Dispatches

The Bucs are growing impatient, and rightfully so, with quarterback Shaun King, whose two interceptions and 91 passing yards crippled Tampa Bay in a 13-10 loss at Chicago. "He's a pro player," said Bucs guard Frank Middleton afterward. "All these excuses about he's a young player—the hell with that. I've got to make the blocks, he's got to make the passes."...

In the 45 games that Marc Trestman has been the offensive coordinator in Arizona, the Cardinals have never scored on their opening possession....

Shopping for a quarterback in the offseason? The Rams will seek first-, second-and third-round draft picks for Trent Green. That's what the Redskins paid the Vikings to get Brad Johnson in 1999. The Packers want two first-round selections for 25-year-old Matt Hasselbeck, but that's too high a price for an untested passer....

Minnesota coach Dennis Green is being a team player about the realignment that will occur when the league splits into eight four-team divisions in 2002. The Vikings could end up in the NFC West, which infuriates fans in the Twin Cities, who stand to lose games against traditional rivals such as the Packers and the Bears. "If we're picked to move, we'll have to sacrifice," Green says. With the expansion team in Houston apparently bound for the AFC Central, Seattle is the leading candidate to switch conferences, which would balance the NFC and AFC at 16 teams apiece. The Seahawks could join the Vikes in me NFC West, along with the 49ers and the Cardinals....

The XFL's Chicago Enforcers want 41-year-old quarterback Jim McMahon to come out of retirement as a player-coach.