Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Browns: Tight end Kellen Winslow will have an MRI on his right shoulder after injuring it in the closing minutes of Monday night’s win over the Buffalo Bills. Winslow was hurt when he was tackled in front of Buffalo’s bench while making a 16-yard reception that set up Cleveland’s game-winning field goal. The five-year veteran, who has had numerous injuries during his career, was driven to the ground by Bills linebacker Paul Posluszny and came up wincing in pain. Winslow briefly left the field but returned and was the intended receiver on an incompletion by quarterback Brady Quinn before Phil Dawson kicked a 56-yard field goal in Cleveland’s 29-27 win. Winslow finished with three catches for 40 yards. “We’ll check him out and see if he’ll be able to do much this week,” Browns coach Romeo Crennel said. Crennel said defensive tackle Shaun Smith will also have an MRI on a calf injury. In addition, the Browns had several other players banged up. Running back Jerome Harrison, who had a 72-yard touchdown run, injured his hamstring. Safety Sean Jones (ankle), nose tackle Shaun Rogers (shoulder) and running back Jason Wright (neck) were also hurt.
Raiders: Former New York Giants coach Jim Fassel said Tuesday that he hasn’t spoken with Raiders managing general partner Al Davis in recent days and that his name being linked to the Raiders’ coaching job is pure speculation. “No, we haven’t had any conversations,” Fassel said in an interview on SIRIUS NFL Radio, “and the thing is, some of the things got blown out of proportion.” ESPN reported Sunday that Fassel sent a letter to Davis expressing his desire to replace current Raiders coach Tom Cable next season. Raiders senior executive John Herrera said Tuesday that Davis is focused on the current season and hasn’t solicited candidates to replace Cable. Davis fired Lane Kiffin on Sept. 30 and promoted Cable on an interim basis. Fassel said he speaks with front-office people from teams around the league on a regular basis. He last coached in the NFL in 2006, when he was fired as the Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator. He was the Raiders’ quarterbacks coach in 1995. Fassel said he enjoyed his one season with the Raiders and worked well with Davis. “He didn’t interfere at all,” Fassel said of Davis. “He treated me great. He paid me really good money. So I don’t have the same problem that, maybe, other people do. I’m just going to see what jobs open up and who is interested in me. If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work.”
Vikings: Minnesota left tackle Bryant McKinnie has a trial date in Miami set for March 16. He faces four charges stemming from his alleged involvement in a fight outside a nightclub in February. McKinnie’s attorney, Larry Kerr, appeared in Miami-Dade County court Tuesday. McKinnie was not required to attend. Kerr says he is continuing to negotiate a pretrial diversion program for his client. If he’s successful, the charges could be dropped if McKinnie meets certain conditions. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Kerr will participate in a status conference on March 5. He said the judge will not let the process “go on forever.” McKinnie served a four-game suspension from the NFL in September for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.
Officials: Jack Reader, who spent nearly 50 years in NFL officiating and worked two Super Bowls, has died. He was 82. He died of cancer in Hingham, Mass., on Nov. 10, a day before his birthday, the NFL said Tuesday. Reader was the back judge in the first and third Super Bowls. He was a referee and back judge in the AFL and NFL from 1960-74 before joining the officiating department as a supervisor. He held various supervisory jobs until 2000 and was an observer for the officiating department from 2001-06. Reader was born in Lawrence, Mass., and served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He played football at Holy Cross, graduating in 1950. He is survived by two sons, a daughter and six grandchildren.
Associated Press