12/31/04
- Kelsay proud of Bills
- [Seattle Seahawks] Grant Wistrom, Marcus Tubbs, Tracy White and Jerheme Urban are eligible for the injured-reserve list, but the Seahawks are carrying all four on their active roster. Players on injured reserve cannot return this season.
"If we needed (to add) a player, (those) four guys qualify under the league’s injured-reserve policy," Holmgren said. "We probably will not do it this week, but we might do it next week." (The News Tribune)
- Treu not too good anymore
12/30/04
- [MLB-Oakland] Firstbase prospect Dan Johnson has continued his power and patience approach in the Mexico Winter League. The lefthanded slugger clubbed his 12th homerun this past week and now sports a hefty .545 slugging percentage. Johnson has also displayed an incredible level of patience, as he continues to rack up walks at a prodigious pace. The 2001 draft pick has drawn 39 walks against only 25 strikeouts. Johnson leads the Orange Growers in walks and on-base percentage. (OaklandClubhouse.com)
- [Kansas City Chiefs] Pro Bowl linemen Willie Roaf and Will Shields missed Thursday's practice to attend funerals - Roaf that of NFL great Reggie White - but both are expected to play in San Diego. (Morris News Service)
Irving Fryar was a wide receiver in Philadelphia and a former teammate of Reggie White. Fryar is a minister now.
"Reggie was a seed planter in my life, as far as my Christianity and my belief, and me getting my act together," Fryar said. (PackerReport.com)
"We've lost a tremendous man. There's so many people who he's touched. There's not enough good things you can say about a man like that." (Bee News Services)
- Chiefs guard Shields forges reputation by never missing work
12/29/04
- [Green Bay Packers] With the playoffs already in the bag, don't expect to see Brett Favre, Ahman Green, Javon Walker and Donald Driver on the field for much more than a half when the Packers face the Bears. (USA Today)
- Added to the IR: Texans OG Zach Wiegert (knee); Out: Vikings CB Ralph Brown (eye), Seahawks DE Grant Wistrom (knee), Rams OG Chris Dishman (knee); Questionable: Panthers DE Mike Rucker (foot).
- [Washington Redskins] RB Dahrran Diedrick has been promoted to the active roster. The Redskins were short at running back since starter Clinton Portis has been placed on injured reserve. (AP)
- [Carolina Panthers] Defensive end Mike Rucker needs two sacks to overtake Kevin Greene for the team's career lead in that category. Rucker has 3.5 this season and 40 in his career. (Panthers.com)
12/28/04
- Gardner: From the Olympics to Pride FC
- Newly arrived Lue has quick impact
- [St. Louis Rams] OG Chris Dishman will undergo reconstructive knee surgery shortly after the end of the 2004 season. He is expected to need at least nine months to recover from the surgery. (KFFL)
- [Kansas City Chiefs] Press Conference comments from head coach Dick Vermeil -- "Will Shields played awfully well. For a guy who has started as many consecutive games as he has and to line up and play like a young offensive lineman against a great big defensive line is a real tribute to his character." (KCChiefs.com)
- [Dallas Cowboys] Outside linebacker Scott Shanle, who is playing in place of injured starter Al Singleton, had 11 tackles and seven first-hits against the Redskins, and drew praise from Bill Parcells on Monday. (Fort Worth Star Telegram)
- [Seattle Seahawks] Of all the players in the Seahawks' locker room Monday, one of the most relieved had to be Grant Wistrom.
Now that Seattle has clinched a playoff berth, the veteran defensive end has a chance of playing again this season. He tore a medial collateral ligament in his left leg two weeks ago and was lost for the regular season, but has a chance to return sometime in the playoffs.
"It's more important to see the team get into the playoffs and do well in the playoffs than it is for me to play," Wistrom said. "But I'm excited about getting another chance."
Holmgren said Wistrom's knee has shown a lot of improvement, but added that the defensive end probably wouldn't be available for a first-round game.
"There is some optimism, if we were fortunate enough to go deep into the playoffs, that he could play," Holmgren said.
Wistrom, who did not undergo surgery and is waiting for the injury to heal naturally, is holding out hope that he'll be able to suit up again at some point this season.
"We'll see," he said. "Things might not hurt so much when you're in the playoffs. If at all possible, I'll be out there as soon as I can." (HeraldNet.com)
12/27/04
- Fonoti family somber but resolute after Charger loss
- [Green Bay Packers] Packers coach Mike Sherman revealed for the first time Sunday that Pro Bowl running back Ahman Green has been playing with fractured ribs since Green Bay's Nov. 21 victory at Houston. Green missed the next game against St. Louis, but at the time the Packers said it was because of injured cartilage in his rib cage.
Green rushed for 64 yards on 19 carries in Green Bay's NFC North-clinching 34-31 victory over the Vikings on Friday and has 1,150 rushing yards this season.
"I would not say he's 100 percent," Sherman said. "But his legs seem to be in pretty good shape. If there's wear and tear down there... that does not seem that that's the issue." (AP)
- [Washington Redskins] RB Dahrran Diedrick could be promoted from the practice squad to be the No. 3 running back in Week 17, due to the unavailability of RB Clinton Portis who is out with a chest injury. (Washington Times, KFFL)
- Barron Miles spends free time helping others
- Two Husker Blackshirts have been invited to the NFL Combine. LB Barrett Rudd and DE Benard Thomas will perform for NFL scouts in Indianapolis to try to better their draft positions. Ruud is slated to go as high as the 2nd-round, while Thomas could possibly be picked up in the later rounds or as an undrafted free agent. (TheNFLExperts.com)
12/26/04
- Newcombe Finds Peace After Football
- Defensive end Mike Rucker was a second-year pro out of Nebraska when he found himself befriended by a legend, Reggie White.
"I was devastated when I heard the news," he said after Carolina's 37-20 triumph at Raymond James Stadium. "I just didn't want to believe it." (Tampa Bay Tribune)
- [St. Louis Rams] OG Chris Dishman will miss the remainder of the 2004 season, after tearing the ACL and MCL in his knee during practice Friday. (StLouisRams.com, KFFL)
- Minter is pleased to be an alternate for Pro Bowl
WEEK 16: Stats, Pictures and Stories
- 12/24/04 - Is Phillips turning the corner?
- 12/23/04 - NBA-Atlanta] The Atlanta Hawks acquired guard Tyronn Lue from the Houston Rockets in exchange for Jon Barry ... Lue has averaged 6.0 ppg, 2.8 apg and 1.9 rpg in 21 contests (three starts) so far this season, shooting .393 FG% and .778 FT%. (SportsFeatures.com)
12/22/04
- [Green Bay Packers] Starting running back Ahman Green hasn't rushed for a touchdown since Oct. 31 and is averaging only 55.5 yards over his last four games. Green, however, has rushed for 282 yards in his last two games against the Vikings. (Vikings.com)
A series of rib, Achilles' tendon and knee injuries have reduced Green's playing time from 71.2 percent in 2003 to 56.3 percent in `04 and, in the process, made him less effective breaking the open-field tackle by the unblocked safety. (AP)
- [Houston Texans] Guard Zach Wiegert will miss the rest of the season after being placed on the injured reserve list Wednesday. Wiegert injured his right knee during the second quarter of last week's game against Chicago. The 10-year veteran had started 13 games for the Texans this season, and 27 in two years. He is the Texans' seventh player to go on the injured list this season. (AP)
- [Pro Bowl] Eagles K David Akers, who leads the NFC with 117 points, was selected to his third Pro Bowl. Seattle K Josh Brown, who is third in the NFC with 99 points, was voted as an alternate.
"There are a couple of other kickers who have had great seasons," Akers said. "Ryan Longwell is one, especially playing up in Green Bay, and Josh Brown of the Seahawks has the best percentage in the NFC. So, it says a lot...I feel honored." "The News Journal"
- Ahman Green isn't sure he deserved another Pro Bowl honor after struggling through an injury-filled season that hasn't seen him reach the end zone since October.
Although Green has gained 1,000 yards for the fifth straight season, he has been bothered by a strained Achilles' tendon and bruised ribs and has scored just six touchdowns after scoring 20 last season.
"I was surprised," Green said Wednesday after he was named to the Pro Bowl for the fourth straight season. "I thought (with) the injuries, I hadn't played that well this season to be accepted, but I was in the fans' eyes and in my peers' eyes."
- Green 'Surprised' by Pro Bowl Inclusion (AP)
- Dick Vermeil Q&A: Q) A lot of guys don’t even stay in the league for 10 years and you’ve got two linemen (Roaf and Shields) who are 10-year all pros. It’s amazing isn’t it?
Vermeil) "Yeah, it really is. What’s so great is Will Shields is an all pro in every category: on the field, off the field, every example he sets on the practice field, whatever day it is, whatever kind of practice it is he sets an example of a true all pro." (KCChiefs.com)
- Prior to the roster announcements, Ed Graney of the San Diego Union-Tribune pondered: "Would Toniu Fonoti have a better chance if he changed his name to Larry Toniuolevaiavea Satele Allen?"
- Despite a season marred by injuries, Packers RB Ahman Green has been named to the NFC Pro Bowl team.
No surprise that Chiefs G Will Shields will be headed to the Pro Bowl once again; the possible future Hall of Famer is more-or-less an annually automatic selection.
For the NFC, Seahawks K Josh Brown and Lions FB Cory Schlesinger are an alternates while Panthers S Mike Minter is a second alternate. Alternates make the trip if a selected player is injured or chooses not to play.
- 12/21/04 - Chicago Bears] The Bears claimed safety Jerrell Pippens off waivers from the San Diego Chargers.
12/20/04
- [San Diego Chargers] The Chargers released CB Jerrell Pippens from the active roster. There was no word on whether or not he will be re-signed to the practice squad.
- [Houston Texans] PK Kris Brown is expected to be limited in practice this week due to a hip injury but is expected to play in Week 16. (KFFL, HoustonTexans.com)
- [Dallas Cowboys] Linebacker Scott Shanle, who made his first career start Sunday, could end up starting the final two games if linebacker Al Singleton ends up on injured reserve. Parcells indicated Monday that Singleton's stomach injury might keep him out. "There were no glaring mistakes," Parcells said of Shanle. (DallasNews.com)
- Chatham attorney represents six NFL players, including a couple Huskers- Showing them the money
- [Houston Texans] Starting right guard Zach Wiegert will miss the final two games of the season after injuring a knee in the Texans' 24-5 victory over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.
Wiegert sprained the medial collateral ligament in his right knee on the final play of the first quarter. He is expected to be placed on injured reserve as early as today.
"I've been told I'm out three to four weeks," Wiegert said. "With two weeks left, I'm assuming I'm done for the season."
Another Husker, LB Jay Foreman, is already on the Injured Reserve for the Texans. (Houston Chronicle)
WEEK 15: Stats, Pictures and Stories
- 12/19/04 - Rucker says team must continue to fight to end
12/17/04
- Sun Sentinel columnist Charles Bricker tabbed a couple surprise Huskers as deserved Pro Bowlers: Chargers G Toniu Fonoti and Bengals undrafted rookie P Kyle Larson.
"I'm taking one very young player at guard -- the Chargers' Toniu Fonoti, who looked so lost as a rookie in 2002. Two years later, he's become a crushing blocker on a team that is averaging 136 rushing yards a game and has a quarterback who is sacked, on average, once every 23.7 attempts.
... and from the Boston Herald- Last year Will Shields of Kansas City and Alan Faneca of the Steelers were the (Pro Bowl) starters, and they'll probably be repeaters this year.
- [Green Bay Packers] Green Bay RB Ahman Green needs 8 yards rushing for his fifth 1,000-yard season in a row, tying Jim Taylor (5) for the most in team history. However, since Jack Del Rio became coach, Jacksonville (the Packers Week 15 opponent) has limited teams to less than 100 yards rushing in 16 of 29 games. The teams meet in Green Bay, where the Packers can clinch a playoff spot with a victory. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
12/16/04
- [Houston Texans] LB Jay Foreman, who is out for the year with a sprained ankle, had successful surgery on Wednesday. (AP)
- [Houston Texans] Texans K Kris Brown thought Tennessee's and Indianapolis' recent complaints about the shoddy state of Reliant Stadium's grass turf were a little overblown. "I thought the field probably wasn't as good as it's been," Brown said. "But to say that it was the 'worst field in the league,' I wouldn't go that far." (AP)
- Bucks place Strickland on injured list
- [Dallas Cowboys] Linebacker Al Singleton (abdominal strain) did not practice for the second straight day, increasing the odds that Scott Shanle will start. (Dallas Morning News)
12/15/04
- [Minnesota Vikings] Head coach Mike Tice said CB Ralph Brown has a broken eye socket and will miss three weeks.
- Q&A with Chiefs G Will Shields
- Clippers' Moore says he wanted to stay with Jazz
- [Minnesota Vikings] Special teams coach Rusty Tillman singled out Larry Ned, Willie Offord and Ralph Brown for their recent play on special teams.
Unfortunately, Brown suffered a fractured eye socket in Sunday's loss which also prompted the Vikings to sign another CB off their practice roster. (Pioneer Press)
- [Dallas Cowboys] Cornerback Tyrone Williams, who was suspended the past two games by the NFL for violating the league's personal conduct policy, was released off the Cowboys' injured reserve list Tuesday. Williams had been on the injured reserve list since last month with a strained hamstring. The Cowboys were forced to place him there when Williams went unclaimed on waivers after being released. Because he was not playing, the suspension by the NFL was simply a fine of two game checks -- Seattle and New Orleans. (Star-Telegram)
- [Seattle Seahawks] Kudos to Josh Brown who bounced back immediately after missing what would have been a team record 17th straight field goal and hitting 2 in a row after that. He showed a lot of mental toughness in getting the job done. (Seahawks.NET)
- [Atlanta Falcons] OLB Demorrio Williams, the Falcons' fourth-round draft pick out of Nebraska, has been playing alongside OLB Keith Brooking in the nickel and dime defenses for some time, but the rookie also has been used in some special personnel situations. Coaches value his speed, and his instincts have been impressive, too. "He hasn't gotten in there by injury (to someone else)," said president/general manager Rich McKay. "He's earned playing time. He has great passion for playing." (Falcons.Scout.com)
- [Dallas Cowboys] Linebacker Al Singleton, who missed much of the second half against New Orleans, was scheduled to undergo an MRI exam on Monday.
Singleton was replaced by second-year man Scott Shanle, who got significant playing time for the first time.
Parcells said Shanle could have done better but was not "terrible" under the circumstances. (Star-Telegram)
- [Seattle Seahawks] DE Grant Wistrom is expected to miss up to six weeks with ligament damage in his left knee.
The timetable means that Wistrom likely won't see action again this season unless Seattle makes the playoffs. The Seahawks are currently one game ahead of the St. Louis Rams for first place in the NFC West.
Wistrom suffered the injury during the fourth quarter of Sunday's 27-23 victory in Minnesota. He will be re-evaluated within the next two weeks to see how the knee is progressing. Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren indicated Wistrom might be able to play in the postseason if the injury heals faster than projected. (Sports Network)
- Offensive line is leadership central (Raiola)
- [St. Louis Rams] Guard Chris Dishman has been sidelined for the past four games with a knee injury that may keep him out for the rest of the season. (Post-Dispatch)
- [Minnesota Vikings] CB Ralph Brown (eye, nose) may have suffered a fractured eye socket or broken nose during Week 14. He underwent an MRI Monday. If it is a fractured eye socket, he would miss the remainder of the season.
12/14/04
- Rucker, Panthers having a ball
- [Oakland Raiders] What does Oakland play for the final three weeks?
"It's your job, that's what you play for," answered a disgusted John Parrella. "You play for your teammates and whatever else inspires you. What are we going to do, just quit?"
Well, John, it's happened before with Raiders teams going this bad, so the test of character is still in question. What's more, it could mean several lost jobs if Oakland can't muster a respectable finish. (Oakland Tribune)
- Shields endures for KC
WEEK 14: Stats, Pictures and Stories
12/11/04
- [CFL-Blue Bombers] General Manager Brendan Taman said import LB Tony Ortiz is interested in coming back to training camp in the spring. Ortiz left the Bombers practice roster in July because he and his wife, who live in Dallas, had just had a baby. (Winnipeg Sun)
- [Atlanta Falcons] The strength of the Falcons kickoff coverage comes from Kevin McCadam, Siddeeq Shabazz and Demorrio Williams who flush ball-carriers in the direction of leading special teams tacklers Bryan Scott and Artie Ulmer.
"They make plays that don't necessarily show up on the stat sheet," coach Jim Mora said. "You know, using up a blocker, forcing someone to block them with two so another guy can get freed up. Those guys, week-in, week-out, are at the top of the point chart for Joe (DeCamillis, special teams coordinator), I know."
- Moore's play is almost as surprising as his pets
12/10/04
- [St Louis Rams] Although cornerback DeJuan Groce was listed as questionable on Friday’s injury report, he’ll be active Sunday. Groce missed the last two games because of a knee injury.
- [St Louis Rams] Dick Vermeil on Shields status for Monday Night- "He’ll be ready to go."
Shields is listed as questionable. (KCChiefs.com)
- [New York Jets] Pro Bowl defensive end John Abraham is out for the next few weeks with a sprained right knee and the Jets will try to use a few different players to replace him.
One of those players is DE Trevor Johnson, a 7th round draft pick. Johnson, whose energetic, always-running-to-the-ball style has earned him the nickname "Running Man," has been in on a handful of snaps for most games this season, but he got as many as 10 snaps against Baltimore, when he registered a season-high four tackles. Johnson beat out a 2003 5th rounder to earn a roster spot as a backup and said he doesn't consider his recent play a surprise.
"I came into this with an extreme amount of confidence," he said. "I’ve envisioned myself in this position. I would have let myself down a little bit if I wasn’t getting myself in this position." (NHRegister.com)
- Trevor Johnson Has the Jets' Confidence
- "Running Man" Johnson to help replace Abraham
- 12/10/04 - Raiola's adjustments have helped Lions' ground game
12/09/04
- [Green Bay Packers] Najeh Davenport and Tony Fisher are restricted free agents at the end of the 2004 season and unrestricted free agents after 2005. In addition, the five-year, $18 million deal Ahman Green signed in 2001 ends after next season. This Packers trio is the envy of most running backs coaches across the league. It's also a threesome that's not likely to be together much longer. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, CNNSI)
- [AFL-Georgia Force] OL/DL Dave Volk was one of four rookie free agents to sign with the Georgia Force of the AFL. Volk has been a member of the Dallas Cowboys practice squad for two-years, 2002 and 2003, and attended training camp with the club this past summer. He entered the league as a rookie free agent with the Chicago Bears in 2002, where he was released following training camp. Volk was allocated to the Amsterdam Admirals in 2004 and earned ALL-NFL-Europe honors starting in all 10 games. (OurSportsCentral.com)
- Out: Rams G Chris Dishman (knee); Questionable: Chiefs G Will Shields (foot), Rams CB Dejuan Groce (knee); Probable: Texans G Zach Wiegert (knee).
- [Kansas City Chiefs] Will Shields is listed as questionable but is expected to play on a sprained ankle this Sunday. (Morris News Service)
- [St. Louis Rams] CB DeJuan Groce returned to action Wednesday, going through most of the workout. Groce has missed the past few weeks with a knee injury and is listed as questionable.
- [Minnesota Vikings] Vikings No. 1 CB Antoine Winfield will miss at least two games because of a sprained ankle, creating a trickle-down effect that will force Shaw into his starting job, Derek Ross into the nickel role and Ralph Brown into the dime. (Star Tribune)
- [New York Jets] Two players will try to fill the void left by injured defensive end John Abraham, who is out two to three weeks with a sprained ligament in his right knee.
Trevor Johnson will split time with Bryan Thomas on Sunday against the Steelers. The pair filled in admirably for an injured Shaun Ellis four games ago against the Baltimore Ravens. (Star-Ledger)
12/08/04
- [Atlanta Falcons] Credit position coach Chris Beake and coordinator Ed Donatell with recognizing the ability of Demorrio Williams and using the rookie alongside Brooking in nickel and third-down schemes. Once Williams has the offseason to spend on adding some bulk, the team could find itself with a major steal from the fourth round.
The only negatives, Williams is prone to overexcitement and penalties. Brooking occasionally overruns a play. (Morris News Service)
- The Philadelphia Inquirer will announce its South Jersey football coach of the year next Wednesday. One of the nominees- Doug Colman, Absegami High School.
Colman directed the Braves to a 7-3 record - equaling the most wins in the school's 33-year history - and a share of the Cape-Atlantic American title. Absegami, which qualified for the Group 4 playoffs, won a league title just one other season, finishing in a six-way tie for first in 1982.
- [Kansas City Chiefs] A preliminary hearing for Chiefs defensive back Eric Warfield was scheduled Tuesday for Jan. 5.
Warfield, 28, is charged in Johnson County District Court with a felony count of driving under the influence of alcohol.
During a brief court hearing Tuesday, defense attorney Kevin Regan said he was discussing a possible resolution of the case with prosecutors and hoped to reach an agreement before the January date.
The charge against Warfield is a felony because he has two prior DUI convictions. He is also charged in the case with misdemeanor counts of driving with a suspended license and having no proof of insurance.
The charges stem from a traffic stop by Overland Park police in September. (KC Star)
- [Dallas Cowboys] CB Tyrone Williams has been suspended by the NFL for two games for violating the league's personal conduct policy.
According to a source, the ruling stems from a domestic violence charge against Williams.
Considering that he has been on injured reserve since Nov. 13 because of a hamstring injury, the suspension has little impact on the Cowboys -- though Williams will lose two game checks.
The Cowboys, who questioned Williams' desire to play football and tried to waive him before being forced to put him on injured reserve, are unlikely to bring him back next season. (Star Telegram)
12/07/04
- [Houston Texans] With S Marcus Coleman out for the rest of the season with a right shoulder injury, the Texans promoted rookie safety Jammal Lord from their practice squad to the 53-man roster. (AP)
- [NBA-Chicago] Veteran swingman Eric Piatkowski was flattered to hear his name in trade rumors, but he considered them to be little more than talk this early in the season. Nonetheless, because there is a dearth of established distance shooters around the league, the 34-year-old Piatkowski figures to have some trade value in the weeks ahead.
"I just got here, and I don't want to leave," said Piatkowski, who was acquired from Houston in the Dikembe Mutombo trade three months ago. "It's too early to hear (trade speculation). It's nothing that I haven't heard before in my career. If I worried every time that I heard my name mentioned, I would never make a shot."
Among other things, Piatkowski likes the proximity of Chicago to Omaha, Neb., where he, his wife and two children reside in the offseason. (Daily Southtown)
According to the Rocky Mountain News, the Denver Nuggets have expressed considerable interest in trading for Piatkowski.
- 12/07/04 - Ruud sets sights on pro career
12/06/04
- [New York Jets] Rookie seventh-round pick Trevor Johnson will get increased playing time. He had four tackles against the Ravens while splitting time with 2002 1st-rounder Bryan Thomas. (Star-Ledger)
- [Houston Texans] OG Zach Wiegert will be limited in practice Wednesday because of a thigh injury. (HoustonTexans.com, KFFL)
- [Houston Texans] As expected, the Texans added LB Jay Foreman to the Injured Reserve on Monday after he sustained a season-ending ankle injury in Week 13.
WEEK 13: Stats, Pictures and Stories
12/05/04
- Leader Foreman lost for the season
- [New England Patriots] Last Sunday, after the Pats' win over the Ravens, Russ Hochstein waited patiently at Joe Andruzzi's locker as Andruzzi dressed. Hochstein was waiting to be introduced to a young girl who has leukemia. Andruzzi had invited the girl to the game and asked Hochstein to take time to say hello. (Providence Journal)
- [Philadelphia Eagles] Jon Runyan and Hank Fraley were the big Eagles winners at the Toys for Tots Celebrity Casino Night at Denim (1712 Walnut). Runyan's wife, Loretta, did pretty well too, winning a coat donated by Haverford's Shupp Furs. Fraley won a fully stocked liquor locker at the club.
Their teammate Correll Buckhalter didn't impress at the tables, but instead on Walnut Street, where pedestrians admired the rims on his Cadillac Escalade.
The night raised more than $7,000 and seven barrels full of toys. (Philladelphia Inquirer)
12/03/04
- [St. Louis Rams] CB DeJuan Groce (knee) didn't practice Friday and will likely miss Week 13.
- Ryan Held hired as SWOSU head coach
12/02/04
- Rucker expects Saints best
- [Carolina Panthers] Linebacker Will Witherspoon has taken over the team lead in tackles with a recent surge; he has 84, including 61 solo hits. Safety Mike Minter (72 with 33 solos) is second. (Charlotte Observer)
- [NBA] From Rocky Mountain News' writer Sam Adams-- Straight from the bartender's shot glass: Here's to Nuggets GM Kiki Vandeweghe, who surely is searching for a three-point shooting threat to add to Denver's roster. Keep calling the Chicago Bulls about Eric Piatkowski, a career .400 three-point shooter and son of former Denver Rockets player Walt Piatkowski.
- [Kansas City Chiefs] Chiefs' QB Trent Green on Will Shields starting streak-- "That’s even more amazing because on every play he’s getting hit. He knows that every play he’s getting hit. The difference is, and I’ve tried to explain it to people, from a quarterback standpoint a lot of the time you’re getting hit in an awkward position. You’re either off-balance or your arm is up in a throwing motion or you’re exposed in different ways. That’s the only difference in that regard. From a lineman standpoint just to stay healthy having people fall into the back of your legs, running backs run into the back of you. It’s really remarkable that he’s been able to do what he has." Full Interview
- Out: Rams OG Chris Dishman (knee); Doubtful: Rams CB DeJuan Groce (knee); Probable: Packers RB Ahman Green (ribs), Texans K Kris Brown (hip).
- [St. Louis Rams] Although listed as doubtful, CB DeJuan Groce (knee) is a week or two from being able to play. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Groce resumed running Thursday and expects to be healthy next week. (KC Star)
- [Green Bay Packers] RB Ahman Green donned a flak jacket to protect his bruised ribs Wednesday.
"Just a little something that most quarterbacks wear even when they're not hurt," Green said. "Just to prevent stuff. I think Michael Vick wears them. But most quarterbacks wear them around the NFL, so it's a normal thing when you have the area injured."
Head coach Mike Sherman said he expects Green back in the lineup Sunday at Philadelphia, and Green said he didn't think he'd be limited although he couldn't say he'd be pain-free.
"It's getting better every day," Green said. "I just know if I'm able to play, I'm going to be out there full-go." (AP)
- [UIF-Omaha] The Omaha Beef Football announced the first five signees in preparation for the 2005 season; among them was Damien Bauman. Baumen returns for his fourth straight season with Omaha Beef Football. In 2004 he contributed in 12 of 16 games played with 2 sacks, 15.5 tackles, 8 tackles for a loss, 3 yards receiving, 4 kick returns for 20 yards, 1 fumble forced, 1 fumble recovered and a 3 yard reception for a touchdown. (Beef Press Release)
Formerly of the NIFL, the Omaha Beef joined the new United Indoor Football (UIF) league for 2005.
12/01/04
- [Kansas City Chiefs] There was much hype surrounding Brett Favre's 200th consecutive regular season start on Monday Night. Favre leads all active players in consecutive starts but he's only 13 ahead of Chiefs G Will Shields.
"An outstanding player. An outstanding person. What more can you say?" head coach Dick Vermeil said of Shields. "He's the same every day. He grades out almost identically every ballgame. You can almost rewrite the grade whether he's playing on a guy that's played in six Pro Bowls or no Pro Bowls. He's going to play extremely well." (Kansas City Star)
Former Minnesota defensive end Jim Marshall is the all-time consecutive-starts leader with 270. Others on the esteemed list are former Husker and Minnesota center Mick Tingelhoff (240), Houston/Tennessee offensive lineman Bruce Matthews (229), Oakland center Jim Otto (210), Oakland guard Gene Upshaw (207) and Minnesota/Tampa Bay guard Randall McDaniel (202). (Green Bay News-Chronicle)
- [Seattle Seahawks] "I hate 'Monday Night Football.' It's just another distraction from the game. I like going out there and playing. I like the routine of playing on Sundays." -- Defensive end Grant Wistrom, looking toward the team's game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night. (Seatle Post-Intelligencer)
- [Seattle Seahawks] K Josh Brown is second in the NFL in field-goal percentage (.950, 19 of 20) and is third in the NFC in scoring (81 points). (Seatle Post-Intelligencer)
- [St. Louis Rams] OG Chris Dishman (knee) is out for Week 13 and will remain out until late in the season.
- [Houston Texans] K Kris Brown (hip, groin) played in Week 12, despite discomfort in his groin and hip area. Brown said the injury bothered him mostly on kickoffs. He has missed at least one field goal in four straight games, which he attributes more to technique than his health. (Houston Chronicle, KFFL)
- [Green Bay Packers] RB Ahman Green (ribs) practiced without pads Wednesday and is being fitted for a flak jacket. He has yet to test his ribs in full contact.
- Green returns to practice with flak jacket, ends silence
- [Houston Texans] LB Jay Foreman (neck) returned to practice Wednesday. He had his streak of 42 straight starts with the Texans snapped when he was inactive for Week 12. If Foreman is unavailable for Week 13, backup LB DaShon Polk would fill in at inside linebacker. (Houston Chronicle, KFFL)
- 2004 - Tomlinson joines Junior Raiders coaching staff full-time