Jordan eager for 2006
LaMont Jordan is wearing a walking boot to protect his tender big toe, forced to evaluate his first season as an NFL starter before it’s officially over.
Jordan doesn’t expect to play in the Raiders’ season finale Saturday against the New York Giants because of turf toe on his right foot, which caused him to miss last Saturday’s 22-3 loss at Denver.
Jordan, a backup to Curtis Martin with the New York Jets in his first four pro seasons, had hoped to play the entire season and prove he’s a capable starter. In 14 games, he still has demonstrated plenty despite inconsistencies and playing for an underachieving offense in Oakland. The Raiders (4-11) have lost their last five games and seven of eight, scoring just three touchdowns and 30 points in the past four games.
“A lot of people questioned my ability to handle the load as a starter, and when you miss the last two games of the season that kind of gives them more ammo to use in the offseason,” Jordan said Tuesday. “I think this year I’ve established that I can play this game and I can be a starter. I think there is a little more consistency that needs to be around, not just with myself. I think coming back next year I’m going to be a lot more hungry and determined than I was this year.”
He injured his toe on a pass play in Oakland’s third snap of a 9-7 home loss to the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 18. He continued to play, then re-aggravated the injury on a long run in the third quarter.
That’s the kind of effort the Raiders hoped Jordan would exhibit after they signed him to a five-year, $27.5 million contract last March to boost their ineffective ground game and complement an offense that also includes Randy Moss and Jerry Porter.
Cowher will only settle for a victory
Bill Cowher would probably like to switch off every TV set accessible to his players, click off every radio they can hear, swipe the newspapers off their driveways.
The Steelers went into each of their last three games knowing any loss would likely keep them out of the playoffs. They responded by winning all three, outscoring the Bears, Vikings and Browns by a combined 80-12.
That’s why Cowher wants the Steelers (10-5) going into Sunday’s home game against the Detroit Lions (5-10) with the same mindset, even though they could have their 10th playoff appearance in 14 seasons under him wrapped up by then.
One reason Cowher doesn’t want any diversion from this it’s-all-up-to-us thinking is it will be the same approach they must take in the playoffs, especially since they can be only the No. 6 team in the AFC and thus would play every game on the road.
“It is an opportunity to utilize this as a home playoff game,” Cowher said Tuesday. “There will be no talk whatsoever about any other scenario.”
Pennington’s status up in air
Ever since Chad Pennington injured his right rotator cuff for a second time, the Jets have painted an optimistic picture about his future.
But offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger expressed hesitancy on the return of the franchise quarterback for the start of 2006, saying he was worried about Pennington because of the severity of the injury. Pennington injured his rotator cuff in September, less than a year after tearing it for the first time.
“They say he’s ahead of where he was last year,” Heimerdinger said. “Now how much that is – I am hesitant because two rotator cuffs is, and a guy who makes his living throwing the ball, I’m hesitant to say he’s way ahead. We’ve got to be careful with it.
“We don’t need to push him because of the situation we’re in. We need for him to be healthy and be confident in what he’s doing throwing-wise, arm strength-wise, the whole bit.”
Four Broncos starters to sit
Linebacker Al Wilson, defensive lineman Courtney Brown, cornerback Darrent Williams and running back Mike Anderson will all sit out of Denver’s regular-season finale in San Diego this weekend to nurse injuries.
Coach Mike Shanahan has the luxury of resting starters because Saturday’s game against San Diego means nothing in the standings to either team. Denver (12-3) has secured the second seed in the AFC and can’t move up. San Diego (9-6) has been eliminated from playoff contention.
Around the league
Cleveland Browns tight end Steve Heiden was placed on injured reserve with an injured ankle, ending his season with just one game left. Heiden started 13 games this season, catching 43 passes for 401 yards and three touchdowns. … The New York Giants continued to shuffle their injury-depleted linebacker corps, placing Carlos Emmons in injured reserve and signing Jay Foreman, the second player picked up at that position in two days. … The Washington Redskins placed linebacker Chris Clemons on injured reserve. The Redskins made two practice squad moves, releasing tight end David Kashetta and signing tight end Calen Powell, a rookie from Notre Dame.