Coaches in the News

*** Friday Night Update – HC Dave Campo (formerly Dal) has been hired as the defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns.

HC Dennis Green (formerly Min) interviewed for the Jacksonville head coaching position. He wants total control. The team wants to hire a general manager first. What a great fit we have here.

*** Thursday Night Update – OC Sean Payton (NYG) was given permission by the team to seek employment elsewhere. He has quickly landed in Dallas as assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach. This move comes as no surprise after Payton lost his play-calling duties in midseason.

DC Marvin Lewis (Was) has joined former Jacksonville head coach Tom Coughlin as the leading candidates for the Bengals vacant head coaching position. Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey is also on the short list, but he can not be officially contacted because his team is still active in the playoffs.

*** Thursday Night Update – We apologize but the above was inaccurate. Mike Mularkey has been contacted by the Bengals and was interviewed by the team. However, he obviously will not be hired while his Steelers are still alive in the playoffs.

Quarterbacks in the News

QB Jeff Blake (Bal) seems likely to return to Baltimore in 2003 as the team’s starting QB.

QB Jim Miller (Chi) had shoulder surgery Tuesday. Miller could be ready for the team’s training camp.

*** Thursday Night Update – QB Jim Miller (Chi) is expected to rehab after his surgery into the summer. He hopes to be able to participate in the team’s training camp in July.

QB Aaron Brooks (NO) will undergo shoulder surgery in mid-January. This injury kept him being a factor during the team’s late season slide. He should be ready for the team’s spring mini-camp.

QB Donovan McNabb (Phi) will start this weekend’s playoff game.

*** Thursday Night Update – QB Donovan McNabb (Phi) practiced Wednesday and looked sharp.

*** Friday Night Update – QB Donovan McNabb (Phi) had no setbacks during practice this week and will start after a long layoff. 

*** Friday Night Update – QB Charlie Batch (Pit) would be willing to stay with the team, but only if he gets a chance to compete for the starting job next season.  We do not expect Charlie Batch to be back as this job is not likely to be competed.  Tommy Maddox will be the starter next season.

*** Thursday Night Update – QB Kurt Warner (StL) underwent a medical exam today where a physician examined his shoulder, hand, and elbow. According to Warner’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, the QB is 100% healthy. The team had no immediate comment. However, Marc Bulger stated today that while he is looking forward to competing for the starting job next season, he would be fine with the backup QB spot. Are these two news items related?

*** Friday Night Update – QB Kurt Warner (StL) is due a roster bonus of 6 million dollars on February 28^th.  Commentary – Call me crazy, but why would you not trade him, save the cap room to improve your aging team and play the kid (Bulger) who looked very sharp in the games he played?  My guess is the team will keep both next year and regret they did not offload Warner in the offseason.

QB Brad Johnson (TB) seems to be at full strength and says he feels ‘as sharp’ as he’s felt at any point this season. Remember, last week he was named the starter for this weekend’s game.

QB Steve McNair (Ten) does not appear on the team’s injury report. That’s noteworthy as this is the 1^st since October that he wasn’t on.

Running Backs in the News

*** Thursday Night Update – RB Priest Holmes (KC) was named the league’s offensive player of the year.

*** Friday Night Update – RB Priest Holmes (KC) expects to receive medical clearance from the team to play in the Pro Bowl.

*** Thursday Night Update – RB Tyrone Wheatley (Oak) is expected to play this weekend despite his ankle injury.

*** Friday Night Update – RB Tyrone Wheatley (Oak) practiced on Thursday and will play this weekend.

RB Jerome Bettis, Amos Zereoue, & Chris Fuamatu-Ma’afala (Pit) are each expected to play significant roles this weekend (much like last weekend). The team has not named a starter.

RB Stephen Davis (Was) will likely be cut by the team next month.

Wide Receivers in the News

*** Thursday Night Update – WR Eddie Kennison (KC) is fairly close to inking a six-year deal with the team.

*** Thursday Night Update – WR Randy Moss (Min) may miss this year’s Pro Bowl due to his strained MCL (which he injured in the team’s final game). The injury is not expected to keep him from missing the team’s April minicamp.

*** Thursday Night Update – WR Ike Hilliard (NYG) will be a free agent but says he wants to return to the team next season.

*** Friday Night Update – WR Jerry Rice (Oak) hinted to ESPN that he would be back for his 19^th season next year.  It’s almost unfair that he is still this good.

WR Todd Pinkston (Phi) practiced on Tuesday and Wednesday and expects to play this weekend despite his toe injury.

*** Thursday Night Update – WR Todd Pinkston (Phi) practiced on Thursday, and his toe injury seems to be OK.

WR Hines Ward (Pit) is expected to play this weekend despite a quadriceps injury.

*** Thursday Night Update – WR Hines Ward (Pit) did not practice on Wednesday.

WR Terrell Owens (SF) is still bothered a bit by his groin (although you wouldn’t know it from his 1^st round performance). That said he will play this weekend.

*** Thursday Night Update – WR Terrell Owens (SF) did not practice on Wednesday but did practice on Thursday. Obviously, he does expect to start this weekend.

Tight Ends in the News

*** Thursday Night Update – TE Roland Williams (Oak) will likely be forced to sit out this weekend’s playoff game. Of course it’s understandable when you read his list of injuries: partially torn ACL, torn MCL, torn big toe ligaments. This obviously will give Doug Jolley even more action.

*** Friday Night Update – TE Roland Williams (Oak) was unable to practice this week and looks as if he will be inactive for the game.  Doug Jolley will start in is place.

Place Kickers in the News

*** Thursday Night Update – PK Hayden Epstein (Min) underwent ACL surgery. The team does not know whether he’ll be able to participate in training camp.

PK Jeff Chandler (SF) will be less than 100% in practice this week due to his ankle injury but should be able to play this weekend.

PK Martin Gramatica (TB) has a slight groin strain but has been able to practice.