Titans coach Munchak dreaming of Penn State job?
After his team lost eight of 10 following a 3-1 start, Tennessee Titans coach Mike Munchak is embattled (sports jargon, meaning "about to be tossed out on his keister"), but he's serene about it.
After his team lost eight of 10 following a 3-1 start, Tennessee Titans coach Mike Munchak is embattled (sports jargon, meaning "about to be tossed out on his keister"), but he's serene about it.
"It's part of this profession," he said of the daily questions he gets about his job security, then went into his best coach-speak. "I can only control what we do this Sunday. . . . After that, what happens as far as that goes, some of that's out of my control to some degree."
Translation: Munchak, who has one year left on his contract, may see an opportunity on the horizon. Say, at a little state university in a place called Happy Valley.
According to a recent report in the Harrisburg Patriot-News, sources at Penn State have it that Munchak has "discreetly" asked about replacing Bill O'Brien should the Nittany Lions head coach return to the NFL. The sources say Munchak, an NFL Hall of Fame guard who played at Penn State from 1978 to 1981, would be the favorite if the job became open.
Big numbers
Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson needs 142 yards against the Titans on Sunday to become the first player in NFL history to have at least 100 receptions and 1,500 yards receiving in four seasons.
Everybody's hurting
Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews will miss Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears for the NFC North title after aggravating a right thumb injury.
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Corey Peters will undergo season-ending Achilles surgery.
The Detroit Lions have placed tight end Brandon Pettigrew (ankle) on injured reserve, ending his season.
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (collarbone) will find out on Thursday if he's cleared to play (the Magic 8-Ball says "Don't count on it.").
Put me in, coach
Former star receiver Randy Moss is happy being a broadcaster, he told Fox Sports in a podcast on Tuesday. But the 36-year-old wants us to know this: If he needed to, he could lead still the league in touchdown catches.
"If I had to go out here and feed my family by getting back on that football field, I could still put up 15 or 16 touchdowns," he said. Considering Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant only has 12 (as does Megatron, er, the Lions' Calvin Johnson) and New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham is the league leader with 15, that would be quite a feat.
"I can still run. I can still catch," Moss said. "Age is just a number."
Of course, Moss didn't say who would be slinging those scoring passes - if it's 37-year-old whiz-kid Peyton Manning, he's got a pretty strong case.