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Sunday, December 24, 2000

Compiled by Ed Bouchette

He won't get the sendoff that Dan Marino, John Elway or Joe Montana did, but Warren Moon deserves one.

Instead, he will leave as the third-string quarterback in Kansas City.

Moon, 44, played 22 years in the CFL and NFL. He passed for more than any pro quarterback in history -- more than 73,000 yards for five different teams. He made nine pro bowls and, although he never made it to the Super Bowl, his CFL teams won five Grey Cups.

He also helped break the stereotype that a black quarterback could not succeed in the NFL.

"I've always been enamored with him just by watching him warm up," said Denver Coach Mike Shanahan. "I don't think anybody ever threw a prettier ball or threw it as consistently well as him."

Kevin Gilbride wanted the Steelers to sign Moon as the backup to Kordell Stewart in 1999. But Moon wanted more money than the Steelers were willing to spend.

"Doug Williams and Warren Moon changed the landscape of the National Football League," former Chiefs safety Deron Cherry said, "from the standpoint that general managers and coaches weren't afraid to look at the black quarterback based on performances of those two guys. They eliminated the myth you couldn't be black and be a quarterback in the NFL."

Butler buffaloed

One of the reasons for the solid history of the Buffalo Bills was their general manager, John Butler.

Bills owner Ralph Wilson fired Butler the past week because one of the NFL's top GMs received one of its lowest salaries and he refused to accept a contract that would not pay him what he's worth.

Butler, 54, stocked the Bills' roster with enough talent that they've been able to make the playoffs in five of the past eight years. They've had an average draft position of 21st over the past 11 years and 18 of their 22 starters are his draft picks.

Butler may wind up in San Diego, where the Chargers will pay him more and give him better weather, although you would not want to see the rotund Butler in a swimsuit.

Coach Wade Phillips may be the next to go. Unlike Butler, though, Phillips deserves it.

Full house in Oakland

Tim Brown and Andre Rison won't receive Jerry Rice with open arms if the Oakland Raiders sign him next season. The two veteran wide receivers don't think there's enough room for him.

"I read it," Rison said. "I seen it on the news. I don't know if there would be enough balls. Man, if he came here crying, it ain't going to work. Me and Timmy get along just fine."

Titanic performance

Eddie George averages only 3.7 yards per carry, but he may be the NFL's Most Valuable Player this side of Donovan McNabb.

Where would the Titans be without George? He has accounted for 44.8 percent of their offensive plays, 37.4 percent of their yardage, including 1,426 rushing, 49 pass receptions and 15 touchdowns. He has started 79 consecutive games.

George is the league's top rusher since 1997 with 5,421 yards. Jerome Bettis is second with 5,220.

Quick slants

This might not make Troy Edwards feel better, but Browns wide receiver Kevin Johnson scored eight touchdowns as a rookie last season and has none this year.

Doug Flutie has two years left on his contract but, in reality, one game left in his Buffalo Bills career.

The Bengals are trying to re-sign running back Corey Dillon, who can become a free agent on March 2. If they don't, they will put the transition tag on him and can match any offer he might receive elsewhere.