NFL Capsules - League and Player News: Commissioner: No suspension for Young over fight
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Thursday he has decided not to suspend Titans quarterback Vince Young over a tussle at a Dallas strip club in June.
Speaking to reporters after the Packers' shareholders meeting in Green Bay, Wis., Goodell said he met with Young earlier this week.
"And at this stage, based on the facts that we have, I see no reason for any kind of disciplinary action. I did have a good conversation with Vince, however, about his responsibility as an NFL player. He needs to avoid putting himself in that kind of position," Goodell said.
Young was given a misdemeanor assault citation after a fight last month that was caught on surveillance video. He quickly apologized and said he hoped he wouldn't be suspended because he owned up to his mistake.
"I pray to God that Roger Goodell doesn't come down hard on me because I definitely want to be here for my teammates," Young said a day after the scuffle.
The video footage released by Dallas police showed the quarterback and several people talking in a small room before Young went after someone in the small room at Club Onyx. He was cited for misdemeanor assault after meeting with police hours later in Dallas. He had left the club before authorities arrived.
Young said the person who provoked him made a downward Longhorns sign that was disrespectful to the quarterback, who attended the University of Texas. Young said more went on but refused to go into further details.
Goodell's decision was a piece of good news for the Titans, who report Friday for training camp. Coach Jeff Fisher lost his running backs coach last weekend when Kennedy Pola bolted for Southern California at the invitation of coach Lane Kiffin, prompting the Titans to sue the university and Kiffin on Monday for poaching the assistant.
Young is going into his fifth NFL season with a 26-13 career record, and he is coming off a personal best 82.8 passer rating in 2009.
Goodell: Pack finances reflect NFL owner concerns
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — As the only NFL team required to disclose its financial information to the public, the Green Bay Packers have become Exhibit A amid rising tensions between owners and players over a new collective bargaining agreement.
Just don't expect other teams to open up their books in an attempt to make the owners' case.
Visiting the Packers' annual shareholder meeting on Thursday, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters that the players union already has enough financial information to understand why owners think the current system doesn't work.
"Somebody reminded me recently that there are seven pages in our collective bargaining agreement that are dedicated just to audit rights," Goodell said. "They have a tremendous amount of information to be able to make the decisions they need about what we're going to do to create a new system that works for everybody."
Packers shareholders — fans who own a tiny stake in the team, although it doesn't pay dividends or appreciate in value — certainly were happy with the information they got from Goodell on Thursday.
While other sports commissioners often get booed when they go out in public, Goodell was met with warm applause as he walked toward a stage set up on the field.
Immediately after the team's financial presentation to about 8,300 shareholders seated in Lambeau Field, Goodell stayed on stage to answer presubmitted questions from fans. One asked if she could have a hug, just like players get at the NFL draft. Goodell said yes, so Beth Lohr of De Pere, Wis., went on stage and embraced the commissioner.
In all, Goodell appeared to enjoy his trip.
Speaking at an NFL Network fan forum inside the Lambeau Field atrium Thursday afternoon, he remarked to a fan wearing a split half-Vikings, half-Packers No. 4 jersey, "You're really mixed up, aren't you?" He also led fans in a chant of "go Pack go," then joked that it might get him fired.
But if the players and owners don't get a new collective bargaining agreement done, there might not be NFL football at Lambeau — or anywhere else — in 2011.
"Listen, we're so far away from that," Goodell said. "We have an entire season of football, and a lot of negotiations. We have a lot of work to do, but a long time to get it done. And I think there's a desire on everybody's part."
There are serious disagreements, too.
The Packers say this year's numbers underscore owners' concerns about the league's existing agreement. According to team president and CEO Mark Murphy, player costs have risen twice as fast as revenue gains over the past four years.
The Packers posted an operating profit of approximately $9.8 million in the fiscal year that ended March 31, down from $20.1 million the previous year. Taking into account investment losses that were less severe, the team reported net income of approximately $5.2 million, up from $4 million.
Local revenues are leveling off — a problem Murphy acknowledges the team must work to resolve itself, potentially by an expansion of Lambeau and developing businesses nearby.
While other teams aren't opening their books, Murphy and Goodell say they are experiencing similar issues.
"We need to see changes to the system," Murphy said. "I think our financial statement really highlights some of the issues that the Packers and other teams have."
That's not sitting well with the players, who say they don't see a problem with the current system based on the information they have. And they're asking for more.
"It's 1/32nd of the financial information we've requested in response to their demand that we give back $1 billion and increase our risk of injury by playing two additional games," NFLPA president Kevin Mawae said earlier this month, after the Packers released an early overview of their financial report.
Players currently receive a certain percentage of the league's revenue — but at this point, even that number is in dispute.
The widely cited figure is that players receive approximately 60 percent of total revenue. But the union disputes that number, saying the definition of total revenue doesn't take into account approximately $1 billion in "expense credits" to the league and owners. Taking that money into account, the union says players really receive about 50 percent of all league revenue.
Fans, meanwhile, aren't necessarily taking sides. But shareholders did seem pleased with the issues Goodell spoke about on Thursday.
Goodell reiterated the league's desire for a new rookie salary structure and better benefits for retired players. He wants to see players wear more and better padding, saying that the league would work with players to try different pads during training camp.
Goodell also talked up the so-called "enhanced" schedule, which potentially would add two regular season games and take away two preseason games.
Goodell acknowledged that players aren't necessarily thrilled with the idea of two more games, adding that owners could offer to limit offseason workouts, training camp and practices.
"I'm not surprised at all by those reactions," Goodell said of players' objections. "I've spoken to several of those individuals. It's getting people to understand what we're trying to create, how we build a better game, what other things we need to change. And I think we need to make sure the players are informed about that."
-- Chris Jenkins
Horner's Vikes plan: Team pays 40 percent
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Independence Party gubernatorial candidate Tom Horner sketched out a plan on Thursday for a new Vikings stadium that would have the team paying 40 percent of an estimated $900 million project.
Horner told The Associated Press that the state would pay the rest through a penny-per-drink liquor tax statewide, plus revenue from a racino and a tax on game tickets. Horner said that would produce a "state-of-the-art" stadium, likely one with a fixed roof that would keep the Vikings in Minnesota for the next 40 years and bring Super Bowls, Final Fours and other major events to the Twin Cities.
"We've punted long enough," Horner said. "2011 is the year we need to get this done."
The Vikings' Metrodome lease expires after the 2011 season and the team has said it won't renew it. Owner Zygi Wilf has not yet threatened to sell the team or move it to Los Angeles, but Horner said that's a legitimate risk — unlike when the Twins were campaigning for a stadium in the 1990s.
"The Twins didn't have Los Angeles sitting out there with no NFL team, a league very interested in bringing that TV market into the fold and a group ready to build a new stadium to host an NFL team," Horner said. "We know how long it took to get an NHL team back here after we lost the North Stars. To get an NFL team back here, if it ever happened, it would be maybe a generation or more."
The Vikings said they liked Horner's proposal but would be looking to lower the 40-percent share as well as the tax on tickets sold for the new venue. The team lobbied hard to get lawmakers to take up the issue this spring, to no avail.
"There are issues that need to be negotiated," said Lester Bagley, Vikings vice president of public affairs. "But I don't want to nitpick. This is substantially a very positive development and a very solid proposal."
Democrats and Republicans in the race haven't offered stadium plans. Rob Hahn, who is running against Horner in the IP primary, on Wednesday proposed three different options. Any of them would include only about $200 million in state money, which is nowhere near what the Vikings would need to complete the project.
Supporting a stadium is a political risk with the state facing a $6 billion budget deficit. Horner said he expects to be criticized for misplaced priorities.
"My response to that would be, Minnesota can't afford a leader who is only willing to lead in certain areas," Horner said. "That's been our problem."
To help make payments on a new project more manageable, Horner wants the Vikings to sign a 40-year lease, 10 years longer than the traditional lease.
His plan has two more main points:
—If the Vikings are sold, taxpayers would get part of the increased value of the team due to the new stadium.
—Revenue from non-Vikings events at the new stadium, including concessions, advertising and suite sales, would go to the state to help with an estimated $32 million to $34 million annual cost on 40-year bonds.
Horner said if he's elected the stadium issue would be addressed in the 2011 session, right after balancing the budget and dealing with other core services including health care and education.
"My first message to the legislature is batten down the hatches, it's going to be a busy session," Horner said. "But it's going to be a busy and productive session because we've got a big agenda and we're going to get things done.
"Do the core essential services of Minnesota first, balance the budget, then let's focus on the stadium."
Before he was a candidate for governor, Horner owned Himle-Horner, a public relations firm in Minneapolis. Horner said he never worked with the team on any projects and sold his stake in the company not long after he got in the race. The Vikings worked closely with his partner John Himle on several issues, some of which were related to the stadium, but Bagley said they are not currently working with Himle.
He estimates the new stadium would generate $26 million in annual tax revenue, create hundreds of new construction jobs and help attract major events to the Twin Cities.
"We just can't afford to lose this asset," Horner said. "We can do it fairly. We can do it without jeopardizing other services."
-- Jon Krawczynski
Storm damages roof of Arizona Cardinals stadium
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Authorities say the roof of the Arizona Cardinals' stadium has been slightly damaged by a thunderstorm packing high winds.
TV news helicopters showed several tears in one section of the white, canvas-like fabric that stretches across the roof's steel girders.
University of Phoenix Stadium spokesman Scott Norton says it's possible that wind gusts Thursday got under the structure's metal skin, flipping a piece of it onto the roof and causing the fabric to puncture.
Norton says water and debris such as insulation fell onto the stadium floor. He says there are no reported injuries.
Norton says stadium officials are evaluating the damage and how much repairs will cost.
The Cardinals open their preseason schedule at home Aug. 14 against Houston.
Mercury Morris sues over NFL retirement benefits
MIAMI (AP) — Former Miami Dolphins star Mercury Morris is suing the NFL Retirement Board, alleging he's being underpaid $3,000 a month in benefits.
The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Miami's federal court, claims Morris is receiving $3,100 a month when he should be getting twice that amount. He's also seeking $91,000 in back pay.
Morris won a settlement with the board in 1991 for $250,000 in disability claims.
The NFL Retirement Board is jointly administered by the NFL and NFL Player's Association. An NFL spokesman declined comment, and a message left for the union late Thursday was not immediately returned.
Morris played eight seasons for the Dolphins and San Diego Chargers — most notably as a member of Miami's 1972 undefeated championship team.
Player Signings
Colts sign 2nd-round pick as camp nears
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts signed second-round draft choice Pat Angerer on Thursday, leaving team president Bill Polian free to concentrate on getting a deal done with first-round choice Jerry Hughes.
If Polian can also get things smoothed over with Pro Bowlers Reggie Wayne and Robert Mathis the Colts should have everyone reporting to camp on time Sunday.
Seventh-round draft choice Ricardo Mathews also signed, leaving only Hughes and third-rounder Kevin Thomas without deals. Thomas is expected to miss the entire season after tearing the ACL in his right knee during a rookie mini-camp following the draft.
Angerer, a linebacker from Iowa taken 63rd overall, reportedly signed a four-year deal worth $3.14 million with $1.35 million guaranteed.
"I've heard many GMs say to me when you get an Iowa player, you're getting a second-year guy because he's going to come prepared," agent Jack Bechta said. They come prepared as professionals and they come prepared to play."
Hughes, a defensive end from TCU, was the 31st pick overall. He is a speed rusher, expected to make an immediate difference in the Colts' defense.
And he could have a more significant role if Mathis don't show up on time.
Mathis, a defensive end, and Reggie Wayne, the Colts' top receiver, both skipped the Colts' offseason workouts including June's mandatory mini-camp. Both players have two years remaining on their contracts and are looking for new deals before next season. Polian has repeatedly said it would be difficult to negotiate now with Mathis or Wayne because of the uncertain labor situation.
But the earlier absences have many wondering whether one or both veterans may skip Monday's opening practice at the Colts' new training camp facility, Anderson University, a Division III school about 25 miles north of Indianapolis.
Wayne dropped hints about his plans in a journal on his own web site Wednesday night.
"I hope it's somewhere good to eat in Anderson," he wrote. "It's raining everyday in South Florida due to hurricane season. So maybe it is time to play some football. Not much else to talk about at this point in time. I'm about to go sit by the pool with a glass of lemonade and enjoy my last few days of freedom. Talk to you soon."
Neither Wayne's agent, David Dunn, nor Mathis' agent, Hadley Engelhard, returned phone messages left at their offices.
Meanwhile, the Colts are proceeding normally.
Mathews, a defensive tackle from Cincinnati, was the last of Indy's three seventh-round draft picks to sign. He agreed to a four-year deal worth $1.83 million, agent David Lee announced on his Twitter page. Four-year contracts at league minimum salaries have been the norm for Colts players taken after the second or third round in recent years.
-- Michael Marot
Dolphins reach deal with top picks
DAVIE, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins' eight draft picks will all be under contract when training camp starts Friday.
First-round choice Jared Odrick and second-round selection Koa Misi agreed to terms Thursday, their agents said. Odrick is a defensive end from Penn State, and Misi is an outside linebacker from Utah. They were Miami's top two choices and the last unsigned picks.
Odrick agreed to a five-year deal worth $7.13 million guaranteed, and the package could be worth up to $13 million, agent Drew Rosenhaus said.
"It was very important to Jared to report on time," Rosenhaus said. "The other day he said to me, 'Do everything you can so I can report Thursday night for the first meeting.'"
Odrick is the front-runner for a starting job as a replacement for veteran Phillip Merling, who hurt his Achilles' tendon this month and will miss the entire season.
"There was an added sense of urgency because of the injury to Merling," Rosenhaus said. "We thought there was chance for Jared to be the starting end."
Misi agreed to a four-year deal, agent Kenny Zuckerman said. He declined to disclose financial terms, but the deal was believed to be for about $4.5 million, with about $2.6 million guaranteed.
Misi, the 40th player taken in the draft, played mostly defensive end as a three-year starter at Utah. Reporting on time will aid his transition to linebacker, where he'll help fill a void created by the departures of Joey Porter and Jason Taylor.
Odrick was the Big Ten defensive player of the year in 2009, and the Dolphins made him the 28th pick in the draft. It's the first time since 1996 they used a first-round pick on the defensive front seven.
-- Steven Wine
Seahawks sign free-agent G Chester Pitts
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Free-agent guard Chester Pitts has agreed with the Seattle Seahawks on a $2 million, one-year contract on the eve of training camp.
A person familiar with the situation confirmed the contract's value to The Associated Press on Thursday, a day before Seahawks veterans are due to report for camp. The team announced the deal earlier in the day for the starter with the Houston Texans from 2002 until last season.
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team did not disclose contract details.
Seattle's first preseason practice is Saturday.
Pitts started 114 games for Houston, first as a left tackle and then in 2006 as a left guard. A second-round pick for the Texans in 2002, Pitts is rejoining former Houston line coach Alex Gibbs in Seattle.
Pitts will get a chance to start on a revamped Seahawks line. Seattle traded starting guard Rob Sims to Detroit in the offseason for defensive end Robert Henderson and a draft choice.
The Seahawks released Henderson and linebacker Anthony Heygood on Thursday.
-- Gregg Bell
Steelers reach terms with Flozell Adams
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers have reached terms with five-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Flozell Adams on a two-year contract.
The Steelers have sought offensive line help since right tackle Willie Colon was lost for the season last month with a torn Achilles' tendon.
The Steelers could play the 35-year-old Adams at right tackle, or shift him to his natural position of left tackle and move Max Starks to the right side.
The 6-foot-7, 340-pound Adams played 12 seasons with Dallas, but was cut last spring before receiving a $2.5 million roster bonus. He worked out with the Steelers last month. Two years ago, Adams signed a six-year contract with Dallas that guaranteed him about $15 million.
The NFL Network first reported the Adams deal.
Falcons agree to terms with Weatherspoon
ATLANTA (AP) — First-round draft pick Sean Weatherspoon has reported for training camp after reaching an agreement on a contract with the Atlanta Falcons.
The team confirmed Weatherspoon, a linebacker from Missouri, has agreed to terms on a five-year contract. Terms were not immediately available.
Weatherspoon reported on Thursday for Friday's start of training camp.
This is the third straight year under general manager Thomas Dimitroff the Falcons have had all their draft picks signed before the start of training camp.
Weatherspoon was the No. 19 overall pick in the NFL draft. He is expected to compete for a starting job at outside linebacker.
Weatherspoon's agent, David Dunn, did not immediately return a phone call to The Associated Press.
-- Charles Odum
Vikings work to have whole draft class for camp
MANKATO, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings were close to getting all their rookies under contract before training camp.
The Vikings reported on their website Thursday that four more of their draft picks have formally signed: second-round cornerback Chris Cook, fourth-round defensive end Everson Griffen, fifth-round offensive lineman Chris DeGeare and seventh-round tight end Mickey Shuler. That left running back Toby Gerhart, their other second-rounder, as the only rookie yet to sign.
Players were required to report to Minnesota State University in Mankato by Thursday night, and the first practice is Friday afternoon.
Fifth-round linebacker Nate Triplett, sixth-round quarterback Joe Webb and seventh-round fullback Ryan D'Imperio had already signed prior to reporting day.
All of the draft picks have received standard four-year contracts, with Cook getting a deal worth up to $5.37 million including a $2.3 million signing bonus.
Colts sign another 7th-round draft choice
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts have signed defensive tackle Ricardo Mathews to a four-year deal worth $1.83 million.
Mathews' agent, David Lee, announced the signing on Twitter.
Mathews was the last of the Colts' three seventh-round draft choices to sign and is one of five draft picks the Colts have signed this week. The others are guard Jacques McClendon, tight end Brody Eldridge, linebacker Kavell Conner and cornerback Ray Fisher.
Three draft choices including first-round pick Jerry Hughes and second-round pick Pat Angerer haven't agreed to deals yet.
Third-round pick Kevin Thomas injured his right knee during rookie mini-camp and is expected to miss the entire season.
Players are scheduled to report to training camp Sunday in Anderson.
Seahawks rookies report, minus 2 top picks
SEATTLE (AP) — Seahawks top picks Russell Okung and Earl Thomas remained unsigned as Seattle's rookies reported to training camp.
Yet their agents remain hopeful Thursday night that both will be on the field for Seattle's first preseason practice on Saturday.
Peter Schaffer represents Okung, the sixth-overall pick and replacement for retired left tackle Walter Jones. Schaffer told The Associated Press on Wednesday he has been working every day for two weeks to get Okung at practice on Saturday.
And Andrew Kessler, the agent for 14th-overall pick Thomas, said earlier Thursday "we are making progress."
-- Gregg Bell
Eagles sign Brandon Graham
BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) — The Philadelphia Eagles and first-round pick Brandon Graham have agreed on a five-year contract.
Graham was the team's last remaining unsigned draft pick. The deal was announced late Thursday night. The Eagles hold their first practice on Friday afternoon.
A defensive end from Michigan, Graham was selected with the 13th overall pick. Philadelphia sent its first-round pick (24th overall) and a pair of third-round selections (Nos. 70 and 87) to Denver to move up and take Graham.
Bucs sign draft pick Cody Grimm
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Seventh-round draft pick Cody Grimm has agreed to a four-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The son of Arizona Cardinals assistant head coach and former Washington Redskins guard Russ Grimm was the first of Tampa Bay's three seventh-round selections.
Grimm was an All-Atlantic Coast Conference linebacker at Virginia Tech last season, however the Bucs intend to use Grimm as a safety. To make room on the roster, undrafted free-agent safety Dennis Rogan was released Thursday.
Player Moves
Jets place RB McKnight on non-football injury list
NEW YORK (AP) — Jets rookie running back Joe McKnight failed his conditioning run Thursday and was placed on the active non-football injury list.
The Jets also placed backup quarterback Erik Ainge on the reserve-non football injury list with an undisclosed illness. He won't count against the team's 80-player roster limit for training camp.
McKnight, the team's fourth-round pick out of Southern California, struggled with his conditioning during rookie minicamp in May — sitting out a few plays while vomiting on the field. He vowed to get in better shape, and appeared to be fine in minicamp last month.
He is still part of the 80-man roster, but can't practice with the team until he passes the conditioning test.
New York traded two picks to Carolina to move up to take McKnight. His presence made Leon Washington expendable, and the Jets dealt the former Pro Bowl kick returner to Seattle.
Ainge is competing with Kellen Clemens, Mark Brunell and Kevin O'Connell for a backup spot behind starter Mark Sanchez. A preseason standout the last two summers, Ainge has had his share of issues since being drafted in the fifth round out of Tennessee two years ago.
His rookie season was a wash after he hurt his right foot and was placed on injured reserve midway through the year. Then came a four-game suspension for violating the league's policy on steroids and related substances.
Ainge also missed part of the team's voluntary workouts last year for personal reasons. It's uncertain when Ainge might return to the team.
The Jets also signed safety Emanuel Cook, who was with the team last summer before being cut and later signed to Tampa Bay's practice squad. New York also waived linebacker Ezra Butler.
-- Dennis Waszak Jr.
Bills place DE Schobel on 'Did Not Report' list
PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Bills are opening training camp with Aaron Schobel on the Reserve/Did Not Report list while the veteran defensive end contemplates retirement.
The move was announced Thursday, shortly before the team's first practice in suburban Rochester. Schobel did not report for the start of camp and has missed all of the team's offseason practices.
Earlier this week, the nine-year NFL veteran says he's leaning toward playing, but won't make a decision until mid-August.
The Bills are holding the door open in the event Schobel decides to play.
The team also placed safety Jon Corto (broken wrist) and linebacker Nic Harris (knee) on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list. They can be activated for practice once healthy.
Bills LB Kelsay hurts shoulder on 1st day of camp
PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills veteran linebacker Chris Kelsay will be out indefinitely after injuring his right shoulder on the first day of training camp.
Without providing any details of the injury, coach Chan Gailey says Kelsay "will be out a little while," but didn't know for how long.
Kelsay was hurt midway through practice Thursday afternoon, when he left the field and had his shoulder immediately wrapped in ice. Kelsay wouldn't divulge the nature of the injury as he walked off the field following the session in suburban Rochester.
An eight-year NFL veteran, Kelsay is projected to start at outside linebacker in making the move from defensive end as the Bills make the switch to a 3-4 defensive scheme this season.
Chiefs TE Cottam on unable to perform list
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs have placed tight end Brad Cottam on the reserve/physically unable to perform list.
The team did not explain the move in making the announcement Thursday.
The 6-foot-7, 269-pound Cottam has played in 24 games with eight starts for Kansas City over the past two seasons, catching 16 passes for 183 yards.
Cottam was drafted in the third round by the Chiefs in 2008.
