NFL Notebook
Bears-Giants to Start Later Under New Scheduling Plan
Wednesday, October 25, 2006; Page E05
NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 24 -- The NFL rescheduled its first game under its new flexible-scheduling plan, moving a Nov. 12 game between the Chicago Bears and New York Giants at Giants Stadium to 8:15 p.m.
It had been scheduled to be played at 1 that afternoon. The plan is designed to ensure that NBC gets attractive late-season games to televise in its Sunday night time slot.
Bears BasicsGiants Basics  The Indianapolis Colts overcome the rain and a sloppy start to beat the Chicago Bears, 29-17. The Colts' victory ignites a wild celebration among the white-and-blue attired fans in the sea of colorful vinyl rainwear that populated the soggy stands. Peyton Manning fills the final hole in his legend as the greatest quarterback never to win the biggest game. Leonard Shapiro: Tony Dungy and Manning seal their place in history by winning the Super Bowl. Manning adds a Super Bowl MVP award to his long list of achievements. Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes plow forward for the Colts go-ahead touchdown and never look back. There was a collective failure by the Bears' offense, but Rex Grossman provides the most vivid images. Notebook: Two assistant coaches who participated in the Super Bowl likely will interview for Dallas' head coaching job. On Our Site Wilbon and Kornheiser share their thoughts live during Sunday's big game. Photos: Relive all of the action from the NFL playoffs. Audio: Manning on the Win. Audio: Grossman on the Loss. Audio: Dungy Praises Smith. Quarterly Report (PDF) A Slew of Errors (PDF) Graphic: Play of the Game. MARK MASKE'S NFL INSIDER • More Back Problems For M. Hasselbeck • L. Petitgout Reportedly Facing Four-Game Suspension |
The Bears-Giants game previously was to be carried by Fox. Under the plan, games must be moved at least 12 days in advance. The matchup is particularly attractive because the Bears could be unbeaten heading into the game.
The league also announced that the New Orleans at Pittsburgh game on the same day has been moved from 1 to 4:15 p.m. on Fox.
Owner Favors Bledsoe
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones attended Tuesday's NFL owners' meeting here, arriving on the morning after his team suffered a deflating loss at home to the Giants during which quarterback Drew Bledsoe was benched.
Cowboys Coach Bill Parcells went to youngster Tony Romo for the second half of the 36-22 defeat. The move didn't work, as Romo threw three interceptions.
Parcells said late Monday night he hadn't decided which quarterback would start Sunday night at Carolina. Jones said Tuesday he didn't know which way the Cowboys would go. But Jones appeared to be leaning toward Bledsoe as his choice.
"I'm very involved in every decision," Jones said. "I don't think this is any different. We know the benefits of an experienced Drew Bledsoe. But we also know the benefits of developing a player for the long term. I lean toward how to give us the best quarter or best half or best game."
Uncertainty in Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Steelers don't know whether quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be available for this weekend's game at Oakland. He suffered a concussion on the heavy hit that knocked him from Sunday's overtime loss to the Atlanta Falcons. . . .
Falcons defensive end John Abraham will be sidelined for three to four weeks after undergoing abdominal surgery, the team announced. . . .
The Cleveland Browns announced that Maurice Carthon had resigned as their offensive coordinator. There had been reports that he'd been fired. Offensive line coach Jeff Davidson replaced Carthon.
