SOUTH BEND – After producing a dismal 35-27 record over five seasons in South Bend, Notre Dame Coach Charlie Weis was fired on Monday according to an AP source.

Weis had 6 years remaining on his contract but the university felt pressured to make the move regardless the price.

Weis left the NFL New England Patriots five years ago to take the job in South Bend and while he expected to turn the Irish around, he actually had a winning percentage lower than his predecessors getting worse as the years went on (16-21 over the final 37 games).

“We have great expectations for our football program, and we have not been able to meet those expectations,” said Notre Dame’s AD Jack Swarbrick. “As an alumnus, Charlie understands those goals and expectations better than most, and he’s as disappointed as anyone that we have not achieved the desired results.”

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

ORLANDO – The Florida Highway Patrol reported that professional golfer Tiger Woods was injured in a car accident early this morning. According to the FHP report, the accident happened as Woods pulled out of his driveway in the Isleworth community about 2:25 a.m.Woods struck a fire hydrant, then drove into a tree at his neighbor’s property.

It was originally reported by the Orlando Sentinel that Woods was transported to Health Central Hospital in Ocoee in serious condition. FHP spokesman Jorge Delahoz said patients’ conditions are always classified as “serious” if they are transported to a hospital by ambulance.

According to other sources close to the incident, Woods received facial lacerations, was treated at the hospital then released.

Other Articles:

Behind the Scenes On Tiger Woods’ First Commercial Shoot

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

DETROIT – The Detroit Lions may have found the leader they have been searching for over the past few decades and that leader may have accomplished a near-impossible feat; winning over the Detroit media.

On his home field in a game against the Cleveland Browns, Lions rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford had been battling all afternoon to lead his team back from a 24-3 deficit and it ended in dramatic fashion.

Down 37-31 Stafford had no timeouts remaining, needed to get into the end zone from the Cleveland 32 and had only :08 seconds to do it. What happened over the next several minutes may become Stafford’s defining moment.

Stafford took the snap and scrambled Favre-style, avoiding an aggressive rush while trying to find an open receiver. He avoided one rusher, then another as the clock ticked to :00. Stafford saw the Browns’ 305-pound lineman C.J. Mosley barreling in at him but stood tall, planted his feet and threw the desperation pass.

As the ball sailed towards the end zone, Mosley crushed Stafford into the Ford Field turf. The rookie quarterback laid flat on the turf, grimacing in pain with an apparent shoulder injury but the Hail Mary pass was answered in the form of yellow hankies blanketing the end zone.

Pass interference on the defense.

While Stafford was helped to the sidelines where team doctors attempted to look at the injury, Cleveland decided to call time out to set up their defense as Lions back-up quarterback Daunte Culpepper was stepping up to the line to take the game’s final snap.

“I heard time-out over the loudspeaker and knew that was probably my only chance of getting back in,” Stafford said. “It was my left shoulder. Don’t really need it to throw.”

The doctors attempted to keep Stafford down to examine and determine the type of injury but Stafford refused to stay down. When he told the doctors to help him up, they refused until he demanded.

“Once one of them helped me up,” Stafford said, “they weren’t going to stop me.”

Lions coach Jim Schwartz must have had a tremendous amount of information swirling through his head. His back-up quarterback was in the huddle on the field, his starter with an obvious injury demanding on returning for the final play, his team needing a touchdown to win, no timeouts remaining.

Ignoring the pain, Stafford found the energy to push his way back onto the field, took the final snap and thread a bullet to tight end Brandon Pettigrew for a touchdown, his record 5th of the game and a 38-37 victory. Stafford also finished with a career-high 422 passing yards.

See dramatic comeback video on NFL.com here.

Schwartz was nearly lost for words during some of the post-game. “[Stafford] popped up, and all the team doctors said, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.’ I said, ‘What does he have?’ They said, ‘We don’t even know.’

Stafford, his shoulder wrapped in ice, elaborated more during post game. “I was in some good pain, but the play goes on. It didn’t feel good, but I didn’t care. It was one play. I knew I didn’t have to play too much, just one snap, and try to throw a TD.”

“I’ve never been a part of [winning with no time on the clock],” said Stafford. “I’ve been a part of some close ones at the end, obviously, but that was wild.”

Wild? Yes. 

True courage? Yes.

Defining moment? Time will tell and more importantly, the Detroit Lions may have finally found their leader.

Related Articles:

No Doubt Now: Stafford Strong Enough to Lead – Detroit Free Press

Stafford Shows True Grit in Beating Browns – The Detroit News

Schwartz: X-Rays Negative on Stafford’s Shoulder – DFP

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

NEW YORK – Troy Polamalu, Cedric Benson and Brian Westbrook are just some of the names on the NFL Week 11 Injury Report that was released on Friday.Below is the full report.

SUNDAY’S GAMES

PITTSBURGH STEELERS at KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – STEELERS: OUT: DE Travis Kirschke (calf), S Troy Polamalu (knee). QUESTIONABLE: RB Carey Davis (hamstring). CHIEFS: DOUBTFUL: G Andy Alleman (knee), LB Justin Rogers (thigh), RB Dantrell Savage (ankle), LB Mike Vrabel (knee). QUESTIONABLE: LB David Herron (knee).

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS at BALTIMORE RAVENS – COLTS: OUT: T Daniel Federkeil (concussion), S Aaron Francisco (ankle), WR Anthony Gonzalez (knee), CB Kelvin Hayden (knee), K Adam Vinatieri (right knee). QUESTIONABLE: S Antoine Bethea (foot), DT Eric Foster (back), DE Dwight Freeney (hip), WR Pierre Garcon (ankle), TE Gijon Robinson (concussion), QB Jim Sorgi (right shoulder). PROBABLE: WR Hank Baskett (illness), TE Justin Snow (elbow). RAVENS: OUT: RB Matt Lawrence (knee), LB Terrell Suggs (knee). QUESTIONABLE: TE Todd Heap (chest), NT Haloti Ngata (ankle). PROBABLE: C Matt Birk (neck), QB Joe Flacco (knee), LB Tavares Gooden (head), LB Jarret Johnson (shoulder).

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS at GREEN BAY PACKERS – 49ERS: OUT: CB Nate Clements (shoulder), T Joe Staley (knee). QUESTIONABLE: LB Takeo Spikes (hamstring). PROBABLE: WR Isaac Bruce (ankle, elbow), RB Glen Coffee (concussion), WR Michael Crabtree (knee), DE Demetric Evans (shoulder), S Michael Lewis (quadricep), RB Michael Robinson (not injury related), S Mark Roman (knee), DE Justin Smith (back), G Adam Snyder (shoulder). PACKERS: DOUBTFUL: G Allen Barbre (ankle). QUESTIONABLE: G Evan Dietrich-Smith (ankle), RB Ahman Green (groin). PROBABLE: LB Desmond Bishop (ankle), LB Brandon Chillar (hand), TE Jermichael Finley (knee), DE Cullen Jenkins (ankle), DE Johnny Jolly (back), LB Brad Jones (concussion), LB Aaron Kampman (concussion), RB John Kuhn (hand), LB Clay Matthews (jaw), LB Brady Poppinga (quadricep), T Mark Tauscher (knee), C Scott Wells (concussion), CB Charles Woodson (hip).

BUFFALO BILLS at JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS – BILLS: OUT: T Demetrius Bell (knee), DT Marcus Stroud (knee), CB Ashton Youboty (ankle). QUESTIONABLE: S Jairus Byrd (groin), WR James Hardy (groin), CB Terrence McGee (knee), DT Kyle Williams (knee). JAGUARS: OUT: CB Rashean Mathis (groin). DOUBTFUL: LB Justin Durant (head). QUESTIONABLE: S Gerald Alexander (shoulder). PROBABLE: T Maurice Williams (illness).

ATLANTA FALCONS at NEW YORK GIANTS – FALCONS: OUT: WR Brian Finneran (knee). DOUBTFUL: RB Michael Turner (ankle). QUESTIONABLE: S Erik Coleman (knee), RB Jerious Norwood (hip), WR Roddy White (knee). PROBABLE: T Sam Baker (ankle). GIANTS: QUESTIONABLE: CB Aaron Ross (hamstring). PROBABLE: RB Ahmad Bradshaw (ankle, foot), QB Eli Manning (foot).

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS at TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS – SAINTS: OUT: CB Jabari Greer (groin), WR Lance Moore (ankle), CB Tracy Porter (knee). QUESTIONABLE: RB Reggie Bush (knee), DT Sedrick Ellis (knee). PROBABLE: C Jonathan Goodwin (ankle), S Darren Sharper (knee), TE David Thomas (knee). BUCCANEERS: QUESTIONABLE: CB Elbert Mack (ankle). PROBABLE: WR Antonio Bryant (knee), CB Torrie Cox (not injury related), QB Byron Leftwich (right elbow), CB Aqib Talib (hamstring), RB Carnell Williams (knee), TE Kellen Winslow (knee).

CLEVELAND BROWNS at DETROIT LIONS – BROWNS: QUESTIONABLE: WR Joshua Cribbs (neck), G Rex Hadnot (knee), RB Jamal Lewis (ankle), RB Lawrence Vickers (shoulder). PROBABLE: LB David Bowens (knee), DE Kenyon Coleman (groin), C Alex Mack (wrist), DT Shaun Rogers (back), TE Robert Royal (finger, wrist), T John St. Clair (shoulder), WR Chansi Stuckey (calf). LIONS: OUT: S Kalvin Pearson (hamstring), LB Ernie Sims (hamstring). QUESTIONABLE: LB Zack Follett (neck), DE Dewayne White (toe), WR Derrick Williams (hip). PROBABLE: CB Phillip Buchanon (knee, shoulder), DT Joe Cohen (ankle), S Louis Delmas (tooth, jaw), LB Jordon Dizon (neck), RB Jerome Felton (ankle), LB Larry Foote (knee), DE Jason Hunter (knee), DT Grady Jackson (knee), WR Calvin Johnson (hand), S Ko Simpson (knee), QB Matthew Stafford (knee).

WASHINGTON REDSKINS at DALLAS COWBOYS – REDSKINS: OUT: TE Chris Cooley (ankle), RB Clinton Portis (concussion), TE Eddie Williams (ankle). QUESTIONABLE: DT Albert Haynesworth (ankle), T Stephon Heyer (knee), T Mike Williams (ankle). PROBABLE: RB Ladell Betts (ankle). COWBOYS: OUT: T Marc Colombo (ankle), S Ken Hamlin (ankle), CB Allen Rossum (hamstring). PROBABLE: RB Marion Barber (thumb), K David Buehler (right toe), CB Mike Jenkins (elbow), S Gerald Sensabaugh (thumb), LB DeMarcus Ware (foot).

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS at MINNESOTA VIKINGS – SEAHAWKS: OUT: RB Julius Jones (chest). DOUBTFUL: CB Josh Wilson (concussion). QUESTIONABLE: DT Craig Terrill (shoulder). PROBABLE: C Chris Spencer (thumb, back), CB Marcus Trufant (concussion). VIKINGS: DOUBTFUL: CB Antoine Winfield (foot). QUESTIONABLE: WR Bernard Berrian (hamstring), CB Karl Paymah (ankle). PROBABLE: QB Brett Favre (groin, hip), LB E.J. Henderson (knee), DE Jayme Mitchell (illness), CB Benny Sapp (groin), RB Naufahu Tahi (ankle).

ARIZONA CARDINALS at ST. LOUIS RAMS – CARDINALS: OUT: LB Chike Okeafor (back). QUESTIONABLE: CB Michael Adams (hamstring), LB Karlos Dansby (shoulder), T Mike Gandy (pelvis), LB Gerald Hayes (back), CB Bryant McFadden (ankle), WR Sean Morey (head), TE Ben Patrick (knee). PROBABLE: WR Steve Breaston (knee), DE Kenny Iwebema (knee), G Deuce Lutui (not injury related), G Reggie Wells (thumb), S Adrian Wilson (groin). RAMS: OUT: DE C.J. Ah You (knee), G Richie Incognito (foot). QUESTIONABLE: DE Chris Long (knee). PROBABLE: DE James Hall (back), DE Leonard Little (knee), DT Clifton Ryan (toe).

NEW YORK JETS at NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS – JETS: OUT: LB Vernon Gholston (hamstring). QUESTIONABLE: S Jim Leonhard (thumb). PROBABLE: DE Shaun Ellis (knee), WR Brad Smith (quadricep), LB Bryan Thomas (toe). PATRIOTS: OUT: RB Fred Taylor (ankle). QUESTIONABLE: WR Sam Aiken (hip), LB Eric Alexander (groin), TE Chris Baker (shoulder), LB Tully Banta-Cain (groin), DT Ron Brace (ankle), WR Julian Edelman (forearm), DE Jarvis Green (knee), C Dan Koppen (knee), T Matt Light (knee), RB Sammy Morris (knee), G Stephen Neal (head), LB Rob Ninkovich (knee), DT Ty Warren (ankle). PROBABLE: QB Tom Brady (right shoulder), CB Shawn Springs (knee), TE Benjamin Watson (knee).

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS at DENVER BRONCOS – CHARGERS: OUT: C Nick Hardwick (ankle). QUESTIONABLE: T Jeromey Clary (ankle), DT Ogemdi Nwagbuo (ankle). PROBABLE: LB Tim Dobbins (knee), TE Antonio Gates (foot), NT Travis Johnson (groin), LB Shawne Merriman (foot), LB Shaun Phillips (ankle), P Mike Scifres (groin). BRONCOS: OUT: T Ryan Harris (toe), RB LaMont Jordan (back). QUESTIONABLE: S Josh Barrett (hamstring), QB Kyle Orton (ankle). PROBABLE: RB Correll Buckhalter (knee), WR Brandon Lloyd (foot), WR Brandon Marshall (neck).

CINCINNATI BENGALS at OAKLAND RAIDERS – BENGALS: DOUBTFUL: RB Cedric Benson (hip), G Evan Mathis (ankle), LB Keith Rivers (calf). QUESTIONABLE: S Chris Crocker (calf), CB Johnathan Joseph (foot), CB Morgan Trent (knee). PROBABLE: WR Laveranues Coles (head), RB Jeremi Johnson (chest). RAIDERS: OUT: LB Ricky Brown (ankle), WR Nick Miller (shin), WR Javon Walker (hamstring). QUESTIONABLE: LB Isaiah Ekejiuba (ankle), DE Greg Ellis (knee, shoulder). PROBABLE: S Hiram Eugene (shoulder).

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES at CHICAGO BEARS – EAGLES: OUT: WR Kevin Curtis (knee), S Quintin Demps (ankle), LB Akeem Jordan (knee), RB Brian Westbrook (concussion). QUESTIONABLE: CB Sheldon Brown (hamstring). PROBABLE: DE Victor Abiamiri (knee), C Nick Cole (knee), DT Antonio Dixon (foot), LB Chris Gocong (hamstring), CB Macho Harris (eye), WR Jeremy Maclin (foot), DT Mike Patterson (wrist, toe), T Jason Peters (ankle), RB Leonard Weaver (ankle). BEARS: OUT: LB Pisa Tinoisamoa (knee). DOUBTFUL: TE Desmond Clark (neck), S Kevin Payne (back).

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

TENNESSEE TITANS at HOUSTON TEXANS – TITANS: DNP: LB Colin Allred (hamstring), WR Justin Gage (back), DT Jason Jones (shoulder), S Kevin Kaesviharn (not injury related). LIMITED: LB David Thornton (hip). TEXANS: DNP: S Dominique Barber (ankle), WR Jacoby Jones (calf), CB Antwaun Molden (quadricep). LIMITED: LB Brian Cushing (foot). FULL: TE James Casey (knee).

BUFFALO – Buffalo Bills coach Dick Jauron beat Washington Redskins coach Jim Zorn in a race to the unemployment line.

Although Zorn has dominated the talk concerning pink slips, especially after his questionable play-calling and loss to the Detroit Lions in Week Three, Jauron became the first NFL coach to be fired this season after the Bills weak 3-6 start that displayed one of the worst offenses in the NFL.

Bills owner Ralph Wilson offered a generic statement to the press on Tuesday. “I am announcing today that I am relieving Dick Jauron from his duties as our head coach, effective immediately,” Wilson said.

“I have tremendous respect for Dick and thank him for all of his efforts during these past four years. While this was a very difficult decision, I felt that it is one that needed to be made at this time for the best interest of our team. We will now focus on moving forward and preparing for our game this week in Jacksonville.”

Jauron leaves with a 24-33 record with the Bills since taking over in 2006.

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

SAN FRANCISCO – Jay Cutler is starting to hear it from the Chicago media and fans after throwing five interceptions last night, the final one coming in the San Fran end zone on the final play of the game, gift-wrapping a 10-6 win to the San Francisco 49ers.

A disgruntled Cutler was obtained from the Denver Broncos for Kyle Orton and two #1 draft picks then was signed to a franchise quarterback-type contract. Cutler has not lived up to expectations to say the least.

The Bears organization should install a revolving door for their quarterbacks. Grossman, Orton, Griese, Quinn, Hutchinson.

How many slingers have Da Bears had over the recent years?

Here’s a funny video of that million-mile-per-hour fast-talking guy rattling off the laundry list.

Back to the Cutler experiment . . . the future is looking dim in the early stages.

The Bears may have felt they were dumping another dreadful arm by moving Orton but halfway through the season, Cutler leads the NFL with 17 picks while Orton has thrown just 5 all season.

Under Orton, the Broncos sit at the top of the AFC West with a 6-2 record while Da Bears are struggling at 4-5.

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

ATLANTA – Atlanta Thrashers forward Ilya Kovalchuk is having the kind of season that assures him a place among the NHL’s most respected leaders, and I’m not just referring to his sizzling eight-game start.

Kovalchuk, who started the season with a NHL league-leading 9 goals in his first 8 games, took a puck in the foot that broke a bone.

The injury occurred on October 24th and was expected to sideline the high-flying winger for four-to-six weeks projecting his return in late-November or early December.

This past Tuesday way ahead of schedule, Kovalchuk laced up the skates and joined his teammates for practice.

After testing the foot with a full practice, it was first reported he would join his team for a trip to New York for a game Thursday night against the Rangers. That news changed when the stress of the skate caused a flare-up and signified it was best to let him remain at home in Atlanta for more rest.

Atlanta has been a city that is measuring its rain in feet this year and this week was no exception. The skies again opened up compliments of Hurricane Ida causing delays to the Thrashers’ charter flight.

The delayed take-off gave Kovalchuk a little extra time to reassess his injury. He contacted the team, packed up and raced to Atlanta-Hartsfield to take the flight to New York in hopes of playing at MSG.

Kovalchuk is a superstar who clearly has nothing more to prove to the Thrashers organization or any other team in the league. He is one of the most talented players in the world and if he becomes a free agent, teams will be aggressively bidding on his services like a treasured piece at an auction.

A few weeks ago, during one of the talk shows on Atlanta’s 680 The Fan, the hosts were kicking around rumors the Thrashers had offered Kovalchuk a $100 million contract.

True or not, Kovalchuk is guaranteed one of the highest-paid contracts in the league before the puck drops in October 2010, that is certain, yet he took it upon himself to scramble at the last minute and join the team in New York.

How many star players in the NHL and many of the other professional leagues would have taken the week off with pay?

In an earlier interview with the AJC Thrashers beat writer Chris Vivlamore, Kovalchuk said, “It’s tough to watch from upstairs. It’s tough because you can’t help.”

Kovalchuk has a strong desire to win. He has spoken about it many times over the years but when you witness what we have this season, his performance, his expedited rehab of the injury, his actions speak volumes.

Kovalchuk craves to contribute on the ice, there’s clearly a fire lit and along with the talent comes additional great leadership qualities.

People cringe when Kovalchuk drops his gloves to come to the defense of a teammate; that is not his place on the team. Enforcer Eric Boulton and Chris Thorburn normally oblige to opportunities like that; but that is what great captains and leaders sometimes do.

I remember attending a game in Detroit in 1987 when Red Wing captain Steve Yzerman dropped his gloves to come to the aid of his goaltender after Buffalo tough-guy Kevin Maguire leveled the Red Wings goalie. Red Wings enforcer Bob Probert was on the ice but was held off by the linesmen so Yzerman made his way over to Maguire, threw ‘em down and went a few rounds.

I do not condone players like Kovalchuk and Yzerman risking injury fighting; their place is on the scoring sheet, but again, great leaders step up at unscripted times throughout their careers.

Here’s that Yzerman incident:

The Thrashers have a great leader in Kovalchuk. He’s a man with a vision and his leading by example can only benefit this young team.

Whether Kovalchuk skates tonight or not, for unselfish reasons he has shown a burning desire to get back on the ice and lead his team to the next level and bring the NHL Playoffs back to Philips Arena come April 2010. That in itself should be a motivation for the Thrashers in New York tonight.

Editor’s Note: Kovalchuk did play in New York and tallied 1 goal and 2 assists in a 5-3 win for the Thrashers.

Related Articles:

Iceman’s Thrashers’ Blog AJC 

NHL Enforcer Eric Boulton Talks Fight Rule Changes

Thrashers Goalie Allows 180-foot Shot to Score

Exclusive Interview With Scotty Bowman – Fight Rules

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

ATLANTA – Snatching catches from Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan isn’t the only endeavor NFL all-pro tight end Tony Gonzalez has gotten involved in lately.

Gonzalez and his wife October may have posed nude for a PETA ad that promotes nudity over wearing fur.

“We should be protecting animals, not sacrificing their lives for the sake of fashion or luxury,” said Gonzalez in a recent interview. “October and I have changed many of our habits in light of the inhumane treatment of animals that occurs not only in the fur industry but also on factory farms.”

Maybe this gesture by the NFL superstar will be considered somewhat of a make-up and peace treaty to PETA.

The organization has shown bitterness and animosity toward the NFL after the league allowed Michael Vick to play after he was convicted and served time for running a dog-fighting ring.

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

The Oregon Ducks football team applauded, literally, when Ducks Coach Chip Kelly announced his move to reinstate suspended running back LeGarrette Blount. Blount was suspended after sucker-punching a Boise State player after the season opening 19-8 loss on the famous Blue Turf at Boise State.

Kelly did say Blount will see limited duty as the team’s third or fourth running back on the roster but don’t expect the talented runner to remain in that spot long. Here’s an ESPN video of Kelly’s interview and the incident here.

When I first saw the video of Blount’s assault on the opposing player, I couldn’t start up the laptop quick enough to rip his actions and support a severe suspension, even a lifetime ban from NCAA Football. Like many others, I wanted Blount’s head on a platter.

Since then however, I realize Blount was antagonized by the Boise State player and even though that does not justify his actions, several other similar incidents have occurred in the NCAA and NFL since that were unprovoked and those players have walked away unscathed or at least avoided any lengthy suspensions.

University of Michigan Wolverine player Jonas Mouton received just a one-game suspension by the Big Ten after throwing his unprovoked cheap-shot at an innocent Notre Dame player well after a whistle.

The classless move was totally ignored by U of M Coach Rich-Rod as was a similar more recent incident involving another Wolverine. Here’s that video of the punch here:

The newest member to the “Turn-Your-Head-While-I-Throw-a-Cheapshot-To-Your-Jaw” Club is Chicago Bear defensive lineman Tommie Harris who is awaiting a response from the NFL after he sucker-punched an opposing player in the opening minutes of Sunday’s 41-21 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

That victim was laying flat on his stomach totally unaware anything was coming. I’m a strong supporter of suspensions for these acts but if one player like Blount gets singled out and has their career threatened with long severe disciplinary actions while the others skirt punishment, Blount needs to be given this second opportunity.

Hats off to Coach Kelly for realizing that and doing the right thing; and best of luck to Mr. Blount on his quest for the NFL.

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

The Seattle Seahawks started cleaning house this week after their underachieving 2-5 start. Falling victim to the axe was running back Edgerrin James along with defensive backs Travis Fisher and C.J. Wallace.

After a successful run in Indianapolis and a trip to last year’s Super Bowl with the Arizona Cardinals, James suddenly finds himself in the unemployment line just months after signing with the Seahawks.

In St. Louis, Rams’ return specialist Danny Amendola was limited to riding a stationary bicycle during the team’s practice on Tuesday while he still tries to clear the cobwebs from a vicious hit by Detroit Lions Zack Follett during Sunday’s 17-10 victory in Detroit.

Amendola said he “He didn’t remember leaving the field” and rookie head coach Steve Spagnuola also commented on Amendola’s condition, “He cleared [his head] within two days. Usually if it takes a little bit longer, then you get a concern. He still has some symptoms so they’re not taking any chances.”

Here’s the hit here:

In legal news, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell approached Congress, asking them to intervene and protect the league from state laws that are hampering the league from suspending players who fail drug tests, like the Starcaps case currently being battled in the courts.

“You don’t want to have 435 members of Congress writing a law that would have in any way some immediate conduct and effect on your players,” Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., told Goodell. “You don’t want us to get involved in this. You can’t tell what members of Congress will ultimately do once you open up this Pandora’s Box.”

Yeah, like actually enforcing the rules and testing all the obvious steroid abusers in the league and suspending them for several games or even seasons at a time.

Watch what you wish for Mr. Goodell and if you have any doubts, give MLB Commissioner Selig a quick text so he can talk a little sense into you.

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax