Kickoff times changed for three Nov. games

(Oct. 31, 2005) -- The kickoff times for three NFL games in November have been changed, the league announced.

The changes are to accommodate CBS and FOX broadcast patterns.
The new times:

Nov. 13 -- Washington at Tampa Bay moves from 1 p.m. ET to 4:15 (FOX).
Nov. 20 -- Indianapolis at Cincinnati moves from 1 p.m. ET to 4:15 (CBS).
Nov. 20 -- Pittsburgh at Baltimore moves from 4:15 p.m. ET to 1 (CBS).
source : www.nfl.com

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NFL Preview - Baltimore (2-4) at Pittsburgh (4-2)

(Sports Network) - Last Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers showed one member of the AFC North who the king of the division truly was. On Monday night, Bill Cowher and company will look to reinforce that message within the friendly confines of Heinz Field.

Division rival Baltimore will make its way to the Steel City on Monday, and Pittsburgh, a 27-13 winner in Cincinnati in Week 7, will look to end a rare two-game home losing streak when they face the struggling Ravens. The Steelers have lost consecutive games at Heinz Field for the first time since 2003, dropping back-to-back tilts against New England (23-20) and Jacksonville (23-17 in overtime). Last Sunday's win over Cincinnati made Cowher's club 3-0 on the road in 2005, including a Monday night triumph over San Diego in Week 5.

The Ravens, meanwhile, will be seeking to halt their road losing streak at six games dating back to last season. That task will be extra difficult as Baltimore will be without its top two defensive stars, linebacker Ray Lewis (hamstring) and strong safety Ed Reed (high ankle sprain). Baltimore comes off a 10-6 loss in Chicago last Sunday.

SERIES HISTORY
The Steelers hold a 12-6 edge in the all-time regular season series with the Ravens, and were 20-7 home winners when the teams last met, in Week 16 of last season. Baltimore dealt Pittsburgh its only regular season loss of 2004, a 30-13 setback in Charm City in Week 2. The Ravens have lost in their last three regular season trips to Pittsburgh, with their most recent win at Heinz Field coming by a 13-10 margin in 2001. Baltimore is 3-6 on the road against the Steelers all-time, excluding playoffs.

Pittsburgh won the only postseason meeting between the teams, a 27-10 triumph in a 2001 AFC Divisional Playoff at home.

Cowher is 13-6 against Baltimore all-time (including postseason), while the Ravens' Brian Billick is 5-8 overall against both Cowher and Pittsburgh.


No. 1 wideout Derrick Mason (37 receptions, 1 TD) was limited to two grabs for 38 yards, and fellow wideout Randy Hymes (6 receptions) had two catches for 25 yards. Rookie Mark Clayton (12 receptions), who missed last week with an ankle injury, is questionable for Monday night. A porous Raven line has allowed 15 sacks thus far in 2005, including four against the Bears. Baltimore was 20th in the league in passing offense (199.7 yards per game) heading into Week 8.

The Pittsburgh secondary did a fine job against Bengals QB Carson Palmer last Sunday, intercepting Palmer twice and holding him to a sub-100 passer rating for the first time in 10 contests. Safety Chris Hope (39 tackles, 2 INT) had an interception to go along with six solo tackles in the win, and end Aaron Smith (12 tackles, 1 sack) posted a rare interception on the day. Cornerbacks Deshea Townsend (17 tackles, 1 sack) and Ike Taylor (42 tackles) will likely be responsible for slowing Mason and the receiving corps on Monday, with Hope and fellow safety Troy Polamalu (33 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 INT) lending support.

The Steelers had a pair of sacks against Palmer last week, with ends Travis Kirschke and Kimo von Oelhoffen both breaking through for their first of the year. Pittsburgh has 20 sacks through its first six games, and outside linebacker Joey Porter (20 tackles) is the team leader with four. Cowher's team is 18th in NFL passing defense (206.2 yards per game).

Former All-Pro running back Jamal Lewis (326 rushing yards, 11 receptions, 2 TD) has yet to get untracked in 2005, and admitted to reporters earlier this week that his contract situation and ankle problems have affected his performance on the field. Lewis, who is averaging just 2.9 yards per rush, carried 15 times for 34 yards against Chicago. Lewis' lack of production and questionable effort could lead to more touches for backup Chester Taylor (223 rushing yards, 16 receptions), who is averaging 6.0 yards per carry and had two rushes for 21 yards last Sunday.

Complicating matters for the running backs is a calf injury that will sideline fullback Alan Ricard, while backup fullback Ovie Mughelli is questionable with an ankle injury. Rookie Justin Green, who had one catch against the Bears, could be pressed into service as a blocker for Lewis and Taylor. Baltimore was 20th in NFL rushing offense (96.8 yards per game) as Week 8 began.
Seeking to continue Lewis' misery will be a Steeler defense that ranked sixth in NFL rushing defense (90 yards per game) as Week 8 began. Pittsburgh limited the Bengal rushing game to just 91 yards a week ago, including 65 yards on 12 carries for Rudi Johnson. Inside linebackers James Farrior (53 tackles, 1 sack) and Larry Foote (36 tackles) combined for 11 tackles in the win. Up front, nose tackle and No. 1 Pittsburgh run-stuffer Casey Hampton (18 tackles) had three stops against Cincinnati.

RAVENS OFFENSE VS. STEELERS DEFENSE Ravens quarterback Anthony Wright (1177 passing yards, 5 TD, 7 INT) will make his sixth start in place of the injured Kyle Boller this week, though Boller (hyperextended toe) could serve as the team's No. 2 quarterback for the first time since being injured in Week 1. Wright carries a 73.2 passer rating with him into Week 8, and comes off an 18-of-32 for 164-yard aerial performance against Chicago. Wright did not throw a touchdown pass or an interception in the loss. Tight end Todd Heap (28 receptions, 2 TD) was Wright's favorite target against the Bears, catching seven passes for 71 yards in the loss.

STEELERS OFFENSE VS. RAVENS DEFENSE
The Pittsburgh running game put together a performance for the ages last Sunday, when it churned up 221 ground yards against the Bengals. Willie Parker (539 yards, 3 TD) was at the forefront of that effort, piling up 131 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, while veteran Jerome Bettis (114 rushing yards, 1 TD) spelled Parker with 56 carries on 13 totes. Third running back Verron Haynes (98 rushing yards, 1 TD) got in on the action with 11 carries for 35 yards. Veteran Duce Staley, who has appeared in just one game this season and does not have a touch in 2005, is likely to be inactive on Monday. The Steelers ranked seventh in the league in rushing offense (136.3 yards per game) heading into Week 8.

Stopping the Steeler running attack will be a major chore for a Baltimore defense that will be without middle linebacker and future Hall-of-Famer Ray Lewis (46 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT), who will be out with a hamstring injury. Outside linebacker Tommy Polley (17 tackles, 2 sacks) will shift to Lewis' spot, and special teams ace Bart Scott (11 tackles) will be the new starter on the outside. Baltimore will need a major run-stopping effort from its defensive line, with tackles Kelly Gregg (20 tackles, 0.5 sacks) and Maake Kemoeatu (10 tackles) at the forefront of that mission. The Ravens allowed Chicago's Thomas Jones to amass 139 ground yards on 25 carries last Sunday, and now rank ninth in the league against the run (98.8 yards per game).

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (1006 passing yards, 9 TD, 1 INT) gave the Steelers his usual spark last Sunday, when he returned from a one-game absence due to a hyperextended knee and completed an efficient 9-of-14 passes for 93 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Roethlisberger's scoring strikes went to wideout Hines Ward (21 receptions, 5 TD) and tight end Heath Miller (16 receptions, 4 TD), who were the only two Steelers to catch passes in the win. Miller had six grabs for 58 yards against the Bengals, and Ward posted the other three receptions for 35 yards. Roethlisberger will look to get No. 2 wideout Antwaan Randle El (13 receptions, 1 TD) more heavily involved this week. The Steelers rank just 24th in the league in passing offense (182.7 yards per game), but Roethlisberger has a league-best 120.7 passer rating.

Even the Ravens' top-ranked NFL passing defense (152.8 yards per game) could have trouble on Monday night, as Pro Bowl strong safety Ed Reed (19 tackles) will be on the shelf with an ankle injury. Chad Williams (11 tackles) will take Reed's spot in the lineup. Cornerbacks Chris McAlister (19 tackles, 1 INT) and Samari Rolle (9 tackles) will contend with Ward and Randle El. The Baltimore pass rush has just 13 sacks on the year, including two recorded against Chicago last Sunday. Outside linebacker Adalius Thomas (29 tackles) had one of the sacks last week, boosting his team-leading total to three on the year. The team's best 2004 pass rusher, Terrell Suggs (31 tackles, 1.5 sacks) has made more headlines with untimely penalties than with strong play thus far in '05.

OVERALL ANALYSIS
The Ravens weren't a very good team with Ray Lewis and Ed Reed in the lineup earlier this year, and they'll be far less of one without them. The Steelers will simply dominate both lines of scrimmage in this contest, the inept Baltimore offense will get nothing going against the playmaking Steelers defense, and Monday Night viewers should be able to turn in around halftime knowing that this one is safely in the bag for the home team.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Steelers 25, Ravens 6

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Pack falls to 1-6 with 21-14 loss to Bengals

CINCINNATI — Now it’s probably just a matter of how far the Green Bay Packers’ season unravels. Their 21-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium had its own unusual, even bizarre finish with a fan running on the field to cut off a crucial play in the game’s final seconds.

But in most ways it bore the mark of several other Packers losses in this fading season.
As they did in a defeats at Carolina and Minnesota, the undermanned Packers had little running game to speak of and a defense that played at least one bad half, but they were still in the game coming down to the final possession. As in those games, the Packers made a gallant last-ditch comeback, but as happens to teams that don’t quite measure up, they’d sprung too many leaks in too many places to actually pull out the win, or at least the tie on this day, on the game’s final possession.

“A lot of almosts,” coach Mike Sherman said. “This has been the almost season.”
The Packers dropped to 1-6, which in the incomparably bad NFC North Division doesn’t in and of itself knock a team out of playoff contention. The Packers are only three games out of first place after Chicago took over the top spot at 4-3 with an overtime win over Detroit, who now is in second at 3-4.

But in reality, the Packers are simply trying to avoid completely falling apart. Coming into the season, they weren’t the team they’d been the past several years, but now they’re not even a shell of the club that closed training camp in early September. Season-ending injuries to Javon Walker, Ahman Green, Najeh Davenport and Terrence Murphy have seen to that.

“(Sunday’s loss) had nothing to do with injuries,” Sherman said. “We turned the ball over too many times, didn’t get off the field on third down in the first half. It’s that simple.”

So less than halfway through the NFL’s 16-game marathon regular season, the Packers are playing for pride. Some players still were talking as if the playoffs were realistic, though whether that’s out of habit or genuine hope is another matter.

“We still play for (the playoffs),” linebacker Nick Barnett said. “We’re not far out of it. You never know what’s going to happen. If anything, play for yourselves, play for your team. That’s where our hopes are, that we’re playing for the playoffs, but before you play for the playoffs, you still have to play for your team.”

At 1-6, though, it’s getting hard for anyone in the organization to keep up pretenses.
“All I’m concerned about is trying to get this team another win,” Favre said.

Sunday at least offered one of the more bizarre endings to a Packers game in the last decade. Favre, despite the five interceptions, actually was poised for a possible repeat of his first great moment in the NFL. His first meaningful playing time in the NFL came against these same Bengals in the third game of the 1992 season, when after replacing injured Don Majkowski he brought the Packers back for a stunning 24-23 win at Lambeau Field by leading a final-minute touchdown drive.

On Sunday he pulled the Packers to within a touchdown with 3 minutes, 11 seconds left, then got the ball back with 56 seconds remaining at his own 10, which quickly became the 5 because of a Chad Clifton penalty. With the help of what appeared to be a gift 48-yard interference call, Favre had the Packers at Cincinnati’s 28 with 23 seconds to play.

But just as he took the snap on a no-huddle call, the officials stopped play because a fan had jumped the fence and run onto the field. He even took the ball from Favre, who didn’t see him.
The Bengals rested and set their defense as security chased down and then arrested the man. Defensive end Duane Clemons then sacked Favre on the next play.

“That play might have put us in the end zone, who knows?” receiver Donald Driver said.

Cincinnati linebacker Brian Simmons said the fan’s actions allowed the Bengals valuable time to collect their thoughts at a critical stage of the game.

“They were in a hurry-up, and that did slow it down and give us a chance to huddle, and we kind of came together as a defense,” Simmons said.

When Favre got the team lined up, he faked a clock-stopping spike to set up the final play and instead tried to catch Cincinnati flat footed. He dodged a pass rusher but then couldn’t find a receiver, and time ran out as he crossed the line of scrimmage and threw an underhand pass to Franks.

Thus ended a game in which the Packers actually outgained the Bengals 353 yards to 317 even though they had little to speak of for a running game with Tony Fisher, Reshard Lee and even newly activated Samkon Gado at halfback. Fisher averaged only 3.0 yards on 17 carries in the Packers’ pass-heavy offense, which saw Favre throw 35 passes.

Favre’s five interceptions was the second-most of his career, behind only the six interceptions he threw in the Packers’ playoff loss at St. Louis in the 2001 season.

“Early in my career we were able to overcome a bad play, a careless play,” Favre said. “But now I can’t afford to waste one play. Like the one I throw to Fish and the guy hits me in the leg, I thought it was going to be a hell of a play. I said, ‘If I ‘m going to get drilled like this, this is going to be a hell of a play to capitalize on.’”
source: www.packersnews.com

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SMACKDOWN: Garcia lets one get away in OT; Bears score on pick

You could see the pain in Jeff Garcia.

His left leg, because of the fracture he had suffered eight weeks before, was padded and wrapped. His right leg, because of the beating he had taken all afternoon, was scraped and bloody. His eyes, because of the big mistake he had just made, were red and watery.

"Just trying to make a play," Garcia said Sunday, standing at a lectern after the Lions' 19-13 overtime loss to Chicago at Ford Field. "I know from experience not to throw the ball across the field while I'm rolling one way or the other. It's just looking for bad things to happen."
After erasing a 10-point second-half deficit, the Lions found themselves with a third-and-five at their own 18 more than six minutes into overtime.

Garcia dropped back, rolled to his right and threw the ball across the middle for wide receiver Mike Williams -- only to have Chicago cornerback Charles Tillman cut in front of Williams, intercept the pass, return it 22 yards into the end zone and hurt the Lions' chances to host a playoff game the season the Super Bowl will be played on their home turf.

The Bears sit atop the NFC North at 4-3. The Lions are 3-4, but they're practically two games behind, because the first tiebreaker is head-to-head, and they've lost both of their games against Chicago. The Bears beat them, 38-6, on Sept. 18.

"It's disappointing," Garcia said. "It's an emotional game. It's one thing where you battle for 60-plus minutes and it kind of falls on your shoulders to make a play. Just didn't make the right decision, and so I take that hard, I take the personally. It's just something that you learn from and you move on, but right now it hurts."

Garcia, who suffered a fractured left fibula and sprained left ankle in the exhibition finale Sept. 2 at Buffalo, replaced Joey Harrington as the Lions' starting quarterback last week at Cleveland. His health didn't seem to limit him in that game, and his improvisations helped the Lions to a 13-10 victory.

This time, against a better and tougher defense, it was a different story for Garcia, who was 23-for-35 for 197 yards, no TDs and a 68.4 passer rating.

He took a hit on the Lions' second play from scrimmage and came up limping. It wasn't the last time. He took a helmet-to-helmet shot from defensive tackle Tommie Harris in the third quarter.

"Several different times, I asked him, 'How are you doing?' " coach Steve Mariucci said. "I said, 'If you get to a point where you feel sore enough where you're not functional like we need you to be, you make sure you tell me.' He said, 'I will.' "

Garcia said he didn't have the mobility he had last week, but he decided to stay in the game. Asked about Garcia's status for next week's game at Minnesota, Mariucci said: "We'll see. We'll see how sore he is and how functional we think he can be."

A Garcia gamble cost the Lions the game in overtime, and another almost cost them the game in the fourth quarter.

With the game tied at 13 and the Lions starting a drive at their own 28, Chicago linebacker Brian Urlacher came in on a delayed blitz. Garcia sort of backhanded the ball toward the left sideline.
Linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer scooped up the ball and ran it into the end zone. After a lengthy delay, it was ruled an incomplete pass and Garcia was called for intentional grounding.
"I need to be able to accept that there's an end to the play sometimes, and that I can't always find ways to make plays and create and just take the sack and move on to the next play," Garcia said.

The Lions had the bulk of the possession time in the first quarter, but they took only a 3-0 lead. Jason Hanson missed a 46-yard field-goal attempt to end their first drive, then made a 32-yarder to end their second.

The Bears took a 13-3 lead in the second quarter. After narrowly avoiding a safety, the Bears drove 99 yards finishing with a 23-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kyle Orton to wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad. Then Robbie Gould kicked field goals of 38 and 20 yards.
Running back Kevin Jones cut the Bears' lead to 13-10 with a six-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. The touchdown was just the Lions' second on offense in 11 quarters, and the 85-yard drive was their longest for a touchdown this season.

Hanson tied the game with a 30-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. The Lions were at the Chicago 37 late in regulation, but Garcia took a sack on second down that pushed them out of field-goal range and couldn't complete a pass on third down.

The Lions won the toss and started overtime with the ball, but they went three-and-out. It looked like the Lions were going to get lucky, because Orton overthrew Muhammad when a completion would have put the Bears into field-goal range, and Chicago ended up punting.
But then came Garcia's interception.

"To just give it away so easily at the end, it's a major disappointment," Garcia said. "But it's a long season, and we need to regroup, and I'll regroup."

Contact NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA at 313-222-8831 or cotsonika@freepress.com.
Quarterback Jeff Garcia shovels a pass to Shawn Bryson before he's dragged down by Bears cornerback Charles Tillman in the fourth quarter Sunday. -->
source : www.freep.com

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Lions' Williams and Rogers out against Bears

Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - Detroit Lions wide receiver Roy Williams and defensive tackle Shaun Rogers ARE inactive for Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears.

Williams will miss the game with a quadricep injury, while Rogers has a knee ailment.

Williams has now missed Detroit's last three games and hasn't played since the Lions' 35-17 win over Baltimore in Week 5. The wideout has made only 12 catches in four games this season for 187 yards and one touchdown.

Rogers, meanwhile, has played in all of the Lions' previous six games this season, registering 15 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

Scottie Vines will start in the place of Williams, while Shaun Cody is listed behind Rogers on the team's depth chart.
article source: www.sportsnetwork.com

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Three keys to Packers-Bengals game

Fisher King

If the Packers can’t run the ball well today, it will bode poorly for playing the rest of the season without halfbacks Ahman Green and Najeh Davenport. Cincinnati’s defense is ranked 27th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed and 30th in yards allowed per carry, and the run defense was punished in recent losses to Jacksonville (181 yards rushing) and Pittsburgh (221 yards rushing). Tony Fisher, the Packers’ new starter, is no Fred Taylor, Willie Parker or Jerome Bettis, but Cincinnati hasn’t shut the door on lesser-light running backs, either, allowing Chicago’s Thomas Jones to rack up 106 yards. Fisher has only 14 carries on the season, but he’ll get a chance to carry the load for a full game. Their chances of winning will go up if they have something approaching a respectable running game.


Here’s Carson

Cincinnati has a rising young quarterback in Carson Palmer and premier receiver in Chad Johnson, who combine with halfback Rudi Johnson to give the Bengals one of the better offenses in the NFL. Palmer has put up big numbers, Chad Johnson is third in the NFL in receptions (43) and Rudi Johnson is a between-the-tackles runner who churns out yardage every week (609 yards), though he doesn’t have breakaway speed. The Packers don’t have much of a pass rush when they rush only their front four, so defensive coordinator Jim Bates might have to blitz to make Palmer uncomfortable. Bates also has to decide whether to match cornerback Al Harris on Chad Johnson all over the field, or play the standard defense, which could put Ahmad Carroll or others on Johnson occasionally.

New offense

Regardless of the running game, coach Mike Sherman and coordinator Tom Rossley have to tweak the Packers’ offense now that they’re missing not only Javon Walker and Terrence Murphy, but also Robert Ferguson at receiver. Antonio Chatman moves up to the No. 2 receiver behind impressive Donald Driver, but even if Chatman has developed into a functional receiver, he’s too small a target to be a major part of a game plan. Sherman and Rossley have no alternative but to shade their passing game to their strongest position, tight end, where backups David Martin (11 receptions) and Donald Lee (five receptions) have enough speed and skill to get more favorable matchups among the team’s watered-down skill players.
article source : www.packersnews.com

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White leads list of Fame candidates nfl roundup

CANTON, Ohio -- Reggie White, a two-time NFL defensive player of the year who died last year at 43, heads a list of players, coaches and contributors eligible for induction in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

White is eligible for the first time along with quarterbacks Troy Aikman and Warren Moon. Other first-year eligible players include running back Thurman Thomas, wide receiver Andre Reed and offensive lineman Dermontti Dawson.

NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue and longtime owners Art Modell and Ralph Wilson are on the preliminary list that includes five former head coaches and 11 contributors.

From a preliminary list, Hall of Fame selectors will choose 25 candidates who will advance as semifinalists. That list will be trimmed to 13 candidates, who will join veterans committee nominees John Madden and Rayfield Wright as finalists.

The Class of 2006 will be announced on Feb. 4, the day before the Super Bowl in Detroit.

Baltimore: Ravens fullback Alan Ricard was placed on injured reserve, ending his season after six games because of chronic calf injuries. A Pro Bowl alternate in 2003, Ricard has started just two games this season after aggravating calf injuries.

Buffalo: Cornerback Terrence McGee signed a four-year contract extension Friday, allowing the Bills to lock up their No. 2 pass defender and Pro Bowl kickoff returner through 2009. The deal was worth $18 million and includes a $5 million signing bonus, McGee's agent, Terry Bolar, told The Associated Press.

Green Bay: Tight end David Martin might miss Sunday's game against Cincinnati after straining his right hamstring. Martin, second on the depth chart behind Pro Bowler Bubba Franks, was injured while running routes during a 2-minute drill near the end of practice Thursday, coach Mike Sherman said.

Oakland: Safety Derrick Gibson was placed on injured reserve Friday, five days after dislocating his left wrist. Gibson was injured in Oakland's victory over Buffalo. Oakland signed linebacker Isaiah Ekejiuba from the practice squad to take Gibson's roster spot.

Philadelphia: Pro Bowl cornerback Lito Sheppard could miss the Eagles' game at Denver after injuring his knee in practice. Sheppard was hurt when he collided with wide receiver Greg Lewis on Thursday and didn't practice Friday. He's listed as questionable for Sunday.

Notebook: The National Arbitration Forum ruled in favor of NFL career rushing leader Emmitt Smith in a dispute over emmittsmith.com, a Web site registered to a Vancouver, British Columbia-based company since 2001. Tyrus R. Atkinson Jr. found that Smith "possesses common law rights in his name based on the fame and reputation associated with his NFL career, and that the Web address was confusingly similar," the forum said in a press release. Smith filed a complaint with the Forum in September. The Web site redirected Internet users to a commercial site featuring links to third-party businesses unrelated to Smith.

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Raiders S Gibson placed on injured reserve

Raiders safety Derrick Gibson was placed on injured reserve, five days after dislocating his left wrist.

Gibson was injured early in Oakland's 38-17 victory over Buffalo. The fifth-year pro from Florida State underwent surgery to place pins in his wrist.
Oakland signed linebacker Isaiah Ekejiuba from the practice squad to take Gibson's roster spot. Jarrod Cooper, Stanford Routt and Chris Carr all will help fill Gibson's absence on Sunday at Tennessee.

Gibson's promising career repeatedly has been derailed by injuries. He missed all of the 2004 season on injured reserve after he dislocated his shoulder in the final preseason game.

The Raiders also lost star cornerback Charles Woodson in the win over Buffalo. Woodson, a four-time Pro Bowl player, is expected to be out six to eight weeks with a broken right leg.
article source : www.nfl.com

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Bengals’ Graham sets high standard

Aspiring NFL placekickers and their agents see opportunity in imperfection. It is why the phone in Darrin Simmons’ office at Paul Brown Stadium rings if Bengals kicker Shayne Graham misses a field-goal attempt.

“They just see that we missed a field goal and think we’re going to replace a guy,” said Simmons, the Bengals’ special teams coach. “They haven’t done their homework to know the history of what he’s meant to this place as far as field-goal production is concerned. It’s funny to me.”
In the performance-driven world of NFL kickers, where points and percentages determine success and longevity, an impressive body of work has afforded Graham a measure of job security.

All that separates the 27-year-old from coronation as the most accurate kicker in team history are his next two field-goal attempts, which could come Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.
“A lot of it is maturity,” said Graham, who joined the Bengals in September 2003 and received a five-year, $6.5 million contract this offseason. “Darrin’s coaching is good, because he knows what he’s talking about when we do our drills. A lot of it is confidence.”

Doug Pelfrey established the team’s field-goal accuracy mark with a 77.3 percent success rate on 198 field-goal attempts from 1993 to 1999.

Graham has made 63 of 73 field-goal attempts (86.3 percent) in 39 games with the Bengals. The team requires a minimum of 75 attempts to qualify for the record.

“Anytime he goes out on the field, you feel good that we’re going to come away with three points,” Simmons said. “The past couple of weeks don’t really suggest that, but the one thing he can’t do is panic. He knows what things have got him here.”

The 60 points scored by Graham this season — a sum that ranks fourth among the league’s scoring leaders and has him on pace to break a team scoring record (122) he established last season — have come on 14 made field goals and 18 extra-point attempts.

His three missed field goals, including a 30-yard try against Pittsburgh on Sunday, are one fewer than he had all of last season.

“I realize I’ve got to hunker down and do a little better job than I’ve done,” Graham said. “There’s a standard in this league, a standard I hold for myself and a standard that the coaches have for me that I feel I need to perform.

“I don’t feel I’m doing that. It’s my job to fix that and get it where it needs to be.”

Kevin Kelly writes for The Cincinnati Enquirer. E-mail him at kkelly@enquirer.com

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Brandt's fantasy analysis: Week 8

Week 7 was not exactly a fantasy player's delight. It started with four highly productive players -- Tom Brady, Steve Smith, Cadillac Williams and Fred Taylor -- all on bye weeks. Adding to that, fantasy staples LaDainian Tomlinson, Peyton Manning, Randy Moss and Terrell Owens all failed to post big numbers. We had just one 300-yard passer (Brett Favre), we had eight 100-yard rushers (there were nine this weekend last season). We had four 100-yard receivers (as opposed to 13 this time last year).

Of course, take fantasy numbers out of the equation and it was a tremendous weekend: We had a record five fourth-quarter comebacks by teams that were down seven or more points. Minnesota won on the last play of the game on a career-best 56-yard field goal by Paul Edinger; the Giants beat the Broncos on an Eli Manning TD pass with five seconds left; Josh Brown's 50-yard field goal as time expired gave Seattle a win over Dallas; and Philadelphia and St. Louis both won with late comebacks.

There were some interesting fantasy developments, as two rookie running backs had long TD runs -- Ronnie Brown of Miami had a 65-yarder and the 49ers' Frank Gore went 72 yards.
Here are the fantasy matchups to watch this week:

Vikings at Panthers: Minnesota is not a very good road team, offensively or defensively. They've won only two of their last 22 games outdoors on grass. In three road games this year, they've been outscored 95-21... But Carolina is 27th versus the pass, so Vikings QB Daunte Culpepper should do something in this game... For Carolina, I think QB Jake Delhomme has a big day against Minnesota's 25th-ranked defense. I also like RB Stephen Davis and WR Steve Smith.

Packers at Bengals: It would behoove somebody to pick up Green Bay WR Antonio Chatman, because I don't see how they can run the ball very much. I think Brett Favre will have a big game. I like WR Donald Driver, and to lesser extent RB Tony Fisher -- you can run on Cincinnati. Madieu Williams, a good safety, is out for Bengals... I like all the skill players for the Bengals -- QB Carson Palmer, RB Rudi Johnson, WR Chad Johnson -- and check the injury status of WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh.


Cardinals at Cowboys: I think it will be very hard for Arizona to handle the Dallas blitz. Last week, the Cardinals had 173 yards of total offense. Nothing has been said, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Kurt Warner at QB this week. Still, you have to play WRs Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald... Dallas QB Drew Bledsoe has 10 TDs and 0 INTs in four career games against Arizona... I like WR Terry Glenn... I don't think RB Julius Jones will play. Tyson Thompson and Marion Barber will get the carries. Thompson might be more talented, but I think Barber will see more action because he's better at blitz pickup, and the Cards are not bad on defense.
Bears at Lions: The matchup to watch is Bears C Olin Kreutz vs. Detroit DT Shaun Rogers... Chicago is third on defense, 28th on offense; Detroit is 9th on defense, 27th on offense. So not a lot of points will be scored in this game... Chicago QB Kyle Orton is playing better, with four TD passes and one INT in his last three games... I like Detroit QB Jeff Garcia in this game -- he adds a little life to their offense. That said, you've got to like WR Roy Williams -- but check the injury report on him.

Browns at Texans: Cleveland QB Trent Dilfer has been inconsistent -- 438 yards in his last three games with six INTs... RB Reuben Droughns is somebody you might want to play -- though he's yet to score a TD this season. I think WR Braylon Edwards will be the go-to guy now that he's back. In last year's meeting, Cleveland's Phil Dawson kicked five FGs... For Houston, I like RB Domanick Davis -- although he's got just one rushing TD in six games... QB David Carr attempted just nine passes last week, so it's hard to bank on Houston's passing game.
Dolphins at Saints: I like Miami RB Ricky Williams, as the Saints are good versus the pass and not good versus the run. Ronnie Brown can be dangerous, too, but I think Nick Saban might take advantage of the idea that Williams will be motivated to do well against the team that drafted him... For New Orleans, I like QB Aaron Brooks, WR Donte Stallworth and RB Aaron Stecker. You have to check WR Joe Horn's status. If he doesn't play, then WR Az Hakim should do well in his place.

Redskins at Giants: Washington is really in an offensive rhythm -- they're second overall in offense. Not bad, considering they scored 240 points all of last year (they've already got 135 points this year). The Giants are 31st on defense, allowing 411 yards per game... I like Washington QB Mark Brunell, who has six TDs in his last two games. I also like RB Clinton Portis and WR Santana Moss. TE Chris Cooley is becoming more of a factor... For the Giants, I like QB Eli Manning, WR Plaxico Burress, RB Tiki Barber and TE Jeremy Shockey. Manning is better at home -- he's thrown 12 TDs in his last seven home games dating back to last season. The Redskins are third overall on defense, but games against the Bears and 49ers have inflated those numbers.

Jaguars at Rams: Check RB Fred Taylor's status. I think the week off has helped, and the Rams are 28th overall on defense. I also like WR Jimmy Smith... Keep an eye on RB Alvin Pearman -- he's getting a little more action on offense, and he's also a very good kick returner. The Rams, meanwhile, have historically given up big plays on special teams... For St. Louis, it will be hard to run on Jacksonsville, but they'll get the ball into RB Steven Jackson's hands... Check on WR Torry Holt's status, as he was out last week. If he's in, he can do something. WR Kevin Curtis is starting to make waves. Jamie Martin starts at QB.

Raiders at Titans: QB Kerry Collins has seven TD passes in his last two versus Tennessee, but if the Titans look to stop big plays (like they did last week versus Arizona), then RB LaMont Jordan can have a big game... Defensive backs Charles Woodson and Derrick Gibson both are out for Oakland. WR Doug Gabriel has caught 11 passes in his last two games... I like Tennessee QB Steve McNair in this game, but he's thrown six TDs and nine INTs in his last five games versus the Raiders... WR Brandon Jones might be out, so TEs Erron Kinney and Ben Troupe become the primary targets. RB Travis Henry is back from suspension this week.


Chiefs at Chargers: Eight of the last nine games in this series have been decided by seven or less... I like QB Trent Green against San Diego, which is 29th against the pass and second against the run. That said, I also like TE Tony Gonzalez and RB Larry Johnson... For San Diego, I like Drew Brees, RB LaDainian Tomlinson, TE Antonio Gates and WR Keenan McCardell. The Chiefs are 27th overall on defense -- 30th versus the pass and eighth versus the run.

Eagles at Broncos: Both teams are very good against the run, so this should be an interesting matchup. I think you'll see Champ Bailey covering WR Terrell Owens wherever he goes. QB Donovan McNabb will throw the ball a lot. RB Brian Westbrook might not get many carries but he will see action catching the ball. Check TE LJ Smith's injury status... For Denver, RBs Mike Anderson and Tatum Bell will be okay -- not great. I like QB Jake Plummer, because you can pass on the Eagles, and WR Ashley Lelie. Plummer hasn't played great, but not bad either -- he hasn't had an interception since the second game of the season.

Buccaneers at 49ers: For Tampa Bay, I like QB Chris Simms here. People forgot that he actually won the job in 2004 until he got hurt, and then Brian Griese played so well that they couldn't take him out. I like WR Joey Galloway, although Galloway didn't get the bulk of the passes when Simms came in two weeks ago. If RB Cadillac Williams plays, he could have a big game. If it's Michael Pittman, he'll be okay. The Buccaneers are tops in overall defense -- first against the run and seventh against the pass. It'll be interesting to see if recently acquired QB Tim Rattay will help that defense play even better by divulging any tidbits about his former team... I don't know who you can play for San Francisco -- they are 31st overall on offense, they've had two games with no TDs, and Ken Dorsey might be starting at QB for an injured Alex Smith.

Bills at Patriots: I like RB Willis McGahee, because you can run on New England. I also like WR Lee Evans in this game... The Bills are third overall against the pass, but I still like Patriots QB Tom Brady, whose TD-INT ratio is 8-1 in his last three against Buffalo. I also like WR Deion Branch. If he's okay, I like RB Corey Dillon, and to a lesser extent Patrick Pass if Dillon doesn't play. Buffalo has only allowed five TD passes in seven games -- but how much of that is because teams run on them?

Ravens at Steelers: Apparently, Ed Reed and Ray Lewis aren't playing, though the Ravens haven't announced that yet. RB Jamal Lewis had 15 carries for 34 yards, and the team had just 199 total yards of offense last week. The Steelers, meanwhile, haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher in 18 games, so don't expect Lewis to shine here. Pittsburgh's two backs -- Jerome Bettis and Willie Parker -- will play well, even though the Ravens are second on defense. I continue to like TE Heath Miller.

Did you know?

1. Brett Favre needs 171 passing yards and 26 passing attempts to pass John Elway in those two categories.
Yards and attempts going into Sunday Favre: 51,305 yards, 7,225 attemptsElway: 51,475 yards, 7,250 attempts

Dan Marino is No. 1 in both categories.
2. For only the sixth time since 1989, a game will feature two players with seven or more sacks in seven games or less when the Oakland Raiders and Tennessee Titans play this weekend. Kyle VandenBosch (Titans) has seven-and-a-half and Derrick Burgess (Raiders) has seven. Both players are new to their teams this year.

Keith Millard, a Raiders assistant coach, is one of the previous players to do this. In 1989, Millard (Vikings)and Tim Harris (Packers) both had seven sacks when the two teams played.
3. Burgess has two sacks in three straight games and goes for his fourths straight game the week against Tennessee. The record is five in a row by Simeon Rice (Buccaneers) in 2002 and Kevin Greene (49ers and Panthers) from 1997-98.

4. Brett Favre has started 211 consecutive games, passing Fred Cox (Vikings) and Jim Otto (Raiders) last week for the fourth-longest starting streak ever recorded.
5. Neil Rackers (Cardinals) has made a franchise-best 20 consecutive field goals and is on pace for 53 field goals. Olindo Mare (Dolphins) and Jeff Wilkins (Rams) hold the record for most field goals in one season with 39 each.

6. The record for most field goals attempted in one season is 49 by Bruce Gossett (Rams) in 1966 and Curt Knight (Redskins) in 1971.

7. The Chicago Bears need one win to become the first NFL team with 650 regular season victories.

8. Clinton Portis (Redskins) needs 42 yards to reach 5,000 yards in 51 games and tie Jamal Lewis for fifth fastest to reach 5,000 all time.

9. In Week 7, NFC teams were 6-0 versus AFC teams. For the season, NFC teams lead 17-14.
10. Torry Holt has 36 career 100-yard games and needs one to tie Lance Alworth and Marvin Harrison for second-most for receivers in their first seven seasons.

11. Marty Schottenheimer (Chargers) was the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs from 1989-98. His record was 101-58-1. The Chargers and Chiefs play this weekend.

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Reggie White heads Hall of Fame nominees

CANTON, Ohio (Oct. 28, 2005) -- Reggie White, a two-time NFL defensive player of the year who died last year at 43, heads a list of players, coaches and contributors eligible for induction in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

White is eligible for the first time along with quarterbacks Troy Aikman and Warren Moon. Other first-year eligible players include running back Thurman Thomas, wide receiver Andre Reed and offensive lineman Dermontti Dawson.

NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue and longtime owners Art Modell and Ralph Wilson are on the preliminary list that includes five former head coaches and 11 contributors.

A member of the NFL's 75th anniversary team, White was named to the Pro Bowl a record 13 consecutive times from 1986-98. He earned top defensive player honors in 1987 and 1998. He retired in 2000 as the career sacks leader with 198, a mark later passed by Bruce Smith.

White, who played with Philadelphia, Green Bay and Carolina, died Dec. 26 in Cornelius, N.C.
From a preliminary list, Hall of Fame selectors will choose 25 candidates who will advance as semifinalists. That list will be trimmed to 13 candidates, who will join veterans committee nominees John Madden and Rayfield Wright as finalists.

The Class of 2006 will be announced on Feb. 4, the day before the Super Bowl in Detroit.
article source : www.nfl.com

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Jaguars Benefit From Opponents' Injuries

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Playing a team without one or more of its top players is nothing new for the Jacksonville Jaguars. They've done it all season.

They faced the Denver Broncos without cornerbacks Champ Bailey and Darrent Williams. They beat the Cincinnati Bengals without receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh. They upset the Pittsburgh Steelers without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and receiver Hines Ward.

They even edged the New York Jets after knocking out quarterbacks Chad Pennington and Jay Fiedler.

Now the Jaguars (4-2) are getting ready to play the St. Louis Rams, who could be without quarterback Marc Bulger and receivers Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce.

"We don't care who's playing," cornerback Rashean Mathis said Wednesday. "The satisfaction is winning, regardless of who's on the field. We're going play whoever shows up. That's the one thing we cannot dictate in this game: who's going to show up and play each and every week."

Every team in the league deals with key injuries on a weekly basis, but the Jaguars may have benefited from missing starters more than anyone else this season. In the last four games - against the Jets, Broncos, Bengals and Steelers - they are 3-1 and haven't faced a team at full strength for four quarters during that stretch.

"Sometimes you get favorable things.

Sometimes you get things that are not to your advantage and you keep playing," Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio said. "I think those types of things generally balance out and they're not things that we have control over."

The Steelers may have been most affected by injuries against Jacksonville. The Jaguars stacked the line of scrimmage, held Pittsburgh to 73 yards rushing and forced backup quarterback Tommy Maddox to beat them through the air.

That didn't happen. Maddox threw three interceptions and fumbled once. He had two turnovers in overtime, including an interception returned 41 yards by Mathis for a touchdown.

"Fortunate or unfortunate, that doesn't matter," Mathis said. "We're going to play whoever shows up. That's all we can do. It would be the same thing for other teams if we played without any of our key guys."
article source : www.nflplayers.com

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A new Detroit set for 40th Super Bowl

Detroit's innovations have shaped the way America moves and what America hears. It has also changed the way America's premier annual sporting event is experienced. The same innovating spirit that drove Henry Ford's creation of the assembly line and Berry Gordy's independent Motown record label ensured that Super Bowl XVI -- Detroit's first -- would leave a proud legacy on the game. Super Bowl XL, to be played in Detroit on Feb. 5, 2006, is the city's second opportunity to redefine the Super Bowl experience and reintroduce Detroit to the world.

To prepare for the NFL's crown jewel in 1982, Detroit established the first Super Bowl host committee -- a local organization acting as the official liaison between the league and host city to provide a level of hospitality which is now part of the experience. The committee was so successful that the NFL adopted the structure for subsequent Super Bowl host cities. The establishment of a host committee is now a requirement for any bidding city.

When the Super Bowl came north, it set an important precedent by breaking the rotation of Miami-New Orleans-Los Angeles Super Bowl as host cities -- where 14 of the first 15 championship games were held. Detroit's Super Bowl stirred civic pride and the ambition of owners throughout the league, who now viewed the prospect of hosting a Super Bowl as a realistic possibility. Since 1982, eight different cities -- including San Diego, Atlanta, Tempe, Tampa, Jacksonville and Minneapolis -- have played host to their first Super Bowl. These first-time host cities were able to share in the game's growing impact and prestige of hosting a Super Bowl.

For Super Bowl XVI, the league brought in Detroit native Diana Ross to perform the national anthem. This was the first time major entertainment was brought in to perform at the Super Bowl. Ross' performance launched the Super Bowl's pregame and halftime entertainment slots as the most coveted pieces of broadcast real estate for artists and has since featured some of the world's biggest musical acts, including U2 and Paul McCartney.


Since Super Bowl XVI, both the game and Detroit have experienced significant growth. Advertising rates have grown from $324,000 to more than $5 million for a 30-second television spot. The economic impact of hosting the Super Bowl now exceeds $300 million as events such as the NFL Experience, NFL Concert Series and other entertainment options thrill residents and more than 100,000 expected visitors to each Super Bowl city.

Changes in Detroit have kept pace with Super Bowl over the past 25 years. Detroit has experienced an on-going civic revival and downtown renewal. General Motors moved its world headquarters to the Renaissance Center -- the city's signature building located on the Detroit River that will serve as the NFL headquarters hotel. Compuware opened its world headquarters downtown. Comerica Park -- home of the Detroit Tigers -- settled nicely in the city's bustling theater district, and Campus Martius Park, a $22 million dollar downtown park, opened this past winter in the heart of the business district. Combined with over two dozen recently opened restaurants, streetscape improvements and a $500 million transformation of the city's international riverfront, the Detroit that Super Bowl visitors will experience is far different than it would have been even 10 years ago.

Ford Field -- the $500 million home of the Lions that opened in 2002 -- has also been a significant factor in bringing the Super Bowl to Detroit. Built into the historic 1920's Hudson Warehouse, the stadium is not surrounded by acres of pavement, but rather set amongst Detroit's streetscape. Considered by many to be the league's premier indoor stadium, the 65,000-seat complex includes a seven-story atrium abutting a glass wall, offering views of the Detroit skyline. It is a uniquely Detroit building, much like the entire Super Bowl XL experience. From the Motown Winter Blast -- an outdoor wintertime festival which celebrates winter and embraces the game's northern setting -- to authentically Detroit venues and events that will recognize the city's automotive and musical heritage, Detroit is ready to welcome the world this February.

It is only fitting the NFL is bringing the 40th anniversary of Super Bowl to Detroit, a city that has been the birthplace of innovation in industry and music since the turn of the 20th century. It is there that the experience of America's biggest game was once enhanced and will again be redefined.
article source : www.superbowl.com

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Raiders OL Walker has emergency surgery

Starting left guard Langston Walker had emergency surgery to repair a hemorrhage in his stomach.

Walker complained of pain in his abdominal area Oct. 25, then the team's training staff quickly got him to a doctor. The 6-foot-8, 345-pound lineman had an arthroscopic procedure later in the day and is expected to be sidelined a minimum of six weeks.

"From what I understand, it could be considerably longer," coach Norv Turner said after practice Oct. 26. "It's a serious deal. He is OK. That's the No. 1 concern. It's just unfortunate for our football team. But he's very fortunate that he's all right and that they found it when they did so that it didn't become major."

Walker's symptoms initially pointed to him having appendicitis, but doctors discovered internal bleeding. He will remain in the hospital for four or five days, Turner said.

The 26-year-old Walker, a talented kick blocker, is in his fourth NFL season after the Raiders selected him out of nearby California in the second round of the 2002 draft.

Walker had not previously said anything about stomach problems, but Turner believes it was probably football-related, such as an injury players get that they don't know about right away.
Most of Walker's teammates found out about his condition when they showed up for work Oct. 26, and some were planning to visit him in the coming days before leaving Oct. 28 for Tennessee. The coaching staff hoped to see Walker on Oct. 27.

If healthy, Brad Badger would play in place of Walker on Oct. 30 against the Titans, but Badger is nursing a knee injury. Jake Grove, who began the season as the team's starting center, took most of the snaps at left guard during practice. Grove expects to start in Week 8 after having arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Oct. 3.

Turner said the Raiders might have to consider bringing in another lineman if Walker is out an extended period.
article source : www.nfl.com

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Washington at N.Y. Giants

EAST RUTHERFORD (Oct. 26, 2005) -- When their schedule came out, the New York Giants probably didn't expect to be facing one of their toughest opponents of the season this week in the Washington Redskins.

It's also likely neither team expected the game would be for first place in the NFC East.
The Giants and Redskins renew a storied rivalry and try to maintain at least a share of the division lead when they meet at the Meadowlands.

Few could have expected the Redskins, a team that endured a turmoil-filled 6-10 season in 2004, to make such dramatic strides in their second season since Joe Gibbs returned as coach. With a much-improved offense led by quarterback Mark Brunell and receiver Santana Moss, and a dominant defense that's allowing only 157.5 yards per game through the air, Gibbs has shown he hasn't lost his winning touch.

The Redskins had dropped two straight before last week, but forcefully ended that slide with a 52-17 home rout of lowly San Francisco. Washington led 35-7 at halftime, piled up 448 yards and scored on seven of its first nine possessions.

None of the Redskins' first five games had been decided by more than seven points.
"We are a Rocky Balboa-type team, but it's good to get a young Mike Tyson-type win and knock someone out," linebacker Marcus Washington said.

Brunell completed 13 of 20 passes for 252 yards and three touchdowns, and Moss continued his torrid start with a 32-yard TD reception and five catches for 112 yards, his fourth 100-yard game in five weeks.

Clinton Portis, whom the Giants couldn't stop in the teams' last meeting of 2004, ran 19 times for 101 yards and scored his first three touchdowns of the season.

With Washington having all its offensive weapons working, the game against New York could be a high-scoring affair. That would mark a wholesale departure from the run-heavy, defense-dominated games the franchises engaged in when they routinely battled for NFC East supremacy in the 1980s, during Gibbs' first tenure as Redskins coach.
Led by second-year quarterback Eli Manning, New York has an offense to match the Redskins' and leads the NFL with 28.8 points per game.

"We've got a real tough one next week," Gibbs said after last week's win.
Manning continued to build on his growing reputation as a clutch player last week, directing a drive that culminated with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Amani Toomer with 5 seconds remaining that gave the Giants a 24-23 win over Denver.

Dominated for much of the game by the Broncos, who came in with a five-game winning streak, Manning rallied his team from a 23-10 deficit with 13:18 left.

"A two-minute drive against a good team that's playing well, and to score a game-winning touchdown -- that's definitely the biggest play of my career," Manning said.
With players such as Toomer, Plaxico Burress, Jeremy Shockey and Tiki Barber on offense, Manning has had plenty of help as the Giants have given opposing defenses headaches this season.

The trouble for New York has been its own defense. The Giants are ranked 31st in the league in total defense and have particularly had trouble against the pass, allowing nearly 296 yards per game through the air.

While New York won't abandon its high-powered passing game even if Washington is able to contain Manning and Co., Giants coach Tom Coughlin could pick this week to put more emphasis on the ground attack. Barber and several other Giants complained publicly about not employing the run more after a 16-13 overtime loss at Dallas two weeks ago, and the Redskins are only 15th in the league in run defense at 108.5 yards per contest.

With the 4-2 Philadelphia Eagles playing at 5-2 Denver this week, the winner of this game could find itself alone atop the division.

The Giants will be looking to go 5-0 at Giants Stadium. They've outscored opponents 137-76 at the Meadowlands.

STANDINGS: Redskins -- 1st place (tied), NFC East. Giants -- 1st place (tied), NFC East.

REDSKINS LEADERS: Offense -- Brunell, 1,492 passing yards and 12 passing TDs; Portis, 544 rushing yards and 3 rushing TDs; Moss, 38 receptions, 743 receiving yards and 5 receiving TDs. Defense -- Cornelius Griffin, 3 sacks; Sean Taylor and Lemar Marshall, 1 INT.

GIANTS LEADERS: Offense -- Manning, 1,414 passing yards and 12 passing TDs; Barber, 483 rushing yards and 4 rushing TDs; Burress, 36 receptions, 535 receiving yards and 5 receiving TDs. Defense -- Michael Strahan, 5 1/2 sacks; Shaun Williams, 2 INTs.

REDSKINS TEAM RANK: Rushing Offense -- 139.8 yards per game (4th in NFL); Passing Offense -- 247.3 ypg (8th); Total Offense -- 387.1 ypg (2nd). Rushing Defense -- 108.5 ypg (15th); Passing Defense -- 157.5 ypg (4th); Total Defense -- 266.0 ypg (4th).

GIANTS TEAM RANK: Rushing Offense -- 108.5 yards per game (17th); Passing Offense -- 223.7 ypg (13th); Total Offense -- 332.2 ypg (15th). Rushing Defense -- 116.0 ypg (21st); Passing Defense -- 295.8 ypg (31st); Total Defense -- 411.8 ypg (31st).

LAST MEETING: Dec. 5; Redskins, 31-7. At Landover, Md., Washington scored more than 20 points for the first time all season. Portis rushed for 148 yards on 31 carries, running for one TD and scoring another on a shovel pass.

STREAKS AND NOTES: Redskins -- Brunell has thrown at least two TDs in each of his five starts. He has thrown three in each of his last two games, and his two INTs this season are tied for third-fewest in the NFL. ... Portis has averaged 108.5 yards in two games against the Giants. ... The defense is allowing only 14 first downs per game, second-fewest in the league. Giants -- Manning has a TD pass in seven straight games, with 15 TDs and five INTs in that span. ... Barber needs 90 rushing yards to become the first Giant with 7,500. ... DE Strahan has 15 sacks against Washington, his second-most against any club.

ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Redskins -- 1-2 on the road; Giants -- 3-0 at home.
article source : www.nfl.com

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Halloween weekend treats: big division clashes

The NFL's lone unbeaten team this year will not wear its familiar horseshoe-and-stripes outfit this Halloween weekend (they're off). But 28 other teams will sport some of America's most popular costumes -- NFL uniforms, as the league begins the turn to November.

The horseshoe-wearing Indianapolis Colts, the NFL's only undefeated team at 7-0, can enjoy that status for at least another two weeks due to their bye this weekend. They will prepare for their big meeting with New England in Week 9 as the 36th team in the NFL's 86-year history to attain a 7-0 record. But, the Colts say, they have a long way to go.

"It's a good start, but that's all it is," Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning said. "It doesn't guarantee anything. I'm just glad we've taken care of business these first seven weeks." There will be a lot "TCBing," or at least attempts at it, this week, highlighted by key division battles.

And if it's anything like last week there should be a lot of tricks 'n treats:

WASHINGTON REDSKINS (4-2) at NEW YORK GIANTS (4-2) STORYLINE: Experience vs. Youthful Exuberance.

In other words, it's 35-year-old Redskins QB Mark Brunell against 24-year-old Giants QB Eli Manning. Both teams proved last week that either approach to quarterbacking can work wonders.

Brunell directed the Redskins' biggest point outburst in 14 years with a 52-17 victory against San Francisco (56 points against Atlanta on Nov. 10, 1991). Manning engineered two touchdown drives in the final 4:11 to wipe out a 13-point deficit in topping Denver 24-23.

Both teams, along with Philadelphia, are tied for first in the NFC East. The Giants will have to contend with a balanced attack. Only Washington and Seattle have offenses with top-10 NFL rankings in overall, rush and pass offense. The Redskins will have to tightly protect the ball because the Giants have picked up on their head coach Tom Coughlin's mantra of forcing turnovers by tallying the NFL's second-most takeaways (19 to Cincinnati's 23), off which they have scored the third-most points (57; Cincinnati, 77; Indianapolis, 63).

A key could be Redskins WR Santana Moss, with four 100-yard receiving games in the past five weeks. This is a "home" game for him, having spent 2001-04 with the Giants Stadium co-tenant New York Jets.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (4-2) at SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (3-4) STORYLINE: Watch it, Chiefs -- LaDainian was under 50.

Or, don't make Superman mad. The Chargers' LaDainian Tomlinson -- who many call the best RB in the NFL -- was held to a career-low 7 rushing yards last week by Philadelphia. But the record shows that LaDainian comes back big time after an "off" game.

Since his 2001 rookie year, Tomlinson has rushed for under 50 yards 10 times. In five of the 10 games after his sub-50 performance, Tomlinson has rushed for 100 yards -- twice totaling 200 yards. In the other five, he has averaged 82.4 yards.

"Tomlinson does things that are impossible for anyone to do," Chiefs head coach Dick Vermeil said. "You say, 'How did he do that?' I think he's playing better right now than I've ever seen him play."


The Chiefs have their own powerful rush package in tandem Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson, who, combined, tie Tomlinson for the second-most NFL rushing touchdowns (10; Shaun Alexander, 12).

CHICAGO BEARS (3-3) at DETROIT LIONS (3-3)
STORYLINE: An ol' time NFC Central/North defensive battle?

Could be. This is one of only two games this week (see Baltimore-Pittsburgh below) that features teams ranked in the top 10 in the NFL in defense.

It's No. 3 Chicago against No. 9 Detroit. Brings back memories of linebackers Bill George vs. Joe Schmidt, or Mike Singletary vs. Chris Spielman. Now it's Brian Urlacher vs. Boss Bailey.

The teams are tied atop the division (Chicago beat Detroit 38-6 in Week 2) and come off victories that indicate their quarterbacking situation is in steady hands.

Rookie Kyle Oron has taken the Bears to back-to-back victories row while suffering only one interception in his past three games. Seven-year vet Jeff Garcia made his Lions debut Oct. 23 after a preseason broken leg and completed 22 of 34 for 210 yards with no interceptions or sacks while even running for a TD in a 13-10 victory against Cleveland. "He's our QB," head coach Steve Mariucci said.

Tidbit: With a victory, the 86-year-old Bears would become the first NFL club with 650 regular-season victories.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (4-2) at DENVER BRONCOS (5-2)
STORYLINE: One leads their division, the other is tied for the lead. Yet they've got "problems"?

All of a sudden, the Eagles -- tied for first in the NFC East -- "can't rush the ball," people say. And it's true they are a quixotic team on offense. Philadelphia leads the NFL in passing offense with almost 300 yards per game (299.7), yet sits last in rushing (57.5).

Not good, of course, says their quarterback Donovan McNabb, but we are winning, and isn't that the important thing? "We have to run the ball more," McNabb said, "but when you get into a rhythm, you have to stay with what's working."

And what was working last week for the Eagles in their victory against San Diego was the passing game. McNabb set a club record for completions, 35, out of 54 attempts.

Denver -- leading the AFC West -- is just about the opposite of the Eagles on offense, ranking No. 2 in the league in rushing and 25th in passing. But ... they are allowing late-game comebacks. On Oct. 23, it was the third such game in a row, and it cost them (see Redskins-Giants above). "We've got to finish people," Broncos S John Lynch said. "That has to be done when you have leads. We flirted with it the last couple of weeks and it caught up to us."

The game-turners could be two of the league's top 10 receivers, Philly's Terrell Owens (tied with Torry Holt for first with 44 catches) and Denver's Rod Smith (seventh, tie, 37).
BALTIMORE RAVENS (2-4) at PITTSBURGH STEELERS (4-2) (Monday night, ABC, 9 p.m. ET)
STORYLINE: "Mr. Nighttime" vs. Steel 100-yard Curtain.

It's a primetime game, Pittsburgh, so watch out for Jamal Lewis.
The Ravens running back has averaged 116.0 yards in the club's past seven primetime games, with Lewis breaking the 100-yard mark in five of those outings. One was against division-rival Pittsburgh (114 yards on Dec. 28, 2003).

The thing is that the Steelers, seventh in the league against the run, have not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 18 games. "You just have to control the line of scrimmage against Lewis," Pittsburgh defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said. "You can't give him that cutback lane. He can run away from you if he gets a little bit of a crack."

The Steelers RBs -- Jerome Bettis and fleet Willie Parker -- and passing combo of QB Ben Roethlisberger and WR Hines Ward will go against one of the league's three teams (Chicago and Tampa Bay) with top-10 overall, rush and pass defensive rankings.
article source : nfl.com

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Keith Bulluck - Believing And Achieving

NASHVILLE, TN, Oct. 24, 2005 - Every time Keith Bulluck steps onto the football field, his presence is unmistakable, and his vivacity and flair for the dramatic has captivated fans since he became a Titan six years ago.

But inside one of the most athletically gifted linebackers ever to play in the NFL is an equally tangible heart, which has affected a different kind of audience off the field since May of 2003.

"I always said when I was in a position to do something for people, I would," Bulluck said. "And because foster care was something I was involved in, why not start there?"

It was that mindset that spawned his Believe and Achieve Foundation two and a half years ago, aimed at helping children in Middle Tennessee and New York State growing up in situations he knows first-hand.

Growing up in Rockland County, N.Y., Bulluck lived with his biological mother until the sixth grade, when circumstances at home led him to the house of Linda Welch, the mother of one of his best childhood friends. A stay that was supposed to last just three weeks turned into six years.

Bulluck recalls it was his mother that first pointed him in the right direction and his foster mother that 'fostered' his growth into a Syracuse-bound student-athlete. And today, he remains close with both women responsible for his upbringing, knowing each deserves credit for the man he has become.

"Me and my mom don't have a relationship like someone who stayed with their parents their whole life, but my mom was part of my life for 12 straight years," Bulluck said. "And Ms. Welch was there and extended her household to me at the age of 12 years old."

However, while Bulluck's experience was very positive, he knows other children in foster care are not nearly as fortunate. His Believe and Achieve Foundation promotes awareness by raising money and providing support the children need in order to believe in, and ultimately achieve their dreams.

The biggest charitable event is an annual off-season celebrity basketball game held at Vanderbilt, attracting other big names from around the NFL and Hollywood. In 2004, the game paved the way for the first annual Keith Bulluck Believe & Achieve book bag drive, which provided 100 children with bags filled with school supplies.

There is also his newly implemented computer program that works with New Horizons Technology, a computer training center that teaches children computer skills.

And then there is his annual Halloween party, held this year on Oct. 28th, which provides more than 60 children from Department of Children Services of Middle Tennessee and the Agape Center free admission to the Nashville Zoo.

"Halloween is cool," Bulluck says. "It gives the kids somewhere safe to go and gives them more activities than just going trick-or-treating in a residential neighborhood or wherever they may have to go. They can go to the zoo, check out the animals, walk around, and there are hundreds of other kids there that they can interact with."

And you can bet Bulluck, who is 6-3, 235 pounds, has fun interacting with the kids as well. Behind his intimidating, physical stature is an infectious smile and child-like demeanor. His partiality to movies, video games, and music is common knowledge around Titans headquarters, making him especially effective at relating with today's kids on topics other than football.
With his foundation still somewhat in its infancy, Bulluck is always thinking of new and exciting initiatives that will appeal to his biggest fans.

This year, for example, the foundation will host the first ever Believe and Achieve Christmas party, an event that involves a trip to the movies.

"I usually do my brainstorming when my season is over," Bulluck said. "Scharlene White and Paul Williams, the directors of my foundation, put a lot of their brainwork into it to come up with things to do. They run them past me, and if I like them and think they're good things, then that's great."

Among the things Bulluck enjoys sharing with kids is the importance of education, perseverance, and hard work - things that have helped him tackle adversity in life head on.
"Life to me is just a matter of how you play it," he smiles. "It's not over until it's over. There have been times in my life, at a young age, when I just thought I was down and out and there was no hope. But just because you're not in your ideal situation, you've got to play with the hand you're dealt. You've got to persevere."

To stay up-to-date on news about Keith's Christmas party and other foundation events, log onto his website, http://www.believeandachieve.org/.

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McCown gets fourth straight start at QB

TEMPE, Ariz. (Oct. 26, 2005) -- Josh McCown got Arizona Cardinals coach Dennis Green's nod to start against the Dallas Cowboys.

Green wouldn't reveal his reasons for picking the fourth-year quarterback over two-time NFL MVP Kurt Warner and said McCown's being a native Texan pumped up to play in Texas Stadium could be a plus or a minus.

"I don't think he can be overly consumed with it, because that can work against you," Green said. "You've got to have poise, but he's a Texas gunslinger. He went to SMU, he transferred and went to Sam Houston State because he didn't think they threw the football enough.
"He's got to be poised, but he also wants to show that he can lead this football team."
Warner got a one-year, $4 million contract to sign with the Cardinals in the offseason and was elevated to the starting job after minicamps.

But he suffered a groin injury in the third game and that opened the door for McCown, who passed for 385 and 394 yards in a win over San Francisco in Mexico City and a close loss to Carolina at home.

Coming off Arizona's bye week, the offense stalled against the Titans -- McCown was 12 of 28 for 140 of Arizona's 173 total yards -- but the Cardinals (2-4) beat Tennessee 20-10, and Green followed his instincts and stayed with McCown, whose 9-10 record is better than any starter Arizona has had since he was drafted in 2001.

"We think this will help us win," Green said. "Any decision we make we take that into account."
Warner has been healthy for two weeks, and last week Green didn't announce the starter until the players walked onto the field to play the Titans. This time, he let the players know Oct. 26 before practice.

"It's no difference in what I do," center Alex Stepanovich said. "It's one of those situations where both of them are great guys and good football players, and just one's got to play and the other one is not, and we've just got to handle our job up front no matter who's behind us."
Anquan Boldin, whose streak of 31 consecutive games with a catch ended against the Titans. said the big difference from a receiver's point of view is that Warner is "a big timing guy" who releases the ball quicker.

"But Josh has been pretty successful when he's been in there, so hopefully he can do the same thing this week," Boldin said.

McCown was holding a clipboard when Jeff Blake led the Cardinals into Dallas the last time the teams played -- a 24-7 win by the Cowboys on Oct. 5, 2003.

"Even backing up, I got excited just being there, and the feeling, so now going in there as a starter it'll definitely be different, but you have to kind of check your emotions and don't get too excited," McCown said. "It's still the same old football field."

McCown's stock will take a giant step forward if he is able to beat a team from the NFC East -- especially the Cowboys, who are 53-28-1 against the Cardinals -- and produce a rare road victory. Arizona is 1-17 in road games since 2002, losing five straight since McCown led them to a 24-23 win in Miami last Nov. 7.

"It starts with playing smart," McCown said. "If you don't play smart football on the road, if you get behind on turnovers on the road, the percentage of you winning the game get very, very slim."

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