Detroit Lions 10/05/2006 10:02 AMThe Detroit Free Press reports HC Rod Marinelli said WR Mike Williams had been "practicing very well" and the coaches were "very encouraged." "He's just going out and handling his business the correct way," Marinelli said. Williams wasn't in uniform for the Lions' first two games. He played late in the fourth quarter of their third game, then dressed but didn't play in their fourth game.Read more
Atlanta Falcons 10/05/2006 9:58 AMThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Falcons DE John Abraham practiced Wednesday for the first time since injuring his groin in the waning moments of a season-opening victory over Carolina, a game that he dominated. Abraham, who revealed he has had three operations on his lower abdomen in his career, said he practiced after nearly a month of rehabilitation to provide a brief refresher before practice resumes next week. It's a sign he plans to play in Atlanta's Oct. 15 game against the New York Giants. The Falcons have a bye this week.Read more
Miami Dolphins 10/05/2006 9:55 AMThe Palm Beach Post reports Dolphins DE Jason Taylor on Wednesday backed off his post-game comments in Houston in which he questioned whether some of his teammates were buying into HC Nick Saban's system. "Every coach has a way of doing it," Taylor said Sunday. "Nick's way is the right way for us. This is the way we're going to do it and until you buy into that and do it that way and do it that way for 60 minutes, then we'll be standing here with long faces, talking about losses. Wake the hell up and let's go."Read more
Cincinnati Bengals 10/05/2006 9:49 AMThe Dayton Daily News reports three days after showing off his anger and frustration, Bengals tailback Rudi Johnson was smiling, happy and proud. Johnson was beaming about the present he received in the mail on Wednesday â a white helmet with the inscription, "Howie Long's Tough Guys," and a congratulatory message from the Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end (Class of 2000). Each year on Super Bowl Sunday, Long â a FOX NFL Sunday studio analyst â unveils his personal All-Pro team of the toughest hombres in the NFL. Johnson joined the Giants' RB Tiki Barber, the Colts' RB Edgerrin James (now with Arizona) and the Seahawks' FB Mack Strong as the running backs on Long's tough-guy team from the 2005 season.Read more
