Lane Kiffin's firing was already discussed quite a bit in yesterday's column, but if you haven't yet seen Al Davis' truly epic press conference click here. Seriously, you won't be sorry. My favorite moments were Davis tracing words with his finger while reading from a letter and smiling while asking someone in the room "how's your mother?" moments before absolutely eviscerating Kiffin.
Of course, choosing a favorite moment is like a parent choosing a favorite child, because in reality the whole thing kept me fascinated non-stop for an entire hour and like a great film previously unseen goodies emerge with each new viewing. If you only watch one possibly insane 79-year-old Hall of Famer attempt to ruin the career of the 33-year-old coach he just fired, make it this one. Two thumbs up!
While you enjoy the feel-good press conference of the year, here are some other notes from around football .
* Anquan Boldin amazingly avoided a serious injury from the helmet-to-helmet hit that knocked him out cold Sunday, but his Week 5 status is in question. Boldin showed off a busted lip and swollen jaw Tuesday and then skipped Wednesday's practice, with coach Ken Whisenhunt noting afterward that he has to be cleared medically before the Cardinals can officially determine his availability.
That he hasn't simply been ruled out yet is clearly a sign that Boldin may suit up against the Bills, but his odds of playing are seemingly less than 50-50 and he'll be a game-time decision at best. Larry Fitzgerald can probably count on 15-plus targets if Boldin sits and Steve Breaston would be an intriguing WR3 option after nearly matching his career totals with an out-of-nowhere breakout Sunday.
* Mewelde Moore always impressed me in limited action during four seasons in Minnesota and will now get a one-week chance to shine in place of Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall. The bad news for Moore is that it's relatively tough to run on the Jaguars, who've allowed 4.1 yards per carry through four games while facing Marshawn Lynch, Joseph Addai, Chris Johnson, and Steve Slaton.
Moore also will likely lose goal-line chances to Carey Davis or Najeh Davenport, which limits his upside. However, there's good news too. Moore was Pittsburgh's third-down choice even before the injuries to Parker and Mendenhall, and figures to be targeted on plenty of screens and dump-offs whether he can get anything going on the ground or not.
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Expectations should definitely be held in check given that he hasn't gained more than 50 total yards since Week 2 of last season, but Moore has averaged a solid 4.8 yards on 273 career carries, is an excellent receiver out of the backfield, and can pass block, so he should dominate snaps Sunday. Don't go benching stars for him or anything, but it won't surprise me if Moore is a solid RB2 this week.
* Aaron Rodgers was limited in practice Wednesday and what few reps he took were merely handoffs, as the Packers kept him from throwing while monitoring his sprained shoulder. "He'll be reevaluated Friday," coach Mike McCarthy said. "He's gotten better each day. I'm going to give him every chance to play in the game against Atlanta."
Rodgers reportedly expressed optimism about playing through the pain, but not doing anything until Friday leaves little room for error. His owners definitely need to check back on Rodgers' status before committing to him for Week 5 and even then he may be a game-time decision. According to McCarthy, Matt Flynn will start in Rodgers' place if needed, but Brian Brohm "is right there ready to go."
* My weekly Thursday live chat begins at 3:00 p.m. ET and my goal for this week is to make sure that at least 10 percent of the questions answered are related to football in some way. Admittedly that'll be a change from the usual assortment of pop-culture stuff, creepy inquiries about Tiffany Simons, and Gregg Rosenthal jokes, but it recently came to my attention that this is a football column.
Two-Minute Drill:LaDainian Tomlinson (toe) is absent from the injury report for a favorable Week 5 matchup against Miami . Brady Quinn said Wednesday that his practice reps nearly doubled leading up to Week 4, providing more evidence that Derek Anderson is on very thin ice . Deuce McAllister said Wednesday that his surgically repaired knees held up well after 20 carries in Week 4 . Laurence Maroney (shoulder) and LaMont Jordan (foot) are absent from the injury report, so the Patriots' backfield is again very crowded . Jeff Garcia and Luke McCown are expected to get increased practice reps this week, signaling that coach Jon Gruden may be souring on Brian Griese as the starter . Coach Marvin Lewis said Wednesday that newly signed Cedric Benson will get "some snaps" in Week 5, but he's still far from a real threat to Chris Perry . Jerry Porter (hamstring) is absent from the injury report, but isn't a viable WR3 option yet after catching just one pass in his Jaguars debut . DeSean Jackson is on track for 1,308 yards, which would be the fourth-most of ever by a rookie receiver . Charged Tuesday with trafficking cocaine in Denver, Travis Henry's career is officially over.
Red Zone:Bobby Engram (shoulder) and Deion Branch (knee) participated in full practices Wednesday and figure to make their season debuts in Week 5 . Vince Young (knee) returned to practice Wednesday on a limited basis and may back up Kerry Collins this week . Willis McGahee (ribs) wore a red no-contact jersey in practice Wednesday and looks like a poor Week 5 bet against the Titans' stout defense . President Bill Polian said Wednesday that Bob Sanders (ankle) won't return before November, leaving the Colts' run defense in rough shape . On the other hand, slated Week 5 returns by offensive linemen Tony Ugoh, Ryan Diem, and Jeff Saturday are great news for the Colts' offense . Brandon Lloyd (knee) sat out Wednesday's practice and was spotted wearing a large brace . Asked Wednesday whether Brodie Croyle (shoulder) would reclaim his starting job from Damon Huard once he's healthy, coach Herm Edwards responded that "we'll talk about that when Brodie comes back" . Joey Galloway (foot) is unlikely to return this week after sitting out Wednesday's practice, leaving him sidelined for a third straight game.
