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Sunday, November 11, 2001

Compiled by Ed Bouchette

The family ties in Atlanta are more like bondage. Seems much of the booing of quarterback Chris Chandler has come from the Falcons' family section, where the relatives of the players sit.

Chandler has been having a great season, but Michael Vick remains the popular choice in Atlanta. Last week, some family members began cheering for Chandler to get hurt during the Falcons' 24-10 loss to New England.

Someone threw a container at Chandler's wife, Diane, when she suggested they not root for players to get hurt.

Coach Dan Reeves talked to his players about how their families should behave at games.

"Fans will say all kinds of crazy things," cornerback Ray Buchanan said. "They want to see Mike run ... [Chandler] is having a heck of a season. Don't go off on Chris. Go off on the linemen. Those dudes ain't blocking."

Sweet motivation

The best trade for a running back, after the Steelers acquired Jerome Bettis in 1996, was made by Green Bay when the Packers acquired Ahman Green from Seattle.

The Seahawks' Mike Holmgren traded Green for cornerback Fred Vinson before the 2000 draft. Vinson, whose knee was injured, isn't playing. Green leads the NFC in rushing.

The night before every game, Green watches a video of his idol, Walter Payton, the late Bears great. Today, he gets to play against Payton's former team in Soldier Field. The Bears haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher in the past 16 games.

"When I go down to Soldier Field, it's almost like I've got to show him, because I know he's watching," Green said.

Green went to Omaha Central High School, where another former Bears great, Gale Sayers, played.

Slow to pay off

Sometimes the best moves are the ones that are never made.

That's too bad for the Dallas Cowboys because they gave up two first-round picks and $42 million for receiver Joey Galloway in 2000. His 73 yards against the Giants a week ago were his most in two seasons.

Red sees parting?

The Twins might not be the only professional ballclub Minnesota loses.

There are indications that Red McCombs might sell the Vikings to investors in Los Angeles, who would move the club to the West Coast.

The Vikings, like the Twins, have made no progress in attempts to build a new stadium.

Storm front in D.C.

Now that Washington has won three in a row, linebacker LaVar Arrington does not want to see anyone jumping on the Redskins' bandwagon.

"There's no room," Arrington said. "I don't want nobody jumping on it because there's no room. Everybody who's been on it, if they let someone get on it then shame on them. We'll ride with the people who have been with us.

"We don't want fair-weather fans. We don't want you. I don't want somebody who's switching up on me. You're either with us or you're not."

Novel idea by a player, telling fans to stay away, no? Where does he think all his money comes from?

Quick slants

The 49ers (5-2), reversing a trend by most teams, have won four games in which they've trailed at halftime.

The Steelers have had few problems with their new grass field while the Packers have replaced the middle portion of Lambeau Field twice this season.

Ryan Leaf will become the fourth starting quarterback for Dallas in Atlanta today, the first time the Cowboys have started more than three in a season. Leaf's teams are 4-14 with him as a starter. Troy Aikman's teams lost 13 of his first 18 starts.

Joe Montana, Steve Young? Mere setup men for Jeff Garcia, who has thrown for more yards (8,157) and touchdowns (52) in his first 32 starts than any quarterback in 49ers history. Montana had 7,198 yards and 45 touchdowns. Young had 6,827 yards and 48 touchdowns.