FOR USE AS DESIRED
NFC-POW-12    12/1/04

FALCONS TE ALGE CRUMPLER, VIKINGS DT KEVIN WILLIAMS &
EAGLES DE JEVON KEARSE NAMED NFC PLAYERS OF WEEK 12

Tight end ALGE CRUMPLER of the Atlanta Falcons, defensive tackle KEVIN WILLIAMS of the Minnesota Vikings and defensive end JEVON KEARSE of the Philadelphia Eagles are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the 12th week of the 2004 season (November 25, 28-29), the NFL announced today.

OFFENSE: TE ALGE CRUMPLER, ATLANTA FALCONS

·        Crumpler helped the Falcons move one step closer to a division championship, totaling four receptions for 103 yards and one touchdown in a dramatic 24-21 home win against New Orleans.  With the Saints leading 21-17 and 1:56 remaining, Atlanta gained possession at the Saints 47 with no timeouts left.  Quarterback MICHAEL VICK looked in Crumpler’s direction on the first play, and the duo connected for 27 yards.  The next play was more of the same, as the tight end hauled in a 20-yard touchdown for the game-winning points.  All four of Crumpler’s receptions were for at least 20 yards and set up scoring opportunities.  His 24-yard grab in the first quarter preceded Vick’s 16-yard touchdown run for a 7-0 Falcons advantage.  Then in the second, his 32-yard reception led to a field goal attempt.  Crumpler’s 103-yard effort gives him a team-leading 709 this season and enabled him to pass JIM MITCHELL (650, 1970) for the most receiving yards by a tight end in franchise history. 

In his fourth season from North Carolina, this is Crumpler’s first Player of the Week Award and first for a Falcons’ tight end since the award was instituted in 1984. 

DEFENSE: DT KEVIN WILLIAMS, MINNESOTA VIKINGS

·        Williams played a pivotal role for the Vikings in a 27-16 win over Jacksonville, helping the club improve to 7-4 and maintain a share of first place in the NFC North with the Green Bay Packers.  Williams totaled three tackles and 1.0 sack but saved perhaps his finest moment for the most opportune time.  With Minnesota leading 20-16 and 2:18 remaining, the Jaguars faced a third and six from the Vikings 19.  After a sack by teammate KENECHI UDEZE forced a fumble, Williams recovered the loose ball and raced 77 yards for his first career touchdown, giving Minnesota a game-clinching score and a 27-16 advantage.  Williams ranks second among NFL defensive tackles with 7.0 sacks.

In his second season from Oklahoma State, this is Williams’ first Player of the Week Award.

SPECIAL TEAMS: DE JEVON KEARSE, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

·        Kearse helped the Eagles clinch their fourth consecutive NFC East title with a 27-6 win over the New York Giants, becoming only the third team since the NFL instituted the 16-game schedule in 1978 to clinch a division championship after 11 games, joining the 1985 Chicago Bears and 1997 San Francisco 49ers.  With the Eagles nursing a 13-6 lead late in the third quarter, Kearse blocked the first punt of his career, setting up Philadelphia with a first down at the New York 28-yard line.  Seven plays later, running back BRIAN WESTBROOK scored on a one-yard touchdown run to give the Eagles a 20-6 lead they would not relinquish.  Kearse also added one tackle and 0.5 sacks in the win. 

In his sixth season from Florida, this is Kearse’s second career Player of the Week Award, but first for special teams.                                            

2004 NFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Other nominees for NFC Offensive Player of Week 12 were:

• St. Louis quarterback MARK BULGER, who completed 35 of 53 attempts for 448 yards and two touchdowns, posting a 97.1 passer rating.  His 448 yards is the highest total ever against the Packers.
• Tampa Bay rookie wide receiver MICHAEL CLAYTON, who posted eight receptions for 77 yards, passing LAWRENCE DAWSEY (818, 1991) for the most receiving yards by a rookie in franchise history.  Clayton leads NFL rookies with 60 receptions and 828 yards.
• Green Bay running back NAJEH DAVENPORT, who rushed for 178 yards on 19 carries, including a 40-yard touchdown run, in a 45-17 win against St. Louis.
• Dallas rookie running back JULIUS JONES, who carried 33 times for 150 yards, including touchdown runs of 33 and four yards, in a 21-7 Thanksgiving Day win over Chicago.  Jones’ 150 rushing yards tied him with CALVIN HILL for the second-highest rushing output for a rookie in team history (TONY DORSETT, 206).
• Philadelphia quarterback DONOVAN MC NABB, who completed 18 of 27 attempts for 244 yards and one touchdown, posting a 107.6 passer rating.  He also added 30 yards rushing, including a four-yard touchdown run.
• Tampa Bay running back MICHAEL PITTMAN, who notched his first career 100-yard receiving game, finishing with eight receptions for 134 yards and two touchdowns.  He also added 29 yards rushing.

Other nominees for NFC Defensive Player of Week 12 were:

• Green Bay rookie cornerback AHMAD CARROLL, who scored his first NFL touchdown on a 40-yard fumble return and had his first career interception in the Packers’ win, adding three tackles.
• Dallas defensive end ERIC OGBOGU, who had a career-high 3.5 sacks, four tackles and one forced fumble.
• Carolina defensive end JULIUS PEPPERS, who had five tackles and 1.0 sack, returning an interception 45 yards for a touchdown in a 21-14 win over Tampa Bay.
• Philadelphia defensive tackle COREY SIMON, who posted five tackles and 1.5 sacks.
• Washington linebacker MARCUS WASHINGTON, who had nine tackles and 2.0 sacks for a loss of 16 yards against Pittsburgh, helping limit the Steelers to 207 total yards.

Other nominees for NFC Special Teams Player of Week 12 were:

• Philadelphia kicker DAVID AKERS, who connected on field goals of 47 and 42 yards.  He now has 14 field goals of 40+ yards this season, the most in franchise history.
• Tampa Bay punter JOSH BIDWELL, who averaged 46.5 yards on two punts, with a long punt of 49 yards.