Cleveland Browns 12/26/2007 7:59 AMThe Akron Beacon Journal reports TE Steve Heiden need only step on the scale to measure what he's sacrificed for the 2007 Browns. One of the longest-tenured players with six years in Cleveland, Heiden put on 10 to 12 pounds so he would be better suited for his role as a blocker this season. After catching 156 passes in his eight-year career, 142 with the Browns, Heiden noticed in training camp that TE Kellen Winslow had recovered from off-season microfracture surgery on his right knee. Heiden realized that new offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski was going to feature Winslow in his attack. Heiden knew that meant it was time to beef up.Read more
Atlanta Falcons 12/26/2007 7:56 AMThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports like the 18 remaining assistant coaches Bobby Petrino left in a lurch when he quit his job as head coach of the Falcons two weeks ago, defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has a pit in his stomach. Unlike most coaches â especially Petrino â Zimmer didn't live the nomadic life. For the past 13 years, he was a coach with the Dallas Cowboys, forsaking friendships and other ties to join Petrino in Atlanta when Dallas hired defensive guru Wade Phillips as its head coach last summer.Read more
Miami Dolphins 12/26/2007 7:54 AMThe Palm Beach Post reports DE Jason Taylor set a franchise record by playing in his 129th consecutive game Sunday, but another record was on his mind. "New England's record means something to me," Taylor said sarcastically, referring to the Patriots' 15-0 record and the Dolphins' 1-14 mark. But after a moment Taylor, who last missed a game in 1999, said he was grateful to break former center Jim Langer's club record, which had stood since 1979. "I've been blessed and fortunate that I haven't had bad injuries over the years," said Taylor, 33. "I'll be more proud of it (the record) when I get a little older, I'm sure."Read more
Detroit Lions 12/25/2007 12:37 PMThe Detroit Free Press reports for the second consecutive December, Lions RB Kevin Jones has suffered a serious injury. Last year, it was his left foot. This year, it's his right knee. Jones tore his anterior cruciate ligament Sunday against Kansas City. Coach Rod Marinelli said Monday that doctors will wait for swelling to subside before making a decision on operating. Early indications are that Jones will miss the team's entire off-season program. "I'm not an expert saying this or anything," Marinelli said. "I'm sure it wouldn't be until training camp, I wouldn't think. But I don't know that. I'm not the doctor. They haven't done enough yet on it. They want to let the swelling come down. But no, it's a tough break."Read more
