week 17 quotes found from various places ...
"I think it's pretty important to be the third seed and play the last team in," Tomlinson said. "We're familiar with <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = " /><st1:State w:st="on">Tennessee</ST1
</st1:State>, because we played 'em this year. And <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
<ST1
Cleveland</ST1
</st1:City>, we're kind of familiar with because we played them in the past.
Russell was 7-for-23 for 83 yards with a touchdown pass, but also had three interceptions and a fumble.<O
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"Obviously, there's a lot of things to learn from today," Russell said. "Things didn't go the way we wanted to, but I learned things and that's what you want."<O
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First-year coach Lane Kiffin was a little harder on his quarterback Monday when asked what Russell needed to improve.<O
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"Where do you start?" Kiffin said. "Ball handling in the run game. Footwork in the passing game. Decision making, timing, accuracy. You name it, it was out there on film yesterday.<O
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"I haven't been around decision making like that before, as far as just throwing the ball up across the field like he did a number of times. I'm sure that didn't help his confidence. Your first time playing an extended amount of time like that, to not have success can't help."<O
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Though they'll miss the playoffs for the ninth consecutive season, the
Arizona Cardinals appear encouraged heading into their 2007 finale. The same certainly cannot be said for the
St. Louis Rams as they deal with turmoil on the sidelines.<O
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Heading into 2008, Whisenhunt will probably stress how close his team was to a playoff berth. Six of the Cardinals' defeats were by a touchdown or less and another came after they had a one-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.<O
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A former offensive coordinator in <st1:City w:st="on">Pittsburgh</st1:City>, Whisenhunt has started to cultivate an effective offense in <st1:State w:st="on"><ST1
Arizona</ST1
</st1:State>. The Cardinals have scored at least 20 points in seven consecutive games for the first time since 1983-84, and their five 30-point games are the team's most in 23 years.<O
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Injuries have been the key reason behind the team's worst season since going 4-12 in its first year in <st1:City w:st="on"><ST1
Baltimore</ST1
</st1:City>. Besides McNair, defensive end
Trevor Pryce and cornerbacks
Chris McAlister and
Samari Rolle are among eight players on injured reserve, and that number could grow.<O
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Linebacker
Ray Lewis missed the loss to the Seahawks with a dislocated finger and running back
Willis McGahee, the Ravens' leader with 1,207 yards and seven rushing touchdowns, broke two ribs in the first quarter and almost assuredly will not play in the season finale.<O
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