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Around SBN: Sean Keeley's Week 12 College Football Buffet

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IND

BAL

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WAS

DAL

Sun 1:00p EST

CLE

DET

Sun 1:00p EST

BUF

JAC

Sun 1:00p EST

PIT

Sun 1:00p EST

SEA

MIN

Sun 1:00p EST

ATL

NYG

Sun 1:00p EST

Sun 4:05p EST

ARI

STL

Sun 4:15p EST

DEN

Sun 4:15p EST

NYJ

Sun 4:15p EST

CIN

OAK

Sun 8:20p EST

PHI

CHI

Mon 8:30p EST

TEN

HOU

Final

MIA 24

CAR 17

Fri 9:30p EST

BOISE

UTAHST

Sat 12:00p EST

DUKE

MIA-FL

Sat 12:00p EST

OHIOST

MICH

Sat 12:00p EST

MINN

IOWA

Sat 12:20p EST

CHAT

ALA

Sat 12:30p EST

FIU

FLA

Sat 1:00p EST

MEM

HOU

Sat 2:00p EST

TCU

WYO

Sat 3:30p EST

BYU

Sat 3:30p EST

UVA

CLEM

Sat 3:30p EST

WISC

Sat 3:30p EST

RUT

SYR

Sat 3:30p EST

PSU

MSU

Sat 3:30p EST

NCSU

VATECH

Sat 3:30p EST

LSU

MISS

Sat 4:00p EST

SDSU

UTAH

Sat 5:00p EST

OREST

WASHST

Sat 7:30p EST

CAL

STAN

Sat 8:00p EST

KANSAS

TEX

Sat 8:00p EST

OREGON

ARI

Final

COLO 28

OKST 31

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From Our Editors

Constantly updated with quick takes from the staff.

NFL Player's Association Says NFL Concussion Doctor Might Be Biased

So you’re saying the doctor hired by the NFL and paid to be their resident expert on concussions might be biased against any findings indicating that a long-term career in the NFL could be damaging to your health and well-being? Surely, you can trust the NFL to do its own homework on concussions, and make the best decisions in the interests of its players, since corporations only have the welfare of their employees at heart? And not to invite comparisons to tobacco companies in their dismissal of evidence?

During the hearing, Rep. Linda Sanchez, a California Democrat, played a clip of a TV interview in which Casson denied evidence of a link between multiple head injuries in NFL players with brain disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. Sanchez said that reminded her of tobacco companies denying a link between smoking and disease.

Evidently not. The quote is addressed to Dr. Ira Casson, who has publicly shot down any evidence linking concussions to degenerative neurological conditions, and whom the NFLPA has asked to leave his role as the NFL’s co-chair of the Concussions Committee. We’re sure he’s a credible expert with no biases whatsoever, especially when it comes to potential multimillion dollar lawsuits and his client who pays him well.

0 comments

by Spencer Hall • Nov 20, 2009 3:03 PM EST

Detainees Torture Americans With 'Favre Shenanigans'

Perhaps the surest sign yet that Brett Favre (aka The Orbiting and Ever-Present Brett Favre PR Death Star/Country Bear Jamboree) will forever be firmly entrenched in the Sports Meme Power Rankings is that his all-encompassing media exposure has now gone international. And we're talking "Wisconsin-National-Guard-camp-in-Iraq" kind of international.

According to a military official, detainees at a Wisconsin National Guard camp in Iraq are using Brett Favre as a manner of getting at the guard troops there.

"They know Favre by name," said First Lieutenant Tim Boehnen, who is from New Richmond, Wis.

"One of the big words they know now is shenanigan. They'll constantly talk about 'Favre shenanigans,' 'He's so good for the Vikings,' and 'The Packers have got to really feel bad about that one.'"

Well played, detainees. No word though on whether or not they also rib the National Guard soldiers about their boyish enthusiasm and propensity to wear Wrangler jeans when not in uniform.

0 comments

by Ryan Hudson • Nov 20, 2009 12:25 PM EST

Jeremy Shockey Isn't Buying LeBron James In The NFL

And if there's anyone I trust on matters of cross-sport viability -- and on matters of the heart, and pretty much everything else -- it's Jeremy Shockey. Speak, Jeremy:

everyone trust me Lebron James could not play in the NFL! espn is crazy to even think he could even make a practice squad. hes a 4.9 40 time

Uh, false. LeBron may not be a surefire NFL starter, but has Jeremy Shockey seen LeBron? He's not a 4.9 40 when he's dribbling a basketball. 6-foot-8 guys who move as fast as LeBron tend to be able to do anything they ask their freakish bodies to do. Which is why we need LeBron to start liking soccer. I want LeBron playing striker for the U.S. Men's National Team yesterday.

7 comments

by Eamonn Brennan • Nov 19, 2009 6:32 PM EST

Mike Shanahan To Meet With Buffalo Bills

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter (I'm beginning to think the man doesn't sleep, and is instead fueled by NFL rumors and inane Twitter questions), the Buffalo Bills are wasting little time in beginning their search for a new head coach. Just one day after firing Dick Jauron, they are already reaching out to Mike Shanahan.

Buffalo has contacted and is in the process of arranging a meeting with former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, according to two NFL sources.

Shanahan, a two-time Super Bowl winner with the Broncos, is said to be willing to listen to the Bills. He has said in the past that he is determined to return to the NFL next season.

For now, Perry Fewell is the interim head coach, but according to Schefter (again), they are also planning to look at Jim Haslett (currently coaching the Florida Tuskers in the UFL), Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride and the Montreal Alouettes head coach, Marc Trestman.

The Toronto Bills become a more realistic possibility every day.

0 comments

by Ryan Hudson • Nov 18, 2009 3:52 PM EST

The NFL: Patriotism On Steroids

Have you ever noticed the amount of American flags you see on an NFL broadcast? It seems like they cut away to soldiers like once-a-quarter. Do you ever find yourself wondering whether it’s all a little bit overdone? Like, do we really need a 100-yard flag* covering the field during each team’s national anthem?

If you’ve ever wondered, you’re not alone. This article traces the longstanding correlation between football and what the article calls “super-patriotism.” And it’s a pretty interesting history. Almost since inception, football’s been closely tethered to our flag, military rhetoric, and soliders. None of which is a bad thing; it’s part of what makes football so awesome.

It’s AMERICAN, damnit! But doesn’t it start to feel a bit contrived when fans are inundated with ads like this anytime they turn on a game?

Maybe, maybe not. But there’s no question, when it comes to loving America, the NFL’s got the (free) market cornered.

(*How do they transport that flag? Is it one big piece of fabric, or a bunch of velcro pieces? Does the flag have its own truck? Does it ever touch the ground? We need answers!)

0 comments

by Andrew Sharp • Nov 18, 2009 2:59 PM EST

Brady Quinn Fined For Cheap Shot

Brady Quinn has been fined an undisclosed amount for taking out Terrell Suggs knee on Monday night, a move that has likely cost the Ravens’ linebacker a few weeks of playing time. Earlier this season, Brett Favre and Mark Sanchez were fined $10,000 and $5,000, respectively, for similar blocks. It’s safe to assume Quinn was fined more than that because of the injury it caused.

At Stupid Sports Blog, which despite its name is actually quite clever, they ponder if this whole incident is the NFL’s fault for not punishing these dangerous QB blocks more severely before someone got hurt.

UPDATE: Per Adam Schefter, Quinn's fine was $10,000.

0 comments

by Chris Mottram • Nov 18, 2009 12:44 PM EST

Vince Young Spawns Texans-Fan Death Match

Vince Young's comeback has Titans fans excited, but it's also drawn the attention of a different sort: Texans fan boys still angry the Texans passed on Young in the 2006 NFL draft. The fan boys are out in droves, thereby spawning a vicious debate between those who think Vince Young is just OK and those who think Vince Young is Steve Young with better legs. The debate came to a head today at Battle Red Blog. Guys, guys. Take it easy. Put down the swords, take a deep breath, and let's just all agree that Reggie Bush sucks. OK? OK.

0 comments

by Eamonn Brennan • Nov 17, 2009 7:11 PM EST

Larry Johnson Has Big Plans For When The Bengals Play The Chiefs

According to KC Star’s Kent Babb, this is what Larry Johnson had to say on his Facebook page yesterday:

“Gonna gallop all over the Chiefs. Cleat prints on the chests. Mud in the face masks.”

Get ready Kansas City, because on Dec. 27th, you’re gonna get TRAMPLED UPON by Larry Johnson … as long as you’d kindly play along by laying down on the turf 2.9 yards away from the line of scrimmage. Any further than that, and LJ simply won’t be able to reach you. Thanks.

by Chris Mottram • Nov 17, 2009 9:55 AM EST

Jets Makes Coach Rex Ryan Cry

Rex Ryan, the head coach of the New York Jets, is intense. He's been a defensive line coach and defensive coordinator. He's big, angry and yells. A lot. He says things like, "I didn't come here to kiss Bill Belichick's rings." So, why was he crying in front of his team on Monday?

... Jets coach Rex Ryan, with his team gathered before him for the morning meeting yesterday in the wake of the previous day's devastating 24-22 loss to the Jaguars, delivered an impassioned speech to his players that was so emotionally-charged it brought him to tears.

The memorable moment simultaneously stunned his players and made them want to run out of the auditorium right then and there and board the bus to Foxborough, Mass., for Sunday's last-stand game against the Patriots.

"He didn't bash us at all; he was just very emotional . . . he was crying," right tackle Damien Woody told The Post. "Rex believes in our team so much I can't even put it into words and it would be a shame if we didn't capitalize on our opportunity."

Ryan also cried after they got their first win of the season, at Houston, but this time, there were no tears of joy -- the Jets have lost five of their past six games. Darrelle Revis later said, "I was a little upset to see him that way."

There was seemingly something sincere and honest when Dick Vermeil cried. But when Ryan cries, it feels ... awkward. I wonder what his dad would think.

0 comments

by Ryan Hudson • Nov 17, 2009 9:55 AM EST

The NFL Does Not Appreciate Bud Adams's Enthusiasm

What happens when you flick off an entire crowd of people? If you're NFL owner Bud Adams -- who happened to be sharing a box with notoriously uptight league commissioner Roger Goodell during Sunday's phalanx display -- you enjoy your moment in the sun as much as possible, because you better believe it's costing you.

Yes, the 86-year-old Adams was fined $250,000 by the NFL for his obscene gestures Sunday, which would be a lot of money to most NFL players. Alas, when you're worth $1.1 billion immediately after the worst financial crisis of in 80 years, $250k is merely the cost of doing middle-finger business. Bought, and sold.

0 comments

by Eamonn Brennan • Nov 16, 2009 6:47 PM EST

Jon Gruden Signs ESPN Extension, MNF To Remain Insufferable

Bad news for both teams in need of a new head coach and for those of us who used to enjoy watching football on Monday night: Jon Gruden has signed a multi-year extension with ESPN.

There were rumors that Gruden was atop Dan Snyder’s wishlist as the replacement for Jim Zorn, somewhat by default with all other would-be options making their disinterest clear. So much for that. Even as a Redskins fan, I’m actually far more upset that I’m stuck listening to Gruden on Monday night’s than I am about not having him as the team’s next coach. Expect a few more years of hard-hitting analysis, such as, “THIS GUY here … THIS GUY, he just knows how to play the game of football,” which I always find much more insightful than Ron Jaworski’s ability to actually break down plays.

0 comments

by Chris Mottram • Nov 16, 2009 10:08 AM EST

Redskins Pull Off The Rare Fake FG/Fake Punt/TD Pass Play

It is amazing that play worked for several reasons:

1) The Skins tipped their hand. What you don’t see in that video is that the Skins went into motion with the kicker moving to the slot and the holder — punter Hunter Smith — dropping back in the QB position before realizing they had 10 men on the field and calling timeout. They came back and still ran the original play call. In other words, the Broncos already knew a trick play was coming.

2) Smith had to throw the ball about 50 yards when you factor in field width. Not something you’d expect a punter to be capable of doing.

3) This is the 2009 Redskins.

0 comments

by Chris Mottram • Nov 16, 2009 9:50 AM EST