There are those who thought the Rams rubbed it in a bit with their last touchdown in the 35-10 romp, but that s the way the game should be played. Guys going around helping the foe get on his feet after every play don t deserve to be in the lineup. Of course that relentless attitude can come back to haunt you. Gino Marchetti, the great Colts defensive end, took much exception to that action. It took him a while, but the next time the two happened to be on the field in the post-season Pro Bowl, Ryan was carried off with a broken leg.
Some guys just have long memories.
If it s any consolation to the Panthers Muhsin Muhammad , he got the best of that frightful collision with Rams safety Ron Lyle , who deserves his reputation as a hard hitter. Muhammad may have spat up some blood, but Lyle suffered shoulder nerve damage and will probably be out for a month, ending a streak of 73 starts. That's the first time ever. You just know somebody will. . . . Only in Philadelphia could they make an instant hero out of rookie quarterback Donovan McNabb , who hit just eight of 21 passes for only 60 yards and no touchdowns against Washington, and was sacked three times.