Football Capsules: Cowboys give WR Miles Austin first and third-round tender
IRVING — The Dallas Cowboys gave restricted free agent Miles Austin the highest possible tender offer Thursday, requiring any team that signs the Pro Bowl receiver to give up a first- and third-round pick as compensation.
The move, which was expected, likely means Austin will return to Dallas next season. He’s essentially been offered a one-year deal for $3.168 million, but team owner Jerry Jones has said he’ll consider giving Austin a longer, more lucrative contract.
The Cowboys made tender offers to 11 of their restricted free agents and signed another to a one-year deal. The only player left out: kicker Shaun Suisham, who struggled after replacing Nick Folk late in the season.
The only other restricted free agent Dallas gave a first-round tender offer was defensive tackle Marcus Spears. However, his was at the "original draft choice" level, which is for less salary and a second-round compensation if he signs elsewhere.
Six players received second-round tenders: safety Gerald Sensabaugh, defensive ends Stephen Bowen and Jason Hatcher, nose tackle Junior Siavii, receiver Sam Hurd and center Cory Procter.
The rest of the tenders were to center Duke Preston (fourth round), safety Pat Watkins (fifth) and offensive tackle Pat McQuistan (seventh). Those three, and Siavii, were all tendered at the "original draft choice" level.
Cornerback Cletis Gordon wasn’t tendered, but re-signed for one year.
Dallas also has two exclusive rights free agents (defensive back Alan Ball and linebacker Steve Octavien).
The club’s only unrestricted free agent is guard Montrae Holland.Lions tender offers to 7 restricted free agents.
Colts tender two safeties, still working on Brackett
INDIANAPOLIS — The midnight deadline passed without a deal between the Colts and Gary Brackett.
Indy still hopes its defensive captain will be staying home next season.
Despite failing to complete a deal with the Colts before Brackett officially hit the free agent market, agent Brian Mackler and the Colts braintrust were continuing to negotiate — increasing the possibility that the two sides could still reach a deal.
Mackler told The Associated Press in an e-mail, about 2½ hours before the deadline, that the two sides were "working on it." After midnight, he said there was nothing new to report.
But it was an extremely busy day for the defending AFC champs.
They made second-round tenders to safety Melvin Bullitt and left tackle Charlie Johnson and made a first-round tender to two-time Pro Bowl safety Antoine Bethea.
Indy also declined to offer tenders to former first-round pick Marlin Jackson, cornerback Tim Jennings, safety Aaron Francisco and offensive lineman Dan Federkeil. By not making tenders, those four players now become unrestricted free agents and the Colts would not receive compensation if they sign with another team.
Team spokesman Craig Kelley said during the day that the Colts did not expect to make any comments about the moves.
While negotiations with Brackett stole the headlines, the Colts were also trying to figure out how best to make another Super Bowl run.
It started by making a play for Bullitt and Bethea, last season’s two starting safeties.
Bullitt has become an increasingly vital cog in the Colts defense, replacing the oft-injured Bob Sanders. In 2008, Bullitt made two interceptions to seal victories and last year, with Sanders unable to play in 14 games, Bullitt wound up fifth on the team with 72 tackles. He also made the fourth-down stop against New England that gave Peyton Manning a chance to rally the Colts in the final two minutes. Agent Leonard Roth confirmed the offer in an e-mail.
Earlier in the day, ESPN.com reported Bethea had been given a first-round tender, a little more than a month after he was selected to play in his second Pro Bowl. Bethea has been a starter since his rookie season in 2006.
The Indianapolis Star also reported that Charlie Johnson, a versatile offensive lineman who replaced Tony Ugoh at left tackle before the start of the season, had been offered a second-round tender.
Rodney Williams, Johnson’s agent, and Adisa Bakari, Bethea’s agent, did not respond to repeated phone messages or -e-mails.
Agents for Jennings, Francisco and Federkeil all confirmed their clients had not been offered contracts.
The strangest twist came when versatile defensive lineman Raheem Brock wrote on his Twitter account that he had played his final game with the Colts.
"It’s been real Indy," Brock wrote.
Brock’s agent, Kevin Pompey, could not confirm the Colts had made a move with Brock.
Jackson was Indy’s first-round pick in 2005 and the Colts debated whether he was better suited to playing cornerback or safety before finally settling on using him at cornerback. In 2008, though, Jackson missed the second half of the season after tearing the ACL in his right knee. He returned in 2009, mostly in nickel situations, before tearing the ACL in his left knee during a November practice.
Jennings played primarily in nickel packages last season and was ninth on the team with 51 tackles. Francisco played primarily on special teams after being claimed off waivers from Arizona in September. Federkeil has been a backup but finished last season on injured reserve after he sustained a concussion.
The Colts also did not offer kicker Matt Stover, who replaced the injured Adam Vinatieri in October, a new contract. Stover and Brackett were the only two Colts players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents.
Indy had five other restricted free agents, including starting defensive tackles Dan Muir and Antonio Johnson, whose status was not known.
-- Michael Marot
Panthers cut Delhomme in change of guard at QB
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers cut Jake Delhomme late Thursday, just over a year after they gave him a lucrative contract extension only to watch him have his worst season as a pro.
Delhomme’s agent, Rick Smith, confirmed the move and said Delhomme would wait until Friday to talk to reporters. It signals the Panthers intend to go with Matt Moore or someone new at quarterback for the first time since Delhomme burst onto the scene in 2003 and led Carolina to the Super Bowl.
General manager Marty Hurney didn’t respond to numerous messages seeking comment.
The Panthers also released veteran defensive tackle Damione Lewis on Thursday in a move that sheds another $5 million in payroll after the decision not to place the franchise tag on defensive end Julius Peppers.
Cutting Delhomme, however, is a major about-face for the organization.
Despite committing six turnovers in a playoff loss to Arizona to end the 2008 season, Hurney and coach John Fox were so committed to Delhomme they gave him a new deal in which he’s still owed more than $12.5 million in guaranteed money.
Delhomme had no legitimate competition in training camp, but then had a miserable 2009 season. It started with another six-turnover performance in a season-opening loss to Philadelphia, and he had a career-high 18 interceptions before being sidelined with a broken finger.
Moore came on and had eight touchdown passes and only two interceptions as Carolina won four of its final five games. The Panthers on Wednesday gave Moore the highest restricted free-agent tender of $3.043 million for one season.
Now the 35-year-old Delhomme is out of work, ending his career in Carolina with a 58-40 record as a starter that included a trip to the Super Bowl and an appearance in the NFC championship game after the 2005 season.
Delhomme holds almost every team passing record, but cutting him in a season without a salary cap will save some of the hit his contract will have in future years should the cap return.
Finances also played a decision for Lewis, who was let go a week after the Panthers sided against giving Peppers more than $20 million with the franchise tag.
"My cap number was a little high, about $5 million. Anything can happen in that situation," Lewis said. "With all of this stuff going with the CBA, I tried to be realistic. But I thought it was possible."
The 32-year-old Lewis had 41 tackles and a half sack in 16 starts last season as he played with numerous other tackles in Carolina’s banged-up line. Lewis had 48 tackles and 3½ sacks in 2008, the first year he replaced Kris Jenkins as a starter.
Lewis was signed to a contract extension before the 2008 season, but the deal was restructured last offseason to clear salary-cap space. There was a clause that called for the contract to revert to its old terms if a large bonus wasn’t paid this spring. Lewis would have been due $4 million this season and a $1 million roster bonus.
"Coach Fox said it was more of an economic deal. He said it wasn’t about the way I played," Lewis said. "I feel like I had a good season. The only thing I didn’t do was that my sack numbers were down."
The move leaves Carolina with no starters from the line that ended last season. Peppers, Tyler Brayton and Hollis Thomas are unrestricted free agents.
It points to Carolina turning to young players despite there being no salary cap next season in the final year of the collective bargaining agreement.
The Panthers offered tenders to restricted free agents Louis Leonard and Tank Tyler on Wednesday, and signed fellow defensive tackle Ed Johnson last month. They also have high hopes for defensive ends Everette Brown and Charles Johnson.
The Panthers will also likely need to sign or draft a quarterback to go with Moore. But while Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick said on an Atlanta radio station this week that he’d like to play for the Panthers, the team never considered him before last season. Owner Jerry Richardson has shied away from acquiring players with a history of off-field trouble.
-- Mike Cranston
Jets reach agreement with Chargers for Cromartie
NEW YORK — It just got a lot tougher to throw against the New York Jets.
A few hours before the NFL’s free agency period began, the Jets improved their secondary in a big way by agreeing in principle with the San Diego Chargers to acquire talented but troubled cornerback Antonio Cromartie on Thursday night.
The Jets confirmed the deal, but didn’t release specifics — although it is believed to be for a draft pick in 2011.
Cromartie was an All-Pro in 2007 and will team with Darrelle Revis in the Jets’ secondary, making them possibly the best cornerback tandem in the NFL. Cromartie replaces Lito Sheppard, who was released earlier in the day after one disappointing season.
It could be a welcome change for Cromartie, who has struggled the last two seasons. He has 15 interceptions in four seasons since being the 19th overall pick out of Florida State in 2006, but the Chargers were dissatisfied with Cromartie’s performance late last season and in the playoffs. General manager A.J. Smith made it clear he would try to trade him.
One of Cromartie’s low moments actually came against his new team in the playoffs in January. Cromartie froze as Jets running back Shonn Greene hit the hole at the start of a 53-yard touchdown run that gave New York a 10-point lead midway through the fourth quarter of a 17-14 win in the AFC divisional round. Cromartie eventually caught up to Greene and gave him a shove well after he’d crossed the goal line — but he had already drawn the ire of fans and apparently the Chargers.
The 25-year-old Cromartie also has had his share of legal troubles. He has dealt with at least five paternity suits; he has fathered seven children by several woman. Cromartie also had a bar patron claim that he hit him in the head with a champagne bottle hours after the team’s victory at Denver last November. San Diego police later said there was not enough evidence to prove the claim.
He was also disciplined by coach Norv Turner for breaking team rules regarding tweeting from the team premises.
Despite the issues both on and off the field, Cromartie gives Jets coach Rex Ryan an athletic player with loads of potential.
In his second season in 2007, Cromartie set the Chargers’ franchise record with an NFL-leading 10 interceptions, and added two more picks in the playoffs as San Diego made it to the AFC championship game. He also was credited earlier in the season with the longest play in NFL history when he returned a missed field goal by Minnesota 109 yards for a touchdown.
He boasted the next season that he wanted to break the NFL record for interceptions with 14, but had just two while playing throughout the year with a hip injury. Cromartie had three interceptions last season.
-- Dennis Waszak Jr.
Jets tender WR Edwards, 7 other restricted FAs
NEW YORK — The New York Jets placed a first- and-third round tender on wide receiver Braylon Edwards, and tendered seven other restricted free agents Thursday.
Edwards, acquired from Cleveland in a trade last October, is likely to remain with the Jets after being tendered at the highest possible level. He had 35 catches for 541 yards and four scores in the regular season for New York.
Running back-kick returner Leon Washington and wide receiver Brad Smith received second-round tenders although both were fourth-round draft picks.
Washington, a Pro Bowl kick returner in 2008, is coming off a broken right leg suffered in Week 7 that sidelined him the rest of the season. He’s expected to be ready for this season and could be an attractive option for a team looking for a speedy presence in the backfield.
Smith was one of the Jets’ top special team players and a versatile presence on the offense, lining up at quarterback and running back along with wide receiver.
Backup quarterback Kellen Clemens received an original-round tender (second). But because the Jets used second-round tenders — higher than their draft position — on Washington and Smith, they would instead receive a third-rounder if another team signs him.
Original tenders were placed on safety Eric Smith (third), offensive tackle Wayne Hunter (third) and cornerback Drew Coleman (sixth). The Jets also have the right of first refusal on safety James Ihedigbo, who was undrafted.
New York did not tender wide receiver and special-teams ace Wallace Wright, linebacker Marques Murrell or defensive tackle Howard Green, making them free agents.
The Jets announced this week they would release running back Thomas Jones when the free agency period begins Friday. New York also released cornerback Lito Sheppard, who had a disappointing season after being acquired from Philadelphia last offseason and was due a $10 million roster bonus.
-- Dennis Waszak Jr.
Jets release CB Sheppard after 1 season
NEW YORK — The New York Jets released cornerback Lito Sheppard on Thursday after one disappointing and injury-plagued season.
The move was expected since Sheppard was due a $10 million roster bonus.
Sheppard was acquired last offseason in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles to play opposite Darrelle Revis in the secondary, but started just nine games because of quadriceps injuries and inconsistent play. He ended up costing the Jets a fourth-round draft pick this year.
The clearest sign that Sheppard’s time with the Jets was done was when he was benched in favor of second-year cornerback Dwight Lowery in the AFC championship game against Indianapolis.
A former first-round pick of the Eagles in 2002, Sheppard had 30 tackles, one interception and nine passes defensed in 11 regular-season games with the Jets.
With Sheppard gone, the Jets are expected to target a cornerback through a trade or with the 29th pick in the draft next month.
Sheppard is the second big-name player to be released by the Jets this offseason. New York announced earlier in the week it would cut ties with running back Thomas Jones when the NFL’s free agency period starts Friday. Jones, who ran for a career-high 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns, was due a $3 million roster bonus on top of a $2.8 million base salary.
-- Dennis Waszak Jr.
Chargers keep Sproles, release DT Williams
SAN DIEGO — Speedy little Darren Sproles is staying with the San Diego Chargers, after all.
The Chargers placed the maximum first- and third-round tender on Sproles on Thursday, one of two surprise moves in the hours before free agency began.
The Chargers also released tackle Jamal Williams, a 12-year veteran who has been the run-stuffing anchor of the defensive line. Williams sustained an arm injury in the 2009 season opener and missed the rest of the year. He’ll turn 34 next month and also has a history of knee injuries.
Williams had been one of just two players left from Bobby Beathard’s tenure as general manager. Beathard, who retired in 2000, picked Williams in the second round of the 1998 supplemental draft.
Sproles was offered a contract for $7,283,000. If the five-year veteran signs an offer sheet with another team, San Diego would have the right to match the offer or receive first- and third-round draft picks as compensation for losing him.
Six days earlier, word made its way around the NFL that the Chargers informed Sproles’ agent, Gary Wichard, that they didn’t intend to tender the running back.
"We talked about either-or scenarios, and I think what happens when you have those conversations is that they end up going to the agents and they end up going to the media and then somehow it gets twisted and it goes in different directions," Chargers general manager A.J. Smith said.
"We decided that in the best interests of the Chargers, that this is what we’re going to do."
Said Wichard: "I know they always wanted Darren back and we’ve talked about that. It gives us an opportunity to continue to talk about the long-term deal both sides want. I think they realize there’s tremendous interest in Darren out there."
The sides didn’t make progress on a long-term deal last offseason after Sproles was made the franchise player, a designation that earned him $6.6 million.
There might be more impetus to get a deal done this year, now that LaDainian Tomlinson is gone. He was released last week after nine brilliant seasons in which he reached eighth on the NFL’s career rushing list with 12,490 yards.
"We’d like for him to be here long-term, like last year, but I don’t know where that goes," Smith said.
The Chargers, whose season ended with a shocking playoff loss to the New York Jets, still don’t view Sproles as an every-down back. And with backup Michael Bennett being released Thursday, they need running backs.
"Bottom line, there’s some new running backs coming in here, and we’re going to do the best we can to get some folks in here," Smith said.
The Chargers have always valued Sproles as a multiple threat who can play running back, catch passes out of the backfield and return punts and kickoffs.
Sproles was second to Tomlinson last year with 343 yards and three touchdowns on 93 carries, an average of 3.7 yards per carry. He was fourth with 45 catches for 497 yards and four TDs. He was also the primary kickoff and punt returner and scored on a punt return.
"None of that has changed," Smith said. "There might be some games he’ll have a different, heavier load, and that would be up to the coaches, depending on the opponent. But no, the role is the same for him. It’s why we got him in the draft and how we’ve utilized him."
The Chargers also made first-and third-round tenders to outside linebacker Shawne Merriman ($3,269,000), left tackle Marcus McNeill ($3,168,000) and wide receivers Malcom Floyd ($3,168,000) and Vincent Jackson ($3,268,000).
Merriman’s original five-year contract is expiring. But because next season is an uncapped year, he would have needed six seasons to become an unrestricted free agent.
"No, I don’t like the situation but I’m along with 212 players," Merriman said in an e-mail, referring to the number of players impacted by the uncapped year. "I just want to get on with playing football because that’s the only thing that matters."
Jackson is a Pro Bowler coming off his second straight 1,000-yard season. He recently pleaded guilty to his second DUI since joining the NFL and likely will face at least a one-game suspension by the league next season.
"We’re monitoring that situation and we’re aware of all those things with Vincent," Smith said.
Smith said releasing Williams "was just a difficult decision. We’re making them all the time here."
Notes: Of the Chargers’ seven unrestricted free agents, tackle Jon Runyan, center-guard Dennis Norman and special teams ace Kassim Osgood definitely won’t be back, Smith said. ... Other restricted free agents tendered were DE Travis Johnson, first round, $1,226,000; T Jeromey Clary, second-round, $1,684,000; third-string QB Charlie Whitehurst, third round, $1,176,000; and LB Tim Dobbins, fifth-round, $1,176,000. ... Of the 10 Chargers who either had or will have surgery, LB Kevin Burnett (neck) is listed as having a three-to-five-month rehab.
-- Bernie Wilson
Safety Pool not among six tendered by Browns
CLEVELAND — Brodney Pool’s fifth season with the Cleveland Browns was ended prematurely by a concussion. It doesn’t appear he’ll get a sixth one.
The safety, whose NFL career has been threatened by a series of head injuries, was not given a second-round tender by the club on Thursday, making him an unrestricted free agent.
The Browns did give second-round tenders, a guaranteed $1.75 million salary for next season, to running back Jerome Harrison, linebackers D’Qwell Jackson, Matt Roth and Jason Trusnik, safety Abram Elam and fullback Lawrence Vickers. Those players can sign offer sheets with other teams, but the Browns would have seven days to match the offer or they’ll receive a second-round draft pick as compensation.
Pool, a second-round pick in 2005, missed Cleveland’s final five games in 2009 after sustaining at least his fourth known concussion. The easygoing 25-year-old made 10 starts before getting hurt.
While the Browns prepared for the opening of free agency, Pro Bowl return specialist Josh Cribbs, who has been trying to get the club to give him a new contract, announced he will be having a press conference on Friday.
Cribbs plans to address the media before an appearance at the Cleveland Auto Show. A statement sent out by his marketing representative said Cribbs would "make a major announcement."
"It’s not very often that fans get to hear an announcement from a player in person," Cribbs said in the statement. "And, it’s even more unlikely that they’re given a chance to speak to that player right after that announcement has been made."
A Browns spokesman said the team is not involved with Cribbs’ announcement.
Cribbs’ agent, J.R. Rickert, said in an e-mail response that he does know what Cribbs plans to announce.
Since the end of the 2008 season, Cribbs has been asking the Browns to restructure the six-year, $6.7 million contract he signed in 2006. Cribbs, who holds the NFL record with eight kickoff returns for touchdowns, wants more guaranteed money and has often referred to the four-year, $40 million extension Devin Hester got from the Chicago Bears.
Cribbs has threatened to hold out in the past but continued to play. He has become Cleveland’s most popular player with many fans siding with him in his bid to get more money.
When last season ended, Cribbs and his representatives were irate over a proposal made by the club’s previous management regime. At one point, Cribbs said it was "unlikely" that he would play another game for the Browns.
However, new president Mike Holmgren expressed his intent to keep Cribbs and the sides have had productive talks in recent weeks.
-- Tom Withers
Saints to release DE Grant
NEW ORLEANS — Charles Grant, a starting defensive end for most of the New Orleans Saints’ first championship season, will be released by the only club for which he’s played in his eight-year career.
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis announced on Thursday that Grant would be released when free agency begins on Friday.
Loomis also announced that the Saints had released reserve offensive lineman Jamar Nesbit and linebacker Mark Simoneau. Simoneau, 33, has missed the past two seasons with injuries.
Grant, 31, was drafted out of Georgia in 2002, one of New Orleans’ two first-round choices that year.
He is eighth on the Saints’ career sack list with 47 and has started 106 games. He’s also had one interception, 14 forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries.
He started all 16 regular season games in 2009 and was credited with 53 tackles and 5½ sacks. However, he tore his triceps in the last game of the regular season, a game with no playoff implications. He then sat out the playoffs as the Saints advanced and won their first Super Bowl.
It marked the second straight season Grant had ended a season on injured reserve for a torn triceps.
Grant would have been due about $4 million in base salary for the 2010 season. Also still looming is the four-game suspension he received in 2008 for testing positive for the banned diuretic bumetanide. That suspension has yet to be enforced because an appeal in Minnesota state court involving Vikings players Kevin Williams and Pat Williams, who are not related.
Bumetanide is banned because it can be used to mask steroid use.
In between the 2007 and 2008 seasons, Grant was stabbed in the neck during a melee outside a bar in Blakely, Ga., during which a 23-year-old pregnant woman was fatally shot.
Releasing Grant could make the Saints a player in the free-agent market for another defensive end. During the playoffs, Will Smith and Bobby McCray were the Saints’ starting defensive ends.
Simoneau spent four seasons with the Saints, starting 30 of 32 games in which he played. During the 2006 and 2007 seasons, he made 170 tackles with three sacks and an interception. A back injury sidelined the veteran for 2008 and a torn triceps during training camp ended his 2009 season.
Nesbit, an 11-year veteran, joined the Saints as a free agent in 2004 and started 35 consecutive regular-season games at left guard from 2006-08, plus two playoff games after the 2006 season. He lost his starting job to Carl Nicks in 2008 when he chose to serve a four-game suspension for the same bumetanide-related violation that Grant, Smith and since-retired running back Deuce McAllister all appealed.
Nesbit, 33, played in 13 games this past season, mostly on special teams.
-- Brett Martel
Retiring Chris Samuels discusses spinal condition
ASHBURN, Va. — Chris Samuels collided head-to-head with Simeon Rice and went totally numb.
"I lost power in my upper body and my lower body," Samuels said. "I got up off the ground and actually fell again. ... Thinking back over it, I was probably a little bit crazy going back out there."
That wasn’t in 2009. It was in 2000, Samuels’ rookie year.
When the Washington Redskins’ six-time Pro Bowl left tackle formally announced his retirement Thursday, he revealed that he played his entire NFL career knowing he had a spinal condition that put him at risk of paralysis with every blow to the head.
"I think one or two years, it seemed to be like a fear that was coming over me before the games," Samuels said. "But once I prayed about it and stepped out there on the field, and after the first hit, I would be fine."
Samuels lost feeling several times after hits during his career, and the final blow came Oct. 11 when he banged heads with a defensive player in a game against the Carolina Panthers. His upper body went limp. When the doctor who had told him before that it was OK to keep playing looked at the X-rays this time, he said it was time to quit. A follow-up exam a few weeks ago yielded the same result.
"A lot of people, they’ve been praying for me to receive a miracle," Samuels said at a news conference attended by his parents, girlfriend and several teammates. "But they really don’t realize that I received my miracle when I got up off the field in North Carolina. ... It’s going to be hard to walk away from the game I love, but it’s the best thing for me and my family."
Samuels was one of the few steady forces in a frenetic, mostly losing decade for the Redskins. The No. 3 overall draft pick from Alabama in 2000, he was a starter from the first game of his rookie season and a Pro Bowl selection in 2001-02 and 2005-08. He also stayed out of trouble, kept his ego in check and became a team captain. His retirement leaves a gaping hole that will be hard to fill.
"He doesn’t look at himself as being special," said Jimmy Sexton, Samuels’ agent, "like a lot of these guys that have played 10 years in the league."
Samuels first learned of his condition, called stenosis, when he went numb and was hospitalized after a hit during a high school game. Some doctors told him then and there he shouldn’t play the sport again. Others told him he would make it through six or seven years in the NFL, at most.
"Mentally, I’ve been preparing for this for a long time," Samuels said, "so don’t you guys feel sorry for me."
Samuels said he wants to coach and has accepted a minority internship to work with the Redskins coaching staff during the offseason. Those are long hours compared to the idle life he could lead as a millionaire many times over.
"If I can suck it up and go out there with a bad knee, a hurt neck, I know I can sit behind some TV and watch and drink coffee for a few extra hours," Samuels said. "I’m 32 years old. I’ve got to do something. I can’t sit around the house all day."
-- Joseph White
Favre says he hasn’t decided about playing again
MINNEAPOLIS — Brett Favre said Thursday he still hasn’t decided whether he’ll play again next season — and doesn’t expect to make an announcement anytime soon.
Appearing on NBC’s "The Tonight Show" on Thursday night, the Minnesota Vikings quarterback politely demurred when host Jay Leno asked for his thoughts on returning for 2010.
"Well Jay, it’s only been a month, and I know now that I’m just not going to say anything anytime soon, just going to kind of sit back, relax, enjoy the offseason," Favre said in his first public comments since Minnesota’s bitter overtime loss in the NFC championship at New Orleans on Jan. 24.
Favre is the NFL’s career leader in nearly every major passing category and a three-time league MVP. The former Green Bay Packer had one of his best seasons ever after doing what was once unfathomable: deciding to play for his former bitter rival in Minnesota. The Vikings were rewarded with 33 touchdowns and the lowest interception rate of Favre’s career.
But Minnesota’s loss at New Orleans left the 40-year-old battered. He said afterward that his decision probably wouldn’t take months and that his main concern was whether his body could hold up for another season.
Asked if that defeat still upsets him, Favre told Leno: "I think it will for a long time."
But he put a positive spin on his season with the Vikings.
"Obviously had we gone to the Super Bowl that would have been the icing on the cake, but it was way better than even I could have dreamed of," he said. "I’ve told people I really believe my biggest accomplishment this year was winning over the majority of the Vikings’ fans. For so many years I was hated."
Favre changed his mind about retirement in both 2008 and 2009, joining the Vikings last August.
Last week at the NFL scouting combine, Vikings officials reiterated their willingness to wait for Favre to make up his mind even if that muddies their plans for the quarterback position.
"I’m not going to put him in any box," coach Brad Childress said last Friday. "Four weeks and change, he’s still healing up from that game. He’s kind of earned that latitude."
S Scott agrees to 2-year deal to return to Bills
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Safety Bryan Scott agreed to a two-year contract to re-sign with the Buffalo Bills on Thursday and avoid becoming a free agent.
Scott’s agent, Edward Johnson, said the two sides are still completing the final details of the deal, which was reached prior to the start of the NFL’s free agency period, which opens on Friday. Scott is a seven-year NFL veteran, and proved to be a valuable role player on an injury-depleted defense last season, his third with the Bills.
Scott opened the season as the team’s starting strong safety, before missing five games with a sprained left ankle. He then started six games at weak-side linebacker, filling in after a rash of injuries hit the team’s linebackers. Scott, however, missed the final two games after sustaining a head injury.
Earlier on Thursday, the Bills tendered contract offers, retaining the rights to four players, including linebacker Keith Ellison, who missed the final eight games last season with a quadriceps injury. Safety George Wilson, cornerback Ashton Youboty and tight end Derek Schouman were also tendered offers.
Not tendered offers were offensive linemen Richie Incognito and Jonathan Scott, tight end Joe Klopfenstein and reserve quarterback Gibran Hamdan. The four are eligible to become free agents.
The Bills acquired Incognito in December, after he was waived by St. Louis. Incognito started the final three games at right guard after rookie Eric Wood broke his leg.
Jonathan Scott started six games at left tackle and two at right tackle, filling in on a line that was undone by injuries.
-- John Wawrow
Cards drop S Rolle, tender offer to WR Breaston
TEMPE, Ariz. — The Arizona Cardinals have released starting safety Antrel Rolle.
Thursday’s move had been expected because the Cardinals wanted to avoid paying him the $4 million roster bonus and $8 million salary he is due.
General manager Rod Graves has indicated the team would be interested in re-signing Rolle. The team also has lost starting inside linebacker Karlos Dansby, who became an unrestricted free agent after being given the franchise tag the past two years.
In addition, Arizona tendered one-year qualifying contract offers to five players — wide receiver Steve Breaston, guard Deuce Lutui, center Lyle Sendlein, tight end Ben Patrick and nose tackle Gabe Watson.
Rolle was Arizona’s first-round pick, the eighth selection overall, out of Miami in 2005. He began his pro career as a cornerback but had most of his success after being switched to safety in 2008.
In 68 regular-season games, 59 as a starter, Rolle had 12 interceptions, four forced fumbles and 1½ sacks. In six postseason games, Rolle had an interception and a fumble recovery.
Breaston received a first-round tender, which means that if another team makes an offer that Arizona decides not to match, the Cardinals would get a first-round draft pick as compensation. The other four players got second-round tenders, which gives Arizona the option of matching any offer or receiving a second-round draft pick from that team as compensation.
The two-time NFC West champions had a number of personnel issues to resolve as free agency approached. Starting left tackle Mike Gandy is a free agent and Matt Leinart is the lone quarterback under contract.
The Cardinals historically have not gone for a big name in free agency, opting instead to spread their money around.
NFL loses bid to move doping case to federal court
MINNEAPOLIS — The NFL has lost a last-minute bid to have a federal court hear lawsuits by two Minnesota Vikings facing suspension for using a banned substance.
U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson on Thursday denied the league’s request to move the lawsuits filed by defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams out of state court, where a trial is to begin Monday.
In his order, Magnuson said the NFL’s request "seems calculated only to avoid trial" and "borders on abuse of process."
The Williamses — who are not related — tested positive in 2008 for the banned substance bumetanide, a diuretic that can mask the presence of steroids. They are not accused of taking steroids. They sued the NFL, arguing the league’s testing violated Minnesota labor law.
Last May, Magnuson sent claims involving Minnesota law back to state court. An NFL attorney didn’t immediately return a call.
Giants make 12 roster moves on eve of free agency
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants have tendered one-year contracts to nine restricted free agents on the eve of free agency.
The Giants announced on Thursday that defensive linemen Barry Cofield and Dave Tollefson, offensive linemen Guy Whimper and Kevin Boothe, receivers Domenik Hixon, Sinorice Moss and Derek Hagan, linebacker Gerris Wilkinson and safety C.C. Brown got the offers.
Cofield, Hixon and Tollefson received second-round tenders. Moss, Wilkinson, Hagan, Whimper and Boothe received an original round tender, and Brown received a right of first refusal tender.
If another club signs any of these players to an offer sheet, the Giants will have seven days to match that offer. If the Giants choose not to match, they will receive the appropriate compensation from the respective club.
The Giants also tendered one-year contracts to three exclusive rights players: running back D.J. Ware, tight end Scott Chandler and defensive back D.J. Johnson.
Lions tender offers to 7 restricted free agents
ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The Detroit Lions have made tender offers to seven of their nine restricted free agents shortly before the NFL’s free agency period begins.
The Lions offered deals Thursday to defensive end Jason Hunter, defensive backs Daniel Bullocks, Kevin Hobbs and Ko Simpson, and offensive linemen Dylan Gandy, Daniel Loper and Manny Ramirez.
Hunter’s $1.76 million tender was the highest, allowing Detroit to match another team’s offer or else receive a second-round draft choice. Bullocks, Gandy, Ramirez and Simpson received the second-lowest tender, giving the Lions first-rights refusal and a draft pick in the round in which they were drafted.
Detroit would receive no compensation for Hobbs and Loper if they sign elsewhere.
The Lions did not tender defensive end Copeland Bryan or linebacker Cody Spencer.
Titans offer tenders to 6 restricted free agents
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans have agreed to terms with long snapper Ken Amato and offered tenders to six restricted free agents, including defensive tackle Tony Brown and tight end Bo Scaife.
With free agency beginning at 12:01 a.m. Friday, linebacker Keith Bulluck, tight end Alge Crumpler, defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch and center Kevin Mawae are among eight Titans who will be unrestricted and able to sign with any team.
Brown’s agent has been talking with the Titans about a new contract, but the Titans tendered Brown a contract at a first-round level to make it pricey for any other team to sign him. They also gave Scaife and linebacker Stephen Tulloch first-round tenders.
Bengals tender 6 players, let 4 go
CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals tendered offers to six players, including linebacker Brandon Johnson, giving them the chance to match any offer in free agency.
Johnson started three times last season after Keith Rivers got hurt. The Bengals would get a second-round pick from any team that signs him.
The Bengals tendered draft-level offers to linebackers Abdul Hodge and Rashad Jeanty, cornerback David Jones, guard Evan Mathis and defensive end Frostee Rucker on Thursday. They would get a pick matching the player’s original round.
Defensive tackle Shaun Smith and tight ends Daniel Coats, J.P. Foschi and Matt Sherry weren’t tendered, allowing them to become free agents.
Bengals release veteran WR Laveranues Coles
CINCINNATI — The Bengals released receiver Laveranues Coles on Thursday, exactly one year after they signed him to a four-year deal hoping he could replace T.J. Houshmandzadeh.
Coles had only 43 catches for 514 yards and a touchdown last season, when the Bengals’ passing game was a big disappointment. The Bengals hoped that Coles could take over for Houshmandzadeh, their primary third-down receiver who left for Seattle.
Coles never settled into the offense, having two or fewer catches in nine regular season games. Getting another wide receiver and at least one tight end is Cincinnati’s offseason priority.
-- Joe Kay
49ers bring back Wilhelm on 1-year deal
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers have re-signed linebacker Matt Wilhelm to a one-year contract, keeping him from becoming an unrestricted free agent Thursday night.
Wilhelm joined the Niners, coming off an 8-8 season, on Oct. 19 after Jeff Ulbrich was placed on season-ending injured reserve because of a concussion.
The 29-year-old Wilhelm was in training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles last year before being released. He spent the 2003-08 seasons with San Diego, which let him go a week before their first full-squad practice of training camp in 2009.
Wilhelm has 258 tackles, six interceptions and two sacks while playing in 82 games with 22 starts during his seven-year NFL career. He was a fourth-round draft pick by the Chargers in 2003.
Redskins re-sign Rabach to 3-year, $12.3M deal
ASHBURN, Va. — Center Casey Rabach has agreed to a three-year, $12.3 million deal to re-sign with the Washington Redskins.
Rabach’s deal was settled Thursday night, hours before he was set to become a free agent.
The 32-year-old Rabach has played five seasons with the Redskins and previously spent four with the Baltimore Ravens.
His return adds some stability to an offensive line that will be looking to replace at least two starters next season. Left tackle Chris Samuels retired Thursday, and right guard Randy Thomas was cut.
-- Joseph White
Jaguars bring back DL Ellison, G Forney
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed defensive lineman Atiyyah Ellison and guard Kynan Forney to contracts.
Ellison was scheduled to become a restricted free agent Friday, and Forney was set to become an unrestricted free agent. Details of their contracts were not released.
Ellison, a third-year player the Jaguars signed off San Francisco’s practice squad in 2008, played in 15 games last season before injuring his knee at New England. He finished with 28 tackles and a sack.
Forney, entering his 10th season and second in Jacksonville, played in three games last year. He also has played for San Diego and Atlanta.
Buccaneers release Bidwell, 2 others
TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have released punters Josh Bidwell and Dirk Johnson and reserve cornerback Torrie Cox.
The moves Thursday came hours before the start of the NFL’s free agency period.
Bidwell spent six seasons with the Bucs after joining them as an unrestricted free agent in 2004.
Johnson appeared in 11 games last season, filling in for the injured Bidwell, who did not play after undergoing season-ending hip surgery.
Cox was a sixth-round draft pick of the Bucs in 2003. He played mostly on special teams.
CB Williams re-signs 1-year deal with Atlanta
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons have re-signed cornerback Brian Williams to a one-year contract.
Financial terms of the deal were not released Thursday.
Williams, an eight-year veteran who played from 2006-08 with Jacksonville, joined the Falcons last Sept. 6 and started five games at left cornerback before suffering a season-ending knee injury.
He finished with 23 tackles, one interception and two fumble recoveries.
The Falcons also announced that long snapper Mike Schneck has retired. Schneck spent 11 seasons in the NFL.
Patriots release TE Baker
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots have released tight end Chris Baker, who had 14 receptions and two touchdowns last season.
The team announced the move on Thursday.
New England signed the eight-year NFL veteran as a free agent in March 2009. He played in all 16 games last season, with seven starts. He had 142 receiving yards.
Baker has 159 career receptions for 1,746 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was a third-round draft pick by the New York Jets in 2002 from Michigan State.
Chiefs sign Vrabel to contract extension
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs say they’ve signed a contract extension with veteran linebacker Mike Vrabel.
No details were released on the deal announced Thursday. Vrabel would have become an unrestricted free agent Friday.
The 13-year veteran started 14 games for the Chiefs in 2009, with 65 tackles and two sacks. He was acquired in 2009 from the New England Patriots, where he won three Super Bowl rings and went to the Pro Bowl in 2007.
Seahawks to slightly raise season ticket prices
SEATTLE — The Seattle Seahawks are asking fans who are renewing season tickets to pay a little bit more in 2010 even though the team is coming off consecutive losing seasons.
The Seahawks recently sent season-ticket holders renewal information that asks for an average of a 3 percent increase in ticket prices over 2009. The largest per-seat renewal increase is $5 per game.
Seattle did not increase season-ticket prices in 2009, but did charge approximately 6,000 new season-ticket holders more for their seats.
In 2010, the team will have two levels of renewal pricing: one for those who held tickets before 2009 and those who bought season tickets for the first time last season.
Seattle continues to have a waiting list for season tickets that goes back to 2006, when the team capped season-ticket sales at 61,000.
College
Two freshmen listed as OSU backup QBs behind Weeden
STILLWATER, Okla. — Oklahoma State’s first spring football depth chart lists two freshmen as the Cowboys’ backup quarterbacks behind junior Brandon Weeden.
The depth chart released Thursday notes Weeden’s primary backup will be either redshirt freshman Clint Chelf or incoming freshman Johnny Deaton. Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said last month that Weeden would enter spring practice as the heir apparent to the departed Zac Robinson as starter.
Not listed on the depth chart is senior-to-be Alex Cate. Cate started in place of an injured Robinson last season against Colorado but didn’t complete a pass before giving way in the second half to Weeden, who led the Cowboys to a comeback win.
Oklahoma State will start spring practice on Monday.
USC hires longtime Fresno St. assistant Baxter
LOS ANGELES — Longtime Fresno State assistant coach John Baxter is leaving the Bulldogs to become Lane Kiffin’s associate head coach and special teams coordinator at Southern California.
Kiffin announced the latest addition to his coaching staff Thursday.
Baxter spent the last 13 seasons as Pat Hill’s right-hand man at Fresno State, coaching the Bulldogs’ perennially outstanding special-teams units and spending time as their tight ends and receivers coach. He also developed a nationally praised program to teach academic study skills to his players.
Kiffin still hasn’t hired an offensive coordinator nearly two months after he left Tennessee to return to USC.
DBs coach Martin named ND’s recruiting coordinator
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — New Notre Dame defensive backs coach Chuck Martin also will serve as the school’s recruiting coordinator, and defensive line coach Mike Elston will add duties of special teams coordinator.
Coach Brian Kelly says he selected Martin, the former Grand Valley State head coach, to coordinate recruiting because the pair have a shared philosophy. Kelly says Martin will do well because he is persistent and organized.
Elston worked with Kelly as special teams coordinator at Central Michigan and Cincinnati for the past four seasons. Kelly says he expects the Irish special teams to be well coached and aggressive.
