Running backs remain scarce in injury-ravaged backfield

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1 Running backs remain scarce in injury-ravaged backfield Page 1 of 2 SPORTS / STEELERS & NFL Running backs remain scarce in injury-ravaged backfield Steelers re-sign Najeh Davenport; likely will activate Gary Russell Wednesday, October 01, 2008 By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Ed Yozwick/ Post-Gazette photo illustration Ed Yozwick/Post-Gazette photo illustration The backfield for the Steelers in Jacksonville Sunday night might look a little like your stock portfolio today -- a lot thinner than it was two weeks ago. Help was on the way, though, in the form of veteran running back Najeh Davenport, who signed early yesterday afternoon after a late morning workout. He'll return to the same practice field he frequented the past two seasons when he was the backup to starter Willie Parker. Also, Gary Russell is on the practice squad and likely will be signed by the end of the week as Mike Tomlin looks to replace not one, not two, but three injured running backs. Parker remains out for the game in Jacksonville with a sprained knee. Rookie Rashard Mendenhall is out for the season with a fractured shoulder after Ray Lewis hit him early in the second half Monday night. Carey Davis' status is unknown with a sprained ankle. That left Mewelde Moore as the only healthy back on the team until the Steelers signed Davenport. Add Russell and possibly Davis, and the Steelers still remain thin in numbers at the position. Davenport has the most experience, and he looked to be in good shape when he worked out yesterday. He was second in rushing for the Steelers behind Parker last season with 499 yards and a 4.7-yard average per carry. He also led them with five rushing touchdowns, three more than anyone else, and scored two more receiving with 18 receptions for 184 yards. He was second on the team in rushing in 2006 with 221 yards on 60 carries with 15 receptions. The Steelers released Davenport June 28 because they drafted Mendenhall in the first round, and because Davenport was due a $1 million base salary. Russell made the team for the second consecutive season but was released before their third game, at Philadelphia, because they wanted to add special teams player Patrick Bailey for injured Donovan Woods. They signed Russell to their practice squad the day after that game. Coach Mike Tomlin would not discuss either back at his news conference yesterday, even when asked directly about Davenport. "I'm not going to talk about any until we make those moves," Tomlin said. "We've got some familiarity things working in the mix. We'll see how that unfolds. Rest assured, we'll play with a running back this week." Which of them will start is the next question. Russell played in just four games last season, including the playoff, and had 10 carries for 23 yards. Davenport, while he has kept in shape, has not practiced since the end of last season.

2 Running backs remain scarce in injury-ravaged backfield Page 2 of 2 That leaves Moore, who had one carry for 6 yards and no receptions before Monday night. The veteran, signed by the Steelers as a third-down back in free agency, came through for them in the fourth quarter and overtime to help beat Baltimore, Moore ran eight times for 13 yards, but caught three passes for one for 24 yards on third down to keep the Steelers' winning drive going, and a little later another on third down for 7 yards to put Jeff Reed in position to kick a 46-yard field goal rather than a 53-yarder. Moore has started 11 games in his five-year NFL career. He has topped 100 yards rushing four times with the Minnesota Vikings, twice in 2006 (101 vs. New Orleans, 122 at Green Bay) and twice in 2004 (109 at New Orleans, 138 vs. Tennessee). "He's capable and he has done it in his career," said Tomlin, the Vikings' defensive coordinator in "Maybe not for 16 games, but there've been stretches -- 8, 10 games -- where he's capable of doing that, has done that, in his career. "We're aware of that, and that's a factor in our decision-making, but we're going to weigh all our options. We're not going to speak too hastily this time." Ed Bouchette can be reached at ebouchette@post-gazette.com. First published on October 1, 2008 at 12:00 am

3 Steeler Notebook: Essex, Stapleton get first crack at RG job Page 1 of 2 SPORTS / STEELERS & NFL Steeler Notebook: Essex, Stapleton get first crack at RG job Wednesday, October 01, 2008 By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Trai Essex and Darnell Stapleton will compete in practice this week to start at right guard, and coach Mike Tomlin has no plan to move Willie Colon there any time soon. Those plans, though, are open to discussion based on how Essex and/or Stapleton perform. "Ask me again tomorrow," Tomlin said. There has been a clamor since last season for the Steelers to put Colon at guard and put Max Starks back at right tackle, where he started for the 2005 and 2006 seasons. "Not at this point," Tomlin said of that possible move. "But, again, I don't want to close the door on anything. I think it would be prudent for us to weigh all our options, and I'm sure we will." Guard Kendall Simmons is out for the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon. Stapleton replaced him Monday night. Essex did not dress because they activated only two backup linemen with Starks covering the tackles and Stapleton the guards and center. Essex was primarily a tackle until this preseason when he reported to training camp in great shape and Tomlin tried him at guard. He played well enough that he could start there Sunday night in Jacksonville. Injury updates Tomlin declared Casey Hampton, Willie Parker and Brett Keisel out for Jacksonville. Parker, he said, could return for the game after that, at Cincinnati Oct. 19 following their off week. "I'm hopeful of that; I'm sure Willie is. It's probably too early to tell at this point. Definitely, he has a shot." Carey Davis has a sprained ankle that responded well yesterday, but Tomlin said it is too early to determine if he can play Sunday. Davis is the only fullback on the roster; he can play running back, too. Sean McHugh, listed as a tight end but really an H-back, filled in for Davis when he left with his ankle injury Monday night. McHugh would play fullback if Davis cannot go in Jacksonville. "That's one of the things that attracted him to us," Tomlin said. "He is a tight end, an on-the-line guy, a move guy, a fullback guy. He has that experience and capability and he will continue to grow in that direction, and, really, not because of the injury, but because that's the way he's been going here since we acquired him." Special teams rookie Donovan Woods (hamstring) might return to play Sunday. So too, might special teams player and backup linebacker Andre Frazier. He was carted off the field with what was described as an injury to the spine, but he was fine after the game. "He looks to be remarkably fine," Tomlin said. "All indications are this guy's got a chance to move on and play this week, providing he passes some tests, which people are pretty confident he will. So, it's really a blessing. "It's always scary when you see somebody lay flat and they bring a board out. A lot of that probably was for precautionary reasons, but you want to exercise a little caution under those circumstances." Timeout, duh? Ahead, 17-13, the Steelers had a first down Monday night on the Baltimore 10 in the fourth quarter. Ben Roethlisberger took the snap just before the play clock ran out and threw a touchdown pass on the right side to Mewelde Moore.

4 Steeler Notebook: Essex, Stapleton get first crack at RG job Page 2 of 2 But a whistle sounded. Tomlin had called time out just before the snap, and an official noticed and gave it to him. The Steelers eventually settled for a Jeff Reed 19-yard field goal and a lead instead of going in front by 11. Baltimore then tied it to send the game into overtime. Why did he call the timeout? Tomlin thought the play clock would run out before the snap got off. "That's one of the many mistakes that I make from time to time," Tomlin acknowledged. "I told my football team this after the game, that I've got to learn to trust our quarterback in terms of managing the game from a play-clock standpoint. "I want to do it for him. I want to help, just like I want to help my kids. They've got to ride their bike and they're not always going to fall, and that's what happened under that scenario. That play clock went down to 3, 2, 1 second, and I didn't think we'd get the play off and I called the timeout. Unfortunately, after I called the timeout and they gave it to me, it looked like we had a successful play." First published on October 1, 2008 at 12:00 am

5 NFL Notebook: Davis finally ends Kiffin era Page 1 of 1 SPORTS / STEELERS & NFL NFL Notebook: Davis finally ends Kiffin era Opinionated Oakland owner points finger at departed coach for Raiders' woes Wednesday, October 01, 2008 The Associated Press The Oakland Raiders fired Lane Kiffin yesterday just four games into his second season, ending a public feud with owner Al Davis that had been simmering since the start of the year. "I reached a point where I felt that the whole staff were fractionalized, that the best thing to do to get this thing back was to make a change," Davis said during a lengthy news conference. "It hurts because I picked the guy. I picked the wrong guy." The Raiders promoted offensive line coach Tom Cable to interim head coach. Kiffin had a 5-15 record since being hired last year, losing his final game, 28-18, on Sunday to San Diego. The decision to remove Kiffin was more about his frequent criticisms of Davis' franchise as it was the team's performance on the field. Those critiques reached a peak when Kiffin distanced himself from the defense after a blowout loss in the season opener, saying that was under coordinator Rob Ryan and Davis' control. However, during a news conference yesterday, Davis also critiqued several of Kiffin's coaching and personnel decisions. The Raiders said Kiffin was fired for cause, meaning they will likely try not to pay him for the remainder of his contract. He signed a three-year deal worth about $6 million when he took over last year. Davis seemed angry at times, blaming Kiffin for most of the Raiders' woes, though he also blamed himself for hiring him in the first place. Kiffin did his best to deflect the controversy and never went to Davis to lobby for his job or a resolution. "I know that we left this team a lot better than when we got here," Kiffin told KPIX. He is expected to have his own news conference today. Ravens Baltimore running back Willis McGahee has a rib injury and his status for the Ravens' game against the Titans Sunday is unclear. McGahee sustained the injury in Baltimore's overtime loss Monday night against the Steelers. Bengals Running back Cedric Benson signed with Cincinnati which needed another runner and was undeterred by two alcoholrelated arrests in Texas that prompted the Chicago Bears to let him go. Rams St. Louis quarterback Marc Bulger got his job back, the biggest development of new coach Jim Haslett's first full day in charge of the winless team. Titans A preliminary hearing on a drunken-driving charge for Tennessee defensive end Jevon Kearse has been continued until Jan. 6. Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. First published on October 1, 2008 at 12:00 am

6 Steelers rushing Moore and more - Tribune-Review Page 1 of 2 Steelers scramble to add running backs By Scott Brown TRIBUNE-REVIEW Wednesday, October 1, 2008 It's not so much that Mewelde Moore questioned his decision to sign with the Steelers. It was more the case of Moore questioning what he had given the Steelers through the first three games of the season. After all, he had gotten one carry and had not caught a pass as the team's third-down back. "You just want to make sure you're not on a free ride," said Moore, who signed a three-year deal with the Steelers last March for almost $5 million. "Any man who has pride and respect for himself would do such a thing. You want to carry your own weight." Moore did just that in the Steelers' overtime win Monday night over the Baltimore Ravens. And the 5-foot-11, 209-pounder may have to carry more than his weight this Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Moore, whose 24-yard reception helped set up Jeff Reed's game-winning field goal, finished the game as the Steelers' only healthy running back. The Steelers added bodies, if nothing else, to their depleted running backs corps Tuesday. With Willie Parker (sprained knee) out for a second consecutive game and Rashard Mendenhall (fractured shoulder) gone for the season, the Steelers signed Najeh Davenport and Gary Russell to their 53-man roster. Davenport served as Parker's backup in before the Steelers cut him in July. Davenport, who did not sign with another team after the Steelers released him, rushed for 123 yards and a touchdown against the St. Louis Rams last December after Parker went down with a broken leg. He started the Steelers' final two games of the 2007 season, including their playoff loss to the Jaguars, but managed just 52 yards on 28 carries. Russell had been on the Steelers' 53-man roster until they released him on Sept. 20. They re-signed the second-year man three days later to their practice squad. The two players could be pressed into action immediately, especially if Carey Davis is also unable to play against the Jaguars. Davis sprained his ankle against the Ravens, and he wore a protective boot on

7 Steelers rushing Moore and more - Tribune-Review Page 2 of 2 his left foot Tuesday. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Davis "felt a lot better" yesterday but added that it is too early to tell if he will be able to play this weekend. The biggest question surrounding a backfield that is suddenly full of them is whether Moore can be the feature back, at least for the short term. Tomlin hopes Parker will return after the bye week that follows the Jacksonville game. Moore, a former Vikings running back, carried a combined 44 times the past two seasons, has one career rushing touchdown and is more of a shifty, change-of-pace type of back. Moore, who played four seasons in Minnesota before signing with the Steelers, did log 155 carries in When asked if Moore can withstand a heavy workload, Tomlin said, "There's been stretches of eight, 10 games where he's capable of doing that and has done that in his career. We're aware of that and that's a factor in our decisionmaking, but we're going to weigh all of our options." One thing Moore won't be lacking against the Jaguars is confidence. While he rushed for just 13 yards on eight carries against the Ravens, he made several Baltimore players miss on the critical 24-yard catch-and-run in overtime that came on third down. "Inside, I was just like, 'Man I need a play for me,' just so I could feel good about playing football," Moore said. "I was happy I was able to pull my (weight)." Scott Brown can be reached at sbrown@tribweb.com or Images and text copyright 2008 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co. Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from PghTrib.com

8 Tomlin's Take - Tribune-Review Page 1 of 2 Tomlin's Take: Press conference By The Tribune-Review Wednesday, October 1, 2008 Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin addressed reporters at his weekly press conference on Tuesday afternoon. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin on... The timing of the rash of injuries that have hit the Steelers: "I'm not going to come in here and complain about it. Injuries are as much a part of the game as blocking and tackling. You don't like it, but you deal with it. Not only as a football team but individually as professional football players. These guys know what comes with the territory." Going to a no-huddle offense on the road: "There are positives and negatives to it. I've heard arguments for both. People say it's tough to operate no-huddle on the road. Some people say it's a weapon because the crowd doesn't know when to cheer because you're never breaking the huddle and approaching the line of scrimmage. We'll see whether we capable of doing it or willing to do it this week." Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger dressing down the offense for its poor performance in the first half of Monday night's game: "I missed it. What happens is a lot of times, I'll say something to the team, we'll let those guys refresh themselves, we'll gather as a coaching staff in the coaches' locker room for a number of minutes and then we'll come back out and the offense will address the offense, the defense will address the defense, and then I'll address the team before I leave. Anything that occurred along those lines, it occurred while the coaches were meeting in regards to some schematic things, so I missed that, whatever that was." The progress the Steelers made in pass protection from the Eagles game to the Ravens game: "It was acceptable because we won. Of course we're still growing in that department, and not only from a protection standpoint, but from a communication standpoint, from a recognition of hots and a delivery-of-the-ball standpoint. We're a work in progress. We don't shy away from that; we work at it."

9 Tomlin's Take - Tribune-Review Page 2 of 2 Tight end Sean McHugh playing fullback against the Jaguars if a sprained ankle sidelines Carey Davis for the game: "Sean is fullback-capable, and he actually had a few snaps in our game last (Monday) night as a fullback. That's one of the things that attracted him to us, is that he is a tight end guy, a fullback guy. He has that experience and capability, and he's going to continue to grow in that direction." The Tribune-Review can be reached at or. Images and text copyright 2008 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co. Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from PghTrib.com

10 Harris: Offensive bailout - Tribune-Review Page 1 of 2 Steelers' offensive bailout By John Harris TRIBUNE-REVIEW Wednesday, October 1, 2008 Why does it seem like the Steelers' new-look offense is always a work in progress? A big run here. A key interception there. A first down here. A false start there. Where's the consistency? Where's the rhythm? And until Monday night's 23-20, comeback win over the Baltimore Ravens, where was the no-huddle to jump-start the offense? Give me the Steelers' old offense any day. Instead of three-receiver sets, how about three extra blockers to protect quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's blind side, front side and backside? The Steelers went eight consecutive quarters -- the equivalent of two games -- without a touchdown prior to Roethlisberger's 38-yard scoring toss to receiver Santonio Holmes in the third quarter. In spite of their continued struggles moving the ball, the Steelers hung around long enough for their offense to win a game they couldn't afford to lose. Fourteen quick, third-quarter points wiped out a 10-point deficit and gave the Steelers a lead. However, a surprisingly wobbly defense at key points in the game needed heroics from Roethlisberger to send the contest into overtime. With an embarrassing loss at Philadelphia in the rear-view mirror and Sunday night's game at Jacksonville looming, the Steelers still came out flat against Baltimore. It was almost inconceivable that they could look so bad early. The Ravens actually had control of the game -- and a 10-point lead -- until the Steelers' offense finally awoke from its season-long hibernation. If ever there was a moment that the Steelers needed Roethlisberger to lead the offense out of the darkness, this was it.

11 Harris: Offensive bailout - Tribune-Review Page 2 of 2 Booed in the first half, Roethlisberger heard cheers following the touchdown pass to Holmes, who cut across the middle and sidestepped potential tacklers in a spectacular, highlight-film sequence. Given a second chance, along with an opportunity to catch its collective breath, the Steelers' defense created some offense. Right outside linebacker James Harrison, as annoying as a pebble in a shoe to the Ravens, sacked poised rookie quarterback Joe Flacco, forcing a fumble. (By the way, what was Pitt's coaching staff thinking for not giving Flacco a much longer look?) Left outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley recovered Flacco's fumble and stumbled his way into the end zone for the go-ahead score. Last year, the Steelers' offense put constant pressure on the defense with inconsistent play. Time after time, the defense, ranked No. 1 in the NFL, bailed out the offense. In a classic case of role reversal, the Steelers' defense yielded a fourth-quarter touchdown, making the score after Roethlisberger guided the offense to a Jeff Reed field goal following a 49-yard bomb to Hines Ward. The question was, did Roethlisberger have any magic left in his right arm to pull a victory out of thin air? They pay Big Ben the big bucks for a reason, and he delivered as needed. John Harris can be reached at jharris@tribweb.com or Images and text copyright 2008 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co. Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from PghTrib.com

12 Starkey: More no-huddle, please - Tribune-Review Page 1 of 2 More no-huddle, please By Joe Starkey TRIBUNE-REVIEW Wednesday, October 1, 2008 Ben Roethlisberger laughed when the question arose Monday night, a half-hour after the Steelers' overtime victory over the Baltimore Ravens. Did he lobby coach Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Bruce Arians to go to the no-huddle offense late in the third quarter? "That's the reason we went to it," Roethlisberger said. "I went to Coach Tomlin first and said, 'Go ask B.A.' And then B.A. asked me, 'Do you want to do it?' "I said, 'Yeah, I was the one who came up with the idea.' " Hmmm. Shouldn't that have been the other way around, and shouldn't it have happened much earlier? You'd have thought the 37th sack of Roethlisberger in the Philadelphia game, or perhaps the rapid-fire succession of three-and-outs Monday night would have prompted Arians to try to change the pace. All the no-huddle did, when the Steelers finally went to it, was turn the momentum of the game (combined with the idiotic personal foul on Baltimore's Jarret Johnson) and perhaps the momentum of the Steelers' season. Be glad Roethlisberger spoke up. If he hadn't, the Steelers could well be two games behind the Ravens in the loss column instead of leading the AFC North at 3-1. Roethlisberger's been pining for more no-huddle since before the 2006 season, when Bill Cowher was his coach and Ken Whisenhunt his offensive coordinator. It's surprising Arians hasn't gone there more often, seeing as his promise coming in was to turn the offense over to his maturing quarterback. Given the Steelers' desperate plight at running back - I believe they're giving Dick Hoak a tryout today - this seems like the perfect time to do just that. And that means more no-huddle. It might not need to be the base offense. It definitely needs more air time. The no-huddle allows Roethlisberger to call plays based on his feel for the

13 Starkey: More no-huddle, please - Tribune-Review Page 2 of 2 game. It can keep a defense off-balance. Where others might see chaos in the no-huddle attack, Big Ben sees order. He thrives in it. "We kind of get a rhythm," he said. "It's going off what I see, not necessarily what the coaches see." That sounds like a good thing. Before going no-huddle Monday, the Steelers' offense was every bit as dreadful as it was a week earlier against the Eagles. Maybe worse. When they took possession at their 33 with 5:49 left in the third quarter, the Steelers were trailing, 13-3, with an embarrassing total of 64 yards. Their previous six possessions had gone like this: interception; three-and-out; threeand-out; three-and-out; three-and-out; five-and-out. This time, they moved 67 yards in four plays. Now, it's hard to say the no-huddle was an immediate elixir. Johnson's late hit on Hines Ward and what Roethlisberger described as a "broken-play" 38-yard touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes accounted for most of the yards on that drive. But look what happened afterward. The Ravens' defense suddenly could not dictate the tempo, as it had for the better part of three quarters. The Steelers, who went no-huddle for only one more series - a nondescript one, at that -- suddenly were able to move the ball (102 yards on their final three possessions). In the end, going no-huddle meant a lot more than Big Ben's blistering halftime speech, though that also spoke to his progression as a leader. "He led, and we followed," running back Mewelde Moore said. "It was motivational, man. He did everything that a leader's supposed to do." Tomlin spoke Tuesday of needing to trust Roethlisberger more when the play clock is running down. It's time the coaching staff trusted the quarterback to play his preferred offense, as well. Next time, Roethlisberger shouldn't have to ask. Joe Starkey can be reached at jstarkey@tribweb.com or Images and text copyright 2008 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co. Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from PghTrib.com

14 Steelers to miss Parker again - Tribune-Review Page 1 of 2 Steelers to miss Parker again By Scott Brown TRIBUNE-REVIEW Wednesday, October 1, 2008 The Steelers again will be without running back Willie Parker (sprained knee), nose tackle Casey Hampton (strained groin) and defensive end Brett Keisel (strained calf) when they visit the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. Keisel will miss his third consecutive game, and Parker and Hampton will be sidelined for the second week in a row. "Those guys are getting better, but at this point we can't say they're going to be capable of playing this weekend," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday at his weekly news conference. "We'll look forward to seeing where those guys are potentially after the bye (week)." The Steelers have a week off after the Jaguars game and don't play again until Oct. 19 when they visit the Cincinnati Bengals. Outside linebacker Donovan Woods (hamstring), who hasn't played since the season opener, will try to practice this week and could play Sunday, Tomlin said. With Kendall Simmons out for the season because of a ruptured Achilles tendon, Darnell Stapleton and Trai Essex will compete this week in practice for the starting job at right guard. Tomlin did not rule out the possibility of moving starting right tackle Willie Colon inside and inserting Max Starks at right tackle. For now, he said, Stapleton and Essex are the Steelers' options at right guard. Stapleton, a second-year man who also can play center, filled in for Simmons Monday night after the latter was hurt. Essex is listed at tackle, but he has gotten repetitions at guard. "Darnell's a capable guy," Tomlin said. "Trai Essex is a capable guy who played a bunch of guard in training camp." Tomlin admitted he cost the Steelers a touchdown against the Ravens, one that would have given them a double-digit lead early in the fourth quarter. It came after wide receiver Hines Ward caught a 49-yard pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Both Roethlisberger and left tackle Marvel Smith were slow to get up after the longest pass play of the game. Worried that the Steelers would not get the next play off in time, Tomlin signaled for a timeout right before the ball was snapped. Officials gave it to him, nullifying the 10-yard touchdown pass that Roethlisberger threw. "That's one of the many mistakes that I make from time to time," Tomlin said. "I told my football team this after the game, that I've got to learn to trust our quarterback in terms of managing the game from a play-clock standpoint. I

15 Steelers to miss Parker again - Tribune-Review Page 2 of 2 want to help, just like I want to help my kids." Outside linebacker Andre Frazier is expected to play against the Jaguars even though he sustained what initially had the look of a serious spinal injury. Frazier was hurt covering the opening kickoff and stayed down for more than 10 minutes while medical personnel attended to him. He was strapped to a headboard and taken off the field. "It's scary when you see someone laying flat and they bring the board out and those things," Tomlin said. "He looks to be doing remarkably fine, which is good. All indications are that this guy's got a chance to move on and play this week, of course, provided he passes some tests. Our people are pretty confident that he will." Digits 14 NFL rank of Jacksonville's rushing defense Rushing yards the Jaguars are yielding a game. Scott Brown can be reached at sbrown@tribweb.com or Images and text copyright 2008 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co. Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from PghTrib.com

16 Fourth and Goal - Tribune-Review Page 1 of 4 Fourth and Goal By Mike Prisuta TRIBUNE-REVIEW Wednesday, October 1, 2008 Jaguars batting.500 in season of fantastic finishes After a potentially disastrous 0-2 start, Jacksonville has evened its record via a last-second victory in Indianapolis and an overtime triumph over Houston. The Jaguars ought to be used to such drama by now. They've led in the fourth quarter in their past three games and have blown fourth-quarter advantages for three consecutive weeks. But against Indy on Sept. 21, QB David Garrard countered a touchdown run by the Colts' Joseph Addai with 1:07 remaining by directing a seven-play, 47-yard drive that culminated in Josh Scobee's 51-yard field goal with four seconds left. Jacksonville won, Last Sunday, the Jaguars surrendered a 47-yard field goal with one second left that tied their game against the Texans, 27-27, but responded by moving 51 yards in six plays for another Scobee game-winner, this time in overtime (from 37 yards with 11:25 left). Garrard's play has been especially encouraging. After throwing as many interceptions in Jacksonville's first two games as he did all of last season (three), he's been steady and dependable in the clutch. It's no coincidence that Garrard's play picked up about the time the Jaguars rediscovered their running game. After opening the season without starting C Brad Meester (biceps) and losing starting LG Vince Manuwai and RG Maurice Williams in the opener at Tennessee, Jacksonville's once dominating ground game ground to a halt. But in the past two games, the Jaguars have rushed for 236 and 139 yards, respectively. That those totals were amassed against the relatively soft Colts' and Texans' run defenses hasn't put a damper on the Jacksonville resurgence. The Jaguars are well aware that the two teams they've lost to -- Tennessee and Buffalo -- haven't been beaten by anyone else, either. Coach Jack Del Rio continues to exude a go-for-the-throat mentality, repeatedly going for it on fourth down when conventional wisdom suggests a punt is in order, trying (and

17 Fourth and Goal - Tribune-Review Page 2 of 4 recovering) surprise onside kicks and even faking a punt. Del Rio tried one of those on fourth-and-4 from the Houston 41 at the conclusion of Jacksonville's first possession Sunday, and a 41-yard touchdown resulted. Much work remains to be done, but WR Jerry Porter (hamstring) made his first appearance Sunday and actually caught a pass (for 6 yards). Another potential deep threat, WR Mike Walker (knee), hauled in five receptions (for 46 yards) after getting his hands on a Garrard toss on the game-winning field-goal drive in Indy. As the Jaguars get healthier -- CB Rashean Mathis missed most of the Houston game and S Reggie Nelson missed all of it -- they'll get better. If they can stay in contention, as they now have a chance to do thanks to their two-game winning streak, as their overall health improves, they may have a chance to do something special this season. Then and now How the Jaguars ranked in 2007, when they won 11 regular-season games and one more in the playoffs (31-29 over the Steelers at Heinz Field), and how they've fared through four games in 2008: 2007 (ranks, yard per game) Category 2008 (ranks, yard per game) No. 2, Rushing offense No. 12, No. 17, Passing offense No. 20, No. 7, Total offense No. 23, No. 11, Rushing defense No. 14, No. 15, Passing defense No. 24, No. 12, Total defense No. 18, Fred Taylor avg. per carry Maurice Jones- Drew avg. per carry David Garrard passer rating That's why they're the Rams: In a desperate and, of course, ultimately unsuccessful attempt to save his job, former St. Louis coach Scott Linehan benched QB Marc Bulger and replaced him with mobility-challenged and concussion-susceptible Trent Green. Naturally, it was Green who threw the interception that was returned 33 yards for the touchdown that wiped out a St. Louis lead in the first minute of the

18 Fourth and Goal - Tribune-Review Page 3 of 4 fourth quarter. Replacing Linehan with Jim Haslett makes sense only in St. Louis. Prior to taking Linehan's job, Haslett coordinated the defense for the Rams. That's the unit that opted to place CB Jason Craft, who was signed off the street last week when CB Fakhir Brown was cut, in single coverage against Bills WR Lee Evans. Almost on cue, Evans beat Craft for a 39-yard touchdown and two-point conversion that gave the Bills a fourth-quarter lead. Haslett's "defense" allowed an average of yards through the Rams' first four games. Prospect watch: No. 1 Oklahoma. Now that USC has done the unthinkable and actually lost a game, Oklahoma has assumed the spot atop college football's mountain, at least for now. Here's a look at a couple of Sooners that NFL scouts are keeping an eye on: Phil Loadholt, LT: The 6-foot-8, 337-pound senior is large, he has long arms and he's considered by scouts to have an NFL body. He's assessed as a likely third-rounder, with a chance to improve his stock. Duke Robinson, LG: At 6-5, 335, Robinson teams with Loadholt to give Oklahoma a dominating left side of the line. Robinson has impressed scouts as quick enough and athletic enough to pull. Robinson may sneak into the late first round but is targeted as a second- or third-rounder. Last but not least... Jermaine Gresham, TE: He's not Kellen Winslow Jr., scouts maintain. Still, Gresham is considered a "freak," which is a good thing in scout-speak. The 6-6, 261-pound junior runs well, blocks and has good hands. If he comes out early, he's probably ticketed for the second round. Gresham already has amassed 14 receptions for 256 yards -- an 18.3 average per catch -- and is tied for the team lead with four touchdown receptions. Stats of the week Upside: Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson scored a pair of rushing touchdowns in Sunday's victory over the Raiders, the 118th and 119th of Tomlinson's eight-year career. LT trails only Emmitt Smith (164) and Marcus Allen (123) on the NFL's all-time list. Downside: The Cowboys have allowed an average of 359 net yards and 31.5 points in two home games against NFC East teams this season (a victory Sept. 15 over the Eagles and a loss Sunday to the Redskins).

19 Fourth and Goal - Tribune-Review Page 4 of 4 Apparently, there's no Big D in Big D, at least not within the NFL's toughest division. Mike Prisuta can be reached at mprisuta@tribweb.com or Images and text copyright 2008 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co. Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from PghTrib.com

20 .: Print Version :. Page 1 of 2 Print Page WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 1, 2008 :: Last modified: Tuesday, September 30, :55 PM EDT Steelers will rely more on Moore By Mike Bires, Times Sports Staff PITTSBURGH Just as he started to doubt his existence as a Steeler, Mewelde Moore has emerged as a go-to guy. For three games as the Steelers third-down back, he barely touched the football. Admittedly, he had become disillusioned. He wondered if he made the right choice by signing with the Steelers in March. But now that injuries are wiping out depth at the running back position, there s a chance Moore will start when the Steelers (3-1) travel to Jacksonville for Sunday night s game against the Jaguars (2-2). At the least, he figures to get his share of touches. You just want to make sure you re not on a free ride, Moore said. You want to carry your own weight. Any man who has pride and respect for himself would think such a thing. With a degree in finance and accounting from Tulane University, Moore knows all about numbers. And before Monday night s game against the Baltimore Ravens, he knew his statistics weren t adding up in relation to his salary: one carry for 6 yards and not one pass reception. That s not much of a contribution for a guy who signed a three-year free-agent deal worth $4.95 million, a $1.35 million signing bonus included. I wanted to do more, he said. Inside I was just like, Man I need a play for me just so I could feel good about playing football. Finally, Moore got his chance in Monday s overtime win over the Ravens. Rookie Rashard Mendenhall, starting in place of Willie Parker (sprained knee), suffered a seasonending broken shoulder in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, fullback/halfback Carey Davis suffered a sprained ankle. Those circumstances allowed Moore to carry eight times for 13 yards and catch three passes for 37. It was Moore s 24-yard gain after catching a short pass on third-and-8 that set up Jeff Reed s gamewinning field goal. Mewelde played big for us, coach Mike Tomlin said. That s what we envisioned him doing for us when we signed him. Moore will get more chances Sunday. Parker definitely won t play. Davis, who limped around team headquarters Tuesday with a protective boot on his ankle, probably won t play. That s why the Steelers will add two running backs to their roster: ex-steeler Najeh Davenport, who was cut in June, and Gary Russell, who ll be elevated from

21 .: Print Version :. Page 2 of 2 the practice squad. Coach Tomlin told me when I came here that I d be his minute man and that I had to be ready at a minute s notice, Moore said. Everything he told me came true. He brought me in here to do this type of job. In the past four years when he played in Minnesota, Moore was primarily a back-up. But because of injuries, he did start 11 games with the Vikings. In four of those starts, he rushed for more than 100 yards. So he s capable, Tomlin said. He s done it before in his career. Mike Bires can be reached online at mbires@timesonline.com.

22 .: Print Version :. Page 1 of 2 Print Page WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 1, 2008 :: Last modified: Tuesday, September 30, :55 PM EDT Bires: Steelers LBs may be NFL's best By Mike Bires, Times Sports Staff Notes from the Steelers beat: - The Steelers may not have the NFL's No. 1 defense. But it s hard to imagine any team playing with better linebackers. James Harrison, the Steelers MVP last year, is off to a remarkable start. He s second in the league with 5.5 sacks. Second-year man LaMarr Woodley is on the verge of stardom. In his first season as a starter, he s second on the team with 3.5 sacks. He had an interception in the season opener and scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery in Monday night s overtime win over the Ravens. On the inside, James Farrior and Larry Foote are rock solid. Foote s performance was been especially noteworthy because he keeps holding off Lawrence Timmons, the No. 1 pick of a year ago. In a 3-4 defense, linebackers are supposed to produce splash plays. So far for the Steelers, they re doing just that. - Just before 11 a.m. Tuesday, a limousine driver dropped off the newest addition to the roster. Vacation is over, running back Najeh Davenport quipped as he wheeled his luggage into team headquarters. Davenport, who played with the Steelers in 2006 and 07 as Willie Parker s backup, is back to provide help for the Steelers injury-riddled running back situation. Now that rookie Rashard Mendenhall is out for the season with a broken shoulder, the Steelers need help. Davenport fits the bill. Strangely, Davenport was cut by the Steelers in June after Mendenhall s arrival. - Around 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, Steelers safety Ryan Clark poked his head into the media room at team headquarters and yelled, No press conference today! Press conference canceled! Coach Tomlin is injured! No, Mike Tomlin isn t hurt. Clark was just trying to lighten up the mood at team headquarters after injuries continue to mount. In a punishing game against the Ravens, guard Kendall Simmons (ruptured Achilles tendon) and Mendenhall were lost for the rest of the season. Linebacker Andre Frazier is going to be OK, but it sure was scary when he was carted off the field with a spine injury.

23 .: Print Version :. Page 2 of 2 I m not going to complain about it, Tomlin said at his weekly press conference. Injuries are as much a part of the game as blocking and tackling. You don t like it, but you deal with it. - The Steelers beleaguered offensive line is still a work in progress. But it deserves credit for dramatic improvement against the Ravens. Yes, Ben Roethlisberger was sacked three times and had to scramble out of trouble or throw under heavy pressure on several occasions. But the O-line s overall performance was light years better than its nine-sack fiasco two games ago in Philadelphia.

24 Mendenhall, Simmons done for season Page 1 of 2 Mendenhall, Simmons done for season By F. Dale Lolley, Staff writer dlolley@observer-reporter.com PITTSBURGH - The season won't get any easier for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Though they won in overtime Monday night, 23-20, against the Baltimore Ravens, the Steelers suffered two more critical injuries, further depleting an already injury-plagued lineup. Guard Kendall Simmons and rookie running back Rashard Mendenhall will be placed on injured reserve after suffering season-ending injuries against the Ravens, leaving the team with two big holes to fill in its lineup as it prepares to head to Jacksonville Sunday. "We've got a laundry list of bumps and bruises that go along with playing a football game like we played (Monday night)," said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. Starting running back Willie Parker is out with a knee injury, so the injury to Mendenhall, the team's top draft pick, leaves the Steelers thin at running back. Fullback Carey Davis suffered an ankle injury in the third quarter, leaving Mewelde Moore - who had one carry in the first three games - as the only healthy running back for the Steelers. To help rectify the situation, the Steelers signed Gary Russell off their practice squad and re-signed Najeh Davenport, who was released this summer. Moore had just 13 yards on eight carries against Baltimore, but had a clutch 24-yard reception on third down in overtime to set up Jeff Reed's 46-yard game-winning field goal. "I believe in myself as a starter," said Moore, who had three catches for 37 yards against the Ravens. "That's how it was when I first came (into the league). That mentality has never changed. But I know I can play that role. If that's what I'm asked to do, that's what I'm going to do, and I'm going to give it all I have." The 5-11, 209-pound Moore, who signed with the Steelers as a free agent in the offseason, has 11 career starts, all with the Minnesota Vikings, and four career 100-yard games. "He's capable and he has done it in his career," said Tomlin. "Maybe not for 16 games, but there have been stretches - eight, 10 games - where he's capable of doing that... in his career." Tomlin said Davis was feeling better Tuesday, but the fullback was on crutches following the game. "We're going to Jacksonville this weekend, so we need somebody to tote the thing," Tomlin said. Tomlin said Darnell Stapleton and Trai Essex will compete at practice this week to see who replaces Simmons at right guard. Because Stapleton is the backup center, he was active Monday night and replaced Simmons after he was

25 Mendenhall, Simmons done for season Page 2 of 2 injured. Essex was inactive, but has more playing experience, having made four career starts at tackle. "Darnell stepped in and played, and did a solid job," said Tomlin. "This week, we will open it up and get some competition. Darnell is a capable guy. Trai is a capable guy who played a bunch of guard in training camp. Those guys will be pitted against one another and compete this week, and we'll see how it plays out." Odds and end zones Tomlin said defensive linemen Casey Hampton and Brett Keisel will miss the game at Jacksonville.... Rookie linebacker Donovan Woods, who has been out the past two weeks with a hamstring injury, may play this week.... Linebacker Andre Frazier, who suffered what was termed a spinal injury on the opening kickoff, was walking around the locker room following the game. Tomlin said tests on Frazier came back negative and there's a possibility he could play against the Jaguars.... Mendenhall will finish his rookie season with 19 carries for 58 yards. Copyright Observer Publishing Co.

26 Ailing Steelers wonder where the RBs will come from - USATODAY.com Page 1 of 2 Powered by Ailing Steelers wonder where the RBs will come from By Gary Mihoces, USA TODAY Advertisement PITTSBURGH Safety Ryan Clark stopped by the Pittsburgh Steelers' media room before coach Mike Tomlin's Tuesday press conference to say it was called off. "Coach Tomlin is injured," Clark said. He was kidding, but the point was made. The Steelers paid a physical price for the overtime win Monday night against the Baltimore Ravens that put them atop the AFC North. POWER RANKINGS: Steelers retain standing in top 10 Rookie running back Rashard Mendenhall, who started while Willie Parker rested a knee injury, was lost for the season with a shoulder fracture in the third quarter, and the first-round pick will undergo surgery. Mendenhall's replacement, Carey Davis, left in the fourth quarter with an ankle sprain. Pittsburgh also lost starting guard Kendall Simmons for the season with a ruptured Achilles' tendon. The Steelers (3-1) play Sunday night at the Jacksonville Jaguars, who beat them twice last season. The Jaguars (2-2) have been hit hard by offensive line injuries. "Injuries are part of the game. They're as much a part of the game as blocking and tackling," Tomlin said. "You don't like it. But you deal with it." Pittsburgh also is without injured defensive line starters Casey Hampton and Brett Keisel. As with Parker, the team hopes they can return after a Week 6 bye. Reserve linebacker Andre Frazier, carted off on a stretcher after the opening kickoff, was not seriously hurt and might play Sunday. Frazier sustained what the Steelers initially described as a spine injury. "He looks to be doing remarkably fine (It's) really a blessing," Tomlin said. Pittsburgh had scored one touchdown in two previous games. There were some boos when quarterback Ben Roethlisberger took a knee on the last play of the first half with the Steelers trailing Roethlisberger did some yelling at halftime: "I was tired of being booed. And I told the guys that."

27 Ailing Steelers wonder where the RBs will come from - USATODAY.com Page 2 of 2 In a 15-second span of the third quarter, Roethlisberger threw for a touchdown and Pittsburgh's defense scored another. Operating without a huddle and calling the plays, Roethlisberger led a 67-yard drive capped by his 38-yard pass to Santonio Holmes. "Not that we were great in the second half, but we bounced back," Roethlisberger said. The next score came on linebacker LaMarr Woodley's 7-yard return of a fumble by rookie Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. Flacco rebounded to lead Baltimore (2-1) on a TD drive in the final quarter to tie it In overtime, Pittsburgh's last running back standing, Mewelde Moore, set up the winning kick with third-down catches of 24 and 7 yards. Tomlin said Davis' status for Sunday is uncertain and that Pittsburgh probably will sign two running backs. Likely additions are veteran Najeh Davenport (cut during the offseason) and practice squad player Gary Russell. Who starts at running back against the Jaguars? "Pick one for us. Your guess is as good as mine," Tomlin said. Find this article at: Check the box to include the list of links referenced in the article. Copyright 2008 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.

28 AFC North stock watch September 30, :32 PM Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker Four weeks into the 2008 regular season, let's take a look at who's hot and who's not in the AFC North division: Who's hot? 1. James Harrison, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers At some point, we may start calling Harrison "Mr. Monday Night." The Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker showed up with yet another huge performance on "Monday Night Football." Harrison had 11 tackles and 2.5 sacks, and his game-changing forced fumble against Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco led to a defensive touchdown and helped breathe new life into the Steelers in the second half of last night's overtime win. 2. Derrick Mason, WR, Baltimore Ravens Many observers were impressed with Flacco's performance in his first road game, but Mason was a major reason for the rookie's success. Mason served as Baltimore's most reliable weapon and Flacco's safety valve against the Steelers. He had eight catches for 137 yards and seemed to navigate around the Steelers' secondary with ease. 3. Jamal Lewis, RB, Cleveland Browns Lewis felt he could help the Browns with more carries, and Cleveland's coaching staff honored his wishes. The Browns improved to 5-0 when Lewis gets at least 25 carries in a game. He registered 79 yards rushing on 25 carries and a touchdown in a win over the Cincinnati Bengals. He also had two catches for 15 yards. Lewis didn't put together many explosive plays but was consistent in helping the Browns get first downs. Who's not? 1. Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, Cincinnati Bengals With starting quarterback Carson Palmer out with an elbow injury, the Cincinnati Bengals' offense committed five turnovers. Four of those can be attributed to backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. His three interceptions and a fumble prevented the Bengals from winning. Some fans in Cincinnati wanted to see Fitzpatrick play earlier in the year when Carson Palmer was struggling. Sunday's performance should put that idea to bed.

29 2. Chris Perry, RB, Cincinnati Bengals In his first year as a full-time starter, Perry is only averaging 2.9 yards per carry. He could only muster 28 yards on 12 carries against the previously winless Browns. Plus Perry lost a crucial fumble in the fourth quarter that prevented any hopes of a comeback against the Browns. 3. Steelers offensive line The victory masked another poor performance from Pittsburgh's hogs up front. The Steelers allowed three sacks in the last two games -- and couldn't open many holes in the running game. A season-ending Achilles injury to starting guard Kendall Simmons will not help. But Pittsburgh's line did play better when the offense opened it up in the second half and went no huddle. Perhaps that's part of the solution.

30 Jacksonville.com: Print this story Page 1 of 2 Most popular stories: Most viewed Most printed Most ed The Florida Times-Union September 30, 2008 Jaguars' defensive issue in plain sight Pass rush must improve, Del Rio says Vito Stellino The Times-Union Don't blame new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams for the Jaguars' defensive woes. Instead, blame head coach Jack Del Rio. That was Del Rio's message Monday as he reviewed the Jaguars' overtime victory over the Houston Texans Sunday that evened the team's record at 2-2. Quarterback David Garrard pulled the game out with his arm and his legs and was given the offensive game ball, but his performance couldn't obscure the fact that the defense continues to have problems. Still, Del Rio didn't want to point any fingers at Williams. "That's natural for the fans to seek answers," Del Rio said. "If anybody wants someone to blame, just blame me. I'll see if I can do a better job." The hiring of Williams, who likes to blitz opposing quarterbacks, and the trades to draft Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves in the first two rounds in April were expected to improve the pass rush. But the Jaguars didn't sack Houston's Matt Schaub once Sunday. He was sacked eight times in the Texans' first two games. And the Jaguars, who rank 24th overall in defense, are 27th in sacks per pass attempt. They have with just five sacks in the first four games. The Jaguars, who host Pittsburgh on Sunday night, also aren't finishing strong. They've allowed 34 of their 85 points in the fourth quarter. Del Rio didn't give any specific reasons for the problems. He said the Jaguars "do have the capabilities of functioning at a much higher level. We've got to work our butts off to get that done. We need to play better to have a chance to win a bunch of football games. The execution needs to be better."

31 Jacksonville.com: Print this story Page 2 of 2 Del Rio also didn't want to discuss the age factor on the defense, particularly on the defensive line. "I don't care to get into that kind of discussion," he said. He said he didn't want to make excuses or alibis or "things that you can try to come up with to explain away responsibility for getting it done. I'm not getting into that. I don't know how to say it much clearer. We've got to get better." First-round pick Harvey and second-rounder Quentin Groves have yet to step up and make a difference, though it often takes time for defensive linemen to develop. Harvey made his first start against the Texans and had no tackles or sacks and one quarterback hit. Groves saw part-time duty and wasn't even listed on the stat sheet. "They, along with everyone else in the defensive line, have got to look to be better," Del Rio said. Still, Groves and Harvey might get better in the future. The older players have to prove they're not losing a step. Paul Spicer (33), Rob Meier (31) and John Henderson (29) date back to the Tom Coughlin regime. Reggie Hayward, 29, hasn't been the same since he tore his Achilles two years ago. Del Rio said the problem on defense isn't just the pass rush. "I don't think it's any one thing. It's a combination of things," he said. Meanwhile, injuries have hurt in the secondary. Nickel back Scott Starks is out for the year with a knee injury, starting safety Reggie Nelson missed the Texans game with a bruised knee and starting cornerback Rashean Mathis left in the second quarter of Sunday's game with a bruised shin. The conditions of Nelson and Mathis will be updated Wednesday. vito.stellino@jacksonville.com, (904) This story can be found on Jacksonville.com at Home News Business Entertainment Sports Community Resources This site, and all its content, The Florida Times-Union

32 Raiders Fire Kiffin, Ending Short-Running Melodrama - NYTimes.com Page 1 of 2 October 1, 2008 Raiders Fire Kiffin, Ending Short-Running Melodrama By JUDY BATTISTA Lane Kiffin s brief odyssey into the bizarre world of the Oakland Raiders ended finally when his longrumored firing came Tuesday, apparently by telephone. Then Al Davis, who had not addressed reporters since he hired Kiffin last year, had an extraordinary news conference in which he called Kiffin a flat-out liar and detailed his reasons for firing him. Davis displayed and read from a three-page letter he gave Kiffin in September that enumerated his mistakes on and off the field. It cited things like clashes over personnel moves and what Davis considered lies Kiffin told the news media. Kiffin later told ESPN, I was embarrassed to watch that. Davis said Kiffin had disgraced the Raiders, and that not his 5-15 record was why he fired Kiffin. I don t think it was any one thing, Davis said. It was a cumulative thing. I think the pattern just disturbed me. Kiffin, 33, was the youngest head coach in the N.F.L. s modern era when Davis hired him, but he fell out of favor before his first season was over, and he was fired four games into his second season. Kiffin s firing has been anticipated since the off-season, but it became clear that Kiffin would not survive the bye week when ESPN reported that Davis had begun interviewing possible replacements Monday night before Kiffin was let go. Davis denied that on Tuesday and blamed Kiffin for leaking the story. The next coach the little-known offensive line coach Tom Cable will be the interim coach will be the eighth in 13 years. Kiffin is the second N.F.L. head coach fired in as many days. The St. Louis Rams let Scott Linehan go on Monday. And last week, the Detroit Lions dumped their team president, Matt Millen. And the season is just four weeks old. In a two-sentence news release, the Raiders said Kiffin was fired for cause and Davis repeatedly used that phrase. That means Davis has no intention of paying the remainder of Kiffin s contract. When Kiffin was hired last year, he signed a two-year, $4 million contract with a team option for Kiffin lasted just 20 games, the same tenure as Mike Shanahan, who was fired by Davis 20 years ago and went on to win two Super Bowls in Denver. Only Art Shell, who survived just one year when he returned to coach the Raiders in 2006, had a shorter stay. At his news conference, Davis complained about Kiffin s objection to drafting quarterback JaMarcus Russell and Kiffin s apparent lack of interest in embracing the Raiders traditions that Davis holds dear. I could never get him to feel about ex-raiders the way I wanted him to feel about ex-raiders, Davis said. Kiffin, who was Southern California s co-offensive coordinator, was 5-15 over all and 1-3 this season. Kiffin

33 Raiders Fire Kiffin, Ending Short-Running Melodrama - NYTimes.com Page 2 of 2 improved the Raiders competitiveness on the field, but he was reported to have expressed interest in the Arkansas job late last year, a move that angered Davis, who prizes loyalty above all else. Things disintegrated rapidly after that. At the end of the season, Kiffin tried to fire the defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, but Davis overruled him. Asked why he did not fire Kiffin during the off-season, Davis said, Maybe I didn t want to admit I made a mistake. Maybe it was an omen when Davis, whose Hall of Fame career includes a stint as a coach and as the American Football League commissioner, and three Super Bowl championships as the Raiders managing partner, called Kiffin Lance at his introductory news conference. At 79 years old and increasingly isolated from some members of his inner circle, Davis was surely not amused by Kiffin s outspokenness and distinct lack of anxiety about his job. But the theater of the absurd really took off after a blowout loss to the hated Denver Broncos in the season opener, when Kiffin distanced himself from the defense, saying it was under the control of Davis and Ryan. Ryan fired back in his own news conference, in which he seemed to criticize Kiffin while aligning himself with Davis. Then Kiffin said Ryan had warned him he was going to say those things ahead of time a thinly veiled implication that Ryan had been ordered to attack Kiffin by Davis. And then there were reports that a Raiders official handed out copies of a critical article about Kiffin in the Raiders press room. When a columnist asked Kiffin about his situation recently, the question was interrupted by a Raiders senior executive, John Herrera, who claimed that the article had never been distributed. (The columnist, Tim Kawakami of The San Jose Mercury News, then wrote that Herrera had distributed the article.) Herrera then called Kawakami a liar all of which was captured on a video that was circulated in league circles. The next day, Kiffin called Kawakami to apologize for the incident, although Kiffin had nothing to do with it. It was almost certainly a poke at Davis as much as it was a gracious gesture. But it could not change the perception that the Raiders were a laughingstock. It bothers me, Davis said. It really does. Copyright 2008 The New York Times Company Privacy Policy Search Corrections RSS First Look Help Contact Us Work for Us Site Map

34 Tony Mandarich admits steroid use in TV interview - USATODAY.com Page 1 of 2 Powered by Tony Mandarich admits steroid use in TV interview NEW YORK (AP) Former NFL draft bust Tony Mandarich said he used steroids at Michigan State and faked a doping test before the 1988 Rose Bowl. Advertisement He also said during an interview on Inside the NFL that will air Wednesday on Showtime that he did not use steroids in the NFL but was addicted to alcohol and painkillers. THE HUDDLE BLOG: More from Mandarich and audio from TV interview Mandarich, whose autobiography will be released in March, said he provided a fake urine sample to evade detection before the '88 Rose Bowl in which Michigan State beat Southern California Mandarich said he couldn't confirm a report that other players did the same. The offensive lineman was the No. 2 overall pick in 1989 by the Packers. He lasted just three years with Green Bay amid rumors of steroid use. "I got to the point where it was a struggle to work out three or four times a week because the priority of getting high was above the priority of working out," Mandarich said in the interview. Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

35 Tony Mandarich admits steroid use in TV interview - USATODAY.com Page 2 of 2 Find this article at: Check the box to include the list of links referenced in the article. Copyright 2008 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.

36 Forget NFL: College football is greatest show on earth - USATODAY.com Page 1 of 3 Powered by Forget NFL: College football is greatest show on earth By Paul Daugherty, The Cincinnati Enquirer Advertisement I live in an NFL town and suddenly I'm a college football geek. After 40 years of Any Given Sundays, I've been seduced by the Saturday night (and Thursday and Friday night) lights. College or pro used to be a debate full of scholarly argument. Now, it pretty much boils down to this: Self-important League Of Rich Men? Or Jacquizz Rodgers? I'll be watching Oklahoma sooner than later. And Oregon State, which dumped then-no. 1 Southern California last Thursday night, thanks partly to 189 rushing yards from Rodgers, who's small enough to dance inside a glove box. I'll watch Ohio State play at Wisconsin, because the Buckeyes have unleashed freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor and now, impossibly, are back in the national title picture, at least for a week, because Four of the Top 10 teams lost last week. College football has become a delightful game of Saturday afternoon roulette, no longer the province of the rich and traditional. It is possible for Mississippi to beat Florida. It is possible for unbeaten Vanderbilt to host Auburn and the ESPN College Game Day crew. What will the Commodores show Lee Corso Saturday? The statue of Cornelius Vanderbilt? Saturday afternoon occasionally proves that anything is possible. Sunday afternoon has become a parade of teams running the same stuff, a conga line of diva receivas, a league so dominated by quarterbacks, its best team in the last decade is instantly ordinary when it loses its Tom Brady. If you couldn't bet on NFL games or run your fantasy team, how much interest might you have? I like the college game. I suffer the full-of-itself NFL. When a writer from Sports Illustrated recently asked, tongue in cheek, if the San Francisco 49ers might offer refunds to dissatisfied customers, he got this response, from Niners chief operating officer Andy Dolich: