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Sunday, November 12, 2000

Compiled by Ed Bouchette

The rise and fall of the Jacksonville Jaguars has been a quick one, and no more dramatically than on defense. It may be hurting Dom Capers' chances at getting another head coaching job.

Capers, fired as Carolina's first coach after the 1998 season, took over as defensive coordinator in Jacksonville last season. The Jaguars compiled the best record in the AFC at 14-2 and lost in the AFC championship game. Capers then had a chance at the New Orleans job, where he was secondary coach before he came to the Steelers.

But Capers, still being paid by the Panthers, was leery about the New Orleans job and declined to be interviewed. Jim Haslett took it and, with a 6-3 record, is a Coach of the Year candidate.

In the meantime, the beat-up Jaguars' defense has declined along with the rest of the 3-6 team.

The Jaguars have just 15 sacks, tied for 26th in the league. They tied for the team lead last season with 57.

Cornerback Aaron Beasley's four sacks lead the team. Defensive end Tony Brackens, who had 12 last season, has two. Tackle Gary Walker, who had 10 last season, has two. Linebacker Kevin Hardy, who had 10, has none.

"Last year, if you looked, we'd get up on a team early and we'd be able to bring the heat," Hardy said. "This year, it hasn't been like that."

Slick QB

Brian Griese is fast becoming a better quarterback than his father, Hall of Famer Bob Griese, and is on pace to surpass another future Hall of Famer.

He could erase at least five of John Elway's records in Denver. They include single-season marks for passing yards, completions, completion percentage, touchdown passes and passer rating.

Griese has missed a game but at his current rate will throw for 4,523 yards, nearly 500 more than Elway's best of 4,030 in 1993. His passer rating of 104.9 outstrips Elway's best of 93.0.

Tough times ahead

The Colts, at 6-3, have already lost as many games as they did when they went 13-3 last season and the road ahead is a tough one.

Today, they play the 6-3 Jets. They also must play Miami twice, Buffalo and Minnesota. The teams they have played have a combined record of 35-47 (.427). The teams left on their schedule are 42-21 (.667). The only losing team left on their schedule is Green Bay, on the road.

Mickey Mouse move

They're in Miami, not Orlando, but the 7-2 Dolphins are having some Disney-like experiences atop the AFC East with a little Mickey Mouse and Goofy action.

Coach Dave Wannstedt had someone place mouse traps in front of each player's locker this past Wednesday. It was supposed to remind them not to get complacent and reach for the cheese even though their playing the winless Chargers today.

"We've got to make sure we are focused on ourselves and not worry about San Diego or what their record is or why their record is what it is," Wannstedt said.

Then there's free safety Brock Marion, who imitates an airplane after a big play, something called the Goofy Dance.

"That's for my kids," said Marion. "It's our Goofy song. If you watch Disney, Goofy is teaching himself how to fly."

Quick slants

Cincinnati's Corey Dillon, who gained just 23 yards against Baltimore's No. 1 run defense, gets a crack at the worst today when the Bengals play at Dallas. The Cowboys allowed only two 200-yard rushers in their first 40 years, but two backs had 200-yard rushing days against them this September.

K.C.'s Elvis Grbac threw for 504 yards in last week's loss to the Raiders, becoming the sixth quarterback since 1970 to throw for 500 and the fourth to lose the game.