Sooners in the NFL: Week Eight

NORMAN, Okla. Recap the most recent NFL action and read about former Sooners' performances on the Sunday stage in this week's report.

SoonerSports.com will provide regular updates on former OU football players who are now representing the crimson and cream in the pros. This weekly feature will recur throughout the season, updating each Monday.

Are You Ready for Another Classic?

The no longer undefeated New York Jets (5-1) host the no longer winless Miami Dolphins (1-4) tonight in an AFC East matchup.

The last Monday night meeting between the two teams, Oct. 23, 2000, was one of the best ever.

After millions had gone to sleep, the Jets scored 30 points in the fourth quarter to force overtime and then won the longest Monday night game in history on Tuesday morning.

Rookie cornerback Derrick Strait (2000-03) is listed as questionable for the game with a foot injury. Strait has missed three straight Jets games and did not practice Friday, Oct. 29.

The Jets are aiming for only their third 6-1 start in franchise history. They won 17-9 at Miami in their last meeting (Oct. 3).

Sunday Night Fright
In a matchup of struggling offenses, the Chicago Bears (2-5) beat the San Francisco 49ers (1-6) Sunday night 23-13.

The Bears ended a four-game losing streak and the 49ers probably started another one after Nathan Vasher returned an interception 71 yards for a score. The play was reviewed and stood in favor of the Bears.

San Francisco's only touchdown was set up by former OU linebacker Brandon Moore (1997-2001). In the first quarter, Moore sacked Bears' quarterback Craig Krenzel on a third-and-12 and forced a fumble that was recovered by the 49ers for their only touchdown. Moore recorded two tackles in the game.

While Bears' defensive tackle Tommie Harris (2001-03) did not record a tackle, his presence on the defensive line was enough to help limit San Francisco to its worst offensive performance in 26 years, one season before Bill Walsh installed the West Coast offense.

Next week the 49ers host the Seattle Seahawks and the Bears play the New York Giants.

The Young and the Restless

The Dallas Cowboys (3-4) ended their three-game losing skid against Detroit (4-3), 31-21, on the legs of their 40-year, 351-day-old quarterback.

18-year veteran Vinny Testaverde shocked the Lions defense with a seven-yard run on fourth-and-three to set up a tying touchdown, and a three-yard scramble for the go-ahead score.

The Lions started three former Sooners, tight end Stephen Alexander (1994-97), rookie linebacker Teddy Lehman (2000-03) and right tackle Stockar McDougle (1998-99). Roy Williams (1999-2001) started at free safety for the Cowboys.

Williams led the Cowboys defense with eight tackles and a pass deflection. Williams also delivered a crushing hit to Detroit receiver Tai Streets, who did not catch another pass in the game.

Lehman finished the game with eight tackles, second-most of the Lions.

Alexander caught two passes for 25 yards.

Dallas travels to Cincinnati for next Sunday's game with the Bengals. Detroit hosts the Washington Redskins.

Eagles Have Ravens T.O.'d

The Philadelphia Eagles squeaked by the Baltimore Ravens (4-3), 15-10, to reach 7-0 for the first time in franchise history.

The Eagles won on the legs of kicker David Akers' three field goals and with Terrell Owens 11-yard touchdown reception.

Former Sooner Kelly Gregg (1995-98) tackled four Eagles, second-most on the team, as the Baltimore's front four held Philadelphia's rushing game in check, with starter Dorsey Levens running for only 40 yards.

The game was highlighted by Owens celebration dance after his touchdown. T.O. mocked the moves done by Ravens' All-Pro linebacker Ray Lewis during pre-game introductions. Owens and Lewis had squabbled through the media all week about the way Owens held out of his Ravens contract this summer to get a deal with the Eagles.

Baltimore hosts the Cleveland Browns next Sunday night. Philadelphia takes on in-state rival Pittsburgh and their undefeated quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Illegal Commotion

The Green Bay Packers (4-4) held on to a victory from the Washington Redskins (2-5) after a mysterious illegal motion penalty erased the Skins late go-ahead score.

The Redskins celebrated Clinton Portis' 43-yard touchdown reception with 2:35 left in the game, not realizing they had been flagged for illegal motion on the play. Their two point lead was taken away and the distraught Redskins turned over the ball on the next play, effectively losing the game.

Former Sooner Torrance Marshall (1999-2000) made three tackles, all on special teams.

Green Bay has a bye in week nine.

There's No Place Like Home

The Tennessee Titans (3-5) escaped the Cincinnati Bengals (2-5), 27-20, for their first win at home in 2004.

Titans' reserve quarterback Billy Volek passed for 210 yards and two scores in the absence of the ailing league co-MVP Steve McNair. Running back Chris Brown added another 147 yards and a score on the ground.

Titans' cornerback Andre Woolfolk (1999-2002) did not start, but made four tackles and deflected a pass.

Tennessee linebacker Rocky Calmus (1998-2001) was inactive again with a back injury.

The Titans have next week off.

No Halloween Surprise

Chiefs' running back Priest Holmes had three touchdowns in a game dominated by offense as Kansas City defeated the Indianapolis Colts 45-35.

Holmes had his ninth-career three-touchdown game, tying Emmitt Smith's mark and placing himself behind Jim Brown who has 10 three-touchdown games.

Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning threw five touchdowns in the game that had over 1,000 yards of total offense.

Former Sooner and Chiefs' starting cornerback William Bartee (1998-99) made his lone tackle on the second play of the game. He also deflected one pass.

Defensive end Jimmy Wilkerson (2000-02) played for Kansas City but did not record any statistics.

Kansas City next plays the Buccaneers at Tampa Bay.

On Vacation

Defensive back Corey Ivy (1995-97) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a bye in week eight.

Injury Bugged

The Broncos placed the Quentin Griffin (1999-2002) on injured reserve Wednesday, Oct. 27, after suffering a torn right anterior cruciate ligament during the second-half kickoff of Monday night's 23-10 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Griffin rushed for 311 yards and two touchdowns in six games this season.

Oakland Raiders linebacker Travian Smith (1994-97) missed his third-straight contest with a knee injury.

Former OU tight end Trent Smith (1999-2002) was placed on the injured reserve list by the Baltimore Ravens Aug. 31 and will miss his second consecutive season after, again, breaking his leg in a preseason game. Smith broke the leg in the Ravens' first preseason game versus the Atlanta Falcons.

New York Giants' and former OU defensive tackle Martin Chase (1994-97) was also placed on the IR with a knee injury and will sit out the 2004 season.

Injury Report	Injury	Return
Rocky Calmus (Titans)	Back	Questionable
Martin Chase (Giants)	Knee	Injured Reserve
Quentin Griffin (Broncos)	Knee	Injured Reserve
Travian Smith (Raiders)	Knee	Doubtful
Trent Smith (Ravens)	Leg	Injured Reserve
Derrick Strait (Jets)	Foot	Questionable

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