Redskin Coach Criticizes Bradshaw
Washington Coach Norv Turner says television analyst Terry Bradshaw was “out of line†for criticizing receiver Michael Westbrook during the telecast of the Redskin-Cowboy game on Thursday.
Turner said Friday that Bradshaw, a Fox studio analyst and Hall of Fame quarterback, “should make sure he knows a little bit more about what he’s talking about.â€
The Redskins were expecting the oft-injured Westbrook to be a big part of their game plan against Dallas, but the second-year receiver bruised his knee when he collided with tight end Jamie Asher on the team’s second offensive play.
During halftime of Thursday’s game, Bradshaw suggested that Westbrook should play regardless of whether he was injured.
“I’d get Westbrook in a corner and say, ‘Listen, I need you in this game. Get your butt out there. I don’t give a hoot what’s wrong with your knee,’ †Bradshaw said.
An MRI revealed Friday that a piece of cartilage was dislodged in Westbrook’s knee. Assistant trainer Kevin Bastin said Westbrook would likely sit out the Redskins’ next game at Tampa Bay.
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Green Bay defensive end Sean Jones still doesn’t think he should have been benched last week because of an ankle injury, ending his 74-game starting streak.
And Packer Coach Mike Holmgren is miffed that he drew so much criticism--and a call from the commissioner’s office--for not listing Jones on the injury report.
“I’ll go down to my grave saying I didn’t agree with it, I didn’t like it,†Jones said. “But Mike is the head coach and he’s put us in the right position all year long. I’m not going to second-guess a judgment that he made. It’s over with. I’ll just move on and live with it.â€
Jones watched in street clothes from the sideline as the Packers defeated St. Louis, 24-9.
Holmgren said that Jones can’t admit when he should sit out.
“He would have attempted to play again,†Holmgren said. “So, I took the ball out of his hands and sat him down. That was my decision and he wasn’t very happy with it. But I need the big man down the stretch and this was the only way I could think of to maybe help him become 100% with that ankle.â€
But Jones wasn’t the only one surprised by his benching. The team didn’t list him in their injury report last week. It is stipulated by the league that such updates must be provided.
Greg Aiello, NFL director of communications, said there are two main reasons that teams are required to share injury information: to eliminate inside information that could be exploited by gambling interests and because of the league’s popularity.
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Arizona Cardinal quarterback Kent Graham has been given the go-ahead to suit up for Sunday’s game at Minnesota.
Graham hasn’t played since suffering a torn ligament in his left knee on Nov. 3.
Graham will back up Boomer Esiason, who has led the Cardinals to three consecutive victories.
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