NFL Capsules: Deal for Marshall gives Dolphins a go-to guy

MIAMI — Bill Parcells, who knows a thing or two about talented, temperamental receivers, decided Brandon Marshall is worth the trouble.

Parcells and the Miami Dolphins also decided Marshall is worth two second-round draft picks, and perhaps even a contract extension making him one of the NFL’s best-paid pass catchers.

Miami acquired the high-maintenance Pro Bowl wideout Wednesday from the Denver Broncos for a second-round pick next week and another next year. He’s expected to soon sign the long-term deal he has been seeking for more than a year.

"It’s good to be here, man," Marshall said as he mingled with fans at the Miami Heat’s game against New Jersey.

Marshall fills the Dolphins’ most glaring need: a go-to guy who will loosen up defenses for their potentially potent ground game and young, strong-armed quarterback Chad Henne.

However, the former Central Florida star returns to the Sunshine State with plenty of issues. While he caught at least 100 passes each of the past three years and made the Pro Bowl the past two seasons, the Broncos were willing to part with Marshall because he became a chronic headache.

He has a history of domestic violence, clashed with coach Josh McDaniels and was summoned to the office of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

That didn’t dissuade Parcells, who had mixed results working with headline-making receivers Terry Glenn in New England, Keyshawn Johnson in New York and Terrell Owens in Dallas.

The Dolphins’ Marshall plan is unknown, because the ever-secretive team didn’t comment beyond a brief news release. But he’s their biggest addition since Venus and Serena Williams, who added glamour to the team’s ownership group last year but failed to catch a single pass.

Miami’s receiving corps wasn’t too productive, either. The Dolphins totaled two touchdown passes of 20 yards or more last season, fewest in the NFL.

Speedy Ted Ginn Jr. has been a disappointment since Miami took him with the ninth overall draft pick in 2007. Ginn and the other wideouts — Brian Hartline, Davone Bess and Greg Camarillo — combined for only six touchdown catches last season while averaging just 11.7 yards per catch.

"We need big playmakers," general manager Jeff Ireland said in February. "We need players that make chunk yardage. We need players that score touchdowns. We need to get more production out of the wide receiver position."

Marshall provides production. Last year he caught 101 passes, including an NFL-record 21 in a loss at Indianapolis, for 1,120 yards and a career-high 10 touchdowns.

Shortly after arriving in South Florida, Marshall attended the Heat game, sitting courtside in a Florida Marlins cap.

He declined interview requests. A television crew ran up to Marshall during the first timeout after he and two acquaintances sat down across the court from the Heat bench, and a security guard was stationed nearby to keep other potential questioners away.

Marshall spent much of the first quarter typing into his cell phone and chatting with a spectator. He smiled broadly after a basket by the Heat’s Dorell Wright midway through the opening half.

New Dolphins defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, who was with Denver last season, is sure to have played a role in Miami’s decision to make the trade. It frees up the Dolphins to use the No. 12 pick in the draft on the defensive front seven, where help is also sorely needed.

The Broncos, who pick 11th in the first round, have needs at linebacker and elsewhere, and they’ll now likely address receiver in the draft, too. Marshall’s departure leaves Jabar Gaffney, who had 54 catches for 732 yards and two TDs last season, as Denver’s top receiver.

Before speaking at an asthma program at Denver North High School on Wednesday night, McDaniels suggested the trade gave both Marshall and the Broncos a fresh start.

"I’m pleased with how the whole thing went down. I’m happy and excited for Brandon to have an opportunity to do something that he’s wanted to do," McDaniels said. "And I’m also excited about the opportunities that we’re going to be presented here in the coming week with the draft and continuing to build our team and our roster the way that we want to do it.

"Again, this is something where the situation was what it was and I think we worked it the best way that we could so that all of us could kind of get what we were looking for."

The trade came three days after receiver Santonio Holmes was acquired by the Jets, Miami’s AFC East rivals.

"All the great receivers are being traded," Cincinnati’s Chad Ochocinco tweeted. "Santonio now Marshall, I love those guys, wow."

And there’s still division power New England, which has Randy Moss and Wes Welker, who is recovering from knee surgery.

"Exciting about the direction we are taking can only get better!!!" tweeted Dolphins cornerback Vontae Davis, who will be covering Holmes and Moss in games and Marshall in practice.

The deal also earned three exclamation marks from Miami cornerback Sean Smith.

"We got B Marsh, thass my dude!!!" Smith tweeted.

For the Broncos, the blockbuster trade was the second in as many offseasons under McDaniels. Denver sent quarterback Jay Cutler to Chicago last April for Kyle Orton and draft picks.

Marshall is the biggest trade acquisition by the Dolphins since running back Ricky Williams came to Miami in 2002 for four draft picks, including two first-rounders.

Marshall signed his $2.512 million tender Tuesday to facilitate a trade. His final destination was a surprise, because the Dolphins had indicated little interest.

In March, the Broncos slapped a first-round tender on Marshall. Teams were unwilling to part with a first-round draft pick as compensation, mindful that his resume included as many missteps as touchdowns.

Because of Marshall’s legal record, he’s one strike from a yearlong suspension. He was suspended for the 2008 opener following a series of disputes involving a former girlfriend. Last summer, he was suspended by the Broncos for throwing a tantrum at practice during training camp, when he was unhappy with his contract and with the team’s medical staff.

McDaniels suggests parting was best for both sides

DENVER — Broncos coach Josh McDaniels spent the evening talking about breathing a little easier — and not just because he had traded the talented but temperamental wide receiver Brandon Marshall to the Miami Dolphins.

McDaniels and tight end Daniel Graham spoke about living with chronic asthma during a program at North Denver High School on Wednesday night sponsored by National Jewish Health.

Before talking to kids and their parents about controlling the disease and overcoming the obstacles it presents, McDaniels briefly addressed his trade of Marshall to Miami for a pair of second-round draft picks earlier in the day.

He suggested the deal was a win-win because it gives both Marshall and the Broncos a fresh start after a tumultuous year.

"I’m happy and excited for Brandon to have an opportunity to do something that he’s wanted to do," McDaniels said. "And I’m also excited about the opportunities that we’re going to be presented here in the coming week with the draft and continuing to build our team and our roster the way that we want to do it."

Before speaking at the same event, Graham said it was time for both sides to move on after a trying year in which Marshall often clashed with McDaniels but still managed another stellar season.

"I’m not quite sure how the future would have been if he was around and how it would have affected everything," Graham said.

Marshall’s departure has been anticipated since his suspension for the season finale after arriving late for a treatment session for a sprained ankle that the Broncos felt he was exaggerating.

The next day, he stripped the nameplate off his locker and left nary a shred of clothing behind.

"It seemed like he really wanted to get out of here," Graham said. "He wanted to go somewhere where he felt he was going to be happy, and he didn’t feel like that would be here in Denver."

Still, Graham said it will be difficult for the Broncos to replace Marshall’s Pro Bowl production. Marshall had three straight 100-catch seasons and caught 10 touchdown passes last year.

"We’re going to miss what he brings to that football field," Graham said. "But we’ve got to move on. It’s a business."

Graham, who grew up in Denver, said he realizes a good portion of the team’s fan base is upset that McDaniels has traded away stars Jay Cutler and Marshall in successive offseasons.

"I know looking from the outside it’s hard to understand what’s going on, especially when you lose players the caliber we’ve lost in the past couple of years, but it is the ultimate team sport," Graham said. "Not one player is going to win the Super Bowl for us."

-- Arnie Stapleton

Ex-NFL QB Leaf gets probation in Texas drug case

AMARILLO — Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf on Wednesday was sentenced to 10 years of probation after pleading guilty to eight felony drug charges in Texas.

State District Judge John B. Board also fined Leaf $20,000. Leaf pleaded guilty to seven counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud and one count of delivery of a simulated controlled substance.

The 33-year-old’s mother sat behind him in the Amarillo courtroom during sentencing.

Leaf told reporters after the hearing that he continued to use prescription pain medicine even after he recognized that he had a problem.

"I convinced myself it wasn’t a big deal because these weren’t illegal drugs," he said, reading from a statement. "But I did have a problem. It finally hit me square in the face in West Texas; I finally had to look squarely in the mirror."

In late 2008 after resigning from West Texas A&M in Canyon where he coached quarterbacks for three seasons, Leaf said he spent 42 days in an inpatient treatment center in Vancouver, B.C., before doing two months of outpatient care. He said he has been clean for 17 months.

Randall County District Attorney James Farren said after the deal was finalized that Leaf’s addiction was flagrant and that everyone on the West Texas A&M football team knew about it.

"Everyone knew if you got injured you’d get a visit from Ryan Leaf," Farren said. "And when he left he had half their pain medication."

Leaf, who had been living in Canada, was a star at Washington State but a bust during his four-year NFL career.

His probation will be transferred to Great Falls, Mont., where he was born and now lives.

Leaf, a Heisman Trophy finalist at Washington State, spent four seasons in the NFL after being chosen No. 2 in the 1998 draft — behind Peyton Manning — by the Chargers. He retired after four dismal seasons, best known for his profane off-field outbursts toward fans, coaches and reporters. He finished his career with 14 touchdowns and 36 interceptions.

Leaf’s voiced cracked with emotion as he answered questions about his abbreviated pro career and the game.

"I didn’t walk away from it lightly and I think people have the wrong impression of that. It hurt me to the core that I wasn’t successful at that time," he said. "I don’t think people understand how much it hurt for me to walk away from it."

Leaf, who sells vacation and conference packages, said he was introduced to heavy-duty painkillers following surgeries on his shoulders, knees and wrists, and that he realized he was addicted in March 2008.

He was accused of presenting an incomplete medical history to several physicians between January 2008 and September 2008 in his quest to get hold of the painkiller Hydrocodone.

He was also accused of forcing his way into a Canyon apartment in October 2008 and stealing Hydrocodone that had been prescribed to an injured football player. That charge was dropped as part of the plea bargain.

"You just don’t ever realize it until it becomes a psychological thing that takes hold of you," Leaf said. "It’s such an issue in this country and people don’t understand it. If I have to be the one to put a face on it I am more than happy to do it. I’ll do whatever I can."

Leaf told Board he wanted the judge to call on him if his story of recovery could help make a difference. The judge immediately took him up on the offer. Leaf was scheduled to speak to a group of at-risk children in the Amarillo area Friday.

If Leaf completes his probation, no convictions would remain on his record but a record of his arrest would remain. If he fails to meet the terms of his probation, he could face jail time, Farren said.

Leaf choked up as he spoke about how he had let his family down.

"You’re always kind of covering your tracks to make people believe you’re stronger than maybe you are," Leaf said. "I think there’s nothing out there now. This is me. I’m naked. I’m as vulnerable as I possibly could be."

He said he unsure if he’ll coach again.

"I love what I did. I believe I was good at it. I miss my boys," he said. "But I want to do it on my own terms and I don’t want it to follow me around because of this. But I love those boys, and if anybody got the best of me during that time, they did."

-- Betsy Blaney

Hasselbeck ‘loves’ Carroll’s new regime

RENTON, Wash. — If there were ever a time for three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to worry about his future, this is it.

New Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and new general manager John Schneider just traded for and gave big money to his heir apparent.

He is 34, coming off two dismal and injury-filled seasons. He is entering the final year of his Seahawks contract.

So why, despite signs his nine-year run as Seattle’s starting quarterback may be ending soon, is Hasselbeck calling his situation "great" and "totally cool"?

"Coach Carroll, he’s a lot cooler than I thought. He’s very cool," he said during Wednesday’s minicamp. "But his team meetings that he runs are awesome. They are exciting. We’ve already had some Hollywood moments."

More personally, Hasselbeck appreciates the call he got from Carroll and Schneider last month before they swapped Seattle’s second-round pick in next week’s draft, plus a third-round choice in 2011, for San Diego Chargers quarterback Charlie Whitehurst.

Seattle then gave Whitehurst, who is seven years younger than Hasselbeck and has impressive physical skills but zero career passes in four NFL seasons, a two-year contract worth $8 million plus incentives.

"They kind of explained to me, ‘Hey, listen, he’s a young guy. We’re going to bring him in. We want to make that (quarterbacks) room as good as possible,"’ Hasselbeck said. "And Pete sort of laid out his general philosophy about ... how to win, and that’s by competing and bringing out the best in each guy."

Hasselbeck said Carroll’s command that he was going to push Hasselbeck and his teammates further than they’ve ever been pushed sounded like the one former coach Mike Holmgren gave to the Seahawks at the start of the quarterback’s tenure in Seattle.

Hasselbeck learned early in his career the lesson that NFL coaches and executives are constantly looking for a player who is going to do his job better than he is doing it, all to better the team.

Holmgren was the teacher.

Hasselbeck was a rookie sixth-round draft pick of Green Bay in 1998. He was thrilled to find at the end of the training camp that Holmgren had cut all the quarterbacks above him not named Brett Favre. Then, just when Hasselbeck thought he had made the Packers, the Bears cut Rick Mirer. Holmgren quickly signed Mirer to be Favre’s backup.

That left Hasselbeck out of a job, too, shipped onto the Packers’ practice squad.

"At an early part in my career, I learned that you are not just competing with the guys on your roster," Hasselbeck said. "You are competing with anybody in the world you can find. Anybody on another team. Somebody bagging groceries. Anybody. That’s just how it is. And that’s why this is such a competitive job.

"So it’s no different (now). I think it’s a great thing. I welcome it, the change."

As for Carroll’s high-energy program taking root in Seattle?

"I love the philosophy. I’m all in," Hasselbeck said.

He’s on his third offensive coordinator and head coach since the end of the 2008 season. Yet he said the terminology of new offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates is more like Holmgren’s system. Bates is a protege of Jon Gruden, who was a protege of Holmgren.

So it’s far less foreign to Hasselbeck than what former coach Jim Mora and coordinator Greg Knapp installed for the failed 5-11 season of 2009.

He said the contract issue is moot to him because "I’ve always felt that if you just play football, focus on what happens between the lines, everything will take care of itself" in terms of future employment.

He said he is healthy again for the first time since the end of the 2007 season. Since then, an aging and ineffective offensive line has left Hasselbeck with a bad back, broken ribs, bruised throwing shoulder and banged thumb. His statistics have suffered similarly: a career-high 17 interceptions last season, a career-low 52.2 completion percentage with five touchdown passes and 10 interceptions in 2008, when he made it through just seven games.

That recent history led Carroll and his new open-competition regime to Whitehurst.

Hasselbeck insists that’s fine with him.

"When you have changes at the top, the players know — you need to know — that you are on notice," Hasselbeck said. "Every job’s open, and that’s just how it is."

-- Gregg Bell

Pa. court ponders fan suit over Jets-Pats Spygate

PHILADELPHIA — The New England Patriots could find themselves defending a lawsuit by NFL fans miffed about their secret videotaping of signals from New York Jets coaches.

The NFL bans such videotaping and issued $750,000 in fines against the Patriots and coach Bill Belichick after they were caught taping signals at the Jets’ 2007 home opener in Giants Stadium.

Lawyer Carl Mayer, a Jets season ticket holder from Princeton, N.J., argued in a U.S. appeals court Wednesday that fans spent vast sums of money to see games that were essentially rigged. His suit, earlier dismissed by a lower court, seeks $185 million in damages for Jets fans alone.

Mayer, who asked the appeals court to revive the suit, said he hopes to learn the extent of the Patriots’ taping, dubbed Spygate, through discovery.

"The game will become more and more corrupt if there is no remedy," said his lawyer, Bruce Afran. "The NFL will degenerate into the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment)."

NFL lawyers insist the Patriots violated only league rules — not any civil or criminal laws. They fear that disappointed fans will sue over myriad game day complaints if the case is upheld.

"It will become unmanageable," lawyer Shepard Goldfein argued to the three-judge panel, which included a Pittsburgh Steelers season ticket holder and a judge who confessed to knowing little about NFL lingo.

U.S. District Judge Garrett Brown Jr. tossed Mayer’s suit last year, concluding that tickets entitle fans to see nothing more than the game that unfolds.

However, the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals judges peppered lawyers about the issues for more than an hour Wednesday. Their ruling could hinge on whether they see the purchase of a Jets ticket as a contract between fans and the league and whether consumer protection laws apply.

The NFL argued that a ticket carries only the right to sit in a certain seat and see a game.

Belichick, the league lawyers said, defended the videotaping to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell by saying he misunderstood the rules. Mayer challenged that assertion, alleging the Patriots turned off the light on the videocamera and used other sleuth tactics to avoid detection at the game, which they won 38-14.

Senior Judge Robert Cowen seemed perhaps most perturbed about the videotaping and noted Goodell handed down "a whopper" of a fine.

"Anyone who’s competed knows there’s a big difference in knowing what’s coming across the plate," said Cowen, using a baseball analogy. "It’s a horrendous violation. No question about that."

The suit alleges that the Patriots taped the Jets in their twice-yearly contests for seven years, and it seeks treble damages for Jets fans based on a rough average of $100 a ticket.

Goldfein, in questioning, said rabid NFL fans likely would buy tickets even if they knew the Patriots were stealing signals.

Other types of intelligence gathering are allowed in the NFL, from using binoculars to look for signals to debriefing new players and coaches about their last team’s playbooks, co-counsel Daniel Goldberg argued.

"Where the NFL decided to draw the line was at videotaping the sideline," Goldberg said, adding the rules are subject to change each year.

The judges did not indicate when they would rule.

Judge Gene E.K. Pratter asked how the Patriots had fared during the seasons in question. The Patriots won the Super Bowl in 2002, 2004 and 2005 and reached the title game in 2008, while the Jets endured several seasons of mediocrity before making a surprising run to the AFC championship game last season.

"Prior to that (the start of the videotaping), their record was as woeful as the Jets," Mayer replied. "After that, they were the best team in football."

"For a while," quipped Judge D. Michael Fisher, of Pittsburgh, whose Steelers added to their storied franchise history with championships in 2006 and 2009.

-- Maryclaire Dale

AP sources: RB Washington to sign tender with Jets

NEW YORK — Running back Leon Washington, a restricted free agent recovering from a broken right leg, will sign his tender contract offer with the New York Jets, two people familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday night.

Washington was traveling from his home in Florida to New Jersey on Wednesday night and planned to sign Thursday morning. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been signed.

Washington, a fourth-round pick in 2006, received a second-round tender last month worth $1.759 million.

The former Pro Bowl kick returner suffered a compound fracture of the tibia and fibula at Oakland on Oct. 25, and missed the rest of the season. He has been training at the Athletes’ Performance-Andrews Institute in Pensacola, Fla., for the past five weeks.

When healthy, Washington has been one of the league’s more dynamic players, serving a dual role as a kick returner and running back. He took his time after being tendered, exploring his options before deciding to sign with the Jets.

Washington, 27, was injured on his first carry against the Raiders when Oakland’s Tommy Kelly rolled up on his leg after a 6-yard run in the first quarter of the Jets’ 38-0 win. It was a gruesome injury, which required a rod to be inserted into the tibia, and many speculated about whether he’d be able to fully recover or even play again.

Washington said in January that doctors told him he was way ahead of the normal recovery rate. He is beginning to run, and will continue his rehabilitation at the Jets’ team facility in Florham Park, N.J.

Jets coach Rex Ryan recently said he was disappointed that Washington was staying away from the team’s voluntary workouts, choosing to rehabilitate closer to home after he was tendered. Washington was the only player not at voluntary workouts at the time.

"He may have reasons for not being here or whatever, but the rest of the team volunteered to be here," Ryan said last month. "We would love to get Leon back."

Ryan has also said he envisioned the versatile Washington more as a kick returner and third-down back, behind Shonn Greene and recently signed LaDainian Tomlinson, than an every down ball carrier.

"Let’s see where he’s at," Ryan said. "I’m not just going to give him the ball 20 times a game coming off of that. He has to be ready to take that kind of role. If he’s ready to take an expanded role, then obviously we could see that."

Before the injury, Washington had hoped to get a long-term deal from the Jets after being selected as an All-Pro as a kick returner for the 2008 season.

Washington made $535,000 in the final year of his rookie deal, and was believed to have been looking for something in the range of $5 million to $6 million a year. He sat out the first three weeks of organized team activities last offseason before returning in minicamp "in good faith." He was a no-show when the rest of the team checked in for training camp last summer, but was with the team the next day.

Washington said he was unhappy with the situation and wasn’t optimistic a new deal would get done, but never let it visibly affect him on the field or in the locker room.

General manager Mike Tannenbaum has repeatedly said he wanted Washington back, but one of the major stumbling blocks in getting a long-term deal done was the uncertainty of the league’s collective bargaining agreement. He said that without an extension of the CBA — which has not happened — the Jets would be able to retain Washington’s rights as a restricted free agent for far less than what he was seeking.

Washington has run for 1,782 career yards and 13 touchdowns and caught 123 passes for 969 yards and two scores since coming out of Florida State in 2006. He has also returned four kickoffs for touchdowns, including three in 2007.

-- Dennis Waszak Jr.

Bills GM Nix expects Lynch in minicamps

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Running back Marshawn Lynch isn’t going anywhere as far as Buffalo Bills general manager Buddy Nix is concerned.

Without discounting the growing trade speculation involving Lynch, Nix on Wednesday said he has no intention of dealing the former first-round draft pick, who’s grown unhappy living in Buffalo.

"Our intention is for Marshawn to be here," Nix said during the team’s annual pre-NFL Draft luncheon. "He’s under contract. We think he’s a good back. We need two backs, and our intention is for him to be here. All this trade talk, it’s not coming from us."

Asked if Lynch had requested a trade, the first-year general manager said it’s not up to the player to decide if he’ll be dealt. "He’s under contract. We’re going to do what’s best for the Bills," Nix said.

Lynch’s future with the team became a question after the 2007 first-round draft pick failed to attend the team’s voluntary conditioning program, which began two weeks ago.

More questions were raised when coach Chan Gailey said he had not spoken to Lynch, and that only Nix had.

On Wednesday, Nix said he expects Lynch to attend the team’s two mandatory minicamps in June.

"We expect him to be here. We want him to be here. Obviously, it’s his decision," Nix said. "This is voluntary. We need Marshawn, and we expect him to show up when it’s mandatory."

Lynch has not spoken publicly about his future, while his representatives have declined comment.

Selected to compete in the 2009 Pro Bowl as an injury replacement, Lynch has had a mercurial three-year stint in Buffalo since being drafted 12th overall out of California.

After a successful rookie season in which he had 1,115 yards rushing and seven touchdowns, Lynch’s reputation took a hit following two off-field run-ins with the law. In June 2008, he pleaded guilty to a traffic violation and admitted to driving off after striking a female pedestrian with his car near Buffalo’s downtown bar district.

In March 2009, Lynch pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor gun charge in Los Angeles, after police discovered a semiautomatic handgun in a backpack of the trunk of a parked car Lynch was sitting in. He was sentenced to 80 hours of community service and three years probation.

The gun charge led to the NFL suspending Lynch for the first three games of last season.

Lynch has several times attempted to repair his image. He donated $10,000 last year to sponsor a community basketball tournament in Buffalo that was in danger of folding. He also served as the team’s spokesman for a breast cancer research campaign in 2008.

For the past three years, Lynch has held a free youth football clinic in his hometown of Oakland.

Despite his community work, Lynch has not won over all of Bills’ fans, some of whom have turned against the player. Lynch also has been the target of at least one false accusation. In January, he was accused of stealing $20 from a police officer’s wife. Charges were never filed against him in the matter.

Lynch is coming off his worst NFL season after splitting starting duties with Fred Jackson last year. Lynch finished with 450 yards rushing and two touchdowns in 13 games, including six starts.

-- John Wawrow

Lions TE FitzSimmons to retire due to injury

HELENA, Mont. — Detroit Lions tight end Casey FitzSimmons announced his retirement Wednesday from the NFL due to several concussions, including one in December that is still causing him ill effects.

"This has been a very difficult decision," FitzSimmons said in a statement released by his agent. "I feel like 2009 was one of the best seasons of my career, because I was so consistent, and was able to contribute in a variety of ways. If it wasn’t for the concussions, I would not be retiring.

"It’s frustrating because the rest of my body is still capable of playing at a high level in the NFL," he said. "However, given the seriousness of the risk associated with continuing to play, I have to listen to the advice the team has given me."

FitzSimmons has sustained several concussions during his seven-year career, including one on Dec. 6 against the Cincinnati Bengals that caused him to end the 2009 season on the injured reserve list.

Following an evaluation by team doctors, FitzSimmons was advised by the Lions to retire.

FitzSimmons, 29, is still feeling the effects of his latest concussion, said Chris Gittings, who along with Dan Hoeven is FitzSimmons’ agent. They declined to say what symptoms Fitzsimmons is experiencing.

FitzSimmons entered the NFL in April 2003 as an undrafted free agent after earning NAIA All-America honors at Carroll College in Helena.

Fitzsimmons started 11 games as a rookie and played a total of 99 career games in the NFL. FitzSimmons had 88 catches for 677 yards and five touchdowns and in the past three seasons returned seven kickoffs for 113 yards and a score.

FitzSimmons and his wife, Allison, had a daughter in February. They have a ranch near Helena.

-- Amy Beth Hanson

Williams’ signing leaves Cincy’s line intact

CINCINNATI — Bobbie Williams’ laughter filled the locker room after a workout on Wednesday, reminding everyone within earshot that the Cincinnati Bengals have taken a big step forward on offense.

They signed the right guard to a two-year contract this week, keeping the offensive line intact from last season’s playoff run. The move delighted Williams, who at age 33 is the line’s senior member and wanted to stay for at least one more season.

"I made it well-known that I wanted to be back," said Williams, who was an unrestricted free agent. "We knew it was going to happen."

The offensive line was one of the biggest questions heading into last season. Williams was the only starter lining up at the same position, with everyone else moving around after the team jettisoned left tackle Levi Jones and center Eric Ghiaciuc.

The plans had to be changed again after top draft pick Andre Smith held out and then broke his left foot on Sept. 1, forcing the right tackle to miss most of the season. Smith is expected to start next to Williams this season.

Despite all the shuffling, the line played well enough to get the Bengals into the playoffs for only the second time since 1991. They ran the table against division opponents in the AFC North, finished 10-6 and lost to the Jets in their first playoff game.

"Last year, everybody was saying there was no continuity with the group and that was a big concern outside this locker room," quarterback Carson Palmer said. "Now that group has played together and played successfully together and won big games and ran the ball on good defenses.

"They have another year under their belt with each other. We’re only going to get better up front from here on out."

The Bengals went to a run-first philosophy last season, and finished ninth in the league with an average of 128.5 yards per game. The passing game was far less effective, finishing 26th out of 32 teams. Cincinnati released receiver Laveranues Coles after only one season and signed free agent Antonio Bryant as his replacement.

The line helped Bengals’ running backs have eight 100-yard games, a franchise record. The Bengals kept the line together by re-signing center Kyle Cook and Williams within a one-week span.

"It’s very important," Williams said. "I felt we did a pretty good job last year, being the first time together. Establishing some continuity on that offensive line is crucial. It’s important to the success that we’re trying to keep going and build on here."

While negotiations on Williams’ contract stretched on, Palmer texted him to find out what was going on. Veterans wanted him to stay because they thought his experience — and his personality — were needed on one of the NFL’s youngest rosters.

"He’s played in so many games, been around so long, played against every defensive front, played against every lineman in the league," Palmer said. "And just the attitude he brings.

"He’s one of the most fun guys I’ve had the opportunity to play with. Day in and day out, he’s smiling and he’s laughing. But when it gets time to work, he’s there to push people around and move people. That’s what he does best."

-- Joe Kay

NFL to help produce Broadway play

NEW YORK — The NFL is taking Vince Lombardi to Broadway.

For the first time, the league will help produce a Broadway play, its first venture into live theater. The league will serve as a special producing partner of "Lombardi," which will star Dan Lauria, a regular on the TV show "The Wonder Years" and former college football player and high school coach.

"Lombardi" is scheduled to open Oct. 21 at the Circle in the Square Theatre. It will be directed by Tony Award nominee Thomas Kail.

"Football and Broadway are both iconic American forms of entertainment, and the NFL is proud to bring these two unique and passionate audiences together under one roof," said Tracy Perlman, NFL vice president of entertainment marketing and promotions. "Lombardi’s charisma and coaching style were legendary — and intensely theatrical. Football fans will learn more about the dramatic private life of the sports hero for whom the Super Bowl trophy is named, and Broadway audiences will be captivated by the story of a family chasing the American dream."

Although the NFL is not putting up any money for the play, it will promote and market "Lombardi" through NFL Network, nfl.com and its teams, specifically the Green Bay Packers. Lombardi won five NFL titles, including the first two Super Bowls, with the Packers.

Lauria, who played at Southern Connecticut State, will be at next week’s draft and will journey to Green Bay at some point this offseason. The actor hopes to "get a sense of what Vince Lombardi meant and continues to mean to the fans, particularly in Green Bay," said Brian McCarthy, NFL vice president of corporate communications.

The original concept for the play was brought to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell by Tony Ponturo, who was behind Anheuser-Busch’s heavy involvement in sports sponsorship and now runs a sports and entertainment management and marketing company. Ponturo will serve as producer of "Lombardi," which is based on a book by David Maraniss. Academy Award winner Eric Simonson has written the Broadway adaptation.

The league also is involved with a film project on the Hall of Fame coach that will star Robert De Niro.

"There are few actors who could accurately portray the fire, passion and grit of Lombardi," said Charles Coplin, NFL vice president of programming, "and we’re thrilled to have Robert De Niro on our team."

-- Barry Wilner

Jeff Garcia open to returning to Eagles

PHILADELPHIA — If the Philadelphia Eagles want a veteran quarterback to mentor Kevin Kolb, Jeff Garcia is ready for the role.

The four-time Pro Bowl quarterback said in an e-mail to The Associated Press on Wednesday that he’s talked to the team about the possibility, but nothing is imminent.

"I would welcome the opportunity to return to Philly and be a part of the Eagles’ organization and to be in front of those great fans again," Garcia wrote. "I know that I would be a great addition/mentor for Kevin as well as many of the other young guys on the team. Time will tell."

The Eagles traded six-time Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb to Washington last week, paving the way for Kolb to start.

The 25-year-old Kolb has started just two games in three seasons. Michael Vick is Philadelphia’s current backup.

Garcia filled in nicely when McNabb went down with a knee injury in 2006, leading the Eagles to the NFC East title and a playoff victory. He returned for a couple games last season as a backup when McNabb broke a rib, then was released.

In 2006, the Eagles went 5-1 down the stretch with Garcia as the starter. The gritty Garcia became an instant fan favorite in blue-collar Philadelphia, and teammates praised his leadership skills. But the Eagles chose to let Garcia test free agency after that season and he signed with Tampa Bay.

McNabb guided the Eagles to five NFC championships and one Super Bowl in 11 seasons, but he never completely won over the fans the way Garcia did in half a season.

The 40-year-old Garcia began his NFL career with San Francisco in 1999. He had his best season in 2000, completing 63.3 percent of his passes (355-for-561) for 4,278 yards, 31 TDs and only 10 interceptions in 2000. Garcia averaged 3,720 yards and 28 TDs between 2000-02.

Garcia played five seasons in San Francisco and spent one each with Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia. After two years in Tampa Bay, he signed with Oakland last year but was released in training camp. Garcia was with the Eagles for two games last September.

-- Rob Maaddi

Goodell: Decision on Roethlisberger in near future

PITTSBURGH — NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says he will decide soon whether to punish Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for his off-the-field troubles.

"I think he understands how important the personal-conduct policy is to the NFL," Goodell said while attending a dinner honoring Steelers chairman Dan Rooney on Wednesday night. "And I hope he has a better understanding of how important it is for everybody in the league.

"We’ll continue to gather more information. We’ll continue to have that analysis done and we’ll consider it and make a decision in the near future. We like to be thorough. We like to be sure we fully understand it. We’ve talked to, obviously, the player. We’ll talk to the players association. I think anytime you can get more input into the various factors that are going on, the better decision you’ll make."

Goodell and Roethlisberger met for several hours Tuesday in New York, one day after Roethlisberger learned he would not be charged for the alleged sexual assault of a Georgia college student.

While Roethlisberger faces no criminal charges, he remains involved in a Nevada civil suit that alleges he sexually assaulted a hotel employee there. The NFL could punish the two-time Super Bowl winner under its code of conduct.

Rooney, the U.S. ambassador to Ireland and longtime Steelers executive, called it "a serious matter" but had little to say about Roethlisberger. His son, team president Art Rooney II, is known to be angry about the quarterback’s repeated problems.

"It’s being handled properly with Art, Mike (Tomlin, the coach) and Kevin Colbert (the Steelers director of football operations)," Rooney said. "I think they’re handling it very well. The commissioner, as you know, saw Ben. I don’t have any more to say."

Former Raides player testifies in Vegas robbery trial

LAS VEGAS — Former Oakland Raiders wide receiver Javon Walker told a Las Vegas jury he was very drunk but remembered a man grabbing his 2-carat diamond earrings while he was being robbed in a vehicle almost two years ago.

Walker was the first witness Wednesday in the kidnapping, battery and robbery trial of 42-year-old Deshawn Lamont Thomas.

Thomas faces multiple charges and the possibility of life in prison if convicted.

Prosecutors say Thomas and a 32-year-old co-defendant, Arfat Abdo Fadel, convinced the intoxicated Walker to get into their vehicle after he spent a night club-hopping in June 2008.

Walker was later found beaten, robbed and unconscious about a block off the Las Vegas Strip.

Fadel has pleaded guilty to lesser charges.

-- Ken Ritter

Roethlisberger works out with Steelers

PITTSBURGH — Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger took part in offseason conditioning work for the first time this spring on Wednesday.

Roethlisberger reported to the Steelers’ practice facility one day after he met with commissioner Roger Goodell in New York to discuss the two-time Super Bowl winner’s off-field problems.

Most Steelers players began the weightlifting and conditioning sessions on March 29, but Roethlisberger previously stayed away to avoid being a distraction. He is expected to take part Monday in the Steelers’ first on-field practices since the season ended in January.

Roethlisberger learned Monday he will not be charged for the alleged sexual assault of a Georgia college student last month. However, he could be disciplined by the league or the Steelers for his conduct. He also remains involved in an ongoing civil lawsuit in Nevada in which he is accused of sexual assault by a hotel employee.

Reporters are not permitted into the Steelers’ workout areas, and players are not expected to be made available for interviews until the on-field work starts next week.

NFL: Kroenke not seeking cross-ownership exemption

DENVER — Billionaire Stan Kroenke isn’t asking the NFL to waive its cross-ownership rules in his bid to purchase the remaining 60 percent of the St. Louis Rams.

League spokesman Greg Aiello told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Kroenke "is not seeking a waiver of the rule. He has always said he would comply with our rules."

That means Kroenke will have to surrender his principal stake in the NBA’s Denver Nuggets and the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche to become majority owner of the Rams. Among the possibilities is handing control of those teams over to his 29-year-old son, Josh, a Nuggets executive.

Kroenke, who has owned 40 percent of the Rams since their move to St. Louis from Los Angeles in 1995, has declined to comment about his decision to buy the NFL team outright.

Kroenke Sports Enterprises released a statement saying the 62-year-old owner "and his family remain fully committed to Denver and each KSE-owned property."

-- Arnie Stapleton

Prosecutor: Plea in Saints fake tax credits case

NEW ORLEANS — A federal prosecutor says the head of a company accused of getting investors — including members of the New Orleans Saints — to pay for what they thought would be state movie industry tax credits will plead guilty in the case.

Wayne Read operated Louisiana Film Studios LLC. Last week he pleaded not guilty to charges of interstate transportation of stolen funds and wire fraud.

However, Assistant U.S. Attorney James Mann said in court that Read has reached a revised plea deal with prosecutors but didn’t give details. Read’s attorney wouldn’t comment.

Authorities say Read peddled $1.9 million in tax credits to investors expecting a $1.33 return for each dollar invested. But the tax credits were never applied for and the money not returned.

Read is free on bond.

Young, Reis agrees to return to Saints

METAIRIE, La. — New Orleans Saints restricted free agent Usama Young says he’s returning to the defending champions next season.

Young on Wednesday joined reserve safety and fellow restricted free agent Chris Reis in committing to another year with the Saints.

The Saints had offered Young, a reserve safety who also played some at cornerback last season, a tender of about $1.1 million. Young says he intends to sign it some time before starting offseason workouts on Monday.

Young played in 12 regular-season games in 2009 and had one interception. He also played in all three playoff games.

Saints general manager Mickey Loomis says Reis, a hero of the Super Bowl when he recovered an onside kick, has already signed.

Redskins re-sign T Heyer and DT Montgomery

ASHBURN, Va. — Restricted free agents Stephon Heyer and Anthony Montgomery have re-signed with the Washington Redskins.

Heyer started all 16 games for the Redskins last season, 13 at right tackle and three at left tackle. He joined the team as an undrafted rookie out of Maryland in 2007.

Montgomery has played in 42 games with 22 starts at defensive tackle over four seasons. He was a fifth-round draft choice in 2006 from Minnesota.

Jets CB Coleman signs RFA tender

NEW YORK — Backup cornerback Drew Coleman, a restricted free agent, has signed his sixth-round tender with the New York Jets.

Coleman signed the one-year tender, worth $1.176 million, on Wednesday, leaving running back-kick returner Leon Washington as the Jets’ only remaining unsigned restricted free agent.

Coleman, a sixth-round pick out of TCU in 2006, started one game last season and finished with 22 tackles and four passes defensed primarily as a backup. He has 77 tackles, two sacks and an interception in four NFL seasons.