PRIME-TIME BUCS: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will return to ABC NFL Monday Night Football for the first time in 15 years when they travel to Detroit on September 28 to face the Lions. The Bucs will also host their first MNF game since December 12, 1983 when they play the Green Bay Packers on December 7 in their new, still-to-be-named stadium.

The new stadium is more than 75 percent complete and on schedule for the Buccaneers’ home opener on September 20 against the Chicago Bears. The open-air stadium will feature a grass field and 65,000 seats, although 10,000 more will be added for Super Bowl XXXV to be played on January 28, 2001. The press box will accommodate 225 seats.

EL REGRESO DE LOS VAQUEROS: This summer, the Dallas Cowboys, who have a large following south of the border, will return to Mexico City, Mexico to try to break a record they set in 1994. On August 15 of that year, the Cowboys played the Houston Oilers in an American Bowl in Mexico City in front of 112,376 fans -- the largest attendance in National Football League history. This August 17, the Cowboys will play the New England Patriots in Mexico City in an American Bowl.

Mexico City also boasts the third-largest NFL crowd ever. Last August 4, 104,629 fans saw the Miami Dolphins top the Denver Broncos 38-19 in an American Bowl. The second-largest attendance ever was at a 1947 College All-Star Game in Chicago – 105,840.

"The NFL has a long-standing commitment to international football, and our American Bowl series is an important element of the program," says NFL Commissioner PAUL TAGLIABUE. "More than 1.7 million fans have attended American Bowls over the past 12 years."

ON THE GROUND OR THROUGH THE AIR?: With the expected return of wide receiver JERRY RICE for the ’98 season and the impressive performances of receivers TERRELL OWENS and J.J. STOKES last year, 49ers head coach STEVE MARIUCCI has a problem most coaches would like. Does he stay with the two-wide receiver/two-running back set that resulted in the 49ers rushing for an impressive 123.1 yards per game, or does he use a three-wide receiver/one-back set and risk the running game?

"If we've got three real good receivers, which we think we do, I don't see any reason to play two receivers all the time,'' says Mariucci. "I think I'd like them on the field together, which I think will make us a little more explosive."

Although Rice has not completely recovered from last season’s knee injury, he has resumed his legendary offseason workouts. "I'm running the hill again," says Rice. "I'm starting to lift weights. You have to train yourself all over again just to be able to jump up and down and absorb the shock. I'm getting there."

RAMS REARRANGE: The St. Louis Rams have filled their defensive coordinator position created by the recent retirement of BUD CARSON by promoting two men – linebackers coach JOHN BUNTING and defensive backs coach PETER GIUNTA.

"In order to maintain continuity," said Rams head coach DICK VERMEIL, "we are elevating Bunting and Giunta. Both have been outstanding position coaches and will continue to implement Bud’s system."

One of pro football’s most respected defensive coaches, Carson was the architect of the Pittsburgh Steelers "Steel Curtain" defense in the 1970s and built the Philadelphia Eagles defense of the early 1990s into a formidable force. The 1991 Eagles were only the fifth team in NFL history to lead the league in total, rushing and pass defense. "Bud was truly one of the finest defensive coaches in the history of the NFL," said Vermeil. "He coached some of the NFL’s greatest defensive teams and his impact here last season was tremendous."

FaN CONVENTION SCORES WITH FANS: The inaugural Chicago Bears Fan Convention held in March was hailed as a huge success. "I think it exceeded everyone’s expectations," said Bears Manager of Special Events and Fan Relations FRANCIE PORTREY. "I’ve done events for more than 20 years and this was the best. It was a chance for the Bears to give back to the fans, and I think we did it first class."

Many current and former Bears, including DICK BUTKUS, CURTIS CONWAY, BARRY MINTER and GALE SAYERS, signed autographs, posed for pictures and talked with fans. Seminars for fans included a "suiting up for the game" equipment class, an inside look at Bears management, understanding the game, and special kids’ classes.

Bears head coach DAVE WANNSTEDT was excited by the fans’ response. "I thought this was great," he said. "We’ve got great fans. These people were fired up. The only negative is that we can’t play on Sunday."