Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • 72

1 BD f'ltlDAY, JAN. 11, NFL PRTKOITFRKKl'UKSS WWW.I'KKKW'OM Tice named coach of Vikuiffs NTL PLAYOrr CAPSULES Pfumnier (tup) proliaHe Packers NT Gilbert Brown (toe), OtB Na'il Di'is (m'I), QB Brut Fame (sideback), CB Bliawoh Jue (ankle), CB-KR Allen Russuin (knee), proUiltle. Report says he'll hire O'Leary to coach line ROUNDUP FRU PRESS NIWS SIKVK IS men who decided to return to school included Maryland linebacker E. J. Henderson, Wisconsin wide receiver Lee Evans and Penn State defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy.

Today Is the deadline for piayeis remaining eligibility to decide whether to enter the draft. New England: Wide receiver Terry Glenn was suspended toi the playoffs alter repeatedly missing practices and meetings. Pittsburgh: Wide receiver Plaxico Burress missed a court appearance after being cited with carrying an open alcoholic beverage container on a downtown street. Burress, 24, was cited Dec, 24 in the city's Wvehouse nightclub district, said police Lt. Sharon MacKay.

The former Spartan was scheduled to be in Cleveland Municipal Court on Wednesday but didn't show up. MacKay said George Yarbrough, a court spokesman, said a warrant was issued directing Burress to arrange another court date. San FranciSCO: Running back Garrison Hearst was named comeback player of the year by the Associated Press. Hearst suffered a broken left leg in a playoff game at Atlanta in 1999 and missed the next two seasons after developing a circulatory problem following an operation. Hearst rushed for 1,206 yards this season, 10th in the NFL.

He also caught 41 passes and scored five touchdowns. dently and candidly about his vision for the team in a manner rarely shown by his predecessor. "This season was no fun," Tice said. "I want to have fun." Tice, whose tough but fair demeanor has drawn the respect of the Vikings in his five seasons as offensive line coach, made it clear that no one will be loafing. "I love to work hard," Tice said.

"I don't think there are many people who are going to outwork me, and I'm going to demand the same of my staff and players." Four assistants learned Tuesday they won't return, and outside linebackers coach Trent Walters left for Notre Dame. Special teams coach Gary Zauner was fired Thursday. LeavingStaying: Besides MSU running back T. J. Duckett, LSU wide receiver Josh Reed, Tennessee wide receiver Oonte Stall-worth and Washington tight end Jerramy Stevens said they were passing up a final year of eligibility to play in the NFL Other underclass- time, tfiu the league figure this has to he the qaine of the week.

The Jets figure Ihey can do (heir part since jusl twit the Raters, 24-22, in drtirutic fashion a late John Hall field goal) last Sunday, And there is a glaring ractor that favors (hem they are plus-IB in turnover differential and the Refiners are ininus-1, But the Renders have a retooled passing gnme. Quarterback Rich Gannon led the AFC in passer rating i9b.5) and became the first Fender to do so since Ken Stabler in 197b. INJURIES: Jetc Kareem McKenzie (calf), QB Tory Woodbury (ciuadricpps-inured reserve), out; WR-KR Santana Moss (quadriceps), prohalile. Raiders DT Roderick Coleman (shoulder), Mo Collins (leg), Rb Charlie Garner (fool), tin-coin Kennedy (shoulder), FB Jon Ritchie (ankle), Barry Sims (foot), CB Charles Woodson (toe), questionable, DT Grady Jackson (knee), Sebastian Jamkowski (foot), probable. SAN TRANCISCO AT GREEN BAY 12:30 p.m.

Sunday Records: 49ers 12-4; Packers 12-4. Vs. Line: 49ers 9-7; Packers 9-7. TVradio: Fox (Channel 2); WDFN-AM (1130). Line: Packers by 3Vfe.

Overview: The 49ers average 355.6 offensive yards gained per game. The Packers average 341 .4. The last time they met in the playoffs in 1999 in San Francisco the 49ers won it on Steve Young's 25-yard touchdown pass to Terrell Owens with eight seconds remaining. Young will not play this time; Jeff Garcia is the 49ers' quarterback and ranks higher in passer rating (94.8) than Green Bay's electric Brett Favre (94.1). That would mean plenty if this game were being played in San Francisco.

Unh-unh. This one is being played in freezing Green Bay, where the Packers are 1 2-0 all time in playoff games and where Favre is 30-0 when the temperature is below 34 degrees. INJURIES: 49tri TE Greg Clark (hamstring), CB Anthony Parker (shoulder), out; DE John Engeiherger (ankle), DE Cliike Okeafor (leg), questionable; FB Fred Beasley (hand), CB Ahmed TAMPA BAY AT PHILADELPHIA 4:30 p.m. Saturday Records: Buccaneers 9-7; Eagles 1 1 -5. Vs.

Line: Buccaneers 6-9-1 Eagles 1 0-5-1 TVradio: ABC (Channel 7 in Detroit); WXDX-AM (1310). Line: Eagles by 3Vi. Overview: the Buccaneers' defensive players say they have a score to settle with Philly QB Donovan MoNabb. They say, he ridiculed and taunted them in the closing seconds of their playoff loss to the Eagles last season, a 21 -3 defeat in which the Bucs, on their own, did plenty of laughable things, such as managing only 1 1 first downs for the entire game. And there's plenty of passion displayed on the Eagles' defense, led by four Pro Bowl players: linebackers Jeremiah Trotter and Hugh Douglas, safety Brian Dawkins and cornerback Troy Vincent.

INJURIES: Buccaneers RB Rabiti AMulkth (foot), DT James Cannida (abdominal strain), DE Marcus Jones (shoulder), MLB Nate Webster (shoulder), questionable; Martin Gramatica (hamstring), 0T Warren Sapp (shoulder), probable; Eaples 0L6 Ike Reese (foot), out; QB A.J. Feeley (shoulder), DT Paul Grasmanis (knee), CB William Hampton (abdominal), Sean Landeta (kneewrist), FB Jamie Reader (turf toe), WR James Thrash (anklerib), probable. NEW YORK JETS AT OAKLAND 8 p.m. Saturday Records: Jets 10-6; Raiders 10-6, VS. Line: Jets 8-8; Raiders 7-8-1.

TV: ABC (Channel 7). Line: Raiders by m. Overview: There has never been a playoff game in prime CURT SYLVESTER I NIX Wild about West Coast offense BALTIMORE AT MIAMI 4 p.m. Sunday Records: Ravens 1 0-6; Dolphins 11-5. Vs.

Line: Ravens 8-7-1 Dolphins 1 0-5-1 TVradio: CBS (Channel 62); WDFN-AM (1130). Line: Dolphins by Overview: The Dolphins are 6-0 when they score a defensive touchdown. Besides the fact that this is a playoff game, and that alone sets it apart, this game means so much to both teams. For the Ravens, they cannot defend their Super Bowl title without getting past the first round, and lately they have hardly resembled For Miami, a huge boost in psyche is needed after so many quick playoff exits in recent years preceded by lackluster December play. Miami quarterback Jay Fiedler has strung together some nice numbers: He is 1 3-4 at home and this season threw a league-most 1 1 fourth-quarter touchdown passes.

Look for the Ravens to try to get just enough from their offense and for their defense to control this game. However, this is not the overpowering Ravens defense from last season. INJURIES: Raneni LB Shannon Taylor (shoulder), out; CB James Trapp (groin), doubtlul; DE Roll Burnett (talf); Edwin Mulitalo (calf), questionable; RB Terry Allen (chest), TE Shan-' non Sharpe (knee), DT Larry Webster (ankle), Sammy Williams (back), probable. Dolphins WR Chris Chambers (ankle); WR Oronde Gadsden (hamstring); FB Rob Konrad (rib); MLB Zach Thomas (neckshoulder); FS Shawn Wooden (ankles), questionable; QB Jay Fiedler (elbow), DT Jennaine Haley (calf), WR James McKmoht (ankle), Tim Ruddy (knee), 0LB Twan Russell (finger), RB Lamar Smith (ankle), CB Patrick Surtain (finger), DE Jason Taylor (shoulder), probable. parently is Tampa Bay's running game.

Injuries have left them light on' their defensive line. The New York Giants wore them down two weeks ago, and there is concern the Bucs might do the same with big back Mike Alstott. Prediction: Eagles 20, Buccaneers 14. New York Jets at Oakland, 8 p.m. Saturday.

The Jets beat the Raiders, 24-22, on Sunday to make the playoffs, and now both teams are trying to convince themselves the road to the Super Bowl starts as AFC wild-card teams. Denver (1997) and Baltimore (2000) won the Super Bowl as wild-card teams, and Tennessee (1999) finished a yard short of forcing overtime against the Rams, but the Jets and Raiders don't seem to be on that kind of a roll. Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon has struggled in recent weeks, throwing seven interceptions in the final seven games, and the Jets made the playoffs on the margin of a 53-yard field goal. Prediction: Raiders 27, Jets 17. Baltimore at Miami, 4 p.m.

Sunday. The defending Super Bowl champion Ravens still are talking the talk, but they will have to prove all over again Sunday they can walk the walk. "Offense wins games, defense wins championships," linebacker Ray Lewis said. "Just ride us, baby. We'll get you to the Super Bowl." It sounds good, but eventually the Ravens will need some help from quarterback Elvis Grbac, who has struggled most of the season.

He has thrown three or more touchdowns in seven games, and the Ravens have lost five of them. The Dolphins, incidentally, say they're happy to be playing the Ravens rather than the Jets, who have beaten them eight straight. Prediction: Ravens 28, Dolphins 21. to start over interested in trading back. There's no doubt we will get a fine, fine player if we stay put." Mornhinweg didn't rule out drafting a quarterback if the Lions think the available players presumably Joey Harrington of Oregon or David Carr of Fresno State are talented enough to build the franchise around.

But that appears unlikely. What will the Lions do with free-agent wide receiver Germane Crowell and cornerback Bryant Westbrook? Both players were incapacitated to one degree or another by injuries in 2001 Crowell went on injured reserve with a torn knee tendon and Westbrook played at less than 100 percent coming off a ruptured Achilles but Mornhinweg said the Lions are interested in keeping both. If Crowell's rehabilitation goes as planned, he still will have speed the Lions need in their receivers. Westbrook might be moved to safety if it appears he has lost a step at cornerback. Contact CURT SYLVESTER at 313-222-2(121 or Sylvester- frerpress.com.

Pack-49ers marquee matchup of first round For all of those nights he spent buried in his Packers playbook studying the West Coast offense, Ah-man Green finally is ready to collect his reward. Green and his Green Bay teammates will play the San Francisco 49ers in the marquee game of the first round of the NFL playoffs Sunday, and there is no end to the interesting angles: The first meeting ever of 12-4 wild-card teams in the first round. The matchup of two of the NFL's top-rated quarterbacks Brett Favre of the Packers and Jeff Garcia, each with 32 touchdown passes. The impressive recent Super Bowl histories of San Francisco and Green Bay. The mystique of Lambeau Field and the threat of harsh weather.

although this is Green's first experience in the playoffs, he has absorbed enough from his teammates to have a pretty good feel for what to expect. "I wasn't here back in '95, '96 and '97 for the playoff runs and the Super Bowl victory, and the chance to go to the Super Bowl a second time," Green said. "But among the players that have been there, they don't even have to say anything. You can tell by their attitude they're back to where they once were." Green had just finished at Nebraska the last time the Pack won a playoff game at the end of the 1997 season, and he took a circuitous route to join them. A third-round draft pick of the Seattle Seahawks in 1998, he played two years behind Ricky Walters and was acquired by the Packers to play a simitar role behind Dorsey Levens.

With Levens' history of injuries, though, Green got a chance to start 11 games in 2000 and this year developed into one of the top rushers. The Packers use the West Coast offense, a mystery to i i EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -Mike Tice took firm control of the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday, shaking up his staff amid a report he would hire disgraced coach George O'Leary as an assistant. The St. Paul Pioneer Press reported that Tice plans to make O'Leary his defensive line coach.

O'Leary, who quit five days after being hired as Notre Dame coach when he was found to have lied on his resume, declined Thursday to confirm the report. Tice pledged a quick return to success for the Vikings after a 5-11 season. He spoke sternly, confi MANN I End From Page ID pioneer. He prefers to talk about the good times and his teammates. "Looking back, all I can say is playing professional football was one big ball of fun," he said.

"I really felt like I was getting paid for something I would have loved to do anyway. There was no work to take home at night, no real stress, and we only played once a week. "From it I got to meet a lot of people, and it opened up a lot of doors for me later. I just wish I could have played longer, but I knew eventually I would have to find something else. I don't know anybody who played when I did who didn't totally enjoy it." Mann joined the Lions from the University of Michigan, where he lettered two seasons at end.

Groomes was a halfback from Indiana. "Growing up in a segregated North Carolina town of 10,000 during the '30s, one couldn't even imagine the odds of playing in a Rose Bowl, let alone professional football," said Mann, looking out his third-floor office overlooking the construction of Compuware's headquarters. At Michigan, Mann played on the 1947 team that won the Rose Bowl and finished 10-0, winning the national championship in a special Associated Press poll. Mann went to Michigan as a walk-on in 1944 after transferring from Hampton Institute in Virginia, where he lettered in four sports. He served in the Navy in then returned to Ann Arbor.

His father, a country doctor in New Bern, N.C., had wanted him to attend medical school, but he preferred to catch passes and perfect the end-around play. "I knew I didn't want to be a doctor, but I sure wanted to play football," Mann said. "No one thought I could make the team, including our coach, Fritz Crisler. He was a bit of a racist, but he was also a football genius who wanted to win. He finally gave me the chance to play." After Mann graduated, he and U-M end Len Ford met with Lions coach' Bo McMillin, hoping to make a deal.

They were two of the three black players at Michigan. "We offered McMillin an attendance contingent contract because we felt that we could increase the crowds at Iiriggs Stadium, which was averaging around 20,000 a game," Mann said. "At the last minute, the Lions' president nixed the deal." Mann joined the Lions anyway, 72 hours after they signed Groomes. Ford went to the Los Angeles Dons of the rival All America Football Conference before starring for the Cleveland Browns in a I lull of Fame career. Mann's introduction to pro football came at the Lions' 1948 training camp in Ypsilanti.

When he and Groomes arrived, halfback Bullet Bill Dudley openly welcomed them. "Dudley was the first guy to greet me warmly, and he really set the tone," Mann said. "The other guys followed Bill's example. I never had any problems With my Lion teammates." Mann was surprised to learn that everything from the play-book, equipment and even the taping of ankles was superior at U-M to what he found on the Lions. But in his first professional game, he learned something from an opponent that he thinks helped him stay in the league for seven years.

"It was an exhibition game at U-D stadium against the Eagles, and I was lined up against Alex Wojciechowicz, who was holding me up all day," Mann recalled. "A I Wistert of the Eagles told me I could split out. He might have helped me because I had played with is brother at Sud- black Lions Bob Mann's introduction to pro football came at the Lions' 1948 training camp. When he and Mel Groomes arrived, Bill Dudley openly welcomed them. "Dudley was the first guy to greet me warmly, and he really set the tone," Mann said.

Detroit Lions photo Mann was convinced to sign with Green Bay, becoming the Packers' first black player. "There were two other blacks living in Green Bay at the time, so it was pretty difficult for me socially," lie said. "Our coach understood my problem, so on occasion I was allowed to leave town and head for Milwaukee or stay over in New York when we played there. Believe me, I had a good time." In Green Bay, Mann became a good friend of teammate Dick Af-flis, who later starred on the wrestling circuit as Dick the Bruiser. Mann accompanied Afflis when Afflis bought his first wrestling robe and shoes.

"Bruiser was quite a guy, and a man who just loved violence," Mann said. "I was hailing a cab in Baltimore once, but the driver wouldn't let me in. Dick opened the passenger door and pulled the guy onto the sidewalk and quickly convinced him to take me." Mann starred in Green Bay until 1954, when a hit to the knee by the Eagles' Chuck Bednarik ended his career. In 1988, Mann was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame. Once his playing days ended, Mann returned to his off-season home in Detroit to sell real estate and raise daughters Marjorie and Marilyn with wife Vera.

But another career beckoned. "A friend of mine was a judge, and one day after lunch he invited me to his courtroom to watch a criminal trial," Mann said. "It took me 20 years, but I finally realized what I wanted to do." At 43, Mann started night law school, graduating from the Detroit College of Law in 1970 with Dennis Archer, until recently Detroit's mayor. Mann has practiced criminal law ever since. Married 45 years, he is content, with no serious thoughts of leaving the courtroom.

"I know it's a cliche, but you're as young as you feel," Mann said. "Eee it for two bad knees, I feel great." In his spare time, he is writing fiction, with an eye on two novels. "Bruiser's going to be in there somewhere," he said. Mann, a season-ticket holder, also follows the Linns. He isn't sure today's players fully appreciate what the first black players did for the NFL, but he does know one thing.

As he smiled and thought about football, he said: "I just wish he Lion receivers would run more precise patterns." was one of 1st denly I had all this freedom. It was a key to my success, and it saved my career." Most ends in that day lined up tight with the offensive line instead of splitting wide as they do today. In his rookie season, Mann led Lions receivers in yardage (560). But the next year was even better. Mann caught f6 passes for 1,014 yards, leading the NFL in receiving yards and becoming the first Lion to surpass 1,000.

Former teammate John Panelli fondly remembers the year well. "Bobby was a real gentleman and quite a player," Panelli said. "In '49, we were often third-and-long and throwing out of necessity. 1 le always seemed to get that first clown even though our opponents were laying back for the pass. Bob had great speed and hands, and always ran such precise routes." In 1949, Mann and Groomes were joined by running back Wal-ly Triplett of Penn State, who is drafted in the 19th round.

Triplett was the first black draftee to play-in the NFL. But the Lions still weren't winning. They finished 2-10 in 1948 and 4-8 in '49, and the club was losing money. Team president "Edwin Anderson told me I had to take a $1,500 pay cut," Mann said. "I didn't think it was fair after the year I had, so I refused to sign.

He fired me from my sales position at Goe-bel Beer, where he was president. He then traded me to the New York Yanks for Bobby Layne. Now there's a trivia question." Layne became a Hall of Fame quarterback, leading the Lions to three NFL titles. Mann didn't last long with the Yanks. He was cut.

Although lie doesn't dwell on the racial indignities he endured, like the time he, Triplett and Groomes were held out of a Lions exhibition game at New Orleans because of racial tension, Mann thinks racism cut short his stay in New York. "In the last exhibition game the coach sent me in," Mann said. "I later heard he told our quarterback not to throw to me. lie ends up throwing to me anyway on a scramble and I ran (10 for a touchdown. I was let go the next day.

"There were a couple of other blacks on the team, including Buddy Young, and many believe, including myself, that there was a quota system for black players." His trailblazing ways were not over, though. Midway into the season, (J )1 4 tL r- fr" him when he joined the team. "In layman's terms it's like learning trigonometry or astrophysics overnight," he said, laughing. "It's something you definitely don't want to do if you don't have to, but in my case it was something I had to do. "I had to learn this offense to excel in it.

I saw that early. I said if I want to be a running back that my team will call on in certain situations, I'd better learn this offense. "I had to slick my head in that book when I came home from practice beat up and tired, and still study for another hour or two once I got home." The Packers and 49ers run a version of the offense, and both feature their quarterbacks as the primary weapon, but the running backs have been instrumental in getting each to the playoffs. Green rushed for 1,387 yards (second in the NFC) and nine touchdowns. Garrison Hearst gained 1,206 yards (fifth in the NFC) and scored four touchdowns for the 49ers.

Prediction: Packers 31, 49ers 24. Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, 4:30 p.m. Saturday. The Bucs couldn't beat Philadelphia in a meaningless season finale Sunday at Tampa Bay, and it doesn't look good for them in the rematch. The Bucs are 0-20 in games played in temperatures of 40 degrees or colder; they are 0-5 in road playoff games; thej were 4-4 on the road this season, and they lost to the Eagles, 21-3, in a first-round game last year at Philadelphia.

Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber said he's not convinced about statistics and home-field advantage. "I don't think you have an advantage 'in the playoffs home field or playing away," Barber said. "You can talk about that as much as you want. The game comes down to who wants it more, or whoever doesn't want to go home the most is going to advance in this game to the next round." The Eagles' big concern ap said. "I'm going through that process right now.

There's no timing on that, I just want to make sure it's the best guy." The five candidates apparently include at least two with NFL coordinator experience and others who are position coaches waiting for a chance to move up. Will he consider hiring an offensive coordinator, rather than carrying the whole load himself? "There's a possibility that would occur this year or next year," Mornhinweg said. "That's in the forefront of my mind." That doesn't mean he will relinquish the play-calling, though. "I'll call the plays," he said. "That'll be quite awhile I do that." Will the Lions use the No.

3 overall pick or will they trade down to get additional plavers or jiicks? "If we have a chance to move back, that will be a big possibility" Mornhinweg said. "We have a host of needs to fill. "Once you get the football team to a certain point, the trading up comes into play when you need one or two players. Yet we're in a situation where we'd be ex'emely LIONS I Momliinweg eager From Page ID facility in Allen Park and a new stadium at Ford Field. Among the issues Mornhinweg will face before spring minieamp: Will quarterback Charlie Batch be included among the five players made available to Houston in the Feb.

18 expansion draft? Mornhinweg wouldn't say. "I talked to Charlie last week," he said. "We had a great discussion on his future with the Lions, in the NFL." Mornhinweg said the Lions have a list of about nine players whose eligibility for the expansion draft is being reviewed by the NFL. Will wide receiver Herman Moore return? "Does he want to play? Does he only want to play here?" Mornhinweg said. "There are a lot of valuables with Herman right now." Moore would be permitted to visit other interested teams if the Lions decide not to keep him, Mornhinweg said.

Does Mornhinweg have a replacement in mind for Tobin? "I've got five names he.