Aikman calls Esiason’s charge of favoritism ‘ludicrous’
Calling Boomer Esiason's recent played in three games for the
critique of his work Bengals last season. Pope spent
''laughable,'' Troy Aikman the 2007 season on the Giants'
responded to the WFAN host in an practice squad, and played against
interview with Mike Francesa. his former team in the Bengals'
Aikman clearly was upset by third game this season. Jones led
Esiason's charge that he seemed to the Bengals in special teams
be leaning toward the Cowboys tackles in 2006 and 2007, but
during Sunday's game against the injured a hamstring last week in a
Cardinals on Fox. ''I don't have a loss to the New York Jets. Cook
rooting interest in the booth,'' had played in the past five games,
said Aikman, who starred for the mostly on special teams, but
Cowboys in the 1990s. ''I think aggravated a dislocated toe.
for anyone to suggest that is Quarterback Jeff Rowe, who was on
ludicrous.'' Aikman said he the Bengals' roster last season
understands fans often hear bias, but was waived Aug. 30, was signed
but he said Esiason's criticism to the practice squad. Bears'
was surprising. ''The part that's Lloyd, Manning to miss Vikings
disappointing to me is it comes game: Chicago wide receiver
from someone who I have a Brandon Lloyd and defensive back
relationship with, who if anyone Danieal Manning will miss today's
should understand the issues that game against Minnesota because of
surround a former player coming injuries. Lloyd has been hobbled
into this profession and covering by a knee injury while Manning has
the teams, it's Boomer,'' said a pulled hamstring. Starting
Aikman, who noted Esiason is a cornerbacks Nathan Vasher (right
former Cardinal.Dolphins' Soliai wrist) and Charles Tillman (left
suspended for one game: Reserve shoulder) are questionable, as is
nose tackle Paul Soliai has been backup cornerback Trumaine McBride
suspended by Miami for one game (left shoulder) and linebacker
for violating a team rule and will Nick Roach (shoulder). Vasher has
sit out today against Baltimore. missed the past two games, and
Soliai has played in all five Chicago's short-handed secondary
games this season backing up Jason took a few more hits last week
Ferguson. The Dolphins declined to against Atlanta. McBride and
provide further information about Tillman went down in the second
the reason for Soliai's quarter, and Manning, the Bears'
suspension. Seahawks activate nickel back, injured his hamstring
Herring: Special teams standout in the third. Lloyd was hurt
and linebacker Will Herring has against Philadelphia on Sept. 28
been added to the Seattle active and will miss his third straight
roster for the first time this game. Jets' Pace questionable, but
season. The Seahawks also waived expects to play: New York
wide receiver Billy McMullen. linebacker Calvin Pace was listed
Herring had been on the physically as questionable with a jammed toe,
unable to perform list with a but expects to play in the team's
condition that was causing chronic game at Oakland. Pace, third on
muscle pulls. McMullen broke his the team with 25 tackles and 31/2
right pinkie in practice Thursday. sacks, jammed the big toe on one
He played in four games after of his feet when he landed
being signed as a free agent last awkwardly in practice Thursday.
month and was second among Also listed as questionable, but
Seattle's wide receivers with expected to play were nose tackle
seven receptions. McMullen is the Kris Jenkins (back), wide receiver
seventh Seahawks wide receiver Laveranues Coles (thigh) and
injured this season. Bengals linebacker Bryan Thomas (calf).
promote 2 players, put 2 on injury Wide receiver David Clowney, out
list: Cincinnati signed tight end since training camp with a
Nate Lawrie and cornerback separated shoulder, was also
Geoffrey Pope, and placed safety questionable but practiced this
Herana-Daze Jones and center Kyle week for the first time.$
Cook on injury reserved. Lawrie