NFL news: Around the league in 32 plays
By Ben Almquist
The league says everything is ok…but I’m having a hard time believing that. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Innerarity-USA TODAY Sports
Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens didn’t get in trouble for their handling of quarterback Matt Schaub’s concussion last week, as the NFL determined that the team followed the protocol. And while the team claims he has passed the concussion protocol, Schaub is now conveniently missing practice due to other injuries.
- Author’s take: Simply put…I’m not buying it. I think they left him in there with a concussion (though not without his consent on the matter), and are now covering it up. Proof? No, I can’t claim to have any. I just know what I saw. A player went down hard, immediately clutched his head, and was not taken off the field. I think the Ravens tried to keep him out there, and Schaub (knowing his NFL future may be on the line) was fine with playing along.
Buffalo Bills: Head coach Rex Ryan invited his brother, newly unemployed defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, to come and help the Bills practice this week. There is no concrete news about Rob Ryan being added to the coaching staff, but of course the rumors have started flying.
Chicago Bears: The Bears have lost veteran tight end Martellus Bennett for the remainder of the season. Bennett has been very vocal about his discontent in Chicago, and the speculation is that his career in the Windy City may be over. To replace his spot on the roster, the Bears have turned to veteran Rob Housler, who could very much be an option for next year alongside Zach Miller.
Manziel will finally get his shot…now that the Browns are already out of contention. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland Browns: The Browns will finally start Johnny Manziel…now that they’re officially eliminated. The Manziel situation in Cleveland has been just a complete nightmare, and one has to figure that something is going to give soon.
Dallas Cowboys: Veteran tight end Jason Witten became just the second player at the position to catch 10,000 passes in an NFL career. Witten has been one of the most reliable players for the Cowboys over the past several years, and has quietly become one of the all time greats at the position.
- Chiefs’ take: We all know who the first was to do this, right? But no, the second to ever do it…that’s kind of good too.
Denver Broncos: Peyton Manning has started throwing again, though he has yet to rejoin the team on the practice field. This of course calls into question both the present and future of Brock Osweiler. Fans and analysts alike seem conflicted on this, which probably pales in comparison to what the decision makers in Denver are going through. The declining veteran in his last hurrah, or the young hot hand in a contract year poised to be the future?
Chiefs’ take
: The best scenario here for KC is that the Broncos make the move back to Manning, fall flat on their faces in the playoffs, think they’ve seen enough from Os to re-sign him as the future, and then find out he isn’t very good at all as they fall into disarray with a number of contracts they can’t control.
Next: The Saints take another hit