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Special teams not special for Lions
By ERNEST HOOPER © St. Petersburg Times, published September 26, 1998 The Lions' coverage teams are among the worst in the league. Detroit gave up a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown to Roell Preston in the opener at Green Bay, a 65-yard punt return touchdown to Damon Gibson in the Cincinnati game and a 44-yard punt return to David Palmer, setting up the host Vikings go-ahead TD in the 29-6 loss Sunday. They are giving up 15.8 yards per punt return (fifth-worst in the NFL) and 29.9 yards on kickoff returns (second-worst in the NFL). Coach Bobby Ross said he'll try to inject speed into his outside coverage people. They might have helped themselves Wednesday by signing Brock Olivo, a fullback and special-teams demon at Missouri, where his number will be retired as soon as he completes his degree. PACKERS: If you thought the troubled career of Lawrence Phillips was over when he was cut by Miami last summer, think again. Just the fact the Packers, who have RB Dorsey Levens on the injury shelf, brought him in for a workout shows there still is interest. Green Bay coaches were impressed with Phillips' ability, but the club has no plans to sign him -- yet. "Not at this point," director of pro personnel Reggie McKenzie said. "It was kind of like a look-see considering Dorsey's situation and the what-ifs. We want to make sure that no stone goes unturned, including his. We wanted to have some questions answered. "From a physical standpoint, he looked good," McKenzie said. "You could tell he has been (working out). That part of it, that's no problem. The guy has had a history." Former Bucs RB Leeland McElroy also was in for a workout, along with backs Derek Brown, Tim Hall and Pepe Pearson, who was added to the practice squad. VIKINGS: Quarterback Randall Cunningham said his receivers, Cris Carter, Jake Reed and Randy Moss, will have to accept there aren't enough balls for them to each set statistical milestones. Reed and Carter each have gone over 1,000 yards the past four season, but that seems improbable with Moss, who leads the team in receptions. "We're watching three great receivers, and we can't do without any of them," Cunningham said. "Jake and Cris were definitely the top two, a great receiving tandem, in the old offense, but the offense is different. "I don't think it's going to be 1,000 yards here and 1,000 yards here this year. But I think Cris will have double digits in touchdowns, and I think Jake and Randy might, too." Cunningham said the offensive weapons are all being paid and that helps them be unselfish. BEARS: Perhaps it is perspective that's in the eye of the beholder. Coach Dennis Green is convinced the 0-3 Bears will be a tough challenge for his team. "I don't want to be trite, but they could easily be 3-0," Green said. "A little bad luck. We will not be facing the same team Tampa Bay faced last week, where they were 0-2. We are going to face a better Chicago team because now they're 0-3." Such motivational outlooks must be working. The Vikings will face their fourth winless team after beating the 0-0 Bucs, 0-1 Rams and 0-2 Lions. The Bears' Glyn Milburn is the first player this season to return a kickoff and punt for a TD. He is the team's best special-teamer with P Todd Sauerbrun out for the season.
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here is a reason the Bucs are trying so hard to get injured WR/KR Jacquez Green ready to play Detroit on Monday night.
