NFL News and Notes

The Dallas Cowboys cut inconsistent kicker Mike Vanderjagt on Monday and signed Martin Gramatica to replace him.

Hailed as the answer to the Cowboys' kicking woes when signed in March, Vanderjagt hasn't lived up to his credentials as the most accurate kicker in league history. He has made only 13 of 18 field-goal attempts, a 72.2% success rate that was the lowest of his nine-year career.

Gramatica, once so accurate that he was nicknamed "Automatica," was out of the NFL last season and was cut by New England in the preseason. He played three games this season for Indianapolis while Adam Vinatieri was injured, making his only attempt, a 20-yarder.

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The New England Patriots put linebacker Junior Seau on injured reserve Monday after he seriously injured his right arm during Sunday's victory over Chicago.

The 12-time Pro Bowl selection will sit out the rest of the season after coming out of a brief retirement to join the Patriots this summer.

Seau was hurt with less than nine minutes left in the second quarter, apparently when his right arm hit the back of Cedric Benson's foot as he tackled the Chicago running back for no gain at the Bears' 25-yard line. Seau's arm bent at an awkward angle, and he went to the ground in obvious pain.

Coach Bill Belichick did not say Monday whether Seau's arm was broken, and the team gave no details of the injury.

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Ricky Proehl's agent said the veteran receiver signed with Indianapolis, which has been without Brandon Stokley for most of the season. The 38-year-old Proehl agreed to a one-year deal that would be prorated on a $1.2-million base salary, his agent Alan Herman said

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Denver Coach Mike Shanahan ended speculation by elevating rookie Jay Cutler to starting quarterback for the rest of the year, sending Jake Plummer to the bench.

The NFL announced that the kickoff for the New Orleans Saints' game at Dallas on Dec. 10 has been moved to 5:15 p.m. PST so that it can be televised by NBC. Also, the Buffalo Bills' game against the host New York Jets that day will now start at 1:15 p.m. PST and will be CBS' featured game.

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Seattle 34, Green Bay 24
Shaun Alexander ran for 201 yards and Matt Hasselbeck threw three second half touchdown passes to lead the Seahawks (7-4) to the Monday night victory over the Packers (4-7). Hasselbeck, returning from a sprained right knee, completed 17 of 36 passes for 157 yards and three touchdowns to offset his three interceptions. Brett Favre, who fell to 41-9 when the temperature is 34 degrees or less, was making his 252nd consecutive start — and possibly his final appearance on the Monday night stage he has starred on over his great career.


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