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NFL briefs

Compiled from Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times, published December 15, 2000

Rams players fined $90,000

ST. LOUIS -- The "Bob 'N Weave" was an expensive celebration dance for eight Rams, fined a total of $90,000 by the NFL on Thursday.

Wide receivers Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt, both repeat offenders this season, were fined $20,000 each for violating the rule against "prolonged, excessive or premeditated demonstrations" during the team's defeat of Minnesota Sunday. Tight end Roland Williams, also a repeater, was fined $15,000.

Running back Marshall Faulk and tight end Ernie Conwell were fined $10,000 each, and offensive guard Tom Nutten and running backs Justin Watson and James Hodgins were fined $5,000 apiece.

"I tripped out on the number they threw out at us," Holt said. "I may make a call to try to get the number down, but if not, I'll take care of the fine and we'll move on."

NFL owners voted in March to levy fines for celebrations by two or more players. The vote was 30-0 with one abstention -- the Rams.

"The coaches said across the board that players on their teams regarded it as provocative," commissioner Paul Tagliabue said then. "The coaches felt it was very negative to spend time before a game trying to cool players down."

The NFL said in letters to the players that it was the third offense for some. Five players, including Bruce and Holt, were fined $5,000 after the Sept. 17 game at San Francisco, and the league said there was some bobbing and weaving after the Sept. 4 opener.

Quarterback Kurt Warner plans to pick up the tab, although he'll have to find a way around league rules to do it. Fines are deducted from players' paychecks.

Receiver Ricky Proehl also said that beer magnate August Busch told him he would pay for the fine.

BENGALS: Tight end Tony McGee, who broke his left ankle Sunday against Tennessee, was placed on injured reserve.

PATRIOTS: Coach Bill Belichick went to a hospital emergency room for treatment of flu-like symptoms. He was treated with intravenous fluids and released. Team spokesman Stacey James said Belichick will be on the sideline when New England plays Buffalo on Sunday.

BRONCOS: Terrell Davis, resigned to wearing a plastic boot to protect his injured left shin, said he hopes to receive good news today when he has an MRI exam that could allow him to return to practice.

"I am excited. I'm only looking forward to one result, and hopefully they will tell me that I'm cleared to play," he said. "I look forward to it. I'm tired of wearing this boot. I'm ready to go out there and play."

CARDINALS: Jake Plummer, who sat out Sunday's game with sore ribs, surprised interim coach Dave McGinnis with a strong performance in practice and may start Sunday against Baltimore.

COLTS: Three players were fined $5,000 each by the league for excessive celebrations after a Mustafah Muhammad interception return for a touchdown in Monday's victory against Buffalo.

Muhammad, Jeff Burris and Jason Belser were each fined for their action.

DOLPHINS: Quarterback Jay Fiedler practiced with no restrictions despite his shoulder injury, increasing the likelihood he'll start Sunday against Indianapolis.

JAGUARS: Running back Fred Taylor, bothered by a bruised leg, worked with the first team in practice. Taylor is listed as probable on the team's injury report.

ATTENDANCE: The league went past the 1-million mark in attendance, marking the first time in its history that it surpassed 1-million three times in a season.

ARENA OFFICIALS: The NFL will supervise the game officials of the Arena League and its minor league, arenafootball2, beginning with the 2001 season.

CARRUTH UPDATE: Rae Carruth was making more than $650,000 and had no reason to worry about the cost of supporting another son, Panthers officials testified.

Carruth, a former wide receiver for the team, is charged with plotting to kill his pregnant girlfriend, Cherica Adams.

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