NFL Capsules: 212 in NFL would have lesser free agency if no cap

WASHINGTON — Miles Austin of the Cowboys, Brandon Marshall of the Broncos and six other Pro Bowl picks are among more than 200 NFL players who would lose their status as unrestricted free agents this offseason if the league and its union can’t agree on a new labor contract.

According to a list obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday, there are 212 players who would be considered restricted free agents — instead of unrestricted — if there is no salary cap in 2010. There is at least one player from each of the NFL’s 32 teams on the list.

Pro Bowl linebackers Elvis Dumervil of the Broncos and DeMeco Ryans of the Texans are in the group of potentially affected players. So are dozens of other starters from across the NFL, including quarterbacks Kyle Orton of the Broncos and Jason Campbell of the Redskins.

"Free agency’s always been something for the players, always been a great thing. If you get one crack at free agency as a player, that’s what you dream of," Orton said before Denver practiced Wednesday. "How it stands right now ... guys aren’t going to be able to have that dream, to be a free agent. That’s a shame for the players, I think."

In an uncapped year, a player would need at least six years in the NFL, up from the current minimum of four years in the league, to be an unrestricted free agent able to sign with any team.

Dallas receiver Austin was aware his free agency status could change, but said he wouldn’t consider his breakout season bad timing.

"I can’t control any of that," he said. "I’ve just got to stay focused on the things I can control, and that’s playing this week and playing hard."

The other players announced Tuesday as selections for this season’s Pro Bowl who could find themselves missing out on a chance to cash in this offseason are Packers safety Nick Collins, Patriots guard Logan Mankins, Saints guard Jahri Evans and Eagles fullback Leonard Weaver.

In addition to the NFL’s sacks leader (Dumervil), and the NFC’s leader in yards receiving (Austin), other prominent names on the list include Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman, Jets receiver Braylon Edwards, Colts safety Antoine Bethea, Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown and Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski.

"If you’re a guy that’s been in the league a long time, and you know you’re pretty much set, you probably have a different opinion about it. But if you’re a guy that’s in my position, it’s going to affect us not just short term but long term," Washington’s Campbell said.

If they lose out on the chance to become unrestricted free agents this offseason, players might not get as big a payoff as they could have been expecting. They also won’t have the luxury of moving freely anywhere in the league.

A restricted free agent’s old club gets a chance to offer the player a one-year contract at different levels of pay which determine what level of draft-choice compensation the old club would receive for losing the player. And the old club has the right to match any offer another club makes to a restricted free agent.

"If you’re a free agent, of course you’ve got a lot of options, but if you’re a restricted free agent, it’s pretty much the team’s choice, depending on what they want to do," Campbell said.

Other rules changes would go into effect if there is no salary cap in 2010. There would be no minimum or maximum amounts teams could spend on payroll, and each club would get an extra "transition player" tag. A "transition player" must be offered a minimum of the average of the top 10 salaries of the prior season at the player’s position or 120 percent of the player’s previous year’s salary, whichever is greater.

"All of a sudden, your rules change," said Campbell, one of seven Redskins players on the list. "That’s the situation I’ve been dealt and so have other guys on the team."

--Howard Fendrich

Davis goes for NFL TDs record by tight end

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Vernon Davis knows that regardless of whether he catches another touchdown pass in San Francisco’s season finale Sunday to tie an NFL record, he has produced a year to remember. A breakout season to say the least.

He’s a Pro Bowler for the first time in his career, a month shy of his 26th birthday. And he will be a starter for the NFC squad in the Jan. 31 game at Miami.

All the accolades aside, Davis acknowledges he’d get a real kick out of finishing with more touchdown catches than New England star Randy Moss, who has 13.

"Just try to get another one, maybe two, stay ahead of him," Davis said with a grin. "That’d be nice."

With 12 TD receptions, Davis is one away from tying Antonio Gates’ NFL record by a tight end. It would seem he should get some chances to do it Sunday at St. Louis. Davis scored one touchdown in the season’s first meeting with the Rams, a 35-0 victory by the 49ers back on Oct. 4 at Candlestick Park.

"It’s been a tremendous season for me," Davis said. "I’ve been getting a lot of opportunities, playing hard, doing everything I’ve got to do to be successful and just making plays and helping my team win."

He has said all along he could have this type of year as long as he got the opportunities. It sure has helped his cause being a key figure in offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye’s tight-end friendly offense.

Davis has made huge strides this season both in his play and how he’s handled himself on the field. He even earned a captain tag from coach Mike Singletary.

The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Davis was known as much for his volatile nature as his lack of production during his first three NFL seasons. He is finally living up to the hype that convinced San Francisco to select the speedy, athletic Davis with its top draft pick in 2006 at sixth overall out of Maryland.

"He’s just taken one step after the next and just continued to go in the right direction, starting from the end of last season," Singletary said, "continuing to have the right mindset going forward, doing all the right things."

Davis was a Pro Bowl alternate last season after making 31 receptions for 358 yards and two touchdowns, with his catches ranking third on the team.

He earned a reputation for fighting early in his career, even with teammates during training camp. He did it this year after saying such antics were behind him. Singletary sent him to the showers early during the coach’s debut in October 2008 against Seattle for the way Davis reacted to a personal foul penalty.

Playing for Singletary has helped Davis grow up — and he has repeatedly acknowledged that fact this year.

"Coach Singletary always says it takes time to be great. It takes time for things to happen for you," Davis said. "You’ve just got to be patient. I feel that you’re always being tested. Sometimes when things aren’t happening someone’s way, they tend to break down or they keep pushing. In my case, I just kept on pushing and waited for my chances."

He also has been forced to adapt. As the season has gone on and Davis has continued to find different ways to score, teams have begun trying to take away the up-the-middle routes that have worked so well for him.

Davis even had his own pitch for making the Pro Bowl before getting official word he was in Tuesday afternoon.

"It’s hard to score touchdowns," Davis said. "My performance, the plays I’ve been making, just my overall play. I can block better than any tight end in the conference. I mean, why not? Last year alone I was a Pro Bowl alternate and I only had like 20 catches. If you put all those things together, I’m a complete tight end."

Davis knows he had better take quarterback Alex Smith out to dinner for his TD reception during last Sunday’s 20-6 win over the Detroit Lions.

Smith rolled out on third-and-goal from the 2 midway through the third quarter and flipped a pass to Davis just before crossing the line of scrimmage. Smith could have easily run it in but instead got the ball to Davis for his 12th TD catch.

Davis’ choice for their dinner date? Forbes Mill Steakhouse in nearby Los Gatos.

"I’ll hit him up on that this week," Smith said.

Davis will even bring Smith to the Pro Bowl if the quarterback wants to go, and if Smith’s wife signs off on such a trip.

There might even be more for Smith if Davis scores another touchdown. Davis will take one more TD in whatever form it comes. Yet Smith doesn’t feel any added responsibility to make sure he finds Davis in the end zone Sunday — though he knows that would sure be a bright spot heading into the offseason. Winning is the most important thing, however, as this team tries to finish 8-8 and end a franchise-worst streak of six straight losing seasons.

"I don’t think we’re going to be trying to force anything," Smith said. "Let it happen. We’re going to go in and try to win a game. It says a lot about him and the work he’s put in over the last few years as well as this season. And it’s a credit to the guys around him. We all depend on each other, but I’m happy for him. He’s worked really hard to get there."

Davis’ teammates would like to see him walk away from Sunday’s game with the record for touchdowns by a tight end, especially those in the tight-knit offensive unit.

"We grew up together in Washington, D.C., and I’ve watched him since we were 12 years old all the way up until now," receiver Josh Morgan said. "That’s going to be big. I really hope he gets it."

--Janie McCauley 

49ers’ Bruce likely to play at St. Louis

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Isaac Bruce’s final NFL game might be back in the very place where he spent his most productive years.

Mike Singletary said the 37-year-old Bruce’s 49ers wide receiver mates approached the coach to say they wanted the 16th-year veteran to play Sunday at St. Louis in the team’s last game.

Josh Morgan, who replaced Bruce in the starting lineup, went to Singletary’s office Monday and made the case that Bruce deserved this chance.

"You know what, I was kind of surprised, but if it had been me, I don’t know, I don’t think I would have done it," Bruce said in a rare interview. "I’m a football player and I believe in players earning the right to play. I believe that if one player is better than the other, the best player should play at the time."

Bruce has been inactive the past five contests and for six in all for San Francisco (7-8), which is looking to end a franchise-worst stretch of six straight losing seasons. He said it would be great to play again, but doesn’t want it to be an honorary thing in which he disrupts the chemistry of the offense.

"I had asked him earlier what his thoughts were on possibly playing in the game, if he thought about it or whatever," Singletary said Wednesday. "And he said, ‘Possibly not.’ Then, when I told him about his teammates asking me and inquiring about it, I think it was shocking to him. I’m excited about him finishing the way he should finish."

Singletary called it a "very good chance" Bruce would be on the field. While Bruce said he hasn’t decided for sure whether he will retire after the season, he expects to make an announcement soon.

He was a four-time Pro Bowler in his 14 seasons with the Rams.

"As far as this being my last game, maybe," Bruce told reporters in St. Louis. "Probably about 75 percent sure. There’s that 25 percent, though."

Bruce has developed a reputation for his quiet, stay-to-himself demeanor but also a tireless work ethic and selfless approach when it comes to helping out young players and leading by example.

He knows there will be some sentimental feelings being back in St. Louis this weekend. That’s always the case for him.

"Going back to St. Louis is always special for me," he said. "It gives me a chance to see the guys that run the dome. It gives me another opportunity to look at the banners and the rafters and just have some of the memories that I had when I was playing there with some of my former teammates."

Whether Bruce agreed with the gesture or not, Morgan figured it was the right thing to do for someone who has given so much of his time and expertise to the young players.

"It’s bigger than that," said Morgan, who offered up his starting spot for Bruce on Sunday. "He’s just an awesome influence. He’s been a mentor, a friend — he’s everything coach Singletary wants. ... I was asking him 20-30 questions a day last year. He’s been like a coach on the field."

The Rams, who lost 35-0 at San Francisco back on Oct. 4, figure Bruce will be well received Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome — a venue Bruce still loves.

"He’ll go down as one of the greatest receivers of all time," said St. Louis defensive end Leonard Little, a teammate of Bruce on St. Louis’ Super Bowl champion team in 1999. "Obviously he’s a Hall of Fame player and he’s proven that over the years. If this is his last year, he deserves to at least have a chance to show his face or be around the fans that have been with him most of his career."

--Janie McCauley

Colts backup QB Painter faces new kind of pressure

INDIANAPOLIS — Colts quarterback Curtis Painter has spent the last three days trying to forget his NFL debut.

He lost a fumble that the Jets returned for a touchdown. He threw an interception. He struggled to get first downs. The Indiana native was greeted with boos, walked off the field to thousands of empty seats, and he’s heard the fans’ complaints about Indy’s decision to sit their starters ever since.

What a way to start a career.

Painter can’t wait to get his second chance this week at Buffalo.

"It was a great experience to get out there, but it didn’t go the way we wanted," he said. "But I’m excited. Hopefully, I’ll get that opportunity (to play) again this week."

Clearly, this wasn’t how the Colts (14-1) drew it up.

They took Painter in the sixth round of April’s draft with the intention of giving him a whole season to learn Indy’s offense, to study under three-time MVP Peyton Manning and get acclimated to the ways of the NFL.

If something did happen to Manning, who has started 206 straight games, including the playoffs, the Colts figured they could always go to Jim Sorgi.

Those plans changed in November when Sorgi hurt his throwing shoulder at practice, forcing the longtime backup into duty as the emergency third quarterback behind Painter. Sorgi later landed on injured reserve, ending his season and putting Painter in the tricky predicament of trying to finish the Colts’ perfect season when they decided to rest the starters.

The official transition began with 5:36 left in the third quarter Sunday and the Colts holding a 15-10 lead.

Facing a less than ideal situation, first-and-10 from his own 10-yard line against the league’s No. 1 defense, the Colts decided to play it safe. Painter handed off to Donald Brown for no gain, then hooked up with Hank Baskett for 9 yards. On third down, Brown was stuffed for a 1-yard loss, and the Colts punted.

Six plays later, Painter got the ball back at his own 20. This time, tight end Tom Santi missed the block on Jets linebacker Calvin Pace, who hit Painter’s cocked arm from the blind side, knocking the ball loose. Marques Douglas recovered on the 1-yard line and rolled into the end zone for a score. The boos grew louder as fans pleaded for coach Jim Caldwell to send Manning & Co. back on the field.

Not a chance.

"What if that was Peyton? What if he had gotten hurt?" team president Bill Polian said Monday night on his weekly radio show.

All Painter could do was try to survive.

"I wasn’t too worried about the boos because you’ve got a lot to focus on during the game," he said. "That’s certainly one good defense."

During the game and throughout this week, teammates have attempted to keep Painter’s confidence up.

Receiver Reggie Wayne and center Jeff Saturday, who were both named to their fourth Pro Bowl on Tuesday, publicly offered support for Painter following the loss.

On Wednesday, Manning went a step further by referencing the early struggles in his career.

"It was a tough first experience for him, and I definitely thought it was a tough situation to enter the game," Manning said. "I think he’ll be better for it. You know you want your first experience to be a good one, and mine wasn’t either."

But Manning’s debut came in the aftermath of a 3-13 season that gave Indy the No. 1 pick in the draft; Painter’s came with the NFL’s third team to go 14-0 and a little more than five quarters away from a perfect regular season.

"A lot of circumstances you can’t control," Painter said. "You have to be able to take some tough times, adjust, learn from them and move on."

Some wondered whether the circumstances might prompt Painter, who grew up in Vincennes, Ind., to be gun-shy this week.

Instead, he’s eager to produce some new memories.

"It was tough for us to lose because we hadn’t lost in a while, but I’ve gotten a lot of support from inside and outside this organization and that helps," he said. "I don’t know how much I’ll play this week yet, but I’ve got to prepare like I will and I’ll be excited to get that opportunity."

--Michael Marot

Ravens TE Heap reprises role as Mr. Touchdown

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Most NFL tight ends are either great blockers or talented receivers. Todd Heap is among the few that can do both, a quality that has never been more apparent than this year.

Heap entered the season as the Baltimore Ravens career leader in receptions, yards receiving and touchdown catches. He enhanced that stature in the opening two weeks, when he totaled six catches for 83 yards and two scores.

The nine-year veteran then went 11 straight games without a touchdown before scoring twice in each of the last two weeks. With Heap leading the way, the Ravens (8-7) are one victory away from reaching the playoffs for a second straight season.

"He’s impressed me the whole year. In my opinion, blocking and catching the ball, he’s the complete tight end," Ravens center Matt Birk said Wednesday. "He’s been scoring touchdowns lately, but he’s a blocker, too. I don’t know if he gets the credit for doing that. When you’re a tight end that can do both those things really well like he does, that’s great for our offense."

Heap led Baltimore in catches in 2002 and 2003 and made the Pro Bowl in both seasons. The 6-foot-5, 245-pounder remained a key ingredient in the offense until 2007, when a hamstring injury limited him to six games.

Over much of the past two seasons, Heap has alternated as a blocker and secondary receiver under offensive coordinator Cam Cameron.

"Todd, in this system, is a good blocker," Cameron said. "That’s why a guy like Ray Rice can go to the Pro Bowl, because we can run the ball behind a good tight end and a good fullback (Le’Ron McClain). Those two guys are huge for Ray Rice."

In eight games this season, Heap has finished with no more than three catches. Only recently has he reprised his role as a primary target in an attack that has relied heavily on the pass.

Against Chicago two weeks ago, Heap had five catches for 56 yards, including touchdowns of 14 and 7 yards. Last week in Pittsburgh, he had leaping touchdown grabs of 30 and 7 yards.

"To see him go up and get those balls is encouraging," coach John Harbaugh said. "He’s becoming a playmaker in the red zone again."

Which explains why quarterback Joe Flacco has been looking for Heap more often lately.

"Todd’s a great receiver. When you get him in a favorable matchup, then I’m ready to throw him the ball and give him a shot," Flacco said. "He’s done a great job of going up and getting the ball."

Heap never groused about being asked to block, but he smiled broadly when asked about his expanded role in the passing game.

"You’re not going to hear me complain about catching touchdowns, that’s for sure," he said. "We’ve had a few good matchups and Joe’s seeing those the same way I’m seeing them."

The Flacco-Heap connection could play a big role on Sunday against the Oakland Raiders in a game that will get the Ravens to the postseason with a win. Cameron respects Heap’s ability as a blocker, but he likes that his quarterback and tight end have bonded at just the right time.

"What I’ve seen, the last few weeks for some reason, Todd and Joe just really seem to be in sync. And I think you’re going to continue to see that," Cameron said. "Todd has kind of worked through some nagging injuries the last few years and now he’s finally healthy, doing a great job."

Said Heap: "I’m healthy right now, I feel good. I’m definitely excited where I’m at right now. Whatever opportunities I get, I’m trying to make the most of them."

Notes: Pro Bowl safety Ed Reed, who has missed the past four games with a groin tear, will be game-time decision against Oakland. "It’s hard to make a decision like that when you haven’t practiced and don’t know what you can give," said Reed, who did not rule out the possibility of serving as a "sixth man" this week or in the playoffs.

--David Ginsburg

Redskins’ Fletcher deals with latest Pro Bowl snub

ASHBURN, Va. — Last year, he called himself "the Susan Lucci of the NFL." This year, London Fletcher is dealing with his latest snub by declaring himself a fan of the New Orleans Saints.

The Washington Redskins middle linebacker has been the league’s most prolific tackler this decade and hasn’t missed a game in his 12-year career, yet he was passed over again when the Pro Bowl selections were announced Tuesday.

Fletcher was indignant a year ago, calling himself "Hall of Fame worthy" and comparing himself to the soap opera star who was nominated 18 times for an Emmy before finally winning.

This time, he’s holding out hope that he can still make it because he’s a first alternate for the first time in his career. He’s usually a second or third alternate.

"You can get caught up with what you don’t have that you lose sight of what you do have," Fletcher said Wednesday. "I’m still holding out hope that maybe something happens where I’m able to get in there. Maybe one of those guys decides, ‘You know what? Hey, let’s let this guy go in.’ I’m not disappointed. I’m still considered one of the top middle linebackers in the game, and that’s all you can do."

The Redskins’ losing record — 4-11 heading into Sunday’s season finale at San Diego — hurt the team’s overall Pro Bowl chances. Rookie outside linebacker Brian Orakpo was the only player selected.

The two inside linebackers chosen ahead of Fletcher for the NFC team were Jonathan Vilma of New Orleans and Patrick Willis of San Francisco. Vilma would have to drop out if the Saints make the Super Bowl because the Pro Bowl is being played the week before the NFL title game for the first time.

After hearing the selections Tuesday, Fletcher said he contacted Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who used to be with the Redskins.

"I sent Gregg Williams a text saying ‘I’m a huge, huge New Orleans fan. Congratulations, Vilma. Go Saints,"’ Fletcher said.

Fletcher said it wouldn’t diminish the accomplishment if he got in because someone else had to drop out.

"They’ll introduce me as a Pro Bowl linebacker, London Fletcher," Fletcher said. "You don’t say he’s a replacement Pro Bowl player. It doesn’t matter. I don’t have an ego like that. It doesn’t matter how I got in."

--Joseph White

Bills RB Jackson fined by NFL for ‘DIII’ symbol

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson says he’s been fined $5,000 by the NFL for painting "DIII" under his eyes rather than using a standard strip of eye black during last weekend’s game at Atlanta.

Jackson complained about the fine after practice Wednesday, and said he intends to file an appeal. Jackson was surprised by the punishment because he’s been wearing "DIII" — which stands for his Division III college football background — since the Coe College product first broke into the league with Buffalo in 2007.

He said he’s previously received no warnings from the league.

The NFL declined comment, saying it only confirms player fines on each Friday during the season.

--John Wawrow

Panel adds Johnson, Turley, Sharpton as witnesses

WASHINGTON — The House Judiciary Committee says retired boxing champion Thomas Hearns, former NFL players Ted Johnson, Kyle Turley and Bernie Parrish, and the Rev. Al Sharpton are among witnesses who will appear at next week’s hearing on head injuries in football.

The committee will hold a session called "Legal Issues Relating to Football Head Injuries, Part II" on Monday in Detroit. At a hearing Oct. 28 in Washington, lawmakers questioned NFL commissioner Roger Goodell about the league’s approach to concussions.

Since then, Goodell has announced stricter return-to-play guidelines that make it tougher for players to get back on the field after head injuries. He has made every team enlist an independent neurologist who can be consulted when players have concussions.

--The Associated Press