NFL report: Saints’ Brees pins fall in TV ratings on Goodell

The Washington Post reported that New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has placed the blame for NFL’s falling TV ratings on Commissioner Roger Goodell. “We feel like [the drop in ratings] is a direct result” of the mistrust fans have for Goodell and the NFL brass, Brees told ESPN. “I know the players don’t have any faith in the way that things are conducted within the front office in the NFL — certainly when it comes to any type of investigation, when it comes to any type of commissioner discipline. It’s really kind of a joke at this point, unfortunately.”

Saints offensive tackle Zach Strief said, “The NFL front office has seemed to have found a way to make everything somewhat contentious. It feels like there’s this constant assault on the players, like we’re two entities. It’s like they don’t think they need us to do this.”

Etc.

Newly returned defensive end Wallace Gilberry worked out with the Cincinnati Bengals Tuesday as the team tries to fix its defensive shortcomings. The Bengals (3-4-1) re-signed Gilberry during their bye week. He left as a free agent after last season and played four games with Detroit before suffering an abdominal injury and getting released. By signing a player who has missed half the season because of injury, the Bengals showed they’re determined to fix their biggest problem area. They’ve given up 400 yards in three of the last four games and rank 25th in the NFL in yards allowed.

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The Minnesota Vikings have held off on switching kickers for now, with struggling Blair Walsh still in place. NFL Network reported the Vikings will keep Walsh after working out six kickers including Randy Bullock and Kai Forbath. Walsh missed an extra point and had a field goal blocked on Sunday, when the Vikings lost in overtime to Detroit.