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1Antwaan Randle El was replaced as Washington’s punt returner last week after muffing a punt, but coach Jim Zorn isn’t ready to permanently demote him. Randle El, though, probably deserves to be replaced. He has fair caught 11 of 22 balls and has averaged only 5.2 yards on the 11 he has returned.2One of Brian Westbrook’s greatest strengths is his blocking ability, which would have come in handy against the New York Giants this week. Instead, the Philadelphia Eagles will have rookie LeSean McCoy, who still is a work in progress as a blocker. The Eagles’ signature formation includes three receivers, a running back and a tight end. They likely will use more two-back sets against the Giants to help McCoy.3JaMarcus Russell was benched in the first half against the New York Jets. His 47.2 passer rating ranks 34th, and he is completing only 46.3 percent of his passes with two touchdowns and eight interceptions. Yet, he remains the starter, because of his No. 1 overall draft status in 2007, which guaranteed him $32 million, and because the Oakland Raiders don’t have a better option with Bruce Gradkowski and Charlie Frye.4Larry Johnson is forfeiting at least one game check for conduct detrimental to the team. He turns 30 later this month and has been "just a guy" since rushing for 1,789 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2006. There is a good chance Johnson has played his last down for Kansas City.5There is some frustration in Indianapolis with veteran running back Joseph Addai’s hesitant running style. He is averaging only 3.3 yards per carry. The Colts favor a two-back system, but Addai is being pushed for time by rookie Donald Brown, who injured his shoulder last week.Who’s hotBuffalo Bills rookie free safety Jairus Byrd had two interceptions last week — setting up two touchdowns — and has five picks in four starts this season. Byrd, a second-round pick, had 17 career interceptions as a three-year starter at Oregon. The Bills’ team record for interceptions is 10, set by Billy Atkins in 1961 and tied by Tom Janik in 1967. Byrd’s father, Gill, had 42 interceptions during a 10-year career that ended in 1992.Who’s notDonovan McNabb has completed only 57.3 percent of his passes and has thrown one touchdown pass in his past 81 attempts. He has been particularly ineffective on third down, completing only 15 of 30 third-down passes for 205 yards and a touchdown. Only eight of those 15 completions have produced first downs.Numbers game7Players in the NFL who are 40-something years old. New Orleans Saints kicker John Carney, 45, is the oldest player in the NFL. Giants punter Jeff Feagles is 43; Houston Texans punter Matt Turk is 41; Colts kicker Matt Stover is 41; New England Patriots linebacker Junior Seau is 40; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre is 40; and Carolina Panthers kicker John Kasay is 40. In NFL history, only 51 players have played into their 40s.He said it"I can’t worry about what’s going on in somebody else’s kitchen, because I’ve got grilled cheese burning on the stove myself." Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith, on the team’s quarterback situation. Smith doesn’t have a touchdown this season and is tied for 33rd in the NFL with 27 catches.
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