Tice looking for help

— -- Vikings owner Zygi Wilf is clearly behind head coach Mike Tice, who is off to a 1-3 start heading into a bye week. Tice was searching for answers on the plane trip back from Atlanta. On Monday, Wilf met with him and asked what he could do as an owner. Tice said to get him Jerry Rhome and Foge Fazio as consultants. Because both are retired and on their NFL pensions, they can't be paid. Their roles will be defined as the season goes along. Fazio is being brought in to support defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell.

Fazio is a long-time NFL defensive coordinator. Rhome's role will be increased as the season progresses and before long, he will be handling a lot of the play-calling. Tice has been understaffed on offense after the departure of offensive coordinator Scott Linehan. Steve Loney took over as offensive coordinator, but he is really the offensive line coach.

With Loney up in the coaching box, there is nobody other than Tice on the field to help with the offensive line problems, and the team has had serious problems in the middle of the line with blocking. Expect Rhome to eventually take over the play-calling and Loney to move to the field and help the offensive line. Tice has been calling the plays for the last couple of weeks, and that takes him out of the mix for helping the line. Now, the Vikings have more bodies in the coaching staff to solve problems.

Veteran leadership is also taking over for the Vikings after their 1-3 start. Veteran players are speaking out about the team's problems and trying to fix the problems within the lockerroom. They are trying to find out who leaked a theory to Minneapolis area reporters that coach Mike Tice was quitting, something he wasn't considering. Don't be surprise if Tice finds out who anonymously spoke out, and a player or two is released.

Vick bracing for Sunday: Falcons quarterback Michael Vick is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Patriots, but he's not sure if he's going to have to wear a knee brace. Vick has a slight sprain of the medial collateral knee ligament. The biggest problem with this type of injury is the pain felt when running. Daunte Culpepper's mechanics have been affected by his battle for weeks with a medial lateral sprain that is worse than Vick's.

Packers feeling pain: The Packers may have lost as many as five players from their Monday night loss to the Panthers. Center Mike Flanigan will have surgery Wednesday for a muscle hernia. Left tackle Chad Clifton sprained an ankle and is questionable. Halfback Ahman Green has a quad injury and is questionable.

Wide receiver Terrence Murphy is flying back from Carolina after suffering his neck trauma during the game. Linebacker Na'il Diggs is out four to six weeks with a knee injury. Coach Mike Sherman isn't sure when Murphy will be back or if he will be back this season. Safety Earl Little also suffered a hamstring injury Monday night, but has a chance to play.

Seahawks missing weapons: The biggest surprise on the Seahawks injury report is that wide receivers Bobby Engram (cracked ribs) and Darrell Jackson (knee) are doubtful for Sunday's game against the Rams. Peter Warrick missed last week's game against the Redskins with a groin injury, but should be back. The Seahawks are thin at wide receiver. If the Seahawks are minus Engram and Jackson, that means they will head into the Rams game without their top three receivers from 2004. Koren Robinson was cut in June. Meanwhile, the Rams list wide receiver Isaac Bruce as doubtful with a turf toe, but they don't expect him to play.

Cadillac needs repair: Halfback Cadillac Williams is hoping to practice Thursday or Friday, but is limited by the arch and hamstring injuries. He doesn't have any swelling and says the pain isn't bad. Williams said the hamstring injury was diagnosed as a strain. He felt the injury in the third quarter of Sunday's game against the Lions. He's happy the team pulled him out of the game so he didn't pull it.

Westbrook earning praise: Cowboys coach Bill Parcells calls Eagles halfback Brian Westbrook one of the best players in football. He said a Westbrook-type of player isn't around too much in the current NFL. He said he reminds him a little of Marshall Faulk when he first came into the league. He said there is a little bit of Warrick Dunn in Westbrook's running style.

Roaf on his way back: Willie Roaf says he should be back after the bye week after missing three games with a hamstring injury. His return will help tight end Tony Gonzalez, who is frustrated with his slow start. Gonzalez has had to stay in pass blocking situations because of the absence of Roaf. Having Roaf back will free Gonzalez to get back into the pass routes more.