Del Rio

ASHBURN, Va. -- Their career paths have collided before. Byron Leftwich's arrival as the first-round draft choice of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2003 came as Mark Brunell's nine-year run as the team's starting quarterback was beginning to unravel because of mounting injuries and haggling over Brunell's contract. Brunell's elbow injury in the third game that year gave the former Marshall University star an opportunity to start, and Leftwich's development over the last 13 games of his rookie season ultimately led to Brunell's trade to the Washington Redskins.

Many at home with cheating The din produced by Indianapolis Colts fans on Nov. 28 grew so loud that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger couldn't bark signals to the center crouching just before him. It was so loud that, according to some commentators, it couldn't have been human. After the Colts won, 26-7, several media figures accused the team of pumping artificial noise into the RCA Dome during Steelers possessions. The practice would be against league rules (the Washington Redskins drew a $20,000 fine in 2000 for blasting cheerleader noise)

The NFL playoffs are a month away, and already Tony Dungy is caught in the eye of a perfect storm. His goal all year has been to get the Indianapolis Colts into - and win - the Super Bowl. But the Colts' tantalizing run at a perfect season has raised the stakes of that venture and placed the veteran coach on a different kind of hot seat. Dungy has a strong history of resting stars late in the season, once his team has secured its most favorable playoff seeding. Today, with a victory in Jacksonville over the Jaguars, Indianapolis can lock up the AFC South title and home-field advantage through the playoffs.

If you want to trace part of the Ravens' recent problems, look no further than the Jacksonville Jaguars, the opponent in tomorrow's game at Alltel Stadium. Over the years, the Ravens have lost some outstanding coaches such as Marvin Lewis, Donnie Henderson, Mike Nolan, Jack Del Rio and such excellent personnel as the Modells, Phil Savage and James Harris. Harris, the Ravens' former director of pro personnel, is now the president of the Jaguars. Along with Del Rio, Jacksonville's coach, the Jaguars (5-3)

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Marcus Stroud realizes his impact on a game cannot be measured statistically. But for the sake of his personal rivalry/friendship with teammate and fellow tackle John Henderson, numbers are the only tangible criteria to determine who is playing better. With those two, the personal battle they share goes in hand with team goals and is no less important. "We use that competition amongst ourselves to push each other so we can be two of the best in the league," Stroud said.

ROBERT RAYMOND MITCHELL, 89, passed away June 16, 2005 in Del Rio, Texas. He was born June 6, 1916 in Aberdeen, Maryland. He is survived by his son: Paul D. Mitchell and wife Carole of Del Rio, Texas; daughter-in-law: Sue Mitchell of Roanoke, Virginia; stepson: Randy Mc Donell and wife Mary Kay of Aberdeen, Maryland; sister: Marjorie Oakley of Orlando, Florida; Grandsons: Robert R. Mitchell III of Annandale, Virginia and Edward L. Mitchell of Roanoke, Virginia...

An update on the three teams battling the Ravens for the final wild-card spot Buffalo Bills (9-6) Pat Williams barely remembers the last time Buffalo made the playoffs, never mind played a meaningful game this late. "Finally, it means something," said Williams, the hefty defensive tackle. The Bills, however, aren't yet in the postseason for the first time since 1999, and they need help to get there. But few thought it would come to this after the Bills' 0-4 start. "Tom Jackson, Michael Irvin, we were the joke," said cornerback Troy Vincent, referring to two ESPN broadcasters.

INDIANAPOLIS - For anybody wanting to know how in the world Matt Stover's 31-yard field-goal attempt, normally a chip shot, ended up in the back of offensive lineman Bennie Anderson, the veteran kicker gave the answer last night. "It was a combination of Bennie getting pushed back and me kicking it a little low," Stover said. Stover had converted on all but one of his kicks this year, yet missed a crucial one in the Ravens' 20-10 loss to the Indianapolis Colts last night. Kicking in a dome and without elements, the game was set up to be Stover's easiest.

John Fox punctuated his first meeting as coach of the Carolina Panthers in 2002 with what sounded to them like an insult, but was meant more as a promise. The tough coach was telling his soft team not only that things were going to change, but also how they were going to change. Panthers safety Mike Minter remembers the day clarity arrived in Charlotte, N.C. "The first day he comes in, he looks at us in the face and he said, `I don't know how tough you are, [but] I'm going to make you tough,' " Minter said.

A YEAR AGO, Ravens coach Brian Billick said he wouldn't let a truck back up to the Owings Mills complex and haul away several of his assistant defensive coaches. The truck is warming up for a possible return visit in 2003. Six NFL head coaches have been fired or have resigned since the season started, including the bizarre resignation of Washington Redskins coach Steve Spurrier yesterday. There could be more soon. Fortunately for Ravens defensive assistants Donnie Henderson, 46, and Rex Ryan, 41, the openings could lead to jobs as defensive coordinators.