The Desert Sun from Palm Springs, California • Page 21

THE DESERT SUN THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2004 C3 NFL NFL STANDINGS NOTIS AMERICAN CONFERENCE Tomlinson decides to take linemen to Hawaii East Pet PF PA Home Away AFC NFC Div y-New England 12 2 0 .857 393 246 7-0-0 5-2-0 9-2-0 3-0-0 4-1-0 NY Jets 10 4 0 .714 297 206 6-1-0 4-3-0 7-4-0 3-0-0 3-2-0 Buffalo 8 6 0 .571 330 248 5-2-0 3-4-0 5-6-0 3-0-0 3-3-0 3 11 0 .214 242 317 2-5-0 1-6-0 1-9-0 2-2-0 1-5-0 South Pet PF PA Home Away AFC NFC Div y-Indianapohs 11 3 0 .786 474 287 6-1-0 5-2-0 7-3-0 4-0-0 5-1-0 Jacksonville 8 6 0 .571 248 253 4-3-0 4-3-0 5 5-0 3-1-0 2-3-0 i Houston 6 8 0 .429 274 317 3-4-0 3-4-0 5-5-0 1-3-0 3-2-0 Tennessee 4 10 0 .286 304 383 1-5-0 3-5-0 3-8-0 1-2-0 1 5-0 i North Pet PF PA Home Away AFC NFC Div I 13 1 0 .929 323 220 7-0-0 6-1-0 9 1-0 4-0-0 4-1-0 Baltimore 8 6 0 .571 280 225 5-2-0 3-4-0 5-5-0 3 1 0 3-2-0 i Cincinnati 6 8 0 .429 313 340 4-3-0 2-5-0 4-8-0 2-0-0 2-4-0 Cleveland 3 11 0 .214 247 366 3-5-0 0-6-0 2-8-0 1-3-0 2-4-0 I West Pet PF PA Home Away AFC NFC Div y-San Diego 11 3 0 .786 391 262 6-1-0 5-2-0 8-2-0 3-1-0 4-1-0 Denver 8 6 0 .571 311 274 5-2-0 34-0 5 5-0 3 1-0 3-3-0 Kansas Cty 6 8 0 .429 435 381 34-0 3-4-0 5-5-0 1-3-0 2-2-0 Oakland 5 9 0 .357 284 398 3-4-0 -5-0 3-7-0 -2-u 1-4-0 DOLPHINS: The Miami Dolphins offered their coaching job Wednesday to LSU's Nick Saban, the favorite for the position since Dave Wannstedt resigned last month. Louisiana State athletic director Skip Bertman said Saban told him of the offer late Wednesday afternoon, but did not divulge details of the deal or indicate if he planned to accept A Dolphins source, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Saban's agent, Jimmy Sexton, and team owner Wayne Hulzenga met Wednesday. The source did not know if a deal had been struck. SEAHAWKS: Koren Robinson said all the right things, insisting he has learned his lesson. "It was a learning experience," the Seattle Seahawks receiver said after returning from a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy.

"Don't put yourself in certain situations or stuff like that can happen." NATIONAL East yz-Philadelphia Dallas Y. Giants Washington South y-Atlanta Carolina New Orleans Tampa Bay North Green Bay Minnesota Chicago Detroit West Seattle St. Louis Arizona San Francisco Pet PF 13 i 929 369 5 9 0 3 57 2 56 5 9 0 .357 253 5 9 0 .357 209 I Pet PF 11 3 0 .786 301 6 8 0 429 300 6 8 0 .429 301 5 9 0 .357 274 I Pet PF 8 6 0 .571 359 6 0 .571 356 5 9 0 357 204 5 9 0 -357 258 Pet PF 7 7 0 .500 319 6 8 0 .429 267 5 9 0 .357 251 2 12 0 .143 245 PA Home Away NFC AFC 202 7-0-0 6-1-0 11-0-0 2-1-0 367 3-4-0 2-5-0 4-6-0 1-3-0 300 2-5-0 3-4-0 4-7-C i-2-0 234 2-5-0 3-4-0 5-5-0 0-4-0 PA Home Away NFC AFC 283 7-1-0 4-2-0 8-2-0 3-1-0 298 3-4-0 3-4-0 5-5-0 1-3-0 374 2-5-0 4-3-0 4-6-0 2 2 0 255 4-3-0 1-6-0 4-6-0 1-3-0 PA Home Away NFC AFC 335 4-4-0 4-2-0 7-3-0 1 3-0 340 5-2-0 3-4-0 5 5-0 3-1-0 281 2-5-0 3-4-0 4-6-0 1-3-0 313 2-5-0 3-4-0 4-7-0 1-2-0 PA Home Away NFC AFC 326 3-3-0 4-4-0 6-4-0 1-3-0 356 4-2-0 2-6-0 6-5-0 0-3-0 291 4-3-0 1-6-0 4-6-0 1-3-0 390 1-6-0 1-6-0 2-10-0 0-2-0 THE ASSOUA IED PRESS San Diego Chargers' LaDainian Tomlinson plows through the Tampa Bay defense for a seven-yard touchdown Dec. in San Diego. x-clinched playoff spot y-clinched division z-clinched conference Friday's Game Green Bay at Minnesota, Noon Saturday's Sunday's Oakland at Kansas City, 2 p.m.

Chicago at Detroit, 10 a.m. Baltimore at Pittsburgh, 10 a.m. Atlanta at New Orleans, 10 a.m. Buffalo at San Francisco, 1:05 p.m. Arizona at Seattle, 1:15 p.m.

Carolina at Tampa Bay, 1:15 p.m. Philadelphia at St. Louis, 6 p.m. Monday's CONFERENCE Div 6-0-0 1- 3-0 2- 3-0 1- 4-0 Div 4- 1-0 2- 2-0 1- 3-0 2- 3-0 Div 3- 1-0 3 2-0 2-2-0 1- 4-0 Div 2- 3-0 5- 1-0 2-3-0 2-4-0 Games Games Denver at Tennessee, 5:30 p.m. San Diego at Indianapolis, 10 a.m.

Houston at Jacksonville, 10 a.m. N.Y. Giants at Cincinnati, 10 a.m. New England at N.Y. Jets, 1:05 p.m.

Washington at Dallas, 1:15 p.m. Cleveland at Miami, 5:30 p.m. Many Patterns Colors to Choose From Pool Decks Patios Professionally Applied by Bionco Pointing Since 1968 Walkways Staining Game TS' wotSSF FREE ESTIMATES 776-455 Coach Mike Holmgren has heard it before. He's had plenty of talks with Robinson since taking the talented receiver with the ninth overall draft pick in 2001. He plans to have another sit-down this week.

"He's excited to be back," Holmgren said. "He's a competitive guy. He likes to play football. We missed him, so I'm happy he's back." BENGALS: Running back Chris Perry, the Bengals' first-round draft pick, has a hernia and will miss the final two games of the season. Perry has carried only twice for 1 yard this season, when a hamstring injury and abdominal strain kept him sidelined most of the time.

Quarterback Carson Palmer didn't practice and was listed as questionable to play Sunday against the New York Giants. Palmer sprained his left knee when he was tackled Dec. 12 against New England. He sat out a 33-17 loss to Buffalo last Sunday. 49ERS: If the San Francisco 49ers earn the first pick in the upcoming NFL draft, general manager Terry Donahue actually is planning to use it.

Given the 49ers' overall frugality and Donahue's annual desire to have as many draft picks as possible, it's been widely assumed Donahue would attempt to trade the No. 1 pick if the club stays on pace for the worst season in franchise history. Nothing in the 49ers' recent history suggests they're eager to agree to a hefty contract and an exorbitant signing bonus. But on Wednesday, Donahue said the 49ers currently plan to use the pick on the best player available. "I would expect that we're going to pick a player," Donahue said.

"That would be my expectation. You're asking me that today. I'm not going to commit to that. It's December." BEARS: Star linebacker Brian Urlacher's season ended when he was placed on injured reserve by the Chicago Bears. Urtacher pulled his left hamstring Dec.

12 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, forcing him to leave the game early and to miss Sunday's 24-5 loss to the Texans. The Associated Press NFL on TV this week FRIDAY Packers at Vikings: Noon (Fox) SATURDAY Raiders at Chiefs: 2 p.m. (CBS) Broncos at Titans: 5:30 p.m. (ESPN) SUNDAY Chargers at Colts: 10 a.m. (CBS) Falcons at Saints: 10 a.m.

(Fox) Panthers at Bucs: 1 p.m. (Fox) Browns at Dolphins: 5:30 p.m. (ESPN) MONDAY Eagles at Rams: 6 p.m. (ABC) Epoxy Coating Garage Floors Pro Bowl roster AFC OFFENSE Wide Receivers Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis; Andre Johnson, Houston; Chad Johnson, Cincinnati; Hines Ward, Pittsburgh. Tackles Willie Anderson, Cincinnati; Jonathan Ogden, Baltimore; Willie Roaf, Kansas City.

Guards Alan Faneca, Pittsburgh; Will Shields, Kansas City; Brian Waters, Kansas City. Centers Jeff Hartings, Pittsburgh; Kevin Mawae, New York Jets. Tight Ends Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City; Antonio Gates, San Diego. Quarterbacks Tom Brady, New England; Drew Brees, San Diego; Peyton Manning, Indianapolis. Running Backs Edgerrin James, Indianapolis; Curtis Martin, New York Jets; LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego.

Fullback Tony Richardson, Kansas City. DEFENSE Ends John Abraham, New York Jets; Dwight Freeney, Indianapolis; Jason Taylor, Miami. Interior Linemen Sam Adams, Buffalo; Richard Seymour, New England; Marcus Stroud, Jacksonville. Outside Linebackers Joey Porter, Pittsburgh; Takeo Spikes, Buffalo; Terrell Suggs, Baltimore. Inside Linebackers James Farrior, Pittsburgh; Ray Lewis, Baltimore.

Comerbacks Champ Bailey, Denver; Tory James, Cincinnati; Chris McAlister, Baltimore. Strong Safety Troy Polamulu, Pittsburgh; Ed Reed, Baltimore. Free Safeties John Lynch, Denver. SPECIALISTS Punter Shane Lechler, Oakland. Placekicker Adam Vinatieri, New England.

Kick Return Specialist Terrence McGee, Buffalo. Special Teamer Larry Izzo, New England. Joining quarterback McNabb and wide receiver Owens, who had ankle surgery Wednesday and is out for the rest of the regular season and perhaps the playoffs, were tackle Tra Thomas, linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, placekicker David Akers, special teamer Ike Reese, and three of four secondary starters: corner-back Lito Sheppard and safeties Michael Lewis and Brian Dawkins. "You just try to encourage all the guys," McNabb said. "It's good to see that Lito, Mike and NFC OFFENSE Wide Receivers Joe Horn, New Orleans; Muhsin Muhammad, Carolina; Terrell Owens, Philadelphia; Javon Walker, Green Bay.

Tackles Orlando Pace, St. Louis; Walter Jones, Seattle; Tra Thomas, Philadelphia. Guards Larry Allen, Dallas; Marco i Rivera, Green Bay; Steve Hutchinson, Seattle. Centers Olin Kreutz, Chicago; Matt Birk, Minnesota. Tight Ends Alge Crumpler, Atlanta; Jason Witten, Dallas.

Quarterbacks Daunte Culpepper, Minnesota; Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia; Michael Vick, Atlanta. Running Backs Ahman Green, Green Bay; Tiki Barber, New York Giants; Shaun Alexander, Seattle. Fullback William Henderson, Green Bay. DEFENSE Ends Bertrand Berry, Arizona; Patrick Kemey, Atlanta; Julius Peppers, Carolina. Interior Linemen La'Roi Glover, Dallas; Shaun Rogers, Detroit; Kevin Williams, Minnesota.

Outside linebackers Keith Brooking Atlanta; Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay; Marcus Washington, Washington. Inside Linebackers Dan Morgan, Carolina; Jeremiah Trotter, Philadelphia. Comerbacks Ronde Barber, Tampa Bay; Dre' Bly, Detroit; Lito Sheppard, Philadelphia. Strong Safety Michael Lewis, Philadelphia. Free Safety Brian Dawkins, Philadelphia; Roy Williams, Dallas.

SPECIALISTS Punter Mitch Berger, New Orleans. Placekicker David Akers, Philadelphia. Kick Return Specialist Eddie Drummond, Detroit. Special Teamer Ike Reese, Philadelphia. Ike have made it and get an opportunity to get over there and get a good feel of AU-Star play and to say that they've been a Pro Bowler." The Eagles already clinched home-field advantage for the NFC playoffs.

Pittsburgh owns the AFC North crown and had the next-most selections in balloting by players, coaches and fans: linebackers Joey Porter and James Farrior, safety Troy Polamalu, center Jeff Hartings, guard Alan Faneca and wide receiver Hines Ward. Country Club Resort Prwrjf- DECEMBER SPECIALS Driveway BONDED 8 INSURED fi7 11:00 -Close 0p8n 11:00 Chargers' Brees, tight end Gates also named to NFL's Pro Bowl THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SAN DIEGO LaDainian Tomlinson didn't forget who really got him to the Pro Bowl. After the San Diego Chargers' star running back was selected to the AFC squad Wednesday, he told his offensive linemen they were coming along to Hawaii, at his expense. "I was so excited today that I felt like I went," rookie center Nick Hardwick said after hearing that Tomlinson, quarterback Drew Brees and tight end Antonio Gates will represent the AFC West champion Chargers in Honolulu on Feb. 13.

"It's good enough for me. With all of them going, we've done a good job. We're all' pleased." Tomlinson can certainly afford to take his linemen to Hawaii. In August, he signed the richest contract for a running back in NFL history, worth nearly S60 million. Tomlinson was voted to the Pro Bowl for the second time in his four-year career.

Brees, the quarterback the front office didn't want after last year's 4-12 debacle, and Gates, who's having a sensational second NFL season, will go for the first time. Tomlinson is third in the AFC with 1 ,600 total yards from scrimmage, including 1,254 rushing yards. He's scored 16 touchdowns and has set a team record by scoring a rushing TD in 1 1 consecutive games. Last year, when the Chargers were headed toward the NFL's worst record, Tomlinson was snubbed in Pro Bowl voting despite being well on his way to becoming the only NFL player to rush for more than 1,000 yards and catch 100 passes. "Last year I felt like I wouldn make it and this year I felt like I would make it," he said.

Tomlinson was happy for Brees. "He deserves it," Tomlinson said. "He stuck in there and kept believing in himself. It's definitely an honor." Brees has thrown 24 touchdown passes and six interceptions, a turnaround from last year when he had 15 pickoffs and 1 1 touchdowns, and was benched for five consecutive games and yanked from two others. "I'm sure when people see guys come back from adversity and maybe do things they weren't expected to do, I'm sure that's something worth recognizing," Brees said.

"But obviously it's how you play and what you mean to your team. Fact is, it's a great honor." EAGLES LEAD PRO BOWL ROSTER WITH NINE; 25 NEWCOMERS: Going 13-1 hasn't just assured the Eagles and Steelers of division ti tles. It also made them the leaders in Pro Bowl players. Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens were among nine Philadelphia players chosen for the game, the most representatives voted in for one team since 1998. The Steelers had six Pro Bowlers.

Michael Nunez pass defense in Tampa Bay. 4. LARRY JOHNSON, RB, CHIEFS. Three consecutive 100-plus yard games have secured his spot as the Chiefs' starter until Priest Holmes' return next season. 5.

BILLY VOLEK, QB, TENNESSEE TITANS. Will remain the starter for the Titans through the rest of this season as Steve McNair recovers from injury. Volek has played extremely well and should continue his outstanding play. 6. FRED TAYLOR, QB, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS.

Despite scoring relatively few touchdowns, Taylor is a good start in leagues that reward points for yardage. 7. EDDIE KENNISON, WR, CHIEFS. Should score on at least one long touchdown this week even if he is covered by Charles I I i A 27 Holes of Championship Golf 18 Holes Always Open Tee Times: 347-2326 48-630 Monroe St. www.indianpaims.com FREE Breakfast FREE Lunch Cart Sunday thru Friday before 12pm Legend Coure Resort Course $39.95 $69.95 Two Raiders top fantasy's who's hot list Twilight Rate includes Golf Cart Legend $29.95 after 12pm 19.95 after 2pm Resort $49.95 after 12pm $29.95 after 2pm Must Present Ad for Discounts 760-328'1005 Offer Expires 122604 tahuuitz creek DECEMBER SPECIAL the closest location from Palm Springs down town Mi sun Gon COLTR GlT.

Iff. 7, 9 plete slide the past few weeks and should only be started if you have no other options on your bench. 5. REUBEN DROUGHNS, RB, BRONCOS. Has lost carries to the younger, faster Tatum Bell.

The Broncos will want to test the rookie the last few games so Droughns could see significantly less playing time the next few weeks. 6. ANDRE JOHNSON, WR, HOUSTON TEXANS. Has lost receptions to Corey Bradford and Jabar Gaffhey over the past few weeks and is no longer quarterback David Carr's first choice on deep routes. 7.

ONTERRIO SMITH, RB, VIKINGS. Splitting carries with Michael Bennett and Moe Williams. Smith will not see enough action in Week 16 to warrant starting in any fantasy playoff format. 8. AMANI TOOMER, WR, NEW YORK GIANTS.

Not worth starting as Eli Manning continues to leam the ins and outs of the NFL. 1 Woodson. If Johnnie Morton returns to the lineup, Kennison should have a great game as he will face fewer double coverages. 8. RANDY MOSS, WR, VIKINGS.

Appears completely recovered from his hamstring injury and has his speed back. Moss always does well against the Packers. Friday, look for him to score on at least one passing play. WHO'S NOT 1. TERRELL OWENS, WR, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES.

Likely done for the season for the Eagles, but is definitely done for fantasy owners. 2. MICHAEL VICK, QB, ATLANTA FALCONS. Likely will not play against New Orleans. There are at least a dozen quarterbacks who are better from a fantasy standpoint.

3. MARSHALL FAULK, RB, ST. LOUIS RAMS. May retire after this season and shows signs of slowing down. Faulk is still a quality back that can score well for fantasy owners, but may not do well against the Eagles' defense this week.

4. JAKE PLUMMER, QB, DENVER BRONCOS. Has been in a com As the season winds down, every move you make can make or break you as leagues are into their fantasy playoffs. Injuries have piled up in the league and some players you may have never considered on draft day have moved into pivotal roles for not only their teams, but your fantasy teams as well. WHO'S HOT 1.

KERRY COLLINS, QB, OAKLAND RAIDERS. A fantasy owner's dream as he faces the weak Kansas City Chiefs' secondary that is the worst in the league in touchdown passes scored. Expect Collins to have a good outing with long scores to both Doug Gabriel and Jerry Porter. 2. JERRY PORTER, WR, RAIDERS.

Should have no problem getting past the Chiefs' secondary. Porter is worth starting in this important Week 16 matchup. 3. MUHSIN MUHAMMAD, WR, CAROLINA PANTHERS. The most underrated receiver in fantasy football.

Muhammad continues to score big every week and this week should be no exception against the leagued best Call 760.323.9377 for Tee Times, Twilight Rates and Happy Hour. This offer includes Green Fee Curt Fee and valid through 1 22504 Must bring this ad for discount. Breakfast Buffet will he served at S3.9trom to 10 Michael Nunez is a columnist for Florida Today. tt.