Monday Notes: Injuries Bug Hits Cowboys

Erin Bolen - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
October 31, 2005 6:20 PM

IRVING, Texas - Even though the Dallas Cowboys came away from Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals with a 34-13 victory, they paid a significant price for the victory. -NFL Football-

Starting outside linebacker Al Singleton is most likely gone for the rest of the season with a fractured right clavicle, while defensive backs Anthony Henry and Willie Pile suffered groin injures and defensive end Jay Ratliff a sprained ankle. -NFL Football-

Cornerback Jacques Reeves also has a slight ankle injury, although Parcells said he doesn't think Reeves will miss significant practice time. Ratliff was seen in the Cowboys locker room Monday wearing a walking boot on his right ankle. -NFL Football-

Singleton and linebacker Scott Fujita had been rotating series at the left outside linebacker position for the past several games, and Fujita is the most likely candidate to move into the starting job. But Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells said there hadn't been a personnel meeting yet, so it was too soon to assume anything. -NFL Football-

Singleton has been a key part of a Cowboys defense which currently ranks fifth in the NFL. -NFL Football-

"What do we miss (with Singleton out)?" Parcells said. "A good veteran player. I don't have a lot of experience at that position. That was one guy I could kind of rely on to be there." -NFL Football-

Although Parcells did discuss the possibility of bringing in some linebackers to work out for the Cowboys, he appeared fairly hesitant to commit to signing a free-agent linebacker. He said the team had four healthy outside linebackers on the roster in Fujita, DeMarcus Ware, Kevin Burnett and linebacker/end Eric Ogbogu. -NFL Football-

However, the Cowboys aren't as deep at other positions, and the injuries to Henry and Pile could complicate an already thin defensive backfield. -NFL Football-

If Henry's injury ends up being serious, and Parcells he wouldn't know the extent of the injury until Thursday, he would likely be replaced in the starting lineup by Aaron Glenn. -NFL Football-

Pile's injury would present a larger personnel challenge, as Pile is the only true safety on the roster to back up starters Keith Davis and Roy Williams, and the other player who has been practicing at safety is the nicked-up Reeves. Should Pile be forced to miss playing time, the Cowboys would likely be on the market for another back-up safety. That decision will affect whatever they do or don't do at linebacker. -NFL Football-

Recovery Ward

Although the Cowboys suffered a slate of injuries against the Cardinals, the game also marked the return of a significant name on defense and a step closer to the return of two offensive weapons. -NFL Football-

Linebacker Dat Nguyen played his first game in four weeks against Arizona, mostly in the Cowboys nickel and dime packages as he registered one tackle. -NFL Football-

"Dat played in the 20s, number of plays in the game, and he did OK," Parcells said. "I talked to him after the game, and he said he felt pretty good." -NFL Football-

Nguyen's confidence following the neck injury had been the primary concern the past few weeks. The veteran didn't have any structural damage to his neck, but Parcells had said he didn't feel Nguyen felt he was ready to return to the field. -NFL Football-

Another lingering injury for the Cowboys is the high ankle sprain that's sidelined running back Julius Jones, who injured the ankle late in the first half in a win over the Eagles and has been very limited in practice and unable to cut on the injured leg. -NFL Football-

But on Monday, Parcells said he was hopeful Jones would be ready to join the team again soon. -NFL Football-

"I think (Jones) should be pretty close to being ready to go," Parcells said. "But I don't know. We'll see . . . Let me see where he is Thursday, and I'll give you a better idea. We're not going to practice real hard this week, so hopefully he'll be able to get out there and do something. I'd like to be able to get more than three or four practices with him before we play, get back in tune." -NFL Football-

Parcells also said he was confident Jones would return to 100 percent by the end of the season. -NFL Football-

Patrick Crayton was also in the locker room Monday, still wearing a walking boot on his right foot but moving without the aid of a crutch. -NFL Football-

He said he has been riding the stationary bike in practice and could be cleared to get rid of his protective walking boot in as little as a week. -NFL Football-

Under Allen's Wing

Left tackle Torrin Tucker, who was given the starting job after Flozell Adams tore his ACL against the Giants, has been getting help from one of his veteran teammates as he adjusts to the starting role. -NFL Football-

"I give Larry Allen a lot of credit here, because he's got Tucker on a choke collar right now," Parcells said. "He really does, and it's a great thing to see. Now he's quiet in his own way, but as soon as Flozell got hurt, he changed Tucker's meeting room seat to right next to him." -NFL Football-

Parcells said the change in seating arrangements meant Allen was communicating constantly with the third-year tackle, something necessary for Tucker, who had never played on the left side in the NFL. -NFL Football-

The coach also gave Tucker credit for being open to Allen's advice, saying Tucker was "grown up enough now" to listen to Allen and be adaptable to the situation, a maturity that had been lacking in Tucker's first seasons with the Cowboys. -NFL Football-

Both Tucker and rookie right tackle Rob Petitti earned praise from Parcells for their performance against the Cardinals. -NFL Football-

"I thought they played pretty well," Parcells said. "Not perfect, but pretty well. I thought they hung in there. Now that Berry, that's a test. He's one of the best guys now. I was talking to them after the game, and I told them he's a pain in the (butt), cause he is." -NFL Football-

Bye Week Travel

When their bye week came around Oct. 3 of last season, Parcells gave his players Sunday and Monday off in an attempt to keep them in the Dallas area and out of trouble. -NFL Football-

This year, Parcells has given the Cowboys Tuesday and Wednesday off, and some of the players said they had flights to catch as they traveled home for a few days. -NFL Football-

"I try to caution my players about doing things," Parcells said "I don't ever give them three days in a row off. They're not going to get three days in a row. So if they're going to go somewhere, they're going to have to do it in about a day-and-a-half, because they have to be back" -NFL Football-

Bill Shots

· Let's hear a little best of Bill from this Monday: -NFL Football-

· "You go ahead and give the state of the union. I don't really have any state of the union to give." - to a reporter asking for a halfway point state of the Cowboys address. -NFL Football-

· "Like I said, we have a little tendency here in Dallas to anoint. I think the anointing oil is a little more prevalent here than in some other parts of the country." - on considering Marion Barber more than just a promising rookie. -NFL Football-

· "I was looking at Rackers, visualizing that." - on what he was doing when rookie kicker Shaun Suisham was struggling during warm-ups in his NFL regular-season debut. -NFL Football-

· "What about (the bye week)? It's America now. You can go where you want." - when asked about his players leaving town this week. -NFL Football-

· "Win about three or four more in a row, and I would start to get my ears up a little." - on what would get his excitement level up. -NFL Football-

Short Shots

Suisham was 2-for-2 on field goals against the Cardinals but struggled in warm-ups. Parcells said he hadn't decided if he would bring in other kickers for workouts . . . The players may have Tuesday and Wednesday off, but the coaching staff will be at Valley Ranch. Parcells said they will use Tuesday to watch film of the Detroit Lions and Wednesday to look at the Denver Broncos, who form the back end of stretch of three games in 11 days . . . Marcus Spears has officially been tabbed as the starting left end, according to Parcells, who praised the rookie for his improved play against the Cardinals . . . When asked about tying Paul Brown for ninth place on the NFL's all-time coaching wins list, Parcells replied, "Yeah, it means a lot if your name is linked to Paul Brown in any manner." -NFL Football-

Philadelphia passes on establishing a running game

By Jim Corbett, USA TODAY Sports Weekly

PHILADELPHIA — Can an Arena Football League offense win a Super Bowl? Coach Andy Reid's 4-2 Philadelphia Eagles are determined to find out. -NFL Football-

When it comes to the run, Reid will pass. -NFL Football-

Quarterback Donovan McNabb threw 54 times in Philadelphia's 20-17 escape Sunday against the Chargers. McNabb completed a career- and franchise-high 35 passes with the benefit of only 10 handoffs to catch his breath. -NFL Football-

It's enough to wonder whether McNabb or Reid is suffering from that sports hernia, the way it pains Reid so much to run the football. -NFL Football-

The Eagles rank last in the league with 102 rushing attempts, averaging only 17 per game. McNabb has at least 45 passing attempts in three of the first six games, and the Eagles lead the league with 44.7 attempts per game. -NFL Football-

You'd think Reid would want to take some of the pressure off his hurting quarterback by running the ball more, right? -NFL Football-

Not really. -NFL Football-

"I normally go with what is working and go from there," Reid says. -NFL Football-

Sure, it's a passing league these days. But Reid is making pass-happy former coaches Don "Air" Coryell and Bill Walsh seem like Ohio State's smashmouth coach Woody Hayes by throwing 73.4% of the time, way more than the 60-40 pass-run balance that helped the Eagles reach the Super Bowl in February. By comparison with McNabb's 42.3 attempts per game, Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger is averaging 16.7 passes per game. -NFL Football-

The Eagles can't keep going down this one-way road, at least not all the way to Super Bowl XL. Not in a league where you run to win, especially when the weather turns in December and January. -NFL Football-

Reid so disdains the run that even on fourth-and-1 from the Eagles' 30-yard line with Philadelphia trailing 17-13 and 3:29 left, he called for a play-action pass. -NFL Football-

Instead of having McNabb burrow behind center Hank Fraley or calling for a handoff, McNabb threw an off-balance incompletion that sailed over Lamar Gordon's head. -NFL Football-

"You need to balance it up a little more," Reid conceded the day after. "We are a little too heavy with the passing." -NFL Football-

It's as if Reid awoke after realizing just how lucky the Eagles were to escape. If not for Matt Ware's 65-yard touchdown return after Quintin Mikell blocked Nate Kaeding's 40-yard field goal attempt with 2:25 remaining, Philadelphia sports-talk radio would still be roasting Reid. -NFL Football-

Was McNabb healthy enough to run a quarterback sneak? -NFL Football-

"Yeah," Reid says. -NFL Football-

With McNabb erratic in setting his feet and throwing two interceptions, the Eagles were lucky in a second half that had been all San Diego. Drew Brees rallied the Chargers with TD passes to Keenan McCardell and Antonio Gates, and Kaeding added a field goal. -NFL Football-

Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson spent the bye week plotting the design that held Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson to a career-low 7 yards on 17 carries. The guy Brees calls "Superman without the cape" ran into green kryptonite as Johnson stacked eight and sometimes nine men in the box. -NFL Football-

They ended Tomlinson's record-tying touchdown streak at 18 straight games, Mikell shot a gap he compared to Moses parting the Red Sea and Ware took what he called "a super-nice bounce" to the house. -NFL Football-

But is it really wise to keep leaning so heavily on a hurting quarterback who is having difficulty throwing deep and across his body? -NFL Football-

Can McNabb survive the rest of the way without play-action cover to hold blitzers another second? -NFL Football-

"Why run the ball when you've got the talent we've got on offense?" linebacker Jeremiah Trotter says. -NFL Football-

Exactly the way Reid sees it. -NFL Football-

Eli's drive: Along with winning Super Bowls, the great quarterbacks are judged by their comeback magic, that special ability to inspire teammates on a game-winning drive when the clock and a defense conspire against them. -NFL Football-

Eli Manning coolly directed a 15-play, 83-yard winning drive against Denver on Sunday that reminded Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi why he considered Manning a once-in-a-generation prospect. -NFL Football-

"I've always felt with a quarterback, there's arm strength, size and intelligence," Accorsi says. "But the undefinable ingredient is that quality when you're not having your best day, you can still win the game. That was the part of Eli I saw in college. (John) Elway had it. -NFL Football-

"He went 98 yards against us in Cleveland when he was not having his best day and found a way to get it down the field. That's what separates the great ones. That's what we're starting to see with Eli." -NFL Football-

Manning was pleased to learn in the locker room from Connor Mara, grandson of Wellington Mara, the Giants co-owner who lost his battle with cancer Tuesday, that Mara awoke to view the winning TD throw to Amani Toomer with five seconds left before drifting back to sleep. Connor Mara told Manning a peaceful smile came over his grandfather's face. -NFL Football-

Common sense: Consider the threat level elevated among NFL players when it comes to the consequences of choices. Bottom line? Common sense. It must always be a player's off-field shield. -NFL Football-

On the same morning Seahawks safety Ken Hamlin was hospitalized with a fractured skull and a blood clot on his brain following a nightclub beating, Eagles defensive end Jerome McDougle had season-ending emergency surgery. It stemmed from a gunshot wound to the stomach suffered when he was attacked by three robbers in Miami the night before training camp opened. -NFL Football-

Two young defensive players became two cautionary tales concerning how the strongest of men between the white lines wear bull's-eyes outside them. -NFL Football-

McDougle never had the chance Hamlin did to walk away. And Hamlin, 24, is lucky to be alive. -NFL Football-

He was released from the hospital Monday, a week after he was beaten up outside a Pioneer Square nightclub in the early hours of Oct. 17. Players should heed the advice of Giants running back Tiki Barber and his twin brother, Ronde, the Buccaneers cornerback. -NFL Football-

"You go to a place, someone starts shoving you, you react and, unfortunately, a violent confrontation occurs," Tiki said on a satellite radio show. "Stuff like this happens, and it's hard as an athlete who plays in a physical sport to turn it off and say: 'You know what? I gotta walk away.' -NFL Football-

"Ken did not. And he ended up in the hospital with a cracked skull. This is serious, life-threatening stuff over something stupid at a club." -NFL Football-

Ronde said: "This could have been avoided. He probably felt like he was getting disrespected, someone was pushing him, and I think there was every opportunity to leave this alone. ... You don't need this in your life as an NFL football player." -NFL Football-

E-mail: jcorbett@usatoday.com

Woman sues Smith, alleging sexual assault
October 18, 2005 -- NFL --
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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- A woman who contends Vikings running back Onterrio Smith sexually assaulted her last year has sued the player. -- NFL --
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The 21-year-old woman is not identified in the lawsuit filed last week, for fear of retaliation, said her attorney, Lori Peterson.-- NFL --
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The woman, who lives in the Twin Cities, says she was injured and humiliated and is seeking $150,000 in damages.-- NFL --
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The lawsuit claims she suffers from a lifelong illness and her physician describes her as an ``individual with disabilities.'' She has a form of mental impairment stemming from fetal alcohol syndrome. -- NFL --
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Police reports indicate the woman met Smith through a friend, who was in an adjacent room in the Eden Prairie apartment during the alleged assault.-- NFL --
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The lawsuit mentions that a second Vikings player was involved in the attack, but that player is not identified because he ``met his legal obligations,'' Peterson said.-- NFL --
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Police in Eden Prairie, the Minneapolis suburb where the Vikings practice, investigated the rape report but no charges-- NFL --
were filed.-- NFL --
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Smith was notified of the lawsuit May 18 and has not responded, according to Peterson. Smith's agent did not immediately return a call Tuesday.-- NFL --
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Smith was suspended for the season weeks after he was caught at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport with several vials of dried urine and ``The Original Whizzinator,'' which is marketed as a way to beat drug tests.-- NFL --

Jets, With Martin, Testaverde, Beat Bucs: NFL Week 5 (Update1)

Oct. 9 (Bloomberg) -- Curtis Martin rushed for two touchdowns as the New York Jets and 41-year-old quarterback Vinny Testaverde handed Tampa Bay its first loss of the National Football League season, 14-12. - NFL Football -

Martin scored for the first time this year and Testaverde passed for 163 yards in his first start since rejoining the Jets (2-3) two weeks ago.

The Buccaneers (4-1) entered the day as one of four unbeaten teams. The Indianapolis Colts (4-0), Cincinnati Bengals (4-0) and Washington Redskins (3-0) play later today.

In other early games during Week 5 of the NFL season, the Green Bay Packers beat the New Orleans Saints 52-3 to avoid an 0- 5 start, the New England Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons 31- 28, the Cleveland Browns beat the Chicago Bears 20-10, the Buffalo Bills defeated the Miami Dolphins 20-14, the Tennessee Titans beat the Houston Texas 34-20, the Detroit Lions defeated the Baltimore Ravens 35-17 and the Seattle Seahawks beat the St. Louis Rams 37-31.

In late games, it's Indianapolis at the San Francisco 49ers, the Redskins at the Denver Broncos, the Philadelphia Eagles at the Dallas Cowboys and the Carolina Panthers at the Arizona Cardinals. - NFL Football -

Cincinnati visits the Jacksonville Jaguars tonight, and the San Diego Chargers host the Pittsburgh Steelers tomorrow night.

Martin Scores

At Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Martin scored twice against the NFL's top-ranked defense. The American Football Conference's rushing leader in 2004, Martin scored on a 2-yard run in the second quarter and a 1-yard plunge in the third quarter after being held scoreless through the Jets' first four games. - NFL Football -

The Jets' defense limited the Buccaneers to four field goals by Matt Bryant. Tampa Bay played without rookie running back Carnell Williams because of foot and hamstring injuries. Michael Pittman was held to 46 yards in place of Williams, who this season became the first player in NFL history to begin his career with three straight 100-yard rushing games.

Testaverde, the NFL's No. 1 draft pick in 1987 and in his second stint with the Jets, rejoined New York after the team lost starting quarterback Chad Pennington and backup Jay Fiedler to shoulder injuries.

``Vinny Testaverde did a good job,'' Jets coach Herman Edwards said at a postgame news conference. ``You're talking about a guy who was sitting home (two weeks ago). He came in and got us off the carpet.'' - NFL Football -

Elsewhere today:

-- Green Bay 52, New Orleans 3: Brett Favre passed for three touchdowns and Najeh Davenport rushed for two scores for the Packers (1-4). The Saints (2-3) had five turnovers.

-- New England 31, Atlanta 28: Adam Vinatieri's 29-yard field goal with 17 seconds left improved the Patriots to 3-2. Tom Brady passed for 350 yards and three touchdowns for New England. Matt Schaub started for injured Michael Vick and threw three scoring passes for the Falcons (3-2).

-- Detroit 35, Baltimore 17: Kevin Jones had two of four rushing touchdowns for the Lions (2-2), who are in first place in the NFC North. The Ravens (1-3) had 21 penalties for 147 yards.

-- Buffalo 20, Miami 14: Willis McGahee rushed for a touchdown and Kelly Holcomb passed for a score in his first start for the Bills (2-3). Gus Frerotte was intercepted three times for Miami (2-2). - NFL Football -

-- Cleveland 20, Chicago 10: Antonio Bryant caught two touchdowns from Trent Dilfer in a 38-second span in the fourth quarter for Cleveland (2-2). The Bears dropped to 1-3.

-- Tennessee 34, Houston 20: Steve McNair threw two touchdown passes and rookie Jarrett Payton scored his first NFL touchdown to lead the Titans (2-3). The Texans (0-4) are the league's only winless team. - NFL Football -

-- Seattle 37, St. Louis 31: Shaun Alexander scored two rushing touchdowns and Matt Hasselbeck passed for two scores for the Seahawks (3-2). Marc Bulger threw for 336 yards and a pair of touchdowns as St. Louis fell to 2-3.

©2005 Bloomberg L.P. All rights reserved.

NFL to make short-lived visit to Mexico
WILL WEISSERT

Associated Press

MEXICO CITY - Don't expect the NFL to stick around Mexico very long after Sunday's game between the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers, the first regular-season game played outside the United States.

NFL Mexico, which oversees the sport in this country, says it has no plans to push for a team any time soon. It appears content to follow the lead of the NBA and major league baseball, which played games that counted in Mexico in years past but haven't seriously considered sanctioning Mexican franchises.

"A franchise in Mexico, it's not a priority for the short or medium term," said Geraldine Gonzalez of the league's Mexico City office. "It's not so viable."

NFL surveys say 20 million Mexicans, a little less than one in five, are fans of the league.

Still, Gonzalez said the fact that few play football has prohibited a sports culture from forming around homegrown talent. Factor in concerns about security, logistical difficulties and whether fans can afford ticket prices, and an NFL team here starts to look about as likely as Giants Stadium hosting Mexican cockfights.

"There are a number of communities in the United States that have raised their hands and said, 'We are ready for a franchise,' including Los Angeles," Gonzalez said. "The league will first look out for its interests within the United States."

The NFL is not alone. The northern city of Monterrey hosted baseball in 1999 and a three-game series between the San Diego Padres and New York Mets in 1996. But a bid to bring the Montreal Expos there part time, instead of playing in Puerto Rico, fizzled in 2003.

NBA commissioner David Stern has mentioned Mexico City as a possible site for an expansion franchise, and the Houston Rockets beat the Dallas Mavericks 108-106 here on Dec. 6, 1997. But the league has not been back for a regular-season contest.

Paul Swangard, managing director of the University of Oregon's Warsaw Sports Management Center, said Mexico's inability to provide would-be franchises with modern stadiums including luxury boxes and other lucrative perks have helped scare away U.S. leagues.

"The leagues, especially the NFL, don't want to discount their product for a particular market," Swangard said.

Tickets for Sunday's game at Azteca Stadium, which hosted World Cup finals in 1970 and 1986, cost between $23 and $80. That's cheaper than seats at most U.S. stadiums, but prohibitively expensive for millions in a country where the minimum wage is $4 a day.

Wearing a Pittsburgh Steelers cap while waiting for a bus in southern Mexico City, construction worker Jorge Chavez said he was proud an NFL game was being played here - but that he couldn't afford to go.

"Feeding the children comes first," he said. "I can watch it on television."

Instead of expansion plans, if things go well Sunday the NFL has promised to consider holding regular-season contests in other international locations. Strong television ratings across Mexico and a crowd of 100,000-plus in the stands would go a long way toward making the game a success.

Fans have not snapped up tickets as quickly as anticipated, but officials point out that Mexican buyers are notorious for waiting until the last minute.

Buying seats at an Azteca ticket window, 48-year-old Jamie Solis said: "Mexico's so close, there should be an NFL team. There are good football fans here. They want a full stadium. We will fill it."

But a complete sellout won't be possible because officials are not offering tickets for the first seven rows around Azteca's massive bowl, citing atrocious viewing angles at field level.

The halftime show will feature a series of traditional Mexican dances involving 900 performers. The Mexican national anthem will complement that of the United States, and kickoffs, punts and field goals might carry farther given the 7,200-foot altitude.

Otherwise, things on the field will look much the same as at any other NFL game. The league even brought down the paint used for yard markers, the NFL logos and the insignia of the Cardinals in one end zone and the 49ers in the other.

"We're trying to use less paint to save the stadium," said Pete Wozniak, manager of athletic facilities at Arizona State, who came down to lead a 14-member grounds crew preparing the field for the game. "They've got to play soccer here again in a few weeks."

And going back to soccer, Mexico's true sports love, is fine with many.

"There's a lot of interest. But an entire NFL season, when so many people like soccer better?" said Juan Hernandez, who was asked about a Mexican franchise after arriving at the Azteca ticket booth aboard an SUV with a Dallas Cowboys novelty license plate. "For the NFL, it should be 'yes' in Mexico, but better only for one day."

Trying tryout for women's football team

Rick Maese

The flier seemed inviting enough. "Do you have what it takes to play women's full-contact football?" it read.

I mulled it over for approximately 30 seconds. My football history is mostly limited to a couch and a remote control. But because I'm pretty good at that, I foolishly figured, yeah, I have exactly what it takes to play women's full-contactfootball. - NFL Football -

The Baltimore Burn is one of nearly three dozen teams that play in the National Women's Football Association. After I saw the flier, I hopped on the league's Web site to get more details: pads, uniforms, road trips, teams playing coast-to-coast, even cheerleaders.

Sure enough, nowhere did it specifically state that men weren't allowed in the league. Slight oversight on their part, but a loophole for me.

I spoke with the head coach, Adrian Mobley, told him I wanted to come out for the team. "I don't think it's against the rules," I pleaded. "You've got to at least let me try out." What could he say? Mobley knew more than I did - he wasn't doing me any favor by allowing me out there.

So yesterday afternoon, I took a pair of shorts, some sneakers and a healthy dose of male ego over to the Southside Academy's football field for the Burn's fall tryout. The team expects about 35 players to return from last year, opening up at least 15 roster spots for the 2006 season, which begins in the spring. I was ready to make league history.

Four orange cones were laid out in a square on the field. One at a time, Burn hopefuls dropped to the ground and did as many pushups as they could manage in 60 seconds. I watched the others go first and started to worry. Forty-five pushups. Then 48. Then 37. I don't think I blinked once for a 10-minute period. - NFL Football -

I was the last to step into the box. Twenty women were circled around me. Mobley started the stopwatch. My legs shook at No. 15. My body wobbled at No. 20. At No. 25, I had a mouthful of grass and couldn't feel my arms. I hadn't embarrassed myself in front of this many women at once since college.

"Well, I did like 100 pushups before I left my house this morning," I stammered.

I looked around the field and realized that I was the only one out here on a whim. The rest were real athletes. The rest were realfootball players.

The Burn prospects lined up for a 10-yard dash. I stood to the side to size up the competition. The whistle blew and one by one they darted away. I've seen some women run away from me before, but not this fast. - NFL Football -

I redeemed myself slightly in the 10-yard sprint, finishing with one of the best times. I felt good and turned to tell the coach what size jersey he should order for me. But he had already moved on. "All right ladies, over here," he barked. "We got a straight-upNFL drill next."

As Mobley explained the three-cone drill, I was the only one panting. "A little soft," is how one player put it. In comparison to some of the Burn players, I was. And you'd be, too.

Nikia Green is the starting strong safety. She broke her left wrist in the middle of last season but didn't miss a game. She had a cast up to her elbow and still led the team in tackles. "A broken wrist!" said teammate Brandy Sturtz, a tight end. "And you telling me Kyle Boller can't play because he hurt his big toe?"

And then there's Sabrina Thomas. Her teammates call her Texx, and that's what her big belt buckle says, too. Texx repairs tanks in the Army and missed the 2003 season because she had been stationed in Kuwait and later in Iraq. - NFL Football -

Texx followed the team via e-mail and at night she'd lie in the back of her truck and watch rockets explode over Baghdad. "Just like fireworks," she says.

Calling the Burn tough is being kind. When discussing a preseason party, I heard one say, "Can we have it before the 17th? I think I might be in jail then."

I made a mental note to stay away from her as we prepared for 40-yard sprints. Jimmien Strong, the team's fullback, was in line behind me. "I didn't get out here to do no running and jumping," she said. "I just want to hit people." - NFL Football -

I made a mental note to stay away from her, too.

Copyright © 2005, The Baltimore Sun

McNabb listed as questionable for 49ers

PHILADELPHIA (Sept. 14, 2005) -- Donovan McNabb threw four touchdowns on a broken ankle. He won't let a chest injury keep him on the bench. - NFL Football -

McNabb didn't practice Sept. 14 because of a bruised chest, but the five-time Pro Bowl quarterback said he'll play in Philadelphia 's home opener against San Francisco on Sept. 18.

"Nothing will stop me from being on that field," said McNabb, who was injured in the first quarter in the Eagles' 14-10 season-opening loss at Atlanta on Monday Night Football.

If McNabb can't play -- he's listed as questionable -- longtime backup Koy Detmer isn't a lock to get the start. Detmer shared reps with third-string quarterback Mike McMahon in practice, and coach Andy Reid wouldn't select a potential starter. - NFL Football -

"We'll see as the week goes on," Reid said. "I'll evaluate it and see what we want to do with it. I know both do a nice job."

Detmer has started eight games in his nine seasons with the Eagles. He led Philadelphia to a 38-17 victory in San Francisco in a Monday night game three years ago, one week after McNabb broke his ankle. Detmer threw for 227 yards and two touchdowns against the 49ers before injuring his elbow and missing the rest of the season.

McMahon started seven games in four seasons with Detroit before signing with the Eagles in the offseason. He isn't as familiar with Philadelphia's version of the West Coast offense, but outperformed Detmer in the preseason. - NFL Football -

"We're going to take the reps the way they want us to and see how it shakes out," said Detmer, who probably has maintained his status as the backup because he's the holder for Pro Bowl kicker David Akers.

Detmer expects to be on the sideline watching McNabb.

"He's a warrior," Detmer said. "We've seen him play through all kinds of things, broken ankles, everything. If he can walk, he can go. He will be out there." - NFL Football -

McMahon said he's comfortable with the Eagles' complex offense.

"It's nothing too difficult," he said. "You just have to prepare and go out and help the offense move the ball. Don't do anything too fancy and move the chains."

McNabb didn't miss any plays after a crushing hit from Chad Lavalais sent him wincing to the sideline, but he struggled the rest of the game against the Falcons.

McNabb, coming off his best season, threw one interception, lost two fumbles and often missed his target with erratic passes. He finished 24 of 45 for 257 yards and one touchdown.

"I don't want to make excuses," McNabb said. "I just didn't do my job the way I'm used to."

Reid said McNabb doesn't have any structural damage in his sternum. Last season, Titans quarterback Steve McNair missed eight games with a sternum injury that eventually required surgery.

"It's bruised and a matter of it calming down," Reid said. "We are not going to put him out there in a situation where he could be injured." - NFL Football -

McNabb has played through pain in the past. He broke his ankle in the first quarter of a game against Arizona in 2002, stayed in and threw four TDs. He had trouble playing with an injured thumb in 2003, but didn't miss any time.

"It's just a process you go through with bumps and bruises," he said. "If I'm out there I feel like I can help the team as much as possible."

Center Hank Fraley said the offensive line has to protect McNabb better.

"I won't be surprised if he plays. He's played on a broken ankle," Fraley said. "We want him as clean as possible and take the least amount of hits."

McNabb said he stopped wearing a flak jacket two years ago, but would consider putting one on this week. - NFL Football -

Neither McNabb nor Reid wanted to comment on the hit that injured McNabb, but it's clear both thought it wasn't entirely clean. Lavalais leveled McNabb with his helmet.

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