LITTLE ROCK — Defense shows it can score
One week it’s big hits, the next it’s big picks.
Nine interceptions were returned for touchdowns Sunday, the most since 2003, when 10 were run back for scores.
Not to be outdone was Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall, who returned one of his NFL-record tying four interceptions 92 yards for a score in Washington’s 17-14 victory over the Chicago Bears.
The Bears’ D.J. Moore joined in with a 54-yard interception of Donovan McNabb for a touchdown.
Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan capped Tennessee’s 37-19 victory over the Eagles by picking off Kevin Kolb’s pass and bringing it back 41 yards for a touchdown on the game’s final play.
Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson scooted 15 yards for a score in the third quarter to spark Kansas City to a 42-20 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Linemen got in on the fun, too, with 49ers defensive tackle Ray McDonald rumbling 31 yards with an interception return to give San Francisco a 20-13 lead in the fourth quarter before Carolina rallied for its first victory of the season, 23-20.
Oakland cornerback Chris Johnson helped the Raiders to a big halftime lead over the Broncos with a 30-yard interception return.
Green Bay’s Desmond Bishop returned an interception of Brett Favre 32 yards for a touchdown to give the Packers an 11-point lead in the third quarter of their 28-24 victory over the Vikings.
Helmet hits
The NFL sent head coaches memos before this week’s games listing their players who were called for two or more unnecessary roughness penalties since 2008 - yet another step in the league’s effort to cut down on illegal hits.
NFL executive vice president of football operations Ray Anderson sent each coach the names only of his own players who have multiple infractions, league spokesman Greg Aiello said Sunday.
Anderson is a member of the league’s competition committee and one of its loudest voices calling for improving player safety.
The lists were sent Friday.
“The purpose was to provide an opportunity for the coach to give extra caution to those players to abide by the safety rules,” Aiello wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press. “It was part of our effort to give fair notice to help players stay within the rules.”
Aiello would not give the total number of players identified in the memos.
After a series of illegal hits last weekend, the NFL imposed larger-than-usual fines on three players:Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison was docked $75,000, while New England Patriots safety Brandon Meriweather and Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson lost $50,000 each.
In the past, players were either fined or ejected for illegal hits. But the NFL is ramping up the punishment, saying it will make sure there is stricter enforcement of rules that have been in place.
The league also warned that, starting with this Sunday’s games, violent conduct will be cause for suspension.
Commissioner Roger Goodell sent teams a memo on Wednesday “to emphasize the importance of teaching safe and controlled techniques” related to “contact to the head and neck.” A video was sent to the 32 teams explaining what hits are considered legal and illegal.
Chain crew
member stable
The member of the officiating sideline chain crew who was injured during Sunday’s Browns-Saints game is conscious and in stable condition.
Al Nastasi Jr.’s son said Sunday night that his father was in the neuro intensive care unit at Ochsner Hospital. Al Nastasi III declined to go into details about his father’s injury, saying he wanted to wait until doctors had more time to monitor the situation.
New Orleans’ Courtney Roby was running at full speed after a Saints punt when he was shoved out of bounds and collided with Nastasi, knocking him down.
Paramedics rushed to his aid, giving him intravenous fluids and carting him off the field.
He appeared to be conscious but was not moving as he was taken from the field.
Not pleased
Denver Broncos Coach Josh McDaniels apologized to Broncos fans and team owner Pat Bowlen for Sunday’s embarrassing display against the Oakland Raiders.
“We get one chance a week to put our name on something for the three hours we play and coach on Sunday and our name is going to be forever put on this game,” McDaniels said.
“None of us are proud of it, but we’re a part of it and those of us who are a part of the problem are also going to have to be a part of the solution.”
Injuries, injuries
San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith (left shoulder) was injured at Carolina when Charles Johnson landed on him during a sack in the third quarter. The 49ers play Denver next week in London and the team was scheduled to fly there after the game.
Smith planned to fly to London with the team and get an MRI there. X-rays were negative, but he was wearing a black sling after the game.
Arizona quarterback Max Hall left in the third quarter at Seattle with what the Cardinals announced as a “blow to the head” from Chris Clemons’ jarring sack early in the third quarter.
Sports, Pages 16 on 10/25/2010