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FOR USE AS DESIRED NFL PRESS BOX NOTES – KICKOFF 2004 WEEKEND NO. 1s UNDER CENTER: NFL Kickoff 2004 marks not only the beginning of the NFL’s 85th season, but the NFL debut of quarterback CARSON PALMER of the Cincinnati Bengals. Palmer, the league’s No. 1 overall draft choice in 2003, did not see action last year. He will make his first NFL start on Sunday on the road against the New York Jets. Palmer and 2004 No.1 draft pick ELI MANNING of the New York Giants are among 25 quarterbacks in history who have been selected No. 1 overall. Six of the 25 (24 percent) will start this week, the most No. 1 quarterbacks ever to start on a Kickoff Weekend. Those quarterbacks: Buffalo’s DREW BLEDSOE (1993), Houston’s DAVID CARR (2002), Indianapolis’ PEYTON MANNING (1998), Palmer (2003), Dallas’ VINNY TESTAVERDE (1987) and Atlanta’s MICHAEL VICK (2001). Palmer will seek to extend a two-game winning streak for No. 1 quarterbacks, following successful first starts by Vick in 2001 and Carr in 2002. Since 1970, No. 1s have compiled a 4-8 record in their first start. But that losing record has not been a precursor of things to come. Those 12 quarterbacks went on to 31 Pro Bowls and earned 12 Super Bowl championship rings. A look at quarterbacks selected No. 1 since 1970 and how they fared in their first starts, which for all but Palmer came at some point in their rookie seasons:
GREEN BAY & MIAMI = STEADY SUCCESS: Surprise seems the norm when it comes to predicting NFL success. But for two franchises, the Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Packers, winning has been no surprise at all. The Dolphins, who kick off the season on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, are aiming to add to a streak of 15 consecutive .500-or-better seasons – the longest active such streak and tied for the fifth-longest ever. In Green Bay, the Packers have enjoyed 12 consecutive .500-or-better seasons and begin their quest for their 13th when they face the defending NFC champion Carolina Panthers on Monday night. A look at the active and all-time leaders in consecutive .500-or-better seasons: ACTIVE ALL-TIME
-- NFL KICKOFF 2004 -- MANNING ON THE MOVE: Indianapolis Colts quarterback PEYTON MANNING has started all 96 games of his NFL career. As he begins his seventh season, he is on the verge on a major milestone. Manning has thrown for 24,885 yards and needs 115 against the Patriots on Thursday night to reach 25,000 faster than any quarterback except DAN MARINO, who accomplished the feat in his 92nd game. The quarterbacks who reached 25,000 yards the quickest:
* Active -- NFL KICKOFF 2004 -- CLOSING IN ON 500: Washington Redskins fans will welcome back Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach JOE GIBBS on Sunday when Washington hosts the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Gibbs guided the Redskins to a 124-60 (.674) mark from 1981-92, leading the franchise to three Super Bowl victories. A win Sunday would be a milestone for the franchise, making Washington the fourth NFL club with 500 regular-season victories. The NFL’s all-time leaders in regular-season victories:
-- NFL KICKOFF 2004 -- MILESTONE TDs ON HORIZON: St. Louis Rams running back MARSHALL FAULK has been a scoring threat throughout his career. On Sunday against Arizona, he continues his pursuit of the game’s all-time touchdown leaders. Faulk has 131 career touchdowns and needs one to pass
CRIS CARTER for sole possession of fourth place. Brown has 99 career touchdown receptions and needs one to become the fourth player in NFL history with 100. He would also tie Pro Football Hall of Famer STEVE LARGENT for the third most TD catches in history. The NFL career leaders in total touchdowns and touchdown receptions:
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