NFL Notebook: Quinn next up for Chiefs on QB merry-go-round
BY Associated Press
Thursday, November 22, 2012
11/22/12 at 6:57 AM
Brady Quinn is getting another shot on the Kansas City Chiefs' quarterback merry-go-round.
Coach Romeo Crennel announced Wednesday that Quinn will start Sunday's game against Denver, regaining the job he lost when he sustained a concussion against Oakland.
Quinn was cleared to play last week against Cincinnati and came on at halftime for ineffective Matt Cassel, who started the season before sustaining his own concussion against Baltimore.
"I like his leadership qualities and he's had experience with a couple of different teams and he's seen a couple of different things," Crennel said of his former first-round pick, who has yet to truly break through as an NFL starter. "I think that will bode well for him."
Quinn started against Tampa Bay because Cassel hadn't been cleared following his concussion on Oct. 7. After the bye week, Crennel announced that he was sticking with Quinn, even though Cassel was ready to go, because he wanted to shake up what had been a struggling team.
He never got a chance to see whether it worked. Quinn sustained a concussion against the Raiders in the first quarter the following week, and later admitted that he tried to keep playing despite having "tunnel vision."
Rams' turnover slump at five games: An errant pass bounced off hands of the New York Jets' Joe McKnight on the sideline, tantalizingly soaring just out of the reach of St. Louis Rams safety Quintin Mikell and an easy touchdown return.
In the opening series of last week's loss, Mikell stripped Mark Sanchez, and the ball bounced right back into the quarterback's hands.
Those are just two of the latest frustrations for St. Louis, which hasn't forced a turnover the last five games - tied for the NFL's worst since 1950. Given turnovers are such momentum changers, it should come as no surprise that the Rams (3-6-1) are 0-4-1 during that stretch.
In the last 62 years, only the Rams, the 2011 Indianapolis Colts and 2006 Washington Redskins have gone five games without a takeaway. They will try to end the slump on Sunday at Arizona, which lost a fumble in Week 5 for the Rams' last turnover.
Tagliabue expects to rule on bounties by December: Former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue plans to complete all hearings in the NFL's bounty probe of the Saints by Dec. 4 and make a ruling shortly after.
Such timing potentially could be disruptive for the Saints, who could lose starting defensive end Will Smith and linebacker Jonathan Vilma while trying to claw back into playoff contention.
In a document obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press, Tagliabue directs the NFL to produce key witnesses in the New Orleans Saints' cash-for-hits program, including former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and former defensive assistant Mike Cerullo.
Four players initially were suspended, but those punishments were vacated. Commissioner Roger Goodell re-issued the suspensions with some modifications, and when the players appealed again, Goodell appointed Tagliabue to oversee the new hearings. Vilma and Smith are still playing pending the outcomes of their appeals.
Cardinals to go with rookie at QB vs. Rams: Rookie quarterback Ryan Lindley will get his chance to revive the dormant Arizona offense, making his first NFL start when the Cardinals are home against St. Louis on Sunday.
Coach Ken Whisenhunt announced his decision to go with the sixth-round draft pick from San Diego State after practice Wednesday.
John Skelton, benched in favor of Lindley early in last Sunday's 23-19 loss at Atlanta, said he is "frustrated" with the situation.
Jaguars place QB Gabbert on IR: Blaine Gabbert's season came to an abrupt end Wednesday, two days after his tenure as a starting quarterback did the same.
The Jacksonville Jaguars placed Gabbert on injured reserve because of a significant forearm injury. Gabbert may have been able to return this season, but since he needs surgery to repair a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder, the Jaguars (1-9) figured it was best to get the procedure done and get his recovery started.
