The 2012 regular season has come to a close and what a year it was. Here’s a look at the most Unexpected (and expected) outcomes of the year. ————————————————————————————————————————————– Week 1: Tim Tebow starts ————————————————————————————————————————————– When the New York Jets took the field for their first play of the season, Tim Tebow was out on the field with the starters. Well, it’s not what you think. Tebow lined up as a receiver for the Jets’ first offensive play, but starting quarterback Mark Sanchez didn’t look his way. Tebow later joked, “I felt like I was open too.” All in all, Tebow appeared in only nine offensive plays and didn’t account for much. Oh, and he was booed off the field, […]

As we do every week, let’s take a swing around the NFL, looking at a bunch of random things… 1. I spent some time in Chicago earlier in the week at the NFL’s annual Fall Meeting, and many of the topics addressed here are from the meeting. There were a bunch of issues discussed, but nothing more important happened than the introduction of Browns owner Jimmy Haslam III. I know it won’t exactly affect the team’s performance on the field today — or, likely won’t — but it is noteworthy. After years of having an owner in Randy Lerner who was never around, Haslam will be the opposite. He’s moving to Cleveland. He’ll be present, his family will be present… […]

As we do every week — except this time, it’s game week! — let’s take a swing around the NFL, looking at a bunch of random things … So, what’s been up? 1. The Steelers play tonight against the Broncos, and they get the first crack at QB Peyton Manning. Sure, Pittsburgh is tweaked about some injury issues (I don’t blame them), but they are mostly ready to go. I just want to take out a second and note something you shouldn’t really need to praise anyone for. I’ll do it anyway. Nice, easy, sound decision by coach Mike Tomlin to eliminate any possibility of S Ryan Clark playing in the mile-high altitude because of a health issues. This should […]

As we do every week, let’s take a swing around the NFL, looking at a bunch of random things … So, what’s been up? 1. I can’t help but think that the Steelers’ season will be dictated by two storylines, neither of which will make the Pittsburgh crazies very happy. One is, can QB Ben Roethlisberger stay healthy? He’s already been slowed by a gimpy ankle and, ho hum, he’s got a torn rotator cuff on his throwing shoulder. And from the way it sounded, his offensive line will be a work in progress. Starting two rookies is good for the future, scary for the present, even if the rookies are highly touted like David DeCastro and Mike Adams. And […]

Linebacker Joey Porter played for three teams over the course of a 13-year career. Porter knows which organization he wants to end with. Porter told me today that he plans to retire as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Specifically, Porter said he would be honored to do so. “That’s where I started at,” Porter told me on the driving range before a practice round of the American Century Celebrity Golf Classic in South Lake Tahoe. “It’ll be an honor to go out there and retire as a Steeler. Started there, end there. Thirteen years. I never thought I’d play that long when I first started.” The four-time Pro Bowler finishes with 170 starts, 503 tackles and 98 sacks. He […]

Seahawks G Robert Gallery will make his regular-season debut for the Seahawks today when they play the Steelers in Pittsburgh. Gallery had been sidelined with a knee injury but he is active for today’s game. The same cannot be said for WR Sidney Rice, who is still battling a shoulder injury.