Source: Brett Favre unlikely to play Tuesday night – ESPN

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Dec 272010
 

Brett Favre has two extra days to recover from his concussion thanks to the winter storm that hit Philadelphia on Sunday but the two-day reprieve is unlikely to make it possible for the quarterback to play Tuesday night for the Minnesota Vikings against the Eagles.

Favre has not passed a concussion test and a team official told ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio on Monday no test is planned before the game, meaning it is unlikely Favre will be cleared to play.

The extra 48 hours of rest is making it more likely Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, who has a bruised thigh, will play on Tuesday.

A week ago, the Vikings listed Favre as “out” for the game against Chicago with a sprained right shoulder. He was surprisingly upgraded to questionable the day of the game and ended up starting against the Bears.

Favre, the NFL’s iron man, had his consecutive starts streak snapped at 297 two weeks ago.

If Favre cannot play, rookie Joe Webb will make his first career start. Webb went 15 for 26 for 129 yards with two interceptions and a touchdown rushing in the 40-14 loss to the Bears. He took all the snaps with the first-team offense in practice this week.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

via Source: Brett Favre unlikely to play Tuesday night – ESPN.

 Posted by at 2:24 pm

San Francisco 49ers sack Mike Singletary as coach after elimination – ESPN

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Dec 272010
 

SAN FRANCISCO — Mike Singletary made a name for himself as a coach with that bold “I want winners!” declaration more than two years ago.

Ultimately, he didn’t produce enough victories to save his job.

The team made the announcement upon returning to the Bay Area late Sunday, several hours after San Francisco was eliminated from playoff contention with a 25-17 loss at St. Louis. Defensive line coach Jim Tomsula was promoted to interim coach and will run the team in the season finale at home against Arizona. He was to be formally introduced in a news conference Monday.

After team president and CEO Jed York told reporters in St. Louis after the loss he would think about whether Singletary would coach the final game, Singletary then was told of his dismissal back at the team’s Santa Clara complex.

“I want to thank Mike Singletary for the passion and effort that he brought to this organization,” York said in a statement. “He is a tremendous person for whom I will always have great respect.”

York said money wasn’t an object in this decision considering Singletary had two years remaining on his contract.

“Obviously, we didn’t achieve the things we set out to achieve. We should be a playoff team,” York said in the locker room. “We aren’t a playoff team this year. Very disappointed about that. We need to figure out how we can get into the playoffs and how we can start competing for Super Bowls.”

San Francisco began the year with high hopes of winning the West and reaching the postseason for the first time since 2002. Singletary was 18-22 in two-plus seasons.

The 49ers were quite spoiled for a long stretch of time, but the forces of nature in the NFL have leveled the playing field. Bill Walsh, George Seifert and Steve Mariucci won consistently and earned titles. The three guys to follow them, however, have failed miserably to live up to the standard set.

“One of the greatest experiences of my life was having the opportunity to coach the San Francisco 49ers,” Singletary said in a statement. “What made it so special were the players. They were some of the most outstanding men I have ever been around in my life. The coaches were truly professionals. I wish the 49ers nothing

via San Francisco 49ers sack Mike Singletary as coach after elimination – ESPN.

 Posted by at 2:21 pm

Auburn vs. Oregon, the matchups: Offensive line vs. defensive line | al.com

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Dec 272010
 

Auburn starters: Lee Ziemba, LT, 6-8, 319 (Rogers, Ark.); Mike Berry, LG, 6-3, 316 (Antioch, Tenn.); Ryan Pugh, C, 6-4, 297 (Hoover, Ala.); Byron Isom, RG, 6-3, 302 (Jonesboro, Ga.); Brandon Mosley, RT, 6-6, 299 (Jefferson, Ga.)

Stats: Ziemba, an All-American, has started all 51 games of his college career and has helped lead the Tigers’ SEC-best offensive production.

What to know about Auburn: Cam Newton may get all the attention, but the group of four seniors and one junior on Auburn’s line has been an equally important driver of Auburn’s powerful offense. The group has been nearly flawless in pass protection, while opening big holes for Auburn’s backs. The guards have the speed to move quickly on all the sweeps, end-arounds and various gadget plays. Pugh has been almost perfect on shotgun snaps.

Oregon starters: Terrell Turner, DE, 6-3, 261 (Los Angeles, Calif.#; Brandon Bair, DT, 6-7, 272 #St. Anthony, Idaho#; Zac Clark, DT, 6-2, 270 #Wichita, Kan.#; Kenny Rowe, DE, 6-3, 232 #Long Beach, Calif.).

Stats: Bair ranked tied for 21st in the nation with 15 ½ tackles for loss and was named second-team all-Pac-10. Rowe had 12 ½ tackles for loss and a team-high six sacks.

What to know about Oregon: The group lacks the “wow” factor but is steady, tough and quick. Oregon ranked 15th in the nation in rushing defense (117.6 yards per game) while allowing 3.33 yards per carry.

The Auburn Bureau’s Evan Woodbery says: Edge goes to Auburn. This is the best offensive line in the SEC and one of the best in the country.

The Oregonian’s Aaron Fentress says: The edge has to go to Auburn with left tackle Lee Ziemba being named All-America and center Ryan Pugh receiving third-team honors.

via Auburn vs. Oregon, the matchups: Offensive line vs. defensive line | al.com.

 Posted by at 2:18 pm
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