Griese continues to improve

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By DARRELL FRY

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 30, 2001

We don't quite know what to make of quarterback Brian Griese. Just when you think he has developed into an effective passer, he does something that changes your mind.

He gets even better.

Griese is off to the best start of any quarterback. He has completed a higher percentage of passes (71.7) than Kurt Warner. He has as many touchdown passes (six) as Peyton Manning. And he has fewer interceptions (zero) than Donovan McNabb, Warner and Manning.

He has been sacked only once and has a rating of 134.9, tops among quarterbacks with two starts.

He has the Broncos off to a 2-0 start entering today's big tilt against the Ravens. Even with star running back Terrell Davis hobbling and key receiver Ed McCaffrey out for the season, Denver might be virtually unstoppable if Griese continues his current pace.

"Where I think Brian has really improved is his feel in the pocket," coach Mike Shanahan said. "When you're a young guy and you go back to pass, you think you have all day to make a decision. You do not have all day. There's got to be a clock in your mind of how long you can stay in the pocket, when you can dump it, when you've got to make something happen.

"Brian's done such a great job over the last year in comparison to the first year of knowing how long he has back there in the pocket."

TRIVIA QUESTION: Of the top five active pass catchers, only one is not a receiver. Name him.

THANKS, MAN: Today's highly anticipated Dolphins-Rams game matches two rags-to-riches quarterbacks in Warner and Jay Fiedler.

About the time Warner was bagging groceries in an Iowa supermarket a few years ago, Fiedler was working as an unpaid assistant coach at Hofstra. Said Fiedler of Warner: "I think he opened up some eyes around the league that allowed me to get a chance."

STAT OF THE WEEK: The Packers have a league-leading 12 sacks through two games. Last season, Green Bay averaged only 2.3 sacks a game.

CALLING THE COWS HOME: Redskins defensive end Bruce Smith hasn't been getting much sleep on the road. He has been rooming with defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson, who snores loudly.

So last week, when the team played in Green Bay, Smith reportedly slept in the lobby.

DID YOU KNOW?: When the Bears, who are off this week, take on Atlanta next week, Jim Miller is scheduled to start in place of Shane Matthews, marking the Bears' 11th quarterback change in 34 games under coach Dick Jauron.

WHERE IS EVERYBODY?: The Oakland Coliseum is arguably the most intimidating place to play for opposing teams. That is if it's a big game.

The Raiders, notorious for a wild section of the stadium known as the Black Hole, had only three regular-season sellouts last season and were in danger of not selling out their home opener today against Seattle.

PLAYING IN THE SHADOWS: Hadn't heard of Cleveland running back James Jackson before he racked up 124 yards against the Lions last week?

Perhaps it's because he played behind Jaguars star Fred Taylor in high school and behind Colts star Edgerrin James in college at Miami.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: This one comes from Titans cornerback Samari Rolle, talking about the team being 0-2 with an open date today.

"I don't think it's time to panic. But in two weeks, when we're in Baltimore, we are going to find out a lot about ourselves."

DO YOU SMELL GLUE?: Ravens tight end Shannon Sharpe, who could become the league's all-time leader in receiving yards among tight ends today, said Ravens quarterback Elvis Grbac is as good as John Elway, whom Sharpe played with in Denver for many years.

He said this, mind you, mere days after Grbac threw three interceptions against Cincinnati.

"Hey, the boy's as good as I've been around," Sharpe said. "See, John had so many other elements. But as far as throwing the football, no question. Elvis is as good as John."

TRIVIA ANSWER: Buffalo fullback Larry Centers (696 catches), who trails Jerry Rice (1,290), Cris Carter (1,026) and Tim Brown (857), and is just ahead of Herman Moore (668).

JETS: Daniel Pope, whom the team signed last week, will punt Monday. Tom Tupa has been hampered by a strained hip flexor and averaged 28.3 yards per punt last week.

RAIDERS: Quarterback Rodney Peete, cut in training camp, re-signed. Bobby Hoying, the top backup to Rich Gannon, is doubtful for today's game with injured ligaments in his throwing elbow.

- Information from other news organizations was used in this report.

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