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Here are the latest NFL rumors from Pro Football Weekly:
|  | | The Jets' Ray Lucas has thrown 11 TD passes and just one interception in his last four starts. |
We hear Jets coach Bill Parcells is leaning toward starting Ray Lucas over Rick Mirer at quarterback this week. "Ray's a fighter," Parcells said last week. "I've always felt it was important to have a quarterback who's a fighter." When asked if he thought Mirer was a fighter, Parcells said, "Rick is kind of a laid-back guy. I don't know what's inside Rick completely. I can't pass judgment on that."
Jets running back Curtis Martin credited fullback Richie Anderson and New York's offensive line for his early-season success. Parcells said the offensive line has performed better than it did last season. Martin led the league in rushing heading into the Jets' Week 8 bye.
Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart has been hesitant to throw the ball down the field. He hasn't thrown many interceptions lately, but he hasn't led the offense into the end zone very often either.
Steelers rookie receiver Troy Edwards recently learned how quickly things can turn in the NFL. A week after earning praise for his play, Edwards had his worst game in the Steelers' Monday night victory over the Falcons. Edwards' missed assignments and sloppy routes prompted a lecture from coach Bill Cowher, who let Edwards know he needed to step it up.
Colts receiver E.G. Green landed in coach Jim Mora's doghouse last week. Mora chewed out Green in practice because the receiver, who was unable to participate due to injury, was not paying attention. Undrafted rookie Terrence Wilkins has been starting ahead of Green and second-year man Jerome Pathon.
Steelers inside linebacker Levon Kirkland feels the team's game-winning goal-line stand against the Falcons in Week 7 could be the type of thing that turns Pittsburgh's season around.
After the Broncos lost at New England, coach Mike Shanahan gave a pep talk, telling the team it could still make the playoffs. As an example, Shanahan pointed to the '96 Jaguars, who started 4-7 and upset the Broncos in the playoffs en route to the AFC Championship Game. Of course, things are even tougher now after Denver lost to Minnesota to fall to 2-6.
Seahawks running back Ahman Green got his first carries of the season in the Week 7 victory over Buffalo and ran for 29 yards on three carries. Seattle wants to use Green as the speedy change-up to Ricky Watters, much like the Raiders are now using Napoleon Kaufman to complement Tyrone Wheatley.
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| 1999 SEASON STATISTICS |
| REC |
YDS |
YDS/R |
TD |
LNG |
FUM |
| 29 |
428 |
14.8 |
5 |
43 |
0 |
|
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Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren on wide receiver Derrick Mayes, whom he also coached in Green Bay: "Quite frankly, there was a time I wasn't sure in Green Bay if he would have staying power in the league. Whatever clicked, I'm glad it clicked because we need him, and he's doing fine for us."
While it's not official, we hear that Redskins Stadium will soon be re-named FedEx Field. The Redskins will reportedly make $200 million over 27 years on the deal. The stadium cost roughly $185 million to construct.
Despite less-than-impressive numbers this season, the Redskins have no immediate plans to replace Brian Mitchell on kickoff returns. The thinking is, Mitchell is a team leader, and it might not be worth a couple of extra yards on kickoff returns to upset team chemistry.
Cardinals defensive tackle Eric Swann probably won't be working full-time very soon. Swann, who is still coming back from knee surgery, has said that he is just getting comfortable in third-down situations. Meanwhile, the Cardinals got a scare during a bye week practice when Swann's knee gave way a little bit and he fell. Swann was not injured, though.
Word is the Cardinals are high on tight end Terry Hardy, and Johnny McWilliams, who is an unrestricted free agent after this season, is being phased out. McWilliams likely won't be a Cardinal in 2000. McWilliams, who caught 26 passes for 284 yards and four touchdowns last season, has caught just two passes for 10 yards.
Buccaneers right tackle Jason Odom's back problems, which have kept him out of the last four games, would be given much more attention if fill-in Jerry Wunsch weren't playing as well as he is.
After a second round of examinations on his injured neck, Packers tight end Mark Chmura said that he will not need surgery and will be able to play next season. The most recent diagnosis was Chmura had a bruised spinal column that would take about three months to heal. While the news was encouraging to Chmura, he was not pleased with the Packers' decision to place him on injured reserve because it turns out he might have been able to return.
Keep an eye on Vikings wide receiver Matthew Hatchette. Because of quarterback Jeff George's ability to check off on receivers and spread the ball around, Minnesota might use more four-receiver sets that would include Hatchette, who has been seeing more playing time.
Titans defensive end Kenny Holmes is drifting into the background. He's suffered from nagging injuries all season, the latest being an ankle injury that required a cast for four days. Consequently, Holmes looks skinny and is becoming less of a factor in Tennessee's defense.
Titans wide receiver Chris Sanders is back to his old disappointing ways. During one practice, the fifth-year veteran had to be counseled by coaches and players on how to draw pass-interference penalties.
With rookie tight end Reggie Kelly showing enough promise to become a future starter, it might not come as a total surprise if O.J. Santiago isn't a Falcon after this year. Kelly isn't as big as Santiago, but he is very fluid and works hard at blocking, plus the Falcons feel as though they have plenty wrapped up in him after dealing a first-round pick in the 2000 draft to the Ravens in order to move up in the second round and grab him this year. Santiago, who will be a restricted free agent after this season, will likely be offered a minimum tender, but several teams are sure to surpass it.
The 49ers have tossed the shotgun formation into their practice schedule for the first time since current GM Bill Walsh took over as head coach in 1979. Part of the reason for experimenting with it is because quarterback Jeff Garcia has some experience with it, and Steve Young, who never wanted it because he preferred to get a better glimpse of the defense from under center, isn't likely to return any time soon.
Saints left guard Wally Williams' herniated disc in his back could be more serious than first anticiapated. He was deactivated late last week and could be out indefinitely.
The 49ers could be forced to move more starters onto their special-teams unit because of injuries and the lack of speed in their punt- and kick-return coverage.
Material from Pro Football Weekly.
Visit PFW's web site at http://www.profootballweekly.com
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