Around The NFL: Raiders Game Pushed Back, Pats Lose Wilfork, Rex Ryan Supports Geno Smith
By Danny Cox
Early season football doesn't really have a lot of authority when it comes to playoff baseball, and that especially holds true for a couple of teams that aren't considered contenders. The Patriots lost a "big"-time player and Rex Ryan has put his confidence in yet another quarterback.
Raiders game pushed to almost midnight ET thanks to the Oakland A's
The San Diego Chargers will be taking a short trip to Oakland to play the Raiders on Sunday, but they won't be getting home early. A Saturday playoff baseball game for the Oakland A's has actually pushed the kickoff time for the Raiders and Chargers to almost midnight eastern time on Sunday.
Kickoff was originally schedule for 4:25 p.m. ET but has now been pushed to 11:35 p.m. ET. The game has also been switched from CBS to the NFL Network.
The first pitch of Game 2 between the A's and Detroit Tigers will be Saturday at 9:07 p.m. ET. After the game, field crews will need to transform the baseball diamond into the football field, bring in additional stands, and pass a safety inspection.
Patriots lose Vince Wilfork for the season with a torn Achilles
A huge part of New England's defensive line has to take a seat for the remainder of the season. Defensive tackle Vince Wilfork has a torn right Achilles tendon that he suffered in the Patriots 30-23 victory over the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday.
Wilfork underwent tests early on Monday, but coach Bill Belichick confirmed the worst later in the day.
"It doesn't look too good for Vince," Belichick said during his weekly interview on Boston sports radio station WEEI. "I think he's got a pretty serious injury, and it's probably unlikely that he'll be able to play again this year."
The injury happened in the first quarter of Sunday's game and he ended up limping off the field. Wilfork was soon taken to the locker room on a cart, and he did not return to the game.
Rex Ryan puts his confidence in Geno Smith as starting QB for the Jets
New York Jets coach Rex Ryan had once put his confidence and trust in Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow, but that didn't work out all too well. Now, struggling rookie quarterback Geno Smith is getting the same boost from Ryan even though times seem hard in New York.
On Sunday, Smith committed a season-high four turnovers as the Jets got demolished by the Tennessee Titans, 38-13. He threw two interceptions and fumbled the ball twice which were both lost.
Ryan said that you "can't buy experience" and believes that Smith can still lead the team. He wants to make sure that Smith thinks about what he is doing more and realizes that "you have to protect the ball."
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.
