Sunday, October 12, 2003

By Ed Bouchette, Post-GazetteSports Writer

Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio told Mark Brunell -- by phone, not in person -- that he's now the backup quarterback to rookie Byron Leftwich, which raises a natural question: Why did the Jaguars keep Brunell and his $6.75 million salary in the first place?

Del Rio apparently did not like the question.

"Write a nice editorial and we'll all enjoy reading it," the coach responded to his inquisitor. "I understand what you're saying and suggesting. I think the best thing for you to do is write an editorial. Maybe another team will look at your words of wisdom and want to hire you."

The change in quarterbacks is the first not prompted by an injury in Jacksonville since Brunell took over for Steve Beuerlein in 1995, the Jaguars' first year.

Brunell, who gave the Steelers fits through the years when they resided in the same AFC Central Division, said he will not ask to be traded or released. The trading deadline is Tuesday.

"I'm not going to go out of here like that," he said. "I'm not going to ask to be released. I'm not going to cry, take my ball and go home."

He's kicking himself

Nearly lost in the hubbub over the "leaping" penalty charged against Tampa Bay's Simeon Rice Monday night was Indianapolis kicker Mike Vanderjagt's near-miss on his second attempt.

The most accurate kicker in NFL history with a success rate of 86.2 percent, Vanderjagt missed his overtime kick for the Colts from 40 yards out but got a second chance on Rice's penalty. His second kick from 29 yards glanced off the right upright and through to make him -- barely -- 13 of 13 this season.

"Absolutely terrible. Terrible kicks. Embarrassing," Vanderjagt said. "Our team deserved to win, there's no question. We're in the locker room and we're 5-0, but golly, that was horrible kicking. Horrible."

What was it Peyton Manning who called Vanderjagt early this year an "idiot kicker?"

Quoth the Raven

Corey Fuller can't let sleeping Steelers lie. He predicted his Ravens will win the AFC North Division:

"Honestly, I'm going on the record and say I see this team being 11-5 at worst," he said.

Dog days in San Diego

San Diego defensive end Marcellus Wiley knows what the Chargers' opponents are thinking:

"When you've got a dog down, what do you do? You kick it, and everyone is going to try to kick us now."

The Chargers are 0-5.

"Everyone expects to beat us," Wiley said. "Everyone and their mom, they look forward to seeing San Diego on the schedule."

The Steelers have them at Heinz Field Dec. 21.

Return to Cleveland

The Raiders are 4-0 in Cleveland, but the Oakland version hasn't played there since it beat the Kardiac Kids, 14-12, in a 1980 playoff game. The victory was preserved when Brian Sipe was intercepted in the end zone in the closing moments. "The pass," as it's known, is part of the Browns' melancholy trifecta that also includes "the drive" and "the fumble."

The Raiders previously played in Cleveland -- as the Los Angeles Raiders -- in 1985.

Quick slants

*With its win last week against Cincinnati, Buffalo leads the NFL with 17 all-time overtime victories. Denver is second with 16 and the Steelers third with 15.

The five teams that lead the league in rushing -- the Ravens, Panthers, Broncos, Vikings and Chiefs -- are a combined 20-3. The Ravens are one of only two teams with more rushing yards than passing yards.

Goldot Colts coach Tony Dungy's teams have beaten 31 of the league's 32 teams with the final one, the Jets, in their sights Nov. 16.

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