Clifton will start playoffs for Packers

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Clifton will start playoffs for Packers

Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy says veteran left tackle Chad Clifton will get his starting job back for the playoffs.

McCarthy says Clifton still has some things to work on after a long layoff because of injuries.

After a long injury layoff, Clifton returned to the field in the regular-season finale against Detroit. His play wasn’t perfect, but it was good enough for McCarthy to tell reporters in Green Bay on Monday that Clifton will start at left tackle in the playoffs . ??

McCarthy is confident he'll regain his form given two weeks to prepare for the Green Bay Packers' first playoff game.

Clifton played the first quarter of Sunday's regular-season finale against Detroit, the first time he'd been back on the field since hurting his hamstring in the Packers' Oct. 9 victory at Atlanta. Clifton then hurt his back while rehabilitating his hamstring injury, keeping him out longer than expected.

Clifton is in his 12th NFL season, all with the Green Bay Packers.

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Defensive back Madison likely re-sign with Steelers
The Steelers, in need of some healthy bodies for their secondary and kick-coverage teams, are expected to announce the signing of cornerback Anthony Madison on Tuesday.

Madison has played for the Steelers four times since 2006. He played in every game for them last season and led the team with 22 special-teams tackles, including 17 solo.

Mendenhall had to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers stumble their way to a 13-9 win over the Cleveland Browns after injured his right knee in the first quarter Sunday . He kept it close but again couldn’t come up with the big play to pull off the upset.

Although he has not yet signed a contract, Anthony Madison is on his way to Pittsburgh to likely rejoin his former teammates in time for their playoff game at Denver on Sunday. He announced today on his web page he will re-sign with the team.

Madison, 30, broke in with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2006 and has been of and on with them ever since.

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Holmes benched in Jets' season-ending loss to Dolphins
The final game of the Jets’ season was a fitting end to a disappointing, dysfunctional year.

As the Jets' season ended here with a 19-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins today, one of the Rex Ryan-appointed captains — receiver Santonio Holmes — was on the sideline, benched and frustrated and a symbol of this team's flawed chemistry.

Holmes, who signed a five-year, $45 million deal in free agency, offered no answers, calling it the "coach's call." Assistant coaches, including Schottenheimer, are not available after games.

The New York Jets’ third consecutive loss kept them from a third-straight playoff appearance under coach Rex Ryan and dropped them to 8-8, a terrible finish to a season that began with so much hope. Mark Sanchez threw three interceptions and the defense allowed a 21-play drive, but this game will be best remembered for Holmes’ disappearance.

Holmes said wide receiver Patrick Turner tapped him on the shoulder, and that is how he knew he was out.

“I have no answers for it,” Holmes said. “It was the coaches’ call and it happened.”