Rivers' rookie season comes to an abrupt end

Bengals rookie linebacker Keith Rivers may have possibly played his final game of the 2008 season. Being on the receiving end of a block by Steelers' receiver Hines Ward, the diagnosis is a season ending broken jaw for the former USC All-American. The play drew no flag, but did draw discussions about possible penalties issued by the NFL against the Pittsburgh receiver that is already running a tab for league fines. Ward has a reputation across the league as a dirty player, and we'll await the decision from the league office on this latest hit.

Bengals linebacker Brandon Johnson also addressed the issue of the double standards of the NFL. Johnson's belief is that a flag would have been thrown quickly if Rivers were an NFL quarterback, but the league fails to offer the same protection on the defensive side. Rivers was blind sided while in pursuit of Pittsburgh tight end Matt Spaeth. The collision was violent, drawing a reaction from CBS commentators and the crowd. Rivers laid on the turf for several minutes, before bouncing to his feet and exiting to the locker room.

On another note, Seattle's Lofa Tatupu left the Sunday night game against the Tampa Bay Bucaneers with an apparent concussion.

Lo’Jack Locked in for 5 years

Lawrence Jackson has agreed to terms with the Seattle Seahawks on a 5 year deal. There are no specifics to the contract, as it is still being formalized. But Jackson is on the field for the Hawks, assuring the deal is in the final stages. It appears to be a deal worth $11.5 million, with half the total in guarantees. The Seahawks made Jackson their first pick in the 2008 NFL draft.

Sedrick Ellis remains the only unsigned Saints rookie. The word out of New Orleans appears to be that contract talks have stalled. If the Saints can come to an agreement with their first round pick and get him into camp, with offseason moves (including the latest acquisition of Jeremy Shockey), they can pose a serious threat in the NFC.

Sam Baker also remains unsigned by the Atlanta Falcons, but negations are ongoing, and an announcement may come soon.

Not Guilty Plea for Lofa Tatupu

Seahawks Linebacker, Lofa Tatupu, formally entered a plea of not guilty to charges stemming from a DUI arrest last month. His legal team is planning a defense, though the evidence and Washington State laws appear stacked against him.

When Tatupu was stopped in Kirkland Washington, he declined to take a breathalyzer test, but later blew marks of 0.155 and 0.158 at the Kirkland Police Department. Washington State laws list 0.08 as the presumption for legal drunkenness.

A league suspension is not likely, but a conviction may land him in the NFL’s substance abuse program.

The Eagle has landed

With the inability to soar to projected heights, former Trojan, LaJuan Ramsey lands with a thud. The Philadelphia Eagles officially released the defensive end last week, and finding another opportunity may weigh difficult.