"Yo, If you think sore ribs are going to end my streak of playing every game since I got here, you're one dumb SOB."

First, Joe never believes injury reports unless a player is listed as, “out,” or on injured reserve. So when word started circulating after Sunday’s Falcons-Bucs game that Derrick Brooks had seriously injured ribs, Joe didn’t flinch.

Brooks sat out practice on Wednesday, but on his evening radio show, he gave fans a vote of confidence that he’ll be out there patrolling the field Sunday against the Chargers.

Talking with co-host The Big Dog, Steve Duemig, on 620 AM, The Sports Animal, Brooks said he felt a lot better on Wednesday and expected to feel even better today and expects to play on Sunday.

Joe finds it amusing that local media outlets prefer to report on Brooks’ status by asking Jon Gruden, who is not known for forthright communication, rather than just tune in to Brooks and The Big Dog for first-hand information.