Sweet sound of broken records
I can’t picture Adrian Peterson sitting on Santa’s lap. But if he did you have to figure all he would be asking for this year is a record. Not the kind you listen to. The kind that states your case for NFL immortality, writes Greg Cote of the Miami Herald.
The big records are under siege.
The biggest one fell a year ago – biggest nationally because it was about a quarterback named Dan Marino.
The season passing yards record of 5,084 that Marino held since 1984 was wiped clean by both Drew Brees (5,476 yards) and Tom Brady (5,235).
Now the two next-biggest season marks are under assault.
The Vikings’ Peterson is probably less likely but still has a good chance to break Eric Dickerson’s even-more-durable-rushing-yards record of 2,105 set in 1984. He needs 294 in his last two games.
And if that seems unlikely, you obviously don’t have Peterson on your fantasy team. He has eight consecutive 100s and 1,313 yards over that stretch – the most in any eight-game span by any back ever.
A third long-standing season record also is under challenge without the attention. The Texans’ J.J. Watt and 49ers’ Aldon Smith each has 19 1/2 sacks with two games left. Michael Strahan’s record of 22 1/2 has stood since 2001.
Tebow reportedly will head to Jaguars
It’s never too late to go home. Even for Tim Tebow.
The Jets’ backup quarterback likely will end up in his hometown of Jacksonville in 2013, according to an ESPN report.
Citing league sources, senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen wrote on Saturday that it’s a “virtual certainty” Tebow will land with the Jaguars – the only other team that expressed interest in him before Denver traded him to the Jets.
A source confirmed to Newsday earlier this week that the Jets plan to either trade or release the polarizing QB, who has been a nonfactor this entire season. But league sources, according to ESPN, say the Jets are expected to “honor Tebow’s forthcoming request to be released and therefore become an unrestricted free agent.”
Jaguars owner Shad Khan reportedly wanted to trade for Tebow last offseason – but after current quarterbacks Blaine Gabbert (1,662 passing yards, nine touchdowns, six interceptions, 58.3 completion percentage) and backup Chad Henne struggled, Jacksonville (2-12) is expected to hold a QB competition next season.
And according to a “team source,” ESPN reported it’s a “high likelihood Tebow will be part of the mix.”
Steelers unveil Harris monument
Franco Harris and former Pittsburgh Steelers teammates ignored chilly conditions during a ceremony unveiling a monument on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception.
At a tent adjacent to Heinz Field on Saturday, the monument was unveiled at the exact site of Harris’ famous touchdown catch at Three Rivers Stadium on the final play of a 13-7 victory over the Oakland Raiders in an AFC playoff game on Dec. 23, 1972.
It sparked the Steelers to a run of four Super Bowl titles from 1972-79. They went on to win two more in 2006 and 2009.
Ravens’ Lewis out today against Jets
Despite an encouraging week of practice and a desire to return, Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis won’t play today against the New York Giants.
Lewis, who hasn’t played since Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys because of a torn right triceps, was not activated before Saturday’s 4 p.m. deadline, making him ineligible to face the reigning NFL champions.
Quick kicks
The Jacksonville Jaguars (2-12) have activated LB Daryl Smith from injured reserve and placed S Dwight Lowery on IR with a foot injury. … Coach Mike McCarthy has decided to take C Jeff Saturday, a 14-year veteran in his first season with the Packers (10-4), out of the starting lineup at center and replace him with Evan Dietrich-Smith with two games left in the regular season.