While the Cowboys have a sturdy defense, there is no excuse for the Cardinals' lack of production.

The Cardinals tried to spread the Cowboys out early and throw the ball. But thanks to dropped passes and penalties, that strategy failed. Luckily, their defense was there to bail them out.

On a more positive note, things seemed to improve in the second half when Michael Pittman began to find running lanes. ... It's also worth noting that Jake Plummer was efficient once again. He was not intercepted and he made one big play, a 58-yard pass to Frank Sanders.

Other notes of interest. ...

As reported by Matt Mills of The Sporting News, David Boston had his worst game of the season last week against the Cowboys, finishing with three catches for just 26 yards. But look for him to bounce back this week against Carolina, which is 29th in the league in pass defense. ... Also, look for Boston to finish the season strong against the Redskins.

MarTay Jenkins is listed as questionable again this week after missing last week's game with the same ankle injury. ... Arnold Jackson moved up to the No. 3 spot in Jenkins' absence last Sunday, but there is a considerable drop-off in ability. Jenkins also returns kicks, a chore that was filled by Pittman.

RB: M. Pittman, T. Jones, M. Shipp

FB: J. Makovicka, D. McKinley

WR: D. Boston, F. Sanders, A. Jackson, B. Gilmore, M.T. Jenkins

TE: T. Mitchell, S. Bush, L. Hart

PK: C. Oglesby

He was averaging about 80 yards per game, including a big game of 148 yards against Dallas. And he was providing the type of workhorse performances, with five games of 20 or more carries, which the Falcons came to expect of Anderson.

But Smith is clearly wearing down under the effects of the heavy workload as the season progresses. To his credit, Smith has been determined to play through ankle, knee, shoulder and other injuries.

The question as the Falcons also consider Anderson's future in Atlanta is whether Smith can handle the workload expected of a lead back in Reeves' offense. His average per carry has fallen to 3.4, including a low mark of 12 carries for seven yards two weeks ago against the Saints.

At the least, Smith, a second-year player who was an undrafted rookie free agent, looks like a back who can share the lead role -- perhaps with Anderson in a tandem of 230-pound backs next year. ...

By the way. ... Smith, who came out of last week's game with a sprained toe, is listed as probable for this week's game against the Dolphins. ... Bob Christian is also listed as probable after suffering a mild knee sprain.

Look for Rodney Thomas, who more than doubled his previous total of 12 carries for the season against the Bills last Sunday, to continue playing a greater role in the Falcons' rushing attack over the final two games. ... I'll note that Thomas looked sharp against Buffalo. The former Titan demonstrated the quickness and quick bursts that Smith has lacked since suffering a sprained ankle on Nov. 25.

Other notes of interest this week. ...

As Falcon insider Charles Odum noted this week, after posting his career-best passing total of 431 yards and successfully battling flu-like symptoms that forced him to take two IVs at halftime to lead the Falcons back to .500, Chris Chandler is completing one of his best pro seasons. His quarterback rating (100.9) was over 100 for the first time since an Oct. 21 win at New Orleans, though he made a bad decision on a pass intercepted in the end zone at the end of the first half. ...

Odum also noted that Tony Martin, who pulled in a 63-yard TD pass last Sunday, had not caught a pass longer than 27 yards since the season opener, but his three best receiving totals of the season have come in the past four weeks. Meanwhile, Brian Finneran added a 36-yard catch that set up the Falcons' first touchdown, and he recorded his second game with more than 90 yards receiving in the last three weeks.

Martin and Terance Mathis are still the starters, but Finneran is clearly No. 3 on the depth chart now and at times is playing in two-receiver sets. The 6-5 third-year player seems to be on his way to becoming a starter in 2002.

RB: M. Smith, R. Thomas, T. Jervey

FB: B. Christian, G. Layne

WR: T. Mathis, T. Martin, B. Finneran, S. Jefferson, Q. McCord

TE: R. Kelly, A. Crumpler, B. Kozlowski

PK: J. Feely

The Ravens must exercise a $6 million option on his contract and, if management takes a straw poll of veterans, the vote would probably be closer than they'd care to admit.

Everybody involved seems to agree that Grbac is a better passer than Trent Dilfer, but teammates aren't sure he has the toughness necessary to take them where they want to go. And make no mistake about it: Toughness -- and the ability to avoid turning the ball over -- are critical factors in the overall scheme of things in Baltimore.

The rumors that the Ravens may be interested in Drew Bledsoe are just that, unsubstantiated rumors, at this point. Plus, given that Baltimore is already about $20 million over the 2002 projected cap and vice president Ozzie Newsome is warning there will be personnel sacrifices, taking on Bledsoe's contract might not be feasible.

However, this situation is worth keeping an eye on, especially if Grbac has a tough time in the playoffs.

Also of interest this week. ...

As reported by Baltimore Sun reporter Brent Jones, veteran running back Terry Allen, 33, ran like a man knowing his time will soon be up in the Ravens' 16-0 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

He rushed for 91 yards on 22 carries and scored the game's only touchdown on a 4-yard scamper in the second quarter.

It was Allen's most extensive work in well over two months in just his second game back since fracturing his hand Nov. 12 at Tennessee. Before that game, Allen had missed the two previous games with an ankle injury.

"It was great to see Terry coming back fresh," Billick said. "That's the one silver lining on the hand injury, because we knew as the season went on, Terry was going to wear down just because of where he is in his career. You can see he is fresh and strong, and I think that's going to aid us."

Nobody would expect Allen, at this stage of his career, to give the Ravens what Jamal Lewis did during last season's playoffs, but the two can be compared for their straight-ahead, tough running styles.

Twenty-six of Allen's yards Sunday came in the fourth quarter, an encouraging statistic heading into a time of season when teams that can run and stop the run generally succeed.

"He runs the ball like he is a 250-pound back, hitting it up in there with the quickness that he has," fullback Sam Gash said of Allen, who weighs 208. "He's one of those guys that you love to have on the team. He knows his role is to come out and play as many plays as the coaches want him to play, and he is going to give the same effort on every play. ..."

With running back Jason Brookins expected to return for the season finale against the Minnesota Vikings, Allen and Moe Williams will have to continue carrying the load this week against a Buccaneers defense that has struggled against the run at times this season.

RB: T. Allen, M. Williams, J. Brookins, O. Ayanbadejo

FB: S. Gash, O. Ayanbadejo

WR: Q. Ismail, T. Taylor, B. Stokely, J. Lewis, P. Johnson

TE: S. Sharpe, T. Heap, J. Jones

PK: M. Stover

Henry was hurt during Buffalo's 12-9 overtime loss to New England on Dec. 16 when Patriots cornerback Ty Law rolled onto his leg in a pileup. He didn't play in last week's 33-30 loss in Atlanta and will miss Sunday's game at the New York Jets.

Henry, a second-round pick in April's National Football League draft, has rushed for 729 yards and four touchdowns this season. He's also caught 22 passes for 179 yards.

Second-year running back Shawn Bryson rushed for 130 yards and two touchdowns against the Falcons after replacing Henry in the Bills' starting lineup.

Other notes of interest. ...

Tight end Jay Riemersma is coming off a forgettable game after being was called for holding and pass interference penalties that killed two potential scoring drives against the Falcons. He also dropped an easy throw that would have given the Bills a first down late in the first half. ...

In an article published last Monday, Pro Football Weekly noted that Peerless Price has stepped up into a more prominent role this year, something the Bills have wanted from him since they drafted him in the second round of the 1999 draft. Price has taken advantage of opponents double-teaming Eric Moulds and has given the Bills a deep threat this season. Price's improvement also may have been brought on by talk around Buffalo that he was a bust. Although Price has played well, his showboating antics on the field (animated first-down motions on seemingly simple plays) still have not endeared him to the Bills' fans and media. They don't believe Price has earned the right to showboat in the NFL just yet. ...

According to SportsLine.com insider Pete Prisco, there is growing sentiment that the Bills will dump offensive coordinator Mike Sheppard after the season. The thinking there is that somebody's head is going to roll due to the poor overall showing by the team's offense this season.

Sheppard has been handcuffed by injuries, as well as the slow ways players have picked up the offense. If Sheppard is let go, one name to keep an eye on is former San Diego coach Kevin Gilbride. Bills general manager Tom Donahoe has a high opinion of Gilbride, who worked under Donahoe when both were in Pittsburgh. Gilbride was the offensive coordinator under Bill Cowher, while Donahoe ran the personnel department. ...

And finally. ... ESPN.com insider Len Pasquarelli offered the following take on the team's situation at quarterback last Friday:

"Upon further review, and a lot more digging, the Buffalo Bills won't resolve their salary cap problem with injured quarterback Rob Johnson by investing big bucks in a multi-year extension. General manager Tom Donahoe and coach Gregg Williams still want to see a bit more from him and that means a four- or five-year deal is all but out of the question. The answer to the problem, since Johnson has a salary cap value of $11.2 million in 2002, is a one-year add-on for 2003, one in which Buffalo would have to ante up a large payment to exercise its option for that season. It would provide the Bills another season to assess Johnson and give him at least an opportunity to hit the mother lode. Of course, if he played badly in 2002, Johnson wouldn't see the big bucks from the Bills because they wouldn't exercise the option. One factor in the possible solution is that Johnson's agent, David Dunn, has split from Leigh Steinberg and is trying to make a splash of his own. If he endorsed 'givebacks' to the Bills for 2002, when Johnson is scheduled to earn a base salary of $4 million and a March roster bonus of $2.15 million, other agents would use that against Dunn in the recruiting wars. The problem for Dunn, if he balks at the kind of deal that Buffalo appears prepared to offer, is finding another alternative for his client. And the last time we checked, Johnson wasn't high on the wish list of any teams looking to change quarterbacks for the 2002 season."

RB: S. Bryson, S. Morris, T. Henry

FB: L. Centers, P. Crosby

WR: E. Moulds, P. Price, R. Germany, J. McDaniel, A. Black

TE: J. Riemersma, S. Jackson, S. Osborne

PK: S. Graham

Head coach George Seifert said he doesn't expect Muhsin Muhammad to play in Sunday's home game against Arizona. Muhammad has been battling turf toe since a Dec.9 game at Buffalo and missed Sunday's loss to St. Louis.

Seifert said tight end Wesley Walls, who sprained a knee against St. Louis, will be evaluated again today. Walls is listed as questionable for Sunday, along with wide receiver Karl Hankton (arm).

Also of interest this week. ...

In the past two games, unlike early in the year, the Panthers have been throwing the ball downfield. That resulted in Chris Weinke's first 300-yard passing game last week against St. Louis. Seifert said the change in style wasn't the result of any major switches in philosophy.

"It was probably the opponent and the coverages they were playing and what we thought we might be able to do as much as any one thing," he said.

RB: R. Huntley, N. Goings, B. Hoover

FB: B. Hoover, C. Hetherington

WR: D. Hayes, I. Byrd, P. Jeffers, S. Smith, M. Muhammad, K. Hankton

TE: W. Walls, K. Mangum, L. Broughton, C. Crawford

PK: J. Kasay

"Definitely I'm ahead of schedule. Everything is going as well as can be expected,'' Robinson said.

Robinson has lost 21 pounds since undergoing the surgery.

"When I'm not lifting (weights), I can't maintain my weight,'' he said. "I can't explain it.''

Also of interest this week. ...

The vote of confidence Coach Dick Jauron received from GM Jerry Angelo brought relief throughout the locker room.

"It's very deserving. The guy's worked hard the past couple of years,'' quarterback Jim Miller said. "Granted, last year I think was a disappointment. But I think he's starting to reap the rewards of the hard work he's put in. It was hard to win games last year when you've got 16 of your starters on IR.

"This year, as coaches, they've done everything they can do to put us in position to win. It's very deserving for Dick Jauron.''

RB: A. Thomas, J. Allen, A. Denson, L. Johnson

FB: D. Shelton, S. Pritchard

WR: M. Booker, D. White, D. Terrell, D. Bates

TE: F. Baxter, J. Davis, D. Lyman

PK: P. Edinger

Kitna was motioning with his hands, showing Johnson where to run on specific pass routes. Johnson nodded a few times.

Before practice, Johnson was asked if there were lingering problems between he and Kitna.

"Things have been back to normal," Johnson said.

Kitna didn't deny his relationship with the receivers was damaged but said he knew how it could be repaired.

"We're going to have to have some success in games, really," he said. "You can talk about it all you want, but that's not going to solve it. You solve it by having those things happening positively in games."

Other notes of interest this week. ...

Despite being benched in the fourth quarter of the last week's loss to the Ravens, Peter Warrick will return to the starting lineup on Sunday. Warrick was benched for fielding a punt at his own three-yard line.

After the game, Warrick voiced great displeasure at the benching. Head coach Dick LeBeau told the Cincinnati Enquirer, "I talked to Peter after the game. I told him he would be the starter next week. I hope he was upset. I was upset. Just a statement you got to know where you are on the field. You don't catch the ball on the 1-yard line. I understand him. I hope he understands me. ..."

And finally. ... Akili Smith had surgery to fix a torn left hamstring Wednesday, and the team expects him to be ready for training camp.

Smith tore part of the hamstring from the bone when he was tackled during a 15-14 loss to the New York Jets on Dec. 16. A magnetic resonance imaging test the next day found the severity of the injury, which ended his season.

Smith is expected to compete with Jon Kitna for the starting job next season. Kitna has the lowest passer rating in the NFL and has thrown 20 interceptions, third-most in the league.

The Bengals (4-10) have scored the fewest points in the league (177). They've scored only 57 points while losing their last seven games, their worst such slump in 23 years.

RB: C. Dillon, B. Bennett, C. Keaton, R. Johnson

FB: L. Neal, N. Williams

WR: D. Scott, P. Warrick, C. Johnson, R. Dugans, D. Farmer, T.J. Houshmandzadeh

TE: K. McMullen, N. Williams

PK: N. Rackers

In 22 games under Palmer, Couch threw for 22 touchdowns and 22 interceptions and earned a passer rating of 74.6.

In 14 games under Davis, Couch has 14 touchdowns, 18 interceptions and a rating of 71.2.

When you factor in Couch's makeshift supporting cast in those first two formative years of the Browns' rebirth, the comparison of those relevant individual statistics is even more intriguing.

But Couch insists he is a better quarterback now than before.

"I just realize a lot more about the game, as far as picking up blitzes, getting myself blocked and protected, that kind of thing," he said yesterday. "I'm seeing coverages better, reading coverages better."

So, what's the problem?

"The interceptions I've had have been maybe me just trying to force the issue a little bit. I've got to realize I don't have to win the game by myself. I've got a lot of players around me. I just have to relax and let the guys around me make the plays for me."

Couch's 18 interceptions are tied for fourth highest in the NFL behind Peyton Manning (21), Trent Green (21) and Jon Kitna (20).

None of those passers will be appearing in the playoffs this year. But two others with 18 picks will make the postseason field - Kurt Warner and Jay Fiedler.

Couch said frustration is the reason behind his 13 interceptions in the last six games.

The Browns' point total has been anemic since a 27-17 victory at Baltimore on Nov. 18.

The Browns scored 18 in a shutout victory against Cincinnati, and then in successive losses have scored 15, 16, 10 and 7.

"I think that's where I kind of got myself in trouble a couple times, when the offense is stalling a little bit," Couch said. "Early on I did a good job of just taking care of the football and not turning the ball over a lot. Lately I've kind of gotten frustrated with the offense not putting a lot of points on the board, not moving the ball as well as we'd like.

"I've tried to force the issue, try to throw the ball downfield into coverage at times, just trying to make the perfect throw.

"I just have to get back to what I was doing, take care of the ball, take what the defense gives me and just let my guys be athletes."

After the Green Bay loss, Couch said with defiance that he would continue to be aggressive with the ball. He did not see a contradiction in his statements yesterday.

"I'm not going to continue to throw it into coverage, try to make that perfect throw," he said. "What I meant is when it comes time to throw it downfield, I'm going to throw it there with confidence and not be passive or indecisive about it."

One difference in Couch's third NFL season is that the mounting criticism he hears throughout the city is rolling off his back more easily.

"It's not unjustified," he said. "I deserve it. I didn't play well, didn't take care of the football well enough. I'm not going to point fingers and say it was the weather, bad routes, whatever. It was my fault and I'll get it cleaned up."

The most encouraging thing is Couch's work ethic and determination to get better.

"I'm a young player in this league," he said. "This is really my second year in the league. I've got a ways to go, I realize that. I've got a lot to learn in this league, but I'm the kind of guy that's willing to do that. I'm willing to work hard, willing to learn, willing to accept criticism and willing to deal with it and get better from it. ..."

Also of interest this week. ...

H-back Aaron Shea continues to struggled with a deep shoulder bruise.

"It severely limited his range of motion," Davis said. "It was only in the last 24 hours that he could raise his arm as high as level. ..."

On Tuesday, the Browns signed tight end Alvin Morrow, who hasn't played football in five years after being a high school star in St. Louis.

"Legend has it in St. Louis high school football that he'd be the next coming of Kellen Winslow," said Davis, who recruited Morrow when he coached at the University of Miami. Morrow spent the past five years playing minor-league baseball. ...

Said Davis about having Ben Gay, a Texas high school legend, and Morrow on the same team: "I don't know if the legend of Alvin has the same volumes that Ben's had. ..."

RB: J. White, B. Gay, C. Fair

FB: R. Monroe, A. Shea

WR: K. Johnson, Q. Morgan, D. Northcutt, J. Dawson, A. King

TE: O.J. Santiago, J. Moreland, A. Morrow

PK: P. Dawson

The Cowboys have the worst red-zone offense in the league, scoring touchdowns on drives inside the opponents' 20 only 32.6 percent of the time.

It's a dubious distinction shared by four starting quarterbacks - Carter, Anthony Wright, Clint Stoerner and Ryan Leaf - although Carter has struggled inside the red zone the most.

In 12 red-zone trips, Carter has managed to put the ball in the end zone only three times, or 25 percent. He has had to settle for seven field-goal attempts (six good, one missed), run out the clock once in victory, and he turned the ball over once in defeat.

The latter was a goal-line fumble by Carter in Sunday's 17-10 loss at Arizona. It came after Emmitt Smith failed to score from the four, and then failed twice more from the one. On fourth-and-goal, Carter bootlegged right but fumbled while trying to elude defenders and break the plane of the goal line with the ball in his outstretched hand.

"Nine times out of 10, he gets that one in," quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson said Wednesday.

That's a good percentage for a team with such a bad red-zone scoring record. Logic even suggests that Carter's athleticism should be about the last thing an opposing defense wants to see around the goal line.

But penalties, turnovers and mental errors have helped transform the red zone into the "dead zone" for the Cowboys, no matter who's at quarterback.

In successive road losses to Seattle and Arizona, Carter and the offense scored only six points on a pair of Jon Hilbert field goals. In a combined 22 full possessions, the Cowboys penetrated the opponents' 20 only three times.

By comparison, in their previous two games - victories against Washington and the New York Giants - the Cowboys had eight red-zone possessions, scoring three touchdowns and three field goals.

"I think [red-zone offense] definitely can be a strong part of Quincy's game," said Wilson, a former NFL quarterback of 19 seasons. "It's just hard to create in practice exactly what you're going to face in a game. When you get down [inside the 20] in a game, the reaction time is real short, the decision-making real quick, and the windows to throw the ball into ... real small."

Carter, 2-4 as a NFL starter, can learn something from watching Jeff Garcia and the San Francisco offense Sunday at Texas Stadium. The 49ers lead the league in red-zone scoring with 27 touchdowns in 43 possessions (62.8 percent). They've had another 11 red-zone drives end up in field goals.

Carter has experienced that kind of success. ... At Georgia.

"In college," said Carter, "when you got down to the 1- or 2-yard line, it was almost like, 'Let's run it in quick so we can get the ball back and do it again.' But in the NFL, it's like, 'OK, we may have to kick a field goal right here.' It's really a big difference between college and the pros ... [scoring touchdowns] in the red zone."

Carter's athleticism is God-given.

"It's instinctive. You can't coach that," Wilson said.

The Cowboys waited until fourth-and-goal to try the "pass-run option" Sunday.

"Run-pass option down there at the goal line is a nice option to have," said Carter, who has lost two of a team-high five fumbles this season. "I want the ball in my hands in that situation."

Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb, drafted No. 2 overall in 1999, is the NFL example of a mobile quarterback who creates chaos around the goal line.

"Donovan McNabb makes a lot of plays running around inside the red zone," said Carter, picked 53rd overall last spring. "Even Joe Montana, who didn't get a lot of credit for his athleticism, had to move around in the pocket in that ['82 NFC championship game] against us [Cowboys] ... the one where Dwight Clark made 'The Catch.' Those real subtle moves in the pocket down in the red zone are what you have to have."

Scoring hasn't come easily anywhere on the field for Carter. In five games that he has started and finished, the offense has exceeded six points only twice - 20 points each against the Redskins and Giants. In 54 full possessions with Carter at quarterback, the Cowboys offense has scored only 52 points.

"One thing I can pat myself on the back right now is that I haven't been throwing into a lot of double coverage," said Carter. "I'm still learning. I feel it's coming."

RB: E. Smith, T. Hambrick, M. Wiley

FB: T. Hambrick, J.J. Huggins

WR: J. Galloway, R. Ismail, R. Swinton, D. Chiaverini, K. Rambo, R. Williams

TE: J. Harris, M. Lucky, J.J. Huggins, M. Solwold

PK: J. Hilbert

Post-concussion symptoms including dizziness, headaches and nausea that plagued Brian Griese in recent weeks have disappeared, allowing him to resume his role as the Denver Broncos' starting quarterback Sunday with a clear head -- and conscience.

"There's no doubt in my mind," Griese said Wednesday as the team began full-scale preparations for the Oakland Raiders' visit to Invesco Field at Mile High.

Griese sat out the Broncos' Dec. 16 loss to Kansas City because he still was suffering the effects of his headfirst dive into the turf the previous week in a win against Seattle, a play punctuated by linebacker Levon Kirkland's tackle. The just-completed bye week gave the quarterback additional healing time and his energy level steadily climbed.

By the middle of last week, he felt he had turned the corner.

Griese now pronounces himself 100 percent healed.

"There's been a lot of documentation and the doctors have studied it, seen the reaction times and what kind of time you need to recover from an injury. I'm past that point," Griese said. "And I feel confident that I'll be OK when I go out there and play."

Nevertheless, the Broncos will keep a watchful eye on him.

"The doctors feel that he's ready to go," coach Mike Shanahan said. "There should be no side effects, so hopefully there's not."

Much has changed since Griese's concussion. The previous time he stood behind center, the Broncos were fighting to remain in the playoff race. The loss to Kansas City and a string of other decisions around the AFC have ended such hopes.

But Griese doesn't want to entertain talk that the season's stretch run is essentially meaningless, particularly Sunday's game against the Raiders, who laid a 38-28 whipping on the Broncos on Nov. 5.

"For us, it hasn't been much fun because when you don't win in this league it's not much fun to come to work," Griese said. "But somehow, some way, you have to find a way to motivate yourself and have the right attitude and show everybody, show this city, that this team is made up of a lot of character and there's a lot of people on this team that aren't going to quit. It's just like everything else in life; when you're down, how are you going to react?"

The Broncos, more succinctly, have been up and down. Denver has traded wins and losses for eight weeks running. And as Griese has gone this season, so has the team. He has thrown five interceptions in seven wins, 10 in six losses. Overall, he has completed 240 of 393 passes for 2,534 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Asked to assess the disappointments of 2001, he refused. "I'm not looking back right now," Griese snapped, in perhaps the final sign he is completely back to normal.

One positive, in Griese's eyes, is that the final two weeks he will get to develop further his sense of timing and rhythm with such young receivers as Kevin Kasper, Scottie Montgomery and Chris Cole.

"These guys are getting a lot of experience, and that's only going to help us next year," Griese said.

Other notes of interest. ...

The Broncos on Monday waived wide receiver Keith Poole, who has been unable to contribute in recent weeks due to a nagging rib injury.

Poole, a five-year veteran, had been waived in the final cut Sept. 1. He was brought back after Ed McCaffrey suffered a season-ending leg injury in the season opener against the New York Giants. Poole caught five passes for 38 yards. ...

And finally. ... Tight end Desmond Clark -- the team's No. 2 receiver with 47 catches through the first 13 games -- played on special teams but was used sparingly on offense. He had been listed as probable on the week's injury report because of a groin strain.

"That didn't stop me from playing," Clark said. "I just wasn't in the game plan."

It meant an increased workload for Dwayne Carswell, who took Clark's spot in Denver's four- and five-receiver sets. He tied a career best with six catches and had 62 yards, six short of his best.

Just for the record, Clark is listed as probable again this week. ...

RB: T. Davis, M. Anderson, K. Coleman

FB: T. Carter, P. Hape, D. Smith

WR: R. Smith, C. Cole, K. Kasper, S. Montgomery, P. McGeoghan, M. Dominguez

TE: D. Carswell, D. Clark, M. Dominguez

PK: J. Elam

James Stewart (ankle) and Mike McMahon (foot) are both hobbled and may not be able to play this weekend against Chicago.

McMahon sprained his foot late in the Pittsburgh game last Sunday and is not expected to practice much this week.

"I didn't know it was quite this bad until this morning," head coach Marty Mornhinweg told the Detroit Free Press earlier this week. "Then I said, 'God dang, what are we doing?' But he needed that time, he needed to get through that game, he needed some completions at the end of that game."

If McMahon can't go, Ty Detmer will start in his place.

Stewart was in on just two plays against Pittsburgh before leaving with an ankle injury. Like McMahon, he will be evaluated as the week progresses.

If Stewart can't play, Lamont Warren will get the start.

RB: J. Stewart, L. Warren, R. Droughns, A. Cason,

FB: C. Schlesinger, B. Olivo, S. Trejo

WR: J. Morton, B. Emanuel, S. Anderson, L. Foster, D. Howard

TE: D. Sloan, S. Trejo, B. Banta

PK: J. Hanson

In all likelihood, the final two regular-season games -- home Sunday against Minnesota and at the New York Giants -- will present similar conditions. Like Lambeau Field, Giants Stadium is open air with a natural grass field.

Slick field conditions typically give the advantage to the offense.

"I tell our receivers before games like that (to) slow your routes down, be real sure of them, because the other team will slip," quarterback Brett Favre said. "They try to make the quick break thinking it's a dry field, and just one slip is all the edge you need."

Other notes of interest. ...

Favre's injured finger is not expected to keep him out of this week's game against Minnesota.

"He claims he could see the bone sticking out," head coach Mike Sherman told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "He has a little bit of the flair for the dramatic sometimes. We all know the way he plays."

Sherman is no doctor, but had reason to believe that Favre would be just fine.

"No, I didn't quite see the bone protruding out of his finger as he was throwing that touchdown pass," he said. "I didn't quite see that. But it's a good story."

Favre, who completed 18 of 28 passes for 139 yards and no interceptions, extended his NFL record with his sixth 30-touchdown season before injuring the finger while avoiding a sack and diving for a 1-yard gain in the third quarter.

"Some meat came off it," Favre said. "I either caught it between two helmets or got stepped on."

But Favre returned on the next series.

"That's one of the advantages of playing in the cold weather: You get numb," Favre said.

RB: A. Green, D. Levens, H. Goodman

FB: W. Henderson

WR: B. Schroeder, A. Freeman, C. Bradford, D. Driver, C. Lee, R. Ferguson

TE: B. Franks, D. Martin, T. Davis

PK: R. Longwell

Rhodes, though, realizes there's a part of his game that requires a different type of attention.

"I've got to take better care of the ball," he said.

While he's rushed for 880 yards, a league record for an undrafted rookie, Rhodes has fumbled six times, losing all six. They've occurred in the past seven games, with two coming in Sunday night's 29-28 loss to the New York Jets.

"I guess it's me trying to do too much and not really thinking about the fundamentals of the game," he said. "I'm upset about it, especially this last game 'cause they got six points out of it and they won by one point."

On two occasions -- against Miami and the Jets -- faulty blocking allowed quick penetration that kept Rhodes from securing the ball.

Rhodes insisted he isn't preoccupied with the fumbles, but acknowledged, "I've got to be more conscious of what's going on out there."

Head coach Jim Mora dismissed the notion Rhodes is a "chronic fumbler."

"I'm not excusing him for the fumbles, but he doesn't worry me," Mora said. "He's got to do a better job of protecting the ball, but it's not something we can't correct. ..."

Other notes of interest this week. ...

Wide receiver/kick returner Terrence Wilkins practiced Wednesday and might return to the playing field Sunday against the Rams.

Wilkins has been out the past two weeks with a strained right hamstring.

RB: D. Rhodes, K. McDougal, S. Stith

FB: J. Finn, W. Ours

WR: M. Harrison, R. Wayne, T. Wilkins, T. Insley, T. Simmons

TE: K. Dilger, M. Pollard, J.D. Davenport, J. Snow

PK: M. Vanderjagt

As Florida Times-Union beat reporter Bart Hubbuch pointed out earlier this week, such a concept seemed laughable in the first few weeks after Fred Taylor's late-September groin injury, but that's exactly what the club has become in December. Stacey Mack's 111 yards in 27 carries marked his second consecutive 100-yard outing, and rookie Elvis Joseph wasn't far behind with 86 yards in eight carries.

The key to the improved ground attack the past two weeks has been much greater push from the offensive line, more determined running by the powerful Mack and a willingness by coach Tom Coughlin to commit to the run.

Coughlin showed no such willingness in the first few weeks after Taylor's injury, especially in light of several Mack fumbles. Coughlin appears to be a believer now, though. ...

Other notes of interest this week. ...

The Jaguars aren't exactly poring through film this week of their August exhibition victory over the Chiefs.

Jacksonville needed a late Jonathan Quinn touchdown pass to the since-released Alvis Whitted to beat Kansas City 28-23 at Alltel Stadium that night in a game the Chiefs regulars dominated for three quarters.

"We'll look at that film, sure, because we see some of the same things being used now [by the Chiefs] that were used in the preseason, but it won't have a lot to do with our preparation," Coughlin said. "A lot of things have happened since the preseason."

RB: S. Mack, E. Joseph, R. White, F. Taylor

FB: P. Washington

WR: J. Smith, K. McCardell, S. Dawkins, D. Gibson, R. Micah

TE: K. Brady, R. Prince, J. Zelenka

PK: M. Hollis

Gonzalez's agent, Tom Condon, said Sunday that Gonzalez will seriously pursue his goal of playing in the NBA when the football season ends in two weeks.

"He's always been serious about playing in the NBA," said Condon, who lives in Kansas City and attended Sunday's game between the Chiefs and Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium. "He just thinks at this point in his development he's more ready than he's ever been.

"We're going to pursue that and see where it goes."

Condon's statement comes at an interesting time. Gonzalez will become a free agent at the end of the season. Chiefs president/general manager Carl Peterson opened negotiations last week by making an offer for a new contract.

"I would really like Tom Condon to work on getting Tony a multiyear contract in the National Football League," Peterson said. "It would be a tragedy if this guy decided to go another way with the success he's had in his five years as an NFL tight end. I think he's foolish to do that. How is Tony Gonzalez going to feel if he tears up his knee on the basketball court?

"He makes his profession and his living in the NFL. Tom, rather than work on that, should work with me on trying to get a multiyear contract. I'm disappointed that he's going to work on something with the NBA, and I'm going to let him know that, too."

Gonzalez, 25, is having less of an impact on the Chiefs' offense. He had just two receptions in Sunday's 20-17 win. He uncharacteristically wouldn't answer questions from reporters after the game.

The Chiefs have tolerated but have never been happy that Gonzalez indulges in basketball during the off-season. He plays pickup games and in the summer pro league near his home in southern California.

Gonzalez, 6 feet 4 and 248 pounds, played power forward in college on the California basketball team and has talked of someday giving the NBA a try.

Condon said Gonzalez would pursue basketball in addition to football rather than as an alternative.

"He doesn't not want to play football," Condon said. "He just wants to play basketball, too."

Peterson took Condon's statement as a negotiating ploy.

"The guy I know as a general manager of the Chicago Bulls (Jerry Krause) says that Tony was not an NBA player when he was coming out and he's not now," Peterson said. "I would hope Tony would realize that, too."

The Chiefs can protect Gonzalez from becoming an unrestricted free agent by making him their franchise player. Peterson threatened to do that if negotiations broke down.

"We can stop the negotiations like that," said Peterson, snapping his fingers. "We know what the ultimate solution is if we have to do that. So does he. He doesn't want that, either. ..."

Other notes of interest. ...

The Chiefs on Wednesday agreed to terms on a three-year contract with wide receiver Reggie Jones, who spent the past 1 1/2 seasons with the San Diego Chargers.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The 6-0, 195-pound Jones played in nine games for the Chargers this year before getting released on November 13. He caught five passes for 29 yards while returning four kickoffs for 126 yards and three punts for five years.

Originally signed by the Washington Redskins as a non-drafted free agent in 1995, Jones was out of football in 1996 before signing with Kansas City in 1997.

He was a member of the Chiefs for three years, but did not play in any games, spending 1997 on injured reserve with a thigh injury and 1998 on Kansas City's practice squad.

He signed as a free agent with the Chargers after the 1999 season and played in 11 games last year, catching 22 passes for 252 yards.

And finally. ... According to Pro Football Weekly, a big reason for RB Priest Holmes' success is the ability of the Chiefs' offensive linemen to get off their initial block and get to the "second level." The second level means the linemen are able to get beyond the trenches and get in the way of linebackers and safeties. Holmes also has been getting solid downfield blocking contributions from WR Derrick Alexander as well as Gonzalez.

RB: P. Holmes, M. Cloud, D. Blaylock

FB: T. Richardson

WR: D. Alexander, M. Minnis, E. Kennison, D. Hall, R. Jones, L. Parker

TE: T. Gonzalez, J. Dunn, M. Ricks

PK: T. Peterson

"The one time I caught a pass near the Patriots sideline, I got held up by a couple of guys and [linebacker Mike] Vrabel got a clean shot on my ribs with his helmet," said Konrad, who didn't practice Wednesday and likely will be replaced by Deon Dyer against Atlanta. "It knocked the wind out of me for about five minutes or so. I was wheezing. After that, I couldn't go."

The injury also hurt emotionally, as Konrad was playing in front of friends and family. Konrad was raised in nearby Andover, Mass.

"Obviously, I'm very disappointed about it," said Konrad, who also suffered a knee injury during a 1999 road game against New England. "I'm hoping it can turn around but who knows. They say with ribs you can't do much for them besides just letting them heal up.

"Just trying to get to sleep at night isn't a whole lot of fun. It's been a rough couple of days."

Running back J.J. Johnson (calf) also didn't practice Wednesday while wide receivers Oronde Gadsden (hamstring), James McKnight (ankle) and Chris Chambers (ankle) worked on a limited basis and are listed as questionable for Sunday's game.

"We'll play our way through it," head coach Dave Wannstedt said. "It doesn't make any difference come Sunday. We have to find a way to win and get the job done."

Also of interest this week. ...

Offensive coordinator Chan Gailey and Atlanta coach Dan Reeves are about to become neighbors again.

Set to accept the head coaching position at Georgia Tech, Gailey will be living in the same area as his mentor. Reeves coached Gailey's youth baseball team in Americus, Ga., and later hired him as a special teams coach with the Denver Broncos in 1985.

"You kind of know everybody in a little town like Americus," said the 57-year-old Reeves, who is eight years older than Gailey. "Chan is somebody I worked with. It was kind of a tradition in Americus in the youth program we had there. If you were in high school, you kind of coached the kids coming up behind you.

"Actually, it was my first time I was exposed to coaching. I know it was the same for Chan when it was his turn."

Reeves is excited that Gailey soon will be running the show at Georgia Tech.

"I know he'll do a great job," said Reeves, who unsuccessfully tried to add Gailey to his Falcons staff in 2000. "He's done a great job everywhere he's ever been. That's the only thing he knows. He's got all the traits you look for to be successful as a head coach. The Georgia Tech program is big in this city. Him being from Georgia is just a great fit. He'll be a natural."

RB: L. Smith, T. Minor, J.J. Johnson

FB: D. Dyer, R. Konrad

WR: J. McKnight, C. Chambers, O. Gadsden, J. Ogden, D. Ward

TE: H. Goodwin, J. Weaver, E. Perry

PK: O. Mare

Coach Dennis Green said if Bouman can't work out at full strength on Thursday, he'll start Spergon Wynn in Sunday's game against Green Bay instead.

The team held an unusually late practice Wednesday evening. During the portion of the practice open to reporters, Bouman made a few throws but ran no plays.

Before the practice, Bouman said gripping the football is difficult. "Every time I get a real strong grip on it I get pain in the joint and where the ligaments are strained," he said. "So that's the hardest part, gripping it really, really tight and being able to let it go."

Bouman hurt his thumb in the second quarter of a 27-24 loss to Detroit on Dec. 16, and he aggravated the injury on the team's first drive of Sunday's 33-3 loss to Jacksonville.

"Todd Bouman's thumb is better than it was," Green said when he met with reporters before practice. "The question is, will that be sufficient enough?"

Last week, Green waited until Friday before making a decision whether to start Bouman or Wynn. But on Wednesday, he said waiting that long didn't work.

With a decision Thursday, the Vikings can devote more attention to Wynn, if he's needed. "We would not be able to go in (to Green Bay) without that kind of work," Green said.

Wynn, a second-year player from Southwest Texas State, put up solid numbers in relief last Sunday, despite being sacked four times. He completed 24 of 39 passes for 218 yards and one interception.

"Spergon Wynn, I thought, was solid for his part," Green said. "I think if we would have done some other things better, I think he would have had the chance to go out and show that he can play and run our offense."

If Bouman is unable to start, Wynn will be the third quarterback to start for Minnesota this season. Pro Bowler Daunte Culpepper, who had arthroscopic surgery Dec. 20, is rehabbing his injured left knee and is likely out for the season.

Bouman relieved Culpepper in the fourth quarter against Pittsburgh Dec. 9. He was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week in his first career start the following week after throwing for 326 yards and four touchdowns against Tennessee.

Wynn was acquired in a trade with Cleveland Sept. 3. He played in seven games as a rookie with the Browns last season and started one. He completed 22 of 54 passes for 167 yards and one interception and was sacked 13 times on the season.

With Culpepper out, the Vikings on Dec. 18 signed rookie Romaro Miller, who was with the team in training camp, to serve as third-string quarterback.

RB: M. Bennett, D. Chapman, T. Prentice

FB: J. Kleinsasser, H. Morrow

WR: R. Moss, C. Carter, J. Reed, C. Walsh, T. Walters, N. Jacquet

TE: B. Chamberlain, A. Jordan

PK: G. Anderson

Reserve wide receiver Fred Coleman recovered a pooch kick in the first half to set up three points and he then came down with an onside kick late in the fourth quarter. Reserve fullback Patrick Pass caught his first career touchdown pass, with J.R. Redmond and Jermaine Wiggins throwing key blocks to make the play happen. ...

He was released after catching four passes for 70 yards in the exhibition season. But there was Mitchell at practice Wednesday with the Saints. He was re-signed to replace Cam Cleeland, whose season ended at Tampa Bay on Sunday when he injured an Achilles' tendon for the third time in two seasons. There are two games remaining, but Mitchell's goal is the same: to make an impression that will enable him to resume his career.

"I'd been on alert since I was released, just working out, hoping I'd get the call," said Mitchell, whom the New York Jets selected with the 15th pick in the 1992 draft. "It came later than I expected, but it's better late than never."

Although former Saints tight end Mike Stachelski is available, Coach Jim Haslett said Mitchell's name was the only one that came up to replace Cleeland. Like Stachelski, Mitchell is familiar with the Saints' plays, but he is more of a weapon, an excellent receiver who can get deep.

Mitchell, 30, said he worked out for the Saints about three weeks ago, just before Cleeland returned after missing five games.

"I ran a good time, and they were impressed that I still knew the plays," he said. "The coaches would tell me a play, and I ran the route without them telling me what to do."

Mitchell still is in good shape and has maintained his training camp weight of 248. Getting called up was a good Christmas gift, he said, but he would like it to get better.

"I'd just like to contribute and help this team win these next two games," he said. "It's up to Coach Haslett, how many snaps I play. But I think they see that I'm serious and that there's an urgency, even though there's only two games left."

RB: R. Williams, D. McAllister, F. McAfee

FB: T. Smith, M. Norris, K. Houser

WR: J. Horn, W. Jackson, R. Wilson, W. McGarity, O. Ojo

TE: E. Williams, L. Hall, J. Mitchell,

PK: J. Carney

"I haven't ruled him out completely," head coach Jim Fassel said Wednesday. "But right now he did not start with the first group. I will say this, though: He did a nice job as a gunner. He did that well."

In preparation for Sunday's game against the Eagles in Philadelphia, the Giants are looking at safety Omar Stoutmire, CB Emmanuel McDaniel and rookie CBs Will Allen and Will Peterson as return men. Allen returned kicks at Syracuse, and Peterson returned them at Western Illinois.

"They've been back there, they've been practicing and they've got a New York Giants logo on their helmet," Fassel said. "They have to belly up to the bar and stick it up in there. I want them to field the ball and get as much yardage as they possibly can."

Against Seattle last Sunday, Dixon fumbled one kickoff to set up the Seahawks' go-ahead touchdown. He also misjudged another, fielding it instead of letting it sail out of bounds.

Allen and Peterson haven't been used as returners this season, in part because Fassel feared injuries to them. Now, the Giants' desire for a victory may override that concern.

"If that ends up happening, yeah, I'd look forward to it," Allen said. "I enjoy doing that."

Said Peterson: "I would love to do it if given the opportunity. It's a chance to have the ball in your hands a little bit."

One player who won't be involved in kickoff returns is RB Tiki Barber. Seems he's already busy enough.

"Tiki's got first down, second down and third down and punt returns," Fassel said. "Pretty soon, I'm going to let him write articles."

Other notes of interest this week. ...

According to Pro Football Weekly, there's an increasing belief in the Giants' locker room that it's time to take a look at rookie quarterback Jesse Palmer for a game or two. The former Florida standout has a strong arm, is a good athlete and has performed well in practice. The Giants have a tough decision to make on starter Kerry Collins, who they hoped to sign to a contract extension earlier this year, but who hasn't played consistently well. ...

RB: T. Barber, R. Dayne, D. Washington

FB: G. Comella, A. Green

WR: A. Toomer, I. Hilliard, J. Jurevicius, R. Dixon, T. Davis

TE: H. Cross, D. Campbell, M. Rivers

PK: M. Andersen, O. Pochman

Oh, he had his moments, specifically in the second half of a comeback victory over Miami. More often, though, Testaverde was a caretaker.

In the last two victories, which have placed the Jets (9-5) in strong contention not only for a playoff berth but even for a division title and first-round bye, the 38-year-old quarterback has been sensational.

His best work came last Sunday night at Indianapolis. Testaverde threw for 285 yards and two touchdowns and led the Jets on a decisive 10-play, 76-yard drive with no timeouts.

"That was Vinny at his best," said running back Curtis Martin, the Jets' offensive lynchpin.

"Best drive I've ever been in," added tight end Anthony Becht, who caught the 6-yard pass that won the game.

For Testaverde, it was a second successive excellent performance in the fourth quarter. Against Cincinnati the previous week, he led the Jets on two late touchdown drives for a 15-14 win.

Until recently, the Jets played conservatively with the ball. That is understandable considering Martin has been near the top of the NFL rushing charts all year -- he is second to Kansas City's Priest Holmes with 1,340 yards -- and the defense has been forcing turnovers at a league-leading rate.

But the offense has stagnated too often this season, partly because coordinator Paul Hackett has been reluctant to open it up. At halftime against the Bengals, with the Jets trailing 7-3, coach Herman Edwards ordered Hackett to put more emphasis on passing, particularly down the field.

That emphasis continued in Indianapolis, and Testaverde has carried out his role superbly.

"We said we weren't going to hold anything back," said Testaverde, who led the league with 25 interceptions last year, but has thrown only 10 this season. "We used the entire offense. It wasn't perfect, but it was good enough to win."

The most noticeable display of his game management came on that final drive. The Jets were methodical, and they converted several long-distance plays. The Jets faced only one third down on the march, and Testaverde hit his favorite receiver, Wayne Chrebet, for 23 yards.

"It was great to be running around and making plays and having fun again," said Chrebet, who caught eight passes for 118 yards against the Colts.

Testaverde even showed some improvisation, taking off on a scramble that netted 12 yards before he lateraled to Martin, who picked up another 11.

Edwards is thrilled with what he has seen lately from Testaverde, whose job security has not been challenged by top prospect Chad Pennington.

"I like it because the guys are having fun," Edwards said. "They are playing loose and having fun and that's how you have to play. You can't play tight. That's what I told them: `You can't be tight; you just have to go play. Let it all hang out. Play football like you know how.' "

Given that opportunity, Testaverde has made the most of it.

"Obviously, you win championships with defense, but we need the offense to keep it balanced," he said. "Now is the time of year we have to have it. There's no room for error. ..."

Other notes of interest this week. ...

Becht, who has had a roller-coaster season, can expect to continue playing a more prominent role in the team's game plan over the final two weeks of the season.

Coaches believe the recent emergence of first-year wide receiver Kevin Swayne, the return of rookie speedster Santana Moss and consistency from wide receiver Wayne Chrebet and Laveranues Coles will divert attention away from Becht and free him to find soft spots in the middle of the secondary.

Becht has 34 catches for 303 yards and five touchdowns, all career-highs, and has been a solid blocker. But he has been plagued by drops at times this season. He, like the Jets, seems unfazed by that.

"We haven't done much in the middle of the field," Becht said. "It's just a matter of the coverages we see. You never know when we're going to get that big opening in the middle where we can hit that long pass. If the coverage is there, we'll hit it."

Becht was a footnote in the Jets' offense last season, finishing with 16 catches for 144 yards and two touchdowns after coming out of West Virginia with a reputation as a reliable receiver.

This season, Becht was expected to play the role of Brent Jones or Mark Chmura, tight ends that glamorized the position in the West Coast offense. But disaster struck in Game 3 against San Francisco. Becht had three drops and missed a key block in pass protection that led to a sack.

Unofficially, Becht has five drops this season and several other borderline drops.

"He's a young player," Testaverde said. "He's going to get better."

Said Edwards: "He's very, very energetic. He wants to do the right thing, and at times, he tries too hard and it gets him in trouble. He doesn't relax. I think the good thing is (offensive coordinator) Paul (Hackett) understands him and when things go awry and he drops a ball, they come back to him some time during the game."

Becht admits he's still a work in progress.

"I've had a couple of lack-of-focus plays," he said. "I was kind of hot the first five games, getting at least four or five looks a game. But your role changes throughout the season. There are a lot of things I have to do as a tight end in this system with the different packages and motion. It makes your job that much more important and difficult. I feel I'm improving game by game."

And finally. ... According to SportsLine.com insider Jay Glazer, Edwards said last week that wide receiver Wayne Chrebet will be a Jet next year. Chrebet isn't so sure, especially since he makes over $4 million and believes he is being phased out of the offense.

If he does not return, could he remain in New York? That would be his first choice as Chrebet said it has always been his dream to play with good friend Michael Strahan before his career comes to a halt.

The Giants' Joe Jurevicius is due for free agency and Ike Hilliard is still not fully recovered from a toe injury that required offseason surgery.

RB: C. Martin, L. Jordan, C. Morton

FB: R. Anderson, J. Sowell

WR: W. Chrebet, L. Coles, K. Swayne, S. Moss, M. Hatchette, C. Yeast

TE: A. Becht, J. Dearth, D. Wilcox

PK: J. Hall

It's the results that don't quite stack up for the Raiders and leave plenty of room for speculation about their seemingly lackluster running game.

The Raiders now are a pass-oriented team that remains steadfast in its desire to fancy itself as one with a run-first mind-set, according to many players and coaches.

"We feel like we can count on our running game," head coach Jon Gruden said. "The running game will be something we are going to need to lean on as this season draws to a close."

The Raiders relied upon their running game a great deal in 2000. They led the league with an average of 154.4 yards per game and finished tied for second at 4.8 per carry. This season, they are 21st in the league at 106 yards per game and 25th at 3.7 yards per carry.

They averaged 32.5 carries per game last season. That number is down to 28.9 this season. They passed only 48 percent of the time in 2000. That figure is up to nearly 54 percent this season.

Gruden and many players point to the fact that teams now build their defensive game plans around stopping the Raiders' rushing attack. That often means the Raiders face eight- and nine-man fronts, with a safety or two crowding the line of scrimmage to provide support against the run.

"We're a very selective offense," quarterback Rich Gannon said. "We're going to take our shots when they're available. We've shown when we've got into games that we'll run it 35 times or throw it 40 times. We're willing to and ready to change gears when we have to."

The additions of wide receiver Jerry Rice and versatile running back Charlie Garner often are cited as a reason for the precipitous decline in the Raiders' effectiveness running the ball.

Rice's 71 receptions are 30 more than that totaled by the player he replaced -- Andre Rison. Garner's 58 receptions through 14 games are more than twice as many as the any Raiders running back had in 2000. Also, Gannon's 303 completions exceed his regular-season total last year.

"A lot of those passes to Charlie are just like runs," running back Terry Kirby said. "That's better than 4 yards any day. Besides, we're controlling the ball pretty well. That's the key and that's all that matters."

Zack Crockett's six rushing touchdowns top all running backs. He and Kirby said Oakland's rushing statistics are misleading because opposing teams are overcompensating to stop the run. The real run-driven Raiders will surface before season's end, they said.

"We've got the best backfield in the league," Crockett said. "Who else has a backfield that comes close to us? No one. Wait till the playoffs."

That comes around the middle of January. The Raiders still have a game Sunday against the Denver Broncos and one against the New York Jets on Jan. 6 to work out any kinks in their running game. Kirby is the only Raiders running back averaging more yards rushing per game this season than he did in 2000.

Don't blame injuries to three starters on the offensive line, Gruden said, for any shortcomings.

"It's not the same as it was last year, and we're not playing the same schedule we were last year, either," Gruden said. "I've heard a lot about last year we were this, but this is this year and we've got five different (offensive) starters and a completely different schedule.

"We just have to understand that. At the same time, we are going to be committed to running the ball and we've got to do a better job. I've got to do a better job in some regards staying with it. ..."

I find it interesting that Tyrone Wheatley's name wasn't mentioned even once by Corkran or any of the Raiders he quoted. ...

Other notes of interest this week. ...

According to the Sacramento Bee, Gannon had to take a painkilling injection for a sore passing hand, which was rammed into the chest of a Titan pass rusher early in Saturday night's game.

Gannon finished a scoreless first half 13 for 25 for 102 yards. For the game, he was 29 for 50 for 249 yards and one touchdown with one interception. "He got hit," Gruden said later. "I believe it was an early third down and three, and we just missed Jerry (Rice) on a crossing route. He's OK. I think he was sore for 20 minutes or so after that. I do know he took a shot on his throwing hand. Whether or not that inhibited his ability to throw the ball, he can only answer, but it didn't appear to be the case."

Not surprisingly, Gannon dismissed the injury as minor and not the reason for Oakland scoring only one touchdown for the second week in a row. ...

And finally. ... According to Gruden, Sebastian Janikowski kicked effectively during Wednesday's practice.

"You might say he's got some soreness, but he kicked the ball through the uprights accurately and he kicked off well," Gruden said.

RB: C. Garner, R. Jordan, T. Kirby, T. Wheatley

FB: J. Ritchie, Z. Crockett, J. Williams

WR: T. Brown, J. Rice, J. Porter, M. Knight, J. Jett

TE: R. Williams, J. Brigham, M. Fulcher

PK: S. Janikowski

"It's pretty much do or die," the Eagles quarterback said yesterday. "Really, we have to win this game. We can't worry about who we play next week or who we would play in the playoffs. We can only focus on what we have to do this week."

If the Eagles win or tie, they clinch the NFC East title. If they lose, they have to go to Tampa next week for a must-win game against a team fighting for a playoff berth.

The game is at Veterans Stadium, but it's up for debate whether that represents an advantage. The Eagles are 6-1 on the road this season and 3-4 at the Vet.

"We'll just have to approach this like we're on the road," McNabb said.

The Giants are 2-5 on the road and 5-2 at Giants Stadium. But they have won four straight at the Vet, a fact not lost on defensive end Michael Strahan.

"I love going to Philly," Strahan said. "The attitude of the fans being against you helps you. I think when you go into those other stadiums, you'd better have a chip on your shoulder.

"Home-field advantage, at this point, I don't think it really matters that much. The away team comes in and uses that energy from the crowd, even though it's not for them, for themselves."

The Eagles have thrived under those conditions, including an Oct. 22 game at the Meadowlands. They beat the Giants, 10-9, on Monday Night Football, ending a nine-game losing streak against the division rivals.

"I don't think it was anything special," Strahan said. "It was just a matter of Donovan got out of the pocket and threw a strike and that was it. They made a play at the end of the game. That was it. To beat a team nine straight times is amazing in itself."

Other notes of interest. ...

After watching tapes of their unsuccessful goal-line effort in San Francisco, the Eagles said they had a good idea of what went wrong.

"It was one guy on every play," guard John Welbourn said. "On one play, they stunted. On another, they had just the right blitz on. Their defensive coordinator [Jim Mora] is pretty sharp and he obviously was keyed in on what we were doing. The bottom line is, we had six opportunities and we should have scored."

They also had to let it go, as frustrating as it was.

"It just makes you hungrier for the next win," offensive tackle Jon Runyan said. "We know we did it to ourselves. We didn't give ourselves an opportunity to win the game."

"We've been playing football our whole lives," Trotter said. "If you haven't learned how to put things behind you by now, you're in trouble."

And finally. ... Wide receiver James Thrash, who sprained his ankle in San Francisco, did not practice Wednesday, but head coach Andy Reid said he expected Thrash to practice today and be ready for Sunday.

RB: D. Staley, C. Buckhalter, B. Mitchell, R. Smart

FB: C. Martin, J. Reader

WR: J. Thrash, T. Pinkston, F. Mitchell, N. Brown, G. Scott, D. Douglas

TE: C. Lewis, T. Stewart, M. Bartrum, J. Thomason

PK: D. Akers

He skipped Wednesday's practice, as he has done most of the season, even when healthy.

"I can't really predict the future, so I take it day by day," Bettis said. "I'm not 100 percent yet. I just want to keep improving and take it day by day."

The Steelers need one victory -- or one loss by the Oakland Raiders -- to clinch home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.

Bettis doesn't want to go into the playoffs after sitting out five games and a bye week.

"You don't want to do it unless you have to," he said. "It wouldn't take a whole lot. It would just take getting the speed of the game back. That's the one thing you want to do. You want to just get the speed of the game back, get a feel for it. I'm a veteran so there's not going to be a lot new. I just want to get the feel of the game, get a couple carries and see where I'm at."

Joining Bettis on the sideline Wednesday was fellow running back Amos Zereoue (shoulder), who is listed as probable on this week's injury report.

Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala, who had a career-high 126 yards on 26 carries and caught a 54-yard screen against the Lions last Sunday, will continue to share the workload with Zereoue if Bettis is unable to play again this weekend.

Other notes of interest. ...

In an article published last Friday, ESPN.com insider Len Pasquarelli noted that sometimes the best thing a coach can know is what he doesn't know, and that appears to have been the case with Bill Cowher of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who after three seasons away from the playoffs revamped his entire offensive staff this year.

What he admitted, in essence, was that he knew he couldn't get production from Kordell Stewart or reach the kind of rapprochement necessary to make his quarterback a viable starter. Recall that Cowher basically had given up on Stewart, toyed with his psyche by not even allowing him to sit in on the quarterback meetings just two years ago, then signing Kent Graham last season.

But the reclamation of Stewart, and of a once-stodgy offense that now features as much diversity and potential explosiveness as almost any outside of St. Louis, began with the refurbishing of the Steelers staff and not the rebuilding of the quarterback's confidence. In essence, Cowher changed his entire offensive staff, and the results speak for themselves.

He promoted assistant coach Mike Mularkey to coordinator, and the former tight ends coach has done a masterful job of defining Stewart's strengths, getting the quarterback involved again in the game-planning process and accentuating his athleticism. Mularkey keeps Stewart, for the most part, out of long third-down situations and provides him a chance to maximize his skills.

"Nothing against (the coordinators) we had here recently, but it's like night and day, and anyone who can't see the difference is crazy," said wide receiver Hines Ward. "We can do so many more things now on offense. People say we can't throw the ball? Well, ask the Baltimore Ravens how we did (on Sunday night). Folks say that, without Jerome Bettis we can't run the ball, but we still get production out of the guys who have stepped in for him. It's really a fun offense to play in, believe me."

But the changes on the Pittsburgh offensive staff didn't just start and end with the promotion of Mularkey, a guy who six years ago was begging for a job in the league.

The Steelers hired Tom Clements, their first quarterback coach in 25 years, and he is a buffer between Stewart and Cowher and a confidant who the player trusts. Offensive line coach Russ Grimm, formerly of Washington, has turned a bunch of no-names into a terrific unit. Both of the leftside players, tackle Wayne Gandy and particularly guard Alan Faneca, deserve consideration for the Pro Bowl. New wide receivers coach Kenny Jackson worked with Ward, Plaxico Burress and Troy Edwards to improve their routes.

Suddenly a Pittsburgh team that figured to earn a playoff spot because of its defense can put up points now. Cowher still has the lantern jaw and the glassy stare, but the once intransigent coach made the changes necessary, and now he has a Super Bowl contender. Despite the critics, this is a team with talent, much of it imported by former personnel chief Tom Donahoe. And finally the offensive talent is being permitted to thrive. ...

RB: C. Fuamatu Ma'afala, A. Zereoue, J. Bettis

FB: J. Witman, D. Kreider

WR: H. Ward, P. Burress, B. Shaw, T. Edwards, L. Jackson

TE: J. Tuman, M. Cushing, C. Geason

PK: K. Brown

The Rams won the Super Bowl in Faulk's first season, he was league MVP last year and at 12-2 St. Louis is again closing in on home-field advantage in the playoffs heading into the running back's first game against his old team. If they beat the Colts (5-9) and the Chicago Bears are upset in Detroit on Sunday, St. Louis will clinch the NFC West and the top seed in the conference.

When Faulk arrived in St. Louis, the Rams had endured nine consecutive losing seasons and were coming off a 4-12 record. He was one of the keys; the other was the discovery of quarterback Kurt Warner after Trent Green was injured.

"It's one of those things," Faulk said. "You get a bunch of people together and they gel and you have what we have here now."

So he insists, there's no looking back. Faulk, who played for the Colts for his first five seasons after being taken with the second overall pick of the 1994 draft, said this game holds no special significance.

Even if the Colts unloaded Faulk and his salary for second- and fifth-round draft picks so they could draft Edgerrin James and make him the featured back.

"It's another game we have to win," Faulk said. "It's a story. It's bad news, so it's good news."

Teammates haven't sensed any extra emphasis on this week from Faulk.

"I think Marshall's happy to be here and excited about what he's got with this situation," Warner said. "I don't think there's a whole lot of animosity."

Faulk said he keeps in touch with some of his ex-teammates in Indianapolis. He's highly complimentary of fellow New Orleans native Peyton Manning, who was a rookie in 1998, Faulk's final season in Indianapolis.

"Watching him now and then, it's nice to see someone go through a learning process," Faulk said. "He busts his butt out there to succeed. It was a pleasure playing with him."

Faulk had little to say about playing for Colts coach Jim Mora because, as he remembers it, most of his contact was with offensive coordinator Tom Moore.

"I don't have anything to prove to them," Faulk said. "I wasn't bitter with them about anything and I understood the move they made and the things they were deciding to do.

"We were just going in different directions and that was that."

Faulk now has the best of both worlds. He's one of the NFL's best players on one of the league's best teams.

"If you don't make it to the postseason, you're an elite player for like 16 games, then once that's over they don't talk about you anymore," Faulk said. "So quickly you understand the emphasis of getting to the playoffs and not just getting to the playoffs but winning and not just winning but the big games.

"I've been fortunate to have been on a team that did that and to be surrounded by some guys who are working towards doing it again."

Faulk is coming off his third career 200-yard rushing day in last week's 38-32 victory over the Carolina Panthers.

Despite missing two games with a knee injury, Faulk leads the NFL with 16 touchdowns and is third in the NFC in total yards from scrimmage with 1,756.

"He never stops amazing me," quarterback Kurt Warner said. "If he could throw the ball, I might be extinct."

Faulk, who has had 77 carries the last three games along with 16 receptions, doesn't mind the work load.

"Whatever we have to do," he said. "Whatever I have to do to help this team win, that's just it. ..."

Other notes of interest this week. ...

It looks like Az-Zahir Hakim has finally let his job as punt returner slip away.

Another fumbled return in the St. Louis Rams' 38-32 win over Carolina on Sunday set up an easy Panthers touchdown. It was the third time in five games Hakim has fumbled away a punt.

On the next punt return, head coach Mike Martz sent out Dre' Bly to return the kick instead of Hakim. And Martz said after the game that he is making the switch to Bly.

"I feel bad." Martz said. "But it could cost us severely in a real critical situation. And he knows that, God bless him."

Hakim's fumble Sunday came as it appeared the Rams were about to coast to an easy win. Ahead 31-16 in the final minute of the third quarter, the Panthers were forced to punt.

Last season in New Orleans, the Rams were coming back in their first-round playoff game against the Saints, cutting a 31-7 deficit to 31-28 when Hakim fumbled a punt that clinched the game for New Orleans.

And finally. ... According to St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter Jim Thomas, the Rams plan to extend Martz's contract at the end of this season. Martz is completing the second year of a four-year contract that pays him about $1.1 million annually.

That's on the low end for NFL coaches, so Martz is in line for a hefty pay raise barring a late-season collapse or an early playoff exit by the team. Dick Vermeil, for example, signed a three-year, $10 million contract when he returned to coaching with the Kansas City Chiefs this season.

The Rams have yet to have any formal discussions on the extension with Martz's agent, Frank Bauer. But owners Georgia Frontiere and Stan Kroenke, as well as team presidents John Shaw and Jay Zygmunt, are very pleased with Martz's development as a head coach.

His 21-8 regular-season record is the fourth-best mark for a new coach in his first 29 games since 1980. George Seifert got off to a 26-3 start with San Francisco in 1989-90; Steve Mariucci went 23-6 in '97-98 with San Francisco; and Barry Switzer started 22-7 for Dallas in '94-95.

The Rams are 11-2 this season, even though they've played the seventh-toughest schedule in the NFL. Rams opponents were a combined 90-80 entering this weekend's play. Only one team with a winning record, the New York Jets, had played a tougher schedule (91-80). In comparison, the NFL's other 11-2 team, Pittsburgh, played the second-weakest schedule (74-95).

Besides his innovative and aggressive offensive approach, club management has been impressed with Martz's role in helping retool the defense after last season's 471-point debacle. Martz, 50, had never been a head coach at any level of football before his promotion from offensive coordinator two years ago.

RB: M. Faulk, T. Canidate, R. Holcombe

FB: J. Hodgins, J. Watson

WR: T. Holt, I. Bruce, A. Hakim, R. Proehl, Y. Murphy

TE: E. Conwell, J. Robinson, B. Manumaleuna

PK: J. Wilkins

"I have made mention that we might do that," Riley said.

Riley has kept Brees on the bench in recent weeks even with the Chargers out of playoff contention, but he hinted there might be a change this week. "Let me give you the whole picture, if there's any change about how we might use Drew, later in the week," he said. ...

Other notes of interest. ...

Riley also said on Tuesday that he did not anticipate Jeff Graham playing Sunday. However, he did not rule out Graham. ... "He might have a different thought that I need to talk to him about," said Riley, who is willing to let the veteran wide out remain with his family -- if he wants.

Graham went home to Dayton, Ohio, late last week after his father was killed in a one-car accident. The funeral is scheduled for Thursday.

Trevor Gaylor will continue to line up as the starter opposite Curtis Conway if Graham doesn't play this weekend.

And finally. ... According to ESPN.com insider Len Pasquarelli, management can deny it all it wants to, but the decision on Riley's future has been all but settled, with the likeable coach ultimately undone by an ugly losing streak and his flirtations with various college head coaching jobs.

As recent reports indicate, Riley would be coaching at San Diego State now if his contract didn't include a $750,000 loan he would have had to repay the Chargers were he to bolt during the year.

By getting fired, Riley will at least get the two remaining seasons on his contract, worth a total of about $1.5 million. Just a hunch on where Riley might end up: How about Nevada-Las Vegas, where John Robinson is also athletic director, and where he is strongly considering stepping out of the head coach position?

Pasquarelli advised readers not to be surprised if New York Jets standout defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell, who worked with San Diego general manager John Butler in Buffalo, is the new head coach.

The feeling in San Diego is that, while the Chargers have some pretty solid pieces on the defensive side, the team let down late in games. Part of that can be explained by the absence of coordinator Joe Pascale, who was forced out by back surgeries, but there is also a suspicion the defensive players weren't very well conditioned.

And don't make book yet on offensive boss Norv Turner being around to oversee the development of Brees. There is a chance the Chargers won't retain Turner, either, and could look elsewhere for a guy with a strong background in developing quarterbacks. Want a name? Try current Hawaii coach June Jones, who turned down the chance to be head coach at San Diego in 1998, but he could be interested in returning to the mainland if school officials can't meet some of his demands.

RB: L. Tomlinson, R. Jenkins, T. Fletcher

FB: F. McCrary, D. Harris

WR: C. Conway, T. Gaylor, P. Batteaux, G. Milburn, J. Graham, T. Dwight

TE: F. Jones, S. Heiden, J. Whitman, A. Young

PK: S. Christie, W. Richey

Owens, the San Francisco 49ers' star receiver, paraded around the team's locker room wearing a white T-shirt emblazoned with a photographed image that became notorious around the NFL last season. On the front and back of the shirt was a picture of Owens standing on the midfield logo at Texas Stadium last year, spreading his arms wide as he looked skyward.

It was an image that caused a lot of commotion last season. Owens twice raced to the midfield star and posed after scoring touchdowns in San Francisco's 41-24 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in September 2000.

It was a show that rubbed many people the wrong way. It's also a hot topic of conversation this week with the 49ers (11-3) preparing for a return trip to play the Cowboys (4-10) on Sunday.

But Owens, outspoken on several occasions this season, wasn't about to get caught up in this discussion. Instead, the enigmatic receiver let his wardrobe speak for him.

Through the team's media relations department, he also issued this 60-word statement.

"I am taking myself off the map this week," the statement said. "I have addressed Dallas several times during the last year and I am finished talking about it. Instead, I will do my talking this week on the dominos table. I will say I am looking forward to playing against the Cowboys. It's a great rivalry and a big game for us."

Coach Steve Mariucci fined Owens a week's salary and benched for one game after last year's incident _ actions that embittered Owens, who publicly criticized Mariucci after an October loss to Chicago.

On Wednesday, Mariucci was noncommittal in response to questions addressing the subject.

When asked if he'd seen Owens' T-shirt, Mariucci said, "Nope." When asked if he'd heard about it, the coach responded, "Yep." When asked if he had any comment about it, Mariucci said, "No, I really don't."

"He had a good practice today," Mariucci said of Owens. "He's approaching this game in a way that everybody else is. He's getting ready to go."

Several teammates got a kick out of the shirt. Offensive lineman Matt Willig even asked Owens if he could have one.

"He said he didn't have any," Willig said.

Said quarterback Jeff Garcia, "It's a marketing strategy. He might be able to make some money for himself. That might be his way of putting some humor in the whole situation. We're all very aware of what took place, but that's not going to happen again. I think he's moved on, and we've all moved on."

Other notes of interest this week. ...

Three days of rest was just what the doctor ordered for Garcia, who practiced sparingly last week due to a rib injury and was questionable entering last Saturday's game against Philadelphia.

"A few days off helped," Garcia said. "I was able to go out and pretty much throw the ball pain free. Not making it any worse in the game definitely helped. I don't think it will be a problem."

Mariucci gave his team Sunday, Monday and Tuesday off after the Niners defeated the Eagles.

"Three days (off) did us good," Mariucci said. "We were fresh. We were moving around fast today. (Garcia) looked pretty good out there. He probably will practice every day this week."

Garcia is listed as probable for the Dallas game.

Fullback Fred Beasley underwent surgery on his fractured right hand Monday and didn't practice Wednesday. He is listed as probable and is expected to start against the Cowboys.

RB: G. Hearst, K. Barlow, P. Smith, J. Lewis

FB: F. Beasley, T. Jackson

WR: T. Owens, J.J. Stokes, T. Streets, C. Wilson, V. Sutherland

TE: E. Johnson, J. Swift, B. Jennings, G. Clark

PK: J. Cortez

Coach Mike Holmgren said Wednesday that Hasselbeck aggravated the shoulder in a road loss to the New York Giants on Sunday. Hasselbeck is listed as questionable for the Chargers' game.

"There's a chance I might have him and he could play in an emergency-type situation, but he's pretty sore," Holmgren told his weekly news conference.

Holmgren said Hasselbeck, a first-year starter acquired in a trade with Green Bay in March, has played with a separated shoulder most of the season. Hasselbeck was injured in the team's third game against Philadelphia, he said.

"It just makes it very difficult for him to raise his arm, quite frankly," Holmgren said.

Holmgren would not say if he thought Hasselbeck's shoulder would have to be operated on after the season.

Holmgren said he considered replacing Hasselbeck with Dilfer for the second half of the Giants' game, but Hasselbeck received a shot for pain in the locker room and then pronounced himself OK to play.

In October, Hasselbeck was replaced for starts against Denver and Jacksonville by Dilfer because of a groin injury. Although the Seahawks won both games, Hasselbeck was given his starting job back when he became healthy enough to play again.

Despite Hasselbeck's shoulder separation, Holmgren said he will start him in the Seahawks' regular-season finale against Kansas City Jan. 6 at Husky Stadium, if Hasselbeck says he can play. The Seahawks are virtually eliminated from the playoffs, but want to finish with a 9-7 record.

"We have to see where he is this weekend," Holmgren said. "If he keeps making progress, there's a good chance he'll play in the last ballgame."

In going back to Dilfer, the Seahawks will be starting a quarterback who is unbeaten in his last 13 starts, including a victory in last year's Super Bowl when he was with the Baltimore Ravens. Dilfer, who was signed as a free agent in August, has played in four games for the Seahawks this season.

"I think he'll play well in the game," Holmgren said. "He hasn't had much chance to play this year, but he'll be well prepared and I have a lot of confidence in Trent. ..."

RB: S. Alexander, J. Graham, C. Rogers

FB: M. Strong, H. Evans

WR: D. Jackson, K. Robinson, B. Engram, J. Williams, A. Bannister, F. Bownes

TE: C. Fauria, I. Mili, R. Stewart

PK: R. Lindell

Gramatica, a Pro Bowl selection last year, strained his right hamstring on a kickoff during the third quarter of the 48-21 victory last Sunday over the New Orleans Saints.

He left the game after aggravating the injury on a fourth-quarter extra point and is questionable for the game Saturday night against the Ravens.

Brien and Daluiso worked out at Raymond James Stadium. The team probably will ask one of them to remain in town until a decision is made on whether Gramatica can kick this week.

"We had them in, we looked at them. We'll kind of evaluate and see who we think is the best guy," said coach Tony Dungy, who did not rule out the possibility of looking at other kickers.

Brien played eight seasons with New Orleans and San Francisco, making 145 of 181 field goals. He was 23-for-29 and made all 37 of his extra points for the Saints last season.

Daluiso spent eight of his 10 NFL seasons with the New York Giants. He has made 125 of 164 field goals during his career, including 17 of 23 last season.

Gramatica sat out practice Wednesday, but is expected to test his injured leg Thursday. The third-year pro is 23-for-29 on field goals and 28-for-28 on extra points this season.

"We'll probably try to get an idea of what he can do and make a decision from there," Dungy said.

Tampa Bay (8-6) can clinch a playoff berth if it beats the Ravens, and Atlanta (7-7) ties or loses at Miami.

"Sunday, it hurt when I walked. It was sore, and now I can walk fine," Gramatica said. "I could probably jog without any pain. They told me not to do it yet. I have done some bike and treadmill (work), and it feels a lot better than Sunday."

A decision on his status probably will be made Friday.

"I want to kick at least one time just to make sure I can," Gramatica said. "I don't want to show up on Saturday and we don't have any backup or anything, and then tell them I can't go. I want to make sure I can go on Saturday."

Other notes of interest. ...

FB Mike Alstott continued his assault on the record book by extending his team-record totals for total TDs and rushing TDs with a first quarter score last Sunday against New Orleans. The touchdown was the 39th rushing score of his career and also gave him 49 total touchdowns (39 rushing, 10 receiving), both tops in club history.

RB: W. Dunn, A. Stecker, R. Abdullah

FB: M. Alstott, J. Cook

WR: K. Johnson, J. Green, R. Anthony, F. Murphy, K. Williams, M. Wynn

TE: D. Moore, T. Yoder, S. McDermott

PK: M. Gramatica

"I'm going to try to do some things tomorrow and hope it loosens up and not have as much pain as I had today," McNair said.

"I'm not going to go out and try to force the issue. If it's still sore and still tight where I can't have all my mechanics right, I'm not going to force the issue."

McNair didn't practice at all last week and was questionable up to kickoff last weekend against Oakland but played and led the Titans to a 13-10 victory.

The Titans listed him as questionable yet again Wednesday, but McNair likely will play. He needs 93 yards passing Sunday against Cleveland to reach 3,000 yards for the second time in his career.

Other notes of interest this week. ...

Running back Skip Hicks injured his hamstring during the Titans' 13-10 win over Oakland on Saturday, and head coach Jeff Fisher expects him to miss both of the team's remaining regular season games.

Eddie George, who has been hobbled by injuries all season long, will carry the full load during Tennessee's meetings with Cleveland and Cincinnati.

"We're going to finish the season with Eddie and he's going to practice and prepare hard the next couple of weeks," Fisher said in a published report. Fisher added that George would then take the next six to eight weeks off before beginning his offseason training program.

RB: E. George, M. Green, D. Alexander, S. Hicks

HB: E. Kinney, S. Meier

WR: D. Mason, K. Dyson, D. Bennett, E. Berlin, C. Coleman, C. Sanders, J. McCareins

TE: F. Wycheck, E. Kinney, S. Meier

PK: J. Nedney

The move to injured reserve could also conclude Alexander's tenure in Washington, since he will become an unrestricted free agent in the spring, and will be rated among the best available players at his position if he is healthy.

Good health was a quixotic element, however, for the former second-round draft choice (1998) in 2001. The former Oklahoma star was slated to be a key performer in the new offense installed by the first-year staff of Marty Schottenheimer and coordinator Jimmy Raye.

Instead, injuries limited Alexander to career lows in receptions (nine), yards (85) and touchdowns (none). In his three previous seasons, Alexander, a gifted receiver between the hash marks and the rare tight end who could get deep, averaged 37.6 catches, 405.7 yards and three touchdowns.

He suffered a high ankle sprain in an Oct. 15 loss at Dallas, returned for two games in November, and fractured a bone in his leg. The frustrated Alexander, 26, worked hard to return to the field for the final couple games, but team doctors determined a lack of progress precluded that. Although tight end is a potentially deep spot in the free agent market, Alexander is highly regarded by some teams, specifically the ones looking for an interior threat in a West Coast-style offense.

Team officials have said they would like to re-sign Alexander.

Other notes of interest this week. ...

According to Schottenheimer, Tony Banks will remain the Washington Redskins' starting quarterback for Sunday night's game at New Orleans and probably for the Jan. 6 season finale at home against the Arizona Cardinals.

Banks said yesterday that his wife has been in tears after sitting in the stands at FedEx Field during some recent games and listening to fans' comments about him. But the potential unrestricted free agent said he will remain open to the possibility of re-signing with the Redskins in the offseason, even if he is promised no more than a chance to compete for a starting job next season.

"I'd definitely entertain it," Banks said. "We have to see how this offseason unfolds. ... You always have to see what's out there. But I've moved around enough in my career."

RB: S. Davis, K.J. Carter, M. Bates

FB: D. Bennett, B. Johnson

WR: R. Gardner, M. Westbrook, K. Lockett, D. Thompson, D. McCants, E. Metcalf, J. Skaggs

TE: W. Rasby, Z. Flemister, M. Battaglia

PK: B. Conway