NFL notebook : Rookie keeps job
Two wins in three games earned Buffalo Bills rookie quarterback Trent Edwards the starting job, and sent J.P. Losman to a familiar place – the bench.
Coach Dick Jauron made the announcement on Tuesday in a two-paragraph statement issued by the team as the Bills (2-4) prepare to travel to play the New York Jets on Sunday.
“We are naming Trent Edwards as our starting quarterback,” Jauron said, noting he had informed both Edwards and Losman of his decision.
The statement was a departure from what Jauron said last week, when he declined to name a full-time starter beyond giving Edwards one more start – against Baltimore on Sunday – because Losman had looked rusty since recovering from a sprained left knee.
Edwards delivered on the coach’s faith, helping the Bills to a 19-14 victory. The win improved the third-round pick from Stanford to 2-1 in three consecutive starts since Losman was hurt.
“Bills owner Ralph Wilson made his case for Buffalo to play an annual regular-season home game in Toronto, and it’s up to NFL owners to determine whether there’s potential north of the border.
“The discussion was constructive and encouraging,” Wilson said in a statement released by the team. “When the matter is finalized, it will be referred to commissioner (Roger) Goodell for his announcement.”
The plan is for the Bills to annually play one regular-season and one preseason game in Toronto starting in 2008 and lasting through 2012, which is the duration of the franchise’s lease at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
Rams cut Terrell after assault
The St. Louis Rams released offensive guard Claude Terrell after he was arrested and charged with assaulting his wife at a suburban Houston hotel.
Police in the Houston suburb of Webster said they found a woman with “obvious signs of physical injury” after responding to a disturbance at a Hampton Inn. The woman said she was Terrell’s wife and told police he had assaulted her.
The 6-foot-2, 330-pound Terrell was found at a nearby hotel, where he was arrested and charged with assault-family violence, a class A misdemeanor, police said.
Terrell, 25, has appeared in six games with three starts for the Rams (0-7) this season.
Terrell was on probation from a 2006 assault charge of causing bodily injury to a family member, according to court records.
Texans release Gado
The Houston Texans released running back Samkon Gado and signed Adimchinobe Echemandu from the practice squad to fill his roster spot.
The Texans running game has languished this season with Gado and Ron Dayne unable to carry the load while Ahman Green has been slowed by a knee injury.
Houston is averaging less than 76 yards rushing a game, second lowest in the NFL.
Gado has appeared in three games this season with 18 carries for 46 yards. He was traded to Houston from Green Bay early last season for Vernand Morency.
Around the league
In a surprising move announced without comment from coach Bobby Petrino or general manager Rich McKay, the Atlanta Falcons cut starting defensive tackle Grady Jackson. Jackson, a 6-foot-2, 350-pound run-stopper, led the league with 13 tackles for a loss last season. … Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark did not return with the team from Denver because of a spleen inflammation that occurred during the 31-28 loss to the Broncos. … Gary Baxter’s comeback from two serious knee injuries ended for this season when the cornerback was placed on injured reserve by the Cleveland Browns.