Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • 37

NFL 4D FRIDAY, NOV. 12, 2004 WEEK 10 SCOUTING REPORTS Long-snapper brings the heat TV: CBS (Channel 62 in Detroit). Records: Cincinnati 3-5, Washington 3-6 Line: Redskins by 3. CURT SYLVESTER rwvieui- RArkkins RB Clinton Portis showed his versatility last week, rushing tor tit yaras on Jf tarries, uaiuirniy gn NIX ON TV Sunday night 1 p.m. Lions at Jacksonville.

1:00 (TfJ Pittsburgh at Cleveland. 4:05 El Cincinnati at Washington. 4:15 f3 Minnesota at Green Bay. 8:30 JSPfJi Buffalo at New England. Monday night fcOO Philadelphia at Dallas.

Lions president Matt Millen calls Dan Muhlbach the Nolan Ryan of long-snappers because of the speed he hikes the ball. pass tor 11 yaras, ana mrowing a id-yard TD pass against the Lions. The Redskins' offense has few other weap ons. However, they might not need nlse aaainst the Bengals, who Nick Harris did the smart thing. He came to practice Thursday wearing a catcher's mitt.

And why allow a league-high 149.6 yards rushing nnr rami. Still. Redskins QB Mark Bru- nell has thrown for less than 1 00 yards iri three ot his past tour games, so me Rannalo uuill stark the line of scrimmane The Bengals are approaching each game as it it a piayon game, i ney re tour games behind AFC North-leading Pitts-, burgh and can't afford to lose ground. INJURIES: Bengals: QUESTIONABLE WiWe Anderson (knaet CB Rashad Bauman (AdnHesI; 06 Jon Kitna Ifcot); LB Caleb Miller lanklel. RB Clins Perry laodomen): DE Carl Powell (knee) PROBABLE: DE Ouane Clemons (neck); Km Herring (knee); RB Jererm Johnson (hamstring) Kevm Kaesmnam (hand); Scott Kooatra (backl 0T Torrance Martin (tinner) DE Justin Smith (shouloen, WP Kevin Walter lanklel Redskins: OUT LB Lavar Arnngton Ikneel.

Di Phillip Daniels igrom). It John Hall Ingnt gran) uutsuuNAHu, lb Mike Barrow Ikneel PROBABLE; RB Rock Cartwngnt (thumb). Ryan Clark (shoulder). CB Fred Smoot (shoulder), DE Renaklo rryrr (ankle) kin, working at a bank and staying in shape," Muhlbach said. "After I'd get off work, I'd go with my dad and some of the high school coaches if I ever get off early and they're still at practice.

They'll help me out, too." Muhlbach said he had never been referred to as the Nolan Ryan oflong-snappers until he heard it from Millen after the Lions signed him. He's flattered by the nickname. "That was a first yesterday," he said. "If I can be compared to Nolan Ryan in any way, I'd be happy. Good old Texas boy." Speed isn't everything in the long-snapping business, of course.

To Priefer, accuracy is equally or even more important. "I slow down," Muhlbach said. "I adjust on field goals. I take a little bit off. It's easy to take something off.

It's better to be too fast and get slower, than to be too slow and then try to speed up. Better to be smooth than fast." The accuracy also makes Harris' job easier when he's holding for Hanson's field goal attempts. "He seems like he's right on," Harris said. "One-hundred miles an hour. If it hits my hand, I could do it with my eyes closed.

He's good, he's really good, and he's young. He can only get better from here." Better and probably faster, which means Harris likely won't ditch the glove soon. Contact CURT SYLVESTER at 313-222-2621 or sylvesterfreepress.com. MINNESOTA AT GREEN BAY 4:15 p.m. Sunday TV: Fox (Channel 2 in Detroit).

Records: Minnesota 5-3, Green Bay 44. Line: Packers by 4. wouldn't he? Brad Ausmus wouldn't catch Roger Clemens barehanded, would he? Jason Varitek wouldn't catch Curt Schilling without padding, would he? So why would Harris, the Lions' punter, go out to catch fastballs from Don Muhlbach the Nolan Ryan oflong-snappers, according to president Matt Millen without a glove? Maybe it wasn't a catcher's mitt. It was more like a receiver's glove. And it turns out Harris has been wearing it when he punts for the past two years.

But he has had all the more reason to wear it since the Lions signed Muhlbach as their long-snapper this week. Special-teams coach Chuck Priefer said Muhlbach's speed on getting the ball back on punts, field goals and extra points is among the top five to eight in the NFL. "I've had David Binn out in San Diego, and this kid's right there with him," Priefer said. "He can bring it now. David is in year 11, and he's consistently .69 or .71.

That's where this kid is, too." That's 69 or 71 hundredths of a second. It's not exactly the Ryan Express, but that kind of speed combined with exceptional accuracy puts Muhlbach in rare company among snappers. More important, it means the Lions can get off a punt or field goal attempt a fraction of a second faster than they might under normal circumstances. And Harris, who does the punting as well as holds for Jason Hanson's field goal attempts, said he doesn't have a problem with the speed at which the ball arrives. "We operate within a range of anywhere from 1.9 to 2.0 seconds," Harris said.

"And he subtracts about a tenth of a second from what we've been doing the past two years. It lets guys get their blocks, and we get the ball off faster." Muhlbach is a rookie who went to training camp with the Baltimore Ravens and was released after the third exhibition game. He wouldn't have gotten the chance to exercise his unusual talent if Jody Littleton, the Lions' previous long-snapper, hadn't suffered a hamstring injury Sunday against Washington. Muhlbach had worked out for the Lions and Buffalo earlier in the season and had been staying busy working at the First Bank and Trust in Lufkin, Texas. "I'd been hanging out in Luf Overview: The Vikings are a different team without All-Pro wide receiver Randy Moss.

After starting 5-1 the Vikings havd lost two straight. They II be without Moss' services Sunday. Defensively, Minnesota couldn't slow down the Colts Expect more of the same now that Packers WR Javon Walker has established himself as one of the league's best receivers. Walker has an NFL-best 783 yards receiving (46 catches) and is on target for the first 1 season in franchise history. INJURIES: Vlkinqs: OUT WR Randy Moss Ihamstnhd.) QUESTION ABLE.

LB Chns Claiborne (calf). RB Mewekte Moore lankle). Raonall Smith iconcussonl PROBABLE WR Marcus Robinson Ifoot). Packers: QUESTIONABLE. LB Parrs Lenon (knee).

Darren Sharper (knee) PROBABLE Marco Rivera (ankle) CAROLINA AT SAN TRANCISCO 4:15 p.m. Sunday DETROIT AT JACKSONVILLE 1 p.m. Sunday TV: Fox (Channel 2 in Detroit). Records: Detroit 4-4, Jacksonville 5-3. Line: Jaguars by 3.

Overview: Third-year man David Garrard starts for the Jags at QB for the injured Byron Leftwich. Some people in the league think he's a first-rate prospect. The Lions remain a work in progress, and their youth is showing. But they're in the NFC North race if Green Bay beats Minnesota and the Lions win, they are in a three-way tie with the Packers and Vikings. INJURIES: Uow OUT: IB Boss Bailey (kneel DOUBTFUL: LB Doile Curry (kneel.

H8 Stephen Trqo (knee). QUESTIONABLE: DE Jared DeVnes Igroin): WR Aj-Zat Hakim (back); WH Ta Streets (hamstring) Jaguars: OUT. 06 Byron Leftwcn (kneel DOUBTFUL: TE Gaorge Wnghster (back). QUESTIONABLE: LB Caryl Smrtfi (kneel. BALTIMORE AT N.Y.

JETS 1 p.m. Sunday Records: Baltimore 5-3, New York 6-2. Line: Ravens by Vi. Overview: QB Quincy Carter starts for the injured Chad Pennington for New York. That might not be a bad thing against Baltimore: Carter hardly fits the Jets' West Coast offense, but his mobility could affect Baltimore's pass rush, especially if Curtis Martin can get some yards on the ground.

Look for Jamal Lewis to run, too. "He needs to carry the ball more," coach Brian Billick said after Lewis carried just 22 times in his first game back from suspension. INJURIES: Ravenr OUT: TE Todd Heap (ankle) QUESTIONABLE: Jonathan Ogden (hamstring) CB Dem Sanders (foot). PROBABLE: Ethan Brooks (thigh): LB Bart Scott (hamstring) Jett: out LB Jason Glenn (forearm); Derek Page! IcaMA). QB Chad Pennington (right shoulder); Rashad Washington (toot) QUESTIONABLE: 0E Shaun Ellis (0101) Jon McGraw igiom) PROBABLE: DE John Abraham (illness).

LB Sam Cowan (kneel; CB Derrick Strait lloot). KANSAS CITY AT NEW ORLEANS 1 p.m. Sunday Records: Kansas City 3-5, New Orleans 3-5. Line: Chiefs by 3. Overview: The Chiefs are allowing 26 points a game; the Saints are giving up 29.

The Chiefs have an outstanding offense even if Priest Holmes (questionable, knee) doesn't play, and thie Saints have a good one, so expect lots of points. After starting 1 -4, Kansas City scored 101 points in wins over Atlanta and Indianapolis and looked like it was getting back in the playoff race. Then the Chiefs lost, 34-31 in Tampa against an offense that shouldn't be good enough to score that much. INJURIES: Chletl: OUT: LB Shawn Barber (knee). TE Kris Wilson (ankle).

DOUBTFUL R8 Priest Holmes (knee). QUESTIONABLE: LB Monty Beisel (calf); RB Derrick Blaytock (thigh); TE Jason Dunn (back): DE Vonnie Holliday (abdomen); CB Dexter McCleon (hamstring); DT Junior Siavii (ankle). PROBABLE: OT John Browning (shoulder); Will Shields (hip); John Welboum (knee). Saints: QUESTIONABLE: CB Ashley Ambrose (knee); TE Ernie Cornell (shoulder); TE Boo Williams (neck). SEATTLE AT ST.

LOUIS 1 p.m. Sunday Records: Seattle 5-3, St. Louis 4-4. Line: Even. Overview: The Rams need this game a win ties them for the NFC West lead and gives them a tiebreaker because they rallied from a 1 7-point fourth-quarter deficit to win in Seattle.

But a victory by the Seahawks gives them a solid hold on the division. Seattle RB Shaun Alexander leads the NFC in rushing (879 yards) and touchdowns (12) and leads the NFL with a per-carry average of 5.1 yards. He gained 1 50 yards in the first meeting against St. Louis. The Seahawks likely will again be without defensive end Grant Wistrom, who has missed three games with a small fracture to his left knee and was listed as doubtful.

Wistrom hoped to play against the Rams, whom he left for a six-year, $33-million free-agent deal after last season. INJURIES: Seahawkl: DOUBTFUL: DE Grant Wistrom (knee). QUESTIONABLE: WR Booby Engram (groinl; CB Ken Lucas (chest); TE Itula Mill (groin): DE Chike Okesfor (neck). PROBABLE. Michael Boutware lanklel; LB Chad Brown (knee), Ken Hamkn (kneel: WR Darren Jackson lanklel.

CB Bobby Taylor (knee) Rams: DOUBTFUL WR Dane Looker (ankle) QUESTIONABLE: CB Tod McBride (hamstring) PROBABLE CB Jerametrius Butler (kneel; CB Trans Fisher (teeth), Scott Tercero (shoulder). CHICAGO AT TENNESSEE 1 p.m. Sunday Records: Chicago 3-5, Tennessee 3-5. Line: Off. Overview: The Bears are fired up over their upset of the Giants, a game in which Craig Krenzel made fewer mistakes than Kurt Warner.

They also got 1 1 0 yards rushing from Anthony Thomas, who had become a forgotten man Records: Carolina 1-7, San Francisco 1-7. Line: 49ers by 1 Overview: Both teams limp into Sunday's game with injury-ravaged rosters. So it'H ON THE SLY the bye week gave him time to heal his bruised chest. Tennessee still has a shot in the AFC South, where two games separate the Jaguars and Colts at the top from the Titans at the bottom. Krenzel is 2-0 as a starter, despite his 62.4 passer rating.

INJURIES: Bern OUT' LB Marcus Reese (toot); CB Charles Tinman (knee). DOUBTFUL: Bobby Gray (grom. QUESTIONABLE: RB Thomas Jones (toe) PROBABLE: DT Alfonso Boone (back); Ruben Brown (knee). OT Tommie Harris (Ml: QB Craig Kremel (left side). (Xvi Kreub (elbow): CB Todd McMilkm (back): DE Adewale Ogunleye (calf): Rex Tucker (elbow); LB Brian Urlacher (hamstnngl Titan: OUT: WR Tyrone Calico (knee); Lance Schulters llootl QUESTIONABLE: RB Chris Brown (toe); LB Rocky Calmus (back); DE Carlos Han (knee); Craig Hentnch (back); TE Erron Kinney (calf): QB Steve McNair (sternum), Fred Miller (ankle).

HOUSTON AT INDIANAPOLIS 1 p.m. Sunday Records: Houston 4-4, Indianapolis 5-3. Line: Colts by 9 VS. Overview: A Texans victory isn't implausible if they can somehow control QB Peyton Manning, whose 26 touchdown passes put him on pace to break Dan Marino's 20-year-old season record of 48. Houston has had little luck in the teams' previous four meetings, allowing Manning to complete 68 percent of his passes for 951 yards and seven TDs with only one interception.

Houston is going to have to use a ball-control offense against a vulnerable defense to win. INJURIES: Texans: DOUBTFUL RB Tony Hoings (hamstring): Jason Simmons (head) QUESTIONABLE Todd Wade (ankle) PROBABLE: CB Dunla Robinson (shoulder) Colts: OUT WR Troy Walters (upper arm fracture), LB Keyon Whiteside fknee) QUESTIONABLE: Cory Bird (callknee): Rick DeMulhng idlest). Mike Doss (groin): CB Nek Harper (shoulder) PROBABLE arses Bastnr (knee); CB Joseph Jefferson (knee); WR Brad Pyatt (thigh). PITTSBURGH AT CLEVELAND 1 p.m. Sunday Records: Pittsburgh 7-1, Cleveland 3-5.

Line: Steelers by 3V4. Overview: In the past two weeks, Pitts- burgh has outrushed its opponents by 445 yards. The Steelers have the NFL's No. 1 rushing offense and defense. The Steelers have had success in Cleveland of late, winning three in a row and four of five since the Browns returned to the NFL in 1 999.

The Steelers are somewhat thin at running back, with third-down back Verron Haynes (turf toe) doubtful and Duce Staley questionable with the sore hamstring that kept him out of the 27-3 victory over Philadelphia. Rookie free agent Willie Parker likely will replace Haynes, though he has only three carries for 14 yards and played little as a reserve at North Carolina last year. INJURIES: Steelers: OUT: CB Chad Scott (ouadricep) DOUBTFUL; RB Verron Haynes (toe) QUESTIONABLE: RB Dan Kreider (hip flexor) RB Duce Staley (hamstring) PROBABLE. RB Jerome Bettjs (calf): Jeff Hartrngs Iknee); DE Travis Krrschke (back); WR Lee Mays (hamstring) Browns: DOUBTFUL: WR Andre' Davis (toe); WR Andre King (ankle). PROBABLE: Derrick Frost (ankle).

TAMPA BAY AT ATLANTA 1 p.m. Sunday Records: Tampa Bay 3-5, Atlanta 6-2. Line: Falcons by 3Vs. Overview: Bucs RB Michael Pittman has averaged nearly five yards per carry and scored five TDs. Last week, he rushed for 128 yards and three TDs against the Chiefs.

The Falcons allowed eight TDs rushing against Kansas City in Week 7, but held Denver's Reuben Droughns to 49 yards on 15 carries the following week. Keith Brooking is the Falcons' leading tackier, and he'll need a strong game to contain Pittman. This is probably the last shot anyone in the NFC South has at denying the Falcons the division title. If they win this game, they'll be four games up depending on what New Orleans does. The Bucs might contend if Brian Griese continues to play the way he has since taking over at quarterback.

His passer rating of 106.9 is fourth in the league, and his presence allowed the Bucs to do what they have done rarely, win a 34-31 shoot -out last week against Kansas City. INJURIES: Buccaneers: OUT: RB Mike Alston (knee). QUESTIONABLE: WR Joey Galloway (groin); Martin Gramatica (right hip); DT Anthony McFarland (triceol; QB Chris Simms (left shoulder). be a battle of who can take advantage of Tice apparently let the strong-minded Moss convince him he could make token appearances against Tennessee and the Giants. The injury has lingered.

Moss missed Monday's game against Indianapolis miss Sunday's and will game against As unproductive as the Lions' running game has been, they have avoided one negative distinction. They are not the one team in the NFL without a running play of at least 20 yards. That honor belongs to the Houston Texans, whose longest run is a 16-yard scramble by quarterback David Carr. the other backups. Niners cornerback Ahmed Plummer will miss his third straight game because of a bulging disk in his neck.

Cornerback Mike Rumph (broken arm) is out for the year. That 1 should enable WR Muhsin Muhammad to post his third consecutive eight-catch game. Carolina QB Jake Delhomme has 12 TD passes, averages 231 .5 yards -passing and ranks second in the NFL with 285 passes. That pace won't change since the Panthers' running game has been decimated by injuries. Niners coach Dennis Erickson said one Green Bay.

Asked I IS. Thursday whether Moss might have healed faster if he had begun rehab immediately, Tice became agitated. "No, I don't wonder at all," Tice said. "You guys can wonder, and you guys can second-guess. I'm never going to second-guess myself anymore.

I try to be up front and nice, and it turns into chaos." Unfortunately for the Lions, he likely will be ready Nov. 21 when they play at Minneapolis. We got stats NFL fans seeking information on players, coaches and teams might want to try the www.profootballencyclopedia.com Web site. The people who put it together call it the most complete and accurate record of the game, and they might be right. They have biographical information, statistical information, complete rosters, game scores, standings, and they recently added a trivia section.

By Curt Sylvester The Lions have three runs of 20 or more, topped by Shawn Bryson's 28-yarder against Atlanta. Kevin Jones made runs of 22 and 20 yards in the same series against the New York Giants. Tice becomes target Minnesota coach Mike Tice is under fire for a of San Francisco's primary focuses for, the second half will be to see if QB Ttnf Rattay can stay healthy after having battled groin, shoulder and forearm injuries. INJURIES: Panthers: QUESTIONABLE RB Stephen Davis (knee): CB Artreli Hawkins itiamjlrmqi RB Brad Hoover Iback); Mike Mnter (knee): 01 Krndat Moorehead (shoulder): LB Dan Moroan Iconcus- sun: PROBABLE: CB Chris Gamble Ikneel Ntmrt: OUT CB Ahmad v. Wa as 1 number of reasons, most notably because of back-to-back losses and his time management skills in those games.

But he is also taking heat for his handling of wide receiver Randy Moss' strained right hamstring. Plummer Ineckl; LB Ray Wells lankle) DOUBTFUL. LB Richard SeioJer foot) QUESTIONABLE Jeremy Newberry (knee tack): CB Shawntae Spencer lankle): DE Andrew Williams lshm. PROBABLE: RB Fred Beasley lanklel; 0T Bryant young (neck). N.Y.

GIANTS AT ARIZONA 4:15 p.m. Sunday Records: New York 5-3, Arizona 3-5. Line: Giants by 2Vi Overview: The Cardinals have allowed 24 sacks, among the most in the league. They should, however, be able to protect LIONS I Hakim known as quick healer UB Josh McCown on Sunday against the injury-ravaged Giants, who are missing their top defensive linemen. All-Pro DE Michael Strahan is out for year with a chest injury, and counterpart Keith Washington is done for the season after suffering a knee injury.

Cardinals RB Emmitt Smith needs 1 7 yards rushing Falcons: QUESTIONABLE: TE Eric Beverly (shoulder); WR Bran Finneran (pectoral). PROBABLE: CB Aaron Beasley (toot), DT Rod Coleman (knee), Cory Hall (loot). CINCINNATI AT WASHINGTON 4:05 p.m. Sunday benmd Ihomas Jones. They probably have to face Steve McNair this week to reacn i b.uuu tor his career.

INJURIES: Giants: OUT: Jack Brewer (lower leg); Michael Strahan i pectoral). OE Keith Washington (knee) QUESTIONABLE: KB Michael Cloud (back); LB Barrett Green (kneeankle); Shaun 0 Hara (teg infection): Luke Petilgout Iconcusaonl; TE MarceM Rivers Iback) Cardinals: PROBABLE: RB Josh Scobey (knee); LB Raynoch Thompson (knee). BUFFALO AT NEW ENGLAND 8:30 p.m. Sunday Records: Buffalo 3-5, New England Line: Patriots by 7V4. Overview: Buffalo's offense has improved with the insertion of Willis McGahee at running back for Travis Henry.

McGahee has three 100-yard games in three steris, including 1 32 last week in a win over the Jets. Even with a plethora of injuries, the Pats played what coach Bill Belichick called their best game of the season in St. Louis last week. The 18-point margin was greater than all but one during the streak, and that was a 31 -0 win over the Bills in the last regular-season game of. 2003.

INJURIES: Bills: OUT: 0E Conslantm flibmann (toot) DOUBTFUL WR Josh Reed (knee): Coy Wire laodomen). QUESTIONABLE CB Troy Vincent (kneel: Mike Williams Ineckl PatrMts: OUT eft Law Hoot), CB Tyrone Poole (knee) QUESTIONABLE: WR Dawn Branch (kneel; LB Matt Chatham (hamstring) PROBABLE- 08 Tom Brady inght shoulder): Li Larry too Iknee), QB Jim MUty (right shoulder). CB Asante Samuel (shoulder). STANDINGS National Football Conference WORTH PCT. PF PA STRK HOME AWAY NFC AFC DIV Minnesota 5 3 0 .625 211 193 L-2 3-1 2-2 3-2 2-1 1-0 Detroit 4 4 0 .500 147 1 71 L-2 1-3 3-1 3-4 1-0 1-1 Green Bay 4 4 0 .500 206 186 W-3 1-3 3-1 4-2 0-2 1-1 Chicago 3 5 0 .375 136 142 W-2 1-3 2-2 3-5 0-0 1-2 EAST PCT.

PF PA STRK HOME AWAY NFC AFC DIV Philadelphia 7 1 0 .875 189 131 L-1 4-0 3-1 5-0 2-1 1-0 N.Y. Giants 5 3 0 .625 172 141 L-1 2-2 3-1 4-3 1-0 2-1 Dallas 3 5 0 .375 141 203 L-1 2-2 1-3 2-3 1-2 1-1 Washington 3 5 0 .375 115 133 W-1 1-3 2-2 3-3 0-2 0-2 SOUTH PCT. PF PA STRK HOME AWAY NFC AFC DIV Atlanta 6 2 0 .750 170 170 W-1 3-1 3-1 4-1 2-1 1-0 NewOrleans 3 5 0 .375 171 234 L-1 1-3 2-2 2-4 1-1 0-1 Tampa Bay 3 5 0 .375 143 155 W-2 2-2 1-3 2-3 1-2 1-0 Carolina 1 7 0 .125 124 185 L-6 0-4 1-3 0-4 1-3 0-1 WEST PCT. PF PA STRK HOME AWAY NFC AFC DIV From Page ID skins defensive back Todd Franz and safety Sean Taylor. Not surprising, Hakim was in no condition to practice Monday.

He remained in sweats and was treated with ice. "I had so much swelling, they suggested for me to get in the ice bath," said Hakim, who said he hurt his ribs (bruised), back (bone bruise) and hip (flexor) in the game. "I said, 'Get the ice Tuesday, same: more ice. By Wednesday, Hakim was on the sideline watching his teammates go through drills at the Lions' practice facility in Allen Park. He stood for a while, then sat on a trainers' table near the water tanks and stationary bikes.

He wore his practice jersey over his sweats. He excused himself with a half-hour to go. "I had to take it in early," Hakim said. "My back was tight." But there was an upside. "Today was my first heat day," he said.

"Time to let my body know, it's time to start the engine back up again." Hakim, 27, was held out of practice again Thursday. But no worry. He said he plans to be good to go by Sunday, when the Lions (4-4) play at Jacksonville (5-3). Coach Steve Mariucci said he thought so, too. Actually, he demonstrated why.

"Some guys who walk like this on Tuesday," he said, taking a few wobbly steps forward, "have no shot of playing on Sunday. Az does. He's a real quick healer, he's tough and he's got a real high pain threshold. "He has answered the bell a lot. It's pretty impressive because we know he's sore even when he's playing in a game and he keeps -f- on playing.

He was sore that last game, and kept going out." At the midpoint of the season, this is the time when injury lists for many teams begin to grow. Those aches ami pains that hurt a little before hurt a lot now and Hakim is the Lions' second-leading receiver with 24 catches for 391 yards and three touchdowns. He came to Detroit in 2002 after playing for two Super Bowl teams in St. Louis, which drafted him in the fourth round out of San Diego State in 1998. Hakim was the Lions' leading receiver when he suffered a season-ending hip injury against the New York Jets in November 2002.

He also missed the first two games of last season recovering from knee surgery, but finished as the team leader in receiving yards (449) and total touchdowns (four). Rams wide receiver Torry Holt, brother of Lions defensive back Terrence Holt, played with Hakim for three seasons. "Every time I talk to my brother or Dre Bly on the phone, I ask how Az is doing," Torry Holt said. "I remember when I was a rookie, when he was in St. Louis, and I'd watch him run routes in practices.

He has a short memory and what I mean by that is, when something doesn't go right, he can put things out of his mind. He's always determined not to let one play ever get him down." That mind-set has come in handy this year with the roller-coaster Lions. "When we're up and all playing good, we're going as a group from our offense rolling, to defense holding and our special teams being special," Hakim said. "But when we're down, we show signs we want to improve but can't get over that hump. I sense that in some games where we come out real flat.

We just have to continue to work and stay focused on the big picture, not looking so far ahead. We need everybody." And that includes Hakim on Sunday. He hopes. "Every morning I wake up, wanting to get going," he said. "Somehow, some way, my body is meant to play this game." Contact JO-ANN BARTJAS at 313-222-2037 or barnas a freepress.com.

5 3 0 .625 0 .500 0 .375 0 .125 194 145 180 205 150 165 145 224 W-2 L-2 L-1 L-3 2-1 3-2 2-2 2-2 2-1 1-4 1-3 0-4 5-2 0-1 2-2 4-2 0-2 3-0 2-3 1-2 1-2 1-6 0-1 1-3 St. Louis Arizona San Francisco 4 4 3 5 1 7 American Football Conference RASHAUN RUCKEROETHOIT FREE PRESS Receiver Az-Zahir Hakim, taking it easy at practice Thursday, is recovering from a hip flexor, bruised ribs and a bruised back. take longer to go away. Earlier this week, for instance, when Mariucci discussed his injured players, he included Hakim among the group banged up enough to be categorized as "sore." By Wednesday, though, Hakim was downgraded to questionable meaning, 50-50 for Sunday's game. "I'm not injured," said Hakim, 5-feet-l() and 185 pounds.

"Injured is, like, when I dislocated my hip" in 2002. "That's injury. Right now, I'm just sore but in a few places. "I'm coming along. I know what I can and can't do at this point.

Obviously, I want to be smart about the situation. It makes me mad, but when this happens it brings the best out of me. It makes the game that much more of a task. I don't usually get hit a lot, so when I do, I want to retaliate in any way that I can." PHILADELPHIA AT DALLAS 9 p.m. Monday TV: ABC (Channel 7 in Detroit).

Records: Philadelphia 7-1 Dallas Line: Eagles by Overview: The Eagles' West Coast of- fense is designed around the pass. It averages 244.9 passing yards a game to 96.5 rushing yards. Dallas might not be a bad place to start making improvements. The Cowboys allow 123.6 rushing yards a game. In a 27-3 loss to the Steelers on Sunday, the Eagles gained just 23 rushing yards on nine carries.

For Dallas to stand a chance, it must establish the run, which is a possibility against Philly. Through eight games, the Eagles rank 27th against the run, allowing 130.6 yards per game. In the past four games, they've allowed 688 yards, an average of 172 per game. Without top WR Terry Glenn (left foot) for the rest of the sea-. son, running is perhaps the only thing the Cowboys can do.

INJURIES: Eagles: DOUBTFUL Reed (hamstnho) QUESTION. ABLE Jermane Mayoerry Icatf) DT Sam Raytjum letoow concussionl PROBABLE David Akers fhvl. Brian Oawkme (torearmi: LB Oham Jones (ankle). WR Todd Pnkslon Iknee): Jon Runvan lorrsnl. 0T Corey Simon (catf): TE L.J Smith (tomseinQ) RB Brian Westorook Inc-I.

CB Defter Wvrwi Ihamstrtng) Cowtwye-OUT: RB Julius Jones lstiouldeiv)IJESTIONABLE Keith Dm tfkl WR Quincy Morgan (hamstingl. CB Tyrone Wiaams (hamstring). NORTH PCT. PF PA STRK HOME AWAY NFC AFC DIV Pittsburgh 7 1 0 .875 197 137 W-6 5-0 2-1 2-0 5-1 2-1 Baltimore 5 3 0 .625 154 113 W-1 3-1 2-2 1-1 4-2 3-1 Cincinnati 3 5 0 .375 152 169 W-1 3-1 0-4 1-0 2-5 0-3 Cleveland 3 5 0 .327 160 1 74 L-2 3-1 0-4 1-3 2-2 2-2 EAST PCT. PF PA STRK HOME AWAY NFC AFC DIV New England 7 1 0 .875 208 146 W-1 4-0 3-1 3-0 4-1 3-0 N.Y.

Jets 6 2 0 ,750 185 138 L-1 4-0 2-2 1-0 5-2 3-2 Buffalo 3 5 0 .375 137 137 W-2 3-2 0-3 1-0 2-5 2-2 Miami 1 8 0 .111 123 186 L-1 1-4 0-4 1-1 0-7 0-4 SOUTH PCT. PF PA STRK HOME AWAY NFC AFC DIV Indianapolis 5 3 0 .625 249 206 W-1 3-1 2-2 2-0 3-3 2-1 Jacksonville 5 3 0 .625 128 146 L-1 2-1 3-2 0-0 5-3 2-2 Houston 4 4 0 .500 171 174 L-1 2-2 2-2 0-2 4-2 2-0 Tennessee 3 5 0 .375 151 178 W-1 1-3 2-2 1-1 2-4 0-3 WEST PCT. PF PA STRK HOME AWAY NFC AFC DIV Denver 6 3 0 .667 199 154 W-1 4-1 2-2 2-1 4-2 3-0 San Diego 6 3 0 .667 262 173 W-3 4-1 2-2 2-1 4-2 1-1 Kansas City 3 5 .375 237 211 L-1 2-2 1-3 1-i 2-3 0-1 Oakland 3 6 .333 165 247 W-1 2-2 1-4 2-1 1-5 0-2.