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Here's what the folks at Pro Football Weekly have been hearing from around the NFL:
|  | | Injuries slowed Marino in his final years. |
Questions continue to arise about Dan Marino's future. In addition to the pinched nerve in his neck that kept him out five-plus weeks, the Dolphins quarterback has a bulging disc in his back. Marino and the team hope it will not require offseason surgery. If it does, many wonder whether Marino, who will be 39 next September, would be willing to put in the time needed to fully rehabilitate from the injury at this point in his career.
Packers quarterback Brett Favre's re-emergence has a lot do with the recovery of his throwing hand and his following instructions to throw underneath to running backs.
Packers offensive coordinator Sherman Lewis said that rookie running back De'Mond Parker reminds him of Tampa Bay's Warrick Dunn. Lewis said that Parker is faster and shows great quickness, but his hands are pretty shaky.
There are concerns within the Bears' organization about cornerback Walt Harris' instincts. Harris has dropped a couple of potential interceptions, and a few of his in-game decisions have also been questioned (for example, his decision to fall down after picking off a Jeff George pass in overtime in Week 10, rather than try for a touchdown with some open field in front of him).
The Redskins' deep-passing game has dropped off a bit of late, but that has created opportunities for fullback Larry Centers, who has seen his role increase in recent weeks (seven catches in Week 13).
Redskins safety Sam Shade has been coming on. An excellent blitzer, Shade has been the most visible member of the secondary, which is surprising considering the presence of cornerbacks Darrell Green and Champ Bailey.
Word out of Giants' camp is that management doesn't want to get rid of coach Jim Fassel, but it will find itself in a serious bind if this team doesn't get it together down the stretch. Fassel has one more year remaining on his contract (through 2000), and the team doesn't want a lame-duck coach leading the team next year. But it will be very difficult to give Fassel an extension if he finishes .500 or below. If Fassel is out, the Giants would be interested in Marty Schottenheimer, but because he is still under contract to the Chiefs, they would have to give Kansas City compensation. Chiefs GM Carl Peterson reportedly wants more than a first-round draft pick in exchange for letting Schottenheimer out of his pact -- which is too much for the Giants to give. Nick Saban was also considered to be a candidate, but he has signed on with Louisiana State. Giants defensive coordinator John Fox would likely get at least an interview with management.
Jaguars quarterback Mark Brunell is beginning to come on, and it's at the right time, as Jacksonville will need him at the top of his game when it enters the postseason. Brunell has been disappointing at times this season, but he appears to have broken out of that slump in the past few weeks. Brunell has passed for 300 or more yards in three consecutive games.
Steve Mariucci on his intention to stay put as head coach in San Francisco: "Right now I am committed to rebuilding this football team. That's what I want to do, that's what I intend to do, that's my only thought. How do we get this thing back up?"
Falcons tight end O.J. Santiago, who has caught just two passes in the last eight games (he was inactive in Week 13), is not happy with the way he's being handled within the offense.
Ajili Hodari, the agent for Panthers wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad, has told the team it would not be good for negotiations to put the franchise tag on Muhammad if no contract agreement can be reached before the free-agency period.
Expect an announcement on the sale of the Jets sometime this month. The deadline for final bids was Dec. 3. We hear character will be a very important issue in the selection of a new owner to replace Leon Hess, who died in May. The executors of the Hess estate want someone with strong family values, and that could aid the cause of Johnson & Johnson heir Robert Wood Johnson IV.
Jets coach Bill Parcells had a talk with Keyshawn Johnson after the outspoken wide receiver was heard referring to his teammates as "losers" as he left the field following the Jets' loss to the Colts in Week 12. Parcells reportedly told Johnson to tone it down and to try to keep his emotions in check. Asked to explain his declaration that he didn't "want to be around no losers," Johnson said that he wasn't pointing a finger at anyone, that he was part of the team and that the team should not accept losing. We hear Johnson's postgame outcry did further damage to his relationship with wide receiver Wayne Chrebet, who dropped the would-be tying TD catch vs. the Colts.
Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe was seen wearing an ice pack and a brace on his throwing elbow last week, but we hear his arm is fine. Bledsoe was not listed on New England's Week 13 injury report. In regard to his recent struggles, Bledsoe said he can't believe this is happening at this stage of his career.
Steelers coach Bill Cowher last week reiterated his intention to remain in Pittsburgh beyond this season. Rumors were running rampant that Cowher planned to resign at the end of the year. "I'm going to turn this thing around," Cowher said. "I don't know how long it's going to take, but that's what I'm here to do."
Second-year defensive tackle Larry Chester has been a pleasant surprise for the Colts. Chester, a 6-foot-2, 305-pound undrafted free agent from Temple, gives Indianapolis much-needed size in the middle of its defense.
Among the possible destinations mentioned for Bengals quarterback Jeff Blake, who will be an unrestricted free agent after the season, are Tampa Bay and San Francisco. It would be a colossal shock if Blake returns to Cincinnati.
The Raiders are unhappy with the performance of kicker Michael Husted and have already auditioned some potential replacements.
Quarterback Chris Miller's latest concussion appears to be more serious than first reported. It is unlikely he will play any more this season or return to the Broncos next season.
Material from Pro Football Weekly.
Visit PFW's web site at http://www.profootballweekly.com
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