Longtime NFL executive Faulkner dead at 82

ST. LOUIS -- Jack Faulkner, a longtime executive with the St. Louis Rams and coach of the Denver Broncos in 1962 and 1963, has died. He was 82.

He died Sunday night in Newport Beach, Calif., the Rams said.

"I can't overstate the significance he played in the history of the Rams," said Rams owner Chip Rosenbloom, adding he had known Faulkner since he was 8 years old. "We lost really one of the great connections to our past."

Faulkner had a 53-year career in the NFL. He joined the Rams in 1955 as an assistant coach under first-year coach Sid Gillman. He was associated with the Rams for 43 years.

The San Diego Chargers of the old AFL set a pro football-record with 49 interceptions in 1961 with Faulkner serving as defensive backs coach. He was the Broncos' coach and general manager in 1962, and was honored as AFL coach of the year after leading the financially strapped franchise to a 7-7 record.

He worked as an assistant coach for the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints before rejoining the Rams in 1971 as a professional and college scout.

Faulkner most recently had been the Rams' administrator for pro personnel, working out of his office in Orange County, Calif. He retired from coaching after serving as offensive backfield coach in 1979, helping the Rams reach their first Super Bowl before losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In 1980, he was appointed assistant general manager of the Rams. He was one of few employees who remained in California when the team relocated to St. Louis in 1995.

Faulkner is survived by his wife, Debbie, three sons and a daughter.

Saints coach Payton planning to appeal $15K fine

METAIRIE, La. -- Sean Payton said he did not expect to get fined when he pointed out what he thought was an officiating error a day after the New Orleans Saints' 34-32 loss at Denver in Week 3 of the season.

Payton

The Saints coach acknowledged the $15,000 fine for the first time on Monday, saying he planned an appeal.

Payton said a week ago that he believed officials mistakenly failed to throw a flag when a Broncos defender lined up in the neutral zone during New Orleans' third-and-1 play in the final minutes of the game.

New Orleans failed to get the yard it needed and Martin Gramatica narrowly missed a 43-yard field goal attempt with 1:55 to go.

Payton said he did not notice the player during the play, but said it was clear to him while watching film of the game the following day and that he did not understand how the officials could have missed it.

Payton said Monday that the NFL "does great job with officiating" overall and that he did not want to get into the specifics of his appeal.

"The good news is, you can appeal," he said. "The bad news is, those that hear the appeal are ones that issued the fine."

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Super act for Super Bowl: Springsteen to perform

NEW YORK -- Another Super Bowl, another rock 'n' roll superstar at halftime.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will perform at the 2009 Super Bowl halftime show in Tampa, Fla., the NFL and NBC announced Sunday night.

Continuing a run of major talent that has lately included the Rolling Stones, U2, Paul McCartney, Prince and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, the biggest television event in the nation will showcase one of its most beloved rock 'n' roll artists. The Super Bowl will be played Feb. 1 at Raymond James Stadium.

Last year's halftime show was watched by more than 148 million viewers in the U.S., the NFL said in its release. It wasn't always that way: For years, the game's halftime show was made up of local and college marching bands and drill teams.

Chubby Checker in 1988 was the first popular musician to perform at halftime, and Michael Jackson upped the ante in 1993. His sister Janet provided the show's most infamous moment with 2004's "wardrobe malfunction" -- and the show has stuck with straight ahead rock acts ever since.

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Packers QB Rodgers may have separated shoulder

TAMPA, Fla. -- Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers hurt his right shoulder during a 30-21 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Packers don't expect to know how serious the injury is until Monday.

Rodgers, who missed two series in the fourth quarter on Sunday, thinks he may have separated the shoulder.

Rodgers

"It felt like that's what possibly happened," the fourth-year pro said after being sacked three times and throwing his first three interceptions of the season. "But we're going to wait until tomorrow to figure out exactly what the problem is."

With the Packers leading 21-20, Rodgers was removed from the game and replaced by Matt Flynn for Green Bay's first offensive possession of the fourth quarter.

Rodgers re-entered 7 minutes later after the Bucs took a 23-21 lead on Matt Bryant's third field goal of the game.

Rodgers said he was injured in the third quarter when he scrambled on third down for a 7-yard gain. He remained in the game and threw a 48-yard touchdown pass to Greg Jennings the next time Green Bay had the ball, trimming a 13-point deficit to 20-14.

"When I threw the touchdown pass, it was pretty intense pain," Rodgers said. "I tried to throw on the sidelines and couldn't do it."

The quarterback returned with 2:26 to go. His team's hopes for a comeback faded, though, when Rodgers was hit from the blindside as he released a second-down pass from the Packers 40 and Gaines Adams intercepted near midfield.

The Bucs put the game away when Earnest Graham broke a 47-yard run to the Green Bay 1, then scored on the next play.

Flynn led the team's last offensive drive, which ended with the Packers turning the ball over on downs.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said he had "no idea" if Rodgers will be able to play next week against Atlanta.

"It's too early to tell," McCarthy said.

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Vikings QB Frerotte hurt, replaced by Jackson

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Minnesota quarterback Gus Frerotte hurt his hand late in the fourth quarter Sunday when hit as he threw from his end zone and was replaced by Tarvaris Jackson.

Frerotte had thrown for 266 yards and pulled the Vikings within 23-17 after a 79-yard drive with 6 minutes left. But he threw two straight incompletions from his end zone after the Titans downed a punt at the Vikings 2. He was hit on third down, and cornerback Nick Harper picked off the pass.

That sent Frerotte to the locker room where he received a couple stitches in his left, non-throwing hand.

Jackson, who was replaced by Frerotte as the starting quarterback after Minnesota's 0-2 start, came into the game. He completed his first pass to Bobby Wade for 9 yards, but the Titans sacked him on the next two plays.

The hand injury isn't what Frerotte was upset about after a 30-17 loss to the Titans. He said he had a Minnesota trainer call his wife to let her know he was all right after taking a low hit from Titans defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch on the previous series because it looked so bad on TV.

"It was a direct shot. That isn't called for in this game. To just spear somebody like that is pretty ridiculous," Frerotte said. "I mean, he plays hard and he goes all out, but he wants to do those kinds of things.

"I've been playing this game a long time, and to me, that's no different than coming off the side and hitting you in the knee without anybody touching you."

"Those kinds of things just can't happen. We just got a memo from [NFL commissioner Roger] Goodell this week that said we're going to cut out that stuff and we're going to keep our game legitimate. And those kinds of things aren't legitimate."

Asked about Frerotte's charge, Vanden Bosch denied he was a dirty player and said Frerotte was entitled to his opinion.

"I've hit quarterbacks a hundred times. All I did was hit the quarterback," he said. "You've got a small window where you can hit the quarterback. I did not hit him below the knees, I hit him in the thigh and that's where the rule book tells me to hit the quarterback."

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Lions fire Millen after 7 years as president, CEO

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- The Detroit Lions fired president Matt Millen on Wednesday, more than seven years after the former linebacker and TV analyst took over one of the NFL's most mediocre franchises and made it the worst.

"I have relieved Matt Millen of his duties effective immediately," Lions owner William Clay Ford said in a statement Wednesday afternoon.

Millen's teams won a league-low 31 games since he took over in 2001, but Ford refused to get rid of him until now.

Bill Ford Jr., son of the team owner, said Monday he would fire Millen if he had the authority.

Detroit was routed in each of its first three games this season, falling behind 21-0 twice and 21-3 once en route to lopsided losses. The Lions are off this week.

The 0-3 start dropped Millen to 31-84 overall, giving the Lions at least 10 more losses than any other NFL team the past seven-plus seasons during one of the worst stretches in league history.

NFC North blog

Firing Matt Millen will only matter for the Lions if they find the right replacement to rebuild the franchise, ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert writes. Blog

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FoxSports.com was the first to report Millen's departure.

"I am very disappointed with where we are as a team after our start this season," William Clay Ford added in his statement. "Our sole focus now is preparing for our next game against Chicago."

The front office will be led by executive vice president Tom Lewand, who will report to the owner on business issues. Assistant general manager Martin Mayhew was promoted to general manager, and will report to the owner on football matters.

"These decisions are for the duration of the 2008 season," Ford's statement said. "Once the season is over, we will undergo a thorough and comprehensive evaluation of our entire football operation and put together a plan that we believe will transform this team into a winner."

The tipping point might have been public comments made by the owner's son. Bill Ford Jr., who is the Lions' vice chairman as well as Ford Motor Co. executive chairman, said that Millen should leave the team.

"I think the fans deserve better," Bill Ford told reporters on Monday. "And if it were in my authority, which it's not, I'd make some significant changes."

His father finally agreed that Millen had to go.

Millen was spotted amid large packing boxes Wednesday morning. There was no word on what happens with the rest of Millen's contract; he had an extension that ran through 2010, worth $5 million a year.

"We're fine," Millen's wife, Patty, told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen. "In the world's view, this may look like failure. It's been a hard road, footballwise, but we've gotten a lot of eternal blessings. We'll move forward. I told him, 'You're out of football prison now' and we have a greater purpose."

Drivers of vehicles whizzing past the Allen Park facility beeped their horns and gleefully yelled out about the end of the Millen era. A gaggle of reporters, videographers and still photographers roamed around the grounds.

Eddie Gates drove through the team's parking lot in his minivan as his girlfriend, Sue Stanton, held a sign, "Millen Must Go To Get a Super Bowl," out the window.

"I've been a season-ticket holder for 28 years and because they fired Matt Millen, I'm going to renew," Gates said. "This is the happiest day of my life."

The Fords -- father and son -- had been thrilled when they lured Millen out of the broadcast booth to run their hapless franchise.

"I'm willing to stake my reputation on Matt's success," Bill Ford said after Millen was introduced at a news conference in January 2001.

Millen was the team's first general manager since Russ Thomas left in 1989. The Lions allowed their coaches -- Wayne Fontes, Bobby Ross and Gary Moeller -- to run the football operation after Thomas resigned.

"We've been pretty much stuck on dead center for quite a few years," William Clay Ford said when Millen was hired. "Matt offers us an opportunity to move ahead."

Rod Marinelli will be left with the task of salvaging something from the final 13 games of the season. But he and the players haven't inspired much confidence, with an NFC-worst 10-25 record since 2006.

Ultimately, the Lions are left with Millen's mess that led to a pitiful era that compares only to Tampa Bay's 12 straight double-digit loss seasons from 1983 to 1994.

This offseason was productive and the practices were great, Millen and Marinelli insisted, but that didn't make a difference on Sundays this season.

The Lions are winless, and 1-10 dating to last season. The latest loss at San Francisco dropped Marinelli to 3-15 on the road and dropped the Lions to 8-60 as visitors with Millen in charge.

The former Penn State standout was an NFL linebacker from 1980 to 1991 with the Raiders, San Francisco 49ers and Washington Redskins. He went to the Super Bowl four times.

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Texans to play home opener Oct. 5 with roof open

HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans will play their home opener against the Indianapolis Colts Oct. 5 in hurricane-damaged Reliant Stadium with the roof open. The stadium's retractable roof lost five pieces in Hurricane Ike and officials said large pieces of debris had fallen into the stadium during the storm. The roof won't be fixed in time for the game against Indianapolis, but insurance adjusters and architects said it is structurally sound to host the game with the roof open. Officials expect that all eight of Houston's home games this season will be played with the roof open. "We are pleased with this positive outcome for our fans, our organization and our community," Texans president Jamey Rootes said. "We were determined to play this game and the balance of our 2008 home schedule at Reliant Stadium. Our fans give us a tremendous home-field advantage and we look forward to welcoming them back for our home opener." Houston's Oct. 5 home opener will be the latest an NFL team has had its first home game since Detroit, New Orleans, Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh had theirs on the weekend of Oct. 7-8, 2001. Those games were delayed because of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. The Texans were supposed to host Baltimore on the weekend Ike hit, but that game was postponed until Nov. 9. Houston's game with Cincinnati was scheduled that day, but the Bengals game was moved to Houston's scheduled bye week of Oct. 26 to accommodate moving the Ravens game. Houston will now play a home game each Sunday in October. The Texans are 0-2 this season and travel to Jacksonville on Sunday. They've won four straight at Reliant, dating to Nov. 18.

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Jackson criticizes Rams' benching of QB Bulger

Team sources say benched St. Louis quarterback Marc Bulger no longer wants to play for coach Scott Linehan.

Running back Steven Jackson says the locker room is "kind of on eggshells."

Such is life these days for the 0-3 Rams, who are trying to hold themselves together while preparing to face the unbeaten Buffalo Bills on Sunday in St. Louis.

Bulger, who was signed to a $65 million extension prior to last season, has refused to comment for three days since being benched in favor of 38-year-old Trent Green, who will make his first start for the Rams since 2000. Team sources told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Bulger is finished with the beleaguered Linehan, who knows his next loss could be his last.

Jackson called the benching of his teammate the "wrong decision" and added, "I'm not the only one who feels this way."

"You just rewarded this man with a new contract last year, millions of dollars, and you bench him. Then if things do not work out with Trent, you go back. I don't like it at all," Jackson told St. Louis radio station KLOU on Thursday night. "I think there's a lot more people that could take the blame for this. I don't think it's fair that one person takes the blame."

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Rams running back Steven Jackson wasn't popping off during a radio show when he questioned Marc Bulger's benching. NFC West blogger Mike Sando explains. Blog

When Jackson met with the media after practice Thursday, he stuck to discussing his physical condition, saying his sore groin was fine and that he'd be at full speed Sunday. When he went on the radio, he talked about the big picture.

"The locker room is kind of on eggshells. It's unfortunate," he told KLOU. "We should be loose, we should be going out there playing football. But I think a lot of people right now are playing for their jobs.

"As far as fans listening, it's really hard to play for your jobs. We're not winning. Yes, it boils down to winning and losing in this business that we play in. But when you are playing not to lose your job, that is when you are not going to make plays."

Linehan said he will meet with Jackson to discuss those comments before Sunday's game.

"I haven't talked to him about it but I will," Linehan said Friday. "No comment on it. Again, we're in this together and we're trying to find solutions to what has not been a good start to the season with our record. To sit here and not make some decisions, which are hard decisions for a head coach, I would not be doing my job. I will take at some point soon time to talk to Steven about it. I have no comment further."

In addition to pulling Bulger from the lineup, Linehan also released Fakhir Brown, a starting cornerback the past two seasons and a favorite of defensive coordinator Jim Haslett. Brown seemingly had not had a rougher start than a lot of his teammates.

Linehan restored cornerback Tye Hill after one game as a backup, promoted outside linebacker Chris Draft and could go with Clifton Ryan ahead of veteran La'Roi Glover at defensive tackle.

There's nothing to lose for a franchise that has dropped 16 of its past 19 games and has been outscored an average of 39-10 this season. St. Louis is hamstrung by a puny offense that has mustered two touchdowns while allowing 11 sacks, and a porous defense that is allowing 457 yards per game.

Linehan believes his players are not giving up. Last week, offensive coordinator Al Saunders defied reporters to identify any quitters.

"If we tank it right now, then we've already said we're done after a fourth of the season and we're going 0-16," seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Torry Holt said. "I don't think that's the case right now, I don't think anybody has tanked it, I don't think anybody's lost confidence."

Holt said Friday he and his teammates are still getting over Bulger's demotion.

"I was shocked, man, I was really shocked," Holt said. "I went up to Marc immediately and apologized to him as a receiver and for our receiver group and the offense for not making enough plays to give him an opportunity to stay on the football field with us."

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Cards' Boldin tweaks hamstring, expected to play

WASHINGTON -- Arizona Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin tweaked his hamstring during practice Friday.

The injury is considered minor and he is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the New York Jets.

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ESPN.com's Mike Sando writes about all things NFC West in his division blog.

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Safety Adrian Wilson, also dealing with a hamstring injury, did not practice and is questionable.

Friday was the Cardinals' final workout at Catholic University. Afterward, the entire team visited wounded veterans at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

The Cardinals remained in the area this week after a game against the Redskins and will leave Saturday via train for New York.

Defensive tackle Darnell Dockett, who missed practice earlier this week with a hamstring injury, took part in the full workout and is probable. Listed as questionable are receiver Sean Morey (Achilles' tendon), defensive tackle Gabe Watson (knee) and Wilson. Tight end Jerame Tuman (hamstring) did not practice all week and is doubtful.

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Favre listed as questionable, but expected to start

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Brett Favre was listed as questionable Friday for the New York Jets' game against Arizona with a sore left ankle, but is expected to start against the Cardinals.

The 38-year-old quarterback twisted his left ankle Monday night in New York's loss at San Diego. His ankle was tightly wrapped, but he appeared hardly hobbled during the half-hour of practice the media were allowed to watch Friday.

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"I felt pretty comfortable a few days ago," coach Eric Mangini said of Favre's progress. "He hasn't missed many games in the last however many years."

Actually, Favre has started 256 consecutive regular-season games, an NFL record for quarterbacks, and neither he nor Mangini has seemed concerned the streak is in jeopardy.

With heavy rains drenching the area, the Jets held practice in their new fieldhouse for the first time. While special teams drills were the focus at the beginning of practice, Favre was at the far end of the field with the other quarterbacks and wide receivers going through light drills.

Favre was listed as limited at practice on the team's injury report for the third straight day, but his limp has decreased significantly since Monday night.

Meanwhile, nose tackle Kris Jenkins' balky back has also improved steadily throughout the week and Mangini also expects him to play Sunday. Jenkins missed most of the game against the Chargers and didn't participate in full practice activities Wednesday. He was limited Thursday and Friday, and was listed as questionable.

"I expect him to be ready to go," Mangini said.

Mangini said cornerback Justin Miller is also improving after missing the team's first three games with a foot injury. Miller was also questionable and could be a gametime decision.

Reggie Hodges is out with a strained left thigh, meaning Ben Graham will handle the punting duties for the second straight game after being cut and then re-signed a few days later following Hodges' injury. Kicker Mike Nugent is still out with a strained right thigh, so Jay Feely will start for the third consecutive game.

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Packers' Harris could return by season's midpoint

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The outlook for injured Green Bay Packers cornerback Al Harris is encouraging.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Friday that Harris, who suffered a serious spleen injury Sunday night, could return to the team before the midpoint of the season.

"I would say it's going to be at least three to four weeks," McCarthy said of a timetable for when Harris might be ready to return to the field.

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Harris has been ruled out for Sunday, when the Packers will play at Tampa Bay, putting an end to a streak of 83 straight starts since Green Bay acquired him in a trade with Philadelphia in 2003.

Harris' injury occurred in the first quarter of the Packers' loss to Dallas when he collided with linebacker A.J. Hawk on a running play. Harris left the game but returned two plays later.

He left the game for good, however, after tackling Cowboys running back Marion Barber. Harris went to the locker room in the second quarter with what team officials described as cramping.

McCarthy said after the game that Harris had blood in his urine and was not allowed to return by the team's medical staff.

Initial fears that Harris would miss the rest of the season and his playing career could be in jeopardy were tempered earlier this week. Harris underwent tests and sought multiple opinions from specialists.

McCarthy said Friday it was his understanding Harris' spleen wouldn't need to be surgically removed.

"Injuries like this go back to a personal nature," McCarthy said. "You're just glad it's not anything that could be life-threatening or as serious as it possibly could be."

Instead, Harris will have a chance to let the spleen heal on its own.

"The thing that we know for sure is we've had to totally shut him down for seven days," McCarthy said. "So, he'll start probably Monday morning with some form of conditioning, and it'll just progress as we move forward. There will be some tests that are done along the way. I don't have an exact time frame for you."

Teammates welcomed the news that Harris could be playing again soon.

"Oh, that's a break because Al brings so much to the defense," safety Atari Bigby said. "He's a lockdown corner. So, anytime you have a corner like that in the game, it definitely takes the pressure off of everybody else."

Bigby spoke with Harris a day after he sustained the injury. Bigby said Harris had mixed emotions.

"Of course he doesn't want to be out, but he felt like he's not going to be out the whole season," Bigby said. "He feels good. He knows his body. So, hopefully, he's not out the whole season."

The Packers will try to compensate for the absence of Harris, who was selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time last season, with a trio of young players.

Tramon Williams will start Sunday opposite veteran cornerback Charles Woodson. Will Blackmon will assume Williams' former spot at nickel back.

Pat Lee, a second-round draft pick this year, likely will be activated for the first time to serve as the dime back.

"You don't ever want to have players injured, especially you don't want to have your star players injured. But it's also part of the game," McCarthy said.

"It's important for the younger players to realize they have an opportunity. They've had their opportunity to learn from two veterans that have played a lot of football, that play that style of football very effectively. It's their time to put it to use because we need them as a team to perform."

Following a course of action the previous two weeks, Woodson didn't practice the entire week to rest a broken right toe. He is probable to play Sunday.

McCarthy said Woodson's insistence on playing every week with the injury, which he suffered in the Sept. 8 opener, interferes with the healing process.

"As far as the bone improving, it's obviously going to take a lot longer than a normal fracture because he keeps playing on it," McCarthy said. "I don't know if he's staying about the same or slightly improving, but I know he's really uncomfortable [after a game] until at least Wednesday."

Besides Harris, the Packers also are expected to be without Bigby on Sunday. He is listed as doubtful on the injury report.

Bigby didn't practice this week as he recovers from a left hamstring injury that kept him out of the previous game.

"It's disappointing. I'm a safety, and I love to play the game," Bigby said. "Whenever I can't play, I'm feeling pretty down."

Aaron Rouse is set to start again in Bigby's place.

Nick Collins, the Packers' other starting safety, is probable for Sunday after he left the last game with a bruised back.

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Sources: Giants, Burress near penalty settlement

The New York Giants and wide receiver Plaxico Burress neared a settlement Friday in which Burress will agree to a one-game suspension but have the financial penalties he faces after disciplinary action reduced, league sources told ESPN. Plaxico Burress

Wide Receiver
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2008 Season StatsRecYdsTDAvgLongYAC18259114.4338 If the settlement is reached, Burress will still miss the Giants game on Oct. 5 against the Seattle Seahawks but he will lose just half of the $235,294 he is being docked for a two-week suspension.

As a final condition, sources said, the Giants would agree not to pursue action against Burress seeking any bonus money he could owe under a forfeiture clause in a $35 million contract extension he signed just before the regular season opener. Under the clause, Burress could lose a portion of his bonuses if he is suspended or fined for conduct detrimental to the team. His escalator bonuses for future salary also could be affected without an agreement by the Giants to forgive the penalty.

In turn, Burress would agree to waive his right to an expedited hearing before an arbitrator, which would be heard Monday or Tuesday without a settlement. Talks accelerated Friday with an agreement at hand, sources said.

Burress was suspended Wednesday for a violation of team rules. Sources have confirmed that he did not report to work on Monday and was unavailable by phone. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said that Burress was tending to urgent family matters.

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Cardinals' Berry has groin tear, won't play vs. Jets

VIENNA, Va. -- Arizona Cardinals defensive end Bertrand Berry will miss Sunday's game at the New York Jets with a groin tear.

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Berry was injured in last week's 24-17 loss to the Washington Redskins. He left the team's temporary headquarters in the D.C. area -- where the team is staying this week preparing for the Jets game -- to return to Phoenix. Coach Ken Whisenhunt was uncertain how long Berry will be sidelined. "Hopefully, we'll get him back quickly," Whisenhunt said. "We'll know after this week a little better as far as how it responds. Because of the way he responded in going back in the game on Sunday, we were hopeful it wasn't bad. "But when they did the MRI, it found out that he did have a tear in there. Now, it's see how he reacts to it and see how he heals." The 11th-year lineman had a sack in each of Arizona's first three games. Whisenhunt said the trio of Travis LaBoy, Chike Okeafor and Clark Haggans would likely rotate at the two end spots against the Jets. The Cardinals, who are staying at a northern Virginia hotel and practicing at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., this week, will depart for New York via train on Saturday.

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Titans tab speedy Tulloch to replace Fowler at MLB

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans are making a change in starters. Not at quarterback where Kerry Collins has the job over Vince Young as long as the team keeps winning, but at middle linebacker where the speedy Stephen Tulloch is replacing Ryan Fowler.

It's a move that caught Fowler, who started 14 games last season and the first three this year, by surprise.

"It definitely came as a shock to me. It went from, `There is no competition,' and then skipped the competition part all together and went to a replacement without any warning," Fowler said Thursday. "I understand the coaches will do what they need to do to win, and they probably have the best interests of the team at hand.

"I'm not mad about the change. I'm a little disappointed in the way that it took place without any warnings."

The Titans (3-0) signed the 6-foot-3 Fowler away from Dallas as a restricted free agent in March 2007, and he beat out Tulloch for the job. But the 5-11 Tulloch, their fourth-round draft choice in 2006 off of a great North Carolina State defense that also featured Mario Williams, started the final two games when Fowler hurt a shoulder.

Tulloch also started three preseason games at outside linebacker, playing so well he had some teammates thinking he should be starting.

Told that Tulloch would be starting, Fowler said there wasn't much discussion and he believes the move is indefinite.

The move is a bit surprising because Tennessee currently leads the NFL in fewest points allowed through three games with 29. The Titans also rank third in yards allowed.

Fowler said he had refocused on being a physical player after experimenting with some finesse moves during the preseason. He had been told his performance against Cincinnati on Sept. 14, in which he had seven tackles with two for losses, was his best yet with Tennessee.

"I hadn't been approached or talked to or showed any concern by any of the coaches since the season started, and by all accounts, I had been getting nothing but positive feedback from coaches and scouts alike," Fowler said.

Tulloch, whose locker is beside Fowler's, was lifting weights and not available to reporters Thursday after practice. Coach Jeff Fisher would only say that they like the matchup against Minnesota (1-2) and Adrian Peterson with Tulloch.

Fowler said it couldn't be based on production because he has 18 tackles and is tied with Keith Bulluck for the lead among linebackers. But he said he'll try to lose a few pounds to improve his speed.

"I was focusing on being the hammer they wanted me to be," Fowler said. "I thought I was on the right track. I guess there was some communication lost somewhere in there. It's probably my fault for not paying close enough attention."

Bulluck called it a tough situation for coaches and Fowler and Tulloch. Bulluck had been counseling Tulloch to have patience, comparing Tulloch's situation to his own as first-round draft pick in 2000 who didn't take over as the starter until the final game of the 2001 season.

"They didn't make a change and our defense wasn't playing as well as we are playing. It's a coach's decision. It shouldn't change anything the other 10 of us do to prepare or anyone else on this defense," Bulluck said.

Defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch said Tulloch had a great training camp and preseason.

"I know it's hard to wait your turn and be patient, but he did. He kept his head on straight, and that's what happens in this league," Vanden Bosch said. "You'll get your opportunity if you keep working hard, and he's got his opportunity now."

Game notes
Running back LenDale White hurt his shoulder and was limited in practice Thursday. ... But receiver Justin McCareins (groin), cornerback Nick Harper (ankle), and running back Chris Henry (sick) all practiced after sitting out Wednesday. Vince Young (sprained left knee) did not practice and watched from the sideline.

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Giants suspend star wideout Burress for one game

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- A yearlong ankle injury could not keep Plaxico Burress out of the New York Giants' lineup last season. The lack of a telephone call this week apparently is going to cost him a game and more than $235,000.

Less than a month after handing the man who caught the winning pass in the Super Bowl a new $35 million contract, the Giants on Wednesday suspended Burress for a game for missing a practice and not calling to explain his absence.

Burress' agent insisted the nine-year veteran had an undisclosed family emergency on Monday and will appeal the ban to the NFL Players Association.

"We have had success here because of the team concept," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said in discussing the suspension, which was handed down during a bye week for the Giants (3-0). "And the team concept means basically that everyone is accountable and responsible and that we don't let the other guys down. And that is what we are trying to do."

As part of the suspension, Burress will not be allowed to practice until after the Oct. 5 game against the Seattle Seahawks. That means he will miss two weekly paychecks, totaling $235,294.12 of his $2 million annual base salary.

The Giants refused to say why Burress was suspended, but agent Drew Rosenhaus claimed Burress had a family emergency that has now been resolved.

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Plaxico Burress' absence won't hurt the Giants much for one game, but it adds an unwanted distraction for the defending Super Bowl champions, ESPN.com's Matt Mosley writes. Blog

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Rosenhaus said Burress spoke with Giants director of player development Charles Way on Monday evening, but he added there was "miscommunication" between the player and the team.

When asked specifically why Burress did not telephone the team or answer repeated telephone calls Monday to discuss the absence, Rosenhaus avoided answering the question.

"Again we're acknowledging that there should be some repercussion, but not to the extent where he is denied his right to perform his livelihood to play," Rosenhaus said in a conference call. "We think it is very serious and not very common, but there are things that do take place in the NFL that you could say are worse and have not led to suspension."

Rosenhaus said the NFLPA has not advised him when an arbitrator would hear the appeal, but he hopes Burress is back in the lineup for the Seattle game.

At the close of business Thursday, Rosenhaus and Burress had yet to file a grievance, ESPN.com's Michael Smith reports.

"I hope we can get this worked out and get back out on the practice field and back to playing football for the Giants. That's where he belongs," Rosenhaus said.

Coughlin insisted the suspension will not be a distraction: "This is a team that is focused and displayed mental toughness and they will do the same thing with regard to this."

Coughlin and general manager Jerry Reese informed Burress of the suspension Wednesday morning before the team held practice.

"I think he was very surprised and very, very disappointed," Rosenhaus said of Burress' reaction to the suspension. "I spoke with him immediately after his meeting. ... He certainly did not anticipate his conduct would lead to him being suspended."

Burress was not immediately available for comment. He was off to a great start this season with a team-high 18 catches for 259 yards and a touchdown.

"It is something we just have to deal with and move on," said quarterback Eli Manning, who found out late Monday that Burress was not at Giants Stadium. "That is what our focus is, get ready for Seattle and try to get a win there."

Second-year pro Steve Smith didn't think twice when he noticed Burress was not at the receivers meeting on Monday.

"Plax is Plax, he does what he wants," Smith said. "I don't see him a lot, so I thought it was a normal day. I didn't know if he was going to come or not. I didn't know he was getting in trouble for that, so we never know when it comes to Plax."

Burress has had other problems with the Giants since signing as a free agent in 2005. He was benched for the opening quarter against San Diego early in 2005 for being late for a meeting. He said his wife was pregnant and he went with her for a test.

Burress was upset this summer after the Giants refused to negotiate his contract after the Super Bowl. He refused to practice during a mandatory minicamp in June and was fined $42,000. The Giants signed Burress to a two-year contract extension just before the opener that will bump his salary into the $7 million range over the next five years. The deal included $11 million in guaranteed money that will be paid this season.

Burress then caught 10 catches for 133 yards in a 16-7 win over Washington.

Burress caught the winning 13-yard touchdown pass in the final minute of the Giants' 17-14 win over the Patriots in the Super Bowl. And despite playing on a sprained right ankle all last season, Burress had a team-high 70 receptions for 1,025 yards and a career-high 12 touchdowns. He added 18 catches for 221 yards in the postseason.

Burress caught 209 passes for 3,227 yards and 29 touchdowns in his first three seasons with the Giants, with all the touchdowns being thrown by Manning.

Wide receiver is one of the Giants' deepest positions. In addition to Burress, there's Amani Toomer, Steve Smith, Sinorice Moss, Domenik Hixon and rookie Mario Manningham.

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Infant son of Bucs kicker Bryant passes away

TAMPA, Fla. -- The 3-month-old son of Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Matt Bryant died Wednesday morning, coach Jon Gruden said.

Matthew Tryson Bryant apparently died in his sleep, Gruden said. The coach did not have further details. Matthew was born June 16.

"We're shocked and very saddened by this," Gruden said. "It's just a horrible tragedy, and I can't explain it."

Gruden said he was not sure if Bryant will play in Sunday's game against Green Bay. The player's situation would be addressed later in the week, the coach said.

"The entire Buccaneer family is deeply saddened by this tragedy," Buccaneers general manager Bruce Allen said in a statement. "The Bryants have been an inspiration to our entire community through their commitment to their family and their exhaustive efforts working with children and those in need in the Bay area. Our thoughts and prayers are with Matt and Melissa during this difficult time.''

Bryant, a seventh-year pro in his fourth season with Tampa Bay, kicked a winning field goal in overtime against Chicago last Sunday. Two years ago, he made the third-longest field goal in NFL history, a 62-yarder to beat Philadelphia.

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Huard's turn: 0-3 Chiefs pull another switch at QB

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Damon Huard will be back under center on Sunday for winless Kansas City, giving the Chiefs a different starting quarterback for the fourth week in a row.

Huard, the only one of Kansas City's four quarterbacks who ever won an NFL game, will start against Denver (3-0) while Tyler Thigpen, who threw three picks in his first NFL start last week, returns to the bench.

Huard

In the meantime, regular starter Brodie Croyle, who separated his shoulder in the season opener at New England on Sept. 7, began light throwing Wednesday and expects to return on Oct. 19 against Tennessee.

By then, the 0-3 Chiefs could be 0-5 if they don't find some continuity at quarterback and get some consistency in a rookie-laden roster that's struggled in losses to the Patriots, Raiders and Falcons. Last week's 38-14 loss to Atlanta was Kansas City's 12th in a row going back to last October.

Coach Herm Edwards pointed to Huard's experience and Thigpen's interceptions last week in Atlanta as reasons for making a change.

"When you look at us right now, we need a guy who can protect the football, not turn the football over," Edwards said. "We've done that too much the last three games, 30 points we've given up so far on turnovers."

Huard, a 12-year veteran, came off the bench for Croyle at New England and then started the next week against Oakland. Thigpen, a seventh-round pick in 2007 from Coastal Carolina, came off the bench after Huard was slightly injured against the Raiders, then made the start at Atlanta.

"Damon's pretty good and comfortable with protecting the football," said Edwards. "He's been in this position before."

In giving Thigpen the start last week, Edwards indicated he wanted to take a good look at the 24-year-old whose only NFL experience to that point was throwing six passes in a game last year. But evidently, the hunger for victory outweighed the desire to give Thigpen another opportunity to feature what everyone knew would be raw skills.

"When you go back and look at how we played, not making first downs, really turning the ball over on offense. ... You can't do that a whole lot. You get in trouble," Edwards said. "I think Damon understands that. He knows when to make the throw."

Altogether in roughly a game and a half, Thigpen has clicked on 28 of 69 throws for 279 yards and two touchdowns and four interceptions. Benching him, Edwards said, does not necessarily signal the end of his career.

"He was given a great opportunity. We found out a lot about him, and I think he found out a lot about himself, what it's like to start in this league. It's difficult. He's a rookie in my opinion, didn't have a lot of playing time. But you have to build on the young players and the good things that they do, and he did some good things. He needs to grow and get better."

Guard Brian Waters, one of the few veterans on the NFL's youngest team, said nobody is sweating the quarterback chaos.

"It really doesn't change anything," said Waters. "The plays are the same. Really, it's upon those guys to just come in and do what they've been taught. We've had all these [quarterbacks] at some point or another behind us, whether it be in [spring practice] or training camp or whatever.

"Believe me, right now we're getting used to it."

But wouldn't it be nice to just have one quarterback and stick with him?

"It would be, but it's not the situation we're dealing with. We can't live in those dream worlds."

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For once, Ocho Cinco not worried about the zeros

CINCINNATI -- The first season of Chad Ocho Cinco isn't going so well.

Eight inconsequential catches for only 88 yards. Zero touchdowns in three games. Back when he was known as Chad Johnson, the Cincinnati Bengals' Pro Bowl receiver would have better numbers in a game, let alone three.

One other difference: Ocho Cinco isn't complaining.

The self-promoting receiver has a history of grousing when he doesn't get the ball, suggesting the team would start winning when he got more involved in the offense. So far in an 0-3 season, there's been none of that. He doesn't have many catches, but he's been the model of equanimity.

"My time will come," he said. "I've had a season like this before -- I believe it was '06, a similar slow start like this. But once I break out, I really break out. So I'm being patient, just doing what I can, and when the opportunities come, I make the most of them."

How long will it last? Depends.

Partly, it depends on how long Ocho Cinco winds up being the center of defense's attention. Teams have been rotating their coverages to keep him from making a big play. T.J. Houshmandzadeh had 12 catches for 146 yards and the Bengals' only passing touchdown of the season in a 26-23 loss to the Giants in overtime Sunday. Ocho Cinco? Three catches for 29 yards.

"It'll pick up," he said after practice Wednesday, slipping into a reassuring tone. "It always does for me. I'm not worried about it. I always start slow, except for last year. This is sort of the norm for me. I might be down just a tad."

More than a tad. He's off to his worst start since 2002, his second season in the NFL. His totals for the first three games of each season since then:

-- 18 catches, 303 yards, one touchdown in 2003.

-- 16 catches, 243 yards, one touchdown in 2004.

-- 19 catches, 307 yards, three touchdowns in 2005.

-- 12 catches, 137 yards, one touchdown in 2006.

-- 25 catches, 442 yards, three touchdowns in 2007.

-- 8 catches, 88 yards, no touchdowns in 2008.

In 2006, there was a reason for the slow start. Quarterback Carson Palmer was coming back from reconstructive knee surgery and hadn't yet regained his touch. The entire offense was out of whack for those first three games.

This year, some of it can be tied to facing three tough defenses -- Baltimore, Tennessee and the Giants -- without much of a running game. The Bengals have rushed for only 260 yards in three games -- Palmer has 38 of them on six scrambles.

"A majority of the time that he's getting a bunch of catches is when we're running the ball successfully and they've got to put that safety [near the line of scrimmage] as opposed to just letting them double-team Chad," Palmer said. "We've got to get going in other areas in order to get him going, and that's always the case."

The Bengals are encouraged that the receiver is taking it so well. In the past, he'd be on the verge of an emotional meltdown.

Last season, for instance, he fussed at Palmer on the sideline for several minutes after he ran an incorrect route, resulting in an interception against New England. In the past, Ocho Cinco would throw his head back and hold out his arms when he felt he was open but didn't get the ball thrown his way.

Against the Giants, he kept his cool.

"That's probably as well as I've seen him handle that kind of situation in a while without getting frustrated," coach Marvin Lewis said. "He kept playing and playing, and when there were opportunities, he was right where he needed to be."

The receiver dislocated his left shoulder in a preseason game, and wore a protective harness that limited his arm motion in the first two regular season games. He went without it against the Giants and had no problems, a sign that he's getting healthy.

"I was fine," he said. "I got banged up all over the place. I blocked, got hit, flew up, hit the ground, did the whole nine yards, so I'm good. I probably won't wear it again the rest of the year."

How long his calm demeanor lasts is another intriguing question.

Usually, the receiver would be talking trash and promising a big touchdown celebration in the week leading up to a game against the rival Cleveland Browns. This week, he deflected questions about his slow start and when he might break out or what he might do.

"I'm fine," he said. "My opportunities are going to be there. They're always going to be there."

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Lowly Rams bench Bulger, to go with Green at QB

ST. LOUIS -- Marc Bulger is out as the St. Louis Rams' starting quarterback after producing only two touchdowns in three games, and 38-year-old backup Trent Green is in.

The benching of the Rams' highest-paid player, announced by coach Scott Linehan in a terse, two-paragraph release on Tuesday, signals just how desperate times have become for the sagging franchise. Linehan is 11-24 in his third season, including 0-3 this year.

Last week, Linehan was told by new owner Chip Rosenbloom that improvements need to be made or that changes would be forthcoming. This is Linehan's first head coaching job at any level, earned off success as an offensive coordinator with the Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings, and he was a quarterback in college at Idaho.

The team said in the release that Linehan would not comment on his decision until after practice Wednesday. The Rams, who play the Buffalo Bills at home on Sunday, were off Tuesday.

More changes to come?

The Rams' first change in course has come at quarterback. Marc Bulger, right, will take a seat on the bench as St. Louis tries to right its moribund offense.

Rams' 2008 offensive ranks
(out of 32 teams)Pass ypg146.027thPoints9.731stTotal ypg202.331stFirst downs pg11.732nd

"Scott made an announcement, and he'll amplify it tomorrow," team spokesman Rick Smith said.

The Rams have lost 16 of their past 19 games while getting outscored 116-29. The point total would not have been enough to win any of the first three games, and their mediocre 240-yard total in Sunday's 37-13 loss at Seattle was still a season-best for the league's lowest-ranked offense.

Linehan had hinted at possible changes during a news conference on Monday.

"I forsee evaluating everything," Linehan said. "What they are right now does depend on the health of our team in spots, but I would think that anything's possible at this point as far as our lineup."

Linehan added that he was tempted to make moves just to shake things up.

"Yeah, I think we'd be crazy if we didn't try something different because what we've done for the first three weeks is not working," the coach said.

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Reading between the lines, ESPN.com's Mike Sando says the decision to go with Trent Green at QB could mean offensive coordinator Al Saunders would be next in line to coach the Rams if Scott Linehan is fired. Blog

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Green has experience under new offensive coordinator Al Saunders and quarterbacks coach Terry Shea, possible reasons for the switch. Green earned his second Pro Bowl berth in 2005 with the Chiefs while working under those two coaches, throwing for more than 4,000 yards.

Green started for the Chiefs from 2001 until being sidelined by injuries midway through 2006. The start will be his first since the fifth week last season for the Miami Dolphins.

Green is from St. Louis and he, not Kurt Warner, was supposed to be the starting quarterback on the 1999 Rams team that won the Super Bowl, signing as a free agent after a successful year as the Washington Redskins' starter the previous season.

Warner was thrust into the starting role after Green was sidelined with a season-ending knee injury during the preseason.

Bulger, 31, has been the starter since 2002, stepping in when Warner was sidelined by injuries. He became the highest-paid player in franchise history after signing a six-year, $65 million contract extension on the first day of training camp in 2007.

Last year Bulger had only 11 touchdown passes, with 15 interceptions, while working behind an injury-ravaged line and missing four games because of injuries. He's been beaten-up again this year, absorbing 10 sacks the first two games while appearing somewhat skittish at times in the pocket, although the Seahawks sacked him only once in Sunday's 37-13 loss at Seattle.

In his past 31 starts dating to 2006, Bulger has been sacked 97 times.

Bulger was 18-for-31 for 184 yards with one touchdown and an interception on Sunday, his third consecutive game with less than 200 passing yards.

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Lions' Ford Jr.: If I was in charge, I'd fire Millen

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Maybe things can get worse for the Detroit Lions.

A day after Detroit lost at San Francisco, falling to 0-3, Lions vice chairman Bill Ford essentially said he'd fire team president Matt Millen if he had the authority.

"I think the fans deserve better and if it were in my authority, which it's not, I'd make some significant changes," Ford said Monday.

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Bill Ford Jr.'s comments about Matt Millen have made for a very awkward situation for the Lions, Kevin Seifert writes. Blog

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Asked by a reporter if he believed Millen should leave the team, Ford said, "Yes, I do."

The Ford Motor Co. executive chairman is the son of William Clay Ford, the franchise's owner since 1964.

In rare interviews, the elder Ford has stood by his decision to hire Millen in 2001 and to stick with him since then. With Ford atop the franchise, the Lions have won only one playoff game and are an NFL-worst 31-84 since Millen took over in 2001.

Millen won Super Bowls as a linebacker and was an acclaimed TV analyst, but had no front-office experience when he was hired in Detroit.

Bill Ford couldn't hide his excitement on Jan. 9, 2001, after he and the Lions lured Millen away from the broadcast booth to lead the franchise.

"I'm willing to stake my reputation on Matt's success," Bill Ford said after Millen was introduced at a news conference.

In recent years, however, Bill Ford has often declined comment when asked about Millen.

A message seeking comment on Ford's Monday remarks was left on Millen's cell phone and an interview request was made via a team spokesman.

Coach Rod Marinelli, who often talks about the importance of keeping outsiders from distracting the team, declined to comment on what Ford said.

Marinelli did say, as he had the previous two Mondays coming off losses, that he is confident in his players and coaches despite the results.

The 49ers jumped ahead of Detroit 21-3 en route to a 31-13 victory.

In the first two losses, the Lions fell behind by three touchdowns before losing by 13 at Atlanta and by 23 against the Green Bay Packers at home.

Marinelli said the slow starts have disappointed him more than anything besides the team's record.

"We've gotten behind so early so fast. That's disturbing," he said. "All three, we got behind very quickly and it's tough to win that way."

Tough was a word rookie running back Kevin Smith used after being benched Sunday in favor of Rudi Johnson, who had 83 yards rushing and caught a pass for a 34-yard score.

"It was the coaches' decision. They went with Rudi," Smith said Monday. "It's kind of tough, especially because we didn't win."

In Sunday's loss, quarterback Jon Kitna sprained his right knee, guard Stephen Peterman broke a hand, cornerback Travis Fisher had a strained groin and defensive tackle Cory Redding injured an ankle.

Marinelli said he didn't know how long or if Kitna would be sidelined, but he hoped the banged-up players and the rest of the team would benefit from the bye week following Tuesday's workout.

"I want them to get out of here because the bye happened so early this year," Marinelli said. "This is the only chance they have to really get a break for the next 13 weeks."

The Lions' next game is Oct. 5 at home against the Chicago Bears.

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Texans' owner expects Reliant to host Oct. 5 game

HOUSTON -- Houston Texans owner Bob McNair says he would be "shocked" if his team doesn't play its home opener at hurricane-damaged Reliant Stadium on Oct. 5.

The stadium's retractable roof lost five sections in the storm and officials said large pieces of debris had fallen into the stadium during Hurricane Ike. The roof probably won't be fixed in time for the game against Indianapolis, but McNair said that game and the remaining home games could be played with the roof open.

"We fully expect that we'll play the Colts in Reliant Stadium," he told The Associated Press. "Probably the rest of the year we'll play and use Reliant as an open-air stadium. It was designed to operate that way, either open or closed so we'll get to enjoy it open for a while."

If he had to put a percentage on the chance the Texans will play the Colts at home, he said it would be in the high 90s.

"I can't say with absolute certainty," he said. "But let's put it this way, I'd be shocked if we did not play there."

He said there are a few minor problems to be fixed for the stadium to be ready, but that engineers who have studied the venue since the storm have found no structural damage.

The Texans are playing their first three games on the road after their scheduled home opener against Baltimore was moved to Nov. 9 because of the storm. McNair said returning home to play in their own stadium should be a bright spot for an area reeling from the devastation caused by the hurricane.

"I think it will be. It will be big for us to have them, too," he said. "We need their support and that will be a big lift for us."

The Texans lost 31-12 at Tennessee on Sunday to drop to 0-2 this season. McNair is hoping for a better result this week against Jacksonville because his team has had more time to deal with the hurricane.

Several players' homes suffered significant damage in the storm, and many remain without electricity.

"I think our players are going to be ready to play," he said. "Our execution wasn't what it should be ... and we have the talent and we were prepared. Maybe there was some distractions that might have altered their focus a little bit. But we don't make any excuses, we've got to go out and execute."

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Bears call out Trueblood, Bucs for dirty play in OT

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Charles Tillman jumped on the pile, took a swing and got flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty at the worst possible time for the Chicago Bears.

His teammates believe the referees saw only half the picture.

Still stinging after blowing a 10-point lead in a 27-24 overtime loss to Tampa Bay on Sunday, the Bears believe they were victimized as much by dirty play as their own mistakes.

"We saw a lot of the dirty stuff that they were doing, and we retaliated, got caught," Bears receiver Marty Booker said Monday. "It's always the second man."

Not too long ago, the Bears were all smiles after taking the season opener at Indianapolis. Then, they blew a 14-point lead before losing at Carolina and now this.

The Bears (1-2) and Buccaneers already had several skirmishes when this scene unfolded in overtime.

Tampa Bay had third-and-9 at the Chicago 8 when Jerramy Stevens caught a 2-yard pass from Brian Griese, but instead of having to punt, the Buccaneers caught a major break.

Jeremy Trueblood took some shots at Bears defensive end Adewale Ogunleye during a pileup, and Tillman ran over and jumped on. Then, he was caught taking a swing at Michael Clayton, resulting in a 15-yard penalty that kept the drive going.

"There are plenty of opportunities on the field to injure somebody," Bears defensive end Israel Idonije said. "You never think about that because that guy is a player in the NFL. There's a code. You play tough, you play hard, but you don't intentionally go out to injure somebody."

And he thought Trueblood was trying to do just that.

"They called us for something that was not nearly on the same level as what was going on," Idonije said.

Even so, coach Lovie Smith wouldn't absolve Tillman.

"I think everyone knows that's unacceptable," he said. "Me just saying, 'Hey guys, don't do it anymore,' it's not that easy. Charles knew when it happened. It's something that in the heat of passion, sometimes you do things that you regret later. That's one play out of a lot of opportunities we had."

Wide receiver Antonio Bryant wound up beating Nathan Vasher along the left side on a 38-yard pass from Griese a few plays later that put the ball on the 6, and after a 3-yard run by Earnest Graham, Matt Bryant booted the winning 21-yard field goal.

Tillman said he didn't think he threw a punch.

"I just tried to swing him off me," he said after the game.

Should Tampa Bay have been penalized?

"Well, you know the saying is they always see the second man who hits, they always see the second push, not the first," said Tillman, who also had a run-in with Donald Penn after the game's first play from scrimmage. "Obviously, they saw that second push. Like I said, costly mistake. Shouldn't have happened. Shouldn't have put myself in that situation."

A sixth-year pro who has played at a Pro Bowl level doing that was surprising, but the game should have ended long before that.

"That whole Peanut [Tillman] part, it shouldn't have even gotten that far," defensive tackle Tommie Harris said. "We should have finished the game."

The Bears had their chances.

A first down after Tampa Bay's Matt Bryant kicked a 35-yard field goal with 3:11 left in regulation would have done the job. Instead, the Bears went three-and-out, and the Bucs took over with 1:49 left. Griese led them on a 79-yard drive that ended with a 1-yard TD pass to Stevens tying it at 24 and sending the game into overtime.

Along the way, the Bears were unable to stop Tampa Bay on third-and-10 at its 32. Instead, Griese connected with Stevens for 18 yards, hit Clayton for 13, Ike Hilliard for 17 and Antonio Bryant for 19 to put the ball on the 1.

Was the defense worn out?

Smith said it might have been.

In overtime, Rashied Davis dropped a pass near the Tampa Bay 35 on third down from the Chicago 47, stopping a possible scoring drive and forcing the Bears to punt.

"I took my eyes off the ball," Davis said. "It should have been an easy catch. I just dropped an easy pass. It shouldn't have happened, but it did."

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Former kicker Zendejas pleads not guilty to rape

POMONA, Calif. -- Former NFL kicker Tony Zendejas pleaded not guilty to charges that he drugged a woman at his Southern California sports bar and raped her, court officials said Monday.

Pomona Superior Court officials said Zendejas was arraigned Monday on one count each of rape by use of drugs, rape of an unconscious person, sodomy by anesthesia or controlled substance and sodomy of an unconscious person.

Prosecutors allege that on Jan. 26 Zendejas gave a woman at his San Dimas restaurant a drink that made her groggy. She told authorities she woke up in a motel and had been raped.

Zendejas is free on bail. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.

Zendejas played with the Los Angeles Rams, Houston Oilers, Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers. He retired in 1995.

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Kiffin still Raiders coach, says he'll keep plugging

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Lane Kiffin went over the injury report and the aftermath of the Oakland Raiders' latest loss before the questions predictably turned to his shaky job status amid more reports that his firing as coach would be imminent.

Can't Win For Losing

They've lingered since January, but questions over Raiders coach Lane Kiffin's job status hit a crescendo after Sunday's 24-23 loss to the Bills.

Worst Win Percentage
Raiders Head Coaches
(Since NFL-AFL Merger)CoachSpanRecordPct.Joe Bugel19974-12.250Lane Kiffin2007-085-14.263Norv Turner2004-059-23.281Mike Shanahan1988-898-12.400

"This seems to be a common question here every day," Kiffin said Monday. "I'm going to kind of put it this way: Until I am told by Al Davis that I'm not the head coach here anymore, we're going to keep plugging away the same way we have been. So I have not been told by Al Davis that I am not the head coach. Until he tells me directly, we'll keep plugging away."

With no word yet from the owner, Kiffin began preparations for Sunday's game between the Raiders (1-2) and San Diego.

Kiffin's weekly Monday news conferences have turned from the mundane to must-see events since reports about Kiffin's firing first surfaced on Sept. 13. This week's session included a Raiders official interrupting a question that he said was based on an incorrect premise and later calling the columnist a liar and saying he'd like to punch him.

Team officials have refused to deny the reports about Kiffin's firing and the coach has been in a sort of limbo ever since. But he once again trotted out for his weekly duties, staying on as coach for at least a little while longer.

He returned with the Raiders from a crushing 24-23 loss at Buffalo to reports that the decision was supposed to come Monday, but Davis has refused to act so far. Kiffin refused to discuss the latest rumors, saying he's waiting to hear directly from Davis. The two have not talked since before the season opener against Denver on Sept. 8.

Kiffin said he will not go into Davis' office to ask for a resolution, saying it's not his place to tell Davis how to run his team. He also won't step away from the job, leading to the ongoing ordeal.

"I have not had a conversation with him about it, nor has he gotten in touch with me. So I can't worry about what other people say," Kiffin said. "If we believed everything people said around here, we would be in a lot of trouble."

Kiffin said he will not go into Davis' office to ask for a resolution, saying it's not his place to tell Davis how to run his team. He also won't step away from the job, leading to the ongoing ordeal.

"There's no way I'm quitting, and that's got nothing to do with money, at all," he said. "The last thing I'm ever going to do is quit, the way that you guys are talking about quitting or even quit behind closed doors, as far as my energy or my passion toward getting this thing turned around. Because I believe we can turn this thing around."

Kiffin has stressed to the players to tune out the distraction of his job security and focus solely on their performance on the field. He was proud of how his players performed last week in winning at Kansas City and for the first three quarters of their loss at Buffalo on Sunday.

But they were unable to hold onto a nine-point fourth-quarter lead, giving Kiffin reason for a sleepless night. Linebacker Thomas Howard said ignoring the talk can be hard at times with friends text messaging all the time about Kiffin's status and reporters asking about it. But he said the players are doing the best they can.

"I guess it's great talk. It's drama. It's TNT? It's drama, you know what I'm saying?" Howard said. "So it makes for good TV, I guess. We can't worry about it. I know a lot of guys around here have been through two or three different head coaches. We've been through offseason stuff in this organization, and as a team we just stick together."

While some players talked last week about how the situation with Kiffin could help the team rally around a cause, the coach discounted that as a Hollywood theory and admitted that it makes it harder to do his job.

"I'm not going to sit up here and lie and say it helps and that it brings our team together and we're going to bond together like the movie 'Major League,' like somebody told me," Kiffin said. "It doesn't help. But I can't control it so all I can do is keep our team together."

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NFL referee Hochuli back on field after botched call

BALTIMORE -- Back in action after his admitted incorrect call last week, NFL referee Ed Hochuli worked Sunday's game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens.

Hochuli's call last Sunday played a key role in Denver's 39-38 win over San Diego. Denver quarterback Jay Cutler dropped back to pass, the ball slipped from his hand and a San Diego player recovered. But Hochuli, who has refereed two Super Bowls, ruled it an incomplete pass.

Denver retained possession, scored a touchdown and then won with a successful 2-point conversion.

In his return Sunday, Hochuli spoke with confidence on the loudspeaker during the first half.

During the days leading up to the game, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said, "Mistakes are a part of our game. We do everything we can to avoid them, but Ed's a fantastic official, and he'll continue to be a great official."

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Eagles' Jackson will learn from 'rookie' mistakes

PHILADELPHIA -- Next time DeSean Jackson is racing toward the end zone, the rookie wide receiver should tuck the ball tightly under his arm, take it with him to the sideline and put it away for safekeeping.

Jackson

Jackson's superb start with the Philadelphia Eagles -- he became the second player in NFL history to have 100 yards receiving in each of his first two games -- has been overshadowed by a colossal goof in a 41-37 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night.

Midway through a wild second quarter, Jackson sprinted past defenders, caught Donovan McNabb's long pass in stride and was on his way to a 61-yard touchdown reception. Eager to celebrate his first TD, Jackson casually flicked the ball backward before crossing the goal line. By the time he finished his dance, the Cowboys were calling for a review. The touchdown was overturned, but the Eagles got the ball at the 1.

Brian Westbrook made the mistake forgivable by scoring to give the Eagles a 27-21 lead. Still, Jackson took a lot of grief this week for the careless play. It didn't help that a record audience watched the game on television.

"I had a lot of people messing around with me about it, but I'm just going to move on with it," Jackson said. "I've got a lot more football to play. I'm just not even worried about it."

No doubt coaches and veteran players scolded Jackson, who should've known better because he made a similar gaffe in a 2005 high school all-star game. That time, the showboating Jackson spread his arms for a swan dive into the end zone, only to land at the 1.

"For your first touchdown, that's not how you want to be remembered," McNabb said. "It was a rookie mistake. I don't expect that to happen again, and I'm pretty sure it won't. It was a great play, overall, and we, hopefully, look for more plays like that to happen."

The speedy-but-diminutive Jackson -- he's generously listed at 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds -- was selected with the 49th overall pick in the second round of the draft. He was expected to make more of an immediate impact as a punt returner than receiver, but injuries to starters Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown gave Jackson a chance.

So far, he's made the most of it. Jackson leads the team with 12 catches for 216 yards. He also has a 60-yard punt return. Don Looney is the only other player to open his career with consecutive 100-yard games, doing it for Philadelphia in 1940.

"I definitely look back at the people to come out of college that come to the NFL, like Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch, their (transition) was good," Jackson said. "So, I feel confident about myself. I feel if they can do it, I can do it, too. I just prepare myself with the right mentality and came in and was willing to work."

For a little guy, Jackson has a lot of confidence. He walks around with a Terrell Owens-type swagger, minus T.O.'s bulging muscles and pedigree.

Coach Andy Reid talked about keeping Jackson humble more than once in training camp. He wouldn't say what he told Jackson after the silly fumble.

"I'm not going to get into all that," Reid said.

Jackson isn't worried about the perception he's become too cocky too soon.

"I've got a job to do -- that's to go play football," he said. "We've got games to win, the Super Bowl, it's all of that. All the other stuff, you just leave that alone and keep playing football."

Jackson had a standout career at California. He caught 162 passes for 2,423 yards and 22 TDs in 36 games, and returned six punts for scores.

Before the draft, Jackson worked out with Jerry Rice for two months. Rice tutored Jackson on running routes, advised him on the challenge of playing at the next level and stressed the importance of studying his playbook and keeping his body healthy.

But Jackson's size probably prevented him from being a first-round pick. That put a huge chip on his slight shoulders. Now he's making teams regret passing on him.

"He got his opportunity and has made the most of it up to this point," offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said. "He's a natural player. He's smart. He's got instincts. He normally does the right thing. He normally catches the ball pretty well. He'll get better at that. He's put all of that together here early. Now, the challenge is playing at a high level on a consistent basis every play, every game."

And keeping the ball snugly in his possession as he heads into the end zone.

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Lions QB Kitna sprains knee late in loss to 49ers

SAN FRANCISCO -- Jon Kitna sprained his right knee in the final minutes of Detroit's 31-13 loss to San Francisco on Sunday, and the Lions didn't know how long their veteran quarterback would be sidelined.

Jon Kitna

Quarterback
Detroit Lions

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2008 Season StatsAttCompYdsTDIntRat74455024478.5

Kitna, who went 15-of-30 for 146 yards, was hurt while getting pulled down on a sack by 49ers linebacker Parys Haralson with 1:50 left in the fourth quarter. The 12th-year pro hobbled to the bench, where the team's medical staff surrounded him on a rough end to his 36th birthday.

"It feels pretty bad right now," said Kitna, who threw one TD pass and one interception. "I just got beat up all day. The play at the end was a culmination of four or five hits. The first one was in the first quarter. ... I just came down on my knee. Sometimes when you have a bruise or something's there, and then it happens again, the pain is excruciating at first."

Dan Orlovsky replaced Kitna, but his only throw was immediately intercepted by defensive lineman Justin Smith, who hadn't picked off a pass since his rookie season with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2001.

Smith also sacked Kitna for a 12-yard loss in the first half, forcing a fumble that was recovered by center Dominic Raiola at the Detroit 2. Kitna has been sacked 12 times in three games this season after absorbing an NFL-high 51 sacks last year.

The Lions are off next week after their fourth 0-3 start in eight years. Coach Rod Marinelli wouldn't speculate on how long Kitna might be sidelined until the team's medical staff did more evaluation back in Michigan.

Orlovsky has thrown five passes in two games this season after spending the two previous years on the sideline as Detroit's No. 3 quarterback. He played in two games during his rookie season in 2005, but has never started an NFL game.

Detroit's third-stringer, Drew Stanton, spent last season on injured reserve as a rookie from Michigan State.

Kitna was downcast after the game, acknowledging disappointment in both his injury and the Lions' 67-yard performance in the first half. Detroit has just 859 net yards in its first three games while getting outscored 113-59.

"We're not consistent enough to win football games, but hopefully we will be soon," Kitna said. "I couldn't seem to get into a good rhythm today."

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LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Devin Hester's status remained a mystery and so did the extent of his rib injury. NFC North

Devin Hester has an injury in his rib area, and based on comments he made Thursday, ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert says it's hard to imagine Hester will be ready for Sunday's game. NFC North blog

• Blog network: NFL Nation After telling a few reporters earlier Thursday he had torn cartilage, the Chicago Bears' record-setting return specialist backtracked and said his ribs are simply bruised. Either way, he hopes to play against Tampa Bay on Sunday.

He remains a game-time decision after missing his second straight practice Thursday, but he seemed relieved that tests earlier in the week did not reveal a more serious problem.

"It's a lot better," Hester said after practice. "It's improved a lot, and I'm feeling a lot better."

Hester was taken from the sideline on a cart during the third quarter of last week's 20-17 loss at Carolina.

Hester said he first felt some pain earlier in the game when he landed on another player while being tackled and aggravated it on a kickoff return following a 45-yard field goal by Carolina's John Kasay. The Bears were leading 17-6 when Hester caught the ball a yard into the end zone and sprinted to the 15, where he felt a "real sharp pain" as he twisted to his left before heading out of bounds at the 23.

Hester was still in motion when Julius Peppers, trying to slow him down, extended his right arm and was seen about a second later clutching the left side of his rib cage. He walked over to the Chicago sideline and was carted away with what he thought was a more serious injury.

Instead, he was "very relieved" by the results of an MRI on Tuesday.

"It wasn't what I expected," he said. "I was expecting something [worse] than what it was. But it came out pretty good."

If he can't play, Danieal Manning will have a bigger role on kickoff returns, with Nathan Vasher returning punts.

"[Vasher] is a solid catcher," special teams coordinator Dave Toub said. "He's not a blazer. He's not going to break a 110-yard return for you like Devin will. But he's going to get you the first down. He's someone who's going to catch the ball ... and get you that first down."

Coach Lovie Smith has said Hester does not need to practice this week in order to play, and the Bears could use him on a limited basis, possibly as a decoy.

"It never hurts to have him lined up in there," Toub said. "It just plays on the mind of the other team. Are you going to play him? Is he going to return it, is he going to fair catch it, is he going let it drop? You never know. Those are all things we're thinking about, and that's why it's a game-time decision."

The two-time Pro Bowler is off to a relatively quiet start and averaged just 21.7 yards on three kickoffs against Carolina while returning two punts for 9 yards before the injury. He has six kickoff returns for just 120 yards and is averaging 11.3 yards on 25 punt returns this season.

Even so, losing him would be a big blow.

Last season, he broke his own NFL record by running back four punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns. The third-year pro is fourth on the NFL's career list with 11 kick return scores and needs just two to tie Brian Mitchell's mark.

He also returned a missed field goal 108 yards in 2006 and ran back the opening kickoff in the Super Bowl against Indianapolis that season for a touchdown.

"It's very sore, that's the main thing," Hester said. "But it's getting better. There are more things I'm starting to be able to do."

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Bills' Lynch breaks silence, weighs in on season

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- It's been nearly three months since Marshawn Lynch last spoke with reporters. On Friday, and at least for one day, he ended that media boycott.

Lynch

Lynch's self-imposed silence began after he agreed to pay a fine and apologized publicly in late June for a traffic accident that injured a pedestrian in Buffalo. The 22-year-old running back refused to talk about that incident Friday, focusing instead on football and the Bills' dynamic 2-0 start to the season.

"We can be as good as we play on Sundays, and right now we're playing good," he said. "We just have to continue to keep it up."

Along with quarterback Trent Edwards' efficient passing during the first two games, Lynch has gotten off to a solid start on the ground. A year after he topped all AFC rookies with 1,115 yards, Lynch has already rushed for a touchdown in each of the games after finishing his rookie campaign with seven scores.

Despite only 135 yards rushing and 3.6 yards per carry, Lynch has reached the end zone on runs of 11 and 21 yards, displaying his ability to break tackles and find the end zone in what he calls his "Beast Mode."

"I got in some intense workouts over the offseason," said Lynch, who swims on Tuesdays and Thursdays to help take some pounding off his body. "I feel a little stronger, a little faster."

Buffalo had been using running back Fred Jackson as strictly a backup to Lynch, but last week in its win at Jacksonville the two often found themselves on the field together, with Jackson lining up in various roles. That added dimension has already paid dividends.

"The offense that we have going on now with me and Fred coming out of the backfield, that's something that will be good for us," Lynch said.

This Sunday, Lynch will be going against the Oakland Raiders, the hometown team he grew up watching, and will have plenty of friends and family flying in for the game.

"It's special," said Lynch, who held a football camp for about 500 children in Oakland this summer. "If [my friends] are true Raiders fans, they should be rooting for the Raiders. But they're going to be rooting for Marshawn, too, so it's all good."

For the Bills, a win in Week 3 certainly will be. They haven't won their first three games since a 4-0 start in 1992, en route to the third of four straight trips to the Super Bowl during the Jim Kelly-Thurman Thomas-Bruce Smith era.

"We're comfortable with each other," Lynch said. "We're about putting up points."

And putting up early wins.

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