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Browns goat stands and takes the heat

By now, Browns linebacker Dwayne Rudd has been called every name in the book after his penalty for removing his helmet essentially cost the Browns the game against the Chiefs.

A headline in the Cleveland Plain Dealer read: "Helmet off, dunce cap on." And Browns coach Butch Davis described the penalty as "stupid."

But to Rudd's credit, he is handling the boneheaded play with poise. After the 40-39 loss, he didn't avoid reporters but hung around the locker room long after some teammates had left, answering question after question about the play.

He even praised the refs for making the call. He said that while trying to sack Chiefs quarterback Trent Green, he simply didn't see Green fling the ball to a teammate, who ran with it, and thought the game was over, which is why he removed his helmet.

"The refs are criticized throughout the league, but actually that was a great call by them," he said. "That's exactly the way the game should've ended: with a flag on the ground and them with an opportunity to kick a field goal."

Actually, the Browns hurt themselves on a half-dozen other plays, not least of which was the taunting penalty on holder Chris Gardocki that helped the Chiefs start the winning drive 15 yards closer.

Said Browns cornerback Daylon McCutcheon: "We gave up 40 points, so you can't point the finger at one man."

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Bengals linebacker Brian Simmons on being gashed by the Chargers for 401 yards in a 34-6 loss: "The only time we stopped them was at the end of the game when they kneeled down."

HE'S OLD, BUT HE'S FAST: Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon, 36, ran down Seattle's 27-year-old Pro Bowl defensive back Shawn Springs on a fumble return, saving a touchdown.

"That's a play that will be with (Springs) for the rest of his career," Raiders receiver Tim Brown said. "That's one of those you never live down. You just have to deal with the jokes."

TOLD YOU SO: Panthers coach John Fox isn't an idiot after all. His last-minute decision to start 36-year-old quarterback Rodney Peete over fan-favorite Chris Weinke was widely questioned.

Peete, who hadn't thrown a regular-season pass since 1999, didn't remind anyone of Kurt Warner, but he was an efficient 12-of-19 for 136 yards with no interceptions. More important, after 15 straight losses with Weinke at the helm, the Panthers finally won.

Still, Fox was noncommittal on whether Peete would start Sunday against Detroit.

STAT OF THE DAY: It probably shouldn't have surprised anyone that the Redskins won their opener over the Cardinals. Coach Steve Spurrier is 18-1 in openers, including his stints with Florida, Duke and the Tampa Bay Bandits.

TALK ABOUT A FREAK ACCIDENT: Poor Jevon Kearse. The Titans defensive star plays a violent game in which he gets battered on virtually every play.

So how does he get injured Sunday? Jumping over a teammate on the ground and landing awkwardly, breaking his left foot. He was scheduled for surgery Monday and will be out 6-8 weeks.

JUST ASKING: Is it just me or are the Seahawks' new uniforms really as drab as they look on TV?

BUFFALO'S NEW LOOK: The Bills lost in overtime to the Jets, but of all last season's weak teams, Buffalo might be the most improved.

Quarterback Drew Bledsoe is the difference. He threw two interceptions but made the kind of big plays the Bills have lacked, including making a vicious block.

Plus, if young running back Travis Henry keeps running the way he did (31 carries for a career-high 149 yards and three touchdowns), this team could surprise.

YOU MAKE THE CALL: The big running back debate on who's better, Ricky Williams or Deuce McAllister, likely will continue.

In their first starts with their respective teams, Williams had 111 yards on 20 carries for Miami to McAllister's 109 on 31 for New Orleans.

LOOKING AHEAD: There are three games to look forward to this weekend: Broncos at the 49ers; Raiders at the Steelers in the Sunday night game; and Eagles at the Redskins on Monday night.

-- Information from other news organizations was used in this report.

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