NFC

Catch me if you can

New York Giants’ receiver Plaxico Burress has challenged the Philadelphia Eagles to try to contain him in today’s NFC East showdown.

“I don’t see that happening,” he told reporters. “They would be crazy to think they could do it, and I’m just going to go out and do what I have been doing, go out and make some plays.”

Earlier this season, Burress caught six passes for a season-high 114 yards in a 30-24 overtime victory over Philadelphia. He made a leaping 31-yard touchdown catch to secure the victory.

But things could be tougher this time because fellow receiver Amani Toomer is out for the season, so the Eagles are better able to double-team Burress if they choose.

“You only have to imagine that they are going to have wrinkles,” Burress said. “We just have to wait and see what they are going to dish out to us.”

Washington red-faced

Atlanta Coach Jim Mora, who played linebacker at the University of Washington, apologized last week for comments he’d made on a Seattle radio station. He had told KJR radio he’d leave the Falcons to take the Huskies job if Washington Coach Tyrone Willingham ever decided to move on.

“That’s the job I want,” Mora said.

He later said he was joking and that he “got carried away with the banter.”

He could fill a hole,

and run through it

Now that tailback Kevin Jones is out with a foot injury and could be sidelined for a year or more, the Detroit Lions sorely need help at running back. Coincidentally, Marshall Faulk has talked about coming out of retirement to play. He has two years remaining on his contract with St. Louis, but the Rams aren’t likely to bring him back in 2007.

Mike Martz, Faulk’s coach in St. Louis, is now offensive coordinator of the Lions and told the Detroit News this week he’d love a lasting reunion with his old running back.

“Shoot, I’d ride a bicycle to pick him up,” Martz said of Faulk, 33, now an analyst for the NFL Network. Martz pointed out he wouldn’t make the decision, Lions management would, but said he’d welcome it.

“Wouldn’t that be fun,” he said, “seeing 28 running down the field?”

Still an elusive receiver

This was supposed to be a breakout year for Carolina’s Keary Colbert, the former USC receiver, even with the acquisition of Keyshawn Johnson. Colbert was sound after fighting ankle injuries last season, and it looked as if he would play a significant role this season.

But Colbert, a second-round pick in 2004, hasn’t done much of anything. He has five catches and has been inactive the last three games.

Doing a number

on the competition

Chicago rookie Devin Hester is a prime-time player. In three of his four nationally televised night games this season, he has scored on at least one return. He had the record-tying 108-yard return on a field goal miss by the Giants, a punt return for a touchdown in a Monday night game at Arizona, and two kickoff returns for scores in Monday’s victory over the Rams.

So is it any wonder Hester wears 23, the greatest jersey number in Chicago history? Michael Jordan wore it, of course, and so did Ryne Sandberg. That’s not lost on Hester.

“I’ve heard a lot that you could be the new No. 23 in Chi-town,” he told reporters. “I’m not trying to put a lot of stress on myself.”

Not the lone star,

but he’s close

Dallas receiver Terrell Owens told reporters this week that his dropped passes earlier this season were only a big deal because he was the one doing the dropping.

“I’m not Superman,” he said. “I am human. Michael Jordan doesn’t make every shot. Jerry [Rice] hasn’t caught every pass. Tiger [Woods] doesn’t make every putt. I understand the expectations of people wanting me to catch every ball. I understand.”

Well, at least he has that humility problem licked.

-- Sam Farmer