Bly sorry for embarrassing play

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Dre' Bly took Mike Singletary's usual spot at the podium in a team meeting room and apologized. Profusely. His coach watched the whole thing.

Bly embarrassed himself and the 49ers during Sunday's 45-10 home loss to the Atlanta Falcons when he intercepted a pass by Matt Ryan in the third quarter and struck a Deion Sanders-like pose with his right hand to his helmet and the ball unprotected in his left. Problem was, Roddy White knocked the ball loose and Atlanta, leading 35-10 at the time, recovered. The Falcons marched downfield and quickly scored again.

Bly said he approached Singletary yesterday morning to apologize for the display, which also included him saying after the game that he had done nothing wrong because "Dre's going to be Dre'." He said he always has had his antics after making plays, so why change now?

"I want to publicly apologize for yesterday. My comments were totally inappropriate. I apologized to coach, I'm not a selfish guy," Bly said.

REVS. WANT BID BLOCKED

ST. LOUIS -- The Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson attacked the bid by Rush Limbaugh to buy the St. Louis Rams, saying the conservative radio host's track record on race should exclude him from owning an NFL team.

Sharpton sent a letter to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, arguing that Limbaugh has been divisive and "anti-NFL" in some of his comments.

Jackson said in a telephone interview that Limbaugh had made his wealth "appealing to the fears of whites" with an unending line of insults against blacks and other minorities.

"The National Football League has set high standards for racial justice and inclusion," Jackson said. "He should not have the privilege of owning an NFL franchise -- and it is a privilege." The civil rights leader said he's had contact with numerous players and ex-players concerned about the bid.

Limbaugh shot back at Sharpton on his radio show.

"Now, this saddens me as well this disappoints me," he said. "I know Rev. Sharpton. Sharpton is better than this. He knows better than this. You know, I didn't judge Al Sharpton's fitness to be in radio when he wanted to earn an honest living for once, given his well-documented past as the author of the Tawana Brawley hoax. I believe in freedom and I also don't discriminate."

Limbaugh said last week that he is teaming up with St. Louis Blues owner Dave Checketts in a bid to buy the Rams. He has declined to discuss details of the offer, citing a confidentiality agreement.

In 2003, Limbaugh worked briefly on ESPN's NFL pre-game show. He resigned after saying Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was overrated because the media wanted to see a black quarterback succeed.

BILLS LINEBACKS INJURED

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Dick Jauron says middle linebackers Kawika Mitchell and Marcus Buggs will miss the rest of the season because of knee injuries. They were hurt in a 6-3 loss to Cleveland on Sunday and Jauron says both require surgery.

Mitchell was carried from the field after hurting his right knee early in the second quarter when he was hit by two Browns linemen while trying to make a tackle.

Buggs injured his left leg covering on a punt return late in the third quarter.

DAVIS' INJURY PROBED

BEREA, Ohio -- The NFL is investigating Cleveland Browns rookie running back James Davis' season-ending shoulder injury.

On Sunday, ESPN.com reported that Davis was injured during a recent post-practice "opportunity period" when he was hit by a Browns linebacker. According to the report, witnesses said Davis was not wearing shoulder pads while the unidentified defender who hit him had them on.

League spokesman Greg Aiello said the league is aware of the alleged incident and has been looking into the matter.

AROUND THE HUDDLE

Peyton Manning's left knee may be sore, but it doesn't appear to be a serious problem for the undefeated Indianapolis Colts. One day after Manning led Indianapolis to a 31-9 victory at Tennessee, coach Jim Caldwell said he had not received a doctor's report regarding the knee, something he would have expected had there been concerns ... The Green Bay Packers have turned to a familiar face to help shore up their offensive line: Veteran tackle Mark Tauscher. The Packers signed Tauscher after bringing him in for a workout last week. Tauscher started at right tackle for most of the previous nine seasons for the Packers, but he tore a ligament in his left knee last December ... The Detroit Lions put cornerback Eric King on injured reserve with an injured left shoulder, creating an open spot on the roster. King was hurt in the second quarter of Sunday' loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers ... Top return man Allen Rossum was released by the 49ers, creating roster room for newly signed rookie receiver Michael Crabtree ... Tennessee Titans cornerback Nick Harper will be out up to six weeks after surgery on a broken right forearm ... Washington Redskins left tackle Chris Samuels will miss next week's game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The six-time Pro Bowler suffered a stinger early in Sunday's loss to Carolina.
Source: torontosun.com