NFL Capsules - AFC: Colts' Garcon keeping Haiti close to his heart
ANDERSON, Ind. (AP) — Pierre Garcon loves playing football.
He also learned there's more to life than just his job.
Nearly seven months after a destructive earthquake hit Haiti, the Colts receiver remains as focused as ever. Yes, he wants to win a Super Bowl and still hopes to make a Pro Bowl, but he also intends to continue raising money for his parents' home nation.
"It's become a big part of me," Garcon said this week at training camp. "It's something I'll have to deal with all the time now, that's basically it. It will be a part of me forever."
Garcon's journey began shortly after the quake struck in January.
He started using Twitter and his platform in the NFL playoffs to ask Americans for donations online and in interviews, promising he would personally take those supplies to Haiti.
In April, armed with about $150,000, Garcon found enough time between college classes to visit the island nation with his mother and sister. They spent several days walking through the streets, handing out food, water, clothing and assisting in the rebuilding projects.
For the guy with the tough NFL veneer, it was heartbreaking to see the damage.
"It looked like it did the day after (the earthquake)," Garcon said. "It was tough to see people in that environment, to live like that, and I had a chance to help them out."
A few weeks later and a world away, Garcon and the Colts were getting ready to start a new season.
Yes, his breakout year was solid — 47 passes for 765 yards and four touchdowns, including the game-winner at Miami. Then, in the playoffs, with his mind understandably split between football and family, he thrived.
Against Baltimore, in the divisional round, Garcon's brilliant punch knocked the ball out of Ed Reed's hands and changed the game. The next week, in the AFC title game, Garcon had a career-best 11 receptions for 151 yards and one TD against the Jets. He also caught Peyton Manning's only TD pass in the Super Bowl.
But Haiti was never far from his mind.
Garcon carried the nation's flag around Lucas Oil Stadium after beating the Jets, and walked into media day in Miami wearing a bandanna with the Haitian flag logo. His Twitter page was constantly updated with offers of autographed photos in exchange for contributions to the relief fund, and during interviews, he always made a pitch for help.
"I wanted the people to know that nobody was forgotten," he said. "That was our goal, to help them and motivate them."
The Colts supported Garcon all along the way — and still do.
"It starts at the top with Jim Irsay, and I think all of our players do a tremendous job in that area," coach Jim Caldwell said after Wednesday morning's special-teams only practice. "Pierre has found a certain situation dear to his heart, it's his home country and I think that's important."
Garcon has been a busy man since fans last saw him suit up in a Colts uniform.
Besides the trip, Garcon earned his college degree in communications and sports business from Mount Union in Ohio, a Division III school. He spent the rest of the spring working out at the Colts mini-camps and plotting new ways to keep his pet project in the spotlight.
He's also been an inspiration to his teammates.
"People saw the jump he made from his first year, and I'm using that as an example for this year," second-year receiver Austin Collie said. "This year, there needs to be a huge improvement over last year."
But Garcon's affinity might go both ways.
He acknowledges that there's probably many more Colts fans in Haiti than there were a year ago, and he has big plans for his scheduled return trip next offseason.
The goal: Raise $1 million and the spirits of a country that is still in dire need of help.
"We'll be doing a lot of things this year," Garcon said. "I'm going to raffle off season tickets. I'm going to do some things in Indiana with the organizations and foundations around the country. There's a good possibility you'll see the flag again. But it has to be a good game — not just any game.
"And I plan on playing well, so every time they ask me about, I can keep Haiti in the limelight. I'll do whatever I can."
Titans want to pit Finnegan against NFL's best
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Moving from right to left sounds simple enough, unless you're an NFL cornerback switching sides of the field.
Welcome to Cortland Finnegan's world.
Both Finnegan and the Titans want the option of matching the right cornerback up against an opponent's best receiver — no matter where the wideout lines up.
So everything becomes opposite for Finnegan on the left side of the field.
He has to change how he breaks on receivers, which hand he sticks out to gauge where his man is and even how much space he leaves between them.
The challenge: Learning it so well the moves become instinct rather than thought.
"That's what training camp is for," Finnegan said. "It feels like I'm improving in some areas. Some areas I still need some major work. If I continue to work on the little things, by the first game I'll be ready for it."
Finnegan has been locked in at right cornerback the past three seasons, including in 2008 when he went to the Pro Bowl and also was named an All Pro.
The 5-foot-10, 188-pound Finnegan with 47 starts in his career definitely has improved in the first week of camp. He picked off a Vince Young pass near the goal line during a passing drill in what would have been an interception returned for a touchdown.
But he was beaten by Kenny Britt down the sideline when the receiver exploded past him to haul in a catch Wednesday night. Finnegan recovered quickly enough to put a hand up near the ball but couldn't break it up.
Coach Jeff Fisher said Finnegan's probably a couple weeks away from locating the ball.
"He's doing well out there," Fisher said.
Why flip your starting cornerback? Well, the Titans play in the AFC South against the likes of Indianapolis' Reggie Wayne and Andre Johnson of Houston. Offenses like to move receivers around and look for mismatches, and the Titans want the chance to counter with Finnegan.
Previously, Tennessee locked cornerbacks into the left or right cornerback job. That approach really hurt last season when Finnegan, Nick Harper and nickelback Vincent Fuller all suffered injuries. So while Finnegan is working on learning the left side of the field, the rest of the Titans' defensive backs are multitasking as well in practicing on the right and left cornerback slots.
"So, having the familiarity and being comfortable on both sides, you can move them around and match up if you choose to do so week-to-week and guys can step in and play," Fisher said.
Finnegan missed three games last season with an injured hamstring, including that 59-0 rout at New England. He wound up intercepting five passes and returned one for a touchdown just as he did in 2008, but it was lost in a season where the Titans struggled defensively and finished next to last against the pass.
"I'm trying to take on the necessary steps to stay on the field," Finnegan said. "Last year was disappointing to be injured and have to watch people play. At the same time, I don't think it's a step back. You learn from everything. Now this year I'm going to try to stay on the field and take all the right steps for my hamstring."
Finnegan said in June he planned to work in Phoenix with Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis. Asked in camp what he might have learned, Finnegan declined to discuss anything but the Titans.
"I'm just thankful for the opportunity," Finnegan said. "They moved me over there. It's more action, and it's more fun now. You get a chance to showcase what it's all about playing in the NFL."
-- Teresa M. Walker
Namath says Jets look Super, confident about Revis
CORTLAND, N.Y. (AP) — Joe Namath caught a glimpse of Bart Scott's T-shirt and stopped to take a few pictures with the New York Jets linebacker.
The line from a popular rap song — "Known To Do The Impossible Like Broadway Joe" — was emblazoned across Scott's broad chest. It was fitting, Namath thought, especially with how excited he is about this year's Jets team.
"To me, we have the most legitimate contender we've had," said Namath, his gray hair still wet after watching a rain-soaked practice Thursday. "That's as simple as I can put it."
With all the talk about a run for the Super Bowl by coach Rex Ryan and his players, Namath believes it's legitimate. Since leading the Jets to their only championship in 1969, Namath has seen plenty of teams with high hopes come and go. This year, the hype is different.
"It's justified," he said in that familiar, syrupy drawl. "This is what I'm saying: This team that I'm looking at today is more suited to be able to follow through with a championship, or to get a championship, than what we've had out there."
Now 67 with a mind he acknowledges is sometimes sketchy — "I think my memory's all right, but I question it myself now since I've been monitoring it" — Namath has no trouble remembering details about his playing career. Or, about delivering on possibly the greatest guarantee in sports history.
"Well," he said, pausing for a split-second, "It was a dream come true."
Namath was decked out in a Jets jacket and T-shirt and wearing a credential around his neck with his name "Joe Namath" printed in black ink, as if he was just any other visitor. No doubt, though, he's still the closest the Jets have to royalty because of that Super Bowl ring.
"I never dreamt that it would be a longtime coming to get another championship with the New York Jets, or the New York Jets getting another one," he said. "Of course, I didn't dream of living until this age, even though I changed my plans. I'm going a lot longer."
Speaking of waits, he doesn't think star cornerback Darrelle Revis' holdout will go much longer.
"After talking to some important people," he said, not quite guaranteeing it, "in my opinion, I have confidence Revis will be here."
Namath's optimism for the team largely lies in the continued development of quarterback Mark Sanchez, who has thoroughly impressed Broadway Joe.
"As a player, knowing what it was like for me as a rookie and then the second year, it's a big difference because you really don't know the offense as a rookie," Namath said. "You're learning it. Mark is like, 'This year, let's go play.' He's not impeded by the learning process so much, even though there is continuing education there when you're out there. He's ready to go."
His biggest concern is actually the left guard position that was vacated when the Jets cut perennial Pro Bowler Alan Faneca in April.
"When I first saw that we lost Faneca, I was a bit confused, upset," he said. "The man was a Pro Bowler for a number of years and did well last year, and I still don't know exactly why he's departed. But whoever steps into that slot's going to have a load to carry."
That will be either rookie Vladimir Ducasse or second-year player Matt Slauson.
"If our horses up front can do a job similar to what they did last year, we've got a good shot, offensively," he said.
Namath enjoyed seeing some of the Jets' newest acquisitions, particularly Jason Taylor, take the field at training camp. He also couldn't help but tease the former Miami Dolphins star.
"'It's good to see you in green. The kind we wear, you know, and not that funky green they wear down there in South Florida,'" Namath said he told Taylor, laughing. "I feel like I've been watching Jason Taylor play most of my life, you know? And, what a player. I just hope he stays healthy because he brings a lot to the team, if he's healthy."
Namath enjoys talking football — "I'm a football-aholic" — and has started his own site, www.broadwayjoe.tv, to communicate with fans on a regular basis to discuss sports and life issues.
"There are some things after living a number of years, I mentioned being a football-aholic, I was another kind of an 'aholic' for a while, too," said Namath, a recovering alcoholic. "Learned some lessons with that."
With that, Namath shook some hands, smiled and posed for a few more pictures.
"We have a team," he said, smiling again, "we're expecting a lot out of this year."
-- Dennis Waszak Jr.
Lightning causes Jets to cut practice short
CORTLAND, N.Y. (AP) — The New York Jets got some hard-hitting, goal-line practice in Thursday morning.
Then, the heavy rains came and the session was cut short after 70 minutes because of a lightning warning.
"That's not bad weather," defensive tackle Kris Jenkins said, smiling. "It's football weather."
The players worked through a drenching rain for most of practice before warning sirens wailed around the SUNY Cortland campus. Coach Rex Ryan ended things shortly after fans and media — along with Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath in attendance — were told to leave the field.
"We hadn't really counted on this," a rain-soaked Ryan said. "But, it's a great opportunity to be able to throw a wet football."
The skies had cleared by the afternoon, and the team was holding its special teams practice.
While All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis missed his fourth straight day of practice because of a contract dispute, it was Jenkins' first time in full pads since training camp began. He got on the field for some snaps Wednesday after starting camp on the active-physically unable to perform list.
Jenkins missed much of last season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, and had a graft from the hamstring used to repair it. Despite the wet conditions, Jenkins had no reservations about being out there.
"The water was actually good for me," he said. "It softens the grass up. For heavy guys, it makes it easier on our shins. Plus, if the grass gives, it's harder for me to get hurt with the slipping."
Before the heaviest rains came, NFL Films unveiled its "Chopper Cam" while filming HBO's "Hard Knocks." It's a 25-pound remote-controlled mini-helicopter that's mounted with an HD camera. The "Chopper Cam" is battery-powered, can fly up to 90 mph and can stay in the air for up to five hours.
"As it was flying around, I'm like, 'Give me a football,'" Ryan said, drawing laughs. "That's the first thing you want to do is see if you can knock it down, but I'm not so sure about that."
-- Dennis Waszak Jr.
Competition wide open for Bills' No. 2 WR spot
PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) — Now that Terrell Owens has come and gone, Lee Evans finds himself facing an all-too familiar question with the Buffalo Bills receiving group going through yet another transformation.
Who, Evans is left wondering, will emerge as the latest in a long string of No. 2 receivers who will line up opposite him once the season opens? There have been so many during Evans' previous six seasons in Buffalo, he's having trouble remembering them all.
"Let's see, there was Eric Moulds, then he left. And then Peerless (Price), but it was only for a year-and-a-half because he got hurt, and then Josh (Reed) and ... " Evans said, stopping in mid-sentence. "It's a tough situation, but it's nowhere I haven't been before."
A week into training camp in suburban Rochester, the competition is wide open between a group of unproven players who will be asked to draw coverage away from Evans.
There's Steve Johnson, a 2008 seventh-round pick, who opened camp at the No. 2 spot as a reward for his performance during spring practices. He's followed by James Hardy, the 2008 second-round pick, who's career has so far been derailed by injuries. Also in the mix is Chad Jackson, a 2006 second-round pick, who was a flop in New England, and signed by the Bills this offseason.
It's a list that doesn't include speedster Roscoe Parrish, the fifth-year player, who is expected to be primarily used in the slot in place of Reed, who was not re-signed this offseason.
Together, the three contenders for the No. 2 job have combined for 36 catches for 389 yards and seven touchdowns. That's a significant change from last season, when T.O. filled that role while playing out his one-year contract.
And the best coach Chan Gailey can say about his receivers so far has been: "We have a bunch of guys. It looks like Lee is the only one that's proven, and everybody else has got to prove themselves."
Hardy has been the bright spot at camp in finally showing glimpses that he can use his lanky 6-foot-5 frame to his advantage against smaller defensive backs. He's shown improvement in his ability to run crisper routes. And, most important, he's finally healthy after having operations to repair knee and hernia injuries over the past two years.
"It's coming, that's all I can say. It's coming," Hardy said. "Each and every practice I'm getting better."
Gailey's noticed. Referring to what he saw from Hardy in the spring as "just average," Gailey has seen a noted and steady improvement.
Hardy accepted Gailey's assessment.
"There's nothing coach can say that could motivate me more than I'm motivating myself," he said. "It is an honor, for him to say that I'm coming along."
For Evans, Buffalo's 2004 first-round draft pick, this marks the latest rebuilding project that's coming under his third head coach after Gailey took over in January following Dick Jauron's dismissal.
And in his six years in Buffalo, it's been difficult to gauge how good of a receiver Evans is given how dysfunctional the Bills' offense has been in finishing 25th or worse in yards gained over that time.
Evans' best season came in 2006, when he had 82 catches for 1,292 yards and eight touchdowns. That was despite playing opposite Price, who was attempting to revive his career by rejoining the Bills, and during J.P. Losman's only full season as starter.
Last season was mostly a disappointment as Evans finished with career-lows in catches (44) and yards (612), while scoring a team-leading seven touchdowns receiving.
Owens wasn't much better on an offense that was undone by a raw and banged-up offensive line, a quarterback shuffle and coordinator Turk Schonert getting fired 10 days before the start of the season.
For Evans, it's not about statistics.
"The bottom line is about winning and being in a culture of winning," Evans said. "My frustration is not being able to make it to the playoffs. And I think if we can make that next jump, things will take care of themselves."
Much then rides on whether the offensive-minded Gailey can spark a popgun passing attack and provide stability to a unit that's had a constant carousel at quarterback and coordinator.
Evans sees promise in Gailey's plan and in the young group of receivers.
"I think that's what keeps us optimistic, because now we think we have something where we have a foundation we can go forward with," Evans said. "And that's what keeps you going."
-- John Wawrow
Bengals' DE Odom back on line
GEORGETOWN, Ky. (AP) — Antwan Odom zips around the Cincinnati Bengals' training camp on a two-wheel transport, getting where he wants to go as fast as he can.
The Bengals hope the same holds true when he's back in the lineup.
The 28-year-old defensive end has fully recovered from a torn Achilles' tendon that ended his season after only six games. He still finished as the team's sacks leader with eight.
Odom sat out practice on Thursday with an illness that has bothered him the past few days, causing him to lose a little weight. It's unclear whether he'll play in the preseason opener on Sunday, the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio, against the Dallas Cowboys.
He wants to get into a game soon.
"I'm very eager," Odom said. "I can't wait. I'm anxious. It's going to be a great year for us. We've got a lot of key additions to the team."
None bigger than Odom, who has been injured each of his two seasons with the Bengals. The defense finished fourth in the NFL last season without him, but struggled to get pressure on the quarterback at times.
"It's huge having Antwan back," defensive tackle Domata Peko said. "That's what he does — get after the quarterbacks."
The Bengals signed Odom from Tennessee before the 2008 season, their major offseason acquisition to help the defense. He hurt his foot during training camp and was limited to eight starts and three sacks.
Healthy at the start of last season, he emerged as one of the NFL's best at getting to the passer. Odom had seven sacks in the first two games, an NFL record. He was tied for the league lead with eight sacks when he tore his right Achilles' tendon on Oct. 18.
A sign of how much the Bengals missed him: Odom's eight sacks still led the team at the end of the season.
Odom was well into his rehabilitation when the Bengals lost to the Jets in a first-round playoff game. He made it back ahead of schedule, and has no limitations in training camp.
"He looks good," defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer said. "His Achilles is fine."
The defensive line got sapped by injuries last season. Tackle Tank Johnson was limited by plantar faciitis in his right foot, which forced him to miss two games and slowed him in others. Peko missed five games with injuries to both knees.
They're healthy now.
"Antwan is an explosive player, and we need him out there," Johnson said. "Injuries or not, I've been able to play through stuff most of the time. Being able to feel good going into a game rather than having to get injections just to make yourself feel good is a plus."
The biggest question was whether Odom would be able to overcome an injury that could cost a player some quickness. He hasn't had any setbacks.
"When I get hurt, I get motivated," Odom said. "Something comes over me and I've got this thing about proving people wrong. People tell me I can't do something, I'm going to do everything I can to prove you wrong. That's kind of what my whole life has been — proving people wrong. I'm used to that. It doesn't bother me."
Odom has become a trendsetter in training camp. Last year, he brought a personal transport to get from his dorm room to meeting rooms and the practice field, zipping past teammates on two wheels. Quarterback Carson Palmer bought transports for his offensive linemen last Christmas, so there is a lot more traffic around the place.
"It's fun," Odom said. "It helps a lot, I think. It saves your legs walking back and forth in the heat. I think everybody should have them."
NOTES: Coach Marvin Lewis said WR Antonio Bryant won't play on Sunday because of his sore left knee. WR Terrell Owens and TE Jermaine Gresham are expected to play. Lewis declined to say how long his starters would play. ... Owens made a 29-yard touchdown catch over CB Adam "Pacman" Jones during practice, holding onto the ball while falling in the end zone. Later in practice, Owens ran the wrong route and Palmer's pass was intercepted. ... Palmer wore a protective brace on his left knee during practice, getting used to it again. Palmer plans to wear it in games as a precaution. He tore up his left knee during a 2005 playoff loss to Pittsburgh.
-- Joe Kay
Gocong makes quick impression at Browns' camp
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Linebacker Chris Gocong isn't the only one at the Cleveland Browns' training camp on an advanced learning curve.
Head coach Eric Mangini is quickly discovering that Gocong's versatility fits into the aggressive schemes devised by defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. Instead of being one of several linebackers rotated in a 3-4 scheme, the newcomer is using his speed and agility to establish himself with the starting unit.
"Throw me in there, fine with me," Gocong said Thursday after another good practice at inside linebacker.
"Coming over here to a 3-4 where you've got this great coordinator, and Mangini is such a defensive-minded coach, it's just fun."
Gocong enjoyed batting down a pass from Jake Delhomme early in drills. That set the tone for defensive pressure that often left the offense frustrated. Eric Wright and Abram Elam soon followed with interceptions. Lineman Robaire Smith picked off a tipped ball, too.
The offense resorted to trickery from Seneca Wallace and Josh Cribbs to gain some points with the coaching staff. Wallace, the backup to Delhomme, fired a pinpoint pass to wideout Cribbs in the corner of the end zone. That came a few moments after Cribbs took the snap and made a lateral pass to Wallace, who ran it 20 yards to score.
Delhomme and Wallace are expected to lend a spark to Cleveland's offense. Gocong and eight-year defensive back Sheldon Brown were acquired from Philadelphia to improve a defense that ranked next-to-last in the NFL in 2009.
"He is a really smart person and player," Mangini said of Gocong, who missed only one game the past three years after sitting out the entire 2006 season because of a herniated disc.
Mangini sees no effects of that injury.
"He moves well," Mangini said. "He is understanding the concepts well."
While hoping to move into a starting role, Gocong is most excited about getting a chance to move in on opposing quarterbacks. He had 42 sacks in 41 games as a defensive end in college, but has only four in 47 NFL games.
"I've always wanted to get to the quarterback more," Gocong said. "With the Eagles, it was more of a run-stopping thing, but I learned a lot and that has made me a better player overall."
In his final game for Philadelphia, Gocong sacked Dallas quarterback Tony Romo in the playoffs. The big play was no surprise to Brown, who while with the Eagles predicted a Pro Bowl trip in Gocong's future.
Gocong is more interested in helping the Browns improve upon a 5-11 record and establish a defensive presence in the AFC North.
"We've got the big hogs in the middle, the linebackers flying around and the secondary to cover," he said. "Sheldon is solid. He can tackle, he can cover, he can do everything. The parts are there."
Gocong believes Ryan is just the man to assemble the parts into a dominating unit.
"Rob really is open to things," he said. "You can go over and say, 'I think we should do this, and he'll be open-minded about it. That's a cool thing. It's like a breath of fresh air."
Cleveland fans enjoyed the Browns' attacking defense that produced 40 sacks last year, most by the team since 2001. Gocong and newcomer, Scott Fujita, hope to add to that total.
"The versatility of our linebacking corps is a huge asset," said Fujita, signed in March as an unrestricted free agent after helping New Orleans win the Super Bowl. "I saw the same thing play out in New Orleans, where there were so many guys desperate to contribute that they played really well."
Gocong just wants to play, and that includes work on special teams.
"I played on all four special units in Philadelphia," he said. "I love it. Whether it is getting a sack, stopping a run or preventing a return, it's my job."
Chiefs' LB Johnson ready for breakout year
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Ever since Kansas City drafted him in the first round in 2005, there has been the Texas version of Derrick Johnson and the Missouri version of Derrick Johnson.
Texas Derrick was about as good as they get. He set a Longhorns career record with 65 tackles for loss and was clearly the top defensive player in the Big 12. As a senior, he won the Butkus Award and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the nation's best college linebacker.
In the pros, the road's been rocky. Although the Missouri version was as quick and athletic as just about any linebacker in the league and started all 16 games as a rookie, Johnson never drew much national recognition. Often, he was the target of criticism by fans who grew impatient waiting for the All-Pro linebacker they thought they were getting.
Then last year a new staff and head coach came in and for the first time since he was a youngster on the playgrounds in Waco, someone started ahead of him. Johnson found himself coming onto the field only in special situations, usually as a nickel linebacker.
There was never any official explanation why coach Todd Haley benched a man who was supposed to be a rising star.
In the offseason, however, Johnson worked so hard he was singled out for special praise by the hard-to-please head coach. Now, sweating through two-a-days in his second training camp under the new regime, Missouri Derrick finally feels he's closer to being Texas Derrick again.
"I think I'm just now hitting my prime," said Johnson, 27. "I don't want to sound like an old guy saying, 'I'm in my prime,' and all this. But I've got a lot of youth in me and my legs are still fast and I still run really fast, probably faster than any linebacker. If I can keep doing that, I think I'll be in my prime a long time."
How much playing time he'll get this year remains to be seen. He's been rotating with the first- and second-teamers the first week of camp. But so have most players at most positions. He did well enough in a night practice on Wednesday to be singled out.
"He has worked hard," said Haley. "He has been, I think, close to perfect attendance in the offseason. He's a guy who has a chance to really help us if he continues to push the way he's been pushing himself to get better."
Over the winter, a rumor got started that Johnson had asthma. He knew nothing about it until a concerned friend called.
"I have no respiratory problems," Johnson said. "I've always been the first guy beating everybody on the conditioning runs. I don't have any breathing problems. Everything's fine."
Many speculated that he would not return to the Chiefs this year since his contract ran through 2009 only. But he eagerly signed up for another hitch in Kansas City, telling everyone the Chiefs were the team he would like to finish his career with.
And what a career it would be if he could put together a few more games like he had at Denver in last year's season finale. In a 44-24 victory that Haley says provided momentum throughout the offseason, Johnson became just the third linebacker in NFL history to score two touchdowns on interception returns in the same game. Even though he started only three games, he finished fourth in the NFL with 175 return yards on three interceptions.
"When I get out there I can cover," he said. "I can read the quarterback. I think I really showed them I can help them win. The coaches were pleased. I've just got to do that sort of thing more often."
He also made several nifty plays in Wednesday night's practice that brought applause from the 8,000 fans and approving looks from the coach.
"He's clearly ahead of where he was last year and I'm excited about that," Haley said. "He was one of our top offseason guys and got a little fun award for it and I think he's trying to take the next step like all of us."
Maybe one day Missouri Derrick will outshine even Texas Derrick.
"Right now, I'm probably a better player than I've ever been, total package," he said. "It's a good feeling. But at the end of the day, I have to look at the mirror and say, 'Am I fooling myself? Am I really a good player?' I've got to show it to myself first."
-- Doug Tucker
LB English shines, putting pressure on left tackle
SAN DIEGO (AP) — With every burst linebacker Larry English provides from the right side, the San Diego Chargers aren't sure whether to be pleased or disappointed.
They can certainly be pleased with English, a second-year pro who is eager to improve on his two-sack season of last year.
But with each sack or near sack by English in training camp, it's obvious the Chargers have issues at left tackle. With Marcus McNeill holding out in a contract dispute and Tra Thomas sidelined for at least two weeks after having arthroscopic knee surgery, English has been shining.
Plus, with Shawne Merriman also holding out, English is getting additional reps during training camp.
"My biggest thing is coming out every day and not just try to make it through camp and get through practice but come in every day with the approach of getting better every day," English said. "I'm just chipping away and trying to get better all the way up to that opening game."
It was a steep learning curve for English in 2009. Used to playing defensive end with a hand on the ground at Northern Illinois, English was asked to stand tall and shoot in from the outside linebacker's position. While that doesn't seem like that big of deal, English said it was.
"It's a lot different," said English, the team's first-round pick in 2009. "I'm a lot more comfortable this time around because I know what to expect, know what is being asked of me at the outside linebacker position. I'm more comfortable now that I've made the transition and things are coming quicker."
This time last summer, English's head was swimming.
"I had so many things coming at me so fast that it was hard to stay focused on getting better," he said. "Now I'm a lot more comfortable and I think that is setting me up to make strides in my game."
The Chargers, though, haven't reported any advancement with the three key players who are holding out — McNeill, Merriman and Pro Bowl wide receiver Vincent Jackson.
"I can't worry about who isn't here," English said. "I'm just concentrating on getting better."
Merriman, McNeill and Jackson are unhappy about not receiving long-term contracts.
Injured players missing practice were fullback Mike Tolbert (hamstring), cornerback Antoine Cason (hamstring), wide receiver Legedu Naanee (groin), linebacker Antwan Applewhite (knee) and offensive lineman Scott Mruczkowski (ankle). Wide receiver Craig Davis (ankle) got in limited work.
Also Thursday, the Chargers claimed linebacker Ali Highsmith off waivers from the Arizona Cardinals. He played in 20 games during two seasons. He is a cousin of former NFL player Alonzo Highsmith.
Wide receiver Bryan Walters (hamstring) was waived injured. If he is not claimed by another team, Walters will be placed on the Chargers' injured reserve list.
Gradkowski has to climb depth chart again
NAPA, Calif. (AP) — Bruce Gradkowski dropped back to throw, launched a deep completion down the right sideline and ran to bump chests with offensive lineman Khalif Barnes. Then he sought out wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey and did a leaping hip-bump.
The Oakland Raiders' journeyman quarterback is having fun, even if he's buried on the depth chart again.
It's not where Gradkowski expected to be, not after coming off the bench in 2009 and leading the Raiders to a pair of late-season wins while infusing the offense with a much-needed spark. At the very least Gradkowski assumed he'd enter training camp with a legitimate shot at the starting job.
Instead, Oakland traded for Jason Campbell during the NFL draft in April and head coach Tom Cable named Campbell the starter the day before training camp began.
"From what I've been through through my career, why get handed something now?" Gradkowski said with a grin Thursday. "I'm never going to get handed anything. That's just the way I was brought up. You have to work for it and you have to earn it. I've never expected anything to come easy."
Gradkowski started 13 games as a rookie for Tampa Bay in 2006 then quickly fell off the map and into backup territory. Over the next two years, he started just six games for the Bucs and Cleveland Browns, then signed on as the Raiders' fourth quarterback before last season.
In Oakland, Gradkowski was behind former No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell, Jeff Garcia and Andrew Walter when camp began. By midseason, he had vaulted to the top of the depth chart and was a big hit at the Oakland Coliseum, where fans had grown tired of Russell's ineffectiveness and attitude.
Gradkowski started four games for the Raiders, including a 27-24 road win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 6. Gradkowski grew up less than 10 minutes from the Steelers' stadium and the emotional return home, coupled with the victory, seemed to enhance Gradkowski's stock.
He compiled a 91.4 rating in his four starts but missed the final three games due to a knee injury. He hurt himself again this offseason when he tore a pectoral muscle while lifting weights. The injury required surgery that forced Gradkowski to miss all the team's OTAs and minicamps.
That's one of the reasons the Raiders traded for Campbell. The team also severed ties with Russell after three disappointing seasons.
Asked Thursday what hurt worse, the torn pectoral muscle or being informed Campbell was the starter on the eve of training camp, Gradkowski chuckled.
"Well I think definitely ... definitely the pec," he said. "Those (other) situations, I can't control, so no need to worry about them. At least now I'm back and I can compete and do my thing and let things fall into place."
Through the first week of training camp Gradkowski has worked almost exclusively with the second-team offense while Campbell has taken the majority of reps with the starters.
Oakland also has Kyle Boller and journeyman Charlie Frye on the roster, though not even Campbell has asserted himself as vocally as Gradkowski.
During a 7-on-7 goal line drill Thursday, Gradkowski stepped to the line of scrimmage to scan the defense and noticed defensive back Stanford Routt lingering on the field when he should have been on the sideline.
"Hey Stan, you in or out?" Gradkowski barked. "Get off."
That leadership and his willingness to accept a backup role without complaining has made Gradkowski a hit with the coaching staff.
"Bruce is a pro, (he) is not about what Bruce wants," Cable said. "Everyone wants to be a starter, but he's about the team and he'll have himself ready to go, and his approach is fine. He understands this game at this level. He's just a play away from being the starter again."
Notes: WR Jonathon Holland was carted off the field with an undisclosed injury during the morning practice. Holland went down and appeared to be clutching his left ankle after running a pass route. ... Defensive tackle Richard Seymour was given the morning off. ... WRs Louis Murphy (foot), Darrius Heyward-Bey (general soreness) and Jacoby Ford (quad) also did not practice. ... Eight NFL referees attended Thursday's practice and will continue to work with the team for the next few days.
