Thursday, Oct. 18
!Taylor Unhappy With Criticism Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor is unhappy with some of the recent criticism he has received in the local and national media for his play. Taylor has received a good deal of criticism for the recent struggles of the defense and he voiced his displeasure about that yesterday to the media. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]
!**Heckert Hopes To Stay In Cleveland**
Cleveland Browns General manager Tom Heckert made it clear that he wants to stay in Cleveland under the new regime of Owner Jimmy Haslam and new President Joe Banner. "We all want to be here to see this thing through," Heckert told the Plain Dealer. [Cleveland Plain Dealer]
!Kirkpatrick May Make NFL Debut Sunday
Cincinnati Bengals first-round pick Dre Kirkpatrick may make his NFL debut in Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Kirkpatrick has missed the entire regular season and the preseason after suffering a knee injury just before the start of training camp. [Cincinnati Enquirer]
!**Pioli Says Changes Needed**
The Kansas City Chiefs are off to a 1-5 start this year, and General Manager Scott Pioli has taken the brunt of the criticism for the start. Fans have organized campaigns to get Pioli fired and he recently admitted that he's made mistakes and that changes are necessary to get the Chiefs back on track. [SI.com]
Wednesday, Oct. 17
!Ta'amu Suspended For Two Weeks Rookie defensive lineman Alameda Ta'amu has been suspended for two weeks by the Pittsburgh Steelers after getting arrested and charged with multiple felony offenses in connection to a police chase. As part of the suspension, he will go without pay for two weeks and also not be able to practice. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]
!**Holmgren Out, Banner In**
Jimmy Haslam officially took over as the owner of the Cleveland Browns yesterday when he was approved by the other 31 owners. Soon after Haslam took over, it was announced that President Mike Holmgren was out in Cleveland, and former Eagles President Joe Banner would take over as president. [Cleveland Plain Dealer]
!Leonard Dealing With Nagging Rib Injury
Cincinnati Bengals running back Brian Leonard has been hindered by a nagging rib injury over the last couple of weeks, and the injury sidelined him in Sunday's game against the Browns. Leonard admitted that he was sore on Monday, and is going to take the injury day-to-day. [Cincinnati Enquirer]
!**Eagles Fire DC Castillo**
The Philadelphia Eagles fired Defensive Coordinator Juan Castillo on Tuesday after the Eagles fell to 3-3 on the season. Castillo moved to defensive coordinator this season after spending 13 seasons as an offensive line coach in the NFL, which was a surprising move at the time.
[SI.com]
Tuesday, Oct. 16
!DUI Charge Was Second For Ta'amu Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Alameda Ta'amu is facing multiple charges after allegedly driving drunk and fleeing from police over the weekend. Court records also show that this was Ta'amu's second driving under the influence charge, as he was also arrested for an incident in 2009. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]
!**Haslam To Get Introduced As New Owner**
Jimmy Haslam will officially get introduced as the new owner of the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday at the NFL owners meetings in Chicago. The owners have to vote in favor of Haslam taking control of the Browns, and the vote is expected to be unanimous. [Cleveland Plain Dealer]
!Lewis Not Interested In Big Picture
The Bengals have lost two straight games and are now 3-3 for the season, which ties them with seven other teams in the AFC who are .500 on the season. Head Coach Marvin Lewis, however, isn't interested in looking at overall records. "We have to just focus on ourselves and I think that's important," Lewis said. [Cincinnati Enquirer]
!**Broncos Make Historic Comeback**
Peyton Manning led the Denver Broncos on a historic comeback on Monday Night Football, overcoming a 24-0 halftime deficit to beat the Chargers 35-24 in San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium. It was just the fifth time in NFL history that a team has overcome a 24-point halftime deficit to win the game. [SI.com]
Monday, Oct. 15
!Ta'amu Charged With Felony After Police Chase Pittsburgh Steelers rookie defensive lineman Alameda Ta'amu was charged with multiple felony and misdemeanor counts early Sunday morning after allegedly fleeing from police in his SUV and striking several vehicles. Police said he was drunk as the time. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]
!**Browns End 11-Game Skid**
The Browns got their first win of the season on Sunday, beating the Bengals 34-24 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The victory ended an 11-game losing streak dating back to last season, and all snapped a 12-game skid against AFC North opponents. [Cleveland Plain Dealer]
!Turnovers Doom Bengals In Loss
The Bengals let an early lead slip away against the Browns on Sunday, as quarterback Andy Dalton threw a career-high three interceptions, including a costly pick-six in the second half. After the game, Head Coach Marvin Lewis said, his team is "almost too nice at times and we've got to have more of a killer instinct." [Cincinnati Enquirer]
!**Packers Take Down Texans**
After a rough start to the season, the Green Bay Packers showed that they are still a force to be reckoned with, as they took down the undefeated Texans 42-24 on Sunday Night Football. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw six touchdowns in the rout. [SI.com]
