NFL Capsules: Harvin honored by award, playoffs more important
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Unlike most rookie receivers, Percy Harvin never had much trouble adjusting to life in the NFL.
The cocksure former Florida Gator never flinched at the Minnesota Vikings’ voluminous playbook, deftly made adjustments on the fly while running a route, and looked like a natural returning kickoffs for the first time in his career.
"I came in with an, ‘I’m ready for anything, I’m expecting anything (attitude),’ so nothing surprised me," Harvin said. "I’m pretty good on that end."
Instead, opposing defenses and kick coverage units were the ones having trouble adjusting to him.
Harvin’s unique combination of speed, intelligence and toughness made the transition from college to the pros startlingly smooth for the runaway winner of The Associated Press 2009 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
"It’s a tremendous honor, but that’s not our team goal," Harvin said Wednesday in a conference call with Minnesota reporters. "To win that and lose the championship would be a failure."
Harvin received 41 votes Wednesday from the nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the league. Baltimore tackle Michael Oher was second with six votes.
The 22nd overall draft pick came into the league with plenty of question marks. He tested positive for marijuana at the NFL scouting combine, a remarkable blunder that was behind his slide down the draft board.
Harvin also fought through injuries in three seasons with the Gators, leading some to wonder if the 5-foot-11 burner could withstand the rigors of a full NFL season.
After he was drafted by the Vikings, he impressed with his willingness to speak openly about the failed drug test. And once he stepped on the field, it was clear Harvin was something special.
"With Percy, I’m surprised how it just carried over from college," Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe said. "Usually with rookies, it takes a little adjustment period. But this carried right over. Still playing at a high level."
Harvin identified quarterback Brett Favre and cornerback Antoine Winfield as two of the many teammates who helped him get comfortable — Favre with his knowledge of the offense and Winfield for pointing out tendencies he saw in Harvin’s routes from covering him in practice.
"It’s not intimidating. Football is always football," Harvin said. "As long as you’re always learning and you know what you’re doing ... you’ll be able to take care of business."
Harvin, who was also added to the Pro Bowl roster earlier this week, had 60 receptions for 790 yards and six touchdowns; rushed 15 times for 135 yards; took back 42 kickoffs for 1,156 yards (27.5 yards per return) and two touchdowns, one covering 101 yards.
He tied with the Colts’ Austin Collie for most catches by a rookie and set Minnesota’s single-season franchise record for all-purpose yardage (2,081).
"He’s a nightmare for defenses and special teams coordinators," guard Artis Hicks said. "He’s got a bright future. I knew he was going to be good, but it just surprises me that he’s this good this quick. The sky is the limit for him."
His impact was immediate. Harvin scored touchdowns in his first three games, two through the air and one on a 101-yard kick return against San Francisco in Week 3.
Despite being 19 years younger than the quarterback slinging passes in his direction, Harvin quickly developed a chemistry with Favre. He was the first Vikings player Favre met when he arrived at team headquarters on Aug. 19 and has emerged as Favre’s favorite target on third down.
"I think Percy’s on his way to a league of his own," Favre said. "He’s quick like Wes Welker. He’s got a long ways to go to be in the same category with Wes, but at the rate he’s going he’s a dominant force in a lot of ways."
Harvin is the sixth Vikings player to win the award, joining Adrian Peterson, Randy Moss (1998), Sammy White (1976), Chuck Foreman (1973) and Paul Flatley (1963).
Also receiving votes this season were Philadelphia receiver Jeremy Maclin, Denver running back Knowshon Moreno, and Pittsburgh receiver Mike Wallace, each with one.
The biggest hurdle for Harvin to overcome in the NFL has been the onset of debilitating migraine headaches. He’s dealt with the condition for much of his life, and in December it got so bad he couldn’t get out of bed, forcing him to miss a game.
Harvin visited the noted Mayo Clinic in Rochester later last month and hasn’t had a problem with them since.
"It was frustrating. It wasn’t the first time it happened," Harvin said. "I knew I had to deal with them. We’ve got a solution to it now, so hopefully I won’t have to deal with that no more, and look forward to being healthy."
The Vikings (12-4) sure need him. They are a different team with the versatile Harvin returning kicks, catching passes and taking handoffs. His dynamic rookie season helped the Vikings earn a first-round bye in the NFC playoffs and ensured opposing defenses have more to worry about than Favre and Peterson.
"I call him Little Phenom," said Peterson, the 2007 Offensive Rookie of the Year. "He’s got the heart of a lion when he’s out there playing."
Tom Brady wins AP Comeback Player award
NEW YORK — Tom Terrific is back. Tom Brady has gone from record-setting MVP to injured superstar to The Associated Press 2009 NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
Brady’s strong return from a left knee injury that sidelined him for all but the first quarter of the 2008 opener earned the Patriots quarterback the award Wednesday. One of football’s biggest stars, Brady has gone from NFL Most Valuable Player in 2007, when he set several passing records, to sidelined to earning his second league award.
"I played 15 straight years without ever missing a game, high school or college or professional, so every time you walk off the field you feel very blessed," Brady said. "I think it was a great lesson, life experience, not only football experience, that I was able to have."
Brady received 19 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the NFL, beating Tampa Bay running back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, who got 14.
A three-time Super Bowl winner and a finalist for AP Player of the Decade, Brady led New England to a 10-6 record and the AFC East title this season. He threw for 4,398 yards and 28 touchdowns.
Most significantly, he got the Patriots back into the playoffs, and he showed more than a few glimpses of the player who guided the Patriots to the first 16-0 regular season in NFL history, throwing a record 50 TDs that year.
"I think I love playing and I love being out there with my teammates and, practicing today," he said. "It’s the greatest reward for any of this, for any of us, is to be a part of a team that’s successful, because we all have a lot of good fortune to be playing."
At times, Brady was great this season. In a 59-0 rout of Tennessee, matching the biggest victory margin since the 1970 merger, he threw for six touchdowns and 380 yards in the snow. Against Jacksonville in another lopsided victory, he went 23 for 26 for 267 yards and four TDs. His passer ratings were 152.8 against the Titans and 149.0 against the Jaguars, and he had six games with a 100-plus rating.
Other times, he struggled, particularly in losses to the Jets and Saints, and Brady battled an assortment of injuries — albeit nothing as devastating as the torn-up knee.
Coach Bill Belichick praised what Brady means to his team.
"Well deserved," Belichick said of the honor. "He’s had a tremendous year. I think we all know that. Tom just brings so much to this team and our organization on and off the field: his preparation, his leadership, his performance, his unselfishness. All the things that he gives us are just top shelf, whether he did or didn’t play last year."
The Patriots were 11-5 without Brady and barely missed the playoffs in ‘08 behind Matt Cassel. He was traded to Kansas City in the offseason, an early indication the Patriots expected few problems in Brady’s comeback.
That assessment was accurate.
"Obviously, he overcame some pretty big odds and it’s a good thing for us to have him back out there," tackle Matt Light said, "but I don’t think anybody had any doubt in what he was going to do and his ability. So, way to go Tom, good work."
Williams tore the patellar tendon in his right knee in September 2007 and tore the patellar tendon in his left knee in the 2008 season finale, six games into his return. This season, he rushed for 821 yards and four TDs, adding 29 receptions and three scores.
Brady is the second Patriot to win the award; linebacker Tedy Bruschi shared it with Carolina receiver Steve Smith in 2005. He is the fifth quarterback honored since the award began in 1998, including Chad Pennington, who won in 2006 and 2008.
Also receiving votes were Titans quarterback Vince Young, Vikings quarterback Brett Favre, Bengals running back Cedric Benson and his teammate, quarterback Carson Palmer, and Saints defensive end Anthony Hargrove.
-- Barry Wilner
League News
Police won’t charge Henry’s fiancee in death
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Police will not charge the fiancee of late Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chris Henry in connection with his death last month.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police announced Wednesday that there was no evidence that Loleini Tonga drove recklessly or with excessive speed last month when Henry came out of the back of her pickup truck on a curvy, residential road and suffered fatal injuries.
"The speed limit on Oakdale Road is 35 mph and the estimated speed at the time of accident was between 19-23 mph," police said in a statement.
Police say Henry and Tonga were arguing at home owned by Tonga’s family in northwest Charlotte on the morning of Dec. 16 when Tonga attempted to drive away. A witness said he saw a shirtless Henry jump into the back of the truck.
A 911 caller said she saw Henry beating on the back window as she drove behind the truck. About a minute later, another 911 caller said he saw an unresponsive man laying in the road.
Henry died a day later of blunt-force trauma to the head. He was 26.
"Homicide detectives interviewed Ms. Tonga who was cooperative throughout the duration of the investigation," police said. "Her statement was consistent with witness accounts. However, there were no witnesses that actually saw how Mr. Henry came out of the back of the truck."
Tonga told ESPN this week that Henry jumped out of the back, but was not trying to harm himself. She said she thinks Henry thought he would land safely and may have been scared because he saw someone calling the police.
Henry was away from the Bengals at the time of the incident after being placed on season-ending injured reserve with a broken forearm. Grief-stricken players and coaches attended Henry’s funeral in Louisiana. Players have worn No. 15 stickers on their helmets since and will play the New York Jets in the first round of the playoffs on Saturday.
A talented player, Henry had struggled through a number of mistakes away from the field. He was suspended five times and the Bengals at one point released him after the 2007 season as he dealt with an assault charge. But owner Mike Brown decided to give Henry another chance and brought him back on a two-year deal before the 2008 season.
Henry and Tonga were raising three children. She said on her MySpace page days before the incident that they had just paid for their wedding rings.
-- Mike Cranston
NFL tweaks instant replay rules
NEW YORK — The NFL has adjusted instant replay rules to allow reviews of time remaining for the last play of each half or an overtime period in the playoffs.
The adjustment will be limited to situations in which time expired before, during or after a play that ends a half or overtime. Time can be put back on the clock or removed if replay shows an error was made.
At the end of the first half, time will be restored only if a timing mistake takes away "a significant opportunity for the offensive team to score." At the end of the second half, time will be restored if it is a one-score game (eight points or less) and the additional play would be a kickoff or a scrimmage play by the trailing team.
The game would not be extended to create an additional play by the team that is ahead.
Previously, this situation was not reviewable under replay rules.
The adjustment will be reviewed by the competition committee for a recommendation to the 32 teams at the league meetings in March.
Panel to hold forum on football head injuries
WASHINGTON — After holding two hearings looking into head injuries in the NFL, a House panel now turns its attention to college and youth sports.
The House Judiciary Committee said Wednesday it will hold a forum in Houston on Feb. 1 looking at how high schools and colleges handle the problem. The committee held its second hearing on football head injuries on Monday in Detroit.
Next month’s forum comes as a spotlight is focused on college football and concussions. Texas Tech suspended and then fired coach Mike Leach amid allegations of mistreating receiver Adam James after the player suffered a concussion.
Committee chairman John Conyers, D-Mich., said those responsible for educating and protecting younger players "must have a full understanding" of the issue.
Chargers say playoff game a sellout
SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Chargers say their divisional-round playoff game on Jan. 17 has sold out.
The Chargers will play New England, Cincinnati or the New York Jets.
Fans who weren’t already season ticket holders could purchase playoff tickets only by buying 2010 season tickets, making a nonrefundable, $200 deposit per season seat.
Injuries
Patriots place WR Welker on IR with knee injury
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Wes Welker’s season officially ended on Wednesday when the New England Patriots placed the NFL’s leading receiver on injured reserve.
His long road to recovery began with some advice from quarterback Tom Brady, who suffered a similar season-ending left knee injury in the 2008 opener.
"I spoke to Wes and I said, ‘Things kind of change and evolve in your life a little bit when you have an injury like that,"’ Brady said Wednesday. "You really appreciate the game ... not that you didn’t appreciate it before, but it’s just a different level when you don’t have the opportunity to play."
Welker was running after making his NFL-best 123rd catch on Sunday when his left leg buckled as he planted it to make a cut. He fell to the ground, grabbed his knee and was helped off the field.
The Houston Texans scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to come from behind and beat the Patriots 34-27.
Brady said he’s spoken with Welker a few times since then.
"He’s one of my best friends," Brady said. "He’s doing good, all things considered."
Welker is sidelined, but all the Patriots participated fully in practice Wednesday except for offensive lineman Dan Connolly, who missed the session with an ankle injury.
The Patriots have had a full week for Brady to practice with rookie Julian Edelman, Welker’s backup, for Sunday’s playoff game against Baltimore.
"You certainly have more time to prepare" than if Welker were to get hurt during the Ravens game, Brady said. "Last week, we had a game plan that featured Wes a lot and plays that were for him and plays that he worked on in practice."
Brady is feeling more comfortable after practicing this week with Edelman.
"For two days you’re going, ‘We don’t have Wes. What are we going to do?"’ Brady said. "And then you put together a game plan and you get out there and practice and you’re like, ‘Man, OK. All that stuff looks pretty good."’
Not as good as it would look if Welker were practicing.
The 5-foot-9 receiver’s 346 catches over his three seasons with the Patriots are the most in the NFL in that period. He’s one of the league’s best at running after the catch. And teams have a tough time double teaming both him and Randy Moss.
His absence could make it tougher for Moss to break free.
Edelman, a college quarterback at Kent State, did catch 10 passes after Welker was hurt and showed shifty moves similar to Welker’s.
Brady joked that he’s happy Edelman switched positions.
"It’s pretty remarkable what he’s done as a former quarterback, which I don’t know how he was a former quarterback because he can’t throw at all," Brady said with a smile. "He threw for 2,000 yards. I’m like, ‘Man, you can’t hit that wall over there.’ Somehow he was playing.
"I’m glad he plays receiver and not quarterback anymore, for his sake and our sake."
The Patriots signed linebacker Thomas Williams, a fifth-round draft choice by Jacksonville in 2008, from their practice squad.
They also added wide receivers Nick Moore and Robert Ortiz to the practice squad, and placed wide receiver Darnell Jenkins on the practice squad/injured list with an ankle injury.
-- Howard Ulman
WR Ochocinco fully participates in practice
CINCINNATI — Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco fully participated in practice on Wednesday and is expected to be fine for a wild-card playoff game against the New York Jets.
And no, sex had nothing to do with his healing.
Ochocinco bruised his left knee when he fell during warmups before a 37-0 loss at the Jets on Sunday. The receiver played in the first half and failed to make a catch for the first time since 2002. The teams have a first-round playoff rematch at Paul Brown Stadium on Saturday.
The receiver had a precautionary MRI on Monday, when he had trouble fully extending the leg. Doctors prescribed drugs to help eliminate the swelling, and he returned to practice in a limited way on Tuesday.
Before that practice, he joked he had tested the knee by having sex. Ochocinco likes to make up stories during his media sessions for entertainment — he once suggested he was keeping a live deer in his garage that would become part of a touchdown celebration.
The New York Post went for it, running a story Wednesday under the headline "Sex In The Cincy" and "Ocho’s Sexual Healing." On his Twitter feed later in the day, Ochocinco posted: "NY Post took my joke a lil serious, Regis calling me out, only if I could get Obama to tweet me I’m set"
The receiver’s health was one of the Bengals’ main concerns heading into the playoff game. They also expect to have several defensive players back from injury.
Defensive tackle Domata Peko also fully participated in practice Wednesday and is expected to play for the first time since he had surgery Dec. 7 to clean out his right knee. Safety Chris Crocker, who missed the last three games with an injured ankle, was limited in practice.
Defensive end Robert Geathers also was limited by a sore knee. Defensive tackle Tank Johnson has been bothered by plantar fasciitis in his right foot for most of the season and didn’t fully participate, either.
-- Joe Kay
Jets’ Ryan optimistic LB Harris will play
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — New York Jets coach Rex Ryan is optimistic David Harris will play in the team’s playoff game Saturday at Cincinnati even though the linebacker missed a second straight day of practice with a sprained right ankle.
"I think he’ll go just because of the guy he is," Ryan said Wednesday. "I know he’s jogging on it, so hopefully he’ll be able to practice maybe, but more importantly, play."
Harris, the Jets’ leading tackler, wasn’t on the field for practice or on the stationary bikes while the team worked outdoors.
"It’s a big concern," defensive coordinator Mike Pettine said. "I know it’s encouraging he’s starting to run a little bit today, but at this time of year, you want to be healthy and all guns-a-blazin’. For us to have one of our key guys a game-time decision is an issue for us."
Harris, one of the leaders of the NFL’s top-ranked defense, injured the ankle during the first half of the regular-season finale against Cincinnati on Sunday. He watched from the sideline in the second half.
His backup, Ryan Fowler, was limited in practice after taking a blow to the head in the 37-0 win over the Bengals. If either Harris or Fowler can’t go, Kenwin Cummings would step in and make his NFL debut.
Running back Thomas Jones, who set a career high with 1,402 yards rushing, was a full participant in practice despite being listed on the injury report with a knee ailment.
"He’s going to play, you know that," Ryan said. "He just had a little swelling in the knee."
Wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery (hip), defensive end Shaun Ellis (knee) and cornerback Donald Strickland (quadriceps) were limited, while punter Steve Weatherford (right hamstring) was a full participant after resting Tuesday.
-- Dennis Waszak Jr.
Boldin, Rodgers-Cromartie sit out Arizona practice
TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt tried to be cautious in his team’s regular-season finale to protect his players from injury. Instead, he had two important players on the sideline with injuries from the game when the Cardinals went back to work on Wednesday.
A third was limited with a broken thumb.
Four-time Pro Bowl receiver Anquan Boldin did not practice because of a sprained left ankle and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, a Pro Bowler in his second season, was out with a bruised left kneecap.
Defensive end Calais Campbell practiced on a limited basis after breaking his left thumb.
All three injuries occurred in last Sunday’s 33-7 loss to the Green Bay Packers, the team the Cardinals host in a wild-card playoff game on Sunday.
-- Bob Baum
Players on injured reserve down in ‘09
NEW YORK — The number of players placed on injured reserve is down in the NFL this season.
Heading into the playoffs, 297 players went on the list, including such stars as Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher and Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington. That was down from 305 in 2008 and 313 in 2007, which was the most since the league went to 32 teams in 2002.
Players who go on IR are ineligible for the rest of the season. Urlacher was sidelined after the season opener with a broken right wrist, and Pennington went out in the third game with a dislocated right shoulder.
-- Barry Wilner
Player Moves
Cribbs says it’s ‘unlikely’ he’ll stay in Cleveland
CLEVELAND — Pro Bowler Josh Cribbs believes it is "unlikely" he’ll play another game for the Cleveland Browns. Insulted by the Browns’ latest contract offer, Cribbs intends to clean out his locker.
"It’s unlikely the way they’re talking right now," Cribbs said Wednesday night. "I’m hurt because I don’t want to play for nobody else. But the way they’re talking, they’re leaving me no choice."
Cribbs was Cleveland’s most valuable player this season. He played wide receiver, quarterback and returned and covered kickoffs and punts. The former college QB also set the NFL career record for most kickoff returns for touchdowns.
Agent Peter Schaffer said Wednesday that the Browns failed to live up to previous promises they made to Cribbs. Schaffer said there is "no more middle ground" and that he is "extremely shocked" that new president Mike Holmgren would not understand Cribbs’ value to the Browns.
"I’m not threatening anything," Schaffer said. "Josh is either going to be treated fairly or he wants out. He’s going there (to the team’s facility) tomorrow to clean out his locker."
Schaffer said he gave the Browns until the end of the business day to come up with a better deal than the $1.4 million per year they offered. Cribbs has three years remaining on a six-year, $6.77 million deal.
But Schaffer said Dawn Aponte, the team’s vice president of football administration who handles contract negotiations, did not get back to him. The Browns could be excused with more pressing issues since Holmgren just took over on Tuesday and is in the process of deciding whether to bring back coach Eric Mangini.
Cribbs said last month that the team had promised to give him a new contract by the end of the season. Even in the days leading up to Cleveland’s season finale against Jacksonville, Cribbs remained optimistic that something would get done.
Not anymore.
"I did all the playing I’m going to play on this contract," he said. "I ain’t doing nothing, I’m not showing my face until it’s right."
Schaffer and Cribbs’ other agent, J.R. Rickert, said they did not want to take things public, but that the team left them no choice.
"I’m extremely shocked," Schaffer said. "I have tremendous respect for Mike Holmgren. I know he knows how to put a team together. I was optimistic that with him coming aboard that he would understand and that Josh would be rewarded. To see there is no change in their position is insulting."
On Tuesday, Holmgren said he had contact with Cribbs’ representatives when he was at home in Arizona. He intimated that he planned to take care of Cribbs, but only after fair negotiations.
"I believe players should be rewarded for what they do," he said. "I have no problems with that at all. What happens though on occasion is our view of how much that should be and the agent’s view of how much that should be differs. We have made an effort.
"We will continue to make an effort to handle Josh’s situation. I want Josh here."
-- Tom Withers
Giants sign 3 players to roster for 2010
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants have signed defensive back Courtney Brown, fullback Jerome Johnson and place-kicker Sam Swank to their roster for 2010.
The Giants announced the moves on Wednesday, the same day they fired defensive line coach Mike Waufle.
Brown, who was drafted as a cornerback and moved to safety, played in 17 games for the Dallas Cowboys in 2007 and 2008. He was waived prior to this season.
Johnson was signed by St. Louis as a free agent in April. He played linebacker at Nevada-Reno but was converted to a fullback by the Rams. He was waived in September.
Swank played in two preseason games for the Bengals, making all eight of his extra points and a 49-yard field goal. He was waived on Sept. 5.
Elsewhere
Former Saint: Nissan didn’t help his dealership
JACKSON, Miss. — Former New Orleans Saints player Deuce McAllister claims Nissan’s financing division failed to help his struggling Mississippi dealership succeed.
His attorneys have filed a countersuit against Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp., claiming it knew McAllister was a football player who was inexperienced in the car business.
The Nissan company is suing McAllister and his company seeking more than $1.5 million after the dealership in Jackson closed this year. That suit claims the dealership defaulted on payments and exceeded credit limits.
Nissan officials declined comment.
McAllister is a two-time Pro Bowl pick released by the Saints in 2008. He played college at Ole Miss.
-- Holbrook Mohr
Ex-Lions Rogers gets 93 days in jail after arrest
NOVI, Mich. — Former Detroit Lions receiver Charles Rogers has been sentenced to 93 days in jail for contempt of court after apparently drinking too much and passing out at a Mexican restaurant.
Novi Deputy Police Chief Tom Lindberg says officers arrested Rogers on Tuesday at the suburban Detroit restaurant on a warrant for disobeying a sobriety court order. The order was imposed after Rogers pleaded guilty in September to impaired driving.
Lindberg says Rogers was visibly intoxicated Tuesday and was taken to a hospital. He spent the night in custody, and district Judge Robert Bondy sentenced him Wednesday.
Messages were left with Rogers lawyer Justin Barnett.
Rogers, a 28-year-old Saginaw native who starred at Michigan State, was the No. 2 NFL draft pick in 2003.
