Detroit Lions 01/01/2008 8:44 AMThe Detroit Free Press reports when DE Kalimba Edwards left the Lions' locker room Monday, he didn't expect to be back. "I told you all at the beginning of the season what the deal was if I didn't produce, if you all remember my statements," Edwards said. "If I would have made the plays, I'd still be here. I told you if I didn't make the plays, I wasn't going to be here." Edwards, a second-round pick in 2002, signed a five-year, $20-million contract with the Lions in '06. He hoped coach Rod Marinelli, a defensive line guru, would turn him into one of the NFL's top pass rushers. He talked about double-digit sacks.Read more
San Diego Chargers 01/01/2008 8:40 AMThe San Diego Union-Tribune reports K Nate Kaeding was on crutches yesterday, as a deep bone bruise continues to bother him and makes it unlikely he will kick off in Sunday's AFC wild-card playoff game against Tennessee. It appears almost certain that K Dave Rayner, who made his Chargers debut two days ago at Oakland, will be retained at least another week to handle kickoffs. The Chargers do not seem concerned about Kaeding's ability to attempt placements. The crutches were to relieve the pressure on his leg, which was injured Dec. 24 against Denver.Read more
Minnesota Vikings 01/01/2008 8:38 AMThe Pioneer Press reports despite a horrible final four games, rookie RB Adrian Peterson finished among the leaders in several notable categories. Peterson led the NFC and was second in the NFL with 1,341 yards rushing, 133 yards behind San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson. Peterson also was sixth in scoring with 13 touchdowns, fourth in yards from scrimmage (1,609) and sixth in first downs (75).Read more
Baltimore Ravens 01/01/2008 8:36 AMThe Baltimore Sun reports Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti shocked his team as well as Ravens fans yesterday by firing Brian Billick, the coach who brought a Super Bowl title to this football-hungry town. A grim Bisciotti told the players the news in a 2 p.m. team meeting and called it the "toughest decision I've ever had to make." He said he agonized over dismissing Billick. Just 18 days ago, a high-ranking team official told The Sun that Bisciotti had informed the coach he would return. "I believed that it was time for a change," said Bisciotti, who appeared to be still struggling with the decision during his news conference an hour and a half later. "I believe we have the nucleus of a team that can get back to the Super Bowl. We felt that in the next five years that we had a better chance with a new coach than leaving Brian in that position."Read more
