Dec 3rd 2008 2:45PM by Matt Snyder (author feed)
Filed under: Jaguars, Patriots, Steelers, Texans, AFC East, AFC North, AFC South, NFL Referees

As we get later in the season, there will likely be less for me to cover here. Sure, an uncovered gem like the free kick field goal could be unearthed. Generally speaking, though, I’ve probably covered most of the tricky rules interpretations by now. The point of the Zebra Report is not to give a forum for people to complain about obvious blown calls. In the past, you’ve seen me type, “we all saw it,” when mistakes have been made. My aim, instead, is to focus on actual rules, positioning, and to maybe even speculate (with disclaimers, of course) what the official may have been thinking when making a judgment.

With this in mind, we only have three items this week. Worry not, my friends, because you will most certainly get your money’s worth.Continue Reading

Dec 2nd 2008 11:07AM by Stephanie Stradley (author feed)
Filed under: Jaguars, Texans, AFC South

Though nationally there wasn’t much interest in two 4-7 teams playing each other, in Houston, Reliant Stadium was packed to watch the city’s first Monday Night Football game in 14 years.

The story of the game was the impressive play of Texans rookie Steve Slaton and Mario Williams. The above video shows highlights of Slaton’s 130-yard rushing, 51-yard receiving, two-touchdown performance. Williams had three sacks, a forced fumble and four tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

I guess they both saw this as a statement game. Slaton was angry that NFL teams saw him as only a third-down back, which allowed him to slip to the third round of the draft. Williams mentioned in the post game interviews that he took exception to Ron Jaworski’s pregame comments to the suggesting that the defensive end was not a dominant player.Continue Reading

Dec 2nd 2008 5:10PM by Michael David Smith (author feed)
Filed under: Falcons, Saints, Texans, VikingsThe NFL has suspended six players for four games apiece for using a banned substance.

The players are Saints defensive linemen Charles Grant and Will Smith, Saints running back Deuce McAllister, Vikings defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams and Texans long snapper Brian Pittman.

The players all tested positive for the banned substance Bumetanide. They all appealed the suspensions, saying that Bumetanide is an ingredient in the over-the-counter supplement Star Caps, and that the NFL did not tell players that Star Caps is banned. But the NFL turned down their appeals.

Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jackson was not suspended even though it has been reported that he also tested positive for Bumetanide. The NFL did not explain why Jackson was not suspended.

UPDATE: The NFL’s official announcement is below.Continue Reading

Dec 3rd 2008 9:45AM by Bruce Ciskie (author feed)
Filed under: Saints, Texans, Vikings, AFC South, NFC North, NFC South

The NFL Tuesday suspended six players, including Vikings defensive tackles Pat and Kevin Williams, for taking a banned diuretic.

Normally, suspended players go quietly into the, well, wherever suspended players go to quietly serve their time.

This is likely to be an exception to that rule.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, live on television Wednesday morning, indicated that a filing was coming, and he made it sound like all six suspended players would be filing for injunctions.Continue Reading

Dec 1st 2008 8:15PM by Ryan Wilson (author feed)
Filed under: Jaguars, Texans, AFC South, NFL Fans

There really aren’t enough superlatives to describe tonight’s Jaguars-Texans matchup. It’s the battle for … well, last place in the AFC South, actually. Jacksonville has been one of the most disappointing clubs in the NFL this season, and Houston continues their never-ending search for a defense (and a defensive coordinator!).

Both teams are 4-7, just six games behind division leader Tennessee. Which means, yes, tonight is all about pride. And Mr. Tony’s odd fascination with Brett Favre and Tom Brady.

Long live Rosenchappa!

Party starts at .Continue Reading

Nov 29th 2008 12:55PM by Stephanie Stradley (author feed)
Filed under: Texans, AFC South, NFL InjuriesThe reported today that Texans quarterback Matt Schaub could possibly play in the Monday Night Football game. He’s back practicing after suffering a knee injury from two low hits from Vikings DE Jared Allen.

Looking at the quotes from the Friday press conference in their entirety, I’m doubting that Schaub plays in that game. Gary Kubiak sees progress, but says that Schaub is “still a little bit limited.”

That running back Steve Slaton says he feeling better is bigger news. With Ahman Green predictably finding his way onto IR, the Texans have to rely on Slaton because the two guys playing behind him are Ryan Moats, who wasn’t in camp, and FB Cecil Sapp.

This likely means that the Texans are going to likely throw the ball more and pass protection from the RB spot might be an adventure. Unleash the Rosenchappa interception machine.

Nov 24th 2008 12:30AM by Stephanie Stradley (author feed)
Filed under: Browns, Texans, AFC North, AFC South, NFL InjuriesIn the battle of two of the most disappointing teams this season, the Texans won on the road so this means the Browns are more disappointing. So I guess they can take that as a victory of sorts.

Browns’ QB Brady Quinn started despite a broken index finger on this throwing hand and was largely ineffective when he wasn’t throwing interceptions. Derek Anderson replaced him to equally poor results. WR Braylon Edwards was the Browns leading receiver, but his story of the game was more of sloppy routes and dropped passes.

The Browns were very effective in spurts running the ball against the poor Texans run defense, but coach Romeo Crennel inexplicably gave up on the run.Continue Reading

Nov 19th 2008 6:15PM by Ryan Wilson (author feed)
Filed under: Packers, Texans, Vikings, NFC North, NFL Fans

It’s a good thing the Vikings gave Jared Allen all that money in the offseason (although had he known Barack Obama was going to take half of it, he might’ve asked for more) because he’s out $75,000 in the last 10 days for various on-field transgressions. Two-and-a-half weeks ago, Allen tried to manually remove both of Matt Schaub’s legs, and Sunday against the Packers, he roughed up Aaron Rodgers (see moving pictures above).

Via the ’s Access Vikings blog, Chip Scoggins writes that former Vikes defensive end Jim Marshall stopped by practice and was kind enough to share his thoughts on today’s fine-happy NFL.Continue Reading

Nov 16th 2008 5:46PM by Matt Snyder (author feed)
Filed under: Colts, Texans, AFC SouthThe Colts still have the capability to be an offensive machine. Facing a lackluster Houston Texans’ defense in their new digs after a hard fought victory against the ferocious Steelers in Pittsburgh seemed like a good time for the pistons to start firing on all cylinders for the one-mighty offense.

For thirty minutes, we were all left scratching our heads. The Colts managed just three field goals in the first half, and trailed 13-9. The half was peppered with dropped passes and missed opportunities. Apparently the Colts just needed to get warmed up.

In the second half, Peyton Manning and Joseph Addai spearheaded the Colts return to form as an offensive juggernaut. As I mentioned in the title, this was a vintage Colts performance — one which would make the now defunct RCA Dome proud.

- Manning ended up completing 30 of 46 passes for 320 yards and two scores.

- Marvin Harrison caught nine passes for 77 yards and a touchdown.

- Joseph Addai piled up 153 total yards and found paydirt twice.

- Reggie Wayne caught seven passes for 90 yards.Continue Reading

Nov 13th 2008 5:15PM by JJ Cooper (author feed)
Filed under: Ravens, Texans, AFC North, AFC South

A year ago, the Ravens were a complete mess. They had no quarterback, a “offensive genius” as a head coach who could never seem to figure out how to produce points, and the abysmal record to show for it.

There are a lot of reasons the Ravens have gone from 5-11 to 6-3 and playoff contention. New coach John Harbaugh has gotten the team headed in the right direction. Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron has added some innovation to the offense and Joe Flacco has given the team the quarterback it had been lacking for years.

But after watching Ravens left tackle Jared Gaither contain Texans defensive end Mario Williams, it’s clear that Gaither is one of the big reasons that the Ravens have gone from a league joke to a playoff contender. Gaither had one of the toughest jobs possible–replace a future Hall of Famer. But Jonathan Ogden had played in only 11 games last year and was limited in 2007 by a toe injury, and when he was out, the Ravens were lacking in viable fill-ins.Continue Reading