Football Capsules:$25 per vehicle to watch Texas Stadium implosion

IRVING — The famed ex-home of the Dallas Cowboys is a shell of its former self.

Literally.

Most of the interior of hole-in-the-roof Texas Stadium in Irving has been gutted in preparation for the April 11 implosion.

Mayor Herbert Gears said Tuesday that it’s a sad time to know the stadium is coming down, but he calls it a "momentous occasion" that marks a change in the community.

Fans who want to get within viewing distance of the controlled explosion can do so cheaper than what some Cowboys game-day parking passes cost.

The city of Irving plans to donate the $25 fee per vehicle, to watch the once state-of-the-art venue come tumbling down, to charity.

The NFL team last season moved to its $1.2 billion Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.

LT lured to N.Y. by familiar offense, chance to win

NEW YORK — LaDainian Tomlinson wants to cap his career with a Super Bowl ring.

He believes the New York Jets can help him deliver on that dream.

"There would be no greater place than to bring a championship to the city of New York," Tomlinson said during a conference call Tuesday.

The eighth-leading rusher in NFL history chose New York over Minnesota, signing a two-year deal worth about $5.2 million on Sunday with the Jets after visiting both teams last week.

"It was pretty tough, but when it comes down to it, you’ve got to go with your gut feeling, no matter what," Tomlinson said. "You’ve just got to go with a feel, and that’s what I did."

Tomlinson, cut last month after nine seasons in San Diego and a career-low 730 yards rushing, said playing in a familiar offensive scheme under coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and living in New York played major roles in his decision.

"I will tell you I’ve come here to win a championship, and I believe this team has the ability to do it," Tomlinson said.

That should immediately endear him to Jets fans, who have been waiting to celebrate a title since Joe Namath delivered on his guarantee in 1969. New York came within a win of a Super Bowl appearance last season, beating Tomlinson and the Chargers along the way.

Tomlinson, who turns 31 in June, acknowledged he no longer has the "long" speed he once had when he was one of the league’s most dynamic players. But he insists he’s in great shape, is feeling healthy and still has "very good speed."

"I have to prove to people where I am at this point in my career that I can still play this game, and I’m very confident I can," said Tomlinson, who has 12,490 career yards rushing.

Tomlinson believes he’ll be able to contribute more with New York than if he chose to back up Adrian Peterson in Minnesota, something general manager Mike Tannenbaum confirmed.

"We expect him to play a lot," Tannenbaum said. "We expect him to touch the ball a lot."

Tomlinson will report to the team when it begins its offseason program next Monday. He insists he’s OK with a complementary role — he’s expected to back up Shonn Greene, who made Thomas Jones expendable — after being a longtime focal point of the Chargers’ offense.

"I have no ego," Tomlinson said. "At this point, it’s all about having the opportunity to win a championship. ... The Jets made it to the AFC championship without me. How can I come in here and demand to be a starter? They were very good without me. I just want to be able to have a role on this team and contribute."

Tomlinson joins a rushing offense that ranked No. 1 in the NFL last season with 172.2 yards per game. He’s also reunited with Schottenheimer, who was the Chargers’ quarterbacks coach from 2002-05 and runs the same type of system in which Tomlinson became one of the league’s most dynamic players.

"I’ll just say this: This is my type of football," Tomlinson said.

The Jets went after Tomlinson hard despite his least productive season and questions about whether he has much left.

"When we looked at all the factors, we’re real excited about LaDainian," Tannenbaum said. "We still think he can run the ball effectively in our system with our players."

Tomlinson’s recent decline in production could be partly attributed to the Chargers’ increasing focus on the passing game with Philip Rivers and the face San Diego’s offensive line was generally mediocre. San Diego ranked 31st in rushing last season.

"It’s still on me to prove that I can still play in this league," he said. "Now here we are with the Jets, a team that has a very good offensive line and there’s no more excuses."

The 2006 NFL MVP visited with the Vikings last Thursday and heard from quarterback Brett Favre, who spent the 2008 season with the Jets and is still undecided about whether he’ll return for a 20th season. Tomlinson said the uncertainty of Favre’s status was not a factor in his own decision.

"I would’ve thought that I might get a little bit of a kind of hint of what he was thinking, but no, he didn’t," Tomlinson said. "He didn’t give me a clue at all what he was thinking."

After leaving Minnesota, Tomlinson spent Friday with the Jets and had dinner with Tannenbaum, coach Rex Ryan and other team officials. He flew back home to San Diego on Saturday and made up his mind.

"I couldn’t see the future, but I always wanted to live in New York and have the opportunity to play on that wonderful stage," he said. "Obviously, now I get that opportunity and I’m excited about it."

Tomlinson says Favre didn’t tip hand about plans

NEW YORK — Brett Favre kept his plans to himself, even as he helped try to recruit LaDainian Tomlinson to play for the Minnesota Vikings.

Tomlinson, who signed a two-year deal with the New York Jets on Sunday, said the quarterback gave no indication whether he’d return for a 20th season when they chatted about the Vikings last week.

"I would’ve thought that I might get a little bit of a kind of hint of what he was thinking, but no, he didn’t," Tomlinson said on a conference call Tuesday. "He didn’t give me a clue at all what he was thinking."

Favre played the 2008 season with the Jets after a messy split with the Green Bay Packers. He signed with the Vikings last offseason and helped Minnesota get within a game of the Super Bowl. The team is still waiting to hear from Favre about his intentions.

"I didn’t ask him because I know as players, there’s a lot of stuff that you deal with in the offseason and, in his case, about playing again," Tomlinson said. "So, I didn’t want to get into it. He’s owed that much respect to make his own decision."

Tomlinson, cut by San Diego last month, met with Vikings officials in Minnesota last Thursday about the prospect of joining the team, and also later heard from Favre. ESPN reported Tuesday, citing an anonymous source, that the communications between the players were by a series of text messages.

"As far as what Brett said, really, he didn’t say much," Tomlinson said. "He just said both organizations are great. He told me to take my time, think about it and just make the best decision for my family and that was it."

Tomlinson said he chose the Jets because of his familiarity with the team’s offensive scheme and the opportunity to play in New York. He also said the uncertainty surrounding Favre’s future played no role in choosing the Jets over the Vikings.

"It really didn’t because, honestly, in my mind, I don’t know," he said. "He had a great year last year and you would think he would be coming back, but that had nothing to do with it. It had no factor in the decision."

-- Dennis Waszak Jr.

League News

NFL to examine 2 possessions in playoffs OT

NEW YORK — NFL owners will vote next week whether to allow each team a possession in overtime in the playoffs if the team winning the OT coin toss kicks a field goal on the first series.

Previously, the game would end whenever either side scores, as happened in the NFC championship game in January, with New Orleans beating Minnesota on Garrett Hartley’s kick. But NFL competition committee chairman Rich McKay says a trend has developed showing too strong an advantage for teams winning the coin toss to start overtime.

If the team that falls behind by three points on the first series also kicks a field goal, then the game would continue under current sudden death rules.

The proposal is only for the postseason.

"Statistically, it is pretty clear there has been a change," McKay said. "When sudden death was put in for 1974, it clearly worked very well and was a good system. It brought excitement and effectively broke ties. From ‘74-’93 you had a 50-50 (breakdown) in who would win between those who won toss and who lost the toss.

"Changes occurred over time, and the numbers have changed to 59.8 percent winning the coin toss and winning the game. The team that loses the coin toss wins 38.5 percent.

"We are trying to put in a system that emphasizes more skill and strategy as opposed to the randomness of the coin flip."

McKay credited the advancements in field goal accuracy and skills of return teams for the hefty switch in statistics. The competition committee found that since 1994, when the kickoff was moved back 5 yards to the 30, teams winning the OT coin toss won 34.4 percent of the games on the first series. They kicked field goals 26.2 percent of those times, an increase from 17.9 percent in 15 years.

"I would say this is something that’s been on our radar for a number of years and been talked about a lot," he said. "In the last four or five years, we have not proposed anything because we thought if there weren’t enough votes (among the 32 owners), we should not propose it. This year, the statistics are so compelling we need to get the discussion going."

Rest assured there will be plenty of discussion; 24 votes are needed to adopt the change.

"Overtime, since 1958, has had ... the first team that scores, wins," said Redskins general manager Bruce Allen. I like the 1958 rules better" than the proposal.

The players union strongly has supported the current overtime setup because it fears another system could lead to more injuries. McKay said the competition committee has "not spent a lot of time with them" on this proposal, but will make the players association aware of the recommendation.

Questions have been raised whether altering overtime is something that must be collectively bargained with the union, but the league says it would simply be a rule change the NFL can enact unilaterally.

Another recommendation to the owners, who will hold their meetings in Orlando, Fla., beginning Sunday, centers on expanding protection for defenseless players, most notably receivers. McKay said a recent rule change helped, but there are cases where receivers already have made a catch and still are defenseless when they get hit in the head area.

The proposal will offer those players protection from hits to the head until after the catch is made and the receiver has an opportunity to protect himself.

--Barry Wilner

Redskins invite local coaches to concussion forum

WASHINGTON — The Washington Redskins are inviting 500 area high school football coaches to a concussion forum during a minicamp next month.

Speaking Wednesday at a panel discussion as part of Brain Injury Awareness Day on Capitol Hill, Redskins general manager Bruce Allen said the team has sent letters to coaches in Washington, Maryland and Virginia, asking them to attend an April 17 practice during new head coach Mike Shanahan’s first minicamp and participate in an information session about concussions.

"We’re going to teach them what we have learned. We are going to expose them to all the information we have, because it does trickle down," Allen said in a meeting room at the Capitol Visitors Center.

"I’m hoping their message goes back to the parents at their schools and makes them aware what we’re facing in the NFL, and (conveys) the emphasis that we’re putting on this," he added.

The event is a Redskins initiative in conjunction with USA Football, which is based in Washington.

The NFL has placed a stronger emphasis on concussion prevention and education in recent months, particularly in the aftermath of an October congressional hearing at which lawmakers were critical of the league’s approach to head injuries.

The league instituted new return-to-play guidelines for players with concussions, for example, and made each team enlist an independent neurologist who is to be consulted when a player has a head injury.

"The NFL’s effort to shine a bright light on this is very important to everyone," Allen said.

After Wednesday’s panel, which also included former NFL player John Booty and doctors who study or treat brain injuries, Allen said the topic "is important, but it’s not new."

"This has been a long-standing policy of the league. ... When a concussion affects a player, it affects not only the team but his family, so anything we can do to help the players, that’s what we’re going to do," he said.

Redskins running back Clinton Portis missed the second half of last season because of a concussion.

During the session, Dr. Robert Stern of the Boston University School of Medicine said that the brains of all 12 deceased football players over the age of 25 studied by his group have had chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease he likened to what is found in boxers.

The NFL has partnered with Stern’s Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy, encouraging current and former players to donate their brains for research after they die.

"Our scientific understanding is at its infancy," Stern told the audience.

Afterward, Stern applauded Tuesday’s announcement by the NFL that it has appointed two new co-chairmen to lead its committee on concussions, calling it another sign that the league is taking the issue more seriously than it has in the past.

--Howard Frenrich

Gibbs is a Shanahan fan

ASHBURN, Va. — Joe Gibbs approves of the Washington Redskins’ choice of Mike Shanahan as coach.

Gibbs and Shanahan, the two living coaches who have won Super Bowls and worked for the Redskins, stood together Wednesday at Redskins Park for the first time.

"We’re all excited about Mike coming on board ... a proven guy," Gibbs said. "He’s got a formula. He’s got a scheme that he believes in that’s been super-successful. I’ve always had great respect for him."

Indeed, Shanahan is second among active coaches with 154 victories, seven of which came in the 1997 and 1998 playoffs when he directed the Denver Broncos to consecutive Super Bowl triumphs. New England’s Bill Belichick is the only other coach to win two in a row during the salary cap era.

Gibbs, another of the 10 NFL coaches to win multiple Super Bowls — three in Washington — also led the Redskins to four conference titles and 10 playoff appearances during his 14 seasons (1981-92 and 2004-07). Shanahan coached the Los Angeles Raiders (1998-89) and Broncos (1995-2008) for 16 seasons, reaching the playoffs seven times.

Gibbs said he hasn’t offered Shanahan any football advice, instead talking about working for Redskins owner Dan Snyder as well as the challenges of coaching in the nation’s capital, a city with such a passionate fan base.

"The one thing that unites everybody is the football team," said Gibbs, who flew in from his North Carolina home to attend a banquet for the Youth For Tomorrow group home he founded in 1986. "For all of us, the last couple of years were extremely hard. I told (Mike) what I thought he had in Dan, somebody that has a burning desire to win. I never had any excuses when I was here. We lost football games, it was my fault, because Dan did anything he could to support me."

Shanahan, who replaced Gibbs’ successor Jim Zorn in January, recalled visiting the Redskins as a first-year Broncos assistant in 1984.

"Any time you win three Super Bowls, people expect a very high standard," Shanahan said. "Hopefully, that’s what I’m here for: to add to it."

In hopes of doing so, Shanahan has signed five free agents in 13 days, with Wednesday’s addition of quarterback Rex Grossman. Grossman played last year for the Houston Texans under offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, Mike’s son who now holds the same job with the Redskins. None of the five newcomers was a starter last season, although Grossman, running back Larry Johnson, guard Artis Hicks and nose tackle Maake Kemoeatu have all been regulars in previous years.

"We’re going to try to work every day to find the right guy," Shanahan said. "We want competition."

Shanahan said he has been very pleased with the high percentage of players participating in the offseason conditioning program, which began Monday.

"I like what we have (seen) so far, but it’s a long offseason," he said. "Hopefully, we can keep it going."

Ex-coach Dungy speaks to inmates in South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Tony Dungy stood before more than 1,700 prisoners Tuesday, sharing a smile and message of hope that has become his life’s work.

The former NFL championship coach said he recently visited an inmate in Florida that he had ministered to nearly 10 years ago. The prisoner thanked Dungy for changing his mental and spiritual outlook.

"That," Dungy said, "was a bigger thrill for me than winning the Super Bowl."

Dungy guided the Indianapolis Colts to the Super Bowl win in 2007 — the first black coach to do so — then left the league after one more season to focus on his family and mission. The football analyst spent the morning speaking to inmates at three facilities in the Broad River Correctional complex of the South Carolina Department of Corrections.

The last gathering was for about 550 minimum-security prisoners assembled on a worn-down softball field not far from the prison’s entrance. A choir and band from the Central Church of God in Charlotte, N.C., played inspirational songs before Dungy’s group arrived.

Dungy told the crowd he’d often come to South Carolina’s capital city to search out prospects as a pro and college coach. This time, he came to let those locked up know it’s not too late for positive, lasting change.

"It really doesn’t matter about your past," Dungy said. "It’s about your future and what you’re going to do."

Dungy got involved in prison ministries while head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1996. He was nervous about meeting inmates, beset, he says, with the same misgivings many have about those behind bars.

Dungy discovered many prisoners are filled with remorse and eager to amend for mistakes. He’s been actively involved ever since.

Tommy, a 39-year-old minimum security inmate serving 17 years for strongarm robbery, is a football fan who immediately signed up when Dungy’s visit was announced.

The Rock Hill man, already impressed with Dungy’s NFL accomplishments, left with the former coach’s encouragement in mind.

"By him being the first African-American coach (to win a Super Bowl), that was uplifting," he said. "It was real nice to see him in person. I enjoyed it. I think it was a real positive influence."

The Department of Corrections did not want the prisoner’s last name used.

Dungy was introduced to the crowd by Gov. Mark Sanford, whose political future and marriage were wrecked by revelations last summer he had a South American mistress. Sanford and ex-wife Jenny were divorced last month.

Sanford said he learned through his travails that all need forgiveness and to extend that forgiveness to other transgressors.

"Here’s a guy with a Super Bowl ring," Sanford said, "and yet here’s a guy who’s here because he believes in some principles and ideals that, if instituted, will make sure that you’ll never be here again."

Dungy spoke of the most high-profile prisoner he’s worked with — Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick. Football helped Vick restart his life after serving an 18-month prison sentence for operating a dogfighting ring. Dungy said Vick’s doing well mentally and emotionally, but will likely pay a price with the public for his crimes.

"I can’t imagine the mail he’s gotten because I know the mail I’ve gotten just for helping him," Dungy said. "That’s the way the world thinks, but fortunately, that’s not the way God thinks."

Dungy said his NFL coaching career is likely finished, but he feels privileged to play a role in the redemptive journey of others.

"I guess I just have a heart for young men," he said. "To just give a little bit of encouragement, that’s what it’s all about for me."

-- Pete Iacobelli

NFL picks 2 new co-chairs of concussion committee

NEW YORK — The NFL chose two new co-chairmen — and a new name — for its committee on concussions.

Dr. Hunt Batjer of Northwestern University, and Dr. Richard Ellenbogen of the University of Washington will lead what now will be called the NFL head, neck and spine medical committee, the league said Tuesday.

The panel used to be called the NFL mild traumatic brain injury committee.

Dr. Ira Casson and Dr. David Viano, who had led the league committee on concussions since 2007, resigned in November, less than a month after Casson and the NFL’s concussion policy were criticized by Congress during a hearing at which commissioner Roger Goodell testified.

A slew of changes have been made since, including the introduction of new return-to-play guidelines for when players get concussions in practice or a game, and having each team enlist an independent neurologist to be consulted when a player has a head injury.

Casson came under attack from the NFL Players Association and members of Congress for criticizing independent and league-sponsored studies linking pro football careers with heightened risk for dementia and cognitive decline.

Jets team doctor Elliott Pellman, who resigned as chairman of the NFL concussion committee in 2007 but remained a member, now will leave the panel, league spokesman Greg Aiello said.

Pellman will "continue to work with the committee in an administrative role, and he works with our other medical committees," Aiello wrote in an e-mail. "He is the medical liaison for our office."

The new leaders of the NFL committee, Batjer and Ellenbogen, are professors and chairmen of their medical schools’ departments of neurological surgery. They will be able to appoint other members of the league panel.

The NFL also announced Tuesday that Dr. Mitchel Berger will join the committee. He is the chairman of the department of neurological surgery at the University of California-San Francisco.

"These doctors are renowned experts in the field of head and spine injury, and they will strengthen our leadership role in research, education, prevention, and treatment of these injuries in sports. I personally interviewed all three doctors," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement released by the league.

The league said the committee will study injury data and equipment research, examine treatment strategies, and support additional research on the long-term impact of concussions and related injuries.

NFL Draft

Appalachian State’s Edwards ready for any NFL role

BOONE, N.C. — The scouts wanted to see Armanti Edwards do one more thing, so one of college football’s most decorated quarterbacks dutifully jogged to midfield and began judging punts in the swirling mountain wind.

The wiry and speedy QB who led Appalachian State to a stunning victory at Michigan thinks he can be a signal-caller in the pros, too. The college coach who won two FCS national championships with him is even more convinced.

But mostly Edwards just wants to play in the NFL, be it as a quarterback, receiver or kick returner. So he did everything the personnel men from 10 NFL teams who attended his pro day Tuesday wanted, including running the 40-yard dash — which he did in about 4.43 seconds.

"It wasn’t as difficult as I thought," Edwards said of fielding punts. "The wind kept pushing the ball a little right. But as the ball kept coming off the JUGS machine I started adjusting to it."

Jerry Moore isn’t surprised how quickly he picked it up, calling Edwards one of the most serious players he’s coached. But Edwards insisted teams would be foolish not to give him a shot under center. Edwards is the only player in NCAA Division I history to pass for more than 10,000 yards and rush for at least 4,000.

"He’s that much shorter than Drew Brees," said Moore, while holding his thumb and index finger about an inch apart. "Armanti is 5-11, Drew is 6-foot. The things that he brings to the table, jeez."

Edwards, the only two-time winner of the Walter Payton Award as the top player in the Football Championship Subdivision, will be one of the more intriguing players to watch in next month’s draft.

He measured 5-11 and 182 pounds on Tuesday — five pounds less than at the scouting combine. But he showed his speed after not running at the combine because of a sore right hamstring.

Scouts from Baltimore, Buffalo, Carolina, Cleveland, Detroit, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Washington attended his pro day. Edwards has numerous other private workouts planned, but with different itineraries.

Edwards said Jacksonville wants him to return kicks, while Carolina, New England, Indianapolis and Miami want him to work out at quarterback and receiver.

"I think teams have to at least give him a shot at quarterback because guys like Seneca Wallace have been in the league for awhile," said Chad Reuter, a senior analyst for NFLDraftScout.com. "If you’re going to pick Patrick White in the second round, you have to think about Edwards somewhere on the third day (rounds 4-7) of the draft as a potential wildcat kid with a chance to become a receiver, with work, or a third quarterback or a practice squad quarterback."

White’s role with Miami as a rookie last season is an example of new positions being created for running quarterbacks coming out of spread offenses in college.

And Edwards thrived in Appalachian State’s wide-open style.

As a freshman, he led the Mountaineers to the national championship. He started his sophomore season by directing one of the game’s biggest upsets — Appalachian State’s victory at Michigan. He capped the 2007 season with another national title.

He overcame injuries his last two seasons to take the Mountaineers to the playoffs again, although they fell short of another national title.

Edwards, who played some receiver in high school in Greenwood, S.C., said he worked on catching balls in free moments at practice over the past year while eyeing the NFL.

"I’m familiar with it. The unusual part was getting under center. I haven’t done that since high school," said Edwards, who took shotgun snaps in college. "So once I got comfortable with it, I got it down for the most part."

While Edwards’ durability and size remain the big issues, few question his left arm.

"There were guys here this morning that did not realize how strong his arm is," Moore said of Tuesday’s workout, which was closed to reporters. "They sat right here and watched him throw from this hash, throw comebacks over on the far sideline. That ball travels 45 yards."

While Moore thinks Edwards could thrive at quarterback, others see him filling a wildcat role similar to White. Edwards brought up Cleveland kick returner and receiver Josh Cribbs, who was a quarterback in college. Pittsburgh receiver Antwaan Randle-El is a converted QB, too.

"He’d play tight end — or try," Moore said of Edwards. "But I think he wants an opportunity to play quarterback. He’s so, so competitive."

-- Mike Cranston

Player News

Bills’ Gailey not ready to choose starting QB

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Don’t expect Buffalo Bills coach Chan Gailey to choose a starting quarterback anytime soon.

Having evaluated the three quarterbacks on his roster, Gailey said Tuesday he anticipates holding an open competition to determine who will win the job. And Gailey didn’t rule out the team selecting a quarterback in the draft next month, or the possibility of acquiring an established starter in a trade or in free agency.

"We’re trying to leave no stone unturned," Gailey said during a brief availability with the media at the team’s headquarters. "Unless something different happens between now and post-draft, to me it’s an open competition for the job and we’ll see what happens. ... We’ve got to see who can rise to the top."

Identifying a starter has been Gailey’s top priority since being hired as the Bills coach January. He takes over a team that’s coming off a 6-10 finish and missed the playoffs for a 10th straight year.

Buffalo particularly remains unsettled at the position after Trent Edwards lost his starting job to backup Ryan Fitzpatrick. The competition at this point will be between Edwards, Fitzpatrick and Brian Brohm, an untested third-stringer who struggled in making his NFL debut in a 31-3 loss at Atlanta in Week 16.

Gailey was hired in part because of his offensive background and reputation for grooming quarterbacks during his 15-year NFL career.

Touching on several other topics, Gailey dismissed speculation that safety Donte Whitner is on the trading block after the fourth-year player responded to questions about his status on his Twitter account earlier this month.

"Where this came from I don’t know, to be honest with you," said Gailey, who was made aware of the trade speculation by members of the Bills media relations staff. "We feel like we’ve got a strong secondary. Donte’s a big part of that, and is going to be a big part of that. To me, you would not weaken one of your strengths."

Regarding the status of Aaron Schobel, Gailey said no timetable has been issued for the veteran defensive end to determine his future. Schobel, whose 78 sacks rank second on the Bills career list, is still under contract but contemplating whether to retire after nine NFL seasons.

"Obviously, we would like to have Aaron back, and we hope that works out," Gailey said. "But we understand his dilemma as well."

Gailey expressed concern about the lack of depth at receiver after the team allowed Terrell Owens and Josh Reed to become free agents. Their departures leave Buffalo with Roscoe Parrish as the only proven player behind starter Lee Evans.

James Hardy missed most of his second NFL season last year recovering from a knee injury, while Steve Johnson has one start in 16 games over the past two seasons.

"It’s not a lack of quality, I don’t think. I think it’s unproven at this point," said Gailey, who added the team will consider drafting a receiver.

Gailey defended the Bills cautious approach to free agency, during which the team has signed one player — offensive tackle Cornell Green.

"Because you’re not making splashes doesn’t mean we’re not taking every person that’s out there seriously and checking them out and finding if they fit our football team," he said. "We’re trying to be very smart and make good decisions about the type of people we bring in."

The Bills met with two free agents on Tuesday, linebacker Andra Davis and defensive lineman Dwan Edwards.

Davis is an eight-year NFL veteran, who had 13 starts in 16 games with Denver last season. He previously was a six-year starter with Cleveland.

Edwards played his six NFL seasons with Baltimore, and is familiar with the 3-4 defense, which the Bills are introducing this year. After missing the entire 2008 season with a severe neck injury, he bounced back last year to register 47 tackles and one sack in 16 games, including nine starts.

-- John Wawrow

Lions QB Stafford settling in

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Every NFL quarterback would like more options on offense, more game-breakers.

Matthew Stafford is doing something about it.

Even though Stafford has only played part of one season, he is already consulting with general manager Martin Mayhew and the rest of Detroit’s front office about player moves.

"It’s fun to be able to help," Stafford said Tuesday. "They know that I know all the players out there, so they’ve been asking how I think guys will fit in."

Stafford’s biggest contribution might have come at the very beginning of the free-agent period last week. As soon as the market officially opened, Stafford was on the phone with Seattle wide receiver Nate Burleson, who had played for Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan in Minnesota.

The move worked, as Burleson quickly agreed to terms with Detroit. Stafford wasn’t taking all of the credit.

"To be honest, I’m not sure our conversation had a lot to do with his decision," Stafford said with a laugh. "He was telling me that he was really looking forward to coming to Detroit if all of the contract stuff could be figured out, so I think his mind was pretty much made up. We talked a lot about what a great guy coach Linehan is, and I think that’s the reason he’s coming."

Either way, Stafford is happy to have a proven second option at receiver to line up alongside Calvin Johnson.

"I’ve watched a lot of Nate’s games, and he’s going to be great in the slot or out wide — wherever we need him," he said. "I haven’t talked to Calvin about it yet, but I’m sure he’s just as excited about having someone to help open things up."

Stafford is also happy to provide Mayhew with his opinion about the crop of running back in next month’s draft. With Kevin Smith returning from a severe knee injury, the Lions need to find a starter in free agency or the draft.

"I know a lot of the running backs that are coming out this year, so I’ll give them any advice if they ask," he said. "I’m not going to make any draft picks, though. That job is way too hard — I’ll leave it to the experts."

Stafford sported a wrap on his knee while meeting with the media, but said that he is recovering well from the shoulder and knee injuries that limited him to 10 games last season.

"I threw at full strength today — I’ve been doing that a little at a time to make sure I was ready to get things going, and it feels good now," he said. "I’m not at full running speed yet, but I think I will be in time for mini-camp."

If Stafford does have more injury problems, he’ll be replaced by Shaun Hill, who the Lions acquired in a trade with San Francisco on Tuesday. Detroit gave up a 2011 draft pick for the nine-year veteran, who also played for Linehan in Minnesota.

"I’m excited to have Shaun here, because he was good when he started for the 49ers and he’s a very intelligent quarterback that knows our system," Stafford said. "He’ll be great to have around."

Chiefs beef up offensive line with Lilja signing

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — With one move, the Kansas City Chiefs took a big step toward bolstering a shaky offensive line and making up for a gamble six years ago that came back to haunt them.

The Chiefs on Tuesday announced the signing of free agent left guard Ryan Lilja, a 59-game starter for the Indianapolis Colts who was claimed off waivers from Kansas City in 2004. Terms were not disclosed.

The 6-foot-2, 290-pound Kansas City native is considered a solid performer when healthy, but knee injuries kept him out of part of the 2006 season and all of 2008.

Signed by the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent out of Kansas State in 2004, Lilja was picked up by the Colts one day after Kansas City cut him. The move was a major disappointment for the Chiefs, who had hoped that nobody would pick him up and he would then join Kansas City’s practice squad.

Lilja brings plenty of big-game experience to a Kansas City team that finished its last two seasons with records of 2-14 and 4-12. He started eight playoff games for Indianapolis, including two Super Bowls.

The Chiefs haven’t been to the playoffs since January 2007, when they lost to the Colts in the AFC wild card game.

Much of Kansas City’s focus in previous drafts — especially with its top picks — has been on the defensive side, but its offensive line has been one of the team’s most glaring weaknesses.

The acquisition of quarterback Matt Cassel last season was expected to give the offense a spark, but instead the former New England backup spent much of his time either running for his life or picking himself up off the ground after defenders dominated Kansas City’s porous line.

Cassel also will be getting extra protection next season from veteran center Casey Wiegmann, a former Chief who spent the last two seasons at Denver. Kansas City announced his signing on Friday.

Wiegmann has started 143 straight games, dating to 2001 when he was with the Chiefs. He played seven seasons in Kansas City before going to the Broncos in 2008 and earning Pro Bowl honors that year.

The biggest offseason acquisition so far for the Chiefs has been free agent running Thomas Jones from the New York Jets.

Jones had career highs of 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, a year after being selected for the Pro Bowl following a season in which he ran for 1,312 yards and 13 touchdowns.

With the return of running back Jamaal Charles, who was Kansas City’s MVP last season with 1,120 yards rushing and seven touchdowns, it marks the first time the Chiefs will go into training camp with two running backs who had at least 1,000 yards the previous season.

-- Bill Draper

Free agent LB Davis signs 2-year deal with Bills

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Linebacker Andra Davis wasted little time in free agency by signing a two-year contract with the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday.

The deal was reached during Davis’ visit to the Bills headquarters, five days after the player was released by the Denver Broncos. Financial terms were not disclosed.

"Very excited. I’m glad this process if over with," said Davis, who will be a candidate to start at one of two middle linebacker spots in Buffalo’s new 3-4 defense. "I feel good, man, just ready to go."

Listed at 6-foot-1 and 250 pounds, Davis is an eight-year NFL veteran who was credited with 90 tackles in each of his last two seasons. He also had a career-best 3 1/2 sacks last year.

Rather than questioning why he was released by the Broncos, Davis prefers looking ahead.

"I know I did my best in Denver and can look myself in the mirror knowing that," Davis said. "I know I have a lot left in my tank."

He spent his first seven seasons with Cleveland, the last six as a starter after the Browns selected him in the fifth round of the 2002 draft out of Florida. Davis has 12 sacks in 96 starts and appeared in 121 career games

In Buffalo, Davis is reunited with new Bills defensive coordinator George Edwards, who served as the Browns linebackers coach in 2004.

Davis credited Edwards’ presence as a key reason he signed with the Bills.

"He was a huge factor. Not only do I know him, but he knows me and the type of player I am," Davis said.

Davis becomes the second significant player the Bills have signed since the NFL’s free-agency period opened on March 5. He has the potential to fill a key need on a defense will rely heavily on its linebacking corps under the new scheme being installed by first-year head coach Chan Gailey.

Davis has played in the 3-4 defense in each of his past four seasons. He’ll compete with returning linebackers Paul Posluszny and Kawika Mitchell to start.

His signing is also considered insurance if Aaron Schobel elects to retire this offseason. Schobel, a defensive end who could play linebacker, has not made up his mind on whether to return for a 10th season.

-- John Wawrow

Seahawks send Tapp to Eagles for Clemons, pick

PHILADELPHIA — Looking to bolster their pass rush, the Philadelphia Eagles acquired defensive end Darryl Tapp from Seattle on Tuesday.

The Seahawks got defensive end Chris Clemons and the Eagles’ fourth-round choice in next month’s draft.

Originally a second-round draft pick by Seattle in 2006, Tapp has 18 sacks, two interceptions, eight forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in 65 games. He had four sacks in a game against St. Louis in 2007.

"Darryl is a very intense football player and we’re happy to acquire him," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "He plays very hard every snap. He’s smart, he’s a good person and he’ll fit very well into our defensive scheme."

Clemons played two seasons with Philadelphia after posting a career-high eight sacks in 2007, his only season with Oakland. He has 20 sacks in 59 career games.

The Eagles were interested in Tapp when he played at Virginia Tech. The Seahawks had re-signed him on Monday.

"Darryl is an up-and-coming player in this league, in my opinion," Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said. "He’s a good player and a good person, and we liked him very much coming out of Virginia Tech. We believe he’ll be a good addition to our defensive line."

Eagles sign Bell to offer sheet

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles have signed free agent running back Mike Bell to an offer sheet.

The Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints have seven days to match the contract offer. They wouldn’t receive compensation for letting Bell go.

Bell had 654 yards rushing and five touchdowns last season. He averaged 3.8 yards per carry. Bell ran for 677 yards and eight TDs as a rookie with Denver in 2006.

Bell, who turns 27 next month, would join LeSean McCoy in Philadelphia’s backfield. Former All-Pro Brian Westbrook was released last month.

-- Rob Maaddi

Rams sign veteran OL Fraley

ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Rams have added depth to the offensive line, signing veteran center Hank Fraley.

The 32-year-old Fraley, a 10-year veteran, was released by the Cleveland Browns and landed with the Rams on Tuesday. Fraley made 52 starts in 63 games with Cleveland and had been due a roster bonus.

The 6-foot-3, 310-pound Fraley spent his first six seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles while Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur were with that franchise. Shurmur was Fraley’s position coach in 2000 and 2001.

Fraley has made 123 career starts and has started 10 postseason games, including a Super Bowl with the Eagles. He has been primarily a center but also has started at guard and played at right tackle early in his career.

Falcons release former first-round pick Hill

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons have released former first-round pick Tye Hill and signed safety Matt Giordano.

Hill was the 15th overall pick in 2006 by St. Louis. After three disappointing years with the Rams, he was dealt to Atlanta shortly before the start of last season for a seventh-round pick.

In eight games with the Falcons, Hill had seven tackles and one interception. He was released Tuesday.

Giordano is a five-year NFL veteran who played for the Indianapolis Colts from 2005-08 and spent last season with the Green Bay Packers. He has been in 60 games, including six starts, and totaled 79 tackles with three interceptions.

Jets, FB Richardson agree on 1-year deal

NEW YORK — The New York Jets and fullback Tony Richardson have agreed to terms on a one-year deal, keeping one of the league’s best lead blockers in the backfield for the NFL’s top-rushing team.

Richardson, 38, will be entering his 16th season and has paved the way for several 1,000-yard rushers, including Thomas Jones the last two seasons. The move Tuesday comes on the same day the Jets officially signed LaDainian Tomlinson.

Richardson is a three-time Pro Bowl selection who helped Priest Holmes to three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in Kansas City from 2001-03, and Larry Johnson in 2005. He did it again the following season in Minnesota with Chester Taylor, and was instrumental in Adrian Peterson rushing for 1,341 yards as a rookie in 2007.

Henderson says he’ll be back for training camp

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Minnesota Vikings linebacker E.J. Henderson is back on his feet and says he’s on track to return to the field for training camp.

Henderson broke his leg against Arizona on Dec. 6.

Henderson spoke to reporters on Tuesday night before receiving the team’s annual award for community service. He was also hosting an event at Winter Park for his youth foundation.

Henderson says he started walking without a cane a few weeks ago. He says his recovery is on schedule and that he should be back by August. He has been rehabilitating in the training room at team headquarters nearly every day.

Packers sign former Aussie rules player to punt

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Looking for another potential solution to their recent punting problems, the Green Bay Packers have signed former Australian rules football player Chris Bryan.

A 6-foot-5, 210-pound rookie, Bryan played in the Australian Football League from 2005-08. He will wear No. 9 for Green Bay.

The Packers have been struggling to find a consistent punter for several seasons. They didn’t make a qualifying offer to last year’s punter, Jeremy Kapinos, and signed former University of Kentucky punter Tim Masthay to a reserve/future contract in January.

Bears sign CB Jennings, release FB McKie

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The Chicago Bears have signed free agent cornerback Tim Jennings to a two-year contract and released fullback Jason McKie.

A second-round draft pick by Indianapolis in 2006, Jennings recorded 157 tackles and four interceptions in four years with the Colts. He was not offered a tender after the season, making him free to sign elsewhere.

McKie spent seven seasons with the Bears, catching 62 passes for 344 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 84 yards and three TDs on 29 carries. He also had 15 special teams tackles for Chicago.

Browns re-sign two players

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns have re-signed tight end Greg Estandia and defensive back Ray Ventrone.

Estandia was claimed off waivers in September from Jacksonville. The 6-foot-8 Estandia made four catches for 45 yards in four games last season.

Ventrone played mostly on special teams after signing with the Browns as a free agent in September.

Elsewhere

Wife of ex-Raven withdraws protection petition

BALTIMORE — The wife of former Baltimore Raven Michael McCrary has withdrawn her petition for a protective order against her husband.

Mary Haley McCrary had claimed her husband threatened her and a nanny who cares for their young daughter.

Michael McCrary’s attorney Bonnie Butler says the former defensive end continues to deny the allegations. Attorney Laura Burrows, who is representing Mary Haley McCrary, did not immediately return a call Tuesday by The Associated Press seeking comment on the case.

Butler says McCrary’s wife withdrew her complaint, but the two are involved in divorce proceedings and have agreed to communicate with each other only to discuss their daughter.

Earlier this month, a judge granted a temporary protective order. McCrary was ordered to stay away from the couple’s home in Timonium and a house in Vienna, Va.

Roethlisberger yet to be interviewed by Ga. police

ATLANTA — An attorney for Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger says the two-time Super Bowl winner has yet to meet with Georgia authorities who are investigating a sexual assault allegation made against him by a 20-year-old college student.

Ed Garland said Tuesday that his client is not in Georgia and has yet to speak with investigators regarding the accusation she made on March 5 in Milledgeville. He has not been charged.

Garland says there is no timetable for the interview.

The student told police that the 28-year-old quarterback, who had been barhopping with friends, assaulted her at a nightclub in the college town.

Garland has said the quarterback committed no crime.

Chargers COO Steeg leaving team

SAN DIEGO — San Diego Chargers chief operating officer Jim Steeg says he is leaving the team at the end of the month.

Steeg says in a statement that he’s leaving to pursue "further challenges."

Steeg didn’t return a call and e-mail seeking further comment Tuesday.

Before joining the Chargers in 2004, Steeg worked for the NFL. He was in charge of the Super Bowl for a quarter century.

College

Ohio State adds 2 years to Tressel’s contract

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State has added two more years to football coach Jim Tressel’s contract — and has offered him an administrative job when he retires.

The nine-year coach of the Buckeyes had his original contract, signed in 2006 and amended twice more, extended through the 2014 season on Tuesday.

"We wanted to reward Jim for his exemplary work with our football program and lock him in as our coach for an additional two years," athletic director Gene Smith said.

Tressel, who is 94-21 at Ohio State, makes about $3.5 million a year, depending on incentives and additions. He will be 62 years old when the new extension ends.

He has said that he wants to coach as long as he enjoys it and feels he is effective. The Buckeyes are coming off an 11-2 season which was capped by a victory over Oregon in the Rose Bowl.

One portion of the new contract addendum provides Tressel with a university job as an associate athletic director if he steps down as football coach on good terms before his contract ends. He would be paid $150,000 a year.

His old contract offered him a faculty position upon retirement.

A paragraph in the new addendum also provides that when Tressel retires as football coach, he will receive six press box tickets to all home Ohio State football games — for life — along with two season tickets to all home men’s and women’s basketball games.

In the statement announcing the new extension, Tressel said it was an honor to work at Ohio State.

Tressel, Smith, Ohio State senior vice president for business and finance William J. Shkurti and Jeff Kaplan, special assistant to Ohio State president E. Gordon Gee, all signed the contract extension this month.

Smith said Tuesday that Tressel told him he was satisfied with his salary and is aware of the financial problems facing the school’s athletic department and has not sought additional compensation.

Ohio State has raised football ticket prices $7, to a face value of $70, and has added another $1 to most men’s basketball tickets to offset substantial losses in the athletic department.

Smith said at the time that the ticket-price increases were needed to offset increases in operating costs and losses caused by a flagging economy. He said concessions revenue was down 9 percent and merchandise revenue another 26 percent, with payroll and other expenses rising 10 percent.

Smith said he thought the men’s basketball program — ranked among the top 10 in the nation and a No. 2 seed in this week’s NCAA tournament — would lose around $350,000 again this season for the second year in a row.

Tressel’s extended contract is subject to the approval of the Ohio State board of trustees at its May meeting.

-- Rusty Miller

Boise State player arrested on battery charge

BOISE, Idaho — A Boise State football player suspended from the team earlier this month has been arrested and charged with felony aggravated battery.

Boise police arrested 21-year-old Jason Robinson on Monday on a warrant accusing him of causing bodily harm, permanent disability or permanent disfigurement to another person.

Ada County sheriff’s spokeswoman Andrea Dearden said Robinson posted a $5,000 bond and was released Monday. He is scheduled to be arraigned March 23.

Few other details of the alleged assault were available Tuesday.

Boise State coach Chris Petersen suspended Robinson from the team last week for violating team rules.

Robinson, a safety and special teams player from Los Angeles, made 26 tackles for the Broncos in 2009.

USM releases 2010 football schedule

HATTIESBURG, Miss. — Southern Mississippi will open the 2010 football season with a nationally television game on Sept. 2 at South Carolina.

The game, to be broadcast by ESPN, will be the first meeting between the schools in football.

After a home game against Prairie View on Sept. 11, the Golden Eagles will host Kansas on Friday, Sept. 17, with that game also set for ESPN.

The schedule also features home games against both current Conference USA division champions, along with matchups with a Big 12 opponent and the Southwestern Athletic Conference winner.

The remainder of home schedule includes Marshall, East Carolina, UAB and Houston.

The Golden Eagles also go on the road to Louisiana Tech, Memphis, Tulane, UCF and Tulsa.

Tulsa’s C-USA football schedule set

TULSA, Okla. — The Tulsa Golden Hurricane will open the 2010 football season with a Conference USA game at East Carolina.

The conference schedule was released Tuesday. The nonconference schedule was announced in January.

TU opens on Sunday Sept. 5 against ECU in Greenville, NC.

The Hurricane will have home conference games against Tulane, Rice, Texas-El Paso and Southern Mississippi. C-USA road games will be at Memphis, SMU and Houston.

The nonconference schedule includes road games at Oklahoma State and Notre Dame and home games against Bowling Green and Central Arkansas.

ECU announces football schedule

GREENVILLE, N.C. — Home games against North Carolina State and Navy highlight East Carolina’s football schedule.

Conference USA released its composite schedule Tuesday and the defending league champions will play six home games in coach Ruffin McNeill’s first season.

McNeill coaches his first game on Sunday, Sept. 5, when Tulsa visits. The roughest stretch comes with three straight road games in late September and early October at Virginia Tech, North Carolina and Southern Mississippi. The Pirates beat Southern Miss in the finale last year to clinch the East Division title.

N.C. State visits on Oct. 16 and the Midshipmen play at expanded Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on Nov. 6.

Seven of the Pirates’ opponents played in bowl games last season.