Carolina Panthers 10/05/2008 8:23 AMThe Charlotte Observer reports Carolina running back DeAngelo Williams officially remains the starter for the Panthers, who will host the Kansas City Chiefs today. But when the Panthers get inside the opponent's 20, Williams is replaced by rookie Jonathan Stewart. That's why Stewart has four touchdowns in four games and Williams has zero. But Williams, whom I've never heard complain about his role in three years, said he's OK with it. “He gets all the goal-line carries,” Williams said.. “It doesn't bother me at all. I challenge myself with that. You know, I'll just score from 50.” That's possible. In 2007, when Williams was the No.2 back behind overrated and misused DeShaun Foster, he broke off runs of 32, 35, 39 and 75 yards. That's why fans clamored for Williams to play more – he had the burst that Foster no longer possessed. So now Williams does play more. And, after four games, his longest run of the season has been 21 yards. It's either about time for Williams to break one, or it's time for Stewart to start getting 65percent of the carries between these tailbacks instead of the 45percent he currently receives.Read more
New York Giants 10/05/2008 8:14 AMThe Star-Ledger reports when WR Amani Toomer thinks about the most amazing plays QB Eli Manning has made in his five-year NFL career, he realizes they've all come while he's running the hurry-up offense. A pirouette away from a rusher before hitting Plaxico Burress for a 28-yard pass against the Cowboys in 2005. A pivot and reverse across the field on a third-down scramble and completion for a first down the following week against the Broncos. The left-handed throw against the Rams in Week 2 this year. Oh, and that little escape on the pass to David Tyree and his helmet in Super Bowl XLII. "That's when he makes those kinds of plays," Toomer said the other day. "I don't know why. I just know you can never count him out."Read more
Pittsburgh Steelers 10/05/2008 8:07 AMThe Post-Gazette reports when it was proposed to Hines Ward the other day that the Steelers should come out passing, passing and passing some more against the Jacksonville Jaguars tonight, his trademark smile spread across his face and he answered with a laugh: "You would, of course you would like to." But Ward has been a Steeler too long. He knows how the team operates and he immediately followed those words with these: "But we're not going to come out and sling the ball 60 times." OK, maybe not 60, but what's wrong with, say, 40? Why shouldn't the Steelers revert to an aerial circus in this crucial AFC game?Read more
Tennessee Titans 10/05/2008 8:01 AMThe Nashville Tennessean reports the Titans released backup quarterback Chris Simms on Saturday to make room for punter Josh Miller. Simms, signed by the Titans on Sept. 10, is expected to be re-signed early next week. The Titans signed Miller for today's game at Baltimore in case Craig Hentrich, who was troubled by back spasms this week, is unable to play.Read more
