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Sunday, December 08, 2002

Michael Vick is a full-length highlight reel, and Steve Sabol should know because he's the longtime president of NFL Films.

"He's one of the guys who widens the boundaries and extends the parameters," Sabol said.

NFL Films producers and editors fight, Sabol said, over Atlanta's film when it comes in because everyone wants to see Vick. They did that when Gale Sayers played, too, Sabol said.

"He's hard to compare to another quarterback; I'd compare him to maybe Gale Sayers. He's capable of creating a moment of pure wonder. I remember that was the same feeling I'd get when I'd watch Gale Sayers."

Vick set the NFL record for quarterbacks when he rushed for 173 yards last week against the Vikings -- capped by his 46-yard touchdown run in overtime.

So far, so good

The Buccaneers will try to contain Vick today and, while he's unlike any other running quarterback, they've done the job against the others.

Knowing they would face a boatload of mobile quarterbacks this year, the Buccaneers spent a lot of time in the off-season devising ways to stop them. As a result, Aaron Brooks (twice), Akili Smith, Vick, Donovan Mcnabb and Randy Fasani have combined for 39 yards rushing on 21 attempts against Tampa Bay.

Detroit's demise

The Lions cleaned house two years ago after they went 9-7 and were perennial playoff contenders. They hired Matt Millen from the broadcast booth and made him president. He moved out long-time respected personnel men like Ron Hughes, who now works part-time for the Steelers.

It did not have the effect Detroit executives had hoped.

"The main thing is, we were just 9-7 two years ago," linebacker Chris Claiborne said. "What happened? That's what you need to ask yourself. How do we get to a stage where we can get over the hump?

"Being 9-7 wasn't good enough, of course it's not. But we were plays away from winning games or a player away from winning games. How do you get back to that position? Right now we're going the other way and we need to get back."

Holmgren on thin ice?

Seattle Coach Mike Holmgren could be fired while four of his proteges from his days in Green Bay could be the NFC's final four coaches -- Philadelphia's Andy Reid, Tampa Bay's Jon Gruden, Green Bay's Mike Sherman and San Francisco's Steve Mariucci.

To make room for Holmgren as coach and general manager, the Seahawks fired Coach Dennis Erickson with a 31-33 record. Holmgren is 28-33 since he was hired in 1999.

Reid can add to his woes today when the Eagles play in Seattle.

"If [Seahawks owner] Paul Allen wants a great football coach, he's got one," Reid said. "That's one thing I know. He has not overnight become a bad football coach. He's still a great coach."

Amazing how little it takes to be called great these days.

Quick slants

Trivia question: Brett Favre has the best winning percentage of any active NFL quarterback at .663 (112-57). Who is second? Answer at end.

Here's the telling statistic to explain the Bears' collapse from a 13-victory season a year ago: They put their ninth and 10th players on injured reserve the past week.

If you can't run, you can't win? Tampa Bay ranks 31st in the NFL with an average of 87.4 yards rushing a game. Their 3.4-yard average per carry ties Houston for the worst. The Buccaneers and Green Bay have the league's best records at 9-3.

Millennium Man: Eagles Coach Andy Reid has 34 victories, the most of anyone since 2000. Jon Gruden has 33.

Trivia answer: Tampa Bay quarterback Brad Johnson is 49-28 for a .636 winning percentage.