Dallas Cowboys 11/28/2006 11:04 AMThe Star-Telegram reports Cowboys owner Jerry Jones called K Mike Vanderjagt on Monday afternoon to inform him that he had been released. While Jones said he was sick about the decision, he told Vanderjagt that "some people in the organization lacked confidence in him." "Some people" would be HC Bill Parcells, who clearly never trusted the most accurate kicker in NFL history. The decision came 48 hours after Vanderjagt spoke with Parcells and told him he believed he had corrected some of the technical problems that caused him to make only 13 of 18 field-goal attempts this season.Read more
Miami Dolphins 11/28/2006 11:01 AMThe Palm Beach Post reports with his left hand in a cast Monday, RB Ronnie Brown playfully solicited help from teammates - with no success - for such mundane tasks as putting on deodorant, brushing his teeth and going to the bathroom. Needless to say, carrying a football on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars' third-ranked rushing defense doesn't seem to be in the cards for Brown. "As far as the pain aspect, it's really not too bad," said Brown, who had surgery Friday to stabilize a fracture of his second metacarpal bone. "From a health standpoint, it'll probably be better if I sit out this week. From then on I really don't know." While several players said RB Patrick Cobbs will be promoted from the practice squad to help pick up the slack, RB Sammy Morris will be the workhorse. He had 12 carries for 91 yards, including a 55-yarder that is the Dolphins' longest play from scrimmage this season, in Thursday's 27-10 victory against the Detroit Lions.Read more
Atlanta Falcons 11/28/2006 10:57 AMThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Falcons QB Michael Vick said the heckling of his teammates â not specifically him â coupled with the frustration of losing to New Orleans prompted him to direct obscene gestures at fans as he walked off the field. Vick apologized at a news conference Monday after issuing a statement through the team after Sunday's loss at the Georgia Dome. "It was just part of a situation where my emotions got the best of me," said Vick, who is certain to be fined by the NFL. "I apologize sincerely to all my fans and to everybody who saw me make that gesture." WR Randy Moss was fined $5,000 for a "mooning" gesture last season. The Falcons cannot fine Vick if he is fined by the NFL.Read more
Houston Texans 11/28/2006 10:38 AMThe Houston Chronicle reports consecutive losses to Buffalo and the New York Jets caused fans to howl for QB David Carr to be benched, but it became a moot point Monday when QB Sage Rosenfels was placed on injured reserve with a fractured right thumb. HC Gary Kubiak said he never considered replacing Carr in the 26-11 loss to the Jets, but now he won't be tempted, no matter how unproductive the offense is over the last five games. Rosenfels' place was taken by free agent Bradlee Van Pelt, who played for Kubiak and offensive coordinator Troy Calhoun in Denver. C Mike Flanagan, who suffered two cracked ribs against the Jets, is out for the season and also was placed on injured reserve.Read more
