NFL
Holmes heart of Chiefs offense
By ROGER MILLS, Times Staff Writer
Published October 26, 2003
Considering the cupcake schedule ahead for the Chiefs over the next few weeks, today's game against the Bills could be the last big hurdle to a 12-0 start.
As good as the Chiefs have been, they will be tested by the No. 3 defense in the league in two important categories: points allowed (15.7 per game) and yards allowed (265).
"This is a great opportunity for us," linebacker Takeo Spikes told the Buffalo News. "We have high goals and high standards around here and this is a big challenge."
The primary challenge will be corraling super running back Priest Holmes, who leads the NFL with 994 rushing and receiving yards.
The Bills are preparing for a Holmes barrage, aware that he has touched the ball on 42 percent of the Chiefs' plays and gained 41 percent of their yards.
"The most dangerous thing they do with Priest is they give him a lot of different things to do," defensive tackle Sam Adams said. "If he runs up the middle and you stack the middle, then he runs to the perimeter, then they give him a draw, then they give him a screen. They change the personnel and do a lot of shifts and motions to try to disguise their basic plays. They get him the ball a lot of different ways."
GETTING BACK THE EDGE: With injuries to Dominic Rhodes (sore right knee), Ricky Williams (left ankle sprain) and James Mungro (right knee), Colts running back Edgerrin James seems bent on returning to the lineup today against the Texans. He has missed the past three games with two fractures of transverse process bones in his lower back.
"I am playing this week," James told the Indianapolis Star. "There's no doubt about it."
While the Colts and coach Tony Dungy haven't completely given the green light, they likely accept that it's either James or recently re-signed free agent Brian Allen as primary ball carriers.
"We don't have (anybody)," said James, who doesn't plan to wear protective padding. "I can go out there and play with pain. I don't have a problem with it. I've sat out long enough. I want to get out there and play."
A SAPP OR A FOOL?: Former Buc Chidi Ahanotu is at it again.
Now with the 49ers, the defensive end still holds a grudge against Warren Sapp.
"I think the league would be better off once he retires," Ahanotu said. "He's a big buffoon. He's ignorant. ... A mind is a terrible thing to waste. He's a fool, man. It's just ridiculous.
"He should get some pompoms. That's all he is, a cheerleader. Two sacks from a guy who said he was going to break the record. That's all he does is dance and shuck and jive back there. ... He's a fading star. He's trying to hold on."
QB CAROUSEL: Browns coach Butch Davis is undecided over who will start at quarterback. Shocker! After Tim Couch played well in a 33-13 win over the Steelers, the embattled former No.1 draft pick was horrible in his past three starts (two losses).
How dismayed was Davis? He pulled Couch with 2:20 left in the third for Kelly Holcomb, who has a hairline fracture of his right fibula and torn ankle ligaments.
Holcomb promptly rallied the Browns to two TDs and could have pulled out the win had receiver Kevin Johnson not dropped a potential touchdown late in a 26-20 loss to the Chargers.
HOW THE MIGHTY HAVE FALLEN: After the loss to the Chiefs on Monday, Raiders owner Al Davis told a security guard to instruct coach Bill Callahan not to leave until the two had a chance to meet.
"I converse with the owner daily. And we're all concerned," Callahan said, attempting to defuse any rumors of his job being on the line. "When you don't win, it's no fun. It's not an atmosphere you want to be around."
SPIN DOCTOR: Falcons owner Arthur Blank took a one-page ad in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Tuesday to express his and his team's disappointment in the Falcons' 1-6 start. Blank also encouraged fans to stick with the team.
The following day, he told players to stop complaining to the media about the team's mood.
"He said, "Let's stop talking (in the media) about "giving me the ball' or, "It's this person's fault or that person's fault. All of us have had a part in us losing. Look at yourself and see what you can do to help the team win,"' linebacker Chris Draft said of Blank's speech.
SMELL THE COFFEE: Believe it or not, Bears quarterback Kordell Stewart believes he was benched in favor of Chris Chandler because of his pulled left quad and not his pathetic play.
"The only reason I'm not in there, for the most part, in my opinion is the injury," Stewart told the Chicago Tribune. "That's the way we have to approach it. It's not a situation where I've just been yanked and I'm sitting on the bench."
Oh really? Listen to coach Dick Jauron: "Chris Chandler is our (No.) 1 right now. We'll see where it goes. If he does well and we win, then obviously we're not going to make a change."
TRADE TALK?: Who's telling the truth? During the Fox NFL Sunday pregame show last week, analyst Terry Bradshaw said 49ers general manager Terry Donahue called the Redskins to talk about a possible trade for receiver Terrell Owens in exchange for first- and third-round draft picks and receiver Rod Gardner. Owens responded by torching the Bucs for six catches and 152 yards and one touchdown.
Naturally, Donahue denied the report, saying the 49ers "never had any interest" in that. Donahue also denied approaching the Redskins but did admit that "months and months ago, Dan Snyder and I had a conversation about T.O."
THERE'S ALWAYS HOPE: Even in the desert, hope springs eternal. Despite their 1-5 start the Cardinals still are optimistic about the season. Coach Dave McGinnis reminded his team that two teams that were 1-4 last season, the Titans and the Jets, made it to the playoffs.
"I think first of all, it's your mind-set," McGinnis told the Arizona Republic. "It's not caving in to the negative mentality. This is a (tough) business, especially when you lose."
McGinnis also has pointed out solid red zone production on offense, improved run defense and a special teams unit that has produced some big plays.
MATURING MOSS: One reason for the Vikings' 6-0 start has been the professional approach of receiver Randy Moss, who has had no off-field problems and has practiced with maturity and drive. Quarterback Daunte Culpepper said he sees a difference.
"He is working harder in practice," Culpepper said. "He runs a lot, he probably runs more than anybody. He runs the most deep routes of anyone in the league.
"I think he is understanding the big picture about practice habits. If his habits are good, then Kelly Campbell and Nate Burleson's habits are going to be good. They are naturally going to follow what he does. I think he is realizing that."
- Information from other news organizations was used in this report.
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