(Photo: ESPN.com)

In an unprecedented disciplinary move, the NFL has suspended Steelers’ LB James Harrison for one game following his helmet-to-helmet hit on Browns QB Colt Mcoy last Thursday (VIDEO HERE).  It was Harrison’s fifth illegal hit against a QB in the past three seasons, which qualifies Harrison as a “repeat offender” and therefore made him subject to suspension.

From the league’s official statement:

Harrison was penalized for roughing the passer in last Thursday night’s Steelers-Browns game for an illegal helmet-to-helmet hit against a defenseless quarterback, Cleveland’s COLT MC COY. In addition to four fines for illegal hits against quarterbacks in 2009 and 2010, Harrison also was fined twice for unnecessary roughness during that period. Harrison totaled six fines in that two-year period.

The 2011 League Policies for Players manual states: “Players who were fined for violations in 2009 or 2010, and whose fines were either partially or fully upheld, will be considered second and/or repeat offenders under this policy.”

Prior to now, the league had only levied fined against players for such behavior, but Harrison has been the poster child for the league’s new policy against helmet-to-helmet hits for years now. Despite the fact that Harrison plans to appeal, there really is no defense for the way he lowered the crown of his helmet directly into McCoy’s facemask the way he did on this play. Roger Goodell had finally seen enough, and decided to drop the hammer.

Whether or not you agree with the legue’s crackdown on vicious hits, this is the NFL today … like it or not. And after years of fines and warnings, it’s clear that Harrison still just doesn’t get it. Maybe missing some actual game time will get through to him.

BONUS GIF OF THE HIT AFTER THE JUMP

(Image via mocksession.com)

(Image via mocksession.com)

[VIDEO HERE]

Check out the extra leg kick for emphasis while Simpson is in the air, as though he had been shot in the chest with a cannon. And the worst part is, he actually drew a penalty against Fujita with this performance!!!

I mean, it’s a pretty decent Manu Ginobli impression, but let’s pray that the NFL doesn’t start going the way of the NBA and international soccer, with players taking dives like this at every chance the get in an effort to draw flags. It’s football, gentlemen. Let’s act like it.

Cushing MAAAAAD!!! (Photo: Imgur.com)

Texans LB Brian Cushing has a reputation as a bit of a loose cannon on the field, and this mic’d up segment from NFL Films’ Sound FX gives us a bit more insight as to exactly why he’s earned that rep. Watch as Cushing offers to step in at QB, admires his guns on the big screen, does pushups on the sideline to keep warm, says he “likes his odds” going 11-on-1 against the Browns offense, and discusses poetry with Arian Foster.

But the wildest moment comes when Cushing removes his helmet during an altercations with a Browns lineman, then delivers a headbutt, splitting Cushing’s forehead wide open (see banner pic). Afterwards, Cushing had to say “I’ll just keep my helmet on from now on”. Probably a smart move, Brian.

VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP

The Autumn wind is a Raider (Photo: TDH)

The gameday program honors the Raiders fallen owner (Photo: TDH)

The afternoon served as a tribute to Davis, with many former Raider greats - Like Rich Gannon and Bo Jackson here - returning to pay tribute (Photo: TDH)

The Browns prepare for slaughter in a sea of black (Photo: TDH)

Aaah, the Raiderettes ... (Photo: TDH)

Hats off to you, AL! (Photo: TDH)

Shortly after this photo was taken, TDH was harassed by a gang of elementary school Raider Nation toughs for daring to wear an Eric Metcalf jersey into Oakland Coliseum.** During the incident, his cell phone/camera was dunked in a big gulp of Dr. Pepper***, thereby ending his photographic endeavors for the afternoon.

** – Dramatization. May not have actually happened.
*** – This either.

(Photo: NYDailyNews.com)

Two days after Giants S Deon Grant was caught diving to the turf in an effort to stop the clock and slow the Rams no-huddle offense, the NFL issued a warning that players, coaches & teams caught faking injuries to disrupt the flow of the game could be punished with fines, suspensions and/or loss of draft picks. Although referees are powerless to penalize players suspected of feigning injury during the game itself, the league sent a memo to all 32 teams saying they would be reviewing questionable plays and handing out disciplinary action where appropriate for “conduct detrimental to the game”.

But several players have indicated that feigning injuries has long been a strategic part of the game, and is something that is even coached in certain circles:

“I’ve been places where it has been (taught),” said Browns linebacker Scott Fujita, a member of the players’ union executive committee. “They have a name for it and I’ve been places where it’s been pre-called. I’ve been places where it’s one player who has been designated. Maybe I’m getting everyone in trouble, but I’m just being honest.”

“It’s always been in the game,” Ravens All-Pro safety Ed Reed said. “It’s all tactical stuff you need to use. Whatever it takes. … If you’re tired, you’re tired. You get a break however you can.”

Added 49ers running back Frank Gore: “Hey, I feel if it helps, do it. I’m bound to do it. Whatever it takes to win …”

Obviously, we don’t want to see football go down the road of constant flopping that has taken over the NBA and international soccer, but it’s not like this has become an overwhelming problem in the sport (yet, at least). Plus, Goodell is going to have a tough time enforcing this rule, when its nearly impossible to say definitively whether or not a player was hurting, cramped, got a stinger, or whatever … unless they’re a particularly bad actor (like Grant).

Grant maintains that he banged his knee on the previous play, and went down when he realized he wouldn’t be able to get off the field in time, but nobody’s buying that. Grant is a savvy veteran, and he wasn’t the only Giant to fall to the ground on the play. And the injury time out might have saved the game for the Giants, who were able to catch their breath and force a field goal on the drive. So regardless of any potential punishment, the Giants would probably say it was worth it.

Redskins coach Mike Shanahan didn’t go so far as to say he’s coached the tactic himself, but he didn’t deny it either, adding ”It happens all the time, and warnings will come out … and it’s happened again.”

Sunday confirmed Indy's worst fears. (Source: NBCSports.com)

Week 1 in the NFL is a lock to produce its share of over-the-top, knee-jerk reactions. Half the league’s fan base wakes up Monday morning feeling great about themselves — and life. The other half are looking around the house for sharp objects. The meaningless preseason has given way to real games, and losses can’t be shrugged off — for some teams, Sunday was a reality check. Here’s a look at yesterday’s biggest losers:

5t. Cleveland (27-17 to Cincinnati): Extremely disappointing for the Browns. Cleveland has won only ONE opener since 1999, despite hosting every one of those games. With their new pass-oriented attack run by Colt McCoy, the Browns looked poised to take a step up in the AFC North — instead, they’re 0-1 after dropping a stinker to Cincy, who many considered worst team in football.

5t. New York Giants (28-14 to Washington): Every other team in this division gets massive media hype, but Washington could end up surprising. They’re immediately dismissed because Rex Grossman‘s at quarterback, but the Shanahans love this kid, and he performed yesterday. For the (heavily banged-up) Giants, a loss that raises more questions about Eli Manning, but not earth-shattering. They played even in the first half and, more importantly, this is a team that does not give up.

4. Kansas City (41-7 to Buffalo): A nightmare opener for the Chiefs, who were as lifeless as they appeared during a tumultuous preseason. Last year’s 10-6 team looked hundreds of miles away.

3. Dallas (27-24 to New York Jets): The Cowboys ended this one in embarrassing fashion, but it was the loss of their starting three corners for most of the second half that allowed Mark Sanchez to find his receivers (including the tedious Plaxico Burress) and climb back in. It’s a bitter defeat for Dallas, but they looked fantastic defensively early on, and there’s reason for hope here. Jason Garrett is putting together a team that could (or should, at least) defeat anyone else on this list.

2. Pittsburgh (35-7 to Baltimore): Are the Steelers in trouble? Not yet. The team has climbed out of bigger holes than this. The team is aging, yes, but they are among the best-coached squads in the game. The Ravens wanted this one more — and it showed.

1. Indianapolis (34-7 to Houston): Nobody picked Indy to go anywhere without Peyton Manning, but Sunday’s trainwreck was clear confirmation that the Colts are in jeopardy without their all-everything quarterback. Granted, it’s going to take Kerry Collins time to learn the offense, but there was very little, if anything, to be hopeful about in this one.

Hillis became the face of the Browns -- and Madden -- after last season. (EA Sports)

Madden NFL 12 doesn’t go on sale until Tuesday, but cover boy Peyton Hillis did his Browns teammates and coaches as solid Monday by handing out advance copies of the game.

“With the guys, I brought them a few copies yesterday and they’re excited about that,” Hillis told the Plain Dealer. “To bring a smile to their face and see them excited about something is really nice. I like to hear the guys joke around about it. I can take a lot of heat.”

Last year, it was tacklers who took the heat, as Hillis blasted his way onto the scene with 1,177 rushing yards and 11  touchdowns, with another 477 yards and two scores through the air.

Is Hillis caught up in the fanfair?

“No, because we’re in the middle of football now and the regular season is in a couple of weeks,” Hillis said. “I’m more focused on that right now instead of the game.”

Hillis, who has downplayed winning the cover contest from the start, remains thankful to the fans who voted him past the likes of Aaron Rodgers and Michael Vick.

“It’s exciting,” he said. “I’ve been very blessed. I’m kind of speechless at times. You never can lose focus. You can’t stay humble enough. You just have to go out there and do what you can. I’m grateful for the opportunity I had, but it’s time to move on and get focused on more important things.”

Coach Pat Shurmur, logging sleepless nights trying to get his West Coast offense installed, admitted he doesn’t have much time to toy around with Madden.

“I’ve actually never played the game,” said Shurmur. “My son, I would consider him somewhat of an expert. … I think (Kyle is) interested to see what I look like in the game, too. But, yeah, I have a copy. It was nice of (Hillis).”

NFA founder Daniel Wolf was shipped an advance copy and spent a weekend playing Madden NFL 12 before its release. Check out his detailed game review, in which he scored it a “B.”

The Browns hope Massaquoi is ready to roll West Coast-style.

The Cleveland Browns are finally getting some players back.

Receiver Mohamed Massaquoi returned to practice Saturday after suffering a fractured left foot at “Camp Colt,” the workout sessions organized during the lockout by quarterback Colt McCoy.

Massaquoi told the Plain Dealer he wasn’t certain when the injury occurred during the practices in Austin, Texas.

“I have no clue where it came from or when it happened,” said Massaquoi. “It was just one of those things where it flared up and we dealt with it. And now hopefully that’s the end of it.”

With Cleveland’s opener against the Bengals less than two weeks away, an injury-gripped preseason has forced coach Pat Shurmur to make roster decisions without seeing his full squad in action.

He’s not about to make Browns fans forget about this guy, but Massaquoi appears to be a good fit in Shurmur’s West Coast offense, which McCoy has run with efficiency so far, throwing four touchdowns to one interception in three preseason tilts.

With Eric Steinbach out indefinitely and a laundry list of Browns nicked up, it’s hard to imagine how Cleveland can compete in the AFC North beyond fiddling around with the Bengals.

In what appears to be a lockout-induced scheduling tick, the Browns don’t play Pittsburgh or Baltimore until December, giving this young team — with new offensive and defensive schemes — time to mature before the big boys hit the scene.

From another angle, having to play the Steelers and Ravens four times in the course of a month is impossible to spin positively — it’s not something even the best of team’s would look forward to.

The Browns better grow up fast.

(Image via waitingfornextyear.com)

In what amounts to a total shocker, Cleveland Browns RB Peyton Hillis was chosen to grace the cover Madden ’12. This year, the cover boy of the popular EA Sports’ video game franchise was put up to a fan vote, with 32 players (one from each team) entered into a March madness-style tournament, with fans deciding who would advance.  And after five weeks and 13 million votes, the undrafted RB out of Arkansas was crowned the winner.

Hillis, a 10th seed, went through a gauntlet of higher-ranked opponents, defeating Ray Rice, Matt Ryan, Jamaal Charles and #1 seed Aaron Rodgers in a stunner to reach the finals, where he soundly defeated Eagles QB Michael Vick to win the cover with 66% of the final round votes.  The victory over Rodgers stunned everyone the most, leading many to speculate that Packers fans rallied to vote against Rodgers in fear of the dreaded “Madden Curse”.  

But regardless, Hillis – who burst onto the NFL scene last season with over 1,600 total yards and 13 TDs – clearly had his own viral support team of Browns fans, and is eager to disprove the existence of the curse:

“For people to believe in this so-called curse, I can’t wait to prove people wrong,” he said. “From what I believe and where I am in my spiritual life, it would be good to prove them wrong in that sense.”

You’ve gotta know that the folks at EA sports had something else in mind when they started this tournament. But Hillis is pretty much a prototypical “Madden Guy”, so he actually fits the brand perfectly. And at this point, Browns fans will take anything that could even be considered a positive sign for their franchise, and Hillis is the best thing they’ve got going right now.

WATCH THE VIDEO OF THE MADDEN ’12 COVER ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER THE JUMP

Colt McCoy needs a dance partner. A.J. Green will do. (Source: BCSknowhow.com)

For picks 1 through 5, go here.

Let’s continue with picks 6 through 10.

6. Cleveland Browns – A.J. Green, WR, Georgia: Cleveland’s in a terrible spot. They’re moving to the 4-3, but have nothing along the defensive line. They have a promising young quarterback in Colt McCoy — and they’re moving to the West Coast Offense — but he’s got almost nobody to throw to. They just cut NT Shaun Rogers along with a flock of grizzled defensive veterans — a fiscally sound move, but one that’s left Browns fans wondering who will take the field next season. Changing offensive and defensive philosophies during a lockout-hampered offseason in which coaches cannot communicate with players is tougher. The free-agency window possibly opening for mere weeks, if at all, is tougher. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh and Baltimore have stayed the course. This draft is critical for the Browns, forced to address needs all over the place. Pat Shurmur was brought in to groom McCoy and flip the switch on offense — and Green is the kind of sizzling wideout the team’s been missing since Braylon Edwards broke free in 2007 — and before that, since Webster Slaughter. Still, many could question the Browns passing up one of the blue-chip defensive linemen — but how do you meet two needs at once?

7. San Francisco 49ers – Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson: This is a tough one for me. In a mock with trades, I see Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers pressing for a quarterback, or possibly even trading down into a spot where they can gather picks and select Florida’s Christian Ponder late in the first. Honestly, how many more coaches can call Alex Smith their starter? That experiment needs to cease. With Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert off the board, the 49ers select Bowers, a defensive end who comes with question marks around the health of his knee, but, if ruled healthy, could serve as defensive stronghold while Harbaugh seeks a quarterback elsewhere. Moroever, there are some promising young passers to be had later in the draft, such as Washngton’s Jake Locker and Nevada’s Colin Kaepernick – not to mention the polarizing Ryan Mallett out of Arkansas.

Picks 8-10 after the jump.

8. Tennessee Titans – Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn: Yet another top 10 team that would love to bring in a young passer to groom under a new coach, in this case Mike Munchak. People say the Titans are among the franchises hurt the most by a lockout, but I disagree. I see other teams with bigger challenges than the Titans, who have bounced back from poor season before and have cleansed the house of core issues by parting with Vince Young. Kerry Collins has morphed into a Vinny Testaverde-esque veteran — perhaps he’ll play into his mid-40s, but if he goes down, the Titans can’t be comfortable with Rusty Smith at the helm. Warren Moon recently advised the Titans to go after Newton — not sure that holds any weight, but sitting pat won’t do. In this little mock draft that possibly four people are reading tops, the QBs of the day — again — are gone, and Munchak will choose Fairley, who has the frame to gain bulk without losing agility. Fairley’s stock has dropped a bit over the past month due to work-ethic concerns. But look, they called Warren Sapp a pot smoker. That worked out OK for Tampa, if I recall.

9. Dallas Cowboys – Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska: Dallas has backed itself into a good position. Last season’s massively disastrous start paved the way for Jason Garrett‘s more disciplined regime in Big D, and the team responded down the stretch. The addition of Rob Ryan is meaningful — he’s the perfect foil to the down-tempo Garrett, and players love him and play hard for him. I believe this team must address the cornerback position and will select Amukamara, Nebraska’s best defender last season. I also think the Cowboys will take a close look at the remaining top defensive lineman in this draft and they’d love a tough guy like Wisconsin’s J.J. Watt — but that’s a slight reach at this spot. Overall, this organization would be helped if Jerry Jones toned down the rhetoric and empty promises and let Garrett coach game by game through (whatever we have of) the regular season. The annual, undeserved preseason hype, 15 years running, has hurt this team’s soul. They have pretty uniforms, but aren’t even the second best team in their four-team division. Much work is to be done.

10. Washington Redskins – Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, North Carolina: You can make the argument that Mike Shanahan‘s debut in Washington last season was one of the bigger disasters of recent memory. Putrid on the field, the team managed to stay in the news all season thanks to the bizarre dissembling of Albert Haynesworth and the benching of starting quarterback Donovan McNabb. Shanahan’s handling of both players was a failure, and it’s hard to imagine either returning with the team next season. Assuming (for our sanity) they don’t, quarterback and defensive line are two of the team’s bigger needs. Rex Grossman is not an answer for an NFC East team that must find a way to win inside the division, and I strongly believe that Shanahan and the free-wheeling ‘Skins will pursue a passer with this pick. If they can’t trade up and Newton and Gabbert are off the board, Washington could select the athletic Quinn, who comes with question marks after missing his senior season at North Carolina due to rules violations, but looks like the type of player Shanahan would like to team with Brian Orakpo in the 3-4. Quinn can play DE or OLB and could be a help to a team that had a lot of problems pressuring the quarterback (other than its own) last season. Note: I also think Shanny could dive on a player like wideout Julio Jones, but the team has bigger needs.

For picks 11-20, go here.