NFL - League and Player Capsules: Bills coach Gailey criticizes fans for heckling
PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills coach Chan Gailey talked to his team at the end of practice Tuesday, then wanted to address one more issue before leaving the field.
So he marched over to a group of teenagers in the stands and told them what he thought about their heckling.
"If you dog one of us, you dog all of us," Gailey said in a stern voice, loud enough to be heard 20 yards away.
Gailey had another message for them, too: He said he'd instructed his players to skip that section of the stands for signing autographs on what was the final day of training camp in suburban Rochester.
Gailey targeted those fans for spending part of the two-hour workout getting on quarterback Trent Edwards, who's attempting to reclaim the starting job he lost last season.
One fan called out for Edwards to prepare to lose his job to third-stringer Brian Brohm. Edwards also was targeted for his haircut — he's grown out his hair and sideburns — and for being a native Californian.
"They said some things during practice that were derogatory to a couple of our players," Gailey said later. "And if you say something derogatory to one of us, you're saying it to all of us."
The group of fans — part of a crowd that numbered more than 1,000 — did not say anything back to Gailey, and had dispersed shortly afterward.
Edwards appreciated Gailey's support, but took the heckling in stride.
"Obviously, I'm going to get some criticism. Obviously, I hope there's more people praising me," said Edwards, who signed autographs but avoided that one section of the stands. "But that's nice that you have a coach that will fight for you. We obviously have fans that want to win. I definitely want to win. And they're more than willing to say what they need."
Edwards ended practice by successfully running a 2-minute drill. He capped a lengthy drive by hitting Chad Jackson over the middle for a 13-yard touchdown pass as time ran out.
Doubters aside, Gailey praised the fans who turned out during the 19-day camp.
"We're trying to play the game so that we can get people excited and enthusiastic about pulling for their team," Gailey said. "And their team's the Buffalo Bills. So that's what it's about."
Commentary: Bills coach to hecklers: 'No autographs for you.'
No one except Chan Gailey knows why he set off at the end of practice to lecture a handful of teenage hecklers, but whatever it was, good for him.
Gailey was on the 19th and last day of his first training camp as head coach of the still-woeful Bills. Not much was going his way. His quarterback problem hasn't sorted itself out and two of the three running backs he's counting on to overhaul an anemic offense are nursing injuries. And for all the emphasis Gailey put on fundamentals, his players couldn't even break the huddle Tuesday to his satisfaction.
Worse still, it's not like the first-year coach has a lot of capital to burn. Most of the people in town wanted Mike Shanahan, but he chose Washington instead. As one more reminder of that, another star from Buffalo's salad day used the occasion of a charity golf tournament hosted by former quarterbacking great Jim Kelly to question why Gailey was hired in the first place.
"They bring in a coach no one really knows," defensive tackle Fred Smerlas said. "When you're playing against (New England coach) Bill Belichick, who makes $10 million a year, I'm not putting Chan Gailey in there. I'm not putting a cat against a lion."
But for one day, at least, Gailey did a little bit of roaring.
After wrapping up a brief talk to his team, he wandered over to the railing in the St. John Fisher College stadium where some kids were mocking incumbent quarterback Trent Edwards for everything from failing to lock up the starting job to his haircut and California roots.
Everything Gailey said to the handful of hecklers can't be repeated here, but since he's a temperate sort, a summary is more than sufficient. He told them not to expect any autographs from the players.
"If you say something derogatory to one of us, you're saying it to all of us. So I told them," Gailey explained afterward, "don't go sign it for that crew."
Who knows what an autograph from Trent Edwards — or any of the Bills for that matter — is worth these days, but that's beside the point. While it's true that fans foot the bill, we're not talking about a game, as Allen Iverson once said memorably, we're talking about practice. And other than $1 to cover the cost of the bus ride from the parking lot to the field, practice is free.
You'd think Gailey was used to getting yelled at, and you'd be right. He's been an NFL assistant on and off for 25 years and his only previous experience as a pro head coach was in Dallas, working for bombastic owner Jerry Jones. Bad as they've been — Buffalo is tied with Detroit for the league's longest playoff drought — the Bills have heard their share of howling, too — all of it deserved.
Fans, on the other hand, haven't heard much beyond promises from the Bills for most of the past decade. They've gone through eight quarterbacks, six coaches and five general managers over that stretch; so if nothing else, Gailey deserves credit for showing more signs of life before the season even began than his last full-time predecessor, Dick Jauron, did in three years.
"Obviously, I hope there's more people praising me," Edwards said. "But that's nice that you have a coach that will fight for you. We obviously have fans that want to win. I definitely want to win. And they're more than willing to say what they need."
Even the short list would include a defense that's better against the run and an offense that scores on occasion. The Bills scored a touchdown or less in 10 games, which explains in part how they lost five times after entering the final quarter with the lead or tied.
Whether Gailey can do anything about either of those problems remains to be seen. Buffalo opens the regular season against Miami — possibly its best chance to win among the half-dozen tough opponents lining up for the early part of the schedule.
If the Bills haven't cashed in any of their chances by then, at least the heckling they got at practice will turn out to be good preparation. Buffalo's fans are notoriously loyal, though, and as Gailey walked away from the group of hecklers Tuesday, a voice was heard in the background calling out, "You tell 'em coach! Yeah. You tell 'em!"
Somehow, though, it's hard to imagine that will be the last word.
Jim Litke is a national sports columnist for The Associated Press. Write to him at jlitke@ap.org.
Injuries
Sprained ankle rules McNabb out for Redskins-Jets
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — A sprained ankle will keep Donovan McNabb on the sideline Friday night when the Washington Redskins play the New York Jets.
McNabb has been unable to practice since getting hurt in Saturday night's preseason loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
"It's quite sore," coach Mike Shanahan said, "and I don't think he could go if it was a regular season game. He's got to rehab it."
McNabb was limping badly in the locker room after the game was wearing a walking boot Monday. On Tuesday, he watched practice with a wrap around his lower left leg and ankle.
Shanahan said he didn't think McNabb had a "bad ankle sprain" and that the quarterback has been walking on the treadmill to rehab the injury.
The sprain is a setback for a veteran quarterback trying to master a new offense for the first time since he was a rookie with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1999. McNabb had his share of peaks and valleys in training camp practices and during the first two preseason games. He struggled with timing and accuracy but did a good job handling pressure against the Ravens on Saturday.
In two games, McNabb has completed 16 of 34 passes for 264 yards with one touchdown, one interception and a 71.2 rating.
Rex Grossman is expected to start against the Jets in the game that is considered the dress rehearsal for the regular season. Backups John Beck and Richard Bartel could both see playing time.
Fullback Mike Sellers will also miss the game after spraining his left knee against the Ravens.
Also still on the sidelines is receiver Malcolm Kelly, who hurt his hamstring working out with McNabb in Arizona the week before training camp began and has barely been able to practice since. Kelly was hoping for a breakout season in his third year in the league, but he's no longer a certainty to make the roster at one of the most competitive positions on the team.
"Let's not count anybody out," Shanahan said. "Let's take it day by day. I saw him run some routes out there today. He looked a lot better, almost full-speed straight ahead. Hopefully he'll be able to go next week."
There will also be a new running back with the first team on Friday. After starting Clinton Portis in the first game and Larry Johnson in the second game, Shanahan said Willie Parker will get the nod against the Jets. Portis has played well and remains the overwhelming favorite to start opening day, while Johnson had a poor game against the Ravens and will get some carries Friday as well. Both Parker and Johnson need to work on pass protection.
"I'm excited to show what I can do," Parker said. "I guess I'm the running back who has been on the out, supposedly. So I'm definitely ready."
Notes: Tuesday was Shanahan's 58th birthday, but it didn't sound as if he was planning much in the way of a celebration. "It's kind of tough during camp," he said. "But the players gave me a hard time." ... Shanahan also said he's had no time to watch HBO's "Hard Knocks," which this year is featuring Friday's opponent, the Jets. "I haven't watched TV since I've been in camp," the coach said. "That's not much of a life, is it?" ... Tight end-fullback Dennis Morris sat out after hurting his knee during Monday's practice. Shanahan said he hopes Morris will return Wednesday.
-- Joseph White
Vikings WR Rice out with hip injury
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — Brett Favre's job just got a whole lot tougher.
Favre and the Minnesota Vikings will play the first half of the season — or more — without Pro Bowl receiver Sidney Rice, who had hip surgery this week.
Coach Brad Childress said Tuesday that Rice had the procedure in Vail, Colo., on Monday night. He couldn't give a specific timetable for Rice's return, but said typically it takes about eight weeks before a player can even get back to practice, let alone game action.
"I would think (it will take) probably at least eight weeks before we're talking about doing anything," Childress said.
It's a huge blow for the Vikings, who have very little depth at receiver. Percy Harvin has struggled with migraines during the preseason, and the team signed veteran Javon Walker on Tuesday to help out.
After catching just 45 passes during an injury-plagued first two seasons in Minnesota, Rice emerged as Brett Favre's go-to guy in his third season with 83 catches for 1,312 yards and eight TDs. He earned his first Pro Bowl bid, though he was injured in the playoffs and did not play again.
Favre raved about Rice's combination of size and leaping ability, saying he felt confident throwing the ball his way even if Rice appeared to be well covered. Favre's confidence in him allowed Rice to blossom, positioning himself as one of the best downfield threats in the NFC despite a lack of game-breaking speed.
He saw three specialists in the offseason to examine his injured hip and declined to have surgery, hoping the condition would heal on its own. Rice never participated in a practice during training camp, and it became apparent late last week that the injury was not improving fast enough for him to be ready for the season opener against New Orleans on Sept. 9.
Childress said all the specialists, along with team doctors, agreed that surgery was not needed in the offseason. Rice, who is in the final year of his contract for just $550,000 this season, decided something more had to be done.
"I can't feel what he's feeling," Childress said. "In the end, it's up to him whether he wanted to have that procedure or whether he could press through."
The surgery, first reported by the Star Tribune of Minneapolis, means Favre's 20th season in the NFL will likely be much more challenging than last year.
In addition to Rice's injury, Harvin has been plagued by several attacks of migraine headaches this month, the latest coming last week when he vomited on the field and needed to be taken to a hospital by ambulance. He hasn't played in either of the first two games of the preseason and never knows when another bout will occur.
Harvin did not practice Tuesday and Childress said he is scheduled to have more tests done and will not play until those are completed and evaluated.
"He's not going to practice until he finishes with the medical protocol," Childress said.
With Bernard Berrian the only healthy, established veteran receiver on the roster, the Vikings turned to one of Favre's old teammates in hopes of filling the gaps.
Walker was a first-round draft pick of the Packers in 2002, and flourished early in his career with Favre at the helm. He caught 89 passes for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2004 to become one of the top receivers in the league.
But Walker fell out of favor in Green Bay during a messy contract dispute in the summer of 2005 that drew criticism from Favre. He injured his knee the following season and has been plagued by knee and ankle injuries in subsequent years with the Raiders and Broncos.
The 31-year-old Walker said he feels "like he's 23" again and has no issues with Favre from their disagreement back in Green Bay.
"Obviously when you become an older receiver in the league, it's really, really critical for a receiver like myself to get with a veteran quarterback like Favre, somebody who knows the game and somebody who's willing to put in the time and the effort to go out and be successful," Walker said. "From a receiver's point of view you couldn't ask for anything more."
Walker said he went to Israel to have an experimental knee surgery done in 2009. He declined to discuss specifics, but the New York Times reported in December that Dr. Anthony Galea, who was charged in May with conspiracy, smuggling, unlawful distribution of HGH and introducing the unapproved drug Actovegin into interstate commerce, directed him to go there for the procedure because it has not been approved in the U.S. or Canada.
"It was something that eventually I'll talk about and fill you guys in," Walker said. "That way I can get the specifics and the terminology down right before just saying something. I'll definitely let you guys know because it's really, really something unique. It's going to be something that helps a lot of athletes in the near future."
The Vikings waived Ryan Moats to make room for Walker.
-- Jon Krawczynski
Jets' Sanchez will wear brace on knee from now on
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Mark Sanchez is bracing himself for the rest of his career.
The New York Jets quarterback will wear a protective brace on his surgically repaired left knee "probably forever" to guard against future injuries after a scare in the preseason game against Carolina last Saturday.
"I really want to wear it," Sanchez said sarcastically Tuesday. "No, we've been joking back and forth. I think I kind of lucked out the other night."
During the Jets' 9-3 win at Carolina, a Panthers players almost rolled into the franchise quarterback's knee.
"I had him put the brace on after I saw that thing," coach Rex Ryan said. "It was close. He couldn't step up and the guy's helmet was here. I was like, 'That's enough.' That's why he's putting it on."
Sanchez had the patella-stabilizing ligament in his left knee repaired in February and had been wearing a sleeve over it during camp. He has worn a brace in most games since dislocating his knee cap before his junior season at Southern California.
"It's not even worth having other problems," Sanchez said. "My knee feels great It's just a precautionary thing."
He first sported the bulky brace at practice Monday, and will now wear it during all future games and practices.
"It's just a matter of getting used to it again," the second-year quarterback said. "I wore it growing up, I've worn it in school (and) all last year. It's really not that bad. It's really not that bad. It's more of a mental thing. I just don't like wearing it."
He even consulted with veteran backup quarterback Mark Brunell, who has worn a knee brace throughout his career.
"I was hoping he'd say, 'Nah, you don't need it,'" Sanchez said. "And I could then say, 'Hey, Brunell has played forever and he never had a problem.' But he wore it for 14 years, so it's not going to work."
-- Dennis Waszak Jr.
Seahawks rookie LT Okung has high ankle sprain
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Pete Carroll has his first dilemma with the Seahawks, and his return to the NFL hasn't even started for real yet.
Sixth-overall draft pick Russell Okung has a high right ankle sprain, putting the key position of left tackle in flux for Seattle heading into the regular season.
Carroll announced after Tuesday's practice he is holding out hope that the hand-picked replacement for retired All-Pro Walter Jones can play in the Sept. 12 opener against San Francisco. But the Seahawks are pushing ahead with alternate plans of having Mansfield Wrotto, a backup guard, or recuperating Chester Pitts protect quarterback Matt Hasselbeck's blind side to begin the season.
Wrotto will start Saturday's third preseason game at Minnesota.
Okung, the 6-foot-5, 315-pound brick wall from Oklahoma State to whom Seattle guaranteed more than $29 million this month, sprained his ankle on the first play of Saturday night's exhibition against Green Bay when linemate Ben Hamilton tripped him. He stayed in to finish the three-and-out series, then hobbled into the locker room — and into weeks of rehabilitation.
"I was kind of hoping it wasn't, but it is," Carroll said of Okung's high ankle sprain, which sometimes involves a recovery time of up to two months. "It's not the worst one we've ever seen. It's kind of a moderate one. That's why we're holding out hope that he can come back quickly from it.
"But those can be, you know, difficult. We'll have to see how it goes with him."
Seattle is already without backup tackle Ray Willis for an indefinite time because of knee surgery.
Carroll said general manager John Schneider is working every day to perhaps find a replacement from outside.
Reminded that game-ready NFL left tackles don't just walk down the street available each day, the coach chuckled ruefully and said, "Yeah."
"I mean, we're always competing every day to find guys, to help our roster," Carroll said. "John's looking every day to see what's going on, who's available and all that. So we'll continue to look."
Wrotto was again at left tackle during Tuesday's practice. Pitts, the former Houston Texan added this offseason as a free agent, came off the physically-unable-to-perform list and was doing leg strengthening drills with a trainer — at one point resisting the pull of a rolling, motorized cart to which he was strapped — while on a side field Tuesday. He had microfracture knee surgery 10 months ago.
Carroll is hoping Pitts can practice at left tackle this week, and he named him a candidate to start at left tackle in Week One.
"It's a race to the opener for that," Carroll said of Pitts' availability.
Okung sprained the same ankle in Oklahoma State's opener against Georgia last season but missed only a few plays. Okung started all 13 games last season, though the ankle continued to bother him late into the year.
"We don't know him in terms of injuries. I don't think he's ever missed a game before, or even practice. So he doesn't have any experience of having to come back from something," Carroll said. "We'll figure that out as we go. His attitude is fantastic as far as the rehab process goes."
After Okung missed the first eight days of training camp because of a contract impasse, the Seahawks gave him a six-year deal earlier this month that has a maximum value of $58 million.
Saturday, Carroll said it would be "a big loss if he can't come back. We put a lot of time and effort to get this guy right and he's done everything we've asked of him."
For a point of reference at the same position, Seattle was without fill-in left tackle Sean Locklear for six games last season because of a high ankle sprain.
Locklear is now starting on the right side, and Carroll said Locklear will not be moving to the left while Okung is out.
-- Gregg Bell
Panthers QB Clausen told toe pain will linger
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Carolina Panthers backup quarterback Jimmy Clausen returned to practice Tuesday after missing a day with a sore right big toe, an ailment the former Notre Dame star expects to linger throughout his rookie season.
Clausen underwent surgery in January to replace two torn tendons after being injured early last season against Michigan State. Clausen said Tuesday the toe "feels good some days and sore other days" and it's especially painful after games.
He played the entire second half in Saturday's 9-3 loss to the New York Jets, completing 9 of 22 passes for 72 yards and an interception. Clausen appeared to be limping slightly after sitting out Monday's practice.
"As of right now, the doctor says it'll probably be after the season until I feel 100 percent," Clausen said. "I'm just going to have to play through some pain until the season is over. That's just the nature of football."
Clausen, who was injured on Sept. 19 in Notre Dame's third game last season, said he got through his junior season by taking pain injections. He still played in all 13 games, throwing 28 touchdown passes and four interceptions. His passer efficiency rating of 161.42 was the third-best in the country.
"To be honest, I didn't know it was as serious as it was until I was getting ready for the (NFL scouting) combine," Clausen said. "I just took shots in my toes and played through it."
Once considered a top 10 pick, Clausen's draft stock soon plummeted with questions about his attitude and leadership. The Panthers took him with the 48th overall pick.
If Matt Moore doesn't get injured or struggle, Clausen may get to rest his toe for most of the season. Clausen has moved past Hunter Cantwell for the No. 2 job, but Moore appears to still have a lock on the starting job despite Carolina's offensive woes in the preseason.
Neither Moore nor Clausen has been able to lead the Panthers to a touchdown in two exhibition games.
"I think they've improved each week," coach John Fox said. "I'm not as concerned about that as maybe some people on the outside."
Clausen, who said his toe "felt good" in practice on Tuesday, has completed 17 of 37 passes for 152 yards and two interceptions playing against two of the NFL's top defenses in the Jets and Baltimore Ravens.
"Wish I could have some throws back, especially the last one, the interception," Clausen said of Saturday's game. "It's real good, especially for a young guy like myself, to play against a defense like that. Seeing pressures each and every down, that's the best team to see pressure against. That's all they do, pretty much, them and Baltimore."
Notes: S Sherrod Martin returned to practice after missing the Jets game with a groin injury. ... CB Richard Marshall (knee), DE Tyler Brayton (ankle), CB Captain Munnerlyn (calf), RT Jeff Otah (knee), LB Quinton Culberson (thigh), S Aaron Francisco (hamstring), DE Hilee Taylor (knee), DB C.J. Wilson (head) remained sidelined.
-- Mike Cranston
Falcons cornerback Williams close to returning
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith hopes cornerback Brian Williams will be healthy enough to play this week at Miami.
The 31-year-old Williams has missed the first two preseason games and a team scrimmage because of a tender right knee that underwent reconstructive surgery last year. The ninth-year veteran started the first five games of 2009 in his first season with the Falcons.
Atlanta (1-1) visits the Dolphins (2-0) on Friday.
"Brian has been practicing full-go only once a day over probably the last seven or eight practices," Smith said Tuesday. "We're hoping nothing flares up, and he'll be able to participate in the game."
Defensive end Jamaal Anderson, who starts on the left side and plays tackle, missed last week's loss to New England with a strained quadriceps, but is close to returning.
Rookie defensive tackle Corey Peters, a third-round pick, likely will not play. Peters said he "heard something pop" in his knee before leaving the Patriots game.
Another third-round pick, guard Mike Johnson, also has a knee injury and is not expected to play against Miami.
Cornerback Dunta Robinson, who starts on the left side, indicated this week that he's close to making his preseason debut after sustaining a torn hamstring. Safety William Moore (groin) could play.
The Falcons will not sign a receiver to replace injured rookie Kerry Meier (knee) for a couple of weeks. According to the NFL collective bargaining agreement, rookies can't be placed on injured reserve until 53-man rosters are set Sept. 4.
Meier tore his anterior cruciate ligament against New England.
Before last year's regular-season opener, Atlanta signed longtime veteran wideout Marty Booker to replace injured slot receiver Harry Douglas.
-- George Henry
Injured Ravens LB Kindle down, maybe not out
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Though Baltimore Ravens injured rookie outside linebacker Sergio Kindle will begin the season on the physically unable to perform list, he hasn't been ruled out for the season, according to coach John Harbaugh.
Kindle is expected to be in Baltimore next week for two to three days of neurological and other physical exams after fracturing his skull during a fall down two flights of stairs in late July.
Because Kindle is an unsigned player, the second-round draft pick won't be meeting with football personnel and will be dealing strictly with medical officials because of NFL regulations.
"From a football perspective, we're not allowed to see him at all," Harbaugh said Tuesday. "We've talked to the league about this. We won't be able to see him here at the facility, but he'll be meeting with neurologists and they'll get a chance to evaluate him for two or three days at the hospital facility. We'll be looking forward to seeing how that turns out."
Harbaugh said that Kindle is able to exercise.
"He's been able to work out," Harbaugh said. "Some of it's coming from Sergio, who's very optimistic, but also from the doctors who say he's ahead of schedule. He's really recovering very quickly, which is very encouraging. That's why we want to get him here and have the doctors compare notes with the people down in Dallas."
As for Kindle's timetable, Harbaugh said: "The basic expectation is he'll be on PUP to start the season. There's no way he'd be ready to go. Nobody would risk that, but I think he goes on the inactive PUP to start the season and then we evaluate it from there and see where we're at."
When asked if he would rule out the former University of Texas star for the season, Harbaugh said: "No."
Chargers RB Ryan Mathews has nose cauterized
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Chargers running back Ryan Mathews had his nose cauterized in an uncomfortable procedure he says should eliminate nosebleeds that have plagued him during his career.
"It feels like I have a cold right now because I'm so stuffed up," Mathews said. "It wasn't fun, but hopefully it works."
Mathews missed practice but recovered in time to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the San Diego Padres' game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He's expected to practice on Wednesday afternoon and will play on Friday night in an exhibition game at New Orleans.
The rookie has dealt with football-related bloody noses since high school. Dry heat adds to the problem, and a combination of an arid climate and full contact on Saturday night caused Mathews' nose to bleed during an exhibition game against the Dallas Cowboys.
He got hit hard near the goal line, driving his helmet back into his nose. Mathews' nose started bleeding, which sidelined him for most of a series late in the first half.
"I've been getting them on and off for a while," Mathews said. "It's not like the nose bleeds forever or anything, but it is an inconvenience. It normally happens when I get hit pretty good, but it can also just start due to dry weather. The team thought it was a good idea to shore it up."
NOTES: OLB Shawne Merriman missed another practice and will not play on Friday. WR Craig Davis (hip), DL Ryon Bingham (back) and LT Nick Richmond (knee) also missed practice. RG Louis Vasquez (groin) and LB James Holt (hip) returned to practice after missing Monday's session. ... Training camp officially closed on Monday and the Chargers began following their regular-season routines on Tuesday. They pumped in crowd noise to prepare the players for their first road game, at the Superdome, and also barred the media for much of practice. ... Coach Norv Turner said most starters will play well into the third quarter against the Saints. ... P Cort Johnson was waived.
Player Moves
Jets' Mangold signs, becomes highest-paid center
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Nick Mangold got the big deal he was looking for and a new label that might make Darrelle Revis envious.
The New York Jets' two-time Pro Bowl center became the highest-paid player at his position Tuesday, signing a seven-year deal with the New York Jets that could be worth up to $55 million.
"To be able to say, 'the highest-paid center' is very nice to hear," Mangold said. "It worked out well for both sides."
The deal includes over $22 million in guarantees against injury, a person with knowledge of the contract told The Associated Press. The person requested anonymity because the team did not announce details of the deal.
"Signed, sealed and delivered," a smiling Mangold said.
The All-Pro center was scheduled to earn $3.3 million in the final year of his five-year rookie deal. The contract surpasses the one inked last year by St. Louis center Jason Brown, whose five-year contract was worth $37.5 million, including $20 million guaranteed.
"It wasn't a sticking point and I'm very fortunate that the Jets decided to go that route," Mangold said of being the league's highest-paid center. "I'm very appreciative and excited to have that. I'm sure next year some young gun will come along and blow me out of the water anyway, and that's A-OK in my book."
Meanwhile, Revis missed his 24th day since the team reported for training camp while in a bitter contract dispute. He wants to become the league's highest-paid cornerback, a distinction that belongs to Oakland's Nnamdi Asomugha, who signed a three-year, $45.3 million extension last offseason.
"That's on some other people," Mangold said of Revis' situation. "I'm not getting involved in that one."
Unlike Revis, Mangold reported for training camp despite being disappointed with the lack of progress of the negotiations. He said owner Woody Johnson and general manager Mike Tannenbaum approached him two weeks ago about completing a deal.
"I had resigned myself to the fact that it wasn't getting done coming into camp," Mangold said. "Now that it is done, I haven't really wrapped my head around it yet, but I'm very excited that it is."
Mangold was a first-round pick out of Ohio State in 2006, and quickly became regarded around the league as one of the game's best at his position. He anchored an offensive line last season that paved the way for the NFL's top rushing offense.
"It's a huge move for the organization," quarterback Mark Sanchez said. "He's the best. He's going to be compensated that way, and should be."
Coach Rex Ryan held Mangold out of team drills in practice Monday, knowing his star player was about to finalize his deal a few hours later.
"He's like, 'What?' and I'm like, 'Yes, stay out. You're going to get this deal signed,'" Ryan said. "I'd hate for him to step in a hole or something like that."
Mangold appreciated the gesture, especially with the threat of injury anytime a player steps on the field.
"As close as it was, I'd shoot myself if something happened," he said. "I've never gone through it before, never gone through a situation of having a contract right there, ready to be signed. I just wanted to play it safe, as best I could."
The deal can keep the 26-year-old Mangold with the Jets through the 2017 season.
"That's fantastic not to even have to think about it," he said. "You just go along with the way I've been able to go along the past four years. It's something I never had to think of before and I'm glad I don't have to think about it anymore."
The Jets have now signed two of their four key, young players to long-term deals. New York gave Pro Bowl left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson a six-year deal for $60 million last month.
Other than Revis, linebacker David Harris is also looking for a new contract, but has acknowledged he won't get his until after this season because of constraints due to the current collective bargaining agreement.
"It's out of my hands and a lot of other people's hands," said Harris, in the last year of his rookie deal. "That's the rules and you've got to live by them."
After seeing Mangold get his big deal, Harris held no resentment toward him.
"He's earned it, and I'm happy for him," he said. "I've just got to be patient and see how everything plays out with the labor talks."
-- Dennis Waszak Jr.
Broncos release veteran linebacker Ayodele
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos have juggled their linebacking lineup, releasing nine-year veteran Akin Ayodele and moving Mario Haggan back inside.
Replacing Haggan at outside linebacker opposite Robert Ayers is Jarvis Moss. Neither Ayers nor Moss registered a single sack last year, when Elvis Dumervil led the league with 17.
Haggan practiced all summer at the "mike" position but was moved outside after Dumervil tore a pectoral muscle early in training camp that will sideline him at least until December.
Ayodele has played in all 128 possible regular season games in his eight seasons in the NFL with Dallas, Miami and Jacksonville. He's one of only three linebackers to appear in all 16 regular season games every year since 2002.
-- Arnie Stapleton
Jets claim WR Brooks Foster off waivers from Rams
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — The New York Jets have claimed wide receiver Brooks Foster off waivers from the St. Louis Rams, and signed free agent safety Keith Fitzhugh.
The Jets also waived wide receiver Vic Hall and offensive tackle Adam Tadisch on Tuesday.
Foster, who was a fifth-round draft pick of the Rams last year, was released by St. Louis on Sunday. He did not appear in a game for the Rams last season.
Fitzhugh was an undrafted free agent who was in training camp with the Jets last summer and later signed to their practice squad. Baltimore signed him off New York's practice squad in December, but he was inactive the last two games of the regular season.
Bills sign tight end Andrew George
PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Bills have signed undrafted rookie free agent Andrew George to address their depleted tight end position.
The 6-foot-5 George had a career-best 30 catches for 408 yards and five touchdowns at Brigham Young last year. He signed with Carolina in April before being released in June.
Signed by Buffalo on Tuesday, George joins J.P. Foschi to become the second tight end added to the team in consecutive days. The moves were prompted after tight end Michael Matthews hurt his left ankle on Monday.
Derek Schouman is expected to miss up to six weeks with a knee injury, and Shawn Nelson will miss the first four games of the season serving an NFL suspension.
Bucs re-sign Snead as third quarterback
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have re-signed rookie free agent Jevan Snead after losing starting quarterback Josh Freeman for the rest of the preseason.
Freeman broke the tip of his thumb on his throwing hand during last Saturday's game against Kansas City. He is expected to return for Tampa Bay's regular season opener.
Snead will back up Josh Johnson and Rudy Carpenter in practice. He initially signed with the Bucs on April 26 as an undrafted free agent out of Mississippi. The team released him on July 31.
League News
Finance committee approves Rams sale
ST. LOUIS (AP) — The NFL's finance committee has unanimously recommended approval of Missouri billionaire Stan Kroenke's bid to take full control of the St. Louis Rams.
League spokesman Greg Aiello told the Associated Press on Tuesday that commissioner Roger Goodell has notified teams of the committee's finding. NFL owners will vote on the sale on Wednesday in Atlanta, a major topic at a meeting that will also address a proposed 18-game season and plans for the opening week of the season.
Kroenke, a 63-year-old businessman from Columbia, Mo., already owns 40 percent of the Rams. He is attempting to purchase the 60 percent stake currently held by Chip Rosenbloom and sister Lucia Rodriguez.
The price has widely been reported at $750 million for a franchise that has a 6-42 record the last three seasons, a sad stumble from its Super Bowl salad says as the "Greatest Show on Turf."
Kroenke has challenged the NFL's rule against cross ownership; if approved, he would hold at least a majority stake in five professional sports franchises.
In June, Kroenke said he planned to keep ownership of the NBA's Denver Nuggets and NHL's Colorado Avalanche in the family if he gains full control of the Rams. Kroenke also owns 29.9 percent of English Premier League soccer club Arsenal, as well as Major League Soccer's Colorado Rapids.
Earlier this year, Kroenke exercised matching rights and trumped a bid by Urbana, Ill., businessman Shahid Khan to purchase the 60 percent share of the Rams. Kroenke reportedly wants to purchase the team in two installments, which would leave current ownership with a large portion of the team for the time being.
-- R.B. Fallstrom
NFL fines Ochocinco for timing of Twitter use
CINCINNATI (AP) — The National Football League has fined wide receiver Chad Ochocinco $25,000 for the timing of his tweets.
The league said Tuesday that Ochocinco's messages appeared on his Twitter page during a prohibited time at the Cincinnati Bengals versus Philadelphia Eagles preseason game on Friday night. It said the Bengal player violated policies on electronic device possession and posting of social media messages.
The use of cell phones, computers or other electronic equipment by players and coaches is prohibited from 90 minutes before kickoff through the end of the game.
The NFL's statement said Ochocinco's messages on the social media site showed up at 6:50 p.m. and 9:53 p.m. Kickoff was 8:07.
Ochocinco apologized — how else? — through Twitter.
"I won't do it again," he tweeted.
Bengals players were off Tuesday.
Cox cable makes NFL RedZone service available
NEW YORK (AP) — Cox is making the NFL RedZone service available to its cable customers.
The nation's third-largest cable company said Tuesday that it was also renewing its contract to carry the NFL Network. RedZone shows key plays of each game live during Sunday afternoons.
NFL Network announced last week that it had a deal with the National Cable Television Cooperative for its members to have the option of adding the channel.
NCTC member Suddenlink is also adding NFL Network and RedZone. The company has 1.3 million subscribers mainly in Arkansas, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas and West Virginia.
NFL Network reached more than 56.5 million subscribers before the NCTC deal, about half of the country's homes with televisions.
CBS: NFL ad sales have bounced back from recession
NEW YORK (AP) — Ad sales for NFL games on CBS have recovered so strongly that the network is on pace to bring in record revenue this season.
CBS executive vice president John Bogusz said Tuesday that signs of the recession have all but disappeared — at least when it comes to advertising during pro football games. He said at the network's NFL media day that "the market is extraordinarily strong."
CBS Sports president Sean McManus says NFL ratings have proven to be far more stable and attractive than other programming.
Bogusz says some of the most significant growth has come from automative, telecommunications and insurance companies. He expects CBS will take in record revenue for its NFL regular-season and playoffs coverage.
Elsewhere
Rams invite fan into final camp huddle
ST. LOUIS (AP) — A burly fan who has exhorted St. Louis Rams players at several training camps to "get low and stick 'em" finally got the opportunity to show them exactly what he meant.
Coach Steve Spagnuolo (spag-NOH'-loh) invited Jerry Harrison into the team huddle Tuesday at the end of training camp. Then he had him line up in a three-point stance against Pro Bowl running back Steven Jackson and demonstrate proper technique.
For years, Harrison has singled out players by number with the warning, "I'm watching you!"
One season when the Rams were training in Macomb, Ill., the man reporters refer to as "Super Fan" and players just call "Coach" lost his voice but still croaked through several practices.
Jackson joked that Harrison should be the team's permanent mascot.
