NFL Halfway

EDITORS:

With all teams having hit the halfway point of the NFL season, the AP will send these stories this week:

Monday, Nov. 7: FBN—SURPRISES AND DISAPPOINTMENTS-AFC. Players who have come out of nowhere, or who have failed to live up to expectations in the AFC. By Pro Football Writer Barry Wilner. 1000 words, photos. SENT.

FBN—SURPRISES AND DISAPPOINTMENTS-NFC. Players who have come out of nowhere, or who have failed to live up to expectations in the NFC. By Pro Football Writer Barry Wilner. 1000 words, photos. SENT.

Tuesday, Nov. 8 FBN—HOT SEAT COACHES We’ve already seen a lot of NFL assistants lose their jobs, and it’s fair to predict that several head coaches will suffer the same fate unless their teams turn things around. By Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi. 800 words, photos.

FBN—HALFWAY-AFC; FBN—HALFWAY-NFC A look at both conferences at midseason. By Pro Football Writer Arnie Stapleton (AFC) and Dave Campbell (NFC). 800 words each, photos.

Wednesday, Nov. 9 FBN—QUARTERBACK SURVIVAL For every Peyton Manning who survived a rough rookie year on his way to NFL stardom, there’s a much longer list of players rushed onto the field too early or with not enough help before being discarded in the continuing search for the franchise quarterback. Not even being picked first or second overall is a guarantee, but the first 24 games of a career are a pretty good measure of future success - or failure. By Pro Football Writer Teresa M. Walker. 850 words, photos.

Thursday, Nov. 10 FBN—KICKOFF RULE Touchbacks are up, and so far only four kicks have been returned for touchdowns halfway through the NFL’s test of a rule that moved the ball out to the 25 on kickoffs into the end zone. Coaches and players say the change is forcing more split-second decisions and strategy, making the big return much tougher. By Pro Football Writer Teresa M. Walker. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos.

FBN—OFFICIATING In a divided nation, NFL officials are a unifying factor, because everyone seems to disagree with them. Quarterbacks say they take too many dirty hits. Receivers complain they are targeted. Defensive backs say they can’t touch anyone without getting a flag. And coaches say their teams never catch a break. Fans want games to move along without endless reviews and flags. By Pro Football Writer Arnie Stapleton. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos.

Friday, Nov. 11 FBN—KICKING COACHES Every week, games come down to kickers, so why don’t teams invest in kicking coaches? By Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi. 750 words, photos.

FBN—IMPROVING THE GAME Ratings are down and players say the league is no fun. What can be done to make it more entertaining? By Pro Football Writer Howard Fendrich. 700 words, photos.

Weekend of Nov. 12-13 FBN—ON FOOTBALL-HALFWAY AWARDS. Although the AP’s individual NFL awards won’t be hande dout until Super Bowl eve, a look at the top contenders halfway through the schedule is warranted. By Pro Football Writer Barry Wilner. 800 words, photos

FBN—SUSPENSIONS OR FINES. Every week, the league hands out thousands of dollars in fines, most for dirty plays. Almost never, is an NFL player suspended for a vicious hit. By National Writer Eddie Pells. 800 words, photos.

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