Monday News and Notes

Monday, September 11, 2006

Joe Duffy won in college and will finish the NFL week the same way it was started Thursday, with a sweep to clinch a winning week in pro football as well.  Get both sides including a Wise Guy and the top total, 3-0 NFL, plus baseball has been added. The ENTIRE card  is just $17 at www.godspicks.com, part of the OffshoreInsiders.com Network.

NFL

Vikings-Redskins

Free-Lance Star

Clinton Portis, who set the Redskins’ single-season rushing record last year, partially dislocated his left shoulder during his team’s first preseason game, and he has not played in a game since. In the middle of last week, it looked as if Portis’ return would be unlikely for today’s game, but he practiced on Saturday and declared himself “93.9 percent” ready. Portis was upgraded to probable. Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said Ladell Betts would still start at running back, but that Portis could spell him. Having Portis on the field would be a boost, as the Vikings have one of the league’s most underrated defensive lines. If Betts can establish the run early and Portis can provide a few quick bursts off the bench, the Redskins should be in good shape. Redskins cornerback Shawn Springs is sidelined for at least another week after undergoing surgery to repair a torn abdominal muscle in August. The Redskins are not extremely deep at this position. Eight-year veteran Kenny Wright, who started at cornerback for the Jacksonville Jaguars last season, is expected to get the call tonight. Mike Rumph should also see extended playing time. FedEx Field is by far the largest stadium in the NFL. It will be sold out tonight, the lights will be on, and a national television audience will be watching. All this emotion should give the Redskins the jump-on-‘em-early edge in the first quarter.

WJLA

After going 0-4 in its exhibition games, Washington’s season begins for real Monday night against the Minnesota Vikings at FedEx Field. A lot of eyes will be on running back Clinton Portis, who hasn’t played since partially dislocating his left shoulder while making a tackle last month. Coach Joe Gibbs says Portis will be able to play in a reserve role behind Ladell Betts. Monday’s game is also the unveiling of a Redskins offense that is supposed to score a lot of points this season. But the offense led by new assistant coach Al Saunders didn’t score much in the pre-season. Saunders says he didn’t show much of the play book in pre-season, so even the players themselves are anxious to see how he uses Santana Moss, Brandon Lloyd, Antwaan Randle El, Chris Cooley and Mark Brunell.

Chargers-Raiders

SF Gate

Shell was the Chiefs’ offensive line coach in 1995-96. Schottenheimer hired Shell when the Raiders fired him after the 1994 season. Shell’s last game that year: a 19-9 loss to the Chiefs at home on Christmas Eve. A job offer was the least Schottenheimer could do after beating Shell in 10 of 12 games from 1989-94, a big reason Shell was job hunting that winter. The Raiders have won 13 games in three years, tied with San Francisco for the league low. They’ve lost eight straight division games. The way they see it, the debut of “Monday Night Football” on ESPN would be a convenient venue to change the nation’s mind.