The NFL Report /News and notes
Published: August 31, 2009, 12:30 am
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Sunday’s Game
Chicago 27, Denver 17: Jay Cutler, who forced a blockbuster trade out of Denver to Chicago, returned o Invesco Field and led his new team to a win. Cutler disregarded the thousands of hecklers in leading Chicago on three scoring drives.
American Conference
Cincinnati Bengals: Offensive tackle Andre Smith signed a contract Sunday with the Cincinnati Bengals, ending an impasse that dragged on a month into the preseason. The Bengals originally planned to have Smith start at right tackle, but he has missed all three preseason games. He was in Cincinnati and agreed to the deal shortly before the start of a late afternoon practice. Michael Crabtree, drafted by San Francisco with the 10th overall pick, is the only first-round selection yet to sign.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Coach Jack Del Rio says Jacksonville is happy with backup quarterback Todd Bouman. On Sunday, Del Rio denied reports that the Jaguars are pursuing another quarterback as the team waived its third QB, Paul Smith.
Tennessee Titans: Coach Jeff Fisher wanted improvement out of his team after a sloppy loss in Dallas. He got it from the first-team offense, which turned in its longest drive of the preseason, and from the first-team defense, which kept Cleveland out of the end zone and a 7-3 halftime lead before being subbed out in what turned into a 23-17 loss Saturday night to the Browns.
National Conference
Atlanta Falcons: Have released defensive tackles Jason Jefferson and Tywain Myles and long snapper Robert Shiver. Jefferson had nine tackles in 13 games last season. The cuts got the Falcons down to the maximum of 75 players ahead of the NFL’s deadline Tuesday.
Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers is excited, and the Packers quarterback says it’s OK for the team’s fans to be, too. The Packers are 3-0 in the preseason after Friday night’s 44-37 victory at Arizona. “It’s exciting, it really is—to have the defense playing the way they’re playing, and offensively to go out and score points and capitalize on the mistakes,” said Rodgers.
New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees warns that the Saints’ big preseason offensive numbers don’t mean much. They have scored 38 and 45 points in their last two exhibition games.
Minnesota Vikings: Brett Favre had just three days to prepare for his first start this preseason. This one should be a better indicator of how the comeback from his second retirement is going. Favre is expected to play the entire first half when the Minnesota Vikings face the Houston Texans in an exhibition game tonight (8 p. m., ESPN).
Philadelphia Eagles: Are changing their starting middle linebacker two weeks before the start of the regular season. Omar Gaither is taking over for Joe Mays. Mays had replaced Stewart Bradley, who is out for the season with a torn ACL. Gaither was the starter in 2007.
Seattle Seahawks: Waived defensive tackle Kevin Brown, fullback Dan Curran, linebacker Shane Simmons and tight end John Tereshinski. That puts the Seahawks’ roster at 75.
St. Louis Rams: Quarterback Marc Bulger took the first step Sunday toward returning to the playing field. Bulger, out since Aug. 17 after fracturing the pinky on his throwing hand, threw 21 passes in a side session at the morning practice.
On the Web
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Compiled from News and wire service reports.
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