Bears C Kreutz might retire after team agrees to sign Spencer

Olin Kreutz's 13-year run in Chicago is over after the Bears agreed to a two-year contract with former Seattle Seahawks center Chris Spencer on Sunday.

A six-time Pro Bowl pick, Kreutz was an emotional leader and an important piece for a team coming off a run to the NFC Championship Game even if he was no longer at his peak.

He had backed off his request for a multiyear contract and was willing to take a one-year deal. Even so, the two sides couldn't reach an agreement.

Now, the Bears are turning to the 29-year-old Spencer, the No. 26 overall pick by the Seahawks in the 2005 draft. Back then, Bears director of player personnel Tim Ruskell was the Seahawks' general manager.

"You guys know how I feel about Olin," Bears coach Lovie Smith said. "He's been a great Chicago Bear for us. Every year is a different year, a different team. You have to move on, which we're going to have to do. We are going to do it. We have a good football team, and other guys will move into that role."

Kreutz told the Chicago Tribune on Sunday that he might not ever play again.

"That is a decision I am still making. I am sure I will have an opportunity," Kreutz said. "I am just not sure if I want to play for anyone else. Retirement is definitely an option."

Kreutz played down any perception of animosity between himself and general manager Jerry Angelo.

"Jerry has been good to me too. He’s given me a lot of money and I’ve been there a long time," Kreutz said. "It felt like maybe it was time to move on. I just got that feeling. If I was right, if I was wrong, if the offer was fair. I have enough money. So the offer wasn’t a big hurdle for me. It was a feel I had, just maybe they wanted to move on no matter what the offer was."

The Tribune reported that the one-year offer Kreutz turned down was for $4 million.

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.

Like every other NFL team during this unique offseason, the Bears have been busy, adding former Pro Bowl receiver Roy Williams, running back Marion Barber, defensive tackle Amobi Okoye and punter Adam Podlesh. They overhauled their tight end corps by trading Greg Olsen to Carolina, releasing Brandon Manumaleuna and adding Matt Spaeth.

Losing Kreutz creates more questions on an offensive line that struggled last season. Chicago allowed a league-leading 56 sacks last year, with Jay Cutler taking 52 of them and suffering a concussion in the process. Things improved over the final nine games, when the Bears went with the same five players after going with four different lineups in the first seven games because of injuries and poor play.

Kreutz, however, helped keep things together even though he was no longer a dominant force. He was limited for much of the season while recovering from Achilles' tendon surgery.

Even so, not seeing him at camp the past few days was strange for his teammates. Guard Roberto Garza has been filling in at center and will likely continue to do so until at least Thursday, when Spencer can start practicing.

"(Kreutz) stands for what a Chicago Bear is," Garza said. "Tough. Hard-nosed football player. He made his teammates better."

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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After visiting former teams, Burress takes 1-year deal with Jets

Stuck in prison and his NFL career derailed, Plaxico Burress insisted he'd be back one day.

Rex Ryan and the New York Jets are giving him that second chance.

"I'm just grateful," a confident yet humble Burress said Sunday night. "I'm excited about the opportunity and I'm going to give them everything I've got because they put their trust in me to be able to come in and contribute and have an impact."

The one-year deal, reportedly worth $3.017 million fully guaranteed, is meant to match Burress' jersey number 17, Braylon Edwards' number the past two seasons, the New York Daily News reported.

The former Super Bowl star with the New York Giants signed a one-year deal with the Jets on Sunday after recently being released from prison, where he served 20 months on a gun charge. Burress, who turns 34 on Aug. 12, caught the game-winning touchdown in the Giants' upset of the unbeaten New England Patriots in the 2008 Super Bowl, before his career derailed after he accidentally shot himself in a New York nightclub later that year.

Debate: Right move by Burress?

"When something's taken away from you that you love, you know you love it more," he said. "You learn that playing in this business is definitely a privilege. I definitely miss being away from the game and the guys and being able to compete every Sunday with the best athletes in the world."

Now, the Jets are hoping Burress can revive his career the way Michael Vick did with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Vick served 18 months in prison for his involvement in a dogfighting ring before returning to football in 2009. He was eased back into things by the Eagles before taking over as the starting quarterback last year and capping a terrific season by being selected as The AP's Comeback Player of the Year.

Burress has a chance to make even more of an immediate mark for the Jets. He'll join the recently re-signed Santonio Holmes as one of Mark Sanchez's top receivers.

"I've never played with a guy on the other side of me who was that explosive," Burress said of Holmes. "It's going to be fun. I think we're going to drive some defensive coordinators crazy -- which way they want to roll their coverage in certain situations, in the red zone, so it'll be interesting to see how teams match up against us."

Burress wrote on his Twitter page: "East Coast here I come!" Sanchez retweeted his new receiver and added: "Paperwork in hand??? Haha welcome to the squad."

Burress was at the airport in Los Angeles on his way to a meeting with the San Francisco 49ers, according to media reports, but canceled that trip when the Jets contacted him. He agreed to come back to New York, but in green and white this time, without even visiting with the Jets or speaking to Rex Ryan.

"There was no sales pitch needed," he said. "You just look at all the pieces that are in place. You get a chance to compete for a world championship every year, play for a great organization, play with a great quarterback. I get to play beside Santonio Holmes and a future Hall of Famer in LaDainian Tomlinson."

Burress also appreciated how owner Woody Johnson and general manager Mike Tannenbaum met with him in 2009, despite his legal situation being uncertain at the time.

"They were really the first team to support me with everything that I had going on at that time," he said, "and it just felt right for me to be able to come here with everything that I had going on a couple of years ago, to have those guys approach me in the way that they did I just felt I made the right decision."

A few hours after announcing the agreement, the Jets were accepting pre-orders for replica Burress jerseys for $80 on their website. Matt Higgins, the Jets' executive vice president of business operations, tweeted that Burress would be wearing No. 17.

Burress met with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he spent his first five seasons, on Saturday after sitting down with Giants coach Tom Coughlin on Friday.

"His decision was to go elsewhere," Coughlin said. "It sounded like a bigger guarantee. I don't know all of the facts about that. That's what happens in this business. His decision was made and, again, we wish he and his family well."

Burress said there was a sense of closure with that meeting, and it was good "to kind of turn the page."

Because of the NFL's post-lockout rules, Burress can't practice with the team until Thursday. But clearly, the Jets are confident -- sight unseen -- that he has a lot left as they try for a Super Bowl run even though he hasn't played in the NFL since 2008.

There will be plenty of questions: How soon can he be in football shape? Has he lost a significant amount of speed? Does he still have those sure hands? Can he handle the media spotlight of being back in New York?

"I feel I'm in great shape," he said, adding that he'll surely be a little rusty. "I think a lot of people are going to be surprised with my conditioning and different things I've been doing in South Florida to get myself back to where I want to be, and that's definitely to get back to playing at a high level real soon."

One thing the Jets know is that Burress gives Sanchez a big receiver -- he's 6-foot-5 -- who's a red-zone presence to complement Holmes, Jerricho Cotchery, Dustin Keller and a solid running game with Shonn Greene and Tomlinson.

Burress pleaded guilty in August 2009 to attempted criminal possession of a weapon after accidentally shooting himself in the thigh at a Manhattan nightclub in November 2008, accepting a two-year prison term. He was released about three months early for good behavior, but will be on parole for two years.

He was told to get and keep a job, undergo substance abuse testing, obey any curfew established by his Florida parole officer, support his family and undergo any anger counseling or other conditions required by his parole officer.

Burress has 505 catches for 7,845 yards and 55 touchdowns in his NFL career with the Steelers and Giants.

The move softens the blow for the Jets after losing out on cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, who was New York's top priority after re-signing Holmes. But Asomugha surprisingly signed with Philadelphia, and the Jets were forced to turn their attention elsewhere.

Burress' career with the Giants was filled with terrific moments along with troubles -- missed meetings, a one-game suspension, a contract dispute. Then came the incident that changed his life.

He was released in April 2009, a few months before beginning his prison sentence. Now he's free and motivated to show he can still be a productive playmaker, and the Jets are willing to let Burress prove it while they go for a Super Bowl of their own.

"I've been around for a little while now and I'll just sit down with the coaches, sit down with the quarterback," Burress said, "and just learn the formations and where I need to be at. I don't think it's going to take me that long at all."

The Associated Press contributed to this report

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After losing out on Asomugha, Jets set to sign CB Cromartie

NEW YORK -- After losing out on Nnamdi Asomugha, the New York Jets turned to their backup plan: the guy they were trying to replace.

A person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press early Monday morning that the Jets agreed to terms on a four-year contract with Antonio Cromartie, keeping the cornerback in New York. Cromartie, acquired last offseason from the San Diego Chargers, was solid for New York opposite Darrelle Revis, finishing with 42 tackles and three interceptions.

The person spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity because the team hadn't announced the move.

"They say Cro is back, Cro is back all GangGreen fans say is Cro...lol," Cromartie wrote on his Twitter page. "I'm on my FLT headed home glad 2 b a JET...let's go win a Superbowl."

The move capped a huge day for the Jets, who signed wide receiver Plaxico Burress to a one-year deal earlier Sunday.

After signing wide receiver Santonio Holmes, their top priority, the Jets went after Asomugha and were one of the favorites to land the most-coveted player in free agency. But Asomugha surprisingly signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, leaving the Jets to turn to a familiar face.

The New York Daily News reported the deal is worth $32 million. Cromartie had said recently that he wasn't going to give the Jets "a hometown discount" despite wanting to be back with the team, but took less than Asomugha got from the Eagles and what Johnathan Joseph got from the Houston Texans.

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.

New York made it clear it wanted Asomugha, who was considered an upgrade from Cromartie. Not that Cromartie was at all bad last season. Coach Rex Ryan just imagined a "No-Fly Zone" secondary with Revis and Asomugha, both considered by many to be the best cornerbacks in the league.

Apparently, Cromartie had no hard feelings. And, if there were, it was nothing a long-term deal couldn't fix.

Getting Cromartie back is a nice fallback for the Jets, who would have been scrambling to find a replacement. They drafted Kyle Wilson in the first round in 2010, but he might not be ready to be a starter after struggling mightily early last season.

Cromartie, who also drew interest from the Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers, had some impressive moments at times for the Jets, and seamlessly filled in for an injured Revis early last season as the team's top cornerback. He even showed he could be a solid kickoff returner, setting up the winning touchdown in the playoffs against the Indianapolis Colts with a 47-yard return.

The Jets could use him in that role again this season after losing versatile Brad Smith, the team's primary kick returner a year ago, to Buffalo.

New York acquired the talented but troubled Cromartie from San Diego for a conditional third-round draft pick in 2011 - which became a second-rounder based on his production. He was considered one of the rising talents in the league in 2007, when he was an All-Pro in his second season after getting an NFL-leading 10 interceptions, but struggled on and off the field. Cromartie's tackling was an issue in San Diego, but he vowed to get better when he came to New York, and clearly improved in that area although he led the defense in penalties.

Cromartie was also dealing with paternity issues at the time of the deal, with seven children by several women, but the Jets advanced him $500,000 to help clear that up. He has since married reality TV star and model Terricka Cason, and often tweets about the joys of family life and his faith.

The Jets reported for training camp at their facility in Florham Park, N.J., on Sunday, with their first practice scheduled for Monday afternoon.

"Ok guys taking off c u guys at Florham Park," Cromartie tweeted early Monday. "God Bless u all...Jet sailing 2 be a JET...goodnight 2 some and good morning to others I'm out."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Titans face QB quandary after Collins ends 16-year career

Quarterback Kerry Collins announced his retirement from the NFL on Thursday, ending his 16-year career and possibly speeding up the Jake Locker era for the Tennessee Titans.

Collins, the Titans' off-and-on starter since 2006, released a statement in which he said after several months of "introspection," he decided that "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."

Kerry Collins' retirement will force the Titans to quickly explore their QB options, and Bucky Brooks believes the team's backup plans should begin and end with a prominent veteran. More ...

That sounded much different than comments Collins made to The Tennessean in June, when he said: "I know I still have good football left in me, and I want to see where (the Titans are) at, too. If it makes sense on both sides to do it, I'd be good for coming back."

But Collins isn't coming back, so the Titans are left with first-round draft pick Locker and second-year pro Rusty Smith at quarterback. The team said earlier this year that it would trade or release Vince Young, its 2006 first-round pick, after a tumultuous time together.

"I want to wish Mike Munchak and the Tennessee Titans the best of luck in the future," Collins said Thursday in his statement. "I have had a fantastic five years here, and my family and I look forward to remaining part of the Middle Tennessee community that has been extremely gracious towards us and an honor to play for."

Collins, 38, enjoyed his best season with the Titans in 2008, when he took over for an injured Young and started 15 games, going 12-3 as the team won the AFC South. Collins then signed a two-year, $15 million contract that expired after the 2010 season.

Collins shared the stage with Young last season despite suffering injuries to his middle finger and thumb. Collins took over for good after Young suffered a season-ending injury to his right thumb Nov. 21, though the Titans only won one of their final six games in finishing 6-10.

"Kerry had a great NFL career, and we have been very fortunate to have had him with our organization for the last five years," Titans coach Mike Munchak said in a statement released by the team. "I really enjoyed working with him. He was a true pro who loved the game. His work ethic and commitment were a great example to his teammates of what it took to be successful in this league."

Said Titans general manager Mike Reinfeldt in a statement: "Kerry accomplished a great deal in his career both personally and as the leader of some great teams. He was a talented passer and became a true professional. We were fortunate to have him as a member of our team over the last five years, and we wish him and his family the best."

Collins threw for 40,441 yards -- good for 11th on the NFL's all-time list -- with 206 touchdowns and 195 interceptions in 195 career games. He was the fifth overall pick by the Carolina Panthers in the 1995 NFL Draft and also played for the New Orleans Saints (1998), New York Giants (1999-2003) and Oakland Raiders (2004-05) before joining the Titans.

As a starter, Collins lead his teams to the playoffs four times, including an NFL Championship Game appearance during the 1996 season with the Panthers and a Super Bowl appearance with the Giants in the 2000 season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Giants safety Jones fights for another chance after car crash

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Houshmandzadeh hopeful for new start after dropped pass

T.J. Houshmandzadeh's last play as a Baltimore Raven might be a dropped pass that ended the team's season.

Needless to say, he isn't happy about that.

"I wish things had ended better," the veteran wide receiver told the Carroll County Times in a story posted Wednesday. "I'm not a guy who drops the ball, but I dropped a ball that really matters. Last year was a really bad year for me on the field.

"The last two years have been the most disappointing years I've had. I know people will say I can't play no more. If I get to the right team, I'll shock a lot of people."

Houshmandzadeh was shocked in January when he dropped a perfectly placed fourth-and-18 pass that could have given the Ravens a first down with 1:09 left in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game. But the ball bounced off Houshmandzadeh's chest and fell to the turf, sending the Ravens home with a season-ending 31-24 loss and the AFC North rival Pittsburgh Steelers to the next round and eventually Super Bowl XLV.

Houshmandzadeh signed a one-year contract with the Ravens last season after being cut by the Seattle Seahawks. And with the Ravens taking wide receivers Torrey Smith and Tandon Doss in the April draft, Houshmandzadeh knows he'll need to find yet another home this year.

"I love the people there," Houshmandzadeh said of the Ravens. "I can't say a bad word about them. I wish I could come back, but I know the dynamic and how it works."

Houshmandzadeh, 33, started just two games for the Ravens -- his fewest since 2002, his second NFL season -- and caught 30 passes for 398 yards and three touchdowns. Despite that decreased production, Houshmandzadeh believes he still has something to offer a team.

"I need to go to the right team and get the right opportunity," he said. "Here's the thing: You can be a good-looking man and you like a woman, but it doesn't matter if she doesn't like you. I want to go to a team that wants me to play for them."

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Woman arrested after allegedly asking Titans' Williams for bribe

Titans wide receiver Damian Williams was the target of an extortion attempt, according to police who arrested and charged an Antioch, Tenn., woman Monday, The Tennessean reported.

Shelley Anne David, who filed a domestic assault complaint against Williams earlier this month, was charged with one count of extortion and held on bond. Police say David, 22, tried to take $5,000 from Williams, the Titans' second-round pick in last year's draft.

Lockout leaves Locker on sideline

The arrest came when Williams met David in an area parking lot, where she was to receive a $5,000 cashier's check from the receiver. After the handoff was made, David was taken into custody by undercover officers. She's currently being held on bond.

"Damian Williams, in the presence of detectives, placed a phone call to Shelley David this morning and arranged for a meeting," Nashville police spokesman Don Aaron told The Tennessean. "David received a $5,000 cashier's check from Williams and gave him a signed note saying she would not appear in any court proceedings against him. At that point, she was taken into custody."

David had called police to her Antioch apartment June 4, claiming Williams had grabbed her by the arms and bruised her during an argument following an evening out. Police responded and took David to the department's domestic violence division. David initially was unsure about pressing charges, but per department policy, a misdemeanor assault warrant was issued on her behalf.

Williams denied the allegations, and police later found out about text messages David had sent the receiver asking for money that would make any charges stemming from the domestic incident disappear. That set in motion the police operation that led to the woman's arrest, according to the report.

The assault warrant against Williams was dropped Monday, "given the totality of the circumstances and taking into account Ms. David credibility issues," Aaron said.

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Leber wonders if he'll return to Vikings after lockout ends

Ben Leber, one of the 10 plaintiffs in the Brady et al v. National Football League et al case, said last week that he believes the lockout will end in time so as not to disrupt the regular-season schedule.

The question for Leber now is, will the unrestricted free-agent linebacker return to the Minnesota Vikings for a sixth season? The 10-year veteran told The Star Tribune on Monday he isn't so sure despite he and his wife's desire to remain in the Twin Cities.

"The reality is if they were really, really wanting me back, then maybe something would have been said before the lockout," said Leber, who frequently has been involved in talks between the players and owners during the lockout. "I had a good meeting with Coach (Leslie) Frazier and (vice president of player personnel Rick) Spielman at the end of the year. Each side expressed how much I'd like to be here and finish my career here. I am hopeful and hope that I can come back and be a Viking again. But I'm also a realist, and I've been through this process before. It's not always up to you, and you have to be willing to move on."

Leber, who's considered a leader on the Vikings' defense, has started for the past five seasons since signing with Minnesota after playing his first four seasons for the San Diego Chargers. Whenever the lockout ends, the free-agent period is expected to be brief and frenzied.

"I get a little anxiety about it," said Leber, who held his annual football camp at St. Thomas University in St. Paul last week. "I do wonder how it's all going to play out, and I'm a little worried about how crazy it's going to be. Thinking about it from a family perspective. Having a newborn at home (a 3-month old son) and how is that going to play out? Am I going to be gone traveling maybe team to team looking for a potential place to play?

"Is it going to be one of those things where you sign on the dotted line and you go to training camp the next day and be gone for another month? All those things my wife and I have talked about, and at the end of the conversation, we're just like, 'Well, we don't know. We can't sit here and waste time speculating.' So I guess whatever happens, happens and we'll roll with it when we get there."

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Court clears Falcons CB Owens after family violence hearing

The case against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Chris Owens, who allegedly ransacked his ex-girlfriend's apartment, was dismissed after a family violence hearing in Superior Court of Gwinnett County (Ga.) on Wednesday, the player's attorney told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Owens, 24, and Latia Terry, 22, have a 9-month-old child together. According to a police report filed after the June 12 incident, a suspect smashed holes in walls and a giant-screen television, threw lamps and broke the baby's crib. The report stated that the master closet was "piled full of clothes, purses and jewelry. The suspect poured bleach all over the items, leaving discoloration on them and the carpet."

Owens said Terry -- who obtained a restraining order against Owens, according to TMZ.com, which also reported the story initially -- was unhappy with their relationship and sought "revenge."

Owens' attorney, Randall M. Kessler, said, "He’s is pleased that she decided to dismiss the case. He looks forward to working with her to raise their son together."

The 5-foot-9, 179-pound Owens, who started three games during the 2010 season for the NFC South champions, was a third-round pick out of San Jose State in the 2009 NFL Draft.

He was selected the Falcons' Man of the Year in 2010 for his community work and was nominated for the league-wide Walter Payton Award.

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Redskins see what they're doing after adding video to workouts

FAIRFAX, Va. -- The Washington Redskins have added a new element this week in the quest to make their player-run practices look and feel like the real thing.

On Wednesday, a friend hired by quarterback John Beck stood atop a 10-foot metal platform with a camera, videotaping the plays.

"It's tough when you don't have tape to go back and critique," Beck said. "That's really the story of the lockout -- just doing what we can. It would be ideal if we could be at our facility with our coaches, talking with them, watching their tape, but we can't. Even though it's very basic, we can still learn a lot from this."

Beck bemoaned that he couldn't review his footwork and coverage reads after the first two player-run minicamps in April and May. When the players reconvened Tuesday for the first day of a three-day camp, he had his friend standing on the top row of the bleachers. Tight end Chris Cooley suggested using the platform instead to provide a better angle.

The players are reviewing the tape in the evenings at Cooley's house.

"After having two weeks of not watching it and watching it for the first time yesterday, it's nice to be able to go back, spend an hour and see how you're running, see what your routes look like," Cooley said. "I felt like here were adjustments that I was able to make today after just watching some subtle things instead of just coming out and running."

Early during Wednesday's practice, Beck launched a tight spiral but overthrew tight end Logan Paulsen. That's one play certainly worth reviewing.

"We can sit down and look at Logan's route," Beck said. "Did he come out of it well? If he did, now I can take a hair off the ball. He might say, 'I didn't come out of it well. Your ball was on the money.' You can say was it A, B or C, and now can we (fix) that."

Wednesday's workout was attended by 32 players, including former Redskins cornerback Justin Tryon, now with the Indianapolis Colts.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Former Cowboys LB Myles dead after heart attack, team says

Former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Godfrey Myles has died at 42 after suffering a massive heart attack, the team announced on its website.

Myles suffered the heart attack Wednesday and was on life support before his death late Thursday night, the Cowboys reported, citing reports.

The death initially was announced on the University of Florida football program's official Twitter account, which listed the cause of death as a massive stroke.

Myles, a first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection as a Gators senior, was drafted in 1990 by the Cowboys and played six seasons with the team. He was part of three Super Bowl championship teams and made 11 career starts, all during the 1995 season.

Myles was one of three men indicted in March on federal mortgage-fraud charges, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

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Veteran CB Hobbs hasn't decided on future after neck surgery

Many people believed Ellis Hobbs' NFL career was over seven months ago, after he suffered another neck injury, but the 28-year-old cornerback insisted Saturday that he hasn't made a decision about his future.

"All I'm doing is relaxing," Hobbs told the Boston Herald. "Because of the lockout, it's just giving me extra time to work on other things. But none of the doctors have said I need to shut it down, I need to stop playing. I myself haven't even thought about that, or going that route. I've weighed both sides of it, and I'm pretty comfortable where I am right now."

Hobbs took a hit to the helmet on the second-half kickoff during his Philadelphia Eagles' 27-17 victory over the New York Giants on Nov. 21. He had full movement of all extremities and gave a thumbs up to the crowd as he was carted off the field.

A neck injury also ended Hobbs' 2009 season, and a source with knowledge of the situation told NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora in November that the cornerback "very likely" would retire after having his second surgery.

If Hobbs decides to play next season, he would be an unrestricted free agent. He has 225 tackles and 10 interceptions in his six-year NFL career, which he started as a New England Patriot.

If Hobbs does choose retirement, he has a backup plan. He returned to Iowa State University in 2009 to receive his bachelor's degree in art and design, fulfilling a promise to his mother after he left school seven credits short.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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St. Charles feels blessed after hosting secret NFL-player talks

St. Charles, Ill., population of 31,834, had a few more people in town last week -- and they caused quite a stir.

NFL owners and players chose the small Chicago suburb as the site for their clandestine labor talks Tuesday through Thursday, and the locals did their best to keep the secret while the parties tried to end the league's nearly three-month lockout.

The parties stayed at Hotel Baker, where the employees were excited about their new guests but honored their request for privacy. Rowena Salas, the hotel's general manager, told the Kane County Chronicle that she couldn't tell her 15-year-old twin sons, Antonio and Emilio, the truth when they asked if NFL owners and players were in town.

"They didn't make us sign anything for confidentiality, but they requested that it be kept confidential," Salas told the newspaper. "We had to adhere to that, and they were pleased with how we kept it so private."

News of the meeting broke Wednesday night, when the Chicago Tribune spotted New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft and a plane belonging to Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones at nearby DuPage Airport. The parties confirmed the talks Thursday as they left town, some of them bound for Friday's hearing before the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis.

Salas said the owners and players kept to themselves -- "they were private, and we didn't have the nerve to ask how things were going," she said -- but on Wednesday night, Jones asked about a place to hear some music. Salas recommended McNally's Pub, where Jones drew a crowd.

"I looked at him, and I kind of recognized him." Shay Clarke, the pub's manager, told the Chronicle. "You just don't believe it."

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who also participated in the talks, said Friday that he was happy the parties could come together without lawyers present. And if the meeting in St. Charles leads to labor peace in the NFL, Salas won't forget the town's part in the whole deal.

"It was exhausting and exciting and something we will always remember," she said. "It'll go down in our books as one of the things that was very memorable at the Hotel Baker."

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Jacobs: Eagles, not Giants, likely for Burress after prison time

When Plaxico Burress is released from a New York state prison Monday, he must find work. But Giants running back Brandon Jacobs, one of Burress' closest friends, doesn't believe the wide receiver will do so with his former NFL team.

"No, he ain't coming to the Giants," Jacobs said Thursday, according to The Star-Ledger. "That's out of the question. He's got options, and it's good he can weigh his options. I would love him to be a part of the Giants, but I don't think that's even on his plate."

What's on Burress' plate, Jacobs believes, is joining the NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles -- a possibility that has been recently speculated and later supported by the team's quarterback, Michael Vick, who served 19 months in a federal prison on dogfighting charges. Burress, 33, will have served 20 months after pleading guilty in 2009 to attempted criminal possession of a weapon following a November 2008 incident in which he accidentally shot himself in the leg at a New York nightclub.

Brooks: Burress is a fit in Philly

"I would hate to see him go to where I think he's going to go, from talking to him," said Jacobs, who speaks to Burress weekly and helps his wife and children. "It's pretty tough to deal with all those different combinations that they can present. ...

"(The Eagles) have a lot of dynamic players down there. "It wouldn't be a bad thing, he thinks, to go down there, because he wants to win. He wants to have a shot to win a Super Bowl right away. I don't know if that's the right mixture for him to do it, but they definitely have a lot of talent."

Jacobs also said Burress has told him he wouldn't mind playing for former Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, now coach of the St. Louis Rams.

Jacobs' comments about Burress mirror those of Giants left tackle David Diehl, who told NFL.com last month that he'd like the receiver to return but doesn't see it happening.

"If I were Plaxico, I don't think I would want to ...," Diehl said. "If I were in that position, in order to move on and start fresh, you have to get back to square one. That's getting back to playing football. That's getting back to yourself, and not only enjoying your family, but enjoying your life and being happy again. For him, I think that's somewhere else."

Not every Giant dismisses the idea of Burress returning to the team. Eli Manning, who threw the game-winning TD pass to Burress in Super Bowl XLII in February 2008, expressed his support for the receiver last month, saying, "I'm excited that he's getting out, and if the Giants or another team give him a shot, I'll look forward to getting him back into football." Defensive end Justin Tuck said Thursday that "I would love to have Plaxico back in Giants blue."

Even so, Jacobs is adamant that his friend will find a new NFL home.

"I just want to be happy for him," Jacobs said. "I just want him to be super happy that he's out, that he's a free man and he's able to continue his career."

Burress started his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2000, then joined the Giants in 2005. He has 505 catches for 7,845 yards and 55 TDs.

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Pats CB Bodden itching to play after missing last season

New England Patriots cornerback Leigh Bodden said he's "firing on all cylinders" and ready to get back on the field after his 2010 season was wiped out due to torn rotator cuff surgery.

After six seasons with the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions, Leigh Bodden is anxious to get back on the field with the playoff-caliber Patriots. (Elise Amendola/Associated Press)

"I can’t wait to get out there," Bodden told the Boston Herald in a story for Sunday's editions. "Whenever everything is said and done, I’ll be ready."

With the shoulder injury he suffered last preseason behind him, the seven-year veteran has been working out in Los Angeles during the NFL lockout.

Bodden signed a four-year, $22 million contract with the Patriots last year, only to see the team invest a first-round pick on cornerback Devin McCourty in 2010 and a second-rounder on Ras-I Dowling this past month.

Bodden isn't threatened by coach Bill Belichick's decision to stock up on defensive backs in an increasingly pass-happy league.

"Me going down this past year. Then (Jonathan) Wilhite went down. I remember those guys telling me, in some of those games, we dressed only three corners. That’s something you just can’t have. You need depth at that position.

"Bill knows what he’s doing with his draft picks. He knows what he wants. You never can have too many cornerbacks in this league. Teams have three, four legit wide receivers, so you have to be prepared for that. Having an extra cornerback is not wrong in my opinion."

Bodden spent five seasons with the Cleveland Browns and one with the Detroit Lions before joining the Patriots in 2009. He started 14 games for New England that season and registered 55 tackles and five interceptions.

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Newton receives Gruden's endorsement after personal workout

Count Jon Gruden among those who believe in Cam Newton.

Gruden, a former NFL coach and current ESPN analyst, put the Auburn quarterback through passing drills Friday and came away impressed, telling The Tampa Tribune "I think Cam Newton's the best player in the country."

"I agree with the Heisman Trophy people that gave him the award," said Gruden, the famously quarterback-minded ex-coach of the Oakland Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "He's got everything I'm looking for."

But do the Carolina Panthers, who own the No. 1 overall pick, agree with Gruden? Panthers coach Ron Rivera said Friday that the team is beginning to narrow its candidates for the top selection in the April 28-30 draft.

Newton has met with the Panthers and hopes he makes the cut.

"To some degree, I'd like to go No. 1," Newton said after the 20-minute workout at the University of South Florida. "The most important thing is to come out each day and get better. That's what I can control. ... I can't control where I get picked."

Gruden's praise of Newton came just days after coach Marvin Lewis, whose Cincinnati Bengals own the No. 4 pick, backed the quarterback's credentials. Lewis said Newton is "a real fine NFL prospect" who has "kind of had that 'it,' been that kind of guy for awhile."

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Cable likely out as Raiders' coach after two-plus seasons

Tom Cable is unlikely to return as the Oakland Raiders' coach, a league source said Sunday.

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Raiders owner Al Davis is expected to survey the coaching landscape, and he will not decide Cable's future until some time in the middle of the month.

With a 31-10 victory over the AFC West champion Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Cable led the Raiders to an 8-8 record this season, including a perfect 6-0 mark in the division. But Cable is 17-27 overall since taking over as coach in the middle of the 2008 season.

Cable presently doesn't have an official contract with the Raiders, but Davis can pick up an option for two more years.

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Bucs WR Benn headed to IR after knee injury vs. Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie wideout Arrelious Benn is headed to injured reserve with a knee injury, the team announced Monday.

Benn, who was injured in the second quarter of Sunday's 38-15 win over the Seattle Seahawks, told the St. Petersburg Times he was unsure what happened on the play to cause the injury.

"I have no idea. I don't even want to know," Benn said.

The Bucs stated that fullback Earnest Graham is week-to-week with a neck injury, but did not suffer a concussion in the win.

Graham was injured in the second quarter when he took a hit to the back of the helmet from Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry. Graham was down on the field for several minutes before eventually leaving under his own power.

"I think it was a cheap shot," Bucs wideout Micheal Spurlock told the newspaper. "It is what it is. It's football. Some guys don't have anything to play for, so they might think, 'Oh, we're going to knock you out.' I don't think you should play the game that way, but that's my opinion. It's one of those things where every dog has his day. His is coming."

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Singletary fired after 49ers knocked out of playoff contention

SAN FRANCISCO -- Mike Singletary was fired by the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night after two disappointing seasons, including a 5-10 showing this year for a franchise expected to win the NFC West.

The team made the announcement late Sunday upon returning to the Bay Area, several hours after San Francisco was eliminated from playoff contention with a 25-17 loss at St. Louis. Defensive line coach Jim Tomsula was promoted to interim coach and will run the team in next Sunday's season finale at home against Arizona. He was to be formally introduced in a news conference set for Monday at 3 p.m. ET.

Team president and CEO Jed York addressed reporters in St. Louis after the Niners' loss Sunday and was noncommittal about whether Singletary would coach the final game, saying he planned to think about it. Singletary was told of his dismissal back at the team's Santa Clara complex after the trip home.

"I want to thank Mike Singletary for the passion and effort that he brought to this organization," York said in a statement. "He is a tremendous person for whom I will always have great respect."

San Francisco began the year with high hopes of winning the West and reaching the postseason for the first time since 2002. Singletary finished with an 18-22 record in two-plus seasons.

"One of the greatest experiences of my life was having the opportunity to coach the San Francisco 49ers," Singletary said in a statement. "What made it so special were the players. They were some of the most outstanding men I have ever been around in my life. The coaches were truly professionals. I wish the 49ers nothing but the best. I am thankful to the York family for having given me the opportunity to be a head coach in the NFL. I am indebted to them for that. I am also thankful for the Faithful fans, I am just sorry I couldn't give them more."

The 49ers began 0-5 and will finish with a losing record for the seventh time in eight years. They went 8-8 in Singletary's first full season, then produced an unbeaten preseason this year only to drop their first five games. It was the franchise's worst start since losing seven in a row to begin a 2-14 season in 1979 -- in the late Hall of Famer Bill Walsh's first year as coach.

No team has recovered from an 0-5 start to reach the playoffs, but the 49ers would have made it if they had defeated the Rams and won again next Sunday. If that had happened, San Francisco would have won the tiebreaker over Seattle and St. Louis to win the division and become the first team with a losing record in a non-strike season to make the playoffs.

"You know what, I'll put it this way: a personal failure. I'm the head coach of this team and obviously wanted us to do better, felt that we could do better," Singletary said after Sunday's loss. "There are some obvious questions that I hoped would be answered as the season went on, and obviously were not answered. When that happens, you end up out of the playoffs.

"I take full responsibility for every unanswered question."

The 52-year-old Singletary, who first took over as coach on an interim basis when Mike Nolan was fired in October 2008 and soon declared "I want winners!" had two years remaining on his contract. York -- son of owner John York -- seems ready for major change around the Niners despite having to pay Singletary, a Hall of Fame linebacker during his playing days for the Chicago Bears.

"Money is no object," Jed York said in St. Louis. "I mean, our object is to win the Super Bowl, year in and year out be there and compete for Super Bowls. We're going to make sure we get this right."

Initially, Singletary seemed to be the man to do it, with his way of ripping into a player one minute then finding a way to turn it into a positive.

During his debut in place of Nolan -- a 34-13 loss to the Seahawks on Oct. 26, 2008 -- Singletary pulled down his pants in the locker room at halftime to make a point, benched struggling quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan in favor of Shaun Hill, and sent now-Pro Bowl and captain tight end Vernon Davis to the showers early for what he deemed inappropriate behavior following a personal foul penalty. Afterward, Singletary called out his team with the now infamous "I want winners" speech.

"I'd rather play with 10 people and just get penalized all the way until we have to do something else rather than play with 11 when I know that right now that person is not sold out to be a part of this team," Singletary said. "It is more about them than it is about the team. Cannot play with them, cannot win with them, cannot coach with them. Can't do it. I want winners. I want people that want to win."

This year, Singletary fired offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye after Week 3, then lost secondary coach and special assistant Johnnie Lynn when he resigned for personal reasons earlier this month.

Singletary switched quarterbacks three different times, starting with Alex Smith, going to Troy Smith for five games even after Alex Smith's hurt non-throwing shoulder had healed, then back to Alex Smith for two games before Troy Smith started Sunday -- only to give way to Alex Smith in the fourth quarter after Troy Smith had a heated exchange with Singletary.

"I'm not worried about individual things like that. What bothers me is we come in here, this is a playoff-caliber game, and we didn't get it done," York said. "And that's the bottom line."

York said he plans to hire a general manager and will open a search to fill the job. Since former GM Scot McCloughan departed last March -- and ended up with Seattle -- in what York called a "mutual parting," San Francisco's football operations have been run by vice president of player personnel Trent Baalke. He was responsible for selecting two offensive linemen with the team's first-round draft picks in April, and both Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati are starters on the Niners' revamped offensive line.

York was asked whether a new general manager would help in a potential coaching search.

"We'll have a general manager, and as we go forward, that will be something that the general manager and I discuss together," York said after the game.

Finding a quarterback will be another priority. Alex Smith most certainly will be gone after this season once the 2005 No. 1 overall pick's contract expires.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Colts RB Addai expects to play after eight-game injury absence

INDIANAPOLIS -- Colts running back Joseph Addai expects to return Sunday against the Oakland Raiders after missing the past eight games because of a nerve injury in his left shoulder, the first positive news on the injury front for the team in quite a while.

"I feel like it's a great chance. I feel like I'm heading in the right direction," Addai said Thursday, one day after fully participating in practice. "I felt good. I didn't set myself back. Really, I'm just happy to put on a uniform and just get back into it."

Linebacker Clint Session also is likely to play after missing the past seven games with a broken arm and a dislocated elbow. The players' returns coincide with the Colts losing wide receiver Austin Collie for the season. He sustained a concussion last Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Addai has 5,280 yards from scrimmage and 46 touchdowns in five seasons. He rushed for 128 yards and one touchdown against the Washington Redskins on Oct. 17 before hurting the shoulder.

"He understands all the nuances," Colts coach Jim Caldwell said. "He is very, very smart. He's a guy that can make you miss, but also has power and catches the ball out of the backfield. He's also a very good pass protector."

The Colts average 95 rushing yards per game with Addai and 78 without him. They also have a higher average per carry and generally control the clock better when Addai plays.

"He brings so many intangibles," Caldwell said. "He certainly does make a difference."

Caldwell didn't say whether or not Addai would start against the Raiders or how carries would be distributed if he's available. Donald Brown is coming off a career-best 129-yard performance, and the ground game has been effective the past two weeks.

"A lot of it just depends on where he is when we finish the week," Caldwell said. "We'll get a real good sense of that. After we make that assessment, we'll make a determination on how Joe will play for us."

Addai said it has been difficult to watch the team struggle. The Colts were 4-2 with him, but they lost four of their next six without him, before bouncing back to defeat the Tennessee Titans and Jaguars and brighten their playoff possibilities.

"The biggest thing is that you've always got to go back and understand that football does have injuries," Addai said. "Not being able to be out there with your teammates, that's frustrating, but you've always got to take a positive from a negative. The only thing I could do is keep on trying to get better."

Addai was especially happy to see the Colts churn out 155 yards on the ground in their 34-24 win over the Jaguars.

"It's always good when you see us able to run when we're called upon to do that," he said. "Hopefully, it will carry on to the Oakland game. Each game is a confidence builder. We were able to get some runs, get some passes and be an all-around team, just doing things that we couldn't always do in the past."

Addai said the timing of his return is ideal because wins over Oakland and Tennessee would give the Colts the AFC South title and a home playoff game.

"We're sitting in a good situation," he said. "We're in control of our own destiny. It's always good to have people that's been out come back in. I think it will help as far as trying to get up to that next level, and that's getting into the playoffs."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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