PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Howfield Is Cut After Missed Kick

Ian Howfield, who missed a 33-yard field-goal attempt with one second left in regulation Sunday in Houston’s 16-13 overtime loss to the Washington Redskins, was cut by the Oilers.

A week earlier, Howfield missed three extra points in a 35-3 victory over Cincinnati.

Oiler General Manager Mike Holovak had no immediate comment on who would replace Howfield, who kicked last season for the Oklahoma Twisters in the Minor League Football Alliance. Howfield won the Oiler job from Teddy Garcia during training camp by kicking three field goals in three tries in an exhibition against the Dallas Cowboys.

Howfield kicked field goals of 24 and 26 yards against the Redskins and finished the season 13 of 18. He was 25 of 29 on extra points.

Howfield said he knew the possibility existed that he would be waived.

“That’s part of my business, but I’ll tell you what, when I get my next shot, I’m going to remember this day because it hurts,” Howfield said.

The Oilers finished last season with Garcia as their kicker. Garcia replaced Tony Zendejas, sidelined because of a broken leg. The Oilers put Zendejas on their Plan B list and he signed with the Rams. Zendejas kicked a 31-yard field goal in Sunday’s 24-17 loss to New Orleans, giving him 10 without a miss this season.

The Detroit Lions moved quickly to diffuse reports that dissension was brewing after Chicago knocked the Lions out of first place in the NFC Central.

The Lions downplayed Sunday’s argument between All-Pro nose guard Jerry Ball and defensive coordinator Woody Widenhofer during the third quarter of Detroit’s 20-10 loss to the Bears.

Tackle Lomas Brown, a co-captain, also addressed the team in the locker room after the game to salve wounds that may have opened after the emotional loss.

“The Bears won the football game, but the first question I get is, ‘What’s wrong with the team? They’re bickering,’ ” Coach Wayne Fontes said Monday.

“Let me tell you this. This team does not like to lose; we’re not the same Detroit Lions that lose and don’t care,” he said. “The players are frustrated and disappointed when they get beat, but there is still tremendous team unity here.”

The reported tension stemmed from two incidents on Sunday.

Ball threw his helmet during the sideline argument with Widenhofer, but the coach said the outburst was out of frustration.

“It was nothing personal between Jerry and I,” Widenhofer said. “Chicago had just kicked a field goal after a turnover and he was frustrated. I just tried to settle him down because there was still a long way to go.”

The Lions (6-3) look to rebound against Tampa Bay (1-8) on Sunday at Tampa Stadium.