Elsewhere from around the NFL:

Cleveland: According to Profootballtalk.com, the Browns have no interest in dealing WR/KR Josh Cribbs. The Dolphins, Chiefs, Raiders, and Colts are reportedly interested, however the Cleveland Browns would prefer to hang onto him because of his “grossly below-market” contract that runs through 2012. Cribbs has threatened to hold out in the past, but so far he has not taken any action.

Denver: Broncos RB Correll Buckhalter (ankle) participated in a full practice Thursday. Buckhalter announced that he is 90 percent and will play Monday night against the Chargers. However, Knowshon Moreno will continue to receive the bulk of the carries.

Washington: Redskins RB Clinton Portis (calf) was limited again on Thursday. Portis often misses practice late in the week and still plays. We expect nothing different this week and Portis has a favorable matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

Cincinnati: Carson Palmer (thumb) practiced fully again on Thursday. Palmer will start on Sunday and has a favorable matchup against the Texans.

Houston: Texans SLB Brian Cushing was held out of practice Thursday with a sore foot.
Cushing’s MRI and X-ray were negative and he’s expected to return to practice Friday. We expect Cushing to play Sunday.

New York: Giants CB Corey Webster is beginning to draw attention from opposing offenses as a “shutdown corner.” Just two years ago the New York media proclaimed Webster a bust. Now it appears as if Webster is earning the $43.5M extension he signed late last season.

New York: New York Giants DL Chris Canty underwent a procedure this week to stop bleeding in his injured calf. Canty’s calf has not been able to hear correctly due to swelling. The pass-rushing specialist is likely still two weeks from seeing the field.

Pittsburg: Steelers RB Willie Parker (turf toe) practiced in full again on Thursday. With Rashard Mendenhall (flu) sitting out, Parker handled most of the first-team work. We will not know which RB will take the majority of the snaps until game time.

In response to the trade rumors, Browns coach Eric Mangini indicated on Wednesday that the Browns are not looking to trade their now-backup quarterback. The Browns appear to be poised for a fire sale, as their star wide reciver was deal to the New York Jets last week. Possible candidates, based on our review of the depth charts for the other 31 teams, are the Bills, Texans, Jaguars, Raiders, Redskins, Panthers, Rams, 49ers, and Seahawks.

Elsewhere from around the NFL:

Detroit: Lions WR Calvin Johnson (knee, thigh) did not practice Wednesday and was spotted “hobbling” during the portion of the workout media has access to. Barring a sudden turnaround, Johnson’s chances of playing Sunday against Green Bay looks bleak.

New Orleans: Saints RB Pierre Thomas was limited in Saints practice Wednesday with an ankle injury. This is a new injury and coming off a bye and won’t help the chance of Thomas being relied upon to become the featured back in New Orleans. Meanwhile, Mike Bell (knee) participated in a full practice on Wednesday.

Steelers RB Willie Parker (toe) and SS Troy Polamalu (knee) both returned to full practices for the Steelers Wednesday. Reports out of Pittsburg are that Rashard Mendenhall will remain the featured back, with Parker being a change-of-pace player. Polamalu should provide a spark to the entire team that has been lacking since he went down with an injury.

Washington: Washington Redskins RB Clinton Portis was limited in Redskins practice Wednesday with a calf injury. Portis has also been on the injury report with bone spurs in both of his ankles. Portis does have a favorable matchup against Kansas City this Sunday.

Indianapolis: Colts coach Jim Caldwell refused to provide a timetable for Anthony Gonzalez to return from his PCL sprain. “I’m not real sure,” Caldwell said Wednesday. “I know he feels good about his progress.” Even if Gonzalez does not play after the team’s week 6 bye, he is still worth holding onto and could provide a late year boost for fantasy owners.

Cleveland: Browns RB Jamal Lewis (hamstring) was limited in Browns practice Wednesday. Lewis is coming off a workman-like 117 year performance. He will continue to receive the majority of the team carries, but he has an unfavorable matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend.

Buffalo: The Bills have reportedly decided to scrap the no-huddle offense. The Bills made numerous changes to there team in order to install this offense, including signing Terrell Owens, drafting mobile linemen and cutting Langston Walker in favor of athletic LT Demetrius Bell. These moves will likely cost Dick Jauron his job.

Tampa Bay: Bucs WR Antonio Bryant, admitted that he has to have his knee drained routinely. “Normally I just drain my knee before the game, but I’m going to drain my knee this week and go out and practice,” he said. Fantasy owners should not expect Bryant to turn things around any time soon.

More Trouble in Washington:

Washington Redskins RB Clinton Portis reportedly had a “heated verbal exchange” with starting fullback Mike Sellers earlier this week. Apparently, Portis has not been happy with Sellers blocking and requested that the fullback be removed from the game last week. No punches were exchanged, but the verbal confrontation had to be broken up by several players.

Jeremiah Trotter to Start Sunday:

Newly acquired MLB Jeremiah Trotter is expected to start at SLB on run downs against the Bucs this week. The Eagles are struggling to stop the run this year and Trotter is expected to make an immediate impact.

Jeremy Maclin will make his Second Straight Start on Sunday:

Philadelphia Eagles rookie WR Jeremy Maclin is expected to draw a second straight start for the Eagles. With incumbent starter Kevin Curtis hurt, Maclin is taking advantage of newly found playing time and is a threat to steal the starting WR spot in Philadelphia.

Eli Manning’s Status for Sunday Still Unknown:

Giants QB Eli Manning (plantar fascia) is expected to go for a “test drive” in practice Friday. Manning is known for having a high threshold for pain, but if practice does not go well on Friday look for David Carr to start in his absence. The Giants will host the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.

Felix Jones Ruled out This Sunday;

Dallas RB Felix Jones (knee) has reportedly been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Chiefs. Jones has not practice since suffering a sprained left PCL in Week 3. Marion Barber will start Sunday, with Tashard Choice seeing his far share of touches.

Donovan McNabb will Start Sunday:

According to Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, Donovan McNabb (ribs) will not be limited on Sunday by wearing a protective jacket. “It doesn’t look like he has any discomfort at all,” said Mornhinweg. “There will be no restrictions for him.” McNabb should be starting in most fantasy leagues as he has a favorable matchup this week against the Bucs.

Willie Parker Remins the Starter in Pittsburg;

According to Pittsburg Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, Willie Parker (turf toe) remains the starting running back when healthy. “Willie Parker’s a proven commodity,” Arians said. “When Rashard is (proven), then we’ll re-evaluate him. I hope it gets to that problem.” The Steelers continue to stand by their starter, but if Mendenhall continues to play well expect a change in Pittsburg.

What’s Wrong With Buffalo ? - Basically, a lot is wrong with the Bills. They got off to a great start, but have lost three straight divisional games and it looks like they might not even make the playoffs once again. They have been hit with some injuries DE Aaron Schobel, SS Dante Whitner and WR Josh Reed have been out, but that’s not the reason they have been losing. On the offensive side of the ball Trent Edwards is good QB, but they cannot lean on him to make all the plays. In the past couple of weeks they seem to have given up on the run and forced Edwards to make plays and they have turned the ball over. With Schobel out they have gotten no pressure on the QB, allowing the opposition to pick them apart through the air. No doubt there has been some weird coaching decisions as well, they need to stick to the run game. Buffalo is in tough now at 5 – 4, and I would assume they need to go at least 5 – 2 the rest the way to make the playoffs. If you take a look at there schedule they can do it with the Browns, 49ers, Chiefs, Dolphins, Jets, Broncos and Patriots left. In my opinion the next three weeks are must wins and the Bills should be favored in all the games. Its not over yet Bills fans, they just need to play like they did, in the first few weeks of the year.

Former long time Patriot CB Ty Law signs with the Jets and is getting ready to play against his old team this week. Huge game for the AFC East this week, as the Jets take on the Patriots.

The Denver Broncos have signed RB Tatum Bell for the remainder of the season. Denver is in a dog fight to make the playoffs and they hope Bell can improve there running game.

Can the Titans Have the Perfect Season ? - The Titans have been excellent to this point of the season, and it is time to see what the chances of seeing another perfect regular season is. Unlike the Patriots last year, the Titans aren’t blowing away there opponents, but they are winning. The winning strategy in Tennessee has been to run the ball and to play great defense and it has worked. To get to 9 – 0 they have boasted the 6th ranked rush offense, averaging more then 130 yards a game on the ground. They have the best defense in the league allowing just 13 points a game, under 200 yards through the air and under 100 yards on the ground. It has worked so far, but can they go perfect or are they even the best team in the league? They will be heavy favorites over the next five weeks playing the Jaguars, Jets, Lions, Browns and Texans. The final two weeks of the season will be the real test when they take on the Steelers and the Colts. In my opinion they won’t go perfect they will probably lose a game they are supposed to win, how about the Titans first loss is the Lions first win, you never know (doubt it!!). This team could easily go 14 – 2, and show what they can really do in the playoffs.

Carnell “Cadillac” Williams, is back from injury and may see some playing time for the Buccaneers in week 11. If you don’t remember this guy, he was the offensive rookie of the year in 2005 when he rushed for more then 1000 yards. Williams looked like he was going to be a great back in this league, but a serious injury to his knee has forced him out of action for the last 13 months. I hope he is healthy and can return to previous form and help the Bucs make a run for the playoffs.

Willie Parker set to return at running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers in week 11. He has been out some time with a shoulder injury and should be a relief to Steelers fans that he is coming back.

Seasons on the Brink – Week 11 is going to be a must win week for some teams, because a loss might end there playoff chances. Pre Season favorites the San Diego Chargers will be in tough, but they need to beat the Steelers this week to avoid falling to 4 – 6. All the playoff hope of the Green Bay Packers might slip away if they don’t win in week 11 against the Bears, same goes for the New Orleans Saints, but they play Kansas City. The Cowboys, Colts, Vikings, Bills and Eagles are all on the ropes and need wins in week 11. Obviously the playoff picture might become a lot more clear after this week, some franchises are going to be very disappointed.

Week 11 should be a stellar week with some great match ups, don’t forget the Thursday night game between the Jets and Patriots. This looks like it will be the desperation week of the season, with a lot of teams playing what seem to be must win ball games. I look forward to all the story lines of Sunday and some great NFL action.

Coach Tomlin decided on a solution to the problem:  Rashard Mendenhall.  The 23rd overall draft pick by the Steelers out of the University of Illinois, was brought in to serve as a potent one two puch along with Parker.  The fact that the Steelers were able to pick up Rashard so late in the draft was a steal in itself.  Most boards had Mendenhall as the number 2 overall running back behind the two time runner-up for the  Heisman trophy and Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden. Mendenhall is a powerful back who is very strong and extremely fast for his size.  Mendenhal is built like a fullback, but when you see him with the football you realize that he is every bit of a running back.  Mendenhall put up outstanding numbers as a junior at Illinois against Big 10 competition.  And then there was his phenomenal game against USC in the Rose Bowl.

Well now Rashard Mendenhall has to step up earlier that Coach Tomlin would have liked.  Willie Parker is out for the Steelers monumental divisional game with their hated rival the Baltimore Ravens.  Just like it is going to be rough for a rookie quarterback like Joe Flacco to start against a defense like the Pittsburgh Steelers; it is going to be equally tough if not tougher for a rookie running back like Mendenhall to start against the famed Ravens defense.  Ray Lewis and crew will be licking their chops to get a chance to put a statement hit on the rookie running back.  While Mendenhall has everything that a coach would want physically in a running back, he has to make improvements in his mental aspects of the NFL game.  While playing in the preseason games for the Steelers, Mendenhall displayed problems with holding on to the ball.  To say the least, this is something that he has to correct asap before his battle with the Ravens defense on Monday night.

Rashard Mendenhall is the future for the Pittsburgh Steelers at running back, even though don’t count out fast Willie Parker anytime soon.  For Mendenhall and the Steelers the future is now.  It is up to Mendenhall to prove to Coach Tomlin, the Pittsburgh organization, and his Steeler teamates that he was the correct choice for the storied NFL franchise.  For a true competitor, their is no better defense to take up the challenge against than the Ravens.  Their is no stage greater for a NFL rookie than Monday Night Football.  Run Rashard Run.