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NFL briefs

Compiled from Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times, published December 8, 2000

Eagles snatch Warren off waivers

PHILADELPHIA -- The Eagles have said for weeks they're not looking ahead to the playoffs.

But by adding recently waived running back Chris Warren on Thursday, the Eagles may be thinking about what they need to succeed if they reach the post-season.

The Eagles claimed Warren one day after he was waived by the Cowboys. Warren, in his 11th NFL season, will join the Eagles for today's practice and will be available Sunday against the Browns.

"He's been in the league 11 years, and at one point he was one of the best backs in the game," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "Is he that now? I don't know. But he's a big back who has played well this season."

Warren has rushed for 254 yards and two touchdowns and averaged 4.3 yards a carry this season. He has caught 31 passes for 302 yards and a touchdown.

But in Sunday's loss to Tampa Bay, Warren misplayed a pass that deflected off his hands and was intercepted and returned for a touchdown. He was benched after that play and then was involved in a shouting match with a Dallas coach on the sideline.

Three days later, he was waived. Dallas owner Jerry Jones said Warren "wasn't in the plans moving forward," but Warren said he was cut because he wouldn't accept a one-year contract extension for 2001 at his current salary, $715,000.

Philadelphia is looking to add a spark to a running game that has struggled since the season-ending injury to Duce Staley in October.

The running-back-by-committee group of Darnell Autry, Stanley Pritchett and Brian Mitchell has averaged less than 3 yards a carry the past four games. Philadelphia, 9-5 and needing one win in games against Cleveland and Cincinnati to make the playoffs for the first time since 1996, has relied almost exclusively on quarterback Donovan McNabb to make the offense go.

McNabb is averaging nearly 75 percent of the team's offensive output.

Warren began his NFL career in Seattle and ran for more than 1,000 yards in four consecutive seasons, 1992-95. He made three Pro Bowls during that time.

Expensive expectoration

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Raiders defensive end Regan Upshaw was fined nearly $30,000 by the NFL for spitting on Pittsburgh punter Josh Miller.

The league said it fined Upshaw one week's salary. He was scheduled to make $500,000 this season.

Upshaw said Miller cursed him during Oakland's 21-20 loss Sunday.

"I was jawing at (Miller), and he was jawing at me," Upshaw said. "He said something that pushed me over the edge. When you're upset and lose your cool, you don't think about the repercussions."

Upshaw said he did not understand why the fine was so steep.

"Some of the guys were talking about it possibly being in the low end or the high end, but I didn't expect this," he said. "I didn't understand it. I still don't understand it. But you just have to move on."

Upshaw was fined $7,500 earlier for a hit that bloodied San Diego quarterback Ryan Leaf.

BENGALS: Defensive end Vaughn Booker (left knee cyst) had surgery and is out for the season. He was placed on injured reserve. Booker, 32, had other problems this season. He fainted Sept. 17 in Jacksonville. Tests revealed nothing, and he rejoined the team a month later.

BRONCOS: Coach Mike Shanahan isn't expecting quarterback Brian Griese (separated shoulder) to play again until the playoffs. Shanahan said it is "near impossible" that Griese will be ready to play next week in Kansas City and "it would be a long shot" for Griese to play in the final regular-season game, Dec. 23 against San Francisco. Gus Frerotte has led the team to 38 points a game and a 3-0 mark in Griese's absence.

GIANTS: Receiver Ike Hilliard (bruised sternum, lung) should return this week after missing two games.

JETS: The club quietly has begun circulating detailed architectural plans as it seeks support for a 75,000-seat stadium on the West Side of Manhattan that would convert into an annex of the Jacob Javits Convention Center and transform into an even larger sports bowl should the city lure the 2012 Olympics.

BROWNS: Doug Pederson, waived by the Eagles during training camp after a disastrous 1999 season in which he was booed relentlessly, will start for Cleveland at quarterback Sunday when it hosts Philadelphia. Pederson made six straight starts for the Browns before bruising his ribs two weeks ago. "They're a little tender," Pederson said. "But it's a game I want to play in and be a part of. It's going to have to be something severe for me to come out. ... If we could derail them or throw a wrench into their plans, it would be great for this organization." ... Tight end Rod Monroe was signed to the practice squad. ... Defensive tackle Jeff Dyra agreed to an injury settlement.

PATRIOTS: Guard Joe Andruzzi (leg) was placed on injured reserve. He was injured Monday when Kevin Faulk, running behind him, hit the back of the leg.

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