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Here are the latest NFL rumors from Pro Football Weekly:
|  | | Akili Smith is hoping to bounce back from a rough rookie season. |
Bengals offensive linemen seem delighted that rookie quarterback Akili Smith is out with a toe injury and Jeff Blake is back in. Smith made the line look terrible because he held on to the ball far too long.
Some insiders are now saying Packers offensive coordinator Sherman Lewis, a perennial head-coaching candidate, is a coach whose reputation was created by the people around him. The Packers' play-calling and offensive scheme seem to have no rhyme or reason this season. Lewis has struggled without coach Mike Holmgren or a QB coach such as Steve Mariucci or Andy Reid to work with. Some are saying this season's performance shows why Lewis is not a head coach in the NFL.
The Buccaneers are very disappointed in the way Warrick Dunn is running. He is freelancing way too much and has been stopped for no game or a loss on a significant portion of his runs.
The Patriots really miss free safety Willie Clay. Replacement Chris Carter is very slow to react and is playing tentatively.
There is a strong possibility the Jets will deal at least one of their outside linebackers after the season and move to a 4-3 defensive scheme, especially if they can draft a top defensive lineman.
While the Cowboys offensive line has played very well as a whole this season, left tackle Flozell Adams has been shaky at times.
Some people in Miami say coach Jimmy Johnson prefers the running style the team takes on with Damon Huard at quarterback to the passing style the team has with Dan Marino at the helm. The other players on the offense seem to play with a greater sense of urgency when Huard is in there because they know they have to carry him instead of being carried by Marino.
The Jets feel Ryan Young will be their left tackle of their future and Jason Fabini will be a mainstay at right tackle. With guard Randy Thomas and center Kevin Mawae, the Jets feel they have the makings of a good and rather young offensive line for the future.
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| 1999 SEASON STATISTICS |
| ATT |
YDS |
YDS/A |
TD |
LNG |
FUM |
| 116 |
411 |
3.5 |
5 |
52 |
4 |
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Before breaking out with a two-TD game in Week 9, Bills running back Antowain Smith had expressed frustration about his reduced playing time, saying he would reassess his role in Buffalo after the season. Jonathan Linton had been getting more touches in recent weeks before the two virtually split the carries last week. The Bills are using Linton primarily in one-back sets and Smith in two-back sets in tandem with fullback Sam Gash.
Realignment is sure to be a hotly contested topic at future owners' meetings. Recently, NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue expressed his dislike for one proposed realigned division that would group Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Tennessee and Houston together. Said Tagliabue: "There's not enough tradition there. Yes, Jacksonville's successful, but we don't want all new teams in one division. The oldest one there are the Colts, and they moved to Indianapolis in 1984."
Disappointed in the play of starting guard Luke Petitgout, Giants coach Jim Fassel said his rookie offensive lineman has regressed since the start of the season.
Cardinals quarterback Jake Plummer, who is out with a broken finger, says he would like to return to action on Nov. 21 vs. Dallas. However, he said if he isn't 100 percent ready to go, he won't rush himself back.
The Buccaneers believe that incorporating fewer plays in the game plan will lead to better offensive efficiency. Coach Tony Dungy was successful making the same move early last season.
The Bears believe rookie defensive end Russell Davis is hitting the wall and will give him plenty of rest during games.
Two weeks after Packers defensive coordinator Emmitt Thomas said he would scale back his schemes, offensive coordinator Sherman Lewis followed suit. Lewis said the Packers won't use as many complex sets as they have, and quarterback Brett Favre won't have to call as many audibles. Lewis will also call fewer deep routes.
Falcons running back Ken Oxendine has been taking heat from the coaching staff for avoiding contact and not getting more yardage on his own. Coaches have been wanting the 6-0, 230-pound Oxendine to lower the boom more on opposing tacklers instead of running laterally so much.
The Jets will face some tough salary-cap decisions in the offseason. The team might be forced to do some heavy cutting, and we hear unproductive veterans such as safety Steve Atwater and injured tight end Eric Green might not be back.
Steelers inside linebacker Earl Holmes, who had always played in the shadow of teammate and fellow inside linebacker Levon Kirkland, is really starting to come into his own. Holmes leads the Steelers in tackles.
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| 1999 SEASON STATISTICS |
| REC |
YDS |
YDS/R |
TD |
LNG |
FUM |
| 32 |
401 |
12.5 |
2 |
34 |
0 |
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Dolphins wide receiver O.J. McDuffie, who led the AFC in receptions last season, knows he won't catch 90 passes again, but says he doesn't care as long as the team keeps winning. Newcomer Tony Martin has become Miami's leading receiver, and the team has placed more emphasis on the run game this year.
Receiver Shawn Jefferson has been an unsung hero for the Patriots. Jefferson is not New England's No. 1 receiver, but he never complains about his role, which often consists of clearing out space for go-to guy Terry Glenn. Jefferson is still capable of making the big play, as evidenced by the Arizona game in Week 8, when he had three catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns.
We hear Patriots receiver Tony Simmons again is having problems with his route-running. Simmons did not catch a pass in Weeks 7 or 8.
The Bills like inside linebacker Sam Cowart's cocky attitude. Cowart exudes confidence and often looms over ballcarriers after tackling them.
Recently re-signed wide receiver Nate Jacquet has been a nice addition to the Dolphins' special teams. Jacquet has been very effective on punt returns and has even contributed as Miami's fourth wideout.
There are some in the Chargers' locker room who were surprised at how lucrative defensive end Raylee Johnson's new contract is. Johnson signed a five-year extension worth $3.1 million per season.
Material from Pro Football Weekly.
Visit PFW's web site at http://www.profootballweekly.com
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