1.  A season-ending knee injury to Dallas linebacker Broderick Thomas has scuttled plans that Dallas defensive boss Jim Bates had for former Georgia standout Randall Godfrey.

2.  He identified Washington coach Norv Turner, who could bring along defensive boss Mike Nolan, as a secret candidate.

3.  The transformation began when embattled defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti bolted for Oregon and assistant Bob Field became the new defensive boss.

4.  In addition, of those nominated veteran forward-midfielder Marco Bode and defensive boss Jens Nowotny have battled injuries for weeks.

5.  It was a security measure to protect the defensive boss, who has put off a knee operation until the end of the season.