Columnist Sal DeFilippo: Is Keyshawn a man or a mouth: Chrebet outshines ex-teammate

Sal DeFilippo

Friday, Sept. 29, 2000 | 10:26 a.m.

Sal DeFilippo's pro football picks column appears Friday. Reach him at 259-4076 or sal@lasvegassun.com

This must be a great week to be Wayne Chrebet. After all, this is the Jets' lone bye week of the season, which gives him extra time to savor his game-winning touchdown last week as the unbeaten New Yorkers rallied to top Tampa Bay 21-17.

For those who don't know, along with being Vinny Testaverde's favorite target, Chrebet also has long been the favorite target of barbs from ex-Jets wideout and former No. 1 draft pick Keyshawn Johnson.

When the two played together in New York, Johnson once referred to Chrebet as the team mascot.

The trading of Johnson to Tampa Bay in the off-season apparently did nothing to improve his relationship with Chrebet. During one of Johnson's trio of press conferences this week, he said comparing Chrebet to Johnson was like comparing a flashlight to a star.

If this were true, the skies would have been awfully dark following Sunday's game. Johnson probably figured to go 1-for-1 against his former team -- but I don't think he was figuring that would mean 1 catch for 1 yard.

Chrebet didn't exactly rewrite the record books statistically, either -- he only had two receptions on the day -- but made the important grab, off of a halfback pass from Curtis Martin.

The only fitting aspect was that Johnson's only catch came on a shovel pass, especially when you consider that he had spent most of the week shoveling something else to the media.

Back to Chrebet: Maybe he'll travel to Washington this week to root on his good buddy Keyshawn.

Maybe he'll spend a few nights star-gazing.

Or maybe he'll just keep practicing to get better, in his own quiet but effective manner.

Keyshawn's comparison was right, properly translated: You wish upon a star. You depend on a flashlight.

Last week

My second straight 4-1 mark against the spread puts my season record at 12-7-1. Baltimore and Seattle covered as favorites and underdogs Philadelphia and the New York Jets won straight-up. The Bears' loss to Detroit kept me from a perfect week.

My top five

CAROLINA -6 1/2 vs. Dallas -- Terrell Owens isn't the only player running roughshod all over Texas Stadium these days -- Charlie Garner was the second player to rush for more than 200 yards this year against the porous Cowboys' defense, ranked last in the league against the run. The rested Panthers strike early and often. Carolina 31, Dallas 16.

MINNESOTA +1 at Detroit -- The Vikings also are coming off a bye week and heading into their strongest month. In the past three seasons, Minnesota is 9-3 in October. Daunte Culpepper would easily outgain the Lions on the ground. Minnesota 27, Detroit 20.

CINCINNATI +7 vs. Miami -- I know Miami's defense is outstanding, allowing only one touchdown in its first four games, a feat that had not been not accomplished since 1937. And I know that Cincinnati has scored only once in its first three games, a feat not accomplished since 1945. But Dave Wannstedt wants to run the ball, and the Bengals haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher in eight of their last nine games. The Bengals and their new coach finally come out of the Coslet. Cincinnati 10, Miami 7.

NEW YORK GIANTS +5 1/2 at Tennessee -- With Steve McNair and Neil O'Donnell ailing, more pressure is on Eddie George to run through a Giants defense that is third in the league against the run. The Titans play another nip-and-tuck game decided by a late field goal. Tennessee 19, New York Giants 16.

ST. LOUIS -17 vs. San Diego -- Jim Harbaugh, known as Captain Comeback in his heyday with the Colts, might have to be Captain Come From Way Way Back this week. St. Louis 41, San Diego 10.