Rams told to stock cotton

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Oct 31, 1999 | by Jim Bainbridge

The ST. LOUIS RAMS planned to have their offensive linemen use experimental hearing-aid devices to help block out crowd noise - the devices were programmed to pick up only quarterback Kurt Warner's voice - today at Nashville's Adelphia Coliseum. When the Tennessee Titans learned of these plans, they complained to the NFL and the league ruled that the Rams couldn't use the devices. "It's not something that we can allow at this point," league vice president Greg Aiello said. "It has not been reviewed by the competition committee and approved by the clubs. Until then, they're going to have to use cotton." ... Warner took his nine offensive linemen to dinner after a recent game in which he was not sacked. He did this despite being one of the lowest-paid starting QBs in the league. ST. LOUIS guard Adam Timmerman, who used to play for the Packers, appreciated the gesture. "I don't think Brett Favre ever picked up the check in the Brett Favre Steakhouse," he said. "We don't let him forget it.

He's tighter than two coats of paint." ... Coming up on the midpoint of the season there are just two remaining perfect kickers. Jeff Wilkins of ST. LOUIS has made all 28 of his extra points, and is 7-for-7 on field goals while SAN FRANCISCO'S Wade Richey is 15-for- 15 on PATs and 11-for-11 on field goals. ... The 49ERS led the league a year ago, scoring TDs 65 percent of the time they entered the red zone. This year they are just 8-of-19. "We're trying to put Richey in the Pro Bowl, and I don't want him in the Pro Bowl," coach Steve Mariucci joked. "We want him kicking extra points." ... The DALLAS COWBOYS will soon join the Miami Dolphins as the only NFL teams with players wearing new, lightweight helmets that could help reduce the number of concussions and neck injuries. Southern Impact Research Center began designing and developing the helmets, which are used in high school and colleges throughout the country, about two years ago. The standard helmet weighs 4.9 pounds, though weights can vary depending on the type of face mask. The new helmet, which is manufactured by Bike, weighs 3.4 pounds. The helmet is lighter because SIRC redesigned the shell and used two types of foam padding inside the helmet. The padding is similar to that used in batting and skateboard helmets. ... DALLAS' victory last Sunday was Troy Aikman's 87th in the 1990s.

That established an NFL record for wins by a starting quarterback in a decade. ...Terance Mathis became the ATLANTA FALCONS' all-time leader in receptions Monday when he caught 12 passes for 166 yards in the 13-9 loss at Pittsburgh. Mathis has 427 career receptions with Atlanta, passing Andre Rison (423, 1990-94).... Pro Bowl offensive tackle William Roaf offered to be used as trade bait so the NEW ORLEANS SAINTS could recoup some of the draft choices the team used to obtain running back Ricky Williams. "I think it's frustration," coach Mike Ditka said of Roaf. ... WASHINGTON REDSKINS kick returner Brian Mitchell needs 14 punt-return yards today against Chicago to pass Billy "White Shoes" Johnson for second place in NFL history. At his current pace, Mitchell would surpass Dave Meggett (3,708) as the all-time leader next season. ... PHILADELPHIA EAGLES coach Andy Reid said there's a "possibility" No. 1 pick Donovan McNabb could play some at quarterback in the first half today against the New York Giants. Doug Pederson will start.

... WASHINGTON receiver Albert Connell was not amused about Deion Sanders' postgame woofing Sunday. Connell accused the Dallas cornerback of punching him in the chin on the game's second play. "He told me he loves me," Connell said. "Ain't no love here. When you take cheap shots and you claim you're a man of God, God don't like ugly." ... The CHICAGO BEARS have the toughest remaining schedule in the NFL. Their next nine opponents have a combined record of 36-19 (.655). ... Left-handed quarterback Cade McNown of the BEARS chose to wear No. 8 on his uniform as a tribute to three other leftys who wore that number - Steve Young, Mark Brunell and Carl Yastremski.