By George! Bears look to improve
Jeff George plans to return to the NFL with the Chicago Bears, who hope the 36-year-old quarterback can strengthen an offense that lost Rex Grossman to a season-ending knee injury two months ago.
George hasn’t played since the 2001 season when he was cut after two games with the Washington Redskins. He intends to sign with the Bears today, according to a team source.
George is expected to sign a one-year deal. He told the Chicago Tribune he will be happy with whatever role he plays on the team and already has been studying its playbook.
“It’s really all the same protections and pass routes after running 10 different systems in 13 years,” he told the newspaper. “I really believe I can be ready to play in a couple of days.”
McNair mulls retirement
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair hinted that his 10th season in the NFL could be his last.
“In the offseason I’m going to take a long look at what I’m going to do,” McNair said after the Titans wasted an 18-point lead in a 31-21 loss to the Houston Texans. “I just have to evaluate myself.”
McNair was clearly frustrated after Tennessee’s latest defeat, which was his second start since a bruised sternum caused him to miss most of the previous four weeks. He finished 25 of 34 for 227 yards with three touchdowns but fumbled twice and threw an interception that sealed the win for the Texans.
The Titans dropped into last place in the AFC South after Sunday’s loss.
Patriots set another record
Adam Vinatieri’s 28-yard field goal early in the second quarter put New England up 3-0 and gave them an NFL record with 16 consecutive regular-season games in which they’ve scored first.
The Miami Dolphins set the record of 15 straight in 1978.
Packers entertain Rams
The Green Bay Packers finally have the St. Louis Rams right where they want them: at Lambeau Field, on grass, in freezing weather.
Forgive Brett Favre if he’s not jumping for joy.
“Well, I would much rather play them here than at their place. We haven’t had much success at their place, and there’s no guarantee that we will here,” Favre said. “I think it’s going to be a very difficult game. Either way. Here or there.”
That might be, but he tied an NFL playoff record by throwing six interceptions at St. Louis 22 months ago, then broke his right thumb there last year.
The desperate Rams, who have lost three of four games, face the surging Packers, winners of five straight, tonight in a crucial game for two teams hoping to display some playoff pedigree in the jumbled NFC.