Q: The Rams fired Scott Linehan and Lane Kiffin’s time is up in Oakland. How much longer can Marvin Lewis last in Cincinnati?
— Mike Reed, Greensburg, Ind.
A: Lewis is in a completely different situation than Linehan and Kiffin were in. It would be a complete shock if Lewis were to be fired during the season because that is not how Mike Brown ever has done business. In fact, it would even be a surprise to me if Lewis were to be fired in the offseason. Brown is known for sticking with his coaches way beyond the point when many other owners would. The bigger issue is this: Will Lewis want to remain as coach of the Bengals after the season after Brown undercut him by bringing back Chris Henry?

Q: Why do you think Matt Schaub has regressed this season? The Texans started off so well last season, but this year they’ve awful and Schaub doesn’t seem to be getting better.
— Becky Woods, Cypress, Texas
A: Schaub has only played three games. Statistically, he's had one terrible game, one very good game and one so-so game. If he's guilty of one thing, it's trying to force some throws. Give him more time. He's a decent player who should come on soon.

Q: Something I've always been curious about: Do NFL teams run specific drills on resisting having the football stripped from the carrier?
— Kirk, Las Vegas
A: Yes, NFL teams run specific fumble drills. Especially if a player is showing a tendency to fumble. With the Steelers, the drill even carried over into the locker room and meeting room earlier this year, as players tried to strip rookie Rashard Mendenhall of a ball he was forced to carry wherever he went. If a player got the ball out, Mendenhall had to pay him $100.

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