Dungy, Campo (Jones?) Need Reality Check

In Week 5, Drew Bledsoe finally quieted his critics, Cade McNown finally found the victory column, Deion Sanders finally earned his money and Daunte Culpepper finally figured out what the rest of the NFL learned two years ago: aim for Randy Moss and good things will happen more often than not.

In one final rewind of Sunday’s games, these individuals also stood out:

THE NFL’S MOST STUBBORN MAN

The Tampa Bay Buccaneer offense is stalled.

And Coach Tony Dungy keeps looking under the hood for the problem when he has the solution in hand.

A solid running game and great defense can only take a team so far in today’s NFL, where fewer than 300 yards passing can be labeled a bad day.

The Buccaneers knew that with a run-oriented offense and Shaun King at quarterback, they would remain a second-tier team.

That is why they acquired receiver Keyshawn Johnson.

Or so everyone thought.

In the last two games, Johnson has caught a total of seven passes and Tampa Bay has lost both games.

“We didn’t bring [Johnson] in here to catch 45 passes,” Dungy told Bloomberg News.

What was Johnson brought in for, to talk a lot, block a little and run meaningless pass routes?

As the man himself once said, just give him the damn ball.

THE NFL’S SECOND MOST STUBBORN MAN

We’re going to say the fault lies with Dave Campo, coach of the Dallas Cowboys. But if you want to read the name Jerry Jones between the lines, feel free to do so.

The Cowboys won Sunday, but it was because of the churning legs and big heart of running back Emmitt Smith, not the misfiring arm and shaky performance of quarterback Troy Aikman.

Aikman threw for only 131 yards Sunday, with no touchdowns and two interceptions. He has struggled the last two weeks since coming back from a concussion, his ninth in his 12 years in the league.

On the Dallas sideline stands Randall Cunningham, a former NFL player of the year and a multidimensional quarterback who can open up offenses and spread defenses, a talent he demonstrated two weeks ago when he led the Cowboys, in Aikman’s absence, to a Monday night upset victory over the Washington Redskins.

We know, we know, Aikman has led Dallas to three Super Bowl victories. We know, we know, he was the team’s leader and stabilizing force through all of the ups and downs of the 1990s.

But the ‘90s are gone. And Campo, in his first year as Cowboy coach, doesn’t have as strong a connection to Dallas’ last decade as Jimmy Johnson or Barry Switzer.

Why not give Cunningham a chance, Dave?

If Jerry will let you.

THE NFL’S MOST FRUSTRATED MAN

Denver Bronco running back Terrell Davis limped through another Sunday.

After going over the 2,000-yard rushing mark in 1998, Davis spent most of 1999 recuperating from knee surgery.

He was like a horse in the starting gate waiting for the 2000 season to begin. But it began badly for Davis, who sprained his left ankle in the season opener and has been in and out (mostly out) of action since.

He limped through another frustrating nine carries Sunday before conceding that the ankle just wasn’t coming around.

It’s time for Coach Mike Shanahan to apply some tough love and take Davis out of the mix for a couple of weeks, allowing the ankle to heal. If not, Davis won’t be a factor this season.

It’s not as if Shanahan lacks options. Third-string running back Mike Anderson already has rushed for more than 100 yards twice. He should be able to keep the ball moving forward and the Broncos from slipping out of contention.

THE NFL’S MOST FORGOTTEN MAN

Kicking five field goals in a game is a huge accomplishment, a headline-grabbing event, a highlight-film feature.

Except when you’re on the St. Louis Rams.

Except when you’re trying to compete for attention with quarterback Kurt Warner.

Here’s a fact you may not know. Jeff Wilkins kicked five field goals Sunday against the San Diego Chargers. He connected from 51, 21, 31, 33 and 20 yards out.

Bet you didn’t read it in many stories or see it on any highlight. This paper didn’t mention it.

But that’s perfectly understandable.

Warner has become such a dominating figure in the game, his arm and numbers so overwhelming, why bother with some kicker putting up 15 points?

THE NFL’S BEST FORGOTTEN MAN

Even in defeat, the Chargers can take comfort in Sunday’s game because they at least emerged with a quarterback. Jim Harbaugh completed 27 of 40 passes for 348 yards and two touchdowns.

Is there any reason to keep Ryan Leaf around any longer ?

Of course, Harbaugh’s numbers should come with an asterisk. He piled them up against the Ram defense.