NFL Capsules: Texans waive LB Clark; nab Nixon, Wall off waivers
HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Texans have released linebacker Danny Clark and claimed linebacker David Nixon and cornerback Jamar Wall off waivers.
Clark, a 10-year veteran, signed with Houston as a free agent in May, a few days after linebacker Brian Cushing was suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the league's drug policy.
The 33-year-old Clark hurt his knee during training camp. He played the last two seasons with the New York Giants.
Nixon was cut by Oakland on Saturday. Wall, a rookie out of Texas Tech, was cut by Dallas.
League News
AP source: Cuts have union still examining trades
WASHINGTON (AP) — Three of the four rookies involved in curiously timed trades have now been cut, prompting the NFL players' union to continue looking into whether the deals were made to avoid paying money into a special player pool, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Sunday.
The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because the union has not made the probes public, said the developments over the weekend only served to reinforce the NFL Players Association's review of last week's trades by the Washington Redskins, St. Louis Rams, Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals.
On Monday, the Redskins sent sixth-round draft pick Dennis Morris to the Rams for a conditional, undisclosed draft pick. On the same day, St. Louis sent fifth-round pick Hall Davis to Washington, also for a conditional, undisclosed pick.
Also that day, the Eagles sent Charles Scott to the Cardinals for Jorrick Calvin in an exchange of rookie sixth-round selections.
At the time the trades were made, Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said the deals were made because Morris was wasn't going to make Washington's 53-man roster. He then cut Davis after one practice.
On Saturday, the Rams released Morris, and the Cardinals let go of Scott, both before the 6 p.m. NFL deadline to set a 53-man roster. Calvin, with the Eagles, was the only one of the four to make a team.
Under collective bargaining agreement rules for an uncapped year, if a drafted rookie is cut by the team that drafted him, that team is required to pay 85 percent of that player's salary into a rookie pool. The money from that pool will be distributed to rookies early next year based on the number of downs played in the 2010 season.
The way the rule is written, teams could circumvent the payment by trading a drafted player they were going to cut to another team — and have that team cut the player. Even so, the amount of savings would be small by NFL standards: just $263,500 on a first-year minimum salary of $310,000, the standard pay this year for low-round draft picks.
It is unclear what outcome the union might seek if the trades are found to be a way to skirt the payments, although it would be likely that the union would want all the teams involved to make the payments as if they had cut the players themselves.
-- Joseph White
Revis, Jets agree to terms on new deal
NEW YORK (AP) — Revis Island is open for business again — just in time for the New York Jets to start their Super Bowl run.
All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis and the Jets agreed in principle to a four-year contract Sunday night, reaching a deal a week before the team's season opener.
"It not has only been hard on u guys, but it has for me too," Revis wrote on his Twitter page early Monday morning. "I just want to tell yall that I'm sorry for this process and I can't wait to get back on the field."
The Jets wouldn't disclose financial terms of the deal, but the Daily News reported it was worth $46 million, including $32 million guaranteed.
"Barring something unforeseen, we expect Darrelle to be here (Monday)," general manager Mike Tannenbaum said during a conference call early Monday morning.
Revis, nicknamed "Revis Island" for his ability to routinely shut down opposing receivers, planned to fly from his home in South Florida to New Jersey on Monday morning. He's expected to finalize the deal and end his 36-day holdout.
"This is an intermediate step to what we hope is an entire career of Darrelle as a Jet," Tannenbaum said, "for him to retire a Jet, for him to hopefully go to the Hall of Fame one day as a Jet and for him to be in our ring of honor."
The move capped a busy day for the Jets, who earlier Sunday cut veteran fullback Tony Richardson and waived wide receiver David Clowney and running back Chauncey Washington. New York also claimed wide receiver Patrick Turner (Miami), offensive tackle Patrick Brown (Minnesota) and defensive tackle Marcus Dixon (Dallas).
But, the deal with Revis was by far the biggest news, especially because Tannenbaum acknowledged he wasn't sure it would ever happen. He said the Jets even looked into trades over the weekend for other cornerbacks.
"This was one of those things where I really wasn't optimistic," Tannenbaum said. "I really wasn't. I'm an optimist by nature, but this was really hard. There was a lot of heavy lifting, a lot of work put into it."
Including both owner Woody Johnson and coach Rex Ryan flying down to South Florida on Saturday to meet with Revis, mother Diana Gilbert, and uncle and former NFL player Sean Gilbert to try to help get a deal done.
"I think that was an important step in the process, but there was still obviously more work to be done," Tannenbaum said. "We spent all day looking at it and probably about (11 p.m. Sunday), we made a very significant breakthrough to finding a landing spot that was good for both sides."
Ryan was scheduled to have a conference call with reporters Saturday night to discuss the Jets' roster cutdown, but Tannenbaum handled it instead. A team spokesman said Ryan was unavailable because he was at an "appointment."
That turned out to be a visit with the man whom Ryan has repeatedly called the best cornerback in the NFL.
Revis began his holdout Aug. 1, when the team reported for training camp in Cortland. Tannenbaum said the nearly $600,000 in fines Revis accrued for sitting out would be handled internally by the team.
He was scheduled to make $1 million in the fourth year of his six-year rookie deal, but wanted to become the league's highest-paid cornerback. While he didn't get that this time around, he's getting the guaranteed money he sought during negotiations over the last several months.
With NFL Films cameras following the Jets all summer for HBO's "Hard Knocks" series, Revis' holdout was a major story line without him ever appearing in an episode. He'll certainly be a major focus in Wednesday night's series finale.
Revis, who made no public statements about the sometimes acrimonious negotiations since minicamp in June, thanked his family and agents, Neil Schwartz and Jonathan Feinsod, through Twitter.
"To my family, neil, & john I love u guys I'm comin home baby!!!" Revis wrote. "Revis Island LET'S GO."
The new contract means Revis will likely be back on the field in time for the opener next Monday night against Baltimore at the New Meadowlands Stadium.
"That'll be Rex's call," Tannenbaum said.
The general manager said he "had no idea" what corresponding roster move the Jets would make once Revis was signed, sealed and delivered.
"I'm sure Rex will be able to figure out what to do to get Darrelle on the team," Tannenbaum quipped.
Since early August, the team and Revis' agents agreed to keep all negotiations confidential after things got testy through the media. With the silence came the fear that Revis could sit out the entire season, as his uncle once did.
Now, the Jets and their fans can breathe a big sigh of relief.
"Obviously, Darrelle's a great player," Tannenbaum said. "He's our guy and he's an important piece to what we're trying to accomplish here. ... I don't think anyone wanted it to take as long as it did, but it did. Now, we can put it behind us and move on to Baltimore."
-- Dennis Waszak Jr.
Favre ready for another shot at Saints
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — The outcry from Minnesota players, coaches and fans was significant in the wake of the Vikings' overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints in the NFC title game.
Many were furious that the Saints defense was not penalized more heavily for what they viewed as late and illegal hits to Brett Favre throughout the game.
It turns out Favre himself has a different take on what happened.
As the Vikings began preparations on Sunday for a season-opening rematch against the Saints in New Orleans, Favre was asked if he felt mistreated by Darren Sharper, Bobby McCray and the rest of the aggressive unit.
"No, I don't feel that way," Favre said.
The 40-year-old quarterback limped off the Superdome turf with a badly sprained left ankle that required offseason surgery, cuts on his forehead, and a deep thigh bruise that he said was the most painful off his various injuries.
"All the other hits, believe it or not, didn't really hurt," Favre said. "Did they take their toll over time? Sure they did. ... It might be the same thing (on Thursday night). Who knows? It might be different. I'm not worried about it."
Favre said he felt worse after a Week 3 victory over the San Francisco 49ers than he did following the loss to the Saints, when he was hit hard by Sharper twice on blitzes after throwing the ball and was crunched by McCray and defensive tackle Remi Ayodele with the kind of low hit that often draws a penalty flag for unnecessary roughness.
Favre needed to be helped to the trainer's table after that hit, but said Sunday he injured his ankle earlier in the playoffs and not in that game.
Coach Brad Childress has said on more than one occasion that he thought some of the hits were dirty.
"I understand a quarterback's going to get hit, people are going to get hit," Childress said Sunday. "It's football. I don't have any illusions about that. What I hate to see are late hits or attempts to hurt anybody. I don't think there's a place for that in the game."
As many times as he was hit, Favre still managed to deliver a solid performance. He was 28-for-46 for 310 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, the last one coming in New Orleans territory at the end of regulation.
"There's always a risk-reward, regardless of what side of the ball you're on by being aggressive," Favre said. "It's not like we were shut down offensively. We went into a hostile environment and were extremely productive on offense but yet it proved costly (with) the turnovers. So do I think we'll face the same style of defense this week? Sure."
Defensive coordinator Gregg Willliams and the Saints haven't been bashful this offseason about saying they aren't planning to change their approach for Thursday night's season opener. Sharper, who has been placed on the physically unable to perform list and will not be in uniform for the rematch, got into a Twitter feud with Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe over the summer while saying that the Saints will be going after Favre and his surgically repaired ankle.
"Everybody looked at the film," Vikings guard Anthony Herrera said. "They had a lot of late hits on the quarterback that wasn't called. They were playing football. It is what it is."
Saints coach Sean Payton defended his defense on Sunday.
"I think that we play with an attitude and a swagger and a confidence level that is within the rules and I like the way we play," Payton said.
In doing so, the Saints may have motivated the Vikings to return the favor against Drew Brees. Favre is one of the most popular players in the Vikings locker room, and seeing their leader get pummeled in January is still fresh in their minds nine months later.
"There's always a fine line between what's legal and not legal," linebacker Ben Leber said. "They definitely pushed that envelope against us. There's no reason that we shouldn't look for the same thing, us going after them and they know they're going to go after Brett like that. It's going to be a fun game."
NOTES: Childress said the Vikings, who only have four WRs on the roster, are not interested in free agent WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh. ... With Darius Reynaud traded to the Giants on Friday night, Percy Harvin will return kicks and Bernard Berrian and Greg Camarillo will split PR duties on Thursday night. ... The Vikings signed DB Marcus Sherels, OL Thomas Austin, S Colt Anderson, WR Freddie Brown, FB Ryan D'Imperio, DT Tremaine Johnson and WR Logan Payne to the practice squad.
-- Jon Krawczynski
Saints adjusting to new starters on defense
METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Malcolm Jenkins fully expects Brett Favre to try to pick on him when the Saints host the Vikings in the NFL's season opener Thursday night.
"I'll just have to hold my own," said Jenkins, who'll start for All-Pro safety Darren Sharper.
As the Saints open their 2009 title defense, they're not exactly the same team they were a year ago. While all of their offensive starters will be back to watch the championship banner go up in the Louisiana Superdome, the defense will have at least three new starters.
Veteran former Chicago Bears defensive end Alex Brown also is new to the starting lineup, along with an outside linebacker to be named later.
On Sunday, when the Saints held their first practice with their 2010 regular-season roster, it appeared third-year pro Jo-Lonn Dunbar would get the nod at strongside linebacker, a spot vacated when Scott Fujita left for Cleveland in free agency. However, coach Sean Payton was evasive when asked about the Saints' plans, which seemed clear until Jonathan Casillas, who'd started at outside linebacker throughout the preseason, fractured his foot in the last exhibition game.
That situation could get even more muddled if starting middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma isn't ready to return from a right groin injury. He was hurt in the third preseason game, did not play in the fourth and has so far declined to discuss his health.
Vilma did, however, give a vote of confidence to the defense the Saints will put on the field against Favre and Co. this week.
"Unfortunately, we did lose some guys, but I think we have a good group coming back," Vilma said. "It's three new starters, but if you look at it the other way, we have eight old starters. On top of that, we have guys that have played. Malcolm Jenkins played a lot for us last year. Jo-Lonn Dunbar played a lot. Alex Brown? Come on, a ninth-year wily old vet? He knows what to do. I think the chemistry is not going to be as much an issue as execution from everybody, not just the new guys."
Sharper may return eventually, but cannot do so until Week 7 because his lengthy recovery from offseason left knee surgery led coaches to place him on the physically-unable-to-perform list.
The Saints drafted Jenkins as a cornerback in the first round of 2009. As a rookie, he played on special teams and started six games because of injuries to Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter. He wasn't moved to free safety until this past offseason, and now is slated to play his first regular-season game in his new position against one of the best quarterbacks in the game.
"I'm excited," Jenkins said. "It gives me a chance to see exactly where I'm at. I've had my warmup games as far as the preseason and now it's the real deal."
Payton said the Saints will miss Sharper's experience, but are eager to see how Jenkins meets the challenge.
"When you lose experience, there are certain things in regards to instincts and that's the key," Payton said. "Malcolm is a quick study and he's smart. He's going to look at a lot of the tape and he's going to spend time with Sharper. It's a close-knit group and they're going to look closely at this offense."
Favre said he wasn't certain Jenkins' substitution for Sharper works in Minnesota's favor.
The Vikings quarterback noted that while Sharper is very instinctive, he also takes risks.
"You can also use his aggression against him," Favre said.
"Right now, Jenkins seems to be playing a little more — and I'm just guessing — a little more like coach Williams (defensive coordinator Gregg Williams) wants him to play it," Favre continued. "You just don't really see him at this point being as aggressive or as risky as Sharp does. But I don't know if that plays to our advantage or not."
Coach Brad Childress said Jenkins is a "more athletic free safety" than Sharper.
"I'm sure it's taken him a little more time to get up to speed, play the middle of the field, but he has corner-type skills, so I don't think there's a tremendous downside to that," Childress said.
NOTES: The Saints signed eight players to their practice squad: DE DeMario Pressley, LB Harry Coleman, QB Sean Canfield, TE Dustin Mitchell, CB Reggie Jones, FB Matt Clapp, G Brandon Carter and WR Montez Billings.
-- Brett Martel
New-look Eagles set for opener
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Eagles could go into their opener at home against Green Bay with 12 rookies and five more new players from the team that earned a wild-card playoff spot last year.
"It doesn't scare me," coach Andy Reid said Sunday, a day after the Eagles made four trades and reached the 53-man roster limit.
"I look forward to the challenge of coaching the guys. The guys look forward to the challenge of playing and learning everything and they've taken that attitude right from the get go. There's been great energy. Now, is everything right?
"No. But, we're going to continue to work at it and get it that way. As long as that attitude stays that way and the energy level's that way, good things happen."
The Eagles current 53-man roster also includes 20 players on the offensive and defensive lines. Both lines have always held a soft spot for Reid — and new general manager Howie Roseman apparently shares that sentiment.
"That's a lot of lineman, but we've done that in the past," Reid said. "So, I don't mind that. We put a lot of emphasis on the lines. I think it's very, very important. I think we're strong at the other spots, too. I'm not worried about the other spots, but I want to make sure that I'm very comfortable and that we're very strong upfront on both sides of the football."
The Eagles' 10 offensive linemen include starters Jason Peters and Winston Justice at the tackles; Todd Herremans and Nick Cole at guard; and Jamaal Jackson, coming back from a torn ACL, at center. Reggie Wells, acquired from Arizona, will back up both guard spots.
Herremans (foot injury) played sparingly in the preseason, and Cole (calf injury) and Jackson did not play at all.
All five practiced together Sunday in a brief workout at the NovaCare Complex. It was the first time the entire team practiced since Reid could remember.
"I can't tell you the last time that happened," Reid said. "But this is a good time for it to happen."
Another youthful pack of Packers
GREEN BAY (AP) — If the Green Bay Packers are going to make a Super Bowl run, they'll be doing it with one of the league's youngest rosters — and one that is almost entirely home grown.
General manager Ted Thompson says made some hard choices to get down to the 53-man roster limit, but if the same players are on the roster for the opener at Philadelphia, the average age will be 25.87. That puts the Packers in contention to be the NFL's youngest team for the fifth straight year.
Their average age to open last season was 25.70.
"Quite frankly, I hadn't even thought of it," Thompson said during a press conference Sunday to discuss the cuts.
By keeping six of this year's seven draft picks, 36 of the Packers' 53 players were originally drafted by the team, keeping with Thompson's improve-from-within theme.
Included among those 17 players who weren't drafted by the team are three undrafted rookie free agents — offensive lineman Nick McDonald, cornerback Sam Shields and outside linebacker Frank Zombo.
Of the 36 draft picks that remain on the roster, all but five — linebacker Nick Barnett, left tackle Chad Clifton, wide receiver Donald Driver, right tackle Mark Tauscher and center Scott Wells — were chosen by Thompson, who took over as GM in January 2005.
Thompson has drafted 58 players, and 31 are on the current roster. Four of his draft picks were among the players let go Saturday: Offensive lineman Breno Giacomini and defensive end Jarius Wynn) were waived, while returner Will Blackmon and offensive lineman Allen Barbre received injury settlements and will be waived off of injured reserve when the settlements expire.
Also released were tight end Spencer Havner; running back Kregg Lumpkin; punter Chris Bryan; offensive linemen Evan Dietrich-Smith and Chris Campbell; wide receivers Jason Chery, Charles Dillon, Chastin West and Patrick Williams; defensive linemen Anthony Toribio, Jarius Wynn and Ronald Talley; linebackers Cyril Obiozor, Maurice Simpkins, Alex Joseph and Robert Francois; cornerback D.J. Clark, safety Anthony Levine; and quarterback Graham Harrell.
Although four of the 20 players the Packers waived on Saturday were claimed by other teams, Thompson was unable to swing any trades as the cutdown deadline approached.
"We had extensive conversations ongoing for the last month with selected teams and with all teams. That's just the way it goes," said Thompson, who also said he did not put in a single waiver claim on a player cut by the other 31 teams. "Sometimes teams just sit there and wait and sometimes you're able to do a deal."
Thompson acknowledged that he might have had more success had he not waited until after Thursday night's preseason finale at Kansas City to get serious about making deals.
"I am uncomfortable trading players prior to the conclusion of the fourth preseason game, because what you think you might have might change based on injuries or something happening," Thompson said.
Thompson acknowledged that some of his decisions led to imbalances on the roster. For the second straight year, the Packers kept three fullbacks (John Kuhn, Korey Hall and Quinn Johnson), but unlike last year, the team kept only two halfbacks (starter Ryan Grant, backup Brandon Jackson). Kuhn will serve as the third halfback, Thompson said.
By keeping only two true halfbacks, Thompson was able to keep four tight ends (Jermichael Finley, Donald Lee, Tom Crabtree and Andrew Quarless), one more than he typically keeps.
Manning lets New Orleans party, prepares for 2010
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — It's a good thing Peyton Manning lives in Indianapolis. Here, at least, he doesn't have to see his hometown reveling at his expense.
Down in New Orleans, Saints' paraphernalia decorates everything from corner stores to po-boy shops. Sponsors are packaging products in the team's trademark fleur-de-lis emblem and Tracy Porter's Super Bowl-sealing interception return has been replayed countless times on local and national television.
Manning has tried to stay out of it.
"Nothing," he replied emphatically, shaking his head when asked what Saints' fans said to him during the offseason.
In fact, the Colts quarterback and four-time MVP has been so busy trying to bring the big party back to Indy he hasn't spent much time down South.
He underwent rehab following offseason neck surgery, sneaked in a visit with his father at a golf tournament, and spent months breaking down every snap he took during the 2009 season, an annual tradition. He picked up a national award for his charitable work, back in Indiana, and after that there wasn't a whole lot of vacationing he could or wanted to do where he grew up.
Manning did make it to Thibodaux, La., for the family's annual passing academy, and Peyton and brother Eli cut a public service announcement for a group their mother belongs to.
For football's first family, it's been better this way.
"People are celebrating, having a great time and we understand that," Archie Manning, the family patriarch and former New Orleans quarterback, told The Associated Press. "I love the people here, and I love football, but it has been an awkward situation for us. It was a great win for the Saints and a great thing for the city, but I think some people forget that we were on the other side."
Peyton, of course, grew up a Saints fan and the son of the first great Saints player. Today's Saints quarterback, Drew Brees, has become a close friend of Manning's older brother, Cooper, and Archie still runs in Saints circles, too. That's how he wound up going to the same cocktail party as Saints coach Sean Payton.
Most New Orleans residents seem to understand how difficult it has been on the Mannings, and don't dare bring up the topic.
Just occasionally, when Archie is out around town, someone who has had too much to drink or is a bit overzealous utters something he cannot brush off and he reverts to being dad.
"I had one guy say to me, 'Tell Peyton thanks so much for throwing that interception,'" Archie recalls. "I've told a few guys to do some things that are, uh, humanly impossible. Most of the people have been really good about it, but a few have been just plain rude and nasty and when I'm in some of these settings, it's pretty doggone uncomfortable."
So uncomfortable that Archie hasn't even told Peyton everything he's heard in a town where the Mannings have become synonymous with the city's image.
Archie stayed in New Orleans after retiring from the NFL and returned, unlike others, after Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast. As recently as last year, Archie repeatedly acknowledged that he faithfully followed three teams — Peyton's Colts, Eli's Giants and the Saints.
The tight bond between the Mannings and New Orleans has now seeped into a second generation of NFL players.
When Katrina struck, it was Peyton and Eli who shipped a plane full of relief supplies into the city. Peyton has used his charity, the Peyback Foundation, to help children in Indianapolis, Knoxville, Tenn., and New Orleans, and this summer, the brothers donated about 200 pairs of new Reebok shoes to eight inner-city schools.
Clearly, the Mannings still like the city and the fans, and they don't begrudge people for celebrating. They just want fans to make it about the Saints, and not about Peyton.
"The first time he (Peyton) came back was for a golf tournament, after he had his neck operated on. He couldn't play, but he came anyway so that people couldn't say he didn't come because of the Super Bowl," Archie recalls. "And sure enough, we get through the tournament and someone smarts off about it. I just said 'Let's move on.'"
The solution was simple: Stay out of town for a while.
Archie and his wife, Olivia, spent more time than usual in Mississippi this summer, in part to avoid any unnecessary confrontations.
"We just kind of withdrew from that situation," Archie said. "I don't take it personal. People are celebrating, having a good time, and most of the time, it's been fairly normal. We just didn't anticipate having some of these people being nasty and rude."
Peyton took a similar tack.
He didn't want to see it, hear it or even be around it this summer.
Instead, it's been business as usual so Manning can win in Dallas (host of the Super Bowl) and celebrate in Indy next February.
"All we know to do is to go back and work hard again," Peyton said. "We are going to keep working very hard and hopefully we are going to take it one step further this year."
-- Michael Marot
Raiders go with rookie center
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Raiders already have a new quarterback this season. Now they have a new starting center, too.
Rookie Jared Veldheer spent nearly all of training camp practicing at left tackle but beat out incumbent Samson Satele after moving to center and will be in the starting lineup when the Raiders open the season at Tennessee on Sept. 12.
Veldheer, a third-round draft pick who played at Division II Hillsdale College in Michigan, is Oakland's fourth different opening day starting center in four years.
"I'm just very excited with the opportunity and I can't wait to play (against the Titans)," Veldheer said after practice Sunday. "All I did when I got here was worked as hard as I could at any position they put me at. I knew that would take me to where I needed to be."
He was expected to push Mario Henderson for the left tackle job in training camp before the Raiders moved him. The 6-foot-8, 315-pound Veldheer started only one game at center in the preseason and was held out of Oakland's 27-24 win over Seattle on Thursday when the team rested most of its starters.
Coach Tom Cable cited Veldheer's size as a key factor in starting the rookie ahead of Satele.
"The fact that he has it in his background, the fact that it was a need for our team, and then when you first start to do it with him how natural he was at it," Cable said. "You probably have a bigger, physical presence for sure just because what he is physically that way. But you're giving up some experience."
Veldheer joins quarterback Jason Campbell as the two newcomers to Oakland's offense. Both joined their new team on the same day, Campbell via trade from Washington while Veldheer was the Raiders' third-round draft pick.
Because of Veldheer's position change late in the preseason, he and Campbell haven't spent much time together. Neither expects that to be much of an issue when Oakland plays Tennessee in the opener.
"We've just got to work together, work together, do what we have to do to make our calls and make sure everyone is on the same page and do as much as we can to help him," Campbell said. "He's a tall guy, so sometimes that can cause problems for a defense. He's a rookie, and we've got to stick behind him ... and make him feel comfortable."
Satele, acquired from Miami in exchange for a pair of draft picks before last season, missed a chunk of training camp because of a sore ankle. He missed the 2009 season opener with an injury but started 12 games after replacing Chris Morris.
Oakland still isn't saying whether running back Michael Bush will play against the Titans. Bush suffered a broken thumb against the 49ers and underwent surgery. He wore a thick white cast on his left hand Sunday while working out and running on his own.
The team is also staying quiet regarding its linebackers. Trevor Scott, who started eight games at weakside linebacker, played at defensive end against the Seahawks. Quentin Groves started against Seattle and has been practicing with the Raiders' starting unit.
"We're working on a couple of things," Cable said. "I think Wednesday some of that stuff will get cleared up. We're just kind of experimenting with some things right now to make sure we get the right 11 guys on the field. That's the most important thing to us."
The Raiders added seven players to their practice squad: safety Stevie Brown, cornerback Joey Porter, wide receiver Shaun Bodiford, offensive lineman Alex Parsons, fullback Manase Tonga, linebacker Slade Norris and defensive tackle Kellen Heard.
Cut/Practice Squad News
Jets cut Richardson, waive Clowney, CWashington
NEW YORK (AP) — The Jets are running out of locker room leaders on offense.
Veteran fullback Tony Richardson was released by New York on Sunday, the most surprising of a series of roster moves a day after the team got down to the mandatory 53-player limit.
The Jets also waived wide receiver David Clowney and running back Chauncey Washington, and claimed wide receiver Patrick Turner (Miami), a former college teammate of quarterback Mark Sanchez, as well as offensive tackle Patrick Brown (Minnesota) and defensive tackle Marcus Dixon (Dallas).
The move to get rid of the 38-year-old Richardson was particularly stunning because coach Rex Ryan repeatedly said the team would go with two fullbacks to help the Jets' run-heavy offense.
Richardson was also routinely praised as one of the lone leaders on a young unit, with Ryan even stating his case to general manager Mike Tannenbaum to keep the fullback on the last episode of HBO's "Hard Knocks."
"Each season, there are difficult choices when constructing the 53-man roster and this year is no exception," Tannenbaum said in a statement. "We appreciate Tony's contributions and leadership over the past two seasons and have nothing but the highest respect for him as a person and as a player."
Richardson's release had already struck a nerve with his now-former teammates.
"Shout out to Tony Richardson," right tackle Damien Woody wrote on his Twitter page. "One of the classiest dudes ever! U will be missed!!!"
The fullback job now goes to fifth-round pick John Conner, whose bone-rattling hits have made him a favorite of Ryan's and helped earn him the nickname, "The Terminator," while at the University of Kentucky.
There is still a chance Richardson could return after Week 1, when his salary of $855,000 wouldn't be guaranteed for the entire season. The Jets floated out a similar possibility last week when they cut wide receiver Laveranues Coles.
Despite having a new stadium, instituting a personal seat license program and working in an uncapped year, the Jets have made several cost-cutting moves with their personnel since last season. New York cut running back Thomas Jones and left guard Alan Faneca, traded versatile running back Leon Washington and did not re-sign reliable kicker Jay Feely or long snapper James Dearth since March.
The Jets are also still waiting on All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis, mired in a 36-day holdout while he seeks to become the highest-paid player at his position. There have been no indications from either side that the negotiations are any closer to being resolved — even as the Jets prepare to open the season next Monday night against Baltimore.
While the uncertainty of the league's labor situation for next season has factored into the decisions, Ryan has openly said the offense needs leadership. Getting rid of Richardson, who was entering his third season with the Jets, will only exacerbate that need.
Clowney was on the bubble the entire summer, but appeared safe when he was part of the 53-man roster Saturday night. Tannenbaum even said the team was "moving forward with him." Less than 24 hours later, Clowney was an ex-Jet. He caught 15 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown in 15 games with New York.
Chauncey Washington had an impressive training camp, showing he can both run the ball and hit hard while covering on kickoffs. He was signed off Dallas' practice squad in December.
Turner was a third-round draft pick out of Southern California by Miami last year, and appeared in two games on special teams last season with the Dolphins.
Brown signed with Carolina as an undrafted free agent out of Central Florida last year. He later spent time on New England's practice squad before spending the rest of the season with Minnesota.
Dixon, an undrafted free agent from Hampton, spent his first two NFL seasons with Dallas.
-- Dennis Waszak Jr.
Childress defends Jackson over Rosenfels
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress is staunchly defending his decision to keep Tarvaris Jackson as Brett Favre's backup over Sage Rosenfels.
The Vikings traded Rosenfels to the New York Giants on Friday night. Rosenfels threw for 310 yards and three TDs in the preseason opener against St. Louis, but was just 8 for 17 for 92 yards with one TD in the next three games combined.
Rosenfels had the better statistics in the preseason, but Childress said Sunday that Jackson has been better in practice and is the guy who would give the Vikings the best chance to win if Favre went down.
Jackson took most of his snaps this preseason with the starting offense and played against the opposing team's starting defense while Rosenfels always entered the game with the second team, an important difference, according to Childress.
"It's a completely different set of circumstances," Childress said. "I would hope that if Tarvaris was in there going with the twos, that he would have been able to light it up that same way."
Favre has played in an NFL record 285 straight games — 309 including the playoffs — and the coach bristled at the line of questioning, likening it to discussing Joe Mauer's backup at catcher for the Minnesota Twins.
"We're talking about the two highest scoring offenses in the league last year playing each other," Childress said. "Let's talk about the game, instead of Joe Mauer's backup."
Translation — Childress expects Favre to take all the snaps this year, as he has since he took over as a starter in Green Bay in 1992, so the issue is rather insignificant.
Primary return man Darius Reynaud also went to the Giants in that trade, and Childress said Percy Harvin will be the team's kick returner when the Vikings open at New Orleans on Thursday night. Bernard Berrian and Greg Camarillo will split punt return duties, with Harvin possibly getting some looks there later in the season.
The Vikings also will go into the game against one of the best passing offenses in the league with only three healthy cornerbacks on the roster. Childress side-stepped a question about adding depth at that position, saying that the team's top priority was adding depth on the offensive line.
The Vikings also only have four healthy receivers on the active roster. Still, Childress said the team had no interest in 32-year-old free agent T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who was cut by Seattle.
"I'd be more prone to see if we could find a younger guy or somebody that's been around in a West Coast offense," he said.
-- Jon Krawczynski
Broncos beef up RB corps
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The injury-riddled Denver Broncos were awarded running back Andre Brown of the New York Giants and offensive lineman Chris Clark of the Minnesota Vikings off waivers on Sunday.
To make room on the roster, the Broncos waived linebacker Baraka Atkins and running back Bruce Hall.
In Brown, the Broncos essentially replaced a player who just ruptured an Achilles' tendon (LenDale White) with one who was felled by the same injury a year ago.
At 6-feet and 224 pounds, Brown becomes the Broncos' biggest back. But he's recovering from a turf toe injury after gaining 95 yards on 21 carries in the preseason to go with 120 yards on seven kickoff returns and likely won't be ready when the Broncos open their season Sunday at Jacksonville.
The Broncos have been hurting at tailback ever since Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) and Correll Buckhalter (back) were injured an hour into the first practice of training camp.
White was signed shortly afterward and sprained an ankle on his first full day of practice, then was lost for the season when he ruptured his right Achilles' tendon in the preseason finale at Minnesota last week.
Brown was a fourth-round selection out of North Carolina State last year after impressing scouts at the NFL combine with his speed. But his injury during camp that sidelined him all of last year means he'll have to focus on being a power back — just what the Broncos are looking for.
Brown had 3,511 all-purpose yards and 22 touchdowns in college.
The Broncos also are banged up along the offensive line, where right tackle Ryan Harris (ankle) was injured in the preseason finale and All-Pro left tackle Ryan Clady is still feeling his way back from a torn left patellar tendon, which popped while he was playing a pickup basketball game in April.
Clark spend the last two years on the Vikings' practice squad after going undrafted out of Southern Miss, where he started the final 39 games of his college career.
The Broncos also signed five players to their practice squad: linebackers Kevin Alexander and Worrell Williams, wide receiver Britt Davis, tight end Riar Geer and safety Kyle McCarthy. Williams is the brother of Broncos star inside linebacker D.J. Williams.
-- Arnie Stapleton
Bills sign TE Martin; claim G Urbik off waivers
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Bills signed tight end David Martin and claimed guard Kraig Urbik off waivers from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Martin is an eight-year NFL veteran who was signed Sunday, a day after having his contract terminated by the Dolphins. The Bills, who open the season against Miami on Sept. 12, were in need to add an experienced tight end to an injury- and suspension-depleted position.
Martin joins Jonathan Stupar as the only other tight end on the active roster. The Bills will be without projected starter Shawn Nelson, who opens the season serving an NFL-imposed four-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy.
Buffalo lost three tight ends to injuries this summer, including former starter Derek Schouman who was waived/injured Saturday after hurting his knee two weeks ago.
To make room for Martin, the Bills released tight end J.P. Foschi, a six-year NFL journeyman who was signed as an injury-replacement two weeks ago.
Martin missed last season with a knee injury after playing the previous two years with Miami. He spent his first six NFL seasons with Green Bay, and has 152 catches for 1,519 yards and 14 touchdowns in 101 career games, including 43 starts.
Urbik, a 2009 third-round draft pick out of Wisconsin, was inactive for all 16 games with the Steelers last season. He was released by Pittsburgh on Saturday.
The Bills added Urbik by releasing defensive back Dominique Harris, an undrafted rookie.
Buffalo also signed four players to its practice squad: running backs Joique Bell and Rodney Ferguson, receiver Naaman Roosevelt and tackle Jason Watkins. All four return after being cut by the team a day earlier.
Rams cuts include Null, Ogbonnaya
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Quarterback Keith Null and running back Chris Ogbonnaya were among the St. Louis Rams' final cuts to reach the 53-man roster limit.
Null, who started the last four games last season, lost a battle for the third quarterback job to Thaddeus Lewis. Ogbonnaya lost to Kenneth Darby and Keith Toston as backups to Pro Bowl running back Steven Jackson.
The Rams also waived wide receivers Danario Alexander and Brandon McRae; guards Roger Allen III and Drew Miller; linebackers Devin Bishop and Cardia Jackson; cornerback Marquis Johnson; offensive tackle Ryan McKee; fullback Dennis Morris: defensive tackle Ernest Reid; and defensive back Antoine Thompson.
Contracts of defensive end Victor Adeyanju, cornerback Quincy Butler and linebacker Bobby Carpenter were terminated. Safety Kevin Payne (knee) and T Eric Young (knee) were placed on the reserve/injured list.
Alexander, coming off a record-setting senior season at Missouri but still mending from a fourth operation on his left knee, was one of five players signed Sunday to the practice squad. The Rams also signed Johnson, McKee, McRae and Miller to the practice squad.
Bomar, Pascoe among 7 on Giants practice squad
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Quarterback Rhett Bomar is back with the New York Giants.
Bomar, who threw more passes than any other Giant this preseason, was among seven players signed to the team's practice squad on Sunday.
The Giants say they also signed tight ends Jake Ballard and Bear Pascoe, center Jim Cordle, defensive tackle Nate Collins, cornerback Seth Williams and safety Sha'reff Rashad.
All seven were with the team in training camp. All were released in the final cuts on Saturday, except Ballard, who was let go about two weeks ago, when Dominic Randolph was signed because of injuries at the quarterback position.
Bengals cut backup QB O'Sullivan
CINCINNATI (AP) — The Bengals have released second-string quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan, who struggled during the preseason.
O'Sullivan completed only 35 of 60 passes for 396 yards with two interceptions and five sacks during five preseason games, working with the Bengals' second-string players. He appeared in only three games last season as Carson Palmer's backup.
Palmer's younger brother, Jordan, is the third-string quarterback.
The Bengals replaced O'Sullivan — at least temporarily — by claiming quarterback Dan LeFevour off waivers from Chicago on Sunday. LeFevour was a sixth-round pick from Central Michigan, where he threw for more than 12,000 yards and ran for more than 2,500 during his career.
LeFevour's coach at Central Michigan was Butch Jones, who is in his first season at the University of Cincinnati.
Titans claim LB off waivers from Bears
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans have added two linebackers to the 53-man roster after being awarded waiver claims on the players.
Former Chicago Bears linebacker Tim Shaw and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Bailey will join the Titans.
Shaw set a Bears record with 30 special teams tackles in 2009. Bailey played in all 16 games for the Steelers in 2009.
To make room on the roster, the Titans have released linebacker 2008 draft pick Stanford Keglar and free agent running back LeGarrette Blount from Oregon.
The Titans have also added four players to the practice squad: Defensive end Hall Davis, a fifth-round pick by the Rams, offensive lineman Kevin Matthews, an undrafted rookie who spent training camp with the Titans, receiver Dominique Edison and safety Myron Rolle, were also set to join the unit.
Jaguars claim DT Cohen, sign 4 to practice squad
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars have been awarded defensive tackle Landon Cohen off waivers from Detroit and signed four players to the practice squad.
The Jaguars released offensive lineman Paul McQuistan to make room for Cohen, a seventh-round draft pick in 2008 who started four games last season and had 23 tackles and one forced fumble.
Jacksonville signed offensive tackle Daniel Baldridge, tight end Mike Caussin, receiver John Matthews and defensive tackle Kommonyan Quaye to the practice squad. All four spent training camp and the preseason with the Jaguars and were waived in final cuts Saturday.
Also, the team finalized a trade with Cincinnati. Jacksonville sent safety Reggie Nelson to the Bengals for cornerback David Jones and a draft pick.
Colts sign 5 players to practice squad
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts have signed five players to the practice squad.
On Sunday, the Colts brought back five players who had been cut one day earlier including quarterback Tom Brandstater. Indianapolis kept only two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster — four-time MVP Peyton Manning and Curtis Painter.
The Colts also brought back defensive lineman John Chick and undrafted rookies Brandon James, Mike Newton and Blair White. James and White are receivers. Newton is a defensive back.
The Colts still have three spots open on the practice squad.
Chargers sign veteran tackle Terry
SAN DIEGO (AP) — The San Diego Chargers have signed veteran offensive tackle Adam Terry to a one-year contract and released tackle Ryan Otterson.
Terry was cut Saturday by Indianapolis. He played with Baltimore from 2005-09.
This is the second attempt by the Chargers to add veteran depth at tackle to help fill the void left by Marcus McNeill's holdout. They signed Tra Thomas in June, but he retired on Aug. 21.
Unhappy that he hasn't gotten a long-term deal, McNeill might sit out the entire season.
The Chargers also signed eight players to the practice squad Sunday. Among them were two draft picks who were cut Saturday, quarterback Jonathan Crompton and tight end Dedrick Epps.
Chiefs announce practice squad
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Quarterback Tyler Palko and defensive tackle Dion Gales were among eight players named on Sunday to the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad.
Later Sunday, the Chiefs said they were awarded defensive tackle Anthony Toribio via a waiver claim from Green Bay. Toribio was waived by the Packers on Saturday.
The Chiefs also released wide receiver Quinten Lawrence.
Also released were wide receiver Verran Tucker, defensive tackle Garrett Brown, tackle Bobby Greenwood, guard Darryl Harris, safety Ricky Price and linebacker Pierre Walters.
Toribio, 6-1, 315, played in one game with Green Bay in 2009 after entering the NFL as a rookie free agent with Miami in 2008.
Falcons bring back 8 players to practice squad
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons have formed their eight-player practice squad with players who were with the team through the preseason and were recently cut.
Receiver Tim Buckley, running back Dimitri Nance, defensive end Emmanuel Stephens, safety Rafael Bush and linebacker Bear Woods were added to the practice squad on Sunday after joining the Falcons this year as rookie undrafted free agents.
The practice squad announced Sunday also includes tight end Robbie Agnone, offensive tackle Jose Valdez and receiver Andy Strickland.
Agnone, who spent last year on New England's practice squad, signed with Atlanta on July 31. Valdez is beginning his second year on the Falcons' practice squad. Strickland was signed to the Falcons practice squad on Dec. 22, 2009.
Buccaneers add 2, release 2 from 53-man roster
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have claimed offensive lineman Ted Larsen and running back Kregg Lumpkin off waivers and also signed three players to the club's practice squad.
To make room for Larsen and Lumpkin, tackle Derek Hardman and running back Clifton Smith were released Sunday. Smith was a Pro Bowl kick returner two years ago, but was slowed by injuries last season and during training camp.
Safety Vince Anderson, defensive end George Johnson and tight end Ryan Purvis were signed to the practice squad. All were in training camp with the Bucs this summer.
Larsen is a center and guard who was a sixth-round draft pick of the New England Patriots this year. Lumpkin spent last season on Green Bay's practice squad.
Lions cut WR Dennis Northcutt and LB Rocky Boiman
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — The Detroit Lions made two more cuts a day after setting their 53-man roster.
Detroit released wide receiver Dennis Northcutt and linebacker Rocky Boiman on Sunday.
The Lions acquired Northcutt last year in a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Northcutt had 35 receptions for 357 yards and a touchdown and returned 22 punts and three kickoffs last season for Detroit.
Boiman was with the Lions for less than a week. He had played for Detroit coach Jim Schwartz in Tennessee and defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham in Kansas City during his eight-year career.
Seattle continues roster shuffle ahead of opener
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — The roster shuffle of the Seattle Seahawks continued with three more players released, including offensive lineman Mansfield Wrotto.
Along with Wrotto, Seattle let go of center Steve Vallos and safety Kevin Ellison on Sunday. ESPN.com first reported the Seahawks also released veteran safety Jordan Babineaux and running back Julius Jones. A team spokesman would not confirm those moves. Jones was Seattle's leading rusher each of the last two seasons.
Wrotto was filling in for injured left tackle Russell Okung during the preseason and his versatility to play guard and tackle appeared to have value. But Seattle completed a trade for Philadelphia tackle Stacy Andrews on Sunday.
The Seahawks also claimed guard Evan Dietrich-Smith and cornerback Nate Ness off waivers.
Injuries
Browns GM stands by pick
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Browns understood that drafting Montario Hardesty was risky. Now they know how risky.
Cleveland general manager Tom Heckert said the team was comfortable with its medical reports and evaluations of Hardesty, who tore his left anterior cruciate ligament in the Browns' final exhibition game on Thursday and is out for the season.
Making his pro debut after missing training camp with a bone bruise in his right knee, Hardesty tore his ACL while making a cut on a routine 2-yard run. Hardesty tore his right ACL in 2005 and needed surgery during his freshman season at Tennessee.
He slid into the second round — the Browns traded three picks to select him at No. 59 overall — partly because of his knee issues.
Heckert said the club was confident in its pre-draft medical evaluations of Hardesty, who gained 25 yards on seven carries with a touchdown before getting hurt.
"We spent a lot of time with our doctors and felt comfortable (drafting him)," Heckert said on a teleconference on Monday. "It's a blow."
Heckert said doctors believe Hardesty will make a full recovery after he has surgery, which has not yet been scheduled.
"We're comfortable he's going to come back and be fine," he said.
Heckert would not comment on whether Hardesty underwent microfracture surgery on his knee in 2006.
"I don't want to get into that," he said, when the subject was raised. "I'm not real sure. I can't answer that."
Heckert said he had no regrets about Hardesty playing in Cleveland's last preseason game. He talked it over with coach Eric Mangini and president Mike Holmgren and all felt it was time to see Hardesty play after he was cleared by the team's medical staff.
"Montario was on board as well," Heckert said. "It was just one of those things that happens."
With Hardesty, projected as Cleveland's starter, out for the season, the Browns' running back position is likely to be a committee of Jerome Harrison, Peyton Hillis and James Davis, whose roster spot appeared uncertain before Hardesty got hurt.
Heckert praised both Davis and Hillis, who was acquired from Denver in the March trade for quarterback Brady Quinn.
One day after finalizing his first 53-man roster since taking over in Cleveland, Heckert had other observations and comments:
— He expects nose tackle Shaun Rogers to practice this week in advance of the Sept. 4 season opener at Tampa Bay. Rogers, a three-time Pro Bowler and Cleveland's best defensive player, missed all of training camp and the four exhibitions while recovering from a leg injury.
— Heckert said linebacker D'Qwell Jackson may be ahead of schedule as he recovers from a strained chest muscle. Jackson injured his pectoral muscle during camp. It's the opposite muscle from the one he tore last season. Jackson is one of 12 linebackers currently on Cleveland's roster.
— The Browns will continue to scan the waiver wire. Heckert said the club is looking to add a cornerback or safety, but he doesn't feel the needs to upgrade at wide receiver.
— Heckert said the final roster decisions with Cleveland's rookie management team of he, Mangini and Holmgren went "very, very smoothly. It wasn't like, 'I want this guy and I want this guy.' You talk it out and decide what is best for the football team."
— He hopes to sign safety Larry Asante, waived on Saturday, to the practice squad if he clears waivers.
— Heckert wouldn't make any predictions about this season, other than to say he believes the Browns will compete.
"We think we've improved. We think we're good enough that we will compete in every game," he said. "After that, we'll have to wait and see how things go."
-- Tom Withers
Dolphins place CB Allen on injured reserve
DAVIE (AP) — Miami Dolphins cornerback Will Allen was placed on injured reserve Sunday, ending any hope the 10th-year player had of returning from mid-August knee surgery.
Coach Tony Sparano refused to disclose specifics on why Allen, who had started all 43 games he spent with the Dolphins over the past four years, was placed on IR. The move was among a flurry of activity for the Dolphins over the weekend.
"I'm not going to get into the specific reason why we did any of these things," Sparano said, "but I just think that it's something that had to be done right now."
Among the Dolphins' other moves Sunday they terminated the contracts of defensive ends Charles Grant and Marques Douglas and guard Cory Procter. Miami also was awarded four players off waivers — rookie defensive ends Clifton Geathers and Robert Rose, and offensive linemen Jermey Parnell and Joe Reitz.
The Dolphins, who were 7-9 last season, now have 20 players who are either rookies, first- or second-year players. They have 23 players who are five-year veterans or older.
Miami expects to start three rookies (defensive tackle Jared Odrick, right guard John Jerry and strongside linebacker Koa Misi) and four second-year players (cornerbacks Vontae Davis and Sean Smith, free safety Chris Clemons, and wide receiver Brian Hartline).
Allen's veteran wisdom could have helped the young secondary and during training camp rookie cornerback Nolan Carroll, a leading candidate to start at nickel defensive backs, mentioned more than once how it was comforting to be able to pick Allen's brain.
Nevertheless, Sparano feels good about the mix of experience and youth from a team that also features play-making linebacker Karlos Dansby and Pro Bowl wide receiver Brandon Marshall.
"We're trying to develop some young players and you have some of the young players you have developed in that mix and then you have a good group of veteran players," Sparano said.
