"Disappointed is not a strong enough word," McGinnis said on Monday. "Success is what I'm all about, and what this football team is all about."

Injuries are a major problem as Arizona begins preparation for next Sunday's home game against Seattle.

Wide receiver MarTay Jenkins probably is out for the season after breaking his shoulder blade in Sunday's loss to the Rams. Wide receiver Bryan Gilmore was sidelined for the season with a broken leg he suffered against San Francisco the week before.

They probably were the two fastest players on the roster, and were gunners on the punt team.

McGinnis said he won't make a roster move on Jenkins until he sees how some of the other injured players are doing. Rookie Jason McAddley, who had his first two NFL catches on Sunday, will become the team's No. 3 receiver behind David Boston and Frank Sanders.

"Injuries are a very, very prevalent part of this league," McGinnis said, "but they can't be a relevant or a prevalent part of success or failure. You've got to have success regardless of what you're injury factor is."

McGinnis never specifically criticizes players, so he wouldn't name names when he talked about the team's inability to throw deep, even though Jake Plummer and Boston are the most likely culprits.

"We've done a pretty decent job of being able to move the ball with our shorter stuff, but what we haven't done lately is get it down the field," McGinnis said. "We need more plays down the field through the air to open up some of the other stuff."

Plummer blamed himself Sunday for the fumbled snap deep in St. Louis territory and his poor throw to Sanders on fourth-and-four late in the game. But McGinnis wouldn't criticize his quarterback, who is ranked last at the position in the NFC.

"The responsibility for the offense is mine. The responsibility for the defense is mine," McGinnis said. "I've got complete confidence in all the guys that I've chosen to be here, both as coaches and players, that we're going to get it done."

Boston, like Plummer, is in the final year of his contract. But after leading the NFL and setting a franchise record in yards receiving -- 98 catches for 1,598 yards and eight TDs, as a Pro Bowl selection last season, he has not been his old big-play self this year. He has 32 catches for 512 yards and has scored one touchdown, in the season opener at Washington. In Sunday's loss, he had one catch and dropped two.

Boston has been bothered by a sore ankle all season.

"I don't think he'll be over that all year," McGinnis said.

That, however, doesn't explain the dozen or so passes Boston has dropped.

"You just have to catch it," McGinnis said. "I don't know what else to say."

Fortunately, for us, Arizona Republic staffer Kent Somers was able to shed a little more light on the situation when he noted on Tuesday that Boston, who has averaged at least two drops a game in recent weeks, is showing no signs of coming out of his funk. Plummer is making the same dumb mistakes he made when he was younger.

Somers went on to suggest that if Plummer doesn't improve in the next few weeks, pressure will increase on the coaches to play rookie Josh McCown. ...

On a more positive note, the Cardinals should be able to continue to rely on the running game -- especially with the Seahawks coming to Tempe this Sunday.

Thomas Jones and Marcel Shipp have developed into a decent duo. Jones is the starter and has breakaway speed; Shipp probably has better instincts and is an excellent receiver. ...

Running game: The Falcons don't have a player ranked in the top 32 in the NFL, but they have Nos. 33, 34 and 35 in Mike Vick (362 yards), T.J. Duckett (348) and Warrick Dunn (342). They've combined for 11 of the Falcons' 13 rushing scores -- five more than last season. The line is better, as left guard Travis Claridge, center Todd McClure and right guards Roberto Garza and Kynan Forney have surpassed expectations. Also, fullback Bob Christian (5.3-yard rush average) is a linebacker-seeking missile, and even though it's not always clear who's going to run, the end result is the league's No. 5 rushing attack. Atlanta's on pace to rush for 2,310 yards, fourth-most in team history, but one has to wonder where the running game would be without Vick.

Passing game: This is about mixed signals. The Falcons' average of 7.1 yards per attempt is tied with the Rams for No. 8 in the league. And Atlanta has thrown but five interceptions (one by punter Chris Mohr), third-fewest in the league. But the Falcons also have thrown just five touchdown passes, tied with Carolina for the fewest, they're getting sacked once every 10.8 pass plays, second-worst in the NFL, and only three teams have thrown for fewer yards. Vick often buys time with his feet, but his receivers don't always do a good job adjusting routes.

The bottom line: Atlanta ranks No. 19 in total offense vs. No. 15 last year. But this is a more effective unit because the running game -- especially Vick -- enables the Falcons to hold the ball (their average time of possession of 32:28 is No. 2 to Philadelphia's 32:31), and is more of a threat in the red zone. In 52 red zone possessions last year, the Falcons scored 80.8 percent of the time (42 scores), including 21 touchdowns (40.4 percent). This year, they've scored 27 of 28 times (96.4 percent), including 15 touchdowns (53.6 percent).

In an article published Monday, Sports Illustrated insider Peter King noted that Vick must run fewer than his current seven times a game -- which he knows -- or else there's a good chance he won't make it through 16 weeks. But he's a 60.4 percent passer with eight games to go -- better than anyone had a right to expect -- and he has thrown one interception in seven games.

King added: "If you don't like Vick, you don't like ice cream."

Other notes of interest. ...

Head coach Dan Reeves said Shawn Jefferson is still the starting split end, even though backup Trevor Gaylor played most of the second half in his spot. Jefferson said he told coaches to play Gaylor to get him experience and ride his hot hand.

Gaylor, acquired from the San Diego Chargers before the season for a late-round draft pick in 2004, finished with a team-high four catches for 32 yards. Three produced first downs, including the game-clincher on fourth-and-4 with two minutes left.

And finally. ... Duckett hurt his left foot and ankle making a cut in the fourth quarter. It forced him out of the game. He had a slight limp Monday. Of course, I'll keep a close eye on Duckett's progress and update you as necessary throughout the weekend.

With Chris Redman still awaiting medical clearance to practice, Jeff Blake gets at least one more chance to make his case to retain the starting job once Redman returns. Still rehabilitating a herniated disc in his lower back, Redman has an outside shot to be the team's No. 3 quarterback Sunday and might be able to play the following week at Miami.

If Redman can resume practicing next week, the Ravens will have to decide whether to put their improving prodigy back into the lineup or stick with the strong-armed Blake. At this point, they are noncommittal.

"It's going to be determined by how we're doing and where we're at. I'm not going to set it in stone," said head coach Brian Billick. "I'll see how the team is responding, I'll see how Jeff is playing and I'll see how strong Chris is. We'll determine it at that time. Chris has certainly done nothing to not continue on as the quarterback. But neither has Jeff."

Redman, who led the Ravens to a 3-3 start, has missed the past two games because his disc hit a nerve that sent pain running down his right leg and caused his right foot and toes to become numb. The first-year starter said he still has some lingering effects from the injury and will increase his activity this week to regain strength in the leg on which he plants to throw.

When asked if he feels pressure to rush back to hold onto his starting job, Redman said, "I don't think that's my biggest concern. I just want to play. I hate sitting on the sideline and watching. I'm just trying to work as hard as I can and get back as fast as I can."

Blake can relate to working week to week.

He started the past two losses, completing 55.8 percent of his passes for 527 yards. Providing a mix of exciting deep throws along with some uneasy moments, Blake has thrown two touchdown passes and four interceptions. He also lost a fumble on Sunday that the Falcons converted into an easy touchdown.

Blake, 31, said he is going into every week thinking that he will start unless told otherwise. Although it's not an ideal situation, he's not complaining.

"I'll take it any way I can get it, baby," Blake said. "If I deal you a deck of cards, you got to play them."

Sunday's game will have an added story line for Blake, who played for Cincinnati from 1994 to 1999. The Bengals got their first victory of the season Sunday, routing the expansion Houston Texans, 38-3.

"They're a team that totally annihilated a Houston Texans team that is older, has more experience and has more veteran starters than we do," Billick said. "That's our challenge."

For what it's worth. ... In three and a half seasons as head coach of the Ravens, Billick has used eight different starting quarterbacks: Scott Mitchell (0-2), Stoney Case (2-2) and Tony Banks (6-4) in 1999; Banks (5-3) and Trent Dilfer (7-1) in 2000; Elvis Grbac (8-6) and Randall Cunningham (2-0) in 2001; and Redman (3-3) and Blake (0-2) this season. ...

Also of interest. ...

In an article published Tuesday, Sun beat writer Brent Jones noted that for the second straight week, a team successfully removed Ravens running back Jamal Lewis from the offensive equation.

Lewis rushed for 36 yards on 12 carries in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, 2 more yards than he gained the week before against Pittsburgh.

In both games, the Ravens fell behind in the first half by multiple touchdowns and were forced to throw downfield early.

Though Lewis got just five second-half attempts, Billick said his team was able to make up the lost yardage in other ways, including a 39-yard reverse to Travis Taylor and 27 yards rushing from fullback Alan Ricard.

Blake also had five runs for 22 yards.

"We had 153 yards rushing," Billick said. "Which of those reverses do you want to hand back to Jamal? We can give him Ricard's touchdown. Or we can take the [three] reverses we ran; we can take those back and give it to Jamal.

"The nature of the game, they made it clear all week long that they were going to try and stop Jamal; that was the key. So they were stacked in there a little bit different than what they've shown in the past to stop Jamal. As is typical, if you want to put those kind of assets into one aspect of stopping a team, you're going to leave other things vulnerable, and we took advantage of that to a certain degree."

Lewis' combined 25 rushing attempts the past two games are three fewer than he got Oct. 20 against Jacksonville, a game in which he rushed for 119 yards in a Ravens win.

He ran five times in the Ravens' opening drive against Atlanta, including the first three plays of the game for 15 yards. But the Ravens turned to Blake in the second quarter, especially during a nine-play touchdown drive in which every call was a pass (the Ravens attempted one Lewis run, which was wiped out because of penalty).

Blake hit Taylor for a 64-yard completion on that drive.

"Now the next teams we will play have to take into account - we have to stop Jamal but better watch that reverse," Billick said. "We better watch that bomb, and we better watch the intermediate stuff to [Todd] Heap. So hopefully we'll present the full package. Yes, we need to get the ball to Jamal more, but the game plan dictates that to a degree.

"It's not like we threw the ball 60 times and Jamal only got 12. We were balanced with a different type of run, but we were balanced from the pass."

Also according to Jones, despite his seemingly secondary status to Taylor now that Blake is starting, Brandon Stokley is not viewing his role as such.

Blake and Taylor have hooked up for 209 yards on 11 catches and a touchdown the past two games, and Stokley has 61 yards on six catches.

"I don't think Jeff is looking for one guy more than the other," Stokley said. "You go where the coverage gives you, and that's what he's been doing."

Blake said teams may start scheming to take away Taylor, which would give his other receivers opportunities to make plays.

"I'm looking for Stokley, too," Blake said.

The Patriots often used four linebackers standing at the line of scrimmage who could rush the passer or drop into coverage. Sometimes there were two down linemen and six or seven defensive backs.

Peerless Price (9 catches, 98 yards, 1 TD) had a good day but fellow wideout Eric Moulds (5-68) was contained yet again by old rival cornerback Ty Law.

In an article published Tuesday, Buffalo News staffer Allen Wilson advised readers that the Bills' lethal vertical passing game will be tough to stop the rest of the season.

Bledsoe, rejuvenated after his trade from the Patriots, is playing the best football of his career and Moulds and Price are one of the top receiving tandems in the league.

Running back Travis Henry has given the offense needed balance. If he overcomes his fumbling problems, Henry should establish himself as an elite back by the end of the season.

Wilson went on to predict that even though Bledsoe is certain to continue his weekly bombardment on opposing defenses, Henry could easily play a larger role down the stretch. The unpredictable late-season weather could slow down the passing game, so it's imperative that the team runs the ball. If Henry can protect the ball, he'll get more carries.

A few final notes of interest. ...

Jay Riemersma sat out the second half of Sunday's game with a back strain. He'll use the bye week to get healthy. ... Place-kicker Mike Hollis has been reliable, but he went oh-fer for the first time this season. He missed all three field-goal attempts, leaving a 50-yarder with the wind short, pushing a 25-yarder right and pulling a 45-yarder left.

What the Panthers don't have is a surefire No. 1 quarterback. And that's what they desperately need. Once upon a time they had three legitimate NFL starting quarterbacks on the roster simultaneously. But now their future at football's most important position is as cloudy as a turkey's prospects in early November.

Fowler went on to suggest that -- at least in the short term -- Rodney Peete is their best option. If Peete's knee is ready this week -- and he is optimistic it will be -- head coach John Fox should start the former USC star against New Orleans at home. Let Peete start at Tampa Bay, too, Nov. 17. Surely Peete will improve on Randy Fasani's 0.0 quarterback rating versus in the team's Oct. 27 loss to the Bucs.

That said, Chris Weinke needs one more shot with this team.

Would a switch to Weinke hurt the 2002 team? Maybe. But the Panthers rank 31st out of 32 teams in total offense. They have ranked higher than 20th in total offense in only one season. They need a new plan -- a plan that quite likely will involve drafting another QB in the quarterback-rich Class of 2003.

Although drafting a quarterback always sounds enticing, the simplest plan for the Panthers would include Weinke's natural ascension to the No. 1 role.

Let's say Weinke closes out the 2002 season strongly. Then the Panthers can keep Weinke, whose incentive-laden contract makes that option no sure thing if he plays poorly over the last half of the season. By once again placing the "quarterback of the future" crown atop Weinke's balding head, the Panthers could use their top three or four draft picks in April on offensive playmakers at wide receiver and running back. They also could use another offensive lineman or two.

Most of all, though, the Panthers need a quarterback.

If Weinke's tryout doesn't work out? Then the Panthers should cut their losses by cutting Weinke. They should sign Peete to another one-year deal and keep him as the starter for 2003, if he's healthy. And they should draft a quarterback in the first round and immediately set about grooming him for 2004.

As for Fasani, he looked terrible against Tampa Bay. But that wasn't a fair test. Fasani needs more time, and he will get it. The rookie quarterback is the only Panthers quarterback certain to be in training camp next season, competing for the No. 2 job.

It's a mess, but it hasn't always been that way. The Panthers once had a little-recognized golden -- or at least silver -- era at quarterback.

For much of the 1997 season and part of 1998, the Panthers harbored three legitimate NFL starting QBs.

No. 1 quarterback Kerry Collins would ultimately lead the New York Giants to a Super Bowl and has now made 95 career starts. No. 2 QB Steve Beuerlein, who holds almost all of the Panthers' passing records, would go to the Pro Bowl for the Panthers the following season after throwing 36 touchdown passes. No. 3 QB Shane Matthews was an afterthought who never played in a game for Carolina, but he is now the starter in Washington.

Any of those three would be the starter on this team. But Collins was basically allowed to quit. Beuerlein was inexplicably waived by George Seifert (in favor of Jeff Lewis). Matthews was also let go, but would later catch on with Chicago and then Washington as a part-time starter.

That was the best it has gotten for the Panthers at quarterback.

This is the worst.

Something must change.

Also of interest. ...

According to Observer staffer Pat Yasinskas, the open week couldn't have come at a better time for running back Lamar Smith.

After a fast start, Smith has cooled. One reason is the lack of a passing game; another is that Smith, 31, is beginning to show signs of wear and tear.

The team had hoped rookie running back DeShaun Foster could lighten Smith's load, but a lingering knee injury forced Foster onto injured reserve and ended his season last week.

Second-year running back Nick Goings has carved out a niche for himself. With Foster out, he is the top backup to Smith and fullback Brad Hoover.

Goings (6-0, 225) isn't a breakaway threat, but he's a tough inside runner who holds onto the ball. And though he doesn't have great size, he blocks well.

Goings has been solid when used in a backfield with running back Dee Brown in passing situations, and he's athletic enough to contribute on special teams. ...

Also according to Yasinskas, Muhsin Muhammad is the team's best offensive player, but he's having a quiet season. A hamstring injury has played a part, but the main problem recently has been the ineffectiveness of the passing game. With the team's quarterback so unsteady, opposing defenses have been able to take Muhammad out of the game by double-teaming him.

To get more out of him, the Panthers must improve their ground game. That would force defenses to play more honestly and put single coverage on Muhammad, who can make things happen after the catch.

Miller, still suffering from elbow and shoulder tendinitis, all but inserted himself into the lineup Sunday and completed 52.8 percent of his passes, his second-lowest completion percentage of the year.

"I know that Jim would not want to use it as an excuse, and we don't want to use it as an excuse," Jauron said. "But I think the fact of the matter is his arm is sore and I think it does have some effect on throws in the course of the game. And it could have had an effect there."

Jauron said that if the team did think Miller's tendinitis would prevent him from performing adequately that Miller would not have played. But Jauron also acknowledged that Miller may need another week, meaning that Chris Chandler could return as the starter against the Patriots.

One factor Sunday appeared to be simple rustiness. Miller had not played since the loss to Green Bay on Oct. 7, and his throwing in practice was limited. And the blitzing Philadelphia defense, which sacked Miller twice in the fourth quarter and three times for the game, was clearly the biggest problem.

Miller took every snap against the Eagles and completed 19-of-36 passes. But he completed just seven of his 15 passes in the fourth quarter and his last four were incomplete, including an overthrow of Marcus Robinson in the end zone on the final play.

Miller said again that the pain likely will be with him the rest of the season.

"It's not behind me," said Miller, who felt his elbow "clicking" on his throws and expected swelling Monday. "I won't be able to throw for two or three days, and that's just the way it is."

Also of interest. ...

Starting fullback Daimon Shelton is considered day-to-day with an ankle sprain. Stanley Pritchett will pick up any slack as necessary. ... And finally. ... With Chicago opening up in a three-receiver set against the Eagles, Ahmad Merritt made his first start of the season and had two catches for 39 yards.

Better yet, Jon Kitna had one of the best games of his career, hitting 22-of-27 for 263 yards and four touchdowns. Wide receiver Peter Warrick had his best game of the season with seven receptions for 86 yards and a catch-and-carry 33-yard touchdown and the Bengals are no longer the lowest-scoring team in the league.

In fact, Cincinnati improved in a number of statistical departments in the wake of Sunday's effort: For example, the Bengals are now tied for 28th in the league in scoring, averaging 14.1 points a game. They are tied with the Giants and ahead of Carolina, Houston and Dallas. The offense also moved up from the 29th overall ranking to 25th.

Team president Mike Brown is encouraged by the offense because of its second consecutive productive game.

The Bengals have scored 68 of their 113 points against Tennessee and Houston, games in which Kitna has completed 78 percent of his passes for six touchdowns and no interceptions.

Kitna's passer rating has climbed to 82.3.

"Jon Kitna was a good quarterback," Brown said when asked for his reflections on Sunday's game. "You can't be much better. That is the single most encouraging thing."

Brown also liked the "big plays" from Michael Westbrook, the "Florida State-like plays out of Peter Warrick" and the fact that "the young tight end [Matt] Schobel is showing up."

Speaking of Westbrook. ... According to Cincinnati Enquirer beat writer Mark Curnutte, the former Redskin wasn't surprised in the least by his two-touchdown performance Sunday at Houston.

"It really wasn't a big game, two catches [and] two touchdowns," he said Monday. "It would have been more satisfying if I had helped. I felt like I cheated some guys who drive the ball all the way down and I got the touchdown."

The receptions were Westbrook's first two for touchdowns with the Bengals, and just his fifth and sixth overall.

He is finally healthy after breaking a bone in his wrist at the start of training camp.

"There's a lot more to come," Westbrook said. "I'm healthy. I have a lot to show. People can say what they want to say, but just go pick up any tape of when I'm healthy. And that's all I've ever done."

Also of interest. ... Tight end Sean Brewer was placed on injured reserve Tuesday with a knee problem, his latest setback in two injury-prone seasons.

The Bengals signed tight end Chris Edmonds off their practice squad to replace Brewer, a 2001 third-round draft pick who has yet to catch a pass in an NFL game.

Brewer hurt his groin in training camp last year and spent the season on injured reserve. He played in the first three games this season, then tore cartilage in his left knee and had arthroscopic surgery.

He returned to practice in mid-October, but experienced pain in another part of the same knee. A medical exam found another tear in a different part of the cartilage, and he had more surgery on Oct. 28.

With Brewer sidelined, the Bengals have relied on Schobel.

Edmonds appeared in four preseason games for the Bengals. He was waived Sept. 1 and joined the practice squad. Edmonds was on the roster for three games as a linebacker last season, but did not play.

Davis is fed up with his last-ranked running game and he's determined to do something about it.

In fact, he said yesterday that establishing the run will be the No. 1 priority in the second half of the season.

The Browns are 32nd in the NFL with an average of 72.3 yards a game, 28th in yards per carry at 3.5, last in rushing attempts with 185, 31st with three rushing TDs and tied for 29th with only two runs longer than 20 yards.

It doesn't help that their starting back, Jamel White, suffered a mildly separated shoulder during Sunday's loss to Pittsburgh.

So, what can be done about the running game midway through the season?

"Somehow, some way, we're going to get some things done," said Davis.

But does he have the run blockers to do it?

"We've got some of them and we're going to find out if we've got the rest of them," he said.

It sounded like Davis will make some personnel changes if he has to during the break.

But for the long haul, he acknowledged that he has to upgrade the line if the Browns are going to become a championship team - not unlike what he went through at the University of Miami.

"I made a statement to the press one time that we'll never win a national championship until we address the issue of the offensive line," he said.

"Games are won at the line of scrimmage at every level. ... We had a mad, mad push one year where we signed Bryant McKinnie, Joaquin Gonzalez and Mark Bibla, who all got drafted last year. That's been the difference at [defending national champion] Miami the last few years."

There's been no such mad, mad push by the Browns since they returned in 1999. In fact, Davis is currently paying for the sins of the first two years, when only two linemen were selected out of 24 players - none higher than the sixth round.

No linemen were taken in 1999, and only two were picked in 2000 when the Browns had all those extra picks.

Not surprisingly, the two - sixth-rounder Brad Bedell and seventh-rounder Manuia Savea -- are out of football.

But Davis didn't make it a high priority in the draft when he took over in 2001. Staying true to form, the Browns waited until the seventh round to take a linemen, Paul Zukauskas of Boston College, who replaced Shaun O'Hara in the second half of the Jets game but didn't do enough to keep O'Hara on the bench.

It wasn't until this year that they picked a lineman higher than the sixth round, center Melvin Fowler in Round 3. They added Gonzalez in the seventh, meaning they've selected a total of five offensive linemen in the four years of the expansion era.

For comparison's sake, the Steelers -- tops in the AFC North -- are starting four first-round picks and one second-rounder on their offensive line.

Over the past four years, while the Browns have selected only one lineman higher than the sixth round, the Steelers have taken one in each of the first five rounds.

Davis, when asked if he has the same focus on the line here as he did at Miami, said, "We're working on it."

Of course, the Browns had high hopes for No. 1 pick William Green, who's been relegated to spot duty after a slow start. But Davis has vowed to get him going in the second half, even if it involves some growing pains.

"We're not going to be stupid. ... But you've got to make a commitment to it," he said. "Even if you have some bad runs, keep running it."

In a related item. ... Denver Post columnist Adam Schefter posed the following question in a piece published Monday:

"Anybody else wondering if Browns coach Butch Davis wishes he had drafted Clinton Portis, a running back he coached at the University of Miami, instead of William Green?"

Not me. ...

And finally. ... Tim Couch cut his right hand on a facemask in the second quarter. X-rays were negative, but he spent an unusually long period of time getting treatment afterward.

"Does Dallas play the ugliest game of the week, every week, in the NFL, or is it just my imagination? I'd like to know the last time a team was tied 0-0 at halftime two weeks in a row."

The sad fact is, Dallas has failed to score in the first half of its last four games and has yet to lead at halftime this year. Obviously there are some questions that need to be answered -- not that it'll be easy.

"Answers? There are no simple answers," offensive coordinator Bruce Coslet said.

Switching quarterbacks from Quincy Carter to Chad Hutchinson hasn't helped.

Hutchinson has lost both games he's started, with Dallas scoring three touchdowns. The Cowboys also scored three touchdowns in Carter's final two games. The difference: Carter also threw five interceptions, while Hutchinson has none.

Against Detroit, Hutchinson was 22-of-39 for 208 yards, with at least five passes dropped. He was praised by coaches for his toughness after enduring five sacks, several of which were caused by missed blocks. Hutchinson fumbled on three of them, losing one.

"Granted, I'm sore, but I enjoy it," said Hutchinson, who spent the last four years as a pitcher in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. "People don't think it's fun, but it's part of the game. Compared to baseball, I'd rather take the physical abuse than the mental abuse."

Hutchinson was one of nine rookie starters for Dallas on Sunday. Many more first- and second-year players are top backups.

Still, Campo insists this isn't a full-fledged, eye-on-the-future youth movement.

"My only future is Indianapolis," Campo said, referring to the Cowboys' next opponent, a week from Sunday. "We're trying to give ourselves the best chance to win next week. We are playing young players -- at the same time, they are young players who are making progress."

Hutchinson called his young peers "the type of rookies who can do it."

"We're close," Hutchinson said. "That's what people don't realize. We're a play or two away every game."

Rookie receiver Antonio Bryant believes he can be the one to make that play or two. He told coaches so during a third-quarter tirade Sunday.

"What you see is a temper tantrum. I have to vent to refocus," he said. "Sometimes coaches get caught up in `You got to do this or you got to do that.' It's not all about mechanics and techniques. You just got to go out and play. Just play football."

Bryant has been among the leading rookie receivers all season, but has lost some playing time to veteran Darnay Scott, who played in Coslet's offense in Cincinnati. Bryant has two catches for 20 yards the last two games after scoring touchdowns in the three previous games.

"He wants to win bad and I like that," Campo said. "He wants the football and he's not afraid to say it."

Also of interest. ...

Profootballtalk.com editor Mike Florio, citing unnamed league sources, reported last week that Campo's days are not only number and that Coslet is the favorite to replace him, but also that the planned switch was in the works from the day Coslet arrived.

According to the source, owner Jerry Jones hired Coslet to run the offense fully aware that he might wind up replacing Campo if the team failed to show significant improvement.

More interestingly, the suspicion in some circles is that Coslet's decision to replace offensive line coach Hudson Houck with former Cincinnati assistant Jim Verducci might have been motivated by the fact that the transition from the respected and accomplished Houck to Verducci would, as a practical matter, delay progress sufficiently to ensure that Campo will get the boot, and that Coslet will get the promotion.

Sounds a little farfetched to me, but it's interesting nonetheless. ...

Brian Griese, who has played a major role in the team's offensive success, is currently on pace to set team records with 374 completions and 4,232 yards. Rookie running back Clinton Portis has three 100-yard rushing games, the same number Terrell Davis had in his first season as a pro.

Denver Post staffer Patrick Saunders offered the following position-by-position assessment of the offense heading into Week 10:

Quarterback: Griese's decision making has been excellent. His passes are crisp and he's finally throwing the long ball on target. Most of all, he's becoming the leader coach Mike Shanahan was pushing him to become.

Running backs: The Broncos are still waiting for Portis to break free. But his tough, inside running and ability to hold on to the football has been excellent. Aside from some dropped passes, fullback Mike Anderson has been a warrior.

Receivers: Not a flashy unit, just very efficient. Ed McCaffrey rarely drops a pass; tight end Shannon Sharpe can still motor; Rod Smith makes clutch plays; and rookie Ashley Lelie adds a dose of speed. Look for Lelie to have a big second half.

All that said there's still room for improvement.

Also according to Saunders, who was one of the first scribes to jump aboard the "Lelie Bandwagon" this summer: "He can fly down the field and has made some tough grabs across the middle. As Lelie's confidence -- and Griese's confidence in him -- grows, he'll become a more integral part of the offense. He still has trouble getting off the line against press coverage, but that's not a problem when the Broncos come out in four-receiver sets."

According to the Sports Xchange, Denver need to do a better job on third-down conversions. The Broncos went 6-of-6 in the first half vs. New England, but are just 41 of 106 overall.

And they've converted only 55.2 percent of their red zone opportunities into touchdowns (16 of 29).

"Our offense is mature enough and we have enough veteran players, that if we do put something together, we've got a chance to really separate ourselves from the pack," Shanahan said. "We have that type of potential."

"The offense execution, for the most part, was horrendous," head coach Marty Mornhinweg said after last week's win over the Cowboys. "Dallas is a fine, fine defense but, typically, it's not what your opponent does, it's what you did or didn't do. If you're executing, you can take most of the defenses in this league and you'll generate some offense and generate some points."

Rookie quarterback Joey Harrington had a fast start this season, but has slowed down lately; he's failed to top 200 passing yards in each of the last three games.

"I trust Joey. It's not all him," Mornhinweg said. "He needs help and we haven't been giving him much help in the last couple of games. You put the ball in his hands in critical situations and I'll continue to do that."

The problem is that Harrington is finding it difficult to deliver the ball to his receivers, none of whom is getting consistent separation from defensive backs or producing game-breaking plays.

Az-Zahir Hakim is the only healthy receiver and as a free agent he wasn't signed by the Lions as an outside down-the-field threat; he's more of a slashing, catch-and-run player. Bill Schroeder, hobbled by injuries all season, is trying to return from a torn tendon in his hamstring while Germane Crowell is still recovering from a lingering problem after knee surgery.

"Germane's not 100 percent and we look pretty slow right now," Mornhinweg said. "We've got to get our receivers healthy and there's a real fine line there. We need to practice, as well.

"Neither one of them are running [100 percent]. Germane is probably closer, but his knee is still swelling up and that affects the speed part of it. Billy is playing on guts right now. And, yet, this will be the third week after that injury so it should be getting better."

While Mornhinweg believes the receiver situation will take care of itself, the most important thing is that the Lions finally have a handle on football's most crucial position.

"On offense, we found our quarterback. Joey's going to be our quarterback for many, many years," Mornhinweg said. "When you're looking for your quarterback and you don't know who your quarterback is going to be -- for a lot of different reasons -- you tend to struggle. We went through that last year. Look around the league and teams looking for their quarterback tend to struggle."

And, sometimes teams that have found their quarterback -- albeit a young one -- also struggle. Mornhinweg admits that Sunday's game against the Cowboys was thrilling to win, but not much to watch.

"We've played six straight close games and close games are exciting," Mornhinweg said. "But I'm with those fans, I thought it was boring, too."

Also of interest. ...

The Lions released running back Richard Huntley on Monday. The 5-foot-11, 225-pound Huntley, who signed with the Lions in September, had three carries for four yards. He was active for three games and inactive for two.

The five-year veteran was among the Buffalo Bills' final cuts this season. He was released by Carolina in February after rushing for a team-high 665 yards last year

The Miami Dolphins should have known they were in serious trouble.

Although he was obviously not comfortable wearing the brace, Favre extended his streak of consecutive starts to 165 and appeared to have few problems after sustaining a sprained lateral collateral ligament in his left knee two weeks ago against Washington.

Favre completed 16-of-25 passes for 187 yards and had one touchdown before sitting down with approximately 8 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter of Monday’s 24-10 victory at Lambeau Field.

“He came out quite well,” head coach Mike Sherman said. “He was limping there at the end of the half, and a lot of that had to do with [the] brace. His knee cramped up a little bit. It didn’t seem like he was any worse off at the end of the game than the beginning.”

In fact, no one was jumping around more on safety Darren Sharper’s 89-yard interception return for a touchdown at the end of the third quarter.

For the most part, the Packers used a lot of quick and underneath passes to keep pressure off Favre, who attempted only five deep passes.

He also had to be told by coaches not to try to do things like running for a sideline, like when Favre was chased down from behind by defensive end Adewale Ogunleye.

“I told him that was not part of the plan,” Sherman said. “He’s a little hard-headed sometimes.”

Favre took a hard hit to the knee when former Packer Scott McGarrahan caught him on a safety blitz for a sack.

The Packers didn’t waste any time establishing that Favre was hardly limited, if at all. Offensive coordinator Tom Rossley called a bootleg on the first play, resulting in an eight-yard completion to tight end Bubba Franks.

After 10 plays, the Packers had second down at the Miami 4-yard line, when Favre made his one major mistake. While rolling to his right, he decided to loft a pass into the end zone, where Miami cornerback Patrick Surtain made the interception.

It was his first interception in 87 attempts, going back to the Carolina game on Sept. 29.

The Packers’ second drive also came up short, but this time, the blame was on the receivers. Off a fake reverse, Donald Driver sprinted past cornerback Sam Madison, but couldn’t make the potential touchdown catch. On third down, Terry Glenn dropped a pass that would have put the Packers in field-goal range.

But the tempo had been set. The Packers used a number of different receiver sets and even a shotgun on a first down. Of Green Bay’s 15 plays in the first quarter, 11 were pass attempts for 83 yards.

The third time proved to be the charm as the second of four Miami turnovers gave Green Bay first down on its own 48. Keyed by an 18-yard screen pass to Ahman Green, the Packers scored on a 1-yard touchdown run by Green, and the rout was on.

With Green Bay turning to its running game, and averaging 6.3 yards per carry at that point -- thanks in part to a 28-yard burst by rookie running back Tony Fisher -- Miami had little choice but to try and blitz more and out more pressure on Favre.

The strategy backfired as another screen to Green resulted in Green Bay’s second touchdown, 23 yards, with 46 seconds remaining in the half.

Green wound up being Favre’s favorite target, catching six passes for 71 yards.

Coming in, two statistics were working strongly against Miami -- never mind that Favre’s career winning percentage of .854 at home (70-12) is an NFL record for quarterbacks who began their career after 1950.

It's worth noting that the swelling on Favre's knee is down, but he said it was stiff and sore after Monday's game. He'll wear the brace for another month to protect the ligament he tore on Oct. 20 when he was sacked by Washington's LaVar Arrington.

"I found out after some plays I couldn't move like I thought I could," Favre said. "For the most part, I thought I played normal. It didn't affect me mentally."

Also of interest. ... In an article published last Sunday, Houston Chronicle columnist John McClain wrote that after Favre threw six interceptions in last year's playoff loss at St. Louis, the coaches analyzed each of the 38 interceptions he threw since Sherman became head coach. Favre has thrown only three interceptions this season after coaches implemented what they call the "Five Commandments."

Here are the five commandments with explanations for each from Rossley:

1) Thou Shalt Not Delay on Shallow Crossing Routes.
Rossley: "You can't throw the ball too flat on shallow crosses. It's got to be between the numbers (on the field, not on the uniform) in front of you because they (defense) can undercut a wide, flat throw."

2) Thou Shalt Not Think Big Play on Every Scramble.
Rossley: "On scrambles, there'll be some big shots (down the field), but you've also got to throw some away. Probably five or six of his picks last year came on scrambles."

3) Thou Shalt Not Wait on In Routes.
Rossley: "On crosses and daggers, we want to throw them as close to the numbers as we can. If we get into the hash (mark), it's a pick. A dagger is a deep in (route), 18 yards. Crosses are 12 to 15 (yards). If you (have to) wait on those, you have to go to the checkdown to the back. You can't get (the ball) into the middle backer."

4) Honor the Red Line.
Rossley: "We draw a red line on our practice field six yards from the boundary (sideline). If you throw it inside the red line with a single safety he (Favre) can get there on the deep ball. Sometimes, he'll heave about a 60-yarder, but it floats back inside and the safety gets it. If he keeps it wide enough, then we're fine."

5) Thou Shalt Look Outside on Four Verticals.
Rossley: "When we go to four vertical seam routes against two-deep (zone) coverage, we don't want to force the inside throw. If the safety overplays it, he's got to throw it outside. We've thrown it to the safety some."

Rookie running back Jonathan Wells replaced James Allen as the starter the past three weeks, but they're still sharing time. That hasn't helped Wells, who has shown he needs a lot of carries to get into a rhythm.

According to those who follow the team closely, until coaches decide on one or the other, both men will struggle to find a rhythm.

With so much pressure on the Texans to spread the offense and put points on the scoreboard, the Texans' running game needs to provide a better balance to keep opposing defenses honest. An anemic 77 yards on 22 carries won't cut it.

Denson has signed a one-year contract with the Colts and will be available for Sunday's game in Philadelphia against the Eagles.

There was no announcement from the team, but Pat Lawlor, Denson's agent, said Monday afternoon his client signed a one-year contract for $450,000, the league minimum for a player with Denson's experience. Prorated over the final half of the season, Denson will earn $225,000 to reinforce the Colts' backfield depth.

"It's a perfect offense for Autry," said Lawlor. "I think he will do some good things in Indianapolis."

Denson is a 5-10, 193-pounder who brings running and receiving skills to the roster. More important, he brings health.

With James and Williams hobbled and on the sideline in Sunday's loss to Tennessee, the only healthy running back was rookie James Mungro. Jim Finn, who temporarily was knocked from the Titans game with a mild concussion, and Detron Smith are fullbacks.

Head coach Tony Dungy said James and Williams likely will be listed as "doubtful" on the mid-week injury report.

"Both of them have hamstring injuries and you just never know how that's going to go," Dungy said.

Each player was examined by head trainer Hunter Smith on Monday.

"If we had to play early in the week," Dungy said, "[they] wouldn't play."

But wait. ... It gets better. ...

In an article published Wednesday, Chappell reported that team officials' desire to reinforce their depleted running back position included making inquires regarding Ricky Watters.

Ralph Cindrich, Watters' agent, said Tuesday that several teams have contacted him about Watters' interest in returning to the NFL.

Asked if the Colts were among the suitors, Cindrich replied, "I couldn't comment on that."

The team does not comment on players it might be pursuing.

However, it's believed the Colts contacted Cindrich to gauge Watters' interest in ending his eight-month retirement. The former Notre Dame standout has been an unrestricted free agent since his contract with the Seattle Seahawks expired last off-season.

"Many clubs have come after him," Cindrich said. "But he is retired and it appears he will remain retired."

For the record. ... Mungro is expected to take most of the first-team snaps in practice this week before lining up as the starter this Sunday. ...

Also according to Chappell, the team worked out four place-kickers and three running backs earlier this week.

The kickers included Danny Boyd of Louisiana State, Jon Hilbert of Louisville, Steve Lindsey of Mississippi and Jason Wells of Furman. Running backs were Herbert Goodman of Graceland, Eric McCoo of Penn State and Jimmy Watkins of Appalachian State.

The Colts' interest in a place-kicker is a result of Mike Vanderjagt's groin injury.

It's safe to assume I'll have further updates on the Colts as the weekend progresses. ...

Running back Fred Taylor has been a force and was able to stay healthy until suffering a back injury Sunday against the Giants.

The ineffective passing game is allowing opponents to stack the line and frustrate the running game. Jimmy Smith has been quiet, though he had 10 catches against the Giants, and hasn't received enough help from the rest of the receiving unit.

Other notes of interest. ...

Taylor said his back was sore after tests Monday. He took a knee to the back during Sunday's game.

"It's going to be fine," said Taylor. "It's stiff right now, a little sore. I'm hoping it's just a bad bruise. I got my fingers crossed. I won't know for sure until midweek (if he can play against the Redskins). The doctors will call me later on and let me know what's going on."

Head coach Tom Coughlin said his brief conversation with the team's medical personnel hinted that Taylor's injury wasn't serious, saying: "They don't say that they think it is (serious). We'll wait and see what happens. ..."

And finally. ... Place-kicker Tim Seder had a second consecutive bad game, but this time, his questionable performance was on kickoffs, not field goals. He made his only field goal attempt from 24 yards, but struggled with depth on his kickoffs and executing two onside kicks. "I'm very concerned about that," said Coughlin, who wouldn't address whether he would waive Seder and find another kicker. Seder's two kickoffs went only to the 13 and 26.

If he gets that many, and there's no reason to believe he won't, only one NFL back in history will have received more use in a season. That was back in 1984, when Tampa Bay's James Wilder got the ball a muscle-aching 492 times.

Holmes is not a big man for his position, about 210 pounds. When they signed him before last season, the Chiefs made a point of saying that he wasn't big or strong enough to be an every-down back, though he's clearly proved them wrong.

But he's not as big as some of the NFL's other heavy-duty backs like San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson (221 pounds) or New Orleans' Deuce McAllister (also 221 pounds).

How much can Holmes have left in his tank for the season's second half, which for the Chiefs begins with Sunday's game at San Francisco?

The Chiefs are concerned about it because he's the heart of their offensive engine. They would be lost without Holmes and they know it.

Still, they are addicted to him, perhaps ignoring the long-term ramifications.

As for Holmes, he endures it without complaint.

"I look at it and say, 'This is what it's going to take to get the job done.'" he said one recent day before beginning his whirlpool session. "However I feel on Monday, that's just the way it's going to be. We have great trainers. We have whirlpools. We have ice.

"I probably don't feel different than any running back. You do stuff in the off-season to try to prevent things. But once the season starts, there's only so much you can do. It's a matter of mind over matter."

The Chiefs feel the same way about it. Holmes has received the ball at least 27 times in each of the eight games with a maximum of 35. He's had the ball on 241 of their 501 offensive plays, about 48 percent.

That's not just plays where the Chiefs put the ball in somebody's hands. That counts all plays, incomplete passes and sacks included.

Asked how much is too much for Holmes, offensive coordinator Al Saunders shrugged.

"I don't know that we know that yet," Saunders said. "He's certainly no worse for the wear at this point, but it's only eight games."

The only time Holmes comes out of the game is when he takes himself out, and he rarely does that. Holmes is part of every offensive personnel package except for the one featuring five wide receivers, and they only use that one on the rarest of occasions.

Holmes won't consider asking for more plays off.

"Oh, no," Holmes said, his reaction to the suggestion one of genuine disdain. "Once you relax and get content and try to pace yourself, that's when you mess up. You try to conserve your energy but you don't try to pace yourself. That can catch up to you in the long run.

"As soon as you pace yourself, you're waiting for something and it might never come. It's always best to get all you can get right now."

The Chiefs' concession in the matter is a minor one.

"We rely a lot on his input as far as how he is during the week or during training camp," Saunders said. "Then we might reduce the number of plays he gets [in practice]."

The Chiefs have frequently talked during the week of giving more work in games to fullback Tony Richardson or backup halfbacks Mike Cloud or Derrick Blaylock.

None has Holmes' skills, but each has unique abilities. Richardson is a physical, punishing runner, Blaylock has dangerous speed and Cloud is tough and instinctive.

But with a game on the line, the Chiefs know where they feel most comfortable.

"Offensive football is [about] putting the ball in the hands of people who can make plays," head coach Dick Vermeil said. "Maybe I'm wrong but I've always believed that if you've got a good football player...not that you don't have other good football players, but he's a difference-maker."

The Chiefs point out, correctly for the most part, that much of Holmes' activity in the passing game isn't by design. They throw the occasional screen pass to Holmes and sometimes get it to him in a downfield pass.

Other times he gets it because he's the only available receiver.

"A lot of Priest Holmes' catches are not passes called to Priest Holmes," Vermeil said. "They're passes called to wide receivers. [Holmes] gets the check downs. If we can just be more efficient getting the ball to the wide receivers, that will cut back on some of the check downs to Priest Holmes."

The mere presence of Holmes may be a distraction for quarterback Trent Green in such instances. Green may be too quick in coming off his receivers down the field because he knows he has a player of Holmes' ability available.

Either way, Holmes leads the Chiefs with 51 receptions. He's on pace for 102 catches, which would easily break the club record of 93 set by Tony Gonzalez in 2000.

Holmes should also easily break the Chiefs record for pass receptions for a running back. Kimble Anders had 67 catches in 1994.

The Chiefs may be aware of a potential problem regarding Holmes, but don't expect them to change their ways.

"You always worry about it a little bit," Vermeil said. "He works so hard. He hasn't lost one pound. He's been 211 once on the weigh-in. He's 210 most of the time. So he isn't dwindling down. He takes care of himself. He rests. He isn't a street guy. He's not a night club guy. He goes home and rests and gets ready to come back to go to work."

And work he does, like only one NFL back before him.

"The way he trains and the way he takes care of himself, I think he'll be as strong in the second half as he was in the first half," Saunders said. "I don't think for him to run 20 times a game and catch five or six passes a game is more than he can handle."

As one of those guys who had Holmes pegged as a 15-carry per game player when he joined the Chiefs, I've certainly learned my lesson. Meaning you're not likely to hear voice any doubts about Holmes' ability to handle anything any time soon. ...

For the record. ... Holmes underwent an MRI as a precautionary measure due to soreness in his right knee, but the results were negative.

"They found out absolutely nothing wrong. It relieved Priest's mind that he was all right,'' Vermeil said Tuesday. "Obviously, he's been hit a few times and he's going to have some soreness. By Wednesday on the practice field he'll be ready to go.''

Holmes has had knee problems before, but Vermeil said the latest trouble was not related to past injuries.

"He had a little fluid accumulate in the back muscle, not the knee joint. That little fluid pocket was rubbing against the tendon. You could feel that move a little bit,'' Vermeil said. "So he wanted that checked. It has nothing to do with the structural organization of the knee in any way.''

I'll take Vermeil at his word for now, but I'll keep a close eye on Holmes and let you know if anything changes.

Other notes of interest. ...

For what it's worth. ... Kansas City head into the second half of the season on pace to shatter several franchise records for offense.

Projected over a 16-game season, the Chiefs are on pace to break single-season records for total points, points per game, total touchdowns, rushing touchdowns, total yards and first downs. ...

As reported by Star staffer Ivan Carter, the Chiefs could have another offensive weapon at their disposal as the second half of the season gets under way.

Second-year wide receiver Marvin "Snoop" Minnis, who has not played this season, could be added to the 53-man roster this week.

Vermeil indicated that the team will add Minnis to the roster rather than keep him on the physically unable to perform list, a move that would end his season.

Minnis has been out of action since breaking a bone in his right foot in a mini-camp practice in May. The foot was slow to heal over the summer, and Minnis was unavailable at the start of training camp.

When the foot still hadn't healed by the end of camp, the Chiefs placed Minnis on the PUP.

The move gave Minnis time to heal and allowed the Chiefs to use a roster spot on another player. Now, the team will determine whether Minnis is ready to play a regular role in the offense.

To make room for Minnis on the active roster, the Chiefs would have to let another player go.

"He has demonstrated to me that he's close to being ready to play," Vermeil said. "He's not what he would have been if he hadn't missed the opportunity to continue to grow as a player. I think he's back to being ready to make a contribution."

Minnis returned to the practice field Oct. 16 and has done everything the team has asked without experiencing any signs of injury in the foot.

"I've felt ready for a while," Minnis said before heading out of town for the team's bye weekend. "(The foot) feels as good as it ever has. I can't wait to get back out there and play football. It's been frustrating."

As a rookie last season, Minnis played in 13 games with 11 starts and led Chiefs' wide receivers with 33 receptions for 511 yards and one touchdown. He averaged 15.5 yards per reception and made strides over the final month of the season.

But just what role Minnis will play during the final eight games of this season remains to be seen.

If the team adds him to the roster, Minnis probably will be the fifth wide receiver. Barring an injury to one of the other receivers, Minnis may not suit up for games.

So far this season, the Chiefs have not suited up more than four receivers. Minnis will back up starters Eddie Kennison and Johnnie Morton along with first-year player Marc Boerigter, whose role has recently increased.

Minnis does not play the slot position, so Dante Hall or Boerigter will continue to join Kennison and Morton when the team uses a three-receiver set.

Minnis' status is complicated by the fact that unlike Hall and Boerigter, he does not play on special teams. Hall has been the team's punt and kickoff returner all season while Boerigter has been one of the most impressive members of the punt and kickoff coverage units.

"He's not a contributor to special teams, and we only suit up four wide receivers, and it's a problem getting him on the field," Vermeil said. "Now, who knows how good Snoop would have been if he hadn't missed all this time? But, it will be a while before we really see him active."

Ray Lucas is questionable for the game against his former team because he bruised his right shoulder during the second quarter of Monday night's loss at Green Bay. He left the game and Rosenfels went 0-for-3 in his first NFL appearance before Lucas returned and played the entire second half.

An MRI exam of Lucas' shoulder Tuesday showed no tears or broken bones, and it's uncertain whether he'll be able to practice this week, head coach Dave Wannstedt said.

"He was hurting pretty good this morning," Wannstedt said.

Lucas again struggled in his second start replacing Jay Fiedler, who is expected to miss at least two more games with a broken right thumb. But the performance was an improvement on Lucas' six-turnover showing two weeks earlier in a loss to Buffalo.

"Ray was playing well enough to give us a chance to win," Wannstedt said. "We obviously didn't help him."

Lucas went 22-for-39 with two interceptions, including one returned 89 yards for a touchdown by Darren Sharper. Many of his 198 yards passing came after Miami fell behind 24-0.

The only other quarterback on the roster is journeyman Dave Dickenson, who has never played an NFL game. The Dolphins don't plan to sign another quarterback and will go with Rosenfels if necessary, Wannstedt said.

"If he has to play, the other guys have to step up," Wannstedt said. "That would be my approach: 'Let's give the guy a chance.' We have to step up on defense and be smart on offense."

The 24-year-old Rosenfels, a former Iowa State star, was acquired Aug. 22 from the Washington Redskins for an undisclosed draft choice. Dolphins personnel chief Rick Spielman smiled when asked why Rosenfels failed to win a spot with the Redskins under new head coach Steve Spurrier.

"They had two Florida quarterbacks on their roster," Spielman said. "And they had the first-round draft pick [Patrick Ramsey].

Sage is a young kid who has a lot of upside. The biggest knock on him coming out of college was if he had enough arm strength. He has proven in preseason and since he has been here that he has more than enough arm strength to do what he needs to do."

Rosenfels was in the game at Green Bay for five plays.

"We didn't give him a chance to do much, obviously," Wannstedt said. "From a standpoint of going in and doing what was asked of him, and not doing anything dumb, and getting the snap, and those basic elements that you have to go through when you're a young kid playing for the first time, he handled them well."

For what it's worth. ... Lucas fared better Monday than he did against Buffalo -- a game in which he turned the ball over six times -- thanks in part to a conservative game plan in the early going.

But the Dolphins betrayed themselves with a pair of fumbles in the first half, including one after Cris Carter hauled in his first catch for Miami.

The other fumble was by fullback Rob Konrad, whose gaffe ended a promising drive in the first quarter.

During the two weeks leading up to the game, coaches repeatedly told Lucas to be careful with the ball. The message seemed to get through.

On one play, Lucas appeared to have receiver Chris Chambers wide open on the right side, Chambers even waving his hand to signal to Lucas. Instead, Lucas ran eight yards for a first down.

Lucas also didn't take as much time on deep reads and long throws.

And in semi-related note. ... Miami Herald staff writer Jason Cole suggested that -- given the team's injury situation and Lucas' six interceptions in two starts -- Wannstedt likely will face more questions about whether he is interested in luring former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman out of retirement.

Aikman's agent, Leigh Steinberg, laughed when Cole asked about the possibility Monday night, saying he was watching the game on TV and thinking the same thing. He reiterated what he has said several times -- that Aikman would be interested only in the right situations.

"Troy is very happy doing what he's doing," Steinberg said, referring to Aikman's job as an analyst for Fox. "He has two young children and he's enjoying life. But what he has said in the past is that if the right situation came, he would love to play again."

Steinberg said Aikman, who last played in the 2000 season, has been working out and is in "perfect" condition. Steinberg said Aikman is no longer bothered by back problems that slowed him during his final seasons, though NFL sources have said otherwise.

Steinberg said the Dolphins haven't contacted his client, a three-time Super Bowl winner.

"We haven't had a call," Steinberg said. "But that's interesting. The one situation I could see it happening [in] is if he's the starter. I don't know what's going to happen. We'll see [today]."

Wannstedt has said numerous times that he would not be interested in bringing in Aikman, but that was when Fiedler and Lucas were healthy. ...

And finally. ... Carter caught three passes for 31 yards in his Dolphins' debut, but the veteran wideout clearly needs more time to knock off some of the rust accumulated in the past ten months.

In addition to dropping the first ball thrown to his way, the above-mentioned fumble -- which set up Green Bay's first touchdown -- were indications that Carter still needs more work before he'll hit midseason stride.

"There's certain things you just can't simulate," Carter told the Palm Beach Post. "The games move a lot faster. It's just totally different. You hope. You're optimistic, but the ball just didn't bounce."

A magnetic resonance imaging test Monday morning revealed that Alexander tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee late in the second half Sunday, and he was carted off the field at Raymond James Stadium. He is expected to be placed on the injured reserve Wednesday, likely ending his short, disappointing tenure with the Vikings.

Signed to a five-year, $3.1 million contract, Alexander could be released in the offseason, given his lackluster performance this season. Alexander is seventh on the team with 14 receptions for 134 yards and one touchdown.

Head coach Mike Tice hasn't ruled Alexander out for the season. But anterior cruciate ligament tears typically take at least six months to heal. After placing him on IR, the team is expected to promote rookie Kelly Campbell from the practice squad.

When the Vikings signed him on June 10, they expected Alexander to bring his experience -- three 1,000-yard receiving seasons -- and his ability to stretch a defense with his speed. But the Vikings were concerned by Alexander's dismal play in training camp, bolstering the impression in Kansas City that his toughness and work ethic were questionable, and by his inability to assert himself as the starting receiver opposite Randy Moss.

At various points this season, Alexander played behind unproven D'Wayne Bates, who is second on the team in receiving yards despite missing the past two games.

Bates could have played against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but the Vikings kept him out because of his back injury.

Bates said Monday he expects to play this week, and indications are he will start opposite Moss against the Giants.

Other notes of interest this week. ...

In an article published Tuesday, Pioneer Press staffer Bill Williamson advised readers that with each loss, the coaches and players are growing more frustrated and flustered by the team's lack of execution. The team is near the top in most offensive statistical categories and some defensive ones, but they still find ways to lose. Daunte Culpepper and the secondary have been the biggest reasons for the team's poor record. ... For what it's worth. ... No. 2 QB Todd Bouman was warming up Sunday and was ready to go into the game; Tice was going to pull Culpepper out late with his team three scores down worried that his starter would get hurt. Culpepper convinced Tice to leave him in. One last note here. ... Michael Bennett's 85-yard run beat the franchise record of 80 yards, set by Clinton Jones against the Bears on Nov. 2, 1969. ...

Graham caught three passes for 68 yards, including one he broke for 31 yards. The rookie out of Colorado, who missed three games with a separated right shoulder, seemed to be over the injury given the way he was moving.

"When I was hurting, I did my best to just focus on things, just like I was out there still. I didn't want to lose a step. I think I did OK. I still have a lot to work on," he said.

Before yesterday, Graham had four receptions and was averaging 8 yards per catch. In his last action, against San Diego, Graham had caught two passes and had whetted the appetite of Patriots fans before getting hurt.

"I'd really never been injured in college so it's been a little frustrating dealing with some of this," said Graham.

Graham, the John Mackey Award winner last season as the nation's top tight end, has shown some quickness after the catch.

"I try to do what I can after I catch the ball," he said. "I try to read people coming at me and try to get away from them."

He did just that on a tight end screen from Tom Brady on first and 10 from the Buffalo 29 on the opening drive. Graham actually caught the ball a yard behind the line of scrimmage and put a move on Coy Wire, leaving him in the dust en route to a 22-yard gain. At the start of the second quarter, Graham caught a dump pass over the middle from Tom Brady and went 15 yards to the Buffalo 34.

That set up the Patriots' second score.

Graham caught a 31-yard pass over the middle to the Bills' 49, setting the stage for another score.

Being a rookie, Graham is still a mystery to many defenses. He's getting used to playing against the league, and it is getting used to him.

"I'm not even worried about that," said Graham. "I'm just worried about doing the best I can for this team and show them why they drafted me No. 1. It's been a little frustrating just sitting out. It feels really good to just get back into things. It feels really good especially getting this win. We focused on just getting a victory again."

Graham said he practiced all of the plays on which he made a catch on during the week. He felt confident if his number were called he'd be able to get the job done.

Also of interest. ...

Brady, coming off his worst performance of the season, a 130-yard effort in a 24-16 loss to Denver, came out sharp last Sunday, completing his first 10 passes for 104 yards and helped the Patriots build a 17-0 lead. ... Brady also extended his streak of games with a touchdown pass to 10, becoming only the fifth player in franchise history to do so.

As noted by Boston Herald beat writer Michael Felger, we can look for more of the conservative, ball-control offense that was on display last Sunday. The team knows it has to play closer to the vest in the second half.

Antowain Smith was an afterthought through much of the first half, but he'll have to be a key component if the Pats want to carry last week's success through November and December.

And he can be just that if he continues to play the way he did last against his former team last Sunday. Smith didn't draw much attention going into the game, but the ex-Bill finished with 142 total yards and scored three touchdowns. He pounded away early and helped soften the Buffalo defense. He gained 111 yards by land and scored two touchdowns by air.

One last note here. ... Donald Hayes disappointing 2002 season continued its downward spiral last Sunday when he spent a second week in a row on the inactive list.

Many other words have been used, of course, but prolific was an adjective that hardly came to mind -- except for the 1979 and '87 clubs. Those units set or equaled team records that seemed to be fairly unapproachable, until this season.

Until Aaron Brooks, Joe Horn, Deuce McAllister and the rest of their offensive teammates started putting up numbers at a record-setting pace during a 6-2 start that has the Saints, who are enjoying their bye this week, tied for first place with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South.

With eight games down and eight more to go, the Saints are on pace to shatter single-season club records for points scored and touchdowns, and could threaten the mark for total yards in a season.

All of which has Saints wide receiver Jake Reed comparing this offensive squad to the 1998 Minnesota Vikings, of which he was a member. That team set an NFL record with 556 points and shattered existing club records with 64 touchdowns and 6,264 total yards in going 15-1 in the regular season.

"We had the total package that season," said Reed, who caught 34 passes for 474 yards and four touchdowns that year while Cris Carter and Randy Moss combined for 2,324 yards and 24 touchdowns. "We went out there with our chests out and our heads up, and we had a certain air about us."

In addition to Carter, Moss and Reed, the Vikings had a pair of Pro Bowl performers in quarterback Randall Cunningham and running back Robert Smith.

"When we walked out on the field," Reed said, "the other team knew we had the kind of guys they had to stop if they wanted to win."

The Saints aren't at that stage in their development under offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy, but they are turning heads this season with their potent attack.

The Saints have piled up 256 points in their eight games for a 32.0 average. In addition to placing them second in the league in scoring average behind only the Kansas City Chiefs (32.4), the Saints need 167 points in the next eight games to break the team's scoring mark of 422 points set in 1987.

The 1987 team played only 15 games because of a players' strike, but the current squad is on pace to finish with 512 points. With 31 touchdowns so far, the Saints are also well on their way to breaking the club's touchdown record of 46 established in 1979 and equaled in 1987 and '89.

"I'd put this team right up there with the team we had with the Vikings in 1998," Reed said. "We have guys that can make plays. We have a lot of speed on offense, and that's what you need to make plays like that."

While Brooks, Horn and McAllister are having Pro Bowl-type years, Reed and fellow wide receivers Jerome Pathon and Donte' Stallworth are making big plays even though Stallworth has missed three games with a hamstring problem.

"Yeah, I can see some similarities in the two teams," said Saints wide receivers coach Hubbard Alexander, who served in that same capacity with the '98 Vikings. "The quarterback, running back, the speed. I think we have more speed here, but I can see why Jake said that."

McCarthy, the former Chiefs and Green Bay Packers assistant coach who brought the West Coast offense to the Saints when he was hired by head coach Jim Haslett in 2000, was flattered by Reed's remarks. At the same time, McCarthy knows this team has to make its own way.

"What Jake said is fine, but my theory is that every team has to have its own identity," McCarthy said. "I think our offense is a little bit different than the one they had even though there are some similarities in concepts. That team was very exceptional at being able to move the ball down the field.

"He would know more about it because he was on the inside," he said. "If we do compare to them, that's a great compliment because they had a great run that year and almost went to the Super Bowl."

There are two big differences in the two teams, Reed said.

He said that while Moss had great speed, the Saints have much more speed at wide receiver with Horn, Pathon and Stallworth. And, the Saints have more of a blue-collar work ethic than the Vikings.

"Those guys are blue-collar workers," Reed said of the Saints. "No one takes a day off, not even in practice. They don't know how good they can be, so the upside is that we can do a lot of different things here."

If that's not enough, Reed said the Saints offensive line made up of center Jerry Fontenot, tackles Kyle Turley and Spencer Folau and guards Kendyl Jacox and LeCharles Bentley is much better than the line the Vikings operated with.

"We have good football players," Haslett said of his team's success. "Deuce gives us another dimension, Aaron has another year under his belt and Joe has been a weapon since he's been here. We just have more players around them this year."

With 2,783 total yards, the Saints are on pace to finish with 5,566 yards and come close to the club mark of 5,627 set in 1979. But everyone's looking at the points the Saints have put up, a total that's been aided by three special-teams touchdowns (two by Michael Lewis and one by James Allen).

The Saints have scored at least 30 points in four of their eight games and hung a season-high 43 on the Washington Redskins. That marked the first time since Dec. 24, 1989 that the Saints had hit the 40-point mark, a span covering 202 regular-season and playoff games.

"We've scored a lot of points and we're still making some little mistakes here and there," Reed said. "As a team, we really haven't put a whole complete game together."

McCarthy said the scoring hasn't surprised him. In his first two years with the team, the Saints averaged 21.5 points a game.

"That's one of the things you set out to do every week," he said. "If you can score 25 points or more in this league, you're going to give your team a great opportunity to win the game.

"That's our goal, to score 25 points or more," McCarthy added, "so I wouldn't say it's surprising. It's really nice that we're doing it, but more importantly, we have a lot of work ahead of us. We're still a very young offense and we're still coming into our own, so it's important to keep improving week in and week out."

McCarthy, however, wouldn't make any predictions on where the Saints could go or if they could score 500 points this season.

"I'm not even thinking about that because it's a week-to-week business," he said. "That's for you guys (media) to follow the statistics. Our goal is to score 25-plus, but 30 has been a pretty realistic goal for us."

The beauty in it is the Saints don't know how good they can be, Reed said.

"As long as the guys stay focused and don't start worrying about themselves we'll be fine," he said. "In 1998, we got to a point where some of the guys wanted the ball and they wanted to be in the spotlight. The guys here don't think about that and don't care. They don't mind sharing the spotlight, we just want to make plays and win."

One last note on the Saints' offense. ... The team has 63 plays of at least 15 yards. Horn (21) and McAllister (17, including 11 rushes) are the leaders. ... McAllister has produced 45 first downs rushing and receiving, second in the league to Marshall Faulk. ...

When Fassel guaranteed a playoff berth two years ago, it catapulted the team to a Super Bowl appearance.

Fassel stuck his neck out again this past week, taking over the play-calling from offensive coordinator Sean Payton. The move woke up the touchdown-challenged offense and led the Giants to a 24-17 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday night.

"That's what leaders do, they find ways to motivate," halfback Tiki Barber said Monday as the Giants started preparation for Sunday's game at Minnesota. "It's hard to motivate 53 different guys. We all have different ideas in the ways we approach this game.

"I think by [Fassel] kind of taking the reins and making himself accountable made us feel accountable, and we played like that," said Barber, who ran for a season-high 101 yards and two touchdowns.

Tight end Dan Campbell said having Fassel work with the offense all week not only made everyone focus, but it also gave the unit, which had scored only seven touchdowns in seven games, confidence.

"The guy hadn't called a game in three years. But the night before the game, he was just confident," Campbell said. "He said `We're going to line up and run it like this, and you're going to beat the guy over you and we're going to protect Kerry.' He felt like we were going to succeed and he was confident, and I think that made us confident."

In making his game plan last week, Fassel cut about 25 percent from the normal package and simplified many of the plays and formations, removing all the pre-snap movement. He stressed having a quick tempo in and out of the huddle, protecting quarterback Kerry Collins and being aggressive.

Fassel also made a point of using Ron Dayne for series at a time instead of just certain plays, thus returning to the old 'Thunder and Lightning' concept with Barber. The result was a season-high 177 yards rushing on a night the Giants also tied their season high with 394 total yards.

"I don't think [Fassel] did that much," said Dayne, who had 52 yards on 13 carries. "He just kind of kept it basic and allowed us to play again. He let us do what we like.

"It's not anything against [Payton], but it seemed like we just went out and played harder," Dayne said.

Fassel made a point of repeating plays that were successful and not giving up on plays that didn't work. He also made the offense evaluate plays that didn't work during the game.

For example, a pass to tight end Jeremy Shockey -- 72-Y-Read -- didn't work the first time it was run. When Shockey came to the sidelines, Fassel asked him why?

Shockey told him he didn't get enough outside leverage, so the Giants went back to it.

While happy to end a two-game losing streak, Collins was concerned about this week.

"We have been so up and down this year to say we have it all cured right now, I don't think we can do that," he said. "We have to approach it knowing we had a good week this week and now we have to back it up and have another good performance."

That will once again put Fassel on the spot.

"I guess it's just stating the obvious, but it's my neck and it will always be my neck," Fassel said. "That doesn't bother me. The day I start making decisions that are trying to protect me or something like that is probably the day that I'll need to call it a day. Get out and find something less visible."

By the way. ... The New York Post reported on Monday that Fassel will continue to use Dayne for entire series and give him repeat carries.

"You're able to see what the defense is doing, see how they're reacting to different situations," Dayne told the Post. "It really helps for any back to be able to be in there for a few plays or a couple first downs just to get into a rhythm."

Also of interest. ...

In an article published Tuesday, New York Newsday beat writer Neil Best reminded readers that Shockey can change the approach of a defense, which must account for him down the middle of the field. The problem has been that he is hobbled by an injury to his left big toe that will affect him the rest of the season and eventually could require surgery. ...

Also according to Best, rookie receiver Tim Carter missed the first half of the season because of a variety of ailments, but he seems to be healthy now and he might be the fastest player on the team. He will be a key player on special teams in the second half and, with wide receiver Ike Hilliard out for the season, he will get a chance to make an impression on offense and perhaps establish himself as a potential starter next year. ...

"The right guy was in there in the beginning and the right guy is in there now. That's my opinion. But guess what? My opinion counts because I'm the head coach," Edwards said. "I don't think I can evaluate a quarterback in the preseason. He got evaluated during the season. Vinny just had to take the hit, but it wasn't all Vinny's fault."

Of all the pleasant parts of the Pennington package so far, none is more revealing that his passing accuracy. He has completed 119 of 168 passes for a league-best 70.8 percentage. "I think he's pretty smart. He understands the checkoff when he gets in trouble," Edwards said. "Like this game [against the Chargers] for instance. They start playing coverages that take your wideouts away and you have to throw to the back and he was able to do that. He stepped up to the pocket a couple of times to buy some time and throw it down the middle. That's what he's able to do and that's why his percentage goes way up."

What Edwards could do without, however, is too many out-of-pocket experiences by Pennington. Edwards enjoyed the 8-yard first-quarter touchdown scramble - "That was just playing football. A smart move on his part." But he didn't enjoy the hard hit Pennington took later on a 14-yard run.

"The quarterback is a smart guy, he runs up the middle [near the end zone]," Edwards said with a sly smile. "The one I have to teach him is the one in the [middle of the] field. He has to go ahead and be a baseball player and slide, because if not, he's going to be in the frozen food section. You don't need to be doing that."

Also of interest. ...

Santana Moss' second punt return for a touchdown in two weeks may have a shocking effect on Jets opponents, but not on Edwards. The coach said it has just been a matter of time for the speedy second-year man to become the explosive weapon that was anticipated when he was drafted out of Miami before last season.

"We talked about it two weeks ago," Edwards said. "We said, if we can make teams punt an average of six times a game, I'm saying that he's going to either break one for a touchdown or he's going to make a long gain on one. It's really exciting for us to watch it."

He will rarely do it. And now's not the time.

The Oakland Raiders quarterback has only one thought about the Raiders' current four-game slide that followed a 4-0 start.

"The bottom line is players make plays," Gannon said Monday, a day after Oakland's overtime loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

"Collectively as a group, the 52 players are not making enough of them. That's why we're 0-4 in the last four weeks."

Gannon won't blame the coaches, the play calling, or the team's philosophy going into each game. He's not even pointing to the fact that the Raiders' defense couldn't get off the field for almost the entire second half and extra period Sunday.

"The big thing is we got two drives in the second half," Gannon said. "When you don't get that many opportunities, you have to be perfect. Not good, perfect."

He was sub par.

Gannon was 18-of-28 for 164 yards, ending his NFL-record streak of six straight 300-yard games. He didn't care.

The Raiders still lead the league in total offense, but they know that matters little if they can't salvage their season before it's too late. Oakland travels to Denver for a key game against the Broncos on Monday.

Gannon insists there's no sense of panic, but added, "forget winning the division," because just finishing on a positive note is the most important thing now.

This team of talented veterans considered 2002 its final and best shot at the Super Bowl has changed its mindset. Just getting to the playoffs at this point would be a huge accomplishment.

The Raiders' five players 36 or older have 79 seasons in the NFL among them -- including 15 by the 36-year-old Gannon.

Gannon said after the team's undefeated start that the Raiders would get a realistic idea of their talent in October and November.

"I think we've got to continue to emphasize where we're at, where we want to be and what's important for our team to win," first-year head coach Bill Callahan said Monday. "We have to address certain situations, techniques and certain responsibilities and shore those up. Then the veterans take over from there."

The way things have gone in the NFL this fall, the Raiders feel there's still plenty of room for optimism.

"Teams are creative, they get better," Callahan said. "You look at two-, three-, four-week swings, the complexion of the league changes drastically. How you improve in that span really falls on the character of your team."

Other notes of interest this week. ...

RB Tyrone Wheatley returned to the lineup last Sunday after missing two games with a hamstring injury. He ran three times for 13 yards. ...

And finally. ... Sebastian Janikowski pleaded innocent to charges of driving under the influence. He did not appear in court to enter his plea Monday and remains free on his own recognizance.

If convicted, Janikowski, Oakland's first-round draft pick in 2000, could face up to six months in jail.

Janikowski was stopped for speeding in Oakland early last month and failed a sobriety test, police said. Officers said his blood-alcohol level registered 0.20, more than twice the legal limit.

In April 2001, Janikowski was acquitted on charges of having GHB, the so-called date-rape drug. In June 2000, he was acquitted on a charge he offered a Tallahassee, Fla., police officer $300 to release his roommate after an argument with a bouncer who wouldn't let him into a nightclub.

Philadelphia averaged 33 points in the first five weeks. But in the wake of Sunday's 19-13 victory over the Bears, they've scored only 56 points in the last three games, an average of just 18.7 points.

"We've run the ball more in the last few games and what that does is it chews up the clock and cuts down on points," head coach Andy Reid said Monday. "And then you have to give credit to the teams we've played. They've done a nice job."

Philadelphia's previous two victories were against Tampa Bay and the New York Giants. The Eagles scored 20 points against the Buccaneers, who had the NFL's top-ranked defense, and 17 against the Giants, who were No. 3 at the time.

The Bears, however, came in with the 26th-ranked defense, and had given up 28.8 points a game since opening the season 2-0.

Still, the Eagles managed just one touchdown and four field goals. They drove inside Chicago's 25 five times in the second half and came away with only 12 points. In the last three games, the Eagles have two TDs and nine field goals in 12 trips inside the opponents' 20.

Leading 16-13 in the fourth quarter, Reid called a slow-developing pitch to Duce Staley on a fourth-and-1 from Chicago's 24. Staley was stopped, and Reid later said he should have called for a field goal try.

"We need to do a better job of executing and I need to do a better job of calling plays down there," said Reid, referring to the offense's inability to score touchdowns inside the red zone.

After the best start of his career, Donovan McNabb hasn't had much success throwing lately. He has completed 44-of-88 passes for 473 yards, one TD and two interceptions in the last three games. But he also has run for 157 yards and three TDs in those games.

The Eagles, who host Indianapolis on Sunday, went from having a predominantly passing offense in the first few weeks to a balanced attack, running the ball more than half the time. After gaining 295 yards on the ground against the Giants, the Eagles led the league in rushing. They'll have to find a way to move the ball in the air again, or teams will continue to focus on stopping the run.

"We've been pretty much balanced," McNabb said. "We've had some big running days and some big passing days. As the games continue on, they're going to put eight or nine guys in the box. Now you have to go to the passing game and get them out of that."

When they tried to get the Bears to respect the pass, the Eagles had little success, especially in the first half. McNabb was 5-for-14 for 76 yards at halftime.

"We had a couple of drops in the first half and that affected us," Reid said. "In the second half, they caught he ball well and we were able to get a couple shots down the field."

Also of interest this week. ...

An MRI performed Monday revealed that veteran wideout Antonio Freeman has nothing more serious than a hip contusion. According to the Philadelphia Daily News, Freeman is likely to miss some practice time this week, but he is expected to play on Sunday.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher might do exactly that Sunday against Atlanta.

Amos Zereoue ran for 164 yards and two touchdowns in the last two weeks as the Steelers extended their winning streak to four, yet he may go back to the bench Sunday if Jerome Bettis is healthy. Bettis, the NFL's 11th-leading career rusher, has missed two games with a strained knee.

Bettis expects to be ready to play against the Atlanta Falcons, and the Steelers aren't likely to keep him on the sidelines if he is healthy.

Zereoue's production in his first two NFL starts may not have secured him a full-time job, but it showed why the Steelers signed the backup to a $8.8 million contract extension during the offseason.

"I know I can do it," Zereoue said. "I just had to prove it. I know my team knew I could do it. Hopefully, the coaches know. But all I can do is go out there and play ball."

At 5-foot-8, Zereoue is one of the NFL's shortest running backs, but his breakaway speed counterbalances Bettis' power running. When Bettis was healthy, he usually played first and second downs and Zereoue came on for third downs, when he is a threat to catch a pass out of the backfield.

On Sunday, Zereoue's 29 carries included runs of 14, 27, 12 and 13 yards. The week before, he ran for two touchdowns and averaged nearly five yards per carry in the team's win at Baltimore.

"He's has always looked for that opportunity," Cowher said. "He's one of those guys who may have a zero-yard run, but then he's going to give you an 18- or a 20-yarder. He gives you a chance to break the big one. He's one of those guys who doesn't always go the way the play is designed. But he can make some big plays for you."

For now, Zereoue may go back to making them only occasionally. Bettis is coming off six consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and, after missing five of the Steelers' last six games last season with a groin injury, looked ready to be productive again before hurting his knee Oct. 21 against Indianapolis.

The week before that, Bettis ran for 109 yards and two touchdowns in an easy victory at Cincinnati, his first 100-yard game since Nov. 11, 2001.

Earlier in the season, Bettis would play two series before Zereoue would come on. But Zereoue sometimes stayed on for more than a series at a time, something he might do again if he keeps running the way he did in his last two games.

Zereoue's production helped prevent any drop-off in a Steelers offense that has scored 162 points in 21 quarters since Tommy Maddox replaced Kordell Stewart at quarterback. Even with Bettis hurt part of the time, the Steelers have won five of six since Maddox took over, averaging 29.6 points in his starts. ...

In a related note. ... Pittsburgh Post-Gazette staffer Gerry Dulac believes opponents will l try different methods to stop Maddox, who is playing well but is not very mobile, over the second half of the season. Teams already are trying to blitz him to disrupt his rhythm, but he gets rid of the ball quickly.

Teams that try to play single press coverage against his receivers are going to pay for the strategy because Maddox is very accurate and throws well to a spot. But Maddox will have to counter teams that play zone and double-team his wide receivers.

Still, if the Steelers continue to run the ball well, defenses will have to put eight and nine players in the box. When they do that, Maddox will get single coverage on the outside, and a successful year should continue.

Even when he's feeling rotten.

Faulk, his legs cramping because of a bout with the flu, rushed for 178 yards in 27 carries last Sunday, including the clinching 13-yard touchdown with 1:53 to play, as the defending NFC champions won their third straight after an 0-5 start, beating the Cardinals 27-14.

"He was sucking it up out there," quarterback Marc Bulger said. "He was cramping up. I saw the look on his face and I didn't know if he was going to make it, but he showed something out there today."

St. Louis is 19-0 when Faulk reaches triple digits in rushing. He also caught five passes for 58 yards. Flu or no flu, he wasn't leaving the game.

"That's what I'm here to do," Faulk said. "I'm here to be in there at crunch time, getting those carries, running out the clock. That's my job. Sometimes you're not 100 percent. Sometimes you're not 90. But you've got to go out there and give it your all."

In the Rams' three-game winning streak, Faulk has gained 571 yards in 85 attempts and has 16 catches for 132 yards.

"Marshall just continues his trek to greatness, I guess," head coach Mike Martz said. "Marshall was sick. He's had the flu for three days. He was stoved up last night in the hotel. He wasn't quite 100 percent, but nobody would know that."

Bulger, 3-0 as the starter in the absence of injured Kurt Warner, completed 20-of-29 passes for 245 and two touchdowns, but was intercepted twice. The second interception led to an Arizona touchdown that cut the lead to 17-14 with ten minutes to play.

"You take that play out of there, and he was nothing short of outstanding," Martz said. "That's a young player's mistake. If that's his only bad mistake in three games, which it is, then you've got to be very happy where he is."

But not so happy that you might commit to lining him up as the starter indefinitely.

In an article published Monday, AP writer R.B. Fallstrom confirmed what most observers expected all along: When Warner is ready to play again, and that could be as soon as Nov. 18, the St. Louis Rams will not have a quarterback controversy.

"Oh, absolutely, Kurt's our quarterback," Martz said Monday. "That's not in question, that's not for discussion."

Warner, the NFL's MVP in 1999 and 2001, had pins removed from his broken right pinky Monday and should be able to pass in practice Thursday. Team doctors say the finger is not completely healed, but it's close enough and he's scheduled to begin taking snaps Nov. 13.

Bulger heads into Week 10 with a passer rating of 94.5, which would be third-best in the NFC if he had enough attempts to qualify. He's thrown six touchdown passes with three interceptions, compared with Warner's one touchdown pass and eight picks and a 66.4 rating.

Warner has eight interceptions and only one touchdown pass in four starts, all losses, but was facing some of the league's top defenses in the Broncos, Giants, and Bucs.

Bulger also has benefited greatly from the Rams' reliance on Faulk.

Whatever the case might be, however, the former third-stringer will soon be back on the bench soon enough.

"God bless Marc for the job he's done," Martz said. "He's going to have a brilliant career in his own right, but Kurt is our quarterback."

Bulger wasn't complaining.

"It's what I expected," Bulger said. "Just to get a chance to play these three or four games or whatever it is, has been fun.

"We're at practice every day and we see what Kurt can do. I have a long way to go and there's a big difference right now."

Bulger also downplayed his hot hand.

"Kurt's had it his whole career," he said. "And it wasn't just Kurt the first four games, it was everyone that wasn't getting the job done."

When Warner was hurt, the Rams estimated he would be out eight-to-10 weeks. If he gets back on Nov. 18, he'll have missed seven weeks.

"He's probably a week ahead of schedule," Martz said. "It's still going to take some time. The thing that you need to be cautious about is it's still going to take some time with his arm to get back into throwing shape and get his grip back."

Martz characterized Warner's chances of playing in the Bears game Nov. 18 as a "possibility."

"I don't know how realistic it is," Martz said. "We'll just see. I can watch him throw and know."

A few final notes. ... Fullback James Hodgins played for the first time since recovering from a broken foot and earned high praise from Martz after the game. ... Troy Edwards' four catches were his first as a Ram. Now that if finally looks like he's catching on the scheme, look for the former Steeler to continue playing a greater in the offense over the remainder of the season.

The Chargers fell behind so far, so early, it eliminated the threat of the running game, and there was no mystery that Brees was going to have to throw to get the Chargers back in the game.

It didn't work, although tight end Stephen Alexander proved what he can do when fit, as he had a team-high seven catches for 84 yards, just two yards shy of his career-high.

But what that really tells is the Jets were keeping everyone in front of them and making sure they weren't going to get beat deep. That provided plenty of room for Alexander to roam underneath. The pass protection wasn't that great, with two sacks on the afternoon, after allowing but eight in the previous seven games.

As for the rushing attack, despite being limited to just 12 carries, LaDainian Tomlinson still averaged 5-yards per carry and managed to put the ball in the end zone once.

Terrell Fletcher got the bulk of the work in the second half, as he was in on the Chargers' passing packages while the Chargers tried to rally.

During Sunday's overtime win over the Oakland Raiders on Sunday at the hostile Coliseum, Walsh was just one of the thousands of spectators who were amazed by Garcia's play down the stretch.

Completing 25-of-36 passes for 282 yards and rushing for 46 more, Garcia made countless big plays as the 49ers broke the will of the Raiders' veteran defense by controlling the ball for more than 15 straight minutes to end the game. Garcia helped San Francisco convert eight third downs and a fourth down in the final minutes.

To Walsh, the first to see Garcia's potential while the Bay area native was a CFL star in Calgary, it was more than a victory -- it was another landmark in the growth of the franchise's next great quarterback.

"That performance was as good as Steve Young, Joe Montana or anybody else," said Walsh, the longtime coach and general manager who's now a team consultant. "I don't see how any of them could have done better.

"Every decision he made -- the tough runs on third down, my gosh. You couldn't have asked for more from any of the quarterbacks we've ever had. It's just incredible, the poise and presence he has. That was his best game."

Garcia waited five years in Canada for an NFL tryout and two more years to solidify his job in San Francisco. After two seasons of big numbers and two Pro Bowl trips, he's secure now -- but he's still getting better, as evidenced by a remarkable performance in the Battle of the Bay.

"He single-handedly won that game, there's no doubt in my mind," Raiders head coach Bill Callahan said.

"He was so calm [in the huddle]," offensive tackle Derrick Deese said. "He told us, 'Hey we've got to have this, we'll get this.' He's always positive and sure he's going to get what we need. Is he right there with Joe and Steve as the next great 49er quarterback? You don't have to ask anybody in this locker room."

Garcia has heard his name in the lofty company of Montana, Young and John Brodie for nearly four years now. Usually, the comparisons haven't been flattering.

With his unorthodox footwork, off-kilter throwing motion and herky-jerky presence in the pocket, Garcia is far from a classical quarterback. He doesn't throw with any of Montana's majesty, and he doesn't run as fast as the daring, fleet-footed Young.

"I know I'm not the standard quarterback," Garcia said. "That's never been my game. I do certain things a little bit differently, but hopefully the results turn out similar to what the prototype guys can do."

But Garcia's heart -- his ability to make every intangible adjustment to lead his team to victory -- is growing with each snap this season. The 49ers are 6-2, and though Garcia's numbers are comparable to all the NFL's best quarterbacks, only a few have matched his ability to win.

One example: Garcia is second in the NFC and fifth in the league with a 94.5 quarterback rating. On third downs, however, Garcia's has a 134.7 rating -- by far the NFL's best -- while completing more than 68 percent of his throws, including 10 TD passes.

"Jeff Garcia may have played his finest game as a 49er," head coach Steve Mariucci said Monday. "He ran for some crucial first downs, managed the field, managed the clock. They were bringing the kitchen sink, and Jeff was great at avoiding the rush and making plays. Jeff has been better in big games this year than ever before."

Garcia didn't want all the credit for the 49ers' emotional win. Still sweating in the Coliseum locker room, he complimented his offensive line's dominant performance, Terrell Owens' 12 receptions for 191 yards, fullback Fred Beasley's tenacious blocking and running -- anybody but himself.

But those who saw Garcia on the sideline after Jose Cortez's overtime kick split the uprights knew how he really felt. After handling an afternoon of bitterly personal insults on the sideline, he screamed and yelled so vociferously at the crowd that his teammates had to calm him down.

"I'd call it something like an in-your-face statement," Garcia said with a grin. "It was like getting the last word."

Other notes of interest. ...

In naming him his offensive player of the week, Sports Illustrated insider Peter King wrote the following about Owens:

"The more you watch this guy, the more you realize he is as fearsome a weapon as this league has seen in years. He's the Lawrence Taylor of offensive players. His damage from Sunday's 23-20 overtime win at Oakland: 12 catches, 191 yards, huge impact. The 49ers moved the chains late in the fourth quarter and through their only drive of overtime thanks to the guts of Jeff Garcia and the physical presence of Owens. Why in the world was Charles Woodson giving Owens such a cushion? You don't give this man a cushion. He'll just catch it, as he did over and over again in the clutch on Sunday, and he'll make you pay. The combination of the physical and the athletic in Owens makes him the most dangerous non-quarterback offensive player in the game today."

By the way. ... J.J. Stokes returned after missing three games with a torn ligament in his right knee. He didn't catch a pass. And for what it's worth, I'm convinced the forecast for Stokes calls for more of the same over the next two months now that Tai Streets has finally established himself as the kind of compliment Owens has needed all along. ...

As reported by San Jose Mercury News beat writer Dennis Georgatos Cortez doesn't need to worry about his job just yet.

Mariucci made that clear Monday when he shrugged off Cortez's two errant field-goal tries Sunday as part of a "tough day at the office" in the 49ers' 23-20 overtime victory over the Raiders.

"We've got to remember that Jose made 13 in a row, OK?" Mariucci said. "I don't know how many kickers in the league do that. And we play in a crazy, windy stadium. We're not a dome team. He's done a pretty darn good job for us."

Cortez made 3-of-5 attempts Sunday, including a 23-yarder in overtime after he missed wide left with a 27-yarder at the end of regulation. He also was wide left with a 39-yard attempt in the second quarter, ending a run of 13 successful attempts.

Mariucci's vote of confidence was welcomed by Cortez, who returned for a second season as kicker after holding off a training-camp challenge from rookie Jeff Chandler. The team's fourth-round pick in this year's draft remains on the roster, but Mariucci said the team won't be playing musical kickers.

"It's always great when the head coach tells you, `You're the man, you're the guy,' that it's your job," Cortez said. "I don't have to look over my shoulder and wonder what will happen."

Cortez said the rough outing was an aberration.

"Bad things are going to happen. You have to be able to forget about it," he said. "I'm glad I had a chance to redeem myself and kick the game-winner. ..."

Also according to Georgatos, the 49ers, showing confidence in Terry Jackson's eventual return from a season-ending knee injury and unwilling to risk losing him to free agency, signed the running back and special-teams captain to a two-year contract extension.

Terms of the deal for the fourth-year pro were not disclosed. Jackson, who has a base salary of $563,000, would have been eligible for free agency after this season.

Jackson tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee Oct. 14 in Seattle and was placed on injured reserve within a week, finishing him for the year. He is expected to be ready for the start of next season.

Director of football operations John McVay said the deal had been in the works before the injury, and the organization saw no reason to change course. ...

And finally. ... Tight end Eric Johnson, who has missed the last two games with a sore back, is reportedly improving but his availability for this Sunday remains questionable. I'll update you on his status as developments warrant throughout the weekend.

Holmgren, speaking during his regular Monday news conference, said changes in his status at season's end regarding any of the titles he holds would start with him.

"We're not there yet," Holmgren said when asked about giving up one of his titles. "If I think it's not working, because of too heavy a load or whatever, then I'll make the necessary changes. But that time hasn't come."

The injuries to so many key players and the inability to win close games appear to have worn down Holmgren, who looked as forlorn and absorbed as much abuse from fans as he ever had in four seasons in Seattle as he walked off the field Sunday. The losses continue to mount, the fans' calls for his dismissal are increasing and the Seahawks are not executing in the red zone on offense nor stopping the run on defense, prompting Holmgren to question his own and his staff's play-calling and coaching decisions.

The questions about his future are more frequent.

"If the team was doing well with our record, then that question is not asked, and then I wouldn't think so much about it, probably," Holmgren said. "Now, our record this year is not good and so that begs the question. But ... The bases are getting covered, in my opinion. But I also think you need a little luck."

The Seahawks haven't had much of that, even though Holmgren said he believes he still has the support of team chairman Paul Allen and president Bob Whitsitt.

"Would they like the team to do better? Certainly. We all would," Holmgren said of the Seahawks' brass. "But I've been at this thing long enough to know that you do what you can do. You work as hard as you can work and sometimes the ball bounces funny, sometimes guys get hurt, sometimes you make a bad call. Whatever happens, you do the best you can do and then you live with the consequences."

Holmgren is forced to make lineup changes, with three new starters at linebacker, a revamped offensive line with two starters out and seemingly a major injury to a key player every game. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck was pressed into service when Trent Dilfer, Holmgren's choice to start at the beginning of the season, was lost for the season because of a torn Achilles tendon.

Holmgren can only hope the organization is not judged by lofty playoff expectations that have become a 2-6, injury-riddled campaign. "This is not that exact a science," Holmgren said. "We're not playing with the team that I thought we were going to play with. I try to be honest and I also try and look at the guys who are not there. And I still think we can get this thing done. I really believe it, and when I stop believing that, I will be the first one to make any sort of change necessary."

The players appear united in defending Holmgren and his staff.

"You've got a lot of guys on this team that have a lot of pride," cornerback Willie Williams said. "It's embarrassing to be 2-6 right now. As far as Mike Holmgren, he's going to continue to fight, and if he's going to continue to fight for us, then the team is going to continue to fight for him."

Other notes of interest. ...

Holmgren said wide receiver Darrell Jackson is on a "day-to-day" basis in his recovery from a concussion and seizure suffered Oct. 27. Jackson will undergo another series of tests Wednesday, with the hope that he will be able to run a little this week.

According to the Sports Xchange, Hasselbeck drew praise from Holmgren for an admirable effort against the Redskins. The Seahawks did not score a TD, but Hasselbeck was hardly to blame. His performance gave Seattle something positive to grasp onto as they stumble into the second half of their schedule. ...

Jeff George will likely assume the No. 2 role this week after spending Sunday (Nov. 3) as the emergency QB. "We didn't sign Jeff so he could be the No. 3 guy," Holmgren said Monday. The Seahawks hope George knows enough of the offense to handle the No. 2 role this week. ...

Shaun Alexander made a critical error in the red zone Sunday (Nov. 4), resulting in an intentional-grounding penalty that severely damaged the Seahawks' attempt to score a TD. Alexander lined up on the wrong side of the field. When Hasselbeck went to throw a screen pass to the left side, everything was in place except Alexander.

By the way. ... Second-year receiver Koren Robinson posted a career-high eight catches for 100 yards against the Skins. ...

And finally. ... Kevin Kasper was the surprise catch of Denver's 2001 draft. And the colorful, bleached-blond, earring-clad receiver made a splash as a rookie.

But his stock dropped faster than the Dow Jones average after a series of injuries this summer. On Tuesday, the Broncos released him, opting to go with Scottie Montgomery on kickoff returns instead.

He was impressive in his few chances as a return man the past two seasons, but there was a feeling within the organization that he had reached his peak as a receiver.

"I had a great time in Denver and enjoyed all aspects of it. Unfortunately I'll be going and it's depressing, but things happen." His final numbers: 8 catches for 81 yards and 15 kickoff returns for a 26.2 average.

Brad Johnson threw for 313 yards and a career-high five touchdowns, and the Bucs played had their best game on offense for first-year coach Jon Gruden in Sunday's win over the Minnesota Vikings.

"We're moving in the right direction," said Keyshawn Johnson, who had nine receptions for 133 yards and two TDs -- all season highs. "This was a big step. ... What's important now is we keep moving and get better and better."

Karl Williams, Rickey Dudley and Mike Alstott also had touchdown catches for the Bucs, who matched the 1979 team for the best nine-game start in team history.

But as Sports Illustrated insider Peter King noted on Monday: "I hear that Jon Gruden is absolutely miserable because of the way the Bucs have been playing on offense. I doubt mauling the Vikes will make him feel much better."

And if you're not sure just how miserable Gruden might have been riding an eight-quarter TD drought into last weekend's game, the following quote quote -- made late last week -- should be helpful:

"We're not able to get the ball in the damn end zone," the coach stated. "That's inexcusable. These are embarrassing issues. These are things we take very personally. ..."

And despite the solid performance against Minnesota, Gruden hardly sounded impressed on Monday.

"I've been accused of having to be miserable to be happy my whole life," he admitted. "So I can't say that I'm overly giddy about anything. We have so much work to do. And we've worked so hard to attain a pretty good record and put ourselves in position to maybe do something. To me, now it becomes the greatest responsibility of all. How you handle success, how you can close this season out. It's really going to be exciting to witness and I think that's the challenge."

Also of interest. ...

In an article published Thursday, St. Petersburg Times beat writer Rick Stroud reported the Bucs plan to take a running back by committee approach down the stretch.

All that remains is to see which player serves as chairman.

Alstott started at tailback against the Vikings; Michael Pittman took the first handoff in eight previous games; and Aaron Stecker has earned more carries.

"Create the Robo Back, that's what we're trying to do," Gruden said. "The perfect back.

"The size and the inside power of an Alstott. The pattern running and I think the explosive in-the-hole running of a Pittman. The lateral quickness of a Travis Stephens. And I don't want to forget about our rookie. We want to get him on the field. For crying out loud, this might be as thick and quick a back as we have.

"Our backs are kind of like a committee. We're going to utilize the whole committee throughout the season."

That approach is nothing new to Gruden, who used both Tyrone Wheatley and Napoleon McCallum when coaching one of the league's best rushing attacks with the Raiders.

That was not supposed to be the case this season in Tampa Bay.

Gruden began the season declaring Pittman, a free agent from Arizona, his featured back. But in eight starts, Pittman produced 3.5 yards per carry and did not score a rushing touchdown until he was benched Sunday in favor of Alstott.

Not that Alstott was a runaway A-Train against the Vikings. He gained 55 yards on 26 carries.

"There will be certain times and places where we emphasize maybe one of them more than the others," Gruden said. "And we felt [Sunday] our big back combination, Alstott and Cook, could give us some hidden yardage, some physical inside yardage and set up the play-action pass, which was very good for us.

"Although the running game didn't net a lot of yardage, particularly with our big back combination, it did add a lot of sting to the play-action passing game. The film proves that."

Gruden also came to another conclusion after analyzing the film Monday: Stecker needs to be more involved in the offense. The third-year pro from Wisconsin ripped off a 59-yard run on his only carry Sunday. His 17 rushing attempts have produced 122 yards, a team-high 7.2-yard average.

"All he does is make plays. Why he's not carrying the ball more is a great question," Gruden said.

"It's been hard. Mike and Mike, in fairness to them, they're good players. They practice well. We think if given some real good consistent looks, they're going to be playmakers for us. Before you discriminate and say let's go to this guy or that guy, we want to stay with our man. That's the big reason why. But you can't deny the fact this Stecker, he just makes plays. We've got to be more creative, maybe more willing to get to him early and see what he does. ... I'll be the first to say that we've got to do a better job of creatively getting Aaron Stecker involved with this football team."

Until now, Stecker has been used primarily as a third-down back. In addition to his rushing contributions, he has eight receptions for 49 yards.

"We're just trying to change the face of our attack a little bit," Gruden said. "Not let anybody zoom in on what we're trying to do and just present a different speed and pace to the game.

"He's a different size, he's got a different type of lateral quickness, I think, and he's a sure-handed guy. You can utilize him in the passing game as well. We try to use all our backs and we're going to take a good look at that, [offensive line coach] Bill Muir and myself, over the next 10 days. ..."

And finally. ... Several key players, including Brad Johnson and receivers Keenan McCardell and Joe Jurevicius, will get substantial time off this week to rest injuries. After practicing Wednesday and Thursday, players will get three days off. "You get an opportunity to freshen up a little bit. But at the same time, you have to be careful coming off a bye that you don't slip," Gruden said. "I have seen teams come off a bye and not play very well. We have a [practice] schedule that I'm certainly comfortable with and we are going to try and sell it to our team. ... And come off the bye playing extremely strong football."

McNair's right big toe is so swollen that ''he can't get his shoe on right now,'' Fisher said yesterday. Turf toe is technically a sprain of the big toe.

McNair led the Titans to a 23-15 victory over the Colts on Sunday, a game played on artificial turf in Indianapolis. McNair awoke yesterday morning with significant swelling in the toe and his right foot was later placed in a protective boot.

McNair is familiar with the injury. He battled it for the better part of three seasons on his left foot and had surgery on his left big toe in February 2000 to remove a bone spur and a cyst.

Sunday's game was Tennessee's second and last on artificial turf this season. Titans officials said after the game that McNair had also suffered a slight groin strain.

Also of interest. ...

Running back Robert Holcombe will be listed as questionable when the Titans issue their first injury report for the week, Fisher said. Wide receiver Justin McCareins (hip, knee) will miss some practice time and will be questionable. Fisher said fullback Greg Comella (shoulder) has a ''good chance to play this week.''

A few final notes today. ... McNair tied Warren Moon's franchise record by throwing a touchdown pass in his 21st consecutive game. ... Place-kicker Joe Nedney made three field goals for the third consecutive week. ...

Davis sprained a knee against the Indianapolis Colts on Oct.27, and did not play in Sunday's win over Seattle. He said yesterday the condition of the knee has improved but it would need continued improvement this week to make even a "game-time decision" possible for Sunday.

"I feel if I can get better every day, it might be a game-time decision," Davis said, "but the training staff is doing a good job, so I'll get ready like I will play."

Davis, who missed workouts last week, is not sure whether he will practice this week. However, he has played in past games though missing practice the week before.

"If it's getting better like it has been for the last few days, I'll try to do something [during the week]," Davis said. "It's a lot better than it was last week."

Meanwhile, receiver Rod Gardner (shoulder) will be limited in practice this week but should play against Jacksonville; fellow wideout Darnerien McCants is bothered by a sprained ankle he suffered when a Seattle defender stepped on his foot on a downfield pattern; and Danny Wuerffel remains listed as questionable because of a sprained shoulder.

Other notes of interest. ...

In an article published Monday, Associated Press sports writer Joseph White pointed out that Spurrier isn't as happy as one might expect him to be coming off a two-game winning streak.

Why? Because the Redskins are looking like the New York Giants, not the Florida Gators. Running and defense -- and just five completions to wide receivers -- carried the day their win over Seattle.

"We weren't real good throwing and catching," Spurrier said Monday. "It's disappointing because we threw the ball better the first preseason game in Osaka. It's just not working real well right now, but we'll keep practicing with our guys and try to get it going. I don't have any real answers."

Spurrier often mentions the 38-7 victory over San Francisco in Japan, even though the Redskins scored most of their points against backups and even though his current quarterback, Shane Matthews, didn't play.

Yet that's the kind of scoring he expected all season. Instead, the Redskins passing game is ranked 24th in the league, while the steadily improving defense is at No. 10.

Even the 146 yards rushing against the Seahawks didn't excite Spurrier.

"It's hard to run up and down the field all the time," he said.

Many coaches would be pleased to be in Spurrier's position, especially considering it's his first year in the NFL. The Redskins have stabilized and are in the playoff race despite a turnover-prone 2-4 start involving three starting quarterbacks.

Even Matthews, while admitting he was frustrated with his accuracy in a 10-for-27 performance at Seattle, wasn't about to complain about the method of winning.

"A win's a win -- I don't care how bad you play," Matthews said. "Two or three weeks from now, no one's going to remember how ugly we played, all they're going to remember is we won the game."

Not Spurrier.

"I believe you try to play the best you can every time out, and even though you win the game, you don't sit around and pat yourself on the back for a very average performance," he said. "To me, that's what coaching is all about -- trying to get the most out of your players every game and try to improve as you go through the season."

Spurrier has called more runs than passes for three consecutive weeks, having realized the talent on offense just isn't suited for a downfield passing attack. Against the Seahawks, fill-in running back Kenny Watson had 110 yards against the league's worst rushing defense while Davis watched from the sidelines.

Spurrier was hard-pressed to remember a time when he could have run more than passed for three straight games. Perhaps in the late 1980s at Duke, he said.

"If running's the best thing to do, that's what you've got to do," Spurrier said. "If you go back, throw it away, can't make it stick, you're wasting your time trying to throw."

Even with an average offense, the Redskins' outlook isn't bad because the schedule has turned favorable. Of the Redskins' first eight opponents, only Seattle currently has a losing record. Of their next eight, only Philadelphia has a winning record.

"We feel fortunate to be .500," Spurrier said. "I think the talent's here to certainly win more than we lose, and we'll certainly have an opportunity to do that as we go down the stretch."