Kramer Outplays Mirer To Earn Start Against Pack
In the end, it came down to a question of who had won the job.
And the Chicago Bears decided Erik Kramer had earned the quarterback job over Rick Mirer - even though Mirer came aboard at such a high cost.
Bears coach Dave Wannstedt named Kramer the starting quarterback on Wednesday.
“The bottom line is he (Kramer) is probably the most comfortable right now with what we’re doing because he’s been in the system for three years,” Wannstedt said. “He brings leadership to the offense, which we need right now because he’s very confident in what we’re doing and that he can execute it all. And that’s how the decision was made.”
Kramer missed all but four games last season because of a career-threatening neck injury, and the Bears went out in the off-season and traded for Mirer, giving up a No. 1 draft choice to Seattle.
Mirer was naturally disappointed.
“This won’t slow me down. I just need to keep doing the things that I’ve been doing to prepare, to prepare just like I’m taking every snap.”
Westbrook suspended and fined
Washington Redskins wide receiver Michael Westbrook has been suspended for tonight’s preseason game at Miami and fined $10,000 for attacking teammate Stephen Davis during Tuesday’s practice.
The incident also has cost Westbrook whatever chance he had of being in the starting lineup when the Redskins open the regular season against Carolina on Aug. 31, according to team sources.
Redskins president John Kent Cooke said Westbrook’s outburst “is behavior that will not be tolerated by this franchise.” Cooke said he still wanted Westbrook on the team. “He has made a mistake and I think that he realizes he has made a mistake,” Cooke said. “But he’s going to have to have to make amends for that kind of behavior.”
Meanwhile, Davis, his right eye badly swollen, returned briefly to Redskin Park Wednesday. He was scheduled to see an eye specialist. Redskins coach Norv Turner said the team’s medical staff believes there will be a complete recovery.
Steelers facing cap woes
Pittsburgh finds itself fighting the salary cap, and two veterans could be the next casualties.
Friday night’s exhibition game at Carolina could very well be the last for quarterback Jim Miller and linebacker Jerry Olsavsky, both former starters.
Even after trading running back Erric Pegram and waiving kicker Norm Johnson last month, the Steelers don’t have enough money left under the cap to pay 53 roster players and five practice-squad players.
Olsavsky, with a $500,000 salary, lost his starting job to second-year pro Earl Holmes. Miller makes $900,000 and, at best, would be the team’s No. 3 quarterback.
Rams release Perry
St. Louis offensive lineman Gerald Perry, who was late showing up for training camp and faced suspension for steroid use, was released after he walked out of a team meeting.
It wasn’t clear why Perry, 32, left the meeting.
Perry had been expected to start at left guard alongside No. 1 draft pick Orlando Pace. John Gerak will now start at left guard.
Panthers’ Lathon fined
The NFL fined Carolina linebacker Lamar Lathon $20,000 for his hit to the face mask of Kansas City quarterback Rich Gannon last Thursday.
The league said Lathon, who charged in from Gannon’s left and lunged headfirst, violated a league policy against helmet-to-helmet contact in the pocket when a quarterback is in a vulnerable position.
The tackle left Gannon woozy and spitting blood. He went to the sidelines for one play while trainers attended to a lacerated tongue and chipped tooth.