Indianapolis Colts 11/09/2006 8:37 AMThe Indianapolis Star reports several hundred players have spoken. And given the choice, QB Peyton Manning's their man. Responding to a Sports Illustrated survey asking 361 current NFL players whom they would pick to build a team around, 29 percent opted for the Indianapolis Colts quarterback. New England QB Tom Brady was a distant second, receiving 16 percent of the vote. "Got to start with the quarterback because the quarterback is your leader," Colts LB Cato June said Wednesday. "And what better quarterback to start with than Peyton Manning?" So, June would build his team around Manning?Read more
Chicago Bears 11/09/2006 8:33 AMThe Chicago Sun-Times reports LB Brian Urlacher was held out of practice Wednesday, but the Bears gained on their competition in terms of health. New York Giants WR Amani Toomer is out for the season with a partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, a big blow Wednesday to an offense that likely will rely even more on the league's leading rusher, RB Tiki Barber. But the Bears' focus remained squarely on their own injured, and Urlacher left the practice field without commenting. HC Lovie Smith rebuffed all inquiries into Urlacher's questionable status on the injury report, acting as if he had been asked for a copy of the playbook.Read more
Arizona Cardinals 11/09/2006 8:24 AMThe Arizona Republic reports Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald made it through a full practice Wednesday and reported no problems with a pulled right hamstring that has kept him from playing in the past three games. "I'm ready to let loose and contribute," he said. Fitzgerald and the Cardinals were not as optimistic after Monday's workout, when Fitzgerald reported some pain. He underwent an MRI exam, which showed that the muscle had healed. Fitzgerald is expected to play Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. The Cardinals have missed Fitzgerald's playmaking abilities, HC Dennis Green said.Read more
Atlanta Falcons 11/09/2006 8:22 AMThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports RB Jerious Norwood, the rookie breakaway threat, sprained his knee against Detroit and is questionable. The Falcons activated bruising tailback Marlion Jackson from the practice squad, a signal that there is concern over Norwood's availability. Starter Warrick Dunn likely would see an increased workload and FB Justin Griffith could see some time at tailback, but Jackson (6-foot-2, 240) might see his first regular-season action after more than five seasons of trying to make it in the NFL.Read more
