Paul Domowitch | Joint effort: Help on way for retirees
WHILE THE war between the NFL and many of its retired players over the disability issue wages on, there is some fairly significant help on the way for uninsured ex-players.
The league and the players union are working out the final details of a plan that would fund joint-replacement surgery for retired players who don't have medical insurance.
"It's in the very, very near future," NFLPA president Troy Vincent said. "We met 3 weeks ago and we've identified 14 different hospitals [where the surgeries would be performed]."
Vincent said the plan would provide assistance for ex-players for surgery or replacement surgery on knees, hips and shoulders.
"When we met 3 weeks ago [with the league and the NFL Retired Players Association], we were just finalizing the process," Vincent said. "Meaning, where do you call, who do you call, who does your evaluation. But we've already identified and worked out the logistics with all of the hospitals to have that done.
"Progress [in assisting retired players] is being made at a rapid pace. Maybe not as fast as certain individuals would like. But when you're dealing with hospitals and insurance, it takes time. But everybody is working their tails off. Everybody is pushing to get it done."
The NFL owners will hold their fall meeting in Philadelphia next week. The disability issue and the medical needs of ex-players are on the agenda.
Vincent wishes many of the retired players who have been attacking the league and the union for neglecting its former players would turn down the volume on their vitriol and give peace a chance.
"I disagree with the public war that has taken place, by both sides," Vincent said. "We're not going to get anything done by screaming at each other and insulting each other.
"We're not going to be able to make everybody happy. But we've got to be able to sit down and discuss it. Map out a plan. [Ask each other,] 'OK, what do you think is best? What do you think is best? How do we get there?'
"The thing has gotten so personal, so vicious. We're getting away from the real issues. Let's see who we can assist. Who needs a hip replacement? Who needs a knee replacement? Let's identify them."
Around the league
-- Things have worked out pretty well for Jeff Garcia. The Bucs quarterback is going to make about $7 million this year, which is about $5 million more than the Eagles would have been willing to pay him to stay in Philly and wait for Donovan McNabb to get hurt again. He has guided the Bucs to a 4-2 record and is second in the NFC in passing with a 103.6 rating. Garcia has yet to throw an interception this season (in 144 passes). Hasn't thrown an interception in his last 225 passes, dating back to the first quarter of the Eagles' Christmas Day win over the Cowboys last year, and has thrown just two interceptions in his last 393 throws. Bucs coach Jon Gruden wants to hug the guy every time he sees him. "He's stabilized the position that you have to have," Gruden said. "He's given us quality play at a position that you have to have quality play from. He's been inspiring. He's been everything that's been advertised."
-- Terrell Owens has just one 100-yard receiving game so far. Got just one touchdown catch in the last four games and only 124 receiving yards in the last three. He's on pace to catch only 72 passes this season, which would be his lowest total for a full season since 1999. So why isn't he whining about not getting the ball? Why isn't he getting in the face of Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett or quarterback Tony Romo? Why isn't T.O. being, well, T.O.? "When I've gotten upset about not getting the ball in the past, all that did was get me bad publicity, and at the same time, it didn't get me the ball any more," Owens told reporters this week. "So I've learned. At the same time, you just look at the situation. I mean, I've got people that watch the games. I've got guys who played here that watch the game and they ask me, 'Why aren't you doing this and why aren't you doing that?' I'm not going to dispute any calls. I've just got to go accordingly."
-- In March, the Dolphins, in one of their many brilliant moves, signed linebacker Joey Porter to a hefty 5-year, $32 million deal that included a $12 million signing bonus and a total of $20 million in guaranteed money. Porter was a terrific 3-4 linebacker for the Steelers, recording 24 1/2 sacks over the last three seasons. But the Dolphins have rarely used a 3-4 scheme this year and Porter has yet to record his first sack for his 0-6 team. Has just 20 tackles. "I think sometimes when you come in as a high-priced free agent, you have a big target on you, no question," said Dolphins general manager Randy Mueller, who pulled the trigger on the Porter signing. "He was hurt in camp and he's picking up a new system. It's a different defense. I think sometimes we want to measure these guys on paper with sacks and tackles. But I'm not sure we're asking him in all areas to do that. He's adjusting and I think he's been playing fine." When you fork over $20 million in guaranteed money to a guy, you'd like to think he'll play at a higher level than "fine."
-- The Panthers might get middle linebacker Dan Morgan back this week, but it's not clear where he'll play. Morgan has missed the last three games with an Achilles' tendon injury. Rookie first-round pick Jon Beason moved over from WILL in his absence and has played very well. The Panthers drafted Beason with the intention of eventually playing him in the middle. Well, eventually might be now. If coach John Fox keeps Beason inside, Morgan likely would move to WILL and become a two-down linebacker.
By the numbers
-- Since 2003, the Raiders are 2-24 against AFC opponents. They've been outrushed in 24 of those 26 games and have allowed 42 rushing TDs, while scoring only 12.
-- The Vikings have more net rushing yards (851) than net passing yards (846).
-- The Patriots have won each of their six games by at least 17 points, tying the league record for consecutive victories by 17 points or more to begin a season. The other team to do it was the 1999 Rams. The Rams lost their seventh game that year.
