POSTED 9:56 p.m. EDT, October 15, 2006

MOSS SAYS "F--K ANDREW"

As television cameras and microphones continue to capture all sorts of interesting words before, during, and after NFL broadcasts, Raiders receiver Randy Moss let the phrase "F--k Andrew" fly on NBC after a first-half interception. 

The words couldn't be heard, but it doesn't take Marlee Matlin to figure out what Moss was saying based on the movement of his mouth.

The "Andrew" to whom Moss was referring is quarterback Andrew Walter, who sailed a ball beyond Randy's reach -- and right into the arms of Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey, killing a drive during which Moss had made a long catch.

NBC's Andrea Kremer also made general reference to the exchange at the start of the second half, without getting into the words that Moss was saying.

Missed it?  Never fear.  Our guess is that the images will be shown on ESPN several times over the next few days.  And that'll give us a little time to figure out our response when Florio Jr. inevitably asks, "What's he saying, Dad?"

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POSTED 7:26 p.m. EDT, October 15, 2006

EAGLES GETTING CALLS ABOUT JEAN-GILLES

A league source tells us that the Eagles are receiving phone calls from teams interested in trading for rookie guard Max Jean-Gilles.

Jean-Gilles, a fourth-round pick in the 2006 draft, appears on the team's depth chart as the No. 2 man at left guard.

It's unlikely that the Eagles will move him, unless someone offers something that would represent a major upgrade on paper over a fourth-round selection.  As one league insider remarked, "Andy Reid likes to have a lot of guys around who are his size."

Reid's objective isn't to minimize his own girth by surrounding himself with other men of ample proportion, but to ensure that he always has enough offensive and defensive linemen around.  The game, as Reid believes, is won in the trenches.

And Jean-Gilles can fill up a trench or two at six-foot-three, and 358 pounds. 

Even though Jean-Gilles is a rookie, the rules permit him to be traded.  Only unsigned rookies cannot be traded beyond a certain point following the draft.

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ALEXANDER AT LEAST TWO WEEKS AWAY

Peter King of NBC reports on Football Night in America (Although They Really Want People In China To Watch It, Too) that Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander won't return to the field for at least two weeks.

The 2005 MVP is nursing a broken bone in his foot.  He has skipped two games with the condition, even though he initially believed that the power of prayer would allow him not to miss a beat.

Alexander's replacement, Maurice Morris, had 74 yards on 23 carries in a come-from-behind win over the Rams.  He coughed up a key fumble that allowed the Rams to re-take a late lead.   Next Sunday, the 'Hawks host the Vikings.

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POSTED 6:08 p.m. EDT, October 15, 2006

JOHNSON PULLS TAZ'S TAIL

In a development that's rich with irony, Chiefs running back Larry Johnson dragged down Steelers safety Troy Polamalu.

By the hair.

A week ago, Johnson was the victim of a vicious face mask pull from Cardinals cornerback Antrel Rolle, who yanked Johnson to the ground while Johnson headed for the end zone with a screen pass from Damon Huard.  Johnson was injured on the play.

This time around, Polamalu was on his way to the end zone after intercepting a Huard pass.  But Johnson dove and grabbed Polamalu's flowing, kinky mane.  Polamalu suffered no apparent injury.

Johnson was flagged on the play for unsportsmanlike conduct.  CBS reported during the Chiefs-Steelers broadcast that the flag was for taunting after the play was over, and not for pulling the hair.  (But James Brown of CBS said during an update in the Chargers-49ers game that the flag was related to the hair pull.)

So just as there's no rule in the CBA that allows a team to tell a player to get a haircut, there's no rule that prevents another player from using the hair in order to get a guy who has the ball down to the ground.  

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POSTED 4:28 p.m. EDT, October 15, 2006

WINLESS TEAMS WAKE UP

Entering Sunday's action, there were four winless teams in the NFL.

Now, there is only one.

The previously 0-5 Lions, the previously 0-5 Titans and the previously 0-4 Buccaneers each eked out narrow wins, leaving only the Raiders as the only team without a win.

The Lions held off the Bills at home, 20-17.  The Titans rallied from a 14-3 deficit to take a 25-22 win over the Redskins on the road.  And the Bucs came from behind late to knock off the Bengals, 14-13.

In the Tampa game, Shane Graham of the Bengals tried a 62-yard field goal as time expired, but it missed badly.

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POSTED 4:07 p.m. EDT, October 15, 2006

MAKE THAT THREE T.D.'S FOR T.O.

His presence on a football team might entail a sideshow more compelling than the dog-faced boy, the bearded lady, and the man with bosoms (oh, wait -- they already have that in Dallas).  Regardless, receiver Terrell Owens will from time to time display the physical skills that made him one of the best receivers in the NFL.

On Sunday against the Texans, Owens has hauled in three touchdown passes.

Owens last caught three touchdown passes exactly 23 months ago, when the Eagles throttled the Cowboys during a Monday night game, which began with Owens' infamous Desperate Housewives skit.

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POSTED 3:21 p.m. EDT October 15, 2006

TWO T.D.'S FOR T.O.

After another quiet first half, receiver Terrell Owens has exploded for two touchdowns in the third quarter of the Cowboys' home game against the Texans, pushing Dallas to a 17-6 lead.

The three-yard and 21-yard receptions came less than seven minutes apart, with the first score capping the opening drive after the second-half kickoff.

It was a far cry from the first two quarters, during which the Cowboys sputtered to only three points -- and chants of "Romo" erupted on a couple of occasions.

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POSTED 2:57 p.m. EDT, October 15, 2006

AIR McNAIR GROUNDED

Ravens quarterback Steve McNair has been knocked out of Sunday's home game against the Panthers after suffering a concussion and a neck strain.

McNair suffered the injuries on a sack by Carolina defensive end Mike Rucker and linebacker Chris Draft.

McNair had completed two of four passes for four yards an an interception.  His replacement is former starter Kyle Boller.

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POSTED 12:53 p.m. EDT, October 15, 2006

TUNA-T.O. ULTIMATUM COMING?

We've been saying it for weeks.  In our view, a day will arrive in which Cowboys coach Bill Parcells tells owner Jerry Jones that Jones has a choice to make -- player or coach; T.O. or Tuna.

ESPN's Ed Werder reports that they day could be coming.  Citing a source close to Parcells and familiar with the Tuna's thinking, Werder says that an ultimatum could arise if the problems with Owens continue.

And the players, as we've reported, are getting fed up.  One player told Werder that Owens is like a "bucket with a hole in it," and that "no matter how much you put in, you can never fill it up." 

The key to the situation continues to be Jones, who has been T.O.'s chief enabler.  Werder says that, when Jones was asked about whether there would be any discipline arising from Owens' recent dust-up with receivers coach Todd Haley, Jones angrily said, "Yeah, against Haley.  This is not a reflection on T.O."

Holy crap. 

Meanwhile, Jeff Lurie and Joe Banner and Andy Reid and Tom Heckert and Brad Childress and Donovan McNabb and thousands of Eagles fans are laughing their asses off.

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POSTED 12:39 p.m. EDT, October 15, 2006

CHAOS COMING FOR THE CARDS?

Jay Glazer of FOX reports that there was chaos this week in the Cardinals organization.  Per Glazer, two players walked out of a defensive meeting, and safety Robert Griffith had to be pulled away from defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast.

Glazer says that coach Dennis Green wasn't even aware of the incidents.

Though the team isn't as high-profile as the Cowboys and none of the players involved have the notoriety of a guy named T.O., it's a very troubling sign for an organization that was supposed to be turning it around, and a head coach whose seat might be hotter than he realizes.  Green is in his third season, and that's 50 percent of the longest tenure of any head coach in the franchise's 87-year history. 

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POSTED 12:09 p.m. EDT, October 15, 2006

Regarding the planned meeting between Bears cornerback Ricky Manning Jr. and the league office regarding possible sanctions under the Personal Conduct Policy for Manning's no contest plea to charges of felony assault, FOX's Jay Glazer reports that Manning's teammates and coach Lovie Smith are engaged in what we believe to be some very disingenuous excuse-making for Manning. 

Glazer says that FOXSports.com phoned "several Bears players" and Smith regarding the allegations that Manning made anti-Semitic slurs to the person whom Manning pleaded no contest to beating the crap out of.  Says Glazer:  "All said that Manning denies saying anything about the victim being Jewish and insisted that the person he allegedly assaulted was not Jewish in the first place." 

POSTED 10:03 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 11:23 a.m. EDT, October 15, 2006

OWENS FRACTURING LOCKER ROOM

A league source tells us that the ongoing antics of Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens, coupled with the failure of the organization to do anything about it, is creating a schism in the team's locker room.

Per the source, many players think that Owens is a "f--king asshole" and that "his bullsh-t is screwing up what promised to be a playoff season."  However, Owens is surrounding himself with teammates who support him, and they're buying into his "us against the world" mentality.

So there's a pro-T.O. camp, and an anti-T.O. camp in the locker room.  It's not the best way, in our view, to get 53 guys on the same page.

Regarding the guy at the center of the latest T.O.-driven brouhaha, receivers coach Todd Haley, the players generally regard him as a "good guy" who "goes to bat for the receivers."  The source said that Owens' suggestion that Haley can't be trusted "is bullshit," and that "Owens is acting like he's never been yelled at."

We're also told that some players believe that owner Jerry Jones knows he made a mistake in signing Owens, but that Jones' "ego is too f--king big to get rid of him."

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PETERSON UNDOUBTEDLY COMING OUT

With Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson's collar bone busting as he fell/dove/showboated into the end zone during a fourth-quarter touchdown run on Saturday, it's a no-brainer that he'll give up his final year of eligibility and head into the NFL draft in 2007.

And don't buy any chatter that the injury might affect his draft status.  Broken collar bones heal.  It's knees and ankles and hips that make scouts nervous about whether a running back is damaged goods.

Finally, we agree (for a change) with the opinions expressed by CFT's Joe Collegio regarding the Peterson situation.  First, there was no need to put Peterson at risk while the Sooners had the game in hand with less than seven minutes to play.  Second, there's been waaaaaaay too much sympathy thrown toward Peterson's father, who hadn't been able to see his son play college football before Saturday because he'd been in jail. 

Look, folks, one of the reasons that people get locked up is to deter the rest of us from committing crimes.  For citizens who have children, the deterrent includes missing things like school plays and graduations and first dates and, yes, football games.

If anything, Peterson's pop should be happy that his crime didn't keep him behind bars so long that he missed what likely will be the last college football game of his son's career.

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TRIO OF STINKERS AT 4:15 p.m. EDT

In a Week Six with six teams sitting out, the schedule for Sunday sports an uninspiring trio of 4:15 p.m. EDT games on CBS.

Chiefs at Steelers, Dolphins at Jets, and Chargers at 49ers.

Yeccch.

Then again, it's not as if there are many other more compelling matchups that CBS could have asked the league to move.  But with all of the controversy surrounding the Cowboys, it would have made sense to make Houston at Dallas the primary late game on CBS.

In the next television contract, we think that the networks with the Sunday afternoon packages should lobby for flexible scheduling in every week after September.  It's a concept that has been applied at times to the second half of the Sunday afternoon doubleheader, but with no real degree of certainty or predictability. 

We believe that, in every week, the network with the late game should have the ability to pick the best of its early games and move it to 4:15.

After all, isn't one of the justifications for spending all that money on football the fact that it helps to pump up the ratings for the network's Sunday evening schedule?  If so, we can't think of any better way to make that happen than to let the networks use the most compelling games each week as a prelude to the shows that we never watch because there's always another football game on.

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SUNDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

John Clayton of ESPN predicts that Cowboys coach Bill Parcells will want to get rid of T.O. in a couple of weeks.  (But, John, the Tuna never wanted him.) 

John Clayton reports that Eagles RB Brian Westbrook (knee) will be a game-time decision, and that Redskins CB Shawn Springs (abdomen/groin) will play for the first time this year.

Ed Werder of ESPN says that Eagles WR Donte' Stallworth will miss another game with a bad hamstring.

Werder also says that Saints RB Reggie Bush thinks he should score a touchdown every week (so do all of the fantasy owners who have him on their teams).

Chris Mortensen of ESPN reports that a lot of Chargers players were angry this week because coach Marty Schottenheimer tore into them on Wednesday in front of the media.

Kornholio already is trying to convince folks that Monday night's game is over, before it even begins.

Ron Jaworski says that the Fins made a mistake by putting QB Daunte Culpepper on the field before he was healthy (but not as bad as the mistake Jaws makes every day when he puts those glasses on his head). 

Bob Holtzman of ESPN reports that Falcons coach Jim Mora didn't appreciate the flippant remark made by Giants special teamer David Tyree regarding his performance as Mike Vick on the Giants' scout team.

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POSTED 9:41 a.m. EDT, October 15, 2006

PORTER SUSPENSION LIKELY TO DRAW GRIEVANCE

The decision of the Oakland Raiders to suspend receiver Jerry Porter for four games without pay following four games in which Porter was deactivated with pay most likely will draw a grievance from Porter and the NFLPA.

And not just because Porter reportedly was suspended for making an off-hand remark at the conclusion of a practice that lasted more than two hours.

The extension to the Collective Bargaining Agreement (which still hasn't been reduced to a new, integrated document) restricts the ability of a team to deactivate a player for disciplinary reasons, even if the player is still getting paid.

The "Term Sheet" specifically states that the "[m]aximum discipline of suspension without pay up to four weeks to apply to club decision to 'deactivate' a player for disciplinary reasons (i.e., reversal of TO decision)."

In this case, Porter was deactivated for four games to open the season, and it undoubtedly wasn't due to skill or injury.  Instead, the events came after Porter demanded a trade, wore a T-shirt to practice with the image of a hand giving the middle finger, and parked his car in the private space of owner Al Davis.

So with Porter already deactivated for disciplinary reasons for four games, Porter and the NFLPA likely were poised to file a grievance requesting Porter's outright release if he were to be deactivated with pay for a fifth straight game to open the season.

Thus, the Raiders by all appearances have taken the impasse to another level, imposing a four-game suspension without pay on Porter for alleged conduct detrimental to the team.  The primary battleground for the grievance will be whether the penalty was too harsh, and whether Porter should be paid for one or more of the additional games he missed.

As we learned in connection with last season's T.O. fiasco, the discipline imposed on the player must be consistent with discipline imposed on other players who have engaged in similar conduct.  In T.O.'s case, his conduct was unique and unprecedented within the Eagles organization.  In Porter's case, there are plenty of other bellyaching Silver-and-Black-ers who haven't been suspended for four games.

For example, Randy Moss has been sounding off regularly regarding the team, beginning with a bizarre "walking on eggshells" remark two days before the season started and culminating most recently with statements suggesting that he's not taking football seriously and that he wants out of Oakland. 

Also, a report from Nancy Gay and David White of the San Francisco Chronicle on Friday's incident that got Porter suspended indicates that Porter wasn't the only guy complaining. 

But we suspect that the NFLPA will attack both the suspension and the deactivations, arguing that the Raiders have pulled a reverse T.O., sitting him with pay for four games before suspending him for four games without pay.  And since the Term Sheet is expressly intended to overturn the T.O. decision, which allowed the Eagles to put him on ice for the balance of the season after serving a four-game suspension with pay, we wouldn't be surprised at all if an arbitrator finds that the Raiders are required to release Porter.

The move by the Raiders also might be an effort to squeeze Porter into paying back a big chunk of his signing bonus (the team reportedly wants $4 million) so that he can be traded.  Though there's no evidence that Porter's reluctance to pay back that much money is the only thing preventing a potential deal from getting done, the reality is that, if he wants to get out of Oakland and play for someone else in the next four weeks, he needs to work out a comprehensive resolution to all issues between himself and the team.

Regardless of where the process goes from here, there's no denying that both the team and the player are at fault on this one.  The organization, which was in a pretty good position to know that Porter is just another pass-catching prima donna, nevertheless gave him an eight-figure signing bonus only days before trading for Randy Moss.  From Porter's perspective, he gladly took the money -- but he's shown little gratitude for it, focusing more on getting out of town than on helping his team. 

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POSTED 8:07 a.m. EDT, October 14, 2006

OWENS WON'T TALK TO HALEY

Although some Cowboys fans are trying to downplay reports of the Wednesday blowup between receiver Terrell Owens and receivers coach Todd Haley by pointing out that arguments between players and coaches are common, T.O. took the thing a step farther by using his weekly radio hour with his newest enabler, Dan LeBa(s)tard, to piss and moan about the situation.

Owens said during his Friday night appearance on 790 The Ticket in Miami that "there will be nothing else, no dialogue" between him and Haley.

"There will be no more friendly nothing because I don't trust anybody like that," Owens said. "I will go out and practice hard. I will respect him as a coach, and he should respect me as a player.  Anything outside of that I am not going to be able to deal with.  Right now, we are merely co-workers, and that's it."

According to Owens, the problem started when he showed up late to the practice field on Wednesday because he had some sort of a stomach problem.  "By the time I step on the field, Todd starts cursing at me, this and that, and I'm like, 'Dude, I was in the restroom,"' Owens said. "He said, 'I don't [care] what you were doing.  Everybody else is out here.'"

Later, they got into an argument during a meeting.  "I was venting, he was venting," Owens said.  "I felt it stayed behind closed doors."

And that seems to be Owens' biggest beef with the situation -- his assumption that ESPN's Ed Werder got his information about the incident from Haley.  Even if it was Haley who blabbed (and not, for example, someone who overheard the two men shouting at each other), isn't it a little odd that Owens would get on his high horse because he thinks his position coach told someone that Owens yelled at him?

One thing that the modern player seems to have forgotten is that coaches and players aren't equals in the overall hierarchy of a team.  The coaches, even when earning a fraction of the "reasons to live" that the player is paid, are still entitled to respect and, more importantly, deference from the players on the team.

So when Owens shows up late, Haley has the right to give him grief about it.  Especially since Haley is sure to catch hell from his boss, Bill Parcells, about the fact that Haley doesn't have his guys on the field on time.  And it's Owens' job in those circumstances to take the heat and move on.

Instead, it's another explanation ("I had to poopy") coupled with a failure to accept responsibility for his actions ("I was frustrated") and blame hurled at another ("Haley told someone else that I yelled at him").  It's the same tired formula that Owens applies whenever he finds himself in some type of controversy.

And he always caps off the process by talking about the whole thing somewhere, somehow.

Our current assessent of the situation is that Owens is making himself look like a bigger fool every time he opens his mouth, and the Cowboys' failure to take any action about it is in turn making owner Jerry Jones and coach Bill Parcells look like complete and total nincompoops, too.

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JOHNSON'S NECK INJURY TRACES TO BAD FUNDAMENTALS?

A reader who viewed the video of Antrel Rolle's "grabbed and pulled and hurt my neck in 2006" routine on Larry Johnson has raised an excellent point with us.

The head-twisting injury that Johnson suffered when Rolle dragged him down from behind by the facemask on his helmet was, indirectly, Johnson's own fault.

How dare we say that?  Well, it all comes down to fundamentals.  Or, as the case may be, a lack of fundamentals at the highest level of the sport.

The most important function of anyone who carries the ball is to protect it from being taken away by the other team.  For a running back who has the ball near a sideline, it's common knowledge that the guy should switch the ball to his outside arm.  If he does, and if the ball is then punched out, it's more likely to end up out of bounds before it can be recovered by the other team. 

Last week, for example, Eagles running back Brian Westbrook fumbled during the first drive of Philly's game against the Cowboys.  He caught the ball near the middle of the field and tucked it into his left arm as he moved for the right sideline.  So when the ball came out, it went back toward the middle of the field and was easily recovered by Dallas.

In Johnson's case, he released late from the backfield, caught a screen pass, and sprinted (with an awkward knock-kneed gait) down the left sideline.  The ball was in his right arm the entire time.

So when Rolle approached as Johnson began to run out of steam, Johnson didn't have a free inside arm that he could use to try to fight him off.

It's just another reason why guys have got to switch the ball to the outside arm.  For plenty of players, it's second nature.  For others, it almost never happens.  And of all the things that a football player does on the field, we can't think of anything easier to  learn.   

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WEEK SIX FANTASY PICKS AND PUNKS

Another week, another collection of guys we like and guys we don't for the coming slate of games.  With a whopping six teams on their annual bye, Charch of Fanball.com helped guide us through the hidden gems and junk for the coming weekend.

First, our picks:

Drew Bledsoe, quarterback, Cowboys:  Though we think he should have been benched during or after playing like a "stature" against the Eagles, Drew gets a chance to get right against a very bad defense.  The only caveat?  If Bledsoe struggles early, it would be a great opportunity to commence the Romo Era.

J.P. Losman, quarterback, Bills:  Losman isn't tearing up the league, but he's playing a Detroit defense that's banged up and ineffective.

Maurice Morris, running back, Seahawks:  Written off by many after a poor start against the Bears, he's playing a defense that allowed Noah Herron (who?) to gain more than 100 yards last week.

Marion Barber, running back Cowboys:  Sure, he's not the No. 1 guy on the Cowboys' depth chart, but he has scored in three straight games and is getting more work at the stripe.

Eric Parker, wide receiver, Chargers:  His gradually increasing production peaked last week with five catches for 86 yards against the Steelers.  This week, it's the slightly more porous 49ers defense.

Randy McMichael, tight end, Dolphins:  McMichael has played well against the Jets in the past, and the switch from Daunte Culpepper to Joey Harrington at quarterback resulted in 84 yards receiving last week against New England, McMichael's best showing of the season.

Now, the punks:

Mike Vick, quarterback, Falcons:  He has yet to throw for more than 200 yards this season, and the Giants have allowed only one quarterback rushing touchdown in their last 25 games.

Eli Manning, quarterback, Giants:  Eli tends to struggle on the road, and the Falcons have yet to allow a single passing touchdown. 

Edgerrin James, running back, Cardinals:  With Larry Fitzgerald out, the offensive line a mess, and Edge not breaking 100 yards against five teams that aren't the Bears, don't expect much from him this week.

Frank Gore, running back, 49ers:  The NFL's leading rusher faces the top rushing defense, and he yields to Michael Robinson at the goal line.

Tiki Barber, running back, Giants:  Another New Yorker who can make it there but nowhere else, Barber has one one touchdown in his last nine road games, and the Falcons are the No. 2 defense against the run.

Hines Ward, receiver, Steelers:  Sit this guy down, perhaps for the rest of the season.

Steve Smith, receiver Panthers:  Though Smith can't be benched, high expectations aren't justified this weekend at Baltimore.

Heath Miller, tight end, Steelers:  This year, the Chiefs have allowed only 37 receiving yards and no touchdowns to opposing tight ends.

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KORDOZA LINE UPDATE

It's become a weekly staple of our "there ain't much news on Saturday mornings so we need filler" weekend coverage -- an update of the starting quarterbacks who currently fall on the wrong side of the 70.7 career passer rating of quarterback Kordell Stewart. 

Otherwise known as the "Kordoza Line."

Here are the current members of the club:  Mike Vick, Falcons (69.8); Charlie Frye, Browns (67.5); Drew Bledsoe, Cowboys (63.6); Jake Plummer, Broncos (60.9); Joey Harrington, Dolphins (58.2); Vince Young, Titans (46.6); Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers (41.7); and Andrew Walter, Raiders (38.5). 

Graduating from the list were Tampa's Bruce Gradkowski and Arizona's Matt Leinart.  New arrivals include Plummer, Harrington, and Frye.

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SATURDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Eagles RB Brian Westbrook (knee) missed practiced on Friday and remains questionable for Sunday.

Seattle's most recent newcomer at receiver will start in front of Seattle's second most recent newcomer at receiver.

Cardinals CB Antrel Rolle isn't talking to the media.  (Man, what will the media ever do without him?)

The Packers coaching staff knows that Lord Favre would never allow the team to bench him in order to see whether Aaron Rodgers can play.

The "blame it on the receivers" campaign is in full gear in Pittsburgh.

The foot of Steelers G Kendall Simmons has something in common with the head of Ted Williams.

Redskins CB Shawn Springs might finally get back to the field.

Rams K Jeff Wilkins is on pace to kick 58 field goals, only 18 more than the single-season record.

Another day, another NFL player who thinks what he did three years ago actually means something now.

Says Raiders DT Warren Sapp regarding teammate Randy Moss:  "I have no idea what Randy's got going."

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For all of the latest NFL news and information, check out the exclusive PFT Fantasy Mill, powered by Fanball.com.

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POSTED 4:59 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 8:35 p.m. EDT, October 13, 2006

T.O., POSITION COACH ARGUED ON WEDNESDAY

In a development that conjures memories of his Philly brouhaha with former Eagles offensive coordinator Brad Childress, receiver Terrell Owens recently got into a "heated argument" with Cowboys receivers coach Todd Haley.

The report, from ESPN's Ed Werder, is light on details but heavy in significance, in our view.  On Wednesday, Owens and Haley ended a meeting by shouting "don't disrespect me like that" to each other.

Werder reports that, despite the outburst, Owens will play on Sunday and will be a major part of the team's game plan on offense.  In contrast, Owens' August 2005 episode with Childress got him a one-week vacation from training camp. 

The real question, as we see it, is how much coach Bill Parcells and owner Jerry Jones will endure?

Based on recent  comments to Michael Silver of Sports Illustrated, Jones seems to revel in having high-profile players in Dallas, even if they're turds.  Still, no one benefits from an atmosphere in which players can engage in such belligerent acts with members of the coaching staff.  At some point, Jones will look like a bigger buffoon for keeping Owens than he would if he decides to cut Owens loose with 40 percent of his reasons to be alive in his pockets.

Previously, Haley's biggest claim to fame was that Parcells shoved him during a game, as Haley was attempting to argue with an official.  Lately, Haley has served as the buffer between Owens and Parcells.  

At some point, Parcells will risk tarnishing his legacy if he doesn't do something about Owens.  There have been suggestions that Parcells most recent contract extension included an extra $2 million as an inducement to put up with Owens.  

Still, every man has his limits.  And $2 million isn't nearly enough, in our view, to persuade Parcells to allow himself to be made to look impotent when it comes to running his team.  At a certain point, the Tuna needs to give Jones his whistle and say, "Here, Mr. Cowboy, you deal with the guy.  I'm too old for this sh-t."

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FRIDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

Seahawks WR Bobby Engram is out indefinitely with a thyroid condition.

The Titans have placed TE Erron Kinney on IR with a knee injury.

Titans RB LenDale White (flu) will make the trip to Washington but might not play.

Bengals QB Anthony Wright (appendectomy) will miss Sunday's game, and possibly more.

Rams coach Scott Linehan is doing his best Lou Holtz impression (without, we assume, talking like Sylvester the Cat).

Former Falcons OT Bob Whitfield is still pissed off at Falcons G.M. Rich McKay.

The Cowboys have waived S Marcus Coleman, who had come off of a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

Left tackles are finally getting some attention to go along with all that money.

Cars parking at Arrowhead Stadium will pay an extra $3.50 per vehicle to help fund renovations.

Steelers LB Joey Porter (hamstring) won't play on Sunday.

Cards QB Kurt (sniff) Warner (honk) says that the criticism he has (sniff) faced makes retirement a greater (fart) possibility.

Did the Colts quit paying DT Corey Simon simply because they felt like it?

The promotion of WR Devale Ellis to the Lions' 53-man roster could mean even less opportunities for Mike Williams.

Former Seahawks LB Isaiah Kacyvenski is spilling his guts to the Rams.

As of Friday morning, no one had called the Raiders about a trade for WR Randy Moss.

Rams DT Claude Wroten has a sack dance ready if/when he ever gets one.  (Maybe he'll pretend to roll a doobie?)

Packers LB Nick Barnett is selling his Green Bay nightclub but he insists he's not looking to leave.

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POSTED 11:34 a.m. EDT, October 13, 2006

CARDS START SPENDING CAP ROOM

The Arizona Cardinals have commenced the process of burning up cap room by signing defensive tackle Darnell Dockett to a five-year extension with $7 million in bonuses paid between now and March 2007.  Per a league source, the contract has recently been completed and will be formally announced in the near future.

In order to chew up some remaining 2006 cap space, Dockett gets a roster bonus of $3.5 million within the next few days.  He gets another $3.5 million roster bonus on the first day of the 2007 league year.

Under the new contract, Dockett also is scheduled to receive salaries of $510,000 in 2007, $3.25 million in 2008, $3.5 million in 2009, $3.75 million in 2010, and $4 million in 2011.  His salary for 2006 of $425,000 is unchanged by the new contract. 

The total value of the contract is $22 million over five years.

Dockett was a third-round draft pick of the Cardinals in 2004.  He signed a three-year rookie contract, and would have been a restricted free agent in March.  Assuming that the Cardinals would have given him the first-round tender of $1.8 million, which would have required a new team signing him to a long-term deal to give up a first-round draft pick in exchange, Dockett's deal is worth $20.2 million over five years in additional money.

We're also hearing that the Cardinals are in the process of extending more of their current players, in an effort to use up their current cap space.  Under the new CBA, both the salary cap and the salary floor have gone up considerably, and past published reports have indicated that the Cardinals will have a huge cap surplus for 2007.

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POSTED 9:26 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 10:00 a.m. EDT, October 13, 2006

PROPOSAL TO MOVE TRADE DEADLINE GATHERING SOME STEAM

A league source tells us that our proposal regarding a change in the rules regarding the trading deadline has quickly gained some footing.  Whether it results in an adjustment to the current mid-October expiration date remains to be seen.

The problem, as we explained on Thursday, is that no one has championed the cause at the various meetings at which such matters are discussed.  Usually, rules changes occur because someone has pushed aggressively for the move, often over a course of years.

And, typically, the team advocating modification is hoping in some way to better its own position.

For example, the Chiefs, who have narrowly missed the playoffs on several occasions this decade, have become proponents of expanding the playoff field.  To date, the move has not passed.  (If it ever does, it likely would be in conjunction with a new round of broadcast rights contracts, since the NFL would be able to leverage the extra postseason games into even more money from the networks -- unless, of course, the league decides to air the additional playoff games on NFLN.)

Likewise, the Colts are thought to be responsible for driving the renewed emphasis on the rules regarding illegal contact with receivers after what the Colts regarded as a repeated mugging of their pass-catchers by the Pats in an AFC playoff game.

As to the postponement of the trading deadline, there's no specific team that would gain an actual or perceived advantage, so as a practical matter there's no specific team that would be willing to expend any political capital by pushing the thing.  Instead, this specific rule falls into the "for the good of the game" category, and it's something that the owners need to conclude makes sense absent someone with an agenda trying to persuade them to do so.

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POISON PILL STAYS PUT

John Clayton of ESPN.com reports (via the pay-only Insider service) that negotiations between the NFL and the NFLPA to remove the "poison pill" loophole from the CBA have been unsuccessful.

As a result, teams will retain the right to include within offer sheets terms such as those utilized by the Vikings and the Seahawks in a tit-for-tat raid on otherwise restricted players during the offseason.

The Seahawks had placed the "transition" tag on guard Steve Hutchinson, which gave them the ability to match any offers made to the otherwise unrestricted free agent.  In the past, the thinking was that it made no sense to try to sign guys wearing the transition tag, because in most cases the current team would merely match the terms of the offer sheet.

But the Vikings thought outside of the box on this one.  Although an offer sheet can't require the current team to pay the player more than he would receive if the offer sheet isn't matched, there's nothing in the CBA that precludes the terms of the offer sheet from becoming fully guaranteed if the current team matches the deal, but not fully guaranteed if the new team gets the guy.

The Vikes pulled it off by including in Hutchinson's offer sheet a provision that made the entire seven-year, $49 million contract fully guaranteed if he wasn't the highest paid offensive lineman on the team.  In Seattle, he wasn't; in Minnesota, he was (and, even after the contract extension signed by left tackle Bryant McKinnie, still is).  A grievance followed, along with a clumsy, eleventh-hour effort by the Seahawks to reduce the average value of left tackle Walter Jones' contract.  In the end, the Vikings' move was upheld.  

The Seahawks returned the favor by extending an offer sheet to receiver Nate Burleson that pushed the envelope even farther, making the contract fully guaranteed if Burleson played at least five home games in the state of Minnesota.  The Vikings opted not to match, and received a third-round draft choice in exchange.

At subsequent league meetings, all parties received a dressing down for failing to work and play well with others.  And it's our understanding that the teams generally were told not to try to pull any more of this stuff moving forward.

The problem, however, is that the 32 teams can't agree among themselves to not take advantage of a rule that otherwise would promote player movement.  Such an informal understanding amounts to collusion.

We'd previously reported that talks regarding the removal of the poison pill loophole would have resulted in a spike in the restricted free agent tenders.  Regardless of what the trade-off would have been, the league determined that the price tag was too high.

Though we suspect that the union will be monitoring future developments very carefully in order to determine whether collusion is occurring, the practical consequence is that no one will use the transition tag (especially since the transition tenders are now fully guaranteed if signed) and that more and more teams will insist on all draft picks signing four-year contracts, which prevents them from ever becoming restricted free agents.

As to any current players with rookie deals of three years in length, they'll likely get higher restricted free agent tenders from their original teams in an effort to preclude a poison pill power play.  For example, Falcons quarterback Matt Schaub -- arguably the crown jewel of the 2007 restricted free agency class -- will most likely be tendered at the highest possible level, which will give the Falcons a first-round pick and a third-round pick as compensation if they don't match the offer sheet that Schaub signs, which based on the poison pill rule should include a term that says that the deal is fully guaranteed if he's not the highest-paid quarterback on the roster and/or if he plays at least five games in the state of Georgia.  (And/or if the owner of his team has a porn-star moustache.  And/or if the coach of his team had his eyebrows burned off in an oven-cleaning accident.)

Since such terms make it much harder for a team to justify matching the offer sheet, look for the NFLPA to balk if any offer sheet in the future doesn't contain such a provision.

In our opinion, the poison pill makes a mockery of the process, and it's not a term that the union specifically sought or engineered as part of the collective bargaining process.  But now that the Vikings and Seahawks have discovered it, the only way to get rid of it is for the league to make a concession to the union.  

As practical matter, however, the refusal of the NFLPA to give up the poison pill likely guarantees that incoming rookies will be "forced" (as Jason Chayut might say) to sign four-year deals, since that's the only way to avoid losing them via restricted free agency.  And for guys like Matt Schaub, the difference in fourth-year pay without a shot at restricted free agency could be very significant.

Finally, we've got a feeling that some of the teams would have appreciated knowing that the poison pill was here to stay when negotiating with its 2006 draft class.  A total of 65 players drafted in rounds three through seven signed only three-year contracts; if the teams had known that it would now be much harder to retain their rights as restricted free agents, that number surely would have been a lot smaller.  

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SPRINT NFL FAN DAYS CONTINUE

Sprint, the primary sponsor of this here site, has extended its NFL Fan Day promotion, through October.  So today, and on every other Friday this month, customers in selected areas can obtain a $50 service credit on a voice plan when activating a Sprint phone.  Fans also can take advantage of exclusive NFL-themed offers.

Sprint NFL Fan Days are available at Sprint stores, Sprint-branded authorized retailers, and Sprint kiosks in the following markets:  all NFL cities; Los Angeles; Columbus, Ohio; Louisville/Lexington, Kentucky; Evansville, Indiana; Youngstown, Ohio; Canton/Akron, Ohio; Providence, Rhode Island; Western Michigan; Northern New Jersey; Central New Jersey; Long Island; Southern and Northern Connecticut.

For October, the program has been expanded to include Sprint stores, Sprint-branded authorized retailers, and Sprint kiosks in Albany, Rochester, Syracuse, Austin (Texas), San Antonio, Raleigh, Winston-Salem, Orlando, and Birmingham (Alabama).

Dante hopes to eventually visit Sprint Stores in each of the cities from the above list that he has in some way denigrated during a PFT PodCast, so that he can be beaten with a shoe.  But, unfortunately, there aren't enough Fridays in October.  Or November.  Or December.

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ANTREL'S BANKROLL A LITTLE LIGHTER

Jay Glazer of FSN's Pro Football Preview reports that the NFL has fined Cardinals cornerback Antrel Rolle $12,500 for a wicked facemask tackle of Chiefs running back Larry Johnson, which nearly enabled Johnson to reprise one of the most compelling scenes from The Exorcist.  (This is the closest thing we could find to it on YouTube.)

On the play, Johnson was running toward the end zone when Rolle grabbed the mask and dragged him down, without releasing it.  YouTube has some video of the play.

In our view, the stiff fine was imposed to prevent defensive players from using a similar move as a strategic means for breaking up a touchdown.  Like a badly burned corner who lunges at a wide-open receiver in order to prevent him from catching the ball and then running untouched to paydirt, there's no real downside to doing whatever it takes to stop a guy who otherwise is going to score -- especially when the penalty is, due to the "half-the-distance" rule, only a few extra yards beyond the spot of the tackle.

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POSTED 9:46 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 11:17 p.m. EDT, October 12, 2006

STEELERS INTERESTED IN PORTER, MOSS

A league source tells us that the Pittsburgh Steelers are interested in trading for Raiders receivers Jerry Porter and Randy Moss.

We're told that the Steelers prefer Porter, primarily because he would come with a lower salary and less of a media circus.

Due to a contract that was heavy on bonus money, Porter's salary is only $1 million per year through 2009.  Published reports indicate that the Raiders want Porter to refund $4 million of his eight-figure signing bonus in exchange for his freedom.

Moss is signed through 2008, at salaries of $9.75 million and $11.25 million, respectively, in each of the next two seasons.

Per the source, the Steelers believe that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's poor start has more to do with a less-than-impressive receiving corps than his June 12 trampoline routine off of a Chrysler.  Hines Ward has a bad hamstring, Santurdio is inexperienced, Nate Washington is still growing into his role, and Cedrick Wilson is regarded within the building as soft.

So can a trade go down by the league's October 17 deadline?  A lot would have to happen.  But with the Steelers interested in either guy, they might be in the best position to get one of them.

And although the prevailing thinking is that any deal would involve one or more draft picks flowing out of Pittsburgh, we wouldn't be surprised to hear the name "Joey Porter" arise in any eventual trade talks.  Porter has been unhappy with his salary, and there's a growing school of thought that Porter's desire to get paid has prompted him to abandon any genuine efforts to be a team leader.

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THURSDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

The Steelers have re-signed LB Chad Brown.  (Brown spurned a chance to join the Steelers in 2005 because he thought he had a better shot at winning a Super Bowl with the Patriots.  "Doh!" Brown said on several occasions in January and February.)

Eagles RB Brian Westbrook (knee) hopes to play on Sunday against the Saints.

The Bills have cut S Troy Vincent, but are still on the hook for the balance of his $2.6 million salary, even if he signs with someone else.  (Though Vincent is bitching about the move, the Bills did him a favor by cutting him now; if they'd dumped him next Wednesday or later, he would have had to pass through waivers -- and could have been claimed by, say, the Raiders or the Titans.)

Chiefs WR/KR Dante Hall (hip) might not be able to play on Sunday against the Steelers.

Does anyone else see the irony that two of the most important games in college football will be played this year at a stadium named for a "school" that the bricks-and-mortar universities regard with contempt?

The Pats have signed C Dan Koppen to a five-year extension.

All games are sold out for a record six straight weeks; homeowners in Detroit are making plans to watch three hours of the Weather Channel.

Bengals (West) LB Steve Foley has been charged with DUI.

A contract extension has been given to a guy who should be spending some of the money on shortening his name.

Big Ben says that, in his mind, the Steelers are 0-0.  (But, of course, is his mind the Povertyneck Hillbillies also don't completely suck.)

Giants receiver Michael Jennings and special-teamer David Tyree are pretending to be Mike Vick in practice this week; QB Jared Lorenzen asked Tyree if he can throw and Tyree said, "As good as Mike Vick."

Fins QB Daunte Culpepper wants to "play like Daunte Culpepper."  (Dude, you should aim a little higher than that.)

Pats DT Vince Wilfork thinks that his best stat is that the team hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher; "Here in New England, we two-gap," Wilfork said.  "To play here, you have to be a man."  (Suzy Kolber says, "Where do I sign up?")

The Cardinals are open to the possibility of trading OL Leonard Davis.  (That makes a lot of sense -- trading away an offensive lineman; that'll open more holes for Edgerrin James.)

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POSTED 7:31 p.m. EDT, October 12, 2006

WARNER WOULD OWE $2 MILLION

A league source tells us that, if Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner makes good on his current musing that he might retire after the 2006 season because (sniff) he's no longer the starting quarterback in Arizona, he'll likely owe the team $2 million.

The figure is based on the $3 million signing bonus Warner received as part of the three-year contract he signed in the offseason, as well as the presumption that the contract contains language requiring him to refund the balance of the unallocated portion of the signing bonus if he voluntarily retires before the expiration of the deal. 

And the more we think about Warner's comments, the more we believe he's sounding off merely because he's unhappy that he was sent to the bench.  Even if he'd started every game this season, the Cardinals were 99.99 percent certain to make Matt Leinart the starter in 2007.  So why wasn't Warner making noise about retiring then?

Here's why, in our view.  He's happy as long as he's "the guy"; when he's demoted into a subordinate role, issues that weren't issues suddenly become issues.  So please pass Kurt the tissues.

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POSTED 4:08 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 4:28 p.m. EDT, October 12, 2006

CARTHON IN HOT WATER

Over the past several weeks, we've been pestering a league source with knowledge of the current dynamics in Cleveland regarding scattered rumors we've heard that Browns offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon is in danger of getting poop-canned.

Previously, the source told us that the rumors were unfounded.  The source now tells us that there is a "big push" within the organization to dump Carthon if the unit performs badly when the Browns return from the bye week with an October 22 home game against the Broncos.

One of the real-world factors working against a termination of Carthon is that, because he was hired by head coach Romeo Crennel after Crennel got the gig in early 2005, a relatively quick decision that Carthon can't cut it would be an admission that Crennel made a bad decision.

Sooner or later, however, the chronic ineptitude of the team requires some action to be taken, or Crennel (and others, such as G.M. Phil Savage) could find himself in jeopardy, too. 

The Browns are 31st in the league in total offense, leading only the Raiders.  Cleveland is averaging 261.2 yards per game.

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KURT BOO-HOOS ABOUT BENCHING

Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner doesn't like the fact that he's been benched (again).  So now he might just decide to pack it in after the 2006 season.

"How can you not [think about retiring]?" Warner said on Wednesday.

You might want to think it through very carefully, Kurt.  You received a signing bonus as part of that three-year deal you signed earlier this year, and voluntary retirement is one of the few remaining ways that a team can force a guy to pay back the unallocated portion of the advance payment for future services.

Besides, where else can a pro athlete earn a couple million bucks a year to hold a clipboard and to be merely "ready" to play?  Guys like Randall Cunningham milked it for every penny, and guys like Kordell Stewart would love to be someone's No. 3.  

But Warner recently told Sports Illustrated:  "I really don't know if I could be comfortable as a backup quarterback or if I'd go crazy in that role."

In our opinion, it's just Kurt's way of being a turd without really being a turd.  He never crosses the line, but whenever things aren't going his way he finds something to cry about.

Here's our suggestion, Kurt -- cry to Yoko.  

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POSTED 9:04 a.m. EDT, October 12, 2006

NFL NEEDS TO MOVE BACK TRADE DEADLINE

It's a common theme that we mention almost every year at this time, and since we need a good lead for the morning update today's a good day to throw it out there once again.

The NFL trading deadline comes too early in the year.

Next Tuesday, October 17, NFL teams must finalize any deals that would send one or more players and/or one or more draft picks to a new team in exchange for one or more players and/or one or more draft picks.  The problem is that, with teams only having five or six games in the books, no one (except maybe the Raiders and the Lions) can risk making the kind of move that would send a big-name player to a new team in exchange for some high-round draft picks in April.

Yeah, the Bucs are 0-4.  But so were the Chargers in 1992.  And they made it to the playoffs.

And the Dolphins, Browns, and Cardinals are 1-4.  But so were the Packers in 2004, the Jets and the Titans in 2002, and the pre-Titans in 1993.  And all made the playoffs.

So why would a team like Tampa consider, for example, a trade of Joey Galloway to a team like the Patriots?  The message to the ticket-and-jersey-buying fan base would be "Okay, folks -- we're folding up the tents for this season.  See you next year."

But, as one league source explained to us earlier in the week, trades can be spun in different ways.  If, for example, the Raiders were able to move receiver Randy Moss for a first-round draft pick when, in reality, his long-term future with the team is clearly in doubt, it will help the franchise to build for the future.

For teams in the thick of things for a division title, the options are grossly limited if a key injury arises in mid-October or thereafter.  What if, for example, the Saints lose Drew Brees to an ACL in the first game after the trading deadline?  They'd surely be interested in adding a veteran quarterback, preferably one who can help them to, you know, keep winning games.  And with Kurt Warner now rotting on the bench in Arizona, maybe Dennis Green would decide to dangle him for a third-round draft pick.  Or an offensive lineman.  (Or five of them.)

Although many agree that moving back the deadline a month or so would be a good idea, it's our understanding that none of the 32 teams has ever taken up the cause.  Every year, for example, the Chiefs can be counted on to push to expand the playoff field.  Unless and until someone brings the concept of moving the trade deadline to the table before the Competition Committee or at an owner's meeting, it won't be acted upon.

We can't think of any strong arguments for keeping the deadline where it is.  Some teams might fear that they would be "ganged up on" by collusive deals.  But we doubt that teams would give players away simply as a favor to another franchise, especially when the local media would be prepared to roll out the big guns if/when there ever was a perception that the home team was engaged in a fire sale.  The fact that there's a higher-than-ever salary cap -- and a higher-than-ever salary floor -- makes it even harder for a team to simply dump salaries, and it thus makes inequitable trades even less likely.

And unlike baseball, where a big bat picked up for the stretch run can make a huge difference, a new player on a football team can only do so much.  It's already a major challenge to get a guy up to speed with the benefit of a full offseason of minicamps, training camps, and exhibition games.  So the later in the year a new guy joins the team, the less likely it will be that he'll have a significant impact.

We're not saying the deadline should be moved into December.  At some point, a team has to go forward with the guys it currently has, plus any free agents who are still on the shelf.  But with so few teams in a position by the middle of October to conclude that the time has reasonably come to get value now for a guy who'll be a free agent after the season, it makes sense to give every team the ability, if two or more of them so choose, to swap property a month or so longer than they currently can.  

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FEW TEARS SHED FOR DALTON

The slurp job that ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli performed on former Chiefs defensive tackle Lional Dalton has prompted several of our readers to question whether Dalton is represented by Len's bestest buddy, Joel Segal.  (Actually, Dalton is represented by Rick Smith, who isn't generally regarded as a member of the Pasquarelli pack.)  

But despite Len's explanation that Dalton didn't fit into the Herm Edwards "one-gap" defensive scheme and the suggestion that Dalton will be a "hot property" on the market, the chatter we're hearing out of Kansas City is that some teammates regarded Dalton as a royal pain in the butt.

Moreover, coach Herm Edwards said in August that new players wouldn't be necessary as the team moves from a two-gap to a one-gap system.  And we're not so sure that Dalton isn't a fit for a one-gap system, since the team actually used a one-gap system in 2004, the season in which Dalton first joined the team.

For those of you out there who glaze over when the terms "one-gap" or "two-gap" are used, it has nothing to do with Michael Strahan's teeth.  Instead, it refers to the number of gaps in the offensive line for which the linemen are responsible.  For example, a nose tackle in a two-gap system lines up hat-to-hat with the center, and is responsible for the space between the center and the left guard, and the center and the right guard.  In a one-gap system, the defenders have only one opening in the line for which they are responsible, and the linemen usually put their bodies in that space prior to the snap.

With that said, we're not saying that Dalton won't find a home.  But given that he was playing for the ninth-year minimum salary ($710,000), it's a safe bet that the Chiefs tried to trade him before cutting him loose.  And if there were multiple teams interested in the guy, we have a feeling that someone would have offered up, say, a seventh-round draft pick in order to get dibs on him.

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POSTED 9:08 p.m. EDT, October 11, 2006

T.O. REITERATES:  "WHY AM I HERE?"

Rather than denying or avoiding questions regarding whether he declared "Why am I here?" during and after the Cowboys 38-24 loss to the Eagles on Sunday, receiver Terrell Owens acknowledges that he uttered those words -- by uttering them again.

He's specifically troubled, he says, by the team's 2-2 record and his relatively small role in the offense.

"I do have a problem when I don't feel like I'm involved enough," he said. "I know I can make a difference.  That's not me being arrogant.  I just know what I bring to the table.  Otherwise, I wouldn't be here. . . .  I want to win.  I came here to help this team win."

And did we mention he's frustrated?

POSTED 6:40 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 8:47 p.m. EDT, October 11, 2006

CAVITY SAM DONE FOR THE YEAR

Broncos defensive end Courtney "Cavity Sam" Brown, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2000 draft whose career has been marred by injuries, is out for the 2006 season due to a knee injury that will require surgery.  Brown was inactive for the team's first four games, and on Wednesday was placed on injured reserve.

Brown will be replaced on the roster by Kenny Peterson, who was signed by the team on Wednesday.

Despite missing lots of time during his first five NFL seasons with the Browns, Brown played in 14 games last year, his first in Denver.

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MID-WEEK INJURY UPDATE

Here's a quick peek at the key players who might not be playing this week.

OUT:  Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams (ankle); Raiders QB Aaron Brooks (shoulder); Titans WR David Givens (hand)

DOUBTFUL:  Eagles WR Donte' Stallworth (hamstring); Giants WR Sinorice Moss (quadricep); Dolphins WR Marty Booker (chest); Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald (hamstring).

QUESTIONABLE: Eagles RB Brian Westbrook (knee); Steelers LB Joey Porter (hamstring); Seahawks WR Bobby Engram (illness); Falcons RB Jerious Norwood (shoulder); Bills CB Nate Clements (quadricep); Bucs DE Simeon Rice (shoulder); Titans WR Drew Bennett (ankle); Titans RB LenDale White (stomach); Redskins CB Shawn Springs (groin); Jets WR Laveranues Coles (calf).

Also, Chiefs RB Larry Johnson is probable with a neck injury, despite being nearly decapitated by an Antrel Rolle facemask grab.

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WEDNESDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

God is taking His old sweet time in healing RB Shaun Alexander.

Fins QB Daunte Culpepper apparently has realized that it's not a good idea to knock nuts with the Nicktator.

Jets coach Eric Mangini says that there's no timetable for the return of RB Curtis Martin (oh yeah there is -- it'll happen at the same time Napolian apologizes for roughing up a team employee).

Colts QB Peyton Manning has missed the first practice of his NFL career.

Farewell again, Hamburglar.

Lions OL Damien Woody is out for the season with a foot injury.

Falcons DE John Abraham (groin) hopes to play for the first time since Week One.

Brothers Thomas and Julius Jones have the exact same rushing yards -- 388.

49ers RB Frank Gore, Eagles WR Lito Sheppard, and Saints RB/KR Reggie Bush are the NFC Offensive, Defensive, and Special Teams POWs.

In the AFC, it's Chiefs QB Damon Huard, Chargers DT Jamal Williams, and Chiefs K Lawrence Tynes.

There has yet to be a single blackout through five weeks of the NFL season -- it's the first time in any season with five total blackout-free weekends.

If the Tuna beats the Texans on Sunday, he'll join Tony Dungy and Coach Kevlar as the only coaches to have defeated each of the 32 NFL franchises.

Great point from NFLN's Adam Schefter -- the Titans aren't likely to trade RB Chris Brown because they'll likely get a better compensatory draft pick if he leaves via free agency than they'd get by dealing him.

Cards QB Matt Leinart is looking forward to his first start on Monday night (he might feel differently once the game against the Bears actually begins).

The Tuna hasn't decided between Patrick Watkins and Keith Davis at free safety.

In case you're wondering, someone has compiled a list of athletes who met their doom in plane crashes.

Here's a shock -- guys who need to go to the ER are inclined to wait until after the game is over.

Chargers LB Steve Foley still isn't able to walk.

We'd pay good money to watch Randy Moss use his face to beat the hell out of Howie Long's fists.

Jerome Bettis offered up this gem regarding Sunday night's "when does flexible scheduling start?" matchup involving the Raiders:  "Really, this is their time and if they are going to have a time, it's going to be now."  (Jerome, it's really not too late to come out of retirement.)

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POSTED 3:45 p.m. EDT, October 11, 2006

MORGAN'S PANTHER DAYS DONE?

The Associated Press reports that Panthers linebacker Dan Morgan won't play again in 2006, due to his most recent concussion.

"He did meet with the medical people and they felt it was in his best interest not to play the remainder of the season," coach John Fox said Wednesday, confirming in a roundabout way our report from Tuesday night that Morgan was likely headed to injured reserve after being advised by a specialist not to return in the near future.

Moving forward, the question becomes whether Morgan will ever play again for the Panthers.  A league source tells us that Morgan is due to receive a $2 million roster bonus on the first day of the 2007 league year.  Under his current contract, Morgan also is scheduled to earn $500,000 upon reporting to training camp and a 2007 base salary of $750,000.

Future salaries under the contract are as follows:  $2.85 million in 2008; $4.25 million in 2009; and 5.38 million in 2010.

Morgan was the eleventh overall selection in the 2001 draft.  He reportedly has suffered four concussions in the NFL, and one in college.

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POSTED 6:31 a.m. EDT, October 11, 2006

BILL FORD JR. CAN'T GET TO MILLEN

We've gathered some more information regarding rumors making their way around the league that Lions CEO Matt Millen will soon get the boot, and we're hearing that, although Bill Ford Jr. is putting out the word that he doesn't care for Millen and would like to get rid of him, Ford Jr.'s father "loves" Millen and will not get rid of him this season.

As one source told us, William Clay Ford Sr. possibly would make a change in the offseason if the Lions were to go 0-16.  But Ford Sr. won't bow to pressure from anyone to get rid of Millen during the season -- especially not from Ford Sr.'s son, who apparently has no influence in the matter, or in any other significant issue relating to the team. 

As we see it, it's a Gladiator-style conflict, with the Emperor preferring his general to his son.  The perception is that Ford Sr. and Ford Jr. have a strained relationship, and that Millen has forged a strong bond with the dad.

And one thing to keep in mind here is that the Lions are William Clay Ford Sr.'s baby.  Regarded as a black sheep of sorts within the Ford family, the son of Edsel Ford got his own thing going many years back when he bought the Lions.  Thus, the Lions likely have become part of Ford Sr.'s identity, and it's anticipated that he will not cede any authority over the team to his son while Ford Sr. is alive and competent.

But an increasing number of folks are convinced that Ford Jr.'s first order of business, if his 81-year-old father were to no longer be in charge of the team, would be to dump Millen.  So the thinking is that Ford Jr. is doing the next best thing -- undermining Millen by creating the impression that he's a dead man walking.

Meanwhile, we continue to hear that Millen's poor tenure has been influenced by decisions made by Ford Sr., and that Millen has refused to throw Ford Sr. under the minivan by pointing to the owner as, for example, the guy who insisted on drafting Joey Harrington, hiring Marty Morningsomething, and hiring Steve Mariucci.  The belief is that, out of either a sense of duty or affection for the old man (or both), Millen has accepted the blame for the moves in stride.

If true, it makes the decision of Ford Sr. to keep Millen even more understandable.  But, as we explain in our most recent PFT Ten-Pack, it also reinforces the conclusion that the chronic crappiness of the team traces directly to the extended tenure of Ford Sr. as the owner of the team.

In the end, then, the best thing for Lions fans would be for Ford Jr. to sell the team once he inherits the thing.

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POSTED 8:00 p.m. EDT, October 10, 2006

MORGAN HEADED TO IR?

A few days back, we reported that Panthers linebacker Dan Morgan could be headed back to the field following a concussion that has kept him out of action.  Morgan's return hinged, as we'd heard, upon a visit with a specialist.

We're now told that Morgan has seen the specialist, and the specialist has advised him to continue to wait.

How long?  At this point, the placement of Morgan on the injured reserve list is a distinct possibility.

Stay tuned.

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POSTED 2:30 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 2:44 p.m. EDT, October 10, 2006

BRONCOS BOOT SAUERBRUN

The Denver Broncos have welcomed punter Todd Sauerbrun back from his four-game suspension . . . by cutting him.

Sauerbrun's agent, David Canter, told the AP that the team is sticking with Paul Ernster, who has handled the duties in Sauerbrun's absence.

"If it had to do with winning football games, they would've kept him on the roster," Canter said.  (We're not quite sure what that means.)  "He's one of the best.  He's disappointed. He feels he could've been a catalyst on the team."

Sauerbrun's suspension resulted from a positive test for ephedra, a banned supplement intended to accelerate weight loss.  

During Monday night's broadcast (which is chronicled via our Live Blog), ESPN's Danny DeTirico suggested that Ernster actually had a chance to keep the job after Sauerbrun returned -- and we dissed him for it.  

We apologize to Mr. DeT