Quick Kicks
Nice & Friendly League
Phillip Daniels insisted he did not hold a grudge against New England tight end Rod Rutledge, whose potentially career-threatening clip against the Bears defensive end on the third play of the game sent Daniels to the sideline for the rest of the game with a severely sprained ankle.
Daniels’ teammates took care of that.
“That just set the tone,” said Bears safety Mike Brown of a game with more than its share of extracurricular activity. “It changes your mind-set, and you get a little more nasty.”
But Daniels let bygones be bygones when Rutledge came to the Bears’ training room after the game.
“He said, `Man, I’m sorry. I was thinking about it the whole game. I really don’t want to hurt anybody out there,”’ Daniels related. “And I said, `Hey, man, it’s the NFL, things happen, don’t worry about it. You move on, I’m moving on.’
“He has a good heart to come in and apologize. Guys who don’t care will go right to the bus and then brag about it.”
Brooks proves his mettle
Aaron Brooks beat the defending Super Bowl champion St. Louis Rams in his first NFL start on Nov. 26. Last week, he broke the New Orleans single-game passing record.
Sunday, the resurgent 49ers defense exposed a raw side to the second-year quarterback. He was pressured into 10 incomplete passes in his first 12 attempts.
“Those are throws I usually make. I had to collect myself, get myself together,” said Brooks, whose team had three passing yards at halftime.
Once Brooks regrouped, the 49ers were exposed to his polished side.
Brooks guided the Saints on three fourth-quarter scoring drives in a 31-27 comeback victory over the 49ers at 3Com Park. Brooks ended the second drive with a touchdown pass, and he kept the winning march alive by scrambling for 10 yards on fourth-and-four from the Saints’ 38 with 3:02 remaining in the fourth quarter.
“We got licks on him early. It seemed like we would have him, but we just didn’t make the plays,” 49ers defensive end Brentson Buckner said. “We were determined to tackle him, and he was determined not to go down.”
Aikman done for year
Dallas quarterback Troy Aikman may have played his last game.
After Aikman suffered the 10th concussion of his career and second of the season Sunday against Washington, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones hinted strongly that the quarterback - the first player he ever drafted - won’t play again this season.
“I don’t know, unless he just got real clearance, that he will play again this season,” Jones said after the Cowboys’ 32-13 victory. “Why risk something?”
As for beyond that, Jones wouldn’t speculate.
Aikman will undergo further evaluation this week, but Jones said the quarterback exhibited symptoms common to concussions, such as dizziness.
The Cowboys have games left against the New York Giants at home next weekend and at Tennessee on Christmas night.
The last word …
“We’re not going to the playoffs just to play one game. We’re in the playoffs, but right now we have to keep the hammer down and stay focused,” Rob Burnett, Ravens defensive end.