joe Blanton also adopted several weeks later.

This time around, it's Cahill on the go. Just 23 and owed $29 million within the next 4 years inside a deal which includes two club options, the best-hander will certainly fortify a powerful D-backs rotation that assisted Arizona to some National League West title this season.

Following a career 2010 season, which incorporated an 18-8 record and a pair of.97 ERA, Cahill required a recession this year, collecting a 12-14 mark and 4.16 ERA. However, he earned work-high 34 begins and it has made a minimum of 30 begins in all of his three large league seasons.

"Type of surprised," Cahill stated from the news he'd been exchanged. "I heard lots of other guys' names bounce around, and before the past few days, I i never thought I'd attend least the first to visit.

"I believe it will likely be good. I truly loved Concord and was comfortable there, however it appears like the Diamondbacks wish to win and that i actually want to compete and then try to win a championship and so i think it is good.Inch

The 31-year-old Breslow is arbitration-qualified and it has offered among the game's that is better left-handed remedies in the last three seasons, most lately assembling a 3.79 ERA in 69 games this year. He's set to become listed on a D-backs bullpen which includes submariner Kaira Ziegler, exchanged through the A's to Arizona in This summer.

By spinning in Parker, an initial-round Draft pick in 2007, the A's get what's regarded as Arizona's top prospect. Following rehab from his 2010 Tommy John surgery, the 23-year-old right-hander published an 11-8 record and three.79 ERA for Arizona's Double-A golf club this season.

He was known as as much as the large leagues the very first time in September and impressed greatly in only one start, throwing 5 2/3 shutout innings and generating a just right the club's postseason roster.

"We had him a great deal this season and that we like him," Forst stated. "Before he'd his surgery, he was most likely among the top pitching prospects in the overall game. We felt like he returned back very well this season.Inch

"I recall him getting a significant arm," stated Anderson, who performed alongside Parker in training league while still in Arizona's system. "He was drafted within the first round for any reason. I understand he'd Tommy John surgery, however i saw he returned towards the large leagues, also it appears like he's recuperating from that."

Cowgill, meanwhile, batted .354 with 13 home runs and 70 RBIs in 98 games at Triple-A. He made an appearance in 36 contests with Arizona, striking .239 with one homer and nine RBIs and nearly found his method to Concord five several weeks ago like a spoken-about option within the Ziegler trade.

Forst noted Cowgill can enjoy center area, which symbolized an extremely large void around the A's roster before Friday. He'll maintain this mixture for any beginning job for the reason that place come spring, and that he may also take part in the corners.

Ryan, 23, combined for any 2.21 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 48 looks between Double-A and Triple-A this year.

Not among the gamers acquired by Concord on Friday are named Albert Pujols or C.J. Wilson, who signed using the divison-rival Angels only a previous day. But Concord, which figures to become at the end from the American League West for any couple of years while La and fellow threat Texas duke it for that crown, wants to be for the reason that mix right after.

To that particular finish, they'll do whatever needs doing to catch youthful gamers with minimal service time who are able to enable them to make it happen. Which means the kind of Gonzalez and Bailey, together with other top gamers around the A's roster, continue to be to take.

"This does not change the other ongoing conversations we have been getting," Forst stated.

Roethlisberger's resilience sparks Steelers' win

Ben Roethlisberger was lounging around the Heinz Area turf, convinced his left leg was damaged. The Gambling huddled around their franchise quarterback, concerned their promising season is at risk.


Less than.

Very same Large Ben. And very same Cleveland Browns.

Roethlisberger put into his burgeoning status among the most difficult gamers in the overall game by coming back from the nasty cheap jerseys second-quarter sack to pass through for 280 yards and 2 scores - together with a 79-yard strike to Antonio Brown with 2:52 remaining - to lift the Steelers to some 14-3 victory Thursday evening.

"You cannot say enough about our quarterback," Brown stated. "It's amazing to experience having a guy like this who demonstrates that kind of toughness."

Not too Roethlisberger felt particularly tough after you have his left leg caught underneath Cleveland's Scott Paxson half way with the second quarter.

"It had been probably the most painful a few things i ever felt," Roethlisberger stated. "It felt like the center of my leg only agreed to be, cracked ... it felt like my feet was outdoors of my leg."

He visited the locker-room for X-sun rays while veteran Charlie Batch attempted to complete. The X-sun rays demonstrated no break and Roethlisberger came back.

"Doctors stated 'Just move,InchA Roethlisberger stated. "Once we stored going they stated, 'Just keep moving' since it literally felt enjoy it was going to explode."

Roethlisberger received a rousing ovation when he walked back to the area to begin the other half, although it was apparent he is at serious discomfort. He hobbled towards the type of scrimmage, he tip-toed while handing the ball off and that he grimaced while walking as much as throw.

Yet he in some way completed 8 of 12 passes for 178 yards following the break, such as the sealing touchdown to Brown, who caught the ball near midfield then beat Cleveland's Mike Adams towards the finish zone.

"I am happy with him and glad he obtained because I wouldn't happen to be capable of making it lower there as we needed to run another play," Roethlisberger stated, laughing.

Roethlisberger may have an MRI exam Friday to look for the extent from the damage. The Steelers have 10 slow days before a game title in Bay Area.

Brown carried out with five receptions for 151 yards along with a score because the Steelers (10-3) won for that eighth amount of time in their last nine games to maneuver one half-game before Baltimore for that AFC North lead.

The evening will not be appreciated for Brown's spectacular catch-and-run but Roethlisberger's John Wayne impersonation and Cleveland's typical meltdown against its greatest rival.

The Browns (4-9) lost for that 15th amount of time in their last 16 games using the Steelers, though they'd lots of chances to get their first victory at Heinz in eight years.

Colt McCoy passed for 209 yards but additionally put two interceptions for that Browns (4-9), who lost for that 15th amount of time in their last 16 conferences using the Steelers.

McCoy left briefly within the 4th quarter after going for a crashes helmet-to-helmet hit from Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison.

The 2nd-year quarterback was scrambling from trouble when he hidden the ball under his arm briefly as though to operate. He drawn as Harrison approach and turned a brief pass to Montario Hardesty right before Harrison smashed into him. McCoy was lounging around the area for many moments prior to making his way off.

Stiff fines

He declined to express whether he felt Harrison's hit would be a cheap shot, but acknowledged that "it got me for any minute."

Harrison, that has faced stiff fines previously for hits against defenceless gamers, thinks he did not do anything whatsoever wrong.

"From things i understand, when the quarterback leaves the pocket, he's considered a jogger,Inch Harrison stated. "All of the defenceless[ness] and protections that the quarterback has within the pocket have left and you will tackle him just like he's a running back. The hit wasn't late, and so i really do not realise why it had been known as."

Seneca Wallace completed, leading the Browns towards the Pittsburgh five-yard line. McCoy came back but he wasn't exactly the same. He was flagged for intentional grounding on his first play to push the ball to the Pittsburgh 16. He attempted hitting Mohamed Massaquoi ultimately zone around the next snap, but Pittsburgh's William Gay easily walked before it to have an interception.

"I simply did not get enough onto it, underthrew it as well as their guy designed a nice play which was essentially the overall game," McCoy stated.

Pittsburgh's defence gave just a little but didn't break, keeping McCoy winless against AFC North competitors in the brief career. He's -8 against division rivals, though there is lots of blame for everyone.

Cleveland devices dropped several passes and running back Peyton Hillis handled just 25 yards on 10 carries.

"You can try the raw distance and say, 'well, I'm not sure what type of performance it had been,InchA Cleveland coach Pat Shurmur stated. "But we stored them from the finish zone until that last large pass. There's several things we are able to develop."

Maybe, however they unsuccessful to consider advantage on the evening once the Steelers had trouble escaping . that belongs to them way.

Two times within the first half Pittsburgh switched it over at a negative balance zone. Hines Ward fumbled in the Cleveland 15 at the start of the 2nd quarter to prevent on Pittsburgh drive. The Steelers first got it back on Troy Polamalu's first interception of year. Polamalu came back the pick towards the Cleveland 10.

Carrying out a false start penalty, Roethlisberger hit Heath Burns within the flat, however the ball came collapsing out after you have hit by Cleveland safety Joe Haden to throw away another chance.

The Browns were hardly better. McCoy made an appearance to attain a touchdown on Cleveland's opening possession, however the score was overturned by replay, which demonstrated McCoy's knee striking the floor using the ball just lacking the aim line.

The Steelers stuffed the Browns on third lower and Cleveland settled for Phil Dawson's 20-yard area goal.

Pittsburgh made an appearance to become ready to go when Roethlisberger hit Jerricho Cotchery to have an 11-yard score before injuries transformed things significantly. The Steelers made it again behind the play of among the league's most difficult rivals.

Roethlisberger has performed via a sprained left feet along with a fractured right thumb this year, although the discomfort paled compared to what he felt within the other half. Still, he handled to outlive and Pittsburgh's wants a division title and homefield advantage with the 2010 nfl playoffs greatly alive.

"It's among individuals things with him where you are literally will have to consider him from the area on the stretcher to obtain him from the play," Batch stated.