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Bengals hope to stop a favorite son
When it comes to Cleveland head coach Hue Jackson, there’s no debate that Sunday’s return (1 p.m.-Cincinnati’s Channel 12) to sold-out Paul Brown Stadium marks the return of one of Bengaldom’s more beloved favorite sons. From Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh to Andy Dalton, Jackson fingerprints are all over the best of the Marvin Lewis Era. But if the presidential election is dead even in the electoral college bellwether of Ohio, the smoke-filled room of the Bengals.com Media Roundtable has the Battle of Ohio tilting to a Bengals landslide.
Doc: Cleveland celebrating more than Cincinnati
The Cleveland Browns are in town, and this is reason for great local optimism and potential celebration. The Browns are who the Bengals were, for most of the 1990s and beyond. Futility at its most painful, like curing a stubbed toe by shooting off your foot. Nothing eases the Bengals ills like a shot-o’-Browns. That’s where it stops, though.
AFC North Bytes
Ravens Activated Lorenzo Taliaferro
The Ravens activated Lorenzo Taliaferro today from the Physically Unable to Perform list to their 53-man roster, general manager and executive vice president Ozzie Newsome announced. Additionally, Baltimore elevated CB Robertson Daniel from the practice squad to the active roster. To make room for these moves, the Ravens placed S Kendrick Lewis (thigh) on Injured Reserve and waived TE Daniel Brown.
Even With Cody Kessler, Cleveland Browns Must Draft a Quarterback
Don’t get hooked. That is more than merely a line made popular by ESPN Cleveland radio host and Cleveland sports personality Tony Rizzo. It’s a mantra fans of the Cleveland Browns should embrace each time they watch rookie quarterback Cody Kessler perform against NFL defenses this fall.
Pittsburgh Steelers weigh long-term health with Ben Roethlisberger
With ESPN's Chris Mortensen reporting Ben Roethlisberger could be out four to six weeks coming off his meniscus surgery, the Pittsburgh Steelers probably aren't just thinking about Big Ben's next four games. They're thinking about his next four years, too.
Random Bytes
Roger Goodell Discusses Public Perception of NFL's Response to Domestic Violence
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Friday there's a misunderstanding among those who criticize the league for its perceived problems with punishment when it comes to issues such as domestic violence and touchdown celebrations.
Colts owner Jim Irsay says 'this year isn’t over,' defends Grigson and Pagano
Let Jim Irsay, still stinging from last Sunday, vouch for the therapeutic benefits of spending time behind closed doors with fellow NFL owners. “It’s good to have an owners meeting as a distraction,” the man who writes the Indianapolis Colts' checks told USA TODAY Sports this week as he waited for an elevator.
NFL Week 7 game picks: Cardinals edge Seahawks; Patriots roll
Rivalry week in the NFL, on several levels. We kick off Week 7 with the oldest grudge match in NFL history between the Bears and Packers -- two sides who've been going at it since 1921. Green Bay lost that first meeting 20-0, by the way. Samkon Gado couldn't get it going on the ground.
Blocked FG keys Penn State upset of Ohio State
Penn State safety Marcus Allen blocked a 45-yard attempt by Tyler Durbin, which would have been a career-long. The loose ball was scooped up by Grant Haley and returned for a touchdown to give PSU a 24-21 lead that its defense preserved in the final minutes. Allen leaped directly up the middle of the OSU protection unit to get a hand on the kick.
John Brown Diagnosed with Sickle Cell Trait: Latest Details and Comments
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown's leg issues are the result of a sickle-cell trait. Per Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official website, Brown discovered the problem after undergoing a blood test. The team is working on addressing the problem
Cowboys Media Member Shuts Skip Bayless Up Over Tony Romo Trade Rumors
It looks like someone finally shut Skip Bayless up for once. On Friday's episode of Fox Sports 1's Undisputed, analyst and renowned troll Skip Bayless argued that the Cowboys should consider trading Tony Romo and Dez Bryant to make way for the successful youth movement in Dallas.