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Gould Sinks Saints With Overtime FG

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A Tribune wire report

The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 12, 2008

Updated: 12/12/2008 12:12 am

CHICAGO - Robbie Gould and the Chicago Bears handed Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints another devastating loss at Soldier Field.

Gould kicked the tying field goal at the end of regulation and booted a 35-yarder in overtime to lift the Bears to a 27-24 victory on Thursday night, giving their playoff hopes a boost.

After leaving Chicago with season-ending losses the past two years, the Saints looked as if they were ready to end that trend. Instead, their slim playoff hopes took another blow.

Brees hit Marques Colston for an 11-yard touchdown pass with just over 3 minutes left in regulation to give New Orleans its first lead at 24-21, but Gould's 28-yard field goal as time expired sent the game into overtime.

The Saints were playing their third pivotal game at Soldier Field in the past two years. In the season finale last December they lost 33-25, ending any chance they had of making the postseason. Eleven months earlier, they were beaten by the Bears 39-14 in the NFC championship game.

COWBOYS: Terrell Owens said he doesn't want to create controversy.

Yet that's what the meetings Owens, Patrick Crayton and Roy Williams had individually with offensive coordinator Jason Garrett may have done.

The three wideouts met with Garrett at Valley Ranch on Monday to voice their concerns about the offense.

Each receiver talked about the number of throws they receive. They also discussed the number of passes quarterback Tony Romo has thrown to tight end Jason Witten.

There is also a perception among the players that Owens is jealous of Witten's bond with Romo because of the number of the times Witten has been targeted.

"I'm not jealous of Witten," Owens said. "I'm not jealous of nobody."

49ERS: Running back Frank Gore hasn't ruled himself out of San Francisco's upcoming game in Miami even after missing his second straight practice with a sprained ankle.

JAGUARS: Running back Fred Taylor might have played his last game for Jacksonville.

Taylor was placed on injured reserve because of a thumb injury, ending his season with three games left and prompting questions about his future with the franchise.

JETS: Wide receiver Brad Smith has a concussion as a result of a vicious hit he took from San Francisco's Patrick Willis, and his status for New York's game against Buffalo was uncertain.

LEGAL: A Minnesota judge has extended his preliminary injunction against the NFL's suspension of five players for violating the league's anti-doping policy.

In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson asked both parties to propose a schedule by Dec. 22 to file pleadings in the case. That means the players are cleared to play for at least the next two weeks.

Kevin Williams and Pat Williams of the Minnesota Vikings and Charles Grant, Deuce McAllister and Will Smith of the New Orleans Saints were suspended last week for four games each.

PATRIOTS: Matt Cassel has returned to practice after missing Wednesday's workouts following his father's death.

Cassel took part in stretches and throwing drills during the portion of practice open to reporters at San Jose State, where the Patriots are training between road games in Seattle and Oakland.

SEAHAWKS: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and tackle Walter Jones are unlikely to play Sunday at St. Louis after both stars missed practice again.

VIKINGS: While the team says quarterback Gus Frerotte's lower back is feeling better by the day, all signs are pointing to Tarvaris Jackson getting the start at Arizona.

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