Tuesday, August 27, 2002
Former Falcon agrees to deal with NFL champs
NFL notebook
The Associated Press
FOXBORO, Mass. - Former NFC rushing leader Jamal Anderson and the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots are about to join forces.
“We've agreed in principle (to a contract),” James Sims, Anderson's agent, said Monday. “It's looking pretty good.”
The Patriots, who are pleased with their three running backs, wouldn't confirm an agreement with the free agent, who spent eight seasons with the Atlanta Falcons.
After reaching the Super Bowl in the 1998 season and suffering serious knee injuries in two of the next three years, Anderson could practice with the Patriots today.
He led the NFC in rushing in 1998 with 1,846 yards and 14 touchdowns, his third straight 1,000-yard season.
Anderson tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee early the next season. In 2000, he rushed for 1,024 yards, then tore the ACL in his left knee on Sept.30, 2001. The Falcons released Anderson in June.
If he's healthy, he would provide competition for Patriots running backs Antowain Smith, J.R.Redmond and Kevin Faulk. New England coach Bill Belichick praised all three Monday.
“He's way ahead of where he was last year (in camp),” Belichick said of Smith, who signed a long-term contract after rushing for a career-high 1,157 yards in his only season with the Patriots. “I really don't have any complaint with Antowain.”
Redmond “is one of our better backs in terms of blitz pickups,” while Faulk is “a hard worker” with the versatility to catch, run and return kicks.
BUCS: Tampa Bay defensive end Marcus Jones had arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee and will be sidelined 4-to-6 weeks. Jones, in his seventh NFL season, was injured while rushing the passer during the first quarter of last Saturday night's 40-10 exhibition loss to the Washington Redskins.
JETS: All-Pro defensive end John Abraham, out since Aug.3 after partially tearing knee cartilage, returned to the field. He didn't do a whole lot, but Abraham was back in uniform, working with New York's first team to prepare for the Sept.8 opener at Buffalo.
“I am where I need to be after three weeks,” said the third-year end, who had a team-high 13 sacks in 2001. “I'm trying not to rush anything.”
LIONS: Detroit offensive tackle Victor Rogers will miss his rookie season with an injured ankle, and receiver Germane Crowell (knee) and defensive end Anthony Herron (foot) were put on the reserved and physically unable to perform list, which means they can't play or practice for seven weeks.
RAIDERS: Oakland starting right guard Mo Collins will undergo surgery this week to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. The Raiders are hopeful Collins will return for a home game against the Tennessee Titans on Sept.29.
REDSKINS: Washington offensive lineman Rod Jones, an expected starter before his disappointing performance at training camp, is out for the season with an elbow injury. Jones, a six-year veteran, was signed in April as a free agent from the St. Louis Rams.
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Former Falcon agrees to deal with NFL champs
