Around The NFL: Good News And Bad News
By Danny Cox
The Green Bay Packers are starting to get desperate, and they're hoping that this week will finally bring them some good news. The Pittsburgh Steelers just got dealt a big blow of bad news, and it may not be over for them. either. As for the fans in London? Their news is pretty good and they'll experience something they never have before.
Aaron Rodgers to step on the field and practice with the Packers this week
Matt Flynn has been taking the starting reps for the Green Bay Packers and he probably will do so for most of this week, but he still may not play against the Atlanta Falcons this weekend. The Falcons realize that too, and that's why coach Mike Smith is preparing his team to face off with Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers attempted to practice without limitations on Wednesday, but he couldn't. The team hopes that he will be able to do so by Friday. His broken left collarbone did not show enough progress on Tuesday for him to be cleared for game action by team doctors.
It will be very difficult for Rodgers to be cleared by the end of the week, but the Packers are hoping he will be, and the Falcons are hoping he won't.
Mike Tomlin gets huge fine for interfering, but the punishments for the Steelers may not be done yet
The wallet of Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is a lot lighter now that the NFL fined him $100,000 for his interference with a Jacoby Jones kickoff return in a game with the Baltimore Ravens a couple of weeks ago.
"As I stated yesterday, I take full responsibility for my actions, and I apologize for causing negative attention to the Pittsburgh Steelers organization," Tomlin said in a statement. "I accept the penalty that I received. I will no longer address this issue as I am preparing for an important game this Sunday against the Miami Dolphins."
That fine is huge, but the punishments may not be over just yet. The NFL is still looking at possibly a forfeiture of draft picks by the team in 2014. This is due to Tomlin's interference actually affecting a play on the field.
London will get its first ever NFL day game in 2014
Fans in London will get their first ever NFL day game next season when the Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions will face off against each other during the day on Oct. 26, 2013. The game will take place at Wembley Stadium and start at 1:30 p.m. local time, and that means it will begin at 9:30 a.m. ET in the United States.
The NFL has said that this change will make it much easier for audiences around the world to watch the game. This is great news for fans in the U.S., as it actually gives them a fourth window to watch a game on that day.
Both of the other two London games next season will begin at 6 p.m. local time.
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.
