DETROIT -- Brett Favre has another NFL record.
Favre started Sunday for the 271st straight time in the regular season, playing for the Minnesota Vikings against the Detroit Lions. He handed off to running back Adrian Peterson after taking his first snap.
Defensive end Jim Marshall had the previous mark, starting 270 games in a row for Minnesota from 1961-1979.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
LANDOVER, Md. -- Redskins cornerback Fred Smoot is inactive for Washington's game against the St. Louis Rams with a rib injury.
Smoot is Washington's third cornerback, used primarily in nickel packages with starters DeAngelo Hall and Carlos Rogers. His replacement on Sunday was expected to be second-year player Justin Tryon.
For the Rams, fourth-year defensive end Victor Adeyanju was inactive for the second straight week.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
Despite their stormy relationship, the Denver Broncos are now exploring the possibility of giving a contract extension to wide receiver Brandon Marshall, two league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Wednesday.
The potential new deal would put Marshall's salary more in line with some of the game's other highly paid receivers.
Due to the fact he has been unable to get a long-term deal, Marshall has been clinging to the hopes that Denver would deal him. But now, in a new approach, the deal Denver might make is not for Marshall, but rather with Marshall.
The fact that they are even talking is an encouraging sign, sources said, and there is some optimism that a deal could be struck that could keep Marshall in Denver long term.
Adam Schefter covers the NFL for ESPN Insider.
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Remember Brett Favre's first answer to Vikings coach Brad Childress? My body isn't up for this, he said. Six weeks later, Minnesota's new quarterback wants to remind the football world just how old he is."I may not finish the year. If you would have asked me my first year if I would finish I'd have said, 'I may not,'" Favre said. "No one thought I'd play 18 straight years without missing a game, me included. I have no idea what's going to happen. None."
After his initial rejection on July 28, Favre accepted the coach's offer to join the Vikings on Aug. 18 for this too-good-to-pass-up opportunity to play for a title-contending team. His reasoning? He didn't want to regret not trying, not even at age 39.
Unless Favre visited some secret Mississippi version of the Fountain of Youth during that time, however, the health of one of the most durable athletes in history is still in question. Favre acknowledged as much Wednesday, the day a rocking chair appeared in front of his cubicle in the locker room courtesy of an unknown prankster.
"I feel good," Favre said, elaborating in his familiar wounded-warrior style. "I'm not going to lie to you. I'm not physically or mentally 100 percent. I don't know at 39 if I'd ever be 100 percent physically."
The partially torn biceps tendon that bothered his throwing arm last December with the New York Jets has been surgically repaired, but he is playing with a torn rotator cuff. Recently, Favre suggested he might have a cracked rib. When he explained his first decision to stay retired, he hinted he's not fully confident in his stamina by noting how many times he's been sacked over the years.
That means this issue will linger for the Vikings until the season is over, though they've downplayed concerns. Childress has repeated that signing Favre was a risk worth taking.
"From last year, me getting put back in there kind of showed me that you've got to be ready any time," said backup Tarvaris Jackson, who regained the starting job when Gus Frerotte hurt his back in the first game in December. "My mindset's no different."
If Favre gets knocked out of a game or two or more and Childress must turn to Jackson or Sage Rosenfels, that's one story. Another noteworthy angle is Favre's ironman image, his proud streak of 269 straight regular season games started.
When he lines up behind center this Sunday at Cleveland, Favre will match what the NFL believes to be the all-time record held by former Vikings defensive lineman Jim Marshall from 1961-79. Favre is also on track this year to pass Marshall's record streak of 282 consecutive games played by a non-kicker.
If his health were to become a hindrance to Minnesota's success this season, would Favre step aside?
"Absolutely. I was receptive to it last year," he said.
Jets running back Thomas Jones criticized Favre after last season, claiming he should've been benched while the team stumbled down the stretch and missed the playoffs.
Favre said Wednesday he felt like he was harming the team with slight misses on some throws. He said he spoke with the general manager, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach -- he didn't name head coach Eric Mangini -- but the consensus was to finish it out.
"Absolutely. I was receptive to [sitting] last year," Favre told the New York Daily News. "When we finally did an MRI and found out I had a torn biceps last year, I felt like, with about four or five games left, that even though I was making some pretty good throws and some decent plays, I felt like I was doing the team more harm because I was missing on some throws."
Mangini, now the head coach of the Browns, said Favre's streak didn't affect his decision to keep him in the lineup last December.
"With that stretch there were things that we could've all done better," Mangini said on a conference call with Minnesota reporters. He added: "All the decisions that I made during that time period followed the same thing I believe, and that's playing the guys that I think are going to give us the best chance to win that week."
Favre also revealed he asked Childress to let him address his teammates "from the heart" on a number of subjects, a 10-minute speech he gave in the meeting room on Monday.
"I wanted the guys to know where I stood, and what I was here for," Favre said. "Sort of the timeline of what happened, and things like that."
Teammates expressed appreciation of his effort.
"He gave his apologies for all the commotion that was caused, even though it might not have been intentional by him," tight end Visanthe Shiancoe said. "The frenzy, he apologized for the frenzy."
Reactions varied on whether it was necessary. Shiancoe said it was.
"There was questions on everybody's mind. I'm pretty sure it was different questions. He pretty much answered everybody's questions. Cleaned up everybody's wonders," Shiancoe said.
Favre also referenced his 1996-97 Super Bowl experience with Green Bay and told the Vikings they've got as much talent as that Packers team.
"I was impressed," cornerback Antoine Winfield said, adding: "Our No. 1 goal is to win a championship. He seems like he's focused on that. He's just trying to fit in. He's only been here a couple weeks. We've welcomed him with open arms."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel practiced for the second time this week, wearing a brace on his left knee as he went through individual drills Wednesday.
His status for Sunday's season opener at Baltimore? Still up in the air.
Unable to participate fully in practice, Cassel is listed as questionable against the Ravens and coach Todd Haley was again evasive on whether his $63 million quarterback would be available.
"He was out there, which was good. That's better than not being out there," Haley said. "He was able to get through some [drills], so that's going to be a situation we'll monitor as the week goes on. I don't know that we're going to have an answer right up until we play."
Cassel was injured in Kansas City's second preseason game on Aug. 29, when he was pulled down from behind by Seattle's Brandon Mebane. He returned to practice Monday, though in a limited role.
Without Cassel, the Chiefs' sputtering offense would seem to be at a monumental disadvantage against Baltimore's stingy defense. Brodie Croyle would likely get the start and he hasn't been the franchise quarterback former coach Herm Edwards had hoped, plagued by injuries last year and unable to get the offense into the end zone this preseason.
Of course, Cassel hasn't exactly looked like the player who led New England to 11 wins after Tom Brady got hurt last year.
The Chiefs traded for Cassel in the offseason, then signed him to a six-year contract that guarantees him $28 million. He was mostly average in training camp and saw limited time in the preseason, throwing for 114 yards and a touchdown on 11-of-19 passing.
The Seahawks game was supposed to be where the Chiefs got a good, long look at Cassel. Instead, he went down on the third play of the game and his first passing play.
Now, Cassel is trying to come back from an injury and get ready for a game with limited practice time -- against one of the NFL's best defenses, no less.
"They're obviously one of the great defenses over the last decade," Haley said. "Even though they've had to plug in different players in different roles, every year they've come and played defense."
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
CINCINNATI -- Chad Ochocinco is working on a tweet surprise for the NFL.
The flamboyant receiver promised something new for the Cincinnati Bengals opener Sunday against the Denver Broncos at Paul Brown Stadium. What exactly? He won't say.
Ochocinco stopped posting on his Twitter account last Friday, saying he didn't want to violate the NFL's new rules on what players can say on social networks. The league said players can't use Twitter, Facebook or other networks immediately before or during games.
Ochocinco said on Wednesday that he has read the NFL's restrictions and has discovered loopholes. Until last week, he had been one of the most frequent tweeters among NFL players.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
CARSON CITY, Nev. -- The attorney for Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on Wednesday rejected a settlement offer by a Nevada woman who claims the Super Bowl champion sexually assaulted her at a Lake Tahoe hotel-casino.
The rejection was in response to a letter, filed last week as part of a motion from Cal Dunlap, the woman's Reno attorney, that said she would be willing to settle the civil matter against Roethlisberger if he admits to raping her, apologizes and gives $100,000 to the Committee to Aid Abused Women, a non-profit agency in Reno that helps victims of domestic violence.
In a written statement, Roethlisberger attorney David Cornwell called the woman's offer "bizarre" and an "insult to women who have legitimately suffered from sexual misconduct."
Last month, they demanded she drop the lawsuit and write a letter of apology to the NFL star. In return, Roethlisberger would release both the woman and Dunlap from any legal liability stemming from the "conspiracy to extort and defame" him.
Those demands have been rejected by the woman, Dunlap said in his letter. It added that her settlement offer was made to negate claims by the quarterback's attorneys that she filed her suit to get money from him.
Dunlap said the woman is a sexual assault victim who "was violated in every sense of the term."
Dunlap refused further comment when contacted Wednesday.
Cornwell countered that the woman was given the option for a "graceful exit."
"We will continue to press our defenses and claims and pursue our application for sanctions," he said.
In other developments, the case in Washoe District Court has been reassigned to another judge, the third since the case was filed. District Judge Brent Adams will consider pending motions on whether the case should be moved to Douglas County. Depending on that ruling, he also would decide various other motions, including whether the case should proceed or be dismissed, attorneys said.
No hearings have been scheduled.
The woman, a VIP casino hostess, filed the civil suit against Roethlisberger in July, claiming the Super Bowl-winning quarterback raped her in 2008 in a hotel penthouse across the street from a golf course where he was playing in a celebrity tournament.
In other documents filed late Tuesday, Dunlap said the woman was stationed as a concierge on the 17th floor on July 11, 2008, when Roethlisberger returned to his room with a young woman. About 20 minutes later, he walked that woman to the elevator, then stopped by the concierge desk and chatted with staff, including his accuser.
A few minutes later, the documents said, Roethlisberger reportedly called the woman and asked her if she could fix his television. The woman said the television was working properly and that Roethlisberger then blocked her from leaving and assaulted her.
In the same filing, Dunlap also said the woman told her roommate and others of the encounter soon after the alleged attack and in the months that followed.
She did not report the incident to police, something advocates for rape victims say is not unusual.
Roethlisberger has denied the allegations.
Dunlap late Tuesday also countered suggestions by Roethlisberger's lawyers that the woman is mentally ill.
"It is in fact their slanderous allegations and total trashing of every aspect of her life, relevant or not, that adds to her distress," he wrote. "But, despite this horrible barrage of unwarranted defamation, this woman has held her head high, has gone into the den of the defendants and has continued to do her job without fail under the most egregious circumstances possible.
"This is something that a mentally ill person would certainly not be able to carry off."
The civil suit also names eight Harrah's officials as defendants, alleging they orchestrated a cover-up of the incident. The suit says she suffered depression, was hospitalized and forced to take leave from her job in the year after the incident.
In previous court documents, the attorney for hotel security chief Guy Hyder and other Harrah's defendants said the woman kept him "informed with running e-mail commentary about her plan to have sex with Roethlisberger."
"Hyder did not report it to management, since having consensual sex with a hotel patron, while on the job, would get her fired," the motion said.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Five-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Richard Seymour did not report to the Oakland Raiders on Monday, a day after being acquired in a trade with the New England Patriots.
Raiders coach Tom Cable said after practice that Seymour had to resolve some things with the Patriots before the deal for a first-round pick in 2011 could be finalized.
"We have attempted to make a deal," Cable said Monday. "There are some issues still between him and the Patriots that are being worked out. I'm hoping that that will get resolved as quickly as possible. We know that the player wants to be here, but we have really no control over those issues."
Patriots spokesman Stacey James said he was unaware of any difficulties surrounding the trade, which was announced by New England on Sunday and confirmed by Cable.
The trade was included on the league's official transaction list distributed to teams Sunday, a person who has seen the list told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the list is not public.
All deals are subject to certain conditions, including physicals for players involved, and teams can inform the league if those conditions are not met. Neither the Raiders nor Patriots asked for the trade to be rescinded by the close of business Monday, the person said.
Cable did not want to address the issue further Monday, but said Seymour told him he wants to be in Oakland. Cable did not say when Seymour would have to arrive in order to be able to play in the season opener next Monday night against San Diego.
"Just as soon as possible. That's really the only way to answer that right now," he said.
Seymour, who turns 30 next month, is in the final year of a contract that pays him about $3.7 million this season. The deal would send him from a team that has gone 77-19 the past six seasons and is a perennial Super Bowl contender to one that is an NFL-worst 24-72 over that span.
Seymour has been a stalwart in New England since being drafted sixth overall in 2001. He played on three Super Bowl winners with the Patriots, recording 39 career sacks and being selected to the Pro Bowl for five straight seasons beginning in 2002.
The Raiders were looking to upgrade a run defense that was the worst in the league during the exhibition season and has been the worst over the past six seasons. Since going to the Super Bowl following the 2002 season, Oakland has had the worst run defense in the NFL, allowing 141.7 yards per game on the ground and 122 touchdowns rushing. The Raiders have allowed a 100-yard rusher in more than half of their games the past three years.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
LITTLETON, Colo. -- Denver Broncos rookie tight end Richard Quinn was required to spend the night in jail after being arrested on harassment and domestic violence charges.
The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Department said Quinn was arrested early Monday afternoon after a woman called 911. The woman told deputies that her live-in boyfriend, Quinn, grabbed and shook her to the ground during an argument and grabbed the phone from her while she was trying to dial 911.
The 22-year-old woman told deputies that Quinn also grabbed her cell phone. She says she ran to another house in the suburban Denver neighborhood to call police.
Deputies say Quinn told them he grabbed the woman only after she started hitting him in the face, but had no visible marks on his face.
Quinn was ordered held overnight in jail without bond per Colorado law in domestic dispute cases. He was due in court Tuesday morning.
"This is a very unfortunate personal situation, but I'm extremely proud of the way Richard handled it," Peter Schaffer, Quinn's lawyer and agent, told The Associated Press on Monday night. "Richard defused what could have been an explosive situation given that their 1-year-old was in the apartment."
Schaffer said his client never struck his girlfriend, whom he said was distraught and "out of control." He said Quinn "went and locked himself and their 1-year-old daughter in the bedroom to get away from her."
"He never attacked her, never hit her," Schaffer said. "He did everything he and every other NFL rookie is taught in their symposiums. He never laid a hand on her or physically abused her or anything like that."
Schaffer didn't describe how the confrontation escalated, however.
"When all the facts come out, people will see that Richard did nothing legally wrong," Schaffer said. "His No. 1 concern right now is for the welfare of his daughter and to make sure there's no negative light put on the Denver Broncos organization or his family."
The Broncos were off Monday and team spokesman Patrick Smyth said the organization had no comment on Quinn's arrest.
Quinn was touted by coach Josh McDaniels on draft day as the type of player he wanted on his team because of his character.
A second-round pick out of North Carolina, Quinn played in all of the Broncos' preseason games and is listed as the third tight end on the depth chart behind Daniel Graham and Tony Scheffler.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Quarterback Matt Cassel appeared on Kansas City's practice field Monday for the first time since injuring his left knee on Aug. 29, but his status for Sunday's opener at Baltimore remained unclear.
Cassel, who signed a six-year contract for a guaranteed $28 million, injured his knee on the third play of the third preseason game against Seattle. He was in full uniform Monday and did most of the conditioning drills in the short period the media were permitted to watch. If he does not start at Baltimore, the Chiefs would probably go with Brodie Croyle.
Coach Todd Haley was evasive whether Cassel would play Sunday.
"I think that as the week goes on, we'll know a little bit more," said Haley. "We'll know a little bit more with Matt for sure. But it was good that he was out there. He was able to get through some things. As the week goes on a little further, we'll know a little more as far as where he's at."
Cassel's backups, Croyle and Tyler Thigpen, were both inconsistent as the Chiefs went 0-4 in Haley's first preseason as their coach. Cassel, who stepped in for an injured Tom Brady with New England last year and won 11 games, hit 11 of 19 passes for 114 yards and one TD.
Croyle saw the most action and was 22 of 44 for 271 yards. The offense scored only two touchdowns in four preseason games.
"It's good this is a long week. That will help with anybody who's nicked up," said Haley. "I would say generally you would need to have a full practice to have a chance to play. Generally, you need to have a full Friday practice to have a chance."
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
Apparently, LenDale White doesn't think stomping on the Terrible Towel last season was so, well, terrible.
"If it happens to be there, I'm going to stomp all over that [pause], man," the running back told reporters after practice Sunday. "If there's a towel in the stands, I will stomp on it. I don't care who gets mad. ... If they throw a towel at me, I'm going to kick it and stomp all over it. If they don't want their towel stomped on, keep it out my face."
The incident sparked controversy last season after White and teammate Keith Bulluck celebrated clinching the AFC's top seed by stomping on the Terrible Towel. Defensive end Jevon Kearse also was caught on camera pretending to use one to blow his nose.
The Titans face the Steelers at Heinz Field in the NFL's season opener on Thursday, Sept. 10. And while White told reporters he expects the atmosphere to be a "loud one, a loud, mean, evil one," Kearse said it's time to move on.
"I’m not even paying attention to that anymore. It happened. It’s in the past," Kearse said, according to The Nashville City Paper. "That was last season. It happened last season, so what? If they want to use that as motivation, let them go ahead and use that as motivation. I mean, rah, rah, rah. We stomped on a towel, so what? That’s what we were supposed to do in our house."
The New York Giants have cut David Tyree, the receiver who cradled a catch against his helmet to prolong a game-winning drive at the end of Super Bowl XLII.
"I talked to [assistant GM] Kevin Abrams this morning and he said it was a very tough decision for the team," Michael Clouser, Tyree's agent, told The Newark Star-Ledger on Saturday. "Like anyone else, it was a tough thing for David to hear. He's actually saying his goodbyes to his teammates right now."
A team source confirmed Tyree's release to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
The Giants also released quarterback Andre Woodson and are considering carrying only two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster -- Eli Manning and David Carr.
That makes this year's fifth-round pick Rhett Bomar a candidate to be released and re-signed to the practice squad if he clears waivers.
Leg injuries kept Tyree from playing at all in 2008 and limited him to four catches during the 2007 regular season. He pulled in three catches for 43 yards in the Super Bowl, as the Giants beat the New England Patriots 17-14.
"He's obviously disappointed, but we're confident someone else will see the value he brings on special teams and as a wide receiver," Clouser said. "We'll see how things go here in the next few days."
Tyree, a sixth-round draft pick of the Giants in 2003 out of Syracuse, has 54 catches for 650 yards in five seasons. He had told reporters this week he anticipated being released.
"What a joy it was to be a part of something so great from Day 1," Tyree said, according to the Star-Ledger. "My experience here has been nothing short of a dream."
Teams were required to set their rosters at no more than 53 players Saturday.
"To be placed in team history and sports history, where do you go from here?" Tyree said earlier this week. "But at the same time, my love for this game hasn't died out yet and I really feel I still have something great to add onto my career and legacy."
ASHBURN, Va. -- The winner between the two ex-Heisman Trophy contenders battling for the Washington Redskins third-string quarterback job? Try "none of the above."
The Redskins say they've decided to put quarterback Colt Brennan on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, ruling him out for the season.
The team reported on its Web site Saturday that Brennan aggravated a nagging hamstring problem during Thursday night's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Brennan and Chase Daniel spent the preseason battling for the third-string job.
But Daniel was waived Saturday as the Redskins made their final cuts for the 53-man roster and was being considered for the practice squad.
The Redskins plan to carry only two quarterbacks on their roster -- Jason Campbell and Todd Collins.
Daniel, a undrafted rookie from Missouri generously listed at 6 feet, was considered a long shot to overtake Brennan at the start of training camp.
But Brennan threw three interceptions in preseason while Daniel had three touchdowns and no interceptions in more limited action.
The quarterback developments were the first nuggets on a busy day at Redskins Park.
Kicker Dave Rayner was also cut, giving Shaun Suisham the starting job, a team source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The Redskins faced a 6 p.m. ET deadline to cut their roster from 75 to 53.
Daniel said in a Twitter post he was told by the front office he'll get a spot on the practice squad if he clears waivers. Teams can establish an eight-man practice squad Sunday.
Information from The Associated Press, ESPN Insider Adam Schefter and ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen was used in this report.
MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre was fined $10,000 by the NFL on Friday for his crackback block on Houston defensive back Eugene Wilson in a preseason game.
The play happened on Monday night at Houston in Favre's first extensive action since he signed with the Vikings on Aug. 18.
The 39-year-old lined up at receiver in Minnesota's version of the wildcat offense. Rookie receiver Percy Harvin took the snap and started running around the left end in Favre's direction. Despite playing with sore ribs, the quarterback crouched and threw his body at Wilson's legs to cut him down.
The game was televised nationally and the block caused an uproar in Houston and elsewhere around the league. Wilson injured his left knee on the play and defensive players have long considered that type of block a dirty play.
"What was up with that?" Wilson said after the game when asked about the block. "Seriously, what was up with that?"
Favre had only been practicing for 14 days since ending his second retirement to join the Vikings. He said he wasn't trying to injure Wilson and was only trying to help Harvin on the run, and knock a little rust off.
"I will be 40 years old in October and [was] weed-eating 13 days ago," Favre said. "I wasn't thinking about throwing blocks."
The Vikings finish the preseason Friday night with a home game against the Cowboys. Favre is not expected to play.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
DENVER -- The trial for a man accused of killing Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams will be held after the NFL season to give defense attorneys more time to interview NFL players who are witnesses.
Willie Clark faces first-degree murder charges in the shooting death of Williams on New Year's Day 2007. Clark's trial had been set for Oct. 13, but was moved to Feb. 22 by Denver District Judge Christina Habas on Friday.
Williams was shot and killed while riding in a limousine on Jan. 1, 2007, after leaving a Denver nightclub. He was 24.
Authorities say that Williams and other players went to the club hours after their last game of the 2006-2007 season and got into an altercation with another group that included Clark. Prosecutors contend Clark fired shots into the limousine from an SUV.
Defense attorney Darien Cantor said Friday that defense investigators are having trouble reaching NFL players who witnessed the crime. Among them is then-Broncos wide receiver Jason Walker, who held the injured Williams in his arms. Walker, now with the Oakland Raiders, wasn't hurt.
A handcuffed and shackled Clark told Habas on Friday that he doesn't think he can get a fair trial because the media have vilified him since Williams' death.
"I don't see I'm getting a fair trial anyway," Clark said. "I was in the media for two years, they're constantly (saying), 'He done it, he done it."
Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey has said there was more than one shooter but that witnesses have been reluctant to talk to investigators. Two weapons, a .45-caliber handgun and a .40-caliber gun, were used in Williams' slaying.
Clark and two other men face murder charges in the killing of a witness in an unrelated drug case.
Habas rejected Cantor's request to exclude testimony from witnesses who have cooperated or received "compensation" from prosecutors, saying it's up to the jury to determine a witness' credibility.
She also rejected Cantor's request to dismiss physical evidence involving firearm tool markings -- scrapings, nicks and other marks left by a firearm on shell casings. Cantor had contended it was "junk science."
The judge did order prosecutors to give the defense a witness list. She also ordered police to turn over information about Denver Crime Stoppers, which allows the public to report tips to police anonymously.
According to Cantor, a witness code-named "Cuba Orange" called the hot line shortly after the slaying to report that another person had confessed to being the shooter.
Prosecutors revealed that a witness against Clark has been indicted. Denver district attorney's spokeswoman Robin Finegan said it involves Mario Anderson, a man who police say was in the back seat of the SUV.
Anderson faces two charges of perjury, and a charge of attempting to influence a public servant, Finegan said. Additional details were not immediately available.
A phone number for Anderson could not be found and it was not immediately clear if he had an attorney.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
Michael Vick got the green light for full reinstatement in the NFL on Thursday when commissioner Roger Goodell said the disgraced quarterback could play later this month instead of waiting until October.
Vick, recently signed by the Philadelphia Eagles, will now be able to play in the Sept. 27 game at home against the Kansas City Chiefs. It would be his first regular-season game since he was sent to prison for his role in operating a dogfighting ring.
"I've been doing everything I could, just trying to do all the right things and make sure I just stay on course," Vick said. "I'm happy with the decision."
Goodell and Vick met Thursday morning for 45 to 50 minutes in New Jersey to discuss when Vick might be reinstated. After that, Goodell said, he consulted with Vick's mentor, former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy, for another 45 minutes.
"Hopefully we can have a success story here, which would be good for society in general," Goodell said. "He's realistic about the challenges ahead. And anxious to play football."
Philadelphia lost to the Jets 38-27 in an exhibition game at the Meadowlands Thursday night. Vick ran for a 2-yard touchdown, but was sacked four times, lost a fumble and was intercepted.
Vick was in and out of the lineup in the opening half, and was booed each time he ran onto the field. He lined up at quarterback and wide receiver at times, and scored his first NFL touchdown since 2006 to give the Eagles a 14-7 lead early in the second quarter. Vick lined up at quarterback, faked a handoff and ran up the middle from 2 yards 25 seconds into the quarter.
Vick was released from federal custody July 20 after serving 18 months of a 23-month prison sentence for his role in running a dogfighting ring in Virginia. Previously, Goodell said he would consider Vick for full reinstatement by no later than Week 6.
During their meeting Thursday at the Eagles' hotel near Newark International Airport, the topic of Vick's past experiences and why he got involved in dogfighting came up. One of Vick's representatives was explaining it, when Vick stepped in and took responsibility. "He was genuinely remorseful," Goodell said.
"I've been trying to show him that I'm moving in the right direction," Vick said of Goodell. "I'm changing my life for the better."
Goodell said he discussed with Vick the report that he was seen drinking an alcoholic beverage in a restaurant at the hotel where he was staying. Goodell said it was not a violation of his probation.
"It highlights the tremendous microscope this man is under," Goodell said. "He understands he has little margin for error. It served as a useful lesson."
"He [Goodell] met with Michael this morning and I think he came out of it feeling very confident that Michael's doing the right things and is on the right track," Eagles president Joe Banner said before the game.
"I think Michael wants to play as soon as he can. On the other hand, I think he thinks this was fair."
A three-time Pro Bowl pick during six seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, Vick was a surprise signing by the Eagles on Aug. 13. He received a one-year deal for $1.6 million with a team option for a second year at $5.2 million.
Vick started practicing with the Eagles on Aug. 15, but did not travel with the team to its second preseason game a week later in Indianapolis because he could not play.
He played six snaps in Philadelphia's home game against Jacksonville last week, lining up at quarterback and receiver. He completed all four of his pass attempts, but the Eagles' offense scored just three points in the possessions he played.
"We thought that if Michael did the right things, somewhere -- probably one to three weeks -- would be the likely outcome. So this is certainly in the range we expected," Banner said. "We appreciate the commissioner's thoughtfulness and I think this is a good outcome and we look forward to having him."
Coach Andy Reid was also present at Goodell's meeting with Vick.
"He definitely provided me with useful feedback," Goodell said. "He's very open about the challenges, you know, from his own personal experiences."
Reid's two sons have been jailed on drug charges.
"He told me how Michael's doing and how he's incorporating into the team and the judgments he's making," Goodell said.
"As far as Michael's situation goes," Reid said, "the two-game suspension by the commissioner, we obviously respect his decision 100 percent and support it."
The Eagles plan to use Vick in their version of the Wildcat offense, and Reid has stated that Kevin Kolb remains the backup to Donovan McNabb.
Vick's familiarity with the West Coast offense has expedited his learning process with Philadelphia. He's said he's content doing whatever he can to help the team win and wants to learn from McNabb how to become a better quarterback.
"I still think I'm a couple of weeks away," Vick said after the game. "I can use this time to get myself in shape, build my endurance, continue to strengthen my legs and continue to work my mind with the offense."
Although McNabb is an excellent scrambler, he prefers being a pocket passer. Vick always has been far more inclined to take off and run than stay in the pocket and find an open receiver. His career completion percentage is only 53.8 percent, and he has more career 100-yard rushing games (8) than 250-yard passing games. Vick has 71 career touchdown passes, but 52 interceptions.
The Eagles were heavily criticized by animal rights activists for signing Vick, and dozens of protesters voiced their outrage outside the team's practice facility the day after he signed.
But the explosive debate that consumed the city upon Vick's arrival played out on a much smaller and subdued scale when Vick made his Eagles debut at Lincoln Financial Field.
An animal welfare event was held across town, and the local NAACP's planned march outside the stadium to support Vick did not materialize, although about a dozen members set up a table with banners supporting him.
Local animal rights activists have opted not to protest the player, but to use Vick's arrival in Philadelphia to spotlight their work and have asked the Eagles to support them.
The team has been receptive, inviting several groups to a meeting at their practice facility a few days before Vick played to discuss ways to help, including the possibility of financial support.
Information from ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter and The Associated Press was used in this report.
TAMPA, Fla. -- In a stunning move 10 days before the start of the regular season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have dismissed offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski.
Jagodzinski
The Bucs announced the move in a statement Thursday morning and said quarterbacks coach Greg Olson will take over as coordinator.
"We needed more direction," Bucs coach Raheem Morris said in an early-afternoon news conference. "We needed more precision. [We weren't] getting it at the time, so you make the change."
The change comes on the eve of the Bucs' preseason finale against the Houston Texans. Tampa Bay opens the regular season Sept. 13 at home against the Dallas Cowboys.
"I am certainly disappointed but I wish nothing but the best for Raheem Morris and the entire Buccaneer organization," Jagodzinski said in a statement Thursday. "I was given the chance to remain on staff as the quarterbacks coach, but felt that the timing for such a move was not in the best interest for either side."Morris and team sources confirmed Jagodzinski had the option of staying on the staff but declined. Morris and team sources also said the conflict in no way stemmed from the decision to go with veteran Byron Leftwich as the opening-day starter at quarterback and bring rookie Josh Freeman along slowly. A team source said the coaching staff was united in the decision to open with Leftwich.
A team source said conflict had been building since early in training camp over coaches and players not agreeing with Jagodzinski's coaching philosophies and teaching methods.
"This guy was better suited to be a head coach than a coordinator," the team source said. The source also said Jagodzinski was not calling plays in the preseason. That responsibility fell to running backs coach Steve Logan, who was Jagodzinski's offensive coordinator at Boston College.
Another team source said the Bucs will pay Jagodzinski about $1 million on his contract.
Jagodzinski was hired by Morris in January three weeks after a rocky ending to his time as head coach at BC. Against the wishes of BC's administration, Jagodzinski interviewed for the head-coaching vacancy with the New York Jets and was fired the next day, ending his two-season stint in Chestnut Hill.
"I just learned the news. It's unfortunate," Boston College athletic director Gene DeFilippo said in a statement Thursday. "All of us at Boston College wish Jags and his family the very best."
The Bucs initially viewed the hiring of Jagodzinski and veteran defensive coordinator Jim Bates as positives that would give first-time head coach Morris experience to lean on.
"We wanted to get the dream team together," Morris said. "It just didn't work out."
Olson twice has been a coordinator before. Although there have been reports that Olson interviewed for Tampa Bay's coordinator position when Jagodzinski got the job, the team source said this was not true. Olson was under contract as the quarterbacks coach and was not initially considered for the coordinator position, the source said. The source also confirmed the Bucs refused to let Olson interview for jobs with two other teams in the offseason.
NFL blogger Pat Yasinskas covers the NFC South for ESPN.com.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jaguars star Maurice Jones-Drew might not be 100 percent when the season begins after bruising his lower right leg Thursday night against the Washington Redskins.
Jones-Drew
X-rays were negative, but Jones-Drew was scheduled to have an MRI exam Friday. Although Jones-Drew has been fairly durable in three seasons, he could be slowed heading into the season opener at Indianapolis.
Jones-Drew hurt his leg on the opening series when cornerback Fred Smoot tackled him following a short reception. Jones-Drew exchanged words with Smoot and safety LaRon Landry before leaving the field. He slammed his helmet to the ground, then headed to the locker room.
Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said the low hit fired up Jones-Drew.
"He had a 'UFC shot' to the shin or lower leg and it's bruised," Del Rio said. "Maurice was a little frustrated by the hit and he wanted to get his hands on the guy, I can tell you that."
Quarterback David Garrard took some of the blame for leading Jones-Drew into the flat.
"I don't know what's really wrong with him. I don't know if anything's really wrong with him," Garrard said. "He'll be fine. He'll be ready to roll. I could have helped him out a little bit more by putting the ball where it stops him and not kind of lead him into that defender out there.
"But it's football. Those types of things are going to happen."
Smoot and Landry didn't play after the opening series and were not around when the locker room opened following the game.
Teammate Reed Doughty, a backup safety, said low hits are part of the game -- especially against a 210-pound back like Jones-Drew.
"If you don't cut, it's a scrimmage," Doughty said. "That's what DBs do. When we blitz, they don't cut? I don't think Smoot did anything on purpose or was trying to hurt him."
Although the injury didn't appear serious, the Jaguars can't afford to lose their top playmaker. Convinced he could be the cornerstone of the offense, the team released veteran Fred Taylor and gave Jones-Drew a five-year, $31 million contract in April.
He has nearly 4,000 yards rushing and receiving, and has scored 40 touchdowns in three seasons. Only San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson has more touchdowns (61) since 2006.
"He's a warrior, he's a champion, he's one of the leaders of our team and you're going to get the same Maurice Jones-Drew every day," receiver Mike Sims-Walker said.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
WINNIPEG, Manitoba -- Adam "Pacman" Jones won't be playing for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers after all.
The CFL team announced Wednesday it has ended its pursuit of the controversial ex-NFL cornerback, one day after multiple reports said Jones would play for the team.
"It is unfortunate that this situation became public; however, our position has remained consistent," Blue Bombers coach Mike Kelly said in a statement. "We will pursue athletes that we believe will contribute to our organization on and off the field.
"We have completed our assessment and due diligence and at this time we will not be pursuing the services of Adam Jones."
Jones' attorney, Worrick Robinson, told The Associated Press on Tuesday he had been in "consistent negotiations" with a CFL team, but wouldn't say which one.
Jones is a former first-round draft pick of the Tennessee Titans who has twice been suspended by the NFL for off-field incidents -- including for the entire 2007 season -- and was released in February by the Dallas Cowboys.
Before coming to Dallas, Jones was arrested six times and involved in 12 instances requiring police intervention after Tennessee drafted him in 2005. He was suspended by commissioner Roger Goodell for the 2007 season before he got in trouble again.
The cornerback's time with the Cowboys was cut short by six games for another behavior-related suspension, an off-field scuffle with a member of the security detail provided by the team.
Jones, who turns 26 at the end of this month, also drew interest from the UFL, the new four-team league scheduled to begin play in October.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
SHREVEPORT, La. -- John Stephens, the 1988 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year with the New England Patriots, was killed after his pickup truck ran off a highway and struck some trees, authorities said Wednesday.
Stephens, 43, apparently lost control of his vehicle on a rural stretch of Louisiana Highway 169 near Shreveport on Tuesday night, the Caddo Parish Sheriff's office said.
Stephens wasn't wearing a seatbelt and was thrown after the truck hit some trees head-on, sheriff's spokeswoman Cindy Chadwick said in a statement.
According to the statement, Stephens apparently was traveling at a high rate of speed at the time of the single-vehicle accident.
"It appeared Stephens lost control and tried to overcorrect his steering, causing him to cross back over the road and hit the trees," the sheriff's office added.
No one else was injured in the crash.
"This is a very sad loss," said Adrian Howard, a defensive back who played with Stephens at Northwestern State from 1986 until 1989.
Stephens, selected 17th overall by the Patriots in the 1988 NFL Draft, played six seasons in the league, reaching the Pro Bowl as a rookie when he ran for 1,168 yards. He stayed with the Patriots until 1992, then spent time with the Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons and Kansas City Chiefs before retiring with 3,440 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns in his career.
At Northwestern State, Stephens broke the school's career rushing record, previously set by Joe Delaney, by 10 yards with 3,057.
Delaney was the 1981 AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year for the Chiefs, and when Stephens won his award seven years later, it made Northwestern State the only school to produce two running backs who went on to be Rookie of the Year winners.
Stephens also won the NFL's first Gale Sayers Humanitarian Citation for his work on behalf of the Roxbury (Mass.) Comprehensive Community Health Center.
Funeral arrangements were pending.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
The Denver Broncos haven't been attempting to deal disgruntled wide receiver Brandon Marshall, according to league sources, and have received very little contact from other teams inquiring about the currently suspended Pro Bowler.
The New York Jets have called the Broncos to explore the situation, according to a source with knowledge of the situation, but Denver has no intention of dealing Marshall right now -- a stance that first-year coach Josh McDaniels confirmed Wednesday.
"We're looking forward to having Brandon back on Sept. 6 and starting our preparations for (the season opener at) Cincinnati with him," McDaniels said, according to The Associated Press. "There's no discussions whatsoever taking place between the Denver Broncos and any team in the NFL regarding Brandon Marshall."
And it could be very difficult to agree on any trade of Marshall for multiple reasons. He has one year left on his contract and wants to be traded, but the Broncos already have endured a difficult offseason and preseason. The team is trying to do whatever it can to be as good as possible in 2009 -- already a crucial year for the embattled McDaniels -- and the prospect of 2010 draft picks isn't something very palatable to them.
Officials with three teams that could use a wide receiver all said they hadn't received a call from Denver regarding Marshall, and several sources who have had contact with Broncos general manager Brian Xanders recently said he never once mentioned the wide receiver being available.
Marshall would covet a change of scenery and a chance to sign a lucrative new contract as he is due to make just $2.2 million this season after posting back-to-back 100-catch seasons. However, his value around the NFL is low, given his hip injuries, clashes with team officials (he also has been suspended in the past), recent lack of time on the practice field, a past run-in with law enforcement and his desire for big money.
The Broncos remain optimistic that Marshall might display a better attitude and determination to play when he reports back to the team on Sept. 6 after his suspension for the final two preseason games for outlandish antics at a practice is over. Marshall and the Broncos have been unable to rebuild the trust between them and have disagreed about issues ranging from the wide receiver's health to the actions of the team's public-relations staff, and a long-term marriage remains difficult to imagine. And, undoubtedtly, getting to a big-market team such as the Jets would be appealing to Marshall.
However, the Broncos have the leverage in this situation. They aren't inclined to deal Marshall with his value so low, a source said, and are doing nothing to posit the idea that he could be traded. In fact, they believe that any team being overt about its interest in Marshall risks violating tampering rules and they want to do whatever is possible to get Marshall to concentrate on being productive in Denver rather than dwelling on possible trades (and thus mulling exit strategies).
The Broncos believe that if Marshall returns from his suspension focused, he could be productive right away. Given the fact that franchise quarterback Jay Cutler already was traded in the offseason, the team's top two current quarterbacks are hurt and top draft pick Knowshon Moreno has missed virtually the entire preseason because of a holdout and an injury (he was the projected starting running back), the Broncos immediately need all the help they can get.
Marshall's best chance at getting more money, regardless of the team, is through production on the field and staying out of trouble off of it. The Broncos would love to get off to a fast start, if possible, given all the acrimony and angst over their offseason. The AFC West is perhaps the worst division in football, and Denver is trying to fortify any chance it has of being competitive right now. Landing a mid-round 2010 draft pick (what several executives project to be what an interested party would offer for Marshall) wouldn't help at all in that regard.
Should a team ultimately step up and make an overwhelming offer, well, it's pro sports, so you never say never. The Broncos might end up having to suspend Marshall again. Maybe they get off to a slow start and it becomes best to ship him out before the trade deadline. We're not there yet, though, with everybody 0-0 and the team eager to see if Marshall has learned from this latest experience.
The Broncos haven't been sending any such signals yet, though, and only one team has called about Marshall.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Philadelphia Eagles expect NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to issue a ruling on Michael Vick's possible full reinstatement before Saturday's mandatory league-wide cutdown to the 53-man roster, league sources told ESPN.
Under the conditional reinstatement imposed in July, Vick may not begin playing in regular-season games until Goodell's notification, which must come by Week 6. But Eagles head coach Andy Reid and team president Joe Banner have been in weekly contact with Goodell, updating him on Vick's behavior and progress, while also seeking from the commissioner a clearer understanding of when he will rule on Vick's reinstatement.
Goodell has wide latitude to make a ruling up to Week 6, and he can force Vick to sit out any number of games this season. But it is widely believed that he will allow Vick to return to full-time duty by Week 3, when the Eagles host the Kansas City Chiefs, according to those close to Vick and the Eagles.
Goodell and Vick will be meeting "soon," according to a league source. Before Goodell makes his ruling, he wants to hear from Vick personally on his progress. Goodell said on Tuesday he has been talking to Vick on a weekly basis. "A lot of those issues I'm focusing on are off the field," Goodell said. "How is he dealing with the transition? ... Does he have the right people around him helping him make decisions?"
The reason the Eagles want an early ruling from Goodell is simple: They want to put together their 53-man roster. If Goodell notifies the team that Vick is, for example, available to play no earlier than Week 3, the team may opt to put Vick on the roster exempt list, carrying only quarterbacks Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb and A.J. Feeley.
If Vick is on the exempt list, he cannot practice with the team until he's put back on the 53-man roster. So, putting Vick on the exempt list could retard his progress in the offense.
But if the Eagles carry Vick, they would not likely carry four quarterbacks, and Feeley would be the odd man out. Several teams have been inquiring about Feeley, including the New England Patriots. The Eagles are in the market for a tight end and the Patriots have four viable tight ends on their roster.
On Tuesday, members of the Eagles' front office met for the second time with leaders of Philadelphia-area animal rights groups. None of those local groups has agreed to partner up with Vick for a local anti-dogfighting campaign. No local event with Vick has been announced.
Sal Paolantonio is a reporter for ESPN.
September 1, 2009 12:53 AM
Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert
HOUSTON -- Earlier Monday, I was pretty direct in decrying Brett Favre's crackback block in the third quarter of an otherwise admirable performance in Minnesota's 17-10 preseason victory over Houston. And even now, I can't see the wisdom in throwing your39-year-old body -- illegally, I might add -- at the knee of an opposing player during a Wildcat play.
But we're all about free speech here on the Black and Blue blog, soit's only fair to give Favre a chance to explain himself. Speaking to a small group of reporters late Monday night, Favre said his "intentions were not to be cheap" and said he was trying to protect teammate Percy Harvin from getting hit. On the play, Favre turned back toward the line of scrimmage and upended Texans defensive back Eugene Wilson.
"Believe me, I hope [Wilson's] OK," Favre said. "I hope it didn'tlook as bad on film as it may have seemed. But my intention, believeme, was not to hurt anyone, including myself. Percy was running my way.I was out there. There's going to be those people who say you shouldhave done nothing, [just] get out of the way ... ."
Hello!!!!
"... But I think had I not blocked anyone and just gotten out of the way, and Percy gets hit and gets hurt, I think it looks worse."
I suppose this is part of the package you get with Favre. He's going to lead a textbook two-minute drill, as he did at the end of the first half Monday night. He's going to expertly find an outlet receiver against a blitz, helping his team to a 28-yard touchdown play. And then he's going to bust his chest out for a moment, draw a silly penalty and then deftly attribute it to locker room camaraderie.
Depending on how much cynicism you view Favre with, you might pointout that he decided to "protect" Harvin only a few days after ESPN's Adam Schefter reported his arrival had caused a schism in the locker room. I asked Favre what the crackback rule was for quarterbacks, and his answer was accurate based on my read of the NFL's official rulebook: "You can't go up field and then come in and crack back. But it's OK outside the box to go low."
Favre admitted he "was not thinking about" the technicalities ofthe rule in the heat of the moment. I don't know if he intended to throw that block as a rite of passage into the locker room. But you're welcome to draw that conclusion if you wish.
At least one of his teammates appreciated it. Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe, for one, warned future opponents to keep their "eyes on a swivel." (Personally, I'm a sucker for mangled metaphors.)
Wilson, by the way, said after the game that he is not seriously injured. He said he was surprised that Favre delivered such a "toughblow" but that it was time to move on. Asked what he would say to Favre if he had a chance, Wilson said: "What was up with that? Seriously,what was up with that?"
The play capped off another day of drama for Favre, who earlier hinted in an ESPN production meeting that he might have suffered a cracked rib during his Aug. 21 debut against Kansas City. Favre admitted Monday night that "I really don't believe" the rib is cracked and hasn't had any tests to make a final determination.
"It doesn't feel great," he said, "But I think I'll be fine. ... I haven't got an X-ray yet. But say it shows there's a crack. There's nothing you can do about it. You can play with it."
That seems especially true after he completed 13 of 18 passes for142 yards and a touchdown. Or maybe that's just me. In either case,it's time to wonder whether Favre is done for the preseason.
Coach Brad Childress wouldn't tip his hand, saying he'll decide this week if Favre will play Friday night against Dallas. Favre said he has always been an "advocate for playing" but joked some of his teammates might put him in a "choke hold" if he pushed too hard to play, forcing them to suit up as well.
Even if he does play Friday, it isn't likely to be for long. So for me, Monday night was Favre's biggest day of the preseason. And without question, he took a step forward -- and has several more big steps to take.
"I know I'm up against the clock," he said. "We start playing next week for real. We've got to get it together pretty quickly."
