Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco has sent some roll-on deodorant to the Ravens as a gift.

Ochocinco sent packages to Baltimore's secondary as well as linebackers Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs.

"I not only sent them gift baskets, but I sent them something they could use so they don't sweat," Ochocinco told 105.7 FM, according to the Carroll Country Times. [READ]

Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall doesn't trust Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff.

Dimitroff traded Hall to the Raiders on March 7, 2008 in what was his first major move with the team.

Hall was later released by Oakland and signed with Washington.

"I didn't trust Dimitroff at all," Hall told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "He lied to me several times. He promised me he was going to get something done [on a contract] and he's behind my back trying to shop me at the draft." [READ]

The Giants have lost three consecutive games, but general manager Jerry Reese isn't overly concerned.

"Sure, these last three games are a concern, but I believe it's a little too early to call it a crisis," he told the New York Times.

After beginning the season 5-0, the Giants have struggled over the last month. Going back to last season, when they started 11-1, they have gone 6-7 over their last thirteen games.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin is blaming fundamentals. [READ]

Patriots coach Bill Belichick praised wide receiver Randy Moss for his intelligence on Friday.

Belichick says that Moss is the smartest receiver he's ever been around. He claimed that Moss knows not just where he's supposed to be on every play, but also where all of his teammates are supposed to be and what the defense is going to do.

The coach said the receiver's intelligence is matched by only Tom Brady and Lawrence Taylor.

"Lawrence Taylor knew what every player on the field was doing ... It's just easy for them; it's just natural. Some players have a great capacity for it, other guys — you tell them to key one guy, they come off (the field) after the play and you say, 'What did that guy do?' 'Oh, I didn't see him.' Well," Belichick told the Providence Journal.

"Some guys see it, some guys ... Brady, I mean from Day One, you ask what happened after a play and he'd tell you eight things that happened. You go back and watch the film and there are the eight things that he said happened, and that's what happened on the play. You can see every one of them." [READ]

The NFL has fined three Packers $5,000 each for their actions against the Vikings last Sunday.

Johnny Jolly, Al Harris and rookie B.J. Raji received the penalties.

Defensive tackle Jolly was fined Friday for unnecessary roughness for head-butting Minnesota's Chester Taylor.

Cornerback Harris was fined for unnecessary roughness for grabbing a helmet to make a tackle.

Defensive tackle Raji was fined for a major facemask violation.

"Not very smart," Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy said. "We had them stopped. Personal fouls in that situation and the way it happened, from my understanding, it's unacceptable, to extend the drive like that, and it cost us four points." [READ]

Falcons wide receiver Roddy White will face off against the Redskins on Sunday afternoon.

White didn't practice on Thursday and was limited on Friday because of a knee injury. [READ]

Eagles running back Brian Westbrook will be a game-time decision Sunday night against the Cowboys.

He missed Philadelphia's win against New York last Sunday in the wake of a concussion.

He took most of the first-team reps on Wednesday and Thursday, but was held out of practice on Friday.

Eagles coach Andy Reid has listed Westbrook as questionable.

"He's had two hard days of work and, really, the young kid [LeSean McCoy] hasn't gotten a ton of reps," Reid told Delaware Online. "Like I've done on some other Fridays, I kept Brian out." [READ]

Colts safety Bob Sanders will miss the remainder of the 2009 season with a torn biceps tendon, the latest round of bad injury news for a team that's otherwise enjoying a 7-0 start.

After struggling to get on the field with a bum knee that lingered all offseason, Sanders had played in the Colts' last two games but made just three tackles. [READ]

The Patriots have released guard Kendall Simmons.

Simmons was inactive for six of the team's first seven games, playing only on special teams during their Oct. 18 win over the Titans.

He signed with the Patriots on Sept. 6 after being waived by the Steelers. [READ]

The Lions are hopeful that wide receiver Calvin Johnson and running back Kevin Smith will play on Sunday.

Johnson has missed two games with a sore right knee, while Smith injured his shoulder in last week's loss to the Rams.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford was limited in practice with a knee injury of his own, but is expected to play against the Seahawks. [READ]

The Eagles are looking to attack Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo on Sunday night.

Romo has been red-hot as of late, completing 62.6% of his passes and throwing for 918 yards during Dallas' three-game winning streak.

"They've got a great scheme, and when [Romo] looks to execute the scheme, to me, it seems to roll pretty smoothly," said Eagles defensive coordinator Sean McDermott told 950 ESPN. "When he gets outside the scheme, perhaps, is where things have broken down over the years."

An anonymous Eagles player says that Philadelphia will look to "get to [Romo], and quick." [READ]

Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter believes that Patriots quarterback Tom Brady gets special treatment.

"No question," Porter said. "When a guy can tell a ref when to throw a flag and he gets it and stuff like that, he got his own rules. They made the whole [rule that you] don't go at the legs because of Tom. So when he feels that someone is coming at his legs, he just points at the ref and he gets a flag. So you've got to honestly say that he got his own rules."

Porter was interviewed by Rich Eisen on the NFL Network's "NFL Total Access" show.

Earlier this week, Porter admitted that he had natural "hate" for the Patriots. [READ]

The Denver Broncos, who already start four defensive backs over the age of 30, have reportedly added another longtime veteran, agreeing to terms with cornerback Ty Law.

Law, who turned 35 years old in February, will fly to Denver for a physical and sign afterward, ESPN.com reported. [READ]

The Colts have reportedly lost cornerback Marlin Jackson for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL.

Jackson tore the ACL in his left knee during Thursday's practice.

The team has not officially confirmed the injury. [READ]

Eagles running back Brian Westbrook is altering his running style in order to avoid further concussions.

Westbrook suffered a concussion in Philadelphia's win over Washington on Oct. 26 and missed their victory over New York last Sunday.

"Hopefully, I'll never put myself in that same position to get a concussion in that same way," he told 950 ESPN Radio.

He will try to keep his head up as he braces for contract. In the past, he has dipped his chin, putting his head in a more vulnerable position. [READ]

Giants running back Brandon Jacobs says he's "due" for his first 100-yard game of the season.

"Yeah, I tell you what, if anyone is due for one, it's definitely me," Jacobs told the Star Ledger after practice Thursday.

Jacobs is averaging 68.8 rushing yards per game and has tallied 92 yards in two games in 2009.

"I would have never even imagined; I wouldn't have even thought," Jacobs said of not eclipsing 100 yards. "If you had told me that at the beginning of the year, I would have totally buried you. It is what it is. I've been running hard; I've been doing the best I can. I've been taking what they've been giving me, and trying to make something out of it." [READ]

The Rams are sticking with Marc Bulger as their starting quarterback.

St. Louis is off this weekend and will face New Orleans on Nov. 15.

"I think Marc has done everything we needed him to do," coach Steve Spagnuolo said. "I've said this before; it's not one position on the side of the ball, it's everybody.

"He has been a leader, he manages the game, gets the ball to 39 [running back Steven Jackson], and there are pieces that he is working through, too," Spagnuolo added.

The Rams are 1-7, having earned their first win of the season last Sunday against the Lions. [READ]

Redskins defensive coordinator Greg Blache is tired of hearing people bash owner Daniel Snyder.

"Enough's enough," he told the media on Thursday.

Blache described Snyder as "one of the most generous, kind individuals you could ever meet" and said that the people that criticize Snyder don't really know him.

In a recent interview with "Inside the NFL," former Redskins running back John Riggins called Snyder a "bad guy" and said the owner's "heart is dark." [READ]

Cowboys wide receiver Roy Williams says that despite his complaints, he isn't trying to be another Terrell Owens.

Williams has just 14 catches for 249 yards and two touchdowns heading into Sunday night's battle between Dallas and Philadelphia.

"I didn't complain," Williams told ESPN. "I didn't complain that I didn't get the ball. I got seven opportunities in [last Sunday's win over Seattle]. All I said was that, when it comes to me, it's not there. The percentages ... back my case. I'm not saying it can't be fixed because that's what we do every day. We try to work on it and get it fixed.

"I'm not a T.O. [Terrell Owens] or I'm not trying to be a T.O. I don't know why people are trying to put me in that category because I'm happy to win. I've said that 100 times." [READ]

The National Organization for Women believes that Raiders coach Tom Cable should be suspended.

NOW doesn't think Cable should be coaching the team while they investigate his history of violence towards women.

Cable said Wednesday he has spoken with Raiders owner Al Davis within the past two days and that his job status was not discussed.

In a statement to USA Today, NOW president Terry O'Neill said, "Tom Cable's history of violence against women raises a question: Why is he still the head coach of an NFL team?

"Mr. Cable admits having battered his first wife, and he stands accused of battering two other intimate partners as well. As a survivor of domestic violence, I know that women do not make such accusations lightly. Indeed, women have much more to lose than to gain by coming forward to tell their stories." [READ]

Forty members of the undefeated Saints are wearing custom-fitted mouthguards that retail for $2,000 each and are designed to give them increased strength, flexibility and endurance by optimizing their bite.

"I wouldn't have dreamed in a million years that I'd be wearing a $2,000 mouthpiece," Saints cornerback Tracy Porter said. "That's like a grill."

"If there's 2%, 5%, any percent of benefit, and it's good for your safety, who are we kidding?" NFL coach-turned-broadcaster Jon Gruden said. "This is a game of inches, man."

Gruden claims to be naturally a skeptical person.

"An NFL player would not put a $2,000 mouthpiece in his mouth if it didn't work. That I do know." [READ]

Tony Romo sees the same type of "Jim Johnson pressure mentality" from the 2009 Eagles defense under new coordinator Sean McDermott.

Through seven games, Philadelphia's 23 sacks are tied for second. Its 21 takeaways and plus-12 turnover margin top the NFL.

"Their scheme is the same," tight end Jason Witten said. "They do that very well, as good as anybody in the league. They rally to the ball and put you in tough situations that are hard to overcome." [READ]

B.J. Raji, the ninth overall pick of the 2009 NFL Draft, has begun to make legitimate contributions to the Green Bay defense.

“Yeah, and now I’m really starting to understand the defense,” Raji said on Thursday. “I’ve been more spectating and watching and learning than playing. So now, I’m getting my chance, and hopefully, I take advantage of it.”

“He needs as many reps as he can get,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. “I think he’s picked it up, as far as his performance level, coming to camp late, had an injury. I had a chance to watch him in the one-on-ones and watch him more (Thursday) than I normally do. He’s getting better.” [READ]

The NCAA has rejected a final appeal to reinstate Dez Bryant and the wide receiver will likely declare for the NFL draft after the first of the year.

The NCAA rejected Oklahoma State's appeal to reinstate Bryant on Thursday, meaning he won't be back this season. [READ]

Steven Jackson made sure he found former head coach Scott Linehan last Sunday at Ford Field.

“I just wished Coach Linehan the best in his future,” Jackson said. “I just wanted to let him know that I really had no gripes. I really don’t dislike him. He did wonders for me during the holdout.

“A lot of people don’t know, when we were at a stalemate in conversation in the holdout, Coach Linehan is the person that really broke the ice. And I wanted to personally thank him and just let him know that I wish him the best in whatever he does.” [READ]

Roy Williams and Tony Romo stayed late after Wednesday's practice to improve their on-field chemistry.

"We worked extra after practice yesterday and we're going to do the same thing today," Williams said. "That'll be our trend for the rest of the year until that light switches over." [READ]

Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner denied on Thursday that George Kokinis had been fired and said he hoped to find a veteran NFL general manager-type like Ernie Accorsi or Mike Holmgren to help shape the organization and help embattled coach Eric Mangini.

"George is no longer active within our organization, but at this time has not been fired,'' Lerner said in a telephone interview.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/peter_king/11/05/browns/index.html?eref=writers#ixzz0W2ZBcJUF
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[READ]

Rookie quarterback Stephen McGee has been running the Wildcat plays for Dallas in practice this week and he has a history of using his legs. He ran for 1,750 yards in four years with Texas A&M.

"And he wears No. 7," coach Wade Phillips said of McGee. "We haven't gotten him to throw it left-handed yet."

Vick was in on only one Wildcat play last week vs. the New York Giants, picking up a first down on a run. The Eagles haven't actually used Vick that much this year.

"You do work on those things proportionally," Phillips said. "They've done done a lot of it but we've worked on it. But when they're going like they're going with McNabb, I think they're going to stick with that as much as they can." [READ]

Last Week: 9-4, pushing the season forecast to 83-33.

November is here, which means it’s time for the half-season awards!

Offensive MVP: Drew Brees over Peyton Manning

Defensive MVP: Elvis Dumervil over Darren Sharper

Offensive Rookie: Hakeem Nicks edges Percy Harvin and Mark Sanchez

Defensive Rookie: Jairus Byrd leads a very impressive, deep class

Coach: Marvin Lewis over Brad Childress and Jim Caldwell

Most Improved Player: Antwan Odom, sadly done for the year

Comeback: Will Smith, where have you been?

It’s also a good time to modify the playoff forecast. The updated predictions:

AFC: Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, New England, Denver win divisions; Cincinnati and San Diego get Wild Cards. AFC Championship: Colts over Chargers.

NFC: New Orleans, Minnesota, Arizona, Philadelphia win divisions; Green Bay and Dallas get Wild Cards. NFC Championship: Vikings over Saints.

Super Bowl: Vikings 31, Colts 27. Yes folks, I am drinking the Favre-Aid!

Games of the Week (I couldn’t decide!)

Dallas (8) at Philadelphia (7): The Cowboys are quietly playing some pretty good football. That silence got broken a little this week with talk of a schism between Tony Romo and Roy Williams, but I actually think a shot of adversity might be a good thing for their offense. They have been predictable at times, a very bad thing against an Eagles defense that thrives on varying the schemes based on offensive sets. Dallas desperately wants atonement for the disaster in Philly that ended their 2008 season, and with the NFC East lead on the line here the pressure will be intense. That’s just not a good thing for Tony Romo, who has wilted too many times under the heat lamps. The Cowboys can certainly win this game, but I need to see them put it all together in a big game once before I believe they will win a game like this. Philadelphia 28, Dallas 24, though note that my wife--who rarely misses on her picks--thinks the Eagles will miss Brian Westbrook too much and the Cowboys will win.

Pittsburgh (6) at Denver (5): It’s a real bad week for Denver RT Ryan Harris to miss, facing a rested Steelers defense that thrives on complex blitzes and overload schemes. One major factor in Denver’s surprising start is their incredible run of health for their starters; Harris will be the first offensive starter to miss a game all year. The other main reason I favor the Steelers in this one is the lousy Denver special teams. Pittsburgh has some major issues with their own special teams, but bye weeks have a funny way of rectifying cover team problems. I see this game coming down to which offense can make a big play late to either seize the win or seal the victory. No offense to Kyle Orton, whom I consistently defend, but I’ll take Big Ben and his Steelers. Pittsburgh 20, Denver 17.

Best of the Rest

Houston (10) at Indianapolis (2): This is a great litmus test for the Texans, and they are acutely aware of it. If they want to be taken seriously in the AFC South and establish themselves as legit contenders in the AFC, they have to knock off the Colts, something they’ve done just once in franchise history. This is far and away the best defense Houston has ever brought into this series, which gives them a puncher’s chance. I would lean more towards the upset if not for Indy’s wake-up call last week at the hands of the 49ers. Some see their narrow victory over a mediocre opponent as a sign of weakness and vulnerability, but I have a feeling that Peyton Manning & Co. are going to see it as a reason to fine-tune and refocus. Houston reminds me of the little brother that hits a growth spurt and thinks they can finally take big brother to the hole, but finds big brother has more game than he’s shown in prior contests too. Colts 29, Texans 21.

Baltimore (11) at Cincinnati (9): Playoff implications abound in this AFC North grudge match. Cincy won the first meeting on a TD pass with under 30 seconds on the clock, culminating a drive that Ravens fans will tell you got a whole lot of iffy help from some iffy calls by the zebras. I always worry about pass-heavy offenses coming off byes, as the precision might be off just a tad. These Bengals are far more than the pass-heavy teams earlier this decade, but at heart they’re still going to beat you with Carson Palmer throwing. Baltimore dominated and beat up the unbeaten Broncos last weekend, so they’ll be brimming with both vigor and vinegar. That should get keep them alive in the jungle. Ravens 23, Bengals 17.

San Diego (13) at New York Giants (14): These teams appear headed in opposite directions, but this game reminds me of those radio ads touting investments that always run the disclaimer, “past results do not guarantee future trends”. The Giants have stumbled against multi-faceted, balanced, playoff-caliber teams. San Diego has feasted upon bottom-feeders, if you can consider an 8-point home win over the lowly Raiders as “feasting”. Both run defenses are struggling, but the Giants have the much stronger rushing attack, especially at home. Hard to fathom that the San Diego Chargers rank dead last in the league in rushing efficiency and yards per game. That’s not all on Ladanian Tomlinson and his diminished skills either. One-dimensional offenses ease the burden on the beleaguered Giants back 7. I also sense Eli Manning is due for a strong game. Giants win a 36-30 shootout.

Miami (19) at New England (4): Miami busted out the Wildcat last year in New England, confusing the Patriots and launching a horribly overrated fad. The thing that everyone forgets is the next meeting between the two teams. New England racked up over 500 yards and 30 first downs en route to a commanding 48-28 spanking. The Miami secondary is improved from then, but so too is the New England offense. I give Tony Sparano a great deal of credit for maximizing the output of his Dolphins players, but the bottom line is that New England controls its own fate here. If the Patriots bring their “A” game, maybe even their “B+” game, they’ll win. Belichick teams have a habit of coming out strong off their bye week; they haven’t lost after an open week since 2002, and have given up just 3 opposing offensive TDs in the 6 games since then. Miami got outplayed by the Jets but won thanks to special teams magic, but that lightning just isn’t going to strike again so soon. New England 34, Miami 16.

Arizona (12) at Chicago (17): “They are who we thought they were” happened the last time these two met. That’s funny because these teams have yet to really establish a clear identity this season. Arizona has bombarded the Giants and Texans but laid eggs against the Niners and Panthers. Chicago has flashed playoff potential in beating the Steelers, but looked like a bottom-feeder against the Bengals. In short, we don’t really know what to think of either team. Read that as, “Mr. Risdon has no freaking clue who to pick.” The bookies don’t either; Chicago is a 3-point favorite at home, and home teams give 3 points at home as a rule. Bet at your own peril. Bears win 28-27.

Upset Of the Week

Tennessee (27) at San Francisco (18): This is a real dangerous game for the 49ers, who are still very much in the NFC West race despite being 3-4. They will be without both starting offensive tackles, further weakening the weakest part of their relatively weak offense. Tennessee finally got the mojo working, and despite their 1-6 record they remain capable of going on a real hot streak. This game was framed the “Redemption Bowl” by one of the RealGM message board faithful, pitting heretofore el busto QBs Alex Smith and Vince Young against one another. Both have played visibly better recently, but I like Vince Young’s supporting cast (read: Chris Johnson) better. Tennessee keeps their momentum and snares a 27-14 road win.

The Rest

Carolina (22) at New Orleans (1): Before you write this game off as a mismatch, two things to keep in mind. First, the Carolina Panthers currently sport the league’s top pass defense, which was on full-tilt display in their impressive shutdown of Kurt Warner & Co. last week. Secondly, Carolina has covered the point spread in their visit to division rival New Orleans every year but 2, including 3 straight-up wins as at least 6 point underdogs. The line here is 14.5, an awful lot of points to give away to a team that can play defense and run the ball the way Carolina does. Of course the way the Saints defense keeps forcing turnovers, Jake Delhomme could have yet another wretched day and all that won’t matter. I smell a closer game than most expect, lower scoring too. New Orleans salts away the NFC South with a 26-20 win.

Washington (26) at Atlanta (15): In my forecasts this year, Atlanta is the only team I have correctly predicted every week. What that tells me is that they beat the teams they are supposed to, but can’t quite pull the upsets. Washington is a team they are supposed to beat...and they will. Soundly. Atlanta 27, Washington 13.

Kansas City (28) at Jacksonville (21): The Jaguars lost last week to previously winless Tennessee, and now they draw the lowly Chiefs, also coming off a bye like the Titans did. Jacksonville is a tough team to read, wildly erratic and inconsistent in all phases of the game. They should have little trouble running the ball, as the Chiefs rank near the bottom in all rushing defense metrics. Jacksonville should control the clock and field position, as the Chiefs rank last in 3rd down conversion and 29th in average starting field position. Also in JAX’s favor: the Chiefs almost never win coming off a bye week, having lost five of their last seven--including four in a row on the road. That’s all well and good, but it all goes out the window if the Jaguars team that got slaughtered by Seattle or the one that couldn’t tackle last week shows up. I’m betting there is enough testicular fortitude in Jacksonville to keep that from happening. Jacksonville 31, Kansas City 20.

Green Bay (16) at Tampa Bay (32): The winless, punchless Bucs are precisely what the doctor ordered for Green Bay and their Favre hangover. Great week to use the Packers in survivor fantasy football games. Green Bay 33, Tampa Bay 10.

Detroit (30) at Seattle (23): Last Sunday, the Lions reverted back to “same old” form, getting outcoached and out-hustled by the winless-no-more Rams. Ford Field was so quiet you could actually hear the coaches yelling out pre-snap adjustments from the sidelines. That’s something that won’t happen in Seattle, where the local faithful continue to vociferously support their Seahawks, even though it’s another disappointing season there too. Scary stat of the week: Detroit has won exactly one road game in the month of November since 1998, a 31-21 upset of the Giants in 2000 led by Charlie Batch and Desmond Howard, aided by four Giants turnovers and two Giants TDs wiped out by penalties. The Lions will need that sort of help to win this one, and you simply cannot forecast that many Seattle flubs. Seahawks cruise 33-13.

Byes: Minnesota (3), Cleveland (31), Buffalo (24), Oakland (25), St. Louis (29), New York Jets (20)

Drinking in the Dorm Room Games

Last week: 4-1, taking the season ledger to 30-15.

Penn State 20, Ohio State 9. Sorry to all my Buckeye faithful friends, but Tressel ball isn’t going to get it done against this Nittany Lions defense.

Arkansas 27, South Carolina 25. Smelling the upset.

Alabama 24, LSU 20. My friend Bo is a Tide grad but a Baton Rouge native. I pity his fingernails watching this one.

Kansas 30, Kansas State 28. Not the sexiest of games, but of great interest to my Great Uncle Ralph Seibel, who in his mid-80s still knows his football better than some guys doing pre-game shows on major networks.

Richmond 31, Villanova 23. Biggest game of the year in the FCS, could very well be a championship game preview. Go Spiders!

Jeff.Risdon@RealGM.com

[READ]

The Bears were rumored to be pursuing several big name receivers this past offseason, but Anquan Boldin was the player they genuinely coveted.

He will be visiting Chicago, still as a member of the Cardinals this weekend and the Bears' young receivers have performed better than expected.

"Each one of us feels like we belong and that's how we play," said Earl Bennett, the second-year man who didn't make a catch as a rookie. "We play with confidence." [READ]