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NFL OUTSIDER: News and Views to Amuse
By Melvin Durai

Who needs training camp? Certainly not Seahawks receiver Joey Galloway, who ended his holdout last week and looked spectacular on Sunday, snagging four balls for 88 yards in a 20-17 victory over the Broncos. Galloway had demanded to be the NFL's highest paid receiver, but after losing half his salary in his lengthy holdout and paying more than $200,000 in fines, he's now making less money than the water boy. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, Seahawks fans have started a food drive, concerned about Galloway's starving family. Galloway, meanwhile, is hoping to recoup his lost salary in a unique way: he's allowing companies to advertise on his face. During Sunday's game, ESPN cameras focused on two ads on Galloway's cheeks. "It was Joey's idea," said Galloway's agent Eric Metz. "And there's lots of room for other advertisements, considering the size of Joey's head."

BROWNS BURN STEELERS: The old Cleveland Browns had trouble winning in Pittsburgh, but the new Browns triumphed in their first try. Phil Dawson's last-second field goal gave them a 16-15 victory that the Steelers won't soon forget. Bill Cower screamed so loudly in the locker room that at least one Steeler peed in his pants. But sources close to the "situation" say it was only the kicker. He claimed that he was just sweating, but in the history of the NFL, no one has ever seen a kicker sweating. The Steelers still have a winning record, while the Browns are only 2-9, but that won't make much difference in January, when both teams watch the playoffs on TV. With a strong AFC East and tough foes in the Jaguars and Titans, the Steelers are a long shot to win a wild card spot, unless Cower goes berserk several more times.

SOARING JETS: The New York Jets apparently still have playoff hopes, improving their record to 3-6 after upsetting the Patriots 24-17 on Monday night. Relishing the victory over his former team, Jets head coach Bill Parcells said, "Like I told the players, even though we're 3-6, it's too soon to quit." That's right, Bill, you shouldn't quit until you've lost at least seven games.

SKINNING THE REDSKINS: Though Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb threw for a mere 60 yards and the team gained only 236 yards, compared with the Redskins ' 424, the Eagles still found a way to beat Norv Turner's team. Turner, whose teams are used to collapsing, wishes he had saved some points from those blowout wins over the Giants and Bears. He also wishes he could move defensive tackle Dan "Big Daddy" Wilkinson to a new position -- between himself and Daniel Snyder.

COSLET KEEPS DREAMING: The Bengals lost their ninth game, fumbling four times in a 24-14 loss to the Titans. A green canopy protected head coach Bruce Coslet and his players from garbage thrown at them by fans, but nothing could protect them from Eddie George. After the game, Coslet speculated about his future. "I'm fighting for my job like a lot of guys in that locker room are fighting for their jobs," he said. Note to Coslet: It's time to start applying to ESPN. The chances of saving your job are equal to the chances of Lawrence Phillips winning the Nobel Peace Prize. But don't lose hope. Miracles do happen. How else can you explain why Norv Turner is still a head coach?

TAMPA BAY DEFENSE: Feeling sorry for the Chiefs, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense was determined to give the game away, turning the ball over six times. But the defense, anchored by All-Stud Warren Sapp, decided to put an end to the generosity, realizing that Christmas is still several weeks away. Playing in a weak NFC, the Bucs are dreaming about the playoffs while Sapp is dreaming about the pretty women he'll see in Hawaii. Why else would anyone bother to play in the Pro Bowl?

SUPER JAGS: It's becoming more and more clear that the road to the Super Bowl in the AFC will go through Jacksonville. The Jags have a cake schedule and talented players hungry for more than just the usual playoff berth. Look for Jacksonville to post a 14-2 record, coast through the playoffs and roast the NFC champions. Other teams have only one hope - that the Jags catch the common ailment that afflicted last year's Vikings. The ailment, of course, is overconfidence.

BILLIE JOE WINS AGAIN: While injured starter Billie Joe Hobert watched, second-string quarterback Billie Joe Tolliver led the Saints to their biggest victory ever against the 49ers. He passed for 242 yards and rushed for 36 yards. After the game, third-string quarterback Danny Wuerffel, eager for playing time, announced plans to change his name to Billie Joe.