NFL Roundup

REDSKINS SEAN TAYLOR DIES FROM GUNSHOT WOUND

A day after being shot by an intruder, Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor has died.  Taylor, who was off due to a knee injury, was awakened early Sunday morning by an intruder.  The intruder broke through the bedroom door and fired two shots, one of which hit Taylor in the leg and severed his femoral artery.  Police are unsure if this break-in was related to one that happened at his home 8 days ago.  In that break-in, someone pried open a window, searched through drawers and left a kitchen knife on a bed. 

Although Taylor had some issues in the past, according to friends and teammates he had settled won since the birth of his daughter Jackie last year.

"He loved football. He felt like that's what he was made to do," Redskins Coach Joe Gibbs said. "And I think what I've noticed over the last year and a half ... is he matured. I think his baby had a huge impact on him. There was a real growing up in his life."

NEW ENGLAND ON THEIR WAY TO A PERFECT (WINNING) RECORD

You know, as much as I would like SOMEBODY to shut the '72 Dolphins up, please don't let it be the New England Patriots! 

DOLPHINS ON THEIR WAY TO A PERFECT (LOSING) RECORD

Speaking of he Miami Dolphins and perfect records, they managed to hang in there for more than 59 minutes in Monday night's Mud Bowl vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers.  But in the end, all they succeeded in doing was losing. ..again.  The Dolphins (0-11) faced the first place Steelers (8-3) last night in a game played under terrible conditions:  an all-day rain plus new sod on the field.  It's surprising somebody didn't drown! 

BEARS CEDRIC BENSON OUT FOR THE YEAR

The good news this past weekend for Bears' fans was their overtime 37-34 win against the Denver Broncos.  The bad news?   Running back Cedric Benson is out for the rest of the year after injuring his left ankle Sunday.  He will need surgery to repair the damage.  The only bright spot is that Adrian Peterson moves up to the starting role.

Peterson had 45 yards on 17 carries Sunday, including a 4-yard TD run during the Bears' fourth-quarter comeback from a two-touchdown deficit. He also caught five passes.

"You could say he's a guy who deserves the opportunity to get more playing time," Smith said of Peterson. "He's done everything we've always asked him to do."

SAY WHAT?

When discussing the "incentive pool" - or as the NFL calls it, bounties - Packers defensive end Aaron Kampman talked about how the players were trying to put this all behind them:

"I know all that stuff kind of happened last week, and we haven't heard anything," Kampman said. "It's pretty much all water under the dam."  Under the dam?