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MOtorboat
09-28-2008, 08:59 AM
A little Around the League to go with your Cup o’ Joe this morning, as you prepare for an early start, especially those of you in BDT.

First, we’ll get it started with the Chiefs, because, well, that’s who the Broncos play today.

Players around that locker room are trying to focus on one-game-at-a-time as their season begins to unravel (http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chiefs/story/816823.html). There are definitely some “Chief Concerns” (http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chiefs/story/816821.html) going into the next stretch of games for the Chiefs. And, as you can see here (http://www.kmbc.com/sports/index.html), KMBC in Kansas City didn’t even bother to put the game preview on their front sports page.

Meanwhile, Oakland and San Diego meet to figure out who gets to be second place in the division. San Diego got of the snide last week, winning big over the Jets, and the Bolts are looking to control the clock (http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2008/sep/27/chargers-s28chargers18423/?chargers) more, so their defense isn’t on the field as much. Chris Jenkins (http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2008/sep/26/chargers-raiders-things-to-watch/?chargers), of signonsandiego.com, will be watching how much LT will play, and the Oakland offensive scheme.

Apparently Michael Huff wore Nnamdi Asomugha’s number in practice to deceive someone into thinking Asomugha’s elbow isn’t hurt. It is (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/26/SPEH13640K.DTL), and he’s a game-time decision. Nancy Gay addresses the strange Monday press conference (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/24/SPMF1339TN.DTL) and the subsequent organizational meltdown of the Raiders. If you haven’t seen the Monday press conference (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruiUgDyMf60), Senior Executive John Herrera berated Mercury News Columnist Tim Kawakami for suggesting that Kiffin could be fired at any time. You can read Kawakami’s response here (http://www.mercurynews.com/timkawakami/ci_10534589?source=rss).

The Raiders cross-town foes are off to New Orleans, and are, amazingly – at least to me – vying for first place in the NFC West, as Mike Martz has put a bit of spark into the 49er offense (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/25/SP5C135KLN.DTL). Mark Roman is heading home (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/27/SP3L135RO6.DTL).

Drew Brees is statistically the best quarterback (http://blog.nola.com/saintsbeat/2008/09/brees_nfls_best_qb_but_is_anyb.html) in the league, but there are so many issues surrounding the Saints, that nobody is really paying attention.

The Battle of Ohio is a battle to get out of the cellar (http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080928/SPT02/809280415/1066), and to get a win. In a Presidential year, it is quite ironic that two major swing states, Ohio and Missouri (http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080928/COL04/809280450/1066&GID=7dssVE7diHrr9aL9xr39ktVTPOtJWzpGqFagI/MHZsc%3D), are a combined 0-12 in the NFL.

Up north in Cleveland, they are talking about the sense of urgency (http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2008/09/sense_of_urgency_goes_with_bro.html) that surrounds the Browns, especially since everyone thought they were a playoff team.

Green Bay and Tampa Bay is shaping up into quite a big game, as well, with both teams sitting on top of their respective divisions.

In Green Bay, the defense could be hurt extensively because of the injury to Al Harris (http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080927/PKR07/80927063/1058/PKR01). Luckily, on the offensive side of the ball for the Packers, their two veteran tackles (http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080927/PKR01/80927061/1058) are healthy and kicking butt.

In Claymore country, lineman Jeremy Trueblood (http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/sports/comments/trueblood-fined/) has been fined by the league, and the Bucs defensive ends (http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/sep/28/adams-white-have-friendly-rivalry/sports-bucs/) are quickly becoming the top pair in the league, especially in pass rush.

This afternoon, if you aren’t in New Orleans or San Francisco (and all you have is basic cable…) you’ll get Washington and Dallas, so I might as well throw up a few headlines from those two cities…

It’s the last game in Texas Stadium for the Redskins and Mark Maske (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/27/AR2008092702862.html?sub=AR) reflects on past moments for the Washington Post. Rocky McIntosh is leading the Redskin defense, but everyone is worried about his knee (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/27/AR2008092702558.html), except him. Jason Campbell came through with a win last week, but his off the field (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/27/AR2008092702633.html) work is probably more important.

Tonight, Philadelphia and Chicago will battle in what should be a great defensive match up, but maybe a bit of a boring game to watch.

The Bears hope that the re-emergence of Brandon Lloyd (http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-080927-chicago-bears-brandon-lloyd,0,636039.story) will help spark their offense. In Philly, Correll Buckhalter (http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/20080928_His_focus_is_on_game_and_his_family.html) is a changed man off the field, and its showing on the field.