NFL Capsules - AFC: Freeney healthy after hobbling through Super Bowl
ANDERSON, Ind. (AP) — Just when it appeared that Dwight Freeney couldn't gain more respect from his teammates, he found a way.
The Indianapolis Colts' All-Pro defensive end sustained a third-degree ligament tear in his right ankle late in the AFC championship game against the New York Jets last season and was listed as questionable in the days leading up to the Super Bowl against New Orleans.
Freeney played, and even sacked Saints quarterback Drew Brees once. Though his ankle stiffened up in the second half and he wasn't as effective, fellow Pro Bowl defensive end Robert Mathis admired Freeney's effort in the 31-17 loss to New Orleans.
"I was very impressed," Mathis said. "I came to him in the locker room after the game and showed him some love for gutting it out. That was a serious setback, and he just gutted his way through. He got some points for that one."
After healing during the offseason, Freeney has declared himself ready for 2010. He hasn't had any problems in nearly a week of practice during the Colts' training camp at Anderson University.
"I feel pretty good," he said. "I'm out there, I'm working."
Freeney's approach in the days leading up to the Super Bowl stuck with Mathis because he could tell how much the ankle hurt him.
"When you watched him and looked at him, you pretty much didn't have any doubt because with his preparation and the way he was intent on playing, he was going to play," he said. "It was just a matter of how much."
After the Super Bowl, Freeney chose not to have surgery and went into intense rehabilitation.
"That was a long process," he said. "Pretty much, I took 17 hours a day rehabbing the injury. We did a lot of stuff, from oxygen chambers, eating right, chiropractic stuff, acupuncture, and I got it back right."
Mathis says Freeney now looks like the player who was named to Associated Press NFL All-Pro Team for third time last season and tied for third in the league with 13.5 sacks.
"You see him flying off the ball and the patented spin move," Mathis said. "I feel he's back. He's ready to take this season to another level."
"Dwight's doing well," Colts coach Jim Caldwell said. "He's performing well and looks good. Hopefully, we can keep him healthy."
Freeney got a chance to test himself during a situational practice on Thursday.
"Just going out there and hitting and getting back at it, this is definitely business as usual," he said.
Freeney said the Colts might ease him into the flow at times to make sure he doesn't stress the ankle too much. He said his conditioning is ideal.
"I feel like I am in real good shape right now," he said. "I know this, this is the best I'm going to feel. It is not an issue at all."
Linebacker Gary Brackett said he's never worried about Freeney.
"Dwight is a guy who has been around the block a few times, so he knows what he needs to do to get his body in shape and ready to go for the regular season," Brackett said.
Mathis went to his second straight Pro Bowl after logging 9.5 sacks and 23 quarterback pressures in 14 regular-season games. He's glad to have his partner back.
"You've got to account for 93," he said. "That's just the bottom line, no matter how you cut it. I enjoy playing next to him, and let's keep bringing the heat."
Jets' Cromartie focused on football, family life
CORTLAND, N.Y. (AP) — Antonio Cromartie has learned to ignore the jokes about his personal life.
All the snide comments about him fathering eight children with seven women? Say what you want because the New York Jets cornerback isn't listening.
"I don't care about the public and what people think," Cromartie said between practices Friday. "That doesn't bother me at all. I'm a father and a husband at the same time, so I can't worry about somebody else's opinions."
Recently married to model Terricka Cason, the mother of his newest child, Cromartie is intent on being a family man and doing right by all of his kids.
"That's the only thing that matters to me," he said. "My kids know that. That's all that matters. I couldn't care less. I know my responsibilities and that is to be a father to my kids, first and foremost, and a husband to my wife. That's the most important thing to me."
Once considered one of the most promising young players in the league, Cromartie was traded from San Diego to New York in March. The Jets advanced him $500,000 of the $1.7 million he was due this season to help clear up paternity issues.
"We've had conversations about it and as much as someone might say it's irresponsible, he's the one who is responsible," defensive backs coach Dennis Thurman said. "As long as he understands that he's responsible for taking care of them and their well-being, that's all any of us need to be concerned with. We're not charged with that."
What the Jets are charged with is putting Cromartie in position to succeed on the field. With All-Pro Darrelle Revis holding out in a contract dispute, coach Rex Ryan has Cromartie playing in Revis' usual spot at left cornerback. That's a switch for Cromartie, who played mostly on the right side in his four previous seasons with the Chargers.
"I'm feeling good," he said. "I'm feeling more comfortable."
He had 12 interceptions in 2007 — including two in the playoffs — and was selected for the Pro Bowl — and had two more picks there — in his second season. Cromartie has only five interceptions since, and his work ethic was questioned, as well as his willingness to be physical.
The lowest moment might have come in the playoffs against the Jets last season. Cromartie froze as running back Shonn Greene hit the hole and scampered for a 53-yard touchdown in New York's 17-14 win in the AFC divisional round.
"This is a new start," Cromartie said. "I feel like a rookie again being around my teammates and being around this organization. When you're having fun, it eliminates a lot of things and you can go out and play the way you're capable of playing."
He was also fined $2,500 by the Chargers in training camp last summer for tweeting — under the handle crimetime31 — about the "nasty food."
"The food is great here," he said, laughing. "Can't get fined for that here because the food is good."
Cromartie said he had no fun in San Diego, except for that 2007 season, because "everybody" was taking things too seriously. He's convinced he's a better fit in Ryan's defensive system, and being physical excites him.
"Rex makes you want to play for him, run into a wall for him," Cromartie said. "That's something I'll love to do. I'm going to pick up my game from a physical standpoint and just go out and play football."
He has been impressive so far in training camp, making a handful of flashy plays through the first few days.
"He wants to hear his name mentioned again when you talk about some of the best corners in the game," Thurman said. "With his enormous talent, I don't see any reason why he shouldn't."
Running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who played four seasons with Cromartie in San Diego, sees a changed man.
"I definitely see a certain focus in Antonio and a determination," Tomlinson said. "He's back to the player he's always been."
Thurman said he and Ryan scouted Cromartie when they were assistants with the Baltimore Ravens and the cornerback was a star at Florida State.
"He had one of the best pro days we'd ever seen," Thurman said.
That's why the Jets jumped when they had an opportunity to add him in the offseason — baggage and all.
"He's got these great long arms and strong hands, let's use them," Ryan said. "Let's be more physical at the line. His ball skills are God-given. I don't know how to describe him. I've never seen anything like that. Somebody is calling him a spider because he's so long, he's tall, and he's got those long arms. ... He's a rare guy."
And, Cromartie is happy to make the most of a chance at resurrecting his career.
"I would tell you that I have no problem telling you that this is a better fit," he said. "It's a lot more man-to-man, get-in-your-face kind of defense that I love. This is something I'm going to love to do, and I hope it's for many years to come."
-- Dennis Waszak Jr.
Jets' Ryan signs name to Super Bowl guarantee
CORTLAND, N.Y. (AP) — Rex Ryan's Super Bowl guarantee is now in writing.
The New York Jets coach was asked to sign his team's logo sticker on the back of ESPN's tour bus at training camp Thursday, a few hours after Joe Namath watched practice. Instead of just signing his name, the brash Ryan wrote: "Soon to be Champs."
"I've got confidence to put it up there," Ryan said Friday between practices. "I don't have to just put, 'Go, so-and-so.' Yeah, whatever. To me, I believe we'll do it, so why wouldn't we say it? Why wouldn't we go for it?"
ESPN's Adam Schefter, who was aboard the bus, wrote in his column on ESPN.com that Ryan was the first this summer to write anything other than their name.
That is, until Friday, when the bus stopped at New England Patriots camp and wide receiver Wes Welker wrote his name with this message, according to a tweet by Schefter: "One Game At A Time!"
"I'm not apologizing," Ryan said. "I just know what's going to happen. My crystal ball, I'm seeing a Super Bowl trophy in there. Now, I could be wrong, but that's what I see. But everytime I go to work, that's what I look at."
Ryan has said many times that the Jets are a Super Bowl-caliber team, and has irritated some fans, opposing players and media with his bold, sometimes-outrageous comments.
"I don't care if people don't like it or whatever: 'Oh, just shut up and win something,'" he said. "I've won a lot more than that person writing it, I can promise you. And, I've been there. My family's been to a bunch of these things and I know how to get there. The first step is, if you don't believe it yourself, your team darned sure won't."
Ryan is in his second year as coach of the Jets, and expectations are high after leading them to the playoffs last season. Even Namath said that talk of this year's team going all the way is "justified" because of the overall talent. Namath, who led the franchise to its only title in 1969, added that this year's team is "the most legitimate contender we've had."
"I'm not embarrassed to say that I believe that will happen," Ryan said. "The great thing is we get to prove it soon. That's the beauty of it."
The Jets' preseason opener is Aug. 16 against the Giants at the New Meadowlands Stadium, and they open the regular season at home against Baltimore on Sept. 13.
-- Dennis Waszak Jr.
Patriots DL Lewis adjusting to new defense
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — When the Carolina Panthers released Damione Lewis to cut salary, he was happy to join the New England Patriots even though he'd have to switch to a new defensive alignment.
At least he's not alone.
The Patriots added another defensive lineman who had played in a 4-3 setup before being let go by the Oakland Raiders, Gerard Warren. He was released on March 11, a week after Lewis.
Now, more than a week into training camp, both players drafted in 2001 are making progress learning the 3-4 as the Patriots try to upgrade a defensive line that lost Richard Seymour in a trade to Oakland before last season and Jarvis Green as a free agent. He signed with Denver after last season.
The 3-4 is "a totally different ballgame" than what he's used to, Lewis said Friday, but he's not intimidated by the adjustment.
"I'm a football player so I'm going to go out and do what they ask me to do," he said. "If it's a change of system, if it's me going from one team to another, whatever it is. I love the game and I have a true passion for the game and any opportunity that I have to play, I'm going to come out and play."
The 2001 draft was a strong one for defensive linemen. Warren was taken third by the Cleveland Browns, Seymour went sixth to the Patriots and Lewis was picked 12th by the St. Louis Rams. Seymour has had the most successful career, but the other two bring veteran savvy to a young defense.
"I've known Gerard for a long time and he's been a good friend of mine for years," Lewis said. "So it helps sitting there talking to him, just gathering what he's thinking and what I'm thinking and we're just trying to help each other grow."
Playing in a complex new system can be a difficult learning process. In the 4-3, the primary job of the defensive lineman is to penetrate into the backfield. In the 3-4, the focus is more on trying to play off blocks rather than making an all-out charge.
"Our defense is just structured a little differently, but I think they have adapted very well," coach Bill Belichick said. They're "both smart guys, very professional, work hard, both in good condition. They've taken a lot of snaps out there. They've, overall, I'd say performed very well both in the running game, the passing game, (and) the communication."
Nose tackle Vince Wilfork is the key to that communication.
The Patriots first-round pick in 2004 out of Miami, the same school Lewis attended, Wilfork should be around for a while. He agreed to a five-year contract in March.
"He's done a good job of keeping us in tune with what's going on," Lewis said. "A lot of stuff is coming from studying and just trying to make sure that I know what's going on by seeing the formations. It's been a process. It's a little different on the 4-3, but I think it's going well."
The Patriots defensive line had big problems in its 33-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the playoffs. On the first play from scrimmage, Ray Rice raced up the middle for an 83-yard touchdown run.
Whether they back up Wilfork, or play end, Lewis and Warren are being counted on to stop plays like that.
"They've been around this game," Wilfork said. "They know exactly what they need to do. Now they're in a different scheme, but their professionalism is outstanding."
Lewis started all 31 games he played the past two seasons but only 65 of the 131 during his career. After getting 11½ sacks in his first three seasons with Carolina, he managed just a half a sack last year.
Warren's numbers have been much better — 32 sacks in 135 games, 127 of them starts.
Now they're working with Wilfork and end Ty Warren, two other first-round picks with solid careers who should ease the adjustment of the veteran newcomers.
"They can certainly handle themselves without any help," Belichick said, "but then when you put it all together, I think that the chemistry and those guys playing and working off each other has been good and I think will continue to improve. I like both of those players. I think they've done a good job for us."
-- Howard Ulman
Slimmer LB Suggs expects big year with Ravens
WESTMINSTER, Md. (AP) — Baltimore Ravens sack specialist Terrell Suggs put his love for fried chicken and cookies on hold during the offseason in an effort to cut his weight and increase his speed.
It worked. The outside linebacker lost 20 pounds, and his a sleeker, 263-pound frame has not escaped the notice of the coaching staff and his teammates.
"He's going to be quicker and more explosive on the pass rush. We've seen that out here," coach John Harbaugh said Friday. "I don't think it will hurt his run-stopping ability at all."
Defensive lineman Haloti Ngata said, "He lost some weight, but he's also gotten stronger. That's tough to do. That's when you know someone worked hard in the offseason. He put the team before himself."
Not only is Suggs in peak condition, but he's also sporting a healthy attitude. A year ago, after finally resolving a sticky contract issue with a new six-year deal in mid-July, Suggs promptly hurt his toe in an early training camp practice and hobbled through the offseason.
He recovered in time to start the opener, but a questionable chop block to the right knee from Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn forced him to miss three games. Suggs finished with a career-low 4½ sacks and entered the offseason determined to bounce back in 2010.
"The only thing that really propelled me to this year was I just wanted to be a better teammate for my team, a better professional," he said. "I just wanted to be the best player for the Baltimore Ravens. That was kind of the motivation, just to get back to what you all are used to seeing me as."
Ravens fans are used to watching Suggs scoot around the outside and collar the opposing quarterback. He was the Associated Press defensive rookie of the year in 2003 after he recorded 12 sacks. The following season, Suggs earned the first of his three Pro Bowl invitations, and in 2008 he had a career-high 102 tackles, eight sacks and two interceptions.
Last season, however, was different.
"What a difference a year makes," Suggs said. "You know, last year I didn't get the luxury of participating in training camp. Therefore, I didn't get to play at my desired weight. But this year I'm taking full-fledged advantage of it, and I feel good. I feel really good."
To drop the weight, Suggs had to give up his beloved Popeye's fried chicken and cut back considerably on his cookie consumption. He still ate some cookies, but only after he adhered to the diet prescribed to him by the team nutritionist.
"It was kind of a reward once we started getting the weight down. It was like, OK, if you reach a certain goal, then you can have a cookie," Suggs said. "But then you have to work hard in practice. She did a good job helping me, especially down the stretch."
The result has been on full display at camp. Suggs is again flashing his trademark smile, especially after working his way into the offensive backfield.
"He's not worrying about anything," Ngata said. "He can just come in and work. Everything's behind him now. He got the contract he wanted, and he's not worried about any of the aches and pains that slowed him last year."
It's too late for Suggs, 27, to do anything about his disappointing 2009 season — except to use it as a reason to excel in 2010.
"Last year is last year," he said. "You live and you learn. We're 0-0 now, and we're going straight forward."
-- David Ginsburg
Steelers' defense getting old, only not this old
LATROBE, Pa. (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense knew it was getting old. But this old? Not yet.
Due to a computer error, the Steelers' media guide bumps up a number of players' ages by four years each. James Farrior is listed at 39, Aaron Smith at 38, James Harrison at 36, Larry Foote and Ryan Clark at 34, Troy Polamalu at 33.
Losing fourth-quarter leads five times in the same season, as the Steelers did last season while going 9-7 and missing the playoffs, is enough to age any defense. Only not quite this much.
Dick LeBeau, who turns 73 next month, is the NFL's oldest coordinator, so it's probably good that database error didn't find its way to his biography. A scratch golfer who can shoot his age on the right course, LeBeau doesn't care much when his age his mentioned. When someone calls his defense too old, however, it does upset him.
Good thing he hasn't glanced at page 332 of the Steelers' press guide, which lists the team roster and all those errant ages.
LeBeau remembers hearing the same they're-too-old criticism two years ago, when the Steelers' defense — tackling one of the toughest schedules for a Super Bowl winner — put together the NFL's best season statistically in 30 years, leading the league in nearly every major category. Now he's hearing it again, even though the Steelers' finished No. 5 defensively last year during an admittedly disappointing season.
Getting old? To LeBeau, coaching players as enthusiastic and productive as these Steelers can only make one feel young.
"I love what I do and I love the people that I do it with," said LeBeau, who will be cheered on by his players when he is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday. "In order for me to coach, somebody has to want me to coach, and that's what I have right now."
LeBeau considers himself fortunate that he's still coaching six of the 11 starters from the Steelers' Super Bowl victory over Seattle five years ago. To him, having veteran players who know his system and are capable of performing in it well into their 30s is an asset, not a liability.
"I don't mind being old," Smith said. "Being old in this business can be a good thing, I guess."
While seven of the 11 starters 30 or older, and only Lawrence Timmons and LaMarr Woodley are 25 or younger, Pittsburgh's defense has remained one of the NFL's best despite playing most of last season without the injured Polamalu and Smith. Polamalu is nearly unrivaled at safety for his game-changing ability, while his teammates call Smith the key to the Steelers' run defense.
"With those two guys healthy now, that makes our defense 20-30 percent better than what we normally were last year," Harrison said. "With Troy in there, especially, a quarterback really has to account for him. With Aaron, it usually takes two people to hold him off."
The Steelers also brought back Bryant McFadden to play cornerback after one season in Arizona and Larry Foote to compete at inside linebacker following a dissatisfying season in Detroit, where he signed so he could remain a starter.
"They certainly could be starters, but at the very least they will give us depth and make the guys around them play better," Harrison said.
The Steelers need that defense to play at a 2008 level early in the season, when quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be suspended and fill-in Byron Leftwich will be running an offense that might be not as productive as it likely will be when Roethlisberger returns.
Of course, trying to prop up the offense is an age-old problem for many defenses.
"Age is just a number," Farrior said.
-- Alan Robinson
Dependable Thomas looks to grab leadership role
CLEVELAND (AP) — Joe Thomas is one of the few people the Cleveland Browns have been able to depend on.
Entering his fourth NFL season, Thomas has started all 48 games the team has played since Cleveland selected the offensive left tackle with the third pick in the 2007 draft.
Thomas, who has yet to miss an offensive snap, has been a rock of consistency for a team that has been plagued by losing and turmoil. Thomas was one of the Browns captains in 2009 and looks to assume even more of a leadership role this season.
"I feel like that's happening," said Thomas, who has made the Pro Bowl in all three seasons. "Last year, was my first year as a captain. I feel like I'm starting to step up in the locker room and meeting rooms and, hopefully, trying to carry that over for another year and improve on that."
Thomas and his offensive teammates find themselves working with yet another new quarterback. Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn shared the duties the last three seasons. Both are gone. Jake Delhomme will be this season's starter, with Seneca Wallace and rookie Colt McCoy in reserve.
Getting accustomed to working with Delhomme is one of Thomas' top priorities in training camp.
"Getting with Jake and trying to kind of get this offense moving in the direction that we want (is important)," Thomas said.
The Browns have completed one week of camp and Thomas likes the routine that has developed.
"It's a good feel," he said. "It seems like every camp I'm in there's always a good, positive buzz going around and everybody's very optimistic. I see that this year, the same way."
While hardly a grizzled veteran, Thomas has a definite opinion on the rigors of camp.
"I don't know if it ever gets easier," he said. "I think it just is what it is. You know what to expect, so maybe things are a little bit easier because you're maybe not as nervous. You've got more expectations about how things are going to run, but it never is easy."
Left guard Eric Steinbach signed with the Browns in 2007 and has played alongside Thomas for three years.
"I've been in the league seven years and obviously he's one of the better, if not the best, tackle in the game right now," Steinbach said. "He's only been in the league three years. My first here year he was a rookie and he came in and played right away. He did a tremendous job. Each year he's a consistent, solid player."
Thomas became an instant hit with Cleveland fans. He bypassed the pomp and circumstance of draft day three years ago to go fishing. The 6-foot-6, 312-pounder co-hosts his own fishing show on a local television station. Thomas is signed through the 2011 season so it's unclear whether he will be in Cleveland beyond that.
"I'm just taking it one year at a time and when the time comes to talk about long-term, I'm sure the Browns will come to me," Thomas said. "But we're just trying to win games and turn this team into a winner. The contract things always take care of themselves."
Thomas and the other players get a break in the routine Saturday when the team holds its annual scrimmage at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The players will break into Brown and White Squads and play four 10-minute quarters. Coach Eric Mangini wants to simulate game conditions as much as possible.
"It should be fun," Mangini said. "I look forward to a big crowd turnout. Rookies don't understand how noisy it gets at our place, but they will soon enough."
The coaching staff has divided up the teams as fairly as possible for the scrimmage. Delhomme and Brett Ratliff, last season's third-string quarterback, will work with one team while Wallace and McCoy will play for the other.
Delhomme threw three interceptions in Thursday's practice.
"I don't want any three interception games," Mangini said. "The encouraging thing is the defense is creating more turnovers."
The Browns won't be at full strength. Nose tackle Shaun Rogers, defensive lineman C.J. Moseley and defensive back Coye Francis are on the physically unable to perform list. Several other players could miss the scrimmage with injuries.
Punter Dave Zastudill, who missed the final eight games last season because of surgery on his right knee (non-kicking leg), left camp earlier in the week to have the knee examined. He returned Friday, but did not practice. Mangini didn't rule out that Zastudill, who averaged 44.7 yards a kick last season, would have further surgery.
"I don't think we've drawn any conclusion right now," Mangini said. "I don't think there's anything new as of yet. We'll talk about it and see where it goes."
Chiefs rookie McCluster running through shoes
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — He starts. He stops. He weaves, twists, dashes and darts.
Dexter McCluster is hard on tacklers and murder on footwear. Twice since Kansas City drafted the diminutive rookie wide receiver, those churning little feet have actually caused his shoes to start coming apart.
He says it happened once at Mississippi, where the 5-7, 170-pounder rushed for 1,955 yards and added another 1,703 in receiving as he became a first team all-SEC player. It's happening more often now, including once this week as the second-round draft pick made one of those quick cuts that have already made him a fan favorite.
"The bottom came out this time," he said. "It was kind of flapping on me a little bit. But they got me a new pair and I was ready to go."
Broken shoes? That's a new one.
"He's running out of his shoes," said veteran wide receiver Chris Chambers. "I'd never seen it. That's a new thing."
Coaches are working overtime trying to figure out where to use their electrifying rookie and how many touches his slight frame can handle. So far, they've been looking at him as a kick returner, wide receiver and quarterback in the wildcat formation — he threw 27-yard touchdown pass in college.
Another possibility is running back. But they're also concerned about giving him too big a work load.
"I don't feel I'm going to wear down. I want to be ready whenever he calls my number," McCluster said.
He made one eye-popping play on Wednesday, catching the ball on one sideline, then dodging and weaving past would-be tacklers all the way to the corner of the other end zone. The play covered perhaps 40 yards but McCluster — with the crowd yelling "Dexter, Dexter, Dexter!" — probably ran 90.
Everyone except him seemed to be huffing and puffing. He looked like he was having the time of his life.
"My game is quickness. My game is speed," he said. "Wherever the coach wants to utilize that, that's how it's going to be."
He and rookie cornerback Javier Arenas are fighting to be the kick returner. Arenas might have the edge since he was the full-time returner at Alabama and McCluster, because he did so many other things for Ole Miss, had only two punt returns as a senior.
"We are going to work them, we are going to watch them, we are going to evaluate them and then we're going to figure out who gives the best chance and whatever that situation is and then go that direction," said coach Todd Haley. "But me as a head coach, I'm excited about possibilities, potential."
Because of his size, the Chiefs are certain to use McCluster carefully.
"A lot of people are going to doubt me," McCluster said. "But as long as the coaches have that will to give me the ball, I'm not going to complain. I'm having fun playing football. Football's a fun game. You have fun doing it, you're going to win."
If McCluster has Chiefs fans recalling the speedy Dante Hall, he's also starting to draw favorable comparisons to some other awfully good players.
"He reminds me of a couple of guys," said Chambers. "I played with Wes Welker in his early years. I seen him grow. I played with Darren Sproles. He's a little combination of both. He's a really good receiver at times. He's working and getting better. He's extremely quick and he's learning how to use his speed and quickness to his advantage."
He seemed to be having a ball when coaches dragged a portable toilet onto the practice field and set up as bizarre a drill as anyone had ever seen.
One by one, hardly able to suppress a laugh, players were told to go in and take a seat. An assistant coach stood a few feet back while another kept his hand on the closed door. Then he would fling the door open and the other coach would fire a pass into the mobile restroom from about 10 feet away.
"We laughed about it. But it's a great drill actually," said McCluster. "Hand-eye coordination. Be ready for the ball. Never sat in a Porta Potty and caught a football before."
Fortunately, it appeared to be a new one.
"It didn't smell," McCluster said.
It was also easy on shoes.
-- Doug Tucker
Schilens gives Raiders another scare
NAPA, Calif. (AP) — Oakland Raiders wide receiver Chaz Schilens injured his left shoulder after making a diving catch on a long pass from quarterback Jason Campbell on Friday.
The stinger is the latest ailment for the oft-injured Schilens, who is expected to play a key role in Oakland's new-look offense, provided he can stay healthy.
"I'm all right, though," Schilens said. "No problem, I'm good. My head rammed into my shoulder. Just a stinger."
Schilens made it through his fifth straight practice, a milestone of sorts for the third-year receiver.
"I would love to be out there all the time, but for right now it's smart," Schilens said. "It feels good. They're looking out for me. I'm probably going to do too much if they let me go out there, and I really don't want to make it sore again at this point."
Schilens isn't the only Oakland receiver that is hurting.
Darrius Heyward-Bey (foot) and Louis Murphy (head) have both missed time in camp. Jacoby Ford (quad), Jonathan Holland (ankle) and Johnnie Lee Higgins (hamstring) were held out of Friday's practice.
But Schilens is the primary concern.
The 6-foot-4, 225-pound player is Oakland's biggest and most physical receiver. He had 15 receptions and averaged 15.1 yards a catch while playing sparingly as a rookie, then came back to make 29 catches for 365 yards and a pair of touchdowns over the final eight games of 2009.
Plays like Schilens made Friday, stretching the field and racing past cornerback Chris Johnson before diving to make the catch, are typical of his ability — when he is healthy.
Schilens missed the first eight games in 2009 after breaking his left foot in training camp and has been on a slow road back. He underwent a second operation on the foot in the offseason and then sat out the second day of camp with soreness.
As a result, the Raiders are being patient and cautious with Schilens' rehab.
"I just think we're going to be smart," Oakland coach Tom Cable said. "We're letting him loose. Let's be smart and let's work him, make sure he's prepared and he's trained his body enough to be ready to play."
That's why there was a noticeable silence when Schilens went down after catching the long pass from Campbell. Johnson and safety Tyvon Branch came over to check on their fallen teammate, who jumped to his feet and jogged away before getting checked out by a trainer.
Notes: LG Robert Gallery (ankle), QB Charlie Frye (wrist), DL Richard Seymour (back spasms) and FB Manase Tonga (knee) were held out of practice. ... Veteran tackle Khalif Barnes took reps at left guard in place of Gallery. ... Ex-Raiders lineman Steve Wisniewski, an eight-time Pro Bowl offensive guard, attended practice and then gave a brief speech to the team's current offensive linemen following the workout. ... Rookie DE Lamarr Houston lined up at fullback during goal line drills. Oakland is also experimenting with DE Alex Daniels at fullback.
