NFL Notebook: Chiefs waiting to hit bottom
BY Associated Press
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
11/20/12 at 3:02 AM
Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel laid out for his team Monday exactly what it will take to end its seven-game losing streak, then questioned whether the solution is even possible.
"We know we have to fight. We have to do everything in our power to be the best we can be, to be perfect," he said during a break in meetings. "That's what I told them, we have to be perfect because that's the only way we have a chance."
Later, Crennel admitted, "Nobody is ever perfect, you know."
That doesn't bode well for a team trying to reach mediocrity, much less perfection. The Chiefs' 28-6 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday dropped them to 1-9 on the season, their lone victory requiring a franchise-record 18-point comeback at New Orleans.
They have been ravaged by injuries, lead the league in turnovers, can't settle on a quarterback and are now dealing with a full-fledged fan rebellion, which has resulted in people dressed in black occupying the seats at Arrowhead Stadium, and fliers calling for the general manager's job.
Source says Steelers QB Leftwich has rib injury: Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Byron Leftwich injured his ribs in Sunday night's loss to Baltimore and will not start next week against the Cleveland Browns.
A person familiar with the injury told The Associated Press that Leftwich was hurt during the first quarter of the 13-10 loss to the Ravens. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team had not officially commented on Leftwich's status.
Leftwich finished the game, completing 18-of-39 passes for 201 yards and an interception. He was sacked three times.
Lions will bench WR Young: The Detroit Lions are benching wide receiver Titus Young this week after what coach Jim Schwartz called "unacceptable" behavior during Sunday's loss to Green Bay.
Schwartz did not characterize the move as a suspension, but he said Young was sent home from the team's practice facility Monday and will be inactive for Detroit's game against Houston on Thanksgiving. The coach did not say what Young specifically did wrong.
Ravens S Reed suspended for 1 game: Baltimore Ravens star safety Ed Reed was suspended for one game by the NFL on Monday for repeated hits to the head and neck area of defenseless players.
The 11-year veteran will miss Sunday's game against San Diego.
Reed is suspended for three violations of the player safety rules in the past three seasons. The latest came in Sunday night's 13-10 victory over Pittsburgh when he was penalized for unnecessary roughness in the third quarter for a hit to the head of receiver Emmanuel Sanders.
Broncos' McGahee diagnosed with torn knee ligament: Broncos running back Willis McGahee tore a ligament in his right knee and is expected to miss the rest of the regular season.
An MRI conducted Monday showed a "nonsurgical" tear, said coach John Fox. He said there was no immediate plan to put the 10-year veteran on injured reserve.
