NFL: Hawks shake up running game
The Seattle Seahawks may have figured out a way to restart their stagnant running game.
As of Wednesday afternoon, they had six starting offensive linemen.
The Seahawks aren’t planning to open Sunday’s game against Cleveland in any jumbo packages, however. Rather, they’re letting six linemen battle it out for the five starting spots.
“I am just trying to stir it up a little bit,” coach Mike Holmgren said, “hit on some different combinations, light a little bit of a fire, get somebody to study a little bit more, or whatever.
“It is not just the line. It is not just the (running) backs. It is kind of a combination of stuff right now. … We are going to mix and match just a little bit and stumble onto something that works a little bit better for us.”
Owens ready for Philly
Dallas’ Terrell Owens expects nothing but affection from Philadelphia fans Sunday.
He just figures it will come disguised as boos.
“They still love me, I don’t care what they say,” Owens said. “Those boos, they ain’t really boos, man. There’s a lot of love in those boos. They ain’t got no choice but to boo me because I’m on the other side. I guarantee you if I were to get traded to the Eagles right now, they would love me. … Maybe I can get them to chant my name again in that stadium. At the rate things are going up there, they just might do that.”
Dallas is 6-1 and in first place in the NFC East while Philadelphia is last in the division at 3-4.
Hall remains silent
DeAngelo Hall made it through Day 1 of his media blackout.
“I ain’t doing nothing the rest of the season,” the Atlanta cornerback said to a reporter. “I’m done talking.”
Hall announced Monday he would talk to the media only after games, apparently deciding it was best to keep quiet during the week following his tirade against coach Bobby Petrino and the coaching staff over the surprising release of nose tackle Grady Jackson.
Grievance moves on
The NFL Management Council and NFL Players Association are nearing a resolution in a grievance involving the Detroit Lions and former wide receiver Charles Rogers.
After a Tuesday conference call, an arbitrator will decide if Rogers must pay back the Lions more than $10 million of the former receiver’s $14-plus million signing bonus because he was suspended in 2005 for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
Around the league
Indianapolis Pro Bowlers defensive end Dwight Freeney and wide receiver Marvin Harrison, and guard Ryan Lilja sat out of practice with injuries. … Tarvaris Jackson will return as Minnesota’s starting quarterback this week against San Diego. … Cleveland nose tackle Ted Washington‘s season ended when the Browns placed the 17-year veteran on injured reserve. … Denver safety John Lynch said he felt optimistic that the stinger he suffered Monday night was unrelated to his 2004 neck surgery. … New York Jets WR Laveranues Coles has a concussion and it’s uncertain if he’ll play against Washington this weekend. … Houston QB Matt Schaub is still feeling the effects of a helmet-to-helmet hit, and coach Gary Kubiak said he probably wouldn’t play Sunday against Oakland. … Carolina QB Vinny Testaverde missed practice, leaving David Carr the front-runner to start Sunday at Tennessee. … San Francisco kicker Joe Nedney was fined $7,500 for making an obscene gesture during last week’s game against New Orleans. … Former NFL defensive lineman John H. Baker Jr. died at 72.