NFL Capsules: Panthers hire TCU AD Morrison as team president
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson moved quickly to replace his son as team president Wednesday, hiring Texas Christian University athletic director Danny Morrison.
A day after the surprising resignations of Mark Richardson and his brother, Jon, who ran Bank of America Stadium, their 73-year-old father gave a major front office job to someone outside the family for the first time in a decade.
As Richardson continues to recover from a February heart transplant, Morrison, a longtime Richardson associate, will take over the team's day-to-day business operations. He said he'll begin his new job by the end of the month.
The 55-year-old Morrison's first involvement with the Panthers came in the team's first season in 1995, when he was AD at Wofford College, Richardson's alma mater and the site of Carolina's training camp. Morrison later became commissioner of the Southern Conference before going to TCU in 2005.
"We are very familiar with Danny and he is very familiar with our organization," Richardson said in a statement. "He has been successful as a college administrator and commissioner and brings a business expertise and sense of community that fits the position perfectly."
The rapid moves comes as Richardson has regained an active role after months of reduced activity due to congestive heart failure, then recovery from the transplant surgery on Feb. 1.
"When I talked with him he sounded just like he always has," Morrison said in a phone interview. "He was fired up about excellence and highly motivated to have a superb team."
While Jon Richardson told employees a month ago he was stepping down, Mark Richardson's exit was surprising because he was seen as his father's heir apparent. He took over the job as president in 1998 after Mike McCormack retired.
Neither man has said publicly whether a family rift led to the moves.
Morrison said Richardson first called him last weekend and told him he had an "extraordinary opportunity, but I can't really elaborate right now."
After speaking again with Richardson early in the week, Morrison was "surprised" to learn it was the job of president.
"The first question I asked Mr. Richardson is, 'You do know I don't have any NFL experience?'" Morrison said. "He said, 'I'm not worried about that.'"
Morrison, who said he thought he would retire at TCU, accepted the job after speaking with school officials. He said the school will conduct a national search for his replacement.
"The people here are great, so I want to make sure we tie up the loose ends," Morrison said.
Morrison will soon report to the demanding Richardson, the first ex-NFL player since Chicago's George Halas to own an NFL team. Richardson was a teammate of Johnny Unitas on the 1959 Baltimore Colts team that won the NFL championship.
A native of Burlington, N.C., Morrison played basketball at Wofford, where he first met Richardson. He then coached at Elon before moving up the athletic administration ranks after getting graduate degrees from North Carolina and South Carolina.
Now Morrison takes over for a team no longer dominated in the front office by Richardsons.
"I've known Jon and Mark for a long time," Morrison said. "When I was playing basketball at Wofford they were high school students at Spartanburg (S.C.) High School. I have the utmost respect for both of them. They were incredibly supportive of us at Wofford when we were putting the pieces together for the training camp. I think highly of both of them."
"As soon as we get to Charlotte we'll hit the ground running and learn as much as we possibly can in as quick a time period as we can."
Features
Childress: Peterson is best in NFL
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — In the debate over who is the best running back in the NFL, Vikings coach Brad Childress is agreeing with Jim Brown, not LaDainian Tomlinson.
Childress came to Adrian Peterson's defense Wednesday after Tomlinson took a few shots at Peterson in a recent Los Angeles Times story.
When asked about it at practice Wednesday, an unusually emphatic Childress said he's seen Peterson improve "by leaps and bounds" in all phases of the game since he entered the league in 2007.
"LaDainian is a hell of a back and he's entitled to his opinion," Childress said. "I'm going to tell you, my guy is the best football player in the National Football League and he's the best running back in the National Football League, and I believe that."
Peterson is the reigning NFL rushing champion and also holds the single-game record for yards rushing (296) — set against Tomlinson's Chargers at the Metrodome in 2007. He has rushed for 3,101 yards in his first two seasons, leading many to call him the best running back in the game.
For years, Tomlinson has worn that crown.
"Jim Brown was telling Peterson he's the best runner he'd seen in a long time," Tomlinson told The Times. "I was sitting there reading it thinking, 'Wow.'
"The difference with me is you can put me out on that field and there will be nothing I can't do. I won't have to come off the field. Adrian has to come off sometimes on third down. Running routes, he's still not there yet. Great downhill runner, powerful, fast, all that stuff. ... But anything on that field you want me to do — throw it, block — I can do it. That's what I pride myself on is not having any weaknesses. And that's what makes me the best back."
LT rushed for 1,815 yards and scored 31 touchdowns in 2006, but has been slowed slightly by injuries the last two seasons. He gained a career-low 1,110 yards rushing last season, but still managed to catch 52 passes.
Tomlinson's accomplishments in the passing game certainly set him apart. He caught 100 passes in 2003 and has never caught fewer than 51 in a season.
Peterson has 40 catches in his first two seasons combined. He knows he has to be better in that area and has worked diligently to be a more reliable receiver and blocker.
"I just think he keeps getting better and better and better and better," Childress said. "I think he's come leaps and bounds from the first day in pass protection."
When it comes to running, though, Peterson might have the edge right now as he enters his prime. He rushed for 1,760 yards last season and took the first handoff of the preseason game against Houston on Monday night for a 75-yard touchdown.
Tomlinson turned 30 in June, an ominous benchmark for running backs that usually signifies the beginning of the downside of their careers.
Both are from Texas, and Peterson simply shrugged off Tomlinson's criticism.
"It really doesn't matter," Peterson said. "But it's Jim Brown, so I can see why it would definitely touch a nerve.
"The only thing I try to do is try to be the best, most complete player that I can be. And that means during the offseason if there's things that I can improve on, that make my game better, that will help the team, then those are things that I do. So, that's what I'm going to continue to focus on and continue to do and I'll let everyone else voice their opinion."
-- Jon Krawczynski
Fisher a title away from greatness?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Jeff Fisher has not spent the past few months dissecting how his Tennessee Titans blew home-field advantage in the playoffs.
Yes, the coach can tick off the turnovers, the injuries and the missed delay-of-game penalty in the 13-10 divisional loss to Baltimore. Scratch any one of those, who knows what might have happened to the team that posted the league's best regular-season record at 13-3 after a franchise-best 10-0 start?
Disappointing? Absolutely. Fisher even calls it a deep wound.
"But I don't feel like our window's closing," Fisher said.
Good coaches are measured by wins. Great coaches? Reaching that status means lots of victories, with a championship rounding out the resume. For Fisher, the NFL's longest-tenured coach with his current team, a Super Bowl is the only thing lacking as he heads into his 15th full season with the Titans.
Not that Fisher is ready to ponder what it would mean if he never wins the oh, so elusive title.
"It only happens to one team once a year, so it's not easy. But I don't see this as a once in a lifetime opportunity. We're building this team for the future and expect to be competitive. We're dealing with hypotheticals. You'll have to ask me when I'm fishing someplace," he said.
Fisher won't be contemplating his career at a fishing hole anytime soon. He may have his most experienced and talented team yet in a bid to earn a second shot at that Super Bowl trophy.
He already ranks 22nd in coaching wins and is second only to Bill Belichick (153) among active coaches with his 133 victories. Only nine other coaches have spent more time with one team than Fisher with 240 games, and that list includes such great coaches as George Halas, Tom Landry, Don Shula, Chuck Noll, Curly Lambeau and Joe Gibbs.
Bud Adams took the interim off Fisher's job title after finishing up the final six games of 1994, and Fisher has outlasted 106 other head coaches since 1995. Andy Reid, in his 11th season in Philadelphia, is the only other NFL coach to last at least a decade with his current team. Belichick is starting his 10th season in New England
Watch Fisher run upfield during a two-minute drill at practice, it's obvious the man who played defensive back at Southern California and set punt return records playing for the Chicago Bears hasn't lost any of his enthusiasm.
"It only increases every year, especially over the last couple years as we got through the difficult times and we got back in the playoffs," Fisher said. "Now everyone's expectations are higher for us. They are for me included, as well as the staff. The energy's there throughout the building, the organization."
Focusing on football is easier after what Fisher calls a unique offseason.
The Titans started by fixing offensive flaws, signing receiver Nate Washington and drafting receiver Kenny Britt and tight end Jared Cook. Fisher took part in an NFL trip to Iraq with Cowher and New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin in late June. His cell phone had just gotten service in a stop in Kuwait on July 4 when he learned Steve McNair, his former quarterback and close friend, had been murdered.
Fisher spoke at McNair's memorial and funeral services. After what the coach described as a very different offseason, Fisher turned his focus to football.
"Camp's kind of like home to us," Fisher said.
Part of Fisher's success and perseverance can be credited to coaching the past 12 seasons in Tennessee, a state filled with small markets where media attention is light. Fisher couldn't be more fan friendly, with weekly radio and TV shows during the season, and he's a frequent guest on sports talk radio.
But Fisher also was a top attraction for several of the free agents signed as Tennessee built its way back to the playoffs after the salary cap-induced crash in 2005. The Titans signed safety Chris Hope away from Pittsburgh after he helped Bill Cowher win his own Super Bowl.
"Coming here was not a big adjustment for me," Hope said. "Coach Fisher is a player's coach. He loves to take care of his players. As long as you're doing the little things at practice and off the field, staying out of trouble, he's the best coach to play for."
Both of those qualities have been on display in his most recent training camp.
Fisher scheduled only two two-a-day sessions, preferring to push his players through more meetings while stressing the need to do everything correctly. He lets veterans sleep at home as long as they aren't late for work each day.
After Chris Davis was charged with driving under the influence while the rest of the team was on the road for an exhibition, Fisher released the receiver a few days later, though the coach cited an injured hamstring as the reason.
Attention to detail may be the only difference tight end Bo Scaife has noticed in Fisher since the playoff loss to Baltimore.
"That's what lost us the game here last year," Scaife said.
The defeat ruined a season in which the 10-0 start was just the 11th since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, and the Titans had become only the fourth NFL team to lead a division wire to wire in winning the AFC South. That gave Fisher his sixth playoff berth in the past 10 seasons. Only Indianapolis (nine) and Philadelphia (seven) have reached the postseason more in that span.
It also made Fisher 5-6 in the postseason overall. The lone Super Bowl berth as a coach was back in 2000, when the Titans came up 1 yard short of forcing overtime against the Rams. Then the Titans lost the AFC championship game in 2003.
Hope has heard all the talk about how a Super Bowl title pushes a coach into a different bracket. He also knows coaches can only prepare players so much. Playing, and winning? That's up to the players.
"Hopefully, we can continue to put ourselves in position, in the playoffs ... and one day we'll knock the door down," Hope said.
Fisher agrees it's a collective effort, but sees his players extremely motivated to win.
"We'll just have to kind of shut up," Fisher said, "and just do it now."
-- Teresa M. Walker
Davis earns No. 3 QB job for 49ers
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Nate Davis knows he's already shown the doubters just by winning a roster spot with the San Francisco 49ers.
Davis is unfazed by a learning disability that makes it difficult for him to grasp the playbook and transfer that information onto the field.
He carries himself with a confidence and poise in the huddle that has earned the talented rookie a job as the 49ers' No. 3 quarterback — not to mention the respect of his new teammates and coaches. And that's sure saying something for the former Ball State standout, who fell to the fifth round in April's draft largely because of his challenges.
His selection spot: 171st overall.
"I know that every team was a little hesitant taking me because of my learning disability," Davis said Wednesday before hitting the practice field in advance of Friday's exhibition finale at San Diego. "You know what, I came off and I was honest during the combine. I came out and the first thing I told them was, 'Listen, I have a learning disability.' I wasn't going to hide nothing. I wanted them to know, and that I can overcome it."
He's not one to be overwhelmed by the NFL workload either.
Davis' heads-up play behind center helped the 49ers to comeback victories in each of their last two preseason games, and on Tuesday the team cut veteran Damon Huard and kept Davis.
Davis does fine with film work and understanding the X's and O's, but has trouble when it comes to reading and writing because he might transpose letters and words here and there. It's a disability similar to dyslexia, so the coaches must exhibit extra patience with Davis to teach him the offense in the most basic of ways.
"It was hard. I'm a very visual learner, so I've got to see it, got to do it," Davis said. "I've been working hard. Coach (Mike) Johnson and coach (Jimmy) Raye and coach Mike (Singletary), they've been giving me techniques that have been helping me learn the offense."
Davis also has made it this far doing things his way. He wears gloves on both hands and doesn't always grip the ball on the laces. When he was drafted, Davis said there was little difference in his play and that of first-round QBs Matthew Stafford and Mark Sanchez.
"Everybody thinks they should go higher," Davis said. "You just use that as a motivation. That's why you keep on working hard and show the other teams that you should have picked me."
The 6-foot-1, 226-pound Davis became the first player in Ball State history with consecutive 3,000-yard passing seasons and was named Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Year as a junior and senior — in a league that counts quarterbacks Chad Pennington and Ben Roethlisberger among its other former stars.
Davis went 22-12 as a starter, throwing for a school-record 9,233 yards and 74 touchdowns.
While Davis might not be active for San Francisco's season opener Sept. 13 at Arizona or other game days, he's secured his spot on the 53-man roster.
He figured it out for himself Tuesday when he saw Huard removing some items from his locker before a team meeting. Huard didn't attend the meeting and was long gone afterward.
"That's how I found out," said Davis, who plans to call Huard soon to thank him for his guidance.
It just so happened former 49er great Jerry Rice was around team headquarters to offer his congratulations.
"Jerry's a great guy," Davis said. "I met him before I became a 49er. I was in Tampa, Fla., working out for the combine and I got to have dinner with him twice. ... It was a great deal. I wanted to get a picture with him, but like people say, once you're a professional you don't want to ask another professional to have his picture."
Davis is prepared for a limited role at first while he gets his feet wet and accustomed to the ways of the NFL.
He spent plenty of time observing and learning from Huard, starter Shaun Hill and Alex Smith during training camp. That doesn't mean he hasn't pictured himself as San Francisco's starter of the future.
"That's a dream," Davis said. "My goal is I just want to learn the offense before my rookie season's over. I just have to put the extra hours in. That's one thing you do. You put the extra work in and it's going to pay off sooner or later."
So far, the 49ers have been careful not to overload Davis when he gets in the game and opted to avoid some of the more complicated sets in the playbook.
"The fact that he can take the ball in the design of what he calls and find a guy who is open and completes it has been very, very, very refreshing," said Raye, the Niners' seventh offensive coordinator in as many years. "I think as he goes forward, he'll be able to handle more because he hasn't seen as much pressure and blitzing from the other team. As he can handle more, I think his development will be good. ...
"What has been really important and delightful is that he just goes and plays."
-- Janie McCauley
Saints see Usama Young maturing quickly at safety
METAIRIE, La. — Usama Young might be better known for his Super Bowl commercial last winter than anything he's done on a football field in his first two seasons with the New Orleans Saints.
His switch in positions this year from cornerback to free safety could change that, based on reviews he's getting from coaches and teammates.
"He's got a bright future at the safety position," Saints secondary coach Dennis Allen said. "He was a fast corner, but I don't know that he had the speed and the agility that you need at this level — but he's been outstanding and everything we hoped he'd be at the safety position."
Taken in the third round of the 2007 draft, Young spent much of his first two seasons playing primarily on special teams. Most of his snaps at cornerback came in passing situations, when formations called for five or six defensive backs, though he did start twice last season because of teammates' injuries.
His 19 special teams tackles ranked second on the club in 2008, when he also made his first two career interceptions and had a career-high 27 defensive stops.
In part because of his long dreadlocks, Young was recognizable by Saints fans ever since he arrived in New Orleans. His good-natured smile and childhood story of selling snow cones at Washington Redskins games elevated his national profile when the NFL ran its "Super Ad" contest on the league's Web site.
Young's story, in which he admitted to being distracted from his vending job by games, and to sometimes running on the field when the stadium was empty, was among the most popular with fans whose votes helped decide which player would be featured in the Super Bowl spot.
"I'm not used to getting recognized back in Maryland and the D.C. area," Young said of his rising fame after the ad ran. "And a few times people came up to me like, 'Hold on. You were in the Super Bowl commercial?'"
The ad also was a hit at Kent State, where Young played in college and then returned last winter to finish work on his degree in education.
"The teachers knew who I was," Young said. "My professors were asking me about the season, asking me about our defense. ... It was kind of funny."
Young walked in a graduation ceremony in May with his parents in attendance — a moment he called the highlight of his offseason. He then returned to New Orleans to learn his new job, expecting to be pressed into service quickly.
The Saints let go of their top two free safeties from 2008, Kevin Kaesviharn and Josh Bullocks, before adding veteran safety Darren Sharper, the likely starter when the regular season begins.
Young welcomed the chance to learn from Sharper, a four-time Pro Bowler who leads all active NFL players with 54 interceptions.
"I'm trying to get all that he has to offer because I know that he knows so much," Young said. "I try to ask him what he's gone through, what type of stuff I should look for to help me get better or help me play fast and he's constantly helped me out."
Saints quarterback Drew Brees observed Young's progress from across the line of scrimmage throughout training camp.
"Learning all those things has been an adjustment for him, but he's picked it up very well," Brees said. "I love the guy. He's intelligent and a hard worker — a great player. He wants to be a guy who contributes to this team. He's on his way to being that guy."
Young started the Saints' third preseason game at Oakland last weekend, hurting his shoulder while nearly making an interception. He's expected to recover by Week 1 of the regular season, but was unlikely to play in Thursday night's preseason finale against Miami.
Saints coaches say they've already seen enough to leave them hopeful Young will thrive in his new role.
"He's pushing hard for that position," head coach Sean Payton said. "He's handled that transition well and has gotten better ... and we're encouraged by what we see now."
-- Brett Martel
Saints S Young arrested after traffic stop
NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans Saints safety Usama Young's failure to appear in court for parking in a handicap spot led to his arrest this week after he was stopped for speeding.
Harahan Police Chief Peter Dale said officers initially pulled Young over in suburban and intended to give him a ticket, but had to arrest him because records turned up an outstanding violation in Jefferson Parish. Sheriff's spokesman Col. John Fortunato confirmed that Young had failed to appear at a court date.
Young and his attorney, Donald "Chick" Foret, said the other citation came last year when the player was parked illegally at a cell phone store.
"I wanted to say I sincerely apologize for doing what I did. There's no excuse for it," Young said in a phone interview. "I ran into the AT&T store for a two- to three-minute stop to get a phone charger, and came back out and an officer was writing me a ticket. Immediately, I knew I was wrong."
Young said he also wanted to apologize specifically "to all people with disabilities or the elderly who need handicapped parking spots. I wasn't acting professionally and you can bet that I won't do anything like that again."
Young said he forgot to pay the parking ticket and forgot about the court date, in part because he had a lot going on between the end of the 2008 NFL season and his return to Kent State University in Ohio to finish work on his degree in education.
Young was on his way home when he was pulled over by Harahan police around 3:14 a.m. on Monday.
Dale said Young was clocked at 55 miles per hour in a 40 mph zone and drove about a mile before pulling over.
"He wasn't belligerent. He didn't give officers any trouble," Dale said.
Still, the officers cited Young with reckless driving and fleeing police, then arrested him. He was transferred to the Jefferson Parish jail in Gretna and released on $1,500 bond soon after, Foret said.
Saints spokesman Greg Bensel said the team was aware of Young's arrest.
"We are working with him, our legal counsel and we are supporting Usama in this matter," Bensel said.
Young, 24, was a standout at Kent State and a third-round draft pick in 2007. He spent his first two seasons as a reserve cornerback and special teams player.
This season, he switched to free safety and has impressed coaches during training camp while competing with veteran Darren Sharper for the starting job. Sharper is expected to start, but coaches have said Young is making a strong case for playing time.
-- Brett Martel
Butler, Spagnuolo bring shared history to Rams
ST. LOUIS — Steve Spagnuolo knew what he was getting when strong safety James Butler signed with the St. Louis Rams: Both worked for the New York Giants the previous two seasons.
The 6-fot-3, 215-pound Butler signed a four-year deal after four years with the Giants, reuniting with new Rams coach Spagnuolo — his defensive coordinator the last two seasons in New York.
Spagnuolo is happy to have him with St. Louis.
"It's always good when you get an opportunity to obtain a player that you are familiar with," Spagnuolo said. "James has an understanding of our defensive system and is a valuable addition to our team."
The Rams defense ranked 30th last season. Butler is one of the pieces Spagnuolo wanted to create a new mindset for the defense.
"Our personality will be to stop the run and pressure the passer," Butler said. "We try to implement that in practice. We pick up every ball on the ground. We practice stripping the ball to cause fumbles every day. We just want to be a turnover-hungry defense. We want to be aggressive."
He has played well in the three preseason games. The Rams play their preseason finale Thursday night when the Kansas City Chiefs come to St. Louis.
The defense created four turnovers in a 24-21 victory over Cincinnati in the third preseason game. Butler even scored a touchdown in the win, scooping up a fumble and galloping 73 yards to the end zone.
"I was a little worried Butler wasn't going to make it at the end," Spagnuolo joked.
Butler agreed.
"I'll tell you what, that was a long drive; the offense had a good drive against us there," Butler said. "I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. I got a lot of great blocks. ... I had to take three plays off the next series. I was gassed."
Butler had a breakout year in 2008. He recorded a career-high 14 starts last season and played in 15 games while setting career highs with 76 tackles (45 solo) and three interceptions. He's made 27 career starts in four seasons.
He'd like to have another year like that with the Rams. He said he sees the Rams improving on last year's dismal 2-14 campaign.
"We have a better mindset," Butler said. "We came out hungry in that third (preseason) game. We're playing hard. Good defenses take time. We're building something here."
Injuries
Lions bring in O'Connell following Stanton injury
ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The Detroit Lions have claimed former Patriots backup quarterback Kevin O'Connell off waivers.
The move comes after third-stringer Drew Stanton tore knee cartilage, an injury that requires surgery.
Lions coach Jim Schwartz said Wednesday coaches will set up a simple package of plays for O'Connell and "see how comfortable he can get in the next 24 hours."
Detroit ends the preseason at Buffalo on Thursday.
Schwartz says first overall pick Matthew Stafford will start against the Bills and be relieved after about 25 plays by newly acquired Brooks Bollinger if Daunte Culpepper can't play.
Culpepper cut his foot Saturday and needed stitches.
Player Moves
Broncos coach: No trade talks over Marshall
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Moving to quell rumors, Denver coach Josh McDaniels said Wednesday the team had not held any talks involving a trade of suspended Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall.
"We're looking forward to having Brandon back on Sept. 6 and starting our preparations for Cincinnati with him," McDaniels said. "There's no discussions whatsoever taking place between the Denver Broncos and any team in the NFL regarding Brandon Marshall."
There were reports the New York Jets would be interested in trading for him.
McDaniels suspended Marshall for the rest of the preseason last Friday for detrimental conduct stemming for insubordinate actions during a practice.
Marshall, who has participated in only a handful of practices during the offseason, has clashed with the organization since the team rebuffed his overtures for a new contract and did not act on his request for a trade.
The end of his suspension coincides with the Broncos' week of preparations for their Sept. 13 opener at Cincinnati.
Agent: Jets sign veteran TE Hartsock
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets signed veteran Ben Hartsock to a one-year deal Wednesday, filling their need for a blocking tight end, his agent told The Associated Press.
Hartsock, who spent last season with Atlanta, signed with the Jets a day after the Falcons released him, agent Mike McCartney said.
The Jets, who hadn't yet announced the signing, also waived punter Glenn Pakulak.
Hartsock, 29, played his first two seasons with Indianapolis and also played two seasons with Tennessee. He has 27 catches for 273 yards in five seasons, but the 6-foot-4, 265-pound Hartsock will be counted on to be the blocking complement to pass-receiving tight end Dustin Keller.
The Jets had been looking for someone among undrafted free agents Jack Simmons and Kevin Brock, converted defensive lineman Kareem Brown and offensive linemen Wayne Hunter and Rob Turner to seize the role as the prime blocking tight end.
It was unclear if Hartsock would play in the Jets' preseason finale against Philadelphia at the Meadowlands on Thursday night.
Pakulak was claimed off waivers by the Jets from New Orleans last Friday as competition for Reggie Hodges, who has withstood challenges from three other punters so far this summer.
-- Dennis Waszak Jr.
Bucs sign Johnson; release Mahan
TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed guard Marcus Johnson and released center Sean Mahan.
The team announced the moves Tuesday.
Johnson was a second-round draft pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 2005. He started 18 of 47 games he played with the Vikings over four seasons. He signed with the Oakland Raiders this offseason and was released on Monday.
Mahan, a former star at Jenks High School in suburban Tulsa, Okla., was in his second stint with the Bucs. He was a fifth-round draft choice in 2003 and spent five seasons in Tampa Bay before signing with Pittsburgh. The Bucs reacquired him from the Steelers last summer.
Bills release LB Pat Thomas
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Linebacker Pat Thomas has been released by the Buffalo Bills after missing most of training camp with a nagging lower leg injury that prevented him from competing for a backup job.
Coach Dick Jauron said the move was made before practice Wednesday, a day before the Bills host Detroit in both teams' final preseason game. Thomas had been cleared for practice this week after missing part of the team's spring minicamps and most of training camp.
Thomas, a four-year NFL player, signed a one-year deal with Buffalo in March after playing in 12 games with Kansas City last year.
Starting defensive end Chris Kelsay was excused from practice and will miss Thursday's game to be with his daughter who is having surgery in Chicago.
Elsewhere
Former Pats RB John M. Stephens killed in crash
SHREVEPORT, La. — John M. Stephens, the 1988 Offensive Rookie of the Year for the New England Patriots, has been killed after his pickup truck ran off a highway and struck some trees, authorities said Wednesday.
Stephens, 43, apparently lost control of his vehicle on a rural stretch of Louisiana Highway 169 near Shreveport on Tuesday evening, the Caddo Parish Sheriff's office said.
Stephens wasn't wearing a seatbelt and was thrown after the truck hit some trees head-on, sheriff's spokeswoman Cindy Chadwick said in a statement.
The statement said Stephens apparently was traveling at a high rate of speed at the time of the single-vehicle accident.
"It appeared Stephens lost control and tried to overcorrect his steering, causing him to cross back over the road and hit the trees," the sheriff's office added.
No one else was injured in the crash.
"This is a very sad loss," said Adrian Howard, a defensive back who played with Stephens at Northwestern State from 1986 until 1989.
Stephens, selected 17th in the 1988 NFL Draft, played six NFL seasons, reaching the Pro-Bowl as a rookie when he ran for 1,168 yards. He played for the Patriots until 1992, then spent time with Green Bay, Atlanta and Kansas City before retiring with 3,440 career yards and 18 touchdowns.
At Northwestern State, Stephens broke the school's career rushing record previously set by Joe Delaney, topping it by 10 yards with 3,057.
Delaney was the 1981 AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year for the Kansas City Chiefs and when Stephens won his award seven years later, it made Northwestern State the only school to produce two running backs who went on to be Rookie of the Year winners.
Stephens also won the NFL's first Gale Sayers Humanitarian Citation for his work on behalf of the Roxbury (Mass.) Comprehensive Community Health Center.
Funeral arrangements were pending.
Bengals get first sellout of season
CINCINNATI — The Bengals have their first home sellout of the regular season, and it's not their opener.
The club announced on Wednesday that a Sept. 27 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers has sold out. That game always attracts thousands of Steelers fans who make the five-hour drive and turn Paul Brown Stadium into something akin to their home field.
It's the only one of eight regular-season home games to sell out so far. Tickets are left for the Sept. 13 home opener against Denver. Cincinnati has sold out its last 44 regular-season home games.
The last time the Bengals didn't sell out an opener was 2002 under coach Dick LeBeau, the year before Marvin Lewis arrived to coach the team.
The Bengals are coming off a 4-11-1 season that dashed interest in the team. Cincinnati has one winning record in the last 18 years.
Other Football
CFL team says it's not signing Pacman Jones
WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Adam "Pacman" Jones won't be playing for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers after all.
The CFL team announced Wednesday it has ended its pursuit of the controversial ex-NFL cornerback, one day after multiple reports said Jones would play for the team.
"It is unfortunate that this situation became public; however, our position has remained consistent," Blue Bombers coach Mike Kelly said in a statement. "We will pursue athletes that we believe will contribute to our organization on and off the field.
"We have completed our assessment and due diligence and at this time we will not be pursuing the services of Adam Jones."
Jones' attorney, Worrick Robinson, told The Associated Press on Tuesday he had been in "consistent negotiations" with a CFL team, but wouldn't say which one.
Jones is a former first-round draft pick of the Tennessee Titans who has twice been suspended by the NFL for off-field incidents — including for the entire 2007 season — and was released in February by the Dallas Cowboys.
Before coming to Dallas, Jones was arrested six times and involved in 12 instances requiring police intervention after Tennessee drafted him in 2005. He was suspended by commissioner Roger Goodell for the 2007 season before he got in trouble again.
The cornerback's time with the Cowboys was cut short by six games for another behavior-related suspension, an off-field scuffle with a member of the security detail provided by the team.
Jones, who turns 26 at the end of this month, also drew interest from the UFL, the new four-team league scheduled to begin play in October.
