Broncos part ways with CB Walls

DENVER (AP) -- Lenny Walls has gone from starter to the injured list to, eventually, a former Denver Bronco. -NFL Football-

The Broncos decided to part ways with the cornerback on Tuesday, a surprising move that signaled their confidence in fast-improving rookies Darrent Williams and Domonique Foxworth. -NFL Football-

The Broncos placed Walls, a fourth-year player who began the season as the starter opposite Champ Bailey, on the reserve-injured list, meaning he must be released after he recovers from an injured groin. -NFL Football-

Walls, who missed much of last season with a dislocated shoulder, lost his starting job early this season and missed last week's 49-21 win over Philadelphia with the groin strain. -NFL Football-

"That had nothing to do with it," coach Mike Shanahan said of the injury. "It's just the play of some of our younger guys." -NFL Football-

The Broncos focused heavily on cornerbacks in the draft, picking Williams in the second round and Foxworth and Karl Paymah in the third. All three have performed ahead of expectations. -NFL Football-

Williams, who Shanahan originally said he liked because of his punt-return skills, has emerged as the starter across from Bailey. -NFL Football-

Foxworth has become the team's primary nickel back. Last Sunday against Philadelphia, he made a key fourth-quarter interception _ his second of the season -- in Denver's win. -NFL Football-

Paymah has played well and the Broncos also have Roc Alexander, Sam Brandon and Curome Cox. Alexander is a cornerback, while Brandon and Cox can each play multiple positions. Denver also signed rookie safety Hamza Abdullah off the Tampa Bay practice squad to take Walls' roster spot. -NFL Football-

"I'm definitely not amazed and I know Darrent's not amazed by what he's been able to accomplish," Foxworth said. "That's what we planned to do, being second- and third-round picks. I know not a lot of people expected us to come in and do as much as we did, but it was our job to come in and prove a lot of people wrong and prove the Broncos' front office right." -NFL Football-

Williams said he didn't come into camp with any expectations. Now, he's the starter for good. -NFL Football-

"I'm a pretty fast learner,' he said. "It came out good for me and I just want to maintain it." -NFL Football-

The move is made even more surprising because Bailey has been less than 100 percent all season, hampered by a sore hamstring. He had a rough game against Philly, getting beaten by Terrell Owens for a 91-yard touchdown and a 43-yard catch that set up another score. -NFL Football-

But Shanahan said the solid play of all the defensive backs, their ability to play special teams, plus Walls' shaky injury situation, made the move viable. -NFL Football-

"When you have a groin, it's one of those tough decisions," Shanahan said. -NFL Football-

The move brings a somewhat stunning close to what once looked like a promising career for Walls in Denver. -NFL Football-

Signed as a free-agent rookie out of Boston College in 2002, Walls quickly moved up the depth chart and became a starter in 2003. Even though injuries limited him last season, the Broncos decided to stick with Walls for 2005, choosing him over Kelly Herndon, who started in Walls' place last season while Walls was injured, but was not pursued by the Broncos when he became a free agent. -NFL Football-

Under the terms of the reserve-injured list, Walls will rehab with the Broncos until he's better, then he'll be released and free to sign with another team. -NFL Football-

Among those in the market for defensive backs include Denver's AFC West rivals, the Oakland Raiders. -NFL Football-

Walls said he was disappointed but not really surprised by Denver's decision. He believes he'll be a starter again in the league soon. -NFL Football-

"It's the decision they chose to make," he said. "I've got to live with it and move on." -NFL Football-

Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Ravens - Steelers: Gameday inside slant

Aaron Wilson RavensInsider.com

Oct 31, 2005

Week 8 in the NFL sees the Ravens (2-4) on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2). We take a quick look at what to look for on each side of the football and what each team needs to do to win. -NFL Football- When the Ravens have the football Expect offensive coordinator Jim Fassel to at least deviate slightly from an ultra-conservative approach. Why not try something new at this point with the Ravens ranked last in scoring offense (11.5 average)? They only generated 199 yards of total offense in last week's 10-6 loss to the Bears. This could mean more of tight end Todd Heap split out wide, increased throws to Randy Hymes and perhaps a smidgen of playing time for lightly-used $3 million backup runner Chester Taylor. Jamal Lewis to the left, Jamal Lewis to the right and Jamal Lewis up the middle has gotten pretty stale. -NFL Football- Key matchup TE Todd Heap vs. S Troy Polamalu -NFL Football- Two athletic Pro Bowl selections should clash multiple times, and Heap's speed could keep Polamalu honest in coverage. -NFL Football- How the Ravens can win 1. Try a fresh approach. The running game is usually unproductive with starter Jamal Lewis. It may be time to increase Chester Taylor's workload, and allow Anthony Wright to stretch the field vertically. -NFL Football- 2. Contain Willie Parker and Jerome Bettis. The Steelers' lightning-and-thunder running combo is formidable, and Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are hurt. -NFL Football- 3. Watch out for play-action. Ben Roethlisberger is deadly on this pass, especially to rookie tight end Heath Miller. Terrell Suggs can't be overly aggressive. -NFL Football- When the Steelers have the football Anticipate them trying to run the Ravens out of Heinz Field with a mixture of sweeps for Fast Willie Parker and dives and zone runs for Bruising Jerome Bettis. Although the Steelers rarely throw the football -- they attempted only 14 passes in last week's impressive win over Cincinnati -- they're very efficient. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger leads the NFL with a 120.7 passer rating. He completed nine of his passes last week for two touchdowns while Carson Palmer threw it 36 times for no touchdowns. Tight end Heath Miller has caught a touchdown pass in each of the last three weeks and is rapidly becoming Roethlisberger's favorite safety valve whenever Hines Ward is covered. -NFL Football- Key matchup FB Dan Kreider vs. LB Tommy Polley -NFL Football- The 255-pound Kreider thrives on physical collisions, and could have an edge against a 230-pound linebacker who looks more like a basketball player. -NFL Football- How the Steelers can win 1. Run the football right at Tommy Polley. Polley is a light replacement for Ray Lewis, weighing only 230 pounds and has been described as a finesse linebacker. Finesse doesn't usually work against the Steelers. -NFL Football- 2. Blitz Anthony Wright. Pass protection broke down against the Bears with four sacks allowed. The Steelers have superior personnel with safety Troy Polamalu and linebacker Joey Porter, and Baltimore is susceptible to line stunts. -NFL Football- 3. Throw the post corner route to Hines Ward. He's been a major nemesis to Chris McAlister over the years and already has five touchdowns this season. -NFL Football- In addition to being a long time contributor to RavensInsider, Aaron Wilson writes for the Carroll County Times in Westminster Maryland. -NFL Football-

Story URL: http://ravens.scout.com/2/459856.html

Copyright © 2005 Scout.com and RavensInsider.com

Week Seven game previews
By PFW staff Oct. 20, 2005
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San Francisco at Washington
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The Redskins have suffered two straight losses, both to AFC West clubs on the road, both in tough fashion, following a 3-0 start. They have a chance to get back in the win column against the 49ers, who are coming off their bye week but have struggled mightily on the road. --- nfl ---
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In his first start, 49ers QB Alex Smith had to face the resurgent Colts defense; here, he faces the maddening blitz packages of Gregg Williams. Smith also must contend with the fact that CB Shawn Springs (shin; check status) is having a Pro Bowl type of season, and CBs Walt Harris and rookie Carlos Rogers have been strong. --- nfl ---
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The 49ers must try to run the ball and screen to the blitz side with their backs, but Kevan Barlow and Frank Gore have caught only nine passes for 41 yards the past two games. At least they appeared strong vs. Indianapolis (combined 26 carries, 130 yards rushing). Redskins QB Mark Brunell has had to air it out the past two games, throwing 94 times (completing 55) for 653 yards, five TDs and no picks, and he has been locked in on WR Santana Moss (18 catches, 289 yards, two TDs in the last two games). --- nfl ---
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Moss presents a major headache for the depleted 49ers secondary. And with RB Clinton Portis churning out the yards, the rebuilt front seven of the Niners must watch for play-action. Its best hope is to get pressure on Brunell or force turnovers.--- nfl ---

Lions best unsettled Ravens, 35-17

DETROIT (Oct. 9, 2005) -- The Baltimore Ravens lost control and the Detroit Lions took advantage. - NFL Football -

Kevin Jones scored two first-quarter touchdowns and Detroit went on to beat Baltimore 35-17, helped in part by the Ravens' 21 penalties -- one short of the NFL record -- and two ejections.

"It was outrageous -- and it cost them," said Dre' Bly, who had two interceptions and recovered a fumble. - NFL Football -

The Lions (2-2) lost their previous game at Tampa Bay when a TD catch by Lions tight end Marcus Pollard was reversed by replay with 13 seconds left, but Jones said the officiating this week didn't make up for that heartbreaking setback.

"They were calling the penalties that were there," Jones said.

The Ravens didn't see it that way. - NFL Football -

Baltimore (1-3) lost defensive end/linebacker Terrell Suggs and safety B.J. Ward because of ejections late in the third quarter in a game in which officials seemed quick to flag the visitors.

"I think the refs just let their feelings get into it a lot," Ravens receiver Derrick Mason said. "They crossed the line."

With Detroit's win and Chicago's loss, the Lions are alone atop the NFC North.

"We can't get too excited," Bly said.

The Lions never trailed, but turned the game into a rout by outscoring the Ravens 21-7 in the second half.

Detroit's first TD in the third quarter capped an 18-play drive that took 9:38 and included six plays from Baltimore's 1. - NFL Football -

Just when the Ravens thought they made a pivotal, goal-line stand on a third-and-goal from the 1, Detroit got a new set of downs because defensive tackle Maake Kemoeatu was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for making an obscene gesture to the crowd, referee Mike Carey said.

Three plays later, Artose Pinner had a 1-yard TD run -- on a delayed call. The play was reviewed, but the pile of players made it impossible to determine if Pinner scored.

"I still don't think he scored," Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis said. "God himself was going to have to come down and tell me he got in the end zone, no one else."

The Ravens had legitimate reasons to gripe throughout the game, but lost their composure.

"Passion, emotion and intensity are good, but they've always got to be under control," Baltimore coach Brian Billick said. - NFL Football -

The Ravens were a call away from tying the NFL record for penalties shared by three teams, most recently San Francisco in 1998.

Suggs was ejected by Carey after he was flagged for roughing the passer and argued the call. Suggs' facemask might have made contact with the bill of Carey's cap, but it wasn't clear from television replays. - NFL Football -

"He bumped me with malice in his heart and he was gone," Carey said.

After Pinner's TD and the ensuing extra point, Ward was ejected for making contact with an official. The contact seemed to be incidental as Ward was trying to separate teammate Ed Reed from Detroit's Casey FitzSimmons after Reed pointed a finger in FitzSimmons' face, apparently upset about a cut block.

"I know I didn't make contact," Ward said.

Detroit's Joey Harrington was 10 of 23 for just 97 yards with a TD and two interceptions. Jones had 26 carries for 58 yards and two scores while Shawn Bryson's only carry was a 77-yard TD run midway through the fourth quarter that gave the Lions a 35-17 lead.

The Lions lost receiver Roy Williams to a left quadriceps injury, leaving them with just three receivers because Charles Rogers is suspended for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.

Baltimore's Anthony Wright was 20 of 37 for 230 yards with two TDs and two interceptions. Jamal Lewis ran for 95 yards and caught a 15-yard pass for a score.

The offensively challenged Ravens got off to a rough start. - NFL Football -

Bly made a play -- as promised earlier in the week -- when Baltimore tried to get Mason involved. Wright's first throw missed Mason by a few yards and Bly intercepted it at Baltimore's 37, setting up Jones' 14-yard TD that gave Detroit a 7-0 lead. - NFL Football -

The Lions appeared to catch their first of many breaks -- on a review -- later in the first quarter.

Officials ruled Harrington fumbled -- when it clearly looked like he was passing -- and a review upheld the call, allowing Jones to pick up the ball and advance it 27 yards to the Ravens 2.

"The ball was loose in the quarterback's hands before his hand came forward," Carey explained.

Notes: Detroit kick returner Eddie Drummond, hurt on the opening kickoff, said he will be out a week with a hyperextended left knee. ... Mason (shoulder stinger) and FB Ovie Mughelli (left thumb) were also injured. - NFL Football -

© 2005, NFL Enterprises LLC

Former NFL star Smith arrested

Officials say player in '88 Super Bowl sold coke to agents

By Karen Abbott, Rocky Mountain News
October 1, 2005

Former football star Timmy Smith, once the Super Bowl bane of the Denver Broncos and lately employed at a youth detention center, was arrested Friday on charges of dealing cocaine.

Federal officials said Smith, 41, sold about 20 ounces of cocaine to an undercover agent Friday morning for $13,600 in a restaurant parking lot near the Denver Tech Center, then fled in his sport utility vehicle as officers closed in to arrest him.

Denver police stopped Smith about 20 minutes later at East Arkansas Avenue and South Quebec Street,said Jeff Walsh, a supervisory special agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Denver DEA Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Sweetin held up a football-sized pile of white powder cocaine in a zipped plastic bag at a news conference Friday afternoon after Smith's arrest.

"We believe that Mr. Smith is and has been a cocaine dealer," Sweetin said.

Smith's brother also was arrested Friday on drug charges.

Sweetin said Smith sold a total of 1.3 kilograms of cocaine, worth about $37,000 on the street, to an undercover officer on seven occasions during the investigation, which began in April.

DEA officials called Smith's position at Gilliam Youth Services in Denver "youth counselor," but Liz McDonough, spokeswoman for the Colorado Department of Human Services that runs the center, said Smith is a "security officer" at the detention center.

Walsh said Smith had told the undercover agent who bought cocaine from him that he was a youth counselor.

Smith also has been an instructor for youth football camps in the Denver area. In August, he was lead instructor at a YMCA flag-football camp for boys and girls in grades 1 through 12.

Friday's cocaine buy took place about 11 a.m. in a strip mall parking lot near the Cool River restaurant in the Denver Tech Center area, off Interstate 25 at East Belleview Avenue, Walsh said.

He said the undercover officer was in the passenger seat of Smith's SUV when the cocaine and the money were exchanged.

The undercover officer then signaled other officers, who appeared in DEA jackets, guns drawn, Walsh said. The undercover officer leaped out of the passenger seat. Smith drove over a concrete parking divider and vanished "at a high rate of speed," Sweetin said.

Walsh said DEA agents aren't allowed to conduct high-speed chases, but they drove around systematically looking for Smith.

Walsh said a DEA vehicle collided with another car at an intersection during the search. No one was injured and the damage was minor, he said.

The DEA officials said the cocaine was delivered to Smith by his brother, Chris Smith, 35, of Lakewood, just before the undercover officer bought it.

Other officers then watched Chris Smith as he drove away and arrested him within a few blocks of the restaurant parking lot, "with his 2-year-old son in the car," Sweetin said.

Officers later handed the boy over to his mother.

Smith was a rookie running back at the 1988 Super Bowl in San Diego when he rushed for 204 yards, still a Super Bowl record, and scored two touchdowns in the Washington Redskins' 42-10 victory over the Denver Broncos.

But six months later, Smith showed up for training camp out of shape, gained 470 yards during the regular season and was cut by the Redskins. He signed briefly with the Dallas Cowboys the next season but never played in anotherNFL game.

He settled in Denver, where his brother lived. In the 1990s he fell more than $70,000 behind on child-support payments for two daughters living in California and, at one point, fled to his hometown, Hobbs, N.M., to avoid being arrested for non-payment. He later contacted law enforcement authorities in California and said he wanted to cooperate.

Walsh said Timmy Smith has no record of prior drug-related arrests and that Chris Smith was arrested once previously on a drug misdemeanor charge, but was not convicted.

The Smith brothers are in the Denver jail. They will appear Monday in Colorado U.S. District Court.

Several Defensive Stars on NFL Injury List

By The Associated Press

Takeo Spikes hurt his right Achilles in the Buffalo Bills' 24-16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, an injury that could end the Pro Bowl linebacker's season if the tendon is torn. Coach Mike Mularkey wouldn't speculate on the extent of the injury, saying he'll know more Monday.

"He's the pulse," safety Troy Vincent said of the eight-year veteran and two-time Pro Bowl selection. "I don't know how bad it is, but it could be devastating."

Spikes was hurt in the second quarter while pressuring Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick deep in the Falcons' end.

He lay on the field face-down for a few minutes, then rolled over and slammed his helmet to the ground. After being helped to the sideline, Spikes appeared in tears as he was taken away on a cart. Angelo Crowell replaced him for the remainder of the game.

The Bills defense was already banged up: linebacker London Fletcher is nursing a hamstring injury, and safety Lawyer Milloy is playing with a protective cast on his right thumb.

Falcons CB DeAngelo Hall hurt his shoulder when he tackled Willis McGahee for no gain on the final play of the first quarter.

New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison, the NFL's career leader for sacks by a defensive back, injured his left leg in the win over Pittsburgh and was taken off the field on a stretcher. With the Steelers driving midway through the first quarter, Pittsburgh wide receiver Cedrick Wilson was taken down from behind, causing him to roll into Harrison's path and take out the safety's left leg.

Harrison was driven to team bus on a cart after the game.

The injury was the second of the day for a New England defense that went in without two of its top three cornerbacks, Tyrone Poole (ankle) and Randall Gay (ankle). Cornerback Duane Starks injured a wrist on the Steelers' first play from scrimmage. Tackle Matt Light had a cast on his right leg after the game.

In Seattle, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner injured his right groin while scrambling during the second quarter. Seahawks starting cornerback Andre Dyson also left the game after becoming sick in the first quarter.

Facing a third-and-9 at the Seattle 32 with 3:56 left in the first half, Warner was pressured and ran to his left. After throwing across his body, Warner began limping back toward the center of the field before going down and grabbing his right leg. He was replaced by Josh McCown on Arizona's next possession.

Arizona also lost nose tackle Russell Davis (biceps), linebacker Eric Johnson (left hamstring), and cornerbacks David Macklin (left hamstring) and Antrel Rolle (left knee) to injuries in the second half.

The New York Jets lost both starting quarterback Chad Pennington and his backup, Jay Fiedler, to shoulder injuries in an overtime loss to Jacksonville. Although Pennington returned when Fiedler went down, he was clearly hurting; each is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday.

Pennington, who had offseason surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in the same shoulder, was sacked on consecutive plays during the Jets' first series of the second half. Neither Pennington nor coach Herman Edwards wanted to speculate on the severity of the latest injury, but the quarterback said his shoulder felt "similar to last year."

Fiedler came in and led the Jets' next drive. But he was hit while completing a 16-yard pass — his sixth play in place of Pennington. Fiedler jogged off the field and into the locker room.

"I knew I wasn't going to be able to throw a football," Fiedler said.

Jets offensive tackle Jason Fabini left the game in the fourth quarter with an injured right knee and will have an MRI; linebacker Eric Barton has a sprained ankle. For the Jaguars, offensive tackle Maurice Williams sprained his right knee in overtime and right guard Chris Naeole also sprained his left knee, but coach Jack Del Rio said neither was serious.

Philadelphia Eagles' kicker David Akers, who hurt his right hamstring in last week's win against San Francisco, appeared to reinjure the muscle during the opening kickoff against visiting Oakland. He later returned to make the game-winning field goal.

Akers came up limping after his first kickoff attempt, but a penalty was called and Philadelphia was forced to kick again. After the second attempt, he fell down and was helped off the field. But another penalty was called, and third-string tight end Mike Bartrum was forced to kick off. The Eagles later used linebacker Mark Simoneau to try an extra point; his first attempt was blocked.

Akers returned to the game, however, to make a 23-yard field goal with 9 seconds left to lift the Eagles to a 23-20 victory.

"You know it's going to hurt for one second and then the game is over," said Akers, a two-time Pro Bowl kicker. "My whole leg hurts right now."

In St. Louis, Rams running back Steven Jackson missed the start of the second half with a rib injury; X-rays indicated no breaks. Jackson was back on the sideline and in uniform midway through the third quarter, but he didn't return.

The Rams were also without wide receiver Isaac Bruce, who sustained a turf toe injury near the end of the half.

Vikings defensive end Lance Johnstone left Minnesota's game against visiting New Orleans with a sprained shoulder, and cornerback Brian Williams did not return after spraining his knee in the second quarter. Minnesota was already playing without three injured starters: wide receiver Nate Burleson (sprained left knee), linebacker E.J. Henderson (sprained right ankle) and free safety Darren Sharper (sprained left knee).

The Bears lost tight end Desmond Clark to a neck strain in the first half of a home loss to Cincinnati.

In Miami, linebacker Junior Seau hurt his calf in the second half, and safety Tebucky Jones hurt his hamstring in the second quarter.

©2005 Associated Press

Week 2 designated "Hurricane Relief Weekend"

(Sept. 13, 2005) -- This Sunday and Monday in the NFL has been designated as "Hurricane Relief Weekend" and will culminate in an unprecedented fundraising telethon that will be part of ABC's NFL Monday Night Football programming

Under the theme of "Recover & Rebuild," the NFL, its clubs, network television partners and sponsors will use Week 2's games in a special way as part of an ongoing initiative to raise funds and bring attention to the massive needs of the Gulf Coast region following the destruction of Hurricane Katrina.

Every NFL game this weekend will include elements that will highlight and contribute to the national relief effort. The NFL's network television partners also will participate in their programming. The weekend's activities will culminate with a fundraising telethon from ABC's Times Square studio in New York City that will be incorporated into the ABC and ESPN telecasts of the NFL's Monday Night Football doubleheader.

The New Orleans Saints-New York Giants game, originally scheduled for the Louisiana Superdome on Sunday, will be played on Monday night at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET. ABC will televise the game until the 9 p.m. ET start of the Washington at Dallas game. At that time, the Saints-Giants telecast will switch to ESPN in most markets. The New York, Louisiana and selected hurricane-affected areas will see the Giants-Saints game to its conclusion on ABC before joining the Washington-Dallas game. The beginning of Dallas-Washington will be on ESPN in those markets until the conclusion of the Saints-Giants game.

MORE SURPRISES IN STORE?

Are things supposed to be this surprising this early? Well, yes, this is the NFL!

And off Week 1, it looks like fans can expect another topsy-turvy, season-long series of surprises.

The prime example may be four Week 1 games: Dallas-San Diego, Denver-Miami, Green Bay-Detroit and St. Louis-San Francisco. Compare the 2004 records of the winners and losers. The winning Cowboys, Dolphins, Lions and 49ers combined for an 18-46 (.281) record last year. The losers last Sunday? They were 40-24 (.625) in 2004.

"This is one game in a long season," said Dolphins head coach Nick Saban. A long -- and it looks like an unpredictable -- one indeed.

© 2005, NFL Enterprises LLC.