Report: Bills awaiting tests on rookie Dareus' ankle injury

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- A person familiar with rookie defensive lineman Marcell Dareus' ankle injury has told The Associated Press that the Buffalo Bills are awaiting tests to determine its severity after the first-round draft pick was hurt in practice.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team hasn't released any information or confirmed Dareus was hurt.

The injury occurred in practice Wednesday, during a portion that is closed to reporters. Dareus was briefly spotted walking on crutches in the locker room after practice.

Dareus was drafted third overall out of Alabama in April and is being counted on to make an immediate impact in improving what was a porous Buffalo defense last year.

The Buffalo News first reported that Dareus hurt his left ankle.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Croyle signed as Cardinals' backup QB; Hall waived

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- The Arizona Cardinals have shored up their depleted quarterback ranks by signing Brodie Croyle, in the process parting ways with Max Hall.

Hall, who partially dislocated his left shoulder in practice on Monday, was waived-injured, a move that could lead to an injury settlement with the second-year quarterback. Coach Ken Whisenhunt said that would allow Hall to be re-signed at some point in the season if the team needs him.

"It's the only way we could potentially get him back," Whisenhunt said. "If we went straight injured reserve, then he wouldn't be able to come back and play for us this year. But the way I understand it, the way the rules work now, is that if we work out a settlement with him in whatever time frame, then we would have an opportunity later in the season to bring him back if we needed that."

The Cardinals also signed veteran punter Dave Zastudil, an indication the team is not satisfied with the performance of Australian Ben Graham, who has held that job for the past two seasons. Graham had a big season in 2009, averaging 47 yards per punt with 42 inside the 20-yard line and 17 inside the 10, and only three touchbacks. Last year, as the team went from 10-6 to 5-11, Graham's average dropped to 43.4 yards with 29 inside the 20 and 12 inside the 10. He had nine touchbacks.

"We weren't as good in a lot of areas last year, and that was definitely one of the areas that we weren't up to our standards," Whisenhunt said. "So that's the reason we have extra guys in camp. We're trying to look at that position and get the best player we can."

Zastudil, who started his pro career with Baltimore, is a 10-year NFL veteran, the last five with Cleveland. He spent last season on injured reserve with a knee injury. Zastudil has a career average of 42.7 yards in 113 games with 179 punts inside the opponent's 20.

Croyle participated in Wednesday morning's walkthrough and is expected to play some in Saturday night's preseason home opener against San Diego, because the only other healthy quarterbacks on the roster are starter Kevin Kolb and Rich Bartel. John Skelton has not practiced all week after spraining an ankle in last weekend's loss at Green Bay.

Croyle was the obvious choice to fill in because he spent the last five seasons in Kansas City, primarily as a backup, the last two under Todd Haley, who was Whisenhunt's offensive coordinator before going to the Chiefs.

"He was with Todd in that system so there's obviously some similarities there," Whisenhunt said. "As far as being able to get him in here in two days and have him potentially ready to play, we felt like that was the best opportunity for us to do that. You figure we've got two games in five days, so it would be very hard to get just any quarterback in here up to speed with the ability play, which could happen in those two games."

Hall, a high school star in the Phoenix suburb of Mesa, made the Cardinals' roster as an undrafted rookie out of BYU a year ago, impressing the coaches with his quick grasp of the offense. When starter Derek Anderson faltered, Hall became the starter in week five, helping Arizona upset New Orleans. But he had a bad game the following week at Seattle, then was benched after two passes were returned for touchdowns against Tampa Bay.

Anderson returned, then Hall came back briefly before going down with the same injury he sustained this week. The rookie Skelton started the final four games of the year.

The Cardinals practiced Wednesday afternoon, and have a morning workout Thursday before heading down to the triple-digit heat of the desert.

Kolb said he wants to play into the third quarter against the Chargers, something Whisenhunt said probably would happen.

The Cardinals' new quarterback has been to University of Phoenix Stadium once, when he was a backup for the Eagles in their NFC championship game loss to Arizona in the 2008 season.

"I don't even know how to get out there," he said. "I have to look it up on my phone and get directions."

Kolb wants to use these next two home preseason games to get his pregame routine down.

"Game day you don't want any surprises," he said. "You want to just get there, be in the right mindset, and be ready to roll."

As for excitement in the waning days of camp, there wasn't much, other than Kolb, riding his Segway, narrowly avoiding what could have been a nasty collision with one of the multitude of skunks that roam the area.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Achilles tear takes Chiefs' Siler out of linebacker competition

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Brandon Siler tore an Achilles' tendon during practice this week and is the latest to join a growing list of NFL players to sustain the season-ending injury.

Siler's agent, David Canter, confirmed the injury in a text message to The Associated Press on Wednesday. He did not know which Achilles was hurt, but said Siler already had surgery to repair it.

"We're both beside ourselves upset," Canter said.

Siler was competing for the middle linebacker spot alongside Derrick Johnson after signing with the Chiefs as a free agent. Siler had looked good throughout fall camp after picking up 44 tackles, one sack and one interception in 12 games with the San Diego Chargers last season.

"I don't really know what happened," said Demorrio Williams, who has been competing with Siler for playing time. "I just saw him land on the ground."

The Chiefs' policy is to not discuss injuries, although they're quickly stacking up.

First-round draft pick Jonathan Baldwin hurt his right thumb in a reported locker room altercation with running back Thomas Jones. Fellow wide receiver Steve Breaston also has missed some practice time, along with offensive linemen Jared Gaither, Ryan O'Callaghan and Darryl Harris, cornerback Brandon Flowers and linebackers Gabe Miller and Eric Bakhtiari.

The Chiefs should be able to withstand the loss of Siler, who could also have contributed to special teams. Jovan Belcher has made 131 tackles while playing significant snaps the past two seasons, and Williams and Cory Greenwood are in the mix.

"I think we have good depth," Johnson said. "It's always tough to lose a linebacker, and it's hard. It's hard. But this is a violent sport."

Siler's injury is the first significant one for the Chiefs, though hardly the first round the league, where some believe the NFL lockout has contributed to more season-ending injuries.

Detroit's second-round draft pick, running back Mikel Leshoure, tore an Achilles tendon earlier in fall camp. Browns punter Reggie Hodges sustained the same injury after he took a snap in the end zone, took one step and dropped like a sack of flour. Philadelphia defensive end Victor Abiamiri and Bengals linebacker Roddrick Muckelroy are among the other players to tear their Achilles.

The lockout wiped out organized team activities and the ability for players to use team facilities during the summer months, which some argue resulted in players arriving at camp out of shape.

Browns linebacker Scott Fujita, a member of the players' executive committee, has said he is personally monitoring some of the reported injuries from other training camps. He's also asked trainers to keep him updated on missed practices to determine whether the lockout had any effect.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.

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Colts agree to terms with QB Collins while Manning rehabs

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Colts are bringing one veteran quarterback out of retirement.

No, not Brett Favre.

The team agreed to terms Wednesday with Kerry Collins, making him the likely starter in case Peyton Manning hasn't completely recovered from offseason neck surgery when the season opens Sept. 11.

Collins said he has been given no indication that Manning won't play at Houston.

Wyche: Collins more than insurance

"Hopefully, Peyton will be back, but if he's not, maybe I can be one of the guys that can help this ballclub," Collins said in a conference call with reporters Wednesday night. "The biggest draw for me coming here was just being with a team that I have a lot of respect for and a lot of history with, and really to be with a great team and play with one of greatest quarterbacks of all time."

Collins agreed to a one-year contract and acknowledged he could be talked into staying longer than 2011.

But not everyone in the Colts' locker room was enamored with the move.

"We don't even know him, we ain't vanilla, man, we ain't no simple offense," wide receiver Reggie Wayne said. "So for him to come in here and be the starter, I don't see it. I think that's a step back."

Collins acknowledged that learning the Colts' offense in such a short time is his biggest challenge in joining the team.

"It's going to be like a foreign language," Collins said. "The concepts may be the same, but they call it something completely different. So that's going to be a challenge, and that's why I need bust my tail, get in the classroom and hopefully I can get to the point where I can get out there and operate the offense efficiently."

Colts coach Jim Caldwell wasn't available to talk with reporters about Collins, but he struck a calm tone in a statement released by the team.

"He is a veteran quarterback who has started many games and he brings dimension and depth to the quarterback position, which will be helpful," Caldwell said. "He is familiar with our division and will make a great addition to our roster."

Yet the move is another indication that Manning's streak of 227 consecutive starts, including playoff games, is in serious jeopardy.

Manning had surgery May 23 to repair a nerve in his neck, and the recovery has gone slower than expected partially, Manning said, because he couldn't work out with team trainers during the 4½-month lockout.

Colts owner Jim Irsay wrote Saturday morning on Twitter that the Colts had to be prepared to play without Manning in the opener against the AFC South rival Texans. Later that day, Manning acknowledged he didn't expect to play in the final two preseason games and that he would need the next two weeks just to get healthy.

Caldwell hasn't said when he expects Manning to return to the field after the quarterback signed a five-year, $90 million contract to stay in Indianapolis last month.

"I think he laid out pretty well where he is, and that he is working extremely hard to try and get back as quickly as he possibly can," Caldwell said Monday. "He's going to work hard at trying to get back and get ready, and he's doing everything he can to do so."

And if he's not ready? Well, there's Collins, who has played in 195 career games with the Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, Oakland Raiders and Carolina Panthers before retiring in July.

Collins has a career 55.8 completion percentage and has thrown for 40,441 yards, 206 touchdowns and 195 interceptions. As the starter, Collins has led his team to the playoffs four times, including a Super Bowl appearance with the Giants in the 2000 season.

Wayne, a five-time Pro Bowl pick and one of Manning's favorite targets, has supported backup Curtis Painter. And while he called Collins "a great guy," he said he was worried about the Colts improving.

"Who says Kerry's going to be the starter?" Wayne said. "Just because we bring him in doesn't mean he's the starter. He's got to learn too, right? Unless they gave him a playbook months ago, he's got to learn, too.

"I don't care who you are, I mean I'm not going to let anyone just come in here and just push someone (like Painter) aside like you're that dog now, you know what I mean?" Wayne added.

Painter has started both preseason games this year, completing 8 of 16 passes for 95 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. In Friday night's 16-3 loss to the Washington Redskins, Painter managed only one first down and couldn't get the offense past its 29-yard line despite playing the entire first half.

Painter hasn't played in a regular-season game since 2009. Another backup, Dan Orlovsky, has played in 13 games in six NFL seasons, and the other quarterback on the roster is undrafted rookie Mike Hartline.

Michael Conroy / Associated PressKerry Collins started slow in his previous two stops.Collins' first three starts with last two teams

For his part, Painter doesn't expect it to take Collins long to get up to speed.

"He's a veteran guy, been around a while. I'm sure the terminology across the league isn't too different," Painter said. "I expect he'll come in and pick it up quite well."

The good news is that Collins already has some familiarity with the Colts' brain trust.

Colts vice chairman Bill Polian took Collins in the first round of the 1995 draft, No. 5 overall, when he was in charge of the Panthers. And Caldwell was Penn State's passing game coordinator from 1988 to 1992, during part of Collins' college career.

Still, two huge questions remain.

How quickly can the 16-year veteran get up to speed in the offense, which has traditionally relied on calls at the line of scrimmage? And did Collins rediscover his passion for the game in the past seven weeks?

"I have decided that while my desire to compete on Sundays is still and always will be there, my willingness to commit to the preparation necessary to play another season has waned to a level that I feel is no longer adequate to meet the demands of the position," Collins said in announcing his retirement July 7.

Two weeks later, Collins said he had even considered retiring at the end of last season.

Irsay had tweeted to ask for suggestions about signing a veteran free agent and on Sunday said he was in Hattiesburg, Miss., stirring speculation that he might be trying to lure Favre out of retirement (again). Instead, it was Collins.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Report: Packers RB Grant restructures contract to make roster

Green Bay Packers running back Ryan Grant has accepted a $1 million reduction in his salary this season in exchange for a guaranteed contract.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Wednesday that Grant's agent and the Packers agreed to lower the running back's base pay from $3.5 million to $2.5 million on Aug. 9. That decreased his cap salary from $4.797 million to $3.797 million, giving the Packers $1 million to spend on re-signing other veterans.

The tradeoff for Grant is that his new contract is fully guaranteed against both skill and injury, increasing his chance of making the team's final roster this season.

No other changes were made to the final year of the four-year, $18 million contract that Grant signed in August 2008, according to the newspaper.

Grant, an undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame who spent 2005 and 2006 with the New York Giants but never played for the team, rushed for more than 1,200 yards for the Packers in both 2008 and 2009. He was limited to one game for Green Bay last season before suffering ligament damage to his ankle.

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Titans, CJ2K meet, but sides remain far apart on new deal

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New Bears wideout Williams bristles when drops brought up

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears brought in Roy Williams hoping he would rediscover his old Pro Bowl form in a familiar system.

It might happen. It hasn't yet.

Then again, the season doesn't start for a few weeks.

Williams played only a few snaps in the preseason opener against the Buffalo Bills and wasn't the target of any passes. He had three thrown his way without a catch Monday night in a 41-13 loss to the New York Giants, and two probably could have been completed.

Just don't tell him he had a drop. Williams didn't like that.

"I had a drop? I didn't have a drop," the receiver said Wednesday. "If you want to count it, you can. I think the DB (Aaron Ross) made a great play to knock it out as soon as it got into my hands, so I didn't drop the ball."

Williams was referring to a third-down bobble on Chicago's first possession that was initially ruled a 16-yard completion. The Giants challenged and the call got overturned.

On the Bears' next possession, a high short slant hit off Williams' fingers on third down.

About that, Williams said, "Yeah, I got to catch that ball, man. It's my fault. I'll catch it next time, Coach."

The Bears certainly hope so.

They gave the 6-foot-3 Williams a one-year deal and a chance to redeem himself after a disappointing run in Dallas, signing him late last month a day after the Cowboys released him, and made him their No. 1 receiver while dropping Johnny Knox to No. 2. The hope is he flashes some of the skills that made him a Pro Bowl receiver with Detroit when Mike Martz was his offensive coordinator and that a reunion with receivers coach Darryl Drake provides an extra kick. The two have strong ties dating back to when Drake was on the staff at Texas, and under Martz, Williams had 1,310 yards in 2006.

Drake made one thing clear, though. Williams needs to step up his play.

"He's not where he needs to be, and he knows that," Drake said. "He and I have talked about that, and the good thing about it is you've got Johnny Knox who's fighting and working hard. And believe you me, Roy understands that Johnny's there. Johnny's hungry, and Johnny wants his spot back. If things don't start changing, then Johnny's going to be in there. That's straight from the horse's mouth."

Drops have been a big issue for Williams the past few years, and every time a ball hits off his hands, eyebrows are raised. They were up again on Monday, and Drake wasn't giving any free passes.

He said the first one should have been caught "for sure." And while he praised Ross for knocking the ball out, he blamed Williams for letting him do that.

Drake initially said the slant was uncatchable and that there should have been a pass-interference call. Even so, he put some blame on Williams.

"You've got to beat that," Drake said. "What I told him, he's just got to be more physical with him, get him off your spot and get in there cleaner. Don't allow that guy to get his arm in there and rip you around."

That also has been one of the knocks on Williams -- that he's not physical, that he won't go up and get balls, that he plays small for a receiver who's 6-foot-3.

While he knows the system, he still is settling in.

Veteran free agents couldn't practice until Aug. 4, meaning Williams missed the first week, and he and Cutler are still adjusting to each other. He's also getting into shape -- football shape, that is.

When he made an off-hand remark recently about his conditioning, he was made out to be the next William Perry or a guy who was following The Fridge's regimen.

"My fault, media," Williams said. "I'm a sarcastic guy. I like to smile a lot. So I won't do that anymore."

Cutler said Williams simply needs time and that missing those first few weeks in training camp hurt. Now, he expects to see more from his receiver.

The Bears practiced at Halas Hall for the first time Wednesday after holding training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Ill. They're back at home, back to a more typical routine, preparing for their third preseason game against Tennessee on Saturday.

"I think this week is going to be a good stepping stone for him with us really going through an actual game week -- Wednesday, Thursday, Friday -- and getting all of the details to him and exactly what we want to do out there on Saturday," Cutler said. "In past weeks, in training camp, you kind of just skim over some stuff and you go out there and play, and whatever happens, happens."

Notes: Coach Lovie Smith said LB Lance Briggs (bruised knee) and DT Anthony Adams (calf) will not play Saturday for precautionary reasons and might also miss the final preseason game against Cleveland. Briggs played in the preseason opener but sat out against New York. Adams missed both games. ... CB Zackary Bowman returned to practice Wednesday after sitting out a game because of a head injury.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Pages from Packers' playbook fly off Green Bay garbage truck

ALLOUEZ, Wis. -- Pages from the Packers' special-teams playbook landed on a Green Bay area street after a waste recycling truck lost part of its load Tuesday.

Brown County Sheriff's Deputy Jason Vogel was checking for speeders Monday on a street in Allouez when he saw papers flying from the back of a Waste Management truck.

Vogel said the paper was scattered for a half block and was creating a hazard. And when he started picking up the paper, he was surprised to see pages from the Packers' special teams. Vogel figured the Packers would want to know what had been scattered, so his supervisor contacted the team.

Packers spokesman Aaron Popkey said the team isn't concerned that any sensitive material was revealed. Popkey said anything important is shredded and then recycled.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Thomas injury has Ross back as Giants starter; Williams signed

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Veteran Brian Williams, 32, who has played with Minnesota, Jacksonville and Atlanta, was signed by the New York Giants Wednesday to address their urgent needs at the cornerback position.

"He is a veteran who knows how to play," coach Tom Coughlin said of Williams. "He has been a good physical blitzer, and we are in need of someone who can learn quick and go from there."

Williams has played in 128 regular-season games with 99 starts. He has 19 career interceptions. Last season, he played in all 16 games with one start for the Falcons.

To make room for Williams, the Giants waived linebacker Kenny Ingram.

The Giants secondary has been in a state of upheaval during the preseason. Starter Terrell Thomas, last year's leading tackler on the team, was lost for the season with a knee injury suffered during last weekend's preseason game against the Bears. And first-round pick Prince Amukamara is sidelined with a broken foot.

Aaron Ross is another player who will be counted on to fill the gap in New York's secondary.

Ross came to training camp as the somewhat forgotten man among the cornerbacks.

Corey Webster and Thomas were the returning starters and general manager Jerry Reese didn't hesitate to take Amukamara in the first round when the Nebraska cornerback was available with the 19th pick overall.

It left Ross in no man's land. The Giants' first-round pick in 2007 was down on the depth chart and fighting the stigma of being injury-prone the past two seasons. He missed a good part of 2009 with hamstring issues and battled a painful foot injury most of last season.

Three weeks into training camp, though, Ross is no longer an afterthought. With Amukamara and Thomas sidelined, Ross is back in a starting role and anxious to show people what he can do.

"Being out there on the outside and being able to make plays and show the coaches I can make plays, and the fans, the media, it is exciting," said Ross, who has the added motivation of being in the final year of his contract.

Ross said his biggest concern this season is staying healthy. If he does, he has no doubt about his ability to play.

"I am really confident in myself to tell you the truth," Ross said. "I know what I can do. As long as I stay healthy I know that I am fine. Coaches haven't seen me healthy in two years, the fans or you guys. Of course, y'all forget.

"But I know what I can do."

Ross had three interceptions in each of his first two seasons, but has not had one since 2008.

"I think I am a decent player," Ross, 28, said. "They drafted me here for a reason. So, as long as I am healthy, I believe I can be a positive impact on the field."

Ross, who is married to track star and Olympic gold medalist Sanya Richards, is taking added precautions to stay healthy. He used to keep stretching to a minimum. His approach is totally different now.

"I have a guy coming in that stretches me, gets the knots out, pretty much everything," Ross said. "I put everything in the basket and am letting it go."

The injury to Thomas also has given opportunities to players like Michael Coe, rookie Darnell Burks and first-year pro Joe Burnett, who had little chance of making the roster at the start of camp.

"My mindset has always been to prepare to play and try to get comfortable doing everything and when you get the opportunity, be ready," said Coe, a former Arkansas Razorback, who is now No. 3 on the depth chart after spending part of last season with the Giants. "You never know the circumstances. You have to have the mindset of trying to absorb as much as you can.

"I am a lot more comfortable in this defense. It's similar to the one I had in college."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Cowboys give CB Scandrick five-year, $27 million contract

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Orlando Scandrick came into the NFL determined to prove he was better than a fifth-round pick. Before even finishing his rookie contract, the cornerback convinced the Dallas Cowboys how much he's worth.

On Wednesday, Scandrick received a five-year extension worth $27 million -- an additional $2 million this season, and an average of $5 million per season for the added years. He's guaranteed $10 million, according to a person familiar with negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity because the terms were not released.

"The chip is still on my shoulder," Scandrick said. "Now I need to prove that I'm worth it."

Scandrick came to training camp knowing there was a chance for a new deal from Dallas or that he could play his way into bigger money as a free agent next summer. Having quickly won over new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan with his strong play the first month of camp, talks heated up between the Cowboys and Scandrick's agent. He wound up getting the kind of money a No. 2 cornerback would get, even though he's considered No. 3, behind Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins.

"I always told myself if I got to a certain number, I would take it. And they met my number," Scandrick said, later adding that the overall deal exceeded his expectations.

The deal was done about a half-hour before the Cowboys took the field for a night time practice at their stadium. Word had spread to his teammates and they congratulated him. Then he had a practice befitting his new salary -- an interception, a sack and a blocked field goal.

"I felt energetic, my confidence raised," Scandrick said. "I'm not playing to not make mistakes now. Now I'm playing to make plays. I expect to have a tremendous year."

The 5-foot-10, 193-pound Scandrick arrived in 2008, the same season Jenkins was taken in the first round. Jenkins' signing bonus alone was bigger than Scandrick's entire deal. The various slights, combined with a supreme confidence and strong work ethic, have fueled Scandrick ever since.

Just last week, he was angry enough to hurl a helmet. He and secondary coach Dave Campo bicker constantly.

"He's happy with me today," Campo said, laughing.

Campo tested that, making sure that Scandrick's fire will still rage now that he's in a new tax bracket.

"I just said, 'Hey, you can't lose your edge,' " Campo said. "There's a fine line between the penthouse and you know the other spot. This guy is not a 6-foot, 205-pound corner that runs a 4.3. He's not a real big guy. He's got to keep the edge, be ready to play. I think he'll do that. He's smart enough to do that."

Scandrick found his niche in the nickel package, covering the slot receiver. Campo said Scandrick is among the best in the league at that difficult task.

The challenge, Campo said, is all the adjustments that have to be made within the defense depending on what they expect the offense to do. That requires lots of studying, which Scandrick does as well as anyone. Then there's the difficulty of a receiver being able to break in either direction; on the outside, cornerbacks can cheat one way or another because of the sideline.

"Some guys can do it and some guys can't," Campo said. "He's smart, tough enough and fast. That's pretty good."

He's also only 24.

"That Scandrick is a terrific player," Ryan said earlier in camp. "People want to say he's a sub guy, but this guy is really a special player. That role is very difficult. He has to be one of the smartest guys on the team and also one of the most talented. We're real fortunate. I really like Orlando. I think he should be excellent in our system."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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NFL postpones supplemental draft; no new date scheduled

NEW YORK -- The NFL supplemental draft originally scheduled for Wednesday has been postponed.

NFL spokesman Michael Signora confirmed Tuesday that the draft will not be held as planned and that teams have been told a new date hasn't yet been set.

At least five players, including former Georgia running back Caleb King, are known to be eligible for the supplemental draft.

Former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor gave up his final season following an NCAA investigation of the Buckeyes' football program. He wants to get into the draft, but as of Tuesday afternoon, he hadn't yet been declared eligible for it.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Stafford, Vanden Bosch redo deals, give Lions salary-cap space

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford said Tuesday that he was in favor of restructuring his contract to help the team clear salary-cap space to sign other players.

Stafford spoke in vague terms about his new deal after details were reported by the Detroit Free Press and Crain's Detroit Business.

The Free Press reported Stafford and defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, who also restructured his contract, helped the Lions clear about $8.5 million in cap space. The team used that money to sign linebackers Stephen Tulloch and Justin Durant and cornerbacks Eric Wright and Chris Houston.

"Just trying to be able to have enough cap space to be able to get the players we need and the players we want," Stafford told the Free Press. "I think there's guys in this locker room that, given the opportunity, a lot of them would do the same. We have a great locker room, a great bunch of guys that want to win, and if I can restructure a deal to help our team bring guys in here that can help us win, then I'm all for it."

Both players converted reduced base salaries into signing bonuses to be paid over the remaining years of their deals.

Stafford, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, signed a six-year contract worth up to $78 million with $41.7 million in guarantees. Vanden Bosch signed a $26 million, four-year deal last year.

The Free Press, citing papers filed with the NFL Players Association, reported that Stafford reduced his 2011 base salary from $9 million to $525,000, the minimum for players with two credited seasons, while Vanden Bosch cut his base salary from $4.5 million to $810,000, the minimum for players with seven to nine years of experience.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Jets say Turner has broken leg, McKnight out with concussion

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The New York Jets confirmed that offensive lineman Robert Turner has a broken right leg that will require surgery, and running back Joe McKnight has a concussion.

Jets coach Rex Ryan said Wednesday that Turner will be operated on later this week to determine how long the versatile lineman will be sidelined. Turner was hurt during New York's 20-16 preseason-opening loss to the Texans on Monday night when Houston's J.J. Watt rolled into his leg.

"Certainly, that's unfortunate for us and we'll move on," Ryan said.

McKnight, also injured in the game, won't participate in team drills while he's being evaluated.

Meanwhile, wide receiver Plaxico Burress had his first significant practice as a member of the Jets after resting his sprained left ankle since Friday. Burress participated in a dozen team drills, the most practice he has had since signing with the team on July 31.

Linebacker Bart Scott (lower leg) didn't practice and will be monitored during the week.

Center Nick Mangold (stinger) could play Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, but guard Brandon Moore (hip) is doubtful. Both participated in some team drills Wednesday.

Defensive lineman Sione Pouha didn't practice with a knee injury. Ryan was uncertain of the nature of the injury.

"I don't know what they call it, something on his knee," Ryan said. "But we put a brace on it and he was out there in pads, but he wasn't doing anything."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Owens discusses recovery schedule, vows to silence critics

Terrell Owens is working hard to get back on the football field. After that, he'd like to find an NFL team that will allow him to continue his career.

Owens recently provided a positive update on his recovery from surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament, saying he's way ahead of schedule and hopes to contribute to a team this season.

"The doctors said the timetable was six to eight months, and up to a year, of rehab process," the veteran receiver told ESPN.com following a Monday workout. "Obviously, they gave someone of my caliber a four- to six-month window. Four months is very ambitious, and that's where I'm at now: four months and four or five days out from surgery."

Owens is known to be a quick healer. While with the Philadelphia Eagles, he famously made an early return from a broken leg to post big numbers in a Super Bowl XXXIX loss to the New England Patriots.

But this is a different injury and a different Owens, who at 37 is six years older than he was during his shining moment with the Eagles. Undaunted, Owens believes he can produce for an NFL team by the end of September.

"Talking with the doctors, going through my personal training in L.A. and in Pensacola (Fla.), they stressed that I'm way ahead of schedule," he said. "I'm giving myself the timetable of maybe two or three weeks into the season that I'll be ready. That's giving myself a grace period, for setbacks. I'm rehabbing my butt off to get back on the field."

What remains a mystery is how Owens injured the knee. It's known the injury occurred in April, but Owens refused to elaborate any further.

"It's nobody's business," he said.

Owens has been one of the most productive receivers in NFL history during his career, accumulating 15,934 receiving yards and 153 touchdowns. He had another strong season with a poor Cincinnati Bengals team in 2010, finishing with 72 catches for 983 yards and nine touchdowns.

Owens admitted he had doubts about continuing his career after learning of the severity of his knee injury, but he said religion carried him through the uncertainty. As for how he can fit in with a prospective team, he cited past experience as an example.

"I still feel like I can do the same thing that I did when I went into Buffalo," Owens said. "They said, 'You're not going to be penciled in as our No. 1 guy. We have our No. 1 guy and our No. 2 guy.' I'm like, all right, fine, I'll let my play do the speaking for me. They had Lee Evans there, but if you look at the end-of-the-year statistics, that'll tell you the tale."

Owens played one season for the Bills in 2009, leading the team with 55 receptions for 829 yards and six touchdowns.

"Then, I go to Cincinnati last year," Owens said. "Obviously, they had a great receiver there, Chad (Ochocinco). I went into training camp a day after it started. I had only a month to grasp the offense. Again, look at the statistics -- and I missed two or three games."

Owens clearly is motivated by the speculation that his career is in jeopardy.

"This is another challenge for me," he said. "Another opportunity to show people that age is nothing but a number. You can do anything you put your mind and body to. I don't allow naysayers to deter me from my goal."

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Rolle, other NFL stars don't deny Miami booster's allegations

Several high-profile NFL players with University of Miami ties were in the media spotlight Wednesday over their connections to Nevin Shapiro, the imprisoned former Hurricanes benefactor who's at the center of a scandal involving allegations of gross misconduct with student-athletes.

Shapiro, 42, told Yahoo! Sports he gave money, cars, yacht trips, jewelry, televisions and other gifts to at least 72 athletes from 2002 through 2010. He also claimed he paid for nightclub outings, sex parties, restaurant meals and, in one case, an abortion for a woman impregnated by a player.

Andre Johnson (5) celebrates a touchdown with Jeremy Shockey during the 2002 Rose Bowl. Johnson, now with the Texans, has denied alleged ties to booster Nevin Shapiro. Shockey, now with the Panthers, wasn't implicated in the Yahoo! report. (Paul Sakuma/Associated Press)

While most of the NFL players implicated in the Yahoo! story have declined to comment, a few did speak out Wednesday, including New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle, who's alleged to have accepted thousands of dollars in cash, a $7,500 watch, multiple trips to strip clubs and nightclubs and other impermissible benefits.

In comments made to ESPNNewYork.com, Rolle didn't deny the truth of Shapiro's claims.

"Right now, to me it doesn't matter what's true and what's not true," Rolle said. "Like, there's really nothing for me to comment on with this guy. Obviously he's on a rampage to cause, you know, havoc. And, you know, I'm just going to let him do his talking because right now it's really irrelevant and it (doesn't) concern me at this point.

"I'm not going to comment on him," Rolle continued. "I'm not going to comment on the things that he may have or may not have tried to do. To me, right now, that guy is irrelevant."

Shapiro currently is serving a 20-year federal prison sentence for masterminding a $930 million Ponzi scheme.

"He's angry. If you get 20 years in prison and you know certain things like that happen, you're going to find someone to take it out on, right?" Rolle said. "I guess we have to bite that bullet."

Rolle, who said he hasn't read the Yahoo! report, added that his mother is worried over the way his relationship with Shapiro was portrayed in the media Wednesday.

"My mom has been calling me and saying they keep showing him with my jersey on, and I'm like you know, I didn't give him the jersey," Rolle said. "When I saw him, he supposedly had jerseys each and every week, so I just happened to be the jersey he had on during the Florida State game. And, you know, he represented me. I played ball down there. He should ... wear the number 6 jersey."

Another player mentioned in the report, current New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, addressed the controversy after practice Wednesday night.

"I feel it's unfortunate that things are being brought up right now from a guy who's in jail," Vilma said. "You can go back and forth with someone who's in jail and try to explain yourself. I really don't want to do that. That's very unnecessary. I'll leave it at that."

The NFL free agency cycle is in full effect, with teams and players agreeing to terms fast as training camps open. Get the latest on all the news right here.

Vilma declined to give an opinion on former Miami players who have backed up some of Shapiro's allegations.

"That's their business," Vilma said. "You're talking about nine years ago, eight years ago. (I've) moved on from that. Far removed from that right now, especially with what's going on with the Saints. I feel like we have a very good team. I feel like we have a very good chance of getting to the playoffs and repeating what we did in '09 (when New Orleans won its first Super Bowl)."

The player alleged in the report to have received the most money, New England Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork, declined to comment when contacted by Yahoo! Sports. "I'm not interested, buddy," Wilfork said before hanging up.

On Wednesday, Wilfork tweeted: "I am aware of the report that has claims that involve me while at the U ...... ...While the NCAA and the U conduct their investigations @Mrs75 (his wife) and I believe that it is not appropriate for us to comment."

The Yahoo! report states Wilfork received a $50,000 lump-sum payment during his junior season. Shapiro said the payment was made to secure Wilfork's commitment to his agency, Axcess Sports, which he co-owned with then-NFL agent and current UFL commissioner Michael Huyghue.

Huyghue denied that claim to The Associated Press on Tuesday. "It's just fantasy," Huyghue said. "He never had any role in my company."

Houston Texans All-Pro wide receiver Andre Johnson, who starred for the Hurricanes from 2000-02, is in the report, but he's only mentioned by Shapiro for receiving drinks in the VIP area of some clubs.

"It is what it is, man," Johnson told the Houston Chronicle on Wednesday. "I really don't have much to say about it. The guy's in trouble, and he's trying to take everybody down with him. I'm really not worried about it.

"I don't know about everybody else; I can only speak for myself. I wasn't in the clubs too much when I was in college, so I don't know about that."

Like other NFL players, Johnson is attempting to put distance between himself and the allegations.

"You kind of get upset about it, but at the same time, you can't control what anybody says," he told the Chronicle. "He knows and I know what really happened. It's over. It's done with. The NCAA is handling it, and we'll just move on.

Two of Johnson's Texans teammates, center Chris Myers and offensive tackle Eric Winston, played at Miami during that period, but they aren't mentioned in the Yahoo! report.

"To be honest with you, it was a surprise to me," Myers said about Shapiro's allegations. "I was there five years. I knew the guy was around, but I didn't know all that stuff was going on.

"Every story I read is new stuff to me. It's a shame, but it's a one-sided story right now. I'm anxious to see how it all pans out. He's in prison. He can say anything he wants to say. It's a real shame, dragging down a program right now. There's always two sides to every story.”

Winston received All-American recognition with the Hurricanes before the Texans drafted him in the third round in 2006.

"I heard the name (Shapiro), but I didn't know him, and I couldn't pick him out of a lineup," Winston told the Chronicle. "Anytime you have a guy who, obviously, has the character he has and gets that close to the program it's worrisome.

"Sure, you're surprised when something like this comes out. It's unfortunate that a guy like that got as close as he did with the program, but a lot of colleges are dealing with the same kind of thing. It's unfortunate, but we have to deal with it as a program, as a family and keep pushing forward.”

The three Denver Broncos named in the scandal declined to talk about the allegations Wednesday.

Linebacker D.J. Williams and right tackle Orlando Franklin refused comment as they walked off the practice field. Running back Willis McGahee said: "You want to talk about the Broncos?"

Asked if he wanted to comment on the Yahoo! investigation, McGahee said: "I ain't talking about Miami. I'm out of Miami."

Other NFL players who were seriously implicated by the report but haven't offered comment include San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore, Chicago Bears wide receiver/kick returner Devin Hester and Carolina Panthers linebacker Jon Beason.

CBSSports.com reported Wednesday that the NFL has held discussions with the NCAA and the NFL Players Association about possible sanctions against players who are found guilty of violating NCAA rules. The website cites multiple league sources in reporting the NFL would like to enact fines and possibly even suspensions for a player once he enters the league if he's found to have broken rules while in college.

The NFL, NFLPA and NCAA had discussions several months ago regarding how to stop agents from infiltrating campuses and targeting players.

"The agents and the runners are a significant problem," one league official explained to CBSSports.com. "But so are the players. One thing we want to stop is a player believing he can take impermissible benefits and then use the NFL as an escape hatch."

The NCAA said Wednesday it has been investigating the relationship between Shapiro and Miami for five months, and the allegations -- if true -- show the need for "serious and fundamental change" in college sports.

"We were well aware of it and weren't surprised by the sensational media coverage," NCAA president Mike Emmert said Wednesday in an interview with ESPN Radio. "We've been on top of it for a while, gathering information and collecting data."

Emmert said typical investigations take six to seven months to complete.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Woodson: 'Is there another more complete player than I am?'

Charles Woodson doesn't just believe he's a better cornerback than Darrelle Revis, Nnamdi Asomugha, or anyone else for that matter. Woodson believes he's the most complete player in the NFL.

Woodson, now in his 14th season, has a lengthy list of accomplishments in the league, from Defensive Rookie of the Year (1998) to Defensive Player of the Year (2009) and now Super Bowl champion, with seven Pro Bowl selections in between.

Woodson told SiriusXM Radio on Wednesday that what drives him to continue playing is what he perceives to be a lack of respect for his game.

"I was watching TV the other day, and I think it was the Monday night game, and Bill Parcells said that Darrelle Revis was probably the most complete cornerback in the game," Woodson said. "Is there another more complete player than I am in the game? I feel like I still don't have the respect that I deserve as a football player. So I am going out there and grinding until I get it.

"Ain't no question. I don't believe there's a more complete football player in the game of football than I am. You tell me one person who can do what I do."

Woodson won the Heisman Trophy while at Michigan, where he played wide receiver and kick returner in addition to being a cornerback. He's coming off a broken collarbone that sidelined him for the second half of the Super Bowl XLV victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he believes he still has something left to prove.

"What I'm going to continue to do is get better as a football player," Woodson said. "I still feel like I got to go out there and gain respect. Obviously, I still have something to prove out there."

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Niners add veteran QB Josh McCown to challenge for No. 2 job

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Josh McCown was keeping busy coaching high school football back in North Carolina while he waited for the phone to ring, knowing another opportunity might never come.

One call from the San Francisco 49ers changed everything.

McCown signed a one-year deal for the league minimum of $810,000 on Wednesday to be a backup for the 49ers, giving his NFL career new life and adding a veteran to the quarterback competition.

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McCown is expected to compete with rookie Colin Kaepernick for the No. 2 spot behind presumed starter Alex Smith. After throwing passes on a high school field for most of the summer, the opportunity to join new coach Jim Harbaugh's team was more than McCown could ever hope for.

"When you're sitting there waiting for the phone to ring, you work out every day, you want something else to do," McCown said. "I'm excited."

McCown's career has gone through a rapid turnaround.

He took an early morning flight from Charlotte to the Bay Area via Chicago, passed a physical, signed his contract and was on the practice field by the afternoon wearing No. 9. McCown clearly has some catching up to do if he wants to make the final roster. He was intercepted twice in limited action in practice, both by Dashon Goldson, although one was on a last-second heave to the end zone

The 32-year-old was with the United Football League's Hartford Colonials last year and had no plans to return to professional football for anything less than a NFL job. McCown spent eight seasons in the NFL, including the first four with the Arizona Cardinals.

He also played for Detroit, Oakland and Carolina. McCown's best season came in 2004 when he started 13 games for the Cardinals, throwing for 2,511 yards with 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

"I'm a competitior. I love to compete," McCown said. "I think the older you get, the more you want to compete. So I'll say that. Whether it's in practice or in a game, I'm looking to compete. And then past that, just looking to get better. As far as the future, tomorrow's not promised."

The 49ers have been searching for another backup since Harbaugh took over in January.

With Smith and Kaepernick taking the majority of snaps, San Francisco still needed a third-string quarterback -- and possibly another player to push the competition. The 49ers worked out Daunte Culpepper earlier this week, and they failed to land a splashier name previously through free agency.

McCown's name always had resonated with Harbaugh's staff.

McCown played for 49ers quarterbacks coach Geep Chryst, who was an assistant in Arizona and Carolina. McCown is also familiar with the West Coast offense, so the two have been in touch about a possible reunion since January.

Harbaugh and Chryst were in team meetings and not made available for comment.

"I don't care what stage of your career you're in, you always want to get better," McCown said. "So for me to be around coach Harbaugh, to see the way he coaches quarterbacks, a guy who has played that position and played it at a high level, it's exciting. It's neat just to see him coach the other guys and I'm appreciative just to be out here."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Campbell, Detmer among NFL stars victimized in scheme

AUSTIN, Texas -- The former CEO of an Austin-based investment firm was convicted Wednesday of running a scam that targeted former professional athletes and cheated hundreds of people nationwide out of more than $50 million.

A federal jury convicted Kurt Branham Barton, 44, in a Ponzi scheme that gained the trust of more than 300 investors -- including former NFL players Earl Campbell, Ty Detmer, Chris Weinke, Jeff Blake and David Akers -- said John E. Murphy, the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Texas.

Barton -- the founder, president and CEO of Triton Financial -- faces up to life in prison.

"It is regrettable that selfish, greedy individuals devise schemes to make themselves rich by victimizing honest and innocent people," Murphy said.

The jury convicted Barton on nearly 39 counts, the Austin American-Statesman reported. Among them was conspiracy to commit wire fraud, making false statements to secure loans from financial institutions and money laundering as well as one count of securities fraud, 15 counts of wire fraud, five counts of making a false statement related to the acquisition of loans and 17 counts of money laundering.

Prosecutor Mark Lane reminded jurors that former Heisman Trophy winner Detmer -- who considered himself Barton's best friend -- testified that he lost most of his life savings, about $2 million since investing with Triton in 2005.

Other athletes who prosecutors said invested with or promoted Triton were Heisman winners Campbell and Weinke, former NFL quarterback Blake and NFL kicker Akers. Akers said he lost more than $3 million. The athletes were not accused of wrongdoing.

Barton's attorney, Rip Collins, said that Barton was trying to run a legitimate though mismanaged business.

Collins said it was "inexcusable" that Barton spent investor money on sports cars, fancy clothes and University of Texas luxury suite football tickets but he insisted that his client was hopeful -- even as things worsened -- that the business would somehow work out.

"I think Kurt Barton became delusional," Collins said. "He became delusional from the standpoint that he thought he could pull (Triton) out of the fire. He hung in there."

Throughout a four-year period that ended in December 2009, Barton created schemes to obtain money from investors under false pretenses, according to evidence presented in the eight-day trial.

Prosecutors said that Barton repeatedly lied to investors, including members of his family, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, business leaders as well as professional football players.

He told them that his firm was using their money for investments in real estate, businesses and for short-term loans to business owners. Prosecutors said Barton was really using their funds for his personal use, to help keep his firm afloat and pay off other investors.

He presented fake monthly account statements to financial institutions, commercial lenders and potential investors to conceal his scheme.

Prosecutors reminded jurors that people who weren't so high-profile saw their life savings disappear in the scam.

Diane Gordon, a woman who trusted Barton because he told her her money would be safe, lost about $850,000 -- all the money from her husband's life insurance payment.

Lane said that none of Gordon's money was used the way she was told it would be but instead was spent propping up other Triton investments.

"The financial assault of Barton's elaborate scheme has been as devastating to his victims as any physical robbery," FBI Special Agent in Charge Cory B. Nelson said. "... The con man can be as brutal as any armed robber."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Return to sender: Browns' Cribbs won't resort to touchbacks

BEREA, Ohio -- Josh Cribbs has figured out a way to combat the NFL's rule changes on kickoffs. He'll return everything.

Unless it's an emergency, Cribbs isn't dropping to a knee in anyone's end zone.

Cleveland's dynamic return specialist, who has been openly critical of the NFL's decision to move the kickoff line from the 30-yard line to the 35, was asked Wednesday if the Browns will have a rule in place on how deep players are allowed to catch the ball in the end zone and still bring it out.

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"It will be different for each returner," Cribbs said. "But for me, nine yards. Anything above nine yards, I'll probably keep it in."

He was joking.

We think.

Cribbs, though, is dead serious about what the league has done to his craft. And the league's career leader with eight kickoff returns for touchdowns has been irate since owners, citing the need to protect players from violent collisions, announced the change during the lockout in March.

"I don't see (injury) stats behind it, and that's what the issue was" Cribbs said. "There's no stats to back it up. Their intentions are good, but the stats aren't there to back up the reasoning."

The change will likely increase touchbacks dramatically while reducing returns.

Cribbs, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, first vented his anger toward the league over the rule switch on Twitter: "U not making the game safer u messing a great sport, trynna hide behind safety just to add 2 games...smh."

Cribbs has no choice but to accept the adjustment, but that doesn't mean he's in favor of it. After watching exhibition games on TV last week, Cribbs again used the social network to state his case.

"I see an immediate amendment on the kickoff rule either b4 the end of the year or beginning of next year bc without that part of the return game it might as well be a scrimmage," he tweeted.

Has anyone from the league told him to stop?

"No. Not at all," he said Wednesday after practice. "Every player is entitled to their opinion with respect to the NFL, and as long as there is respect there, I feel like there will be no type of disciplinary action. I'm entitled to my opinion, that's the way I feel and players are entitled to their opinion."

Cribbs -- and the Browns -- might have already been penalized enough.

With his rare ability to take back any kickoff or punt (he has two career touchdowns and a 10.6-yard average), Cribbs gives Cleveland a weapon few teams can match. Last season, opposing teams did all they could to kick the ball away from the dreadlocked former Kent State quarterback, who for the first time in his six-year pro career failed to take a kickoff back the distance.

Cribbs, who was not used on returns in Cleveland's preseason opener against Green Bay, believes some players will thrive under the change.

"Good returners will take advantage of it. There will be good schemes, and there will still be opportunities," he said. "There will be a lot of inside the 20-yard-line tackles this year. A lot of returners will get tired of taking a knee in the end zone and will try to bring it out. Guys are getting down there faster. Kickers hare hanging the ball up there. That's what you can look for -- touchbacks and inside-the-20 tackles."

Cribbs remains disappointed the league didn't consult with any players, past or present, before making a rule change that could significantly alter strategy.

"I wish they could have waited for a new CBA or an agreement was in place," he said, "and consulted with players on the matter. But just creating that rule the way they did, I disagreed with it."

Cribbs expects to have the green light to return any kick -- within reason. If he feels he can make a big return, he's going to try.

"I'm not a big fair-catch guy," he said. "I just want to get positive yards. I'm going to be smart and help our team. They (coaches) are aware each time is a possibility. I'm going to decide if I'm going to keep it or not. Nobody is going to come back and say, 'Oh, oh, wait.' I'll make the decision."

There's nothing he can do now about the change but turn it into a positive. And with the ball in his hands, that's always a possibility.

"I want somebody to come chase my record," he said. "I want to be able to chase it as well. At the same time, it's just an obstacle to get over, and I'm looking forward to getting over it."

Notes: Starting guard Eric Steinbach left the morning practice when his back tightened up. Also, RB Peyton Hillis and safety T.J. Ward were bothered by hamstring problems. Coach Pat Shurmur downplayed all three injuries, but Steinbach did not take part in the afternoon walkthrough. Ward and Hillis were on the field. ... Shurmur said Cleveland's starters will play "close to one half" against Detroit on Friday. He wants both lines to get at least 20 plays. ... RB Montario Hardesty ran with purpose and seems to be progressing. Still no word if he'll face the Lions.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Unhappy Suh plans to appeal $20K NFL fine for hit on Dalton

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh acknowledged Wednesday that he's clearly "not happy" with the $20,000 fine the NFL slapped on him for his hit on Cincinnati Bengals rookie quarterback Andy Dalton in last week's preseason opener.

Suh plans to appeal the punishment -- "Who wouldn't?" he asked rhetorically -- and said this incident won't impact the way he plays football.

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"I'm not going to stop playing hard," Suh said. "I owe it to my fans and to my teammates and coaches. ... There's a reason why football is football."

Suh was fined twice last year for hits on Chicago's Jay Cutler during the regular season and Cleveland's Jake Delhomme in a preseason game.

Suh's checking account can absorb the latest hit. His five-year contract is worth $40 million guaranteed and as much as $68 million, though the NFL has increased the fine each time.

"Twenty grand? For the preseason? They're trying to send a message," Lions wide receiver Nate Burleson told The Associated Press.

Suh was fined $7,500 for what he did to Delhomme, grabbing his face mask, twisting it and slamming him to the ground. He was docked $15,000 for shoving Cutler hard and high in the back from behind during a game last December.

Detroit's second preseason game is Friday at Cleveland. Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas said he and his teammates are mindful of what Suh can do.

"Everybody sees it, and it's the back of your head, but it's not really something you worry about," Thomas told The AP. "Most of our focus and attention is between the whistles, and it seems he's getting a name for himself for what happens after the whistle."

Suh compared his situation to what recently retired NBA star Shaquille O'Neal went through early in his career, enduring lots of foul trouble for being much bigger and stronger than opponents but ultimately persevering.

Earlier on Wednesday, Suh let be known just how angry he was in a post on Twitter.

"$20,000REALLY???!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #NFL #BIGFAIL," he wrote.

But the Lions rallied around Suh and came to his defense.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has taken his share of tough hits and suffered more than his share of injuries, said he believes Suh's play is misunderstood.

"He's kind of gotten a bad rap early on here," Stafford said after a spirited practice. "He plays hard, and he plays all the way to the whistle, but he doesn't hit guys late.

"He doesn't hit in the helmet. He always plays hard, and that's the way you're supposed to play football. I'm glad I don't have to go against him. But he's just playing up to the whistle."

Lions coach Jim Schwartz declined to directly comment on the fine, but he was asked about whether or not Suh's unprecedented size and speed lead to his hits perhaps appearing more violent than they are intended to be.

"It does look different when he does it," Schwartz said, "but it is what it is. The league puts it on the defensive player to know when the ball is gone."

Schwartz noted there is a "fine line" between curbing a player's intensity and style of play and going too far in the other direction.

One Lions official said the organization isn't inclined to address the infractions with Suh and isn't overly concerned. The Lions realize what a smart player Suh is, as well as his overall intellect. They believe Suh will figure out "where the line is" for himself.

Lions defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham said he had a 40-minute chat with Suh on Wednesday, and it was as enjoyable as any in his 30-year coaching career. Cunningham was adamant that Suh's ability and prowess make him impossible to block and works against him in instances like this.

"No one has ever played like this at defensive tackle," Cunningham said.

"There is no malicious intent on anything," he added.

Follow Jason La Canfora on Twitter @JasonLaCanfora

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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