Dan Reeves

The Phoenix Cardinals demoted starting quarterback Stan Gelbaugh to third string yesterday, naming Chris Chandler the starter and Tom Tupa the backup for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos.Gelbaugh, a Maryland alumnus who led the London Monarchs to the World League of American Football title this spring, was signed as a free agent Sept. 18. He has thrown three touchdown passes and seven interceptions, six in the past two games.Chandler was picked up on waivers Nov. 4.* CHIEFS: Mark Vlasic, who has tarted only three games in his four-year career, will replace 15-year veteran Steve DeBerg at quarterback Saturday.

Site: RFK Stadium, Washington.Time: 8TV/Radio: TNT, Channel 20/WLIF (101.9 FM).Records: Redskins 3-5; Giants 2-5.Line: Redskins by 3.Last week: The Redskins beat the Detroit Lions in overtime, 36-30; the Giants had a bye.The series: The Redskins hold a 71-50-3 regular-season edge and the teams are 1-1 in playoff games. The Giants have won 16 of the past 21 nonstrike games in this series, including the NFC championship game after the 1986 season. They also have won the past four.On the sidelines: Norv Turner is 6-18 in his second season with the Redskins.

1. Dallas: With Michael Irvin back, Cowboys are back on top.2. San Francisco: Only the 49ers could win with Jeff Brohm.3. Green Bay: Injuries have crippled the receiving corps.4. Pittsburgh: Jerome Bettis will remind the Rams how good he is.5. Denver: Broncos don't like the Chiefs' blocks.6. Philadelphia: Can Barry Switzer blow another game vs. the Eagles?7. Washington: All the Redskins do is win.8. Buffalo: Bills have seen their best days.9. Houston: Jeff Fisher knows how to coach a lame-duck team.

ATLANTA - For one possession, Michael Vick looked like any other Atlanta Falcons quarterback the past two seasons. After two handoffs and one incomplete screen pass, Vick was back on the sideline - but having survived his first taste of NFL game action, he was smiling. Vick's first-game nerves settled, the first pick in this year's NFL draft returned to complete each of his three passes in his next possession, moving the Falcons to a field goal drive that was the highlight of his much-anticipated debut last night.

Big shiny hearts -- red and purple Mylar balloons dancing in midair -- set the tone for "Heartfest 2001." More than 1,000 partygoers cruised Martin's West. They sampled the heart-healthy spreads laid out by 35 area restaurants and caterers and danced to the rock music of Stevie V. and the Heart Attackers -- a band made up of doctors and other health professionals. The Super Bowl played a big part in the evening. Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Reeves, who has played or coached in a record nine Super Bowls, spoke about his history of heart disease.

MADISON, N.J. -- The New York Giants entertained their first group of free agents yesterday, but a pressing concern for coach Dan Reeves is retaining the team's unrestricted players.Having already lost safety Myron Guyton and guard Bob Kratch to the New England Patriots, Reeves is concerned that the defections could leave him several holes to fill in preparation for the 1994 season."I'm concerned and all the coaches I've talked to are concerned," Reeves said. "Nobody knows what the ramifications are going to be and how it's going to affect your team.

Putting the sock in the Red SoxThe inside story behind the fight Saturday night between the Boston Red Sox's Mo Vaughn and Mike Greenwell? Glad you asked.One witness, Brian Macomber of Stats Inc., said Vaughn, who was taking batting practice in the same threesome as Greenwell, kept playfully tapping Greenwell on his neck. Greenwell told Vaughn to knock it off. Vaughn repeatedly called Greenwell a wimp in language laced with expletives, according to Macomber.Macomber added that Greenwell said, "Don't touch me!"

"I will have to tell my elder daughter Dalmita that the Mafia also exists in soccer. The penalty which defeated us did not exist and was given to award victory to West Germany and punish Argentina." -- Diego Maradona after West Germany scored on a penalty kick and defeated Argentina, 1-0, to win the World Cup final.* "Throughout my career, I have been publicly attacked and falsely accused of corruption, fight-fixing, bribery and conflicts of interest. The result of these battles is due process: total victory, innocent of all charges."

NEW YORK -- Dan Reeves was not en route to Newark Airport yesterday from Denver. He was not flying east from anywhere. He was in Palm Springs, Calif., playing golf, on a brief vacation with his wife, Pam.There is no news conference scheduled today at Giants Stadium because as of last night, the 49-year-old former Broncos coach had not officially accepted an offer to become the Giants' new coach.But don't sweat, Giants fans. This doesn't figure to be GM George Young's third strike. According to a source, Reeves wants the job.The only reason he wasn't standing behind a podium in Giants Stadium today is because he and his wife planned this weekend vacation at one of their favorite getaway spots well in advance and wanted a few days to themselves.

PHILADELPHIA -- Dick MacPherson seems almost embarrassed that so many people are pushing him for NFL Coach of the Year.MacPherson points to Joe Gibbs with his 14-1 record in Washington and Wayne Fontes with his turnaround season in Detroit and Dan Reeves, who is once again riding mile high in Denver."