EAST / No Scholars Needed to Predict Rhodes’ Fate

His team stinks, and because his owner is cheap, Coach Ray Rhodes hasn’t been given the best chance to win and yet will probably be fired at season’s end the way the Eagles are going. Philadelphia loses again--if it lets Rhodes go. “I’m not about to give into losing,” Rhodes said. “I’m going to find a way to win. I’m obsessed with it. It’s driving me crazy, it’s driving me up a wall. You can’t sleep--how can you sleep when you’re getting your butt kicked. I can’t close my eyes. My wife thinks I’m out of my mind. She’s right.”

Two weeks ago the Cardinals were 0-2 after being outscored, 71-24; now they are 2-2 and losing grasp of reality. “People had us written off,” offensive tackle Lomas Brown said. Still do--they beat the Eagles and Rams.

What has happened to Giant sensation, running back Tiki Barber, now replaced by journeyman Gary Brown? Barber has averaged 2.5 yards a carry--second worst among backs with at least five carries a game.

WEST / We’re Not Great, but We’re Not Bad

The Saints will have to continue to contend with the doubters on their way to playing in the Super Bowl--like what’s so special about starting 3-0 when you’ve beaten three teams standing 1-10? “We’re not trying to fool anybody and say [we’re one of the 6-8 elite teams],” said New Orleans General Manager Bill Kuharich. “On the other hand, we’re not apologizing for who we played or how we won.” Right on.

Carolina is 0-3, and as unhappy as the Panthers’ fans are, now they’re really mad. Panther fullback William Floyd criticized the paying customers for leaving early in last week’s 37-30 loss to Green Bay. “I looked up there with two minutes [left] and there were probably only about 30,000 people in the stands. What would happen if we had 90,000 people just screaming and cheering us on and everybody’s getting hyped and excited?” Maybe the Panther fans have had nothing to cheer about, the home team now losing five in a row in Ericsson Stadium and going 2-8 since 1996.

CENTRAL / Every Five Years, Like Clockwork

Minnesota quarterback Randall Cunningham was the NFC’s offensive player of the week--for the first time since 1993. Cunningham has six touchdowns with no interceptions-- including exhibitions he has a dozen touchdowns and no interceptions. Cunningham said he was fired up last week because he heard former Bear receiver Tom Waddle on a Sunday-morning TV show say, Cunningham is “not a great pocket passer.” Hardly a revelation, but Cunningham took exception. “I’d like to thank old Tom,” Cunningham said. “I said, ‘Please, Lord, make me a pocket passer.’ ” Cunningham then stood his ground and threw four touchdown passes.

History says otherwise, but Lion Coach Bobby Ross insists rookie quarterbacks can find success in the NFL--because his only other option is to play Scott Mitchell. “I refuse to accept that; within the NFL, there’s this image that a young quarterback can’t do it,” said Ross, sticking with rookie Charlie Batch. “They’re not supposed to do it. I don’t buy that. I mean, you have rookie cornerbacks who have good years. You have rookie wide receivers who have good years.” Let’s see what he says after the Lions fail to make the playoffs.

Terry Cousin replaces Tom Carter, out for the rest of the season because of a broken collarbone, at cornerback and should fit right in: Last week he took Carter’s spot and immediately was beaten by Minnesota’s Cris Carter for a 35-yard touchdown.