ATLANTA FALCONS
The Falcons have had a week to rest after earning a first-round bye in the playoffs, and according to Pro Football Weekly, head coach Jim Mora spent the week working on the team's two-minute drill and red-zone offense.
Mora reportedly kept his players as busy as he could just to keep the rust off them, and they did their best to prepare for all three teams they could have faced in the divisional playoffs.
Keeping people healthy was the biggest goal, but some team observers wonder about the mental health of the ballclub.
Although the players have said that momentum is overrated, the fact is the Falcons haven't won a game in about a month, and the off week just gave the team a chance to dwell on how much pressure is on the Falcons to win at home. ...
Meanwhile, in an article published Tuesday, Morris News Service correspondent George Henry advised readers that Michael Vick says he wants to be a stabilizing force in Saturday's game against St. Louis.
"There's no need to get pumped," the 24-year-old Vick said Monday afternoon. "Just let the game come to me, man. Ain't going to rush it ... It'll happen. It's coming. You don't need to get pumped."
Nodding to rookie receiver Michael Jenkins, who shares an adjacent locker, Vick spoke not just to his mood but that of his entire team, too. Mora's mantra since his first mini-camp practice in April -- "win the next down" -- doesn't belong among the headlines and hyperbole that swirl excitedly around every playoff team this week. No, Vick will measure his emotions carefully come Saturday night. Don't soar too high. Don't sink too low. As Henry suggested, "Let someone else hop aboard Nike's make-believe rollercoaster, the Michael Vick Experience, for a cheap thrill or two."
"Mike knows when to turn it and turn it off," tight end Alge Crumpler said. "That's just another thing that makes him what he is -- a superstar player who draws big crowds to stadiums and even more people to watch on TV. He has it all physically but he also has the humility you love in a great teammate."
In beating St. Louis 34-17 four months ago at the Georgia Dome, Vick rushed 12 times for 109 yards and completed 14 of 19 passes for 149 yards and one touchdown. That game was so long ago that Vick doesn't believe the outcome will bear any significance this week.
Vick instead is focusing on what his offense, which led the NFL in rushing, can accomplish this week. According to Henry, the two-time Pro Bowl selection loves the recent performance running back Warrick Dunn has accomplished recently, and he can sense Peerless Price standing ready to end a season-long slump with a breakout game. Though he posted five-year lows in catches (45), receiving yards (575) and first downs (28), Price had 13 combined receptions in the last two games, including a nice job of adjusting to Vick's sudden decision to fire a 2-yard pass at him on a rollout two weeks ago at Seattle.
Beginning the play on the right side of the formation, Price crossed the end-zone traffic and ran parallel with Vick to beat cornerback Marcus Trufant for the touchdown catch and a 7-0 lead.
"I like to see any receiver catch that many balls in that time span," Vick said. "You know what I mean? That way they get some credit, and it shows that they're out there making plays. They're doing what they have to do to get open and get the ball, so that must mean the quarterback has been doing a good job of putting the ball where it belongs.
"It's always good to build their confidence, but especially at this time of year."
According to Henry, "[Price] must stretch the field against the Rams to help Vick reach another level in the passing game. ..."
As for Dunn, Henry reminded readers that his production soared in the last four games when the Falcons needed him most. Season-ending injuries during that stretch robbed the offense of two starting fullbacks (Justin Griffith, Stanley Pritchett) and one backup fullback (George Layne) who spent the entire offseason and preseason learning new coordinator Greg Knapp's playbook. ...
For the record. ...
According to PFW, team officials are confident that Crumpler, who has expanded his involvement at practice over the past week, will be at full strength for Saturday's game and won't change the offense to compensate for the start tight end being hobbled.
According to the Sports Xchange, Vick, who sprained his left (throwing) shoulder in a Dec. 18 win over the Panthers, has shown no signs of after effects.
He also appears to be over a brief bout with the flu, or something approximating it. That caused him to miss last Thursday's practice, although he was fully involved Friday and Monday. According to quarterbacks coach Mike Johnson, looked especially sharp last Friday.
Other notes of interest. ...
Also according to the Xchange, T.J. Duckett had by far the NFL's best ratio of "stuff" plays, or runs for zero yards or less. Just one of his 104 carries resulted in a stuff, or .96 percent. Next best was Baltimore's Chester Taylor (10 of 160 carries, 6.3 percent).
Dunn ranked No. 16, as 23 of his 265 carries (8.7 percent) resulted in stuffs. Vick ranked last in the NFL in stuff ratio as 20 of his 120 carries (16.7 percent) were stuffs. ...
According to the Sporting News, the bye week gave Dunn and position coach Ollie Wilson more time to help current starting fullback Fred McCrary, who didn't sign until Dec. 14, understand the playbook.
Because the team couldn't affect its No. 2 NFC seed in the last two games, Dunn would take a few seconds to reiterate assignments to McCrary after the huddle broke.
McCrary's experience helps immensely as Wilson fills the vacancies created by the above-mentioned injuries last month.
McCrary, who has been battling a deep thigh bruise, expects to be unaffected Saturday night. ...
In a related note, Atlanta Journal-Constitution beat writer Matt Winkeljohn reported Monday that the team's newest fullback, Luke Lawton, is taking a crash course.
He was signed after Layne was placed on injured reserve with a broken jaw.
The 5-foot-11, 237-pound Lawton joined the Bills as an unrestricted free agent out of McNeese State, was released last summer, spent time on the Giants' practice squad, was released by the Giants, and re-joined Buffalo. Atlanta's signed him off the Bills' practice squad. ...
And finally. ...
As noted by the Xchange, Jay Feely made 18 of 23 field goals, although he's missed a field goal in five of the past seven games in which he tried at least one, and missed in four of the past five in which he attempted one.
With Marvin Harrison shut down early, Manning went to Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark in building an insurmountable first-half lead in last Sunday's Wildcard Playoff game. The NFL Offensive Player of the Year and nearly unanimous (he received 47 out of 48 possible votes) 2004 NFL MVP had 457 yards passing, second most in playoffs history, in the team's 49-24 victory over Denver.
As a result, the Colts go to defending champion New England Sunday for a rematch of last year's AFC title game, and they bring with them an even more diversified attack.
Against the overmatched Broncos, Wayne finished with 221 yards, the third most in playoff history, on 10 catches, with two touchdowns. Clark, who suffered a concussion in the regular-season closer at Denver had 112 yards and a score.
Wilner went on to note the rout was reminiscent of the Colts' 41-10 romp over Denver in last year's wild-card game, when Manning was 22-for-26 for 377 yards and five touchdowns. Except the Broncos were even worse for 30 minutes -- they trailed 31-3 at halftime in 2004 -- and Manning had a record 360 yards and three TDs at the half.
For good measure, Manning sneaked in from the 1 with 6 seconds left in the half, making it 35-3 and drawing handshakes from nearly every teammate for his first TD rushing in more than two years.
But it was his arm, of course, that was most decisive. Manning displayed exactly how he broke Dan Marino's 20-year-old NFL mark by throwing for 49 touchdowns this season. By hitting 27 of 33 passes, his QB rating for the game, 145.7, dwarfed his record 121.1 rating for 2004.
Only Bernie Kosar in 1986 had more yards in a playoff game, and he needed double overtime to get 489.
Meanwhile, the Colts always expected their season would come down to Patriots -- again.
According to AP beat man Michael Marot, since losing 24-14 in last year's AFC Championship, the Colts have spent their time working on features that would improve the matchups against the defending Super Bowl champs.
On offense, they figured with Clark, who missed last year's playoff after breaking his leg, and running back Edgerrin James healthy, they could perhaps stretch the Patriots defense enough to find some openings.
Oh yeah. ... Don't forget about the league's new emphasis on limiting contact between defenders and receivers -- an emphasis that came about in large part because of New England's mauling of the Colts' receiving corps last January.
If Patriot defenders are holding, grabbing or pushing receivers this time around, head coach Tony Dungy expects it to be called. If there is incidental contact, he expects officials to give players some leeway.
And if last weekend's first-round playoff games gave any indication of what can be anticipated in Round 2, Dungy will take it.
"I thought as a whole, the weekend's games were called real close to what's in the rule book," he said. "Last year, in the first round, you saw some things that gave you cause for concern."
Of course, in the playoffs, rules interpretations can change. Officials are sometimes faulted for allowing players to get away with more.
But Dungy isn't worried.
"I think the refs sent a message last [Sunday]," he said of the Denver game. "They're going to call them like they have been calling them and that's all you can ask."
Still, there has to be some question as to whether even that will be enough to change their history in New England, which is littered with sub-par performances.
"Those things really don't matter now," Dungy said. "They don't have any bearing on the game on Sunday."
As Marot suggested, "Somehow, though, the Patriots always seem to bring out the worst in the Colts, especially at Foxboro, Mass., where Indianapolis has lost eight straight."
Last year, Manning entered the conference title game looking unstoppable with a near-perfect passer rating in the postseason. The Patriots took care of that, limiting Manning to 23 of 47 with one touchdown, four interceptions and four sacks.
In November 2003 at Indianapolis, it was Willie McGinest sprinting untouched around the right side of the Colts' line to tackle James on fourth-and-goal from the 1 that ended a Colts rally. The Patriots hung on for a 38-34 victory.
In September, McGinest again broke free, sacking Manning on third down. That forced Mike Vanderjagt to try a potential tying field goal from 48 yards, instead of 35. Vanderjagt, who had made 42 straight, missed it wide right. The Colts left with a 27-24 loss in arguably their worst game of the season.
"We just have to play better," receiver Brandon Stokley said. "For us, it is to get to the Super Bowl right now. That is what our goal is, not necessarily beating the Patriots."
This time, the Colts are cautiously optimistic they can change things -- especially given New England's injury ravaged secondary (see Patriots Team Notes below for more).
In fact, the Colts couldn't ask for a much better scenario going into the game.
As Marot pointed out, James is playing his best football since 2000, Manning has been breaking records and the Colts receiving trio has been the most proficient in NFL history. The offensive line gave up a league-low 14 sacks this year, and the Colts have won nine of their last 10 games -- the only loss coming with a makeshift lineup at Denver in the season-finale.
"Everyone is ready to win at all, and that is what we are trying to do," James said after Sunday's win. "No one is ready to go home. Everyone wants to be here next week."
But, as the Colts have learned, that doesn't mean much when they face New England.
"We're playing better than we were last year," Dungy said. "We're playing a little more consistently than we were at the end of last year. But you still have to go our and do your job."
For what it's worth. ... In five losses to New England dating to 2001, Manning has thrown just nine TD passes along with nine interceptions.
It's also worth noting that of Manning's record 49 touchdown passes, 32 were indoors -- 26 at home and six more at Detroit's Ford Field.
Nonetheless, the Colts seem confident they can keep their prolific offense going -- even in Foxboro in January.
"When the playoffs come around, you definitely want be hitting on all cylinders," said Clark. "I think we are, and the team keeps getting better every game. ..."
Other notes of interest. ...
In a column published Monday, Sports Illustrated insider Peter King wrote: "I think -- and I know it's early, and these things can change -- the weather looks like it's going to be on Peyton Manning's side on Sunday in Foxboro. The Weather Channel's long-range forecast calls for a high of 30, low winds and a zero percent chance of snow or rain.
"Uh-oh, Pats. ..."
Also on Monday, ESPN.com senior writer Len Pasquarelli quoted an unnamed NFL personnel man as saying: "A little sulking there again from Harrison when he wasn't getting the ball early in the game. He doesn't like being a decoy, you can tell, but the attention that teams pay to him sure opens up every other Colts receiver, including the tight ends.
"I mean, did you see how open Dallas Clark was on that one touchdown catch where he just goes right up the seam, untouched? It's because the safety was playing so wide to provide some help over the top on Harrison, for sure. ..."
As noted by the Sports Xchange, while a lot of attention has been paid to Clark and Marcus Pollard this season, rookie tight end Ben Hartsock has begun to see more quality playing time in recent weeks. Hartsock has filled in for both Pollard and Clark, who have hobbled by minor injuries in the last month. ...
The Xchange also noted that all three running backs on the active roster scored touchdowns in Sunday's win over Denver. James and Dominic Rhodes each had short runs while James Mungro caught a short pass.
"We always try to get everybody involved," James said. "When we get a chance to play everybody, that's what we try to do. You never know when somebody has to play because of an injury or something. This way, everybody stays involved in what we're doing. ..."
And finally, on the injury front. ...
Dungy told reporters on Monday that further tests would be required to determine the severity of the knee sprain suffered Sunday by defensive end Robert Mathis.
If Mathis is unable to play, the coach said the Colts probably will use a combination of starter Raheem Brock and reserves Brad Scioli and Nick Rogers at left end.
Rogers (6-2, 250) was claimed off waivers from Green Bay on Dec. 22. The Colts like him in the situational pass-rushing role Mathis plays so well.
The only other injuries reported were defensive tackle Josh Williams' shoulder bruise and a pinched nerve in linebacker Rob Morris' neck. Dungy expects both to play.
"That backslide into the playoffs, seven losses in their last 10 games, wasn't much of a barometer for Sunday's convincing 31-17 victory over the rival Green Bay Packers. (Who, by the way, went 9-2 over their final 11 regular-season games.)
"Now, the Vikings are moving on to face Philadelphia -- still free from any pressure and emboldened by the underdog role they've assumed since qualifying for the postseason as the lowest seed in a weak NFC. ..."
"I'm just excited to be in the playoffs," Randy Moss said after the Packers game. "There's a lot of people home watching."
Home watching him, specifically, after a frustrated, early departure from the field in Minnesota's last game at Washington thrust him into the national spotlight again. Moss did little to disappoint, catching two touchdown passes -- pretending to moon the Green Bay crowd in the end zone after the second one and thus guaranteeing another week of heavy scrutiny.
But as Campbell added, there's a lot more going on than just Moss, now that the Vikings joined St. Louis as the only 8-8 teams to win an NFL postseason game. Daunte Culpepper, whose standout season was overshadowed by Peyton Manning's touchdown record in Indianapolis, threw four scoring passes against the Packers, ran for 54 yards and looked as sharp as ever.
The defense came up big, too, by intercepting Brett Favre four times and yielding only seven points in the second half.
An ugly loss to the Redskins that sealed a second consecutive season-ending fade, plus the hubbub surrounding Moss and his latest transgression, kept the Vikings from showing much excitement as they prepared for their first playoff appearance since 2000.
So head coach Mike Tice, who watched Minnesota lose three times on game-ending field goals and twice more by four points or fewer, tried to get his team to stop playing so tentatively and uptight.
With few observers expecting them to beat the Packers, and Tice's contract option for 2005 already picked up by owner Red McCombs, there was very little pressure on the Vikings.
They delivered an early punch, scoring 17 points on their first three possessions and never letting go of the lead.
According to Campbell, they'll bring the same mentality against the Eagles, who beat Minnesota 27-16 in a Monday night game the second week of the season.
"You've got to have that attack attitude," tight end Jermaine Wiggins said Monday. "You've got to jump on somebody's throat, and you've just got to smother them."
Easier said than done. As AP sports writer Rob Maaddi suggested Monday, Moss isn't going to intimidate the Eagles' secondary.
Moss possesses exceptional strength, speed and leaping ability, skills which make him one of the most feared players in the NFL.
But the Eagles have arguably the best defensive backfield in the league, led by All-Pro cornerback Lito Sheppard, All-Pro free safety Brian Dawkins, and Pro Bowl strong safety Michael Lewis. Cornerback Sheldon Brown also had an outstanding season and Rod Hood is a solid nickel back.
"It's a huge challenge," Lewis said of playing against Moss. "He can go deep, way past everybody on the field. You have to be aware of where he is on the field. He's a playmaker."
Moss, playing on a sprained right ankle, had four catches for 70 yards and two touchdowns in Green Bay. Nate Burleson also had four receptions for 60 yards and one TD.
At 6-foot-4, Moss has nearly a half-foot advantage over Sheppard and Brown, both generously listed at 5-foot-10.
But in Philadelphia's victory against Minnesota four months ago, Moss was held to 69 yards on eight catches. He had a 7-yard TD catch late in the fourth quarter after the outcome had been decided.
Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson didn't alter his scheme to defend Moss in the first meeting, leaving Brown on the right side and Sheppard on the left. At times, Hood was matched up against Moss one-on-one.
"It says a lot that Jim has confidence in me to cover him," Hood said. "He's a tough receiver, very fast, a great receiver and he adjusts to the ball. I love playing against the best. I look forward to the challenge."
Sheppard and Brown anchored a secondary that allowed 16 TDs and gave up 200.8 yards passing per game, an impressive feat considering the Eagles won nine games by double-digit margins, meaning teams had to throw often against them.
While Moss draws most of the attention, the Eagles realize they have to be wary of Burleson, who caught 68 passes for 1,006 yards and nine TDs this season. Moss had 49 receptions for 767 yards and 13 TDs in an injury-plagued season in which he missed five games.
"The biggest difference from last game is Burleson," Brown said. "He's playing with confidence. ..."
On the injury front. ...
According to the Minneapolis Star News, barring a miraculous recovery from a severely sprained right ankle, running back Moe Williams will miss Sunday's game and perhaps the NFC Championship Game should the team advance that far.
Doctors told Williams on Monday that he suffered sprains on both sides of the ankle during the third quarter of Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. He was walking on crutches Monday, and Tice did not appear optimistic about getting Williams back on the field soon. Williams missed the team's first meeting against Philadelphia because of a similar injury.
The Eagles harassed Culpepper for much of that game and finished with four sacks, success Tice attributed in part to Williams' absence.
"If Moe can't go," Tice said, "of course we lose that pass protection stuff and that was one of the things that hurt us the last time we played Philadelphia."
Moss' sprained right ankle won't keep him from playing, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported. "He's limping around pretty good today," Tice said Monday. "He knows how to treat it. He's resilient. He bounces back pretty quickly."
The coach went on to tell reporters; "The only one I'm really concerned about is Moe. I think Moe is going to be, at best, a game-time decision."
If Williams is deactivated, the Vikings are likely to replace him with a special teams player such as Richard Owens or Ben Nelson. Owens has been inactive for the past eight games, while Nelson would have to be promoted from the practice squad. ...
According to the Sports Xchange, fourth receiver Kelly Campbell, who has been bothered by a right shoulder injury, should continue to play a limited role.
For the record. ... Moss didn't practice on Wednesday, but he's listed as probable Williams is listed as doubtful.
And a few final notes. ...
Moss is almost sure to be fined for his faux moon at Lambeau, according to NFL rules.
The league is looking into the star receiver's antics and will announce its ruling later this week.
When asked whether the oft-fined Moss would be penalized again, a league spokesman recited NFL rules mandating discipline for "obscene gestures or other actions construed as being in poor taste."
A fine for the first offense under those guidelines is $5,000. Moss has not previously been fined for such action, but paid a $25,000 penalty in 1999 for squirting an official with a water bottle. ...
And finally. ...
According to Pro Football Weekly, the Vikings realize they may have erred in not picking up the 2005 option on Tice earlier in the season. That move, according to a league source, would have led to offensive coordinator Scott Linehan's return for at least one more year.
Linehan insisted his contract expire when Tice's did; that date was Jan. 31 before the Vikings exercised the team option to keep Tice for next season.
Speculation in Minnesota is this: The Vikings' only shot at keeping Linehan is to advance to the Super Bowl, which would keep any interested teams on hold, or else dismiss Tice at a buyout cost of $800,000 and name Linehan the head coach.
PFW noted that approach would be in line with McCombs' history -- he replaced Dennis Green with a younger understudy (Tice) in 2002. The rest of the coaching staff is under contract through the '05 season. Linehan, 41, earned $300,000 as offensive coordinator in '04, and he has drawn interest from no fewer than four teams for offensive-coordinator positions.
It would be a major upset if Linehan accepted a one-year, bargain-basement deal to remain Vikings offensive coordinator. Linehan's price tag is expected to be near $800,000 per season and could approach $1 million if a bidding war breaks out. Minnesota is scheduled to pay $1 million to Tice, the NFL's lowest-paid head coach, for next season.
The other variable that may benefit the Vikings: Offensive coordinators Mike McCarthy (Saints) and Cam Cameron (Chargers) are also virtual free agents on the coaching market.
"Yeah, you read that right.
"If the Pats are going to maintain their mastery over Manning and the Colts, as well as continue their bid to retain the championship of the National Football League, it's going to have to be the offense, not the injury-riddled defense, that plays the leading role. ..."
Hard to argue. ...
If the Patriots hope to beat Indianapolis for the second time this season, the sixth time in a row, and for the seventh time in eight games since Bill Belichick became head coach, then Tom Brady and the offense are going to have to keep the ball way from Manning for extended periods of time.
The only time they can give it back to him is after putting points on the board. And preferably seven points, rather than three.
Of course, the defense played a more prominent role in last year's AFC Championship game in Foxboro, where Manning was intercepted four times -- cornerback Ty Law picked off three -- as the Patriots won, 24-14.
But Law won't be around this time. He broke a foot midway through the season against the Steelers and last week was finally placed on the injured reserve list, putting the kibosh on hopes he'd be able to return for the playoffs.
What makes matters worse is that all-pro defensive lineman Richard Seymour also is hurting, having suffered a leg injury at New York two weeks ago.
If Seymour can't play, or is hobbled so that he is only a shadow of his typically-dominating self, then Donaldson believes the Patriots are in "serious, huge, big-time trouble."
New England has remarkably survived the loss of starting corners Law and Tyrone Poole, continuing to win with a patchwork secondary featuring the likes of undrafted rookie free agent corner Randall Gay; Earthwind Moreland, who was signed off the practice squad; Troy Brown, the veteran wide receiver, who, in his 12th year in the league, has been seeing more action on defense on passing downs than he has on offense; and also 32-year-old inside linebacker Don Davis, who has been pressed into service at safety. Using a combination of skill, smarts, scheme, smoke and mirrors, the Pats have continued to win, finishing 14-2 and atop the AFC East, earning the second seed in the conference playoffs.
Manning set an NFL record this season by throwing for 49 touchdowns in what really was 15 games -- he sat out all but one series of the final game of the regular season, which the Indianapolis reserves lost in Denver last week.
He threw for four more against the Broncos last Sunday, and even ran for his first TD since 2002, going over from the one on a quarterback sneak. Facing a defense ranked fourth in the league against the pass, Manning riddled the Broncos for 360 yards through the air in the first half alone.
If the Pats can't pressure Manning with a strong rush, there seems no way their patchwork secondary can cover Indy's dazzling corps of receivers. They could blitz -- and likely will have to, if Seymour is hurting -- but that would leave the seemingly overmatched defensive backs in an even more precarious predicament.
The Pats were very physical with the Colts receivers in last year's AFC championship game, manhandling them as they came off the line. And, in the opinion of many, downfield, as well. Consequently, the NFL this year has made it a "point of emphasis" for officials to keep an eye on illegal contact by defensive backs.
So what can the Patriots do?
According to Donaldson: "Grind it out on offense, that's what they can do."
Put the ball in the hands of Corey Dillon, and keep it out of the hands of Manning. The Pats must control the clock if they hope to keep the Indianapolis offense under control. Brady will have to be at his efficient best, avoiding turnovers and converting on third down, if New England is going to get the best of the Colts.
This is a worst-case scenario for the Patriots -- one of the NFL's all-time great passers throwing against a second-string secondary.
Belichick and his staff have a week to work on the problem, and they've been known to work miracles.
But as Donaldson summed up: "In this case, it appears as if it's going to be up to the Patriots offense to stop Manning. ..."
Fortunately, the team has a pretty good track record against the Colts.
In fact, as the Sports Xchange reminded readers this week, the Patriots have scored 27, 24, 38, 38 and 44 points against Indy in the last five meetings. This game could become a shootout and the team that has the ball last could emerge as the winner.
As long as Brady avoids turning the ball over and Dillon runs as he has all year, the Patriots should be able to score. Their third down conversions will be huge in this game because they will have to control the ball and try to keep Manning on the sideline.
The Patriots have had success throwing and running against Indy. As long as they don't turn the ball over, they could score with the Colts.
But as Pro Football Weekly pointed out Monday, team officials are concerned about Dillon's fumbling problems of late. Dillon has fumbled five times this season, including one that led to a 49ers touchdown in Week 17.
For all of his inconsistency, Dillon's predecessor in New England, Antowain Smith, lost only two fumbles during his last two seasons with the Pats. ...
On a more positive note. ...
Brady is 5-0 against the Colts in his career and has completed 67 percent of his passes in those five games with nine TDs and four interceptions for a 99.0 passer rating.
And as the Xchange suggested this week, the fact that Indianapolis is 1-6 against New England since Bill Belichick took over as the Patriots coach matters. ...
Meanwhile, Boston Herald staffer Michael Felger noted this week that when the offensive line struggles to protect Brady, the team usually keeps Daniel Graham on the line to help out.
While that keeps Brady clean, it also takes away one of his most valued targets. Since the Colts play a lot of Cover-2, having a deep threat down the middle is essential, and Graham is perfect in that role. ...
And finally. ...
Ex-Ravens starting quarterback Chris Redman, who has been out of football this season while recovering from a torn labrum, has reached an agreement with the Patriots on a contract for next season.
Redman, 27, who was the Ravens' third-round pick (75th overall) in the 2000 draft and started six games in '02, reportedly threw the ball well in his tryout with New England the last week of December.
According to PFW, this is viewed as a shrewd move by Belichick to strike first and acquire a player who would likely have been in demand by other teams looking for an experienced veteran, before those teams began their offseason preparations for next season.
If healthy, the 6-3, 223-pound Redman has the talent to take over the Patriots' backup QB role ahead of disappointing Rohan Davey and injury-prone Jim Miller.
Hackett was clearly on the hot seat coming into last night's game, and still might not make it into next season because of head coach Herman Edwards' frustrations with his overall body of work the past four seasons. But Hackett made a case for himself against the favored Chargers.
The Jets beat the Chargers, 20-17, in overtime, and according to Glauber, "all is right with the Jets' offense again."
The Jets faced a formidable challenge against San Diego's defense, which came into the game ranked second against the run. But rather than simply try and pound Curtis Martin in hopes of cracking the defense, Hackett kept the Chargers off balance with a splendid mix. It was no coincidence that struggling quarterback Chad Pennington had one of his finest games since suffering a strained rotator cuff Nov. 7.
The Jets were continually able to move the ball against the Chargers' defense, even if the drives didn't result in points. On the opening possession, for instance, the Jets went from their 26 to the Chargers' 14 before Doug Brien missed a 33-yard field-goal attempt. Hackett would send Martin on the usual assortment of inside runs, but there were other more subtle things he did to soften up the Chargers' defense.
There were several times when Pennington would fake a handoff to Martin, fade back to pass, and find Martin for a short route over the middle for solid chunks of yardage.
But the night wasn't without some controversy on offense. Midway through the third quarter, Edwards was seen screaming at running backs coach Bishop Harris after he tried to substitute Martin in for LaMont Jordan. Edwards had to be separated from Harris, although the two later hugged on the sideline.
It wasn't clear whether Edwards was angry at Harris or at Hackett, whose play calls determine the substitution patterns.
Edwards has been insistent that Jordan, who has only played in spurts but has generally been effective, get more playing time. After the sideline altercation, Jordan was in on several more plays than usual.
Edwards publicly apologized for the outburst on Tuesday. ...
Glauber went on to note that Hackett wasn't afraid to call several deep pass plays, in contrast to his more conservative pass calls in previous games. The net result: Pennington's longest touchdown pass of the season, a 47-yarder to Santana Moss on a "go" route with 10:29 left in the third quarter. Moss got behind safety Jerry Wilson and cornerback Quentin Jammer before catching Pennington's perfectly thrown pass in the end zone.
For the game, Pennington wound up 23-for-33 for 279 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions for a rating of 115.6. ...
Saturday's victory means the Jets now get another shot at the Steelers, one of those losses to higher-end competition that have gnawed at the Jets all season.
But at least they'll hit the field this time with what appears to be a suddenly healthy Pennington, who according to Edwards, threw the ball with much greater velocity in practice last week.
When he faced the Steelers last month, Pennington, in his second start after straining the rotator cuff in his right shoulder, threw three interceptions in one of the worst performances of his career.
But as ESPN.com insider Len Pasquarelli noted on Monday, his his decision-making was against the Chargers was also much improved. ...
Also of interest. ...
In an article published Monday, the Sporting News reminded readers that the the Jets are 5-0 when Jordan carries the ball at least 10 times. Jordan is the ideal complement to Martin, a powerful north-south runner with deceptive speed to the outside.
In the first meeting against Pittsburgh, Jordan was virtually ignored -- an inexcusable oversight. The Jets are now using formations in which Jordan and Martin are in the game at the same time, usually with Jordan split out as a receiver.
For what it's worth. ... The Sports Xchange suggested on Tuesday that Jordan could be considered for the franchise player tag this offseason. ...
On the injury front. ...
According to ESPNews, Pennington missed practice Wednesday with a stomach virus, but Edwards said his star signal caller will be ready for Saturday's playoff game at Pittsburgh.
Pennington called Edwards on Tuesday night to say he was sick. He came to team headquarters Wednesday and tried to practice, but Edwards sent him inside to get some rest.
Making matters worse, backup Quincy Carter went home to Georgia to be with his ailing mother, so No. 3 quarterback Brooks Bollinger took the snaps with the first-team offense at practice. ...
Meanwhile, Edwards was reportedly concerned about Moss, who tweaked a hamstring last Wednesday, heading into San Diego. The team never reported the injury, but Moss has had hamstring problems all season.
Moss said he was concerned, too, after catching four passes for 100 yards, including the 47-yard go route for his third-quarter touchdown.
"I was ticked. I was going for so long a period of time [without hamstring problems]," Moss said after the game. "I'm thankful I was able to fight through it. These are the types of games you have to suck it up, because there are no more games. Down deep I knew my teammates were depending on me and I was depending on myself."
Meanwhile, Wayne Chrebet, who didn't play against the Chargers because of a concussion, is expected to play against the Steelers, Edwards said Monday.
"I would anticipate Wayne will be ready this week," Edwards said.
Chrebet tried to talk Edwards into letting him play in San Diego, but Edwards said he wasn't comfortable with it for two reasons: Chrebet was only six days removed from the concussion, and the mid-week hamstring injury to Moss created a potential numbers problem at wide receiver.
If Chrebet and Moss were unable to finish the game, the Jets would've been down to two wideouts.
"I had a long talk with Wayne," Edwards said. "It was hard for me to do that. I just said, 'Hang in there, we're going to play next week.'"
Moss played the entire game. Chrebet was replaced by Jonathan Carter, who had been inactive the previous three games.
And finally. ...
Also according to the Xchange, defensive end John Abraham (sprained right knee) has missed five straight games and will be a game-time decision for Saturday's game in Pittsburgh.
This week's opponent, the Vikings, have the offensive weapons to cause problems for the Eagles, although Randy Moss, who had two touchdown catches, was limping throughout Sunday's 31-17 win in Green Bay.
But while their defense played well in Green Bay, it's inconsistent at best. Even without Owens, Philadelphia should move the ball.
Especially with Brian Westbrook and Donovan McNabb fit and rested.
In an article published Tuesday, Courier-Post Online staffer Don Benevento advised readers that with only one sentence, Westbrook seemed to capture the essence of where all of the Eagles' offensive hopes lie for the coming playoffs.
"I think if I was their coach," Westbrook said, "I'd try to take [McNabb] out first."
He was responding to a question about whether he expected to be the focal point of the Vikings' defense when the teams meet in Sunday's divisional playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field.
"I think I'd try to take Donovan out first, and then (receiver) Todd Pinkston, and then whoever," Westbrook said. "I don't know what they're planning to do, but I know we will be ready."
According to Benevento, Westbrook is right.
The Eagles will go only as far as McNabb can carry them. But you'd have to think the Vikings' coaching staff will spend a lot of time this week trying to figure out how to contain Westbrook, as well.
The Eagles' coaching staff knows what Westbrook means to the team. That's why head coach Andy Reid elected to sit him through the last two games of the regular season, rather than risk an injury.
The Eagles went into the playoffs minus an injured Westbrook last season, and that was a crushing blow to their offense. Many observers believe they might have gone to the Super Bowl last year had Westbrook been able to play.
His role is even more important for these playoffs. With Owens no longer in the mix, Westbrook is the next one in line who can make things happen -- both out of the backfield and as a receiver.
When the teams met the first time on Sept. 20, for example, he contributed 69 yards on 12 carries and he added five receptions for 69 yards in the Eagles' 27-16 win.
It's likely Westbrook will take on an even larger role in this game.
"I think the main question for us as an offense is: 'Can we live without T.O.?'" Westbrook said. "I think a lot of people have asked that question in a number of different ways. But we have other people who can make plays. It's our opportunity on Sunday to go out and show it. ..."
Meanwhile, Pinkston talked at length to reporters Monday -- something that doesn't happen often these days.
According to Philadelphia Daily News beat man Les Bowens, Pinkston repeatedly denied any feelings of wanting to prove anything to fans or commentators, and would not make any predictions about his play.
"I'm not getting into it," Pinkston said. "I know what I'm going to do, and I know what my teammates expect of me. ... I don't like to talk. That's not me. I don't want to get into talking and saying what I'm going to do. The only thing to do is go out and display your talent on the field. ... The only thing I worry about is a 'W.' I don't worry what's been said in the past about me."
Pinkston said he didn't expect the harsh criticism he has received after seeming to shy away from contact in recent games.
"You're going to get that. I didn't expect it, but it happens, and unfortunately, it happened to a good guy like me. I don't worry about it," he said.
And finally, on the injury front. ...
According to Pro Football Weekly, tight end L.J. Smith was hampered by inflammation in his back over the last few weeks of the regular season, and as a precaution, the Eagles have limited his involvement in practice over the past several days.
However, the ailment is considered minor, and the tight end plans to be in the starting lineup when the team takes the field for Sunday's playoff matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.
Linebacker Mark Simoneau is doubtful with a strained ankle, but Owens is the only player currently ruled out for Sunday
Of course, rested teams sometimes get rusty.
But probably not the Steelers -- head coach Bill Cowher won't allow it: He had the backups playing hard in Buffalo, and the starters surely will come out strong against the Jets.
Meanwhile, Associated Press sports writer Alan Robinson reports that Jerome Bettis and Duce Staley split time during practice Tuesday and Cowher might not announce a starter until Saturday.
"They're both going to play," Cowher said after the Steelers resumed practicing following a three-day layoff prior to this week's game. "We'll see how we are on game day."
Bettis (941 yards) and Staley (830 yards) split time during the regular season, but only after Staley injured a hamstring Oct. 31 against New England.
Bettis, used mostly as a short-yardage back until then, stepped in with six 100-yard games in as many starts before sitting out Jan. 2 at Buffalo with a sprained ankle. Staley started that day, but was pulled from what was a meaningless game for Pittsburgh after carrying eight times for 21 yards.
Staley had four 100-yard games in a five-game stretch before he was injured, but didn't gain more than 51 yards in any game during the second half of the season. He appeared to have less acceleration and power after returning, but Cowher was happy Tuesday.
"He looked good today," the coach said.
Robinson went on to note that Bettis was the more productive back as the regular season ended, but the former Notre Dame standout expects Cowher to go with whichever back does well early against the Jets.
Staley started Pittsburgh's 17-6 victory over the Jets on Dec. 12, but was lifted after being held to 51 yards on 16 carries. Bettis came on to gain 57 yards on 10 carries and a touchdown and threw a scoring pass on a halfback option play.
"It doesn't really matter, because I promise you both of us are going to play," Bettis said. "It's a two-headed monster. The guy who lines up there (to start the game) I don't think is too significant."
To Bettis, it doesn't matter if he knows in advance who will start. Bettis didn't know he would start Nov. 7 against Philadelphia until several hours before the game, and he responded with a season-high 149 yards on 33 carries.
"You have to approach this game, as a running back, as if you're going to start," Bettis said. "Early this season I approached it that way, even when I got in for only one or two plays.
"It's a matter of how the team is doing, of who's got the hot hand."
For what it's worth, Pro Football Weekly suggested Monday that Bettis will get the call. ...
Other notes of interest. ...
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette staffer Ed Bouchette noted Tuesday morning that Cowher does not have Roethlisberger on the injury list for this week's playoff game against the Jets.
In fact, Cowher issued one of the healthiest injury reports of the season with all players listed no worse than probable for Saturday's game. Also noticeably absent on the injury list: wide receiver Plaxico Burress.
Burress missed five of the final six games with a hamstring injury. He practiced last week.
Among those listed as probable are Staley (groin), Bettis (ankle) and fellow halfback Verron Haynes (knee).
According to Bouchette, Roethlisberger practiced all last week after missing the Jan. 2 regular-season finale in Buffalo with bruised ribs that he sustained in the third quarter of the Dec. 26 game against Baltimore.
Cowher said he does not expect his quarterback to feel any more pressure in his first playoff game than he did his first start Sept. 26 in Miami.
"The only thing that changes is the quality of the teams that you play in the playoffs," Cowher said. "All the attention that takes place and all the scrutiny that exists, that's going to be there. I think that this team has done a pretty good job of handling that and keeping things in perspective."
It's also time to remove the "rookie" from Roethlisberger's list of descriptive adjectives, Cowher implied.
"To me, there are no rookies anymore. My gosh, we have played almost two college seasons already."
But as Robinson suggested Tuesday, Roethlisberger certainly played like a rookie in the Steelers' 17-6 victory over the Jets on Dec. 12. The youngster looked uncomfortable and played ineffectively, throwing two interceptions and getting sacked twice as Pittsburgh was held to only three points until the fourth quarter.
Roethlisberger picked up his play in the final period by leading two touchdown drives, but his statistics -- 9-of-19 for 144 yards -- were his worst of the season. He didn't even lead the Steelers in touchdown passes. Bettis had one to his none.
Roethlisberger threw for only 24 yards in the first half. Nearly all of his yardage came as he completed four of his final five passes for 99 yards, including a 46-yarder to Lee Mays that led to Bettis' 12-yard touchdown run.
"They were bringing a lot of people, and penalties hurt us a lot," Roethlisberger said. "We did not play a good first half of football offensively. We made some mistakes, but the good thing is we got out with the win."
Afterward, it was suggested that Roethlisberger was regressing and had hit the so-called rookie wall. But he bounced back a week later to throw for 316 yards and a touchdown as the Steelers beat the New York Giants 33-30.
Still, as the Sporting News suggested Monday, the Steelers will not waver from what they do best, and that's run the ball.
Roethlisberger never attempted more than 25 passes in a game, and that's because the Steelers finished the regular season with the league's No. 2 run offense. They do not ask him to win the game, merely manage it for their run game and No. 1 ranked defense. ...
And finally. ...
Roethlisberger announced on Tuesday that he'll donate his first NFL playoff paycheck to the tsunami victims relief effort.
Even on a team that openly encourages its players to participate in charity activities and community events, Roethlisberger's $18,000 gesture before Saturday's Jets-Steelers game created a positive stir.
"Wow, I didn't even know that," receiver Hines Ward said. "Guys do a lot of different things in different ways that people don't always hear about, but that's great -- that's for a great cause, definitely. That's a big tragedy, and I hope everyone will at least donate (something)."
"The window to make that throw is not very long," Martz said. "You have to have great confidence to make that throw. Most quarterbacks would be reluctant to make that throw. He didn't hesitant, he didn't bat an eye, and he just put (the ball) right home."
Cleeland managed to pull down the high pass from Bulger right before taking a hard hit from Seattle safety Ken Hamlin.
"Probably one of the better catches we've had since I have been here in terms of being extremely meaningful," Martz said of Cleeland's catch, which put the Rams ahead 27-20 with 2:11 left to play. "I think it was outstanding and it deserves to go down in Rams folklore as being one of the franchise's biggest catches."
Martz said Bulger has come back better than ever from a bruised throwing shoulder that sidelined him for two games late in the season.
"There is no question about his arm strength," Martz said. "I don't know if Marc would be happy that I said this, but his arm looked weary. I didn't realize that he was actually hurt. He didn't say anything to anybody. After that time off and coming back, he has some zip on the ball that is pretty remarkable, and it's one of the reasons he is throwing the deep ball so doggone well."
Bulger had pass completions of 52 and 50 yards in the first half against the Seahawks.
Bulger has thrown for 988 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions in his three games back from the shoulder injury. He's completing 68 percent of his passes over that span.
"He is so accurate and so quick with the ball, and he knows what is going on out on the field better than he ever has before," Martz said.
Martz said Bulger's knowledge of the Rams' offense has enabled him to be more creative in preparing the team's offensive game plans in recent weeks.
"I think Marc right now is capable of doing anything that we ask him to do, obviously within reason, but we can be unreasonable sometimes," Martz said. "He is playing at the highest level right now. He is truly remarkable. Some of the things that he sees and does, I didn't know that he could do. ..." Other notes of interest. ...
The coaching staff chose receiver Kevin Curtis as their offensive player of the game for the win over the Seahawks.
A broken leg suffered in the preseason limited Curtis, a third-round selection from Utah State in the 2003 draft, to four games last season. He caught only four passes for 13 yards, and he didn't play in the Rams' 23-20 playoff loss to Carolina.
But the second-year man had four catches for career-high 107 yards against the Seahawks. He had a 50-yard reception on the first play of the second quarter, setting up a 1-yard touchdown run by Marshall Faulk.
Six days earlier, Curtis caught a personal-best six passes for 99 yards in a 32-29 overtime victory against the New York Jets that sent the Rams into the playoffs. Curtis' late surge has boosted his season totals to 36 receptions for 528 yards.
Curtis shrugged off his two-game burst, saying, "It just kind of worked out that way. I've had some balls thrown in my direction, and I've been able to contribute a little more."
His coach, though, didn't play down the impact made by Curtis and other emerging youngsters.
"We really are developing and maturing as a team," Martz said moments after the Seahawks' fourth-down pass with 21 seconds to go fell incomplete in the end zone. "You could see some young players have some terrific success out there. There are a lot of good young players here that played at a really high level. ..."
In a column published Monday, Sports Illustrated insider Peter King made the following observation: "Isaac Bruce looks a step slower. Torry Holt doesn't. ..."
Hard to argue there. ... Holt topped all Rams receivers with six receptions and 108 yards, scoring once, against Seattle. Bruce contributed 40 receiving yards on three catches.
Meanwhile, the Rams get what they want in Atlanta Saturday night -- an indoor stadium and a fast track. Unfortunately, the Rams are a bad road team -- 3-6 now, with two wins in Seattle and the third over San Francisco, the NFL's worst team this season.
And just when it started to look like rookie halfback Steven Jackson was about to take control of the backfield, he gets nicked up and sidetracked.
Right knee problems slowed him twice in December, basically costing him two games.
Jackson also suffered a wrist injury against Seattle, but he kept playing. Jackson had 10 carries for 36 yards in the game.
"He didn't look like he was running very well with it," Martz said. "He was kind of tip-toeing a little bit, and that's not like him."
According to St. Louis Post-Dispatch beat man Jim Thomas, Jackson underwent further examination on the ribs upon return from Seattle.
"I wanted to get them looked at and make sure that they were all right," he said. "The MRI just showed it as a muscle strain. It feels a lot better. It has loosened up. Over these two or three days that we had off, it's feeling a lot better and I'll be ready for Saturday."
Jackson said he doesn't plan to wear a flak jacket to protect the ribs.
As for his right knee injury, Jackson said, "It's not even an issue right now. I'm still rehabbing it. They're still treating it as an injury. But these last couple weeks, it's feeling great."
As the Sporting News pointed out this week: "Jackson is a big, powerful, fast, and patient runner. When it's all clicking, it's a scary combination. But if Jackson truly wants to put Faulk out to pasture, he's got to stay on the field. ..."
Also on the injury front. ...
Kicker Jeff Wilkins was seen limping after his final extra point Saturday against Seattle. But according to one team official, Wilkins had a leg cramp, not an aggravation of the sprained ankle on his plant foot that slowed him earlier in the season.
Martz said defensive tackle Tyoka Jackson is the only Rams player in danger of missing the team's game against the Falcons.
Jackson was inactive for the game against the Seahawks due to a sprained ankle.
"Everything does look positive for everybody with the exception Tyoka, who is still pretty questionable," Martz said. "Everybody else is in good shape. We should have everybody else."
That includes left guard Tom Nutten, who had to leave the game against the Seahawks after aggravating a knee injury in the fourth quarter.