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Here are the latest NFL rumors from Pro Football Weekly:
|  | | Mark Brunell has thrown four interceptions and just three TD passes this year. |
There is little question that the Jaguars offense is in a bit of a slump. With quarterback Mark Brunell at the helm, the Jacksonville offense has produced just seven touchdowns this season. Observers say Brunell is hesitating to throw downfield and prematurely looking off receivers, leading some to suggest he is having a confidence problem.
Jaguars running back Fred Taylor says he will be 100 percent healthy after the team's Week 7 bye. Taylor has been plagued by a hamstring injury for much of the season.
When second-year quarterback Jonathan Quinn entered the Jags' training camp, the job backing up Brunell was his to lose. He wound up losing it to free-agent signee Jay Fiedler, who looked very good in relief of an injured Brunell in Week 6. The word on Quinn is that he can throw the ball extremely well in practice, but he has trouble putting it all together in more complex situations.
Seething over his team's performance in a 38-20 loss at Dallas in Week 7, Redskins owner Daniel Snyder met with coach Norv Turner behind closed doors for more than 30 minutes after the game. Snyder emerged from the meeting red-faced, indicating the team would hear from him this week. It wouldn't be out of character for Snyder to demand player or coaching changes in the wake of the defeat.
We hear that the Giants' front office was absolutely livid that Dallas' Deion Sanders got the ball on the final kickoff of the Week 6 Monday night game, which was won by New York 13-10. Apparently, special-teams coach Larry MacDuff talked coach Jim Fassel into trying to pop up the kickoff rather than just squibbing it. Sanders got the ball and started a lateral-filled return that went all the way, but it was brought back because of an illegal-forward lateral penalty.
The Browns will go after more help at running back and wide receiver after the season, looking for impact players. We hear the Browns are still very interested in Florida State receiver Peter Warrick, despite his legal troubles. Coach Chris Palmer has indicated that he would prefer a blue-chip receiver over a blue-chip back because teams are already keying on rookie receiver Kevin Johnson.
Part of the reason the Buccaneers' proposed trade of defensive end Regan Upshaw to the 49ers for a draft pick never materialized was because of the poor communication between the two teams. We hear that practically every time the Bucs tried to talk to a member of the Niners' personnel department, they talked to someone different. Hence, the Bucs had trouble figuring out what the 49ers were offering. In the end, the Niners were unwilling to part with any draft picks, as they attempt to retool an aging team.
The Bears remain in Walt Harris' corner, even though the cornerback has been scorched for touchdowns on several occasions this season. When asked if Harris would keep his starting job, coach Dick Jauron replied, "Absolutely." Jauron likes Harris' toughness and tackling ability.
Green Bay return specialist Desmond Howard has failed to recapture the magic from his last Packers season in 1996, when he returned four punts and one kickoff for touchdowns (including the postseason). While Green Bay's special-teams blocking hasn't been up to par, Howard hasn't been able to make things happen on his own.
The Saints have had a competitive battle for playing time at free safety since training camp, but they're finally beginning to lean in the direction of Willie Clay over Rob Kelly during critical parts of games. Kelly hasn't made many mistakes, but his biggest problem has been tackling, and Clay has been stronger against the run.
The reason for the insertion of wide receiver Tim Dwight into the starting lineup is that the Falcons felt they couldn't go any longer without a legitimate deep threat. Chris Calloway has done well, but knee and ankle problems have slowed him down to the point where he couldn't gain on Rams defensive end Grant Wistrom during Wistrom's 91-yard interception return in Week 6.
Saints coach Mike Ditka on cornerback Ashley Ambrose: "Whether he's playing for us or someone else, I'd have to say that Ashley Ambrose is a good football player. He's far superior to what I thought, and I don't think there's anyone who plays the corner any better than him in the NFL."
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| 1999 SEASON STATISTICS |
| REC |
YDS |
YDS/R |
TD |
LNG |
FUM |
| 16 |
184 |
11.5 |
2 |
22 |
0 |
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|
An MRI taken last week on Patriots tight end Ben Coates' left knee was negative, but Coates clearly has not been the same player this season. He has started to show signs of age (Coates is 30) and has been dropping some catchable passes.
Before his team's Week 7 game against the Raiders, Jets coach Bill Parcells was asked what he liked about quarterback Rick Mirer. "That's a question that's difficult to answer at this time," Parcells said.
Why has the Jets' run defense struggled so much this season? We hear there are several factors: Nose tackle Jason Ferguson's injuries, which have either sidelined him or rendered him less than 100 percent; inside linebackers Marvin Jones and Bryan Cox failing to play up to previous levels; safety Steve Atwater's injury problems; and the lack of size of the Jets' cornerbacks for run-support purposes.
We hear Dolphins defensive end Kenny Mixon is deep in Jimmy Johnson's doghouse. Mixon is not expected to regain his starting left end job when he returns from multiple abrasions and contusions suffered in a motorcycle accident.
Dolphins wide receiver Yatil Green's third season is shaping up like his first two: a total washout. Green, who missed his first two seasons because of knee surgeries, has again been plagued by injuries. He faces a season full of deactivations because of the ability of Miami's other reserve wideouts to contribute on special teams.
Free safety Chris Carter, starting for the first time this season, continues to be the subject of criticism in New England. Carter has been plagued by mistakes born out of inexperience. Meanwhile, strong safety Lawyer Milloy has been playing up a storm, making big hits and plays all over the field.
Steelers defensive end Orpheus Roye is starting to reach his potential. Roye, a quick, strong 3-4 end, has taken full advantage of the increased playing time he has received since Nolan Harrison (pectoral) was sidelined.
After a tough training camp and some early-season struggles, Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt has regained his confidence, and the confidence of the coaching staff.
The Seahawks have offered Jon Kitna a four-year contract extension that would pay the quarterback mid-level starter's money. The two sides seem to be on the same page as far as the value of the deal is concerned. Kitna is scheduled to become a restricted free agent after the season.
Wide receiver Joey Galloway was in Seattle last week, but it was just to take care of matters at his house, not because any resolution to his holdout is on the horizon. Galloway must be on the active roster for six games to run the fifth and final year off his existing contract.
Quarterback Ryan Leaf said that going to play in NFL Europe next spring is not an option. Chargers coach Mike Riley did not dismiss the possibility on a national conference call last week, but it does not appear the organization has any inclination to send Leaf to Europe.
Parcells said after watching tape of Raiders center Barret Robbins' performance vs. massive Buffalo nose tackle Ted Washington in Week 6 that it was the first time he had seen Washington pushed around.
Material from Pro Football Weekly.
Visit PFW's web site at http://www.profootballweekly.com
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