NFC

Medical marvels

When New Orleans plays host to Cincinnati today, the game will feature two comeback-of-the-year candidates in quarterbacks Carson Palmer and Drew Brees.

The Bengals’ Palmer is playing on a reconstructed knee; the Saints’ Brees has a rebuilt throwing shoulder.

“The mind-set was probably similar in that they were serious injuries that take more than six months to rehabilitate, and probably some people doubting you along the way,” Brees told reporters.

“But I think he has that mind-set, that mentally tough attitude that he’s going to come back from anything. And obviously, he’s shown that he has.”

The Saints have the league’s top passing offense, averaging 283 yards a game. In the last two games, Brees has thrown four touchdown passes and no interceptions.

Palmer has a passer rating of 90 or better in eight of his nine starts against NFC teams, and has five touchdown passes and no interceptions in those matchups this season.

Moving recollections

Seattle Coach Mike Holmgren, for one, doesn’t like the idea of the 49ers moving south to Santa Clara.

He grew up a fan in San Francisco and has childhood memories of watching Y.A. Tittle play at the old Kezar Stadium. Now, 49ers owner John York says the team’s best chance at a new stadium is closer to San Jose.

“To me, as a San Franciscan, I would hope that they wouldn’t have to do that,” said Holmgren, whose team plays at the 49ers today. “I would hope that there was some way that the politics and the finances of the situation could all come together and they could keep the team in San Francisco. That’s me.”

He later added, “The game and the money has changed with the new stadiums. My hope would be that they could figure out a way to keep them there. From what I’ve read, it sounded like Mr. York has tried, but it hasn’t worked, and now he’s going to Plan B.”

Defending his play

Arizona quarterback Matt Leinart, who looked so good in his first two starts, has looked more like a rookie in his last three. He bristled this week when reporters asked him about that.

“I’m not going to be freaking Peyton Manning in two weeks, tearing apart defenses,” Leinart said. “That’s not how the game is.”

Line dancing

The New York Giants would be the walking wounded, if only they could walk. They’ve had more than their share of injuries to key players this season, the latest being the broken left fibula -- the smaller bone in the lower leg -- of left tackle Luke Petitgout.

He suffered the injury in last Sunday’s loss to the Bears, and it left Eli Manning’s blind side largely unprotected.

Petitgout, who was having his best season, was replaced by 15-year veteran Bob Whitfield, who was burned for two fumble-causing sacks.

Although Coach Tom Coughlin said Whitfield was “the No. 1 option right now” at left tackle, he didn’t rule out reshuffling the line.

The second option would be to move guard David Diehl to left tackle, considering he spent last season at right tackle. That would mean Rich Seubert would move from third tight end to Diehl’s spot at left guard.

Either way, it’s a headache for New York.

Marked for elimination

The Redskins will start quarterback Jason Campbell today, giving the 2005 first-round pick the nod over veteran Mark Brunell.

It’s a familiar situation for Brunell, who was benched by Coach Joe Gibbs in 2004 in favor of Patrick Ramsey.

Brunell’s a pricey backup. He counts more than $6 million against the salary cap next season.

“I feel like I have a big target on my chest right now,” said Brunell, whose offense failed to score a touchdown in three NFC East road games.

“We’re 3-6 and when the offense isn’t producing, the person that naturally gets the blame is the quarterback. Fair or not that’s the way it is. Football is a great game, but it’s a horrible business.”

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-- Sam Farmer