NFL League and Player Capsules: Browns expect Suh penalty to be reviewed
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Lions rookie defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh grabbed Jake Delhomme's face mask, twisted it, wrapped his arms around the Browns quarterback's head and slammed him to the ground.
It was hard to watch — in real time or instant replay.
The Browns hope the NFL looks at it again.
Cleveland coach Eric Mangini expects the league to review Suh's rough treatment of Delhomme in Saturday's exhibition game in Detroit.
In the second quarter, Delhomme was scrambling out of the pocket when he was grabbed by Suh, the No. 2 overall pick in April's draft. Suh flung the 35-year-old to the ground, and Delhomme got up waving his arms in protest. Suh was assessed a 15-yard penalty for the infraction, which seemed severe enough to warrant an ejection.
Mangini said at his news conference Monday that he will ask the league to investigate the play, but he assumed it would do so anyway.
League spokesman Gregg Aiello said in an e-mail the play was being reviewed.
"I was just going after the ball, and I had no clue that he had gotten rid of it," Suh said. "I don't know what to expect from the league. I've gotten personal fouls before, but that was in college, and they can't fine you there."
Browns backup quarterback Seneca Wallace called for Suh to be suspended, but one of Suh's veteran teammates thought that was an overreaction.
"It definitely is," Kyle Vanden Bosch said. "I asked him what happened, and he said he thought Delhomme still had the ball. We're going after the quarterback and trying to make a play, and sometimes you make a mistake, but he wasn't trying to hurt anyone."
Mangini does not believe there was any intent on the part of Suh, the former Nebraska standout, to injure Delhomme. Mangini was impressed with Suh during Cleveland's predraft evaluations.
"When I met the kid, he was a good kid," Mangini said. "I don't think he's a malicious guy, from what I know about him. It was just a poor decision."
Mangini would not say if he felt Suh should have been ejected.
"It put the quarterback at risk, but I'm not the official," Mangini said. "You don't want to see that at any point, but my experience with him in the draft process is that he's a good kid and it was just not a great decision."
Delhomme, too, said he would leave any discipline up to others.
"I'll let the league office handle that," Delhomme said with a smile. "We got a first down out of it and that made me happy."
96 minority coaches in training camps
NEW YORK (AP) — A record 96 minority coaches have taken part in this summer's NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship.
The program, named in honor of former San Francisco 49ers coach Bill Walsh, attracted former Washington tackle Chris Samuels, former Tampa Bay linebacker Derrick Brooks, and ex-Rams receiver Isaac Bruce, all of whom retired this year.
"Everything was great," said Samuels, who played 10 NFL seasons and was one of five former players to intern with the Redskins. "I learned from a great group of coaches who are experienced in the NFL. I was in a great situation to learn how to coach football. I have always known that I wanted to coach football once I retired. This is always what I wanted to do, so now I'm just going to the second phase of my life."
Current head coaches Marvin Lewis of Cincinnati, Mike Tomlin of Pittsburgh, Lovie Smith of Chicago and Raheem Morris of Tampa Bay came through the internship program.
Lewis, last season's coach of the year, interned with the San Francisco 49ers (1988) and Kansas City Chiefs (1991).
"My opportunity with the fellowship was a great exposure to new ideas," says Lewis. "It was just so valuable to coach alongside the San Francisco 49ers staff on a daily basis, seeing the quality and expertise that go into every aspect of NFL coaching. The things I learned then that I still apply today are most notably in the areas of scheduling and attention to detail. I hope the coaches that we've hosted in the fellowship learned some of the same valuable things from our staff."
Hall of Fame coach Walsh conceived the idea of the internship, which exposes talented minority college coaches to the methods and philosophies of summer NFL training camps. In 1987, Walsh brought a group of minority coaches into his 49ers training camp.
The program has mentored more than 1,500 minority coaches through the years. This summer, such former NFL stars as Terrell Davis, Dermontti Dawson, Will Shields, Greg Lloyd, Sam Madison Steve Atwater and Hall of Famer Rod Woodson participated.
Bengals WR Purify suspended 1 game
CINCINNATI (AP) — Receiver Maurice Purify has been suspended for the Cincinnati Bengals' season opener because of his offseason arrest at a local night spot.
The NFL also fined him an additional game check on Monday for violating its personal conduct policy.
Purify signed with the Bengals before the 2008 season as an undrafted free agent from Nebraska. He has spent most of his time on the practice squad, appearing in only five games without catching a pass.
He was arrested following a scuffle at a northern Kentucky night spot in May, charged with a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.
Purify is eligible to play in the final preseason game at Indianapolis on Thursday. He will miss the season opener Sept. 12 at New England.
Injuries
Giants QB Jim Sorgi frustrated by shoulder injury
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Backup quarterback Jim Sorgi probably will miss the New York Giants' preseason finale against the New England Patriots, and that might put his job in jeopardy.
The seventh-year quarterback's injured right shoulder has improved only slightly over the past two weeks and he has no idea when he will return to practice.
"I don't want to speculate on how long it's going to be," Sorgi said Monday. "I'm trying to take it one day at a time, and I'm happy the team has been this patient with me. Hopefully, they can be a little bit more patient and wait until I get better."
Sorgi tore a muscle in his shoulder two weeks ago in a preseason game against the Jets. The injury prevents his throwing, a major concern with the Giants needing to reach the 53-man roster limit by Saturday.
Sorgi was clearly frustrated Monday.
"I don't know if their patience is wearing thin, but I'm sure it is," Sorgi said. "It's just a numbers game and getting to be that point. Like I said, it's a tough position for me to be in, and a tough position for them to be in. I don't really have much else to say."
Sorgi was signed in the offseason to back up Eli Manning. He spent the previous six seasons in Indianapolis backing up Eli's brother, Peyton.
With Sorgi sidelined, second-year pro Rhett Bomar has been getting the snaps with the second team. He also played the entire second preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with Manning sidelined because of a gash on the left side of his head.
Sorgi was examined by Giants doctors on Sunday. He said the injury, a torn anterior capsule in his throwing arm, had improved a little, but not enough.
"I have never had it so I don't know how it's supposed to feel or how quickly it's supposed to get better," he said. "I know it's different in a quarterback, a thrower, than it is in other positions. We're trying to keep that in mind and it's just the timing of when it happened and the timing of when it's supposed to get better by. It's bad timing for both sides."
Chad Pennington missed last season with the Miami Dolphins with a similar injury.
Sorgi refused to speculate about next week.
"There is no following week," he said. "It all depends on what the team wants to do, and I don't really have much going on and much to say. It's out of my hands."
Redskins WR Malcolm Kelly reinjures hamstring
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Washington Redskins receiver Malcolm Kelly pulled his left hamstring again Monday, a major setback in his bid to make the opening day roster, while Donovan McNabb and Clinton Portis remain unable to practice with sprained ankles.
Kelly reinjured the hamstring in his first full practice since the early days of training camp. He first pulled the hamstring while working out with McNabb in Arizona the week before camp began.
"I don't know the extent of it," coach Mike Shanahan said, "but I know it's not good."
The third-year receiver had been hoping to use Thursday's preseason finale against the Arizona Cardinals as his one chance to show the new coaching staff he should remain on the team. His absence from four weeks of practices has seen him fall on the depth chart in a crowded receiver competition, and he is now a candidate for injured reserve.
McNabb again wore a compression stocking on his left leg Monday as he watched the team's workout. Neither the veteran quarterback nor Portis is expected to play Thursday, even if healthy, because Shanahan usually doesn't play starters in the final preseason game.
Shanahan said that McNabb and Portis are day to day, but teammates expect both to play in the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 12.
"I know Donovan's character," receiver Devin Thomas said. "He's a fighter, and I'm sure he'll be ready."
McNabb's injury has hindered his development as he learns a new offense after 11 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.
"The more somebody practices, the more in rhythm he's going to be," Shanahan said. "We all understand that. But we understand he's got an ankle injury and he's getting treatment and as soon as he's ready to go, we're going to get him ready."
Fullback Mike Sellers (sprained left knee) and linebacker Perry Riley (sprained right ankle) also sat out practice. Receiver Joey Galloway was absent for personal reasons.
Stallworth joins Ravens' peculiar injury list
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — The collision that gave Baltimore Ravens receiver Mark Clayton a mild concussion and a stiff neck is typical of any NFL game, even in the preseason.
A helmet-to-helmet hit from New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle left Clayton dazed and forced him out of Saturday night's 24-10 victory. Although he was still sore Monday, Clayton expects to be fine for the Sept. 13 opener against the New York Jets.
Rolle received a penalty on the play, but Clayton held no grudge.
"It's football," he said. "Stuff like that happens."
Three other Ravens will miss substantial time this season because of injuries of a different nature. Linebacker Sergio Kindle fell down two flights of stairs before training camp, cornerback Domonique Foxworth tore up his knee during a pre-camp drill and wide receiver Donte' Stallworth broke his foot Saturday night running a pass pattern.
And so, with the Jets game only two weeks away, coach John Harbaugh is down a linebacker and scrambling to fill out the depth chart at wide receiver and cornerback.
Kindle, Baltimore's top draft pick, remains hospitalized with a fractured skull. The former University of Texas star was one week removed from reporting to his first NFL training camp when he took a spill in an unfamiliar house.
Harbaugh said Monday that Kindle will travel from Texas to Baltimore next week and check into a hospital to be evaluated. His availability this season remains uncertain.
At least Kindle still has a shot at playing in 2010. Foxworth is out for the year after tearing the ACL in his right knee during an orientation practice the day before training camp.
The rash of peculiar injuries continued Saturday night, when Stallworth broke his left foot sprinting downfield on a fly pattern. He will have surgery this week and miss two months.
Harbaugh said Stallworth "made a move outside to get around the corner, planted on his foot and just felt a pop."
Signed as a free agent in February, Stallworth was supposed to join fellow newcomer Anquan Boldin in bringing consistency and speed to Baltimore's lackluster passing game. Although Stallworth was running with the second team, his presence will be missed.
"It's a shame. He's been coming out here and doing a great job for us," quarterback Joe Flacco said. "He's been a big addition for us, and we've been excited about it."
Boldin said, "It's a big blow. He's definitely a guy that can help his team out, especially with his speed stretching out the defense."
Baltimore's injury list also includes right tackle Jared Gaither, who hasn't practiced in nearly a month because of a bad back. Safety Ed Reed hasn't played a down in the preseason while he recovers from hip surgery, and cornerback Fabian Washington missed Monday's practice with bruised ribs.
"I do feel good about the fact that haven't had any major injuries in any kind of practice situation. That's a big plus," Harbaugh said. "Our players do a really good job of taking care of one another throughout practice."
The Ravens on Monday placed center Daniel Sanders and safety Marcus Paschal on injured reserve and cut cornerback Doug Dutch.
-- David Ginsburg
Lions lose LB Levy again, but get S Delmas back
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz thought he was finally getting his linebacker corps into shape.
It only took one series of Saturday's preseason game against Cleveland to undo the good work.
DeAndre Levy, Detroit's starting middle linebacker, was seeing his first exhibition-game action because of a back injury, but pulled a groin muscle early in the victory over the Browns. He will at least miss Thursday's final preseason game.
"We know Levy isn't going to play against Buffalo," Schwartz said Monday. "We're going to get him some rest and try to get him back as quickly as possible."
Schwartz, though, acknowledged that there's a chance Levy won't be ready for the Sept. 12 regular-season opener in Chicago. Levy isn't sure.
"It is hard to say right now," he said. "It is going to depend on how it heals and how I feel next week."
The Lions have been decimated throughout camp by injuries at linebacker and in the secondary, but got a bit of good news on one of their key players. Safety Louis Delmas saw his first preseason action against the Browns and said Monday that he came out of the game in good shape.
"It felt good during the game, but I didn't know if that was just adrenaline in my veins," he said. "But it felt even better on Sunday and it still feels good today."
Delmas did not take part in Monday's practice, but Schwartz said that was a planned move.
Detroit also expects to get kicker Jason Hanson back against the Bills. Hanson, who had minor knee surgery early in camp, took part in warmups before the Cleveland game and kicked in practice on Monday.
"If he doesn't have any setbacks, I would anticipate that he'll be out there against the Bills," Schwartz said.
NOTES: The Lions signed LB Rocky Boiman and released three players: LB Lee Campbell, WR Eric Fowler and DE Chima Ihekwoaba. TE Jake Nordin was waived-injured. ... Detroit will practice against Tuesday, then have their preseason luncheon on Wednesday before hosting the Bills in the exhibition finale.
Del Rio Says No Surgery For Jones-Drew
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Jaguars Pro Bowl running back Maurice Jones-Drew has not had knee surgery Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio said Monday.
Del Rio squelched the surgery rumors put out by an Internet blog report which said Jones-Drew had the surgery.
"No," he said. "No, has not happened, is not necessary. He's working, rehabbing, strengthening and gearing up for the regular season."
Because of the team's short week, they beat Tampa on Saturday, Del Rio will give Jones-Drew, who has a sometimes balky left knee, more rest and he won't play against Atlanta on Thursday.
"There's always a fine line," Del Rio said. "You want to work your guys, they need to be ready to go, they need to be playing at their best."
Jones-Drew, who had 10 carries in the preseason last season, has only six carries for minus-two yards this preseason, but Del Rio said he'll worry about the running back being in game shape later.
"I think in terms of ideal scenarios you'd like to have a little more active work going into it," Del Rio said. "I think arriving to the regular season with him at full strength ready to take his turn, I think that's most important rather than trying to decide whether or not he's going to be able to carry it 30 or 35 carries.
A team spokesman said Jones-Drew declined to comment.
Bills RB Lynch set to test sore ankle in practice
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch is scheduled to test his sore ankle in practice Tuesday.
The results will help determine whether he'll play in the team's preseason finale at Detroit.
Coach Chan Gailey was pleased with how Lynch ran sprints at the end of a team walkthrough Monday. The next test will be to see how Lynch looks during practice two days before Buffalo travels to play Detroit.
Lynch has been out since hurting his ankle in a preseason loss at Washington on Aug. 13.
Also Monday, the Bills released three players to establish their 75-player roster a day before the NFL deadline. The players released were offensive tackle Kyle Calloway, a rookie seventh-round pick, defensive tackle Lonnie Harvey and receiver Aaron Rhea.
Dolphins' Crowder sidelined with leg injury
DAVIE, Fla. (AP) — Miami Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder is hobbled again.
Crowder missed the final game last season with a right foot injury that left him on crutches, and he has been sidelined since Aug. 17 because of an unspecified leg injury.
The Dolphins sent Crowder for a second medical opinion Monday, coach Tony Sparano said. It's unclear whether the injury is related to last year's foot problem.
Sparano was noncommittal regarding the chances that Crowder will miss the regular-season opener Sept. 12 at Buffalo.
Tim Dobbins, acquired from San Diego in an offseason trade, has been filling in for Crowder at inside linebacker.
Player Moves
Eagles, Cardinals swap rookie draft picks
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Eagles have traded fullback Charles Scott to the Arizona Cardinals for cornerback Jorrick Calvin in a swap of rookie draft picks.
Calvin was selected one pick behind Scott in the sixth round. Calvin played one season at Troy but was academically ineligible last year. He had two interceptions and 76 tackles in 12 starts in 2008. Calvin also returned kickoffs and punts.
Scott was a running back at Louisiana State, but was moved to fullback in Philadelphia. He had one carry in three preseason games.
Arizona was in need of a fullback after Nathan Broughton went down with a knee injury in Saturday night's 14-9 victory at Chicago. That left Reagan Maui'a as the only fullback on the roster.
The Cardinals felt Calvin was expendable because of, among other reasons, the strong showing of cornerback Marshay Green, an undrafted free agent out of Mississippi.
In other moves, Arizona released tight end Dominique Byrd, center David Moosman and tackle Casey Knips. The Cardinals signed wide receiver Isaiah Williams, who was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers a week ago.
Redskins-Rams swap 2010 picks in conditional deals
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — The Washington Redskins and St. Louis Rams have swapped 2010 draft picks in a pair of trades.
The Redskins sent sixth-round selection Dennis Morris to the Rams for a conditional, undisclosed draft pick. St. Louis sent fifth-round pick Hall Davis to Washington, also for a conditional, undisclosed pick.
Davis, from Louisiana-Lafayette, was at Redskins Park on Monday. He was listed as a defensive end with the Rams, but he would play linebacker with the Redskins.
Washington coach Mike Shanahan said he will look at Davis over the next few days before final cuts are made Saturday.
Morris, from Louisiana Tech, worked at tight end and fullback for the Redskins in training camp. Shanahan said Morris wasn't going to make the 53-man roster.
Panthers sign OL Duckworth to reach 80 players
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers have found an offensive lineman willing to join the team.
The Panthers signed Tim Duckworth on Monday, less than a week after he was waived by New Orleans. The 6-foot-4, 318-pound guard gives the Panthers a maximum 80 players a day before they must trim to 75.
Carolina has had a roster opening since offensive lineman Kirk Barton failed to report last week after he was claimed off waivers from Denver. The Panthers had already waived tackle Jason Capizzi to make room.
The Panthers were without several players at practice Monday, including receiver Wallace Wright (shoulder), running back Tyrell Sutton (shoulder) and cornerbacks Richard Marshall (knee) and Captain Munnerlyn (calf).
Saints bring back DT Clancy
METAIRIE, La. (AP) — The Saints have brought back veteran defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy, who spent the past three seasons with New Orleans but missed most of last season with an injury. The 32-year-old practiced for the first time with the Saints on Monday afternoon.
Clancy entered 2009 as a projected starter but hurt his right knee in the season opener. He then lost his job to Remi Ayodele and later was placed on injured reserve.
The addition of the 6-foot-1, 305-pound Clancy, who had a solid reputation as a run defender, will place pressure on 2008 fifth-round draft pick DeMario Pressley and rookie fourth-round choice Al Woods.
The Saints' roster stood at 77 on Monday. It must be down to 75 by Tuesday afternoon and 53 by Saturday.
Detroit Lions sign Rocky Boiman, release 4 others
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — The Detroit Lions have signed linebacker Rocky Boiman in an attempt to bolster an injury-riddled position group.
The Lions brought in Boiman on Monday since starting middle linebacker DeAndre Levy is sidelined by a groin injury and backup Jordon Dizon is out for the season with a knee injury.
Boiman has played for both head coach Jim Schwartz and defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham.
The Lions on Monday also released linebacker Lee Campbell, wide receiver Eric Fowler and defensive end Chima Ihekwoab, while tight end Jake Nordin was waived-injured.
Broncos release RB Justin Fargas
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Running back Justin Fargas has been released by the Denver Broncos.
The Broncos signed the 30-year-old veteran on Aug. 11 to bolster their banged-up backfield after their top three tailbacks went down with injuries in training camp.
Fargas gained just 17 yards on 10 carries in the preseason with his longest carry a 6-yarder.
The Broncos also designated cornerback Tony Carter as waived/injured. He was signed on April 27, 2009, as an undrafted college free agent out of Florida State.
Seahawks cut 4 to get to 75-man limit
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks have waived injured defensive tackle Jonathan Lewis and cut four others to reach the NFL mandated 75-man roster limit.
The Seahawks made the moves on Monday.
Along with Lewis, Seattle waived defensive end Ricky Foley, wide receiver Kole Heckendorf, offensive guard Gregg Peat and kicker Clint Stitser. Foley led the Canadian Football League in sacks last season with 12 playing for the B.C. Lions.
Lewis broke his thumb in Saturday's preseason loss to Minnesota.
Bills release 3 players, including OT Calloway
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Bills have released three players, including offensive tackle Kyle Calloway, the team's rookie seventh-round draft pick.
Also released Monday were defensive tackle Lonnie Harvey and receiver Aaron Rhea, an undrafted rookie signed by the Bills two weeks ago. Calloway, drafted out Iowa, was the second of Buffalo's two seventh-round picks.
The moves allowed the Bills to establish their 75-player roster a day before the NFL deadline. All teams have until Saturday to make their final cuts before setting their 53-player roster.
Bengals waive injured LB Jeanty
CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Bengals have released fifth-year linebacker Rashad Jeanty, who broke his left leg on the opening kickoff in January's playoff loss to the New York Jets.
The Bengals said Monday that Jeanty was waived in the failed physical category, while second-year safety Tom Nelson went on the physically unable to perform list. Nelson is recovering from offseason knee surgery.
The moves reduced the Bengals' roster to 75 players.
TE Haynos waived injured by Dolphins
MIAMI (AP) — Miami Dolphins tight end Joey Haynos has been waived injured after hurting his foot in the team's most recent exhibition game.
Haynos, a third-year pro, was battling for a spot on the roster behind Anthony Fasano and David Martin. He was hurt during Friday's game against Atlanta and was waived Monday.
Haynos made 19 catches for 162 yards and two touchdowns last season.
Elsewhere
Jim Brown skipping Browns' ceremony
CLEVELAND (AP) — Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown still has a pretty nice stiff arm.
Brown, considered the greatest Brown of them all, informed Cleveland president Mike Holmgren that he will not attend the Sept. 19 ceremony when the team unveils its new ring of honor.
Brown is one of 16 Hall of Famers to be inducted in the ring during halftime of the team's home opener against Kansas City. Brown's decision to skip the event stems from Holmgren removing him as an adviser to owner Randy Lerner. Holmgren, who took over the Browns in December, offered the legendary player a reduced role with the team, a position that Brown declined.
On Monday, Brown sent a letter to Holmgren that was obtained by The Plain Dealer. In it, Brown says he had no formal contract as an adviser with the Browns, and he believes his agreement with Lerner was violated because a clause in it stated he would answer to no one but the owner.
"Your ultimatum to me was that you would offer me the opportunity of being that of the greeter, that of a mascot, that of a person that would represent special events by his physical presence, and for those things, I would receive a salary of $100,000," Brown wrote. "All of those things that you offered me would be controlled by you."
The 74-year-old Brown said he returned to his office, feeling as if he had been fired. Brown said he refrained from making his situation a "public debate." He said he wrote a note to Holmgren and Lerner explaining why he would not accept the proposed position.
Last week, Holmgren announced plans for the ring of honor at a news conference where he was joined by Hall of Famers Paul Warfield and Joe DeLamielleure, who sat at both sides of the team president. Brown said he studied the press conference and came away with a few impressions.
"Your most powerful statement about me was that, and I must laugh, one monkey don't stop the show," Brown wrote.
Holmgren never made such a comment, saying he hoped Brown would join his fellow Hall of Famers for a deserved honor.
"I trust Jim will be there and I hope he's there because he is a part of this," Holmgren said. "He's part of the history of this place, a big part of it. Any way it comes down, it's going to be a wonderful day. It's going to be a celebration ... It's going to be a great celebration for all of us and the 16 families on that day and I trust he will be part of it."
Brown said he was pleased DeLamielleure brought up the need for a better pension plan in the NFL, and urged Holmgren to join him in pushing for both a "better pension plan and health care services for all the retired players. If you, in your position of tremendous power with the Cleveland Browns, would become an advocate of those two goals, you and I could walk side by side."
Brown concluded his letter by saying, "I've never danced in the end zone, I always gave the ball to the referee, so you should know I don't dance. ... I don't claim to be the best at anything, and I emphatically do not need validation from any man, so I will not participate in your Ring of Honor. Mike, there's only one thing that I control in life, and that's being a man."
-- Tom Withers
Saints assistant suspended for role in scam
METAIRIE, La. (AP) — New Orleans Saints assistant defensive line coach Travis Jones was suspended 30 days without pay for his admitted role in a real estate scam involving at least 40 people in northwestern Texas.
General manager Mickey Loomis said Monday that the suspension will begin immediately.
"Coach Jones has accepted responsibility for his actions and has cooperated with the investigation of this matter and will also be participating in a program to educate others in the league about his experience," Loomis said in a written statement. "The actions of Travis Jones violate the NFL's personal conduct policy and the policies and standards of conduct for employees of the New Orleans Saints."
In June, Jones entered a plea of conspiracy to commit mail fraud in U.S. District Court in Texas' Eastern District. Court records show Jones also signed a factual statement admitting his role in the alleged scam, which netted him about $86,000.
Jones allegedly was among numerous people who made false statements on loan applications and other real estate documents in order to obtain mortgage loans in a scam allegedly run by Florida resident John Barry.
The loans were used to buy properties that were sold for more than market value, with kickbacks going to the scam's participants — which included appraisers, mortgage brokers and real estate agents — before the buyers walked away and allowed the banks to foreclose.
The scam cost lenders millions of dollars.
Jones is entering his sixth season in the NFL and third year with the Saints, following three year with the Miami Dolphins.
Before joining the Dolphins, Jones was a defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator at LSU in 2003-04 under then-coach Nick Saban.
Jones played in college for Georgia and had a brief pro playing career with the Baltimore Stallions of the CFL in 1995 and the Florida Bobcats of the AFL in 1996. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Georgia in 1997.
-- Brett Martel
Polamalu's hair insured for $1 million
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Just call Troy Polamalu the man with the million dollar hair.
The long, flowing black hair that tumbles out of Polamalu's helmet and down his back — it's nearly three feet long — has been insured for $1 million by Head and Shoulders, the shampoo brand that is endorsed by the Pittsburgh Steelers safety.
The insurance was obtained through Lloyd's of London, which did not reveal what must be done to Polamalu's hair for anyone to collect on the policy.
Polamalu's hair has been targeted by an opposing NFL player at least once — the Chiefs' Larry Johnson tackled Polamalu by the hair during a 49-yard interception return in a 2006 game.
Polamalu, a five-time Pro Bowl player, wears his hair long as a tribute to his Samoan heritage.
Ex-Colts QB Kiel faces drunken driving charge
NOBLESVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Former Notre Dame and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Blair Kiel has been charged with drunken driving after police reported seeing his car crossing the center line in suburban Indianapolis.
Noblesville police say the 48-year-old Kiel was stopped by officers Saturday evening and that a breath test showed his blood-alcohol level was 0.17 percent, more than twice the legal limit for driving. Court records didn't list an attorney for Kiel on Monday, and no phone number was listed in his name.
Kiel was arrested last year at Victory Field in Indianapolis on domestic battery and other charges after a fight with his girlfriend and police officers.
Kiel was a starting quarterback at Notre Dame in the early 1980s. He played for Tampa Bay, Indianapolis and Green Bay in the NFL.
