Hall racing to be fit for Monday Night Showdown
FORMER Scottish Claymores star DANTE HALL is facing a race for fitness as his Kansas City Chiefs prepare to take on the Baltimore Ravens in a must-win Week 4 NFL match-up on Monday night.The Chiefs are reeling after an 0-3 start to the new season and Hall is hurting after developing a painful infected lip after receiving six stitches early in last Sunday's 24-21 loss to the Houston Texans.
"His lip was infected, pretty well puffed up," head coach Dick Vermeil said. "It hurt to even jog, bouncing that lip."
Vermeil said Hall was taking antibiotics and would probably be ready for Monday night's game at Baltimore, where Kansas City won 17-10 last year with the help of a 97-yard kickoff return by the former Claymore.
The Chiefs also feature former Claymores kicker LAWRENCE TYNES and practice squad tight end AARON GOLLIDAY.
Tynes, the first Scot to play in the NFL regular season, has converted two of four field goals and eight PAT's in three games for the Chiefs hitting a long of 50 yards in their Week 1 loss at Denver.
Meanwhile, Claymores World Bowl 2000 MVP AARON STECKER will be looking to build on a great starting performance for the New Orleans Saints when they visit the 0-3 Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
Running back Stecker contributed 106 yards rushing and scored on a 42-yard touchdown run to help the Saints to a 28-25 overtime victory over the St. Louis Rams last Sunday following the loss of starting running back Deuce McAllister.
Picked up as a free agent from Tampa Bay, Stecker entered the game with 443 yards in four-plus seasons. When the Saints lost McAllister to a high ankle sprain in a 30-27 win over the 49ers on Sept. 19, they expected Stecker to split time with Ki-Jana Carter. He ended up rushing for 106 yards on 18 carries Sunday, including the 42-yard touchdown run.
"Hey, I'm a running back," said Stecker, who also had four receptions for 20 yards. "It's not like they pulled me out of the front office and said 'Deuce is out, do you know how to play some running back?' I believe in myself and my teammates had no doubt in me."
New Orleans coach Jim Haslett praised the performance of the 5-foot-10, 213-pound former Claymore.
"I'm more impressed with the way he pass protected and ran routes and caught the ball than I am running," Haslett said. "Because I've seen him run. I know what kind of runner he is."
The Saints need Stecker to continue his strong play. McAllister, who set franchise records in 2003 for yards from scrimmage (2,157) and rushing yards (1,641), is still wearing a boot. He walked briefly without it on Saturday, but will miss several games.
02 Oct, 04 | 9:55 pm