NFL Team Capsules: Giants QB Manning expects to play against Ravens
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning has a new helmet and is ready to play.
Manning practiced with a helmet on Wednesday for the first time since suffering a three-inch cut on the left side of his forehead in a preseason game against the New York Jets, declaring himself ready for Saturday's contest in Baltimore.
"It felt fine," Manning said of the new helmet. "There were no issues. I had a normal day of practice, no pain, no discomfort. So I am ready to go as usual."
The Giants medical staff found no signs of a concussion after Manning's helmet came off when Jets linebacker Calvin Pace slammed the quarterback's head into another player on Aug. 16. He needed 12 stitches to close the cut.
Manning said there is nothing special about his new helmet other than the chin strap and the buttons, which are placed higher so the helmet stays on better. He's wearing a bandage to cover the wound and help prevent the helmet from irritating the scar when he puts it on and takes it off.
Manning hopes to play at least a half in the penultimate preseason game, which is normal for the starters. He doesn't think he'll have to alter his playing time in the final preseason game against the New England Patriots because he missed last weekend's game against Pittsburgh.
"I don't think we will play any more than we usually do," Manning said of starters, who generally play a series or two in the final preseason game.
Manning plans to use the new helmet for a couple of weeks. If he likes it, he'll stay with it. If he doesn't, he'll go back to his old helmet, provided that his cut is healed.
The seven-year veteran and MVP of the Giants' Super Bowl win over the Patriots in 2008 said jokingly that practicing in a baseball cap on Monday and Tuesday was fun.
"It really felt pretty good," Manning said. "I kind of liked it. I could get used to that. It's good to get the helmet back on and stop hearing the comments from the offensive line, as I knew would be coming."
While Manning seemingly is back to normal, there remains concern about backup Jim Sorgi. He tore a muscle in his shoulder in the preseason game against the Jets and has not played.
Sorgi said he hoped to practice Monday and play against the Patriots. The 29-year-old backed up Manning's brother, Peyton, in Indianapolis the last six years.
Sorgi injured his shoulder late last season with the Colts and was placed on injured reserve. Now he has a different shoulder injury that might make the Giants think twice about keeping him on their final roster.
Second-year pro Rhett Bomar played the entire game against the Steelers on Saturday.
"I have seen those decisions go in the player's favor and not in the player's favor," Sorgi said. "I am going to try to get out there and hopefully make the decision a little easier for them, and hopefully in my favor."
Last week, Sorgi said he could not make a throwing motion. He said there has been some improvement, but is trying to stay away from things that irritate the shoulder.
NOTES: Coach Tom Coughlin said that CB Aaron Ross (plantar fasciitis in his right foot) will be wearing a boot for the next 10 days. ...Also missing practice on Wednesday were DE Chris Canty (groin), DE Jason Pierre-Paul (groin), S Michael Johnson (back), CB Terrell Thomas (calf), S Sha'reff Rashad (concussion), RB D.J. Ware (concussion), TE Travis Beckum (neck), WR Ramses Barden (back) and LB Chase Blackburn (knee).
McNabb uses 'sprain' to poke fun at Haynesworth
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — If Albert Haynesworth can use air quotes to describe his injury, so can Donovan McNabb.
The Washington Redskins quarterback poked a little fun at the disgruntled defensive tackle Wednesday. McNabb twice mimicked Haynesworth while talking about the sprained left ankle that will keep him out of Friday's game against the New York Jets.
"They told me it was just a 'sprain,'" said McNabb, slowing down to emphasize the word while holding fingers in the air to simulate quotation marks.
Haynesworth, while making critical remarks of coach Mike Shanahan, used air quotes Saturday to describe the "headaches" he had supposedly been having a few days earlier.
Haynesworth said he had been suffering from more than just headaches but that the organization wanted to make him look bad.
McNabb, known for his playful nature in the locker room, was having fun with it.
"It want to make sure I do the 'right things' to get myself healthy," said McNabb, using the air quotes again.
As for the state of his ankle, McNabb said it feels much better and that he would "possibly have a chance" to play next week against Arizona. Shanahan, however, said the chances of McNabb playing in that game are "slim" because the coach usually doesn't like to use his starting quarterback in the final preseason game.
This week's game is the dress rehearsal for the regular season, but Shanahan and McNabb said they didn't think the injury would be much of a setback for a quarterback learning a new offense.
"We'd like him to have as many reps as he possibly could to feel comfortable with the system," Shanahan said. "A lot of it has to do with terminology, when it becomes second nature for him, where he can think and not react. But he can still work on that and not play."
Rex Grossman will start the game and play the first half, possibly into the third quarter.
As for Haynesworth, he remains with the backups after missing numerous practices because of a failed conditioning test, a sore knee and then the illness he had last week. Haynesworth has made it through all three practices this week.
Shanahan said Haynesworth will play more at defensive end this week, rather than nose tackle.
"He likes to play that position," Shanahan said. "We'll get to see him in action."
-- Joseph White
Redskins' Armstrong had 'very scenic' route to NFL
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Anthony Armstrong's route to the Washington Redskins needs some explaining. First, there's the matter of his college: West Texas A&M.
Note the word "West." It throws everyone — including teammates — for a loop.
"They say, 'Texas A&M.' And I say, 'No, no, I'm not an Aggie,'" Armstrong said. "I have to reiterate, it's WEST Texas A&M. And they say, 'Where is that?'"
Answer: Canyon, not far from Amarillo. A Division II school in a place so small that Armstrong remembers the "Walmart that closed at 9." Ryan Leaf once coached there.
Armstrong's next stop is even harder to explain: He played for the Odessa Roughnecks of the Intense Football League.
What? The Intense Football League?
"Couple of hundred dollars a game," Armstrong said. "Chump change."
The IFL was an indoor league, but it wasn't intense enough to hold Armstrong. He was soon playing in — ta dah! — the good old Arena Football League, with the Dallas Desperados.
"The AFL was a huge promotion," he said with a laugh. "Those checks were even better."
Fast forward a bit, and Armstrong is the leading receiver in the preseason for the Redskins, a long-shot speedster making a surprisingly strong bid for a roster spot at the age of 27. Donovan McNabb's first touchdown pass in the first game didn't go to Santana Moss, Joey Galloway, Devin Thomas, Roydell Williams or Malcolm Kelly. It went to Armstrong.
"When I came in here and took the job, I said, 'Who is that guy?'" coach Mike Shanahan recalled. "He showed a lot of speed. Obviously, he was released somewhere along the line, and we brought him in. You can see he's got speed. He's been making some plays."
Armstrong had hoped for a more direct route to the NFL, but he had surgery on his wrist after his senior season in 2004 and failed a physical with the Atlanta Falcons.
"I spent a whole year out of football," Armstrong said. "I didn't know if I was ever going to get to play again. I didn't know anything about the Intense Football League. I didn't know how to get into any other form of football. I was upset, depressed. I wasn't the same. I wasn't really laughing and smiling like I always am."
So he went to the IFL, then the AFL, then spent 2008 on the Miami Dolphins practice squad. Miami cut him at the end of training camp last year, but the Redskins added him to their practice squad a few months later. He's had the perfect chance to impress under the new Shanahan regime: After Moss, there is no clear-cut pecking order at receiver.
"A guy who can run and is fast, but also has the quick twitch to get in and out of breaks," offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said. "He's got the hands. He's got everything it takes to be a receiver. You wonder why the guy's never had a career catch — what's the deal? — so we wanted to get him under the lights. He hasn't flinched at all."
Armstrong knows he'll have to keep it up over the last two preseason games to assure his place on the opening day roster. If he makes it, he'll gladly be known as the receiver who paid his dues. As he put it: "You need rain to have flowers in the end."
"I embrace it because it's a part of my journey," Armstrong said. "I've been there, I've been out of football and I've worked up the ranks, worked up the ladder. I've done it all. I haven't had the quote-unquote easy road, the fast lane to the NFL, so I appreciate my journey. It's been very scenic, and I've met a lot of good people along the way and I don't have a problem with it at all."
-- Joseph White
Favre surrounded by new receivers again
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — One of the biggest reasons Brett Favre decided to return to the Minnesota Vikings this year was his familiarity with an offense that he enjoyed being around so much in 2009.
Suddenly, in some ways, Favre feels like he's starting all over again.
His two favorite targets — Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin — have struggled with ailments throughout the preseason. Rice had hip surgery on Monday and likely will miss the first half of the regular season while Harvin has hardly practiced because of recurring migraines.
"Not a lot different than last year as far as chemistry is concerned," Favre said Wednesday. "It would have been nice to come in and go to bat with the guys that we finished with last year, but that is part of football. Every coach will say the same thing. Regardless of who is put in there we have to play the same way."
With Favre leading the way, the Vikings changed from a run-oriented offense in the first three years under coach Brad Childress into a pass-first unit that finished second in the league in scoring.
Vikings receivers caught 207 of the 377 passes completed last year, nearly all of which were thrown by Favre. When Favre stepped into the huddle in San Francisco on Sunday night, Rice and Harvin were not even in the stadium, meaning 143 of last seaon's receptions weren't around.
Bernard Berrian (55 catches) and Greg Lewis (eight) are the only healthy receivers on this year's roster who caught a pass from Favre in 2009.
Harvin did practice on Wednesday for the first time since a scary collapse last week brought on by migraines. He was taken from the field in an ambulance, spent the night in the hospital and did not make the trip to San Francisco. His availability for Saturday night's game against Seattle is in question.
The reigning rookie of the year forged a bond quickly with Favre last year, emerging as his security blanket on third down. Harvin missed one game in the regular season because of migraines and several practices in the playoffs as the Vikings marched to the NFC title game.
"Percy's situation is kind of iffy," Favre said. "We expect big things from him, bigger than last year. He has to take care of himself first."
While Harvin dealt with the headaches last year, Rice's need for surgery came as a surprise to nearly everyone. He was injured in the NFC title game loss to New Orleans, but said that doctors told him his hip would heal without surgery.
Rice posted an update on his blog on Wednesday, saying that he tweaked the injury during minicamp in June but still hoped to avoid surgery. But doctors told him on Monday that a new MRI showed "a problem that could shorten my career."
"Once the doc got in there and checked everything out, he said having the surgery was the best move I could have made, so I don't regret it now," Rice wrote. "He said it could have been much worse if I would have tried to play on it during the season. He said it could have been my last year of playing football, so I know I made the right decision."
Favre said he kept in contact with Rice, who led the team with 83 catches and 1,312 yards, while he spent the summer deciding whether he should come back for a 20th NFL season.
"I really felt like at some point here in training camp he would be able to go," Favre said. "Obviously that's not the case. Probably like most people, I was pretty optimistic that he would be OK."
So Brett, if you knew Rice would be out so long, would you have come back?
"I don't know that for certain because that obviously wasn't the case," Favre said. "It's hard enough at 40 to play. You take a guy out that had roughly 90-something catches and was obviously pretty productive ... but there's more guys on this team, too."
Rice said he hopes to be back before the first half of the season ends. There have been theories that he did not get the surgery because he was in the final year of his contract and was hoping to sign an extension, and Rice addressed that issue in his blog.
"It's not my concern what people say about my contract, whatever happens, happens," Rice wrote. "If the Vikings decide to give me an extension, that's great. If not, life goes on. I'll continue to work hard and do everything I can to be successful in what I've been doing my whole life, and that's playing football."
The Vikings scrambled this week to add depth to a receiving corps short on experience, signing veteran free agent Javon Walker on Tuesday and trading with the Dolphins for slot receiver Greg Camarillo on Wednesday.
Walker caught passes from Favre for four years in Green Bay, but he has just 41 receptions in the last three years combined in Denver and Oakland.
Camarillo has 105 receptions for 1,165 yards and two touchdowns over the last two years in Miami.
"Without Sidney, it sure makes it tougher, Favre said. "But going into the season last year, no one expected the season that Sidney was going to have. So, maybe there's another guy that can step up and do that."
-- Jon Krawczynski
RB Grant could use more work for pass-first Packers
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — While Aaron Rodgers and the Packers' passing game have been tough to stop in the preseason, Green Bay's running game hasn't had much of a workout — at least when the first-team offense has been on the field.
Going into Thursday night's game against Indianapolis at Lambeau Field, the Packers would like to get Ryan Grant a few more carries to make sure he and the offensive line starters get a running start going into the regular season.
"I don't think it would be bad for him to get some reps," offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said. "Obviously, we have a game plan that we've practiced for Indy and we know what it is. We've got a number of runs that would be typical of what we would carry at this point in time. But we haven't gotten to the stage where (we say), 'Hey, let's run Ryan 12 times or eight times.'"
Grant left the first preseason game against Cleveland after sustaining a concussion on the Packers' third offensive play of the game. He returned for the second preseason game at Seattle but didn't get much work.
Grant says he's feeling fine, and isn't concerned that he hasn't touched the ball very much.
"I don't think it's the end of the world," said Grant, who switched to a new style of helmet after the injury. "I've taken a lot of carries in this offense. Like I said, I just need to make sure that when I do get opportunities, that I make the most of them."
The Packers have been particularly pass-happy in the preseason, at least when Rodgers has been in. He played four series — including a one-play opening possession where Grant fumbled — against Cleveland, throwing 13 times and handing off seven times.
The Packers ran Grant three times in a row to open the game, but then he suffered the concussion on his third carry. Rodgers then threw nine passes in a row.
The Packers' run-pass ratio with Rodgers was similarly skewed at Seattle. In two series, Rodgers threw 11 times, handed off five times and scrambled once.
To some extent, that's a function of the decision-making power Rodgers holds within Mike McCarthy's offense; the Packers call a lot of run-pass option plays, where Rodgers can check into a pass if the defense appears to be geared up to stop the run, and vice versa.
Still, Rodgers wouldn't mind getting the running game more work.
"As much as we've gotten in a rhythm throwing the football, I think there comes a time where you're going to get in a rhythm with the play calling with your running," Rodgers said. "And often that's dictated by the kind of shell they play on defense. If they're giving us a lot of eight-man box, we're going to throw the ball. A team that wants to sit back and play seven-man box, that's where we're going to run the ball a little bit more. Depending on how Indianapolis plays, you might see a maybe more balanced attack this week."
As the Packers' play caller, McCarthy hasn't shown that evenly balancing the run and the pass is an important goal — and why should it be? The NFL is a pass-first league, and the Packers have one of the best passing offenses in the game.
Other teams are even more prone to passing plays. According to STATS LLC, the Packers passed 58 percent of the time last season. That was only the 12th-highest percentage in the league.
The team that beat the Packers in the playoffs, Arizona, threw a league-high 62.9 percent of the time last season and Thursday's opponent, Indianapolis, was second-highest at 62.7 percent.
But even with injuries at running back, the Packers' ground game could use some attention.
"I think it's helpful for the backs in the stage of their career that we have here, for them to get some reps, get some contact, get knocked down," Philbin said. "Is the ball security where it needs to be, are they handling the ball in traffic the way it needs to be handled and that type of thing? I don't think it's bad if (Grant) gets some work, but again, I don't think we've really nailed it down yet."
-- Chris Jenkins
Injured 49ers center Heitmann eager to get back
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Eric Heitmann hobbled to and from the practice field for the first time since San Francisco's veteran center broke his left leg just more than two weeks ago.
While Heitmann hasn't been visible at training camp, the ninth-year pro is doing a lot behind the scenes these days to help prepare an offensive line featuring a pair of first-round rookies and David Baas filling in at his spot snapping the ball to quarterback Alex Smith.
Heitmann, using crutches and wearing a walking boot over his lower left leg, isn't ready to guess exactly when he will return. Speaking formally Wednesday for the first time since the injury, the 30-year-old Heitmann insisted he's doing all he can to be back within the six-to-eight week window that he's expected to need to heal.
"You always kind of want to give yourself dates to shoot for. This is a different injury than what I've experienced before," Heitmann said after watching one of the Niners' most spirited practices yet this camp. "Just know that I'm doing everything I can to ensure that I'm back as soon as possible."
With a broken bone, it just takes time to heal — so there's not a lot he can do from a football standpoint yet. He's taking calcium pills to try to speed up the process. He's not sure how long he will need the boot and crutches, key stabilizers and protection while the bone is repairing itself.
Heitmann has started every game at center each of the past three seasons. He played 14 games there in 2006 before breaking his right leg, needing surgery and missing the final two games.
Replacing someone as essential as the guy who snaps the ball to the quarterback is a tough task. Baas hasn't played center regularly since his senior season at Michigan, but played one game there at the end of the '06 campaign in Heitmann's place.
Heitmann is trying to help in any way to make the transition that much smoother. He even takes notes for his teammates on what they're doing.
"There's a lot I can do. I'm definitely very active in all the film sessions," Heitmann said. "I'm trying to do everything I can right now to help the young guys, seeing blitzes, seeing the field, helping with the calls, anything I can do to mentor and help this team right now is exactly what I want to do."
He has been attending meetings and offering his input, experience and expertise when it comes to coverages and reading defenses.
Offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye has appreciated Heitmann's hands-on approach even while sidelined.
"Eric is like the backup quarterback. He is the quarterback of the line, so he is very good on fronts and potential pressures and line calls," Raye said. "We still involve Eric in the meeting at night when we go through the tape as a unit together. Alex makes the call and he makes the line call, so it helps to have his experience with the young guys and in particular David because he may see it one way and Eric, through anticipation and experience, sees through what he sees to get to the right thing."
The 49ers still haven't had their regular offense together yet, something Raye sure would like to see soon. Running back Frank Gore is expected to play for the first time this preseason Saturday night against the Oakland Raiders and second-year receiver Michael Crabtree could get his first action after missing time with a strained neck.
Pro Bowl tight end Vernon Davis is still nursing a strained right knee. He said he won't play at Oakland, but plans to take part in the entire preseason finale against San Diego on Sept. 2 if the coaches allow him to go four quarters.
Davis didn't get to participate in a practice that featured plenty of back-and-forth fun between the offense and defense, though the regular trash-talker likely hollered a few words from the sideline to get in on the action.
"I want to be out there bad," Davis said. "I'm ready."
So is Raye — to see his team intact at last.
"The continuity we have to have, we still haven't had that," Raye said. "We haven't gotten that all together yet."
Notes: Five players didn't practice with injuries that weren't considered serious: LB Matt Wilhelm (headaches), CB Shawntae Spencer (sore hamstrings), LT Barry Sims (oblique muscle), WR Jason Hill (groin), TE Tony Curtis (quadriceps). ... San Jose Sharks coach Todd McLellan attended the morning practice. ... The 49ers are partnering with the California Lottery to offer a $3 Scratchers ticket with up to $20,000 in prize money as well as a replay program that could land participants season tickets for the 2011 season, VIP road trips, VIP suites, tailgate parties, signed memorabilia or the chance to participate in a halftime contest with $10,000 in possible winnings.
-- Janie McCauley
Leon Washington is back, thanks to Uncle George
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Leon Washington is back. He's no longer a Jet. Yet the former All-Pro is soaring again, 10 months after a grotesque compound fracture in his leg.
He thanks uncle George Mangrum back in Jacksonville, Fla., for that.
"He taught me a lot, mostly about hard work and appreciation," Washington said Wednesday, after another practice as the Seahawks' first-team running back. "Before my senior year in high school I went out and laid concrete with him. Blocks and bricks. And, man, when I did that."
Washington shook his sweat-filled head.
"Yeah, I remember that vividly, boy. A young kid, 17 years old out there in the summertime lifting bricks and concrete. I did one summer with him. I had to get 25 work hours in. When I came back, I was strong as an ox, man. I won weightlifting contests from lifting those blocks and bricks."
He's won way more than that. Mangrum's nephew took those lessons learned in the stifling Florida heat and humidity and became Mr. Florida in football for 2002 months later at Andrew Jackson High. At Florida State, he was the only player in the Bobby Bowden era to score a touchdown five different ways. He was a Pro Bowl kick returner for New York in 2008.
Then last week, Mangrum died in his early 50s after a long battle with illness. Washington, his family and six of his other aunts and uncles remain in mourning.
"It was special. I scored a touchdown a day after he passed away," Washington said, his voice filled with pride. "I'm sure he had something to do with that."
That touchdown was Washington's first for the Seahawks since they acquired him in a trade from the Jets in April for a fifth-round draft pick. He doesn't mind that he has a rod in his right leg from the compound fracture of the tibia and fibula he suffered in a game at Oakland last October. He jokes the metal reinforcement means he can't break that leg again.
"Just getting back on the field again made me really, really appreciate how much I love this job," he said of his Seattle debut last weekend.
He will start Saturday night in Seattle's third exhibition game, at Minnesota. It's essentially the final dress rehearsal before the regular season starts Sept. 12. Seattle ends the preseason five days later with a throwaway exhibition at Oakland.
Washington is ahead of most estimates on his recovery. And he's at the front of the race to become coach Pete Carroll's No. 1 rusher this season.
Carroll had cautioned Washington would be limited in training camp, yet he's been going all out since almost Day One. His only limitation: A cautious Carroll won't let him return kickoffs yet.
"I'm just really pleased with the way my body's been recovering. Not missing a practice has really been a bonus for me," Washington said.
Saturday night, he took a stretch handoff behind left tackle and didn't even cut before bolting through the line unlike any back Seattle has had in years. As he ran through the end zone to celebrate his 11-yard touchdown run, he had his arms extended rigidly to each side at shoulder height. Then he tilted like ... a Jet?
"I was told I need to flap my arms more," he said. "I saw that hawk come out that tunnel and it just stays low like that. Just got to get a little more flap next time."
He brought the ball to the bench for a souvenir of his injury comeback, and to honor Uncle George. He was then mobbed by teammates and the always-excited Carroll, who's been eager to see how ready Washington will be for the regular season.
His new teammates love him. One late night in training camp, way past curfew, he sent quarterback Matt Hasselbeck a text message asking about a pass route on a third-down play. The 34-year-old Hasselbeck was sleeping.
"I got the text at five in the morning and I texted him back," Hasselbeck said. "It's just rare that a guy cares that much, he's working that hard and he'd reach out to guys.
"He called me a few times in the offseason just to see how I was doing. I'd call him back and say, 'Hey man, what's up? What's wrong?' He goes, 'Nothing man, just checking in on you. Wanted to see how you're doing.' I'm like, 'Good.' 'All right.'
"That's pretty awesome — and rare, you know? And then you take what kind of player he is, a great player."
The Jets deemed Washington, who turns 28 this weekend, expendable when they drafted USC running back Joe McKnight in April. Washington had recently signed his $1.759 million tender offer as a restricted free agent. He will likely be poised for a big payday in 2011 if he proves he really is back.
He says he isn't bitter with the way he left the Jets.
"Not at all. I really had to come to closure at that point," he said. "Right now, I'm just trying to outdo myself, honestly. If I could give my best, my best is good enough."
Asked if he might like it if New York begins to notice he's back, Washington cackled.
"I'll let them assume that," he said. "I've got a bunch of friends in New York. All my teammates were texting me back and forth (after Saturday), some of the coaches over there were texting me. Some of the media guys were texting me, also.
"So I've got a bunch of friends over there who are happy for me."
-- Gregg Bell
Hasselbeck: No players like idea of 18-game season
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Add Matt Hasselbeck to the growing chorus of NFL players out of tune with the league's idea to expand the regular season to 18 games.
"Eighteen games would be a lot tougher physically for the players. There's no doubt about that," the Seahawks' three-time Pro Bowl quarterback said of the push to add on to the current 16-game season.
Team owners eagerly discussed the idea at a league meeting Wednesday in Atlanta.
"I was with a lot of the big guys, offensive and defensive linemen, when I first heard that," Hasselbeck said. "And it was just mind-boggling to them because it is so physical, especially up front (along the line of scrimmage) — especially up front."
The owners want to convert two of the four existing preseason games into additional regular-season contests. That would keep the total number of games before the playoffs to 20, while increasing revenues in a time where other cash flows are drying up or gone.
Wednesday, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft said, "I think it's a win-win all around."
Not to the 34-year-old Hasselbeck. He has been active in recent labor issues with the players' union and attended its meetings this offseason in Hawaii.
"I mean, I haven't met a player that likes the sound of that, or thinks that's a fair trade," he said.
He understands the idea will likely be a central issue as the league and its players negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement.
"I am very hopeful that everybody can work something out. I think everything is really good. I know on the players' side, we want to play," Hasselbeck said. "If we've got to make a sacrifice like that, I for one would be willing to make a sacrifice."
Yet only if there's something in it for the players, of course. And not just wealthier contracts.
Hasselbeck would want the league to invest its additional dollars from a longer regular season into programs for players, current and retired.
"There's got to be a tradeoff there ... whether it would be health care later on in life. Whatever. Something," Hasselbeck said. "There's got to be a win-win there."
-- Gregg Bell
Both League
No brawls, just different faces for Cardinals
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt and Titans coach Jeff Fisher may have hit on the way to eliminate brawls when opposing NFL teams practice together in the preseason.
Just play the game first, then practice instead of the other way around.
The teams practiced together Wednesday afternoon less than 48 hours after the Titans beat Arizona 24-10 on Monday night. Both coaches talked before practice about not expecting any fights or crushing hits. With players on both teams practicing with some tired legs, no one went brawling.
They wrapped up after about 95 minutes with Titans and Cardinals shaking hands and going their separate ways.
"We were just curious about how it was going to be, and it turns out it was fantastic," Whisenhunt said. "Good work against a good team. I think we got a lot out of it. I told our team at the end we got better today. That's really all you can ask for ... We're very excited and grateful to coach Fisher and the Titans' organization for letting us work with them today."
This session came about because the Cardinals (1-1) wanted to avoid the long flight home before flying to Chicago for their third preseason game with the Bears on Saturday night. The Titans didn't mind the change-up themselves before breaking training camp Thursday and their next preseason game at Carolina on Saturday night.
Fisher said they got exactly what they wanted out of the session.
"We got a lot of things accomplished, nobody got hurt, and now we can focus on Carolina and they can focus on Chicago," Fisher said.
There were some hard hits and collisions from plays. Titans defensive tackle Jovan Haye swung his arm at Arizona center David Moosman during a drill with the defense individually pass rushing the offensive line. Titans safety Michael Griffin got physical with Arizona receiver Darren Mougey, jumping his route and picking off a pass from Max Hall.
Arizona quarterback Matt Leinart likely got the worst with his top two receivers — Larry Fitzgerald (right knee) and Early Doucet (abdominal strain) — still sidelined by injuries.
During a 7 on 7 passing drill, Titans rookie Alterraun Verner intercepted a pass from Leinart intended for Steve Breaston, linebacker Will Witherspoon got a pick when Leinart's pass went off tight end Jim Dray's hands and Verner may have had the best play of the day, stripping the ball away from Mike Jones after a catch for the turnover.
Leinart said the work was good for the Cardinals.
"It was a totally different feel. The same periods and the same stuff like that, but it's nice to go against another team. You see different looks, different coverages. They're not sitting on a lot of our stuff because they don't know what we're running," he said.
"It's more like a game-type thing. It was good. It was competition, and it was intense. It wasn't just a walkaround. I think both teams went really hard."
Witherspoon, a veteran going into his ninth NFL season and with his fourth team, said he was probably a little surprised that no fights broke out. But he said this session followed a game, something he had never seen before.
"This is typically the day after a game, you want to rest your body. You're probably still feeling a little of the effects of the game," he said. "It is actually very strange. You play a team, and you're coming right back up against them. Again, it's a little awkward."
Titans fullback Ahmard Hall echoed the consensus that the practice offered just good work.
"For the most part, we didn't have any drama, and we didn't need it. Tomorrow's our last day of camp. We're trying to finish up camp and roll into the season," he said.
NOTES: Arizona LB Will Davis got banged on the knee, the same knee he has had a bone bruise in. Whisenhunt said he expects him to practice Thursday when the Cardinals work at Vanderbilt University on their own. ... Titans top draft pick Derrick Morgan took part in his individual work since Aug. 1, the day after he signed his contract. He had been limited by a strained left calf. ... Fitzgerald and Titans CB Cortland Finnegan, who's been sidelined by a groin injury, talked together for a couple minutes before the Cardinals loaded up on buses for the return trip to their hotel.
-- Teresa M. Walker
AFC
Jets return to Hofstra, still without Revis
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (AP) — Rex Ryan strolled over to the stands, dozens of fans screaming his name.
The New York Jets coach was getting the rock star treatment in the team's return to Hofstra University on Wednesday night.
"That's when you know you're the only one coming over there for autographs," Ryan quipped. "It's like, 'OK, I got ya.' I hardly think I'm a rock star, although I'm working on it."
His popularity is soaring these days, along with the rest of his team, partially because of their starring role in HBO's "Hard Knocks" series this summer. More than 10,000 fans showed up at the place the Jets called home from 1968 until moving to their current facility in Florham Park, N.J., after training camp ended two years ago.
"It's really the roots of the fan base for the New York Jets for years and years," Ryan said, "so it's always great to come here."
But those fans hoping to see Darrelle Revis come jogging onto the field were disappointed. The star cornerback's holdout reached its 25th day as he seeks to become the highest-paid player at his position.
Despite several conflicting reports about Revis potentially signing as early as Wednesday, there was no indication that a deal was close. Both the Jets and Revis' agents have agreed to negotiate behind closed doors after things got testy through the media during training camp.
"I'm not going to talk about Revis," Ryan said. "The thing is, both sides agreed to that."
Working without Revis, the Jets got their last full practice in before their game against Washington on Friday night. It's New York's third preseason game, meaning the starters will get extended playing time against the Redskins.
Mark Sanchez had a terrific practice, a good thing after the first-team offense struggled mightily in the team's last preseason game at Carolina.
"This was typically like our Friday practice, and we usually say, 'Perfect Friday,'" right tackle Damien Woody said. "We really want to be sharp so we feel good going into the game, and I think we accomplished that today."
Ryan said Sanchez had a "great day" and threw only two incompletions during the session that lasted for more than 90 minutes.
"I think you saw him pick up the intensity a little bit," Ryan said. "He was pushing his teammates."
Unlike some teams, the Jets don't game plan for opponents in the preseason. Rather, Ryan lets his team go out and react on the field.
"We haven't looked at one ounce of tape," linebacker Bart Scott said. "We like to call it, 'ankle weights,' and that's going out there not knowing what the team is doing. It's just trusting in our scheme and trusting in our defense, knowing that whatever they bring out on us, we can make the adjustments."
Former Florida State coach Bobby Bowden was an invited guest of the Jets, and spent a portion of the practice talking with Ryan and the players. Bowden, who told The Associated Press on Tuesday that he was "pushed out" at Florida State, was in New York to begin a promotional tour for his new book, "Called to Coach."
"We knew he was in town and he was asking about coming to practice and we were like, 'Absolutely. We'd love to have a legend like Coach Bowden here,'" Ryan said. "It was great to have him around our players."
One unexpected visitor never got close to any of the players. A man who appeared to be in his 40s ran onto the field midway through practice and was quickly tackled by two security guards. The man was then led off the field in handcuffs as fans heckled him.
Ryan called the tackle "impressive" and jokingly said he was ready to get rookie fullback John Conner in on the action.
"If it was going to go any longer, we were going to put "The Terminator" on the guy," Ryan said with a laugh.
Notes: The team began practice 40 minutes earlier than the scheduled 6 p.m. start time. Ryan said they arrived earlier than anticipated and wanted to get in the session before inclement weather moved in. ... Former Jets wide receiver Wayne Chrebet and Super Bowl-winning center John Schmitt, both Hofstra alums, were in attendance. Gary Dell'Abate, also known as "Baba Booey" on The Howard Stern Show, was also at Hofstra and chatted with his buddy, Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine.
-- Dennis Waszak Jr.
Bills testing to see if wildcat can spark offense
PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) — With rookie running back C.J. Spiller's dynamic potential and first-year coach Chan Gailey's reputation as an offensive innovator, it was only a matter of time before the Buffalo Bills tried out the wildcat.
With a little secrecy, the Bills unveiled their version of the option-style formation in practice this week.
"It's an interesting proposition," Gailey said. "We're not so polished in one area that we can just stay in that and beat people. We're going to have to consider everything."
The Bills offense could use any type of spark it can find after finishing no better than 25th in the NFL in yards gained each of the past seven seasons.
Gailey was hired in January in part because of his extensive expertise on offense. As the Pittsburgh Steelers' coordinator in the mid-1990s, Gailey was credited with developing "The Slash" offense to suit quarterback Kordell Stewart, a multitalented rusher, receiver and passer.
The wildcat has its similarities. It's a single-wing formation with the snap going directly to a running back lined up in a shotgun position. The player then has the option to hand off the ball, run it himself or make a pass.
The scheme, which gained acclaim when the Dolphins reintroduced it in 2008 to spark their turnaround, has the potential to create diversions by keeping defenses guessing.
Spiller, the Bills' first-round draft pick, has already shown this preseason that his mere presence in the backfield can draw attention. He'll be part of a three-man running back rotation rounded out by Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch.
"It's going to be fun," Jackson said. "There's a lot of possibilities for us to do things."
Jackson's already had success in the wildcat, which the Bills used sparingly last year. Out of the formation, he threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Lee Evans, a play that Jackson already mentioned to Gailey.
"He's made sure I know that he's thrown a touchdown pass," Gailey said. "If we get to that somewhere down the line, then we'll see how it pans out."
Gailey won't say how often he intends to run the wildcat this season. What's evident is the wildcat has its place in the playbook given the number of times the Bills ran it during several portions of practice Monday and Tuesday before closing training camp in suburban Rochester.
Though the practices were open to the public, Bills officials have attempted to keep the wildcat under wraps.
Citing team policy, the Bills informed reporters they were not allowed to film or describe the formations and plays, or report which player lined up behind center. Such information, the Bills said, would be deemed "harmful for competitive purposes" by tipping off opponents.
The policy didn't stop quarterback Trent Edwards, on Tuesday, from divulging Spiller's role in the wildcat.
"It's just another weapon that we have that we can put C.J. in the backfield, direct snap to him and put a lot of pressure on defenses," Edwards said. "It's another creative scheme that Chan has. And that's a credit to him."
Gailey wouldn't rule out using Spiller, saying the player's threat to take off and run creates more gaps along the defense.
Spiller is already expected to be used extensively as both a rusher and receiver.
It's unclear what type of arm Spiller might have because, for Gailey, the key to making the wildcat effective is being able to complete passes out of the formation to prevent defenses from stacking the line against the run.
"You have to be able to have some diversity out of it in order to make something like that work," Gailey said. "You're trying to create some kind of diversion for the defense so they don't know where the ball's going all the time. If you can do that, you've got a chance to create more open spaces for the guy who does have the ball."
-- John Wawrow
Bills WR Hardy practices for first time in 2 weeks
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Bills receiver James Hardy returned to practice on a limited basis Wednesday night for the first time in 15 days, leaving it unclear whether he'll play in Buffalo's preseason game against Cincinnati this weekend.
Coach Chan Gailey said Hardy did not work extensively as the team wanted to ease him back into practice since the player sustained an undisclosed injury during a training camp session on Aug. 10.
Noting that Hardy informed him he felt good following practice, Gailey said the receiver will get additional practice time Thursday to determine whether he could play Saturday.
Hardy termed it a "good possibility" that he'll play. Though not disclosing the nature of the injury, he added that he is still experiencing some pain,
"I just started to go out there and get a little running in to see if there was any pain," Hardy said. "For the most part, I feel the pain that is there I'll be able to deal with. So hopefully, I'll be out there on Saturday."
Hardy took part in all individual receivers drills during the portion of practice open to reporters as the Bills returned to their Orchard Park headquarters a day after closing training camp in suburban Rochester.
The injury was the latest setback for Buffalo's 2008 second-round draft pick who missed all but the final two games last season while recovering from left knee surgery. And Hardy has plenty of catching up to do to resume his bid to win the No. 2 job opposite Lee Evans after the latest injury forced him to miss 11 practices and Buffalo's two first preseason games.
"Each and every day you have to show something, and I feel the days that I was out there I showed huge improvements," Hardy said. "Now, it's just time to go out there and do it on game day. And I'm looking forward to it."
Rookie receiver Donald Jones was absent for a second day. Gailey had said Tuesday that Jones was excused because of a personal situation.
-- John Wawrow
All-Pro Ryan Clady returns to Broncos practice
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Even on a day the Denver Broncos were abuzz over the return of All-Pro left tackle Ryan Clady, there were renewed concerns about their top draft pick, wide receiver Demaryius Thomas.
While Clady practiced Wednesday for the first time since blowing out his left knee in a pickup basketball game in April, Thomas was getting more medical tests on his surgically repaired left foot.
Thomas broke the foot in pre-draft workouts and aggravated it Aug. 7 during a scrimmage at Invesco Field. He returned to practice on a limited basis Tuesday but missed both the walkthrough and workout Wednesday.
Coach Josh McDaniels held his news conference before the player access period and didn't mention Thomas, his talented big target from Georgia Tech whose size (6-3, 230) and speed could make him an impact player when healthy.
A team spokesman said he had no information on Thomas' status, and his agent didn't immediately return messages.
Thomas was selected with the 22nd overall pick in the draft, three spots ahead of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow (ribs), who practiced Wednesday for the first time in eight days, as did tailback LenDale White (ankle), who had been out since Aug. 6.
Despite the uncertainly swirling around Thomas, Clady's return seemed to energize the Broncos.
"I heard some of the defensive players talking about it. Some of the guys that have never seen him play, they're excited. The quarterback is obviously excited," McDaniels said. "But I think the guys who have played in that spot have done a good job, too, and they're going to have to continue to do a good job because Ryan isn't quite ready to go out there and play 75 plays at this point."
When he will is anybody's guess.
Clady said he's shooting to be in the starting lineup when the Broncos open at Jacksonville on Sept. 12, just six months after tearing his left patellar tendon, an injury that sometimes requires a recovery twice as long.
"It feels good," Clady said in his first interview since getting hurt. "I'm just trying to get back to full speed."
Clady, who donned an orange "no contact" jersey, has a lot of catching up to do on the football field, but the extra time he's spent in the weight room should help him protect quarterback Kyle Orton's blindside.
"My upper body is pretty strong right now," Clady said, "so I feel pretty good about that."
He pledged that his days of playing hoops are over, too.
"It's just something I do in the offseason to try and stay in shape," Clady said. "I won't do that any more. So, we won't have this discussion again."
Clady said it's been hard to sit and watch as the Broncos break in a beefier offensive line that will include two rookie starters and, until he returns, journeyman left tackle D'Anthony Batiste, who has started four games in a four-year career that's taken him through Carolina, Dallas, Atlanta, Washington and Denver.
"You want to be out there with the guys and also getting better every day," Clady said. "It's a step back I took. But I'm moving forward every day and trying to improve."
Orton, who has guided Denver to touchdowns on four of seven drives this preseason despite patchwork protection, a revolving door of receivers and a turnstile of tailbacks, said it's critical to get the starting offensive line jelling over the next three weeks.
"It's not five individuals out there, it's a group out there playing," Orton said. "So, you've got to get the timing and all the calls that you want to make, so that's important. But more importantly, we want the guys healthy."
Having Clady in the game will change the protection packages and also the plays Orton can call.
"You can make small differences in play calls to help out with your backup tackle or whatever, but usually when you have the big guy back there, he's 1-on-1 and everybody knows that," Orton said.
Clady is only the fifth left tackle to earn All-Pro status by his second season since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, and offensive line coach Clancy Barone said the Broncos won't risk a setback by playing their star lineman too soon or too much.
"We can't fast-forward the healing process," Barone said.
-- Arnie Stapleton
Addition of Wimbley paying dividends for Raiders
NAPA, Calif. (AP) — The trade for Jason Campbell and a heralded draft class got all the attention when it came to the moves the Oakland Raiders made this offseason.
With his performance so far in the preseason, outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley is making sure his addition in a trade from Cleveland isn't overlooked.
Wimbley had four sacks in the first half of last week's exhibition win at Chicago, overwhelming Bears starting left tackle Chris Williams with speed and moves the Raiders haven't had since Derrick Burgess' Pro Bowl years in 2005-06.
"Anytime you can go against a starter in the NFL, be productive and have a great game, that's great," Wimbley said. "It definitely shows that I'm here to compete and be serious and, hopefully, be a good addition to this team; a good addition that can help us win more games in the future."
Wimbley appears to be doing just that so far with his new team. He drew praise from coach Tom Cable after the first exhibition game in Dallas for his ability to shore up the defense against power runs.
He followed that up with the dominating perfomance from his outside linebacker spot as well as from nickel rush end position.
He started fast with an 11-yard sack to end Chicago's first drive of the night. Wimbley sacked Jay Cutler again on a third down in the second quarter before getting two more on Chicago's final drive of the opening half.
"He has great speed off the edge," Cable said. "He's a dynamic rusher in terms of what he's doing with his hands and his pass-rushing moves. He works on it diligently. If you look back at the history of him even coming out of Florida State, that's always been his one real niche is the fact that he could get to the quarterback. I just think it's a combination of his speed and athleticism with a guy who understands what he's doing in terms of the technique of rushing the passer."
The Raiders had few doubts about Wimbley's ability as a pass rusher. But there were some questions about how he would fare in coverage against tight ends for a team that faces San Diego and Antonio Gates twice each season.
Wimbley passed his first test against the Bears, staying with Greg Olsen on a deep route down the sideline and breaking up the play.
"I think that play from a coaching standpoint was as big if not bigger than the sacks," Cable said. "That was something we were waiting to see and Olsen is a quality, quality player. It shows Kam has the ability to do those things. It certainly brings something to our defense."
Wimbley entered the NFL with high expectations after being drafted 13th overall by the Cleveland Browns in 2006. He had 11 sacks as a rookie in a promising start to his career.
He was unable to match that production in his final three seasons in Cleveland, recording 15½ sacks in that stretch and was traded to Oakland by new president Mike Holmgren for a third-round pick in March.
"I was somewhat surprised," Wimbley said. "I'll admit that. But when a new regime comes in, new management, you know you have to kind of expect anything to happen. So when I got the call, I just basically took a little bit of time to gather myself and you know look at the roster here and saw that they had really good talent. So I think it was a good move for me and a good situation for me to be in."
The deal got somewhat lost in the offseason hype in part because it came on the same day as Selection Sunday for the NCAA tournament and on the day Cleveland traded quarterback Brady Quinn to Denver.
But it was an important move for the Raiders, who were looking to upgrade at linebacker. Cable called that one of the team's biggest weaknesses last season but that is no longer the case with rookie Rolando McClain in the middle between Wimbley and Trevor Scott.
The Raiders have been on the wrong end of these types of deals in recent years, most notably when they shipped Randy Moss to New England for a fourth-round pick in 2007. But this time they benefited when another team got rid of a talented player who no longer fit.
"Honestly I'm just happy we got him," Cable said. "I'm glad that they didn't want him if that's the case and he's ours. I'll leave it at that."
Notes: Rookie Jared Veldheer will start at center Saturday against San Francisco in place of injured starter Samson Satele. ... WR Chaz Schilens will miss a couple of weeks following arthroscopic surgery on his knee. Cable said the team should have a better idea about Schilens' status for the opener Sept. 12 against Tennessee next week.
-- Josh Dubow
