FOR USE AS DESIRED FALCONS QB MICHAEL VICK, BEARS LB BRIAN URLACHER & SEAHAWKS P TOM ROUEN NAMED NFC PLAYERS OF WEEK 2 Quarterback MICHAEL VICK of the Atlanta Falcons, linebacker BRIAN URLACHER of the Chicago Bears and punter TOM ROUEN of the Seattle Seahawks are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the second week of the 2004 season (September 19-20), the NFL announced today. OFFENSE: QB MICHAEL VICK, ATLANTA FALCONS Vick was instrumental in helping the Falcons end a seven game losing streak against the St. Louis Rams, leading the club to a 34-17 win in its home opener. He completed 14 of 19 attempts for 179 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions, finishing the game with a stellar 120.3 passer rating. Equally impressive on the ground, Vick rushed 12 times for 109 yards, averaging 9.1 yards per carry. His 20-yard run late in the second quarter helped set up a field goal, giving Atlanta a 17-7 halftime advantage. Vick’s 100-yard effort was the third of his career, as he improved his record at the Georgia Dome to 10-2. In his fourth season from Virginia Tech, this is Vick’s second career Player of the Week Award. DEFENSE: LB BRIAN URLACHER, CHICAGO BEARS Urlacher led a Bears defense that limited the vaunted offense of the Green Bay Packers to one touchdown, helping Chicago to a 21-10 win at Lambeau Field. The win, the first for head coach LOVIE SMITH, ended the Bears’ seven-game losing streak to the Packers. Urlacher finished with 14 tackles, helping perhaps make the key play of the game late in the second quarter. With the Bears leading 7-3, Green Bay faced a first-and-goal at the Chicago 2 with 2:00 minutes remaining. The Packers handed to AHMAN GREEN and Urlacher forced a fumble that teammate MIKE BROWN returned 95 yards for a touchdown, turning a potential halftime deficit into a 14-3 Bears advantage. Then late in the fourth quarter with Green Bay attempting to rally, Urlacher forced an intentional grounding call, pressuring Packers quarterback BRETT FAVRE on a fourth-and-eight from the Chicago 11, sealing the victory. In his fifth season from New Mexico, this is Urlacher’s fourth Player of the Week Award and first since 2002 (Week 2). SPECIAL TEAMS: P TOM ROUEN, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS Rouen played an important role in the Seahawks’ second consecutive road win of 2004, a 10-6 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Rouen punted 10 times in the defensive struggle, averaging 47.5 yards. His 44.0 net average was the second-highest in franchise history (min. 10 punts). Of his 10 punts, Rouen pinned four inside the 20-yard line, with a long punt of 60 yards. The veteran from Littleton, Colorado assisted in limiting the Buccaneers to 15 punt return yards and an average of five yards per return. In his 12th season from Colorado, this is Rouen’s second career Player of the Week Award. 2004 NFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Other nominees for NFC Offensive Player of Week 2 were: Carolina running back DE SHAUN FOSTER, who rushed for a career-high 174 yards, averaging 5.4 yards per carry and adding a three-yard touchdown run in a 28-17 road-win against Kansas City. Detroit quarterback JOEY HARRINGTON, who completed 18 of 25 attempts for 176 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, finishing with a 114.3 passer rating in a 28-16 win against Houston. Chicago running back THOMAS JONES, who gained 152 yards rushing on 23 carries, including a one-yard touchdown and a long run of 54 yards. Philadelphia quarterback DONOVAN MC NABB, who completed 19 of 28 attempts for 245 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, posting a 118.9 passer rating. He also added 24 yards rushing, including a 20-yard touchdown run, in a 27-16 win against Minnesota. Other nominees for NFC Defensive Player of Week 2 were: Philadelphia cornerback SHELDON BROWN, who had 13 tackles and 1.0 sack. Dallas defensive end GREG ELLIS, who had seven tackles, 1.0 sack, forced an interception and drew a holding penalty in the end zone that resulted in a safety in a 19-12 win versus Cleveland. Detroit defensive end JAMES HALL, who had six tackles, 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble. Atlanta defensive end PATRICK KERNEY, who finished with four tackles and 2.0 sacks. Tampa Bay defensive tackle ANTHONY MC FARLAND, who totaled seven tackles and 2.0 sacks. New York defensive tackle FRED ROBBINS, who had three tackles, 2.0 sacks, one interception and one forced fumble in a 20-14 win against Washington. Seattle defensive end GRANT WISTROM, who totaled seven tackles, 2.0 sacks and one forced fumble in a 10-6 road-win against Tampa Bay. Other nominees for NFC Special Teams Player of Week 2 were: Detroit kickoff returner EDDIE DRUMMOND, who returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown. Philadelphia kickoff returner J.R. REED, who returned four kickoffs for 126 yards, averaging 31.5 yards per return.
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