San Francisco 49ers 12/11/2007 7:08 PMThe Mercury News reports QB Alex Smith is going to have his right shoulder surgically repaired, but repairing his relationship with 49ers Coach Mike Nolan could be more difficult. In his strongest act of rebellion to date, Smith on Monday said that Nolan has tried to "undermine" his reputation in the locker room. In an exclusive interview with the Mercury News, Smith said Nolan made it clear to teammates that the quarterback was using injuries as an excuse for poor performance, a charge that has left Smith's locker-room reputation in shambles.Read more
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 12/11/2007 7:05 PMThe Tampa Tribune reports the Bucs assumed more risk than usual in signing free agent TE Jerramy Stevens this past offseason. Not surprising they will now be forced to pay an unusual price for their gamble. Stevens, who was recently convicted on an extreme DUI charge stemming from an arrest in Scottsdale Ariz. last March 13, was suspended without pay on Tuesday for one game by the NFL for violating its substance abuse policy. The suspension, which also calls for Stevens to be fined an additional game check, begins immediately, which means Stevens will not practice with the team this week or play in their game Sunday against Atlanta.Read more
Atlanta Falcons 12/11/2007 7:03 PMThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports HC Bobby Petrino abruptly resigned Tuesday as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons to take the head coaching job at Arkansas, the Falcons confirmed to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Petrino resigned about 5:45 p.m.. Owner Arthur Blank said he spoke to Petrino on Monday, and that Petrino assured him that he would be back for his second season with the team. "I feel real fortunate that we have a terrific guy leading our football team," Blank said on Monday. "Our CEO, our coach Bobby Petrino has done a terrific job dealing with adversity this year. He's proven to me that he's a better head coach than I ever thought he was going to be, dealing with the set of cards that unfolded this year."Read more
Chicago Bears 12/11/2007 1:49 PMThe Chicago Sun-Times reports the Bears signed former St. Louis DT Jimmy Kennedy today. Kennedy has had an injury-plagued career and weight issues, but he appears to be in much better shape. Kennedy was traded to Denver but was cut in training camp and hasn't played this season.Read more
