5 To Follow For 10-22-2006 - NFL News, Tips And Picks

5 To Follow For 10-22-2006
By Tim Sullivan
Posted: 5:00 am PDT 2006-10-22

Here are the NFL's top five newsmakers and storylines this week:

1. DENNIS GREEN: You had a feeling this was coming. The crisis-stricken Cardinals coach exploded in a post-game press conference Monday night following the 24-23 collapse to the Bears at home. Then, a more calm and collected Green fired his offensive coordinator, Keith Rowen, on Tuesday.

"I've known Keith for a long time," Green said. "I have the utmost respect for him. We are not scoring enough points."

Quarterbacks coach Mike Kruczek was promoted and is now in charge of a dynamically talented offense that just isn't getting it done. Kruczek does have some turnaround-type experience, although not at this level. As a head coach, he -- along with quarterback Daunte Culpepper -- helped put the University of Central Florida program on the map in the late 1990s.

"I think Mike is a very demanding taskmaster," Green said. "He's old school all the way, and I think that's what we're going to need right now."

2. BRIAN BILLICK: Unsatisfied with the Ravens' offensive output, Billick made a difficult move of his own Monday, firing offensive coordinator and close friend Jim Fassel. The two faced each other in Super Bowl XXXV, when Billick's Ravens defeated Fassel's Giants in Tampa. Then, Billick hired Fassel after he was fired by New York and put him in charge of an underwhelming offense.

Well, even with Pro Bowl quarterback Steve McNair at the helm, the unit is still struggling.

"Clearly, in order for us to expand on our 4-2 start, we have to have more offensive productivity," Billick said. "It was my opinion going forward, in order to bring about the level of production that we need offensively, to get where we want to go, that I needed to step back in on a day-to-day basis."

So Billick is the new coordinator, and he has some time to reacquaint himself with things. Baltimore is off this week and will face the Saints on Oct. 29 in New Orleans.

3. TIKI BARBER: From anyone else, you'd never know if it's true. It could just be a front. But the Giants' all-everything running back is incredibly honest with all media. So, when he brought up his intention to retire at season's end Wednesday, it made obvious headlines.

Barber -- who along with the Giants will take on the Cowboys on Monday night in Dallas -- is leading the NFL in rushing with 533 yards. He's only 31, and he's on a quality team.

"I kind of want to go out on my own terms," he said.

The jury's still out on this story. He may well walk away, especially if the Giants make a run at the Super Bowl. He has a future in television and is already one of the more marketable faces in New York. But, he could change his mind.

4. MICHAEL VICK: The embattled Falcons quarterback took a beating Sunday in a 27-14 loss to the Giants at home and missed practice time this week with a sore right shoulder.

The injury couldn't have come at a worse time, as Atlanta's hot start has now fizzled to 3-2 and the Super Bowl champion Steelers will be in town Sunday. Pittsburgh is -2.5 on WagerWeb.com.

"I'll be ready to play, no doubt," Vick said. "I'm confident I?ll be ready to play."

They'll need him. The Steelers are fighting some inconsistency themselves and need to win their first road game sooner or later.

5. SHAUN ROGERS: The Lions' defensive tackle was suspended Wednesday for violation of the NFL's rules on banned substances. It appears Rogers tested positive for steroids, although some reports said what he took was over-the-counter stuff.

He will be able to return on Thanksgiving Day, when the Lions play host to the Dolphins. But it's clearly another problem in a season full of them in Detroit. Rogers had three sacks and 20 tackles and will be sorely missed.

"It's an impact on us," Coach Rod Marinelli said.

We'll see if the Jets can take advantage Sunday at the Meadowlands. New York is -3.5 on WagerWeb.com.

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