NFL Notes: Alcohol banned for Jets vs. Pats

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority wants to nip any problems with rowdy fans in the bud, so to speak, so it has decided to ban all sales of alcohol at Giants Stadium when the New York Jets play the New England Patriots on Monday night.

"It's just being prudent," said Bernard Spigner, the director of communications and external affairs for the NJSEA. "It's a holiday Monday, [near] the end of the season, and a night game. ... This is a unique set of circumstances for this game."

The game is also obviously going to be televised nationally and marks the end of "Monday Night Football" on ABC. And there was a history of problems to consider, including several fans being arrested, two fans being stabbed outside a men's bathroom and a state trooper being injured in a beer-related incident with a fan at the Sunday night game the Jets played against the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 27.

There was also one tragic occurrence that led to Aramark, the vendor for beer at the stadium, and the Giants getting hit for $135 million in damages from a jury early this year. It stemmed from an intoxicated fan leaving after a Giants game and crashing into a car, leaving a 7-year-old girl paralyzed.

So the NJSEA went to the Jets with the idea for the first alcohol ban at the stadium since a game in 2001.

Ailing Simms

says he'll play

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Chris Simms practiced Tuesday and said the sprained thumb on his throwing hand will not keep him from playing this Saturday against the Atlanta Falcons.

"I'm young (25) and I'm resilient," the third-year pro said. "It's a physical sport. You expect to get hit and be ready to go the next week."

Simms was sacked seven times in last Saturday's 28-0 loss to the New England Patriots, absorbing the worst physical pounding of his brief career.

He injured his thumb during the second quarter, but continued to play and finished 21 of 34 for 155 yards.

Bills QB Holcomb

likely to get start

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Journeyman backup quarterback Kelly Holcomb will likely make his second start in place of limping J.P. Losman when Buffalo plays at Cincinnati on Saturday.

Coach Mike Mularkey said after practice he's leaning toward starting Holcomb even though Losman practiced on a limited basis. Losman sat out Buffalo's 28-17 loss to Denver last weekend after hurting his throwing shoulder and left leg in a loss to New England on Dec. 11.

Losman, who is listed as probable to play, showed no signs of difficulty throwing passes in practice, but did walk with a slight limp.

The Bills (4-10), who have lost five straight and seven of eight, face the Bengals (11-3), who have already clinched their first division title in 15 years and are attempting to secure a first-round playoff bye.

Holcomb had an OK outing last weekend, going 22 of 35 for 202 yards passing and a touchdown in making his sixth start of the season. The 10-year veteran has been the Bills' more efficient quarterback this season, going 108 of 162 for 1,017 yards with seven touchdowns and three interceptions.

Notes

• The NFL remains focused on returning the New Orleans Saints to Louisiana next season, the league said after a Tuesday meeting between team owner Tom Benson and commissioner Paul Tagliabue.

The Saints have been based in San Antonio since leaving New Orleans.

• Kurt Warner was placed on season-ending injured reserve, even though his knee injury apparently isn't as severe as feared.

Mark Bartelstein, Warner's agent, said the Arizona Cardinals quarterback had a "garden-variety" sprain of the medial collateral ligament in his right knee that will not require surgery.

The Cardinals also placed guard Adam Haayer on injured reserve.

• Oakland RB LaMont Jordan is listed as doubtful to play for the Raiders on Saturday at Denver because of turf toe.

• The Cleveland Browns placed center Jeff Faine on injured reserve because of a torn right biceps muscle.

• Washington Redskins guard Randy Thomas was placed on injured reserve with a broken leg.

• The Buccaneers signed TE Will Heller. The Bucs also released backup kicker Todd France.

• The San Diego Chargers placed LT Roman Oben on injured reserve with a sprained foot.