The Nick Foles era begins in Philly? Vick knocked out of the game with concussion

All the hits Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick has taken behind a terrible offensive line finally caught up to him as he was knocked out of the game against Dallas with a concussion. Fox sideline reporter Pam Oliver said Vick's helmet came up on a hit he took from linebacker Ernie Sims and his helmet him in the eye, and that caused Vick to lose some vision. He was diagnosed with a concussion after he left to the locker room. Rookie Nick Foles came on in relief and finished the game.

Here is our Patriots report card for Sunday's win over the Bills:

B

COACHING

From a game management standpoint, it was a clean game for the coaching staff. There were no procedural penalties, no clock management errors, and Bill Belichick's lone challenge was successful. However, it's hard to grade the coaches, especially on defense, higher than this. With the exception of last season, the Patriots typically come off their bye week very strong. With an extra week to prepare for the Bills, the coaches didn't get much improvement from the players from their poor showings of the first half.

A-

PASS OFFENSE

Just another ho-hum day for this unit, although statistically Brady wasn't as prolific as he's been in other games this season. He finished 23-for-38 for 237 yards and 2 touchdowns. Play-calling in the passing game seemed more controlled and managed than it has been, focusing more on the middle of the field. Pass protection also was a strong point, while Brady didn't make any mistakes after two near-interceptions early on.

B

RUSH OFFENSE

Given that the Bills came in as one of the league's worst teams in run defense, the Patriots weren't able to take advantage of that weakness as well as they did in the first meeting. One reason might have been the heavy workload on Stevan Ridley, who finished with 98 yards on 22 carries, a respectable 4.5-yard average. The Patriots weren't able to get a consistent spark from their change-of-pace backs, with Danny Woodhead scampering for a 15-yard TD on his only carry while Shane Vereen ran for just five yards on five carries. Not the dominant performance some expected.

D+

PASS DEFENSE

The positive here was that the secondary didn't give up any completions of more than 25 yards, which has been a big problem. However, the Bills were 7-for-11 on third down, converting on third-and-9 with a 21-yard catch when the Patriots had a chance to put the game away. Ryan Fitzpatrick finished 27-of-40 for 337 yards and 2 touchdowns, with his 99.7 QB rating surely taking a big hit on his final pass, a head-scratcher that was intercepted by cornerback Devin McCourty in the end zone.

C-

RUSH DEFENSE

This may have been the biggest problem in the game. While the secondary has struggled all season, the run defense generally has been strong. The Bills were able to gain 162 yards on 28 carries, an impressive 5.8-yard average that put more pressure on the pass defense. Tackling seemed to be the biggest issue, and that applied to both the front seven and the secondary. The only thing that prevented this unit from dipping lower was its three forced fumbles, two of which were recovered by the Patriots, including one at the goal line.

A-

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Bills frequently boast one of the NFL's strongest special teams units, and the Patriots were able to neutralize their impact. Playing a big role in that was kicker Stephen Gostkowski, who boomed six of his eight kickoffs for touchbacks. Gostkowski also nailed a key 48-yard field goal in the fourth quarter that kept it a two-score game. Also credit the Patriots' punt coverage unit for getting off a 44-yard punt when they were backed up on their own 1 in the fourth quarter.

Fantastic finish? Rams, 49ers cannot decide

Danny Amendola finished with 102 yards receiving on 11 catches as the Rams and 49ers played to a tie.

SAN FRANCISCO -- There were so many compelling stories waiting to be written on this confounding November Sunday at Candlestick Park. We'll have to settle for all of them. The San Francisco 49ers and St. Louis Rams made it so, with a few assists from referee Clete Blakeman and his proactive officiating crew. This 24-24 tie did more than fittingly push the all-time series record between the teams to 61-61-3 during regular seasons. This one also reestablished the Rams' credentials as a newly competitive team under first-year coach Jeff Fisher. It challenged San Francisco's status as NFC West bullies, serving notice, again, that the NFC West has become the sticks-and-stones division, to borrow a favorite phrase from 49ers coachJim Harbaugh. It left the Rams at 3-5-1 while weakening the 49ers (6-2-1) heading into their "Monday Night Football" matchup against the Chicago Bears in Week 11. It opened the door, at least a little, for Seattle (6-4) to push for a division title, not just for a wild-card berth. Mostly, this game boggled the mind. "I don't know exactly how it feels," Harbaugh said. It didn't feel good. "We didn't lose, but we didn't win, and if we didn't win, then I'm not really interested in it," Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis said. There was so much evidence to process. There was Rams quarterback Sam Bradford putting together the signature drive of his three-year-old career, a 14-play march to the go-ahead touchdown with 1:13 left in regulation. This was Bradford at his best, completing 11 of 12 passes, including when it mattered. "Big-picture wise, we scored points and we needed to score points," Fisher said. "We've been struggling to get the ball in the end zone and we got the ball in the end zone against a good defense." There was Amendola returning from a nasty shoulder injury to make what would have been -- and perhaps what should have been, depending upon your view of Blakeman's crew -- the pivotal 80-yard reception in overtime. Officials flagged the Rams illegal formation. Replays showed the call might have been correct, but officials threw the flag well after the fact and well down the field, and only after conferencing. Strange and anti-climactic. "It was a roller coaster," Rams defensive end Chris Long said. "I feel like we won two games, maybe lost one and tied one today. It was unbelievable. I've never been a part of anything like that. I don't know how to think." There was more, including young 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick coming off the bench for a concussed Alex Smith to rally his team into position for what would have been the winning 41-yard field goal in overtime, had David Akers not missed wide left. The 49ers thought Smith suffered the concussion on a fourth-and-1 sneak. They cannot be sure how long Smith will miss, but they're a lesser team in the short term without him, no question. Kaepernick can run, but can he run the offense? He struggled with accuracy under admittedly tough conditions. Smith had been getting all the meaningful reps recently as the 49ers successfully recommitted to their regular offense. "They lost their quarterback, but obviously their backup is talented enough to not lose the game for them," Fisher said. As endorsements goes, that one felt like a tie. There was also Rams rookie kicker Greg Zuerlein driving home what would have been -- and perhaps should have been, depending again upon one's view of officiating norms -- the winning 52-yard field goal some 12 minutes into overtime. We could fault the Rams for entrusting a rookie holder, Johnny Hekker, with clock management in such a situation. But this also seemed like a strange time to enforce the game clock to what seemed like a stricter standard than usual.Zuerlein missed from 58. "There shouldn't be a question as to whether or not you get a field goal off to win in overtime," Fisher said. "Apparently, Johnny lost track of the time. That happens. We don't want to say it's OK -- it's certainly not OK -- but he was focused on Greg and focused on protection and just lost track of it, I guess." Hekker, a free agent the Rams signed in part for his arm, completed two fourth-down passes on fake punts, one from his own end zone and the other during that 14-play scoring drive in the fourth quarter. Hekker, empowered by Fisher to audible if the opponent rushes a cornerback at the expense of coverage, did just that with the first-half clock winding down and the Rams facing fourth-and-4 from their own 10. He later completed a fourth-and-8 pass to tight end Lance Kendricks for a 19-yard gain. Late last season, the 49ers outfoxed the Rams in devastating fashion, Akers completing a pass toMichael Crabtree on a fake field goal when St. Louis didn't even know Crabtree was on the field. The fake punts Sunday told us those days are over. "The first one, we were trying to block the punt before the half," Harbaugh said. "We sent our corner. They can throw a pass when they see that, and that takes a lot of gumption to do it, and they did it. The second one, again, was well-executed on their part. Tough break for us to get that done on us, but tip your hat to them." So much had happened by game's end that some players couldn't recall specifics. Bradford could only smile and shrug when asked about the timeout St. Louis had called with 1:13 left in regulation. The Rams followed that timeout with Bradford's 2-yard scoring pass toAustin Pettis for a 24-21 lead, but the clock stoppage gave the 49ers sufficient time to respond. Kaepernick, taking over at his own 2 with 1:03 to play, scrambled for 19 yards on first down. The clock stopped again on the next play when Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson suffered an injury. Kaepernick followed with a 10-yard scramble and a 13-yard pass to Kyle Williams. Five seconds remained when David Akers’ 33-yard field goal forced overtime. The Rams didn't seem to care. Bradford went deep for Amendola on the first play of overtime. Amendola separated from Carlos Rogers while the ball was in the air. He caught the ball at the San Francisco 45 and ran all the way to the 2 before Donte Whitner finally tackled him. The game was only beginning -- again. Each team would possess the ball two additional times before time ran out with St. Louis completing a 24-yard pass to near midfield. The Rams faced third-and-23 on the play after taking an 8-yard sack and a 5-yard penalty for delay. The sack was particularly costly. It was also frustrating, at least for the Rams. They had first-and-10 from their own 38 with 24 seconds remaining. A couple more completed passes might have moved them into range for another field-goal try. Zuerlein has made five fro 50-plus yards, including one from 60. But the Rams couldn't stop the pass-rush combination that New York Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride had so famously complained about. Left guard Shelley Smith wouldn't say much about it, but Saffold overheard the questioning and nodded from his stool at the adjoining locker. The nod suggested Saffold felt as though Justin Smith, the 49ers' All-Pro defensive end, had held Shelley Smith to give teammate Aldon Smith a clearer path to the quarterback -- just as Gilbride had said the 49ers did with regularity, and in violation of holding rules. "Justin Smith did a a real good job of faking the rush and being able to grab him," Saffold said. "That allowed Aldon Smith to get around. You try to collapse it down so they'll run into each other and slow down the rush, and we were able to do that maybe three or four times, but a couple times where [Shelley Smith] needs to be firm and I need to get depth, it's harder to pass off some of the run-play action that we saw." That's a lot of Smiths -- Shelley, Aldon and Justin, to say nothing of Alex -- and a lot to sort out. Confused? So were some of the players. "I didn't know you could tie," 49ers free safety Dashon Goldson said. "When I saw both sides walking onto the field, I was like, ‘Where’s everybody going?' " There was no winning or losing locker room to visit, just a lot of mixed emotions. "I'm pissed," Long said. "We're all pissed in here because we feel like we won that game. They played a really good game, too, and they are a really good team. "But I think we're going to see a lot of those battles for years to come here because we are a different team now. I think they know that from playing us now."

Michigan Veterans Day deals 2012: Golden Corral, Applebee's, Little Caesar's and more!

Because Veterans Day 2012 falls on a Sunday this year, many businesses are offering special Michigan Veterans Day deals today and Monday.

In Grand Rapids, WZZM-TV (Channel 13) sent a reporter on the very-busy Alpine Avenue to see how long it would take him to travel to each of the restaurants offering the deals.

Of course, he didn't take into account that if you get aFREE buffet at Golden Corral it might take you half the day to eat through all the entrees -- and dessert!

The trip to seven restaurants took him 25 minutes.

The video, which also includes nearby Plainfield Avenue, is below.

For an extensive list of Michigan Veterans Day Deals and specials, click here.

In Saginaw County, several restaurants also are offering deals.

In the Flint area, the Ponderosa Steakhouse, 4045 E. Court St., in Burton is offering a free buffet from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday to all veterans and military personnel (with purchase of drink).

And Freakin' Unbelievable Burgers on Corunna Road in Flint Township is offering veterans a free burger until 10 p.m. tonight.

In the meantime, here a few of the best deals:

• Golden Corral: From 4-9 p.m. Monday, anyone who has ever served in the U.S. military or is on current active duty will get a free meal.

• Applebee's: Today only, Veterans get to chose from a Veteran’s Day menu. The deal is dine-in only and beverages and gratuity are not included. You’ll need to bring in one proof of military service ID or wear your uniform.

• T.G.I. Friday's: Free lunch on Monday.

• Little Caesar's: Stop into a participating Little Caesar’s today and get a free order of Crazy Bread.

• Olive Garden: Olive Garden is offering a free meal to all veterans and active duty military on Veterans Day.

• Outback Steakhouse: Free Bloomin' Onion and Coca-Cola drink today and Monday; also, through Dec. 31, Vets enjoy a 10% discount too! You’ll need to bring ID.

• Red Robin: On Monday. get a free Red's Tavern Double burger and Bottomless Steak Fries.

• Denny's: Free pancakes from 6 a.m .-2 p.m. Monday for all active, non-active, and retired military personnel.

Please call ahead to make sure your local restaurant is participating. And bring some form of ID.

Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M ride perfect storm through Alabama, setting SEC on ear

By Jeremy Fowler | College Football Insider

10:24 PM ET November 10, 2012

With few exceptions, Manziel was one step ahead of the Tide all day long in Tuscaloosa. (US Presswire)

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The "Roll Tide" chants inside Bryant-Denny Stadium in the fourth quarter were loud enough to wake up Alabama football ghosts from Birmingham to Montgomery.
Surely Alabama was still going to win. Had to. It's science. SEC normalcy. As expected as grown men in jerseys and jeans in the stands on Saturdays.
Down with eight minutes left, no problem. AJ McCarron would orchestrate The Drive, Part Deux and the Tide defense would get a stop. This is the monster Nick Saban had created, after all.
But Texas A&M had something stronger, a potent concoction that flipped college football's most powerful league on its head for a day and left an elite defense wondering what the heck just happened.
Texas A&M 29, Alabama 24.
No huddle 1, Nick Saban 0.

He's still scrambling right now -- all the way out of Bryant-Denny Stadium with Alabama's national championship hopes.It took a chameleon quarterback to get it done. FreshmanJohnny Manziel is part unearthly skill set, part anonymous slinger (A&M freshmen can't talk to the media), part Halloween cartoon dog.
It took a team ready to flog anyone who says one more time that A&M isn't ready for the SEC in its first year in the league. "People doubted us," said receiver Ryan Swope, who broke off 111 yards of understatement on Saturday.
It took a team that bottled up all those second-half meltdowns under Mike Sherman last year, and got fed up with coughing up leads in recent struggles against Florida and LSU this year.
"We're a different team," said first-year coach Kevin Sumlin, the clubhouse leader for SEC coach of the year.
All at Alabama's expense. Texas A&M combined an opportunistic defense with an efficient no-huddle attack in a stunning turn of events in the SEC.
Just when it looked like A&M couldn't deliver the knockout punch (thanks in part to kicker Taylor Bertolet's missed field goal and extra point), A&M's defense forced two turnovers in the fourth, including cornerback Deshazor Everett's interception of McCarron on fourth-and-goal from the 2.
Not exactly typical Tide football.
After A&M's 20-0 first quarter (three more points than the Tide had given up in a game all season) and plenty of missed chances, Alabama still had a chance to win, preparing to suck the life out of A&M in the final minutes.
A wild third-down scramble by McCarron, stopped by corner Dustin Harris, left Alabama with one play left from the 2.
McCarron rolled to his right, threw to Kenny Bell toward the sideline and Everett jumped the route. McCarron had 201 passing yards in the fourth quarter, but he needed two more.
"Just go for it," Aggies linebacker Sean Porter recalls the message in the huddle before the play. "This is what we'll be remembered by."
These Aggies will be remembered. Manziel is making sure of it.
Shrugging off previous second-half struggles against LSU and Florida, Manziel waited until the biggest stage to orchestrate his masterpiece. Alabama hadn't given up more than 60 yards rushing to a quarterback in almost three years, but Manziel cleared 80 in the first half.
He completed 24 of 30 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns, along with 92 rushing yards on 16 carries. But the numbers don't fully illustrate the creativity he wielded on this day, scooting across the field to buy time until he squeezed passes into closing passing lanes.
His video-game moves on A&M's second touchdown were worth double-takes -- running into his own offensive lineman, the ball popping out of his hands for a brief second, sprinting to his left before firing to a wide-open Swope in the back of the end zone.
Alabama had trouble containing Manziel in the pocket and making him one-dimensional. When the defensive end would rush too deep on the outside, Manziel would slip to his left or right for a sizable gain. When he had time in the pocket, he delivered seamless passes through tight windows.
Alabama came with more blitzes in the second half, to some success. Somehow Manziel was sacked four times. Should have been 12, if you count arm tackles that Manziel craftily escaped.
The nation was waiting for this performance. No, really. Ask South Carolina athletics director Eric Hyman, who said he got a call from a New York friend this week saying Manziel was a primary topic on NYC sports talk radio this week.
Saban paid Manziel the ultimate respect. He called him by his number, not his name.
"The best way to defend No. 2 is when he's not out there," Saban said.
No. 2 should also get familiar with No. 78, the number of years in the Heisman Trophy's existence -- all without a freshman winner.
Defense helped the Aggies preserve a lead they never relinquished. They caused a timely T.J. Yeldon fumble to set up Manziel's 24-yard touchdown strike to Malcome Kennedy in the corner of the end zone with 9:01 left that sealed it.
The run-heavy Tide offense only rushed 14 times for 35 yards in the second half.
Alabama didn't go away quietly after the Kennedy TD. The Tide responded with a 54-yard touchdown pass to Amari Cooper with 6:09 left and forced a three-and-out to get the ball back, down 29-25 in the final five minutes. But two of the Tide's final three drives resulted in a turnover.
The early 20-0 hole was far too cavernous. This was the Aggies' night, and they'll have plenty more of these. Manziel and standout receiver Mike Evans are both freshmen.
The road for Alabama seems clear-cut: It needs at least two of the three unbeatens (Oregon, Notre Dame, Kansas State) to lose to restore title chances.
Saban is holding out hope.
"Two of the three national championship teams I coached lost a game," Saban said. "There's still a lot for this team to play for."
As for A&M? The only chant they hear is their own.
"We just tried to make a statement," Swope said. "I think it showed we can compete with any team in the country."

Tags: AJ McCarron, Amari Cooper, Deshazor Everett, Dustin Harris, Johnny Manziel, Kenny Bell, Malcome Kennedy,Mike Evans, Ryan Swope, Sean Porter, T.J. Yeldon, Taylor Bertolet, Alabama Crimson Tide, Texas A&M Aggies,NCAAF

Veterans Day: A US Tradition

November 11 is Veterans Day in the U.S. – a federal holiday to honor all military personnel who have served the U.S. in all wars.

This is the first Veterans Day since the last U.S. troops left Iraq in December. The holiday this year is also a chance for Americans to thank the rapidly shrinking population of World War Two veterans.

The U.S. president places a wreath every Veterans Day at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery.

Communities across America traditionally hold Veterans Day observances and ceremonies. Federal offices will be closed Monday in recognition of the holiday.

Veterans Day – originally called Armistice Day – was first observed in 1919. One year earlier, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, an armistice between Germany and the Allied nations took effect.

Veterans Day events

A variety of Veterans Day activities are planned around metro Detroit in the coming days:

• Ann Arbor: The VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System will hold its annual Veterans Day program at 9:30 a.m. Monday in the circle drive of the Medical Center, 2215 Fuller Road. The University of Michigan Tri-Service ROTC Units will be running the program, which will include comments from VA officials, keynote speaker Maj. Gen. Gregory Vadnais, Michigan adjutant general, and a rifle salute and Taps performance by the Washtenaw County Veterans Honor Guard.

• Ann Arbor: The Leslie Science and Nature Center is dedicating its new bald eagle's enclosure to veterans during a Veterans Day event 2-4 p.m. today at 1831 Traver Road. The free event kicks off with a brief program, including music, special guests, an honor guard and a ribbon-cutting of the new enclosure. A letter-writing station will allow children to draw pictures to send overseas, and attendees can bring items for care packages, including toiletries, nonperishable and non-melting treats such as candy and beef jerky, magazines and paperback books, writing paper and envelopes.

• Canton: Service members will be honored in a Salute to Service ceremony today at the Village Theater at Cherry Hill, 50400 Cherry Hill Road. Featured guest speaker will be Robert H. Miller, author of "Hidden Hell: Discovering My Father's POW Diary." He will discuss his latest release, "Portraits of Service," which honors a broad cross section of veterans from five wars. Military memorabilia will be on display. Doors open at 2 p.m., and the stage presentation is at 3 p.m.

• Clarkston: Cedar Crest Academy will have a Veterans Day flag ceremony at 9:30 a.m. Monday. A U.S. flag flown earlier this year over a U.S. Army post in Afghanistan will be raised over the school, and the children will be instructed in flag etiquette and facts. Members of a local VFW post will oversee the ceremony. Cedar Crest is at 8970 Dixie Highway.

• Dearborn: The city's Veterans Day ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. today inside the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 13615 Michigan Ave. The Dearborn Allied War Veterans Council's veteran of the year, Richard Przebienda of the Navy, will be honored. The selection committee cited Przebienda's major commitment to veterans, including 888 hours of volunteer service, most spent visiting patients in VA hospitals.

• Detroit: Local chapters of Veterans For Peace will display one cross for every Michigan soldier killed in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars 11 a.m.-5 p.m. today in downtown Detroit's Grand Circus Park. Each cross bears the photo, name, age, rank and unit of one of the 64 Michigan soldiers killed in Afghanistan and 160 killed in Iraq. A short memorial service for those killed in all wars is at 11 a.m. in the spirit of Armistice Day -- now known as Veterans Day -- which closed World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Grand Circus Park is on Woodward at West Adams.

• Detroit: The 28th annual Veterans Day program at Elmwood Historic Cemetery at 10 a.m. Monday will honor members of the 102nd U.S. Colored Troops. The ceremony will include a presentation of the wreaths, recognition of veterans groups, presentation of the roses for the 102nd Civil War troops and North American Indians, Taps and a flyover. More than 450 JROTC high school students from 13 Detroit Public Schools will be involved. The cemetery is at 1200 Elmwood.

• Detroit: The Detroit Police Department's Northeastern District will host a Veterans Day luncheon Monday at the James Europe Post #2233, 18651 Mound Road. Doors open at 10 a.m., a ceremony begins at 11 a.m., and lunch will be served at noon. The Northeastern District also is holding a canned food drive until Monday. Unexpired canned goods can be dropped off at 5100 E. Nevada and will be taken to shelters to assist with feeding homeless people.

• Shelby Township: West Utica Elementary will hold its annual Veterans Day ceremony at 9:30 a.m. Monday at the school, 5415 W. Utica Road. Veterans from various conflicts will be celebrated during the hour-long program, which will feature patriotic songs, comments from members of the local VFW hall (#4659) and student speeches.

• Troy: The Troy Veterans Memorial Committee will host its annual Troy Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. today at Troy Veterans Plaza in front of City Hall, 500 W. Big Beaver. The program will include raising of colors and the laying of the memorial wreath on the Veterans Monument by honorary guests. Music will be provided by the Heritage Concert Band of Troy. The keynote speaker is Nancy Susick, a senior vice president of Beaumont Health System who serves as president of Beaumont Hospital.

• Warren: Sgt. James L. Green, a World War II prisoner of war, will speak about his experiences to students at Chatterton Middle School at 10:15 a.m. Monday. He has been giving such talks since 2002, but at age 87, this will be the last time he speaks with students. He is a retired assistant principal of Chatterton. Green was stationed in Tinian and was shot down on a bombing run to knock out a radio tower.

• Warren: Davenport University and its chapter of the Student Veterans of America is celebrating Monday with a public event 11 a.m.-1 p.m. A Black Hawk helicopter is scheduled to land on campus at 9:30 a.m. for people to tour and take photos. Visitors will be encouraged to sign a flag and write letters to deployed Davenport students. State Sen. Steve Bieda, D-Warren, will give a resolution presentation, and the Warren Mott High School Band will perform. The campus is at 27650 Dequindre.