Alabama Football: Tide Players In The NFL

Jan 13, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) runs against Seattle Seahawks cornerback Brandon Browner (39) during the first quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports

NFL Report: Role reversal for Foley’s Julio Jones in Falcons’ playoff victory

"Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones is usually catching passes, not intercepting them. But in the Falcons’ 30-28 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in an NFC playoff game today, the former Foley High School and University of Alabama star did both, helping ensure that Coastal Alabama will be represented at least one more week in the NFL postseason."

Trent Richardson had broken ribs

"“It’s real tough playing like that, and I’m the type of guy when anything is hurting, if I feel like I can play, I can play,” he said. “I played the whole season like that. Talking to Jim Brown and a lot of guys they were like, ‘I don’t know how you’re doing it.'”"

Hightower acknowledges mental endurance test of rookie year

"“Physically it’s a drain and then mentally it adds up, too,” Belichick said. “I think that’s the challenge for the rookies: to try to keep bouncing back from that each week and get into a routine so it’s doesn’t get a real high effort one week and then they have to drop way down the next week because they can’t sustain it, [but] to try to be at that high professional level, that 98-, 99-percent level with consistency.”"

Courtney Upshaw’s challenges in childhood have made him grateful for his opportunities

"“Especially during the draft, [I told] this story. A lot of people said you should make a movie or write I book,” Upshaw said. “I said, ‘It’s already been done.’ Not only did Mike go through what I went through, there are a lot of other athletes that went through the same thing.”"

Two fines cost Kareem Jackson $26,250

"First, Jackson was fined $5,250 for wearing his socks too high. Then, he was fined $21,000 for hitting Minnesota receiver Jarius Wright too high. He wasn’t penalized for the hit on Wright during Sunday’s 23-6 loss to Minnesota."

Greg McElroy insists New York Jets weren’t a circus

"“It wasn’t at all,” McElroy told Sirius XM’s Mad Dog Radio, via The Star-Ledger. “A lot of people assumed things (were) terrible. It wasn’t the case.” McElroy’s playing smart politics. He was on the edge of the roster a year ago as a rookie, but with Tim Tebow on the way out and Mark Sanchez coming off a disastrous campaign, McElroy stands a chance to emerge as the Jets’ starter in 2013."

Andre Smith: Cincinnati Bengals Must Be Bold to Re-Sign Star Right Tackle

"Knowing that he was a risky prospect coming out of college, the Bengals were eventually rewarded for their bold approach to the draft. They will need to be bold again this off-season because Smith can’t be expected to give the team a home-town discount. The Bengals didn’t really get value from the money they paid him during his rookie contract, but they stuck with him for his long-term ability opposed to his short-term production. If they let him walk, they would be compounding Smith’s early struggles by not rewarding their own good work with him."