Around The NFL: 49er Changing Name, Matt Flynn Demoted, Texan Fans Burning Schaub Jerseys
By Danny Cox
Remember when Chad Johnson changed his last name to Ochocinco? Yeah, that didn't seem like too good an idea, but one San Francisco 49er is looking to change his name to something much cooler. Oh, and Matt Flynn still can't keep a job and Texan fans don't want Matt Schaub to keep his.
49ers safety Donte Whitner says he's changing his last name to "Hitner"
Donte Whitner made a hit during last Thursday's game with the St. Louis Rams and he was fined $21,000 for it by the league. Due to that hefty little fine, Whitner has said that he is officially changing his last name a little bit by dropping the "W" off of it.
"I actually put the paperwork in yesterday afternoon. Just waiting to get the paperwork out," Whitner said in a conference call with the Houston media. "So from here on out until I retire, my name will be Donte Hitner, without the W."
Whitner would like to have his name changed and have it on his jersey by Sunday, but he knows that isn't feasible. He also knows it won't be cheap. The NFL stipulates that if a player changes his name during an NFL season, he is required to purchase all of the remaining inventory that still has his old name on it.
Matt Flynn dropped to third string after horrible outing versus Redskins
Terrelle Pryor has been given a clean bill of health after suffering a concussion a couple of weeks ago, and he will start for the Oakland Raiders this weekend against the San Diego Chargers. Matt Flynn, on the other hand, just dropped two spots on the depth chart.
Pryor sat out last weekend's loss to the Redskins and Matt Flynn – and his $6.5 million contract – started in his place. Flynn was also sacked seven times, fumbled twice, and threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown.
With that kind of outing, Pryor got his job back and undrafted rookie Matt McGloin moved up into the backup position.
Houston Texans plead with fans to stop burning Matt Schaub jerseys
Matt Schaub made the worst throw of his career this past weekend, and the fans aren't going to let him forget it either. A video went viral on YouTube that showed a bunch of fans setting their Houston #8 jerseys on fire in the stadium parking lot after the team lost to the Seattle Seahawks.
The team is said to be making a big effort to "do a better job of monitoring the people who tailgate" because of recent actions. Jersey fires are a direct violation of the stadium's open flame policy.
Schaub has thrown three pick sixes in the last three games and it has led the Texans to two straight losses. Jersey burning may not be the worst of it if the Texans lost this Sunday night to the 49ers.
For more NFL news and updates, visit NFL Central.
Danny Cox knows a little something about the NFL, whether it means letting you know what penalty will come from the flag just thrown on the field or quickly spouting off who the Chicago Bears drafted in the first round of the 1987 draft (Jim Harbaugh). He plans on bringing you the best news, previews, recaps, and anything else that may come along with the exciting world of the National Football League. Danny is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
