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Essential News Coaches 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. 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. Quarterbacks 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. 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. He should be ready for the team's spring mini-camp. QB Donovan McNabb (Phi) will start this weekend's playoff game. 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. He is due a roster bonus of 6 million dollars on February 28th. 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 1st since October that he wasn't on. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Running Backs RB Priest Holmes (KC) was named the league's offensive player of the year. He expects to receive medical clearance from the team to play in the Pro Bowl. 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 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 WR Eddie Kennison (KC) is close to inking a six-year deal with the team. 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. WR Ike Hilliard (NYG) will be a free agent but says he wants to return to the team next season. WR Jerry Rice (Oak) hinted to ESPN that he would be back for his 19th season next year. WR Todd Pinkston (Phi) practiced all week and expects to play this weekend despite his toe injury. WR Hines Ward (Pit) is expected to play this weekend despite a quadriceps injury. WR Terrell Owens (SF) is still bothered a bit by his groin, but he will start as expected. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Tight Ends 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 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 is expected to play this weekend. PK Martin Gramatica (TB) has a slight groin strain but has been able to practice. Cheatsheets These reflect the latest tweaks as of Friday Night, January 10th Quarterbacks: 1. Rich Gannon - Oak (vs NYJ) 2. Donovan Mcnabb - Phi (vs Atl) 3. Steve McNair - Ten (vs Pit) 4. Michael Vick - Atl (at Phi) 5. Brad Johnson - TB (vs SF) 6. Chad Pennington - NYJ (at Oak) 7. Jeff Garcia - SF (at TB) 8. Tommy Maddox - Pit (at Ten) Running Backs: 1. Duce Staley - Phi (vs Atl) 2. Curtis Martin - NYJ (at Oak) 3. Eddie George - Ten (vs Pit) 4. Charlie Garner - Oak (vs NYJ) 5. Warrick Dunn - Atl (at Phi) 6. Amos Zereoue - Pit (at Ten) 7. Garrison Hearst - SF (at TB) 8. Mike Alstott - TB (vs SF) 9. Michael Pittman - TB (vs SF) 10. Kevan Barlow - SF (at TB) 11. Robert Holcombe - Ten (vs Pit) 12. Tyrone Wheatley - Oak (vs NYJ) 13. Dorsey Levens - Phi (vs Atl) 14. Zack Crockett - Oak (vs NYJ) 15. Jerome Bettis - Pit (at Ten) 16. TJ Duckett - Atl (at Phi) 17. Lamont Jordan - NYJ (at Oak) 18. Aaron Stecker - TB (vs SF) 19. Richie Anderson - NYJ (at Oak) 20. Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala - Pit (at Ten) 21. Greg Comella - Ten (vs Pit) 22. Cecil Martin - Phi (vs Atl) Tight Ends: 1. Chad Lewis - Phi (vs Atl) 2. Alge Crumpler - Atl (at Phi) 3. Anthony Becht - NYJ (at Oak) 4. Doug Jolley - Oak (vs NYJ) 5. Frank Wycheck - Ten (vs Pit) 6. Eric Johnson - SF (at TB) 7. Ken Dilger - TB (vs SF) 8. Rickey Dudley - TB (vs SF) 9. Erron Kinney - Ten (vs Pit) 10. Reggie Kelly - Atl (at Phi) 11. Jerame Tuman - Pit (at Ten) Wide Receivers: 1. Terrell Owens - SF (at TB) 2. Hines Ward - Pit (at Ten) 3. Laveranues Coles - NYJ (at Oak) 4. Derrick Mason - Ten (vs Pit) 5. Plaxico Burress - Pit (at Ten) 6. Jerry Rice - Oak (vs NYJ) 7. Keyshawn Johnson - TB (vs SF) 8. James Thrash - Phi (vs Atl) 9. Keenan McCardell - TB (vs SF) 10. Todd Pinkston - Phi (vs Atl) 11. Tim Brown - Oak (vs NYJ) 12. Wayne Chrebet - NYJ (at Oak) 13. Brian Finneran - Atl (at Phi) 14. Drew Bennett - Ten (vs Pit) 15. Jerry Porter - Oak (vs NYJ) 16. Tai Streets - SF (at TB) 17. Antonio Freeman - Phi (vs Atl) 18. Shawn Jefferson - Atl (at Phi) 19. Santana Moss - NYJ (at Oak) 20. Antwaan Randle El - Pit (at Ten) 21. Joe Jurevicius - TB (vs SF) 22. Trevor Gaylor - Atl (at Phi) 23. JJ Stokes - SF (at TB) 24. Quentin McCord - Atl (at Phi) 25. Justin McCareins - Ten (vs Pit) 26. Terance Mathis - Pit (at Ten) Team Defenses: 1. Philadelphia Eagles - Phi (vs Atl) 2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - TB (vs SF) 3. Tennessee Titans - Ten (vs Pit) 4. Pittsburgh Steelers - Pit (at Ten) 5. Oakland Raiders - Oak (vs NYJ) 6. Atlanta Falcons - Atl (at Phi) 7. San Francisco 49ers - SF (at TB) 8. New York Jets - NYJ (at Oak) Place Kickers: 1. David Akers - Phi (vs Atl) 2. Sebastian Janikowski - Oak (vs NYJ) 3. Martin Gramatica - TB (vs SF) 4. John Hall - NYJ (at Oak) 5. Joe Nedney - Ten (vs Pit) 6. Jeff Reed - Pit (at Ten) 7. Jeff Chandler - SF (at TB) 8. Jay Feely - Atl (at Phi) |