READY FOR PRIME-TIME: The Arizona Cardinals, who advanced to the NFC Divisional playoffs last season, will play five of their eight home games on national television this season, including three prime-time games.

The Cardinals host the San Francisco 49ers on ABC’s NFL Monday Night Football on September 27 in their home opener. It will be their first appearance on a Monday night since 1995. They were also awarded two Sunday afternoon national telecasts on FOX and two Sunday night games on ESPN.

"In the last decade, this clearly is the best schedule we’ve had from a fan’s perspective," said Cardinals vice president MICHAEL BIDWILL. "We’re very excited about the schedule and all the national games. It’s huge to open with San Francisco on Monday Night Football. It’s very exciting for fans."

"I think it’s a reward for more than just last year," said Cardinals head coach VINCE TOBIN. "I think the NFL sees us as an exciting, young football team that has fought tooth and toenail for three years. We’ve had a lot of close games in that time, and last year we won the close ones that went down to the wire."

RHODES BRINGS INTENSITY TO PACK: Green Bay Packers quarterback BRETT FAVRE is excited about the enthusiasm new head coach RAY RHODES brings to the club. He believes it will be a big factor in the Packers’ quest to return to Super Bowl.

"Ray will come in and tell you things you would hear in high school and college, like, ‘Those guys are calling you creampuffs,’" said Favre. "The next thing you know, guys are chewing on their lockers. That doesn’t work the whole game, but if you come out of the chute and intimidate somebody in the first two snaps, we may have already won the ball game. A lot of times when you’re a good football team, you’ve already won by intimidation. That’s what Ray brings to the table."

BUCS ADD QB COACH: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have moved CLYDE CHRISTIANSEN from tight ends to quarterbacks coach – the first on the club since TONY DUNGY became head coach in 1996.

Bucs starting quarterback TRENT DILFER was selected to the Pro Bowl after the 1997 season on the strength of an 82.8 passer rating. That number dropped to 74.0 last year. Christiansen has confidence that Dilfer can get back to his Pro Bowl form.

"The things that jump out about Trent are, first of all, he’s as tough a guy as I’ve ever been around," said Christiansen. "He’s also a hard worker who wants to win. He’s a guy who gives you everything he’s got."

"I think we were both surprised by it," said Dilfer of Dungy’s coaching move. "Clyde and I talked about how excited we were to be working closer together."

"It's something I've given a lot of consideration and thought to for some time," said Dungy. "Some of the thought that goes into the process is that once we released Steve Walsh as Trent’s backup, we would have new quarterbacks who have to learn a new system."

Christiansen is a former quarterback at Frenso City Junior College and North Carolina. His extensive quarterback coaching experience includes stints with Temple, Maryland and Clemson, and the offensive coordinator role at East Tennessee State, East Carolina, Holy Cross and Clemson. He came to the Buccaneers with Dungy.

PORCHER HELPING FATHERS: Detroit Lions defensive end ROBERT PORCHER is one of the league’s most community-minded players. He is continuing his off-the-field efforts this offseason by serving as a spokesman for Fatherhood is Forever along with teammate LUTHER ELLIS. A husband and father of two children, Porcher believes his efforts have paid off.

"A few weeks ago, I was in the Silverdome. One of the custodians was there. He said, ‘You know what? I really like those commercials you do with your daughter.’ I said, ‘OK. I appreciate that.’ As I was walking off, I could tell he wanted to say something else. I said, ‘What’s up?’

"He said, ‘I really appreciate those commercials. Seeing those commercials with you and your daughter made me get a relationship with my kid, because I hadn’t had one.’

"I shook his hand. That’s what this is all about. Just that one guy saying that has made these four years I’ve been involved in this campaign worthwhile."

YOUNG PREPARES FOR ’99: San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle BRYANT YOUNG has been successfully rehabilitating the broken right leg that ended his 1998 season and should be ready for 1999 by midseason.

"I can work out pretty hard and leave without limping," said Young, who, despite his injury, finished third on the team in sacks with 9.5. "They’re not going to rush me. They want to make sure I’m healed completely and back to 100 percent before I get on the field. I understand that, but, having been in this game, I have the mentality that if I’m able to do most things, I’m going to be on the field."