Jeff Keppinger, White Sox agree to $12-million, three-year deal

Versatile infielder Jeff Keppinger has reached agreement with the Chicago White Sox on a $12-million, three-year contract, said a person familiar with the deal.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday because there was no announcement by the team.

Keppinger, 32, hit .325 with a career-high nine home runs and 40 runs batted in for Tampa Bay last season. Keppinger is known for making contact and has more walks than strikeouts during his eight-year career with the Rays, San Francisco, Houston, Cincinnati, Kansas City and New York Mets.

Keppinger is expected to play third base for the White Sox. Kevin Youkilis finished the season at the position for Chicago last season, then became a free agent.

Source: AP

Cincinnati Bengals’ AJ Green, Geno Atkins Continue to Pursue Franchise Records

By: Cian Fahey

Geno Atkins has recorded 2.5 sacks over the Cincinnati Bengals' past three games. Having somewhat feasted on the relatively weak offensive lines of the Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers, the defensive tackle has another appealing matchup this week in the Dallas Cowboys.

Each time Atkins takes down the opposing team's quarterback, he inches closer to the franchise record. Eddie Edwards, a defensive end, currently holds the franchise record for sacks, dating back to 1983. Edwards managed to get to the quarterback 13 times then, so Atkins needs to four sacks in the final four games to set a new mark.

Having primarily played on the left side of the defense in recent weeks, the 24-year-old is set to go against Mackenzy Bernadeau and Doug Free primarily this week. Bernadeau and Free haven't had good seasons and are coming off of a poor showing against the Philadelphia Eagles. Combined, the duo gave up two sacks, two quarterback hits and four quarterback hurries. At 6-4, 320 pounds, Bernadeau does have the right body size to match up to Atkins, but has no hope of keeping up with him from a technical point of view.

Bernadeau doesn't have the talent to stick with Atkins, but with how the Bengals' defensive line has been performing recently, the Cowboys won't be able to give the right guard help on every snap. Going by their contrasting form, double-teaming Atkins probably wouldn't prevent him from getting to the quarterback either way.

In fact, Atkins' greatest obstacle preventing him from adding to his sack total is likely the creativity and agility of Tony Romo. Romo takes a lot of sacks, but he also avoids many to create big plays down the field. He can shift in the tightest of spaces to avoid pursuing defenders.

With games left against the Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens after this weekend, Atkins has every chance of cracking the franchise record. Especially if he continues in this rich vane of form. A teammate of Atkins, AJ Green, is in exactly the same situation. Green is chasing down the record of Chad Johnson and needs just 333 yards in four games. Johnson's career high was 1,440 yards.

Despite not scoring a touchdown in the past two games, after starting the season with nine touchdowns in 10 games, Green still racked up 18 receptions for 287. If he can keep up that pace for the rest of the season, against what is a more difficult schedule for a wide receiver, then Green would be the franchise leader in receptions after just his second season.

Even challenging for these records at this point in their respective careers is a phenomenal achievement in itself. Both players are just 24 while Green is in his second season and Atkins his third. They are both still on the positive side of their career arcs, so there is plenty of time to set the marks at a later date, but coming so close this season it would be a shame should they fail.

Source://www.rantsports.com

The White Sox to sign Jeff Keppinger to a three-year deal

by Craig Calcaterra

Jeff Keppinger has, in a thin market for infielders, been a hot property this week. Now Jon Heyman reports that the White Sox are going to sign him for three years.  No word yet on the money, though yesterday it was said that he wanted a $12 million deal for three years.

The Yankees were said to be extremely interested in him, but were wary about giving him a contract of any significant length.

Keppinger hit .325/.367/.439 with anine home runs and 40 RBI in 418 plate appearances this past season for Tampa Bay while making appearances at third base, second base, first base and designated hitter.  Even for three years, that's an extremely useful player to have.

Source:  NBC Sports

Detroit Lions sign Kris Durham off practice squad

by Justin Rogers

The Detroit Lions didn't look far to find a replacement for injured wide receiver Ryan Broyles. Instead of signing a free agent off the street, the Lions opted to activate Kris Durham off the practice squad.

The Lions added Durham in September after the 2011 fourth-round draft pick was released by the Seattle Seahawks.

Durham appeared in just three games with Seattle as a rookie, catching three passes for 30 yards. He was placed on injured reserve in November with a torn labrum.

The 6-foot-6, 216-pound receiver played his college ball at Georgia, where he was teammates with Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford.  As a junior in 2008, Stafford's final season at Georgia, Durham caught 13 passes for 199 yards and a touchdown.

Durham missed the 2009 season after tearing his labrum during the spring. He returned for his senior season in 2010, catching 32 passes for 659 yards and three touchdowns. His 20.6 yards per reception was the third best in the NCAA that season.

Source:  mlive.com

Champ Bailey plays pivotal role in Broncos' victory over Buccaneers

By Jeff Legwold

Coming into Sunday's game against the Broncos, Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman had targeted wide receiver Vincent Jackson 95 times this season, or just over 20 more times than any other player in the team's offense.

So, the Broncos did what the Broncos do in those kinds of cases. They asked Champ Bailey to cover somebody who is often bigger and younger to take that option off the quarterback's wish list.

And while Peyton Manning's touchdown passes and Von Miller's quest for the NFL's defensive player of the year award are front and center these days, Bailey's work continues to be the stuff of a team with designs on much more than a division title.

When Bailey was matched up on Jackson in one-on-one situations, which was for most of the game, Jackson had one reception for 12 yards Sunday. And that catch didn't come until the third quarter was drawing to a close.

Jackson had another catch in zone coverage, away from Bailey, and his third and final catch of the game came with Bailey having already been taken out of the game because the Broncos were protecting a two-touchdown lead facing a three-day turnaround to play in Oakland on Thursday night.

"Vincent's one of the toughest matchups because he plays hard all the time," Bailey said. "He's not one of those guys where if he's not getting the ball, he's out there running slower or anything. He's a beast."

Asked if a younger quarterback — Freemen is in his fourth season — gets more frustrated when his favorite option isn't an option any longer, Bailey said:

"Probably, if you don't have your best player involved early it does get a little frustrating, because that's when those guys want to get something going. I don't count on that to help me so much, but that's the goal to take it out early, but I just try, every play, not to let him catch it on that play and then go on to the next one."

The Broncos are currently third in the NFL in total defense (yards allowed per game) and ninth in points allowed. That means statistically the group is not yet the best Manning has played alongside of in his career. The Colts were No. 3 in yards allowed and No. 1 in scoring defense in 2007 to go with No. 11 in yards allowed and No. 2 in scoring defense in 2005.

But the Broncos have the explosiveness in the pass rush to create defensive touchdowns — five this year and counting — and they have Bailey.

And that's the kind of combination Manning has never had.

Source:  Denver Post

Tim Jennings sustains a shoulder injury

Bears CB Tim Jennings sustained a shoulder injury during overtime of the Week 13 loss to the Seahawks.

Jennings, who leads the league with eight interceptions, went down when trying to tackle Seahawks FB Michael Robinson. Per ESPN Chicago, the injury "isn't believed to be serious." If Jennings misses time, Kelvin Hayden figures to step in opposite Charles Tillman and Zack Bowman would serve as the nickel corner.

Source:  Rotoworld

Demarcus Dobbs arrested

SANTA CLARA -- Demarcus Dobbs, one of the 49ers' top special-teams players, will not make the trip to St. Louis on Friday afternoon after he was arrested early Friday morning following a single-car accident.

Dobbs' birthday is Friday. He turned 25.

"He was involved in a crash and we suspect he was under the influence of alcohol," California Highway Patrol Officer D.J. Sarabia told CSNBayArea.com. "He was not injured and he was also arrested for possession of marijuana."

When asked about the incident, the 49ers released a statement that read:

"The 49ers are aware of the recent matter involving Demarcus Dobbs. We are gathering the relevant facts as it pertains to this situation. We have been in contact with both Demarcus and the League office. He will not be making the trip to St. Louis, and we will reserve further comment at this time."

Dobbs, who faces misdemeanor charges, was released from custody later Friday morning, Officer Sarabia said.

Dobbs wrecked his car on southbound San Tomas Expressway near Scott Boulevard in Santa Clara at 3:45 a.m., Officer Sarabia said. He sustained no injuries. He was the only person in his car.

Dobbs is the only player on the team who plays on every unit on special teams. He is a reserve defensive tackle, as well as the 49ers' fourth tight end. Dobbs has recorded seven tackles on defense and three more on special teams this season.

The 49ers added special-teams help Friday morning with the promotion of linebacker Michael Wilhoite from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. Wilhoite said he expects to be in uniform for Sunday's game against the St. Louis Rams.

Dobbs made the 49ers' roster last season as an undrafted rookie from Georgia.

Source:  CSNBayArea.com

Vikings' Blair Walsh can warm to idea of 'decent' Green Bay weather

Source:  Twincities.com

By:Bob Sansevere

Three Things ...

Vikings rookie kicker Blair Walsh, who went to college in Georgia, isn't accustomed to kicking in cold weather.

He already has checked on the weather for the game Sunday, Dec. 2, in Green Bay against the Packers, saying, "I heard it will be at least decent." Actually, the projected temperature in Green Bay for the game is a high of 55 degrees and a low of 35, according to Weather.com.

Here is Walsh ...

On the coldest weather he has kicked in: "The last game (in Chicago) probably was the coldest I've ever kicked in. (It was 41 degrees at kickoff, with the wind-chill factor a mere 3 degrees.) The coldest game I kicked in before that probably was 15 degrees warmer than in Chicago."

On adjustments for cold temperatures: "Nothing. Just try to keep warm. You have to warm up a little bit more on the sidelines. I don't do anything crazy."

On the impact on his range in cold-weather games: "The ball doesn't travel as far when it's cold and the air is thicker. It doesn't really change that much."

Champ Bailey: Still the Standard

For 14 years in the NFL, cornerback Champ Bailey has taken on the best receivers in the league, and he's still loving every minute of it.

Every Hall-of-Fame career has to start somewhere.

It just so happened cornerback Champ Bailey's started with an interception off a Hall of Fame quarterback.

In the very first game of his career, Bailey – then a Washington Redskin – was matched up against another legend in Michael Irvin for the majority of the day against the Dallas Cowboys.

"You've got to think, since I was little, Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, Emmitt Smith, I'd looked up to them," Bailey said. "That was a surreal moment. You don't get an opportunity like that to play against guys you really watched and liked growing up."

He had mixed results in the contest, as Irvin notched five catches for 122 yards and two touchdowns.

But Bailey, ever the competitor, wanted to make sure it was known that those scores weren't against him – he was on the sideline late in the game with cramps. And in addition to five tackles in his first-ever game, he snared the Aikman interception – a fitting start for the now 11-time Pro Bowler.

"I felt like I belonged at that moment," he said. "You pick a Hall of Fame quarterback – not a lot of people can say they did that. It was a special moment for me."

By: Gray Caldwell

From that game on, Bailey has never backed down from a challenge, battling opposing teams' top receiver for more than a decade.

"Back then it was just my raw ability and trying to learn as I go," Bailey said. "Now it's a lot more about my knowledge and my instincts. That never leaves."

MAINTAINING GREATNESS

Nine games into his 14th season, Bailey has already squared off against wideouts the likes of Pittsburgh's Mike Wallace, Atlanta's Julio Jones, Houston's Andre Johnson, New Orleans' Marques Colston, Cincinnati's A.J. Green and Carolina's Steve Smith.

None of them reached 100 receiving yards, and Bailey has surrendered just one touchdown this season.

"That's what allows us to be among the top of the league in sacks," defensive end Elvis Dumervil said. "Having a guy like that, he still goes against the top guy every week."

So how has Bailey maintained such a high level of play for so long?

"First of all, he's just a smart player," Dumervil said. "He used to be a student of the game, he may be a professor of the game now."

His position coach agreed.

"Good genes," Secondary Coach Ron Milus laughed, noting that Bailey also keeps himself in great shape. "He's one of the guys that I kind of point to as a coach on the field, even though he's playing. He knows exactly what's going on at all times."

Dumervil said it's not uncommon for Bailey to let the defense know what's about to happen in a play before the snap. That comes from tireless preparation not only every week during the season, but throughout the offseason.

"That's why he has adjusted and why he's lasted as long as he has and why he's been such a centerpiece of the Broncos since he's been here," Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway said.

Rules have changed – "They definitely favor the offense a lot," Bailey said.

Receivers have changed – "Everybody's 6-3, 6-4, 220 (pounds)."

But Bailey has continued to play at an elite level throughout it all.

"I love Champ, how he plays and what he does," Cincinnati Bengals Head Coach Marvin Lewis said. "He's still doing it. I remember being on Georgia's campus when Champ came out. It's fun to see him still doing it the way he's doing it."

And he's done it within the rules.

Bailey has been targeted 469 times since 2006. He has been penalized for pass interference on just three occasions – less than one percent of the times the ball has been thrown his direction.

"I haven't had to tweak my game a whole lot," said Bailey, who leads all cornerbacks with 51 interceptions since his rookie season. "Even though I'm a physical corner, I've always tried to just play with my feet and not grab a lot, pull and depend on snatching people and trying to break the rules."

That technique is what stands out to Bailey's teammates, on offense and defense.

"He's able to get up and press you or play off," wide receiver Eric Deckersaid. "It's just that mix of you don't know what he's going to do. He's very athletic, he can cover very well, he knows how bigger guys release compared to smaller guys, he knows how to play certain splits – he just knows how to play the game. That's what I think as receivers we appreciate, because we get so much better going against him every day. It's fun to watch him against the other team on Sundays."

At 6-foot-3, 229 pounds, wide receiver Demaryius Thomas has three inches, 37 pounds and 10 years of youth on Bailey. But the 2010 first-round pick knew better than to underestimate the veteran corner when he first lined up opposite him in training camp.

Just as Bailey grew up idolizing Dallas' big three on offense, Thomas grew up with a great appreciation for what Bailey can do on defense.

"I was dreading going against him when I first got here," Thomas said. "But I knew it would make me better."

A DECADE-PLUS OF DOMINANCE

When Bailey first got started in the league, he always dreamed of a decade.

"That was a big thing," he recalled. "I remember guys would always say that. 'If I can just get 10 years in.' I was one of them, I'm not going to lie. But as I approached 10, I thought, 'I'm still playing at a high level. Why walk away from something I love to do? And I make a good living doing it.'"

Prior to the 2011 season, Elway signed Bailey to a four-year contract extension with the team, essentially ensuring the cornerback will end his career in orange and blue.

"Winning is going to happen a lot sooner than people think," he said at the time.

Twenty-two months later, the Broncos have their first playoff victory since the 2005 season under their belts, and currently sit atop the AFC West again this season.

"I'm not going to say I'm a genius," Bailey laughed, "but once Elway took over, it kind of encouraged me to believe in the system and the team and where it's going. I'm just glad I made my decision to stay here."

Now, he is serving as one of five team captains along with Peyton Manning, who he called "hands down" the best quarterback he has played with.

With that type of talent and leadership on both sides of the ball, Bailey has welcomed the high expectations surrounding the club this season.

"When you've got guys in the building knowing that we've got a chance to go all the way, it makes you work a little harder," he said. "It makes you want to come to work every day."

Bailey still covets his job and the challenge of going up against the best week-in and week-out.

And he doesn't plan on slowing down any time soon.

"Story of my life for the past 14 years," he said. "I love it."

Source:  DenverBroncos.com

Jeff Keppinger breaks fibula falling down stairs

It is a fear of many and for Jeff Keppinger it is one that may have a negative impact on his future income. The 32-year-old infielder fell down the stairs at his home CBS Sports has reported.

In the fall Keppinger broke his right fibula; the fibula is a bone in the calf of the leg.

Keppinger is hoping to be ready to resume baseball activities in January after suffering what has been termed a small break. The eight year veteran is at home recovering.

Last season Keppinger hit .325/.367/.439 with nine homers and 40 RBI in 2012 for the Rays.

Source:  Yardbarker.com

Giants to sign RB Kregg Lumpkin

Multiple sources are reporting.

More updates later.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS SIGN G-JUSTIN ANDERSON TO PRACTICE SQUAD

Anderson, 6-5, 342 pounds, was originally selected by the Colts in the seventh round (208th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft out of Georgia. He was placed on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform List on August 27, 2012 and was activated on November 19. He was then waived by the team on November 20.

Source:  Colts.com

Geno Atkins: Geno Atkins sets sack record

Bengals DT Geno Atkins has set a single-season franchise record for sacks by an interior lineman.

After getting to Carson Palmer once on Sunday, Atkins is up to nine sacks with five games to go. This comes on the heels of a 7.5 sack campaign a year ago. No one talks about him, but the 2010 fourth-round pick has quietly turned perhaps the best defensive tackle in the entire league. Atkins is a lock for the Pro Bowl this season.

Source: Rotoworld

Feeling fresh, Broncos' Knowshon Moreno makes most of chance vs. K.C. Read more: Feeling fresh, Broncos' Knowshon Moreno makes most of chance vs. K.C.

Source:  Denver Post

By Tom Kensler

KANSAS CITY, mo. — Getting his first carries in more than two months, running back Knowshon Moreno said after the Broncos' 17-9 victory Sunday his goal was to focus on each carry.

How focused was he at Arrowhead Stadium? Consider this: Moreno made one of the key first downs in the game on a 17-yard gallop in the fourth quarter to keep the clock moving but didn't realize at the time how big a play it was. Less than five minutes remained and the Chiefs were running out of time.

"I don't even know what play that was; I don't even know what quarter that was," Moreno said in the locker room afterward. "I looked up and it was like, 'There's just that many minutes left?' "

Moreno, inactive for eight consecutive weeks, wanted to keep his head down, block out distractions and go to work. While other running backs might have shown some rust, Moreno looked fresh and eager.

He rushed for 85 yards on 20 carries, a 4.3-yard average, and also caught four passes for 26 yards. Moreno hadn't run for that many yards since netting a career-best 161 yards Dec. 5, 2010 against Kansas City. Moreno had a good game at Arrowhead Stadium in 2009 when he produced 86 yards and two touchdowns. But he also harbors a bad memory of this place.

Last November, Moreno suffered a season-ending knee injury (torn ACL) on Arrowhead's field. Not surprisingly, Moreno said considering his inactivity he would have been excited to play anywhere.

"It felt good," he said. "It was a little iffy at the beginning, but then I settled down."

Broncos coach John Fox had said last week that replacing injured starter Willis McGahee likely would be by committee — with Moreno, Ronnie Hillman and Lance Ball sharing carries.

As it turned out, Moreno got the bulk of the work. Hillman had only three carries; Ball got none. Moreno had more carries Sunday than McGahee usually gets. That's saying something, considering that the former first-round draft pick (No. 12 overall in 2009) appeared to be relegated to the doghouse after he fumbled during the second quarter of Denver's Sept. 17 loss at Atlanta.

There was little doubt that Denver coaches had lost confidence in the former Georgia All-American. Just a couple of weeks ago, offensive coordinator Mike McCoy talked about how the Broncos had decided to go in "a different direction" in the running back pecking order — with Hillman and Ball listed behind McGahee, and Moreno watching games from the bench, or the press box in nongame team gear.

McGahee's injury has given Moreno new life.

"I'm very happy for Knowshon right now," Broncos tight end Joel Dreessen said Sunday. "The thing about his situation is, a lot of guys could have sulked and that would have been the end of their career. He had something to prove. He played like it. He ran like it."

Perhaps to relieve Moreno of any early jitters — or to test him — the Broncos called his number on their first two plays from scrimmage Sunday: a run up the middle and a swing pass. Those two netted minus-2 yards, including a 4-yard loss on the reception.

But Moreno said he felt like he was off and running.

"That first play is the one that you kind of see what's going on," he said.

Fox said he wasn't surprised by Moreno's production.

"Knowshon has a great attitude," Fox said. "Things haven't always gone perfect for him, (but) I knew he would perform well and I think his teammates knew he would perform well. We're proud of his effort."

76ers' Damien Wilkins looks forward to coaching

John N. Mitchell, Inquirer Staff Writer

On more than one occasion, 76ers coach Doug Collins has said that backup guard-forward Damien Wilkins will make an excellent coach in the NBA.

That's exactly what Wilkins wants to do when his playing career ends.

"I don't want to have a transition period when my career is over," said Wilkins, in his ninth NBA season. "I just want to go right into coaching. I have always felt that I have something to offer people. I love talking the game and learning the game from other people."

When the Seattle SuperSonics - now the Oklahoma City Thunder - drafted Kevin Durant, Durant picked Wilkins' brain all the time, Wilkins said, just as he had picked the brains of veterans Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis when he came into the league.

"I used to just talk basketball with Kevin and Russell [Westbrook] after Oklahoma City drafted him," Wilkins said. "I always felt like I was reaching those guys. That's a good feeling."

However, there is one other reason Wilkins doesn't want any idle time when his days as a player are through.

"I really don't ever want to get fat," Wilkins laughed. "I'm afraid of sitting around and getting out of shape."

Source:  Philly.com

Video: Geno Atkins in the Locker Room

http://www.bengals.com/media-lounge/videos/Geno-Atkins-in-the-Locker-Room-112512/69f81b6e-5000-4a1f-af5d-ffb08246c732

Source:  Bengals website

Richard Seymour donates 150 meals for Thanksgiving

Source:  SFGate.com

Raiders defensive tackle Richard Seymour donated 150 meals to Columbian Gardens Food Pantry in Oakland for Thanksgiving with the help of the Alameda County Community Food Bank. Seymour, with his mom, wife, and kids, then visited the pantry to help distribute the meals to those in need.

Lurlean Jackson started the pantry out of her garage down the street about 35 years ago. She later moved to the current location on Koford Road in Oakland and serves families Monday through Friday, as well as special distributions around the holidays.

"Thanksgiving to me is very special," Seymour told Raiders.com. "It's one of my favorite holidays of the year. Just wanted to show my connection to the city of Oakland because Oakland has supported not only myself, but also the Oakland Raiders. We definitely wanted to show the tie. It's just a great time of year. You don't want anyone to be hungry. I'm blessed to be a blessing; I don't take that lightly at all. I just wanted to show my appreciation to the less fortunate. Any way that we could help, it's just a small token of my appreciation."

Bengals' sack specialist (Geno Atkins)on pace for another Pro Bowl; A.J. Green's grab

By Jay Morrison, Staff Writer

Source: Dayton Daily News dot com

CINCINNATI — For some players, leading the team in tackles while forcing two fumbles and recording a sack and a pass defensed would constitute one their best games of the year.

But for Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins, it was worthy of little more than a shrug.

"It was just like any other game," Atkins said. "You just get out there and try to do what you can do."

The sack was his eighth of the year, tying him with Dan "Big Daddy" Wilkinson for the Bengals single-season record by an interior lineman. It also moved Atkins ahead of defensive end Michael Johnson for the team lead this season.

The sack and both of his forced fumbles came on the same series, just four plays apart, with the second strip ending up in the arms of linebacker Vontaze Burfict for the only turnover of the game last week against the Kansas City Chiefs.

"I know he had a great game, but he's been doing it all year," Bengals safety Chris Crocker said. "He's great. He perfects his craft every day in practice, and he's a heck of a person beyond football. The kid can play."

Many of Atkins' numbers are ahead of what they were at this point last year when he was on his way to his first Pro Bowl in his second NFL season.

"He's getting better because he hasn't changed the approach he brought he brought with him with he came in trying to prove himself," defensive line coach Jay Hayes said. "He still plays 150 miles per hour, and he's still in the playbook."

With 2.5 more sacks than he had after 11 games in 2011, 10 more solo tackles and three more forced fumbles, Atkins recently was a unanimous pick for the Midseason All-Pro team by the editors of Pro Football Weekly, along with teammate A.J. Green.

Only six of the 28 players selected were unanimous picks.

"I feel like each year I've gotten better with learning and getting adjusted to the speed of the game and just basically knowing the passer's strength and what the offense is trying to do to our defense and how to basically use that to our advantage," Atkins said.

He emphasized the learning part and said he took head coach Marvin Lewis' advice last year and used his trip to the Pro Bowl as more of an education experience than a vacation.

And one of the players Atkins turned to for advice will be on the opposite sideline Sunday when the Oakland Raiders come to Paul Brown Stadium.

"I talked to Richard Seymour and saw how he did things and what he did to excel at a high level in the league," Atkins said. "He taught me some fundamental stuff – taking notes and basically investing in your body and stuff like that."

Atkins needs five more sacks to tie Eddie Edwards for the single-season franchise record of 13, and he's a big reason why this year's team in on pace to tie the single-season team mark of 48, which was set in 2001.

Helpful Hue

Somewhat lost in the midst of Carson Palmer making his return to Cincinnati this week is the fact that Cincinnati Bengals assistant coach Hue Jackson also gets to face his former team.

Jackson was the Raiders head coach in 2011 and offensive coordinator in 2010, and he was largely responsible for the trade that brought Palmer to Oakland for a pair of draft picks.

Fired despite going 8-8 and tying for first in the AFC West last year, Jackson reunited with head coach Marvin Lewis in Cincinnati, where he was an assistant coach from 2004-06.

"He's been a great plus to have back here," Lewis said. "His knowledge of the (AFC West) opponents that we've prepared for and just his perspective on things from having been a head coach have been great to have."

Green's grab

While players, coaches and analysts around the league raved about the one-handed touchdown catch A.J. Green made Sunday in Kansas City, Green offered a much lower assessment of the play on Wednesday when he was asked if he had seen the replays.

"Yeah, I saw it. It was all right," he said before giving it a 7 on a scale of 1 to 10.

It marked the ninth consecutive game he's had at least one touchdown, a single-season franchise record. It's also one shy of the all-time Bengals record of 10 set by Carl Pickens from 1994-95.

"I don't really pay attention to all of that stuff til the end of the season," he said. "Toward the end of the season, I'll be like, all right, I did OK. But until then I will stay on this grind with my head down and keep playing."

Sundiata Gaines signs in China with Fujian

Sundiata Gaines signed a contract in China with Fujian. The PG was targeted by some European clubs but he decided to move to Chinese CBA.  Gaines has played last season in NBA with the Nets averaging 5.1ppg. 

Source:  http://www.sportando.net/

Fear the Stache? VanGorder?

Not when it's on the plains....
With the year The Barn is having, it should be the AU fans who should fear it.