FRIDAY UPDATES

Running Backs

*** FRIDAY UPDATE *** RB Emmitt Smith (Ari) will sign with Dallas when
free agency opens on March 2nd and then retire as a Cowboy.

*** FRIDAY UPDATE *** RB Warrick Dunn (Atl) has been named the 2004
Walter Payton Man of the Year.

*** FRIDAY UPDATE *** RB Curtis Martin (NYJ) says he plans to play at
least two more years.  He believes he could catch Emmitt Smith on the
all-time rushing list in four seasons, but he doesn't know if he will
play that long.



Wide Receivers

*** FRIDAY UPDATE *** WR Terrell Owens (Phi) practiced on all week but
officially remains questionable for the Super Bowl.  Owens says he is
a "little sore, but that is to be expected," but he fully expects to
play and play without a guard on his ankle.  "I've been practicing
without any tape, just my sneakers and socks," said Owens.  "I'm ready
to go."  His starting status is also unknown.  "Whether he starts or
not, that's irrelevant, I think, right now," HC Andy Reid said.
"We've got it broken down by different plays we'd like to see him in
there.  If one of those happens to be the first play, it's the first
play, and if not, then Freddie (Mitchell) will be there."



Tight Ends

*** FRIDAY UPDATE *** TE L.J. Smith (Phi) practiced on all week and is
expected to play in the Super Bowl.



Offensive Linemen

*** FRIDAY UPDATE *** T Jon Runyan (Phi) practiced on all week and is
expected to play in the Super Bowl.



Defensive Linemen

*** FRIDAY UPDATE *** DE Richard Seymour (NE) practiced on all week
and will play in the Super Bowl.  However, he likely will not start
the game.

*** FRIDAY UPDATE *** DE Jevon Kearse (Phi) did not practice on Friday
due to illness, but he is expected to play in the Super Bowl.



Linebackers

*** FRIDAY UPDATE *** LB Mark Simoneau (Phi) practiced on all week and
is expected to play in the Super Bowl.  However, he will not start the
game.



ALL OF THE NEWS

Quarterbacks

QB Brett Favre (GB) will retire from the NFL according to fellow
Packer Donald Driver.  However, Favre's older brother Scott Favre
believes he will return for another season with Green Bay.  Favre will
announce his intentions before the start of free agency on March 2nd.

*** THURSDAY UPDATE *** QB Tom Brady (NE) has lost his grandmother who
died Wednesday at the age of 94.

*** THURSDAY UPDATE *** QB Tim Couch (FA) underwent surgery for a torn
labrum and a torn rotator cuff and will undergo four months of rehab.



Running Backs

RB Emmitt Smith (Ari) is expected to retire from the NFL.  The rumor
is that he will sign a one-day contract with Dallas and retire as a
Cowboy.  Smith has schedule a press conference for Thursday morning.

*** THURSDAY UPDATE *** RB Emmitt Smith (Ari) did in fact announce his
retirement today.

*** FRIDAY UPDATE *** RB Emmitt Smith (Ari) will sign with Dallas when
free agency opens on March 2nd and then retire as a Cowboy.

*** FRIDAY UPDATE *** RB Warrick Dunn (Atl) has been named the 2004
Walter Payton Man of the Year.

*** THURSDAY UPDATE *** RB Priest Holmes (KC) says his injured knee is
"much better" and that he will "be ready for next year."

*** FRIDAY UPDATE *** RB Curtis Martin (NYJ) says he plans to play at
least two more years.  He believes he could catch Emmitt Smith on the
all-time rushing list in four seasons, but he doesn't know if he will
play that long.

RB Ricky Williams (ret) says he is still retired and hasn't talked to
new Dolphins HC Nick Saban.  Thanks for the update Ricky.



Wide Receivers

WR David Boston (Mia) pleaded no contest to charges that he hit an
airport ticket agent and will pay $711 in fines and restitution.

WR Terrell Owens (Phi) practiced on Wednesday but is questionable on
the injury report with his injured ankle.  However, Owens maintains
that he will definitely play in the Super Bowl.  "I will play on
Sunday," said Owens.  "I know the type person I am.  I have a lot of
faith in my ability.  I feel great.  I'm proving a lot of people
wrong.  The sky is the limit for me.  There are no limitations."
However, HC Andy Reid is more cautious.  "We took it nice and slow
today," said Reid. "We'll see how he is tomorrow. The plan is to keep
increasing every day."

*** THURSDAY UPDATE *** WR Terrell Owens (Phi) practiced again on
Thursday but officially remains questionable for this Super Bowl.

*** FRIDAY UPDATE *** WR Terrell Owens (Phi) practiced on all week but
officially remains questionable for the Super Bowl.  Owens says he is
a "little sore, but that is to be expected," but he fully expects to
play and play without a guard on his ankle.  "I've been practicing
without any tape, just my sneakers and socks," said Owens.  "I'm ready
to go."  His starting status is also unknown.  "Whether he starts or
not, that's irrelevant, I think, right now," HC Andy Reid said.
"We've got it broken down by different plays we'd like to see him in
there.  If one of those happens to be the first play, it's the first
play, and if not, then Freddie (Mitchell) will be there."



Tight Ends

TE Chad Lewis (Phi) has been placed on the injured reserve list with
his injured foot.

TE L.J. Smith (Phi) practiced on Wednesday and is expected to play in
the Super Bowl despite his injured back.

*** THURSDAY UPDATE *** TE L.J. Smith (Phi) practiced on Thursday and
is expected to play in the Super Bowl.

*** FRIDAY UPDATE *** TE L.J. Smith (Phi) practiced on all week and is
expected to play in the Super Bowl.

TE Jeff Thomason (Phi) has been signed by the team and will see action
in the Super Bowl.



Offensive Linemen

T Jon Runyan (Phi) practiced on Wednesday and is expected to play in
the Super Bowl despite his injured knee.

*** THURSDAY UPDATE *** T Jon Runyan (Phi) practiced on Thursday and
is expected to play in the Super Bowl.

*** FRIDAY UPDATE *** T Jon Runyan (Phi) practiced on all week and is
expected to play in the Super Bowl.



Defensive Linemen

DE Richard Seymour (NE) practiced on Wednesday and will play in the
Super Bowl after missing the last five games with his injured knee.

*** THURSDAY UPDATE *** DE Richard Seymour (NE) practiced on Thursday
and will play in the Super Bowl.

*** FRIDAY UPDATE *** DE Richard Seymour (NE) practiced on all week
and will play in the Super Bowl.  However, he likely will not start
the game.

*** FRIDAY UPDATE *** DE Jevon Kearse (Phi) did not practice on Friday
due to illness, but he is expected to play in the Super Bowl.



Linebackers

LB Mark Simoneau (Phi) practiced on Wednesday and is expected to play
in the Super Bowl despite his injured ankle.

*** THURSDAY UPDATE *** LB Mark Simoneau (Phi) practiced on Thursday
and is expected to play in the Super Bowl.

*** FRIDAY UPDATE *** LB Mark Simoneau (Phi) practiced on all week and
is expected to play in the Super Bowl.  However, he will not start the
game.



Defensive Backs

CB Patrick Surtain (Mia) has been given permission to seek a trade
from the Dolphins.



Other

DC Romeo Crennel (NE) is expected to be named the HC of the Cleveland
Browns after the Super Bowl.  This means the Patriots are likely to
lose both coordinators as OC Charlie Weis will leave to be the HC of
Notre Dame.