QUARTERBACK CONTROVERSY SWIRLS IN NEW YORK AFTER LOSING 4TH STRAIGHT

With the New York Jets struggling the way it has in the first six weeks of the season, Todd Bowles opens up the possibility of Geno Smith starting. To this point in the season, Ryan Fitzpatrick has looked like a completely different quarterback than he was a season ago as he has thrown 127 for 223 with 1,441 yards five touchdowns and a head scratching 11 interceptions. Though he was not perfect a year ago, he still had a two to one ratio and nearly 4,000 yards on his way to leading the Jets to a 9-7 record.

The frustration mounted enough that on Monday night, he was pulled and replaced with Smith who has a past of poor play. A big factor in this decision had to be the most interceptions thrown (10) in a four game span since Dante Culpepper back in 2005.

Bowles had previously stated that he had confidence in Fitzpatrick, but a day later withdrew that remark by stating that every week there will me some changes made, player-wise.

Geno Smith in the game against the Cardinals was four of six with 31 yards and one pick, though Bowles was relatively pleased with his performance has he mentioned, “He did show some promise when he was in there, he understood the game plan and he did a good for that drive he was in there.” With the experiences that the franchise has had with Smith in the past, he may not be the right choice moving forward. Read more...

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NO. 6 A&M RESTED AND READY FOR CHALLENGE AT NO. 1 ALABAMA

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) Myles Garrett isn't about to tip his hand. Not with top-ranked Alabama next on the schedule.

The sixth-ranked Aggies' star defensive end said he felt much better Tuesday following Texas A&M's week off after admitting to being only 65-70 percent healthy against Tennessee. Garrett is dealing with an unspecified leg injury.

He broke into a huge smile when asked for an update.

''Well I can't let them know,'' he said. ''I'm good enough to play well.''

The Aggies (6-0) will need him and the rest of their star players to be at full strength as they put their undefeated record on the line on Saturday against the Crimson Tide (7-0), the Southeastern Conference's other unbeaten team.

Garrett and fellow defensive end Daeshon Hall have formed a dangerous combination this year with nine tackles for losses each, helping the Aggies rank third in the nation with 9.7 a game.

While Alabama was dismantling Tennessee 49-10 last week, the Aggies had time to recharge before traveling to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, this week. Read more...

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RAMS STILL LAST IN OFFENSE, BUT JEFF FISHER SEES IMPROVEMENT

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) The Los Angeles Rams are moving the ball better. Now they need to turn that production into touchdowns.

The Rams had a season-high 345 yards of total offense Sunday, but scored only one touchdown from four trips into the red zone in their 30-19 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Coach Jeff Fisher was left alternating between defending his offense and being dismayed with a unit still ranked last overall in the NFL - the same spot it occupied last season.

''You can take the 32nd in the league and write all you want about it,'' Fisher said. ''But this offense is improving.''

Fisher started his Monday press conference highlighting statistics including rushing attempts and time of possession, calling it a ''formula for winning.'' But when asked about the offense's inability to score touchdowns inside its opponents' 20-yard line, Fisher pointed to how far the Rams had to go on third down against the Bills.

A false start penalty against guard Roger Saffold resulted in a third-and-13 on the game's opening drive, while the Rams faced third-and-goal from the 13 in the fourth quarter. Both drives ended in field goals by Greg Zuerlein.

Zuerlein has converted all nine of his attempts so far, showing terrific improvement after only making 20 of 30 field goals last season. Still, Fisher would like to redistribute Zuerlein's work load.
''If we need him at the end, we have confidence in him to make that kick, but I'd much rather see him kick extra points,'' Fisher said.

That could happen Sunday against the Detroit Lions.

The Lions have allowed at least 324 yards in each of their first five games. Opponents have scored touchdowns on 81.25 percent of red-zone possessions, the worst mark in the NFL. That is the kind of defensive generosity the Rams will need to exploit to remove themselves from the bottom of rankings in yards and points per game. Read more...

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CASINO INDUSTRY LEADERS BACK LAS VEGAS STADIUM PROPOSAL

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) Heavy hitters in Nevada's casino industry are going to bat for a project backed by one of their competitors, saying a proposed NFL stadium and a convention center expansion in Las Vegas are game-changing opportunities that Nevada lawmakers shouldn't pass up.

Steve Wynn of Wynn Resorts, MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren and Caesars Entertainment Executive Vice President Jan Jones Blackhurst gave speeches Monday to Nevada lawmakers who are meeting in a special session to vet public financing for a stadium that's backed by Las Vegas Sands casino mogul Sheldon Adelson. The venue could house the Raiders.

''This is an absolute dead-bang, winning opportunity, and I hope you will find it in your wisdom to approve it shortly,'' Wynn told lawmakers, saying professional sports would be a cornerstone to the stability of Nevada tourism. ''I personally believe that if we lose this opportunity, it will be one of the most heartbreaking mistakes we've ever made.''

Blackhurst, the former mayor of Las Vegas, said the projects will take the tourism mecca to the next level.

''We've been offered a gift here,'' she said. ''We've been offered a gift that takes us from 45 million visitors, to 55, to 65 million visitors.''

Murren fought back against the idea that his company, the largest employer in the state and a major player in the convention industry, would be threatened by the improvements.

''You might come to the conclusion that MGM would be opposed to both of the projects before you. In fact, the exact opposite is true,'' he said. ''We know the entire community benefits when our convention center is full.'' Read more...

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