Mac's NFL Blog: 8/31/07

In today's NFL Blog: The Seahawks get a meaningless win and a meaningful loss, Jared Zabransky looks to beat the odds, LenDale White reaches for something that doesn't have batter on it, and all the Fantasy Football stupidity you can possibly handle!

The Seahawks win may have come at a very steep price. No team wants to hear "knee injury" and "appears to be rather serious" in the same sentence and they definitely don't want to hear it about the one player who is so vital to your defense's ability to stop the run.

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times has a good piece on the emotional aspect of Marcus Tubbs' injury.

It may be too late for Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell to help the team this year.

Raiders QBs Daunte Culpepper and Josh McCown turned in their final auditions on Thursday night.

The battle for the 4th running back on the Buffalo Bills is intense. (My vote is for Fred Jackson, who I think has shown good football instincts and has natural play-making ability.)

The recommendation is for Lions RB Kevin Jones to start the season in the PUP list.

The Detroit Free Press' Michael Rosenberg asks "Where is that offense Lions are raving about?"

Eagles QB AJ Feeley broke a bone in his non-throwing hand; Eagles KR Jeremy Bloom isn't wowing the Philly Phaithful.

Dave Hutchinson of the Star-Ledger writes that Jets rookie left guard Jacob Bender was dominant last night, but quickly adds some perspective.

A pair of Jets on the bubble helped their cause last night.

The return of Patriots CB Asante Samuel has allowed rookie 1st round pick Brandon Meriweather to return to his more natural safety position.

Auditions are over in New England.

Giants TE Jeremy Shockey is thankful he didn't get hurt this summer.

Within Arthur Staples' notebook in Newsday, we learn that Michael Strahan is maintaining radio silence and LB Mathias Kiwanuka is experiencing growing pains at his new position.

Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio took a cue from Bill Belichick.

It was all about the fringe players in Jacksonville last night, and it sounds like Jacksonville native CB Dee Webb probably won't make the final roster.

According to Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post, the Seattle Seahawks inquired about Redskins QB Mark Brunell.

The Redskins got what they wanted out of Thursday night's preseason finale.

Titans RB LenDale White made a push for the starting job.

Injuries could mean the Packers starting running back will be "the last man standing".

Green Bay's special teams aren't too special.

QB Kelly Holcomb made his Vikings debut in the second half.

There are still no answers on who will start on the right side of the Vikings offensive line.

The Dallas Morning News staff has a big notebook which reveals that Tony Romo might not get a new contract before the season, and much more.

It's been 9 years since Dallas had a quality kicker, and rookie Mason Crosby could change that.

WR Josh Cribbs will return punts for the Cleveland Browns in 2007.

The headline on Ohio.com says that Browns QB Brady Quinn was "sharp" last night; His 44.9 QB rating against the Bears indicates otherwise.

The Chicago Bears may have lost their starting tight end, rookie 1st round pick Greg Olsen, to a knee injury.

Bears DT Tommie Harris feels he's ready for the regular season.

Buccaneers WR Paris Warren was having a monster final game in what has been a great preseason for the second-year player out of Utah, but it all ended in the end zone after his second touchdown reception resulted in a broken leg. (WARNING: The injury is gruesome and the image on that link is graphic)

QB Chris Simms benched himself for the preseason finale.

Houston Texans rookie QB Jared Zabransky made his case to stick with the team.

They're saying the "P" word in Houston.

Panthers QB David Carr played well at times, but made a costly mistake.

WR Keary Colbert is vastly improved over last year.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are talking contract extension with their starting guard not named Faneca.

Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette blogs that Steelers QB Brian St. Pierre does have practice squad eligibility remaining.

Miami Dolphins QBs John Beck and Gibran Hamdan combined to throw four interceptions against New Orleans last night, which raises an interesting question: Has any backup QB fighting for a roster spot in the final exhibition game ever been pulled from the game after throwing an interception? I ask, because that's exactly what happened to Gibran Hamdan in the 4th quarter.

Dolphins rookie head coach Cam Cameron gave himself the night off.

Saints rookie free agent RB Pierre Thomas made the most of his opportunity last night, but little else was revealed in the preseason finale.

The Rams may have lost RT Todd Steussie for the season with a broken foot, and DE Simeon Rice is visiting Rams Park today.

Rams WR Marques Hagan knows he gave it all this summer.

Chiefs QB Brodie Croyle continued to do nothing that would prove the Chiefs wrong for naming Damon Huard their starting quarterback.

Even after listing the several valid reasons why you shouldn't, Joe Posnanski of the Kansas City Star would take Larry Johnson very high for his fantasy football team, because he admittedly doesn't know **** about drafting a fantasy football team.

The Arizona Cardinals finised the preseason in playoff form. (That would be winless, folks)

Cardinals RB Edgerrin James likes how the running game is developing.

Denver Broncos CB Karl Paymah suffered a concussion in the second quarter, and guard Ben Hamilton is seeing a concussion specialist but could be ready to play soon.

Broncos WR Domenik Hixon has emerged as the team's kick returner.

It was a homecoming for 49ers QB Alex Smith, and he was in a giving mood. (Smith had a Rex Grossman-esque 6.2 QB rating)

San Diego business leaders are working on plans for a new stadium to keep the Chargers.

49ers RB Frank Gore is trying to emulate Chargers RB and reigning NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson in every way, including interviews.

The 49ers offense continued to struggle in the loss to the Chargers.

Jamison Bentley of the Baltimore Sun projects what the 2007 Baltimore Ravens roster will look like.

There are available roster spots all over the place in Atlanta.

Don't expect many of the Colts starters to play tonight.

The injury to kicker Shayne Graham is gumming up the works, roster-wise.