NFL League and Player Capsules: NFL moving forward with 18-game season
ATLANTA (AP) — NFL owners are eager to increase the regular season from 16 to 18 games.
The players aren't so sure. During a five-hour meeting at a posh hotel in downtown Atlanta, the push to add two more games to the regular season picked up steam Wednesday — at least among those who sign the checks.
"I think it's a win-win all around," said Bob Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots.
The owners also unanimously approved Stan Kroenke's proposal to purchase majority ownership of the St. Louis Rams, assuming he turns over control of two other teams he owns — the NBA's Denver Nuggets and the NHL's Colorado Avalanche — to his son.
Kroenke owns 40 percent of the downtrodden Rams and exercised his right to purchase the rest of the team from the Rosenbloom family for a reported $750 million.
"Obviously, all of us know and respect Stan," commissioner Roger Goodell said. "He's been a terrific owner in the NFL and we're confident he will continue to be a great owner."
Kroenke must turn over operational and financial control of the Nuggets and Avalanche to his 30-year-old son, Josh, by the end of the year. He must give up his majority stake in the teams by December 2014 to meet NFL rules against cross-ownership of franchises in other NFL cities.
But talks on the expanded season dominated most of the meeting.
Goodell pointed out that the league already has the right to impose an 18-game schedule — and keep four preseason games for each team — under the current labor agreement with the players. But that contract expires after this season, and it's clear the expanded schedule will be a central issue in talks on a new collective bargaining agreement.
The owners would like to keep the season at 20 weeks, reducing the number of preseason games from four to two.
"We want to do it the right way for everyone, including the players, the fans and the game in general," Goodell said. "There's a tremendous amount of momentum for it. We think it's the right step."
The owners held off on voting on a specific proposal that could be presented to the players union. Among the issues that still must be resolved: when to start the expanded regular season, possible roster expansion to cope with more games, and changes in training camp and offseason routines to come up with ways for evaluating younger players who wouldn't have as many preseason games to make an impression.
"We want to continue to address a variety of issues before putting together a specific proposal, which our negotiating team will provide to the union's negotiating team," Goodell said. "There's tremendous support for it. Almost all the questions, all the discussions, are how to do it in a way that's fan friendly."
Around the NFL, however, many players questioned the wisdom of making an already grueling season even longer. At the very least, they want more money — and several proposed changes in the rules governing injured players, or adding an extra bye week to deal with the grind.
"With 16 games, every game is important and therefore the fans are very into it, the stadiums are packed because they know if their team loses, it pushes them further and further away from making the playoffs," Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer said. "I think if you go to 18, each game kind of loses a little bit of its significance."
The players clearly expect to be receive a bigger chunk of the multi-billion-dollar NFL pie if they're going to be putting their bodies on the line in two more games that count.
"Obviously the players want to be compensated for two more games," San Francisco 49ers linebacker Matt Wilhelm said. "That's the one thing the players have to get met."
They are also concerned about an increased risk of injuries and fret that it could shorten their careers or increase the number of health problems they endure after retirement.
"I would vote to eliminate two preseason games and then keep it at a 16-game season because the longer you're out there playing, the more your body breaks down," Chicago Bears tight end Desmond Clark said. "When you get into December, you're like walking zombies. You can't feel your joints."
Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita said the timing of the proposal is odd, considering the owners want the players to accept a smaller share of the revenue in the next labor agreement.
"They are asking you to play more games and put yourself at more risk, and they are also asking us to take a pay cut," he said. "That's a lot to ask. All those things don't make a whole lot of sense. We need to sit down and talk through it all and find out what it is they're really trying to do and see if it makes sense or not."
But Kraft said the expanded season is the most obvious step to bring in more money while the economy is struggling.
"I really think going to an 18-game season is critical to us getting a labor deal," he said. "There's not a lot ways in this economic environment we can generate incremental revenues. That's the best way.
"The other thing," he added, "our fans have said pretty loud and clear they'd like us to have fewer preseason games."
Several players and coaches have pointed out that having only two preseason games would likely make it more difficult for fringe players to get enough of a look to make the team.
Already, teams have been experimenting with joint workouts in training camp, believing those sessions could help replace the shorter preseason. This year, for instance, the Atlanta Falcons worked out with both New England and Jacksonville.
"If it was a two-game preseason, then the starters are going to see most of that time because they've got to get ready for the season, so if you're third string, good luck," said Indianapolis linebacker Gary Brackett, the Colts' defensive captain. "When I was a rookie, I needed every bit of those four games."
But some figure it's a foregone conclusion that the owners will get their way.
"Personally, I don't see how it helps the game, or the quality of the game," said Barry Cofield, a defensive tackle for the New York Giants. "But if they demand it, they will probably get it."
NFL approves Stan Kroenke taking over Rams
ATLANTA (AP) — Silent Stanley will get his team. He's just got to give up two others.
The NFL unanimously approved a proposal for Stan Kroenke to take over as majority owner of the St. Louis Rams on Wednesday, as long as he turns over control of his NBA and NHL teams to his son.
Kroenke, a 63-year-old Missouri billionaire, first became involved with bringing pro football back to St. Louis in 1993 with a failed attempt to land an expansion franchise. When the Rams moved from Los Angeles two years later, he joined the Rosenbloom family as a minority owner, increasing his stake to 40 percent in 1997.
Now, for a reported $750 million, the entire team will be his.
"I'm a 17-year overnight success," Kroenke quipped.
But first he had to deal with NFL rules against ownership of major league franchises in other pro football cities. He owns the NBA's Denver Nuggets and NHL's Colorado Avalanche.
Kroenke agreed to turn over operational and financial control of those teams to 30-year-old son, Josh, by the end of the year. He must give up his majority stake in the teams by December 2014.
Kroenke marked the occasion by making a rare appearance before the media. He has steadfastly maintained a low profile as minority owner of the Rams, earning the nickname Silent Stanley.
"I just have a really busy life," he said. "I like the members of the press. I really do. I almost went to journalism school. I just don't have the time. It takes a lot of time to build those relationships, to nurture them."
He scoffed as his reputation for being publicity shy.
"I'm not trying to offend anyone," Kroenke said. "I know there's this wonderful little picture of Silent Stan. I guess it makes good copy. But it just isn't so."
The NFL is confident Kroenke will follow through on his pledge to divest himself of control in the Nuggets and Avalanche, which are only part of his impressive collection of professional sports teams.
"He has tremendous experience in other sports, which is a plus," commissioner Roger Goodell said. "One of the issues is we want owners who focus on football. That's what Stan will be doing. He'll be focusing more on football."
Kroenke also owns the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer and the Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League. In addition, he is the largest shareholder in Arsenal of the English Premier League.
"He's a quiet man who's very effective in what he does," said Bob Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots. "We learned about his other businesses and what he does, how he handles things overseas. He just does things the right way, and I know he wants to win."
The Rams haven't done much winning lately. Kroenke is taking control of a former Super Bowl champion that has gone 6-42 over the last three years — including an NFL-worst 1-15 a year ago.
He plans to run the Rams with the same behind-the-scenes style he had as minority owner. But there will be no mistake who's the boss.
"I don't think it's a mystery the way we're running our other clubs," Kroenke said. "I like to know what's going on; I like to be involved. But the number one thing is finding the right people, putting them in place and trying to help them out."
After years of sellouts, the Rams have fallen on hard times. The crowds have thinned considerably at the 15-year-old Edward Jones Dome, leading to speculation that St. Louis could lose its NFL team for the second time. The Cardinals moved to Arizona in 1987, and the NFL has made no secret that it would like to get a franchise back in Los Angeles, the nation's second-largest market.
Kroenke's purchase of the team would appear to make the Rams less likely to move.
"I've been around St. Louis and Missouri a major portion of my life," he said. "I've never had any desire to lead the charge out of St. Louis. That's not why we're here. We're here to work very hard and be successful in St. Louis."
Then, he added, "Now, the realistic part of that. I live to be competitive. To be competitive, you have to have revenue. We're going to work really hard to have a model that produces revenue where we can be consistently competitive. Anyone can be a contender in the pro sports business every so often. The real challenge is to be competitive every year."
The Rams' brother-sister ownership team of Chip Rosenbloom and Lucia Rodriguez inherited the Rams from the late Georgia Frontiere. They decided to sell because of inheritance tax issues and had a bid from Illinois businessman Shahid Khan to purchase their 60 percent share in February.
Kroenke stepped in, exercising his right to buy the rest of the team with a matching bid.
Khan issued a statement praising the man who scuttled his bid for the Rams.
"This adventure didn't turn out the way I had hoped," Khan said, "but it was otherwise a worthwhile experience in every respect and I'll always be a fan of the St. Louis Rams."
Josh Kroenke is a former Missouri basketball player. He'll serve as governor of the NHL team and set the budget, but team president Pierre Lacroix will retain control over personnel decisions.
Given his background, the younger Kroenke will likely have a larger role with the Nuggets, who are restructuring their front office after parting with executives Mark Warkentien and Rex Chapman.
One of the Nuggets' biggest priorities is deciding what to do with Carmelo Anthony, who so far has declined to accept a three-year, $65 million contract extension.
Stan Kroenke declined to comment on Anthony's status at the NFL owners meeting, which was also expected to include talks on an 18-game schedule and a new collective bargaining agreement with the players.
"I'm here to talk about the Rams," he said. "We'll talk about Carmelo some other time. I'm sure Josh will have a lot of good answers for you on that."
-- Paul Newberry
Average value for NFL teams falls in tough economy
NEW YORK (AP) — The average value for NFL teams has fallen for the first time since Forbes began keeping track in 1998.
The magazine released its annual ranking of NFL team values Wednesday, and it found larger-market teams have weathered the rough economy far better than their smaller counterparts. Overall, the average value decreased 2 percent from last year to $1.022 billion.
None of the top 12 franchises lost more than 3 percent of their value. The bottom six dropped by 5 percent to 16 percent.
"Just like housing, people never thought it would go down," said Marc Ganis, president of Chicago-based consulting company Sports Corp. Ltd.
Not even the NFL is immune to the economic downturn, he said, but the league is still in much better shape than many other properties that have plummeted in value. Revenues aren't a problem, but the NFL needs to get costs under control, he said.
"It's still a very strong product," he said. "It's still a very strong asset people want to invest in."
The Dallas Cowboys remained the league's richest team, and widened the gap between themselves and the rest of the NFL. They're now worth $1.805 billion, their value increasing a league-best 9 percent.
On the other end of the spectrum was Jacksonville. The struggling Jaguars lost 16 percent of their value to fall to last place at $725 million. The St. Louis Rams lost 15 percent of their value and the Buffalo Bills 12 percent.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello declined comment.
The second-highest valued team, the Washington Redskins, remained steady at $1.55 billion. The New England Patriots, New York Giants and Houston Texans rounded out the top five.
A year ago, 19 teams were worth at least $1 billion. Now the number is 16. The Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs slid below that threshold.
The league average remained steady from 2008 to 2009 at $1.042 billion. Last year's rankings saw eight teams losing value, while 18 increased.
This time, the value of 20 of the 32 teams declined. Only the Cowboys, Texans, Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints (who won their first Super Bowl) and San Francisco 49ers went up.
In a good sign for the NFL, though, CBS executives said Tuesday that ad sales had been extremely strong for this season.
Ochocinco tweets apology for in-game tweeting
CINCINNATI (AP) — Chad Ochocinco has apologized for his costly tweets.
The NFL fined the Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver $25,000 on Tuesday for violating its restrictions on using social media sites before, during and after games. He's the first player disciplined under the policy adopted one year ago.
He wouldn't discuss the fine with reporters on Wednesday, but addressed it on his Twitter account, where he apologized to commissioner Roger Goodell.
"Dad again I apologize 2 you for my tweet, as my father I understand you've to discipline, can we try timeout next time please :)" he tweeted before practice.
In an earlier posting, he apologized to the league and said he wouldn't do it again. He also noted that it was the first time his tweeting had cost him money.
The NFL adopted a policy last August allowing players to use social media networks, but not around game time. Players, coaches and football operations employees can use Twitter, Facebook and other social media up to 90 minutes before kickoff, and again when traditional media interviews are finished after the game.
They're not allowed to use cell phones, computers or other electronic equipment during the restricted time.
Ochocinco met some of the Philadelphia Eagles during warmups before their preseason game on Friday night in Cincinnati. He then tweeted the names of players he met and added, "I love prw-game warm up." The message was posted less than 90 minutes before kickoff.
Ochocinco played the first half along with the other Bengals regulars and got his helmet knocked off after he was hit while trying to make a catch. When he was out of the game, he tweeted: "Man Im sick of getting hit like that, its the ... preseason ... 1day I'm gone jump up and start throwing hay makers."
The flamboyant receiver has regularly tested the NFL's restrictions during his 10-year career, resulting in an array of fines from the league.
Last season, he was fined $20,000 for taking a dollar bill onto the field as a pretend bribe while officials were reviewing one of his catches. He was fined $30,000 for donning a mock poncho and sombrero next to the bench following a touchdown catch in another game.
He has been regularly fined for on-field celebrations, which he has toned down. They've included a river dance, pretending to perform CPR on a football, and using an end zone pylon as a golf club. He also donned a mock Hall of Fame jacket on the sideline.
Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said Wednesday that he has even tighter restrictions on players using social networking at Paul Brown Stadium.
"I think the social part for them is different now," Lewis said. "Things have changed. It's what they like to do, it is how they communicate. I don't think you can sit there and act stupid and act like it doesn't go on, because it does. But when they are here to do the meetings and so forth, that is our time here. You have time when you are not here to do what you need to do."
Lewis noted that Ochocinco's teammates are accustomed to his antics.
"The rest of the guys don't care what Chad is doing," Lewis said. "People make more perception of Chad outside of this building. All 40 or 30 of you (media) could go right to his locker and everybody would not even have a second take. It's just Chad doing something stupid again, and that is what it is going to be."
Lewis also had a little fun with Ochocinco's latest promotion — a honey-nut oat cereal called "Ochocinco's" that will be sold locally beginning next month.
"It's not on the Bengals' training table, you can quote me on that," Lewis said.
-- Joe Kay
Player Moves
Vikings acquire Camarillo from Dolphins
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings aren't waiting around to beef up their ailing receivers corps.
The Vikings acquired receiver Greg Camarillo from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for cornerback Benny Sapp on Wednesday, one day after signing veteran free agent Javon Walker. The deal is contingent upon both players passing a physical.
Minnesota has little choice: Pro Bowler Sidney Rice will miss at least the first half of the season after having hip surgery Monday, and Percy Harvin hasn't practiced much because of recurring migraines, leaving Brett Favre without his top two targets with just two weeks left in the exhibition season.
Camarillo rebounded from a torn ACL in 2008 to catch 105 passes for 1,165 yards and two touchdowns over the last two years. He is more of a slot receiver than a deep threat, which would make him a more realistic fit to replace Harvin than the 6-foot-4 Rice, whose leaping ability and athleticism contributed to a breakout season last year.
The sure-handed Camarillo did not drop a pass last season.
"We have to get on board together rather quickly, obviously," Favre said after practice on Wednesday, referring to a handful of new receivers he has to get to know before the Sept. 9 season opener. "It will be tougher. I'm not going to sit here and lie to you. It will be tougher than we had hoped. So we've got our work cut out for us."
Harvin returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since he collapsed during practice last week. He was taken by ambulance to the hospital, remained there overnight and did not travel with the team to San Francisco for the preseason game on Sunday night.
Harvin had some additional tests performed this week, but it is still impossible to predict when the headaches will surface and tests are still being done. He missed one game during the regular season last year, but still racked up more than 2,000 total yards and won the AP offensive rookie of the year award.
In Miami, Camarillo became expendable with the offseason acquisition of Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall. The Dolphins also have Brian Hartline and Davone Bess at receiver.
"It happened to work out good for both teams," Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said. "I don't think from our standpoint you give away a Greg Camarillo if you don't feel like you're getting value in return. And vice versa."
Camarillo was a starter the past two years. Last season he made 50 catches for 552 yards and no touchdowns. He'll be best remembered in Miami for his 64-yard touchdown catch in overtime against Baltimore for the Dolphins' lone victory in 2007.
Sapp will provide depth for Miami at cornerback behind second-year starters Vontae Davis and Sean Smith. Veteran cornerback Will Allen is coming back from knee surgery and recently underwent a follow-up arthroscopic procedure, and he's expected to be sidelined until at least the end of the exhibition season.
Sapp played in all 16 games for Minnesota last season and started seven when Antoine Winfield went down with a foot injury. He filled in admirably, but fell behind youngsters Asher Allen and Chris Cook early in training camp in the race for the nickel job.
"You get a guy that has some position flexibility," Sparano said of Sapp. "He's played corner and started some games at corner in this league, handled a large number of plays last season, played in some playoff games and also plays inside in the nickel. I think he has a little bit of position flex in that way and plays special teams."
-- Jon Krawczynski
Saints sign new linebacker Asiodu
METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Sean Payton says poor kick and punt coverage had nothing to do with the surprise release of former special teams captain and veteran linebacker Troy Evans.
Evans was one of five players cut on Tuesday night, and by Wednesday, one new player had been added to the roster: second-year linebacker K.C. Asiodu.
While Asiodu does not necessarily expect to replace Evans' leadership role on special teams, he figures his best shot to win a roster spot with the defending Super Bowl champions is to shine on kick coverage.
"If you're not a starter, really, you're a special teams player and you have to do it well, and I take it very seriously," Asiodu said. "I'm not trying to come in here and be a captain. I'm just trying to come here and fit it, do what they expect me to do and make plays."
The Saints appear to need help on special teams. After ranking 29th in kickoff coverage and last in punt coverage in 2009, the Saints have allowed three kickoff returns of more than 50 yards and one 40-yard punt return in their first two preseason games of 2010.
Coaches have said they expect to see some improvement in Friday night's game against San Diego.
Asiodu, meanwhile, said the Saints told him, "they really thought I could help them on special teams and I agree with that."
A native of Chino Hills, Calif., the 6-foot-2, 242-pound Asiodu began his college career at UNLV, where he started six games as a sophomore in 2006, but played sparingly as a junior because of injuries. He then transferred to Central Oklahoma for his senior season.
In 2009, he joined the St. Louis Rams as a rookie free agent. He was cut during preseason and spent stints on the practice squads of both the Miami Dolphins and the Rams before being elevated to the Rams' active roster for 11 games.
He played in all 11 games for which he was active on special teams, all the while nursing a sports hernia which required surgery after the season.
"I'm 100 percent now, feeling great, running faster than ever," he said.
The Saints also entered training camp looking for a linebacker to fill the void left by the departure of starting linebacker Scott Fujita in free agency last winter, but Jonathan Casillas, a second-year pro who was with the Saints last season, appears to be the front-runner for that role.
Payton said he expects Asiodu to compete for a special teams spot initially, but stressed that he was not brought in specifically to replace Evans, who'd been with New Orleans since 2007 and was special teams captain the past two seasons.
"It really had nothing to do with how our special teams were playing, and in fairness to Troy, we're rolling a lot of guys through in the kicking game to try to get evaluations," Payton said. "Certainly it's a tough decision when you part ways with a player like Troy who's had so much to do with what we've done here."
NOTES: Payton says he expects his starters to play the whole first half and possibly some of the third quarter against the Chargers. The coach added that Patrick Ramsey will likely get the majority of the action at quarterback after Drew Brees leaves the game. Chase Daniel, who is competing with Ramsey to be Brees' backup, played the majority of the Saints' second preseason game against Houston last weekend. ... Payton said the decision to trim the roster from 80 to 76 early stemmed in part from the recent decision to scale back practices to once per day, meaning fewer practice snaps for each player. The roster must be trimmmed to 75 by Aug. 31 and to 53 by Sept. 4. ... Starting CB Tracy Porter returned to practice after missing a day with knee soreness. FS Darren Sharper (left knee) and LB Clint Ingram (left knee) still have yet to practice since training camp opened. Rookie TE Jimmy Graham and second-year LB Stanley Arnoux both sat out with right ankle sprains.
-- Brett Martel
Agent: Chargers not inclined to trade Jackson
SAN DIEGO (AP) — The agent for Vincent Jackson said Wednesday that the San Diego Chargers have given him the impression they aren't inclined to trade the Pro Bowl wide receiver.
Unhappy that he hasn't been given a long-term deal, Jackson hasn't signed the one-year, $3,268,000 contract he was tendered as a restricted free agent. When he didn't sign the tender by June 15, the Chargers were entitled to offer him 110 percent of his 2009 salary, essentially loping $2.5 million off the tender. Because of that, Jackson might sit out the entire season.
The Seattle Seahawks said last week they were given permission by the Chargers to talk to Jackson's representatives about a trade. Jackson's agent, Neil Schwartz, told The Associated Press that news of those talks prompted a half dozen other teams to contact him. He said he told them he didn't have permission to talk to them and referred them to the Chargers.
Schwartz said he spoke with Chargers negotiator Ed McGuire on Tuesday, offering to help facilitate a trade. He said he was told there are certain teams the Chargers don't want Jackson traded to.
Schwartz said he asked for the list of teams the Chargers would trade Jackson to, and what compensation they wanted in exchange for the receiver.
"They said 'no' to both," said Schwartz, who added that his discussion with McGuire was cordial.
"After my conversation with Ed McGuire, I got the impression it didn't seem like they had any inclination to trade V.J.," the agent said.
Schwartz said he and the Seahawks didn't discuss money, only philosophy. He said the discussion did include other wideouts comparable to Jackson.
Jackson had 68 catches for 1,167 yards and nine touchdowns last year, his second-straight 1,000-yard season. At 6-foot-5, he gave Philip Rivers another enticing target to go along with Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates.
Schwartz declined to comment on where the talks are with the Seahawks, or what other teams are interested in Jackson.
If nothing develops with Seattle, Schwartz isn't sure what's next.
"There's nothing you can do," Schwartz said. "They have the kid's rights. You've got to ask the Chargers."
McGuire declined comment. "We're not talking about Vincent Jackson," he said.
General manager A.J. Smith didn't return calls.
The Chargers and Seahawks were trading partners in April, and San Diego got the better end of the deal. San Diego sent third-string quarterback Charlie Whitehurst to Seattle for a second-round draft pick this year and a 2011 pick, believed to be a third-rounder, a rather high price for a player who has yet to throw a pass in the NFL.
Jackson's original five-year contract has expired. Because this is an uncapped year, he would have needed six seasons to become an unrestricted free agent.
Jackson has been suspended by the NFL for the first three games of the 2010 season for violating the league's substance abuse policy. He pleaded guilty in February to his second DUI since 2006.
Additionally, Smith has placed Jackson and left tackle Marcus McNeill on the roster exempt list, meaning they'll be suspended for three games once they sign their contract tenders. McNeill has not signed his tender for $3,168,000. Like Jackson, McNeill wants a long-term deal and has also forfeited $2.5 million in pay.
If Jackson and McNeill do report, it likely would be for the final six games so they can be credited for a season.
-- Bernie Wilson
Jaguars sign RB Smith, waive LB Griffin
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed running back Kolby Smith to help offset the loss of rookie Deji Karim, while waiving linebacker Kris Griffin.
Karim, a sixth-round pick from Southern Illinois, was the team's primary kick returner. He injured his left hand in Saturday's preseason game against Miami and had surgery Tuesday. He's expected to return, but coach Jack Del Rio says he won't be available Saturday at Tampa Bay.
Smith played in 27 games for Kansas City since entering the NFL as a fifth-round draft pick in 2007. He was signed by Denver on June 15 and waived three weeks ago.
Smith was hampered by injuries last season and played in only four games. His most productive year came in 2007, when he ran for 407 yards and two touchdowns.
Panthers claim T Barton off waivers; waive Capizzi
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers have swapped out backup offensive linemen by claiming Kirk Barton off waivers from Denver and waiving Jason Capizzi.
Barton was Chicago's seventh-round pick in 2008 and played one game for the Bears. He's also had brief stints with Miami, San Francisco and Cincinnati. The Broncos waived him on Monday.
Capizzi was signed by Carolina earlier this month after being waived by Cleveland in June.
The move Wednesday comes as the Panthers try to shore up protection problems. They've allowed 11 sacks in two preseason games.
Browns get lineman on waivers
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — The Cleveland Browns have been awarded defensive lineman Travis Ivey on waivers from Miami. Ivey was signed by the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in April and released on Monday.
The 6-foot-4, 325-pounder was a four-year letter winner at Maryland, where he made 16 career starts. Ivey recorded 54 tackles, recovered three fumbles and had two sacks with the Terrapins.
Injuries
Ravens' secondary confident despite Reed's injury
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Ed Reed's prolonged absence following offseason hip surgery hasn't triggered a panic in Baltimore.
The Ravens feel good about their situation at safety with Tom Zbikowski filling in for Reed, who's out indefinitely, and veteran strong safety Dawan Landry providing leadership and doling out punishing hits.
"Dawan brings it every play," said running back Willis McGahee, who got his lip split by Landry during training camp. "He's a hard hitter, but he plays clean football. You've gotta respect him."
With Reed sidelined, Landry, 27, is emerging as the leader of the secondary.
Among the healthy defensive backs, Landry leads the team longevity entering his fifth season as the starter.
"Dawan is the guy that's probably been there the longest, maybe the most experienced guy back there now," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "I really feel good about our safeties. I think the safeties have anchored us so far in camp."
Landry who has set the tone with his physical nature. His aggressiveness sets the standard in the secondary.
He also doubles as a mentor for the other defensive backs.
"It's something I've embraced," Landry said. "If I'm the guy people look for, I'm all for it. I'm just trying to lead by example and play my game. I'm always trying to fly around to the ball. I'm not trying to be the leader. I just want to be a positive influence out there."
Last season, Landry was voted by his teammates as the winner of the Ed Block Courage award for how he came back from a spinal cord concussion that required surgery.
One year removed from a scary injury suffered in the second game of the season, Landry wound up registering 89 tackles and tied for the team lead with four interceptions.
Other than the surgical scar on the front of his neck, Landry said he doesn't think about the injury.
"It never crosses my mind," Landry said. "After a certain time last year, I was done with it. Once I got the kinks out, it was fine."
Zbikowski has started both preseason games and appears to have separated himself from former Pro Bowl safety Ken Hamlin.
"I don't really care too much about the depth chart right now, but it's awesome playing with the first defense," said Zbikowski a former third-round draft pick. "It's just fun to play. You can really rely on every one of these guys."
This year, there's something different about the former Notre Dame standout and heavyweight boxer from Chicago.
There's less of him.
Zbikowski has worked out and followed a strict diet to get down to roughly 200 pounds.
"I did a lot of plyometrics and boxing for conditioning," Zbikowski said. "It leans you down a bit. I've always been fast. Now, I feel like I've got that extra spring in my legs. The more I condition, the better I feel."
With the upgraded conditioning, Zbikowski is able to sprint much faster and is making more plays on the ball.
"I'm at like 200 pounds and I feel very good there," Zbikowski said. "As a rookie, I was about 215 and that was too much."
Now, it doesn't take him as long as it did in the past to close on a wide receiver or tight end. When he arrived in Baltimore, Zbikowski was stereotyped as more of an in-the-box enforcer type who would primarily play special teams.
Zbikowski, 25, seems to be evolving, though, into a rangier centerfielder type.
"Zibby is playing very fast," Harbaugh said. "He's really covering ground. He looks really quick."
Last season, Zbikowski started a career-high four games with Reed out. He was productive, intercepting two passes and recording 29 tackles.
With Reed out, Zbikowski knows that people around the NFL will underrate him and possible test him out.
"Yeah, they do sleep on me, but I've allowed them to," Zbikowski said. "I've been what I consider to be fat and out of shape before. Not really, but now I'm where I need to be. That's the process of being a professional. I think I've matured a little and adjusted all my weaknesses and am making them my strengths."
RB Mike Bell expects to make Eagles debut Friday
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Running back Mike Bell expects to make his Eagles debut Friday after battling calf and hamstring problems for most of training camp.
Philadelphia signed Bell to a one-year, $1.7 million deal as a restricted free agent from the Super Bowl champion Saints, envisioning him as the perfect complement to LeSean McCoy. Bell rushed for 654 yards and scored five touchdowns last season.
Coach Andy Reid described him as a "very powerful, strong, physical runner."
"He's got good feet and vision, and catches the ball well, so those are the things that fit into this offense well, and in this day and age in the National Football League you need two or three of those guys, running backs," Reid said.
The Eagles won't get back tight end Cornelius Ingram for their third preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Ingram spent his rookie season on injured reserve and is still battling knee problems.
He was scheduled to have an MRI Wednesday. Ingram is penciled in as the No. 2 tight end behind Brent Celek.
Rookie Clay Harbor has filled in as Celek's backup, but Reid still wants to see Ingram, maybe in the final preseason game next Thursday against the New York Jets.
Hamilton latest Seahawk O lineman hurt
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — The left side of the Seahawks' offensive line is crumbling now that guard Ben Hamilton has joined tackle Russell Okung in getting hurt.
Hamilton was out of pads and watched Wednesday's practice with an ice pack on his knee.
Coach Pete Carroll had said Tuesday that the former Broncos starter signed in the offseason to tutor Okung in Seattle's new zone-blocking schemes would not start Saturday's exhibition game at Minnesota.
Recent Eagles practice squad player Mike Gibson will be the left guard as he was Wednesday.
Okung was lost perhaps into the regular season with a high right ankle sprain sustained last weekend against Green Bay.
-- Gregg Bell
Giants: CB Ross has tear in plantar fasciitis
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — New York Giants cornerback Aaron Ross has a tear in his plantar fasciitis injury in his right foot.
The Giants say an examination by Dr. Robert Anderson in Charlotte, N.C., revealed the tear for the backup cornerback and No. 1 punt returner.
Ross, who missed half of last season with a hamstring injury, will be in a cast for seven to 10 days. He will then work to regain his strength in the foot.
Ross' injury is different from the plantar fasciitis that Eli Manning had last season. Manning did not have a tear and did not miss any games.
The timetable for Ross makes him a question mark for the season opener against Carolina on Sept. 12.
Harvin returns to practice
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Vikings receiver Percy Harvin has returned to practice for the first time since collapsing on the field last week because of a migraine headache.
Harvin was taken by ambulance to the hospital on Thursday after collapsing and vomiting on the field. He spent the night in the hospital and did not go with the team to San Francisco for Sunday's preseason game.
Coach Brad Childress said Tuesday that Harvin was having more tests done and would not resume practicing until those were finished. He was practicing in full gear Wednesday during the portion that was open to the media.
It is unclear if Harvin will play in the preseason game on Saturday night against Seattle.
Urlacher sits out practice again
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher has missed his third straight practice with a strained left calf, and his status for this week is in question.
The six-time Pro Bowl pick was injured on the opening series in last week's loss to Oakland and did not return. The Bears meet Arizona on Saturday in the third preseason game, a dress rehearsal for the opener with starters usually playing into the second half.
Coach Lovie Smith mostly sidestepped questions about Urlacher on Wednesday, although he did say the injury is "nothing serious." The Bears open the season against Detroit on Sept. 12.
Urlacher, who suffered a season-ending wrist injury in last year's opener against Green Bay, did not make himself available to the media on Wednesday.
Elsewhere
Chiefs open Hall of Honor at Arrowhead
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — It has everything from Hank Stram's film projector to Len Dawson's helmet to the children's toy that inspired the NFL to call its championship game the Super Bowl.
In one of the most interesting exhibits, fans can read the handwritten notes Lamar Hunt once made in-flight on American Airlines stationery detailing his ideas about an audacious project he wanted to call the American Football League.
The Kansas City Chiefs opened their Hall of Honor Wednesday, giving fans a free tour of an impressive, exhibit-stuffed interactive museum that seems certain to become one of the most popular new features in Arrowhead Stadium's $325 million makeover.
The Hall contains 28,000 square feet and occupies a big chunk of the south concourse. In a salute to the always fan-friendly Hunt, who founded both the Chiefs and the AFL in 1959, it will be open to all fans every game day.
Hunt died in December 2006 and was known for his visionary but humble leadership. His family figures he would probably disapprove of the special section that was set aside to honor him.
"He would be mad at us," said Clark Hunt, one of Hunt's four children who serves as the Chiefs' chairman. "That's just the way he is. But I think he would be thrilled. This was one area of the stadium that was developed after he passed away. He was very interested in us having a museum in the stadium."
The hall covers much more than the Chiefs. It's also a history of the AFL, which began play in 1960 with eight teams and eventually forced a merger with the established NFL that created modern professional football.
Lamar Hunt, the son of billionaire Texas oilman H.L. Hunt, was in his mid-20s when he tired of being rebuffed in his efforts to buy an NFL team and talked several other wealthy sportsmen into forming their own league. One exhibit contains a facsimile of the handwritten notes Hunt made on airline stationery detailing ideas for the new league, including something which at the time was truly revolutionary. The teams would all share equally in television revenue.
In 1961, one year after the birth of the AFL, the NFL adopted the same idea.
"I know he would be thrilled that we have this on the open concourse for everybody to enjoy," said Clark Hunt. "As we went through the design process, at one point we thought we'd have a museum area that's a separate area of the stadium. The more we thought about it, we wanted it to be an area that was accessible to all fans on game day. We wanted it to be part of the game day experience."
A Super Ball, the small rubber ball that Lamar Hunt's children played with, rests in one case. Hunt, taking the cue from the toy, suggested that the AFL-NFL championship game be named the Super Bowl.
Chiefs fans will have no trouble finding memories of their favorite game, whatever it was. One section of the hall provides an account of every game the Chiefs have played in their first 50 years, complete with highlights and detailed box scores. That's a total of 1,008 games played by 1,024 players.
In another section is the original contract Frank Pitts signed with the Chiefs in 1967. It called for the star wide receiver to receive a salary of $15,000.
Dawson, the Chiefs Hall of Fame quarterback was spotted staring into that particular glass case.
"That's more than they were paying me in 1967," said the man who led the Chiefs to victory over Minnesota in Super Bowl IV.
Dawson memorabilia is everywhere.
"I walked into this building and I didn't know where I was," he said. "It's amazing how they saved all this stuff."
So what's it like not only living history but also making it and now seeing yourself as part of a big museum?
"Looking at all this," said Lenny the Cool, "it brings back a lot of memories."
The Chiefs even gave their fans a glimpse of the team, holding a practice at night.
-- Doug Tucker
Browns LB Fujita wants to save Louisiana wetlands
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Scott Fujita arrived in New Orleans a few months after Hurricane Katrina blew through the city.
Five years have passed, but Fujita can recall seeing the storm's lethal and long-lasting impact as if it just happened.
"It looked like a bomb went off," the Cleveland Browns linebacker said before practice Wednesday. "Driving around the 9th Ward for the first time, it felt like I was in a third-world country. It was devastating — unbelievable and mind-boggling."
Fujita played four years in New Orleans, winning a Super Bowl title last season with the Saints, whose victory brought some needed healing. And although he signed as a free agent with Cleveland in March, the 31-year-old's heart is still back in the Bayou.
New Orleans, with its vibrant lifestyle, unique architecture and resilient people, left an indelible mark on Fujita. He loved the city and wanted to give something back, so he began a personal campaign to help save the Gulf region's threatened wetlands — long before the grasses and marshes would be drenched in BP's oil.
Fujita donated $25,000 out of his playoff earnings to two Louisiana groups that specialize in coastal restoration. In June, he returned to New Orleans and helped organize a fundraiser to aid the spill's cleanup.
So what sparked this California kid, adopted by a white mother and Japanese-American father, to devote time and effort to a place he hardly knew? Fujita said that seeing New Orleans knocked to its knees and struggle to stand had a dramatic effect on him.
"We all watched the CNN coverage and we saw the flooding and we saw all the terror of it, but we didn't know why it got that way," he said. "When I got there, I learned quickly that it wasn't just the storm, it was more the wetlands and how depleted they were and how that led to the disaster afterward."
Fujita said the film "Hurricane on the Bayou" also touched him to act.
"I've always been a little bit of an environmentalist," said Fujita, who graduated from California with a degree in political science and later earned his master's in education. "I don't think people understand how important the wetlands are as the city's first lines of defense. They talk about how every 45 minutes another football field worth of wetlands is depleted. And, for every mile of wetlands that's depleted, that equals about another foot of storm surge. That's what is going to lead to the downfall of the city if they don't get it corrected."
Fujita has always been socially conscious. His interest in helping others grew during his college years in Berkeley, where he was around many who were active and aware.
"People who thought globally," he said. "They think big picture."
But it was as a young linebacker with Kansas City that Fujita's appreciation for service grew. He was influenced by veteran teammates Tony Gonzalez, Trent Green and Tony Richardson, who donated time and money to local charities and causes.
"They were guys I looked up to, they were really involved in the community with causes they believed in and it was an inspiration to me," he said.
Fujita has also been a strong advocate for breast cancer awareness and research following his mother Helen's two scares with the disease, and he's looking into several Cleveland-area charities to support.
He wishes more professional athletes would use their celebrity status as a platform to help others.
"The window of opportunity in the NFL is pretty short and the time to do something where people are paying attention and people care what you have to say is pretty small," he said. "I feel an obligation to do things I believe in."
Fujita and his wife, Jaclyn, have twin daughters. The family has relocated to Ohio, but he intends to maintain a residence in New Orleans.
"Hopefully, forever," he said.
While in Ohio, the Fujitas have been renting their home. The current tenants? They work for a consulting company that was advising BP on how to clean up the massive oil spill.
"Obviously, they weren't doing a good job for a while," Fujita said with a chuckle.
He turned serious, though, when talking about the environmental impact on the Gulf region, which could be dealt another shot if the forecasts for an active hurricane season are correct. A severe storm could push the oil in the wetlands deeper toward the mainland and potentially cause further destruction and contamination.
Fujita can't bear the thought of seeing an area so special overwhelmed by a man-made disaster.
"Who knows how long it's going to take to get things fixed," he said. "It could impact generations of fishermen and it's such a huge part of the culture down there. A way of life is being threatened right now."
-- Tom Withers
Lions fan walks 400-plus miles to team's practice
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Joe Paquette Jr. says he walked some 400 miles from his home in Michigan's Upper Peninsula to the Motor City because he's a die-hard fan of the Detroit Lions.
Paquette arrived at team headquarters Wednesday and was greeted by coach Jim Schwartz, quarterback Matthew Stafford and other players.
The 63-year-old fan says he started his trek from Munising on Aug. 8. He says he walked as much as 32 miles a day during the two-week journey he hopes inspires the team, which has been among the NFL's worst the past few seasons.
Schwartz says Lions fans never cease to amaze him. Paquette plans to attend Detroit's preseason game Saturday night against Cleveland.
