Delhomme: Down and Out?

" Admitting his team's confidence in its passing game is in dire need of a boost, Carolina Panthers coach John Fox said Monday he's considering replacing Jake Delhomme as the team's starting quarterback.

Less than a month after expressing his support of Delhomme's status as the starter with a "capital Y" for yes, Fox is on the verge of changing that to a billboard-sized N-O.

"The reality is we're not operating very well there, and I don't know if status quo is necessarily the answer or not," said Fox.

"We definitely need to do whatever it takes to get better. If that entails a quarterback change, that's what it'll entail."

It's an unprecedented position for Fox, who never before in seven years has shown even the slightest inclination to go into a game with a quarterback other than Delhomme (when healthy).

But Delhomme has given Fox ample reason to make a switch for Sunday's game at Arizona. Delhomme ranks 32nd in the NFL in passing and leads the league with 13 interceptions, seven of which have resulted in opponents' touchdowns.

Fox's dilemma is that he doesn't have a palatable alternative. His best, most seasoned backup - Josh McCown (31 career starts) - is on injured reserve and unavailable.

That leaves Matt Moore, who's in his third season and has three starts, and journeyman A.J. Feeley, who has 15 starts in nine seasons with four teams."

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Childress Tells NFL He Doesn't Agree With Call

"A day later, Vikings coach Brad Childress still didn't agree with the critical tripping penalty called on fullback Jeff Dugan in Sunday's 27-17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In fact, Childress voiced his displeasure Monday morning in a phone call with Mike Pereira, the NFL's vice president of officiating.

"I'm satisfied that I was able to tell my side of it, and he could see my side of it," Childress said.

The penalty negated a 10-yard touchdown catch by Sidney Rice in the fourth quarter. It proved to be a double whammy, because three plays later the Steelers got a 77-yard fumble return for a touchdown by LaMarr Woodley.

On the play, Dugan lined up in the backfield and cut block linebacker James Harrison. Dugan's right leg came up as he twisted to the ground, but it certainly looked like a questionable call.

Childress said he would not change a thing about how Dugan executed the block. "I know there are 32 other clubs in the league that coach the same way to block the end of the line of scrimmage," Childress said. "I thought it was a job well done."

Upon further review Childress didn't second guess the play-calling after his team failed to score a touchdown despite having a first down at the Pittsburgh 1-yard line in the third. The Steelers stopped Adrian Peterson on two runs (the first was negated by an offsides penalty). Brett Favre then threw two incomplete passes before the Vikings settled for an 18-yard field goal by Ryan Longwell."

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Cowboys Ware Gets $78 Million Contract

"The Dallas Cowboys signed DeMarcus Ware to a six-year, $78 million contract extension, through 2015, with $40 million guaranteed.

Ware received a $20 million signing bonus. He will earn $34 million in the first year of the new contract, $40 million in the first two years of the contract and $45 million in the first three years of the new contract. The overall deal averages $13 million per year.

The deal was announced at a news conference at Valley Ranch Tuesday. Ware, his wife Taniqua, and agent Pat Dye joined Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and vice-president Stephen Jones at the news conference.

"This is a Cowboy, for all practical purposes, for the rest of his days," Jerry Jones said.

Ware was in the final year of his rookie deal and would have become a restricted free agent in the off-season.

"I feel like I've gotten what I deserved," Ware said. "You can't ask for too much money. They (Cowboys) need room to work too."

The deal was agreed to before Sunday's game at Cowboys Stadium. The Cowboys beat Atlanta 37-21. Ware, who is playing with a stress fracture in his foot, had two sacks in the game.

"We shook hands with DeMarcus before the game," Jerry Jones said. "It's an honor to know he's going to lead us into the future."

Ware said he knew something was going on before the start of the game.

"Jerry usually doesn't come out on the field before the game. We talked. I'm usually zoned out. That should have been a red flag," Ware said. "We talked some more after the game.""

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Andre Johnson Day-to-day with Lung Contusion

"The Texans say they expect receiver Andre Johnson to be ready to play against Buffalo on Sunday, but after revising their postgame evaluation from chest contusion to lung contusion Monday, the truth is no one knows.

Coach Gary Kubiak doesn't know if Johnson, who has 38 catches for 634 yards and four touchdowns, will be able to practice this week when the Texans prepare for the game against the Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Johnson, 28, doesn't have to practice to be able to play.

"He's going to be day-to-day as we go into this week," Kubiak said Monday. "They'll do some tests on him each day as we go through this week, but I think we're fortunate, and, hopefully, he'll be ready to go against Buffalo. They (doctors) feel good about it (and), it looks like he's going to be fine."

Johnson was initially injured on the first of his two catches in Sunday's 24-21 win over San Francisco that elevated the Texans' record to 4-3. It was an 18-yard gain on the first series of the second quarter. "

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Cooley Breaks Bone In Right Ankle, Out For Season

"As if suffering their fifth defeat in seven games wasn't painful enough, the Washington Redskins lost the most reliable component of an unreliable offense in Monday night's 27-17 loss to Philadelphia. Tight end Chris Cooley, a two-time Pro Bowler, broke a bone in his right ankle. Sources said he is likely to miss the remainder of the season.

"When it rains, it pours," center Casey Rabach said. "We lost a really good football player tonight, probably one of the best on our offense."

With a new play-caller running the show against the Eagles, Cooley figured to play a major role in the Redskins' offensive production Monday night. In fact, the team's first two offensive plays targeted Cooley -- first an 18-yard reception from quarterback Jason Campbell, followed immediately by a three-yard reception.

But with the offense still searching for its rhythm, Cooley was hurt on the Redskins' first play of the second quarter, a play in which Campbell was stripped of the ball and the Redskins lost possession. "

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Bengals Win For 'Coach Zim'

"Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers called Mike Zimmer "amazing."

Safety Chris Crocker said it was unbelievable how much his defensive coordinator showed he cared about the team just by showing up for Sunday's game.

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis also carried a heavy heart and said there were no words to describe the emotion of what his team had just overcome.

It was yet another intriguing Sunday in "Bengaldom" as Cincinnati took sole possession of first place in the AFC North with a 17-14 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.

The game marked the fifth consecutive thriller for the Bengals (4-1). But the big win was only a backdrop for the heartbreaking situation involving Zimmer, whose wife, Vikki, passed away late Thursday.

Zimmer certainly didn't have to be in Baltimore Sunday.

According to Lewis, Zimmer went back and forth before choosing to travel with the team. The decision worked out well as Zimmer called a terrific game and the Bengals picked up their biggest win of the season.

"Man, it just lifted guys up," Bengals cornerback Johnathan Joseph said of Zimmer's presence. "Once we saw him in practice Saturday morning and knew that he was going with us, it was unbelievable the feeling I had in my stomach."

An emotional Zimmer, who declined to be interviewed Sunday, brought three members of his family to Baltimore to help console him. Zimmer also told the team afterward how much Vikki cared about the Bengals and that, "She's up there now in heaven smiling at you."

The Bengals certainly played as if they were inspired.

Zimmer's defense held Baltimore's high-powered offense scoreless for three-and-a-half quarters. Cincinnati's offense also contributed 403 total yards, which included an 80-yard drive in the final 2:15 to win the game. Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer connected with receiver Andre Caldwell for a 20-yard touchdown with 22 seconds left, which completely took the air out M&T Bank Stadium.

Cincinnati wasn't perfect -- it had two turnovers and seven penalties. But you had the sense early the underdog Bengals weren't intimidated by the hostile environment and, eventually, wouldn't be denied. "

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Broncos Down Patriots In OT

"As often happens when Bill Belichick coaches against one of his former assistants, the showdown between teacher and student got heated.

Only Belichick was an innocent nonbystander on the opposite sideline, nowhere near the tongue-lashing and glare Broncos coach Josh McDaniels gave his special-teams assistant, Mike Priefer.

"I deserved it," Priefer said. "It was a field position game and those were costly mistakes. I should have coached them better. But that's OK. We'll learn from it and keep getting better."

Everything's OK, because a long day of frustration erupted into another week of jubilation after Matt Prater kicked a 41-yard field goal in overtime to give McDaniels' Broncos a come-from-behind, 20-17 victory over Belichick's New England Patriots at Invesco Field at Mile High."

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Titans' Harper Suffers Broken Forearm

"Titans cornerback Nick Harper suffered a broken forearm on the opening series of the third quarter, forcing Tennessee to play two rookies in its secondary for the duration of Sunday night's game against Indianapolis.

Harper was in street clothes and wearing a cast on his right arm, giving way to Ryan Mouton at left cornerback. Cortland Finnegan was already out with a hamstring injury, forcing rookie Jason McCourty to start for a second straight week."

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CB Griffn Pleades guilty to DWI

"Vikings cornerback Cedric Griffin pleaded guilty to drunken driving on Wednesday morning at Hennepin County's Ridgedale court facility.

Griffin, who was arrested on Aug. 30 for the violation, paid a $300 fine and must put in two days of community service on a work squad. Griffin has 120 days in which to complete the sentence.

The incident occurred when Griffin pulled his car over to the side of Hwy. 5 in Eden Prairie because he didn't feel it was safe for him to continue on the road. Police saw Griffin's car and made the arrest after finding him inside.

Griffin, who was at practice on Wednesday afternoon at Winter Park, was arrested just before the Vikings left for their third preseason game in Houston. Griffin played in that game on Aug. 31. He has started all four games for the Vikings this season and is tied for the team lead with two interceptions.

"He wanted to get this situation behind him and takes full responsibility for it," said David Valentini, Griffin's lawyer. "He apologizes to his teammates, the coaching staff, the owners and to the fans."

Hands-off approach

Having gone against the aggressive man-to-man defense played by Green Bay cornerbacks Al Harris and Charles Woodson in recent seasons, Bernard Berrian noticed a major difference when he watched film of the Packers last week.

Green Bay's switch to a 3-4 scheme under new coordinator Dom Capers also changed how Harris and Woodson approached receivers. The corners were no longer getting their hands on receivers coming off the line of scrimmage.

Berrian took advantage of this in the Vikings' 30-23 victory Monday, catching six passes for 75 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown that was his first of the season. Berrian's third-quarter TD came on a perfectly thrown ball from Brett Favre."

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