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After Detroit's first game under new head coach Gary Moeller, Lions wide receiver
Herman Moore said there was better communication and less tension on the
sideline than under former head man Bobby Ross.
Buccaneers quarterback Shaun King has earned some nice praise the last few weeks
for his leadership. Earlier this season, King was often too critical of his
teammates and too quick to snap at them for mistakes. Now, he realizes he
must control his emotions, and if he does chastise others, he must be hard
on himself as well.
Titans defensive end Jevon Kearse has taken head coach Jeff Fisher's criticism from a
few weeks ago to heart. Not only has Kearse's play improved, but he's taken
it upon himself to spend more time working with defensive line coach Jim Washburn
one-on-one.
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| Plummer |
Don't be surprised if the Cardinals try to get quarterback Jake Plummer to take a
pay cut, or at least renegotiate his deal so his cap figure is reduced.
Plummer, who has hardly lived up to the very lucrative contract extension he
received a couple of years ago, has two years left on his current deal. His
expected cap figure for 2001 is $6.9 million, and $8.6 million in 2002.
Eagles special-teams coach John Harbaugh, who is getting kudos for helping
turn around Philadelphia's play on special teams, could be coaching
elsewhere in 2001. We hear his name is popping up for a bunch of
head-coaching jobs that will open up in the college ranks. When players were
told by reporters that Harbaugh is a candidate for jobs outside of Philly,
they were terribly disappointed, as they love playing for him.
The Browns will continue to give more time to rookie running back Jamel White, who
has a contrasting style to the starter, Travis Prentice, also a rookie.
White is smaller and much quicker and shiftier than Prentice, who is a lot
like Errict Rhett.
Second-year offensive lineman Luke Petitgout, a first-round pick of the Giants last year,
is playing at a much higher level than he did as a rookie. Last year, he
started at guard for part of the season, before being benched. This year, he
is starting at right tackle, his natural position, and he's looked good.
Reports out of Minnesota have tabbed the Vikings as a possible candidate
to move to the NFC West once the league realigns with the entry of the
Houston Texans. The division would consist of the Vikings, Cardinals,
Cowboys and 49ers. Considering the Vikings are the westernmost team not in a
western division, the moves makes sense. However, given the uncertainty of
Minnesota's stadium situation, many believe the move is more intended to
protect the league should the Vikings move to Los Angeles or San Antonio.
Daily observers of the Ravens say outside linebacker Peter Boulware has finally regained
full use of both his arms following offseason surgery on his right shoulder
and is playing as well as he has in some time.
After watching the Saints stagger toward the sellout finish line in
advance of the Week 11 game vs. Oakland -- a local company had to buy 3,000
tickets at the last minute -- we hear team owner Tom Benson was more than
just a little bit concerned.
We hear 49ers coaches feel quarterback Jeff Garcia is playing with fire every time
he recklessly dives a la Pete Rose at the end of many of his runs instead of
sliding in the conventional manner.
While we're told there are no outward signs of Falcons defensive players
pointing fingers at their offensive brethren, tension has indeed been
building in recent weeks.
Bills running back Antowain Smith seems to be emerging from the virtual doghouse he
may have put himself in with comments he made earlier in the season
requesting that the Bills play him or trade him. After being inactive for a
few games, Smith led the Bills in carries last week against the Chiefs.
The Patriots' release of tight end Eric Bjornson was not surprising to those
close to the team. Sources say the Patriots were particularly disappointed
in Bjornson's tendency to get pushed around by smaller players in the
secondary.
Chiefs head coach Gunther Cunningham recently hinted at putting wide receiver Derrick
Alexander back to return punts and tight end Tony Gonzalez on the line to rush the
punter in an effort to spark Kansas City's special teams.
Running back Tyrone Wheatley's sprained ankles drew enough concern last week for the
Raiders to bring in Terry Kirby for a workout.
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| Russell |
The Raiders' frustration with defensive tackle Darrell Russell continues to grow, as the
Week 11 loss to Denver marked the third game of the season in which he
failed to be credited with a tackle.
Quarterback Jon Kitna's decent stretch at the helm of the Seahawks' offense is
considered too little too late as far as his chances of regaining the trust
and confidence of head coach Mike Holmgren are concerned.
The fact wide receiver Robert Brooks' heart wasn't in football anymore was the
primary reason he was released by the Broncos last
week.
Material from Pro Football Weekly.
Visit PFW's web site at http://www.profootballweekly.com
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