Raiders Coach Art Shell Willing To Stick With Tom Walsh - And Fall With Him Too

Well, Art Shell really stuck his foot in it. In the article that appears below, he says "I like Tom Walsh." But that's not the way a team wins. Later in the article, Raiders Owner Al Davis says that Tom Walsh "Is a bright guy. You'll see that in time."

Wait.

It only takes a few moments of time for any level of intellectual greatness to emerge in any field of endeavor, and that includes football. What are the Raiders going to do, wait until they have the personel to win with whatever Tom Walsh does? That's silly and will never happen.

It's appearent that the only way Tom Walsh knows what he's doing is because Al Davis and Art Shell don't know what they're doing, and they hired the guy.

Look, your offensive scheme either works, or it doesn't work. There's nothing in between. Thus we see a textbook example of failure. Making a terrible decision based on blind loyalty and sticking with it because of -- yep -- blind loyalty. There's nothing in Tom Walsh's "system" to suggest greatness or innovation. There's not a single NFL coach or GM that's willing to stick their neck out and say the Raiders Offensive system is the best in the NFL.

And the numbers prove it's not. If this keeps up, Bill Walsh will ask Tom Walsh to stop using his last name.

So watching the Raiders Offense is going to be a form of torture for a while. As long as this management-by-friendship continues, Shell will ultimately produce a losing team and avoid giving young black offensive minds any chance to show that they really do know what they're doing.

And I'm not talking about running bed-and-breakfast homes.

_____________________________________________________________________

Shell stands by his coach
Raiders' Walsh is still upbeat
David White, Chronicle Staff Writer
Monday, November 6, 2006

Offensive coordinator Tom Walsh is in charge when the Raiders have the ball. Off the practice field, you can usually find him smiling and strolling, but it can't possibly be connected to production levels.

Going into Sunday, his overall offense -- or the Al Davis offense, if the boss still wants his name attached to this -- is ranked 32nd in a 32-team league, making it just as bad in the NFL as the team's passing offense.

The Raiders are last in yards per play.

And, rushing yards per carry.

Also, passing yards per net play.

Don't forget interceptions per throw, or giveaways all together.

Or, sacks per pass play.

First downs per game, too.

Plus, for those into scoreboards, the Raiders have produced the fewest offensive points in the NFL.

So, why does Walsh look like the happiest man in Alameda this 2-5 season?

Maybe because his immediate supervisor is thrilled with him.

"Yes, I am," Raiders coach Art Shell said.

Never mind that you have a tough time getting a starter to praise Walsh beyond calling him cool or a nice guy.

Forget that Warren Sapp, the unafraid team leader, half-joked about Walsh "flipping pancakes" the last time a pass to an offensive tackle scored, making Sapp the umpteenth person to drop a bed-and-breakfast reference on the pride of Swan Valley, Idaho, where Walsh ran a B&B during a lengthy break from football.

Lay aside the dumbfounded employees within the hierarchy, one of whom described the Raiders' offense as "an absolute embarrassment" under Walsh. The daily e-mail bag produces ALL-CAPS requests for Walsh to be the NFL's fourth offensive coordinator canned this season.

Walsh can't defend himself. Shell hasn't allowed media access since Walsh sat down with reporters during training camp to discuss Sega games, Ronald Reagan and chicken Marsala.

So, Shell does the standing up for him.

"I like Tom Walsh," Shell said, tersely enunciating every syllable. "Tom Walsh has been with me for a long time. I like what he does. Everybody criticizes the guy, but the guy is a very smart guy. The guy knows exactly what he's doing."

But, Walsh's offense has not scored a touchdown in four out of seven games. Wind and sideways rain tonight in Seattle might make matters even more difficult for his charges.

"There's a whole lot of so-called geniuses in this league, too, and they're not doing as well as a lot of other people think they should," Shell said. "Tom Walsh can coach. I trust him."

That last sentence explains everything.

Walsh and Shell go way back, and Shell is ever the loyalist.

Walsh was Shell's play-caller during his first run as Raiders head coach, all the way up to the day Shell was fired after the 1994 season. They were co-assistants from 1983-89.

Shell decided long ago that if ever got another head coaching job, Walsh would be his right-hand man. Shell made good when the Raiders re-hired him in February, even though Walsh had been out of the NFL for 12 years, serving as mayor in small-town Idaho and running that B&B.

Nothing is going to change Shell's mind at midseason, and Davis is the only person with overriding power. For now, Davis is backing Shell.

"Tom Walsh is tremendously bright," Davis said in August during his most recent interview. "You will find that out over time."

It's taking time, no doubt.

Walsh has worked with second-year quarterback Andrew Walter since Aaron Brooks went down with a bruised pectoral muscle in Week 2.

He didn't have wide receiver Jerry Porter at his disposal until last week, and lost another key receiver, Doug Gabriel, in a late-August trade to New England, where the player has 22 catches for 302 yards and three touchdowns.

The offensive line hasn't pass-protected, running back LaMont Jordan is off the 1,000-yard pace and star attraction Randy Moss is suddenly dropping balls.

So, it's not as if Walsh is dealing with overachievers, but still.

Walsh calls the plays. There's no truth to rumors that tight ends coach John Shoop -- the former Chicago Bears offensive coordinator -- has assumed some play-calling duties, a team source said.

If results don't change soon, it's only a matter of time before players stop speaking in subtle code for "This reeks."

"At times, we're just banging our head against the wall," Walter said. "We need to shake it up, I believe. It's been frustrating and certainly we need to get better.

"I'm a player. I try to play. Certainly, coaches can answer that better than myself, but I know we need to do something different."

Time To Praise Indianapolis Colts' Head Coach Tony Dungy

Almost every week -- in fact of late every week -- we hear or read about how great New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick is or how many rings he has. Last week, all we listened to was how Belichick was going to come out with a mad-scientist-level game plan for the Colts game. Or if it's not Bill Belichick, it's Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Bill Parcells. Yes, I know both have a combined total of five Super Bowl rings, but there's one coach who has the second highest winning percentage of all NFL head coaches from 1999 to 2005 according to NFL.com, and has won a remarkable 30 of his last 33 regular-season games. This coach just beat Bill Belichick for the second consecutive year.

Indianapolis Colts' Head Coach Tony Dungy.

No, Tony doens't have the rings, and he's not flashy or given to the loud shout or the quick quip, or even the use of weird hair gel. But what Tony has is a steady temperment and the kind of focus, determination, and managerial accumen that has few peers.

Managerial acumen? Yeah.

Think about it. Tony stays in the background of his team's glorious stars like Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, Bob Sanders, Dwight Freeney, and many others. He has a group of talented assistants like Offensive Coordinator Tom Moore and Defensive Coordinator Ron Meeks. They all do their jobs well and gain praise -- especially Manning, who may be the best quarterback of the 21st Century. But at the end of the game, they all turn to Dungy. As Manning said after the Denver Broncos game, Dungy is a calming force while your in the middle of a game. Reminding you of what to do in certain situations.



Like the late Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Tom Landry, Dungy calls on his faith in God for guidance and calm. It certainly helped him last year with the passing of his son James. And it was during that most trying of times that America saw just how much this "All-Pro Dad" was loved by everyone in the NFL and in sports.

Dungy is also an incredible role model, especially for African American young men. It's a true and rare event to see the national TV cameras pointed at a black male leader of a team headed for a remarkable record. But it's a welcome and much needed image, and one that Dungy's fully aware of. But with that, Dungy does not seek the spotlight. He's not on every talk show. He's not trying to upstage his star quarterback. He's not a fixture on the NFL Network -- except when the Colts win.

What everyone is seeing this year is just how good Dungy is at leading and managing his on-the-field organization. And now, as we begin talking about the Colts driving toward perfection, it's time to praise Tony Dungy.

Indianapolis Colts' Perfect - Beat New England Patriots 27-20 - Indy Star

Prime-time punchout

By Phil Richards
phil.richards@indystar.com

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Peyton Manning piled up the big numbers but the Indianapolis Colts' much-maligned defense made a bunch of the big plays Sunday as it contributed five takeaways to the Colts' 27-20 victory over the New England Patriots at rowdy, chilly Gillette Stadium.

It's only midseason, but the Colts' 30th victory in their past 33 regular-season games pushed them to 8-0 and gave them what amounts to a three-game lead on the Patriots (6-2) in the chase for the AFC's No. 1 playoff seed, because of the head-to-head tiebreaker. The Colts are at least two games ahead of everyone else in the conference and remained three up on Jacksonville (5-3) in the AFC South.

It was the Colts' second consecutive victory at New England after a run of nine losses in succession here.

Manning completed 20-of-36 passes for 326 yards and two touchdowns to become only the second Colts quarterback to throw for 300 yards in three consecutive games. John Unitas did it in 1963.

"You have to win as a team," Manning told an NBC reporter after the game. "You can't win playing as an individual against these guys."

The Colts embodied team. On a night when they were outrushed 148 yards to 53, the defense kept taking the football away.
Defensive tackle Raheem Brock forced and recovered a fumble. Safety Antoine Bethea intercepted one pass in the Colts end zone. Safety Bob Sanders stole another at the Colts 3-yard line.

The second of linebacker Cato June's pair of interceptions came on a pass that deflected off Patriots running back Kevin Faulk and put the game away. It came with 1:18 to play with New England driving and at the Colts 39.

"They were around the ball," Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said. "They've got good aggressiveness on defense. They got their hands on it. They didn't drop any."

Adam Vinatieri, who played the first 10 years of his career for New England before signing with the Colts as a free agent in March, had a forgettable homecoming night. He converted 23- and 31-yard field goals but missed from 37 and 46. He was booed throughout by the sellout crowd of 68,756.

Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison caught eight passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns. It was his seventh 100-yard game against the Patriots, two more than he has against any other NFL team.

Harrison's most spectacular catch was for the third-quarter game-winner, the touchdown that gave the Colts a 24-14 lead. He beat cornerback Eric Hobbs into the end zone. Harrison stretched with his left hand, tipped Manning's pass, then gathered it in and got both feet down before he fell out of bounds.

It was touch, artistry, ballet. And it came against one of the NFL's top defenses.

New England hadn't permitted a touchdown in its past two games and was the only team in the league that hadn't allowed an opponent to score more than 17 points in a game all season.

"The thing I like about our team is we're finding different ways to win," Colts coach Tony Dungy said. "We're still not playing our best."

Manning came into the game on a roll. In victories over Washington and Denver, he had thrown for 342 yards and four touchdowns and 345 yards and three touchdowns, respectively.

After missing his first two passes Sunday, he hit his next nine for 140 yards and two touchdowns as the Colts took a 14-7 lead.

"We had them in a chase position most of the night," Manning said. "That was part of the plan and it worked out well for us."

Tickets for Pats / Colts Game Still Available!

Tonights game pitting the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts is coming, yet tickets are still available.
You can get tickets for this classic matchup at the New England Patriots Tickets Exchange with a click here.

Chris Simms - Tampa Bay QB On Injured Reserve - Out For Season - ESPN

Bucs quarterback Simms lands on season-ending IR
Associated Press

TAMPA, Fla. -- Tampa Bay quarterback Chris Simms was placed on injured reserve Friday, and the Buccaneers activated third-year backup Luke McCown from the physically-unable-to-perform list.

Simms has been sidelined since having his spleen removed after taking several hard hits during a loss to Carolina on Sept. 24. He was hopeful of playing again this season until doctors told him last week that the earliest he might be able to return would be late December.

McCown partially tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a workout in June. He was placed on PUP during training camp and had to sit out at least the first six weeks of the season.

The Bucs obtained the 25-year-old from Cleveland in a draft-day trade in 2005. As a rookie with the Browns two years ago, he made four starts and completed 49 percent of his passes for 608 yards, four touchdowns and seven interceptions.

McCown began last season as the third-stringer behind Brian Griese and Simms. He moved up to No. 2 when Griese suffered a season-ending knee injury and Simms took over the starting job and led Tampa Bay to its first playoff berth in three years.

With Simms out for the season, rookie Bruce Gradkowski is the starter. Tim Rattay is the other backup.

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press

NFL INJURY REPORT FOR WEEK NINE - NFLMEDIA.COM

NFL Injury Report For Week 9 From NFLMedia.com

FOR USE AS DESIRED
NFL-PER-9B 11/3/06
WEEK 9 INJURY REPORT --_FRIDAY
Following is a list of quarterback injuries for Week 9 Games (November 5, 6):
Kansas City Chiefs Out Trent Green (Head)
Seattle Seahawks Out Matt Hasselbeck (Knee)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Out Chris Simms (Splenectomy)
Miami Dolphins Doubtful Daunte Culpepper (Knee)
Oakland Raiders Doubtful Aaron Brooks (Right Shoulder)
Jacksonville Jaguars Questionable Byron Leftwich (Ankle)
Cincinnati Bengals Probable Anthony Wright (Appendix)
New England Patriots Probable Matt Cassel (Right Shoulder)
New England Patriots Probable Tom Brady (Right Shoulder)
Washington Redskins Probable Mark Brunell (Ribs)
Following is a list of injured players for Week 9 Games:
MIAMI DOLPHINS AT CHICAGO BEARS
Miami Dolphins
DOUBTFUL QB Daunte Culpepper (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE LB Channing Crowder (Foot); CB Travis Daniels (Knee); LB
Derrick Pope (Hamstring); G Jeno James (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Daunte Culpepper
THURS Daunte Culpepper
FRI Daunte Culpepper
Chicago Bears
QUESTIONABLE CB Devin Hester (Hamstring)
PROBABLE DT Tank Johnson (Shoulder)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED All Players Practiced
THURS All Players Practiced
FRI Devin Hester
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT ST. LOUIS RAMS
Kansas City Chiefs
OUT QB Trent Green (Head)
QUESTIONABLE T Kevin Sampson (Foot); LB Rich Scanlon (Knee); CB Benny
Sapp (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Trent Green; Kevin Sampson
THURS Trent Green; Kevin Sampson
FRI Trent Green; Kevin Sampson
St. Louis Rams
QUESTIONABLE LB Pisa Tinoisamoa (Hand)
PROBABLE CB Travis Fisher (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Pisa Tinoisamoa; Aaron Walker
THURS Pisa Tinoisamoa; Travis Fisher
FRI Pisa Tinoisamoa
CINCINNATI BENGALS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS
Cincinnati Bengals
OUT C Rich Braham (Knee); T Levi Jones (Knee); WR Kelley
Washington (Hamstring)
DOUBTFUL LB Brian Simmons (Neck)
PROBABLE DT Sam Adams (Knee); DE Robert Geathers (Neck); LB Rashad
Jeanty (Foot); CB Johnathan Joseph (Ankle); S Kevin
Kaesviharn (Knee); DT John Thornton (Wrist); QB Anthony
Wright (Appendix)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Rich Braham; Levi Jones; Kelley Washington; Brian Simmons;
Sam Adams; Kevin Kaesviharn; John Thornton
THURS Rich Braham; Levi Jones; Kelley Washington; Brian Simmons;
Johnathan Joseph
FRI Rich Braham; Levi Jones; Kelley Washington; Brian Simmons
Baltimore Ravens
QUESTIONABLE CB Corey Ivy (Abdomen)
PROBABLE TE Todd Heap (Thigh); WR Clarence Moore (Foot); PR B.J.
Sams (Shoulder); TE Quinn Sypniewski (Neck); S Dawan
Landry (Knee); S Gerome Sapp (Thigh); LB Adalius Thomas
(Neck); TE Daniel Wilcox (Back)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Corey Ivy; Clarence Moore; Quinn Sypniewski; Dawan Landry;
Adalius Thomas; Gerome Sapp
THURS Todd Heap; Corey Ivy; Clarence Moore; B.J. Sams; Quinn
Sypniewski; Dawan Landry; Gerome Sapp; Adalius Thomas
FRI Corey Ivy; Todd Heap; B.J. Sams; Dawan Landry
GREEN BAY PACKERS AT BUFFALO BILLS
Green Bay Packers
OUT RB Vernand Morency (Back); RB Brandon Miree (Elbow)
QUESTIONABLE CB Charles Woodson (Knee); LB Abdul Hodge (Knee); DT
Cullen Jenkins (Ankle); WR Greg Jennings (Ankle); DT Johnny
Jolly (Ankle)
PROBABLE DT Corey Williams (Knee); RB Ahman Green (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Vernand Morency; Charles Woodson; Brandon Miree; Cullen
Jenkins; Greg Jennings; Corey Williams; Johnny Jolly; Ahman
Green
THURS Vernand Morency; Brandon Miree; Charles Woodson; Johnny
Jolly
FRI Vernand Morency; Brandon Miree
Buffalo Bills
QUESTIONABLE WR Sam Aiken (Hamstring); DE Ryan Denney (Hamstring); G
Tutan Reyes (Shoulder)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Sam Aiken; Ryan Denney; Tutan Reyes
THURS Sam Aiken; Tutan Reyes
FRI Sam Aiken; Tutan Reyes
ATLANTA FALCONS AT DETROIT LIONS
Atlanta Falcons
OUT DE John Abraham (Groin)
QUESTIONABLE G Kynan Forney (Shoulder); LB Edgerton Hartwell (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED John Abraham; Kynan Forney; Edgerton Hartwell; Grady
Jackson; Fred McCrary
THURS John Abraham; Edgerton Hartwell
FRI John Abraham; Edgerton Hartwell
Detroit Lions
OUT DT Shaun Cody (Toe)
QUESTIONABLE DE James Hall (Shoulder)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Shaun Cody; James Hall
THURS Shaun Cody; James Hall
FRI Shaun Cody; James Hall
TENNESSEE TITANS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Tennessee Titans
OUT DE Antwan Odom (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE WR Roydell Williams (Finger); TE Ben Hartsock (Hamstring); DE
DeQuincy Scott (Foot); DT Randy Starks (Chest); LB Robert
Reynolds (Quadricep); LB David Thornton (Shoulder); WR
Bobby Wade (Shoulder); WR David Givens (Hand); G Benji
Olson (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Antwan Odom; David Thornton; Bobby Wade; DeQuincy Scott;
Ben Hartsock
THURS Antwan Odom; Robert Reynolds; Ben Hartsock; DeQuincy Scott;
Bobby Wade
FRI Antwan Odom; Ben Hartsock; DeQuincy Scott; Robert Reynolds
Jacksonville Jaguars
OUT CB Terry Cousin (Groin); DT Marcus Stroud (Ankle); RB Derrick
Wimbush (Ankle); T Stockar McDougle (Ankle)
DOUBTFUL DE Brent Hawkins (Groin)
QUESTIONABLE QB Byron Leftwich (Ankle)
PROBABLE CB Rashean Mathis (Hamstring); RB Fred Taylor (Thigh); DE
Marcellus Wiley (Groin); WR Ernest Wilford (Hamstring); DE
Bobby McCray (Foot); S Donovin Darius (Knee); DT John
Henderson (Hamstring); RB Maurice Jones-Drew (Thigh)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Terry Cousin; Marcus Stroud; Derrick Wimbush; Stockar
McDougle; Brent Hawkins; Donovin Darius; Maurice Jones-Drew;
Fred Taylor; Rashean Mathis; John Henderson
THURS Terry Cousin; Marcus Stroud; Derrick Wimbush; Stockar
McDougle; Brent Hawkins; Byron Leftwich; John Henderson
FRI Terry Cousin; Marcus Stroud; Derrick Wimbush; Stockar
McDougle; Brent Hawkins; Byron Leftwich; John Henderson
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
New Orleans Saints
OUT TE Ernie Conwell (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE WR Joe Horn (Groin); T Jammal Brown (Ankle); RB Reggie
Bush (Ankle)
PROBABLE T Zach Strief (Finger); CB Fred Thomas (Hamstring); WR
Michael Lewis (Hamstring); T Jon Stinchcomb (Toe)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Ernie Conwell; Reggie Bush; Jammal Brown; Joe Horn
THURS Ernie Conwell; Jammal Brown; Joe Horn
FRI Ernie Conwell; Joe Horn; Jammal Brown
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
OUT QB Chris Simms (Splenectomy)
QUESTIONABLE LB Shelton Quarles (Knee); DE Simeon Rice (Shoulder); DT
Ellis Wyms (Ankle)
PROBABLE CB Juran Bolden (Hip)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Chris Simms; Shelton Quarles; Simeon Rice; Ellis Wyms
THURS Chris Simms; Simeon Rice; Ellis Wyms
FRI Chris Simms; Simeon Rice; Ellis Wyms
DALLAS COWBOYS AT WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Dallas Cowboys
DOUBTFUL DE Jason Hatcher (Ankle)
PROBABLE WR Terry Glenn (Quadricep)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Tyson Thompson
THURS All Players Practiced
FRI Terry Glenn
Washington Redskins
DOUBTFUL WR Santana Moss (Hamstring)
PROBABLE WR Brandon Lloyd (Shoulder); T Chris Samuels (Calf); T Jon
Jansen (Calf); LB Lemar Marshall (Ankle); RB Clinton Portis
(Ankle); WR Antwaan Randle El (Heel); WR David Patten
(Hamstring); CB Carlos Rogers (Thumb); QB Mark Brunell (Ribs)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Santana Moss; David Patten
THURS Santana Moss; Brandon Lloyd; Jon Jansen; David Patten
FRI Santana Moss; Jon Jansen; David Patten
HOUSTON TEXANS AT NEW YORK GIANTS
Houston Texans
QUESTIONABLE T Ephraim Salaam (Ankle)
PROBABLE DE Anthony Weaver (Knee); DE Mario Williams (Foot); LB
Kailee Wong (Hamstring); RB Ron Dayne (Illness)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Ephraim Salaam; Mario Williams
THURS Ephraim Salaam
FRI Ron Dayne
New York Giants
DOUBTFUL WR Sinorice Moss (Quadricep); DE Justin Tuck (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE CB Sam Madison (Hamstring); LB Brandon Short (Quadricep);
WR Plaxico Burress (Back Spasms); DE Osi Umenyiora (Hip
Flexor)
PROBABLE CB Frank Walker (Hamstring); WR David Tyree (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Sinorice Moss; Justin Tuck; Sam Madison; Brandon Short; David
Tyree; Osi Umenyiora; Plaxico Burress; Jim Finn; Amani Toomer;
Corey Webster
THURS Sinorice Moss; Justin Tuck; Sam Madison; Brandon Short; David
Tyree; Osi Umenyiora; Plaxico Burress
FRI Sinorice Moss; Justin Tuck; Sam Madison; Brandon Short;
Plaxico Burress; Osi Umenyiora
MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Minnesota Vikings
OUT WR Marcus Robinson (Back); LB Napoleon Harris (Wrist)
QUESTIONABLE DT Kevin Williams (Ankle)
PROBABLE LB Ben Leber (Illness); G Artis Hicks (Neck); T Marcus Johnson
(Ankle); S Darren Sharper (Knee); DT Pat Williams (Knee); C
Matt Birk (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Marcus Robinson; Napoleon Harris; Pat Williams; Matt Birk;
Kevin Williams; Ben Leber; Artis Hicks; Marcus Johnson; Darren
Sharper
THURS Marcus Robinson; Napoleon Harris; Pat Williams; Matt Birk;
Kevin Williams; Ben Leber; Artis Hicks; Marcus Johnson; Darren
Sharper
FRI Marcus Robinson; Napoleon Harris; Kevin Williams; Ben Leber;
Artis Hicks; Marcus Johnson; Darren Sharper; Pat Williams; Matt
Birk
San Francisco 49ers
OUT TE Vernon Davis (Fibula)
QUESTIONABLE RB Maurice Hicks (Concussion); S Chad Williams (Quadricep)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Vernon Davis; Maurice Hicks
THURS Vernon Davis; Chad Williams; Maurice Hicks
FRI Vernon Davis; Chad Williams
CLEVELAND BROWNS AT SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
Cleveland Browns
OUT T Ryan Tucker (Illness)
QUESTIONABLE TE Kellen Winslow (Knee); LB Willie McGinest (Ankle); S Justin
Hamilton (Ankle); CB Daven Holly (Illness); G Joe Andruzzi
(Knee); CB Leigh Bodden (Ankle); DE Orpheus Roye
(Hamstring); WR Dennis Northcutt (Ribs)
PROBABLE CB Jereme Perry (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Joe Andruzzi; Dennis Northcutt; Daven Holly; Ryan Tucker; Willie
McGinest; Orpheus Roye
THURS Joe Andruzzi; Leigh Bodden; Daven Holly; Willie McGinest;
Dennis Northcutt; Orpheus Roye; Ryan Tucker
FRI Ryan Tucker; Willie McGinest; Daven Holly; Joe Andruzzi; Leigh
Bodden; Orpheus Roye; Dennis Northcutt
San Diego Chargers
QUESTIONABLE LB Shaun Phillips (Calf)
PROBABLE S Bhawoh Jue (Knee); S Clinton Hart (Hip); DE Igor Olshansky
(Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Igor Olshansky; Shaun Phillips; Bhawoh Jue; Clinton Hart
THURS Shaun Phillips; Igor Olshansky; Clinton Hart
FRI Shaun Phillips
DENVER BRONCOS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Denver Broncos
PROBABLE CB Champ Bailey (Ankle); RB Tatum Bell (Toe); RB Cedric
Cobbs (Ankle); LB Ian Gold (Hamstring); RB Kyle Johnson
(Ankle); C Chris Myers (Shoulder); TE Tony Scheffler (Hip); DT
Gerard Warren (Toe); LB D.J. Williams (Foot); LB Al Wilson
(Thumb)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED All Players Practiced
THURS All Players Practiced
FRI All Players Practiced
Pittsburgh Steelers
OUT LB James Harrison (Ankle); C Jeff Hartings (Knee); S Mike
Logan (Hamstring); WR Willie Reid (Foot)
PROBABLE LB Larry Foote (Shoulder); LB Clark Haggans (Ankle); DT Casey
Hampton (Hamstring); WR Santonio Holmes (Shoulder); G Chris
Kemoeatu (Ankle); RB Dan Kreider (Ankle); WR Sean Morey
(Toe); S Troy Polamalu (Foot); CB Deshea Townsend
(Quadricep); WR Cedrick Wilson (Groin)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED James Harrison; Jeff Hartings; Mike Logan; Willie Reid; Deshea
Townsend
THURS James Harrison; Jeff Hartings; Mike Logan; Willie Reid
FRI James Harrison; Jeff Hartings; Mike Logan; Willie Reid
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Indianapolis Colts
OUT DT Montae Reagor (Head)
QUESTIONABLE LB Keith O'Neil (Ankle); LB Rob Morris (Hamstring); WR Aaron
Moorehead (Back); CB Nicholas Harper (Knee); CB Matt
Giordano (Calf); DE Dwight Freeney (Shoulder); T Ryan Diem
(Upper Arm); LB Gary Brackett (Knee); RB Joseph Addai
(Wrist); WR Terrence Wilkins (Knee); TE Ben Utecht (Low
Back); WR Brandon Stokley (Knee); S Bob Sanders (Knee); RB
Dominic Rhodes (Low Back); DT Darrell Reid (Abdomen)
PROBABLE P Hunter Smith (Right Groin); K Adam Vinatieri (Right Groin)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Montae Reagor; Bob Sanders; Brandon Stokley; Rob Morris; Matt
Giordano; Ryan Diem; Nicholas Harper; Keith O'Neil
THURS Montae Reagor; Keith O'Neil; Ryan Diem; Matt Giordano; Rob
Morris; Brandon Stokley
FRI Montae Reagor; Keith O'Neil; Rob Morris; Matt Giordano; Ryan
Diem; Brandon Stokley; Bob Sanders
New England Patriots
QUESTIONABLE CB Willie Andrews (Thigh); WR Reche Caldwell (Knee); LB Don
Davis (Lower Leg); RB Kevin Faulk (Ankle); WR Jabar Gaffney
(Hand); TE Daniel Graham (Ankle); CB Ellis Hobbs (Wrist); G
Russ Hochstein (Knee); WR Chad Jackson (Hamstring); T Nick
Kaczur (Shoulder); T Matt Light (Hand); RB Laurence Maroney
(Ankle); TE Garrett Mills (Thigh); G Steve Neal (Shoulder); DE
Richard Seymour (Elbow); CB Antwain Spann (Shoulder); TE
David Thomas (Hand); DE Ty Warren (Shoulder); S Eugene
Wilson (Hamstring)
PROBABLE QB Tom Brady (Right Shoulder); QB Matt Cassel (Right
Shoulder)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Antwain Spann; David Thomas; Ty Warren; Eugene Wilson;
Richard Seymour; Russ Hochstein; Chad Jackson; Steve Neal;
Nick Kaczur; Garrett Mills; Daniel Graham; Ellis Hobbs; Willie
Andrews; Reche Caldwell; Don Davis; Kevin Faulk; Jabar
Gaffney
THURS Russ Hochstein; Daniel Graham; Ellis Hobbs; Kevin Faulk; Chad
Jackson; Nick Kaczur; Matt Light; Laurence Maroney; Garrett
Mills; Steve Neal; Richard Seymour; Antwain Spann; David
Thomas; Ty Warren; Eugene Wilson; Jabar Gaffney; Willie
Andrews; Reche Caldwell; Don Davis
FRI Willie Andrews; Reche Caldwell; Don Davis; Kevin Faulk; Jabar
Gaffney; Daniel Graham; Ellis Hobbs; Russ Hochstein; Chad
Jackson; Nick Kaczur; Matt Light; Laurence Maroney; Garrett
Mills; Steve Neal; Richard Seymour; Antwain Spann; David
Thomas; Ty Warren; Eugene Wilson
OAKLAND RAIDERS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS on Monday
Oakland Raiders
DOUBTFUL QB Aaron Brooks (Right Shoulder)
QUESTIONABLE S Jarrod Cooper (Hamstring); RB Zack Crockett (Knee); S
Michael Huff (Shoulder); RB LaMont Jordan (Back); G Barry
Sims (Abdomen)
PROBABLE RB Justin Fargas (Shoulder); CB Tyrone Poole (Ankle); DT
Warren Sapp (Hip)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Barry Sims; Justin Fargas
THURS Barry Sims; Justin Fargas
FRI Practice Not Complete
Seattle Seahawks
OUT RB Shaun Alexander (Foot); QB Matt Hasselbeck (Knee)
DOUBTFUL LB D.D. Lewis (Toe); DT Marcus Tubbs (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE WR Bobby Engram (Illness); T Sean Locklear (Ankle); C Chris
Spencer (Knee)
PROBABLE DT Rocky Bernard (Toe); WR Darrell Jackson (Foot)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Matt Hasselbeck; Shaun Alexander; D.D. Lewis; Marcus Tubbs;
Sean Locklear
THURS Matt Hasselbeck; Shaun Alexander; D.D. Lewis; Marcus Tubbs;
Chris Spencer; Sean Locklear; Darrell Jackson
FRI Shaun Alexander; Matt Hasselbeck; D.D. Lewis; Marcus Tubbs;
Sean Locklear; Chris Spencer

Cutis Martin's Out - Injury Career Ending - ESPN

A sad end to a great career. Very different from Tiki Barber, who's ready to get out. What will Marin do with the rest of his life?

Martin out for 2006, unsure he'll ever play again
Assocaited Press

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Curtis Martin's season ended Wednesday because of a lingering knee injury, and the New York Jets' star running back isn't sure if he'll ever play again.

"I'm officially not playing this year," Martin said. "Retirement -- that may be the inevitable result. I just haven't gotten there yet."

The Jets placed the 33-year-old Martin on the reserved physically-unable-to perform list with a bone-on-bone condition in his right knee, ending his season before it ever got started and throwing his career in doubt.

"I think this is as good as my knee gets, where it is right now," Martin said.

He's not sure when -- or if -- he'll get back on the field, but said he isn't even thinking about that at this point.

"I don't know if it's even possible," Martin said, keeping his composure throughout the nearly half-hour news conference. "It hasn't been possible up to this point, so I'm not looking forward to saying I'll definitely be back next year. It's a long stretch, I'll put it that way. And that's the most honest answer I can give you."

Martin spoke with coach Eric Mangini on Tuesday night, and the NFL's No. 4 career rusher said he didn't think he'd be ready to practice next week -- the team's deadline for a decision on his availability this season.

"I sat in Eric's office and I said, 'Eric, you know what? I just need one last conversation with the doctors.' I said, 'I even know. I know what they're going to say and I know what the outcome is, but for some reason I just wanted that last conversation."

Martin, who said he's in game shape and at his playing weight, never got that final conversation, instead talking with general manager Mike Tannenbaum and deciding Wednesday was the day to end months of speculation.

He had one last request: "I had somebody actually ask Mike, 'When we turn in the papers for me that say I can't play anymore, I want to push the button."'

Mangini said Martin will still attend meetings and work with the team.

"I think his heart was saying one thing and, unfortunately, the injury was saying something else," Mangini said.

Martin said he injured the knee in Week 2 of 2005 when he took a hit from Miami's Zach Thomas and aggravated it two games later against Baltimore. Martin said the knee became a "bone-on-bone" situation when the damaged cartilage was removed during surgery in December.

"This is something beyond my threshold of pain," said Martin, who often played through injuries throughout his first 11 seasons.

Martin said doctors gave him a very clear indication of the severity of this injury.

"If I don't play, they're saying I have a chance to have a normal life," Martin said. "But if I do play, I can jeopardize that."

Martin said he can run fine, but it's making the cuts and turns that helped make him a star that worries him.

"I'm an instinctive guy, I'm an instinctive runner, and once I get out there, just like any other time that I've been in pain, the pain is not going to matter," he said. "But what I do instinctively, I'm equipped with the information to know that's probably going to jeopardize my future as a human being."

Mangini did not rule out Martin playing again next season. When asked if he would be willing to go through a similar situation next year with uncertainty surrounding Martin's availability, Mangini said, "For Curtis Martin, yes."

Martin, who has rushed for 14,101 yards, last year played in 12 games before ending his year. He underwent surgery in December, but was slow to recover. He was placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list before training camp so he could rehabilitate the knee.

The five-time Pro Bowl player was eligible to come off the PUP list Oct. 16, but the team announced he'd remain on it until after the game at Cleveland last Sunday.

On Monday, Mangini said he spoke with Martin, Tannenbaum and the Jets' medical staff last week. They chose to hold off until next week on whether Martin would rejoin the team and practice.

Mangini reiterated that on Tuesday, but said things changed after talking with Martin on Tuesday night.

"I usually deal with things the way they are now, and with the information that I know about my future, it doesn't look like it's too bright as far as me having a further career," Martin said. "And if that happens, great."

Shawne Merriman Drops Appeal; Suspended Four Games - ESPN

I saw his press conference on The NFL Network, and I give him high praise for being forthcoming and honest. A great example of what to do in such a scenario.

Merriman drops appeal, will serve suspension
ESPN.com news services

Shawne Merriman made the right move in dropping his appeal of his four-game suspension for a steroid product found in a supplement.

The Chargers linebacker could have gone to a hearing next Tuesday in New York but he had little chance of winning. Players who test positive for a tainted supplement rarely win. Knowing that, it was a matter of figuring out the right time to fit in the four-game suspension.

Merriman, who's tied for the NFL lead with 8 1/2 sacks, and his attorney have blamed a tainted supplement for the player's positive test for the steroid nandrolone. Merriman couldn't be reached for comment.

The suspension won't officially begin until after Merriman addresses his teammates on Wednesday. After that, he'll be barred from the team's headquarters until he's eligible to return on Nov. 27.

The New York Times reported Tuesday that Merriman had sought a deal with the league that would allow him to address his teammates on Wednesday before his suspension took effect, and the San Diego Union-Tribune reported that request was granted. Under NFL rules, suspended players are banned from their team facilities.

The Chargers, who were off Tuesday, vowed to press on without Merriman, a Pro Bowl starter who was voted the 2005 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

"He's upset because he let his team down, but we're OK," outside linebacker Shaun Phillips said in a phone interview. "We're behind him 100 percent. We know he's not that kind of guy, that he wouldn't do anything to boost his performance.

"We're a good team. We'll get over it," said Phillips, who moved into the starting lineup after Steve Foley was shot by an off-duty police officer on Sept. 3. Phillips missed Sunday's 38-24 win over the St. Louis Rams with a calf injury and has only a 50 percent chance of playing against the Browns.
Had Merriman gone through with the appeal and lost, there was the chance he'd miss both games against Denver. The Chargers host the Broncos on Dec. 10. Few people expected Merriman to win on appeal because the NFL holds players accountable for knowing the contents of the supplements they take.

Word of Merriman's positive test leaked on Oct. 22. Merriman announced last Tuesday he was appealing, and matched his career-high with three sacks against the Rams. He celebrated each as he usually does, by pretending to flip a switch tattooed on his forearm followed by a spasmodic dance.

Carlos Polk, who missed most of the last two seasons due to injuries, is expected to start in Merriman's place. Polk has no starts and one sack in six seasons..

"We're obviously going to support Shawne and we'll prepare for the alternatives much the way we would if we had a player who wasn't available for other reasons," coach Marty Schottenheimer said by phone. "We'll put the pieces together and go back to work."

Merriman apologized to his teammates last Monday for the distraction his positive test caused. But Schottenheimer and other players said it would be a distraction only if they let it.

"The way we performed with this information out there would indicate it was not a distraction," Schottenheimer said.

While Phillips is expected to be listed as questionable for the Browns game, end Igor Olshansky (knee) is expected to be doubtful due to a knee injury.

General manager A.J. Smith and Merriman's attorney, David Cornwell, didn't return calls seeking comment.

The team released this statement:

"We're proud of the standup way Shawne has taken responsibility for the mistake he made. We have faith in Shawne Merriman and we have faith in the players on this team. The Chargers have been resilient all season long, and we will continue to be resilient. It's a tough lesson learned for Shawne about the world of supplements."

Besides Merriman's suspension, the Chargers have had five separate off-field issues dating back to April.

Foley was shot three times near his suburban home early on Sept. 3 by an off-duty police officer who suspected him of drunk driving. Foley will miss the entire season and was charged with two counts of DUI.

Safety Terrence Kiel was arrested on five felony drug counts in September and has pleaded not . He missed one game.

Cornerback Markus Curry, who had been demoted to the practice squad, was released on Oct. 9, just hours after he was arrested on suspicion of committing domestic violence.

Foley and Phillips were each arrested for scuffling with San Diego police officers a week apart in April. Neither was charged.

Commissioner Goodell with T.J. Simers & Fred Roggin of AM 950 Los Angeles - NFLMedia.com

Roger weighs in on the LA situation in this interview.

Commissioner Goodell with T.J. Simers & Fred Roggin of AM 950 Los Angeles

October 30, 2006
T.J. Simers: On how the NFL turned off all of Los Angeles coming out of the New Orleans owners meeting?

Roger Goodell: We’re trying to be direct with our fans, and tell them what our challenges are. You know that I’m a pretty direct person, but from our standpoint, we’ve been working on the L.A. solution and we’re trying to be part of that solution and doing something that’s good not only for the NFL, but the community. We are just being direct with what our challenges are.

Fred Roggin: On has the league made it impossible for Los Angeles to have a franchise?

Goodell: Has the league made it impossible? If you re-call back in the late nineties, we gave an expansion franchise to Los Angeles, and we did that on the expectation that we wanted to be there and as long as people felt like there was a solution that worked for us. What happened is a long story, but the bottom line is it was not a solution that worked for the NFL, and we’re not going to make a bad deal. I think what everyone has to understand is that the city of Los Angeles is a great city with or without the NFL. The NFL has done very well without the city of Los Angeles. We think that we’d be better together, but it has to be a solution that works for the community and the NFL.

Simers: On can this deal be made without the NFL getting any public money contributions from the city of Los Angeles?

Goodell: We haven’t been talking about public money. That is an issue that either the media or politicians raise all the time. Listen, you’re talking to an entity that is bringing hundreds of millions of dollars of investment to your community, and trying to solve an issue that you’re facing in your community, which is the state of the Coliseum. That is one of the things people have told us here, is that the Coliseum needs significant work done, and that’s why they’re looking at other alternatives to see what they can do. We are part of the solution, not part of the problem.

Simers: On hasn’t the league already agreed to providing private funding?

Goodell: We have agreed to put private funding in. We have done that in many markets. As a matter of fact, we’re the only league in the world that I know of that puts league money into stadiums around the country. We would do that, but it has to make good business sense.

Simers: On is the main issue the cost of the stadium?

Goodell: The expense is one of the challenges we’re facing there. Here in New York, we’re trying to get a stadium built for two NFL franchises exceeding a billion dollars. It’s a tough nut to crack, and it’s a challenge we’re going to have to figure out, but we’ll figure it out.

Roggin: On it being as simple as if A, B and C to get done, then we’ll have a franchise in Los Angeles?

Goodell: I don’t think it’s that simple. I think the biggest thing we can do is to work with not only the political leaders, but also the business leaders to quietly try to figure out how we can find a win-win solution for the community and the NFL. I don’t like the roller coaster either. That’s why we’ve been trying to be very direct. We’ve had good dialogue with many of the leaders both politically and business wise, and we know there are fans out there who want to see NFL football back, and we want to bring it back. They just want to see the end game, when the team starts and we understand that.

Simers: On David Israel’s comments that the NFL and Los Angeles negotiations are dead?

Goodell: Is that a proclamation by Mr. Israel?

Simers: Yes, it was.

Goodell: I just wanted to understand what Mr. Israel was saying.

Simers: On Israel, speaking on the behalf Mayor Villaraigosa and Governor Schwarzenegger, states that the NFL has worn out its welcome in Los Angeles?

Goodell: I have had very good dialogue with the mayor, and I’ve had numerous conversations recently. I have been very direct with him and I think he’s appreciative of that. I know they want results, and we want results too, but I can only be direct on this. I’m not in this as a popularity contest. I’m in this to do what’s best for the NFL at the end of the day.

Simers: On what your dad would have said when you became the NFL commissioner?

Goodell: I hope that he would have been very proud. He knew before he passed away that I was pursuing my dream of working for the NFL, and that was a great thing, but I don’t think he would have ever imagined me sitting in this chair right now.

Simers: On how you started as an NFL intern in 1982 and how we have a high school kid in our office working with us?

Goodell: I just spoke with Jason, and I told him to choose his role models carefully (laughter). He told me he wanted to be a sportswriter like T.J. Simers (laughter).

Simers: On what’s been the biggest surprise since assuming the commissioner post?

Goodell: It’s a good question, and I have to tell you it’s really how people treat you differently. You’re of a different status, and that’s difficult for me because I feel like I’m just the same guy that was doing my job three months ago.

Roggin: On what was the process like waiting to find out if you would be the next commissioner, and how would you have felt if you weren’t selected?

Goodell: I was prepared for that. When I was sitting in the room I felt like I had done everything possible. That I had represented myself the way I wanted to be represented and put my best foot forward. If they had decided not to select me, I was prepared for that and ready to move on in life.

Tracy Simers: On have you spoken with Commissioner Tagliabue recently about Los Angeles?

Goodell: Yes, I have. I spoke with him in advance of the meeting in New Orleans. I told him where I thought we were and he understood. Again, I think you have to find a solution that works for all parties.

Simers: On how the NFL is going to play a game in Germany before a game in Los Angeles, and does that make any sense?

Goodell: I’ve heard that line before, and you’re using someone else’s line T.J., and I’m disappointed in you (laughter).

Simers: On a prediction of what year Los Angeles is going to have a franchise?

Goodell: I’ve never been on a timetable. I hope we can bring it back successfully and give all those fans something great to cheer about besides great football from USC, UCLA and a lot of high schools that play there. We want to be back in Los Angels with NFL football.

Simers: On can we be there before 2011?

Goodell: I sure hope so. I’ll work at it.
###

Broncos / Colts Game - View From The Third Deck At Invesco Field

Ever wonder what it looks like to watch a Denver Broncos game from the third deck of Invesco Field? Well, here's a video that gives you the view:

Tom Brady Shatters Vikings Pass Defense; Pats Win 31-7 - NFL.com

Brady leads Pats to 31-7 win over Vikings

NFL.com wire reports

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Minnesota counts itself among the many NFL franchises trying to copy the New England Patriots' plan for success. The Vikings learned on Monday night that they still have a lot of catching up to do.

Tom Brady beat Minnesota's relentless rushing defense by simply throwing over it for 372 yards and touchdowns to four different receivers, and the Patriots pounded the Vikings 31-7 to win their sixth straight regular-season road game.

New England's defense had four sacks and four interceptions, forcing Brad Johnson into a handful of uncharacteristic mistakes.

"The plan was to come out and put the ball in the air a little bit," Brady said, grinning. "The receivers made a lot of great plays, and it was a lot of fun, needless to say."

Still firing well into the fourth quarter, Brady didn't let up -- going 29-of-43 to beat a defense that had been pretty decent against the pass, too.

New England (6-1) more than doubled Minnesota's average of allowing 15.8 points per game, setting the tone for an easy victory with an opening drive on which Brady completed all six of his throws for 94 yards.

"Whatever holes we had in the coverage, he found it," Vikings safety Darren Sharper said.

Johnson was no match for the unflappable, three-time Pro Bowl quarterback. Picked off three times, Johnson was 20-of-33 for 185 yards and forced to watch from the sideline for the final 12 minutes when backup Brooks Bollinger went in.

"The turnovers played into that," Vikings coach Brad Childress said, when asked about the switch. "It's important you have respect for the football."

Minnesota's only score was a 71-yard punt return by Mewelde Moore in the third quarter, but Patriots rookie Laurence Maroney -- playing in the stadium where he became a college star -- answered that with a 74-yard kickoff return.

New England now has a big matchup, at least for November, at home against Indianapolis (7-0) on Sunday.

"We're happy to win," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said, "but it doesn't get any easier. We have a tough challenge coming up this week against the Colts."

The Vikings (4-3) proved they weren't in their opponent's class just yet. Playing their first Monday night home game in five years, they were consistently outschemed and outworked. The jazzed-up crowd of 63,819 lost the buzz by halftime.

"You come into this environment, and you see the fans leaving midway through the fourth quarter," said Brady, who hasn't lost in 10 NFL games indoors.

Well, he's usually pretty good wherever he plays. Save for an up-for-grabs pass up the sideline that Sharper snagged for a one-handed interception as he fell down in the first quarter, Brady was brilliant.

The last time he was here, Brady was leading Michigan to a win over the University of Minnesota in 1998. And, boy, it sure looked like Brady was facing those defenseless Gophers again -- not a Vikings team that had held every prior opponent to 19 points or less and entered the game ranked seventh in the league in total yards allowed.

First-year defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin has helped create a dominant unit, but his charges were embarrassed on each of New England's three first-half scoring drives.

A frighteningly easy opening march ended with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Reche Caldwell. The Patriots drove 93 yards in eight plays to get a 23-yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski in the second quarter. And just before halftime, they moved 74 yards in 11 plays to take a 17-0 lead on a 9-yard scoring toss to tight end Benjamin Watson.

Dillon and Maroney came into the game, combined, with nearly 700 yards rushing, but their impact was minimal except for Maroney's momentous kickoff return.

No, it was all Brady in this one, slinging his usual darts all over the field to 10 different receivers. He started the game in the shotgun, with an empty backfield, and lined up in that five-wide set several times throughout the first half. Ten of New England's first 11 plays were passes.

Minnesota just couldn't keep up.


Tom Brady enjoyed his best game of the season with 372 yards and four touchdown passes.
Childress has built the Vikings into a run-first, low-risk outfit that relies on a sound defense and a take-what-it-can-get offense to succeed. One problem with that is they're not made for big rallies.

Their largest deficit to date was 17-3 against Detroit, and they overcame that with a 23-point fourth quarter three weeks ago. But after Troy Brown's 7-yard touchdown catch, set up by Maroney's return, Minnesota was down 24-7. On the next possession, Troy Williamson dropped a should-be touchdown on a long pass up the sideline when he failed to adjust to the ball as it arrived.

The Vikings, then, were out of opportunities. After a career-best 169 yards last week at Seattle, Chester Taylor was bottled up -- gaining only 22 yards on 10 carries. He suffered a shoulder stinger in the third quarter and was a non-factor the entire night.

Brady gave rookie Chad Jackson his chance to score late in the third, a 10-yard completion that Jackson deftly converted by virtually crawling into the end zone to keep from falling down.

Mike Vrabel intercepted Johnson on the next possession, and when Minnesota had the ball again Bollinger was behind center. New England then provided the punctuation to a near-perfect night, forcing a three-and-out with three straight sacks.

"It's probably one of the most embarrassing games I've been a part of," Johnson said.

49er Look Terrible - Chicago Bears 41 Niners 10 - NFL.com

Bears pound Niners 41-10, improve to 7-0

NFL.com wire reports

CHICAGO (Oct. 29, 2006) -- Brian Urlacher 's one-handed interception was headed to the highlight reel as soon as he tumbled to the ground after somehow batting the ball to himself.

Urlacher's stellar play symbolized what kind of afternoon it was for the refreshed and still unbeaten Chicago Bears -- and how frustrating the day was for the San Francisco 49ers.

Wearing bright orange uniforms and showing their speed on defense and special teams, the Bears overwhelmed the 49ers from the outset. They jumped to a 24-0 first-quarter lead and 41-0 halftime cushion before coasting to a 41-10 victory.

At 7-0, Chicago is off to its best start since the 1985 Super Bowl champions won their first 12 games.

"It was amazing. Twenty-four points in the first quarter? That's pretty impressive, especially in this league. It doesn't happen a lot," said Rex Grossman, who rebounded from his poorest performance to throw three TD passes.

Urlacher's acrobatic interception, in which he batted Alex Smith 's pass and then caught it with one hand as he was being knocked down by the 49ers Justin Smiley, was one of four turnovers the Bears generated in the first half. All four led to touchdowns.

Urlacher's play came on the heels of a national sports magazine survey of NFL players in which he was rated the second-most overrated player to Terrell Owens.

Asked if he had any reaction to the poll, last year's NFL Defensive Player of the Year said: "No, I don't. Watch the film. I don't know what people are saying. All I can do is go out there and play hard and try to help my team win."

Grossman rebounded from a four-interception, two-fumble performance in a narrow 24-23 win at Arizona before a bye week to complete 23 of 29 passes for 252 yards against the 49ers' woeful pass defense.


Thomas Jones and the dominant Bears proved to be too much for the hapless Niners to handle.
"I'm just glad I went out and did what the coaches asked me to do, respond from having a poor game and learn from some of the mistakes I made and continue to get better," Grossman said.

The 24 first-quarter points set a franchise record for the opening period and the 41 in the first half tied a mark set in 1948 against Washington.

"At halftime you just think to yourself, 'How did it get out of control so fast?"' said 49ers defensive lineman Bryant Young. "It happened so fast we were just trying to find a way to get it resolved. ... We have to give ourselves a chance."

San Francisco averted a shutout in the fourth quarter on a 23-yard field goal by Joe Nedney and a 16-yard TD pass from Smith to Antonio Bryant.

Six plays after Urlacher's interception, Grossman's 5-yard TD pass to Muhsin Muhammad made it 17-0 and the Bears were on their way.

How good are they?

"No one expects us to do what we do. No one wants to give us any credit," Urlacher said. "Everyone wants to say they didn't play well. There's a reason they didn't play well."

Smith was stripped of the ball in the 49ers' next series, and Tommie Harris picked it up and ran to San Francisco's 13. That set up a 1-yard TD by Cedric Benson and a 24-0 lead with a minute to go in the opening quarter.

"Hopefully I will never have to deal with a halftime coming in 41-0 like that," Smith said. "We talked about it all week. This is a team that feeds off turnovers, a team that strives off turnovers."

The Bears had such a comfortable lead they went on fourth down from the San Francisco 1 early in the second quarter. Grossman lofted a TD pass to Desmond Clark.

After the Bears took an early 3-0 lead, the 49ers Maurice Hicks fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Cameron Worrell recovered at the 15, leading to a 7-yard TD run by Thomas Jones.

San Francisco entered giving up 32 points a game, but the defense wasn't to fault early on because turnovers allowed the Bears to work from short fields. Drives started at the 15, 41 and 13, and they turned all three into touchdowns to take the big opening-quarter lead.

The 49ers coughed up the ball a fourth time late in the half when Bryant caught a pass and fumbled, with Ricky Manning Jr. recovering.

Instead of running out the clock, the Bears capitalized again. Grossman's 27-yard TD pass to a wide-open Clark with 10 seconds left, which completed a quick four-play, 70-yard drive in just 62 seconds.