Bledsoe Ready To Go, Parcells Not So Sure
Drew Bledsoe wants to start Sunday night against the Denver Broncos, but the decision is up to New England Patriots coach Bill Parcells, who said he must watch the injured quarterback in practice first.
“If he looks like he can do it, then he’s been cleared to do it,” said Parcells, who listed Bledsoe as questionable on the midweek injury report.
Bledsoe, who suffered a third-degree separation of his left shoulder on Sept. 17 against San Francisco, has received official medical clearance from the Patriots’ physician, Dr. Bertram Zarins, to play on Sunday - but not without a warning.
“If he had his druthers, he’d hold me out another week, but I told him that I need to go ahead and play,” Bledsoe said.
Jaguars make change
Jacksonville Jaguars coach Tom Coughlin gave the quarterback merry-go-round another spin, benching Steve Beuerlein and replacing him with Mark Brunell against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Beuerlein, who started every exhibition game and was clearly the starter coming out of training camp, has failed to complete even one game in the regular season with the expansion Jaguars.
NFL defends decision
NFL officials announced no disciplinary action is warranted against New York Giants safety Vencie Glenn for his violent knockdown of 49ers tight end Brent Jones.
“It was a good, clean hard hit,” league spokesman Greg Aiello said. “It looked worse than it was.”
No penalty flag was thrown when Glenn leveled Jones with a forearm smash just below the chin at the end of a 10-yard reception during San Francisco’s 20-6 victory over Giants on Sunday.
Several 49ers, including Steve Young, complained the tackle was unnecessarily rough and called on the league to punish Glenn.
Correction
The Associated Press erroneously reported Oct. 3 that the NFL suspended two officials for an incorrect call made during Pittsburgh’s 44-24 loss to Minnesota on Sept. 24.
The league fined line judge Ben Montgomery and referee Gordon McCarter the equivalent of one game’s paycheck, but the officials will not miss a game.
Jets shift lineup
After watching the New York Jets offensive line give up six sacks in two games, coach Rich Kotite has decided to shake up the lineup, as he had said he might.
Everett McIver, a second-year offensive lineman who played mostly special teams last year, will start at left tackle in place of Matt Willig.
Kotite also said that Vance Joseph, who made his first start ever at cornerback against Oakland last week and had great difficulty covering Tim Brown, will start again at right cornerback in place of the injured Otis Smith.
Players of the week
Running backs Marshall Faulk of the Indianapolis Colts and Terry Allen of the Washington Redskins were honored as the NFL’s offensive players of the week.
Faulk gained 177 yards in 19 carries - a 9.3 average - and scored three touchdowns in the Colts’ 21-18 victory over the St. Louis Rams to gain the AFC honors.
Allen was selected from the NFC after rushing for 121 yards and one touchdown while adding four receptions for 34 yards, including a 5-yard TD catch, as the Redskins upset the Dallas Cowboys 27-23.
Safety Darren Carrington of the Jacksonville Jaguars and punter Louis Aguiar of the Kansas City Chiefs were the AFC defensive and special teams players of the week.
Defensive end Chris Doleman of the Altanta Falcons and kicker Gary Anderson of the Philadelphia Eagles captured the NFC defensive and special teams honors.
End zone
San Diego linebacker Junior Seau sat out of practice and remains questionable for the San Diego Chargers’ game at Kansas City on Monday night because of a strained right hamstring… . . Quarterback Neil O’Donnell, who hasn’t played since breaking the little finger on his right hand Sept. 3, had no trouble with the snap from center or his timing in Pittsburgh’s regular midweek practice and will start Sunday in Jacksonville. … Free agent running back Barry Foster had a physical examination and worked out for the Cincinnati Bengals Tuesday.
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