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Essential News Coaches Marvin Lewis has been hired by the Cincinnati Bengals as the head coach. Jack Del Rio has been hired by the Jacksonville Jaguars as the head coach. HC Steve Mariucci (SF) has been released by the team. Possible candidates include Dennis Green and Jim Mora, Jr. (the team's current defensive coordinator). Quarterbacks QB Brian Griese (Den) is expected to be a June 1st cut from the team. QB Vinny Testaverde (NYJ) has been given permission (according to his agent) to speak with other teams. However, Jets General Manager Terry Bradway is not aware of the team giving Testaverde this permission. The problem is that the Jets will face a $10 million cap hit if they release Testaverde. That's not going to happen. QB Kordell Stewart (Pit) will be with a different team next season. To quote Stewart: "I'm a starter, and I want to be a starter, that's the key. Obviously, that's not here." QB Brad Johnson (TB) suffered a cut on his forehead but will start this Sunday. QB Steve McNair (Ten) jammed his throwing thumb against a helmet in last week's game. He was held out of practice on Tuesday and Wednesday, but practiced on Thursday and Friday. he will start as expected. QB Troy Aikman (FA) says he would consider returning to the Cowboys if Bill Parcels asks. QB Elvis Grbac (retirement) has announced that he is un-retiring. His agent has called at least one team: the Denver Broncos. QB Eli Manning (Ole Miss) is staying in school for his senior season. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Running Backs RB DeShaun Foster (Car) is so far from returning from his knee injury/surgery (about six more months) that the team has not ruled out selecting another RB in the upcoming NFL draft. The team 'hopes' Foster will come back OK, but they truly are not sure. RB Emmitt Smith (Dal) has yet to meet with the team regarding next season. Although RB Priest Holmes (KC) could play in the Pro-Bowl, it looks as if the team is going to keep him out and avoid any additional risk with their star running back. RB Curtis Martin (NYJ) will not require ankle surgery this off-season but instead will rehab. RB Jerome Bettis (Pit) will undergo knee surgery later this month to repair a cartilage tear. On a more long term note: Bettis is not a sure bet to return to the team next season. If he does, he will likely be expected to compete for the starting job. RB Eddie George (Ten) suffered a concussion during Saturday's game, but has practiced from Wednesday on this week. He will start as expected. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Wide Receivers WR Shawn Jefferson (Atl) might be released by the team. WR Brandon Stokley (Bal) is still on crutches but hopes to be rid of them within a week or two. WR Eddie Kennison (KC) has been re-signed by the team for six years and $14.8 million. WR Randy Moss (Min) is still recovering from his MCL and might miss the Pro-Bowl. WR Laveranues Coles (NYJ) will be targeted by the team this off-season. They very much want to re-sign Coles. WR Todd Pinkston (Phi) is expected to play this weekend despite being sore after playing last weekend with his turf toe. WR JJ Stokes (SF) is contracted to make $2.25 million next season. The team is not interested in him at that price. WR Joe Jurevicius (TB) remains with his wife after their child was born with complications earlier in the week. He is not practicing, but has the green light to play if he rejoins the team before Sunday. Karl Williams would be the third receiver and the team would activate Reggie Barlow should Joe not join up with the team. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Tight Ends TE Mikhael Ricks (Det) re-signed with the Lions for another 3 years. TE Roland Williams (Oak) has missed practice all week and remains doubtful for the game. Doug Jolley will start. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Place Kickers PK Jeff Reed (Pit) will be listed as the team's starting PK going into next season's training camp. Todd Peterson will be given a chance to compete for the job as well. PK Martin Gramatica (TB) has what Jon Gruden is calling a tired leg. It will not stop him from kicking field goals this weekend, but he has practiced lightly this week. Cheatsheets These reflect the latest tweaks as of Friday Night, January 17th Quarterbacks 1. Steve McNair (Q) - Ten (at Oak) 2. Rich Gannon - Oak (vs Ten) 3. Donovan Mcnabb (P) - Phi (vs TB) 4. Brad Johnson (P) - TB (at Phi) Running Backs 1. Charlie Garner - Oak (vs Ten) 2. Eddie George (Q) - Ten (at Oak) 3. Duce Staley - Phi (vs TB) 4. Mike Alstott - TB (at Phi) 5. Michael Pittman - TB (at Phi) 6. Zack Crockett - Oak (vs Ten) 7. Tyrone Wheatley - Oak (vs Ten) 8. Robert Holcombe - Ten (at Oak) 9. Dorsey Levens - Phi (vs TB) 10. Cecil Martin - Phi (vs TB) 11. John Simon - Ten (at Oak) 12. Aaron Stecker - TB (at Phi) Tight Ends 1. Frank Wycheck - Ten (at Oak) 2. Doug Jolley - Oak (vs Ten) 3. Chad Lewis - Phi (vs TB) 4. Ken Dilger - TB (at Phi) 5. Rickey Dudley - TB (at Phi) 6. Erron Kinney - Ten (at Oak) 7. Jeff Thomason - Phi (vs TB) Wide Receivers 1. Jerry Rice - Oak (vs Ten) 2. Derrick Mason - Ten (at Oak) 3. James Thrash - Phi (vs TB) 4. Todd Pinkston (P) - Phi (vs TB) 5. Tim Brown - Oak (vs Ten) 6. Keyshawn Johnson - TB (at Phi) 7. Jerry Porter - Oak (vs Ten) 8. Drew Bennett - Ten (at Oak) 9. Keenan McCardell - TB (at Phi) 10. Joe Jurevicius - TB (at Phi) 11. Justin McCareins - Ten (at Oak) 12. Antonio Freeman - Phi (vs TB) Place Kickers 1. Sebastian Janikowski - Oak (vs Ten) 2. David Akers - Phi (vs TB) 3. Martin Gramatica - TB (at Phi) 4. Joe Nedney - Ten (at Oak) Team Defenses 1. Philadelphia Eagles - Phi (vs TB) 2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - TB (at Phi) 3. Oakland Raiders - Oak (vs Ten) 4. Tennessee Titans - Ten (at Oak) |