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Sunday, December 30, 2001

Compiled by Ed Bouchette

Like Kris Brown, Sebastian Janikowski blew three kicks in a 13-10 loss. Unlike Brown, his teammates have turned against him.

Oakland's Janikowski had missed just two field goals in 23 tries before he shanked three of four last week against Tennessee. He went from possible All-Pro to all-schmo with the Raiders.

They have not forgotten his off-the-field antics and his increasing girth. His teammates defended him when his kicks were good, but after last week that has changed.

"You'll have to ask him," quarterback Rich Gannon said. "He's a big guy. He can answer for himself. I'm done answering for him."

Tim Brown held him more accountable.

"If 'Sea Bass' is any kind of athlete, if he has any respect for this game, he'll change his ways ... And if you don't get it after missing three field goals, with home-field advantage [depending on it], maybe you never get it."

Gonzalez's new job

It's an old football negotiating ploy that rarely works: When contract talks reach a stalemate, threaten to pursue another line of work.

Rod Woodson ran the hurdles in track until he signed his rookie contract in October 1987. Chad Brown promised to become a full-time snake and lizard keeper during his rookie holdout in 1993.

Kansas City tight end Tony Gonzalez, whose contract expires after the season, wants to play in the NBA.

Gonzalez, who is 6 feet 4, 248 pounds, helped California reach the NCAA's final 16 in 1997 when he was a junior. He plays in summer games with NBA prospects in California and had a failed tryout with the Portland Trail Blazers.

"I've talked about it for a while," said Gonzalez, 25. "I don't know why it's news all of a sudden. If the opportunity is there for me at the end of the year, I'm going to try to take advantage of it."

At least in February Jerome Bettis never threatened to join the Pro Bowlers Tour.

Old Raiders

It's late December and the Oakland Raiders might be showing their age.

The Raiders, once tied with the Steelers for the best record in the AFC, have fallen behind by losing twice in the past four games. They've scored two touchdowns on offense in their past two games.

Their AARP-like lineup includes Gannon, who is 36, wide receivers Jerry Rice, 39 and Tim Brown, 35, cornerback Eric Allen, 36, linebacker William Thomas, 33, and guard Steve Wisniewski, 34.

"It's been pointed out to me from the very beginning that these guys are going to wear down at the end of the year," Coach Jon Gruden said. "By God, I don't believe that whatsoever."

Said Allen, "I have shoes older than some of the guys I cover."

Springs' fault

Cornerback Shawn Springs, fresh off a four-game steroids suspension, refuses to take the blame Coach Mike Holmgren dumped on him for costing the Seahawks a chance at the playoffs.

"I hate to say one guy could have made a difference in our season, but I think you could make a pretty good case if you really analyzed it," Holmgren said.

"I didn't know I was that important," said Springs, who might miss the final two games with a hamstring injury. If he does, chances are he won't see his teammates play. He saw one game during his four-game absence.

Quick slants

Cincinnati has lost its past three games in Baltimore by a combined 75-0.

Browns defensive coordinator Foge Fazio has had his starting ends, Keith McKenzie and Courtney Brown, playing with linebacker Jamir Miller for just 12 minutes this season. That occurred against Chicago when the Browns' defense produced three turnovers and one touchdown.

Dominic Rhodes, who replaced injured Pro Bowl Colts halfback Edgerrin James nine games ago, has rushed for 880 yards, the most by an undrafted rookie. The late Fred Lane had 809.