Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
© St. Petersburg Times, published October 8, 2002
The Eagles tried to stomp on the Jaguars on Sunday ... literally.
Just before kickoff in Jacksonville, several Eagles stomped on the Jaguars logo at midfield. But, in the end, it was the Eagles who were stomped, 28-25 in perhaps the biggest upset of the day.
It's becoming more and more obvious that teams aren't going to stomp all over the Jaguars. Gutted by salary-cap restrictions that let several key players get away in the offseason, including receiver Keenan McCardell to the Bucs, the Jaguars figured to be a league doormat.
But who knew a healthy Fred Taylor and a re-signed Jimmy Smith would make such a difference? Both, along with quarterback Mark Brunell, are largely responsible for the team being 3-1 after back-to-back losing seasons.
The last time Jacksonville started 3-1 was 1999, the season it finished 14-2.
"It remains to be seen how big a win this is," Brunell said Sunday. "People across the league will still think it's a fluke, (will still think), 'Ah, well, (they) caught Philly on an off night.'
"Hopefully, we can prove that we're a good football team by getting better."
WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS: Those poor Rams. They are 0-5 and playing without their star quarterback, Kurt Warner.
They could use a break, but instead they are getting just the opposite: a date Sunday with the Raiders, the league's only undefeated team. What's worse, Oakland is averaging a league-high 40.5 points.
THANK HEAVEN FOR THIS PRIEST: There were several outstanding individual efforts Sunday, but the biggest might have been by Chiefs running back Priest Holmes. Not only did he rush for 152 yards and have 81 receiving yards, but on the Chiefs' winning drive, he accounted for 72 of the team's 78 yards.
His most impressive move, though, might have come after the game. Despite a rare chance to bask in front of a huge contingent of New York media, Holmes refused to talk because he said he wanted "my teammates to get the credit."
Can you imagine Shannon Sharpe pulling something like that?
HOW YA LIKE ME NOW?: It seemed like a heartless decision when Jaguars coach Tom Coughlin cut return man Damon Gibson after he muffed an important punt in the team's season-opening loss to the Colts.
But few are second-guessing the decision after Gibson's replacement, Bobby Shaw, returned a punt 69 yards Sunday for a score.
WHAT ABOUT THE OFFENSE, COACH?: The Raiders and Bills rolled up nearly 1,000 combined yards and 80 points, but who got the credit from Oakland coach Bill Callahan?
The defense.
"When the score is that tight, in the kind of tight ballgame that we had today, it's pivotal when you come up with a big play on defense," he said, alluding to rookie cornerback Phillip Buchanon's 81-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
JUST A THOUGHT: It's probably sacrilegious in Cleveland to say this, but do you think it's time the Browns seriously thought about replacing starting quarterback Tim Couch with Kelly Holcomb?
Couch hasn't played badly. He was 16-for-26 for 216 yards and two interceptions before he was hurt against the Ravens. But Holcomb again came in and played well, nearly rallying the Browns from a 23-0 hole in the fourth quarter.
The Browns seem to play more inspired with Holcomb at the controls, and the team is probably going to need some inspiration when it faces the streaking Bucs at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday.
BIG GAMES: There are three games to watch Sunday: Dolphins (4-1) at the Broncos (4-1), Saints (4-1) at the Redskins (2-2) and Chiefs (3-2) at the Chargers (4-1).
HOW DO THEY COMPARE?: With their offensive outburst Sunday, the Raiders have piled up 1,846 yards in their four games. Hmm, are they as high-powered as the Rams were the past three seasons?
Oakland quarterback Rich Gannon doesn't think so.
"I wouldn't put us in the same category," he said. "I think we're just a bunch of grinders who find a way to get some guys open and find a way to run the football."
-- Information from other news organizations was used in this report.