Record rampage by Indy triplets
NOTEBOOK Pass milestones by the handful Rogers in limbo with the Lions
The Indianapolis Colts’ three offensive stars were again setting milestones at a frantic pace yesterday. Marvin Harrison became the 12th receiver in league history to top 12,000 career yards receiving in the first quarter against Tennessee. He did it on the Colts’ opening drive, catching a 36- yard pass to top the mark and then catching a 10- yard TD pass from Peyton Manning to extend the duo’s NFL record to 92 touchdowns. Manning and Edgerrin James got their own accomplishments. On the opening drive, James surpassed 9,000 yards for his 93- game career. The only players to do it quicker were Eric Dickerson, who accomplished the feat in 82 games, and Jim Brown, who did it in 88. Manning completed the drive with a 27- yard TD pass to Reggie Wayne. That gave Manning 25 TD passes this season, extending his NFL record to eight consecutive seasons with 25 or more. BITTER TASTE: Browns running back Reuben Droughns would have gladly traded yesterday’s milestone for a victory. Droughns went over 1,000 yards for the season in a 20- 14 loss to Jacksonville, becoming the first Cleveland runner to break the 1,000- yard plateau since 1985.
“It’s bittersweet,” Droughns said. “It’s not exactly one of those exciting moments because I would rather win.” DOGHOUSE: Wide receiver Charles Rogers was healthy and ready to play after what he thought was a good week of practice.
Before the Detroit Lions lost to Minnesota 21-16 yesterday, however, interim coach Dick Jauron chose to have Rogers inactive. Jauron said the move was made because other players were needed to play special teams.
“ I was a little shocked,” Rogers said.
Rogers, the second overall draft pick in 2003, refused to speculate on his future with the Lions. FREROTTE HURT:
Miami Dolphins quarterback Gus Frerotte left yesterday’s game against Buffalo with a concussion after being sacked for a safety in the third quarter.
Sage Rosenfels took over on the next series and rallied the Dolphins from a 23- 3 deficit to a 24- 23 victory. TITAN DONE:
Tennessee rookie receiver Brandon Jones was placed on injured reserve and will miss the rest of the season because of a torn ligament in his right knee. Jones started eight games this season. He had 23 catches for 299 yards.