NFL notebook: Eagles turn to replacements

PHILADELPHIA — Greg Lewis didn't work on his dance moves. Reggie Brown hasn't thought of any new routines. Billy McMullen isn't the showboating type.

The trio of Philadelphia Eagles wide receivers are too busy trying to fill Terrell Owens' shoes on the field to worry about imitating his touchdown celebrations.

"I'm not trying to be somebody I'm not," said Lewis, a third-year pro who has two career TDs, including one in the Eagles' Super Bowl loss to New England.

"That ain't me. I'll leave it to somebody else," said McMullen, who hasn't scored in three seasons.

While the Eagles don't need someone to match T.O.'s innovative end zone theatrics, they must find a way to replace his skills.

The dismissed All-Pro wideout had 47 receptions for 763 yards and six TDs in seven games. Lewis, Brown and McMullen have combined for 50 catches, 663 yards and two TDs this season.

"It's a difference but it's not a difference where I need to change what I do," Lewis said. "I can't do what he did, and I'm not going to try to do what he did. I'm just going to go out and play my game and do what I'm capable of doing, and I think the other guys are going to do the same. We're going to make it work."

The Eagles have been through this before. When Owens went down with a severely sprained ankle and broken leg in Week 15 last season, Philadelphia won two playoff games and reached the Super Bowl without its top playmaker.

But Lewis and McMullen were the Nos. 3-4 receivers and Brown was still at Georgia. The Eagles had Todd Pinkston and Freddie Mitchell last season, and quarterback Donovan McNabb was playing at such a high level he could've been throwing to Charles Johnson and Torrance Small and still had success.

Brown, a second-round pick this year, replaced the suspended Owens in the lineup in Philadelphia's 17-10 loss to Washington last Sunday. He showed promise, catching five passes for 94 yards, including a 56-yard TD reception.

"Playing well last week makes it a lot easier, building confidence and letting the team know that they can rely on me," Brown said. "I'm just trying to go about my day, not trying to get any special attention. Just try to stay to myself and do what they expect me to do."

Owens was told not to return to the team on Monday after a series of incidents since training camp. The Rev. Jesse Jackson and Ralph Nader, both former presidential candidates, are among the high-profile citizens who have said he should be allowed to play.

Dad says Holmes not

thinking retirement

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Priest Holmes, Kansas City running back now out for the rest of the season, is taking a break back home in Texas and is not thinking about retirement, his father said.

There had been speculation earlier this week that Holmes might retire after seeing three medical specialists following a helmet-to-helmet collision against San Diego on Oct. 30. He missed last Sunday's game against Oakland, and the Chiefs placed him on injured reserve Wednesday because of head and neck trauma.

"He's not contemplating retirement," Morris told The Kansas City Star in Friday's edition. "He wants to go out on top. He wants to go out his way."

Notes

• New Orleans CB Fakhir Brown was arrested in San Antonio on Wednesday on a charge of driving while intoxicated, the team said Friday. The arrest comes on the heels of Saints teammate Courtney Watson being charged with drunken driving in San Antonio on Oct. 26.

• Denver Broncos WR Todd Devoe was at practice a day after he told Broncos coach Mike Shanahan his father died in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Devoe was added to Denver's injury report as questionable with "personal matters."

Shanahan said Thursday that Devoe's father was killed but Devoe has declined to elaborate.

• Washington Redskins Sean Taylor is likely to miss Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers because of a sprained ankle.

• Minnesota Vikings QB Daunte Culpepper will have surgery on his right knee next week to repair torn ligaments. The team anticipates the three-time Pro Bowl player to be ready for the 2006 season.

• Jacksonville Jaguars RB Fred Taylor will not play against Baltimore because of an injury to his right ankle.

• The Green Bay Packers placed RB Walt Williams on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.

• The Houston Texans placed rookie center Drew Hodgdon on the injured list with a right foot injury that likely will require surgery.