NFL League and Player Capsules: T.O. has 43-yard catch, Bengals beat Eagles 22-9
CINCINNATI (AP) — Terrell Owens put some bite back into the Bengals' offense.
Owens caught a 43-yard pass along the sideline, setting up the only touchdown by Cincinnati's starting offense Friday night in a 22-9 preseason victory over the Philadelphia Eagles that showed he's still got a lot left.
"According to sources and anybody that analyzes talent or what-have-you: I'm 36, I've slowed down, I don't have it anymore," Owens said. "I'm a different person. I'm very talented, I keep myself in shape. So everybody can think I've slowed down. If they want to play me like that, that's fine."
The Eagles couldn't keep up with him.
Owens caught a perfect throw from Carson Palmer along the right sideline, stretching over Joselio Hanson to pull it in before going out of bounds at the 6-yard line. Bernard Scott ran it in on the next play.
Owens had three catches for 67 yards in the first half, and ran 1 yard on a reverse.
"He's as good as anyone when he gets on top of a corner," Palmer said. "We're going to take shots when we get opportunities."
So far, he's been the Bengals' top receiver.
Cincinnati signed him to a one-year deal as training camp opened with receiver Antonio Bryant sidelined by a troublesome left knee. Palmer worked out with Owens on the West Coast in July, saw that he could still run and urged the Bengals to bring him aboard, giving him another playmaker.
That one play showed why.
"That's what they brought me here for, right? Deep threat," Owens said. "Beat your guy, get down the field, make the catch. We've got it all in our arsenal."
His over-the-shoulder catch set up the only touchdown while both teams had their starters in the game. Cincinnati got the better of it in the half, but had to settle for the one score.
"We gave up a couple big runs, more than we wanted to, then they had the big play to T.O.," safety Quintin Mikell said. "We just wanted to see what we could do when we made bad plays, how we would bounce back. We're still gelling and still bringing this whole thing together."
Philadelphia's main goal was to get a touchdown out of its starters. In the preseason opener against Jacksonville, quarterback Kevin Kolb led the Eagles down the field on two possessions, but they had to settle for field goals.
Same thing again in Cincinnati. Six possessions, two field goals.
The Eagles kept their starting offense on the field for the entire first half and got less-than-desired results. Kolb was 11 of 17 for 126 yards, most of them in two drives at the end of the half when the Bengals began substituting. The most glaring disappointment: Philadelphia failed to score against a defense full of reserves after driving to a first-and-goal at the 7-yard line.
"We've got to be better than that," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "You can't have the penalties in the red zone that we did."
Kolb was disappointed at the lack of a touchdown.
"It's the same story," he said. "We need to do better."
David Akers kicked field goals of 40, 25 and 48 yards. Cincinnati's Mike Nugent was short on a 59-yard attempt at the end of the first half, and Dave Rayner missed a 34-yarder. They're competing for the starting job.
Palmer was 15 of 23 for 169 yards with two interceptions, both while trying to get the ball to Chad Ochocinco, who had a painful night.
The first interception came on an apparent mixup. Palmer threw several yards short of Ochocinco, the ball going directly to cornerback Dimitri Patterson. Palmer raised both arms in a quizzical gesture toward Ochocinco, and talked to him on the sideline.
Patterson celebrated his easy interception by kneeling on the field and raising both arms, holding the ball aloft for several seconds. Bengals rookie tight end Jermaine Gresham swatted the ball out of his hand as he walked past him.
Palmer got picked off when he tried to squeeze a pass to Ochocinco, who was bracketed in coverage. The receiver was hit hard and the ball deflected to Mikell. Ochocinco lay on his back for several seconds, then popped up and jogged to the sideline without assistance.
The Eagles played without cornerback Asante Samuel, who has a hamstring injury. Receiver Jeremy Maclin left in the second quarter after he was hit hard on the left shoulder. Reid said X-rays were negative.
The Bengals had a couple of injuries. Scott injured his left shoulder in the second quarter and didn't return. Safety Gibril Wilson hurt his left knee in the second quarter and didn't return. Agent Alvin Keels tweeted that he had damaged ligaments.
Saturday Previews
QBs in spotlight during Bears-Raiders game
CHICAGO (AP) — The Bears and Raiders might both be using quarterbacks they didn't plan to in their preseason game.
Injuries to two Oakland quarterbacks could result in playing time Saturday for the recently acquired Colt Brennan. Chicago backup Caleb Hanie's shoulder sprain might force the Bears into using Matt Gutierrez after only three days of practice with the team.
"We have a couple guys down, but we're in decent shape," Bears coach Lovie Smith said. "We plan on playing our starters a little bit longer this week, getting into our normal routine of the second game of the preseason."
Anything more than eight plays would be a bit longer for Jay Cutler in Chicago's new offense. He got into only one series last week against the blitz-happy San Diego Chargers, completing two passes in a drive to a field goal.
Offensive coordinator Mike Martz on Wednesday acknowledged he pulled Cutler earlier than planned because the Chargers threw an assortment of blitzes at his new offense. Considering Hanie was injured on a second-half sack, the concern may have been warranted.
"I just wanted to make sure we are further along with what we do before we keep him in there under that kind of circumstance," Martz said.
Sixth-round draft pick Dan LeFevour figures to get most of the snaps for the Bears, possibly even all of those after Cutler leaves the game.
LeFevour began training camp completely inexperienced in the offense. After going only 2-of-10 for 21 yards against San Diego, then throwing five interceptions in Monday's practice, LeFevour began making progress.
"Whether the outcome is good or bad, I think I learned something every play," LeFevour said. "You've just got to keep doing that: keep your head up and stay confident and keep learning because your opportunity will come."
The Bears had only 168 yards passing and 48 yards rushing against San Diego, but offense wasn't their only problem. They gave up 335 yards in the debut of defensive end Julius Peppers in a Bears uniform.
"We didn't do what we wanted to," linebacker Brian Urlacher said. "We gave up a touchdown on defense and we gave up a long run.
"We'll get better. We know we have to improve. That's what preseason is for. We will improve every week."
Like the Bears, the Raiders struggled offensively in their preseason-opening 17-9 win over the Dallas Cowboys. All their points came from reserves in the game's final 4:58.
The Raiders' offense suffered more setbacks this week when Charlie Frye underwent season-ending right wrist surgery and Bruce Gradkowski missed more time with a groin strain. Neither will play Saturday, and Brennan, signed Aug. 7, will be the third QB.
Kyle Boller will back up starter Jason Campbell against the Bears. Boller, signed by the Raiders in June after a season with St. Louis, led the late comeback last week.
"He's getting a new start and I think he's making the most of it, certainly, and the way the situations worked out, with Bruce having the groin issue, it's given him a bigger opportunity," Raiders coach Tom Cable said.
Cable is particularly concerned with how his offensive line protects his healthy quarterbacks against Peppers, defensive tackle Tommie Harris and the Bears' pass rush.
"I think with the addition of Peppers, particularly that first group will have to deal with him and Harris and their good linebacking crew," Cable said. "So the front seven will be a very good test for us early in that football game."
The Dallas offense ran plays from Oakland's 16, 13, 9 and 10 without scoring a touchdown. The Raiders forced field goals on three of those possessions thanks largely to the efforts of two young players: ends Matt Shaughnessy and Lamarr Houston, who had two sacks each.
"Any time you can start fast, as a young guy it definitely builds your confidence, knowing that you belong," Raiders defensive lineman Richard Seymour said. "Both of those guys have done it in practice, so it just kind of carries over to the game."
Scheffler returns to Denver
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos face the Detroit Lions in their preseason opener Saturday night at Invesco Field, a game that marks to return of tight end Tony Scheffler, who was traded in the offseason after a difficult year in Denver under coach Josh McDaniels.
"It is going to be a lot of fun," Scheffler said. "I spent four years there, and it is a great organization with great fans. I'm really looking forward to seeing all of the guys again, because I've kept in touch with everyone. I've even still got a home there, although I'm not going to get a chance to see it this weekend. The weirdest thing is going to be remembering to go to the other locker room and sideline."
Scheffler scoffed at the notion it was easier to return to his old stomping grounds in the preseason, where there's less pressure.
"I don't think so, because we're trying to build something here, so we have to go out and try to win every game," he said. "We can't relax just because it is a preseason game. I'm thinking about this just like I would a regular season game."
The Broncos don't really have any pass-catching tight ends left on their roster, although with their makeshift offensive line, they'll likely employ plenty of maximum protection, two-tight end sets this season where they're used to help block pass-rushers and not go out for many passes.
The Broncos are breaking in rookies J.D. Walton at center and Zane Beadles at guard along with D'Anthony Batiste, who is filling in at left tackle until Ryan Clady returns from a torn knee ligament he suffered while playing basketball in the offseason.
Tight ends Richard Quinn and Marquez Branson have been among the two dozen players who have been in and out of practice this summer because of injuries, leaving Daniel Graham and undrafted rookie Riar Geer, both of whom went to the University of Colorado, to get more work.
-- Arnie Stapleton
Injuries
Vikings' Harvin out of hospital and 'doing fine'
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin is back with the team after an overnight hospital stay following a scary migraine attack, though his return to the field remains unclear.
Harvin was on the practice field Friday morning wearing a T-shirt, shorts and tennis shoes, drinking Gatorade while smiling and chatting with coaches. He exchanged handshakes and hugs with a few teammates — waving at Pat Williams after the defensive tackle yelled "Hey, Perce, what's up?" — before walking inside the team's practice facility.
Harvin was taken away from Winter Park by ambulance Thursday after getting sick and collapsing on the field, a sobering scene that prompted the Vikings to end practice early.
Harvin has missed all but a handful of practices since training camp began three weeks ago, plagued again by the unpredictable, debilitating migraine episodes that can leave him unable to function, let alone put on a helmet and pads and run around the field.
But Harvin was, by all accounts, doing fine one day later.
"He probably could've come over here and done some things today, except for the fact that they've got a couple tests that they want to finish with," coach Brad Childress said. "I don't know that we're going to solve that riddle immediately, and I don't know that there's any quick fixes. I think it's just going to be a work in progress, and even though you'd like to stick it in a box and have it be fixed this way. History has told migraines aren't that way."
Harvin will not travel with the team to San Francisco for Sunday's exhibition game against the 49ers. With the regular season opener in New Orleans less than three weeks away, his availability — let alone ability to contribute at an elite level — is in question.
Childress downplayed the concern.
"He had a few last year that he dealt with and we dealt with, and if it was his first choice he'd here for all the prep for every week," Childress said. "But the fact is he has played well in games that he's had a migraine the week of the game, and it just matters whether it's a short one, a hard one, a two-day one and then what he was able to get out of the game plan."
Wide receiver Sidney Rice, who hasn't practiced yet himself because of a lingering hip injury, is also in that uncertain category. Rice said Friday he's having "a little bit of pain" and acknowledged his readiness "is still up in the air" for the big Saints game on Sept. 9.
"I'm pushing, working hard every day," Rice said, adding: "As long as my conditioning is good and feel comfortable, I'm sure I'll be fine."
With depth an obvious concern at wide receiver, the Vikings worked out two notable veteran free agents in the morning: Brandon Jones and Javon Walker. Jones was let go this week by San Francisco, and Walker was cut in March by Oakland. Childress had yet to meet with them when he address the media and said neither player had been signed.
"We'll just see how it goes going forward," Childress said. "We are checking the other able-bodied guys out there that we feel like are a fit for us here. You have to be ready for a Plan B, usually."
-- Dave Campbell
Sorgi concerned about injury to right shoulder
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Giants backup quarterback Jim Sorgi is unable to make a throwing motion because of the injury to his right shoulder.
Sorgi was still gathering information Friday about the tear in the anterior capsule of his throwing arm, but said the injury he sustained in Monday night's win over the Jets is a lot worse than he originally thought.
He is taking anti-inflammatory medicines to reduce the swelling and hopes to be sidelined only two to three weeks, though he's unsure about a timetable for his return.
The Giants open the season against the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 12.
"I don't know what it all entails, how quickly the rehab and the comeback from it is," Sorgi said as the Giants broke training camp at the University at Albany. "It ended up being a lot worse than I thought it was. It ended up being an injury that is not going to get better in one or two days like I thought it would. I'm just playing it by ear."
Sorgi, who was signed in the offseason to back up starter Eli Manning, said he was limited in making over-the-head movements with his right arm. He can made underhand movements without a problem, but said his range of motion declines as he lifts his arm.
"I can tell when I lift my arm up, it's hard to hold it out to the side," said Sorgi, who backed up Peyton Manning for six seasons in Indianapolis before signing with the Giants. "Over-the-head movement is just not going to happen now. I just hope it happens sooner than later."
Sorgi was hurt in the fourth quarter throwing a 34-yard touchdown pass to Victor Cruz. Jets linebacker Lance Laury hit him as he released the ball.
Manning also was hurt in the game, receiving a three-inch gash on the left side of his head when his helmet was knocked off and he was hit by Jets safety Jim Leonhard.
Manning missed the final walkthrough practice on Friday. He went to New York City to have doctors look at the 12 stitches in his head.
Neither Manning nor Sorgi will play on Saturday night, when the Giants play the Pittsburgh Steelers in their first home game in their new $1.6 billion stadium.
Coach Tom Coughlin said guards Chris Snee (knee) and Rich Seubert (hand), receiver Ramses Barden (back) and safety Michael Johnson (back) also will miss the game.
Friday's attendance for the final practice was 920, pushing the attendance for camp to 39,875, the fifth highest in the team's 15 years in Albany. The daily average of 2,492 was the second highest. The Giants practiced 23 times in 16 days in the camp.
-- Tom Canavan
Player Moves
Giants sign former Pro Bowl OL Shawn Andrews
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Two-time Pro Bowl guard Shawn Andrews is giving football one last shot and it's going to be with the New York Giants.
After working out the former Philadelphia Eagles star at training camp, the Giants signed Andrews early Friday morning, giving depth to a line that now seemingly has more good players than starting spots.
Andrews has a lot to prove, too. The 27-year-old has not played since early in the 2008 season, missing all but two games the last two years because of back problems that required two surgeries.
"I am laying it all on the line, not that I haven't before," Andrews said. "This is it. The Giants are going to get everything from me."
There is no doubt Andrews is a talent. He also has baggage besides the back issues. His passion for football was questioned during his time in Philadelphia, with critics saying he was more interested in his music career, and he also missed part of the 2008 training camp while battling depression.
"My head is in the game," Andrews said. "It's always been in the game. I just had some setbacks there. It was untimely, and I've heard every excuse from myself why the things happened back in 2008. It happened. We all go through things.
"Why not give a guy a second chance who is passionate about what he does?"
Andrews has spent the past 10 months in Los Angeles, rehabilitating from his second back surgery. He said his back feels good, although he probably will be eased in with the Giants.
"I am a competitor," Andrews said, when asked why he came back to football. "I am trying to follow in the footsteps of the great Larry Allen. I want to be that good and even better and I think I have a chance to do that. This conference is competitive and I think I have a good shot to achieve that. Hopefully, everything goes well and it's back to kicking butt."
The Giants and several other teams followed Andrews' progress during his rehabilitation, but New York signed him. Andrews said he liked the people on the Giants, and the fact that they are located close to Philadelphia and play in the same division.
The Eagles released Andrews in March, saying he failed his physical. Andrews did not agree.
"I'm not making this a Shawn versus the Eagles thing," said Andrews, who made 50 starts for Philadelphia. "It was an untimely release. They wanted to go in another direction and I just kept working my tail off, so here I am. I am a G-Man."
While Andrews made the Pro Bowl in 2006 and '07 as a physical guard — he was an alternate in 2005 — he also has the footwork and strength to play tackle.
Giants coach Tom Coughlin said Andrews, the 16th pick in the 2004 draft, was an outstanding player a couple of years ago.
"He does indicate to you the kind of desire that he has to get back in the game," Coughlin said.
The Giants' starting line has been relatively the same in recent years, with Kareem McKenzie and David Diehl at tackle, Chris Snee and Rich Seubert at guard and Shaun O'Hara at center.
While Diehl, O'Hara and Snee played in the Pro Bowl last year, the Giants have been experimenting with their line in camp. Diehl has moved from left tackle to left guard in place of Seubert (broken hand) and second-year pro Will Beatty has started at left tackle.
Snee also has missed more than a week of practice with swelling in his left knee.
The Giants waived offensive lineman Cliff Louis to clear space on the roster.
Jaguars place LB Keiaho on IR, sign LB Bowen
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars have placed linebacker Freddy Keiaho on injured reserve and signed linebacker Alvin Bowen.
Keiaho sustained a concussion during the team's preseason opener and hasn't practiced since. He spent the last four seasons with Indianapolis.
Bowen has spent time with Buffalo, Washington and Seattle. He played in Seattle's preseason opener and was waived Aug. 17. He was originally a fifth-round draft pick by Buffalo in 2008, then suffered a season-ending knee injury in the preseason.
He was on Buffalo's practice squad to start last season, was waived a few weeks later and signed to Washington's practice squad. He spent 10 weeks there before getting promoted to the active roster in late November.
Broncos sign LB Worrell Williams
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Broncos have signed free agent linebacker Worrell Williams, the younger brother of Denver inside linebacker D.J. Williams.
The Broncos also waived rookie linebacker Devin Bishop.
Worrell Williams is a rookie who spent the 2009 season with the California Redwoods of the UFL after playing four seasons at Cal, where he started 36 games and recorded 246 career tackles.
League News
NFL Network agrees to deal with cable cooperative
NEW YORK (AP) — NFL Network has agreed to a deal with the National Cable Television Cooperative to add the channel to more cable systems.
NCTC members will have the option to add NFL Network under the deal. NCTC represents 17 of the top 20 cable operators in the country.
Time Warner, which has feuded with NFL Network, is not a member.
The agreement also includes NFL RedZone, which shows key plays of each game live during Sunday afternoons.
NFL Network reached more than 56.5 million subscribers before the deal, about half of the country's homes with televisions.
NCTC members combine to serve more than 26.7 million subscribers, but some of those cable operators already had individual deals with NFL Network.
Bills TE Shawn Nelson suspended 4 games
NEW YORK (AP) — Buffalo Bills tight end Shawn Nelson has been suspended four games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.
The league announced Friday that Nelson will be suspended without pay for the Bills' regular-season games against the Dolphins, Packers, Patriots and Jets. He can return to the active roster Oct. 4 and play the following weekend against the Jaguars.
Nelson had 17 catches for 156 yards and a touchdown in 12 games as a rookie out of Southern Mississippi last season.
The Bills were already short-handed at tight end after Derek Schouman hurt his knee in Thursday's 34-21 preseason victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Nelson is eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games.
Nelson's agent, Joel Segal, declined comment.
