New Orleans Saints 01/10/2007 9:19 AMThe Times-Picayune reports Saints WR Joe Horn took a step back in his recovery from a groin injury Tuesday when he missed the team portion of practice. Saints HC Sean Payton said Horn will be listed as questionable on the injury report. Horn said he hopes to return to practice today.Read more
Chicago Bears 01/10/2007 9:16 AMThe Chicago Sun-Times reports the Bears' playoff game Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks will be QB Rex Grossman's to win or lose. That's the word from HC Lovie Smith, who was asked about TV reports that the team will have Grossman on a short leash with an eye toward pulling him if it looks like another turnover avalanche is imminent. Grossman has a tendency to throw interceptions in bunches. He threw 16 of his 20 interceptions in only five games this season -- four against Arizona and three in four other games, including the regular-season finale against Green Bay. The Packers returned two of the picks for touchdowns. Conversely, Grossman has thrown multiple touchdowns in seven games, and in only one of those seven (a Nov. 12 victory at the Giants) did he throw an interception.Read more
Washington Redskins 01/10/2007 9:13 AMThe Washington Post reports the Washington Redskins expect backup QB Mark Brunell to miss four to five months while he recovers from yesterday's surgery to repair a damaged labrum in his throwing shoulder. Brunell's left shoulder should be healed enough to resume practice during training camp, but he will miss the offseason workout program and his status for June's minicamp is in question. Brunell, 36, started the first nine games in 2006, then lost his job to second-year player QB Jason Campbell, whom HC Joe Gibbs has pronounced is Washington's No. 1 quarterback for 2007. Brunell's base salary escalates to $5.2 million next season and both sides realize a restructuring is likely given his backup status. Gibbs is a strong believer in the 14-year veteran and, after a lengthy meeting with Brunell at the end of the season, said he hopes to keep him in Washington next season.Read more
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 01/10/2007 9:10 AMThe Tampa Tribune reports the Bucs continued to make alterations to their coaching staff Tuesday, firing defensive line coach Jethro Franklin, the team said. Franklin became the second coach to be let go in as many days. Defensive backs coach Greg Burns was let go Monday and replaced by former Bucs assistant secondary coach Raheem Morris. Franklin and Burns worked just one season for the Bucs, who lured both away from the University of Southern California.Read more
