NFL Capsules: Former NFL star Vick changes job to work with kids

NOFOK,Va - Star Michael Vick is leaving a job with a Virginia construction company to work with youngsters at Boys & Girls Clubs.

Steven Kast, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula, says Vick will be working with children on health and fitness activities at several clubs in the Hampton Roads area. Vick was a regular at the Boys & Girls Club in Newport News as a youngster.

Vick needed a job to meet the conditions of his probation and had been working as a $10-an-hour laborer.

Vick, whose lawyers were in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Norfolk on Tuesday, is in house arrest for the last two months of a nearly two-year sentence for operating a dogfighting ring.

His lawyers say a new bankruptcy plan gives creditors more of his future earnings.

Stafford, Sanchez helping each other prep for NFL

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. - Matthew Stafford and Mark Sanchez are set to become rich beyond comprehension long before throwing their first official NFL pass.

The quarterbacks will be anointed as saviors - Stafford for a Detroit team that went winless in 2008, and Sanchez for a New York Jets club that hasn't tasted the Super Bowl in 40 years.

The accompanying pressure can be overwhelming.

So Stafford and Sanchez often find themselves seeking someone who understands their situation. They call each other.

Already linked as the top two quarterbacks in this year's draft, Stafford and Sanchez have forged a separate bond. They go back and forth as a sounding board for the other while attempting to turn potential into performance.

"We're just learning, playing football," said Stafford, the No. 1 overall pick who went off the board four slots ahead of Sanchez. "Obviously, during the season, you want to win football games. That's the No. 1 priority. But at this point, we're just trying to learn and give ourselves a chance to be competitive during training camp and get a chance to get on the field."

The friendship started last summer, when they were counselors at the same camp for elite high school quarterbacks. They've kept in contact regularly since, talking about practically every imaginable topic.

On Tuesday, at the NFL rookie symposium, they were on the same field together - throwing footballs around with dozens of kids brought in to interact with the game's newest professionals. But in down moments during this mandatory event for first-year NFL players - which offers education on how to handle subjects like personal conduct, finances and security - the two young quarterbacks tend to huddle together.

"We talk so much about how's the playbook coming, what are the guys like in the locker room, have they treated you OK," Sanchez said. "Both of our situations have been very similar. Obviously, we're in different markets, but you're a rookie quarterback, you just signed your contract, you and your family are financially secure. There's a dynamic to that. It means a lot to be able to talk to someone."

The biggest lesson many of the rookies took from the symposium, Stafford included, was that they'll have to say "no" a lot - especially when it comes to people asking for money, gifts or favors from the new millionaires.

"I've had to do it for a while," said Stafford, who spent most of last season at Georgia being touted as the possible No. 1 pick.

Of course, neither Stafford nor Sanchez is all that removed from being a kid, either, so they fit right in with the high schoolers.

"All about the kids, today," said Sanchez, who posed for photos, signed countless autographs on the backs of T-shirts and has been known to keep a Sharpie marker on his keychain in case the mood strikes to scrawl his name. "All about the kids."

Sanchez, who starred at USC, is already a huge name in the massive market that is New York. He's gotten to meet Tiger Woods and Derek Jeter, both of whom offered their advice on how to handle all the attention that he'll draw playing in the Big Apple.

"You've got to be smart," Sanchez said. "You've got to protect yourself and protect your team."

Stafford hasn't quite commanded that sort of Woods-and-Jeter attention, even though he was the top pick.

Even on Tuesday, when they walked onto the converted flag-football field - it's typically a driving range at the PGA National compound - within moments of one another, cameras and heads started turning quickly toward Sanchez. Stafford, meanwhile, seemed almost invisible by comparison, and didn't mind that whatsoever.

"We're both pretty similar, easy-going guys," Stafford said. "Pressure really doesn't get to us too much. We just talk about how much fun it is to be living the dream."

-- Tim Reynolds

Bruschi hasn't decided future beyond 2009

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - There were 67 young Tedy Bruschis playing football on the New England Patriots field on Tuesday.

And one 36-year-old Bruschi who may be doing that just one more season.

The boys and girls, aged 7 to 14, all were wearing dark-blue Patriots jerseys with Bruschi's name and number 54 on them, given as part of the linebacker's one-day football camp at Gillette Stadium.

Bruschi spent less time on that field in 2008 than in recent seasons, often coming out on third down. His 14th NFL season may not be much different. Will there be a 15th? He's not even thinking about that.

"After you get past 10 (NFL seasons) I think that's the way you have to do it because you never know what's going to happen within a year. You just don't," he said. "So when the season's over, you sort of reassess things and that's how it's going to go again."

His career has been full of surprises: he's spent it all with one team and missed just seven games in 2005 after a stroke early that year. Then came the unexpected trade of longtime linebacking teammate and friend Mike Vrabel to Kansas City in February.

Bruschi's numbers were down in 2008.

His 75 tackles were his second fewest in six seasons, more than just the 65 he had when he played nine games in 2005 after his stroke. He had no sacks for the first time in his 13 seasons. And he missed the last three games with a knee injury.

But he appears healthy now.

Bruschi ran among the five stations set up Tuesday to provide instruction in tackling, running, catching, kicking and throwing. Four teammates - linebacker Jerod Mayo, special teams player Ray Ventrone, tight end David Thomas, kicker Stephen Gostkowski - and former Patriots quarterback Scott Zolak each handled one station.

"Nice hit," a smiling Bruschi shouted after one boy leveled a yellow tackling bag. "What's your name? Zach? Nice hit."

Then they shook hands.

Bruschi held the camp for the second straight year on behalf of Savings Bank Life Insurance for which he is a spokesman.

"It's a very intense camp. It's not just standing around taking pictures," said Bob Sheridan, chief executive officer of SBLI. Bruschi's stroke "is very reinforcing when he says life is unpredictable and uncertain."

Bruschi began playing football at age 14 and attended his first camp at 16 or 17 in Klamath Falls, Ore.

He doesn't know when he'll stop or what he'll do then. But his organized approach Tuesday showed some coaching skills. He set up the camp without help from his current coach, Bill Belichick.

"I've had this going on in my head for a while," Bruschi said. "I mapped out the field where the stations will be, how the guys will teach their fundamentals. It's a little Belichikian because I've been trying to keep it organized and you heard me talking to the kids about getting better and doing their job."

Those are two of Belichick's key points - get better each day and handle your duties.

"I know I can coach," Bruschi said. "I know the game. I've been in it so long, it's just going to be a matter of what I do when I'm done (playing). So I don't know. It's a passion of mine. I love football. I know I want to be in it. Let's just see what I'll be doing."

On Tuesday he was running, smiling, shouting encouragement and slapping hands with campers.

"Do it the way coach Mayo showed you," he told one of them.

His son Rex was another. Tedy was impressed when he belted the tackling bag to the turf.

"That's like what you do to me all the time at home," the oldest Bruschi on the field said with a grin.

-- Howard Ulman

Vontae Davis' lesson: Always watch your back

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. - Vontae Davis was in mid-sentence Tuesday, when Oakland rookie wide receiver Louis Murphy ran up behind him and tugged his shorts down to his ankles.

The lesson, as if Davis needed any reminder: Always watch your back.

The Miami Dolphins rookie cornerback got snarled in what he says is an identity-theft mess earlier this month - a story that began with reports that he was arrested in Champaign, Ill. three weeks ago. Someone was stopped by police there on June 9, presented Davis' identification and was charged with, among other things, driving without a valid license.

Which makes sense, since Davis canceled that license months earlier, after reporting his wallet stolen.

"You've to be aware of your surroundings and what's going on around you," Davis said. "How you do things with your credit card, you've got to be real conscious of those things. It taught me what can happen."

Davis insisted from the outset that he wasn't the person arrested, and the Dolphins quickly backed his story, saying he was training in South Florida. Police officials subsequently said that signs pointed to identity theft.

It was one of many topics discussed at the NFL rookie symposium, a mandatory immersion for players entering the league. Sessions ranged from dealing with personal finances, the NFL player conduct policy, relationships and security, something Davis is taking more seriously now.

For example, he's not leaving his wallet unattended in his car anymore.

"I know where it is right now," Davis said. "Locked up in my bookbag."

Until this week, Murphy - a former Florida standout - said he wasn't aware of Davis' situation, but acknowledged that it gave him something to think about.

"You've got to be careful," Murphy said. "They've talked to us a lot about identity theft, fraud, stuff like that."

Davis said he hasn't heard anything further from police officials in Illinois about the investigation, adding that Dolphins security personnel have been dealing with authorities.

"It's a situation you can't prepare for," Davis said. "I canceled my credit cards, but at the same time, they had my identity. That's bigger than anything."

-- Tim Reynolds

Titans' Fisher heading to Persian Gulf

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher says he expects to get an appreciation of military life when he's part of the inaugural NFL-USO Coaches Tour.

He'll make a weeklong trip soon to the Persian Gulf with Giants coach Tom Coughlin, former Steelers coach Bill Cowher, Ravens coach John Harbaugh and former Raiders and Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden.

"It is an opportunity for me to go over there and get a perspective of what all those servicemen and women are doing to protect our country," Fisher told The Tennessean newspaper.

For security reasons, he said he's not allowed to discuss specifics of the trip.

"To me, it's a privilege to go," Fisher said.

Titans agree to terms with LB Gerald McRath

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Titans have agreed to terms on a multiyear contract with linebacker Gerald McRath, their fourth-round draft pick this year out of Southern Mississippi.

As of Tuesday, the Titans now have agreed to terms with five of their 11 2009 draft picks.

McRath had 386 career tackles at Southern Miss, eighth most in Conference USA.

Jaguars trade Northcutt to Lions for Alexander

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jacksonville Jaguars have traded receiver Dennis Northcutt to the Detroit Lions for safety Gerald Alexander.

The deal was finalized Tuesday after both players passed physicals.

Northcutt gives rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford, the top pick in April's NFL draft who could replace Daunte Culpepper in the starting lineup, a veteran receiver opposite Calvin Johnson.

Alexander, a second-round pick in 2007, gives Jacksonville depth in the secondary. He started 16 games as a rookie, but missed most of last year following a neck injury.

Northcutt, who has 364 receptions for 4,584 yards and 17 touchdowns, has been projected to start this season. But Jacksonville's three rookie receivers were impressive enough during offseason drills that Northcutt became expendable.

Giants sign 3rd round pick RB Andre Brown

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The New York Giants have signed running back Andre Brown, their fourth-round selection from North Carolina State.

He is the sixth 2009 draft choice to sign with the Giants. Terms of the deal were not released.

The only unsigned draft picks are wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, the first-round selection from North Carolina, and second-round picks Clint Sintim and William Beatty.

Brown played in 44 games with 30 starts at N.C. State. He gained more than 2,500 yards and scored 22 touchdowns. He also caught 70 passes and had 341 yards on 17 kickoff returns.

To clear space on the roster for Brown, the Giants waived rookie Alex Derenthal, a free agent from Temple.

Chiefs sign 5th-round pick Colin Brown

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City Chiefs have signed their fifth-round draft pick, offensive tackle Colin Brown.

Terms were not disclosed Tuesday.

Brown earned Big 12 honors as a junior and senior at Missouri, which finished both of those seasons ranked in the top 10 nationally in total offense.

The 6-foot-7-inch, 335-pound lineman played in 43 games for the Tigers, starting 28. He played in three bowl wins and two Big 12 championship games.

Vikings sign 5th round pick

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - The Minnesota Vikings have signed fifth-round draft pick Jasper Brinkley.

Brinkley is a linebacker from South Carolina. He received second-team All-SEC honors last year after recording 65 tackles with the Gamecocks. Terms of the deal were not disclosed on Tuesday.

Brinkley is expected to compete for time as a backup linebacker and be a big contributor on special teams. The Vikings like to use linebackers on special teams because of their combination of size and athleticism.

Brinkley is the second draft pick of the team's five-player 2009 class to sign a contract. The Vikings have also signed seventh-round pick Jamarca Sanford, a safety.

Panthers waive rookie LBs Juergens, Miller

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Carolina Panthers have waived undrafted rookie linebackers Mike Juergens and Brit Miller.

The moves on Tuesday create half the roster space needed for Carolina's four remaining unsigned draft picks.

Juergens played at Wyoming and Miller at Illinois. They were signed days after the draft and participated in the offseason minicamp and optional workouts.

The Panthers must still sign second-round picks Everette Brown and Sherrod Martin, third-round choice Corvey Irvin and fifth-rounder Duke Robinson. Training camp begins Aug. 2.

Stallworth's 911 call released in Fla. DUI crash

MIAMI - Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth said on a 911 call that the man he struck with his car while driving drunk "came out of nowhere" before the crash.

Stallworth is serving a 30-day jail sentence after pleading guilty to DUI manslaughter in the March 14 death of 59-year-old Mario Reyes. Stallworth also reached an undisclosed financial settlement with Reyes' family.

Stallworth has also been suspended indefinitely by the NFL. Attorney David Cornwell, who is representing Stallworth in that matter, released a statement Tuesday after the Miami Herald reported on its Web site, citing unidentified sources, that the receiver tested positive for marijuana after the accident.

Cornwell stated any facts surrounding the case that might soon become public were fully known by law enforcement officers, prosecutors, defense attorneys and the judge when the plea agreement was reached.

Those facts could include the presence of marijuana in Stallworth's blood, according to the lawyer's statement. An individual can test positive for marijuana weeks after its use, meaning its presence in Stallworth's blood doesn't necessarily mean he was under the influence at the time of the accident.

While the marijuana hasn't appeared to play a role in Stallworth's criminal case, it could affect his standing with the NFL and its drug policies.

"The NFL's substance abuse policy addresses the specific discipline that may be imposed for use of illegal substances," Cornwell said in his statement. "We are confident that Commissioner (Roger) Goodell will respect existing league polices and consider all of the evidence when making his disciplinary assessment."

On the 911 call released Monday, Stallworth describes how the victim "just ran in front of my car" before he was struck. Police have said Reyes was not in a crosswalk and was rushing to catch a bus when he was hit.

"You got to send an ambulance right now, man," Stallworth told the 911 operator.

Ex-Chief Baldinger won't be charged in fatal crash

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Former Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Rich Baldinger will not face charges in a traffic accident that left a 61-year-old woman dead.

Jackson County (Mo.) prosecutor's office spokeswoman Velda Cook said Monday that investigators have determined that a car collision Saturday in Blue Springs between Baldinger and Marilyn Walters of Grain Valley was accidental.

Walters was killed in the collision.

Baldinger played for the Chiefs from 1982-93.