Brown's comment irks NFL
By wire services
Published November 13, 2004
CLEVELAND - The NFL warned Browns defensive tackle Gerard Warren for comments he made about trying to hit Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the head during Sunday's game.
"We notified the team, including Gerard Warren, that if a player commits a flagrant foul after making such a statement, it may be a decisive factor supporting the suspension of the player depending on the entire set of circumstances," league spokesman Greg Aiello said.
Thursday, Warren said if the Browns can rattle the rookie, they might be able to win.
"One rule they used to tell me: Kill the head and the body's dead," Warren said. "That's what we get paychecks for. You have to pay the cost to be the boss."
Friday, Warren backed off the comments.
"I didn't say knock him out of the game, I said just go across his head a time or two," said Warren, who was fined $35,000 during his rookie season for a hit on then-Jaguars quarterback Mark Brunell.
"People might have taken it in the wrong sense. That's just me and explaining the way I approach football. I play it on a violent level, and it's a violent game."
During a morning radio show Friday in Pittsburgh, Roethlisberger almost laughed off the threats.
"I guess they don't know me too well or know this team," he said.
"It takes a lot more than some talk to get into my head."
Told of Roethlisberger's reaction Warren said, "He's supposed to take it that way because he's a competitor."
Carolina star running back to sit out once againCHARLOTTE, N.C. - Panthers running back Stephen Davis will miss his seventh game Sunday because of swelling in his right knee. Davis had arthroscopic surgery for torn cartilage earlier this season.
Davis' primary backup, rookie Joey Harris, pulled a hamstring during practice and is questionable. Coach John Fox wouldn't say who would start if Harris doesn't play, but fullbacks Brad Hoover and Nick Goings probably would split carries.
STEELERS: Running back Duce Staley missed his third consecutive practice because of a sore hamstring and remains questionable for Sunday. Verron Haynes, who often replaces Staley on third downs, also missed practice because of turf toe. He is listed as doubtful.
Jerome Bettis, who ran for 149 yards Sunday, likely will start with rookie free agent Willie Parker backing up if Haynes sits. Also, fullback Dan Kreider practiced for the first time this week but remains questionable because of a hip flexor.
VIKINGS: Linebacker Raonall Smith will miss at least two more games because of concussions. Smith, who leads Minnesota with 12 special-teams tackles, missed Monday's loss after his second concussion in two games. Tests are scheduled for Nov. 22.
Also, Mewelde Moore, the Vikings' leading rusherr, remains questionable with a sprained left ankle but probably will be deactivated, coach Mike Tice said. Onterrio Smith and Michael Bennett are expected to split carries.