Dallas Cowboys 38 - Tampa Bay 10, Ok Coach Parcells, I Was Wrong

When Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Billl Parcells Benched Drew Bledsoe for Tony Romo, I thought he'd lost it. Ok. I was wrong. Romo's catching on fast with a Thanksgiving Day record five TD passes. Now I think the Cowboys real test will be when they face the NY Giants, because I think they have their number with that defense. We will see if Dallas makes the right adjustments.

Nov. 23, 2006, 10:53PM
Romo lifts Cowboys over Bucs 38-10

By JAIME ARON AP Sports Writer
© 2006 The Associated Press

IRVING, Texas — For a three-play stretch Thursday, Tony Romo looked like a guy making only his fifth start after 3 1/2 years on the bench.

He threw low and inside on what could've been a long touchdown pass to Terry Glenn. On the next snap, he held the ball too long and got sacked. Then he came up short on a deep ball to a wide-open Terrell Owens.

He hardly misfired again.

Romo went on to throw five touchdown passes, tying a Dallas Cowboys record and leading them to an easy 38-10 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

"I thought it was Aikman out there," Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden said.

Well, there was one difference: Troy Aikman needed overtime for the only five-TD game of his career. And Roger Staubach, the other Hall of Fame quarterback for the Cowboys, never did it.

While it's tough to lump Romo in with those guys at this point in his career, it is no longer "ludicrous" to consider him being Pro Bowl-caliber, as coach Bill Parcells said earlier this week.

The Cowboys are 7-4, with a half-game lead in the NFC East and the second-most wins in the conference behind Chicago (9-1), and Romo is a major reason for it.

He's 4-1 as a starter, with three straight wins. In the previous two, he outplayed Peyton Manning as Dallas handed Indianapolis its first loss and he earned NFC offensive player of the week honors for his performance against Arizona.

This time, Romo was 22-of-29 for 306 yards, with a stretch of 13 straight completions. He went 9-of-10 in the second half, making him 29-of-31 after halftime over his last three games.

"The sky is the limit for the guy," said Terrell Owens, who for all his antics knows a thing or two about quarterbacks, having played with Steve Young in San Francisco and Donovan McNabb in Philadelphia. "He's poised back there in the pocket. He makes things happen on the run. He makes great decisions and he's managing the game. He's exceeding expectations right now."

The Buccaneers (3-8) continue living down to their expectations.

After opening the game with an 80-yard touchdown drive, Tampa Bay crossed midfield only once more to lose for the fourth time in five games. Joey Galloway caught three passes for 71 yards in his first game against the Cowboys since they traded him for Keyshawn Johnson, but two of the catches and 59 of the yards came on that opening series.

Romo responded to the early 7-0 deficit by leading Dallas to five touchdowns in a span of six drives. He was at his best right around halftime _ with a 74-yard drive during a 2-minute drill that made it 21-10 at the break, then opening the third quarter with an 82-yard drive that featured a 45-yard pass to Glenn.

Romo's passer rating was 148.9, an incompletion or two from being perfect. Considering he came in 0.5 behind Manning for No. 1 in that category, Peyton is going to need one heck of a game this weekend or the new league leader is going to be Romo, an undrafted former Division I-AA MVP from Eastern Illinois who spent the first six games this season backing up Drew Bledsoe.

"He's managing the game well. And that's what he's supposed to do," Parcells said. "He's a football guy and he's interested in playing well. But we've got a ways to go here. So put the anointing oil away, OK?"

Tell that to the fans who chanted "Ro-mo! Ro-mo!" during Fox's postgame show. Or to the fans who hung his name in the Ring of Honor during warmups; it was taken down before kickoff.

"It'll be the last time they take it down," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said eagerly in the giddy winning locker room.

Romo caught a glimpse of the sign. After denying he saw it, he broke into a smile and called it "pretty funny."

Then came a big dose of humility from a player known more for his confidence.

"That is an injustice to those guys," he said. "Every single one of them have had unbelievable careers. That's something you aspire to one day. If I could play another 15 years, maybe. ... I got things I still have to work on and get better at. Believe me, I haven't arrived yet, by any means."

Parcells keeps saying he's waiting to see how Romo bounces back from a bad game. He's going to have to wait at least 10 days, when Dallas plays on the road against the New York Giants, the first team that Romo will go against a second time. The first meaningful action of his career was against them _ only a month ago Thursday.

At 7-4, the Cowboys have the same record they had coming out of last year's Thanksgiving game. Led by Bledsoe, they won only two more games and missed the playoffs.

Parcells said things are different this time because Dallas lost on the holiday last year. He's also starting to reveal his optimism for this club.

"I think we're going to be in it here for a little while," Parcells said.

Glenn caught Romo's first two TD passes, of 30 and 2 yards. Marion Barber III caught the next two, giving him an NFC-best 11 touchdowns.

The record-tying fifth went to Owens and he capped it in holiday style by depositing the ball into one of the Salvation Army red kettles being used as a prop for the charity's annual holiday fundraising campaign.

"That was my donation," T.O. said. "I hope it's as much as the fine."

Notes:@ The Cowboys hadn't scored a first-quarter touchdown in seven games until Romo's first TD. ... Tampa Bay quarterback Bruce Gradkowski went 10-of-20 for 120 yards with two interceptions. ... LB Derrick Brooks set a Tampa Bay record by starting his 184th game. The mark had been held by OT Paul Gruber. ... This was the ninth time a Cowboys QB threw five TD passes. The last was by Aikman in OT in the 1999 opener; the last in regulation was Danny White in 1983.

Jake Plummer Says Broncos Coach Mike Shanahan Has Not Told Him He Was Benched

Just now on NFL Network, Jake Plummer has said he wasn't told he was benched in favor of rookie Jay Cutler. Stay tuned.

Denny Green - Arizona Cardinals Not Firing Green Now

NFL

Cardinals deny they've decided to fire Green

November 23, 2006

PHOENIX -- The rumor mill is churning about who Arizona Cardinals coach Dennis Green's replacement will be, even though the team says Green has not been fired.

The Cardinals on Wednesday denied an Internet report that owner Bill Bidwill had decided to fire Green at the end of the season and wants to hire former Lions and 49ers coach Steve Mariucci, the Arizona Republic reported.

A report on HallofFameMagazine.com, citing well-placed NFL sources, claimed the decision to replace Green was made the day after his well-documented explosion following his team's Monday night collapse against the Bears. The site reported the team has held preliminary talks with Mariucci--which Mariucci reportedly denied to a "mutual friend," saying that he's focusing on his work for the NFL Network.

The Cardinals likely wouldn't move that quickly should they decide to fire Green, the Arizona Republic reported. NFL rules require them to interview a minority candidate and Bidwill is known as stickler for following league rules, the paper writes.

NFL WEEK 12 INJURY REPORT -- WEDNESDAY

FOR USE AS DESIRED
NFL-PER-12A 11/22/06
4=1
WEEK 12 INJURY REPORT -- WEDNESDAY
Jacksonville Jaguars Out Byron Leftwich (Ankle)
Miami Dolphins Out Daunte Culpepper (Knee)
Green Bay Packers Questionable Brett Favre (Right Elbow)
Houston Texans Probable David Carr (Right Shoulder)
New England Patriots Probable Tom Brady (Right Shoulder)
New York Jets Probable Chad Pennington (Calf)
Seattle Seahawks Probable Matt Hasselbeck (Knee)
MIAMI DOLPHINS AT DETROIT LIONS on Thursday
Miami Dolphins
OUT QB Daunte Culpepper (Knee); G Jeno James (Knee); S
Travares Tillman (Hand)
QUESTIONABLE CB Will Allen (Groin)
PROBABLE RB Ronnie Brown (Groin); DT Keith Traylor (Knee); WR Wes
Welker (Ankle); CB Michael Lehan (Nose); LB Channing
Crowder (Hip); DE David Bowens (Ankle); TE Randy McMichael
(Shoulder)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
TUES Daunte Culpepper; Jeno James; Travares Tillman; Will Allen
WED No Practice Conducted
Detroit Lions
DOUBTFUL DT Shaun Cody (Toe)
QUESTIONABLE G Blaine Saipaia (Chest); RB Kevin Jones (Ankle); WR Eddie
Drummond (Concussion); WR Devale Ellis (Shoulder); S Kenoy
Kennedy (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
TUES Shaun Cody; Kevin Jones; Eddie Drummond; Devale Ellis
WED Shaun Cody; Kevin Jones; Eddie Drummond; Devale Ellis
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT DALLAS COWBOYS on Thursday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
OUT DE Simeon Rice (Shoulder)
DOUBTFUL TE Alex Smith (Ankle); DT Ellis Wyms (Ankle)
QUESTIONABLE TE Dave Moore (Illness); RB Michael Pittman (Shoulder); LB
Shelton Quarles (Knee); CB Juran Bolden (Shin); T Anthony
Davis (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
TUES Simeon Rice; Alex Smith; Ellis Wyms
WED Simeon Rice; Alex Smith; Ellis Wyms
Dallas Cowboys
No Injuries to Report
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
TUES All Players Participated
WED All Players Participated
DENVER BRONCOS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS on Thursday
Denver Broncos
OUT S Nick Ferguson (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE RB Mike Bell (Thigh); RB Tatum Bell (Toe); G Cooper Carlisle
(Back); DE Kenard Lang (Knee); WR Brandon Marshall (Ankle);
WR Rod Smith (Ankle); CB Darrent Williams (Shoulder)
PROBABLE DE Patrick Chukwurah (Hamstring); RB Kyle Johnson (Ankle);
RB Cedric Cobbs (Ankle); LB Al Wilson (Thumb)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
TUES Nick Ferguson; Cooper Carlisle; Kenard Lang; Brandon Marshall;
Rod Smith; Darrent Williams
WED Nick Ferguson; Cooper Carlisle
Kansas City Chiefs
OUT T Kevin Sampson (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE TE Tony Gonzalez (Shoulder); LB Derrick Johnson (Ankle)
PROBABLE DE Tamba Hali (Hip); G Brian Waters (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
TUES Kevin Sampson; Tony Gonzalez
WED No Practice Conducted
ARIZONA CARDINALS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Arizona Cardinals
OUT DE Bert Berry (Triceps)
PROBABLE TE Fred Wakefield (Groin); P Scott Player (Groin)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Bert Berry; Fred Wakefield; Scott Player
THURS Practice Not Complete
Minnesota Vikings
QUESTIONABLE CB Cedric Griffin (Neck); G Artis Hicks (Ankle); T Marcus
Johnson (Ankle)
PROBABLE RB Chester Taylor (Neck); DT Pat Williams (Knee); LB
Dontarrious Thomas (Hamstring); CB Antoine Winfield
(Concussion); DE Jayme Mitchell (Shoulder); LB Napoleon
Harris (Wrist); WR Marcus Robinson (Back);
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Marcus Robinson; Napoleon Harris; Cedric Griffin; Artis Hicks;
Marcus Johnson; Chester Taylor; Pat Williams’ Dontarrious
Thomas; Antoine Winfield; Jayme Mitchell
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT ST. LOUIS RAMS
San Francisco 49ers
QUESTIONABLE T Jonas Jennings (Ankle); CB Shawntae Spencer (Ankle)
PROBABLE WR Arnaz Battle (Hand); LB Jeff Ulbrich (Thumb)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Jonas Jennings; Shawntae Spencer; Arnaz Battle
St. Louis Rams
QUESTIONABLE G Adam Timmerman (Ribs); RB Paul Smith (Hamstring)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Adam Timmerman; Paul Smith
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT ATLANTA FALCONS
New Orleans Saints
QUESTIONABLE WR Marques Colston (Ankle); TE Ernie Conwell (Knee); RB
Aaron Stecker (Ankle); CB Fred Thomas (Thumb); S Bryan Scott
(Foot); WR Terrance Copper (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Marques Colston; Aaron Stecker; Fred Thomas; Bryan Scott
Atlanta Falcons
OUT CB Jason Webster (Groin)
QUESTIONABLE DT Grady Jackson (Knee); T Todd Weiner (Knee); CB Jimmy
Williams (Ankle); DT Jonathan Babineaux (Foot); DE John
Abraham (Groin)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Jason Webster; Grady Jackson; Todd Weiner; Jimmy Williams;
Jonathan Babineaux
PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS
Pittsburgh Steelers
DOUBTFUL WR Willie Reid (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE RB Najeh Davenport (Groin); WR Hines Ward (Knee)
PROBABLE LB Clark Haggans (Quadricep); LB James Harrison (Ankle); C
Jeff Hartings (Knee); CB Deshea Townsend (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Willie Reid; Najeh Davenport; Hines Ward; Deshea Townsend
Baltimore Ravens
QUESTIONABLE LB Ray Lewis (Back); G Keydrick Vincent (Thigh); TE Daniel
Wilcox (Thigh); LB Adalius Thomas (Ankle)
PROBABLE S Ed Reed (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Ray Lewis; Keydrick Vincent; Daniel Wilcox
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT BUFFALO BILLS
Jacksonville Jaguars
OUT S Donovin Darius (Ankle (on IR)); QB Byron Leftwich (Ankle)
DOUBTFUL CB Terry Cousin (Groin)
QUESTIONABLE WR Cortez Hankton (Hamstring); WR Ernest Wilford (Ankle); CB
Brian Williams (Hamstring)
PROBABLE LB Jorge Cordova (Hamstring); P Chris Hanson (Left
Hamstring); TE George Wrighster (Shoulder); DT John
Henderson (Hamstring); LB Clint Ingram (Shoulder); CB
Rashean Mathis (Ankle); LB Kenneth Pettway (Groin); S Nick
Sorensen (Calf); DT Marcus Stroud (Ankle); RB Fred Taylor
(Groin); RB Derrick Wimbush (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Donovin Darius; Byron Leftwich; Terry Cousin; Cortez Hankton;
Ernest Wilford; Brian Williams; Chris Hanson
Buffalo Bills
DOUBTFUL LB Keith Ellison (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE RB Willis McGahee (Ribs); WR Josh Reed (Kidney)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Keith Ellison
CINCINNATI BENGALS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS
Cincinnati Bengals
OUT C Rich Braham (Knee); G Bobbie Williams (Appendix)
DOUBTFUL WR Kelley Washington (Hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE CB Deltha O'Neal (Shoulder); CB Keiwan Ratliff (Ribs); LB Brian
Simmons (Neck); T Levi Jones (Knee); S Dexter Jackson
(Achilles)
PROBABLE WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Ribs); RB Jeremi Johnson (Toe);
DT Sam Adams (Knee); T Willie Anderson (Shoulder); DT John
Thornton (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Rich Braham; Bobbie Williams; Kelley Washington; Deltha
O'Neal; Keiwan Ratliff; Brian Simmons; Levi Jones; Jeremi
Johnson; Sam Adams; Willie Anderson; John Thornton
Cleveland Browns
QUESTIONABLE TE Kellen Winslow (Knee); LB Leon Williams (Ankle); DT Ted
Washington (Elbow); S Brian Russell (Elbow); LB Willie
McGinest (Ankle); S Justin Hamilton (Back); WR Braylon
Edwards (Forearm); CB Leigh Bodden (Ankle); G Cosey
Coleman (Foot); RB Reuben Droughns (Foot)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Brian Russell; Willie McGinest; Justin Hamilton; Leigh Bodden
HOUSTON TEXANS AT NEW YORK JETS
Houston Texans
DOUBTFUL DE Antwan Peek (Knee)
PROBABLE QB David Carr (Right Shoulder); RB Jameel Cook (Knee); WR
Andre Johnson (Thigh); LB DaShon Polk (Knee); T Ephraim
Salaam (Ankle); DE Anthony Weaver (Knee); DE Mario Williams
(Foot)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Antwan Peek; Jameel Cook; Andre Johnson
New York Jets
QUESTIONABLE RB B.J. Askew (Foot); CB David Barrett (Hip); CB Andre Dyson
(Neck); RB Cedric Houston (Knee)
PROBABLE RB Kevan Barlow (Calf); LB Matt Chatham (Foot); WR Tim
Dwight (Thigh); G Pete Kendall (Knee); WR Justin McCareins
(Foot); DT Rashad Moore (Hand); QB Chad Pennington (Calf)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED B.J. Askew; David Barrett; Andre Dyson; Cedric Houston; Tim
Dwight
CAROLINA PANTHERS AT WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Carolina Panthers
OUT C Justin Hartwig (Groin)
QUESTIONABLE CB Ken Lucas (Thigh); RB DeShaun Foster (Elbow); G Mike
Wahle (Shoulder)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Justin Hartwig; Ken Lucas; DeShaun Foster
Washington Redskins
DOUBTFUL WR David Patten (Hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE S Troy Vincent (Hamstring); WR Santana Moss (Hamstring)
PROBABLE DE Phillip Daniels (Wrist); T Jon Jansen (Calf); T Chris Samuels
(Knee); C Casey Rabach (Shoulder)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED David Patten; Troy Vincent; Santana Moss; Phillip Daniels; Jon
Jansen; Chris Samuels; Casey Rabach
OAKLAND RAIDERS AT SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
Oakland Raiders
OUT T Robert Gallery (Elbow); RB LaMont Jordan (Knee)
DOUBTFUL LB Isaiah Ekejiuba (Foot); WR Jerry Porter (Hip)
QUESTIONABLE G Barry Sims (Abdomen)
PROBABLE DE Derrick Burgess (Back); LB Robert Thomas (Heel)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Practice Not Complete
NEW YORK GIANTS AT TENNESSEE TITANS
New York Giants
OUT T Luke Petitgout (Fibula)
DOUBTFUL CB Sam Madison (Hamstring); DE Michael Strahan (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE DT Barry Cofield (Groin); WR Sinorice Moss (Quadricep); LB
Brandon Short (Quadricep); DE Osi Umenyiora (Hip Flexor)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Practice Not Complete
Tennessee Titans
OUT DE Antwan Odom (Knee); TE Ben Troupe (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE CB Reynaldo Hill (Ankle); DE Travis LaBoy (Concussion); DE
Josh Savage (Hamstring); CB Andre Woolfolk (Ankle); TE Ben
Hartsock (Hamstring)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Antwan Odom; Ben Troupe; Travis LaBoy; Josh Savage; Andre
Woolfolk
CHICAGO BEARS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Chicago Bears
QUESTIONABLE CB Dante Wesley (Knee)
PROBABLE TE Desmond Clark (Foot); RB Thomas Jones (Groin)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Desmond Clark; Thomas Jones
New England Patriots
OUT S Rodney Harrison (Shoulder)
QUESTIONABLE TE Daniel Graham (Ankle); CB Ellis Hobbs (Wrist); LB Corey
Mays (Hamstring); P Josh Miller (Shoulder); CB Asante Samuel
(Knee); CB Chad Scott (Groin); TE David Thomas (Groin); S
Eugene Wilson (Hamstring)
PROBABLE DE Richard Seymour (Elbow); QB Tom Brady (Right Shoulder)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
TUES Rodney Harrison; Daniel Graham; Ellis Hobbs; Corey Mays; Josh
Miller; Asante Samuel; Chad Scott; David Thomas; Eugene
Wilson
WED Rodney Harrison; Daniel Graham; Ellis Hobbs; Corey Mays; Josh
Miller; Asante Samuel; Chad Scott; David Thomas; Eugene
Wilson
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Philadelphia Eagles
DOUBTFUL LB Shawn Barber (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE CB William James (Knee); LB Jason Short (Ankle)
PROBABLE RB Brian Westbrook (Knee); LB Matt McCoy (Shoulder)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Shawn Barber; Jason Short; CB William James
Indianapolis Colts
OUT DT Montae Reagor (Head)
QUESTIONABLE S Bob Sanders (Knee); WR Brandon Stokley (Knee); LB Rocky
Boiman (Upper Arm); LB Gary Brackett (Hamstring); G Dylan
Gandy (Low Back); LB Gilbert Gardner (Rib); CB Matt Giordano
(Calf); CB Nicholas Harper (Hip); LB Freddy Keiaho (Shoulder);
G Ryan Lilja (Knee); LB Keith O'Neil (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Montae Reagor; Bob Sanders; Brandon Stokley; Gilbert Gardner;
Matt Giordano; Nicholas Harper; Keith O'Neil
GREEN BAY PACKERS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS on Monday
Green Bay Packers
DOUBTFUL CB Will Blackmon (Rib); LB Nick Barnett (Hand); T Mark
Tauscher (Groin); LB Ben Taylor (Hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE CB Charles Woodson (Shoulder); RB Brandon Miree (Elbow);
LB Tracy White (Knee); DT Cullen Jenkins (Ankle); TE David
Martin (Ribs); RB Vernand Morency (Back); QB Brett Favre
(Right Elbow)
PROBABLE RB Ahman Green (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Will Blackmon; Nick Barnett; Mark Tauscher; Ben Taylor; Charles
Woodson; Cullen Jenkins; David Martin; Vernand Morency; Brett
Favre; Ahman Green
Seattle Seahawks
OUT LB D.D. Lewis (Toe)
DOUBTFUL RB Josh Parry (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE DT Rocky Bernard (Foot); T Sean Locklear (Ankle); C Robbie
Tobeck (Hip)
PROBABLE WR Bobby Engram (Illness); QB Matt Hasselbeck (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
WED Practice Not Complete

NFL WEEK 12 INJURY REPORT -- TUESDAY

FOR USE AS DESIRED
NFL-PER-12 11/21/06
WEEK 12 INJURY REPORT -- TUESDAY
Miami Dolphins Out Daunte Culpepper r (Knee)
MIAMI DOLPHINS AT DETROIT LIONS on Thursday
Miami Dolphins
OUT QB Daunte Culpepper (Knee); G Jeno James (Knee); S
Travares Tillman (Hand)
QUESTIONABLE CB Will Allen (Groin)
PROBABLE RB Ronnie Brown (Groin); DT Keith Traylor (Knee); WR Wes
Welker (Ankle); CB Michael Lehan (Nose); LB Channing
Crowder (Hip); DE David Bowens (Ankle); TE Randy McMichael
(Shoulder)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
TUES Daunte Culpepper; Jeno James; Travares Tillman; Will Allen
Detroit Lions
DOUBTFUL DT Shaun Cody (Toe)
QUESTIONABLE G Blaine Saipaia (Chest); RB Kevin Jones (Ankle); WR Eddie
Drummond (Concussion); WR Devale Ellis (Shoulder)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
TUES Shaun Cody; Kevin Jones; Eddie Drummond; Devale Ellis
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT DALLAS COWBOYS on Thursday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DOUBTFUL DE Simeon Rice (Shoulder)
QUESTIONABLE CB Juran Bolden (Shin); T Anthony Davis (Ankle); TE Dave
Moore (Illness); RB Michael Pittman (Shoulder); LB Shelton
Quarles (Knee); TE Alex Smith (Ankle); DT Ellis Wyms (Ankle)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
TUES Simeon Rice; Juran Bolden; Dave Moore; Shelton Quarles; Alex
Smith; Ellis Wyms
Dallas Cowboys
No Injuries to Report
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
TUES All Players Participated
DENVER BRONCOS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS on Thursday
Denver Broncos
OUT S Nick Ferguson (Knee)
QUESTIONABLE RB Mike Bell (Thigh); RB Tatum Bell (Toe); G Cooper Carlisle
(Back); DE Kenard Lang (Knee); WR Brandon Marshall (Ankle);
WR Rod Smith (Ankle); CB Darrent Williams (Shoulder)
PROBABLE DE Patrick Chukwurah (Hamstring); RB Kyle Johnson (Ankle);
RB Cedric Cobbs (Ankle); LB Al Wilson (Thumb)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
TUES Practice Not Complete
Kansas City Chiefs
OUT T Kevin Sampson (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE TE Tony Gonzalez (Shoulder); LB Derrick Johnson (Ankle)
PROBABLE DE Tamba Hali (Hip); G Brian Waters (Knee)
Listed players who did not participate in ''team'' practice:
(Defined as missing any portion of 11-on-11 team work)
TUES Kevin Sampson; Tony Gonzalez

Tom Nalen Fined $25,000; Denver Broncos Angry With Punishment - Denver Post

Tom Nalen's $25,000 fine angers teammates
By Tom Kensler
Denver Post Staff Writer

Article Last Updated:11/22/2006 11:34:03 PM MST

News that veteran center Tom Nalen had been fined $25,000 by the NFL for an attempted cut block drew about the same reaction in the Broncos' locker room as that Sunday night loss to the San Diego Chargers.
Shock. Bewilderment. And a chorus of anger.
"I can't believe it; it doesn't seem fair," Broncos tight end Stephen Alexander said Wednesday before the team flew to Kansas City for tonight's game against the Chiefs.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed Wednesday that Nalen was fined $25,000 for attempting to cut block an opponent and Chargers defensive tackle Igor Olshansky had been fined $10,000 for clubbing.
Nalen's agent, Brad Blank, said he appealed the fine immediately upon hearing of the suspension Wednesday. The appeal process could take a few months. Blank had no further comment.
With 35 seconds remaining, Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer spiked the ball to stop the clock. Usually there is not much time for contact initiated by either side, but Nalen dived at Ol- shansky's lower legs. The San Diego defensive tackle retaliated by hammering his fist on Nalen's helmet.
"I had surgery four weeks ago," Olshansky told San Diego reporters Wednesday. "Mentally, it affects you when you have surgery on your knee during the season and you have to play with pain and all that other stuff. It's bad enough I have to deal with that and now a guy is trying to dive on my knee, and it's not a football play."
The Broncos have game film showing Olshansky getting physical on several plays previously, including punching offensive linemen and grabbing running back Damien Nash by the face mask. Nalen is expected to argue the fine levied against him was excessive.
Earlier this month, Oakland's Tyler Brayton was fined $25,000 for kneeing Seattle's Jerramy Stevens in the groin. Stevens was fined $15,000 for initiating the fight. This time, the initiator, Nalen, was fined much more than the player who struck back.
Also, Nalen likely will argue that he didn't know the play was going to be a clock killer. Alexander was on the line, three players away from Nalen, when Plummer took the snap from center. Alexander said he couldn't blame Nalen for attempting to execute a block.
"On that (spike) play, there is an option to throw the ball," Alexander said. "It's hard for Tommy to know if the ball is going to be thrown or spiked or whatever.
"I'd hope that the fine will be rescinded or at least talked about (in the NFL office). I don't fault Tommy for what he did."
Olshansky cost the Chargers 15 yards when he was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct and kicked out of the game.
Alexander differentiated Nalen's action from what Brayton did.
"The difference is, what Tommy did was a legal play," Alexander said. "It was right there on national TV that the other guy (Olshansky) took two swings and hit Tommy with one of them. That was completely uncalled for. To just get a $10,000 (fine) for that? To me, that's just a little strange."
"What Tommy did isn't close to what (Brayton) did," Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams said. "And they get the same fine? That's ridiculous."
Denver offensive linemen have been fined in past years. The team has become sensitive to criticism from those who accuse the Broncos' line of blocking illegally.
"I hope anything that happened in the past didn't enter into this," Alexander said. "The NFL says it takes things on a case-by-case basis."
George Foster, the designated spokesman for the offensive line, declined comment on the advice of Nalen.
Injury report
Running backs Tatum Bell (turf toe injuries) and Mike Bell (thigh) were upgraded Wednesday from questionable to probable, as were defensive end Kenard Lang (knee) and wide receivers Rod Smith (ankle) and Brandon Marshall (ankle).
"I'm just sore, like after every other game," Mike Bell said. "I'll be ready."
Tatum Bell was not active for Sunday's game against San Diego. He has been bothered by turf injuries to both big toes for a month.
"It will be good to have Tatum back in there," Mike Bell said. "He has that big-play ability, that breakaway speed that we need."
Guard Cooper Carlisle (back) and Williams (shoulder) remained listed as questionable. Carlisle was the only player previously listed as questionable who did not participate in all drills Wednesday.
Williams, who returned an interception 31 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter against the Chargers, intends to play.
"You'd really like to have more days to heal up," Williams said of the short week. I just have to suck it up and give it a go."
Staff writer Bill Williamson contributed to this report.

Chiefs down Broncos 19-10; Jake Plummer Loses Starting Job To Jay Cutler - Denver Post

NFL Network just annouced that Plummer will not start the December 3rd game against Seattle, rookie Jay Cutler will.

Chiefs down Broncos 19-10
Denver loses second game in five days
By Mike Klis
Denver Post Staff Writer
Article Last Updated:11/23/2006 09:37:01 PM MST

Kansas City, Mo. - For starters, Jake Plummer had benchwarmer burned into his consciousness.

Go get 'em, Jake. Win one for the clipboard and the baseball cap. Oh, and by the way. Mind holding for those Jason Elam extra points?

Prior to the Broncos' 19-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs here Thanksgiving night before a raucous, overflow Arrowhead Stadium crowd and a not-so nationally televised audience, speculation was rampant that win or lose, Good Jake or Bad Jake, Plummer was starting his last game as Broncos quarterback.

The conjecture was hardly surprising given Plummer's erratic play this season and the talent of his apparent successor, rookie Jay Cutler.

A bit baffling, however, was why such speculation was allowed to bump into certainty before such a crucial divisional game. The furor of the inevitable quarterback switch may have initially affected both the quarterback, who was shaky until a 3-minute drive near the end of the first half, and the team, which didn't exactly come out punching the Chiefs in their chinstraps.

Is this the end for Plummer as the Broncos' starting quarterback? If so, he bowed out giving his all, although competitive fire was never his problem. He completed 25 of 39 passes for 216 yards and a touchdown. He also threw an interception and a few other wayward passes, but considering the immense pressure that came with rumors of his demise, Plummer can head to the bench with his eyes up and his chin firm.

This game will not soon be forgotten for many reasons, beginning with how many people never saw it. This was the first game ever telecast by the NFL Network, much to the dismay of the roughly 60 percent of U.S. homes that don't, or can't, subscribe to the station.

What the majority of the nation missed was the Chiefs and Broncos converging into an AFC wild-card tie with identical 7-4 records. They failed to bear witness to not one, not two, but three defensive penalties that erased third-down stops and allowed the Chiefs to continue drives that led to 10 points.

They did not see Larry Johnson, Kansas City's superb running back, tick down minutes upon minutes, yards after yards until he finished with a 157.

And more than half the country may have missed Plummer's final start. Or they may have missed no such thing.

What no one, not even those with fancy satellite systems, saw was a Plummer surrender. He finished the first half leading the Broncos from his own 18 (yes, Denver's special teams remain abysmal) to the Chiefs' 12, from where Elam punched in a 31-yard field goal.

It was 13-3 Chiefs just inside the second half, when Plummer took advantage of a huge break and led the Broncos on a 64-yard touchdown drive. Attempting a pass down the right seam to Javon Walker, who seemingly failed to turn in time, Plummer was intercepted by Chiefs cornerback Patrick Surtain. The return went deep into Broncos' territory, but on the far side of the field, ex-Bronco Lenny Walls was flagged for illegal contact.

Given a new set of downs, Plummer made his best pass of the night, connecting with David Kircus on a hitch-and-go for a 36-yard gain. Eventually, the Broncos had first-and-goal from the 1, where they split out tight ends Nate Jackson to the right and Stephen Alexander to the left.

Plummer floated a fade to Alexander, who caught it falling back for a touchdown.

The Broncos were now down, 13-10, and Plummer was not playing like a dead man scrambling. The Chiefs marched back with Johnson, who the Broncos struggled to stop but managed to somewhat contain until their drives stalled for field goals.
Plummer had no such running attack to play-action off, and he also had no game-winning comeback that he apparently could have used to keep his job.

Up next for the Broncos is an answer from coach Mike Shanahan. The question: Who is the team's starting quarterback for its next game Dec. 3 against Seattle.

Staff writer Mike Klis can be reached at 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com.