When Adrian Peterson was suspended for the rest of the season by the NFL, the Vikings released a short statement saying simply, "The NFL has informed the Vikings of today's decision regarding Adrian Peterson. We respect the league's decision and will have no further comment at this time."
Despite the innocuousness of that statement, though, the Vikings were surprised by the league's decision, according to Fox Sports' Jay Glazer.
Meanwhile, ESPN's Ed Werder reported that team owners Zygi and Mark Wilf and general manager Rick Spielman are involved in efforts to get Peterson back on the field this year, though ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Vikings general counsel Kevin Warren has been working with the league to keep Peterson OFF the field.
Coach Mike Zimmer also reportedly believes that Peterson would prefer to return to the Vikings once the league reinstates him.
Will Adrian Peterson ever play in Minnesota again? (USATSI)
"I would love to go back and play in Minnesota to get a feel and just see if my family still feels comfortable there," Peterson told USA Today this week. "But if there's word out that hey, they might release me, then so be it. I would feel good knowing that I've given everything I had in me ...
"I would have to get back in the community and get a feel. know who loves me. The coaches and the players, it's not going to be a problem. I've felt so much support from those guys. The organization, I know there's people in the organization that support me and there's people that I know internally that has not been supporting me."
The Chicago Tribune reports from Bulls practice that forward Taj Gibson was sent home from practice after suffering an ankle injury over the weekend. But the good news is that Derrick Rose and Pau Gasol, who have been out for over a week with injuries, did practice, which means they could return to action for the Bulls' Monday-Tuesday back-to-back against Utah, and Denver, or at least one of the games.
It's unlikely that they'll play in the back to back, with Rose still struggling with sprains in both ankles and Gasol out with a calf injury. Chicago won the first game of their road trip vs. the Clippers, but have struggled since with exhaustion and injury limiting them. The Utah-Denver back-to-back is notoriously difficult with both games played at altitude.
Add Jimmy Butler to the list of Chicago Bulls players who think everybody should lay off Derrick Rose. The fourth-year shooting guard said recently that he understands why Rose is sitting out these early-season games with the playoffs and a possible finals run in mind.
From USA Today’s Sam Amick:
“Man, (Rose’s) head is in the same place all of our heads are in, and that’s wanting to win a championship,” Butler said. “That’s what he’s getting ready for. That’s what we’re getting ready for. We want him to be a hundred percent – not 99 – because you come back too early and you’re risking another injury. He’s fine. He’s our leader, and he knows what he’s doing.”
Rose has missed four consecutive games with a strained left hamstring. Recent comments about planning for the future have caused controversy among and media, but between Butler and Joakim Noah, it’s clear that his teammates are on the same page as him.
As for possible returns for Rose and Pau Gasol, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said that the two stars are practicing Sunday and will be game-time decisions on Monday when the Bulls play the Jazz in Utah.
Gibson sent home. Rose and Gasol will practice.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) November 23, 2014
Hinrich will do limited parts of Sunday practice. Hinrich, Rose and Gasol all gametime on Monday. Gibson obviously out Monday and Tuesday.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) November 23, 2014
SEATTLE (AP) After 10 games, the defending champions needed to ask the difficult questions of each other. Most of all, whether the Seattle Seahawks were willing to put aside egos and get back in the NFC West race.
Led by a stingy Seattle defense reminiscent of a season ago and some more playmaking by Russell Wilson, the Seahawks handed the Arizona Cardinals their second loss of the season, 19-3 on Sunday.
''There was something that was missing,'' Seattle wide receiver Doug Baldwin said. ''There was a subtle difference there and I feel like today we kind of found it. We talked about it throughout the week. Like I said, just trusting each other, respecting each other and going out there and playing for each other.
''I definitely felt it today.''
Seattle won for the fourth time in five games, putting aside the missed chances from last week's loss in Kansas City and announcing the Seahawks aren't done by knocking off the league-leading Cardinals.
''Hard talks. Arguments. Like a family, and just like a family we came together,'' Seattle safety Earl Thomas said.
Wilson was sacked a season-high seven times by Arizona's ultra-aggressive defense and the assortment of blitzes they called to confuse and fluster the Seahawks quarterback. But when Seattle (7-4) needed a scoring drive, after squandering advantageous field position throughout the game, Wilson delivered.
Considering the circumstances, it was probably Seattle's most important drive of the season, capped when Wilson found backup tight end Cooper Helfet on a 20-yard catch-and-run touchdown late in the third quarter. It was a must-win for Seattle if it had any hopes of catching Arizona (9-2) in the NFC West.
''It's a special win because we did it together,'' Thomas said. ''For the first time this year, I think we played for pure reasons, for no motives attached. That's what you love about this team: We can put our egos aside and we can admit when we're wrong. Guys stayed true.''
Wilson finished 17 of 22 for 211 yards and added 73 yards rushing. He was at his best on the lone touchdown drive going 6 of 6 for 70 yards as Seattle moved the pocket and made him less vulnerable to the Arizona rush. He escaped the arms of Lorenzo Alexander for a possible sack and found Marshawn Lynch open for 23 yards. Wilson also ran for 15 yards on third-and-11 to get Seattle inside the Arizona 20.
''I think we let Russell Wilson be Russell Wilson on too many occasions,'' Arizona safety Tyrann Mathieu said.
Helping out Wilson was Seattle's defense that was finally healthy with the return of middle linebacker Bobby Wagner.
Arizona was held to a season-low 204 total yards. A week after throwing for a career-high 306 yards, Drew Stanton was 14 of 26 for 149 and one interception.
Stanton was minus a weapon with Larry Fitzgerald inactive due to a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee and wasn't helped when Jaron Brown dropped a touchdown late in the first half.
Fitzgerald sat for the first time in 110 games and for just the fifth time in his career due to the knee injury suffered last week against Detroit. John Brown continued his stellar rookie season with three catches for 61 yards, but Michael Floyd was shut out, defended much of the game by Richard Sherman.
Arizona saw its six-game win streak snapped.
''The second half, we had it right where we wanted it and we messed it up ourselves,'' Arizona coach Bruce Arians said. ''Everything was self-inflicted. Give them credit, that's a good football team, but we self-inflicted a lot of things.''
Seattle missed plenty of chances to make the victory even more of a blowout. Wilson had a possible 49-yard touchdown run in the first half brought back on a downfield holding call. Lynch was corralled by Arizona's third-best rush defense and held to 39 yards on 15 carries, making it 21 straight games the Cardinals have not allowed a 100-yard rusher.
Seattle started three first-half drives inside Arizona territory, but never found the end zone. Steven Hauschka hit on field goals of 27, 32, 52 in the first half and a 40-yarder in the third quarter after DeShawn Shead blocked Drew Butler's punt. It wasn't a designed punt block but Shead noticed the Cardinals had only 10 players on the field and rushed.
''Any way you look at it, it's a big opportunity for us in the division and a really nice performance,'' Seattle coach Pete Carroll said. ''I loved the way the guys rallied to play together.''
NOTES: Arizona DE Calais Campbell had a career-high three sacks. His previous best was 2 1/2 in 2011 against Seattle. ... Lynch spoke at his locker after the game following his $100,000 fine by the league earlier this week for violating its media policy. Lynch gave mostly one-word answers. ... Recently signed TE Tony Moeaki led Seattle with four receptions.
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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL
Lakers guard Xavier Henry has battled various injuries in his two-year tenure with the team, and his knee troubles have head coach Byron Scott wondering if he can ever be the same player again.
From the Los Angeles Daily News’ Mark Medina:
“He’s not that explosive guy he used to be,” Scott said. “I don’t know if that will come back or not.”
“I loved his athleticism and the fact that he could attack the basket,” said Scott, who also raved about Henry’s passing and shooting. “His relentlessness to attack the basket contributed to the injuries as well.”
For his part, Henry doesn’t believe he has to change the way he plays.
“I don’t think I have to adjust my game,” said Henry, who appeared in his second D-League assignment on Saturday. “You can turn an ankle like this. For me, my strength is being able to go where I need to go using my power, speed and aggressiveness.”
Henry averaged 10 points per game last season for the Lakers. This year, he’s averaging just 2.2 points in a career-low 9.6 minutes per game. He’s missed four games and spent some time in the D-League. The Lakers are 3-10 and have limited backcourt scoring options outside of Kobe Bryant and Nick Young. A healthy Henry won’t turn the team around, but he’ll help.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) The New England Patriots showed off their passing game one week after a brilliant rushing performance.
The outcome was the same: a blowout win over a top team.
Throw in a defense that held the Detroit Lions without a touchdown and two outstanding special teams plays, and the team with the AFC's best record rolled over the team with the NFL's stingiest defense, 34-9 on Sunday, for their seventh straight win.
''Everyone is linked together,'' quarterback Tom Brady said, ''so we all feed off each other - offense, defense, special teams.''
Brady threw for 349 yards and two touchdowns exactly 14 years after his pro debut in another 34-9 game against the Lions. In that Thanksgiving meeting, the rookie was a late-game replacement for Drew Bledsoe in Detroit's win.
On Sunday, LeGarrette Blount rushed for 78 yards and two short scores and the Patriots improved to 44-3 in their last 47 regular-season home games.
The Patriots (9-2) have such depth that Jonas Gray didn't even play one week after rushing 37 times for 201 yards and four touchdowns in a 42-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts. He was sent away from Friday's practice for reporting late, just one day after Blount signed. Blount was cut by Pittsburgh last Tuesday, the day after he walked to the locker room as the Steelers were lining up for the last play.
Blount rushed for 772 yards for the Patriots last season, but didn't re-sign.
''He's never been a problem for us,'' defensive tackle Vince Wilfork said. ''It was a good welcome back for him today.''
The Patriots led 24-6 at halftime as Brady repeatedly found wide-open receivers.
''We blew a lot of coverage,'' Detroit linebacker DeAndre Levy said. ''They sped up the tempo a bit and I think we lost our composure.''
The Patriots routed a division leader for the third straight week, following wins over Denver and Indianapolis. They visit Green Bay, which began the day tied with Detroit for the NFC North lead, next Sunday.
In their last five games, the Lions (7-4) have led for 45 minutes, 53 seconds, been tied for 44 minutes, 17 seconds and trailed for 209 minutes, 50 seconds, according to STATS.
For the second straight week, they lost to a conference leader, having fallen to Arizona 14-6 a week earlier
What does that say about the Lions?
''I think we'll figure that out at the end of the year,'' quarterback Matthew Stafford said.
But they didn't score a touchdown in either game.
''I am not concerned,'' Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson said. ''We still have time to get things going.''
The Lions bore little resemblance to the team that had allowed the fewest points in the NFL. They had given up just 68.6 yards rushing per game, so Brady threw frequently - and quickly to avoid the rush.
He finished with 38 completions in 53 attempts with one interception, with Julian Edelman catching 11 passes for the highest-scoring team in the NFL.
''Ever since I've been here, the coach has put it in my ears that football season starts after Thanksgiving,'' Edelman said.
The Patriots have had quite a head start.
The Lions managed just three field goals by Matt Prater as Stafford completed 18 of 46 passes for264 yards and one interception while the Patriots shut down his two star receivers. Golden Tate had just four catches after entering the game third in the NFL with 68. Johnson was held to four receptions for 58 yards.
''The coaches believe in us at the cornerback spot, man, and set up the perfect matchups for us,'' Patriots cornerback Brandon Browner said.
Special teams gave the Patriots a huge boost in the first half when Ryan Allen boomed a 66-yard punt and Danny Amendola returned a kickoff 81 yards.
Detroit lost 6 yards on the series after the punt. Then, New England took a 7-3 lead on the next possession on Brady's 4-yard pass to Tim Wright.
The Lions came back to get a first-and-goal at the 3, but managed just a 20-yard field goal by Prater.
Amendola's long return on the subsequent kickoff set the Patriots up at the Detroit 22. And when they also got a first-and-goal at the 3, they took full advantage on the next play with a touchdown run by Blount less than a minute after Prater's field goal.
Even when Detroit put New England in poor field position, a punt by Sam Martin that went out of bounds at the 7, the Patriots couldn't be stopped. They marched 93 yards, scoring on an 8-yard pass from Brady to Wright for a 21-6 lead.
And when Prater's 53-yard field-goal attempt went wide to the left with 35 seconds left in the half, consecutive completions to Rob Gronkowski of 24 and 23 yards set up Stephen Gostkowski's 35-yard field goal for a 24-6 halftime lead.
NOTES: The Patriots have won six games by at least 22 points. ... The Lions had won four straight before losing consecutive games for the first time. ... The Patriots clinched their 14th winning record in a row.
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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL
LeBron James is exasperated by the Cavaliers. (Wired)
After the Cleveland Cavaliers' fourth straight loss, this one a 110-93 loss Saturday to the Raptors in which the Cavs squandered a sizable first-half lead, LeBron James had harsh words for his teammates.
"We're a very fragile team right now," James said "We were a fragile team from the beginning. Any little adversity that hits us, we just shell up."
via LeBron James: The Cleveland Cavaliers are a "very fragile team right now" | cleveland.com.
James has been critical of the team over these first few months, talking about their "bad habits," their immaturity and general lack of professionalism. His body language has been under a constant microscope. James seems not only frustrated, but genuinely disappointed by what's going on there.
The coaching isn't helping. The Cavs' offense has nights where it looks transcendent, as it should. But the nights where it isn't, it looks downright pedestrian and like it's trying way too hard to run something overly complex. And I will ask this question for the 7,000th time, for all of us. Why in the name of everything holy are the Cavaliers not running more pick and pop with Kevin Love?
So the question now becomes: Is James' haranguing a good thing for the team? It's clearly not getting through to them. There was talk early in the season that James was trying to force them to break their habits and not rely on him, that he wouldn't "help" them unless they fixed the way they're playing. And instead all that's happening is his struggles are bringing the team down. From the Cleveland Plain-Dealer:
He's the leader of the team and his actions and discouraging body language are not setting a good example. He has said the right things before and after games, but the words are hollow when James doesn't follow through when the game starts.
It's his team. Everything starts and ends with him. In the four-game losing skid, James is averaging 18.5 points, shooting 41 percent (28-68) from the field and 66 percent (12-18) from the free throw line. He also is averaging 5.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 4.5 turnovers. Those numbers aren't bad ... until you remember we are talking about the game's most talented player and a four-time MVP.
via LeBron James is at the center of the Cleveland Cavaliers' struggles and more lineup changes on the horizon: Fedor's five observations | cleveland.com.
James, though, seems limited by his back, which started bothering him two seasons ago. It was a significant issue last year and seems a downright concern this year. It's not going to go away, and it's not going to get dramatically better at age 29 with the miles on his body and his playstyle. That's not saying he can't play better, but it is saying that he may not be able to be the tide that lifts all boats here, which is why he's probably so frustrated.
The Cavs' roster is in part designed to make things easier on James. There are shooters and cutters, and post players. But none of it is working, and their defense, quite honestly, is broken. It is a shattered mess. They have breakdowns on backdoor cuts, they don't stop the ball in transition, pretty much everywhere is a problem. There are fixes, but we don't know enough about David Blatt to know if he can figure out how to implement them.
And the body language is a concern. There's no resolve. James is right. When things go badly, the whole thing falls apart. The Cavs have essentially become frontrunners. They're only engaged when things are going well. When things are tough, they became the same team they've been since James left: a lottery squad resigned to its fate.
The Miami Heat are closing in on a D-League call-up for center Hassan Whiteside, who currently plays for the Iowa Energy. From ESPN.com’s Marc Stein:
Hearing that the Miami Heat are lining up Hassan Whiteside for an @nbadleague callup after Whiteside’s big-stats start with the @iowaenergy
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) November 23, 2014
Whiteside was a second-round pick of the Sacramento Kings in 2010 and played in 19 games with them over the course of two seasons. He has been sent up and down between the Energy and their parent team, the Memphis Grizzlies this season but has yet to appear in a game.
In two games with the Energy this season, he’s averaging 21 points, 15.5 rebounds and 6 blocks.
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