NFL Capsules: Cowboys coach DeCamillis refuses to let broken neck slow him down

SAN ANTONIO — Dallas Cowboys special teams coach Joe DeCamillis still wears a neck brace and has to sleep sitting up in a chair. Yet he refuses to let the broken neck he suffered when the team’s practice facility collapsed keep him from doing his job.

Well, there has been one adjustment.

"In the past, I was able to run down the field after my guys on kickoffs," he said, smiling. "I’m not able to do that right now. That’ll hopefully be down the road."

DeCamillis spoke Wednesday following the first practice of Cowboys training camp. It was his first interview with local reporters since the May 2 accident that he was lucky to survive.

His injury required surgery to repair broken vertebrae. Just 16 days later, he was back on the practice field for the start of summer workouts. The tough-guy approach to his recovery has impressed everyone in the organization, so much that Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips has held it up as an example to the club.

"I can show the players that hey, this guy’s out there working and working hard and don’t cry to me about, ‘I feel tired today,’" Phillips said.

DeCamillis laughed off the idea that he’s an inspiration, saying, "That’s going to last for about a day, I can tell you that. They’re going to be complaining about their feet and all of that anyway."

Still, he added, "That’s basically how I look at it. I appreciate all those compliments and all those nice things being said. But I just look at it as I need to be out here doing my job and try to do it to the best of my ability every day."

DeCamillis was hired because that’s what he does, get special teams to play better. This is his 21st year in the NFL and his 16th in charge of special teams.

The Cowboys struggled in that area in recent years. When they decided to switch coaches, Phillips brought in his pal Joe D., having worked with him in Atlanta in 2003. Their connection runs deeper through their mutual boss with the Falcons, Dan Reeves — Phillips’ longtime friend and DeCamillis’ father-in-law.

DeCamillis was working with rookies inside a tent-like practice bubble when a burst of high winds made the structure essentially implode. DeCamillis and 11 others were injured, including a scouting assistant left paralyzed by a severed spine.

"I don’t even want to talk about it all, to be honest with you," DeCamillis said. "Let’s go forward from that day."

He certainly did, surprising everyone by walking onto a practice field with his neck brace and guiding the first OTA workout in June. Doctors said it was OK and the team took all sorts of precautions. Among the little things were giving him a bullhorn to accommodate his weak voice and having his wife drive him to and from the field.

"She put the reins on me a couple of times pretty good," DeCamillis said. "She was a reluctant participant, for sure."

Why did he push to be back so soon?

"It was to set a tone, but at the same time you can’t get those days back," DeCamillis said. "I mean, the Giants were working on special teams during OTAs. Philadelphia was working on special teams during OTAs. So if I wasn’t there, it would’ve been hard to get those days back."

The one positive to come from the accident was the outpouring of support DeCamillis received. It was especially meaningful for someone who’d only been part of the organization a few months.

"The fans, getting mail from them and the prayers that people gave to me and for me were unbelievable," he said. "The organization was great, too. The players’ wives would bring us dinner and all that stuff. I mean, it was a great feeling. ... I must’ve had 150 to 200 calls from people and letters and all of that stuff. It was a humbling experience, also."

DeCamillis has ditched the bullhorn, depriving the thousands in the Alamodome of the salty language that was heard so clearly during the summer workouts. He will see a doctor on Aug. 10 and is hoping the brace might come off then. His biggest challenge, beyond the obstacles that come with the neck brace, is making sure he gets enough rest.

"It’s sore but I’m not going to worry about it. I’m just going to keep going," he said. "I’m just trying to make sure I make it through two-a-days. That’s my rehab right now."

The 44-year-old DeCamillis calls this the biggest challenge he’s ever faced. When asked how hard it is being out on the field, he started to say it wasn’t a fight. Then he changed his mind.

"I guess it is a fight," he said. "I’m going to keep slugging, I can tell you that."

Cowboys get up to roster max of 80

SAN ANTONIO — The Dallas Cowboys have opened training camp with their roster at the maximum 80 players.

Nine rookies signed their contracts Wednesday, just in time for the first workout. However, rookie linebacker Stephen Hodge and defensive tackle Tim Anderson were both put on the physically unable to perform list.

Hodge underwent knee surgery last month. Anderson has a toe problem that sidelined him throughout the offseason.

The Cowboys still have to figure out the status of one more player, third-round pick Robert Brewster. The offensive lineman has a torn pectoral muscle that could keep him out all season.

The players who signed were kicker David Buehler, linebacker Victor Butler, defensive back Michael Hamlin, reality show winner and receiver Jesse Holley, receiver Manny Johnson, quarterback Stephen McGee, defensive back Mike Mickens, tight end John Phillips and linebacker Jason Williams.

Moving in, moving on: Without Favre, Vikes arrive

MANKATO, Minn. — Once again, Brett Favre ran away from a Minnesota rush.

Brad Childress insisted the chase is over.

The Vikings coach said Wednesday evening he’s "more than content" with a competition between Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels for the job the team tried so hard to give to Favre, only to find out the NFL’s all-time leading passer decided to remain retired.

"He’s gone his way, and we’ve gone our way," Childress said after meeting with both Jackson and Rosenfels earlier in the day.

Childress described their demeanor as excited, proudly noting Jackson was the first player to report to the residence hall on the Minnesota State University campus, where the Vikings have held training camp for 43 years.

Rosenfels was grateful for some resolution, but said he wasn’t "at all" insulted by his teammates’ overt interest in acquiring the famously waffling quarterback.

"This is the NFL. I’m a pro. They’re pros. I think these guys are going to have the utmost confidence in me, and I have a lot of confidence in them," Rosenfels said, as players trickled into the parking lot with pillows and luggage in tow. "It’s time to go to work."

Jackson wasn’t available for comment, but Rosenfels offered a good word for both of them in defiance of the widespread belief the Vikings are still missing the quarterback they need for that elusive Super Bowl victory.

"Everyone has their opinion. I have my opinion. I feel like the quarterbacks are going to play really, really well this year," Rosenfels said.

In an interview posted on Sports Illustrated’s Web site, Favre added another subtle twist to this endlessly open-ended story: "I truly, truly believe it’s over. But if someone calls Nov. 1, who knows?"

Asked whether the Vikings would revisit the possibility should Favre change his mind again, Childress repeated his "more than content" stance about the current quarterbacks.

The coach was then pressed to definitively rule out another dalliance with Favre.

"There’s not a chance, from my standpoint. I’m going forward with the guys we have, and we’ll have a great competition," Childress said, using a similar line to deny interest in pursuing the recently reinstated Michael Vick.

Now the Vikings are trying to revive their support for the guys who were going to fight for the job in the first place, and denying any doubts about their ability.

Left guard Steve Hutchinson and defensive end Jared Allen were among the players who checked in with Favre in recent weeks, but both of them claimed they weren’t recruiting.

"It’s just funny how one of a million texts comes out as we’re trying to lobby for him," Hutchinson said. "It had nothing to do with that."

Allen characterized the communication simply as team leaders assessing the situation.

"It’s been blown up to we were trying to coax him in and begging him to come, and that’s not the case," Allen said, as Childress rode by in a golf cart and teased him to cut his shaggy hair.

Allen also insisted the team didn’t need to do any damage control.

"I’ll tell them right now: We have their back. One of them’s going to be our quarterback, you know, and we’re cool with that," Allen said.

Speaking to The Associated Press in Mississippi, Favre’s agent, Bus Cook, said he believes the soon-to-be 40-year-old made the right decision. Asked about Favre’s insinuation that he could play come midseason, Cook said he hadn’t discussed that with his friend and client.

"I don’t think that he’s categorically said ... that if the world falls and they need a quarterback that I wouldn’t go, but he’s not looking for that to happen either," Cook said.

Cook reiterated Favre’s earlier assertion that the health of his ankles and knees and other potential aches and pains, not the strength of his right arm, was the reason for his reluctance.

"He’s really tried and worked hard, but every day his body was telling him, ‘Look, you’ve still got the arm. It’s the rest of me that’s telling you to rethink your situation,"’ Cook said. "He said, ‘Look, I don’t want to go through it no more. Right now I’m just not of a mindset to go up there and go through this and that. I don’t want to get to the middle of the season and look around and wonder what I’ve gotten myself into here."’

In an earlier interview with the AP, before Favre had made up his mind, Childress called the distraction and potential negative effect on Jackson and Rosenfels "overrated."

He added: "We’re going to be a good football team, either way."

On Wednesday, Childress defended the perceived risk of such a high-profile pursuit: "I owe it to this organization and I owe it to this football team to bring in the best possible players that I can bring in here."

-- Dave Campbell

Other sports back NFL’s bid to suspend 2 Vikings

MINNEAPOLIS — A federal appeals court allowed other major sports to weigh in Wednesday on the NFL’s attempts to suspend two Minnesota Vikings for violating the league’s anti-doping policy.

The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals accepted a joint brief from Major League Baseball, the NBA and the NHL, as well as a similar brief from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which administers drug testing for U.S. Olympic teams.

The teams and independent agency asked the appeals court to rule that the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement trumps the state laws that defensive linemen Kevin Williams and Pat Williams are using to fight their four-game suspensions. They wrote it would be impossible otherwise to enforce uniform standards for eliminating performance-enhancing drugs from sports.

The NFL seeks to discipline the two players because they tested positive last summer for the diuretic bumetanide, which is banned from sports because it can mask the presence of steroids. It was an unlisted ingredient in the weight-loss supplement StarCaps, which they acknowledge taking. Court proceedings in the complex web of cases involving StarCaps have established that the NFL knew the supplement contained the banned substance but never shared that information with players.

The Williamses, who are not related, are not accused of using steroids, but the NFL says players are responsible for knowing what they’re taking.

The league wants to impose the suspensions at the start of the regular season, and the 8th Circuit on Wednesday scheduled oral arguments for 9 a.m. Aug. 18 in St. Paul to put itself in a position to rule by then.

A federal judge in May dismissed several parts of the Williamses’ lawsuit and a related case filed by the NFL Players Association, but sent two issues back to state court because they involve the Williamses’ claims their suspensions would violate Minnesota employment laws. The Williamses and the union are appealing other sections of that ruling.

The baseball, basketball and hockey leagues and the anti-doping agency backed the NFL’s contention that Judge Paul Magnuson should have dismissed those claims, too.

They argued if the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement doesn’t take precedence over the two state laws at issue, sports would be subject to a patchwork of different state laws and regulations. And they raised the possibility the Minnesota Twins, Wild, Timberwolves and Vikings might be allowed to use substances that teams in other states could not, giving them an unfair advantage.

"In order for professional sports leagues’ drug testing programs to be effective, they must apply equally to all players in the league, regardless of their or their team’s home state. Without uniform requirements and procedures, the sports leagues would be unable to properly maintain competitive balance or any semblance of integrity, and instead would be held hostage to the individual rules of each state legislature," the leagues wrote in their friend-of-the-court brief.

-- Steve Karnowski

Agent: McNair’s estate not an issue for family

JACKSON, Miss. — Even though he left no will, Steve McNair’s entire immediate family has been provided for under instructions the slain former NFL quarterback left before his death, his agent said Wednesday.

McNair’s wife, Mechelle, is not trying to exclude McNair’s mother and two children he had with other women, his agent, James "Bus" Cook, told The Associated Press.

"He has taken very good care of all of the children, his wife and his mother," Cook said in a phone interview from Hattiesburg, Miss. "Every player — every person — I know would do well to provide for their family like he has. So everybody’s going to be fine, everything’s going to be good, and there’s no disagreements between anybody."

McNair had two children — Steven L. McNair Jr. and Steven O’Brian Koran McNair — before marrying Mechelle McNair. The couple also had two children — Tyler James McNair and Trenton Jon McNair.

Cook said reporters looking at Mechelle McNair’s emergency petition may have been confused by the routine filing, but that she followed a judge’s direction and Tennessee law when filling out the paperwork. McNair listed herself and her children as direct heirs, then listed the quarterback’s other children elsewhere in the filing since the court had no immediate proof the children were legally Steve McNair’s.

That proof — a well-documented legal history in Mississippi — has been supplied, Cook said. Steve McNair has been legally responsible for the children since he left college at Alcorn State and has far exceeded the court’s instructions for support, Cook said.

"Mechelle’s the only one that can contest it and she’s not contesting it," Cook said.

Mechelle McNair has declined comment and an interview request through a publicist. She has not spoken publicly since McNair was killed July 4 by Sahel Kazemi, who shot him four times in what Nashville police say was a murder-suicide. But she has released a statement in which she expressed thanks for the outpouring of support and sympathy her family has received.

"Your prayers, kind deeds and outpouring of support throughout this difficult time have been of tremendous comfort to us," she said in the statement. "May you be richly blessed for all that you have done and continued to do. You are appreciated beyond measure."

Steve McNair had wills drafted two or three times before his death, but never signed them. But any will prior to the marriage would have been null and void under Tennessee law anyway, Cook said.

McNair left a large estate behind that’s in probate in both Tennessee and Mississippi. He made at least $90 million in salary over his 13-year career with the Houston Oilers, Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens, plus any marketing deals he had. He had both business dealings and real estate holdings that must be divided.

The McNairs were selling their 26-room Nashville home in the upscale Green Hills neighborhood valued at $3.2 million at the time of his death. He was also president of McNair Farms Inc., in Mississippi, described as a ranching and farming business. He had other properties as well, including "The Ranch," the 647-acre farm and house near his boyhood home of Mount Olive in southern Mississippi.

-- Chris Talbott

Ex-Giant Burress testifies before NYC grand jury

NEW YORK — Former New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress testified Wednesday before the grand jury that is investigating weapons charges against him and told reporters outside that he was sorry for his actions.

"I was truthful, I was honest, and I’m truly remorseful for what I’ve done and for what happened," Burress said outside a Manhattan courthouse.

Burress’ attorney, Benjamin Brafman, said the one-time Super Bowl star wanted to address the grand jury.

"I agreed that in order to humanize him they needed to see who he was and what this man was about," Brafman said.

The 31-year-old Burress shot himself in the thigh at a Manhattan nightclub in November. He was charged with weapon possession and faces up to 3½ years in prison. He has pleaded not guilty and is free on $100,000 bail. The Giants released him in April.

The New York Post reported earlier this week that Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau is insisting on jail time. Morgenthau’s office has declined to comment to The Associated Press.

Brafman criticized Morgenthau for speaking out, saying the district attorney’s comments could prejudice the grand jury proceedings.

Burress, wearing a pinstriped three-piece suit, thanked his family and his fans and did not take questions.

Brafman said Burress "asked the grand jury for compassion and understanding. I think it took a big man, not just physically, but a big man to come here today and acknowledge his responsibility and ask for the compassion of the people who he testified before."

He added, "We are hopeful that the grand jury found Mr. Burress to be honest and truthful. They listened carefully, and now we’ll just wait and see what happens."

Burress, who caught the winning touchdown in the final minute of the 2008 Super Bowl, also could face disciplinary action by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell under the league’s personal conduct policy. Burress has yet to sign with another team and Goodell’s office announced in June that the league already had started its examination of the shooting.

— Karen Matthews

Zorn: Redskins don’t want Vick ‘at this juncture’

ASHBURN, Va. — Add the Washington Redskins to the growing list of NFL teams that say they aren’t interested in Michael Vick.

Asked about Vick on Wednesday, Redskins coach Jim Zorn ruled out signing the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback "at this juncture."

Vick was conditionally reinstated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday. The player served 18 months in for running a dogfighting ring and was released from federal custody July 20.

"Well, I think Michael’s on his journey. ... I want to wish the best for him. I think there’s a way that he and Roger Goodell have created to find his way back into the league," Zorn said, a day before Washington’s first practice of training camp. "I would just say it won’t be with us, at least at this juncture."

More than a dozen other NFL teams have said publicly they won’t pursue Vick, including the New York Giants, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins.

The Redskins are among the teams that some have thought might consider bringing in Vick, a No. 1 overall draft pick and three-time Pro Bowl selection who led the Falcons to the 2005 NFC championship game. He was the first NFL quarterback to rush for 1,000 yards in a season; he also never threw for more than 3,000 yards or 20 touchdowns in any season, and his career completion percentage is below 55.

The Redskins have Jason Campbell as their starting quarterback, but they already made efforts this offseason to find a new QB: They tried to trade for Jay Cutler and looked into moving up in April’s draft to be able to select Southern Cal’s Mark Sanchez.

Plus, Redskins owner Dan Snyder generally loves to make a splash with big-name acquisitions.

Because of his use of the phrase, "at this juncture," Zorn was asked whether he thinks Washington ever would seek to add Vick down the road.

"I don’t know that," the coach said. "It depends on how many years he’s going to be in the league."

Under the terms of his reinstatement, Vick is allowed to take part in preseason practices, workouts and meetings, and he can play in the final two preseason games. Once the regular season starts, Vick may participate in all team activities except games, and Goodell said he would consider Vick for full reinstatement by Week 6 (Oct. 18-19) at the latest.

That is all under the assumption that Vick finds a team.

"It’ll just be interesting to see how he enters back in," Zorn said. "I’m sure he will."

— Howard Fendrich

Boldin shows up for camp after helping teammates

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Disgruntled wide receiver Anquan Boldin has reported for training camp with the Arizona Cardinals, a little late only because he turned around to help a couple of teammates who had car trouble.

Boldin declined to talk to reporters after checking in at the Northern Arizona University dorms with the reigning NFC champions on Wednesday.

Upset because he has yet to get a new contract, Boldin sat out minicamp with what he said was a sore hamstring, then did not participate in the voluntary summer workouts.

Arizona first-round draft pick Beanie Wells was a no-show. The running back from Ohio State is the only Cardinals’ pick from this year’s draft yet to reach a contract agreement. Wells also missed the voluntary workouts because of an NFL rule that prohibited his participation because his college session had not ended.

"There haven’t been a whole lot of first rounders that have signed," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "We’re coming in a couple of days earlier than most guys so maybe it will speed up over the next day or two."

According to Whisenhunt, Boldin was on his way up Interstate 17 from Phoenix when he turned around to retrieve wide receiver Early Doucet and linebacker Ali Highsmith, a pair of teammates stranded by car trouble.

"So I guess we’re expecting an Early arrival a little later," Whisenhunt joked.

Boldin didn’t talk upon arrival a year ago, either, but turned loose on the team’s management the next day, saying he’d been lied to and that he’d never re-sign with the Cardinals.

He sought a trade, but it didn’t happen and the Cardinals still insist they want to re-sign him, they just want to wait awhile because he has two years left on his contract.

While Boldin wasn’t talking, his chief advocate on the team, quarterback Kurt Warner, was emphasizing how important it is to have the receiver in camp.

"I think it means everything to our team, that he’s such a leader," Warner said. "So much of what this team does and how this team goes stems from who he is and what he brings to the table, and his leadership and his toughness and all those things."

Warner said he’s not surprised that Boldin is not holding out.

"It’s obviously huge for us to know that just like always he’s going to be a pro," Warner said. "Even though he might not be happy with certain situations outside of playing the game, we know when he steps on that football team and he steps in that locker room we’re going to get Q and we’re going to get everything that entails."

Warner said he’s glad to speak out on Boldin’s behalf, saying he deserves to be compensated for what he means to the franchise.

"You just speak the way you feel," Warner said. "I just think he’s too important to what we’ve done and to this whole building process that somebody’s got to be talking about that and somebody’s got to be sharing how important he is to this whole thing. So if he’s not going to do it, I’m going to stand up and do it for him because I think it needs to be said."

The Cardinals handed out their NFC championship rings at a gathering in Phoenix on Tuesday night.

The team has its fitness run on Thursday, then practice begins on Friday.

Understandably, bigger crowds are expected to watch those workouts.

"What’s real exciting is you’re coming up the highway and you see those signs that say, ‘2008 NFC Champions,"’ Whisenhunt said. "Now that’s a little different for us. It kind of makes you understand what we did last season and what’s ahead of us this year."

-- Bob Baum

Brady to start next phase of comeback

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Tom Brady’s comeback is entering its next phase.

The New England Patriots open training camp Thursday on the practice fields next to Gillette Stadium, where Brady’s 2008 season ended in the first quarter of the first game.

Now, after surgery, optional team activities and minicamp, the quarterback takes his next steps on a surgically repaired left knee, looking toward this year’s opener in less than seven weeks against the Buffalo Bills.

In late May, Brady said he’s not limited in what he can do on the field. But shaking off the rust is another matter.

"It remains to be seen," he said in early June. "I hope there’s not a lot of rust at all, but the preseason games will be good for that. And we have a long time till we play our first regular-season game."

Brady usually sees little action in exhibition games and it’s too early to tell if that will change.

But late in June, wide receiver Wes Welker seemed optimistic about Brady’s comeback.

"It’s been good, as far as I can see. This spring, he was out there. He’s probably a little rusty, but at the same time he was Tom Brady," Welker said. "He’s making all the right reads, all the right throws. He’s excited and he’s ready to be back, and he’s hungry."

The Patriots won three Super Bowls in four years from 2002-2005. But they reached only one of the four Super Bowls since, and lost that in 2008 to the New York Giants, 17-14, on Plaxico Burress’ 13-yard touchdown catch with 35 seconds left. That ended their perfect season.

They tied for first place in the AFC East with the Miami Dolphins last season at 11-5, but missed the playoffs for the first time in six years on a tiebreaker. Matt Cassel did so well as Brady’s replacement that he signed a lucrative long-term contract with the Kansas City Chiefs — the team Brady was hurt against — after being traded there.

Kevin O’Connell, a 2008 third-round draft pick from San Diego State, could have the inside track to become Brady’s backup. The Patriots also have third-year pro Matt Gutierrez and rookie free agent Brian Hoyer at quarterback.

The receiving corps remains potent with Randy Moss and Welker and the addition of Joey Galloway as the third wide receiver to replace Jabar Gaffney, who signed with Denver.

The Broncos also have Josh McDaniels, who became head coach after serving as Brady’s well-respected quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator.

"That’s part of the NFL: Things change every year," Brady said two months ago at minicamp at his first news conference since tearing ligaments in his right knee. "It doesn’t stop for anybody around here. You leave and someone else fills your spot and they’re anxious for the opportunity."

The Patriots beefed up their running back corps by signing free agent Fred Taylor from the Jacksonville Jaguars to join veterans Kevin Faulk, Sammy Morris and Laurence Maroney, who has been slowed by injuries in his three seasons since being drafted in the first round.

The competition at tight end got tougher with the additions of free agent Chris Baker from the New York Jets and Alex Smith in a trade with Tampa Bay. The Patriots have holdovers Ben Watson and David Thomas, but, with no blocking back on the roster, could use a tight end for that role.

The offensive and defensive lines remain intact, but the Patriots will have a new look at linebacker and defensive back.

Outside linebacker Mike Vrabel, a team leader who spent eight years with New England, went to Kansas City in the Cassel trade. In the secondary, the Patriots lost safety Rodney Harrison, who retired, and cornerback Ellis Hobbs, traded to Philadelphia.

But they brought in a crowd of defensive backs: veteran cornerbacks Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden, and second-round draft picks Patrick Chung, a safety, and Darius Butler, a cornerback.

Defense is a greater concern than offense, especially if Brady plays close to the level that made him the NFL’s most valuable player in 2007 and a two-time Super Bowl MVP.

The Patriots were vulnerable in third-down situations and in the red zone, but the development of inside linebacker Jerod Mayo, last year’s defensive rookie of the year, should help.

— Howard Ulman

Burgess, Heyward-Bey absent as Raiders open camp

NAPA, Calif. — Two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Derrick Burgess and first-round pick Darrius Heyward-Bey were no-shows Wednesday as the Oakland Raiders opened training camp.

The Raiders don’t start practice until Thursday but had mandatory meetings Wednesday, making Burgess and Heyward-Bey officially holdouts. Coach Tom Cable said that Heyward-Bey is in the Bay Area and was optimistic a deal could be finalized soon.

"There’s progress being made," Cable said. "It’s good, it’s positive. But it’s very important, starting tomorrow, that we get him here and he’s able to get all this. He’s had it in minicamp and the OTAs but certainly this is valuable. This is real now."

Burgess’ situation doesn’t look as though it will be resolved as quickly. Burgess, who has a base salary of $2 million in the final year of his contract, is subject to a fine for each day of training camp he misses.

"He is not here by his choice," Cable said. "We really haven’t talked about a reason and that’s really all I’m going to say about it."

Burgess’ agent, Jimmy Sexton, did not immediately return an e-mail seeking comment. Burgess has been unhappy in Oakland and was seeking a trade in the offseason. The Raiders and Patriots had talks around the draft, but those did not lead anywhere.

Burgess then skipped all the optional workouts this offseason and did not take the field during the mandatory minicamp in May because of an upset stomach.

The Raiders signed Greg Ellis last month to bolster their defensive line. Cable said Ellis opens camp as the starter at Burgess’ old left defensive end.

Burgess has felt underpaid for most of his time in Oakland. He signed a five-year, $18 million deal before the 2005 season and made the Pro Bowl his first two seasons with the Raiders. But after getting 27 sacks in two years, Burgess has just 11.5 the past two seasons, including 3.5 in an injury-plagued 2008.

"Everybody has their own situation," linebacker Kirk Morrison said. "I can’t really comment on that. I feel like he is a great asset on our team and I’d love for him to be here."

Heyward-Bey was the seventh overall pick in April’s draft, a controversial move by the Raiders who passed over more highly touted receivers like Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin to take the fastest one in the draft.

The Raiders are counting on a big contribution from the rookie this season. They need plenty of help at wide receiver after getting just 82 catches from the position last season, led by Johnnie Lee Higgins’ 22.

Heyward-Bey caught just 13 touchdown passes in three seasons at Maryland, never reaching 800 yards receiving in a season. He had career lows last season with 42 catches for 609 yards to go with his five TD catches.

Heyward-Bey struggled with hamstring injuries during offseason workouts but Cable said he is healthy and will be ready to practice as soon as his contract is signed.

"We need to have him here, and the quarterback needs to be throwing to him and he’s got to know how he fits," Cable said. "He’s got a lot of those things to learn, and it was kind of hit and miss in OTAs because of the hamstring."

Notes: The Raiders waived QB Danny Southwick and WR Arman Shields to get down to the 80-man roster limit. ... Cable said the team would decide by Thursday whether OL Robert Gallery (appendectomy), FB Oren O’Neal (knee), and WR Javon Walker (knee) would begin camp on the physically unable to perform list. ... Cable said QB Andrew Walter’s status would be worked up in the next day or two. Walter is looking for a fresh start after the team signed backup Jeff Garcia in the offseason.

— Josh Dubow

Chargers’ McNeill feeling stronger after surgery

SAN DIEGO — The prospect of never playing again crossed Chargers left tackle Marcus McNeill’s mind after he underwent surgery on his injured neck in February.

"You never want to think about it but it became a true reality quickly to me that football is not going to be forever," McNeill said.

Those anxious moments had been left behind, as was the bulky neck brace he wore last season, by the time McNeill took the field to tune up his game with rookies and a few veterans during the early part of San Diego’s training camp. Most of the Chargers’ veterans report Friday.

"I’m feeling great and just excited to play football right now," McNeill, a two-time Pro Bowler, said Wednesday. "I’m probably the most excited person right now going into training camp after the ordeal I went through last year, not being able to be out on the field with the fellows, talking smack and working hard."

McNeill could only sit and watch at last summer’s camp. Then with the uncertainty regarding his neck, he missed the first two regular-season games. They were the only games he’s missed since the Chargers took him in the second round in 2006.

"When I started playing last year I didn’t have any problems with (my neck) but during the course of the year I didn’t feel like I was playing as fast as I could to protect that thing," McNeill said. "Now I don’t feel it at all."

Coach Norv Turner sees McNeill being more at ease.

"I know he feels better and he had a great offseason so I expect him to have a good year," Turner said.

"He missed all of training camp and two games and then was asked to go in and be the same that he was," Turner said. "That is asking a lot of a guy, but everything Marcus had to handle, he handled it extremely well. He’s a great character person."

49ers put Harris on IR; rookie Jean-Francois out

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — San Francisco cornerback Walt Harris was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, two months after surgery on his right knee put the former Pro Bowl player’s career in jeopardy.

Harris tore a ligament in his knee during minicamp workouts on May 19 in a collision with receiver Dominique Zeigler.

The 34-year-old Harris underwent surgery later in the month. San Francisco signed veteran cornerback Dre’ Bly just one day after Harris’ injury, clearly indicating Harris had no shot of playing this year.

Harris, a 13-year pro, has never missed more than four games in an NFL season. He had been a mainstay on the 49ers’ defense since 2006, when he made the Pro Bowl with eight interceptions.

He has 35 interceptions in a career that includes stops in Chicago, Indianapolis and Washington. He made three interceptions last year while starting all 16 games of the 49ers’ sixth consecutive losing season.

Bly is expected to start opposite Nate Clements in the 49ers’ defensive backfield, but Tarell Brown and Shawntae Spencer will push for playing time when training camp opens Saturday.

Harris’ move to injured reserve opens up another roster spot for the 49ers, who could look to sign another defensive lineman while Ray McDonald is sidelined early on by a knee injury.

One day after San Francisco’s rookies reported to the club’s training complex, the 49ers also placed seventh-round pick Ricky Jean-Francois on the non-football illness list. The former LSU defensive lineman apparently has a minor stomach illness that shouldn’t keep him out of much practice time.

Agent: Packers S Collins will report to camp

MILWAUKEE — Green Bay Packers safety Nick Collins won’t be a training camp holdout, although he hinted strongly last month that he wasn’t happy with his contract.

Agent David Butz told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Collins plans to report to the Packers’ camp on time. Players report Friday and will begin practice Saturday.

Collins’ commitment eliminates one of the team’s biggest concerns heading into camp, although first-round draft picks B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews III remained unsigned Wednesday.

Collins had a tumultuous offseason after a standout 2008 that included seven interceptions, three touchdowns and his first Pro Bowl.

His father died in May, and he skipped voluntary offseason workouts — leading to speculation that he wasn’t happy with his current deal, which will pay him $3.045 million and expires at the end of the season.

Collins did show up for a mandatory minicamp last month. And while he didn’t directly complain about his deal to reporters, he also didn’t rule out the possibility of a holdout.

Asked at the time if he would show up for training camp if he didn’t have a new contract in place, Collins said simply, "We’ll see."

Despite missing voluntary workouts, Collins insisted last month that he is fully up to speed on the Packers’ switch from a 4-3 defensive alignment to a 3-4 scheme under new defensive coordinator Dom Capers and a new cast of defensive assistants.

Collins said he studied the team’s new playbook and terminology while he was away.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy talked with Collins upon his arrival at minicamp, and McCarthy came away convinced that Collins wouldn’t take any lingering contract concerns to the field.

"I feel like his heart and mind are in the right place, and he wants to play some football," McCarthy said last month.

-- Chris Jenkins

Steelers TE Heath Miller agrees to 6-year deal

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Heath Miller has agreed to a six-year contract that runs through the 2014 season.

Miller, one of the top blockers among NFL tight ends, had one season remaining on the five-year contract he signed after being Pittsburgh’s first-round draft pick in 2005.

Miller, 26, has played on two Super Bowl-winning teams in his first four NFL seasons. He caught 48 passes for 514 yards and three touchdowns last season after catching 47 passes in 2007.

The 6-foot-5, 256-pound Miller has 168 catches for 1,932 yards, an 11.5 yards per reception average and 21 touchdowns during his career. He also has three touchdown catches in the playoffs.

The Steelers chose to sign Miller before training camp begins Friday instead of waiting to see if there will be a new NFL labor agreement.

If there is no new deal, and 2010 is an uncapped season, the Steelers could have retained Miller by making him a tender offer after this season, but they chose instead to negotiate a new contract.

Rams sign defensive tackle Thomas

ST. LOUIS — Defensive tackle Hollis Thomas has signed with the St. Louis Rams after being released by the Saints in April.

The 35-year-old free agent is a 13-year veteran and played the last three seasons with New Orleans. He spent his first 10 seasons with the Eagles after signing as an undrafted free agent in 1996, and has started 123 of 162 career games with 20 sacks.

Thomas missed the first half of last season after hurting a triceps muscle in training camp. He was released in September with an injury settlement and re-signed in November, totaling 10 tackles in the final eight games.

The Rams also waived defensive linemen Kirston Pittman and Willie Williams on Wednesday, along with wide receivers Travis Brown and Horace Gant.

Bills sign G Eric Wood, S Jairus Byrd

PITTSFORD, N.Y. — It’s two more draft picks signed and a big one to go for the Buffalo Bills.

The Bills made a splash on Wednesday by signing first-round draft pick Eric Wood and second-rounder Jairus Byrd, leaving the team with only its top selection, No. 11 pick Aaron Maybin, still unsigned.

Wood, selected 28th overall out of Louisville, is being counted on to start at right guard on a completely retooled line that’s expected to feature two rookie starters and no players returning at the same position.

Byrd, a safety, was drafted 42nd overall out of Oregon but will have to wait before he can begin practicing. Immediately after signing a four-year contract, Byrd was placed on the active/non-football-injury list.

Byrd is recuperating from surgery to repair a sports hernia, a person familiar with his condition told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Bills did not release that information.

That’s a considerable setback for the Bills, who were hoping Byrd could immediately compete for a starting job at free safety.

Both players arrived at the Bills training camp site in suburban Rochester and are expected to join the team for its scheduled walkthrough on Thursday morning. Wood is expected to practice Thursday evening.

"It’s been a busy 24 hours," general manager Russ Brandon said earlier in the day, when announcing the team was close to signing both players.

Byrd had plenty of catching up to do. Aside from missing seven practices over the first five days of training camp, he also missed the team’s spring minicamps because of Oregon’s late exam schedule. Byrd did take part in a three-day rookie minicamp in early May, and visited with Bills coaches in early July to go over the playbook.

Wood started 49 straight games in college at center and was a Big East Conference first-team selection last season.

The Bills intend to convert Wood into a guard, and are counting on him to take over for Brad Butler, who’s being shifted to right tackle. Langston Walker is switching to left tackle, after two-time Pro Bowl center Jason Peters was traded to Philadelphia. The Bills signed Geoff Hangartner in free agency to take over at center, while rookie second-round pick Andy Levitre is competing to start at left guard.

The Bills can now turn their attention to Maybin, a defensive end out of Penn State.

Though there’s been no update on the progress of contract talks, Maybin has been eager to get to camp. He’s been texting teammates and Bills coaches, informing them how much he wants to start practicing. The player has also been regularly posting comments on Twitter with updates of him working out and his contract talks.

Earlier this week, he tweeted a response to Whitner, which read: "cant wait 2 get there man...im killin it out here but i need 2 be out there with yall as soon as possible."

Maybin’s agent, Chafie Fields, has declined to discuss the status of talks.

A major snag is the slow pace of teams signing first-round picks around the NFL. As of Wednesday morning, only five of the 32 first-rounders have signed or agreed to contracts, which makes it difficult to establish Maybin’s value.

In separate moves, the Bills placed receiver P.K. Sam on waived/injured a day after he hurt his quadriceps, and signed free agent receiver Shaine Smith.

Listed at 6-feet-2 and 189 pounds, Smith has yet to play in the NFL, but spent part of the 2007 season on the New York Jets’ practice squad. He was originally signed by St. Louis that year as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Hofstra.

The Bills’ depth at receiver is depleted. Steve Johnson (rib cartilage) is out indefinitely. Receivers James Hardy and C.J. Hawthorne have been unable to practice since opening camp and are on the active/physically-unable-to-perform list.

-- John Wawrow

Rams sign 2nd-round pick Laurinaitis

ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Rams signed three draft picks Wednesday, including second-rounder James Laurinaitis.

Only first-round pick Jason Smith, an offensive tackle from Baylor who was the second overall selection, remained unsigned. Practice begins Thursday for quarterbacks, rookies and selected veterans with the first full-squad workout under new coach Steve Spagnuolo on Friday.

The Rams also signed fourth-rounder Darell Scott, a defensive tackle from Clemson, and sixth-rounder Keith Null, a quarterback from West Texas A&M.

Laurinaitis, an All-America from Ohio State, totaled 375 tackles in college. He was the 35th overall pick of the draft.

Scott, 6-3 and 312 pounds, was a three-year starter at nose guard and started his final 38 games in college. He totaled 161 tackles with nine sacks and 36 quarterback pressures over four seasons.

Null, 6-4 and 220 pounds, holds school career records for yards passing (9,769), completion percentage (67.5), touchdown passes (92) and total offense (9,174). He also holds Lone Star Conference career records for yards passing per game (315.1) and touchdown passes (92).

Null was MVP of the Valero Cactus Bowl, the Division II All-Star game, after his senior year. He passed for 240 yards and three touchdowns in that game.

Bengals sign second-round pick LB Maualuga

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals have signed two more draft picks, leaving only first-rounder Andre Smith without a deal as they prepare to open camp.

The Bengals signed second-round draft pick Rey Maualuga on Wednesday, a day before they open camp in Georgetown, Ky. Maualuga is a linebacker from Southern California.

Later in the day, they signed third-round pick Michael Johnson, a defensive end from Georgia Tech.

The only unsigned draft pick is Smith, an offensive lineman from Alabama. The Bengals are counting on him to start at right tackle in a revamped offensive line.

Vikings sign 2nd round pick, tackle Phil Loadholt

MANKATO, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings have signed second-round draft pick Phil Loadholt.

The deal was done on Wednesday, ensuring the team’s new right tackle would report to training camp on time. Players are required to arrive by Thursday, and the first practice is Friday. Loadholt’s addition left the Vikings with one last player to sign, first-round draft pick Percy Harvin, the versatile, speedy wide receiver from Florida.

Loadholt, who stands 6-foot-8 and 343 pounds, is expected to be the starter at right tackle, where incumbent Ryan Cook struggled last season. Veteran backup Artis Hicks could also be considered at the position.

"It’s exciting," Loadholt said. "I’m looking forward for the opportunity to compete."

Loadholt played in college at Oklahoma.

"It’s very important for rookies to be in camp on time," he said. "I know the Vikings do a good job of getting it done."

AP Source: Seahawks sign second-round pick

SEATTLE — The Seahawks have signed second-round draft choice Max Unger to a four-year contract that guarantees $1.95 million, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity Wednesday night because the team had yet to announce the deal and has a policy of not releasing terms.

The contract, first reported by The Seattle Times, could be worth more than $3 million.

It leaves Seattle with one draft pick to sign before Thursday’s reporting day for rookies at training camp: fourth overall selection Aaron Curry.

Agents for Seattle’s presumptive starting outside linebacker have been negotiating with the team this week. Top picks around the league often sign in a late rush just before camp.

-- Gregg Bell

Titans agree to terms with 2nd-round pick

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans have agreed to contract terms with their second-round draft pick, defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks.

Marks was the 62nd pick overall out of Auburn. He started 37 of 40 games during his three seasons and had 7½ sacks and 30 tackles for losses.

After the announcement of Marks’ deal on Wednesday the Titans have only one unsigned member of their 11-player draft class — wide receiver Kenny Britt. He was the 30th pick overall out of Rutgers.

The Titans waived offensive lineman Ryan Schmidt and defensive tackle Derrick Jones to reduce the roster to 80 players for the start of training camp. The Titans report Thursday with their first practice Friday.

Studio head paid $450k to settle failed investment

NEW ORLEANS — A film studio executive who never repaid $1.9 million he took from New Orleans Saints players and others paid $452,000 to settle a dispute over another failed investment, court records show.

Wayne Read, chief executive of Louisiana Film Studios LLC, paid Dr. Spiro Gerolimatos on Jan. 21 — nearly three weeks after he raised $1.9 million for a Louisiana movie tax credit deal. Gerolimatos, a radiologist, won a summary judgment in Illinois state court over a $400,000 loan he made to Read for Mardi Gras Studios, which was to be built in New Orleans.

The judgment was made in May 2008 against Read because he never responded to the lawsuit. He also paid $52,000 in court fees and interest, documents show.

Jimmy Castex, an attorney representing two of the people who paid Read for tax credits, said lawyers in the case had confirmed all $1.9 million raised for the purchases was delivered to Read by Jan. 2.

Louisiana Film Studios is the target of an involuntary bankruptcy suit filed in New Orleans by several investors, including Saints linebacker Scott Shanle, former Saints punter Mitch Berger and long snapper Kevin Houser, now with the Seattle Seahawks, who thought they were buying the tax credits.

Saints Coach Sean Payton, quarterback Drew Brees and former star Archie Manning also were also among 27 people who bought the credits that promised about $1.33 for each dollar invested.

Sherri McConnell, director of the Office of Entertainment Industry Development, said the studio never applied for the credits, which are designed to boost the Louisiana film industry.

On Tuesday, lawyers for the claimants in the bankruptcy case asked a judge to appoint an overseer for the studio’s finances until the dispute is settled. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Elizabeth Magner set a hearing for Friday.

A message seeking comment was left Wednesday with Read’s spokesman, Allan Katz. No one answered the phone at Louisiana Film Studios’ office in suburban New Orleans. As of Wednesday, the studio had not filed an answer to the involuntary bankruptcy petition.

Read has said he intends to repay the tax credit money after finding other investors or buying credits from a broker. He said he was hit by unexpected startup costs and lower-than-expected revenue and did not apply for the tax credits because of confusion about what expenses could be claimed.

Castex said the FBI had contacted parties in the case. The FBI and the U.S. attorney’s office have refused to confirm or deny an investigation. No criminal charges have been filed.

In Gerolimatos’ lawsuit, the doctor said he agreed in September 2007 to loan $400,000 to Armada Studios, described as a company obtaining land in New Orleans for Mardi Gras Studios. Gerolimatos was to receive $40,000 in interest, plus the original principal amount, within three months of closing the purchase on the land, the suit said.

The closing never took place.

According to records of the Louisiana economic development department, Read applied for tax credits for Mardi Gras Studios on Dec. 1, 2007. They were never issued because the project never went forward. The application envisioned an $81 million studio built from the ground up. Those documents also listed Armada Studios as another name for the project.

Gerolimatos’ suit, filed in March 2008, said that Read failed to put the money in an escrow account as agreed and never gave Gerolimatos the account number or account name. Read told Gerolimatos several times that he would travel to New Orleans and have the money wired to him — and then said he was going to pay Gerolimatos "by receiving money from other investors," the suit said.

In the involuntary bankruptcy petition, Shanle, Berger and Houser are seeking return of $468,750 paid to Read. Houser, who said he told some of his Saints teammates about the tax credit opportunity, has said he doesn’t believe it had anything to do with his recent release from the team.

Also in the suit is a construction company half-owned by Houser’s wife, claiming the studio owes it $681,418 for work done on a renovated grocery warehouse that Louisiana Film Studios leases. Two other tax credit buyers made claims totaling $134,000.

— Alan Sayre

Ex-Jags receiver pleads no contest to 3 charges

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Former Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Jimmy Smith has pleaded no contest to three charges stemming from a drunken driving arrest.

Smith was placed on probation for 12 months and ordered to serve 50 hours of community service.

Smith entered the pleas Wednesday before Duval County Court Judge Brent Shore, who also imposed fines and court costs totaling about $1,100.

Shore told Smith he wanted him to spend his community service hours speaking to children and youth groups.

Smith pleaded no contest to DUI, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia stemming from an Aug. 28, 2008, arrest.

— Ron Word

Felony charges dropped against Dolphins’ Starks

MIAMI — Prosecutors have dropped felony charges against Miami Dolphins defensive end Randy Starks stemming from a May traffic altercation with police.

Court records show charges of aggravated battery were reduced Tuesday to the misdemeanor of culpable negligence. The original charge carried a possible prison sentence of five years, but misdemeanors usually do not result in jail time.

Miami Beach police say Starks was driving a large truck packed with people along Ocean Drive last Memorial Day weekend when an officer walked up alongside. Starks allegedly swerved slightly, striking the officer and pinning him against another vehicle. The officer was not hurt.

Starks’ attorney did not immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment Wednesday.