Calvin Pryor was the first safety selected in this year's NFL Draft. The New York Jets, picking 18th, chose Pryor over Alabama's Ha Ha Clinton-Dix because head coach Rex Ryan wanted a player who will "knock your face in." Despite Pryor's hard-nosed, old-school mentality, he hasn't played up to expectations. As a result, his playing time has been cut from more than 90 percent of New York's defensive snaps to less than 30 percent on Sunday. Pryor's struggles may have played a role in that reduction, but according to ESPN.com's Rich Cimini that isn't the only reason.
Jets bench Calvin Pryor, Josh McCown loses composure at postgame press conference, and other NFL news
Meanwhile, the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions will be without Larry Warford this Sunday.
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Cimini reports that Pryor arrived late to “multiple” meetings this year. That sort of behavior is unacceptable for a veteran, let alone a first-year player. In Pryor’s place, the Jets started 2011 second-round pick Jaiquawn Jarrett. Jarrett responded with 10 tackles, two interceptions, a sack and a fumble recovery.
Josh McCown gets emotional at press conference
Last year, Josh McCown was a member of the Chicago Bears. When starting quarterback Jay Cutler went down with a high-ankle sprain, McCown stepped in to lead the Bears to three wins, including a crucial 27-20 division win over the Green Bay Packers. He posted a 109.0 passer rating during that stretch (best in the NFC), earning him a shiny new contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason. However, things haven't gone so well this year with Tampa losing eight of its first nine games. The pressure has finally gotten to McCown, who shed some tears Sunday during his postgame press conference.
McCown has been injured much of the season. He injured his throwing hand during the Buccaneers’ Week 3 loss to Atlanta. The Buccaneers notched their first and only win while McCown was out of the lineup, a major blow to the ego of any athlete. He’s doing little to help the team now, tossing two picks in their latest game. “You lay it out there for each other,” he said. “When you walk off and come up short week in and week out, it hurts.”
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Larry Warford will miss time with a knee injury
Despite holding the best record in the NFC North, the Detroit Lions have displayed a mostly putrid offense. The unit ranks 24th in per game scoring, and has only produced 25 or more points once in 2014. That doesn't project to improve anytime soon, as starting right guard Larry Warford will miss Sunday's game against the 8-1 Arizona Cardinals with a knee injury.
Warford has been the Lions' best offensive lineman this year, allowing just 13 total pressures. He hurt his knee during the first series of Sunday's 20-6 win over the Miami Dolphins and did not return. There's no timetable for Warford to return, though head coach Jim Caldwell said it's "going to be a little bit" before he plays again.
Packers will continue to move Clay Matthews around the defense
Coming off a bye week, the Green Bay Packers introduced some new wrinkles on defense. The most notable of these was the decision to play Clay Matthews at inside linebacker on first and second down with the All-Pro linebacker returning to his natural outside linebacker position in passing situations. The move resulted in Matthews’ best game of the season as well as a rejuvenated effort for the run defense. There was some question as to whether the switch was a one-week adjustment or a harbinger of things to come. According to head coach Mike McCarthy, it’s something that could continue.
Calling Matthews "a football player" rather than a particular type of linebacker, McCarthy refused to announce where the team would line him up next week against the Philadelphia Eagles. However, he did praise Matthews for his ability to "switch plays mentally" and be productive at multiple positions. If the Packers have indeed found another way to improve their defense, the NFC could become even more contentious.
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