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NFC playoffs notebook

Compiled from Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times, published January 13, 2001

Toomer's ankle improves, WR says he will start

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.- Amani Toomer, the New York Giants' best receiver, went through Friday's 75-minute practice at full speed and coach Jim Fassel said the fifth-year pro would start Sunday in the conference championship game against the Minnesota Vikings.

Toomer sprained his left ankle against Philadelphia on Sunday. Without him, the Giants, who have an uncertain passing game, would be limited.

Toomer did not practice on Wednesday and cut short his practice on Thursday because of pain and tightness in the ankle. Friday he said he felt he had to convince his coaches and himself that he was ready to play.

"He ran good and he ran all the plays," Fassel said. "I say he's ready to go. He will start."

Toomer said after practice that all was fine.

"Today I went full speed," he said. "It's a little sore, but that's not unusual. I'm not going to take any painkiller, just an anti-inflammatory. It would kill me for the team to be part of an NFC Championship Game and me not be a part of it. It's not a major injury. I thought all along I could play."

HOW ABOUT ME?: Fassel said the punt return job would go to Toomer or Ike Hilliard, but a new volunteer stepped forward: linebacker Jessie Armstead. "I've got good hands," he said.

WEATHER FORECAST: The Vikings, who are used to playing in a domed stadium, may have gotten a break. Forecasters predict cloudy skies but light wind. Meteorologist Bill Goodman of the National Weather Service in Mount Holly expects clouds and temperature in the 43- to 47-degree range throughout the game, which starts at 12:30 p.m. Goodman expects winds of about 5 mph. Dome teams are 9-33 in outdoor playoff games.

NO HISTORY LESSON: Vikings linebacker Ed McDaniel isn't worried about Minnesota's history of failures in the Super Bowl (0-4 in the 1970s) and an 0-3 record in NFC title games since then: "I don't remember that. I don't believe in history. I failed history."

SOUND OFF: Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura taunted Giants fans, saying: "This year's Vikings will make a quick stop in New Jersey on their way to Tampa. The Giants have been mad at us ever since we stole Fran Tarkenton back from them for Bob Grim." He was referring to a 1972 trade in which the Giants shipped the Hall of Famer to Minnesota.

DON'T SOUND OFF: Sen. Mark Dayton, D-Minn., says the Giants have the home-field advantage "but as someone who is 100th in seniority in the Senate, I'm not going to be afraid of being an underdog." Actually, the Vikings are 21/2-point favorites.

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