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| Sunday, December 1 Updated: December 5, 9:19 AM ET Peterson's injury opens door for Reed By James C. Black ESPN.com |
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All too often, the Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves ending drives with field goal attempts instead of touchdowns. But at least now they have someone who's actually going to make many more than he'll miss. Jeff Reed, who previously worked on a dairy farm in North Carolina mowing lawns and clearing debris, set a franchise record with six field goals in Pittsburgh's 25-23 win over the Jaguars on Sunday. In two games, Reed has just three fewer made field goals, but eight less misses than Todd Peterson (12-of-21) had in the first 10 games this season. "I was telling some of my teammates that I'm kind of tired," the UNC alumnus told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review after helping the Steelers to a second win. "After most games, you're just a little worn down from adrenalin rush. But, I mean, that's six field goals, an extra point and however many kickoffs."
In four months, Reed found himself on display for seven teams, including the one he just helped beat. Jacksonville brought in Reed after they released Hayden Epstein on Oct. 23. Jaguars coach Tom Coughlin was impressed with the leg strength, but felt Reed lacked consistency and signed Tim Seder instead. The Jags cut Seder last week. Before that, Reed spent the preseason with New Orleans and eventually tried out with Seattle (twice), the Jaguars, the New York Giants, Detroit and Tampa Bay. With different teams signing new kickers every week, Reed couldn't find a taker. "He called us and said, 'I sucked,' " Morris Reed told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review following his son's workout in New York. "But he kept working." Eventually, Reed was called in to tryout for the Steelers, who have been plagued by kicking woes the past two seasons. Peterson, expected to provide more consistency than Kris Brown (30-of-44) did last year, had to be placed on injured reserve with a broken rib on Nov. 18. This time, Reed did enough to get the nod. Reed, well aware of the Heinz Field "jinx" for kickers, delivered in his debut against the Bengals. Though he missed a field goal early and PAT on the game's final score, he connected on three other field goals, including a 45-yarder with the Steelers trailing by two points late in the fourth quarter. "I have five (games) left and then, the playoffs. You can't just have one good day and expect them all to love you," Reed said after the Cincinnati game. Correction: He now has two good games under his belt -- and lot's of love from teammates and fans. Each Tuesday during the regular season, ESPN.com reviews rookie performances. Here are some others who had a significant impact (or not so great outing) this past week: Boerigter doesn't have as many receptions as fellow wideouts Eddie Kennison and Johnnie Morton, but he's gotten into the end zone with much more frequency. The former CFL standout had two grabs -- both for touchdowns -- in the rout of Arizona. Five of his 12 catches this season have been for touchdowns. The two veterans have combined for just three touchdowns.
The Packers have developed not one but two running backs seemingly capable of handling the load while Ahman Green is sidelined. With Green banged up and fellow rookie Najeh Davenport out, Tony Fisher nearly eclipsed the century mark in his most extensive outing. He had 17 carries for 91 yards with a touchdown in the win over Chicago. "I don't want to say I knew he could do it, but I told him on the sideline, 'You grew up (Sunday),'" Packers quarterback Brett Favre said in the Chicago Tribune. "As far as being a big-time player, he showed he can be one."
With first-rounder Ryan Sims out for the season on injured reserve, the Chiefs hadn't gotten much production from this year's draft picks. However, Freeman is gradually changing that image. The second-round pick from Alabama-Birmingham had two sacks in Kansas City's whipping of Arizona. "You can never go wrong drafting a kid who likes to play," coach Dick Vermeil said in The Kansas City Star. "You can block him and block him and all of a sudden he's going to get there because he just never quits." Freeman now has four sacks in the past three games.
The second-round pick from BYU is gradually becoming Rich Gannon's main target among tight ends. Jolley had a season-high five grabs, including three for first downs in the win over the Jets. He has four less grabs (22) than Roland Williams (26), but more receiving yards (228-207) and touchdowns (1-0).
Just as most of his teammates are experiencing, football has been less fun -- and successful -- for McMichael over the last month. A legitimate offensive rookie of the year candidate in the first half, the Georgia alumnus has eight catches for 82 yards with no touchdowns in the past four weeks. Making matters worse, he had a third-quarter fumble that led to a Buffalo touchdown in the loss on Sunday.
The Ravens' young players have proven all season that the front office made wise decisions in dumping salaries this offseason. Williams returned an interception 98 yards in the first half against the Bengals, becoming the second rookie defensive back to score in as many week for Baltimore. "On defense, you get very few chances, so when that chance comes, you've got to make the most of it, whether it counts or if it doesn't count," Williams said in the Baltimore Sun. Fellow safety Edward Reed returned a blocked punt for a touchdown against Tennessee in Week 12.
The Panthers have found someone capable of picking up the slack while both Dan Morgan and Hannibal Navies are sidelined. Witherspoon, making his fourth start of the season, was in on 10 tackles and had a sack in the win over Cleveland. He's totaled at least eight tackles in four of his past five games. James C. Black is the assistant NFL editor for ESPN.com. |
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