Home >  Sports >  Notebooks

Sunday, September 17, 2000

Unlike Neil O'Donnell, Bubby Brister won't get one last crack at starting in old Three Rivers Stadium. He might not even get a chance at starting again anywhere.

Now the backup to Daunte Culpepper in Minnesota, Brister was asked if someone might sign him as a starter when he becomes a free agent next year.

"I don't think anybody will do that. Realistically, it's out with the old and in with the new. I understand that.

"When I was a young guy, I got to play early. Maybe I can get in this year and play a little bit and continue playing this role for a year or two more, if that's what I decide to do. I may retire.

"But I do love it up here. This is a good place to be at this time in my career."

Eagles 1, Steelers 0

When the Cardinals waived rookie defensive lineman Darwin Walker last week, the Steelers put in a claim for him.

But he was awarded to the Philadelphia Eagles because the waiver awards at the moment are based on a team's reverse record from last season, with NFC teams getting first crack at players waived by other NFC teams.

Walker is a 6-foot-1, 280-pounder the Cardinals drafted on the third round from Tennessee, the 71st player selected. He was the highest drafted player cut so far this year.

The Cardinals did not like Walker's work ethic. He's better against the run than the pass.

Running behind

Chicago's Cade McNown leads all NFL quarterbacks with 136 yards rushing on 15 carries. Chicago running back Curtis Enis also has 15 carries -- for 31 yards. That's a little more than six feet a carry, so if the 6-1 Enis could merely fall forward, he'd gain more yardage.

He talks too much

Miami linebacker Robert Jones is no fan of Minnesota wide receiver Randy Moss. Asked if the Vikings' offense was overrated, Jones said: "Their offense, no. Randy Moss, yes. I lost all respect for that guy with as much as he talks and with what he says. I think he's overrated and not that good. I've been playing for a while and never seen someone so cocky. No respect for him as a player or a person."

Not afraid of Knight

Keyshawn Johnson and Bob Knight would seem to mix like Kent Harvey and Knight.

Not so, the Tampa Bay wide receiver said.

"I can play for Bobby Knight. He wouldn't grab me because I wouldn't give him a reason to grab me, so I wouldn't worry about it. I played for [Bill] Parcells and that's the same type of person."

Tampa Bay tormentor

That great Buccaneers defense hasn't been able to rattle Detroit Lions quarterback Charlie Batch, who has a 3-0 record against Tampa Bay.

"There's some quarterbacks in the league we feel can't beat us," Buccaneers safety John Lynch said. "Well, Charlie Batch is a guy who feels like we can't beat him. He's 3-0 against us and we don't want to establish something like that. It's dangerous when you start to do that. It's a big game for us in that sense."

Steamed Rice

Simeon Rice blasted the Cardinals and the city of Phoenix during a bitter contract holdout this summer. He called Phoenix "the armpit of the NFL."

Late last week, after he signed a contract and reported back to the team, Rice said, "Personally, I feel like I am the deodorant, the spray."