Coaches in the News

 

HC Dick LaBeau (Cin) was fired.

 

HC Dave Campo (Dal) was fired. Bill Parcels has officially been unofficially named to coach the team and is unofficially expected to officially be introduced as the team�s new coach on Thursday.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � HC Bill Parcels (Dal) is officially the team�s new head coach.

 

HC Marty Mornhinweg (Det) and Dom Capers (Hou) will coach the South and North (respectively) in the upcoming Senior Bowl. Note to Mornhinweg: Take the ball.

 

HC Tom Coughlin (Jac) was fired.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � Tom Coughlin (and also Marvin Lewis) has been contacted by the Cincinnati Bengals. This brings up the old phrase, �Out of the frying pan and into the cauldron of burning Hell.� Good luck, Tom.

 

*** Friday Night Update � Tom Coughlin met with Cincinnati President Mike Brown and looks to be the front runner to be the Bengals coach. Oh that�s right�no one else wants this job.�

 

HC Mike Holmgren (Sea) has fewer letters after his name after resigning as the team�s GM. Said team president Bob Whitsitt, �Clearly, we need Mike on the field as much as possible.� Clearly indeed.

 

Quarterbacks in the News

 

QB Jim Miller (Chi) will finally be able to have surgery on his shoulder and will not be able to participate in off-season workouts (which occur in February).

 

QB Tim Couch (Cle) is out for the playoffs with a broken fibula. Kelly Holcomb will start for the team.

 

QB Jim Druckenmiller (GB) had a workout for the team on Monday. There�s no truth to the rumor that it was cut short so Druckenmiller could get back to his shift at Sip �n� Go.

 

QB Brett Favre (GB) is expected to play this weekend despite his ankle and knee injuries.

 

QB Trent Green (KC) is due an $8 million roster bonus in March. Some have worried that Green will be released, but look for the team and Green to work out a new contract before the incentive is due.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � QB Tom Brady (NE) finished the season with a slight separation in his shoulder. He will not need surgery and expects to be fully healthy by training camp.

 

*** Friday Night Update � QB Aaron Brooks (NO) is seeking additional opinions regarding his shoulder.� He is expected to undergo surgery in the off-season.

 

QB Rich Gannon (Oak) has been named the NFL�s Most Valuable Player. Brett Favre finished second.

 

QB Koy Detmer (Phi) is still rehabbing his elbow but has regained most of his flexibility.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � QB Koy Detmer (Phi) is again full speed and will be able to backup Donovan McNabb when the team plays their first playoff game.

 

QB Donovan McNabb (Phi) is due back at practice on Thursday. So far, everything is looking good for McNabb.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � QB Donovan McNabb (Phi) took 30 reps in practice on Thursday. Coach Andy Reid said, McNabb �looked sharp� but added the QB still has a small limp. Reid did not declare McNabb the starter for the team�s first playoff game.

 

*** Friday Night Update � QB Donovan McNabb (Phi) practiced on Friday and he looks as if he will start next week for the Eagles.� The Eagles have not officially named a starter for next week�s game, but most assume if McNabb can play he will start.

 

QB Kurt Warner (StL) may have a torn rotator cuff. Or he may not. He may be a Ram through the 2006 season. Or he may not. We�ll know in a few weeks as the team wants to put Warner through a series of tests. The results of these tests will help determine whether the team exercises an option in his contract that extends through the 2006 season.

 

QB Brad Johnson (TB) took a majority of the 1st team snaps on Wednesday and was named the starter for the team�s first playoff game (which is in the 2nd round).

 

*** Friday Night Update � QB Steve McNair (Ten) took snaps with the first unit on Thursday for about an hour.� He also practiced on Frday taking half of the snaps.� He is expected to start as usual next week.

 

Running Backs in the News

 

RB Bob Christian (Atl) will miss the entire playoffs after being placed on the injured reserve list.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � RB TJ Duckett (Atl) had a good day of practice on Wednesday, and it looks like his knee is better.

 

RB Tony Fisher (GB) is uncertain for the opening round of the playoffs.

 

*** Friday Night Update � RB Tiki Barber (NYG) left practice on Friday after his back tightened up.� The team commented that the injury is not considered serious and Tiki will start as expected this weekend.

 

RB Jerome Bettis, Amos Zereoue, and Chris Fuamatu-Ma�afala (Pit) will all see action in the playoffs. A starter has not yet been named. Bettis is expected to play with a brace on his knee.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � RB Jerome Bettis (Pit) practiced on Wednesday.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � RB Kevan Barlow (SF) is expected to play this weekend, but he did not practice on Wednesday.

 

Wide Receivers in the News

 

WR Shawn Jefferson (Atl) is improving but could still miss this weekend�s playoff game with his hamstring injury.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Shawn Jefferson (Atl) did practice on Wednesday, but the team is not sure how much (if at all) they�ll use him this weekend.

 

WR Donald Driver (GB) may miss this weekend�s playoff game with his shoulder injury. His arm was still in a sling on Tuesday, and the quick turn-around to a Saturday game doesn�t help matters.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Donald Driver (GB) was able to practice on Thursday, but he did not show Coach Mike Sherman enough to be a definite for this weekend�s game. Today, Driver also revealed that his shoulder (officially described as bruised and strained) was partially dislocated in last Sunday�s game (it popped out of socket when Driver hit the ground and then back as he turned over). The team will evaluate Driver�s shoulder over the next 24 hours and determine whether he�s capable of playing on Saturday. If Driver can not play, Robert Ferguson will start in his place.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Robert Ferguson (GB) practiced on Thursday after sitting out Wednesday�s session. As mentioned above, Ferguson will start if Driver can not go.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Qadry Ismail (Ind) was placed on IR this week ending his season.� Reggie Wayne will start opposite of Marvin Harrison.� Troy Walters will be the #3 WR.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Ron Dixon (NYG) did practice on Wednesday but was limited. The team seems cautiously optimistic about his chances of playing this weekend.

 

*** Friday Night Update � WR Ron Dixon (NYG) practiced on Friday with the first unit for the majority of plays and is expected to start this week opposite of Amani Toomer.

 

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Laveranues Coles (NYJ) not only has a difficult name to spell, but he also wants to remain a Jet. Coles will be a restricted free agent and says he wants to go ahead and re-sign where he�s happy.

 

WR Todd Pinkston (Phi) is expected to be able to play in the team�s first playoff game (which isn�t until the 2nd round).

 

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Todd Pinkston (Phi) did not practice on Thursday. He is improving and did some running and individual drills. The team expects Pinkston to practice on Friday.

 

*** Friday Night Update � WR Todd Pinkston (Phi) practiced on Friday, but is not 100%.� He is expected to play next week provided he continues to progress without setbacks.

 

WR Terrell Owens (SF) is going to play in the team�s playoff game this weekend. DUH!

 

*** Thursday Night Update � WR Terrell Owens (SF) practiced on Wednesday and Thursday. He�s going to play this weekend.

 

Tight Ends in the News

 

TE Roland Williams (Oak) has a partially torn ACL, a torn MCL, and torn ligaments in his big toe, but he still wants to play in the team�s first playoff game. What a stud. Check that, Doug Jolley is the stud TE on this team. Williams� injuries only adds to Jolley�s playoff potential.

 

Place Kickers in the News

 

None.