THE FLASHUPDATE TEAM NOTES | NFL WEEK 8 | OCTOBER 31, 2001 | Compiled by FlashUpdate Editor Bob Harris ARIZONA CARDINALS According to Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic, the status of running back Michael Pittman for Sunday's game against the visiting Philadelphia Eagles remains uncertain, but that's not the case with tight end Terry Hardy. Head coach Dave McGinnis told McManaman on Wednesday that Hardy could miss two to three weeks because of a rotator cuff injury. "Terry may be out for a while," McGinnis explained. "They're going to immobilize it (the shoulder) in a sling, and he, for sure, will not be there this week. However much longer it will be is to be determined, but I think it's probably a multiple-week thing." Tywan Mitchell will start at tight end for the Cardinals in Hardy's absence. McGinnis said fullback Dennis McKinley, who sat out the last two games with a sore hamstring, might be moved to tight end as Mitchell's backup. Pittman, meanwhile, is recovering from his second concussion in the past three weeks. The Cardinals likely will go with Thomas Jones and rookie Marcel Shipp, who has yet to take a handoff. "Two (concussions) in three weeks, I don't know," McGinnis said of Pittman. "I don't have a medical degree. ... But I'm going to do exactly what the medical people say and also what Pitt says." Pittman is the team's leading rusher with 310 yards. Other items of interest. ... QB Jake Plummer hit 25-of-42 attempts for 233 yards last Sunday, but couldn't get the offense going and threw two interceptions, including one that Dexter Coakley returned 10 yards for the final Cowboys touchdown late in the third quarter. However, McGinnis remained patient with his struggling quarterback, saying the protection collapsed and left Plummer without enough room to throw the ball out of bounds and with only seconds to decide whether to take a sack for a safety. "It was a terrible decision," McGinnis said. "He'll be the first to tell you that. But I'm not going to sit here and berate a guy who's done the other things he's done. We were sitting here last week saying how well he's been operating the offense. That is the life of an NFL quarterback -- if you play well, they talk about you well; if you play bad, they boo you." Pro Football Weekly reportedly last Monday that the Houston Texans requested credentials for two scouts before the Cardinals' Week 6 game against the Chiefs. According to PFW, the scouts were believed to be in Tempe to get a close look Plummer, who might be left unprotected in the expansion draft. However, ESPN.com insider Len Pasquarelli wrote last Friday that team officials denied Plummer will be exposed in February's allocation draft. ... If you're wondering why the Cardinals might fail to protect Plummer, Pasquarelli suggested it might be for the same reason it's been hinted that high-profile quarterbacks like Mark Brunell and Drew Bledsoe could be exposed: Their salaries now outdistance their productivity. ... Wide receiver Rob Moore, who is listed as "Out" on this week's injury report, underwent another magnetic resonance imaging test on his injured hamstring, and McGinnis was reportedly waiting for the results Wednesday. Pasquarelli wrote the following about Moore last Friday: "The Cardinals probably have too much respect for wide receiver Rob Moore to release him and, besides, the 11th-year veteran has his entire base salary of $3.25 million guaranteed for the year anyway. Cards owner Billy Bidwill isn't one to pay someone that kind of money for simply sitting around the house. But the team now seems skeptical that Moore, who missed the entire 2000 season after knee surgery, will play in 2001 either. He has been slowed by a series of leg injuries and, according to coach Dave McGinnis, is not close to getting back onto the field yet. With the emergence of young wide receivers like David Boston and MarTay Jenkins, even the dependable Frank Sanders is seeing his time reduced a bit. The play of those three figures to make Moore a goner in a few months." By the way. ... Boston pulled in nine passes for 108 yards against the Cowboys and though Plummer isn't playing consistently well, Boston still has to be considered a top Fantasy prospect because he's getting most of the looks in Arizona's passing attack. ----- ATLANTA FALCONS Wide receiver Tony Martin, who has missed the last four games after breaking the clavicle in his right shoulder during the team's Sept. 23 win over Carolina, went through his first full-scale workout Wednesday. However, it remains to be seen if he will play this weekend. "We're going to see how he looks," head coach Dan Reeves told the Atlanta Journal Constitution. "As he gains confidence that he can be physical with it, that's going to be the key." Martin opened the week listed as doubtful on the injury report; Shawn Jefferson has been starting in his place. ... Other items of interest. ... TSN Falcons insider Charles Odum noted on Tuesday that when Reeves sent out his offense with two backs, two tight ends and one receiver in past years and early this season, it was a safe bet that a running play would follow. Reeves has joked that even his wife has accused him of being too predictable on offense. In recent games, though, Reeves has seemed more willing to go against his pattern. In that one-receiver set against the Saints, QB Chris Chandler surprised everybody by hitting Terance Mathis. After the game, the Saints admitted they were caught off-guard by Reeves' calls throughout the game. In the previous week, the offense built an early lead against the 49ers with similarly bold calls. Bob Christian, normally a blocking back, was wide open for a touchdown on a screen pass from the five-yard line. Reeves and Chandler successfully used another play-action play for a 47-yard touchdown pass to Alge Crumpler. ... Odum went on to say, "Maurice Smith has used his speed on several long runs this year, and he showed some inside running ability while rushing for 83 yards against the Saints. But Smith also fumbled when he protected the ball with only one hand against the Saints. He was fortunate to be ruled down before another fumble. He must protect the ball better while in traffic. ..." ESPN.com NFL insider Len Pasquarelli wrote last Friday, "On the subject of Vick, the bad news is that he hasn't played in two straight games. At the same time, that's the good news as well. Coach Dan Reeves, whose worst nightmare came when the prized rookie was forced to play an entire half after starter Chris Chandler was knocked dingy by the Chicago Bears on Oct. 7, continues to handle the rookie like a futures commodity. Vick has now played just 18.8 percent of the snaps (64 of 341), and Reeves deserves credit for not rushing him. The Chicago defense exposed Vick's lack of readiness and the Falcons have been careful not to allow the scars of that game to fester. To this point, it has been a textbook treatment of a future star and Reeves has wisely not given in to the public pressures of getting Vick onto the field. ..." The bottom line here says Reeves will continue to have a hard time finding reps for Vick as long as Chandler continues to play so well. The veteran signal caller currently has the NFL's best passer rating on third downs and in the fourth quarter, and his overall rating of 97.8 is much higher than his career rating of 80.4 before the season. Chandler still throws one of the best deep balls in the league and has developed great chemistry with his veteran receivers. ... ----- BALTIMORE RAVENS In an article published Monday, Baltimore Sun staffer Jamison Hensley wrote, "For the second straight week, Ravens quarterback Elvis Grbac and running back Terry Allen are listed as questionable. "But after Sunday's 18-17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, the defending Super Bowl champions have a newfound trust in their backup plan. In rallying the Ravens from an 11-point deficit, No. 2 quarterback Randall Cunningham connected on all seven of his fourth-quarter passes, and second-string running back Jason Brookins gained 77 of his 82 rushing yards in the second half. "Grbac, though, will take back his starting job once he can work through his rib injury. He estimated himself at 65 percent after lobbing a 6-ounce softball and a 9-ounce miniature football about 20 times to trainer Bill Tessendorf on Monday. "'I threw with really no pain,' Grbac said. 'We'll see what comes Tuesday and then Wednesday and Thursday to see how much work I can do. Can I throw the ball? That's what it comes down to.' "The Ravens are growing confident that Grbac doesn't have a significant tear of cartilage near his sternum, believing the injury is just bruised ribs. Last week, he tossed the ball off to the side but couldn't use his natural motion without soreness. "Grbac hasn't thrown with authority since being injured Oct. 21 against the Cleveland Browns. His status likely will depend on if he can practice later in the week. "'Getting the reps is the thing,' Ravens coach Brian Billick said. 'You always worry about how far along Elvis will progress and whether he can get enough reps to go into the game and perform well enough. He may be healthy enough come Sunday, but if he's not healthy enough on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday to get the appropriate reps, then you probably need to go with Randall. So, yeah, it causes a bit of a balancing act, and we'll just have to monitor it as we go.' "If Grbac needs another week to rest, the Ravens can fall back on Cunningham, a two-time league MVP, when they play at AFC Central-leading Pittsburgh on Sunday. "Cunningham finished with a 91.1 quarterback rating Sunday, completing 23 of 31 passes for 222 yards and a touchdown in winning his first start since Sept. 18, 2000. "'Every team would love to have that luxury of having that kind of presence and why you pay a premium price for it,' Billick said. 'We're thrilled and relieved that Randall was there for us.' "Cunningham's mind-set during the week doesn't hinge on the availability of Grbac. He works throughout the week with the same mentality whatever the circumstances. "'That's how I prepare every week anyway,' Cunningham said. 'If it comes down to me starting, then I go out and do my job. But I don't try to get into any quarterback controversies. I'll just continue to work as if I'm playing.' "While Grbac's job is secure, Billick hedged on who will be his starting running back, saying the spot could be determined by personnel rotation and the level of Allen's recovery from a sprained left ankle. "Brookins made a push for more playing time in his first NFL start Sunday, proving he can carry the bulk of the running game by averaging 5.1 yards on 15 second-half runs. "For the season, the rookie back has rushed 61 times for 268 yards (4.4 yards per attempt) and three touchdowns. Allen still leads the team with 358 yards on 99 carries, an average of 3.6 yards. "'If Terry is absolutely 100 percent healthy, he will probably start,' Billick said. 'The chances of Terry being 100 percent healthy at any point during this year at this point on is rather slim. I'm not going to get into who's starting and who isn't.' "Like Grbac, Allen was injured in Cleveland on Oct. 21, leaving the game during the Ravens' opening series. But the Ravens are optimistic on his return since he is scheduled to begin running again today. "While Allen is recouping, Brookins is scouting. He intended to watch last night's Steelers-Tennessee Titans game after scoffing at the toughness of Pittsburgh's defense. "'I have never played against them, so I don't know if they're physical or not,' Brookins said. 'I'm going to go home to watch Monday Night Football to catch a couple of leaks and a couple of holes and see what I can do to get those guys rattled up there in Pittsburgh.' "Billick could only cringe. 'I'm going to have to beat him down on a regular basis just so he doesn't get too full of himself,' Billick said. 'I'm only half-kidding on that. But the physical play and the emotion he plays with, he's showing that he help carry the load for us in that regard. Each week, he gets better, and we're going to need it. ...'" Other notes of interest. ... Veteran tight end Shannon Sharpe played last Sunday despite a knee injury, and caught seven passes for 89 yards. ... Even though he hasn't put the ball in the end zone yet, it's safe to assume he'll continue to be one of the league's most productive tight ends from a total receptions and yardage perspective. Hang tight. ... The touchdowns will come. ... And finally. ... Mike Preston of the Baltimore Sun wrote on Tuesday, "Fullback Obafemi Ayanbadejo is one of the team's most versatile performers. He doesn't get a lot of carries, but he has good speed, good hands out of the backfield and is a major asset on third down. "He is being used more as a runner in passing situations to catch teams in nickel and dime situations. Despite his size, Ayanbadejo rarely breaks tackles, which is something he needs to work on if he wants to become a starter in the regular offense. ..." Ayanbadejo is listed as questionable on this week's injury report. ----- BUFFALO BILLS As noted by the Sports XChange this week, if nothing else, Rob Johnson and the Bills won respect in their thrilling 27-24 loss to the San Diego Chargers. Of course, they would have much rather won the game, but head coach Gregg Williams told reporters, "You've got to keep on going, that's the life of a pro football player. ... I think we made tremendous strides, we just had a couple plays at the end that we didn't make." After taking a 24-20 lead with 1:30 to play, thanks to a courageous comeback effort by Johnson, the Bills in order: allowed a 72-yard kickoff return, allowed Chargers quarterback Doug Flutie to score the deciding points on a 13-yard run. That the Bills had the tying field-goal attempt with 15 seconds left blocked made things worse. ... But in a way, more tolerable. That left Johnson with a moral victory -- he outplayed Flutie in many ways in a game that pitted Buffalo against their popular ex-quarterback, three other ex-Bills and eight front-office personnel led by fired general manager John Butler. Not everyone parted on good terms, leading Bills owner Ralph Wilson to say he wanted to beat the Chargers more than he wanted to win this year's Super Bowl. Johnson, personally, wanted to show that Buffalo's new regime chose the right quarterback when it cut Flutie in a salary cap move last winter. Though he threw for 310 yards and fought through three injuries, it was Flutie who wrote the fairy tale ending, like he always seems to do. "It's right up there with the Tennessee game," said Johnson, who compared the loss to Buffalo's playoff loss to the Titans two years ago on a trick kickoff return. "Obviously the game was huge for us, playing a lot of old teammates, playing Mr. Butler, his scouts, Bills West. They're a good team. ... It's just very disheartening for us. Our guys battled. If we play like that every game, we'll win a lot of games." A few additional notes of interest. ... Johnson, who took a couple of tremendous shots from Charger defenders, injured his right foot, elbow and shoulder in Sunday's game. However, coaches expect Johnson, who wasn't included on the team's initial injury report this week, is expected to start and play as usual against the Colts on Sunday. ... And finally. ... TE Jay Riemersma could be limited in practice by a nerve problem in his hip, but he is expected to play against Indianapolis. He has 13 receptions for 162 yards in the last three games. ... ----- CAROLINA PANTHERS According to Charlotte Observer beat writer Pat Yasinskas, although rookie QB Chris Weinke played better than expected through the team's first four games, the newcomer has fallen on hard times recently. In fact, his 12-of-34 for 76 yards, no touchdown, one interception performance against the Jets last Sunday was horrible. Weinke's accuracy has dropped off and he's not getting the ball to the two best receivers, Wesley Walls and Muhsin Muhammad. Head coach George Seifert believes he many have overburdened Weinke. There are two ways to correct that: Scale back the playbook so Weinke wouldn't have so much to worry about, or develop a consistent running game to take pressure off him. So far, however, the team's rushing attack has been almost nonexistent. ... Newly-appointed starter Richard Huntley carried 14 times for 52 yards last Sunday, hardly impressive numbers against such a poor defense. The Panthers also gave some carries to Brad Hoover, which suggests that Huntley is hardly guaranteed the bulk of the carries in coming weeks. ... Wide receiver Patrick Jeffers was active for the first time last Sunday, but his action was limited. And Yasinskas warned readers that even if he works his way back into the rotation, Jeffers isn't likely to be the same player he was before suffering a knee injury in 2000. Jeffers doesn't have the ability to get much separation from defenders right now. But he's optimistic his speed will return as the season goes on. ... And finally. ... ESPN.com senior writer Len Pasquarelli offered the following take on Seifert's future in Carolina last Friday: "The whispers continue to grow that Carolina will have a new football regime in 2002 but, if that's the case, it will mean coach George Seifert has walked away from the game and from about $5 million still owed him on his Panthers contract. Reliable team and league sources continue to insist Panthers owner Jerry Richardson has no intention of dumping Seifert, who is 16-22 in his third season and whose team is mired in a five-game losing streak since upsetting Minnesota in the opener. "That said, Seifert, a sort of Renaissance man whose interests outside of football are many and varied, could indeed decide it's time to take an extended fishing trip. Personnel chief Jack Bushofsky signed a new, two-year contract extension this summer. So if there is any truth to the rumors that the Panthers might import current Buffalo scouting director Tom Modrak, it will cost Richardson some bucks to pay off the incumbent. ..." ----- CHICAGO BEARS According to Chicagobears.com senior writer Larry Mayer, QB Shane Matthews has occupied the top three spots on the Bears' depth chart at various times during his six up and down seasons in Chicago, but Wednesday was the first time he filled all three positions in the same day. Matthews took every snap after fellow quarterbacks Jim Miller and Danny Wuerffel left practice early to receive treatment for injuries. Miller exited last Sunday's 37-31 overtime win over San Francisco with a left hip pointer and Wuerffel is recovering from a pinched nerve he sustained last week lifting weights. "I was the only guy out there basically the whole practice," Matthews said. "I had to run by myself. You normally run in your (position) groups, but Jim and Danny had to go in for some treatments." Miller practiced handoffs but did not participate in passing drills. He experienced some pain while throwing lightly on the side and is listed as questionable for Sunday's home game against Cleveland, meaning there's a 50-50 chance he'll play. Miller was injured when he was driven into the ground by 49ers linebacker Derek Smith. The Bears hope Miller can practice Thursday, but head coach Dick Jauron said the eight-year veteran still might start if he returns Friday. Last weekend marked the first time in his career Miller has started four straight games, but that streak is in jeopardy. A decision isn't expected until at least Friday. "We'll just have to see how he is the next couple of days," Jauron said. Miller has been sidelined with a torn Achilles' tendon and a strained hamstring in the last year, but this is his first hip injury. "It's a day to day type of thing," Miller said. "With a hip pointer, all the nerves in there get crunched with the muscles that stem from that area. Hopefully every day there will be more and more relief where I'm able to throw by the end of the week." However, if Miller can't go, the Bears believe they're in pretty good hands with Matthews, who was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week Wednesday following his performance against San Francisco. Other items of interest. ... Wuerffel hasn't played in a regular season game for the Bears, but that didn't keep the third-stringer out of the training room Wednesday. "We're testing him further," Jauron said. "He felt like he couldn't participate at the end of practice, so we're definitely concerned about that." It's highly unlikely that both Miller and Wuerffel will be unavailable Sunday, but the Bears would have to sign a backup quarterback if that were the case. They're also continuing to tutor wide receiver Marty Booker, a standout quarterback who passed for 1,418 yards and 16 TDs at Louisiana's Jonesboro-Hodge High School. "Marty Booker is always available to us as a quarterback," Jauron said. "Marty works at it. He takes snaps. We try to keep him as ready as he can be. "Is he an NFL quarterback? No. (But) he runs better than most quarterbacks, so he'd pose a problem in some respects. He can throw some of our routes, so that would be the guy that we would turn to unless the circumstances forced us to look outside for a quarterback. I don't think that would happen, but we'll have to wait and see. ..." Rookie running back Anthony Thomas, who is bothered by a sore toe, sat out Wednesday's practice for precautionary reasons. Thomas rushed for 127 yards on 27 carries including a 19-yard TD. The rookie also bulled in for a two-point conversion with 26 second remaining in regulation time to force the extra session. Thomas, the NFC's top rookie rusher with 439 yards on 74 carries, has the highest yards per carry average (5.9) in the NFL among backs with at least 50 attempts. Thomas has been bothered by the toe injury before, but the Bears hope it's not a chronic problem. "We don't believe that that's the case at this point, but we'll have to wait and see," Jauron said. "He's played with it in the past and he played with it on Sunday. He doesn't seem overly worried about it. "Obviously as coaches we need to have him out on the practice field. We don't like anybody missing practice. But we're confident that he'll be OK and it won't be a weekly thing. ..." Just for the record, James Allen finished Sunday's game with one carry for 15 yards. And even though he added another 23 yards on three receptions, Fantasy owners are going to have a hard time counting on Allen to produce with any consistency as long as Thomas is healthy. On the other hand, the Niners managed to limit rookie WR David Terrell to just three catches for 19 yards, but the former University of Michigan star put the ball in the end zone on two of those receptions. ... Which reminds me: Over the last four seasons, the Bears have scored 111 touchdowns and a league-low 1,027 points. Terrell and Thomas combined for 78 touchdowns for Michigan over the same period. ... ----- CINCINNATI BENGALS According to reports out of Cincinnati this week, head coach Dick LeBeau decided Monday to stick with kicker Neil Rackers, who missed another field-goal attempt Sunday. He was wide right on a 47-yard attempt, then made one from 39 yards. Rackers is only 7-for-14 this season and has missed seven of his last 11 attempts. The Bengals held tryouts last week, then decided to stick with the second-year kicker. LeBeau said Monday that he's committed to Rackers -- in the short-term, anyway. "We've been through some inaccuracy with him in the past, which he resolved," LeBeau said, referring to Rackers' strong finish as a rookie. "I still think it is a matter of him just smoothing out his mechanics. It is not a question of, 'Can he?' It is a question of him just getting it done in the game. We're working on it every possible way we know, believe me." Also of interest. ... As noted by Pro Football Weekly, just a year removed from surrendering 52 sacks, the Bengals have given up only 10 through their first seven games -- a record pace for the franchise. Much of the credit can be directed at free-agent additions Richmond Webb, who has solidified the OLT position, and FB Lorenzo Neal, who consistently grades out extremely high in terms of blitz pickup. After a rough start in the preseason, the offensive line has quickly grown accustomed to the different footwork and blocking angles involved in new offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski's scheme, allowing QB Jon Kitna time to scan the field. The fact that the system spreads the defense, as well as Kitna's pocket awareness and knack for knowing when to get rid of the ball, unlike Akili Smith, has helped. ... One last note out of Cincinnati this week: The Columbus Dispatch reports that WR Chad Johnson continues to make progress in his recovery from a broken clavicle and the rookie is likely to return to action in time for the team's Nov. 25 meeting with the Browns in Cleveland. ----- CLEVELAND BROWNS Steve King of the Medina County Gazette wrote on Tuesday, "Wide receiver Kevin Johnson is a rising young star again after a dreadful 2000 caused by the injury problems at quarterback and his own lack of focus in some games. He and quarterback Tim Couch are working well together, just as in 1999. He has tremendous hands and may be the best athlete on the team. "With Terry Robiskie as his position coach, he is starting to learn how to make better moves, how to set up defenders and how to be more physical on his routes. In short, he's learning subtle nuances. If Couch stays healthy, look for Johnson to have a big second half of the season. ..." Also of interest. ... As reported by ESPN.com senior writer Len Pasquarelli last Friday, first-year head coach Butch Davis, who has the Browns just one win shy of matching their victory total for the first two years of their existence, took another page from the coaching manual of former boss Jimmy Johnson last week. With the team in a bye week, Davis dispatched his assistant coaches all over the country for a few days, to do some hands-on scouting of players for the '02 draft. A private jet ferried Cleveland assistants to various campuses for a little first-hand perusal of some highly regarded prospects. One of the few head coaches in recent years who had a brilliant eye for assessing college talent, Johnson always got his assistants involved in the scouting process. Davis leaned heavily on assistant coaches in this year's draft, particularly those whom he hired from the college ranks, and the bye enabled him and the staff to get an early jump of sorts on the 2002 evaluations. ----- DALLAS COWBOYS Reports out of Cowboys headquarters Wednesday have veteran running back Emmitt Smith saying his sprained knee is feeling better, but he doesn't know if he'll be ready to play Sunday. "I haven't done anything on the field where I can gauge whether or not I'll be ready to play," Smith said Wednesday. Smith, who didn't practice Wednesday, said he would have to do some running and agility drills later in the week before he would know if he would play against the New York Giants. He doesn't have a timetable for a final decision. "I need to simulate certain situations. I need to put my leg in an awkward position at times," said the second-leading rusher in NFL history. Tests this week showed Smith has a muscle sprain in his right knee. He was hurt during the Cowboys' 17-3 win Sunday. Smith has played in 176 games in his 12-year NFL career, and missed only two games because of injury. His 15,564 career rushing yards are 1,162 behind Walter Payton's NFL record. He has started 30 straight games since sitting out Nov. 14, 1999, against Green Bay because of a broken bone in his right hand. The only other game he missed because of injury was the 1994 regular season finale against the Giants because of a strained left hamstring. But the Cowboys had already clinched a playoff spot, and Smith played in both postseason games that season. The Cowboys have listed Smith as questionable. Smith said swelling in his knee had gone down drastically and that he was able to walk without any significant pain. The knee was covered with a thin wrap as he walked around the team's practice facility Wednesday. "It feels a whole lot better than it did on Monday," he said. "The past few days I've been able to increase my walk and walk almost close to normal and my pace in my walk has picked up." Smith said he wants to play, but won't if he has any doubts about the health of his knee or if he would hinder the team. If he plays, he expects to start. Troy Hambrick would start at tailback and Johnny Huggins, primarily a tight end, would fill in at fullback if Smith doesn't play. Other items of interest. ... Head coach Dave Campo isn't saying yet who will be the starting quarterback, although he still appears to be leaning toward Clint Stoerner over Ryan Leaf. Stoerner was adequate in his first NFL start against the Cardinals, completing 9-of-18 passes for 93 yards. He also ran 6 yards for the only offensive touchdown. Leaf, the No. 2 overall pick by San Diego in 1998, is still learning the Cowboys offense. This is only the third week in Dallas for Leaf, who was cut by the Chargers after three seasons and didn't make Tampa Bay's roster during training camp. "The biggest thing with Ryan Leaf, we want to be completely sure that he is comfortable with what he is doing before he goes out there," Campo said. "If it gets to a point where we think we need firepower, there's a good possibility that you will see him." Campo said Stoerner and Leaf will again split time with the first-team in practice this week. He said a final decision the starter won't be made until at least Friday. ... Place-kicker Tim Seder served as the Cowboys No. 3 quarterback last Sunday and it's worth noting that prior to a six-yard scoring run by Stoerner, Seder owned the team's only rushing touchdown of the season, an 8-yard run that came on a fake field goal against the Raiders. ... Seder, who also had a rushing TD last year, took a few first-team repetitions during last Friday's practice, but all of his snaps resulted in hand-offs to Smith. ... ----- DENVER BRONCOS In an article published Wednesday afternoon, Associated Press reporter Aaron J. Lopez wrote, "The former Marine should have an advantage this week because the Denver Broncos running backs are essentially going back to basic training. "With Mike Anderson, Terrell Davis and Olandis Gary all healthy, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan put the starting job up for grabs Wednesday as Denver began preparing for Monday night's game against the Oakland Raiders. "Shanahan informed the three of his plan when he called them into his office before practice. The meeting was similar to the first week of September when they were competing to be the starter for Denver's opener. "'It was kind of like a deja vu situation,' Gary said. 'We were kind of kidding about it upstairs. Some things you've got to take in stride. That's part of the business -- competing -- and that's what we have to do right now.' "Davis, the 1998 MVP, won the job out of training camp and ran for 101 yards on Sept. 10 before having arthroscopic knee surgery 10 days later. He has not played since. "Anderson, a former Marine, has started all six games in Davis' absence. He rushed for 155 yards against Kansas City but did not endear himself to the coaching staff when fumbled at a critical moment of Denver's loss to the Seattle Seahawks a week later. "Gary, coming off major knee surgery, has seen only limited action as Anderson's backup. Because of early deficits, Denver has thrown the ball more often, and Gary has just 31 carries in the last five games. "'When you look at the situation, obviously Coach Shanahan took a lot of time to think about it,' Anderson said. 'When you're really looking at it and trying to be fair to all three guys, it's the fairest way I see.' "Shanahan said he will observe the three during practice this week and make a decision by Sunday. Whomever he chooses will bring solid credentials. "Before missing 30 of 36 games due to injuries, Davis was one of the NFL's most productive rushers. Gary ran for 1,159 in 12 games as a rookie two years ago, and Anderson was named the league's offensive rookie of the year after rushing for 1,487 yards last season. "'We've got three guys that obviously can do the job,' Shanahan said. 'T.D. told me Friday that he's feeling good and he's ready to go. Mike and Olandis have been there and we know what they can do. It'll be great competition.' "Anderson, Davis and Gary all have incentive to play against the Raiders. "Davis has two 100-yard games against Oakland; Gary ran for 95 yards and scored the game-winning touchdown on a Monday night in 1999; Anderson set a Denver rookie record with 187 yards in Denver's road victory over the Raiders last year. "'I've seen them all,' Oakland coach Jon Gruden said. 'I can say I'm probably the expert on the Bronco backs. I wouldn't mind seeing them put (fullback Patrick) Hape at tailback and running him.' "With only three days of practice remaining this week, it could be hard for one running back to distinguish himself. That was about the only drawback Gary could foresee. "'This far in the process, it's tough on a team to say that you guys got to compete during practice,' he said. 'Pretty much everything we do is controlled, so it's pretty tough to compete. ...'" Other notes of interest out of Denver this week. ... According to USA Today, Davis is likely to pay a heavy price for his inactivity this season. In fact, he'll have a hard time earning back the salary cut he took before the season. The former University of Georgia standout needs to average 23 carries in the final nine games to earn up to $2.8 million in incentives. There's also a $750,000 bonus for being active in three games, but thus far he's been active only once. ... ESPN.com senior writer Len Pasquarelli wrote last Friday, "Denver wide receiver Rod Smith is enjoying one of the great seasons of all-time and, with 51 receptions in six games, is on pace for 136 catches. That would obliterate the NFL record of 123 receptions, established by Herman Moore in 1995. It's been obvious, though, that Smith misses partner Ed McCaffrey, out for the year with a broken leg, and that he has been forced to alter his game to make up for his buddy's absence. Smith is averaging just 11.7 yards per reception, about 3.5 yards below his career average and nearly 4 yards less than he averaged in 2000, and his longest reception is 34 yards. Smith has had to throttle down his game some, the deep threat becoming more adept now in the intermediate and short zones, as he tries to help the possession game. The positive side, some Broncos players told ESPN.com, is that Smith is a far more precise and meticulous route-runner than at any time in his career. The downside is that the Denver offense lacks the vertical dimension he characteristically provides it." And finally. ... SportsLine.com NFL insider Jay Glazer offered the following take on the Broncos Sunday: "Many personnel men are tabbing the injury to Broncos wide receiver Ed McCaffrey as the most costly injury to any team this season (ahead of the Ravens' loss of RB Jamal Lewis). One AFC personnel executive said Denver has struggled mightily in compensating for McCaffrey's loss. "'(Broncos QB Brian) Griese is really struggling without Eddie in there,' said the executive. 'Eddie used to be automatic on third downs. The guy is incredible. You couldn't stop him whether it was third-and-6 or third-and-8 or 10 it didn't matter. He was getting them the first down. Well, now that Griese doesn't have his security blanket, he's having a lot of problems.' "Two weeks ago vs. Seattle, Denver utilized a three-TE, one WR, one back set in the majority of their formations. Even when the team was losing, they stayed in the conservative set. Seattle's job was made easy, as the Seahawks knew if they centered on shutting down Pro Bowl WR Rod Smith, the Broncos were not going to present problems with their other weapons. "Last week Denver moved out of this formation and went to two receivers and a tight end split out wide with another tight end lined up in the normal tight end slot. This formation worked better but their offense is nowhere close to the juggernaut they were with McCaffrey flying on Griese's wing. ..." ----- DETROIT LIONS According to Booth Newspapers reporter Tom Kowalski, the Lions have some decent talent at the offensive skill positions, but other than return man Desmond Howard, they really don't have any feared playmakers. Howard, who was dynamite on special teams the last two weeks, has blossomed as the third receiver. Unfortunately, he might not get as many opportunities as a return man because it looks like teams will start kicking away from him. ... And why wouldn't they? As CNN/SI's Peter King pointed out on Monday, Howard advanced the ball 247 yards on six returns in last week's loss to Cincinnati. Amazingly, he's gained 417 yards on returns over the past two weeks. That's an average of 27.8 yards every time he touches the ball. On his last seven kickoff returns, he has averaged 47.9 yards. All of which prompted King to state: "Imagine if he played for a good team." Lamont Warren rushed for 23 yards and a touchdown on a team-leading 15 carries against Cincinnati after filling in for regular starter James Stewart, who missed Sunday's game with a sprained ankle. ... It's still not clear whether Stewart will be ready to go against the Niners this Sunday, although he was able to practice last Friday. ... The Lions seem to be looking for David Sloan more often in recent week and the veteran tight end pulled in four passes for 34 yards with two TDs against the Bengals. ... ----- GREEN BAY PACKERS Wide receiver Bill Schroeder returned to practice Wednesday and head coach Mike Sherman said that he's "making progress" in his recovery from a sprained right ankle. Schroeder originally suffered the injury in the first half of their week five game against the Ravens. He sat out the Week 6 game and then had the bye week to rest it. Schroeder is listed as probable on this week's injury report. Unless he suffers a setback in practice this week, look for the former sixth-round draft pick to return to the starting lineup against Tampa Bay this Sunday. Other notes of interest out of Green Bay this week. ... According to Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel beat writer Tom Silverstein, if coaches are smart, they will use more discretion in employing the shotgun. There's no question that running back Ahman Green runs better out of the I-formation than he does lined up next to quarterback Brett Favre in the shotgun. The team's early success was based on running the ball, and it can't afford to let the focus of the offense stray from Green. Favre has had some success playing in the shotgun, but he's more comfortable and more experienced in a traditional setup. ... Asked to comment on the fact that Dorsey Levens played just 14 snaps in the last game compared with 40 for Green, running backs coach Sylvester Croom said: "Every week we want to get [Levens] more involved, but it's no secret that everything starts with [Favre] and [Green]. ..." And finally. ... Place-kicker Ryan Longwell has already missed five field-goal attempts this year -- the same amount he missed all of last season. Three of the misses were excusable because of poor conditions, but the two he botched against Minnesota were flat-out misses. Those who follow the team closely believe Longwell might be kicking the ball too hard as a result of trying to improve his kickoffs this season. He has tried to correct that by focusing on using the proper power for field goals. ----- INDIANAPOLIS COLTS In an article published Wednesday afternoon, Associated Press sports writer Michael Marot reported, "Nobody at the Indianapolis Colts is saying Edgerrin James won't play Sunday. Nobody's saying he will, either. "James, the NFL's two-time rushing champion, missed his second straight practice Wednesday and remains questionable for Sunday's game at Buffalo because of a sprained left knee. "'We've ordered a new leg and it should be here by Friday,' he joked Wednesday in a statement. "James has not been available for interviews this week because he's been undergoing treatment for the injury following practice. "While James has tried to make light of the situation through statements, his teammates and coaches are hoping for the best. "'He wants to be there so bad,' quarterback Peyton Manning said. 'Everyone talks about the first game, but Monday was the first practice he'd missed and that's not something that went unnoticed by me.' "Or anyone else. "For the second time this week, James watched practice in a pair of blue sweat pants and a white hooded sweat shirt. "What he saw was backup Dominic Rhodes, who scored on a 77-yard TD run and an 88-yard kickoff return in the Colts victory at Kansas City, preparing to take his place. "Rhodes said Wednesday he is working as if he will start -- or at least see significant action -- in place of James. "'I think it's going to be a game time decision, but I'm just taking it as if I'm going to start and play a lot,' said Rhodes, whose teammates have taken to calling him 'Li'l E.J.' this week. "'All he's told me is to go out and play my game. ...'" According to USA Today, Rhodes will return kickoffs even if he's forced to fill in for James this Sunday. Other notes of interest. ... Head coach Jim Mora is pleased with the blocking and receiving he's getting from TEs Ken Dilger and Marcus Pollard. "They are both playing well," Mora said, despite some obvious mistakes by Pollard in last week's win over the Chiefs. ... Wide receiver Terrence Wilkins, who has missed the last two games with an injured rib, practiced Monday and is expected to play in Sunday's game. ... Jerome Pathon was unable to practice Monday and Mora told The Indianapolis Star that Pathon probably won't play Sunday. Pathon has missed the past three games because of a sprained foot. Rookie Reggie Wayne will continue to line up as the starter opposite Marvin Harrison in Pathon's absence. ----- JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS Florida Times-Union beat writer Bart Hubbuch wrote on Tuesday, "After two straight sub par games, QB Mark Brunell quieted his critics -- at least for one game. He looked like the Brunell of old with 306 yards passing, two TD passes and four scrambles for 55 yards. Whatever doubts Brunell might have raised by returning so quickly from his first career concussion earlier this season appear to have been shelved for the moment. "The running game remains missing in action as long as Fred Taylor remains sidelined by a groin strain. Rookie Elvis Joseph, the surprise starter with Stacey Mack firmly encamped in [head coach Tom] Coughlin's doghouse, was the 'leading' rusher with 12 yards in seven carries. "Until Taylor returns, the Jaguars will have a rushing attack in name only. ..." Hubbuch pointed out that the almost total absence of a running game is forcing the Jaguars to become more of a vertical passing team. And the numbers bear him out. ... No fewer than 41 of the team's 52 plays against Baltimore last week were designed as pass plays. "We did an awful lot of good things even though everybody knew we were going to pass," Coughlin said later. Although Coughlin understandably doesn't want to be one-dimensional, at least the wide receivers are a source of depth and veteran experience. Brunell averaged almost 10 yards per pass attempt against Baltimore, and the tandem of Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell each had more than 100 yards receiving. The wideouts are running more fades and deep crossing routes while also exploiting holes in zone coverage. The key is buying enough time for Brunell to throw and the receivers to fully develop their routes. They had that time against Baltimore, but the consistency in pass protection still isn't there. It's also worth noting that veteran Sean Dawkins has produced little, catching only seven passes in six games. ... The team hasn't made its plans at halfback clear yet this week. ... Joseph, who exited last Sunday's game after getting poked in the eye, is expected to play this week and appears to be the early favorite to line up as the starter. ... And what about Taylor? The former University of Florida star is doing exercises but his progress remains slow. "I'm not even sure he'll be able to participate in individual drills [this week]," Coughlin told reporters early in the week. ... ----- KANSAS CITY CHIEFS Adam Teicher of the Kansas City Star reported on Derrick Alexander was unsure Monday whether his sore ribs would allow him to play Sunday at San Diego. It might not matter. Head coach Dick Vermeil said the Chiefs could keep Larry Parker in the starting lineup at wide receiver. Parker, making his first NFL start for the injured Alexander on Thursday night against Indianapolis, caught two touchdown passes in the 35-28 loss. "I might," Vermeil said when asked whether he would play Parker over a healthy Alexander. "I don't know. I'll talk to the coaches." The Chiefs practiced Monday with only two healthy receivers, Parker and rookie Marvin "Snoop" Minnis. Alexander watched because of what he called torn rib cartilage. Chris Thomas was absent because of a family matter. Kick returner Dante Hall, who will play Sunday after missing three games because of a shoulder injury, can play receiver, but the Chiefs prefer not to use him there. Alexander injured his ribs two weeks ago against Arizona but practiced last week. The injury didn't bother him until pre-game warmups Thursday. "If I feel like this going into the weekend, I won't be able to play," Alexander said. Parker, who started seriously pushing for playing time only recently, has a fan in Vermeil. Asked to comment on Parker this week, Vermeil said: "He's starting to emerge as a football player and doing things right and very few things wrong. He comes off the line of scrimmage with speed and purpose." Also of interest. ... Vermeil remains resolute in his support of struggling quarterback Trent Green, who's thrown eight touchdown passes against 12 interceptions this season. "I still believe in the guy," Vermeil told reporters early this week. "I'm not going to jump ship on him. I've been through this before with quarterbacks, with Ron Jaworski (in Philadelphia). They were going to boo him right out of town. The big thing is, Trent can't lose confidence in himself. I have tremendous confidence in Trent. I know what he can do. I know what he will do." ----- MIAMI DOLPHINS Palm Beach Post reporter Todd Archer wrote on Tuesday, "In training camp, running back Lamar Smith said he wanted to go a full season without a fumble. He has fumbled four times so far, and the frustrating thing is that Smith and the coaches cannot detect any flaw in the way he is carrying the ball. Smith says he will run with both hands around the ball while he's in traffic and with one hand after he breaks through. He must avoid running too tentatively because he's worried about ball security. ... "Rookie wide receiver Chris Chambers has developed nicely and could start for a lot of teams. But he makes too many small mistakes in his route running. That will change with experience, but the Dolphins are fortunate they do not have to rush him. Chambers is the third receiver and is the club's best deep threat. ... " If Oronde Gadsden, who was held to just one catch for 15 yards in Seattle last Sunday, doesn't pick it up a notch, Chambers could move into the starting lineup soon than expected. Other items of interest. ... Running back Travis Minor was credited with a touchdown Wednesday, three days after the whistle blew. The Elias Sports Bureau changed the statistical ruling on a play in Sunday's victory at Seattle, when quarterback Jay Fiedler fumbled at the goal line and Minor recovered in the end zone. Fiedler was initially credited with the score. That was changed after game officials told Elias they ruled the play a fumble by Fiedler and a recovery by Minor. The change also cost Fiedler one yard rushing. ... Wide receiver Dedric Ward was reportedly becoming a go-to pass catcher in multiple receiver sets before re-injuring his surgically repaired left foot. The former Jet is expected to miss his second consecutive game because of the problem. ... And finally. ... The Dolphins reportedly tried to trade J.J. Johnson but then had to rescind their overtures to teams when practice squad running back Reuben Droughns signed with the Lions. Dolphins' executives said they had planned to sign Droughns and either trade or release Johnson. The team thought it made its intentions clear to his agent but Droughns departed for Detroit anyway. The Dolphins were said to be agitated over the move and are forced to retain their former second-round pick. ----- MINNESOTA VIKINGS The Vikings head into their bye week in definite need of the time off. ... Team officials hope running back Michael Bennett will return to the lineup for their Nov. 11 game against the Eagles. Bennett was inactive this past week against the Bucs because of the sprained right ankle he suffered in week five against the Lions. It's worth noting that head coach Dennis Green said Monday he hasn't decided yet how Bennett and Doug Chapman, who started the past two weeks in his place, would split time. ... Quarterback Daunte Culpepper, who broke his nose on Minnesota's second offensive play last Sunday, went on to have one of the poorest statistical days of his career. The injury occurred when a Bucs defender got his hand inside Culpepper's facemask on a 4-yard scramble. Culpepper called a timeout to have the nose attended to; the Vikings attempted to stop the bleeding by inserting cotton. After the game, team doctor David Fischer reset the nose. Culpepper will see a specialist today to see if further treatment is needed. "If you can't breathe," said Bucs defensive lineman Warren Sapp, "it's tough." Culpepper completed 13 of 24 passes for 150 yards and a touchdown, running his string of games with a touchdown pass to 22 consecutive regular season games. But he threw an interception, and his passing yardage was the lowest for any game he has started and finished. Culpepper ran nine times for 46 yards; his combined yardage of 196 yards was his second-lowest total in a complete game. "It's very surprising to me, because I know the kind of artillery we have on this offense," he said. "I'm not saying we weren't ready to play, [but] our intensity level wasn't like theirs." And finally. ... After Green predicted that Randy Moss would score 17 touchdowns this season during an Oct. 10 appearance on a nationally syndicated radio show, Vikings owner Red McCombs upped the ante this Tuesday, telling the St. Paul Pioneer Press that his $75-million wide receiver would score 20 this year. Moss has two touchdowns in seven games. "It's only two a game. He could do it," McCombs said. "Twenty is not too many." ----- NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS According to reports out of Foxboro this week, Terry Glenn says he was fined $4,000 by the New England Patriots for refusing to work out on a step exercise machine. The wide receiver already is out nearly $9 million in bonuses and is playing for minimum salary. He plans to contest the fine. Patriots' spokesman Stacey James confirmed the team fined him but would not say how much. Glenn said he was fined by coach Bill Belichick for refusing to get on the exercise machine Oct. 24 immediately after running. He said he was unable to use the machine because his leg hurt. He missed the past two games because of a hamstring problem. "I just didn't feel like I could do it," Glenn said in the locker room. Glenn is back on the team because an arbitrator overturned his team-imposed, season-long suspension. He said it's important to fight the fine. "I have to," he said. "They're only paying me a couple of thousand ($30,000) a game. But it's not about (Belichick) and it's not about the money. It's the way he went about doing it." Glenn wants to play Sunday against the Falcons in Atlanta but said it would be useless for him to discuss the issue with Belichick. "The only thing I can do is talk through the league because there's really no talking to him, or no one in this organization, because they don't want to hear anything I have to say right now," he said. Belichick refused to comment specifically Monday. "Everybody's responsible to do certain things," he said. "If they do them, there's no problem. If they don't do them, then there's a discipline schedule in place." Glenn, who has played in only one game this season, complained of some soreness after the victory over the San Diego Chargers in which he caught a touchdown pass. He pulled the right hamstring in practice three days later, and later aggravated it just before the next game with Indianapolis while testing his leg for the coaches. Glenn was suspended by the NFL for the first four games of the season for violation of the league's substance abuse policy. He left the team without permission the day it was announced, and on Aug. 15, Belichick suspended him for the season because of his absence. That suspension was overturned by an arbitrator. Still unresolved is whether the team is allowed to withhold his signing bonus because of the league suspension. New England drafted Glenn out of Ohio State with the seventh pick of the 1996 draft. He set an NFL rookie record with 90 receptions in his first year, but injuries have caused him to miss 14 games over his first three seasons. For the record, Glenn is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Falcons. ... Fortunately for the Patriots, Troy Brown and David Patten are getting the job done. ... Patten pulled in five passes for 62 yards and a TD at Denver while Brown caught nine passes for 86 yards and a TD. ... Brown, who also picked up 31 yards on one carry against the Broncos, should continue to provide Fantasy owners with a solid big-play threat. Other notes of interest. ... RB Antowain Smith said he needs the ball more than the 15 carries a game he's getting: "I've always said the more I run the better I get. I think I've made some good tough runs this year. I'd like to see the ball more." Belichick said this week that only two of QB Tom Brady's four interceptions against the Broncos last Sunday were his fault. ... ----- NEW ORLEANS SAINTS According to New Orleans Times-Picayune reporter Darrell Williams, despite pulling out a come-from-behind win on the road against the team many consider the best in the NFL -- and scoring 25 third-quarter points in the process -- Saints head coach Jim Haslett is concerned about a familiar drawback that he felt plagued his team again Sunday against the St. Louis Rams. And that would be the team's ability to score touchdowns from inside the red zone. "They made us kick field goals in the red zone again," he said. "We kicked five field goals. That is one area that we need to get better at on offense." Haslett said the Saints work on red-zone offense three days a week. By his estimation, that is more than any team in the league." Although kicker John Carney, who tied a franchise record Sunday, has missed but one field goal for the Saints, center Jerry Fontenot shares his coach's concern. "We're improving, but we still left a lot of offense on the field," Fontenot said. Even during the Saints' 25-point third-quarter blitz that turned the game in their favor, Carney kicked field goals of 44 and 23 yards. ... Times-Picayune staffer Jeff Duncan noted on Tuesday that Haslett was right to ignore critics who began calling for him to replace Aaron Brooks with the more experienced Jeff Blake after Brooks put together a four-game stretch in which his passer rating plummeted more than 45 points. To his credit, Haslett's confidence in Brooks never wavered. He publicly defended Brooks, placing equal blame on receivers who have struggled to get open and sub par efforts from the offensive line. Brooks responded with a strong week of practice and his best performance of the season against the Rams. ... Other notes of interest this week. ... Duncan also noted that free agent acquisition Albert Connell is looking like a bust. The team targeted Connell, who previously played for Washington, during free agency and signed him to a multiyear deal. He was to start opposite Joe Horn, but Connell has been a disappointment almost from the start. He battled lingering injuries throughout the offseason, and then lost his starting job to Willie Jackson. After a good start (three receptions, 89 yards in the opener), he has caught only four passes in five games and has been replaced by journeyman Robert Wilson as the No. 3 receiver. ... Cam Cleeland owners probably shouldn't hold their breath this week after the former University of Washington star was carted off the field with a sprained ankle last Sunday. ... Cleeland is officially listed as doubtful for Sunday night's game against the Jets and was wearing a walking boot to protect the joint in question on Monday. ... The Saints released rookie kick returner Michael Lewis on Tuesday and signed Wane McGarity, who was signed by the team last Wednesday then released when in a game-time decision the team brought tight end Boo Williams up from the practice squad. The move to bring up Williams last Sunday was strategic. However, with Cleeland ailing, Williams will be needed Sunday night against the New York Jets. ... Williams caught one pass for three yards against the Rams, but impressed Haslett, who called him "fearless and competitive." Haslett said on Wednesday he wouldn't have any problem going with just Lamont Hall and Williams if Cleeland can't play Sunday. McGarity, who played with Saints running back Ricky Williams at the University of Texas, impressed Haslett and General Manager Randy Mueller during tryouts with his 4.4-second speed. Moreover, they like the versatility of McGarity, a wide receiver, as well as his experience. "He has started in this league," said Haslett. "He ran two punts back for touchdowns last year. He's smart, and he will pick up the (Saints' offensive) system." McGarity was cut after playing three games this season with Dallas, including one start. He caught six passes for 45 yards and a touchdown, and he returned six punts for 38 yards. ----- NEW YORK GIANTS New York Newsday beat writer Neil Best reported on Tuesday that the Giants have no intention of making the no-huddle offense a staple of its approach, but the fast-paced, spread attack did jump-start the squad against the Redskins and is worth incorporating into the game plan every week. The spread seemed to loosen up QB Kerry Collins and his receivers, who have been sluggish most of the season. Collins passed for 346 yards and three TDs and made several nice throws on the run. According to Best, it's definitely worth trying against the Cowboys' suspect secondary, especially if the running game doesn't get off to a fast start. ... Also, according to Best, after taking heat for the team's failures in the red zone against the Eagles two weeks ago, offensive coordinator Sean Payton vowed to get the ball into the hands of Tiki Barber more regularly. There were problems in the red zone against the Redskins, and while it was not because of Barber necessarily, he certainly was more involved as a receiver in general, catching nine passes and running the ball seven times. As Payton says, good things happen when the ball is in the hands of Barber, so it is imperative to continue making him a big part of the passing and running games. Other notes of interest. ... Ike Hilliard's surgically repaired big toe was still swollen following Sunday's game. "It hurts more than it did before I had surgery," he told the Bergen Record. ... However, Hilliard wasn't included on the team's injury report and it looks like he'll be ready to go against the Cowboys this Sunday. ... For the record, the Giants opened last week's game in a three-receiver set with Hilliard, Amani Toomer and Joe Jurevicius on the outside. ... ----- NEW YORK JETS According to reports out of Jets headquarters, the fast guy in the No. 83 jersey didn't get any balls thrown his way Wednesday. That wasn't the point, at least not yet. Santana Moss, the New York Jets' top draft pick this year, participated in his first practice since tearing left knee cartilage on Aug. 1. Moss isn't expected back in a game for several weeks, but the fact he was running routes was encouraging for the rookie. "Every week, it's gotten better, and now I'm not thinking about the knee at all," Moss said. "I wouldn't try to go out there to be flashy, but to gradually get into it. "The doctor said he liked the look of the knee, that I must be doing a great job, now do what I have to do to get back on the field." The Jets hoped Moss would enliven their kick returns and serve as a deep threat at receiver. He showed flashes of game-breaking speed in the preseason before being hurt during a practice on artificial turf at nearby Hofstra Stadium. "It's a good sign for him and for us," coach Herman Edwards said of Moss' return, albeit in a limited role. "He'll see more every day. It's on him. He feels good about it." Moss said he has no timetable for getting into his first game, but he sure wouldn't mind playing against the Dolphins on Nov. 18 at Pro Player Stadium. Moss played down the road in college for the Miami Hurricanes and still lives in the area. "I don't like to put it out that I'll be ready at this time or that," he said. "All I can say is that I'm aiming for that game. "I'm excited, but I want to be myself and be calm and focused. I know what it takes to get me back out there, and I can't get it in my head to do too much." While Moss took part in the practice on restricted basis, top receiver Wayne Chrebet returned after missing a week with migraine headaches. Chrebet had a big day in practice, catching a dozen passes, including a long post route pass from Vinny Testaverde that went for a touchdown. He looked sharp on all kinds of patterns. "Wayne is the missing link, the guy you try to get the ball to on third downs," said Edwards, who clearly was thrilled to have Chrebet back. "He has done a great job of that, and it hurts you a bit (when he is out)." Other notes of interest. ... The Jets released second-year receiver Windrell Hayes on Monday, the day after he played in a game for the first time all season against Carolina. Though Hayes hasn't caught a pass all season, and despite the fact that he ran some poor routes in Sunday's 13-12 victory over the Panthers, the move was somewhat of a surprise. Hayes, who played for Jets offensive coordinator Paul Hackett at Southern California, caught nine passes for 125 yards in the preseason. Hayes chances to stick with the Jets were hurt because he didn't play special teams -- something that's almost essential for backup receivers. "It never worked out for him," Jets coach Herman Edwards said of Hayes. "If you're a receiver who can help on special teams, your stock goes way up. That's what hurt Windrell. He didn't play special teams." Because of injuries, the Jets have a glut of receivers with punt and kickoff return skills. When Moss was injured in training camp, the Jets traded for Chad Morton, but he also was injured and has missed the last four weeks. To replace Morton, the Jets signed Craig Yeast, another receiver-returner who's performed well. Yeast returned three kickoffs for a 28.7-yard average Sunday. Now, with Morton almost fully recovered from his right ankle sprain, both he and Yeast are likely to play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday night at the Superdome. Edwards indicated that he might use both Morton and Yeast on kickoffs and punts. Hayes, who finished his Jet career with six receptions for 126 yards, was unavailable for comment. But his agent, Peter Schaffer, said, "He was surprised, I can tell you that." Shaffer said he expects Hayes to sign with another team very quickly. ... Vinny Testaverde passed for just 181 yards and three interceptions against the Panthers last Sunday, and those who follow the team closely believe it could lead to a controversy between the veteran and Chad Pennington at some point this season. ... And finally. ... When all else fails, bet on Curtis Martin to get the job done for the Jets. ... Against the Panthers, Martin ran for 159 yards on 27 carries and added another 39 yards on seven receptions. ----- OAKLAND RAIDERS In an article published Wednesday, Contra Costa Times beat writer Steve Corkran noted that the Raiders used five running backs, five wide receivers and three tight ends against the Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday. Rarely did those players line up in the same spot or run the same play on back-to-back plays. Running back Charlie Garner was in the backfield one play; the he was lined up wide left as a receiver. Tight end Roland Williams was next to the offensive left tackle on one play, the next thing you know, he was lined up in the backfield. It's all part of head coach Jon Gruden's master plan. Throw waves of offensive players at opposing defenses, mix in a variety of formations and send different players in motion and keep them guessing. "They were shuffling guys in and out, keeping their guys fresh," Eagles cornerback Bobby Taylor said after the Sunday's game. "We were on our heels. Jon is an exceptionally smart guy, and he just kept mixing things up." Six players touched the ball on Oakland's first scoring drive. None of them was named Tim Brown or Jerry Rice. Williams caught a pass for a first down. Receiver Jerry Porter turned a third-and-four into a first down with an 11-yard reception. Running back Terry Kirby touched the ball, twice, for the first time this season. Fullback Jon Ritchie doubled his reception total this season by catching two passes for a combined 15 yards. Quarterback Rich Gannon scrambled for 10 yards and a first down. The Eagles didn't know where the next play was going, who was the intended target and if it was a run or a pass. That's the idea, Gruden said. "We feel like we can present the illusion of being complex and sophisticated, maybe, yet remain very simple and basic in terms of the plays and how we read plays and how we execute them," Gruden said. ... It's worth noting that the team's rushing attack is alive and well heading into Monday night's showdown with the Raiders. The Raiders ran for 202 yards against the Eagles. Garner led the way by running for 77 yards, but Zack Crockett, Randy Jordan and Terry Kirby were also effective, combining for 107 yards on 22 carries and one touchdown while filling in for an injured Tyrone Wheatley. ... Wheatley's injured wrist and knee have improved but his status for Monday night's game against the Broncos is uncertain at this point. ... Wheatley is officially listed as questionable. One last note. ... Corkran wrote on Tuesday, "It is obvious that wide receiver James Jett's days with Oakland are numbered. He rarely plays, even as a decoy on deep routes. The team is content with wide receivers Tim Brown and Jerry Rice as the starters while developing young Jerry Porter and Marcus Knight to fill Jett's role. ..." ----- PHILADELPHIA EAGLES In an article published Wednesday afternoon, Associated Press reporter Rob Maaddi wrote, "Freddie Mitchell was supposed to give Donovan McNabb a much-needed threat at wide receiver. He's barely been on the field with him. "Mitchell, selected with the 25th pick in April's draft, has just two catches in his first six games with the Philadelphia Eagles. But coach Andy Reid may be ready to call the rookie's number more often. "'We're to that stage now where we're easing him in, easing him in and easing him in, and with that, he's asked to learn the whole package,' Reid said Wednesday. 'He's getting close to that point where he should get in there and execute. He just hasn't been in there to do that, every route against every coverage and so on.' "Mitchell, a flashy receiver at UCLA, had 77 catches for 1,494 yards and nine touchdowns last season. He was the fifth receiver taken in the draft, and the highest selected by Philadelphia in 17 years. "But Mitchell hasn't been able to beat out Na Brown for the No. 3 spot behind James Thrash and Todd Pinkston. While Thrash and Pinkston have emerged as capable starters, Brown has struggled lately, dropping passes in three consecutive games. "That could open the door for Mitchell. "'I like the role I'm in right now,' Mitchell said. 'They are working me in slow. Now it's time to step it up a notch.' "Mitchell's development was slowed by a hamstring injury that hampered him throughout training camp and the early part of the season. He said he's healthy now. "'It wasn't that much of a hindrance,' Mitchell said. 'The learning process didn't slow down. I was still learning. It's just that I couldn't go out on the field. "'Coach Reid has done a great job taking me slow, bringing me along little by little, helping me feel more comfortable. I can't wait to step up and take a bigger role.' "Mitchell realizes expectations were high when he was drafted. But he isn't disappointed. "'The No. 1 pick is drafted on potential,' Mitchell said. 'A lot of people think the No. 1 pick is supposed to go in and play right away. That's not the case. You're drafted on potential and ability.' "The main concern for rookies is learning the intricacies of a complicated West Coast offense. Mitchell played in a variation of it at UCLA. "'I feel comfortable. I can play my position right now and know what I'm doing,' Mitchell said. 'It's actually easier because a lot of people hype it up so much and I was setting myself up for the worst, but it came real easy.' "Reid is confident Mitchell will make an impact before the season is over. "'I've fed him a little bit more every week. We'll continue to do that,' Reid said. 'He's a sharp kid that wants to get in there and contribute. That will happen.' "McNabb can't wait. "'He gives us another weapon in our arsenal,' McNabb said. 'He's healed from the injury, he's working hard in practice, moving at full speed and that's something that we'll definitely take advantage of from this point on. ...'" Also of interest. ... According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, running back Duce Staley is approaching full strength in his return from a shoulder injury. "He's still not all the way back, but he's getting there," Reid said early this week. Staley, who finished Sunday's game with 19 yards and a touchdown on three carries and two catches for 35 yards, continues to share the workload with rookie Correll Buckhalter, who carried the ball a team-high seven times against the Raiders. And finally. ... The Cardinals might be an ideal opponent for McNabb, who appears to be in a bit of a slump after being held to 133 passing yards and no touchdowns by the Raiders last Sunday. ... ----- PITTSBURGH STEELERS ESPN.com insider Len Pasquarelli wrote last Friday, "The Steelers' new offensive coordinator, Mike Mularkey, has taken to calling Pittsburgh 'an exotic smash mouth football team.' Translation? The Steelers want to beat you on offense with their physical, pounding running game, plus a few fun wrinkles. "That's why [two weeks ago] at Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh lined up receiver Hines Ward in the shotgun formation at quarterback, and snapped him the ball for a 9-yard rushing gain. Later, the Steelers had 250-pound running back Jerome Bettis rolling right and throwing a 32-yard halfback option pass for a touchdown to tight end Jerame Tuman. "Is Bettis now known as Slash II? "'Everybody we have has a little Slash in them,' said Mularkey, who has been innovative in this, his first chance to be an NFL coordinator. 'We want to do a little of this and some more of that.' "Bettis' halfback option pass wasn't even in the Steelers game plan for Tampa Bay until Thursday. That's when Bettis tried it out in practice. "'He threw it end over end on Thursday and it landed about 5 yards short of the receiver,' Mularkey said. 'That's when I knew we had to call it in the game because I figured he couldn't possibly throw another one that badly.' "Why get tricky? Because Pittsburgh has to find a way to win despite its relative lack of a passing game with quarterback Kordell Stewart. ..." Which reminds me. ... In his Monday Morning Quarterback column for CNN/SI this week, Peter King wrote: "I think sometimes I wonder how good the Steelers would have been over the last four or five years if Bill Cowher had stuck with Jim Miller instead of throwing him overboard in 1996. All Miller's done is be a 63 percent passer in 362 throws since getting fired by Cowher -- the 5-of-16 day against the Niners is an aberration -- and isn't an efficient quarterback all the Steelers really need right now? But according to Pro Football Weekly, the presence of a quarterbacks coach is finally starting to pay off for Stewart and the Steelers. This after Tom Cements was hired as the team's first QB coach since 1973. He was brought in to help Stewart predominantly with fundamentals and mechanics. In previous years, the Steelers avoided hiring a QB coach because they didn't want too many voices in Stewart's ear coaching him. Now, Stewart has Clements to help him keep his mechanics in line and to keep him focused on the details while offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey coaches Stewart in the formations and plays -- the bigger picture. Working under Clements this year, Stewart's ball-handling mechanics have improved, and little things such as following through on handoffs and play-fakes have rounded out the former University of Colorado star's game a little more. None of which is of much interest to Fantasy owners trying to deal with the fact Stewart has only put the ball in the end zone four times (twice passing, twice running) this year. ... Other notes of interest this week. ... Stewart's production against Tennessee raised his passer rating to 72.1, and his rating on third down to 82.7. ... Bettis, who ran for 62 yards Monday -- the ninth consecutive time he's fallen short of 100 yards against the Titans -- has a sore knee, but is listed as probable on the injury report for Sunday's game against Baltimore. Coaches expect "The Bus" to start and play as usual against the Ravens this Sunday. ... Amos Zereoue is listed as questionable for Sunday's game due to a shoulder injury. If he can't go, Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala would assume the third-down back role and back up Bettis. ... And finally. ... PFW reported last week that the most of impressive aspect of WR Hines Ward's play this year hasn't been the fact he's catching so many balls, but the fact that he's become a very good run blocker. Ward has cleared his side of the field on several occasions for Pittsburgh runners, doing his part for the Steelers' dynamic rushing game. ----- ST. LOUIS RAMS Not surprisingly, the Rams said Monday that Marshall Faulk will start when the Rams return from their bye week. "Marshall was a little upset with me, I think, that we wouldn't let him play," head coach Mike Martz told the St. Louis Post Dispatch. "And yet, I think it was the right thing to do ultimately. Now we've got him at 100 percent, and Trung [Canidate], for the final nine games. And from that point on, what happens happens." According to CNN/SI insider Peter King, Faulk could have played against the Saints despite the bone bruise in his right knee. He told Martz last week, "I've played with my knee feeling worse." But Martz knew this game with the Saints would be a tough one -- and it was -- and he knew he had a bye week coming. This will give Faulk 27 days between hits on the knee, from Oct. 14 against the Giants to Nov. 11 against Carolina. Other notes of interest. ... Ernie Conwell caught six passes for 44 yards and scored on a one-yard run against the Saints. The veteran tight end has definitely emerged as a reliable Fantasy player this year. ... Wide receiver Isaac Bruce left Sunday's game in the second quarter after reportedly breaking the pinky finger on his left hand. However, the veteran returned to action and played the entire second half wearing a splint to protect the digit in question. ----- SAN DIEGO CHARGERS According to Nick Canepa of the San Diego Union-Tribune, despite their overall success this season, the Chargers are struggling in the red zone, especially in short-yardage situations. Not even the superior talents of rookie running back LaDainian Tomlinson can make something happen when absolutely nothing's there. The offensive line quite simply can't run block on short-yardage plays. Perhaps it's time for offensive coordinator Norv Turner to spread the field in short-yardage situations so Tomlinson can find some space or maybe Flutie can find an opening. Five trips into the red zone against Buffalo produced two touchdowns -- one after a disputed pass-interference penalty gave the Chargers a first down -- two field goals and one missed field goal. Place-kicker Wade Richey, who has been erratic in the past, missed two makable field goals that would have iced the game. ... A few final notes of interest this week. ... Tomlinson, who left Sunday's game briefly in the second quarter with a hip injury, is listed as probable this week and coaches expect him to start and play as usual against the Chiefs this Sunday. ... Tight end Freddie Jones overcame a sprained ankle to play against the Bills, and caught two passes for five yards. One of his catches was good for a one-yard TD, and it looks like Jones is going to do the bulk of his scoring from short range since Flutie seems to prefer his wide outs over the tight end when the Chargers are outside the red zone. And finally. ... Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News had some harsh things to say about Flutie last week, including the following gems: "Flutie had two performances working--the one he played for the public and the off-Broadway persona reserved for behind closed doors. We're talking about two totally different dudes.... "See, Flutie was a selfish, egotistical, conniving, manipulative, shrewd individualist who did almost anything to make sure he came out looking better than his former teammate, Rob Johnson, in the battle to run the offense. "Flutie was known as a winner, Johnson as a fragile outcast. So why has Flutie played for eight professional teams since he threw the Hail Mary? Because Flutie's charm runs only so long before people discover the facade. Teams aren't far behind. ..." Not incredibly relevant, but interesting nonetheless. ... ----- SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS The San Francisco 49ers provided some insurance for quarterback Jeff Garcia's bad knee, re-signing veteran Rick Mirer to a one-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed, but it has been reported that the deal will be prorated for $477,000 over the rest of the season. The 49ers had to release three players to make room under the salary cap. They waived linebacker Shane Elam and defensive end John Milem, and let go offensive tackle Mark Bristol from the practice squad. Mirer was with the Niners through training camp and preseason before being released on Sept. 4. But the team needed some insurance after Garcia injured his right knee Sunday in Chicago. Garcia has completed 64.6 percent of his passes for 1,410 yards with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions but was hobbled by his injury in San Francisco's overtime loss Sunday. The injury forced the 49ers to bring back Mirer, who will be the third quarterback behind Garcia and Tim Rattay when the team hosts Detroit on Sunday. Mirer was the second overall pick in the 1993 draft but has been a major bust, throwing 47 touchdown passes and 71 interceptions over 60 starts in nine NFL seasons. He played in just one game for the 49ers last year. Mirer passed for a career-high 2,883 yards as a rookie with Seattle but regressed over the next three seasons and was shipped to Chicago for a first-round pick. After one year with the Bears, Mirer was waived. He also served as a backup with Green Bay and the New York Jets before joining the Niners in 2000. Garcia might wear a protective brace for Sunday's game against the Lions. ... Running back Garrison Hearst showed off his versatility against one of the league's better defense last Sunday; although he only rushed for only 46 yards at Chicago, he also caught four passes for 105 yards and a TD. ... Although the 49ers have failed to score in the first quarter in each of their first five games, they still head into Sunday's game against the Lions with an efficient passing attack after Garcia hit six different receivers in his first 12 attempts against the Bears. ----- SEATTLE SEAHAWKS Even though Seattle lost the game, Matt Hasselbeck's 107.7 passer rating against Miami last Sunday solidified his No. 1 standing. "I didn't want to be so stubborn about the thing that I would hurt the football team," head coach Mike Holmgren said. "Matt had to play well and if he wasn't able to handle Sunday, then I was prepared to put Trent (Dilfer) in and let Matt watch some more." Hasselbeck actually had his best game as a pro last Sunday, throwing for 230 yards, two TDs and no interceptions. According to Clare Farnsworth of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, despite becoming more involved in the passing game each week, rookie wide receiver Koren Robinson still drops too many balls, has lapses in concentration and doesn't always sell his routes when the play is intended to go to the other side -- all correctable flaws. At least they should be once coaches get Robinson to realize the mental approach is even more important than the physical. ... Other notes of interest. ... The Dolphins held Shaun Alexander to 87 yards on 23 carries. Considering the strength of the Miami defense, Alexander's final numbers looked respectable, but he also fumbled twice. The Seattle RB will continue to post good yardage numbers, but the league's better defenses might limit his overall output. ... Holmgren is likely to give him one more chance, but make no mistake about it: Rian Lindell's job is on the line this week. In fact, the Seahawks worked out three free-agent kickers -- Shayne Graham, Doug Brien and Brad Daluiso -- on Tuesday. Lindell, who hit 15-of-17 field goal attempts last year, missed twice Sunday, from 35 and 28 yards. He is 9-of-15 for the season. ----- TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS According to reports out of team headquarters Wednesday, the Buccaneers are likely have two of their key offensive performers for Sunday's showdown against the Green Bay Packers. Wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson and running back Warrick Dunn are both listed as probable for Sunday's game. Johnson, the NFC leader in receptions and receiving yards sat out the second half of Sunday's 41-14 victory over the Minnesota Vikings after he hurt right knee in the closing seconds of the first half. Dunn missed the Vikings game because of a strained right hamstring, but is practicing this week. It will be interesting to see how the Bucs use Dunn and Mike Alstott, who ran for 129 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries last Sunday, against the Packers this week. The St. Petersburg Times reports that head coach Tony Dungy plans to return Alstott to his fullback position if Dunn returns to the lineup as expected this Sunday. "To me it's not so much what we do or who we're going to get the ball to," Dungy said. "Aaron Stecker averaged about 6 yards a carry yesterday. That's not to say Mike didn't do a good job, but we can't look at it and say, 'Just because Mike Alstott was the ball carrier, that's why we got things going.'" That said, in the two games that Dunn has missed this season, Alstott has racked up 206 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 43 touches. One last note out of Tampa tonight. ... Starting wide out Jacquez Green is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Green Bay due to a hip pointer, but coaches hope he'll be ready to go by the end of the week. ... ----- TENNESSEE TITANS The Tennessee Titans might have to rest All-Pro running back Eddie George. The 1995 Heisman Trophy winner has never missed a start, a streak that has reached 86 straight games. But he hurt both his legs Monday night in a 34-7 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, a game in which he turned in his worst rushing performance since September 1998. George hyper extended his left knee, bruised his left thigh and re-sprained his right ankle, which should keep him from practicing much for a second straight week. Head coach Jeff Fisher said Tuesday that George, who was not available on the players' day off, is very sore, prompting the question of whether resting him Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-4) would allow him to heal. "That'll be discussed this week, and we'll just see how he responds later in the week," Fisher said. "He may need a week off. He may be unable to play as well. I just don't know at this point." George is off to the slowest start of his career, averaging 2.6 yards per carry with 303 yards rushing. Traditionally, he usually kicks into gear by October where he has had 12 of his 29 career 100-yard rushing games. But he had offseason surgery on his right toe, and George has yet to top 100 yards in a game. The Titans (2-4), whose offense goes through George, are on the bottom of the AFC Central they won last year. The Titans rank ahead of only Detroit and Carolina in rushing offense, and resting George would seem to be prudent. Tennessee's problem? His backups are second-year player Mike Green, and Skip Hicks, released by Chicago earlier this season. Look for Green and Hicks to split carries if George can't go, but as Fisher noted, "Eddie wants to play. The risk is the lack of production." Injuries have limited George in practice, and the lack of preparation showed Monday night as George and quarterback Steve McNair failed to connect on a simple handoff. With the offensive line also struggling, George rarely reached the line of scrimmage. "Running backs are banged up, but Eddie's just not been able to get over the hump," Fisher said. "If it's not one thing, it's another, and he's sore, he's frustrated and he's going to have trouble moving around this week." After Monday's game, George wasn't concerned. "I just thank God that it's nothing serious to the point where it's a season-ending injury," he said. "I'm just going to go in and get treatment, get healthy again and get ready for the battle coming up this week against Jacksonville." One last note out of Tennessee. ... According to USA Today, the effects of a high ankle sprain continue to limit the production of WR Derrick Mason. ----- WASHINGTON REDSKINS According to reports out of Washington this week, head coach Marty Schottenheimer might have gained some credibility from his players by opening up the offense in the second half of the team's win over the Giants last Sunday. Tony Banks completed five passes that went for 15 yards or more. The Redskins went for -- and converted -- a fourth-and-1 at the Giants 42. Receiver Kevin Lockett took a lateral and completed his first NFL pass attempt, a 31-yard touchdown to Derrius Thompson. "When you have success, you start believing in the concept of the plays a little more," said Banks, who was 11-for-19 for 190 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. "When you've got guys playing with a little more confidence, guys play better. If a guy's average or above average, he plays a little better than he normally plays. And I'm included in that." Not that Schottenheimer has completely won over the team. Westbrook, his touchdown aside, wasn't in the game for key stretches in the second half and still seems a forgotten man. Even Schottenheimer admitted the trust isn't necessarily there, but that "we're beginning to sense that there is a reason to trust." "We've still got a ways to go," he said. Specifically, Schottenheimer is tailoring the offense more around Banks, something he didn't do with Jeff George. Banks' strengths are throwing deep and the ability to throw well on the run; both were showcased Sunday. "Our quarterback is becoming more and more comfortable with what we're doing," Schottenheimer said. "We are becoming more and more aware of the things he does well." Other notes of interest. ... The Redskins had four offensive touchdowns against the Giants after scoring only three in the first six games as the playbook has been tailored to the skills of Banks. The irony is that the coaches refused to do that for Jeff George, forcing him to try to adapt to an offense that didn't take advantage of his ability. ... Running back Stephen Davis, who has scored 28 rushing touchdowns over the last two seasons and never went more than 31 consecutive carries without a touchdown in that period, has yet to score a touchdown 130 carries this year. ... And finally. ... Tight end Stephen Alexander is likely to miss his third straight game Sunday against Seattle due to a high ankle sprain. The Redskins are targeting their Nov. 18 game at Dallas for his return. ----- (c) 2001 TFL Report/Fantasy Sports Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.