NFL ROUNDUP News and notes

Owners meeting: Gene Upshaw believes eight powerful teams have obtained an unfair advantage over the other 24. "When we started this process, there were 14 teams above the average and 14 below it, and everyone was close enough to keep things fair," the executive director of the NFL Players Association said. "Now we have eight haves and 24 have-nots and the haves are getting a discount on everything." Upshaw, who met with a selected group of owners on the first day of the fall league meetings, is hoping the system will change in a new labor deal. The current contract expires after the 2008 draft, but negotiations have begun on an extension through the 2011 season. Under the current agreement, there will be no salary cap for the 2007 season. Upshaw noted that the high-revenue teams such as Washington and Dallas get more local money, which is not part of the league's revenue sharing. The union is asking that high-revenue teams contribute more money to the shared pool, a move that would also increase the salary cap and provide more money for players. The meetings were to continue today, with topics including the TV contract that expires after 2005; a possible return to Los Angeles; and an update on progress toward Super Bowl 40, which will be played in Detroit in February 2006.
Ravens: Offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden is expected to miss three to four weeks with a pulled left hamstring, although the 2003 All-Pro player intends to shorten his absence by adhering to a rigorous rehabilitation program. Ogden is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Eagles, but he said there's no way he can play. The Ravens will also be without All-Pro running back Jamal Lewis, who has been suspended for violating the NFL substance abuse policy. Baltimore also will likely play without Pro Bowl tight end Todd Heap, who has been sidelined since the second week of the season with a sprained ankle.
Dolphins: Defensive tackle Tim Bowens, who played in just two games this year because of a back injury, went on injured reserve Wednesday and will miss the rest of the season.
Seahawks: Receiver Bobby Engram's left ankle sprain is worse than initially believed, coach Mike Holmgren said. Engram is listed on the team's injury report as out for Sunday's game against Carolina, though Holmgren said it's more accurate to describe him as doubtful. He was hurt during a loss at New England on Oct. 17. Engram will be replaced by Jerry Rice, the NFL's career leader in receptions, yards and touchdowns receiving. Linebacker Isaiah Kacyvenski also is doubtful with a high sprain in his right ankle. Linebacker Anthony Simmons (shoulder surgery) and defensive end Grant Wistrom (cracked kneecap) are out.
Panthers: All hopes for Steve Smith playing again this year were lost when the receiver was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, the same day coach John Fox said running back Stephen Davis would miss his fifth game when the Panthers play Seattle.
Broncos: The season ended for Quentin Griffin Wednesday when the team placed him on injured reserve with a torn ligament in his right knee. Griffin tore his right anterior cruciate ligament Monday night against Cincinnati during a kickoff return. The Broncos signed Cecil Sapp off the practice squad to take Griffin's place on the roster.
49ers: Quarterback Tim Rattay didn't participate in throwing drills Wednesday to rest his sore forearm. Rattay is expected to play Sunday at Chicago, but might not throw the ball in practice this week unless his ailing arm feels better. Cornerback Ahmed Plummer doesn't expect to play against the Bears while resting a bulging disc in his neck, leaving the 49ers without both of their starting cornerbacks. Mike Rumph, the 49ers' other starting cornerback at the beginning of the season, is on injured reserve with a broken arm.
Vikings: Randy Moss practiced Wednesday despite a strained right hamstring, but coach Mike Tice wouldn't say what kind of role the receiver would play Sunday. Moss was limited in practice and left early to get treatment for his hamstring, which he injured Oct. 17 at New Orleans.
Bills: Willis McGahee will start at running back Sunday in hopes of igniting a sputtering offense. The Buffalo offense has failed to score more than 20 points in a game this season and has yet to produce a touchdown rushing inside the opponent's 20-yard-line. It is last in the NFL with 77 points and its per game average of 12.8 is next to last.
Associated Press