NFL Capsules - League and Players: Goodell goes from worst to first in same day
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Commissioner Roger Goodell visited two teams on opposite ends of the NFL spectrum Monday, congratulating one on their Super Bowl victory and sending a subtle message to the other about fan support.
Goodell spent the afternoon in New Orleans, meeting with players, coaches and front office personnel. He commended the Saints on their accomplishment and how they did it.
His visit to Jacksonville was much less celebratory. He met with local business leaders, city politicians, team officials, players and coaches, getting a firsthand look at one of the league's struggling franchises. He expressed support for the small-market Jaguars, but also hinted that fans need to do more to keep the team in town.
"This is a great opportunity for this community to demonstrate their passion for this team and their passion for football," said Goodell, whose stops were part of a tour taking him to eight NFL cities in six days.
The Jaguars blacked out nine of 10 homes games last season, becoming the poster child for attendance problems and getting labeled a target for potential relocation.
"We want this team to be successful and we want it to be here," Goodell said. "We just want to make sure that we're playing in front of large audiences and hopefully sold-out audiences because that's what we do expect in the NFL."
The Jaguars are hoping to turn things around this fall. They sold naming rights to the stadium for the first time in three years, getting a five-year, $16 million commitment from EverBank. They sold naming right to the practice fields for the first time ever, signing a deal with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida.
Although neither deal directly leads to ticket sales, the Jaguars insist having local businesses back the team can only be a positive sign for the future.
There are other reasons for optimism, too.
The Jaguars have about 5,000 season tickets remaining to sell to avoid more blackouts.
"I think we're going to get there and we're going to erase the word 'blackout' in our community," owner Wayne Weaver said.
Maybe so, but Goodell believes the Jaguars could learn a thing or two from New Orleans. The Saints were often ridiculed as the Aints in their early years and more recently endured the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
"The relationship between this team and this community is special, and we should all work to try and create that kind of relationship," Goodell said.
Goodell said the league tries to take successful tools from one market and integrate them into another, but it's just not that simple.
"We do everything we can to share intelligence from one market to another," he said. "But you also have to recognize that every market is unique. Every community has is own challenges. Every team has its own challenges and you have to be intelligent about the approach."
The Jaguars have tried just about everything.
They didn't raise ticket prices for the third consecutive year and even cut prices in January for some seats. They offered payment plans that gave season-ticket buyers eight months to pay without any interest. They allowed fans to lock in 2010 prices for three years and make equal payments for those 30 games over 30 consecutive months, with no interest and no deposit.
Still, they have come up short.
Although Weaver acknowledged he needs an "exit strategy" as he nears his 76th birthday, he has no plans to sell or move the team. But he also realizes attendance has to improve to keep the franchise viable in Jacksonville.
Weaver invited Goodell to visit in hopes of making a final sales push — and maybe help Jacksonville enjoy the kind of turnaround that happened in New Orleans.
"I think the team is going to continue to be successful here," said Goodell, who visited Kansas City on Sunday and heads to Philadelphia on Tuesday.
Indy making contingency plan for Super Bowl
ANDERSON, Ind. (AP) — NFL officials and the Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee have a contingency plan if a work stoppage postpones the 2012 Super Bowl.
Committee president and CEO Allison Melangton told The Associated Press on Monday that the league wanted Indy's Super Bowl venues and hotel room blocks left open for the weekend of Feb. 5, the scheduled Super Bowl date, and the following weekend. Melangton said Indy has kept both weekends open.
The NFL Players Association fears team owners will lock out players before next season.
"We are working with the NFL, I'm not going to say every day, but we are working closely on any other plans that need to be made," Melangton said. "But we all know that it is their (the NFL's) priority to resolve these contract issues as soon as possible and we are confident that they will."
The current contract expires March 5, and NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith has said he does not expect a new CBA to be completed until then.
Smith has repeatedly said he believes owners, who opted out of the CBA two years ago, are intent on locking out players because the television networks will continue to pay the owners even if the games are not played.
Melangton said NFL officials also discussed a backup date with Indy's committee during the bidding process. Indy was awarded the game on the same day — May 20, 2008 — that owners opted out of their collective bargaining agreement.
"This is not unusual as local Super Bowl host committees will include in its bid a number of possible dates it could host the Super Bowl," league spokesman Brian McCarthy said. "As part of its ... bid, the Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee said it would hold both Feb. 5 and Feb. 12, 2012 as possible dates. We have listed Feb. 5 as the tentative date for the game, but have flexibility to hold it in Indianapolis on Feb. 12."
Melangton said she was told New Orleans, which will host the 2013 game, and New Jersey were also asked for backup dates in case the league expands the regular-season schedule to 17 or 18 games.
The 2014 Super Bowl awarded to the New Jersey Meadowlands has three potential dates: Feb. 2, 9 or 16, with Feb. 2 as the tentative listed date.
League officials, Melangton said, have not given her committee any indication there are plans to use the second Super Bowl date in 2012.
"We've been told by the NFL to proceed full-speed ahead for the 5th, which is what we're doing," she said. "If anything changes we will work with the NFL on whatever the contingency needs to be."
Colts owner Jim Irsay dismissed any suggestion Indy could lose the Super Bowl if a labor stoppage forced the game to be canceled.
"I really feel we will have a Super Bowl, and, hopefully, we can do it as planned," Irsay said. "If not, we've made some plans to give us some flexibility."
Senior NFLPA officials and a high-profile player reached out to the mayor's office in February to express their concerns at how a lockout might impact the Super Bowl in Indianapolis.
-- Michael Marot
N.Y. Giants still have 1,250 PSLs for sale
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — With the NFL season a little more than a month away, the New York Giants still have 1,250 seats for sale.
Over the past few days, the Giants have launched an advertising campaign in newspapers, online and by direct mail to sell the 1,250 personal seat licenses.
Quarterback Eli Manning and defensive end Justin Tuck are featured in the ads.
All of the available licenses are for club seats located either in Mezzanine A or B or in the Coach's Club at the New Meadowlands Stadium.
The licenses for the Mezzanine B seats cost $7,500, with game tickets going for $400 apiece. The Club A license costs $12,500 with game tickets going for $500 apiece.
The Coach's Club has a $20,000 license fee with tickets costing $700 apiece.
The stadium will host its first football game on Aug. 16 when the Jets play host to the Giants in a preseason game.
The $1.6 billion facility, which is co-owned by the Giants and Jets, can seat 82,500 fans. The stadium has already been chosen as the site for the Super Bowl in 2014.
The Giants first home preseason game will be on Aug. 21 when they play the Pittsburgh Steelers. Their regular season home opener will be on Sept 12 against the Carolina Panthers, the team that embarrassed the Giants 41-9 on Dec. 27 in their 273rd and final game at Giants Stadium.
The Giants have 20,100 season ticket accounts for the new stadium, which is 1,000 more season ticket accounts than they had at Giants Stadium in its 34-year history.
The team said 90 percent of the fans who had accounts for Giants Stadium have purchased PSLs in the new stadium.
-- Tom Canavan
Union hires Nolan Harrison
WASHINGTON (AP) — Nolan Harrison was hired by the NFL Players Association on Monday as senior director of former player services.
Harrison played 10 seasons in the NFL and was the player representative for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1998-2000. He also served on the NFLPA's executive committee from 2000-02.
He currently is serving his second three-year term on the NFLPA former players board of directors, is chairman of the health committee, and has served as president of the Phoenix chapter of the NFL Former Players Association.
"To be selected by executive director DeMaurice Smith to this important role and to assist him, all players and staff, in achieving his vision for the NFLPA is a challenge that I relish and I'm looking forward to taking on," Harrison said.
Harrison was a defensive lineman for the Raiders, Steelers and Redskins. In 128 games played, he had 22 sacks before retiring in 2000.
Brig Owens, a member of the Washington Redskins Ring of Fame and a longtime NFLPA figure, sees the 41-year-old Harrison as an important addition to the NFLPA staff.
"He has been a consistent leader and fighter for players' rights and benefits when he was an active player, and now as a former player," Owens said. "In addition, he's a good listener and does not shy away from asking the tough question. He has a clear understanding of the history and continuing struggle of the players."
Steelers close camp for LeBeau ceremony
LATROBE, Pa. (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers are closing training camp to the public on Saturday so they can attend defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau's induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The Steelers will hold a morning practice that will be closed to spectators, then board buses for the evening ceremony in Canton, Ohio. The team will return that night and plans to practice Sunday afternoon, a workout that will be open to the public.
LeBeau, considered one of the NFL's most innovative defensive coaches, is being enshrined for his 14-season playing career with the Detroit Lions. He played in 171 consecutive games, the most by a cornerback, and is tied for eighth place in NFL history with 62 interceptions.
Signings
Jaguars, top pick finally agree to 5-year deal
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Tyson Alualu has a surprise waiting for him when he gets to Jacksonville's training camp: a matchup in the "Oklahoma drill" against fellow Hawaiian and childhood friend Vince Manuwai.
Alualu, the 10th overall pick in April's draft, ended a five-day holdout Monday by agreeing to a five-year contract worth $28 million. The deal, which came a day after the Jaguars prematurely announced it, includes $17.5 million guaranteed.
The former California defensive tackle is expected to arrive in Jacksonville on Tuesday. He should be on the field a short time later.
And Manuwai will be waiting.
The 333-pound guard, an eight-year veteran, requested a matchup against Alualu in the one-on-one drill that has become an annual tradition during Jacksonville's first full-pads practice. Alualu missed that session Sunday night, but coach Jack Del Rio honored Manuwai's request and scheduled a special edition Tuesday.
"Oh yeah, he'll definitely have one," Del Rio said. "Mr. Vince Manuwai would like to welcome him. Since they grew up in the same neighborhood, he'd like to welcome him to the NFL, and so they're going to have an Oklahoma drill."
Alualu and Manuwai grew up across the street from each other in the Honolulu projects. Both made it to the NFL, although Alualu's path wasn't nearly as smooth.
One of nine children raised in a Polynesian culture that centers on family and faith, Alualu was badly homesick when he left for college at Cal. He considered dropping out as a freshman, but instead went home, married his high school sweetheart and returned to Berkley with their newborn son.
The decision paid dividends.
Alualu started 39 of 51 games for the Bears and finished with 16 sacks and 190 tackles. Most draft pundits considered him a late first-round pick, mostly because there were questions about whether he would play tackle or end.
He played end as a senior, but the Jaguars believe he can team with Terrance Knighton and form the kind of tackle tandem Pro Bowlers Marcus Stroud and John Henderson gave the franchise for years.
"I definitely feel I can come in and give them what they are looking for," Alualu said during offseason workouts. "I don't want to disappoint anybody. I will definitely give them my all. I'm ready to come in and compete and try to earn that spot."
Although no one projected Alualu to get drafted so high, he silenced some critics with his performance in minicamp and organized team activities. He showed solid footwork, even better hands, and dominated matchups with veteran offensive linemen.
"No one had him projected as a first-rounder," agent Kenneth Zuckerman said. "For him, this has been an amazing story."
The Jaguars had hoped to get Alualu in camp on time, especially after lengthy holdouts by first-rounders Derrick Harvey (33 days in 2008) and Eugene Monroe (12 days in 2009), but negotiations were slow last week. Things heated up when several of the top-10 picks started to sign, and the Jaguars offered the $28 million deal.
Alualu's agent told team officials he liked the deal and would suggest that his client accept. But Alualu wanted time to talk to his family and "pray on it." The Jaguars seemingly got mixed signals, though, believing Zuckerman told them Alualu had signed off on the deal.
Del Rio and general manager Gene Smith announced after practice Sunday night that Alualu had agreed to terms and was getting on a flight from Honolulu. But Zuckerman quickly dispelled the notion, saying Alualu was still mulling the offer.
He eventually accepted — and now has a much-hyped showdown looming with Manuwai.
"I think it's important to have him here and we're looking forward to getting him here and getting to work," Del Rio said.
-- Mark Long
TE Gresham, Bengals have deal
First-round draft pick Jermaine Gresham agreed to a deal with the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday, ending a holdout that kept the tight end away for six days of training camp.
Gresham, the 21st overall pick, is expected to arrive in Georgetown, Ky., on Tuesday to sign his deal and participate in an afternoon practice. The former Oklahoma star has missed eight practices, but has plenty of time to win the starting job.
The Bengals open their preseason next Sunday in the annual Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio, against the Dallas Cowboys. Coach Marvin Lewis said after Monday night's practice that Gresham could play in the first of Cincinnati's five preseason games.
"We'll get him in here, get him going and he'll have an opportunity to get into the football game on Sunday," Lewis said. "He has a chance to get off to a great start. He'll get four good weeks of football and be ready for that first week (of the regular season)."
Gresham was expected to win the starting job during camp. The Bengals listed him as the starter even though he was missing practices during the holdout.
A few hours before Gresham reached an agreement, Lewis dropped Gresham lower on the depth chart at the position. Veteran Reggie Kelly has returned from a ruptured Achilles' tendon in his left leg, but is expected to revert to Gresham's backup again when the rookie arrives on Tuesday.
"I'm glad the signing will happen," Lewis said. "He'll work at it. We've got a lot of snaps for him to get accustomed and get back in. He'll take 50 percent of the snaps."
Tight end was a major problem last season after Kelly and backup Ben Utecht suffered season-ending injuries during camp. Utecht sustained a major concussion. The Bengals drafted Gresham to give Carson Palmer another over-the-middle target.
The Bengals managed to get their top pick in camp before the first preseason game, a major improvement over last season. Offensive tackle Andre Smith missed the first three preseason games in a holdout, then broke his left foot during practice two days later.
Smith never got up to speed. He appeared in six games and started only one, a disappointment for a team that expected him to take over at right tackle because of his ability to block for running plays. The foot is still bothering him, forcing him to work out separately from the practices so far.
-- Joe Kay
Arizona, 1st-round pick Williams agree to terms
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — First-round draft pick Dan Williams was headed up the hill from Phoenix to training camp after agreeing to terms Friday on a five-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals.
The 6-foot-3, 327-pound nose tackle from Tennessee is expected to join in team meetings and participate in the Cardinals' practice on Tuesday.
Williams, the 26th pick overall, will be groomed to play between Darnell Dockett and Calais Campbell on Arizona's defensive front. At first, though, he will be behind two-year starter Bryant Robinson on the depth chart
Coach Ken Whisenhunt likes to slowly work his first-round picks into the lineup, making them earn the spot. He did that with cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie two years ago and running back Beanie Wells last season.
Williams played in a 4-3 defense in college but will shift to a 3-4 alignment with Arizona.
He was an all-SEC first-team selection last season, when he had 70 tackles, including 2½ sacks with nine tackles for loss and nine quarterback pressures.
During the draft, Whisenhunt said one thing stood out when looking at Williams.
"This guy has 70 tackles," Whisenhunt said, "so for me that shows an ability to redirect, chase plays to make tackles, a very active guy. When you combine that with his size. ... That's really something that's intriguing to us. As I made the comparison to basketball the other day, to me he's like a 7-footer who can play."
Earlier Monday, Whisenhunt said he knew Arizona was close to an agreement with Williams on Sunday night. There were widespread reports of an agreement through the day on Monday, including a Twitter message from Dockett, but the team didn't make it official until late in the afternoon Arizona time, in the midst of the team's second practice of the day.
After practice, Whisenhunt was asked if Williams' participation in summer workouts would mitigate the time he has lost in missing three days of training camp.
"No," Whisenhunt said. "We got some good work in the last couple of days and I don't think you can make that up but he's sure going to try."
He said Williams' earlier workouts gave him a lesson in what is expected of an NFL player.
"I think he got it," Whisenhunt said. "I think he more and more understood what he has to do. The big test now will be to see where he is with his weight and where he is with his conditioning because he's had a period since July, about the 12th, off. The real challenge is to see what you have to do to get him ready to go."
-- Bob Baum
Rookie DE Hughes signs 5-year deal with Colts
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts have agreed to a five-year deal with first-round draft pick Jerry Hughes.
The agent for the defensive end from TCU confirmed the deal through an e-mail to The Associated Press. Neither the team nor the agent provided financial details.
Moves/Holdouts
Bills moving forward without Aaron Schobel
PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) — Veteran linebacker Aaron Schobel's career with the Buffalo Bills appears over.
General manager Buddy Nix said Monday the Bills are moving on without their leading pass rusher, ruling out any chance Schobel will be a member of the team this season. Schobel has not attended training camp as he tries to figure out whether to play for Buffalo or retire, so the Bills made the choice easier for him.
"We're trying to get ready to play in 2010, and we think this is what we needed to do," Nix said. "There comes a point where we have to move forward and that point is today."
Schobel has four years left on a $50.5 million contract extension he signed in 2007, and will remain on the team's Reserve/Did Not Report List. Schobel told The Associated Press in a phone interview from his home outside of Houston that the Bills told him they would release him if he decided to come back at this point.
The team's decision was made five days into training camp in suburban Rochester. Last Wednesday, Nix provided no timetable on Schobel, saying the team will keep the door open for him.
What changed?
"He was not late on Wednesday," Nix said after informing Schobel's agent of the team's decision.
Schobel, who has spent his entire nine-year career with the Bills, was not upset by the decision and recognized he put the Bills in a tough spot.
"I understand it. I would've done the same thing if I was in their shoes," Schobel said. "I understand it 100 percent. I'm sort of relieved."
Schobel was still having difficulty making up his mind even after he indicated last week he had renewed interest to play.
"I probably changed my mind 10 times about it this week," he said.
Selected in the second round of the 2001 draft out of TCU, Schobel's 78 career sacks rank second on the team behind Hall of Famer Bruce Smith.
"I have no regrets and I appreciate the organization, Buffalo, their fans and (Bills owner) Ralph (Wilson) for putting me in this position where I was able to play for nine years," he said. "I'm not going to say anything bad about them and I wish them the best."
Schobel said he is not planning to retire, but will take a few weeks before making a decision.
"I don't know what I'll do," he said. Then, with a laugh, Schobel added: "I guess I've got to work on my golf game."
He did say if he does play, this would be his last NFL season.
After playing his entire career at defensive end, Schobel would've been moved to linebacker as the Bills make the switch to a 3-4 defense being introduced by first-year head coach Chan Gailey. Schobel spent his offseason in Texas and not taken part in any Bills activities.
Schobel was due a $2 million roster bonus in March, which was not paid because he had not passed a physical. The team had not fined him for missing three days of mandatory minicamps in June or for the six training camp practices he's missed.
Nix noted that Schobel was falling behind in learning the defense, and the team had several players ready to fill the outside linebacker position. Aaron Maybin, a first-round draft pick last year, is considered the prime candidate to take over the starting job.
"We've got a lot of work to do," Maybin said. "When you lose a guy like Aaron Schobel, that definitely means that the rest of the guys in the position room have to definitely step it up."
Linebacker Chris Kelsay will miss Schobel, whom he regards as one of his closest friends on the team.
"It's tough," Kelsay said. "But I'm sure there's some relief on his part. Buddy and his staff just felt like it was time to move forward evidently. You can't argue with them because we've got a season to prepare for."
Nose tackle Kyle Williams also took the news in stride.
"Like Schobel's always said, that's the team's prerogative," Williams said. "I think he'll be fine either way. I think we'll be fine either way."
-- John Wawrow
Suh still holding out from Lions training camp
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Ndamukong Suh missed his third straight day of practice Monday with the Detroit Lions.
Coach Jim Schwartz said it's disappointing Suh has missed some opportunities in training camp that are gone forever.
Suh is the former Nebraska defensive lineman who was the No. 2 pick overall in the NFL draft.
The Lions have had only one player, Calvin Johnson, miss more than a couple days since Bryant Westbrook was a long-term holdout in 1997. Westbrook's agents were Roosevelt Barnes and Eugene Parker, both of whom are representing Suh.
"Both sides are working hard to get this resolved," Barnes wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press.
Suh posted a message on his Twitter account Sunday that quoted a biblical passage: "Judge not by with appearances, but judge with the right judgment."
Redskins acquire QB Beck from Ravens, cut Brennan
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — The Washington Redskins have acquired quarterback John Beck from the Baltimore Ravens for cornerback Doug Dutch.
The Redskins also released quarterback Colt Brennan on Monday.
Beck was a backup with the Ravens last year and previously played two seasons with Miami. He was a second-round pick by the Dolphins from BYU in 2007. His only NFL action came as a rookie, when he started four games.
Beck will compete with Rex Grossman and Richard Bartel for a roster spot with the Redskins, who have Donovan McNabb as their starter.
Brennan was a sixth-round pick in 2008 but never played for Washington. He sat out last year after having hip surgery.
Dutch was undrafted out of Michigan a year ago and spent time on the Redskins' practice squad. The Ravens need depth at the position after they placed cornerback Domonique Foxworth on injured reserve with a right knee injury.
Injuries
Seahawks LB Curry remains out with concussion
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Seahawks starting linebacker Aaron Curry will likely remain out until at least Thursday because of a concussion he sustained on the opening day of training camp last weekend.
Seattle's fourth overall pick in the 2009 missed his third consecutive practice Monday evening, but coach Pete Carroll said he was much better.
Asked if Curry had a concussion, Carroll said, "Yeah, he got hit the other day in the head and we rested him. He's OK.
"With one practice (Tuesday, then a day off from practice Wednesday) we'll cruise him through until Thursday, but he's just about ready to pop back out there, so that's good. Good signs."
Besides Monday's two practices, Curry also missed Sunday's more intense, full-pads drills.
Team doctor Stan Herring, considered an expert in brain trauma, was seen at team headquarters between practices Monday.
Herring, the co-medical director of the Seattle Sports Concussion Program, led a crusade to get a new concussion law passed in Washington state that sets out conditions for how head injuries are to be dealt with in youth sports.
Saturday, Curry repeatedly banged his head into running back Justin Forsett and other teammates in a particularly spirited first day of camp.
Carroll said Sunday his $34 million linebacker got "dinged a little bit" and had some headaches.
The NFL's awareness of concussions and brain injuries is increasing. The league is placing posters in team headquarters that warn of the dangers from concussions in much harsher language than previously used in a pamphlet distributed to players from 2007 through last season.
The league's steps last season included stricter return-to-play guidelines detailing what symptoms preclude someone from participating in games or practices; a mandate that each team select a league- and union-approved independent neurologist to be consulted when players get concussions; and the departure of the two co-chairmen of the NFL's committee on brain trauma.
NOTES: Seventh-round draft choice Jameson Konz was waived-injured. Carroll said the tight end from Kent State had a hip condition. ... Veteran S Jordan Babineaux is fighting for a job, but he remains a fan favorite. A fan kept yelling "Babs!" while the seventh-year veteran was on the sidelines, and Babineaux recognized the man when he turned around. After defending an errant pass that skidded through the sidelines a few minutes later, Babineaux picked up the ball and lobbed it into the nearby hillside where the mass of fans were, instead of handing it to a waiting team assistant. ... Seattle claimed guard Gregg Peat off waivers from Indianapolis. The All-Pac-10 selection in 2009 started 27 consecutive games in his time at Oregon State, which ended last season.
-- Gregg Bell
49ers' Baas hurt on first day of camp again
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers left guard David Baas sustained a mild concussion in Monday's first full-pads practice of training camp.
Coach Mike Singletary said the initial report from the medical staff was that Baas had a slight concussion, but the offensive lineman was to undergo further examination Monday afternoon. He likely will miss at least several days of two-a-day workouts.
Baas apparently was hurt in one-on-one drills. Last year, he injured a foot on the first day and missed the majority of training camp. A year ago he was hurt in the "nutcracker" hitting drill, which pits two similarly sized players between blocking pads spaced three feet apart.
With Baas out for the time being, first-round draft pick Mike Iupati — selected at No. 17 out of Idaho — will take over with the first-team offense.
While Iupati doesn't know how long he will stay in the spot, he plans to do all he can to keep it. Then, it's up to Singletary whether to keep him as a starter.
"I don't know. I can't control that," Iupati said. "That's the big man's call. I'm just going to work and do my job. I'm going to do my best."
Baas, who became a restricted free agent following the 2009 season, in April signed a one-year contract he had previously been tendered by the 49ers.
Baas started all 16 of San Francisco's games last season for the first time in his five-year NFL career.
The 28-year-old Baas was a second-round pick taken 33rd overall by the 49ers in the 2005 draft out of Michigan. He has appeared in 76 career games with 38 starts, the last 25 of which came at left guard.
Aside from Baas, the Niners got through the morning practice without any serious problems.
-- Janie McCauley
Eagles WR Jackson's back sidelines him again
BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) — Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who suffered a lower back strain in training camp drills Saturday, was again held out of practice Monday morning at Lehigh University.
Jackson last year became the first player in NFL history to make the Pro Bowl at two positions — receiver and punt returner. Jackson also missed both sessions Sunday.
Coach Andy Reid said Jackson was "doing all right," but gave no indication as to when he might return.
Two others starters, middle linebacker Stewart Bradley and cornerback Asante Samuel, were also held out of practice Monday morning because of hamstring spasms. Bradley hadn't practiced Sunday, either, and Samuel also left practice Sunday with his injury.
Reserve running back Mike Bell strained a hamstring Sunday and did not practice Monday morning.
Also missing Monday were wide receiver Jordan Norwood (hamstring) and center A.Q. Shipley (ankle). Starting guard Stacy Andrews (shoulder) and backup tight end Martin Rucker (hamstring) were injured during morning drills and did not practice in the afternoon.
Defensive tackle Antonio Dixon suffered a head injury and defensive back Macho Harris injured a hamstring during the afternoon session.
Guard Max Jean-Gilles returned after leaving Sunday's practice early because of dehydration. Tight end Brent Celek departed Monday morning's practice early, also because of dehydration, but was available in the afternoon.
The Eagles had placed starting guard Todd Herremans (foot), starting center Jamaal Jackson (knee) and reserve defensive end Victor Abiamiri (knee) on the physically unable to perform list at the beginning of camp.
Bills rookie LT Wang hurt; could require surgery
PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills rookie left tackle Ed Wang has an undisclosed injury that could require surgery and force him to miss the rest of training camp.
Coach Chan Gailey provided no details of the injury after practice Monday, except to say doctors will determine within a day whether surgery is required. Hurt on Sunday earlier, Wang watched practice with a wrap around his lower right leg.
Gailey said the latest injury is not related to the injury to Wang's left leg in June that forced him to miss several minicamp sessions.
Selected in the fifth round out of Virginia Tech, Wang was the first player with direct Chinese ancestry drafted. A raw project, he is competing for a backup spot.
Gailey said sixth-round pick Danny Batten, a linebacker, is out indefinitely after sustaining "a fairly significant injury" to his right shoulder. Batten, out of South Dakota State, watched practice with his right arm in a sling.
He was hurt Sunday when he was bowled over by guard Kyle Calloway on a running play during a full-team drill.
Also missing practice Monday was offensive tackle Cordaro Howard because of a head injury. Howard is an undrafted free agent out of Georgia Tech.
Coach says Vikings CB Griffin will miss 1st game
MANKATO, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier says cornerback Cedric Griffin definitely will miss the season opener against New Orleans while continuing to recover from offseason knee surgery.
Griffin tore the ACL in his left knee in the NFC title game against the Saints in January. Most expected that Griffin would miss at least the start of the season and Frazier confirmed that on Monday.
Veterans Lito Sheppard and Benny Sapp are the early favorites to replace him in the starting lineup.
Sapp missed practice on Monday because of lingering effects from heat problems he had on Saturday. Center John Sullivan also sat out with a calf injury and Percy Harvin missed because of a death in the family.
Mendenhall held out of Steelers practice
LATROBE, Pa. (AP) — Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall sat out the team's afternoon workout after having his toe stepped on earlier in the day.
Coach Mike Tomlin said Mendenhall was held out during the second of the day's two practices Monday for precautionary reasons. The injury is not believed to be serious.
Five-time Pro Bowl nose tackle Casey Hampton practiced in a limited capacity after missing the first two days of training camp with a hamstring injury.
Second-round draft pick Jason Worilds also injured a hamstring, the same injury that sidelined rookie offensive lineman Maurkice Pouncey and running back Jonathan Dwyer. Both were injured on Sunday — Pouncey while doing a conditioning run that Tomlin wanted.
Pouncey, the Steelers' first-round pick, is close to returning.
Banged-up Panthers sign RB Savage; waive CB Walker
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers have added depth to their banged-up backfield by signing running back Dantrell Savage.
The Panthers waived injured cornerback Marcus Walker on Monday to make room on the 80-man roster.
DeAngelo Williams and Josh Vaughan had been Carolina's only two healthy running backs. Jonathan Stewart hasn't been cleared to practice following offseason Achilles' tendon surgery, while Mike Goodson and Tyrell Sutton are sidelined with injuries suffered in training camp.
The undrafted Savage played mostly special teams in 13 games over two seasons with Kansas City, rushing just 25 times for 98 yards. He was released in March.
The Panthers reached an injury settlement with Walker, who hurt his calf Saturday.
Elsewhere
Doctor demands new trial in O.J. McDuffie toe case
MIAMI (AP) — An orthopedic surgeon wants a judge to toss out an $11 million damage award and order a new trial in a lawsuit over a career-ending toe injury suffered by former Miami Dolphins receiver O.J. McDuffie.
Attorneys for Dr. John Uribe argued Monday there were fundamental errors in the May trial surrounding use of a medical manual as evidence. McDuffie's attorneys say the manual was properly used.
Both sides also argued over estimates that McDuffie lost millions in potential earnings because of the 1999 toe injury.
McDuffie originally was awarded $11.5 million, but a judge reduced that to just under $11 million. A judge will decide the award and new trial issues in several weeks.
McDuffie played for the Dolphins from 1993 to 2000.
Former Lions CB James Hunter dies at age of 56
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Former Detroit Lions cornerback James Hunter has died. The team says he died Monday from an apparent heart attack at age 56.
Hunter played for coach Eddie Robinson at Grambling State and was from Silsbee, Texas.
Detroit drafted Hunter with the 10th pick overall in 1976. He had a career-high seven interceptions in his debut season and was NFL Rookie of the Year runner-up behind future Hall of Famer Mike Haynes.
Hunter led the Lions in interceptions in three of his seven seasons with the team and had 27 in his career, which ended because of a neck injury in 1982. He began working for Anheuser-Busch in 1985.
Lions president Tom Lewand says Hunter will be remembered as a "consummate pro — on and off the field."
