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Show THE DAILY HERALD, (wu- - Page B6 heraldextra.com), Provo, Utah, Thursday, November 18, 1999 Green Bay quarterback can't find old MVP form It GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) must be the thumb. That's the thinking around taimlH'au Field, where coaches, teammates and fans are all wondering what's wrong with Brett Favre. The three-tim- e MVP was erratic and inconsistent as the Green Bay Packers lost four of their last five games and stumbled to a record. With the losses, his poor play and a nagging injury to his right thumb, those close to Favre including his father say the quarterback's confidence has dropped as well. 4-- 5 Desperately needed The Packers realize they have to get Favre back on track, or Green Bay might find itself out of the playoffs for the first time since 1992. Coach Ray Rhodes plans to try everything from increased use of the offense to a bigger emphasis on the running game when the Packers play host to Detroit on Sunday. There's a sense of urgency to solving these problems, because Brett, he's our meal ticket," Rhodes said. "As he goes, so this team goes." Favre suffered a bruised and swollen thumb during the preseason when he slammed his hand into the helmet of Denver's John Mobley, and the injury has been aggravated several times since. He bruised a tendon in the thumb, which has affected his ability to handle the ball. And even though both Favre and the team's medical staff say the injury is inconvenient but minor, speculation still exists that it has affected him more than anyone is letting on. this season when his back was against the wall, leading several furious drives and three comebacks with a offense. Rhodes said the Packers are considering using the more often during games as a way to allow Favre to relax and play on instinct. "I don't think you can do it the whole game," Rhodes said. "You'd have to say, 'OK, in the first quarter, the second series of a game, the third series, we're But you going to go couldn't do it the entire game." Favre was the NFC's Player of the Month for September, largely on the strength of his clutch performances in the Packers' three wins. He set the NFL record for consecutive starts by a quarterback against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 7, but he led the Packers to just one offensive touchdown in that game. g game-winnin- le Uncommonly bad Most recently, Favre was for 260 yards and two interceptions in the Packers' 27-1- 3 loss to Dallas. Favre sprayed the ball around the field, by his own count missing at least 10 receivers on throws that were too long, too short or just plain bad. "There's throws I've missed this year that I can make with my eyes closed," Favre said. "And it would be easy to blame it on my hand and thumb, but I can't do that. I know guys are saying, 'Hey, if Brett was healthy, he'd make those throws.' Well, no one really cares about that. You have to make them." Favre's 15 interceptions lead the NFL, and his quarterback rating of 69.5 is 26th. He has 13 touchdown passes, putting his streak of five consecutive seasons with more than 30 TD passes in jeopardy. There were even rumors completely untrue, as it turns out that Rhodes was close to sitting Favre down for one or two games to heal his hand and collect his head. Favre's father was quoted last weekend as saying his son has little confidence in his game, a notion Favre himself disputes. "I can't get down on myself. Too much is asked of me," Favre said. "I want to be the guy that guys can count on." 0 Too much thinking Favre has been at his best ,i jps ..a?" 'filers 1 d 1 tw v , J ' ft-- & "-. 7 Running woes Offensive coordinator Sherman Lewis said the solution to Favre's problems might lie in the Packers' running game, which has yet to establish itself as a threat this season even though Dorsey Levens is third in the league in yards from scrimmage. Levens had just 31 yards rushing against the Cowboys. "Brett's one of those warriors who wouldn't hurt the team if he couldn't play" receiver Bill Schroeder said. "Even though he's made some mistakes, he makes more plays than any quarterback in the league. Brett Favre at 75 percent is better than just about anybody." DONNA MCW1LL1A.M, the Associated Press Last year It worked: Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre, shown after a loss to Dallas, is having trouble finding his old form this year. The former MVP leads the NFL in interceptions. Carruth yet to talk about shooting CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Carolina Panthers wide receiver Rae Carruth failed to come forward Wednesday to talk to police about a shooting the day before that left his pregnant girlfriend critically wounded. George Laughrun, Carruth's lawyer, said after Tuesday's shooting of Cherica Adams that his client would be willing to with meet Charlotte-Mecklenbur- g police investigators, possibly as soon as Wednesday. PAUL SAKUMAThc Associated Press Tough year: Lawrence Phillips has been suspended by the 49ers. He says he doesn't deserve such harsh treatment. Phillips' time has liun out with Niners ,SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) t Running back Lawrence Poillips, suspended by San Francisco for conduct detrimental to the team, said Wednesday he didn't deserve such a harsh punishment and hopes to play for the 49ers aain. j'The turn of events ... has surprised me," Phillips said in a statement released through his agent, Mitch Frankel. "I have tried to play and succeed at whatever role asked of me by the organization, hoping that mv hard work each week would increase my role. I share the leel of frustration experienced bjj my teammates, our coaching stfcff, management and fans, as w have not played the level of " foetball we are capable of play-infc- Phillips denied he was insubordinate at last Friday's practice or burst out laughing lecture by during' an coach Steve Mariucci. He also sasd jhe at no time declined to take part in workouts. The coach said that type of behavior prompted the team to suspend him. Mariucci said at on-fiel- d least part of Phillips' frustrations stemmed from his disappointment over failing to become the team's primary tailback after losing a training camp competition to Charlie Garner. Phillips would only admit to being frustrated, however. "I have never refused to practice or questioned its need, despite nagging injuries, fully understanding that missing repetitions can decrease my role as it did during training camp," Phillips said. "I never intended to mock Coach Mariucci or disrespect the coaching staff, nor was I ever thrown or kicked off the field. I have admittedly been unhappy, as any competitive player should be., I appreciate the opportunity to play for the San Francisco 49ers and hope to return to the team." That won't happen, Mariucci said following the. team's workout Wednesday. "I don't have a lot more to say about it, to be honest with you," said Mariucci, who on Monday declared PhUMps and the 49ers would gaJkJSir separate ways. : But said Laughrun Wednesday afternoon that he wanted to gather more information from police before his client consented to speak with investigators. Police have not called Carruth a suspect, but said they think he has information that could help them solve the crime. "Mr. Carruth has not talked with us and has not indicated that he will," police spokesman Keith Bridges said. "We still want to, but don't know when and if we're going to get that opportunity." coach George Carolina Seifert said he would not try to the Carruth, persuade Panthers' pick in the 1997 NFL draft, to come forward and speak with police. "That's strictly between he and his legal representation," Seifert said. Adams was driving her black BMW sedan through a suburban Charlotte neighborhood at 12:36 a.m. when she was hit by four bullets fired from a passing vehicle. Adams, 24, of Charlotte, underwent at surgery Medical Center Carolinas shortly after the shooting. She remained in critical condition Wednesday, as did her newborn son, who was 10 weeks short of first-roun- d full term when he was delivered in an emergency surgery. The child, believed to have been fathered by Carruth, was not struck by any bullets, police said. Bridges said police interviewed Adams after her surgery, but would not disclose what was but Seifert said he has excused, the player for at least the rest, discussed. Also Wednesday, police finished searching Carruth's home and his Ford Expedition. this period of time," Seifert' The Panthers had their customary day off Tuesday, but Carruth was not on hand when the team gathered at Ericsson Stadium on Wednesday to begin preparations for Sunday's game against Cleveland. Carruth, who has missed the past four games with a sprained ankle, was to have resumed practicing Wednesday, of the week. Seifert said hg, spoke with Carruth by tele-- , phone Tuesday and that he and, the player agreed it would be best for Carruth to focus on d off-fiel- matters. "Rae's on the team and he's going to be excused through said. "I don't have a particular timetable." Carruth's teammates tried' to prevent the shooting from! dominating their thoughts as' they get ready for their trip to: r' Cleveland. Wide . receiver Muhsin Muhammad, whose locker Carruth's, said he wanted to take a business-as-usuaapproach. "It's no difference for me,rf. Muhammad said. "I'm just going to go out and play hard. I'm preparing for this game just; like any game." ; f, - . Muhammad to be charged with domestic battery; INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Although Steve Muhammad was cleared in the death of his said wife, prosecutors the that Wednesday Indianapolis Colts defensive back will face domestic battery charges that could send him to prison for 1 12 years. Nichole Muhammad died Nov. 7 when injuries from a car accident forced her into premature labor. The Colts rookie was arrested ten days earlier on charges of beating Mrs. Muhammad. An autopsy indicated the beating did not contribute to her death. But ' Marion County Prosecutor Scott Newman is pursuing three misdemeanor counts battery anyway. Muhammad is free on $30,000 bond and is scheduled for a hearing Dec. 21. If convicted on all counts, Muhammad could be sentenced to 18 months in prison and fined $5,000. Muhammad's wife went into premature labor and died Nov. 7 of injuries attributed to the car accident which occurred three days earlier. She died about seven hours after the couple's child was stillborn. "We will continue in the prosecution of Muhammad, and I am confident that we will successfully prosecute him for the battery," Newman said. "We still feel there are many questions that need to be answered regarding events leading up to her death." Mrs. Muhammad, who was five months' pregnant, had reported her husband twisted her right wrist behind her back, pushed her against a wall and threw her to the floor during an argument at their apartment. She said Muhammad also his stepson struck her son after the boy tried to defend his mother , with a plastic baseball bat. Newman has yet to decide if Eric will testify against Muhammad, but he said he feels that the evidence, including a recorded 911 call made by Mrs. Muhammad, will be strong enough to convict the football player. Bruises from the alleged battery were "no bigger than a dime and not significant," Indiana University forensic scientist Dr. John Pless said last week. However, prosecutors don't believe the Oct. 28 incident was the first and said the couple had a history of problems throughout their marriage. "It is our belief that the incident on Oct. 28 was not an isolated incident," Newman said. Newman said Muhammad has a previous criminal record, involving three misdemeanors, in both California and Las Vegas. The Colts have supported Muhammad throughout the " 1 , , f . investigation. "The Colts don't know much about the facts and don't know ; how much (evidence) we have; collected," Newman said. Muhammad missed hl scheduled return to practice Wednesday, but coach Juife Mora said he's welcome bacfe when he's ready. "As soon as he can comeback, as far as I'm concerned he's a member of this footbalj-team,- " Mora said. "I dont him back any time this expect week, but it could be later in I the week." Muhammad, 26, signed! with the Colts in February asj a free agent after a season! with the British Columbia! Lions of the Canadian! Football League. He was the CFL defensive player of the year and led the league wit&l 10 interceptions. Si He played in the Colts' firSE' seven games, with one staH and .totaled six tackles JSCg defense and six on spectifj teams. ""if .( 5 5 |