NFL Capsules: Grand jury team to review complaint in McNair case
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Nashville Police are sticking to their findings in the murder-suicide of ex-NFL player Steve McNair despite a request for a new investigation of the case, the department's spokesman said.
The 36-year-old quarterback who spent most of his career with the Tennessee Titans was shot to death July 4, 2009, by his mistress, 20-year-old Sahel Kazemi, who then killed herself.
On Friday, a three-member team from the Davidson County grand jury was expected to review a complaint filed by Vincent Hill, who's asking that a new investigation of McNair's death be opened.
Hill, a former Nashville police officer, has disputed investigators' findings in McNair's death and even wrote a book presenting his own theory of the crime.
However, Nashville Police spokesman Don Aaron told The Associated Press the current investigation should stand.
"The Nashville Police Department, with no reservation, stands by its investigation into this matter, which determined after an examination of all the evidence that McNair was murdered by Kazemi, who then killed herself," he said.
Hill didn't immediately return a call to the AP seeking comment. But he recently told The Tennessean that police made multiple errors in their investigation and didn't properly research conflicting alibis.
On a website advertising his book, Hill suggests Adrian Gilliam Jr. may have been the shooter. Police said Gilliam sold Kazemi the gun that she used to kill McNair.
Gilliam was sentenced last year to 2 1/2 years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Text messages revealed before the sentencing show Gilliam was pursuing Kazemi romantically. Last year, CBS News reported the two exchanged more than 200 calls in the weeks before the murder-suicide, including 49 texts and calls the day before.
Following Gilliam's sentencing hearing, Aaron said Gilliam lied to police during an initial interview at his La Vergne home. His fiancee was present, and he did not want her to know about his romantic interest in Kazemi, Aaron said.
Aaron said at the time that Gilliam was never a suspect in the deaths because there was no evidence he was involved.
Susan Niland, a spokeswoman for Nashville's District Attorney General's office, said Thursday afternoon that Hill had not contacted her office about his concerns.
Hill resigned from Nashville police in 2006 with a disciplinary action pending. He was accused of disobeying orders.
Roethlisberger: 'I was dumb, young and immature'
PITTSBURGH (AP) — A contrite Ben Roethlisberger said he got caught up in being a caricature called Big Ben, not the grounded player and person he once was, leading to his off-field problems and affecting his play as the Steelers quarterback.
"Big Ben just kept building up. It ended up coming off the field. It kept taking over. Superman kept taking over Clark Kent and you just never saw who Ben Roethlisberger was any more," Roethlisberger told KDKA-TV. "At the time, I didn't see it. I was gaining everything but I was losing a lot of who I was raised to be. It got so overwhelming, it consumed me."
In his first detailed interviews since a Georgia college student accused him of sexually assaulting her in a nightclub bathroom on March 5, Roethlisberger told two Pittsburgh stations he doesn't have an alcohol problem. Before the alleged assault, Roethlisberger and his party ordered considerable amounts of alcohol.
When the NFL announced Roethlisberger's six-game suspension on April 21, commissioner Roger Goodell said the quarterback was required to undergo evaluation. Neither the league nor Roethlisberger have detailed what was being evaluated or how long the evaluations would last.
While Roethlisberger told KDKA there were drinking issues on his late mother's side of the family, he said his father, Ken, never permitted alcohol in their house, even when the quarterback played at Miami (Ohio).
Roethlisberger didn't promise he wouldn't use alcohol again, but said he must make "smart" decisions.
"Moving forward, you have to make sure you make the right decision, and that right decision is something I'm going to have to make, when that (alcohol) situation presents itself," he told KDKA in an interview that was aired Thursday. "You can't stop living, but you've got to live smart."
He did promise he won't go back to being the ego-driven, rude and boorish person he was before, not only in public but in private. Among those he has consulted for advice are former Steelers coach Bill Cowher — Roethlisberger said the two are much closer than they were before — and former Steelers running back Merril Hoge, now an NFL analyst.
The interviews were aired one day after 60 audio and video clips from the investigation were released by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. In several, his 20-year-old accuser said she felt powerless to stop a short-tempered Roethlisberger from having sex with her, even though she told him over and over again to stop.
Lawyers did not permit the questions to be asked, so the two-time Super Bowl winner was not asked about the Milledgeville, Ga., nightclub incident, although he faces no charges. But he said his family members know what happened that night.
Roethlisberger also hinted that living a role rather than living a life may have affected him on the field, too. The Steelers went 9-7 and missed the playoffs last season, one season after winning the Super Bowl, even though he had his best season statistically since being a first-round draft pick in 2004.
"I've wanted to apologize to them (fans) for so many things. For being immature, for being dumb, for being young, for not knowing any better," he told WTAE. "For getting caught up in everything that was thrown my way. ... In my heart, I know I haven't been the best person, the best quarterback for the Steelers, I'm not talking just on the field, I'm talking off the field."
Roethlisberger said he is sorry that his behavior hurt and saddened his parents, sister and other family members. His sister, Carlee, was a member of Oklahoma's NCAA women's basketball Final Four team, yet she told reporters he did not attend one of her games last season.
Already, he said, family members can tell a difference in him since the Georgia incident.
"My dad said to me about a month ago, it's good to have my son back," Roethlisberger told WTAE. "That killed me because my dad's been my best friend. For him to say that to me really let me know I wasn't who he raised me to be."
Roethlisberger gave the interviews upon the advice of consultants hired to help him and the Steelers rebuild his badly damaged public image. He promised several times that fans won't see the bad Roethlisberger — rather than the popular, championship-winning player of before — any longer.
"I know I've slipped, stumbled ... but you'll see a new Ben," he told KDKA.
He also said it is important for him to regain his status as a role model, even though some parents have ordered their children not to wear his No. 7 jersey any longer. Some families chose to mail their jerseys to the Steelers as a sign of their disgust.
"Those chapters in my life, I've closed that book and I'm not opening them up," he told WTAE. "It only matters what I do from here on out. That's what I'm excited about — showing people, proving to people, fans, teammates, my family, the commissioner, everybody, who Ben Roethlisberger is. And that Ben is here to stay."
-- Alan Robinson
Panthers WR Muhammad retires after 14 seasons
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A cocky Muhsin Muhammad joined a Carolina franchise in 1996 that was beginning only its second season, and over the next two decades the Panthers and Muhammad effectively grew up and matured together.
That's why the former Pro Bowl receiver's retirement announcement was so lengthy. There were a lot of memories to go over and a lot of people to thank.
Carolina's career leader in catches and yards receiving walked away from the game on Thursday after 14 seasons, 11 of which were spent in Charlotte, where Muhammad made a transformation on and off the field.
"I've done everything I could possibly do in an NFL career for 14 years, outside of actually winning a championship ring," Muhammad said. "I've played in two Super Bowls, I have Super Bowl records and I've done a lot of good things throughout my career. I'm full, I'm fulfilled. I'm at peace with my decision."
The 37-year-old Muhammad had said after the 2009 season that he wanted to continue playing. But after the Panthers began a youth movement and chose not to re-sign him, Muhammad had to decide if he wanted to try to play elsewhere.
A desire to spend more time with the private equity fund he recently started and possibly do television work made the decision easier.
Muhammad, a crowd favorite known as "Moose" in these parts, is finished with football and set to chase his six kids around — including two adopted from Ethiopia.
He finishes with a team-best 696 catches and 9,255 yards receiving, and his 50 touchdowns are tied with Steve Smith for the most in club history.
"It's been exhilarating, it's been fun, it's been really fulfilling," Muhammad said. "I really love my fans, the community. I'll always be here, be a part of this. It's been really refreshing to always have the support of the fans, the organization, the city, of the state. It's been an honor to represent this organization."
Muhammad was Carolina's second-round pick in 1996 out of Michigan State. There were some clashes early with veteran receivers coach Richard Williamson, and Muhammad had some trouble on and off the field despite his skill as a tall, possession receiver and exceptional downfield blocker.
He drew publicity for putting "D. Coy" over the name on the back of his jersey at practice one day because he felt he wasn't getting the ball enough. He was quoted after a 52-9 loss to close the 2000 season that, "Amid all the ashes and rubble, a flower bloomed today" because he had gone over 100 catches for the season.
But as Muhammad grew older, started a family, and teamed with Smith and new coach John Fox, the Panthers thrived as Muhammad became an important locker room presence.
Muhammad was a key cog in Carolina's 2003 Super Bowl season, catching an 85-yard touchdown pass from Jake Delhomme, still the longest in Super Bowl history.
He made his second Pro Bowl in 2004, only to leave for Chicago after the Panthers released him when they couldn't agree on a restructured contract.
"You never should have left," Panthers owner Jerry Richardson told him Thursday.
Muhammad reached another Super Bowl with the Bears in the 2006 season, but his numbers declined a year later and he was released.
Smith, a close friend, quickly tried to get management to sign him as the Panthers had struggled to find an adequate complement for Smith, who had emerged as a star.
Muhammad re-signed with Carolina before the 2008 season.
"Making up was better than breaking up," he said.
Muhammad became a veteran influence in the locker room, Carolina's union representative, active in the community and was still one of the game's best blocking receivers.
"A guy I knew I could count on in tough times," Fox said. "I knew he'd keep a level head even in good times, would grab guys by the throat in the tough times. Moose did all of those things."
But the Panthers made no effort to sign him in the offseason as they shed numerous veterans, including Delhomme.
"They just told me that they're doing something different now," Muhammad said. "They're going younger, they're rebuilding and that kind of stuff.
"Would there have been an opportunity to re-sign me if it presented itself? I don't know that, but that opportunity would have passed me. I was ready to do something else."
Dressed in a blue suit at a podium at Bank of America Stadium, Muhammad thanked former players and people in the organization ranging from Richardson to the training staff to security guards.
He didn't tear up until he looked at Christa, his wife and former high school sweetheart in the front row, and Smith, sitting in the back of the room.
"I was trying to keep my eyes away from them because I knew I was going to get emotional," Muhammad said. "Playing with (Smith) and not being able to play with him again. Tears of joy more for my wife and I and our relationship."
-- Mike Cranston
Panthers could move Beason to injured Davis' spot
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Jon Beason wasn't immediately concerned when he saw Carolina Panthers teammate Thomas Davis tumble to the turf and grab his surgically repaired right knee earlier this week.
"I would have bet a million bucks it wasn't the ACL," Beason said Thursday. "I thought it was scar tissue and having the surgery I know you can go through it."
Beason's voice then trailed off and he shook his head.
"It's just crazy," he said.
It was indeed the anterior cruciate ligament — again. Seven months after making a remarkably fast recovery from a torn ACL, Davis is likely lost for the season after suffering the same injury in almost the same way — while backpedaling and without contact — in Tuesday's optional workout.
It leaves Carolina without one of its speediest and best defensive players. And it could lead Beason, a Pro Bowl middle linebacker, to move to Davis' old spot in the Panthers' 4-3 scheme.
Carolina's workout Thursday included Beason taking some snaps there.
"I'm getting some reps at the Will position because we have the opportunity right now," Beason said. "You really just want to determine the best three guys right now. The only way to do that is to move guys around and see what that equation is."
Davis' injury is a major blow to a defense already trying to replace departed five-time Pro Bowl defensive Julius Peppers, both starting defensive tackles and starting strongside linebacker Na'il Diggs. All were let go in Carolina's youth and penny-pinching movement.
"First of all, a guy like Thomas, my heart goes out to him," coach John Fox said. "Just going through that, personally, is hard, so I'm disappointed for him. I'm not sure you replace a guy quite of his abilities."
Davis' spot is important in defensive coordinator Ron Meeks' system because it requires a speedy, athletic player to roam free and collect a bunch of tackles.
One option for Carolina is to move the speedy, hard-hitting Beason to outside linebacker, insert inexperienced Dan Connor in the middle and keep James Anderson at strongside linebacker, where he began practicing this spring to replace Diggs.
Beason entered the NFL playing the outside before quickly moving to the middle to replace the injured Dan Morgan. Beason could make the transition, but he also set a team record with 169 tackles last season and went to his second straight Pro Bowl playing middle linebacker.
"My number one goals is to win. If that's something the coaches want me to do then I will do it to the best of my ability," Beason said.
Another option for the Panthers is to keep Beason and Anderson in place and promote Jamar Williams to starting weakside linebacker. A five-year veteran, Williams was acquired in April from the Bears for safety Chris Harris.
Chicago deemed Williams expendable because he playing behind five-time Pro Bowler Lance Briggs.
"He's a leader, he's accountable and he's making a lot of plays," Beason said of Williams. "He looks great in shorts. Now we'll get a chance to see how he looks in pads."
The usually tightlipped Fox wasn't saying which way he was leaning to replace Davis, who will undergo surgery soon and begin another long rehab process.
"There's nobody to come save us," Beason said. "At this point you have to go with what you have and somebody has to step in and fill the void."
-- Mike Cranston
Eagles moving forward into the post-McNabb era
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Eagles have ended their final pre-training camp workout with Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel at a funeral, Pro Bowl wide receiver DeSean Jackson attending to personal business, and Donovan McNabb in Washington.
Samuel and Jackson are expected to be present when the team opens training camp July 29 at Lehigh University. McNabb will not.
The Eagles are moving on with Kevin Kolb as the new team leader and one of the youngest offenses in the league.
"I think Donovan explained it best," Eagles head coach Andy Reid said Thursday. "He's moving on and we're in the same situation with Kevin. Donovan is focused on making the Washington Redskins a better team. You scratch out what you've done in the past. He's not looking back. We can't, either.
"Kevin is doing the same. He had a tremendous teacher in Donovan. Now, Donovan is gone so it's time for him to put his stamp on this thing. He can't compare himself to Donovan. He's has to be Kevin and just go play. You have to have blinders on and cotton in your ears. I think he has a pretty good feel for that sort of thing."
McNabb has been Reid's starting quarterback to open the season for the past 11 years, after taking over for veteran Doug Pederson, now the team's quarterbacks coach, late in both of their rookie season of 1999.
Reid said Thursday that Kolb, who will enter his fourth season, is more ready in some ways than the young McNabb was back in the turn of the century.
"At the time Donovan was coming out school, the college blitz package and the looks he had seen weren't as sophisticated as what you saw in the NFL," Reid said. "Now that has transitioned over to the college level where people are blitzing like crazy. Over the past four, five years, guys have had decent exposure to the blitz.
"With Kevin, I don't feel that's the case, that's one thing. I think he was a little bit ahead of Donovan was just as far as seeing more blitzes. And then two, he hasn't been forced in there. Donovan was kind of a rush-rush to get him in there. Kevin has been able to sit back and learn. There's been no rush."
Kolb has played in 12 games through his first three years in the league, starting two. In his rookie season of 2007, he appeared just once in a mop-up role. In his second season, he played in six games, the most notable a loss to Baltimore, in which he started the second half for a benched McNabb.
Last year, he played in five games and got two starts, a win over Kansas City and a loss to New Orleans. He became the first quarterback to throw for over 300 yards in those first two starts.
For the past month, or so, he's been attending the team's minicamps and optional workouts. He said this week that he will stay in Philadelphia the rest of the offseason and continue to work out with his teammates.
"I think he showed a good command of the huddle and the players respect him," Reid said of Kolb. "I think he has a pretty good grasp of what we're doing."
Notes: The Eagles announced they signed fourth-round draft pick linebacker Keenan Clayton to a four-year contract. They also placed safety Marlin Jackson on injured reserve with a torn Achilles. They released quarterback Joey Elliott, a rookie from Purdue, running back Keithon Flemming, a rookie from West Texas A&M, fullback Chris Zardas, a rookie from Massachusetts and wide receiver Pat Simonds, a rookie from Colgate. Reid will join fellow head coaches Brad Childress, of Minnesota, Marvin Lewis, of Cincinnati and John Fox, of Carolina on a USO Tour of the Middle East to visit American soldiers stationed there.
Education of Bradford continues
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Slowly but surely, Sam Bradford is getting acclimated to life in the NFL.
The No. 1 overall pick of the April draft joined veterans on Thursday at the first day of the St. Louis Rams' minicamp. The former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from Oklahoma said that after organized team activities and the first day of minicamp, things are starting to sink in.
"The more I'm out there and the more reps I get, the more comfortable I feel," Bradford said. "From Day One to now, it's night and day how much more comfortable I feel just calling the plays in the huddle, getting to the line of scrimmage and making the reads. I feel really good with the progress I've been able to make."
Coach Steve Spagnuolo felt good about that progress, too.
"Today, we threw a couple of things at the quarterbacks from the standpoint of pressures. I thought all of them did a nice job and Sam stuck out on a couple of them," Spagnuolo said. "He looked real good on them. That's important."
It was a good test, Bradford said.
"There were definitely a bit more pressure situations in there today," he said. "I felt like I did a good job of handling them, knowing where the blitz was coming from and where my hot answers were and getting the ball out on time today."
It's a continuing process for Bradford, who said he goes home at night and spends time on the playbook, reviewing what's already in there and going over what's coming up.
Even in his short time with the Rams, Bradford has picked up on differences between college and the NFL. The rush comes faster, he said. The pocket isn't as big and collapses faster. Decisions must be made more quickly.
"The biggest difference is the inside speed of the game," Bradford said. "This is just so much more intense than spring football back home."
Bradford stayed after the morning workout ended and continued to throw passes to rookie receiver Mardy Gilyard, the fourth-round pick from Cincinnati. It was Gilyard's first workout since the rookie minicamp because his class had not graduated yet during the OTAs.
It isn't yet known if Bradford will immediately move into the starter role for St. Louis. The Rams are coming off a league-worst 1-15 season. Last year's starting quarterback, Marc Bulger, was released. Bradford is competing with A.J. Feeley for the starting job.
Jets' Sanchez says he'd be able to play right now
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Mark Sanchez is ready to play. And, he means, right now.
The New York Jets quarterback fully participated in practice Thursday, showing no ill effects from offseason knee surgery that limited him until this week.
"I'm playing," Sanchez said when asked if he'd be ready if there were a game Sunday. "I'm in. Let's go. No nothing. I'm good."
Sanchez had the patella-stabilizing ligament in his left knee repaired in February, and participated in 11-on-11 team drills for the first time the surgery this week. He said Thursday that the knee feels "great," and he looked mobile and unimpeded at practice.
"Now, the mental side is catching up to the physical side," Sanchez said, "and I feel a lot sharper out there, X's and O's, calling plays, feeling comfortable in the huddle and really going, so I thought we had a great day today."
Doctors told Sanchez that his rehabilitation progressed ahead of schedule, and added he should be a full participant during the team's minicamp, which starts Monday.
"It's huge," he said. "It's important to be able to get out there and feel it first, but that minicamp is important. That's as close to camp, as close to a game that we get during the summer. I think it's a big step."
Until this week, he had been limited to only individual and passing drills since workouts began several weeks ago.
"You don't even worry about him," coach Rex Ryan said. "That's how confident we are right now with where Mark is. That's just Sanchez out there. Let him go. ... I feel super about him."
Sanchez, not wearing a brace, rolled out several times during practice and looked sharp — particularly on a 30-yard touchdown toss to Jerricho Cotchery over Darrelle Revis.
"He's been on point for the last couple of days," Cotchery said, adding that Sanchez looks "much more comfortable" with the offense now.
Sanchez spent much of last year learning the offense from the ground up as a rookie. This year, he used some of his down time while rehabbing during the offseason to get a firmer grasp of things.
"My comfort level is so high," Sanchez said. "I feel good and ready to go mentally for this minicamp, where last year my head was spinning just trying to remember stuff."
-- Dennis Waszak Jr.
Jets' Revis will be at minicamp, Mangold unsure
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Darrelle Revis insists he's not angry or bitter. He just wants to get paid — soon.
The New York Jets' All-Pro cornerback said Thursday he will attend the team's mandatory minicamp next week despite his frustration over the slow nature of his contract negotiations.
"It's different sides agreeing and disagreeing on different things," Revis said. "This is the process right now and it's going to continue to keep on going until both sides agree. Right now, I'm just being patient. I'm not mad about anything. I'm here. I want to be here, they know that. And, I know they want me to be here.
Revis also still wants to be the highest-paid player at his position, saying "it's important" to him. He also said the Jets' second offer was better than their first, but was still subpar.
"The season I had last year was crazy, so this is a lot of leverage that I do have right now to try to get to that second contract and get the money that you deserve," Revis said. "I don't know how long I'm going to play."
The two-time Pro Bowl selection and runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year sat out a voluntary workout last week, but returned for both practices this week.
"Minicamp is coming up next week and I'll be at minicamp, and no comment on training camp," he said. "I don't know. We'll see when that day comes."
He is due to make to make just $1 million in the fourth season of his six-year rookie deal. Oakland's Nnamdi Asomugha is the highest-paid cornerback after signing a three-year, $45.3 million extension last offseason.
Revis bristled a bit when a reporter suggested he consider the current economic climate when asking for such a large contract.
"That has nothing to do with football right now," Revis said. "You're talking about a whole different subject. We know the economy's bad, we know all of that. The Raiders didn't think that about Nnamdi."
The Jets can buy back the final two years, which would be worth $20 million guaranteed. But Revis could lose it all if he misses any of the mandatory practices.
"That's something that me and my team have to talk to about," he said, "about letting that money go and fighting for something bigger or playing it safe and going to training camp."
Revis is still hopeful something can be done by training camp.
"If it don't, then there's going to be other changes," he said.
Meanwhile, All-Pro center Nick Mangold says he's "displeased" with how his negotiations are going and is unsure if he'll sit out minicamp as a result, saying the chances are "50-50."
"I'm not Darrelle-infuriated," Mangold said. "It's something where you hear enough, 'Hey, we want to sign all these people,' and at some point it's like, 'Well, why aren't we signing all of these people?' It's still June, so there's still time."
Mangold is entering the final season of a five-year deal, but says there have been no hard negotiations between his agent and the team.
"At this point, if you would've said in February, 'Hey, what would your feelings be if ...,' well I would've thought something would be done by now," Mangold said. "The sand is starting to drop a little quicker now."
Mangold said he'll see what happens, if anything, as far as negotiations over the weekend before deciding whether to attend minicamp, which begins Monday.
"It's one of those things where you just see what's given to you and play it by ear," he said. "It's kind of like Scrabble where you can plan all you want, but you have to wait to see what letters are given to you. Until you know those letters, it's pointless."
Mangold said he hasn't tired — yet — of the weekly updates regarding his status.
"It's the same questions I ask myself, but at least this time, I get to talk to somebody other than my agents," Mangold said. "It's a pain in my butt that I don't want to deal with, but I'm forced into it."
Besides Revis and Mangold, linebacker David Harris and left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson are in line for long-term deals. The Jets have made re-signing all four players a priority, and are believed to have even set aside room in their budget to do so. But the uncertainty of the collective bargaining agreement has them hamstrung, to an extent.
"The Jets need to pay their guys," Revis said. "I mean, there's a lot of us on the line."
-- Dennis Waszak Jr.
No Nolan: Jets coach Ryan breaks down Mets pitch
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Rex Ryan, fireballing reliever?
Hey, he's no Nolan, but the New York Jets coach thinks he might have some talent in his right arm. Especially after tossing the ceremonial first pitch before a Mets game Tuesday night.
"No left-handed batter was going to touch my pitch," he said Thursday with a big grin. "The movement is filthy, is how we'd have to put it."
The pitch easily reached the plate with some zip, but sailed out of the strike zone.
And, in case anyone missed it, Ryan opened his news conference after practice by playing video of his pitch to his catcher, general manager Mike Tannenbaum. He also broke down his mechanics, and used a split screen of himself and Washington rookie Stephen Strasburg, who struck out 14 in his big league debut Tuesday night.
"Two stars, very similar," Ryan said as the video played. "Two outstanding pitchers. Look at the movement here. Yep, two great ones."
Ryan wore a No. 30 Mets jersey — a Nolan Ryan throwback — and threw a two-seamer.
"It was clocked at, what, 45 (mph), maybe?" he said.
Ryan said the difference between Strasburg's success and his own clearly was the catcher.
"Look at the movement of my catcher," Ryan said, referring to Tannenbaum. "This clearly is a strike. I just need it framed up a little bit."
After watching himself and Strasburg side by side, Ryan broke things down.
"You'll see the form is not exactly where we want it," he said, laughing, "but we've got to understand something: The kid is just a rookie."
And, just to further show how unhittable he could be, Ryan had Pittsburgh's Lastings Milledge superimposed into the video of his pitch.
"I know what you're thinking, too, against a lefty batter, without question that's strike three no matter who's at the plate," he said. "If it was a right-handed batter, what would it have been? So, we made it against a right-handed batter."
Milledge, as he did against Strasburg on Tuesday night, swung through the pitch.
"Yep, it's still a strikeout," Ryan said. "Swings, misses and it's a strikeout."
Ryan said he had never been on a mound before he threw one warmup pitch — a perfect strike, he said — in a hitting cage before the real one.
"I'm like, 'There's nothing to this,'" he said. "Then, you get on that mound and it's like, 'There's a lot of space here. Oh, boy.'"
And, don't worry Jets fans, Ryan's not leaving for a baseball career. At least, not now.
"Yeah, I'm going to stay," he said. "Some of these athletes, you've got to make that tough decision."
-- Dennis Waszak Jr.
Bills DE Schobel leaning toward not playing
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Stopping short of announcing his retirement, Buffalo Bills' top pass-rusher Aaron Schobel wanted to inform the team to start moving on without him
"I'm leaning toward not playing, but I don't want to make a decision and then change my mind," the defensive end told The Associated Press in a phone interview from his home in Texas on Thursday. "For the Bills, I'd just tell them to go on without me."
Schobel said he has not spoken with the Bills in about two months and added he has no intention of attending the team's mandatory minicamp, which opens in less than two weeks. He has spent his entire nine-year NFL career in Buffalo and, with 78 sacks, ranks rank second on the Bills behind only Hall of Famer Bruce Smith.
Bills general manager Buddy Nix on Thursday said the team's position regarding Schobel has not changed, and referred to comments he made in March.
"The ball is in his court," Nix said then. "If he wants to play, we certainly want him back. If he wants to retire, we wish him the best."
Though the 32-year-old Schobel stressed he's not formally announcing his retirement, he did begin reflecting on a career that featured two Pro Bowl selections. The downside was he played on a Bills team that failed to make the playoffs and enjoyed only one winning season, a 9-7 finish in 2004.
"I've had a decent career. I know the wins and losses weren't all that fine, but looking back, I wouldn't change anything I've done," he said.
Selected by Buffalo in the second round of the 2001 draft out of TCU, Schobel and punter Brian Moorman entered this offseason as the team's longest-tenured players. Schobel has four years left on a $50.5 million contract extension he signed before the 2007 season.
Schobel's contract includes a $2 million roster bonus he was due in March. That payment is on hold until Schobel reports to the team and passes a physical because he had minor surgery to repair an elbow injury shortly after the season ended. In March, Schobel said he was in no rush to take a physical because he hadn't made up his mind on whether to play this season.
Because Schobel is still under contract, the Bills have the option to fine the player if he misses mandatory minicamp practices, which open June 23, and training camp, which opens July 29.
After missing 11 games with a foot injury in 2008, Schobel bounced back last year to lead the Bills with 10 sacks — the most he's had since registering a career-best 14 in 2006.
He's spent the entire offseason away from Buffalo, and has missed all 12 of the team's spring voluntary minicamp sessions.
Schobel first broached the prospect of retirement at the end of last season, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family, which he has permanently relocated from Buffalo to his home in Texas this offseason. He has also sold his Buffalo-area home, and was intending to rent in the event he played this season.
There are other reasons keeping Schobel from playing. He has grown tired of having to prove himself to another coach. Hired in January, Chan Gailey becomes the Bills' fourth head coach since 2001.
This season, Schobel would also have to make the switch to outside linebacker as the Bills are making the switch to a 3-4 scheme.
The Bills have already begun making plans in the event Schobel doesn't return. This past week, they signed six-year veteran linebacker Reggie Torbor to a two-year contract.
In his last talks with the team, Schobel had expressed hope to work out a deal that would allow him to get certain days off to travel home to be with his family.
"There would be a couple of things to change my mind," Schobel said. "It ain't over yet, but we'll see what happens."
Schobel then joked that he plans to return to Buffalo at some point because he can't resist the city's chicken wings.
Longtime friend and teammate Chris Kelsay wasn't entirely surprised by Schobel's comments about his future.
"To be completely honest, without him ever telling me one way or another, I kind of got that impression," Kelsay said, following practice. He added the he and the team will miss Schobel if he does not return.
"His play speaks for itself," Kelsay said. "You turn the game film on Monday mornings, and that's a guy that plays his heart out on the field."
Moorman agreed that losing Schobel would be a big blow to the Bills.
"I know he's at the end of his career and probably doesn't want to go through another building thing," Moorman said. "But I still think we have the talent to win this year, and I think he would help us win games."
-- John Wawrow
Ravens put emphatic finish on offseason workouts
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — The Baltimore Ravens put an enthusiastic finish on their offseason training activity sessions Thursday, celebrating with song and dance after the final team workout before training camp.
Moments after kickers Shayne Graham and Billy Cundiff each connected on 60-yard field goal tries, coach John Harbaugh gathered the players together for one final speech before sending them on their way.
"I think we got as much done as we possibly could have," Harbaugh told reporters. "As a team, we worked really hard. Not just during the OTAs, but from March 15 until today. I'm proud of the way they worked. I think we maxed out our offseason, and now it's time to get away a little bit."
The players felt good about themselves, evidenced by the antics in the locker room.
The music played and players danced up and down the aisles. A few dunked footballs and rubber balls over the heads of unsuspecting media members.
The NFL mandated that Baltimore cancel its final OTA because of a violation of workout rules, but the sanction does not apply to rookies, who will gather next week at the team complex.
The full squad won't meet again until late July, when training camp starts in Westminster, Md.
At this point, however, this team seems more complete than the one that beat New England in the playoffs last season before losing to Indianapolis. Newcomers Anquan Boldin and Donte' Stallworth have added a new dimension to a passing game that last year relieved heavily on running back Ray Rice.
"I don't think the rapport is complete by any stretch, but they've had a good offseason," Harbaugh said.
"The guys that we brought in, I definitely think have made us better as a team," Rice said. "It's great to see Anquan, guys that have been around the block, show up and work hard."
Boldin attended most of the OTAs, as did Stallworth.
The rookies, meanwhile, got a pro football primer before things really get intense in training camp.
"You take a bunch of guys who from different programs all over the place, who have never met each other, never seen an NFL practice, and you kind of throw them in there and their heads are spinning," Harbaugh said. "Now you feel like you've got a group of guys that are Ravens and are ready to compete for jobs in training camp."
Three veteran defensive backs completed a two-day tryout Thursday. The trio was former Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks starting safety Ken Hamlin; former San Francisco 49ers cornerback Walt Harris; and former Seahawks and Carolina cornerback Ken Lucas.
"I would say all three did very well. All three look like they can play in this league," Harbaugh said.
-- David Ginsburg
Dawson kicking at Browns camp
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Phil Dawson avoided kicking up any controversy.
Cleveland's longtime, steady kicker reported to the Browns' mandatory minicamp on Thursday after skipping the club's voluntary workouts in an apparent contract dispute.
Dawson, the only player left from Cleveland's 1999 expansion team, has been seeking a new, long-term deal from the Browns for several seasons. He's in the final year of a contract with a base salary of $1 million — at the bottom end of the pay scale for NFL kickers.
Following the morning workout, Dawson politely declined to address his contract status and would not comment on his absence from OTAs.
"I'm just not going to open that can," he said.
While the Browns have been mostly atrocious during 11 dreary seasons, Dawson has been one of their few bright spots.
He is the team's third-leading career scorer and has kicked the second-most field goals (229), behind only Hall of Famer Lou Groza (234). Dawson has made 229 of 275 attempts (83.3 percent), ranking him eighth among kickers on the league's career list.
Perhaps more impressively, Dawson has been accurate in Cleveland, where the swirling winds and cold temperatures make it one of the toughest places to kick.
Dawson was asked if he felt unappreciated by the Browns, who have undergone several front-office changes since he signed.
"I feel good about what I've done," he said.
Cleveland's new front office may be taking a wait-and-see-attitude when it comes to Dawson and whether to engage in new talks about a contract extension. Browns coach Eric Mangini praised Dawson, a co-captain last season, saying he was pleased with the job he has done.
Dawson laughed when reminded about the less-than-ideal conditions he has had to perform in during games in the Browns' lakefront stadium, where the wind seems to blow in every direction.
"Kicking in Cleveland gives you gray hair, but keeps you young," the 35-year-old said.
Preferring to keep any demands private, Dawson would not say it he intends to boycott Cleveland's training camp, which opens next month.
"I'm just enjoying a beautiful day today and we'll see," he said.
The 11-year veteran missed five games last season with a calf injury, but made 17 of 19 field goal tries, including his final six. Dawson has endured all the upheaval in Cleveland, and said there hasn't been a time where he took his roster spot for granted.
"Regardless if there's a new regime or not, you have to prove yourself every year anyways," he said. "Especially at my position. There's only 32 of them and there's always somebody waiting for that phone to ring. So whether you have a new coaching staff or a new front office, or whatever the case may be, you've got to prove yourself not only every year, but each and every day.
"That's kind of been my mentality my whole career."
Players were subject to a fine if they did not attend coach Mangini's minicamp, but that didn't stop three restricted free agents from staying away.,
As expected, linebackers D'Qwell Jackson and Matt Roth and safety Abram Elam were absent. Running back Jerome Harrison was also on the field, and fullback Lawrence Vickers arrived late after handling some family legal issues.
Both Elam and Roth are represented by agent Drew Rosenhaus. The restricted free agents have until June 3 to sign their one-year tenders before the team can reduce the offers.
-- Tom Withers
Palmer wishes Ochocinco was in Cincy
CINCINNATI (AP) — Carson Palmer says receiver Chad Ochocinco's decision to skip voluntary offseason workouts is making it tough for the rest of the Cincinnati Bengals to get their offense together.
Ochocinco doesn't want to hear it.
Palmer told reporters after a workout on Thursday that other receivers have to fill Ochocinco's role during the voluntary practices, which throws things out of whack. Cincinnati has a bevy of new receivers this season, including free agent Antonio Bryant.
Ochocinco customarily spends the offseason out of town working out on his own. He's been on "Dancing With the Stars" in Los Angeles and is working on a dating show for cable television. He's required to be in Cincinnati next week for a minicamp.
The Bengals have made changes in the passing game, which struggled last season. They're also trying to figure out where the newcomers fit.
"It would be great to have our No. 1 receiver here and working him and building it around him," Palmer said. "We've tried moving guys around. Maybe they're trying to find a new No. 1 receiver because it's hard to work your offense in without that guy around. We've moved Antonio (Bryant) around, he's been playing some spots.
"It's hard to tell and say because we're looking for a No. 2 and (No.) 3 receiver without a No. 1."
The 32-year-old receiver is entering the final year on his contract. He lobbied for a trade two years ago, but the Bengals refused and he groused. He returned to form last year, helping Cincinnati win the AFC North with 72 catches for 1,047 yards and nine touchdowns.
After Palmer made his comments Thursday, Ochocinco posted on his Twitter feed: "I missed what my quarterback said about me not being at (practices) they aren't even mandatory ... Football is 2nd nature, living my life will always be first NFL (equals) not for long, when its time to play (I) will be ready."
Later, Ochocinco tweeted teammate Rey Maualuga: "tell Carson when I see him I'm gonna Hulk Hogan leg drop (him) then tie him to the goalpost and throw wet toilet paper at him!"
Palmer said Ochocinco should be able to catch up on the changes in the offense when he gets back with the team.
"We've got plenty of time to keep working on it and once he (Ochocinco) gets back in shape and the flow of things, we'll still have enough time to be ready for the season opener," Palmer said.
Rams sign veteran defensive tackle Hovan
ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Rams have signed veteran defensive tackle Chris Hovan, who has 149 career starts in 156 games with Minnesota and Tampa Bay.
The 6-foot-2, 296-pound Hovan took part in Thursday's morning practice session during the team's minicamp at Rams Park.
Hovan, 32, is entering his 11th NFL season. He spent the last five years with Tampa Bay but was released after the Buccaneers selected defensive tackles with their first two draft picks.
Hovan led all Tampa Bay defensive linemen three times in tackles. He started all 16 games last year and recorded 57 tackles, including 27 solo, along with a half-sack and 18 quarterback pressures.
He spent five seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, who chose him in the first round of the draft out of Boston College.
Falcons sign former Griz Shann Schillinger
The Atlanta Falcons have announced the signing of safety Shann Schillinger to a four-year contract.
The team announced the signing of their sixth-round draft pick on Thursday.
In his final season at Montana, Schillinger had 90 tackles and four interceptions as the Grizzlies advanced to the Football Championship Subdivision title game.
A native of Baker, Mont., Schillinger joins former Grizzly Kroy Biermann of Hardin, Mont., in Atlanta. Biermann, a defensive tackle, was drafted by the Falcons in 2008.
Giants to hold minicamp practice in new stadium
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The New York Giants are going to hold a minicamp practice open to the public in their new $1.6 billion stadium.
The Giants said the mandatory workout on Tuesday will be held from 2:50 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
To attend the practice, fans are asked to fill out the complimentary registration form (http://www.giants.com/minicamp.asp) and bring their printed invitation to the Pepsi gate. Parking is free.
The Jets, who are the co-owners of the new stadium with the Giants, plan to do the same thing on Wednesday morning.
The first NFL game in the stadium will be played on Aug. 16 when the Jets play host to the Giants in a preseason game.
Elsewhere
Ex-AU, NFL player Carson gets 10 years for drugs
MOBILE, Ala. (AP) — Former Auburn and NFL player Leonardo Carson has been sentenced to 10 years and one month in prison on drug charges.
The Mobile Press-Register reported that U.S. District Judge Kristi DuBose could have imposed a 27-year sentence Monday under sentencing guidelines by the U.S. Probation Office. The judge ruled that trial evidence didn't support the amount of marijuana and cocaine that authorities alleged were involved.
Carson was convicted of conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine and marijuana.
The judge also said that Carson's role did not qualify him as a leader in the conspiracy.
A defensive tackle, Carson starred at Auburn and was drafted by San Diego in 2000, but his career was marred by injuries and run-ins with the law. He was cut by Dallas in 2005.
Two men tied to Darrent Williams trial sentenced
DENVER (AP) — Two men who refused to testify in the trial of a man convicted in the death of Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams have been sentenced to 12 months each in jail for contempt of court.
Twenty-one-year-old Kataina "Markie" Jackson-Keeling and 22-year-old Mario Anderson were also sentenced Thursday to 90 days in jail and four years of probation for being accessories to perjury. The jail sentences will be served concurrently.
The two previously pleaded guilty to the charges. Denver prosecutors accused them of lying to a Denver grand jury investigating Williams' death in a drive-by shooting early New Year's Day 2007.
Jurors convicted Willie Clark in March of first-degree murder in Williams' death and sentenced him to life in prison plus 1,152 years.
