Quick Kicks
Trifecta for ex-EWU Eagle
Kurt Schulz never played baseball. Heck, he never played football before his junior year in high school. But on a breezy Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field, the Lions’ free safety looked as good as any All-Star centerfielder, hauling in a career-high three interceptions against the Bears.
“When you put pressure on the quarterback you know he’s going to make bad decisions. And he made some bad decisions,” said Schulz, referring to Chicago quarterback Cade McNown.
Schulz, who once picked off three passes during his college days at Eastern Washington, enjoyed the best game of his nine-year career, in the Lions’ victory.
Schulz, 31, who signed as a free agent from Buffalo in the off-season, has meant a tremendous amount to an otherwise young secondary, making a league-leading five interceptions.
“It’s just one of those things, you know?” said Schulz, who also made three pass deflections Sunday. “They come in bunches sometimes and I just happened to be the person out there in the right place at the right time.”
Schulz became the 17th Lion to make at least three interceptions in a game.
Tough day for QBs
NFL quarterbacks took a beating Sunday, especially the backups subbing for injured regulars.
Neil O’Donnell, playing because of Steve McNair’s bruised sternum, was knocked woozy and severely cut his lip when he was sacked with 2:35 left at Pittsburgh. McNair came in and led a touchdown drive that gave the Tennessee Titans a victory.
McNair, who had limited practice time all week, threw an 18-yard TD pass to Erron Kinney with 1:25 left.
In the same game, Kordell Stewart replaced the injured Kent Graham and led a desperation drive that ended with a 50-yard field-goal attempt falling short. Graham injured his right hip with 1:10 remaining.
San Diego QB Ryan Leaf, who replaced the injured Moses Moreno last week, sprained his right wrist in the third quarter and was replaced by Jim Harbaugh in Seattle’s victory.
At Baltimore, Ravens defensive tackle Rob Burnett knocked Cincinnati QB Akili Smith out of the game with a concussion in the second quarter of their victory over the Bengals.
Running back’s delight
Charlie Garner left. Charlie Garner right. Charlie Garner up the middle.
That was what the Dallas Cowboys witnessed in their lopsided loss to old rival San Francisco. By the time Garner quit running, he had amassed 201 yards rushing, carrying the 49ers to a victory.
Garner should become the third NFL player to be named NFC offensive player of the week after playing against Dallas.
Garner’s 201 yards on the ground came only three weeks after Philadelphia’s Duce Staly ran for 201 against the Cowboys.
Excuses for the Cowboys? No, only shameful pain.
“We have to go back to square one,” said Cowboys coach Dave Campo.
They said it …
“We used to lose games like this. I think that’s so important. I can stand up here and say things and point fingers, but I’m bigger than that.” - New York Jets wide receiver Wayne Chrebet after his team beat mouthy Keyshawn Johnson’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.