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FOR USE AS DESIRED ***********************************************************************************
PATRIOTS-COLTS
KICK OFF SEASON IN THURSDAY NIGHT A rematch will be waged and a tradition begun. On Thursday night, the NFL will kick off its 85th season with a rematch of the 2003 AFC Championship Game when the Super Bowl XXXVIII champion NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS host the INDIANAPOLIS COLTS at Gillette Stadium. The game will be televised live on ABC at 9:00 PM ET. The night also will mark the birth of an NFL tradition. The NFL’s season-opening event and first game of the season will be held each year at the home of the Super Bowl champion and linked to the next Super Bowl, which this season will be played in Jacksonville, Florida on February 6. The Colts-Patriots’ game will be preceded by a nationally televised one-hour “NFL Opening Kickoff” special on ABC from 8:00-9:00 PM ET that will tie together events in New England and Jacksonville. Performing at Gillette Stadium will be the BOSTON POPS, MARY J. BLIGE, DESTINY’S CHILD, ELTON JOHN, TOBY KEITH and LENNY KRAVITZ. JESSICA SIMPSON will perform in Jacksonville. *********************************************************************************** NFL ROARS BACK! Starting Thursday night, there will be more surprises, plot twists and nerve-racking endings over the next 17 NFL weeks than in any Hollywood thriller. “There are new challenges for this year,” says one player who certainly rose to the challenge last season, New England Patriots quarterback TOM BRADY. “There are new expectations.” Many of those “new expectations” come from players new to NFL teams. Some big names changed clubs this offseason. TERRELL OWENS and JEVON KEARSE are now in Philadelphia…CHAMP BAILEY and JOHN LYNCH in Denver…MARK BRUNELL and CLINTON PORTIS in Washington…COREY DILLON in New England…JEFF GARCIA in Cleveland…EDDIE GEORGE, KEYSHAWN JOHNSON and VINNY TESTAVERDE in Dallas…KERRY COLLINS and WARREN SAPP in Oakland…TROY VINCENT in Buffalo…and KURT WARNER in New York with the Giants. Even Deion – as in DEION SANDERS – is with a new team, the Baltimore Ravens, after a three-year NFL absence. “You don’t assume anything will be the same,” says Brady. “It’s going to be a whole different set of circumstances.” Of course, some things in the NFL don’t change. Like tight games and late-game histrionics. Last year, almost half the games (48 percent) were decided by seven points or less. Almost a quarter of the games (22 percent) were decided in the last two minutes of regulation or in overtime. “Every Sunday, you get great games,” says new Atlanta Falcons head coach JIM MORA. “Everything is so close. It’s crazy to be involved in this.” That’s the NFL as it starts its 85th season – still crazy after all these years. This season there will be questions galore as the Patriots host the Colts on Thursday night (see above) to get it started. The No. 1 question is can the Patriots become the first team since the 1997-98 Denver Broncos to repeat as Super Bowl champions? Can they also become only the second team in history – after the 1992-95 Dallas Cowboys – to win three Super Bowls in four years? Finally, with 15 consecutive victories in the 2003 regular and postseason, can they put together a four-game winning streak to set an NFL record in the category?: WIN AFTER WIN
One who thinks the Pats can repeat as Super Bowl champs is the guy who led the ’90s Cowboys to those three titles in four years, their quarterback TROY AIKMAN. “The Patriots are a team that appears to be extremely unified in its goals,” says Aikman. “(Head coach) BILL BELICHICK deserves much of the credit for molding the team, but the players are to be applauded for adhering to the team philosophy. That’s a common thread among all championship teams.” Other season-opening questions: · Will the NFC Champion Carolina Panthers parlay their exciting ways – the kick-blockers extraordinaire last year became the first team in history to win three overtime games on the road in a season – into another trip to the Super Bowl? Even though it was breaking in a newly structured offensive line, Carolina was the only team to go undefeated this preseason (4-0). “It’s like riding a bicycle,” says Panthers safety MIKE MINTER. “Once you do it, you have the confidence you can do it again. Now we know we can ride this thing.” · There are eight new starting quarterbacks this season. How will one of the most notable – CARSON PALMER of the Cincinnati Bengals – fare in what is essentially his rookie season? The 2003 No. 1 overall draft choice did not throw a pass last year. He is charged by head coach MARVIN LEWIS with taking the newly uniformed Bengals beyond their 8-8 record of 2003 and into the playoffs. “I can’t wait,” says a confident Palmer. · Will the new additions to the Philadelphia Eagles help them get over the hump to the Super Bowl? The Eagles are the winningest team of the decade (2000-2003, 46 victories), but lost the past three NFC Championship Games. Putting them over the top is the goal of a quartet of notable newcomers. Former 49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens and Titans defensive end Jevon Kearse were the big-name offseason additions. Then in the past month, the club added some old-time zeal in former Eagles – linebacker JEREMIAH TROTTER and defensive end HUGH DOUGLAS. “We can be a better team than we were a year ago,” says Eagles safety BRIAN DAWKINS. “But we have to understand we are not just trying to be a better team. We are trying to win the Super Bowl.” · Can the lone division last year to have two teams with winning percentages of .750 – the AFC South with Indianapolis and Tennessee (both 12-4) -- produce a Super Bowl contestant and winner? Those co-marks produced co-NFL MVPs in quarterbacks PEYTON MANNING of the Colts and STEVE MC NAIR of the Titans. “We should be able to put points on the board,” says Titans head coach JEFF FISHER, in effect speaking for both clubs. “We’re going to need to do that early in the season.” · Can that old gang recapture the glory? “Old gang” as in JOE GIBBS, DENNIS GREEN and TOM COUGHLIN. Those three coaches led their former teams to at least conference championship games. They return to the NFL this year with renewed vigor. Gibbs ties RAY MALAVASI (Denver, 1966; LA Rams, 1978-82) for the fifth longest tenure between head-coaching jobs, 11 seasons. He returns to the Washington Redskins, who he took to three Super Bowl titles from 1981-92. Green, now in Arizona, will try to work his QB magic with the Cardinals’ JOSH MC COWN, as he did with the Minnesota Vikings from 1992-01. In those 10 years, seven different quarterbacks took the Vikes to the playoffs. Coughlin takes over the New York Giants after leading the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars to AFC Championship Games in 1996 and 1999. And is he ever glad to be back in the NFL after a one-year hiatus from coaching. “The goose bumps go up and down your spine when you think about the opening of the NFL season,” says Coughlin. The season, as always, will be made up of surprises and superlatives. That’s the mix that makes the NFL America’s favorite sport. Two 2003 developments illustrated that in the NFL, anyone can win:
The NFL is ready. “It’s time to go back to work,” says Ravens head coach BRIAN BILLICK. KICKOFF ’04 WEEKEND THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
INDIANAPOLIS
COLTS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS SERIES
STARTERS ’03 STATS
NOTES REMATCH of 2003 AFC Championship Game (NE, 24-14)……COLTS: Aim for 6th consecutive Kickoff Weekend win. Head coach TONY DUNGY can become 2nd coach in club history to lead team to 10+ wins in 1st 3 seasons (TED MARCHIBRODA, 1975-77)……Pro Bowl QB PEYTON MANNING was 2003 AP co-MVP. Led NFL with 4,267 yards & led AFC with 29 TDs. Needs 115 yards for 25,000 career. Has played 96 games & can be 2nd-fastest to 25,000 (DAN MARINO, 92)……RB EDGERRIN JAMES became club’s all-time leading rusher (6,172) in ’03. Has rushed for 704 yards in 7 games vs. NE (100.6/game)……Pro Bowl WR MARVIN HARRISON has 448 receptions since start of 2000, most in NFL……Pro Bowl DE DWIGHT FREENEY led team in sacks for 2nd season in row (11.0) & was 1st Colt DE to be named All Star since 1977. LB DAVID THORNTON led club with career-best 158 tackles……Pro Bowl K MIKE VANDERJAGT has converted NFL-record 41 consecutive FGs…… PATRIOTS: Have won 15 in row (incl. playoffs) & need 3 consecutive wins to tie NFL record (18). Have won 7 in row at home vs. Colts (incl. playoffs), outscoring Ind. 199-107. Head coach BILL BELICHICK is 7-3 (.700) vs. Colts & NE has won 12 of past 14 (incl. playoffs)……QB TOM BRADY is 40-12 (.769) in career as starter, incl. playoffs. Is youngest QB to win 2 Super Bowls. Made 1st career start & had 1st win vs. Colts (9/30/01)……RB COREY DILLON makes NE debut. In last game vs. Ind. (10/6/02 w/Cin), rushed for 164 yards & 2 TDs. ……WR DEION BRANCH led club with 57 catches & 803 yards…… Defense led NFL with 238 points allowed (franchise-best 14.9/game). Pro Bowl DT RICHARD SEYMOUR had career high in sacks (8.0) & tackles (80). First Pats DT to be named All Star. Pro Bowl CB TY LAW has 35 career INTs & needs 1 to tie for club record (RAYMOND CLAYBORN, 36). SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
JACKSONVILLE
JAGUARS AT BUFFALO BILLS SERIES
STARTERS ’03 STATS
NOTES JAGUARS: Club is 6-3 (.667) all-time on Kickoff Weekend & 3-1 (.750) when opening season on road……In 4 career games vs. AFC East, QB BYRON LEFTWICH has completed 55.7 pct. (49 of 88)……RB FRED TAYLOR has started every game in past 2 years. Rushed for career-best 1,572 yards in ’03 & ran for 71 yards on 14 carries (5.1 avg.) vs. Bills last season……WR JIMMY SMITH has recorded 1,000+ rec. yards in 7 of past 8 seasons. One of 17 players in NFL history to post 700+ catches (718). Rookie WR REGGIE WILLIAMS (No. 9) makes NFL debut. In past 2 games vs. Bills, TE KYLE BRADY has 8 catches for 78 yds & 1 TD. Has played in 16 games in 7 of 9 NFL seasons……Club scored points in 43 of 45 trips inside 20 last season……Offensive line allowed franchise-low 28 sacks in 2003……LB MIKE PETERSON led team in tackles (167) & notched 3 INTs. S DEON GRANT makes Jags debut, joins club from Car. as FA. Defense surrendered 2003 NFL-low 3.2 yards per carry & ranked No. 2 in NFL vs. run overall (87.9 yds/game)…….BILLS: Head coach MIKE MULARKEY makes head coaching debut. Bills have defeated Jags in past 3 meetings……In 3 career games vs. Jaguars, QB DREW BLEDSOE has thrown 5 TDs vs. 1 INT and has 104.0 passer rating. Threw for season-high 314 yards vs. Jax in ’03……RB TRAVIS HENRY recorded 5 100-yd games last season & has led team in rushing in 40 of his 44 career games. RB WILLIS MC GAHEE aims to make NFL debut……In 4 career games vs. Jags, WR ERIC MOULDS has 21 catches for 341 yds (16.2 avg.) & 3 TDs. Rookie WR LEE EVANS (No. 13) makes NFL debut……Defense ranked as AFC’s No. 1 unit in 2003, allowing 269.6 yards/game. DE AARON SCHOBEL led club with 11.5 sacks & became 5th Bills player to record 10.0+ sacks. Pro Bowl LB TAKEO SPIKES recorded 1st sack w/Buffalo vs. Jags last season. CB TROY VINCENT makes Buffalo debut after spending past 8 years w/Phil. Selected as NFL All-Star in past 5 seasons. DETROIT LIONS AT CHICAGO BEARS SERIES
STARTERS ‘03 STATS
NOTES LIONS: Iron Mountain, MI native STEVE MARIUCCI kicks off 2nd season as club’s head coach. DICK JAURON begins 1st year as defensive coordinator after spending 1999-03 as head coach of Bears……Club lost NFL-low 4 fumbles in 2003, tied for 4th-best all-time (2, KC, ‘02)......QB JOEY HARRINGTON enters 3rd year as starter. Has been sacked once per 57.8 career pass attempts (17 sacks, 983 att), best sack-per-attempt ratio in NFL history. Had solid preseason, finishing with 86.6 passer rating……Rookie 1st-round RB KEVIN JONES makes NFL debut……2nd-year WR CHARLES ROGERS returns to lineup for 1st time since Week 5 of ’03 (collarbone). Rookie 1st-round WR ROY WILLIAMS makes NFL debut. WR TAI STREETS joins club after 5 years in SF. Was football and basketball player at Michigan……DE ROBERT PORCHER has 95.5 career sacks, most in club history. Has 10.5 career sacks vs. Bears, 3rd-most vs. any club……CB DRE BLY tied career-high with 6 INTs in ’03 & earned 1st trip to Pro Bowl……BEARS: LOVIE SMITH was named 13th head coach in club history on 1/15/04……Bears finished preseason with +6 turnover ratio, tied for 2nd-best in NFL……QB REX GROSSMAN begins season as starter. Started 3 games in rookie year, becoming 1st Bears rookie QB since VIRGIL CARTER (1968) to win 1st 2 starts……RB THOMAS JONES joins club from TB. Has increased rushing yards & avg. per carry in each of past 3 years. RB ANTHONY THOMAS has topped 1,000 yards rushing in 2 of 3 seasons. Enjoyed standout career at Michigan, finishing as school’s leading rusher (4,472 yards)……Fellow Michigan alum WR DAVID TERRELL had career-best 43 catches in ’03. WR JUSTIN GAGE avgd. team leading 19.9 yards per catch in ’03 & 14 of his 17 receptions resulted in 1st down……Eight-time All-Star G RUBEN BROWN joins club from Bills……DE ADEWALE OGUNLEYE was acquired in Aug. trade with Dolphins. Has 32 sacks in 39 career games. Club used 1st 2 draft picks on DTs TOMMIE HARRIS (No. 14) & TANK JOHNSON (No. 47)……LB BRIAN URLACHER seeks 5th trip to PB in row.
BALTIMORE
RAVENS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS SERIES
STARTERS ’03 STATS
NOTES RAVENS: First game played under majority ownership of STEVE BISCIOTTI…… RB JAMAL LEWIS, 2003 AP Offensive Player of Year, set NFL record for most rush yds in season vs. 1 team in ’03 (500 vs. Cle) & posted 2nd-most single-season rushing yds in league annals w/ 2,066 (ERIC DICKERSON, 2,105, 1984). Lewis has 3rd-best rush yd total in NFL history after 1st 48 career games (4,757), trailing only HOFers Dickerson (5,147) & EARL CAMPBELL (5,081)……QB KYLE BOLLER is 5-3 (.625) in 1st 8 NFL starts; makes 1st career start at Cleveland……Two-time AFC All-Star TE TODD HEAP has catch in past 32 games. Seven-time Pro Bowl T JONATHAN OGDEN played in all 1,058 offensive plays in 2003…… LB RAY LEWIS earned 2003 AP NFL Defensive Player of Year. Led NFL LBs w/ 6 INTs last season & is tied for club’s all-time INT lead (20). S ED REED tied AFC lead w/ 7 INTs in ’03 & has blocked 3 punts in 32 career games. Game marks Ravens debut & NFL return for 8-time NFL All-Star CB DEION SANDERS……K MATT STOVER was Brown from 1991-95. Stover (1,364) needs 1 point to surpass FRED COX for 16th place on NFL’s all-time scoring list……BROWNS: Club to honor 40th anniversary of 1964 NFL Champion Browns……Team opens season at home for 6th consecutive year. QB JEFF GARCIA makes Cleveland debut. Ranks 4th all-time w/ 88.3 career NFL passer rating (min. 1,500 att.). Threw at least 2 TDs in 5 of 6 home starts in 2003 (w/SF)……In Wk. 17 at Cin. last season, RB LEE SUGGS posted franchise’s 11th-best single-game rushing total (186 yds) & tied for 3rd-longest run in team history (78t). RB WILLIAM GREEN averaging 4.5 yds/carry in past 3 games played. Rookie TE KELLEN WINSLOW (No. 6), makes NFL debut. WR QUINCY MORGAN is NFL’s only player with 70+ yd catch in each of past 3 seasons. In 2003, WR DENNIS NORTHCUTT made 28 catches on 3rd down (T2C)……DE KENARD LANG posted at least 1.0 sack in 4 of past 5. Posted 2.0 sacks at Balt. in Wk. 2 last season. DT GERARD WARREN changed jersey number #94 to #61 after ’03; wore #61 in college and H.S. S EARL LITTLE has INT in past 2 games vs. Ravens……’03 red zone defense ranked No. 3 in NFL; 18 TDs in 48 trips (37.5 pct.).
SAN DIEGO
CHARGERS AT HOUSTON TEXANS SERIES
STARTERS ’03 STATS
NOTES TEAMS MEET for 1st time in Houston……CHARGERS: Won only meeting b/w teams. Head coach MARTY SCHOTTENHEIMER has 170 career wins & needs 1 to pass PAUL BROWN for sole possession of 8th place. Club is 25-19 (.568) on opening day……QB DREW BREES was born in Austin, TX & defeated Texans in only career start vs. Houston. Has 59.4 comp. pct. (540 of 909), best in SD history (min. 500 passes)……RB LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON is only player in NFL history to post 100 catches & 1,000 rush yards in same season. Led AFC in receptions. Hails from Rosebud, TX. Led NFL with 2,370 scrimmage yards in 2003 (1,645 rush, 725 rec), 2nd-most in NFL history. RB LORENZO NEAL has blocked for 7 1,000-yard rushers in row……TE ANTONIO GATES averaged 16.2 yards per catch (24 catches, 389 yards) last year……Defense held Texans QB Carr to 8.2 passer rating (6 of 25, 87 yards, 0 TDs, 2 INTs) & posted 9 sacks in only meeting. SD held Houston to 3 points, 118 yards & 7 1st downs. CB QUENTIN JAMMER led team in INTs (4) & passes defensed (13). Played at Texas (1997-2001) & at Angleton (TX) High……TEXANS: Have never lost opener (2-0) & can become 1st NFL expansion team to win 1st 3 openers…...QB DAVID CARR has passed for 411 yards & 3 TDs vs. 1 INT in 2 career kickoff-weekend starts……RB DOMANICK DAVIS led NFL rookies with 1,031 rushing yards. Set 16 team rushing records in 2003……As Texan, WR COREY BRADFORD has 10 TDs, averaging 48.1 yards per TD catch. WR ANDRE JOHNSON led AFC rookies in receptions (66) & yards (976). Set 9 team records in 2003……LB JAMIE SHARPER led NFL with 195 tackles & had team-best 4.0 sacks & 3 forced fumbles. Aims for 6th consecutive 100-tackle season. DE ROBAIRE SMITH makes Texans debut. Spent 2000-03 with Titans & helped club lead league in rush defense last year (80.9 yards/game). CB MARCUS COLEMAN had 2 4th-quarter INTs in last year’s opener (at Mia). Led club & tied for AFC lead with 7 INTs. First-round pick CB DUNTA ROBINSON (No. 10) makes NFL debut.”
TENNESSEE
TITANS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS SERIES
STARTERS ’03 STATS
NOTES GAME FEATURES top 2 teams in AFC since start of 2000 season: Titans (.672) & Dolphins (.641)……TITANS: Head coach JEFF FISHER has 56 regular-season wins over past 5 years, most in NFL……Offense scored franchise-record 435 points last year. QB STEVE MC NAIR was named 2003 AP co-MVP & was Pro Bowl starter. Led NFL with 100.4 passer rating & was 1 of only 2 QBs to produce TD in every game played (BRETT FAVRE). Was 1st QB since 1995 to average 8+ yards per attempt (8.04). Posted 129.1 passer rating in victory over Miami last year……RB CHRIS BROWN makes 1st NFL start……Pro Bowl WR DERRICK MASON led AFC with 35 3rd-down receptions in 2003……Defense ranked 1st against run (80.9 yards/game) & held Miami to 59 rush yards. Pro Bowl LB KEITH BULLOCK led team in tackles for 2nd consecutive season (171). CB SAMARI ROLLE led club with 6 INTs last year, including 1 vs. Miami……DOLPHINS: Since 1970, Miami is 29-5 (.853) in home openers, best mark in NFL. Miami has won 5 of past 6 in series and head coach DAVE WANNSTEDT is 3-1 (.750) in career vs. Titans. Since 1994, Dolphins are NFL-best 30-10 (.750) in opening month……QB JAY FIEDLER is 36-17 (.679) as NFL starter. In five career starts (all with Phil.), QB A.J. FEELEY is 4-1 (.800)……In 8 career games vs. AFC South, RB TRAVIS MINOR has averaged 7.4 yards per carry (20 att., 147 yards, 1 TD) & 10.9 yards per catch (7 rec., 78 yards)……WR CHRIS CHAMBERS led AFC with 11 rec. TDs last year, most by Dolphin since 1991. Caught 2 TDs in 2003 opener (vs. Hou). WR MARTY BOOKER makes Miami debut……Defense allowed AFC 2nd-best 261 points & 26 TDs. Club’s 44 sacks tied for 2nd in NFL. DE JASON TAYLOR leads NFL with 31.5 sacks over past 2 years. Pro Bowl LB ZACH THOMAS led team with 184 tackles, 7th time leading club. CB PATRICK SURTAIN tied for AFC lead with 7 INTs. Team has won 14 of past 15 when Surtain has INT. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS SERIES
STARTERS ’03 STATS
NOTES SEAHAWKS: Head coach MIKE HOLMGREN has led his club to playoffs in 8 of 12 seasons as head coach (GB, Sea)……QB MATT HASSELBECK set club record with 3,841 passing yards in ’03, earning 1st trip to Pro Bowl. Since becoming starting QB in ‘01, has thrown 33 TDs vs. 1 INT in red zone……RB SHAUN ALEXANDER has rushed for 1,000 yards in 3 consecutive seasons & aims to tie CURT WARNER’s club record (1992-95)……Through 61 career games, WR DARRELL JACKSON has more catches (253) & yards (3,808) than Pro Football HOFer STEVE LARGENT. Jackson was 14th WR drafted in ‘00 but leads class in catches, yards & TDs. WR BOBBY ENGRAM seeks 3rd 50-catch year in row……ITULA MILI set single-season club record for TEs with 46 catches, 492 yards & 4 TDs in ’03……DE GRANT WISTROM joins club after totaling 41.5 sacks in 6 years in StL……2nd-year CB MARCUS TRUFANT & S KEN HAMLIN form youthful duo in secondary while CB BOBBY TAYLOR joins club after 9 seasons with Eagles……SAINTS: Club converted 46.3 pct on 3rd downs (106 of 229) in ‘03, 3rd-best in NFL……QB AARON BROOKS is only QB in team history with 3 20-TD pass seasons in row. Enters year with streak of 232 consecutive passes without INT. Has started 53 games in row, 3rd longest active streak among QBs……RB DEUCE MC ALLISTER rushed for career-best 1,641 yards in ’03, including 9 consecutive 100-yard games, tied for 3rd-longest streak in NFL history. RB AARON STECKER joins club after 4 seasons with TB……WR JOE HORN seeks 5th 75-catch year in row. Has 4,890 receiving yards with NO & needs 110 to join ERIC MARTIN (7,854) as only players in franchise annals with 5,000. 2nd-round choice WR DEVERY HENDERSON posted 127 rec yards (3 catches) in preseason……DE CHARLES GRANT emerged as starter in ’03, posting career-best 10 sacks. Rookie 1st-round DE WILL SMITH makes debut after strong preseason. DT BRIAN YOUNG joins club after spending 2000-03 with Rams……P MITCH BERGER led NFC with 38.2 net punting avg.
CINCINNATI
BENGALS AT NEW YORK JETS SERIES
STARTERS ’03 STATS
NOTES BENGALS: Club posted NFL-best 6-win improvement in 2003 (8-8, .500) vs. 2002 (2-14, .125). QB CARSON PALMER makes 1st NFL start; is 1st time any Heisman Trophy-winning QB makes initial NFL start vs. NYJ. RB RUDI JOHNSON became 1st Bengal to record 150+ rush yards in 3 games during same season in ’03 & did not fumble in 215 carries. Rookie RB CHRIS PERRY (No. 26) makes NFL debut. WR CHAD JOHNSON led AFC in ’03 w/ team-record 1,355 rec. yards & started 1st Pro Bowl. Tandem of Johnson & WR PETER WARRICK (819) combined for AFC-best 2,174 rec. yards by teammates. Warrick has catch in all 62 career games. WR KELLEY WASHINGTON has TD in 3 of past 4 road games. Pro Bowl T WILLIE ANDERSON did not commit holding penalty in 2003……Last season, club ranked 5th in AFC KR coverage (20.7)……DT JOHN THORNTON posted career-high 6.0 sacks in 2003. CB TORY JAMES defensed 2 passes vs. NYJ in 12/2/02 mtg (w/ Oak.)……K SHAYNE GRAHAM set club record w/ 88.0 pct. FG accuracy in ’03 (22 of 25) & was 22 of 23 (.957) inside 50…… JETS: Head coach HERMAN EDWARDS has guided team to postseason in 2 of 3 years……QB CHAD PENNINGTON is 12-9 (.571) as starter, completing 424 of 625 passes (67.8 pct.) for 4,753 yards & 35 TDs vs. 15 INTs for 99.0 passer rating. Has never thrown INT in red zone (85 attempts)……RB CURTIS MARTIN aims to join Pro Football HOF RB BARRY SANDERS as only players to rush for 1,000 yards in each of 1st 10 seasons. Needs 205 yards (7,870) to become Jets’ all-time leading rusher (FREEMAN MC NEIL, 8,074)……WR SANTANA MOSS was voted 2003 team MVP, catching 74 passes for 1,105 yards & 10 TDs. Jets debut for WR JUSTIN MC CAREINS (Tennessee), who led AFC with 17.3 avg. last year. Had 1st down on 85% of catches last year, tops in NFL (min. 40 rec.)…… First-round pick LB JONATHAN VILMA (No. 12) makes NFL debut. Pro Bowl DE SHAUN ELLIS led team & ranked 3rd in AFC with 12.5 sacks. Has 15.0 sacks in past 19 & at least 0.5 sacks in 14 of past 19. LB SAM COWART has 100+ tackles in 5 of 6 seasons (145 in 2003). OAKLAND RAIDERS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS SERIES
STARTERS ’03 STATS
NOTES GAME MARKS only 4th time since 1981 that Oakland has played in Pittsburgh, however, teams have now played in Pittsburgh 3 consecutive years. AFC Divisional Playoff between clubs in 1972 produced “Immaculate Reception,” among most famous plays in NFL history w/ last-second TD catch by Steelers’ FRANCO HARRIS……RAIDERS: Head coach NORV TURNER makes head coaching debut for Oakland. Favorite athlete as child was Pittsburgh native & HOF QB JOHNNY UNITAS……In past 5 seasons, QB RICH GANNON has 111 TDs vs. 48 INTs. Addition of QB KERRY COLLINS make Raiders NFL’s only team w/ 2 QBs on roster who have started Super Bowls……Last yr. at Pitt., RB TYRONE WHEATLEY averaged 5.0 yards per carry on 13 attempts & 1 TD. RB JUSTIN FARGAS tied for AFC preseason-high 3 TDs (2 rush, 1 rec.)……In past 2 meetings, 20-year NFL veteran WR JERRY RICE notched 13 catches for 121 yards. WR JERRY PORTER scored 1st career TD at Pitt. (9/15/02)……DT WARREN SAPP plays 1st game with club after 9 seasons w/ TB, including 7 Pro Bowl selections. Games marks Sapp’s 1st career game in Pittsburgh……STEELERS: Head coach BILL COWHER is 4-1 (.800) vs. Oak. Under Cowher, team is 80-1-1 (.982) after leading by 11+ points.……In last meeting, QB TOMMY MADDOX completed 19 of 28 attempts (67.9) for 266 yds w/ 1 TD vs. 1 INT for 95.2 passer rating. Made 1st NFL start vs. Raiders (w/ Den.) on 11/22/92, completing 18 of 26 passes (.692) for 207 yds……In 3 career games vs. Oak, RB JEROME BETTIS has averaged 4.5 yds/carry: 275 yards on 61 attempts. RB DUCE STALEY makes Pittsburgh debut after 7 seasons w/ Phil. Ranked No. 1 in NFL in yards-per-touch in 2003 (6.4)……Three-time NFL All-Star WR HINES WARD tied for most receptions by AFC WR in ’03 (95). In past 3 Kickoff Weekends, Ward has no fewer than 7 catches and 82 rec. yds. WR PLAXICO BURRESS has scored 7 of past 9 TDs at home…...In last meeting, defense did not allow Raiders 1 snap inside Steelers’ 20……In ’03 DT KIMO VON OELHOFFEN (8.0) became 1st Steelers lineman to lead team in sacks since DT-DE GERALD WILLIAMS in 1990 (6.0).
ARIZONA CARDINALS AT ST. LOUIS RAMS
STARTERS ‘03 STATS
NOTES
CARDINALS:
Head coach DENNIS GREEN joins club
after leading Vikings to playoffs 8 times from 1992-01……QB JOSH MC
COWN begins 1st season as starter. Teams
with brother LUKE (Clev) to form 1
of record 5 sets of brothers playing QB in NFL……RB EMMITT SMITH
is NFL’s all-time leading rusher (17,418). Has 76 career 100-yard rushing
games & seeks 1st vs. Rams. Needs 100-yard game to tie WALTER PAYTON
(77) for most 100-yard rushing games in NFL history……Rookie 1st-round
WR LARRY FITZGERALD (No. 3) makes NFL
debut. Second-year WR BRYANT JOHNSON
posted 35 receptions & 438 receiving yards in ’03……TE FREDDIE JONES
led NFC TEs in ’03 with 55 receptions (517 yards). Has 359 career catches,
3rd-most among active TEs……DE KYLE VANDEN BOSCH
returns to action after missing ’03 due to injury. Has posted 2 sacks in
preseason, tied for team lead. Rookie 3rd-round DE DARNELL DOCKETT
(No. 64) may make 1st NFL start……PR
KARL WILLIAMS joins club after spending
1996-03 with Bucs. Hold TB franchise record with 2,279 PR yards……RAMS:
MIKE MARTZ has 3 10-win seasons in
4 years as head coach…..QB MARC BULGER
has 18-4 record as starter. His .818 win percentage is tops among active
QBs (min. 10 starts). Has won 13 consecutive home games, 3rd-longest such
streak to start career since 1970……RB MARSHALL FAULK
has 131 career TDs & needs 1 to pass CRIS CARTER
(131) for sole possession of 4th place all-time. Faulk has 97 career
rushing TDs & needs 3 to become 6th player in NFL history with 100. Has
11,213 career rushing yards & 6,274 receiving & needs 787 rushing & 726
receiving to become 1st player in NFL annals with 12,000 rush & 7,000 rec.
Rookie 1st-round RB STEVEN JACKSON
(No. 24) led NFL with 323 preseason rush yards…. WR TORRY HOLT
has increased reception totals for 3 years in row, culminating with NFL high
117 in ’03. WR ISAAC BRUCE is club
all-time leader with 688 catches & 10,461 yards……S AENEAS WILLIAMS
played every game with Cards from 1991-00.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT WASHINGTON REDSKINS
STARTERS ’03 STATS
NOTES BUCCANEERS: QB BRAD JOHNSON has completed at least 60 percent of pass attempts in 8 consecutive seasons, tied with JOE MONTANA & STEVE YOUNG for longest streak all-time. Spent 1999-00 as starter with Redskins, earning trip to Pro Bowl following ’99 season. Had career-high 26 TD passes in ’03. ……RB CHARLIE GARNER joins Bucs after 3 years with Raiders. Has played under head coach JON GRUDEN in Phil & Oak……WR JOEY GALLOWAY avgd. 19.8 yards per catch with Dal in ’03, best in NFL (min. 30 catches). Has 49 career TD catches & needs 1 for 50. Has averaged 32.6 yards per TD catch. WR TIM BROWN has 99 career TD catches & needs 1 to become 4th player in NFL history with 100 & 2 to pass STEVE LARGENT (100) in 3rd all-time. Has 43 career 100-yard receiving games & needs 100 yards to pass JAMES LOFTON (43) & MARVIN HARRISON (43) in 4th place all-time……DE SIMEON RICE seeks 3rd 15.0-sack season in row. Has 93 career sacks & needs 7 for 100……LB DERRICK BROOKS seeks 8th consecutive Pro Bowl selection & has started every game for Bucs since 1996……REDSKINS: Head coach JOE GIBBS returns to sidelines after leading club to 140-65 (.683) record from 1981-92, including wins in SBs XVII (27-17, Mia), XXII (42-10, Den) & XXVI (37-24, Buf)……QB MARK BRUNELL joins club after spending 1995-03 w/Jax. Compiled 63-54 record (.538) as starter with Jags. Has 86 career INT in 3,643 attempts for 2.36 INT pct, 3rd-best in NFL history……RB CLINTON PORTIS makes Wash debut after posting 2 1,500-yard years in row (1,508, 1,591) for Den in 2002-03……In ‘03, WR LAVERANUES COLES became 1st Redskin with 80+ rec since ART MONK (86, 1989). Coles totaled 1,204 rec yards, most by Redskin since HENRY ELLARD (1,397) in ’94……LB LA VAR ARRINGTON has been to 3 consecutive Pro Bowls……Rookie 1st-round S SEAN TAYLOR (No. 5) led NFL with 3 INTs in preseason. CB SHAWN SPRINGS joins Redskins after spending 1st 7 seasons with Seahawks. Silver Spring, MD native joins hometown team. CB FRED SMOOT has started 43 of possible 48 games since being drafted in 2nd round of ’01 draft.
DALLAS COWBOYS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS
STARTERS ’03 STATS
NOTES COWBOYS: Head coach BILL PARCELLS begins 2nd season with club. In 3 previous coaching stints (NYG, NE, NYJ) his team has improved W-L record avg. of 4.5 games from 1st year to 2nd……QB VINNY TESTAVERDE has 40,943 career passing yards & needs 57 to become 7th player in league history with 41,000. Is 1 of 6 QBs drafted No. 1 overall starting in Week 1……RB EDDIE GEORGE needs 300 carries to extend his streak of consecutive seasons with 300 to 9, most all-time. Second-round RB JULIUS JONES (No. 43) has rushed for 142 yards, averaging 4.7 yards per carry……WR KEYSHAWN JOHNSON has 7,936 career receiving yards needs 64 for 8,000. Avgs. 97.8 receiving yards per game in 6 career games vs. Vikings. WR TERRY GLENN seeks 7th-career & 3rd consecutive 50-catch season……DE GREG ELLIS had career-high 8 sacks in ’03. DE MARCELLUS WILEY joins Cowboys after spending 2001-03 with Chargers……CB TERENCE NEWMAN started all 16 games as rookie in ’03, tying for NFL rookie lead with 4 INTs……VIKINGS: QB DAUNTE CULPEPPER ranked 2nd in NFL in ’03 with 115.5 3rd down passer rating, including 12 TD passes vs. 3 INTs. Ranks 1st in team history with 88.0 career passer rating. Has 1,923 career rushing yards & needs 77 for 2,000……RB MOE WILLIAMS became only 5th player in team history to post 700 yards rushing (745) & 600 receiving (644) in same season in ’03 & 1st to accomplish feat since TED BROWN in 1981……WR RANDY MOSS needs 1,000 yards receiving to become 1st player in NFL history with 1,000 in each of 1st 7 seasons. Moss is only player to accomplish feat in 1st 6 years. Has 8 TDs in 4 career games vs. Cowboys, totaling 21 receptions for 525 yards. Second-year WR NATE BURLESON moves into starting lineup after posting 29 catches for 455 yards in ’03. WR KELLY CAMPBELL avgd. 20.9 yards per catch in ’03 (25 for 522)……DT KEVIN WILLIAMS posted 10.5 sacks in ’03 rookie season, 2nd-best among rookies…… S BRIAN RUSSELL (9) & S COREY CHAVOUS (8) combined for 17 INTs in ’03, more than 21 teams.
NEW YORK GIANTS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
STARTERS ’03 STATS
NOTES GIANTS: Club celebrates 80th anniversary season……TOM COUGHLIN makes Giants’ head coaching debut. Spent 1988-90 as Giants WR coach, helping team to SB title in 1990……QB KURT WARNER earned starting job in preseason. Won MVP award in 1999 & 2001. His 97.2 career passer rating is tops in NFL history……RB TIKI BARBER seeks 3rd consecutive 1,200 yard rushing season. Ranks 2nd in team history with 5,409 rushing yards & 1st with 422 receptions. Had career-high 203 rushing yards vs. Eagles on 12/28/02. RB RON DAYNE led NFL with 4 preseason TDs & ranked 2nd with 263 rushing yards……WR AMANI TOOMER needs 100 yards receiving for 20th career 100-yard game. Has reception in club-record 83 games in row……TE JEREMY SHOCKEY is 1st Giant to be selected to Pro Bowl in each of 1st 2 seasons since LAWRENCE TAYLOR (1981-82)……DE MICHAEL STRAHAN has 52 sacks in past 3 seasons & is NFL’s active sack leader with 114. Has 17.5 career sacks vs. Phil & 10.5 vs. Donovan McNabb, his most vs. any team & QB……EAGLES: Head coach ANDY REID has 46 regular-season wins since 2000, most among NFL coaches. Reid’s .629 (56-33) winning pct. is highest in team history……QB DONOVAN MC NABB has 43-21 (.672) record as starter, 3rd-best among active QBs with minimum 50 starts. Has thrown 49 career INTs in 2,117 attempts for 2.31 INT pct, 2nd-best mark in NFL history (NEIL O’DONNELL, 2.11)……RB BRIAN WESTBROOK rushed for career bests 613 yards & 5.2 yards per carry in ’03. Had game-winning 84-yard PR vs. Giants on 10/19/03……WR TERRELL OWENS joins club after 8 years in SF. Named All-Star 4 consecutive seasons, avg. 92.5 rec, 1,316 yards & 12.6 TDs over that span……DE JEVON KEARSE joins club after posting 47.5 sacks for Titans from 1999-03……LB DHANI JONES spent 1st 4 seasons with Giants before signing with Eagles in March……Club sports new starting CB tandem – LITO SHEPPARD & SHELDON BROWN – for 1st time since ’96……K DAVID AKERS has 494 career points with Eagles & needs 6 to become 2nd player in team history with 500 (BOBBY WALSTON, 881).
ATLANTA FALCONS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
STARTERS ’03 STATS
NOTES FALCONS: JIM MORA makes head coaching debut. Spent 1997-03 seasons as asst. coach with SF, including past 5 as defensive coordinator……QB MICHAEL VICK avgs. 6.8 career yards per pass & 7.3 career yards per rush. Rookie 3rd-round QB MATT SCHAUB (No. 90) ranks 1st in NFL with 6 TD passes in preseason & posted 99.7 passer rating……RB WARRICK DUNN gained 672 yards & avgd. 5.4 yards per carry in 11 games in ’03. RB T.J. DUCKETT’s 11 rushing TDs in ’03 are 3rd-most in franchise history……WR PEERLESS PRICE has reception in 71 consecutive games. WR DEZ WHITE joins Falcons after spending 1st 4 seasons with Bears……TE ALGE CRUMPLER was 1st TE in team annals to start in Pro Bowl. Posted career highs with 44 receptions & 552 yards in ’03……DE PATRICK KERNEY has posted at least 10 sacks in 2 of past 3 years. DT ROD COLEMAN joins club from Raiders & his 16.5 sacks in past 2 seasons is tops in league among DTs……LB KEITH BROOKING named All-Star for 3rd consecutive season in ’03, leading team in tackles with 207……49ERS: Club has scored in NFL record 418 consecutive games & has not been shutout since 10/9/77 when Falcons earned 7-0 win……QB TIM RATTAY enters season as starting QB for 1st time. Started 3 games in ’03, winning 2 & posting 101.4 passer rating, 6 TDs & 2 INTs……RB KEVAN BARLOW rushed for career-bests 1,024 yards in ’03. His 5.1 yards per carry avg. was 5th-highest in NFL among 1,000-yard rushers last year. Started final 4 games of ’03 & topped 150 yards rushing in 2 of 4……Second-year WR BRANDON LLOYD expected to start. Avgd. 15.1 yards per catch in ’03 (14 for 212). Rookie 1st-round WR RASHAUN WOODS (No. 31, Oklahoma State) set NCAA records with 7 TD catches in ’03 game vs. SMU……Defense tied for 4th in NFL last season with 37 takeaways. 49ers have not allowed 100-yard rusher at home in 19 consecutive games, 2nd-longest current streak in NFL (Tenn, 29)……DT BRYANT YOUNG has started all 147 career games & has 66.5 career sacks. SUNDAY NIGHT
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT
DENVER BRONCOS
STARTERS ’03 STATS
NOTES CHIEFS: Club returns 21 of 22 starters from franchise’s 5th AFC West Division Championship team. Club has won 15 in row when leading entering 4th qtr……Last season, head coach DICK VERMEIL became 4th coach to lead 3 franchises to playoffs joining BILL PARCELLS, CHUCK KNOX, and DAN REEVES……QB TRENT GREEN needs 362 passing yards to surpass STEVE DE BERG (11,873) as club’s 3rd-leading all-time passer. Had thrown 2+ TDs in 7 of past 12 games……In past two seasons, RB PRIEST HOLMES has scored NFL’s all-time most rushing TDs (48) in consecutive years. Next-closest RB in rushing TDs from ’02-03 combined is Seattle’s SHAWN ALEXANDER (30)……WR-KR-PR DANTE HALL needs 1 PR-TD to surpass J.T. SMITH (4) & TAMARICK VANOVER (4) for most in team history. Hall needs 1 special teams TD to surpass Vanover (8) for franchise record……G WILL SHIELDS makes 176th start as Chief – most in club annals……CB DEXTER MC CLEON & S GREG WESLEY tied for 4th-most INTs in AFC w/ 6 in ’03. Wesley makes 38th start in his career – most by Chief to begin career since former DE ART STILL (51) in ’78-81……BRONCOS: Head coach MIKE SHANAHAN (99-65, .604) aims for 100th career NFL victory. Under Shanahan, club is 7-3 (.700) at home vs. KC. Broncos are 4-0 vs. Vermeil-coached teams in Denver……QB JAKE PLUMMER is 5-1 (.833) vs. AFC West. In those 6 games, Plummer has 102.3 passer rating with 11 TDs vs. 2 INTs on 97 of 155 (62.6 pct.) for 1,107 yds……RB QUENTIN GRIFFIN was AFC’s 4th-leading preseason rusher with 199 yds on 42 carries (4.7 avg.)……WR ROD SMITH has 9 100-yd games vs. KC in 16 games (12 starts), most vs. any foe……CB CHAMP BAILEY & S JOHN LYNCH make Broncos debut. Bailey spent ’99-03 w/ Wash & was named to Pro Bowl in 4 of 5 yrs. Lynch played for TB from ’93-03 & is 5-time All-Star.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
STARTERS ’03 STATS
NOTES
PACKERS:
Club has posted 12 consecutive non-losing (.500 or better) seasons,
2nd-longest current streak in NFL (Mia, 15)……MIKE SHERMAN
enters 5th season as head coach, posting 45-24 (.652) winning pct in 1st 4……QB
BRETT FAVRE will start 190th game in row,
all-time record for QBs. Has thrown 346 career TD passes & needs 4 to
become 2nd player in NFL history with 350. Has 125 career wins & needs win
vs. Panthers to pass Pro Football HOFer FRAN TARKENTON
for sole possession of 3rd-most all-time……RB AHMAN GREEN
enters year needing 1,000 yards rushing to tie JIM TAYLOR’s
club record of 5 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Has 24 100-yard rushing
games with Pack, 2nd-most in club history, & GB 22-2 in those games……WR
DONALD DRIVER had career-best 2 TD catches
in last meeting. WR JAVON WALKER
avgd. 17.5 yards per catch in ’03 (41 for 716), 2nd in NFL (minimum 25
catches)……TE BUBBA FRANKS has 21 TD
catches since ‘00, 2nd-most among NFL TEs (TONY GONZALEZ,
32)…… PANTHERS: Club
completed its 2nd consecutive undefeated preseason......Since the current
free agency system began in ’93, QB JAKE DELHOMME
joined TRENT DILFER (Bal, SB XXXV)
as only players to lead club to SB in 1st season with new team……RB
STEPHEN DAVIS rushed for career-best &
franchise record 1,444 yards in ’03, posting 7 100-yard rushing games.
RB DE SHAUN FOSTER rushed for 429
yards in ’03 & added 196 yards in club’s 4 playoff games……WR
STEVE SMITH
enters year on heels of standout playoffs, posting 404 receiving yards (18
catches) in 4 games. WR
MUHSIN MUHAMMAD is franchise leader with
485 receptions & 6,346 yards……D-line of DE JULIUS PEPPERS,
DE MIKE RUCKER, DT KRIS
JENKINS & DT BRENTSON BUCKNER
returns for 3rd consecutive season.
D-line posted 32.5 sacks in ’03, 2nd-most in NFL (Mia, 38.5)……LB MARK
FIELDS
returns after recovering from Hodgkin’s disease.
LAST WEEK’S NFL RESULTS (Sept. 2-3)
Thursday, September 2
Friday, September 3
Carolina16, PITTSBURGH
13 N.Y. JETS 28,
Philadelphia 27 San Diego 31, SAN FRANCISCO 15
FINAL 2004 PRESEASON STANDINGS
KICKOFF WEEKEND 2004 SCHEDULE – SEPTEMBER 9, 12-13 (All times local)
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