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Sunday, November 26, 2000

Compiled by Ed Bouchette

The wife of Jerry Rice is standing by her man. Tired of hearing how unproductive he's become, she called a San Francisco talk show and did what many fans do -- she ripped the quarterback.

Rice has 53 receptions for 565 yards and five touchdowns, numbers that would make him a Steelers MVP candidate but not Jerry Rice-like. He doesn't have a 100-yard game yet.

"Jerry works hard during the off-season," Jackie Rice told Rich Walcoff at KGO radio. "He loves the game. He's very dedicated, but it can be very frustrating when you're working with Joe Montana or Steve Young and [now] you're out there and you're running and you're open and the ball's not coming your way. Or when you get the ball, the defensive backs are closing in on you. How can you break free when that's going on?"

Giant statement

Maybe Jim Fassel should have checked with Lee Flowers before he made any guarantees. Flowers promised the Steelers would lose no more at home just before they went out and lost two in a row in Three Rivers Stadium.

Fassel, the Giants' coach, has guaranteed his team a playoff spot. New York is 7-4 and tied for second in the NFC East.

"I'm raising the stakes right now," Fassel said. "If this is a poker game, I am shoving my chips right in the middle of the table. I am raising the ante. Anybody who wants out, can get out. This team is going to the playoffs. OK? This team is going to the playoffs."

The Giants have lost their past two games, both at home.

Where are the wideouts?

Philadelphia scored 34 points against Arizona last Sunday and had only two passes caught by wide receivers. Starters Charles Johnson and Torrance Small have combined for 65 catches and five touchdowns.

Rookie Todd Pinkston, a second-round pick, has six receptions but none in the past seven games.

Journeyman tight end Chad Lewis, who never caught more than 12 passes in three previous seasons, leads the Eagles with 45 catches.

McNown a no-show

Quarterback Cade McNown continues to be a pain in the back to the Chicago Bears. He's arrogant, hurt, not very productive and his teammates don't like him. Other than that, he was a great first-round pick.

He also doesn't give a hoot about public relations, apparently. After committing to appear at a team-sponsored event to benefit the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, McNown blew it off last week.

Said Coach Dick Jauron, "The only thing I can say about it right now is if we have people who make commitments, we expect them to honor those commitments and they should be there."

Quick slants

Lions quarterback Charlie Batch spent $1,000 on steakhouse gift certificates for his five offensive lineman after they protected him so well last Sunday in a victory over the Giants. "Gotta take care of the people who take care of me," Batch said.

The Cowboys' worst-ranked run defense has allowed backs to run for 201, 201 and 187 yards -- three of the top seven games by NFL backs this season.

Brett Favre improved his record last Sunday to 25-0 in games at home when the temperature is 34 degrees or below. He has a passer rating of 105.6 in those games. In all other games, he has an 83.8 passer rating.

Shane Matthews is the third different starting quarterback for the Bears this season, the third consecutive year Chicago has had three different starters, the only team to do so.