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Sunday, December 30, 2001

Compiled by Ed Bouchette

It's finally becoming common to see African-Americans playing quarterback in the NFL, and now there's another position that has been integrated -- kicker.

Cedric Oglesby, signed last week to replace injured kicker Bill Gramatica in Arizona, is a rarity in the NFL. Donald Igwebuike was the previous black player who kicked regularly in the NFL. He kicked for Tampa Bay and Minnesota from 1985 through 1990.

"I take it as a motivation factor," said Oglesby, who played at South Carolina State. He had failed tryouts with Dallas and San Diego previously and was working as a substitute teacher near Atlanta when the Cardinals called him.

"A lot of black kids don't get exposed to kicking," Oglesby said. "A lot of African-Americans aren't soccer players."

Oglesby played soccer growing up in Georgia and was a high school teammate of Giants punter Rodney Williams.

Oglesby made his first kick, from 34 yards, in Arizona's 17-10 victory over Dallas but missed one from 35 and misguided a kickoff out of bounds.

"He kicked one out of bounds that about hit me in the head," Coach Dave McGinnis said. "Overall, he had more pluses than minuses."

Bad reaction

Bill Maas and Sam Rosen of Fox Sports went after the Saints when TV cameras caught a handful of their players smiling and laughing on the sidelines as New Olreans lost to Tampa Bay, 48-21.

It infuriated Saints Coach Jim Haslett -- not the frivolity along the sidelines but the reaction to it by the Fox crew.

"Do you know what's wrong with the media?" Haslett asked. "They pick stuff out from the games, maybe somebody laughing at a bad ball or something [and] they blow it out of proportion. I don't worry about that. Yes, I was mad on the sidelines. So if I would have smiled one time, would I have been crucified?"

Defensive progress

Last year, the Dallas defense ranked 19th overall and last against the run. The Cowboys allowed an NFL-record three 200-yard rushers against them. That defense ranks No. 2 today, behind only the Steelers. They are No. 14 against the run.

"We didn't envision our defense being as strong as it is," Dallas Coach Dave Campo said. "I'm not happy with 4-10, but I think we've made some positive progress."

Which is better than negative progress most days.

Lost cause

Regarding negative process, Carolina can tie the in-season record for consecutive losses against the Cardinals today. Just as the Steelers did in Chuck Noll's first year as coach, the Panthers won their opener and have lost the rest. That's 13 and counting.

When it reaches 14, it ties the record and has a chance to set a new low next week against New England, which shares the current record with three other teams. Those who have lost 14 in a row are the 1976 Buccaneers (who lost every game in a 14-game season), the 1980 Saints, the '81 Colts and the '90 Patriots.

Slow-starting Lions

Detroit guard Tony Semple still could not get over Jason Gildon's touchdown run after a Mike McMahon fumble to end the Lions' first series in Heinz Field a week ago.

"You can't do that," Semple said. "That's a stacked team. You can't spot 'em. That's like trying to spot the Rams points. ... They're solid in all aspects of the game. That's why they're great teams."

Quick slants

Rams tailback Marshall Faulk has led all non-kickers with 256 points the past two seasons. San Francisco wide receiver Terrell Owens is a distant second with 168.

New Orleans wide receiver Joe Horn: "We're not going to stop until the casket drops." Thud.

Crack research of the week: Chicago is the only team in the league without a loss in games decided by a touchdown or less. They are 8-0.