NFL Capsules - League and Player News: Welker back, Brady shines in Patriots 28-10 win
ATLANTA (AP) — It was a short little pass over the middle, nothing special.
Try telling that to the New England Patriots.
Wes Welker was back just seven months after tearing up his left knee, and Tom Brady wasted no time going to his favorite receiver in a 28-10 preseason victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night.
On New England's second offensive play, Brady zipped a 6-yard pass to Welker. On the next play, they hooked up on a 14-yard completion. A third straight pass toward Welker was broken up by the Falcons, but the message was clear.
The NFL's most prolific pass-catcher over the last three years is back.
"Getting out there catching balls and getting hit was good," said Welker, who has 346 catches during that span but was injured in January during the regular-season finale. "It's a step forward. I'm not sure I'm all there yet."
Brady threw for a touchdown, Fred Taylor ran for a score and the Patriots (2-0) cruised past a team that still has some work to do on defense.
Atlanta (1-1) has plenty of weapons on offense, but upgrading the defense is considered the key to challenging Super Bowl champion New Orleans in the NFC South.
The most glaring shortcoming for the Falcons was their inability to get off the field on third down. The Patriots were 11 of 17 in those situations, including a pair of third-and-7 conversions on their opening possession.
"That was our Achilles' heel the previous season, and that's something we've got to get fixed," Atlanta coach Mike Smith said.
But he wasn't real happy with any phase of his team. The first-team offense twice stalled in New England territory and had to settle for field-goal attempts, and Matt Bryant missed one of those. A disputed roughing-the-kicker penalty gave the Patriots a second-chance touchdown.
"I know it's only the preseason, but we didn't play as well as we need to in all three phases," Smith said. "We've got a lot of work to do."
New England reached the end zone on two of its three possessions with the first-team offense. Taylor scored on a 28-yard run, and Brady passed 4 yards to Aaron Hernandez for a touchdown that finished off a 10-for-12, 85-yard performance.
The Patriots seemed to get the most benefit from traveling south early to hold a couple of joint practices with the Falcons.
"It was a good trip," coach Bill Belichick said. "We played well as a team."
Cornerback Dunta Robinson, Atlanta's big free-agent acquisition, missed his second straight preseason game with an ailing hamstring. Two other potential defensive starters, cornerback Brian Wilson and tackle Peria Jerry, also sat out. All are expected to return for next week's game at Miami.
"It will be nice to see a full complement of players out there," Smith said.
Brady's one miscue was a double-pump that allowed Kroy Biermann to deliver jarring hit, knocking the ball loose. New England recovered, and the offense got another shot when Chevis Jackson was penalized for knocking down Stephen Gostkowski on a 41-yard field goal attempt that was wide right.
Jackson dove for the block and came up short of the kicker, who then fell over the Atlanta player while he was sprawled on the Georgia Dome turf. Smith screamed in protest that Gostkowski was acting, then watched Brady go back to work.
Three plays later, he fired a pass that got Falcons rookie linebacker Sean Weatherspoon all turned around, allowing Hernandez to make the catch in the back of the end zone while the first-round pick was looking the wrong way.
At least Weatherspoon didn't look as bad as Thomas DeCoud, who came up to make a hit on Taylor and was instead sent flying by 296-pound teammate Jonathan Babineaux, trying to assist on the tackle. Taylor bounced outside and went untouched the rest of the way for New England's first touchdown.
Matt Ryan and the Atlanta offense did some good things on his three possessions, driving twice into New England territory. Both resulted in field goal attempts, leaving the first-teamers still seeking their first TD of the preseason.
Ryan said he's not concerned.
"We don't gameplan a lot for these games," he said. "We're just trying to improve on some different things, see what we like and don't like and what we want to take into the regular season."
Bryant kicked a 46-yard field goal that gave the Falcons a short-lived lead, but missed from 47.
Ryan was 8 of 13 for 76 yards before giving way to John Parker Wilson, who played all but the final possession. The third-stringer accounted for Atlanta's lone TD on a late 19-yard pass to Troy Bergeron after most of the crowd had left.
New England backup Brian Hoyer directed a couple of scoring drives in the second half. Sammy Morris scored on a 20-yard run and Rob Gronkowski hauled in a 24-yard TD pass.
NOTES: Atlanta rookie DT Corey Peters went out with a knee injury. Smith said he didn't know if it was serious. ... Falcons WR Harry Douglas played for the first since sustaining a knee injury in training camp a year ago. He had two catches for 13 yards. ... Hoyer was 8 of 15 for 94 yards.
Spiller sparks Bills to 34-21 win over Colts
TORONTO (AP) — Chan Gailey described his first win as Buffalo Bills head coach as an important step for his team.
If that's the case, it was a big and powerful step forward provided by rookie running back C.J. Spiller.
It took four plays into the Bills opening drive for the first-round draft pick to begin delivering on his dynamic billing by scoring on a 31-yard run and sparking a 34-21 win over the Indianapolis Colts in a preseason game Thursday.
It came in Spiller's debut as starter in place of veterans Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch, who were both injured a week earlier.
The only disappointment was the small crowd of 39,583 — more than 14,000 below capacity — that turned out for the fourth of an eight-game, five-year series the Bills are playing in Toronto.
"I think you can see tonight why we drafted C.J.," Gailey said of the player selected ninth overall out of Clemson. "Obviously, running the ball is what he does best. And he made an unbelievable run on that touchdown."
Spiller broke two tackles on his way to the end zone, and capped the score with a shifty double step that fooled Antoine Bethea.
"I knew there were going to be a lot of people that wanted to see what I could with both of our guys down," said Spiller, who finished with 10 carries for 54 yards and a 2-yard catch. "It felt good to get out there and make a couple of plays."
The Bills offense followed suit in bouncing back from last week's 42-17 loss at Washington.
Trent Edwards furthered his bid to reclaim the starting quarterback job he lost midway through last season by going 5 for 8 for 93 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown pass to Lee Evans.
The 14 points scored by Buffalo's first-stringers more than doubled the two field goals they had managed in their previous six preseason games, dating to last year. Rian Lindell hit a 24-yard with 22 seconds left in the first half to put Buffalo ahead for good, 24-21.
Peyton Manning and the high-powered Colts (0-2) didn't disappoint in what proved to be a wide-open and entertaining first half. After opening with a three-and-out, Manning engineered two scoring drives on the next four series, including a perfectly placed 21-yard touchdown pass over the middle to tight end Jacob Tamme on a third-and-9. Joseph Addai also scored on a 17-yard run.
Manning went 8 for 15 for 91 yards, with an interception that was returned 78 yards for a touchdown by Terrence McGee. Manning was attempting to squeeze a pass into Anthony Gonzalez when defender Drayton Florence got his hand in, deflecting the ball directly to McGee, who ran it back untouched up the left sideline.
"We've still got some work to do. That's kind of what preseason is for," said Manning, the NFL MVP last season. "You want everything to go perfect while you're in there. That's not always the case, but I think you've got to have those kind of expectations."
Backup quarterback Curtis Painter had a solid showing after he was booed off the field while throwing three interceptions in a 37-17 loss to San Francisco on Sunday. On his second series, Painter drove the Colts 81 yards on two plays for a touchdown. After hitting Taj Smith for a 38-yard pass, Painter went back to Smith for a 43-yard touchdown pass.
"Curtis Painter certainly had a better evening," Colts coach Jim Caldwell said. "I think he played well, threw the ball well."
The big loser this week has been Rogers Communication, which has been under heavy criticism in the Toronto media this week for paying the Bills $78 million two years ago for the right to host the series, which runs through 2012.
Neither of the first three games of the series fully sold out the 54,000-seat facility.
The crowd that did show proved lively, but it's unclear how many paid full price for their tickets, which ranged from $75 to $275. About 15 minutes before the game, a group of three fans purchased lower bowl tickets, originally priced at $275, for half price from a scalper.
Though there were numerous fans wearing Colts jerseys, the Bills did have the larger contingent, and attracted several loud and extended cheers throughout much of the first half.
Manning took time to take in the atmosphere.
"I thought it was good. I didn't know what to expect," he said. "I thought the fans, it seemed like they were all having a good time up there."
Spiller might have had the best time, and attracted much of the praise from his teammates.
"I don't mean to single one guy out," Edwards said. "But I think what this means is we've got a really good running back. C.J. Spiller, it was a lot of fun handing the ball to him tonight. He made some good defensive players miss."
-- John Wawrow
Injuries
Giants QB Sorgi out 2-3 weeks with shoulder injury
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Eli Manning isn’t the only Giants quarterback who will miss New York’s preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Scratch backup Jim Sorgi, too.
Sorgi had an MRI on Thursday and was diagnosed with a torn capsule in his right shoulder that will sideline him two to three weeks, said Matt Brei, his agent. The good news is that the injury does not involve Sorgi’s labrum, which was an issue last season.
With Manning (12 stitches) and Sorgi sidelined, first-year pro Rhett Bomar is going to start and possibly play the entire game Saturday night in the Giants’ first home contest at the New Meadowlands Stadium.
The Giants signed free agent quarterback Dominic Randolph on Thursday and waived tight end Jake Ballard, who was sidelined most of training camp with hamstring injury.
Sorgi, who backed up Peyton Manning for six seasons in Indianapolis before signing with the Giants, was at practice in Albany on Thursday but was not immediately available for comment.
"Jim called me after the test and told me about the injury," Brei said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "It’s two to three weeks and just some rehab and not related to the previous injury. Compared to what it could have been, it’s good news."
Sorgi was hurt throwing a 34-yard touchdown pass to Victor Cruz in the fourth quarter of Monday night’s 31-16 win over the Jets. On the play, he was slammed by linebacker Lance Laury. He did not practice Wednesday because of soreness in his shoulder and ribs.
Giants coach Tom Coughlin would not discuss the specifics of Sorgi’s injury, only saying that he had damage to his throwing shoulder. He also would not discuss a time frame for recovery until speaking with Dr. Russell Warren, the team’s orthopedic surgeon.
When asked if the Giants would have to look for another veteran backup, Coughlin simply said: ‘We’ll see."
"He needs rest. He needs rehab and how long will that be I can’t answer that," Coughlin said.
The Giants open the season in a little more than three weeks against Carolina.
Manning, who was ruled out of Saturday’s game because of concern that wearing his helmet would break or irritate the stitches he received Monday night, should be back much earlier. He suffered a 3-inch gash on his left forehead after his helmet was knocked off and his head hit the helmet of Jets safety Jim Leonhard.
That leaves Bomar for this week, although offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride hopes to give Randolph, who was in the Giants minicamp, some playing time.
"This is a great opportunity for me to get much needed reps," Bomar said Thursday. "I just have to go out there and take advantage of it."
Bomar, who took the snaps at practice Wednesday, spent all of last season on the Giants’ practice squad before being activated for the final game as the third quarterback. The one-time Oklahoma quarterback has not played a complete game since his senior year at Sam Houston State.
Bomar played well in limited action against the Jets, hitting 6 of 7 passes for 67 yards and a touchdown. He also had a 23-yard scramble for a first down late in the game.
"I feel I have had a pretty good camp," Bomar said. "I’ve tried to be more consistent. I made a lot more plays this year than last year. I had more reps. There are things I can still improve on. I am learning with every game in this offense."
Gilbride said this is the first time he has gone into a preseason game with basically one quarterback. He wants Bomar to be efficient, effective and produce lots of touchdowns, adding he played terrific against the Jets.
"There’s a lot of pressure on him because I’m sure he feels the weight of the world," Gilbride said. "Instead of looking at guys who he has been on the scout team with, he’s looking at the starters in the eye and they’re expecting him to lead and do the things that Eli would do, and it’s not fair to expect that from him."
Gilbride said not having Manning and Sorgi will limit what the team can do on offense for the second straight game. Injuries to the tight ends and offensive line limited the game plan against the Jets.
"We’re not concerned. We’re not worried," center Shaun O’Hara said. "I think it is exciting. I am excited for Rhett. I don’t think coming into training camp he ever thought he would get an opportunity to start a game, let along play an entire game. This is great for him."
Randolph was in an airport in Richmond, Va., awaiting a flight to a vacation in Nantucket, Mass., when he got a call from his agent. The flight had a stop in Newark, N.J., and five hours later he was in Albany.
"It’s an unbelievable opportunity," said Randolph, who threw for 13,455 yards and 117 touchdowns in four seasons at Holy Cross. "I mean this is what I’ve been playing for in college and this is what everyone plays for — to get to the next level. It’s a great experience. I’m trying to learn a lot, learn as much as I can for this weekend."
-- Tom Canavan
Redskins’ Haynesworth idle again, now has headache
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — So now Albert Haynesworth has a headache.
The story keeps changing, but one thing remains the same about the Washington Redskins defensive tackle: He still isn’t practicing.
Haynesworth was idle again Thursday, standing to the side for the final workout of training camp. During the past three weeks, he made it through only five of 18 full practices.
When Haynesworth dropped out of practice Tuesday, coach Mike Shanahan said he thought it was because the two-time All-Pro was feeling sick. When Haynesworth didn’t practice Wednesday, the coach chalked it up to dehydration.
On Thursday, the coach said Haynesworth had given him another explanation for this week’s inactivity.
"He felt that his head was bothering him more than it was dehydration, so he wasn’t feeling good, basically," Shanahan said. "Just didn’t feel very good. More of a headache than anything else."
Shanahan added that he was "not really sure" what was wrong with Haynesworth, echoing what has been a camp of uncertainty for the player with the $100 million contract. Haynesworth missed the first nine days of practice because he failed a conditioning test and then had a sore knee.
Haynesworth isn’t talking to reporters about his latest setback, but his teammates have had some fun with his newsworthy training camp. Haynesworth was the target of one of the nighttime skits in which players poke fun at coaches and each other.
"Albert, he laughed more than anybody when they were doing it," Shanahan said. "But you’ve got to be able to laugh at yourself."
Shanahan has also had to deal with three players who have been cited for various traffic violations. Tight end Fred Davis missed part of Wednesday’s practice to plead guilty to driving with a suspended or revoked license and falsely identifying himself to law enforcement, just two of several citations he has received since he was drafted in 2008.
Receiver Malcolm Kelly was found guilty in abstentia Wednesday for making an improper or erratic lane change and driving without an license. Kelly was absent from Thursday’s practice for what Shanahan called "personal" reasons.
Rookie left tackle Trent Williams has an upcoming court date for a reckless driving charge, having been clocked at 90 mph in a 55 mph zone.
"You handle it a certain way," Shanahan said. "You sit down with players and talk about being responsible, that they represent this organization, and you expect them to handle themselves in a professional way. You sit down with them, especially young guys that make mistakes, and sometimes older guys that make mistakes, but that’s part of the process.
"Once you represent this organization, you want them to represent it in the right way."
-- Joseph White
Bills TE Schouman hurts knee against Colts
TORONTO (AP) — Buffalo Bills tight end Derek Schouman has hurt his knee and it's too early to determine how much time he'll miss.
Coach Chan Gailey provided that assessment following a 34-21 preseason victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday night in Toronto.
Schouman, who's been limited by injuries for part of training camp, was hurt early in the second quarter on a play in which quarterback Trent Edwards scrambled for 3 yards. It's unclear which knee Schouman hurt.
It's the latest setback for the third-year player, who finished last season on injured reserve after hurting his right knee in Week 2.
The Bills are off Friday, before returning to training camp in suburban Rochester on Saturday.
QB Frye out for season for Raiders
NAPA, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Raiders have placed backup quarterback Charlie Frye on injured reserve with an injured right wrist.
Coach Tom Cable said Thursday that it will take four to five months for Frye to rehabilitate the hurt ligament. Frye underwent surgery earlier this week and will miss the entire season.
Frye started three games for the Raiders last season. He completed 61 percent of his passes for 581 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions.
The Raiders signed tight end Eric Butler to take Frye's place on the roster.
Packers S Bigby expects to miss 4-8 weeks with ankle
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay Packers safety Atari Bigby will miss at least four weeks after having ankle surgery earlier this month, putting his availability in doubt for the team’s season opener at Philadelphia.
Bigby says it would be "very disappointing" to start the season on the team’s physically unable to perform list. He is expected to be out 4 to 8 weeks, so even if he makes it back quickly, he still would have little time to get ready for the Sept. 12 opener.
Bigby had surgery on his troublesome left ankle Aug. 6. If he begins the season on the physically unable to perform list, he would miss the first six weeks of the season.
Coaches
Jets’ Ryan speaks with Dungy ‘man-to-man’
CORTLAND, N.Y. (AP) — Rex Ryan smoothed things over with Tony Dungy.
The New York Jets coach spoke with Dungy about his criticism of him during HBO’s "Hard Knocks" series. The former NFL coach said that Ryan used too much profanity.
"I wanted him to know how I felt," Ryan said Thursday. "We talked man-to-man. He told me his position and I definitely told him my position. So, it was good."
Ryan was disappointed Wednesday, saying Dungy, a devout Christian, unfairly judged him for his foul language on the television show. Dungy told "The Dan Patrick Show" on Monday that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell should talk to Ryan about his excessive cursing.
While Goodell won’t be talking to Ryan about his foul language, Dungy will take up the Jets coach’s invitation to spend a day with the team later this season.
"He knows some people that I know and there’s a lot of positive things being said about me," Ryan said, adding that Dungy spoke to someone close to him. "We’ll just leave it at that. Look forward to having him come up and seeing what we’re all about."
Ryan said he has never met Dungy, but had coached against him in the past. Dungy, currently an NFL analyst for NBC, won a Super Bowl with Indianapolis and also coached Tampa Bay.
"It was definitely heated," a smiling Ryan said of the conversation. "We just talked man-to-man. It was good."
Ryan’s first appearance on "Hard Knocks" last week was criticized by some media and fans for what they thought was an excessive use of profanity. There were a few less foul-mouthed moments in the second episode, which premiered Wednesday night.
Ryan said last week he only cared that he disappointed his mother, Doris, but apologized if he offended "more people than I usually offend." He reiterated Wednesday that he will always be himself — colorful language and all — and "I’m a good person."
-- Dennis Waszak Jr.
Mangini won’t condemn cursing
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Mama Mangini doesn’t approve of naughty words either.
After learning that New York Jets coach Rex Ryan’s mother was so upset that she called her son after his profanity-filled appearance on the premiere episode of HBO’s "Hard Knocks," Browns coach Eric Mangini said his mother may have done the same thing.
Mangini was fired by the Jets following the 2008 season and replaced by Ryan, whose twin brother, Rob, is Cleveland’s defensive coordinator.
Earlier this week, former Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy criticized Rex Ryan’s cursing and suggested NFL commissioner Roger Goodell should talk to the coach. "I just don’t think the league needs that." said Dungy, currently an analyst for NBC.
-- Tom Withers
Player Moves
Broncos sign QB Kyle Orton to extension
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The arrivals of Tim Tebow and Brady Quinn were just what Kyle Orton needed to convince the Denver Broncos that he was their answer at quarterback all along.
In a surprising move that threw a wrench into Tebow's designs on taking away Orton's job anytime soon, the Broncos announced Thursday night that they had signed Orton to a contract extension.
ESPN reported it was for one year, through 2011, and worth $9 million with $5.5 million guaranteed.
It's not exactly the long-term deal that Orton coveted this offseason but certainly a sign of faith in the sixth-year pro from Purdue who is 29-19 as a starter in Chicago and Denver and also an indication of how far ahead of Tebow and Quinn that he is in both grasp and execution of the Broncos' intricate offense.
Coach Josh McDaniels said in a statement Thursday night that Orton's "leadership and knowledge of the offense have enabled him to have a solid offseason and training camp and we are collectively looking forward to the 2010 season."
Orton joined the Broncos last year from Chicago in the Jay Cutler trade and had his best statistical season, setting career highs in nearly every passing category, including throwing for 3,802 yards, despite playing on two bum ankles, or, as he called them, "basically two flat tires."
But after a 6-0 start, the Broncos slumped to 8-8 and missed the playoffs again.
Orton wanted a long-term extension like the one NFL sacks king Elvis Dumervil signed this summer before getting hurt — six years and $61.5 million — but instead the Broncos brought in Quinn from Cleveland and drafted Tebow, the former Florida star, to compete with him at training camp.
Orton, who signed a one-year, $2.62 million tender as a restricted free agent this spring, quickly ended any notion of losing his starting job with his superior play at both offseason workouts and training camp.
In a statement released by the club, Orton said: "Considering the labor environment, I'm aware of how difficult it was to get this deal done and am extremely appreciative of all of the hard work and support from (general manager) Brian Xanders and Coach McDaniels during this process," Orton added. "I'm eager to get this season started and will do whatever I can to help this team be successful."
Some teams have been reluctant to extend contracts beyond this season because the league's collective bargaining agreement expires after next year's draft.
Orton has thrown for 9,121 yards and 51 touchdowns with 39 interceptions in his career. His 19-5 home record as a starter and 39-3 touchdown-to-interception mark in the red zone are among the best in the NFL among active quarterbacks.
And yet, with the arrivals of Tebow and Quinn, he was largely ignored by Broncos fans at the team's training camp that ended Thursday morning.
He didn't rate a single display jersey at the Broncos team store that operated from a trailer in the parking lot at the club headquarters, where dozens of Tebow jerseys — already the top seller in the NFL — went fast.
In an interview with The Associated Press recently, Orton laughed at the notion he wasn't getting any love.
"I don't need love," Orton insisted. "I just need wins."
Orton hasn't seemed the least bit fazed by the hoopla surrounding Tebow or the lack of devotion he was getting from the fans or — until Thursday — the front office.
Orton's comfort level and accuracy of his throws were way ahead of Tebow and Quinn. His teammates look at him as their unquestioned leader, with co-captain Champ Bailey declaring, "He's my guy."
McDaniels' too.
Ever since bringing in Quinn and Tebow, McDaniels has insisted Orton is still the starter — but that he'd have to fend off his rivals in training camp.
While Tebow generally blew away the competition in post-practice wind sprints, Orton did the same at quarterback.
It's not just been a mental leap but a physical one: Orton is more mobile in the pocket and is stepping into throws with the good mechanics and proper footwork that eluded him almost all last season when he was hampered by two sprained ankles.
"I'm feeling better than I ever have and I'm throwing the ball better than I ever have," he said.
His passes and his reads have been precise and he's only strengthened his hold on the job while Quinn and Tebow, who's dealing with bruised ribs this week, are left to battle it out for backup duty.
In an interview with the AP on Thursday morning, McDaniels said the Broncos have a lot of time to tweak Quinn's game because he's under contract beyond this season. He also agreed the best thing for Tebow might very well be for him to sit a year or more and watch and learn from Orton.
"Well, I certainly think he's learning a lot," McDaniels said. "I think the best thing for any player is to play when they're ready and learn when they're not. That's really the thing. If they're not ready, I hope that they're learning new things every day and getting better. And if they are ready, then you play them.
"If you're going about your team and your job in that way, I think you're always doing the right thing by each player, and I think you're treating your team fairly."
-- Arnie Stapleton
Bucs release safety De’von Hall
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Safety De’von Hall has been waived-injured by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The team announced the move Thursday.
Hall was claimed off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts in late December, after making three tackles in four games. The former Utah State player was inactive for Tampa Bay’s final regular season game after being claimed.
Elsewhere
Dolphins planning to open water park
MIAMI (AP) — Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is planning to build a water park adjacent to the team's stadium.
The team says the park will open in 2012, around the time the Florida Marlins move out of Sun Life Stadium into a baseball-only facility in downtown Miami.
The Dolphins say the project will contribute $7 million annually to area tax revenues, plus create jobs.
