NEW YORK -- Comcast, the nation's largest cable company, has sent a cease-and-desist letter to the NFL Network demanding the channel's representatives stop encouraging fans to leave the cable provider.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, the outspoken chairman of the league's NFL Network committee, has urged customers of Comcast and other large cable providers who don't carry the network on a basic tier to switch to satellite or other cable services that do.
The channel's iwantnflnetwork.com Web site includes a box titled "MAKE THE SWITCH." Above a field to enter a zip code, the text reads, "Switch to a TV provider that will bring you NFL Network, not hold you hostage."
The letter, dated Monday, contends that such actions violate the contract between the network and Comcast.
"The legal arguments are without merit, and Comcast subscribers who are dropping that service do not need encouragement from us," said NFL Network spokesman Seth Palansky, who added that network executives had not yet received the letter.
The two sides have gone to court over their agreement. The NFL Network sued Comcast after the cable provider decided to move the channel from its basic digital tier to a premium sports tier that customers must pay extra to receive. Full story
Pryce likely done for season
OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Baltimore Ravens defensive end Trevor Pryce has a severe pectoral tear and will probably be out for the remainder of the season.
"It's very likely that Trevor may be done for the year," coach Brian Billick said during his weekly radio show. "We're going to miss Trevor."
A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Pryce missed five games earlier this season with a broken left wrist that required surgery.
The veteran returned to play three games, but injured his chest during the final minutes of Sunday's 33-30 overtime loss to the Cleveland Browns.
Giants put Kiwanuka on IR
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New York Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka was placed on injured reserve, two days after he broke his left leg against Detroit.
To fill Kiwanuka's roster spot, the Giants signed running back Patrick Pass, a member of three Super Bowl championship teams with the New England Patriots.
Kiwanuka, the team's top draft pick in 2006, was injured on the second play of Sunday's game when teammate Osi Umenyiora fell on him while they were pursuing running back Kevin Jones.
Reggie Torbor replaced Kiwanuka in the Giants' 16-10 win.
Nolan: Stay the course
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Mike Nolan thinks everything that's wrong with the San Francisco 49ers must be fixed by the people already in their training complex.
And the coach doesn't plan to expel any coaches from that complex, either.
A day after the 49ers' offense floundered yet again in a 13-9 loss to St. Louis, Nolan said he plans to make no changes to his coaching staff or roster in the wake of eight consecutive defeats. He will stick with the course he set out during training camp, when the 49ers (2-8) were a dark horse playoff pick instead of a downtrodden club with a historic losing streak.
"You're always looking for ways to get better, on the field or off the field," Nolan said. "The limitations of changing both players and coaches during a season ... it's very difficult to do during the season, because it's not like people are on the street that (don't) need to be on the street."
Crayton could miss Jets game
IRVING, Texas -- Cowboys receiver Patrick Crayton missed practice because of a sprained left ankle and may miss the Thanksgiving game against the New York Jets.
Crayton was hurt in the first quarter on Sunday against Washington, but didn't miss much time, still catching two passes and returning punts. His ankle was still sore Monday and bad enough Tuesday that he didn't work out, even though coach Wade Phillips described the practice as being not very strenuous.
"I'm worried that he may not be able to play," Phillips said. "With the game coming this quickly, it could be a problem. I think if this was a normal week, he probably would be fine. It's going to be kind of back-and-forth as to whether he'll be ready for Thursday."
Playing opposite Terrell Owens, in the role vacated by injured Terry Glenn, Crayton has caught 31 passes for 466 yards and five touchdowns this season. If he is inactive, second-year receiver Sam Hurd would take his place. Hurd has eight catches for 141 yards and a touchdown.
Niners hire assistant coach
SAN FRANCISCO -- Ted Tollner rejoined the San Francisco 49ers as an assistant coach in an effort to spark the club's miserable offense.
Tollner, the former USC and San Diego State coach, also is a longtime NFL assistant who served on the 49ers' coaching staff from 2002-04, with two years as quarterbacks coach and one season as offensive coordinator. He was the Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator for part of the 2005 season.
"Ted has great experience with over 30 years in the NFL and in college coaching, and is well respected in the football community," 49ers coach Mike Nolan said. "He will be a tremendous asset to the 49ers organization. We will continue to make every effort to improve our team."
San Francisco's offense hasn't recovered since coordinator Norv Turner abruptly left the job in February to take over the San Diego Chargers. The 49ers hope the 67-year-old Tollner can help an offense that's at the bottom of the NFL in most statistical categories under first-year coordinator Jim Hostler.
Coleman, Lewis done for season
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons placed defensive tackles Rod Coleman and Trey Lewis on injured reserve, ending the season for both players.
Coach Bobby Petrino said the team was concerned that Coleman and Lewis might risk serious injury if they continued to play.
Coleman, a Pro Bowl selection two years ago who led NFL interior linemen with 52½ sacks from 2001-07, hurt his hand and triceps in Atlanta's 31-7 loss to Tampa Bay last week.
Lewis, a rookie drafted in the sixth round out of Washburn University, suffered a knee injury that will require surgery.
