Giants defense holds Niners without a touchdown

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Though Jeremy Shockey and Michael Strahan had miserable memories of Candlestick Park, Eli Manning was still in college when the New York Giants' last trip to the playoffs ended here in a historic collapse. --football gambling--

The young quarterback thought the old building was an excellent place to get his first true road victory. Manning passed for 251 yards and a touchdown, Brandon Jacobs rushed for two short fourth-quarter scores and the Giants' defense yielded just 138 total yards in a 24-6 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. --football gambling--

Plaxico Burress had five catches for 79 yards in the third straight victory for the Giants (6-2), who maintained their lead in the NFC East by suffocating the 49ers' offense, which hasn't scored a touchdown in its last 13 quarters at home. --football gambling--

The Giants' offense also floundered for long stretches against San Francisco's solid defense, but a handful of big throws by Manning led to scores. --football gambling--
"We just had to get the ball in our receivers' hands and let them be the athletes," said Manning, who had been 0-5 in games outside Giants Stadium; New York beat New Orleans at the Meadowlands in Week 2, technically a Saints home game after Hurricane Katrina damaged the Superdome. "We had to figure out a way not to hurt ourselves, and mostly we avoided that. We had too many mistakes, but they didn't end up hurting us."--football gambling--

That wasn't always the case in San Francisco. Just 11 Giants are left from one of the club's most infamous postseason defeats: On Jan. 5, 2003, New York allowed San Francisco to rally from a 24-point deficit in the second half of a 39-38 wild-card victory.--football gambling--

It was the second-biggest collapse in NFL playoff history, and New York hasn't been back to the postseason or Candlestick since. But while the 49ers are 10-31 since that win, the Giants have rebuilt themselves into a postseason contender behind Manning, who was 18-of-33 and threw a TD pass in his ninth straight game.--football gambling--

Shockey, who dropped a pass in the end zone during the second half of that playoff loss in San Francisco, stretched full-length to catch a 32-yard scoring pass 13 seconds before halftime.
"It was wide open, and there was no one there," Shockey said of his TD catch -- not the ball he dropped two seasons ago. "I have never seen that look in my whole career, and I probably will never see it again. It was a completely busted coverage."--football gambling--

Burress made a stunning one-handed, 50-yard catch on the final play of the third quarter, and Jacobs rushed for a 1-yard score moments later. Amani Toomer then made a 23-yard catch near the goal line, setting up another 1-yard TD run. --football gambling--

Cody Pickett, the 49ers' fourth starting quarterback in five games, made few mistakes in his first start. But he couldn't spark anything behind San Francisco's comically inept offensive line, which committed several penalties and rarely allowed Pickett a moment's peace.--football gambling--

"Cody did a great job with the plays, but it's tough getting the timing down when you don't have the same quarterback in practice every week," receiver Brandon Lloyd said of Pickett, who went 12-of-21 for 102 yards. --football gambling--

"(Pickett) didn't cause any problems for us," Strahan said. "It seemed like every time he dropped back, we were successful in putting some pressure on him and hitting him."
Joe Nedney kicked two field goals for the Niners (2-6), who lost for the sixth time in seven games.--football gambling--

The 49ers' offense briefly got going late in the first half, with Pickett scrambling for two first downs before Lloyd took the crowd's breath away with a one-handed, behind-the-head catch inside the New York 5.--football gambling--

But struggling left tackle Anthony Clement was called for holding on the play -- and after consecutive false starts by the line, Pickett's long pass was intercepted by Brent Alexander.
Manning quickly hit Shockey twice for the Giants' first TD. --football gambling--

"It is a lack of focus and concentration," 49ers coach Mike Nolan said of the penalties. "Emotion is a huge part of the game, and you can't let emotions get the better of you. There's not a tremendous amount of noise at home. Today, (false starts are) inexcusable." --football gambling--

San Francisco scored on Nedney's 48-yard field goal early in the second half, ending nearly 108 scoreless minutes for the Giants' defense, which shut out Washington last week. Nedney hit a 52-yarder several minutes later. --football gambling--

Game notes
San Francisco got four of its nine first downs on penalties. ... Back judge Don Dorkowski injured his calf during the second half, and the game was finished with six officials. ... The Niners had just 10 men on the field for the game's first play -- a 28-yard catch by Shockey.--football gambling--

NFC race now wide open as Eagles fall back to pack

(October 31, 2005) — The Philadelphia Eagles no longer rule the NFC. They're just another team. -NFL Football-

The Eagles entered Sunday ranked a deceiving seventh in total offense and 20th in total defense and will be even lower after a convincing 49-21 road loss in Denver. -NFL Football-

Philadelphia ranks high in offense because it passes so often. It passes often because it can't run the ball. The Eagles are averaging only 3.5 yards per carry and less than 25 percent of their plays from scrimmage have been rushes by running backs. -NFL Football-

Quick but smallish Brian Westbrook might think he's one of the NFL's best running backs, but coach Andy Reid must not agree. A heavy-duty running back has to be a top priority for next season. -NFL Football-

Opponents are stacking their defenses against the pass and Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb is too banged up to keep them honest by running. -NFL Football-

The Eagles are the NFL's only team to make the playoffs in each of the last five years. They're now 4-3 in the rugged NFC East and that streak is very much in jeopardy. -NFL Football-

Other observations on NFL Week 8:

The way rookie quarterback Kyle Orton played Sunday in a 19-13 overtime victory over Detroit (230 yards passing; only one interception in the last four games), the Bears look like the team to beat in the NFC North. The defense has been terrific and linebacker Brian Urlacher is making a strong bid for NFL Defensive Player of the Year. -NFL Football-

Check out these defensive numbers for the Bears: Allowed only 7 TDs in seven games (including the first rushing TD of the season Sunday by Detroit); allowed only 263 total yards and 11.6 points per game and 3.2 yards per rush. -NFL Football-

The New York Giants proved Sunday how much late owner Wellington Mara meant to them and how much emotion can mean in what otherwise appears to be a competitive matchup. He died Tuesday at age 89 and plenty of the players obviously took it hard and were determined to give their best efforts against Washington. The Giants crushed the Redskins 36-0 and it is impossible to believe that Mr. Mara's passing didn't have a lot to do with it. -NFL Football-

Green Bay is 1-6 after a 21-14 loss in Cincinnati. The Packers haven't had a losing record since 1991, the longest active streak in the NFL, but it surely will end this season. Brett Favre threw five interceptions Sunday but nearly pulled off the 35th fourth-quarter comeback of his career. The Packers have a young quarterback on the sidelines in Aaron Rodgers, but even he scoffs at suggestions that Favre be benched to give him game experience in what appears to be a lost season. Favre should and will start every game he is healthy for as long as he wears a Packers uniform. -NFL Football-

The Denver Broncos would be tough to beat in a playoff game in January with their rushing attack in the snow in their stadium. ... Are the St. Louis Rams hurting Mike Martz's chances of returning with two straight wins under interim coach Joe Vitt with their starting QB and two star WRs not playing? ... It seems reasonably safe to project massive player moves by the Minnesota Vikings in the off-season. ... San Diego is one of the best 4-4 teams we'll ever see. ... If San Francisco isn't careful, it could win another game and blow a chance to draft Southern California's Matt Leinart or Reggie Bush. ... I don't imagine many quarterbacks go to Pro Bowls playing for three different teams, but Drew Bledsoe has a chance (New England to Buffalo to Dallas) if his second half of the season is as good as his first eight games. -NFL Football-

Tonight's Baltimore at Pittsburgh game is one of those Monday Night Football matchups that was appealing when the schedule came out but looks like a stinker now. The Ravens have no offense unless Jamal Lewis (2.6 yards per carry this season) suddenly wakes up (he has averaged 116 yards rushing in his last seven prime-time games). Defensive mainstays Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are hurting and probably won't play. Baltimore has lost six straight road games. Pittsburgh even has the revenge motive on its side. Baltimore handed the Steelers their only regular-season loss in 2004. Finally, Pittsburgh is an NFL-best 31-11 in October since 1995. -NFL Football-

QB Tim Rattay traded from 49ers to Buccaneers
By FRED GOODALL, AP Sports Writer
-- NFL --
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers braced for life without Brian Griese on Tuesday, acquiring Tim Rattay from the San Francisco 49ers to back up young quarterbacks Chris Simms and Luke McCown. -- NFL --
The Bucs sent what was believed to be a sixth-round draft choice to the 49ers for Rattay, a six-year veteran who recently lost his caretaker hold on San Francisco's starting job to No. 1 overall draft pick Alex Smith. -- NFL --
-- NFL --
Griese injured his left knee during Sunday's 27-13 victory over Miami, though the Bucs still haven't said how long he will be sidelined after helping them to a 5-1 start. -- NFL --
``We're getting some more analysis,'' general manager Bruce Allen said. ``He's still on the team. He is wanting to play. We're hopeful that he can. But we're going to get the proper medical opinion.'' -- NFL --

Allen declined to discuss specifics of the injury, which occurred when Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas rolled into Griese's leg, or what doctors have told the team about the quarterback's status. -- NFL --
What's clear, though, is Griese will be out for a lengthy time.
Simms replaced him against the Dolphins and will have two weeks to prepare for his first start of the season because Tampa Bay has a bye this Sunday. Oddly enough, the Buccaneers' next game is in San Francisco on Oct. 30. -- NFL --
-- NFL --
San Francisco coach Mike Nolan initially was reluctant to make the deal, which puts the 49ers' future even more squarely on the shoulders of Smith, who made five turnovers in his first NFL start on Oct. 9.
-- NFL --But Nolan liked the draft pick, the roster room created by the trade and the chance to exploit the team's depth at quarterback. Though Nolan refused to disclose the draft pick acquired, he acknowledged it could improve if Rattay reaches certain performance standards.
-- NFL --
``This was a difficult decision for me, because I've learned some things about Tim,'' said Nolan, who wasn't impressed by Rattay's placid demeanor during training
camp. ``I think he is a good solid backup, and that's an important role on any team. ... It wasn't so much that he didn't fit in. It was just that Alex was the guy that we drafted.'' -- NFL --
-- NFL --
Ken Dorsey, who started seven games last season while San Francisco went a league-worst 2-14, will be Smith's backup. Fourth-stringer Cody Pickett, who has played on the Niners' special teams in recent weeks, will be No. 3. -- NFL --

``We're one of very few teams that kept four quarterbacks this year, and one of the reasons was there was a high chance that at this time, somebody would be looking for a quarterback,'' Nolan said. ``It just so happened Tampa Bay was on a hunt because they needed somebody.''
-- NFL --
Allen said the Bucs explored the prospect of acquiring Rattay during the offseason and were excited to find he was available before the NFL trading deadline of 4 p.m. Tuesday. Paul Hackett, the Bucs' quarterbacks coach, mentored 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy and QBs coach Jim Hostler earlier in their careers. -- NFL --
-- NFL --
To make room on the active roster, the team released rookie fullback Rick Razzano.
``We feel he'll be a great fit for our team,'' Allen said. ``He'll come in and be our No. 3 quarterback. It gives us some great insurance and a feeling that we can sleep at night that we have a bona fide NFL starter.'' -- NFL --
-- NFL --
Simms and McCown, like Rattay a former standout at Louisiana Tech, have made a combined six starts as pros -- all last season when Simms made two for the Bucs and McCown started four as a rookie in Cleveland. -- NFL --
-- NFL --
Rattay, a seventh-round -- NFL --
pick in 2000 who spent four years backing up Jeff Garcia, started nine games last season and beat out Smith in training camp this year. But he struggled behind San Francisco's terrible offensive line after an opening victory over St. Louis, and Nolan decided to put his $49 million rookie into the lineup. -- NFL --
-- NFL --
``He was the best quarterback we thought could help us right now,'' Allen said. ``And the fact that he has experience allowed us to look at enough tape ... we feel very comfortable we know what we're getting.'' -- NFL --
-- NFL --
At Louisiana Tech, Rattay started 33 games, finishing second in NCAA history with 12,746 yards passing. He was the third player in NCAA history with more than 100 career touchdown passes.
-- NFL --

WR Johnson injured for Texans

HOUSTON (Oct. 9, 2005) -- Texans Pro Bowl receiver Andre Johnson strained his right calf in the first quarter and was knocked out of the game against the Tennessee Titans. - NFL Football -

He remained on the sideline until halftime and then returned in street clothes after the break.

Johnson entered play having caught at least one pass in all 35 of his NFL games, but he had no receptions before leaving with the injury. - NFL Football -

© 2005, NFL Enterprises LLC.

NFL to Make Short-Lived Visit to Mexico

By WILL WEISSERT, Associated Press Writer

MEXICO CITY - Don't expect the NFL to stick around Mexico very long after Sunday's game between the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers, the first regular-season game played outside the United States.

NFL Mexico, which oversees the sport in this country, says it has no plans to push for a team any time soon. It appears content to follow the lead of the NBA and major league baseball, which played games that counted in Mexico in years past but haven't seriously considered sanctioning Mexican franchises.

"A franchise in Mexico, it's not a priority for the short or medium term," said Geraldine Gonzalez of the league's Mexico City office. "It's not so viable."

NFL surveys say 20 million Mexicans, a little less than one in five, are fans of the league.

Still, Gonzalez said the fact that few play football has prohibited a sports culture from forming around homegrown talent. Factor in concerns about security, logistical difficulties and whether fans can afford ticket prices, and an NFL team here starts to look about as likely as Giants Stadium hosting Mexican cockfights.

"There are a number of communities in the United States that have raised their hands and said, 'We are ready for a franchise,' including Los Angeles," Gonzalez said. "The league will first look out for its interests within the United States."

The NFL is not alone. The northern city of Monterrey hosted baseball in 1999 and a three-game series between the San Diego Padres and New York Mets in 1996. But a bid to bring the Montreal Expos there part time, instead of playing in Puerto Rico, fizzled in 2003.

NBA commissioner David Stern has mentioned Mexico City as a possible site for an expansion franchise, and the Houston Rockets and the Dallas Mavericks 108-106 here on Dec. 6, 1997. But the league has not been back for a regular-season contest.

Paul Swangard, managing director of the University of Oregon's Warsaw Sports Management Center, said Mexico's inability to provide would-be franchises with modern stadiums including luxury boxes and other lucrative perks have helped scare away U.S. leagues.

"The leagues, especially the NFL, don't want to discount their product for a particular market," Swangard said.

Tickets for Sunday's game at Azteca Stadium, which hosted World Cup finals in 1970 and 1986, cost between $23 and $80. That's cheaper than seats at most U.S. stadiums, but prohibitively expensive for millions in a country where the minimum wage is $4 a day.

Wearing a Pittsburg Steelers cap while waiting for a bus in southern Mexico City, construction worker Jorge Chavez said he was proud an NFL game was being played here — but that he couldn't afford to go.

"Feeding the children comes first," he said. "I can watch it on television."

Instead of expansion plans, if things go well Sunday the NFL has promised to consider holding regular-season contests in other international locations. Strong television ratings across Mexico and a crowd of 100,000-plus in the stands would go a long way toward making the game a success.

Fans have not snapped up tickets as quickly as anticipated, but officials point out that Mexican buyers are notorious for waiting until the last minute.

Buying seats at an Azteca ticket window, 48-year-old Jamie Solis said: "Mexico's so close, there should be an NFL team. There are good football fans here. They want a full stadium. We will fill it."

But a complete sellout won't be possible because officials are not offering tickets for the first seven rows around Azteca's massive bowl, citing atrocious viewing angles at field level.

The halftime show will feature a series of traditional Mexican dances involving 900 performers. The Mexican national anthem will complement that of the United States, and kickoffs, punts and field goals might carry farther given the 7,200-foot altitude.

Otherwise, things on the field will look much the same as at any other NFL game. The league even brought down the paint used for yard markers, the NFL logos and the insignia of the Cardinals in one end zone and the 49ers in the other.

"We're trying to use less paint to save the stadium," said Pete Wozniak, manager of athletic facilities at Arizona State, who came down to lead a 14-member grounds crew preparing the field for the game. "They've got to play soccer here again in a few weeks."

And going back to soccer, Mexico's true sports love, is fine with many.

"There's a lot of interest. But an entire NFL season, when so many people like soccer better?" said Juan Hernandez, who was asked about a Mexican franchise after arriving at the Azteca ticket booth aboard an SUV with a Dallas Cowboys novelty license plate. "For the NFL, it should be 'yes' in Mexico, but better only for one day."

Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

Ex-NFL QB heads USD turnaround

BY ALEX GOLDBERGER

Jim Harbaugh was born with a football in his right hand. Forty years later, after 15 seasons as an NFL quarterback, he did what his father did -- and what his brother and brother-in-law do -- he turned to coaching.

"My dad's a coach," said Harbaugh, now head coach at the University of San Diego, which will host the Bulldogs Saturday. "He's been coaching for 43 years. I sort of grew up around coaching -- games on Saturdays. So I knew I'd play as long as I could and then start coaching. It's such a great profession. I was always so proud of him growing up. He coached at Michigan and he was a celebrity almost. Stems from him, my mom, the relationship they had, the relationships he had with other coaches. Personally, as an adult, it's the way I'm wired. I need competition."

Indeed, the coaching bug bit Harbaugh even before his playing career was over. Over his final eight seasons in the NFL (1994-2001) -- including 1995, the year in which he finished runner-up in the MVP voting -- Harbaugh was an NCAA-certified unpaid assistant coach under his father, Jack, at Western Kentucky University, serving as offensive consultant, scout and recruiter.

When he finally took the reins of his own team, at San Diego before the 2004 season, coaching did not seem to come as naturally for the son as it had for the father. The Toreros lost four of their first six games, including a 61-18 thrashing at the hands of Pennsylvania (lowly Princeton also edged USD a week later, 24-17).

"We did have a tough schedule," Harbaugh said. "But the one thing about the west-coast offense is it takes some time to learn." - NFL Football -

It takes five games, it turned out. In San Diego's final loss of the season, quarterback Todd Mortensen carved up the Drake defense for 347 yards passing.

He, Harbaugh and the Toreros never looked back. After the team reeled off five consecutive victories to close out the season, Mortensen was named Pacific Football League co-Offensive Player of the Year and was signed by the Detroit Lions and Harbaugh -- the former Heisman finalist, first-round pick and Pro Bowler -- was one of the hottest names in Division I-AA coaching. - NFL Football -

"I take pride in the entire team," Harbaugh said when asked if he favored quarterbacks over his other players. "Quarterback is an important position, probably the most important on offense because he handles the ball every play. Maybe I'm a little biased for having played it, and since I coach the quarterbacks, but it's the head coach's responsibility for the success of the whole team, and I take great pride in wins and losses."

This season, with new starters at running back and quarterback, the Toreros (2-0) picked up right where they left off, vanquishing Azusa Pacific and Southern Oregon by a combined count of 81-6. - NFL Football -

Still, Harbaugh is quick to point out that Yale might just be in another class than San Diego and the rest of the PFL, widely regarded as second-tier within I-AA.

"We definitely welcome the competition with a team with the tradition of Yale," Harbaugh said. "Watching them on film, I think it's a great football team and should be a great challenge for our team."

It might please the Eli coaching staff to hear that Harbaugh was most concerned about Yale's wideouts, a major source of consternation for the Bulldogs since a preseason injury to receiver Chandler Henley '06 left the team without any starting experience at the position.

"They have playmakers on both sides of the ball," Harbaugh said. "I'm really impressed with their receiving corps. They're really athletic at that position." - NFL Football -

The upcoming battles in the trenches have also cost San Diego's coach sleep this week.

"They have such great size and strength," he said. "They're really big in the lines. That'll be a key matchup for us. It's sort of a David and Goliath thing."

Nevertheless, despite an 0-2 mark against Ivy League foes, Harbaugh is not worried about making a statement to the choice world of northeastern football. - NFL Football -

"Do I feel extra pressure? I don't feel any pressure. I don't have to block anybody or tackle anybody." - NFL Football -

Copyright © 1995-2005 Yale Daily News Publishing Company, Inc. All rights reserved.

Three 2004 Cardinals make NFL rosters
STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

Of the three Ball State football players selected in the 2005 NFL Draft, each one has secured a roster spot after Saturday's final cut down.

Safety Justin Beriault remained with the Dallas Cowboys, but he has been placed on injured reserve for the season.

Punter Reggie Hodges is the only punter listed on the St. Louis Rams roster. He might also be holding for the kicking game as he is listed as the No. 2 holder.

Wide receiver Dante Ridgeway didn't make it with the Cincinnati Bengals, but was picked up by the New York Jets. He was picked up by the Bengals after being cut from the Rams ealier in the week.

According to Dallas's team website, Beriault will miss the entire season with meniscus damage in his right knee. He will have surgery to repair the injury.

The safety recorded two tackles and a sack in a preseason Monday night game against Seattle.

Former BSU punter Brad Maynard, who was drafted by the New York Giants in the third round of the 1997 draft, is back for his ninth NFL season and fifth with the Chicago Bears.

Copyright 2005 The Star Press.