Washington Redskins 12/02/2006 9:52 AMThe Washington Post reports Redskins HC Joe Gibbs ended practice yesterday without resolving the team's kicking situation, days after signing K Shaun Suisham to compete with incumbent place K Nick Novak. Novak has struggled with his field goal accuracy and short kickoffs, prompting Gibbs to consider alternatives. Since signing with the Redskins on Oct. 11, Novak has made 5 of 10 field goals. When the Redskins signed Suisham on Tuesday, Gibbs said he was unsure of his plan. His options were to let the two kickers compete during the week and cut one, or keep two kickers and use one for kickoffs and the other for field goals. Gibbs said it was an unorthodox approach for him, but not out of the realm of possibility.Read more
Miami Dolphins 12/02/2006 9:49 AMThe Palm Beach Post reports Giants rookie DE Mathias Kiwanuka endured intense criticism after he appeared to have Titans quarterback Vince Young wrapped up for a sack, but then let him loose and Young ran for 19 yards in a 24-21 Tennessee win Sunday. Dolphins DE Jason Taylor saw the play and said the league, not Kiwanuka, deserves blame. "I totally understand why he did it," Taylor said of Kiwanuka. "It's a shame that this is what the league has come to. You sneeze on the quarterback, you darn near get fined. It's ridiculous. "They're ruining the game by protecting the quarterbacks the way they are."Read more
Pittsburgh Steelers 12/02/2006 9:46 AMThe Post-Gazette reports even without WR Hines Ward, the Steelers' passing game could still flourish against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Ward, the AFC's eighth-leading receiver with 57 catches, will miss only his second start in nine seasons tomorrow after having arthroscopic surgery to remove bone chips in his left knee Monday. That means WR Nate Washington, who has probably distinguished himself more for his drops than his catches this season, will make his first start against the Buccaneers.Read more
Cincinnati Bengals 12/02/2006 9:33 AMThe Dayton Daily News reports from the outhouse to the penthouse, the Bengals defense has done an about-face, replacing its laughable label with a stout stamp. Cincinnati's 13-7 triumph over Baltimore on Thursday night was the continuation of a climb that began in the cellar when the Bengals' "D" was ranked dead last in the league after yielding 595 yards in a 31-16 victory at New Orleans. "I'm glad (for the defense because of) all the criticism that was being leveled on them, and earlier on the offense, back-and-forth," Bengals HC Marvin Lewis said Friday. "It's what being part of a team is all about, and a family. We're going to push harder and coach harder, and coach better and play better, and never have those extremes."Read more
