New Orleans Saints 12/21/2007 12:57 PMThe Times-Picayune reports Saints RB Reggie Bush backed off Thursday. He went through individual drills but did not participate in the team portion of practice. Coach Sean Payton said that's not necessarily a bad sign. But Bush's status for Sunday's game against Philadelphia remains questionable. "I think part of our plan was getting a good day's work Wednesday," Payton said of Bush, who missed the past two games with a torn left posterior cruciate ligament. "We'll see where we're at (after) today. It's too early to say."Read more
San Francisco 49ers 12/21/2007 12:52 PMThe Mercury News reports coach Mike Nolan wouldn't mind a do-over on the season. But he has no regrets about the draft-day swap with New England that landed rookie OT Joe Staley in exchange for the 49ers' 2008 first-round draft choice. "Joe's played very well this year," Nolan said Thursday. "We're very pleased with that pick. What we would like to do over is our record." The 49ers drafted Staley in April with the 28th overall selection obtained from New England, which now has the 49ers' top pick next year. If the draft were held today, the Patriots, who are two wins shy of a perfect season, would have the No. 5 selection.Read more
Baltimore Ravens 12/21/2007 12:44 PMThe Baltimore Sun reports with Kyle Boller missing a second straight day with a concussion, QB Troy Smith will make his first NFL start Sunday, becoming the latest young player to be forced into the lineup. The sixth rookie to start for the Ravens this season, Smith will take over the offense after quarterbacking four series in the NFL. "He's as ready as you're going to be as a rookie," coach Brian Billick said. "One thing I don't worry about is that he has a strong personality. You worry what happens if things get ugly with him and pressures ... but he will fight through whatever happens. He's a very strong-willed young man."Read more
Miami Dolphins 12/21/2007 12:42 PMThe Palm Beach Post reports Wayne Huizenga wasn't messing around. The Miami Dolphins owner promised significant adjustments after he embarked on a sweeping midseason evaluation of the struggling franchise. As a result, Huizenga made one of the most attention-grabbing moves of his tenure Thursday, signing two-time Super Bowl champion Bill Parcells to a four-year, $16 million contract to be the team's executive vice president of football operations. "We've got to get this thing back, and I can't think of anyone better than Bill Parcells," said Huizenga, seated at the head of the table in the Dolphins' conference room.Read more
