6B = THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2002
Patriots need star to take title
The Associated Press
They are the defending Super Bowl champions, yet the New England Patriots probably are the third-best team in their division.
Such is parity in the NFL these days that the team that shocked everyone including some of its own players by winning the championship in January figures to struggle to earn a playoff berth.
Winning the AFC's best division? Not likely.
Of course, that's exactly what the Patriots want everyone to think. They sneaked up on the rest of the conference in 2001, and would have no problem with the same approach this year.
"We don't have any 'Prime Times.' We don't have any superstars," said Adam Vinatieri, whose clutch field goals won the controversial playoff game against Oakland and the Super Bowl against St. Louis. "The record is 0-0 right now and everybody's trying to get ready for September."
Everyone will be ready for the Patriots this time, which puts tremendous pressure on quarterback Tom Brady. The feel-good story of last season, Brady must build on his stunning success, and do it on a team that has more holes than most defending champions.
"I think we're going to have to find different ways to do different things that worked last year," Brady admits. "Probably some of them, I promise you, aren't going to work this year."
Some of the things that should work are Brady — who no longer has competition at the position with Drew Bledsoe traded to Buffalo — throwing to David Patten, Donald Hayes, much to the pleasure of rookie Deion Branch and veteran Troy Brown. Brown finally got the recognition he was due thanks to his performance down the stretch and through last winter's playoffs.
The power running of Antowain Smith and coach Bill Belichick's masterly defensive schemes were critical to last year's success.
But consider that Smith has been an inconsistent player throughout his career, the offensive line is so-so, and too many of Belichick's defenders are role players.
New England needs a star to emerge up front defensively; tackle Richard Seymour is a good candidate.
The Pats' biggest problem this season simply might be that both the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets are better.
And very hungry.
"You can tell that everybody's gunning for you," Smith said. "They look at it as the they're playing the defending world champions so we have to go out there and match everyone's intensity."
The Patriots will get a chance to do so early, facing the Steelers, Jets, Dolphins and Packers in the first six weeks.
Miami has an easier opening schedule and several significant additions. Most notable are RB Ricky Williams and offensive coordinator Norv
Look for the Dolphins to establish the kind of versatile running game they've lacked for decades. Williams might not lead the league in rushing, but he will have a bigger impact than any runner who switched teams.
Turner.
"ThethingsRickydoesaftertheball is snapped are unbelievable." said
Turner, who has produced a 1,200-yard gainer in eight of the past 11 seasons.
The threat Williams provides should ease QB Jay Fiedler's burden.
Coming off hip surgery, Fiedler should not be depended on too much. If Williams sets the offensive tone, then Fiedler and WR Chris Chambers, who was spectacular late in his rookie year, become more dangerous.
"I'm not one to brag," Chambers said, "but you can feel that this is a pretty good team. I can't wait until we go against somebody else and see what we can do."
The offensive line is in flux, though, and the defense needs more rest during games. It is a strong unit led by solid cover cornerbacks Sam Madison and Patrick Surtain, do-everything LB Zach Thomas and quick DE Jason Taylor. But the defensive line could be thin.
That's not a problem for the Jets, who added a No. 1 draft pick (Bryan Thomas) and three free agents (Steve White, Josh Evans and Larry Webster) to All-Pro end John Abraham. If Abra-
nam recovers well from a preseason knee injury and the other end, Shaun Ellis, awakens, the line will be formidable.
The linebacker trio of Mo Lewis, Marvin Jones and Sam Cowart already is. Cowart comes off a torn Achilles' tendon in the 2001 opener while with Buffalo. His return to form is pivotal.
New York's secondary is among the slowest in football, but it supports in run defense like no other in the conference.
The offense, in its second season under coordinator Paul Hackett's West Coast scheme, should be productive. QB Vinny Testaverde looks sharp at 38, and wide receivers Santana Moss and Laveranues Coles provide lots of speed. Curtis Martin is one of the five best running backs in football.
Oddly, the most improved team in the AFC East could be Buffalo, yet the Bills are destined to finish last. They won only three times in 2001, ranking next-to-last in points scored and allowed.
Bledsoe is a huge upgrade at quarterback, but the line is weak, there is no established running back and Bledsoe could be a sitting duck. Given time to throw, he'll find top-rate receivers in Eric Moulds and rookie Josh Reed, but he might not get the time.
The defense has been torn apart by free agency,retirements and injuries recently. Newcomer London Fletcher at middle linebacker will help,but not nearly enough.
St. Louis Rams close practices for three weeks
The Associated Press
ST.LOUIS—The St. Louis Rams, opting for secrecy at the start of the NFL season, announced Monday that practices would be closed the first three weeks.
Since the team moved to St.Louis in 1995, all previous practices had been
open to reporters. The decision by coach Mike Martz perhaps is related to a news conference incident last season during which a radio reporter asked him about seeing running backs Marshall Faulk and Trung Canidate together in the same backfield.
incident, Martz had to be talked out of closing practice.
It is an unwritten rule that in exchange for the privilege of watching practice, media is not supposed to refer to strategy they've witnessed. After the 2001
Before training camp began in July, Martz hinted that perhaps the Rams would not be so open with information as in past seasons. He
said yesterday the ban begins Sept.2 and that practice will be reopened to media
on Sept. 24, the day after the team plays the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third game of the season.
Adam Schefter of the Denver Post, president of the Pro Football Writers of America, said 20 of the 32 NFL teams including the Rams have totally open practices. In all, 27, or all but five of the teams, offer some sort of access to practices.
"This is an important issue to the pro football writers," Schefer said.
Redskins wide receiver attributes success to faith
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Justin Skaggs was playing for the Arena Football League in Tulsa, reading Kurt Warner's book for inspiration, when the Washington Redskins finally called.
A wide receiver vying for a starting job
with the Redskins, Skaggs is hoping for the same kind of breakthrough that led Warner to two Super Bowls as quarterback for the St. Louis Rams.
western colleges. Both played in the Arena Football League.
Their paths are similar. Warner grew up in Iowa; Skaggs is from Wentzville, Mo. Both were overlooked by the NFL when they graduated from small mid-
And like Warner, Skaggs is a born- again Christian who attributes his skill and success to his faith.
"This is what God's blessed me to do, play football," Skaggs said during Redskins training camp this month in
Carlisle, Pa.
In fact, it was prayer that prompted Skaggs to send the Redskins a videotape that attracted the team.
He assembled a video of his highlights and mailed copies to 22 NFL teams, adding labels that read, "I dare you to watch this film," and, "Viewer discretion
The Redskins were the only team interested. Skaggs signed as a free agent in April 2001, then had an encouraging rookie season, moving from the practice squad to the active roster for the final two games.
advised."
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