Around the NFC

By Compiled from Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 13, 2000

BEARS: Rookie Paul Edinger has moved ahead of Jaret Holmes on the depth chart at kicker. Whether Edinger stays there is another issue. Because of its kicking woes last season, the team is hesitant about relying on the rookie. "If you're going to have a young punter, at least have an experienced field-goal kicker," special-teams coach Keith Armstrong told the Chicago Tribune.

COWBOYS: DE Greg Ellis is "one week ahead of schedule," coach Dave Campo said. Ellis, who probably will get in some preseason game work because of his progress, returned to practice last week for the first time since breaking his left leg in two places eight months ago.

EAGLES: DT Giradie Mercer will miss the regular season after tearing a triceps muscle in practice. Mercer, an undrafted free agent from Marshall, was injured in a one-on-one drill when he was knocked to the ground. He came up holding his right arm. Mercer signed a two-year contract with the Eagles this summer and had impressed coaches throughout training camp with his quickness. Mercer, Paul Grasmanis and Kelly Gregg were competing for the backup spot. In two preseason games, Mercer had 10 tackles. He is scheduled for surgery on Monday.

49ERS: Second-year DB Pierson Prioleau appears to have earned the starting free-safety position, for now. Prioleau is running with the first team, and Lance Schulters is playing strong safety. That means veteran Zack Bronson is coming off the bench. "We can still put Lance Schulters back at free safety; that's where he made the Pro Bowl," coach Steve Mariucci said in the San Francisco Chronicle. "We're looking at him (Schulters) at strong." ... Former safety Merton Hanks, who was cut last season, visited training camp last week and said, "I don't feel bad coming to visit because I count more against the salary cap than three-quarters of their secondary." He counts $2.035-million against the team's cap this season.

GIANTS: Is the team, usually conservative when it comes to making trades, thinking about making two? The chances of it pulling off one trade by the end of the preseason are not as slim as one might believe, and neither is the possibility of a second deal. First, according to the New York Times, the team is considering trading wide receiver Brian Alford, a third-round pick in 1997. The team is deep at his position and Alford, though he has shown flashes of talent at times in training camp, likely will get little playing time during the season. That makes him expendable. The Times also reported the team, which is short on cornerbacks, is considering trading for Jerry Azumah, the third corner on the Bears roster. The Bears might not cut Azumah, and the Giants think they might be able to steal him for a late-round draft choice.

PANTHERS: Safety Eugene Robinson, a three-time Pro Bowl player, signed and immediately began practicing with the team. Robinson, 37, is a 15-year veteran who has played for Atlanta, Seattle and Green Bay. He got a one-year deal for the veteran league minimum of $440,000. He is the league's active leader in interceptions with 56. He didn't re-sign with the Falcons after last season and became a free agent. "He looked good," coach George Seifert said. "He hasn't been involved with football drills for some time, but he looks fit. He's been a very fine and bright player throughout his career."

RAMS: Though RB Marshall Faulk, who set a league record with 2,429 yards from scrimmage (rushing and receiving) last season, remains healthy, his backups are not. Utility man Derek Loville hurt his hamstring. Then first-round draft pick Trung Canidate suffered a high ankle sprain that could sideline him until late September. Justin Watson stepped in nicely with a solid scrimmage against the Titans, but then he turned an ankle. "Fortunately, we're getting one guy back about the time we're getting another one hurt," running backs coach Bobby Jackson said in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

REDSKINS: DT Dan Wilkinson will miss the final two preseason games because of a sprained knee ligament. "Our goal is to get him ready for the opener," trainer Bubba Tyer said after Wilkinson was examined by two team doctors. Wilkinson was injured late in the first half of Friday night's 30-20 victory over New England. Wilkinson's left knee was accidentally hit by teammate Ndukwe Kalu after Wilkinson hit quarterback Drew Bledsoe. Although the team is loaded with depth as it prepares to defend its NFC East title, defensive tackle is the one position at which it did not make a significant upgrade in the off-season. Behind Wilkinson and fellow starter Dana Stubblefield are Doug Brown and Barron Tanner, although end Kenard Lang can play tackle in pass-rushing situations. Brown served as an adequate backup last season, while Tanner was inactive. "They're making progress," coach Norv Turner said. "And we need one of them to step up."

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