Seahawks continue overhaul by adding Pro Bowl TE Miller

Pete Carroll believes he found the deep-threat wide receiver he needed in Sidney Rice and burly veteran presence required on the offensive line in Robert Gallery.

Fantasy: Miller's value takes a hit Remember when Zach Miller was considered a potential draft bargain as a Raider? Well, Michael Fabiano says it's time to rethink that status now that Miller has signed a huge deal with the Seahawks. More ...

Now Carroll has grabbed the top pass-catching tight end on the free-agent market, with a little help from new assistant coach Tom Cable.

The Seahawks announced Tuesday afternoon they had reached agreement on a reported five-year deal with Pro Bowl tight end Zach Miller, who played under Cable with the Oakland Raiders.

"The Raiders always showed interest," Miller told KHTK-AM in Sacramento, Calif. "Throughout the whole process, I always had good communication with coach (Hue) Jackson, and we talked a lot. Seattle, about a week ago, I wasn't sure if they would be involved in this process. Coach Cable gave me a call, and that's when it started. It's definitely been a crazy last few days here."

Miller is coming off the two finest seasons of his NFL career. Just 25 years old, Miller was a Pro Bowl selection last season after catching 60 passes and five touchdowns, but he was even better in 2009 when he caught 66 passes for 865 yards and three touchdowns.

"That's what people have to realize about him is he's a very complete player," said Cable, now the Seahawks' offensive line coach. "He's going to be able to block off the line of scrimmage ... you can move him around. He can do all the crack blocks. He can do the one-on-one matchups in the passing game."

The deal is worth $34 million, with $17 million guaranteed, according to ESPN.

Miller's arrival could spell the end for John Carlson, who's entering his final year under contract. Carlson played 15 of 16 games last season but caught a career-low 31 passes and had only one touchdown reception during the regular season. Carlson did catch two touchdown passes in the Seahawks' first-round playoff upset of the New Orleans Saints.

Carroll immediately tried to dispel the notion that Miller's signing equaled Carlson's end, saying the versatility and different types of looks the two tight ends could provide were a huge benefit.

"Absolutely. It's exactly what is in our minds," Carroll said. "Anyone that thinks otherwise doesn't get it. We think those guys will play in tandem, on opposite sides, we'll be moving them around to matchups and stuff. I think it's a great asset for us now, and we've always liked to play with two tight ends in a number of different packages, and this just gives us tremendous flexibility at a really high level."

Miller said he's excited to be part of Seattle's new-look offense, which also added quarterback Tarvaris Jackson to go with Rice and Gallery.

"I think it's looking really good with the weapons brought in on offense," Miller told KHTK-AM. "Obviously, Sidney Rice, Tarvaris Jackson, you have Marshawn Lynch running the football and then me working the middle of the field. It's been really good, I'm really looking forward to it. Coach Carroll, I think he develops a great atmosphere. He wins everywhere he goes. I'm really looking forward to getting into football and being a big part of this team."

For his part, Carlson seemed to understand the competitive nature of the situation he was being placed in with Miller's arrival.

"We have to perform on the field," Carlson said. "I have to prove I deserve to be out there, as are the other guys at our position. We're all trying to fight for a spot, for a role. It's like that every year. It's always competitive; you always have to earn your spot."

Earlier Tuesday, the Seahawks agreed to terms with defensive end Jimmy Wilkerson, who adds depth to the defensive line as a potential rusher in passing situations.

Wilkerson spent last season in Seattle, but his best seasons came in 2008 and 2009 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when he worked with new Seahawks defensive line coach Todd Wash. Wilkerson started a career-high 15 games in 2009 and had career bests in tackles (46) and sacks (6).

Wash said Wilkerson would be used as an inside pass-rusher on third downs, but he also could play at defensive end on first and second downs.

The Seahawks also brought back cornerback Kelly Jennings on Monday and reached a contract agreement with free-agent defensive lineman Ryan Sims.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Colts may continue playoff run without concussed WR Collie

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Colts may have to make their final playoff push without one of their top play-makers, receiver Austin Collie.

Less than 24 hours after Collie left his third game in seven weeks with a head injury, coach Jim Caldwell said he didn't know when -- or if -- Collie would return this season.

"We lean totally upon those who are in charge," Caldwell said, referring to the doctors. "Here's the thing. There's not a coach that makes any decision based on anybody who has a concussion. Once he's cleared and ready to go, that's the case."

The second-year receiver was injured late in the first half Sunday when Jacksonville linebacker Daryl Smith appeared to hit Collie in the head with his forearm as Collie went low to make a catch.

Unfortunately for Collie, it's been a recurring theme.

Since the second half of a Nov. 7 game at Philadelphia, Collie has played in only three quarters, leaving games twice with diagnosed concussions and a third time with what the team described as "concussion-like symptoms." Caldwell couldn't say definitively whether the third instance was considered a full-blown concussion.

But losing Collie could be another blow to the Colts' postseason hopes.

Despite missing five games and more than a half in three others, he leads all Indy receivers with eight TD catches, is second in receptions (58) and third in yards (649). And when four-time league MVP Peyton Manning was mired in the worst slump of his pro career, Collie wasn't wearing pads.

When he returned Sunday against the Jags, for what amounted to a playoff-elimination game, Manning threw 10 passes to Collie in the first half. He caught eight for 87 yards and two TDs, and, perhaps not surprisingly, his presence helped open things up for Indy's suddenly rejuvenated ground game.

And although Caldwell has not ruled out Collie for this week's game at Oakland, few expect him to play.

"Things are moving in the right direction from what I saw after the game," Caldwell said. "The medical professionals are as good as they come, they take all the necessary precautions. They are very, very conservative."

Clearly, Collie's health has become a serious concern for the Colts (8-6).

Caldwell said it was his top priority, and teammates understand why doctors are likely to be even more cautious given Collie's recent history and the league's new guidelines dealing with concussions.

"I talked to him (Collie) and he said it wasn't as bad as the last one, so that's the good news," Pro Bowl receiver Reggie Wayne said Sunday. "But they're all bad."

Meaning, Indy will probably have to finish its playoff push without Collie.

If the Colts win at Oakland and beat Tennessee at home, they will win their seventh AFC South title in eight years and earn a ninth straight playoff berth.

At least the Colts are playing more like the defending AFC champs.

After limiting Tennessee's Chris Johnson to 111 yards rushing and one TD, Indy held the league's hottest running back, Maurice Jones-Drew, to just 46 yards and no scores. This week, they'll have to contend with Darren McFadden and Michael Bush, who helped Oakland run for 264 yards in Sunday's victory over Denver. Then comes the rematch with Johnson.

The other promising sign is that Indy has added balance to its offense.

The Colts ran 32 times, compared with 35 passes, against the Titans, and ran 24 times while throwing 39 times against Jacksonville.

Clearly, it's made a difference in Manning's play. He's thrown four TD passes and no interceptions the past two weeks -- a stark contrast to the 11 picks he threw in the previous three games.

"Your play-action, it (balance) probably gives it a little more pop," Manning said. "Collie's second touchdown was on play-action, so we've got to keep that going."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Chargers continue to pick up steam with easy victory over host Colts

INDIANAPOLIS -- Peyton Manning blamed himself for the Colts' mistakes. The Chargers took credit for forcing him into them.

Either way, it was the same lousy result for Indianapolis' suddenly struggling quarterback.

San Diego intercepted him four times, returning two for scores, and handed Indianapolis its worst home loss of the Manning era, 36-14, on Sunday.

"The defense was awesome," Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers said. "Getting two defensive touchdowns was obviously huge, and they played well all night."

Sunday's game fit right into this rivalry's recent trend.

San Diego (6-5) has beaten Manning's Colts five times in six games, including twice in the playoffs. Three years ago, the Chargers picked off Manning six times -- the most in his career. For the first time in Manning's 13 NFL seasons, he has thrown a combined seven interceptions in back-to-back weeks.

Colts fans were so incredulous at the poor play that they headed for the exits with about 10 minutes left.

But the Chargers had plenty of work still to do. The team that ruined Indy's quest for perfection in 2005 and dethroned the defending Super Bowl champs in the 2007 playoffs ended the NFL's longest run of consecutive 12-win seasons at seven. Plus, San Diego climbed over the .500 mark for the first time all season and kept pace in the AFC West race, one game behind Kansas City.

Imagine that.

"At 2-5, a lot of teams would have thrown in the towel," Rivers said. "We've got a group of resilient guys, tough guys that really play together and really believe in one another. We weren't going to let this thing get away from us. Now, we're right here in the hunt."

While the Chargers are primed to make a playoff run, Indy's struggles have raised red flags.

Yes, the Colts (6-5) are still tied with Jacksonville for the AFC South lead, but they've lost three of four and the rash of injuries has taken a major toll on the offense. Manning played again without receiver Austin Collie, without running back Joseph Addai and without starting tight ends Dallas Clark and Brody Eldridge, and it showed.

Coach Jim Caldwell blamed the miscues -- five turnovers in all -- on a combination of factors, including poor pass protection and a nonexistent running game. Indy netted only 24 yards rushing against the Chargers' No. 1 ranked defense.

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And Manning wasn't himself, either. He finished 31 of 48 for 285 with two TDs and the third four-interception game of his career. The last came in San Diego in November 2007.

"San Diego did a good job," Manning said. "Offensively, we didn't do a real good job. I didn't do a real good job. Everybody needs to play better, I need to play better, our execution needs to improve."

Manning is ready to move to the head of the line after this debacle.

After throwing a 5-yard TD pass to Jacob Tamme on the Colts' opening drive and watching San Diego counter with a 28-yard field goal, Manning tried to connect with Reggie Wayne by fitting a pass between three defenders.

Not good.

Kevin Burnett made a leaping catch and sprinted 29 yards to give the Chargers a 10-7 lead.

"Poor decision," Manning said. "That's something I have to avoid. So poor throw, poor decision."

Stephen Cooper picked off Manning again early in the second quarter, setting up a 33-yard field goal that made it 13-7, and Manning got the Colts back into it when he connected with Blair White on a 6-yard TD pass to make it 16-14 with 22 seconds left in the half.

After that, nothing went right for the Colts.

Kaeding opened the second half with a 30-yard field goal, and Eric Weddle picked off Manning and returned it 41 yards for a TD to make it 26-14. Fans booed, thinking Weddle shoved Wayne to the ground before the ball arrived. Wayne and Manning complained to the officials.

"It was a bad call, plain and simple," Caldwell said. "I don't know how to dance around it any other way."

But the Chargers refused to let Manning make one of his patented comebacks.

Mike Tolbert scored on a 3-yard run with 11:26 to go, sealing the victory, and Kaeding added his fifth field goal of the night to close it out. Tolbert carried 26 times for 103 yards with one TD.

Rivers was 19 of 23 for 185 yards with no touchdowns and, unlike Manning, no interceptions.

"I think all of our guys understand now that you've got to protect the ball," coach Norv Turner said. "You've got to be sound in the kicking game and we can't give up big plays on defense."

They gave up nothing Sunday night.

Notes: San Diego WR Vincent Jackson's season debut was a short one. He strained a calf muscle on the Chargers' opening series and did not return. Turner said he did not expect Jackson to miss a lot of time. ... Tolbert also left during the first half with what appeared to be a left hand injury. ... The banged-up Colts took a couple of more hits Sunday. Wayne was shaken up with 2:45 left, and starting cornerback Kelvin Hayden also was hurt in the closing minutes. Both players left walked off the field without help. ... It was Indy's most lopsided home loss since a 31-3 rout by Seattle on Sept. 14, 1997. Indy had won 19 of its last 20 home games, the only loss coming after the Colts pulled their starters against the New York Jets last December.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Ravens continue to take care of business at home with win over Bucs

BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Ravens took care of business in workmanlike fashion against a team they hadn't played in years.

By doing so, the Ravens put themselves in perfect position for an emotional matchup against a team they know all too well.

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Joe Flacco threw two touchdown passes, and Baltimore beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17-10 Sunday in their first meeting since 2006.

The Ravens (8-3) improved to 5-0 at home this season and remained tied atop the AFC North with Pittsburgh. Baltimore will be striving for its franchise-record ninth straight home win next Sunday night against the Steelers.

"The message is simple for us: We haven't lost at home, so let's defend that," linebacker Ray Lewis said. "We take care of that, everything else take care of itself.

"From our side and their side, there is no talking that has to be done. We've been playing each other a long time and now it comes down to one of those showdown games."

Next week's game wouldn't have been nearly as important if the Ravens didn't win this one.

"I don't think you ever want to diminish this victory," coach John Harbaugh said. "It's one we really need to get where we're going. It's a game that bridged us into December. It gives us an opportunity to accomplish some things. We're playing the biggest game of the year."

Flacco connected with Todd Heap for a 65-yard score and hit Derrick Mason for a 10-yard touchdown during a three-minute span of the second quarter to stake Baltimore to a 17-3 halftime lead. Flacco now has 53 career TD passes, surpassing Vinny Testaverde (51) for most in Ravens history.

"Vinny didn't play here that long (two years), so it's not really that much of an accomplishment," Flacco said. "Hopefully, I can make that a little bit higher for somebody else to break in the future sometime."

Flacco completed 25 of 35 passes for 289 yards and had a 76-yard touchdown throw to Ray Rice called back because of a block in the back by Anquan Boldin.

Tampa Bay (7-4) still has not beaten a team with a winning record. The Buccaneers have lost to New Orleans, Pittsburgh, Atlanta and Baltimore by a combined 113-50 score.

"That doesn't factor into anything. We're a team with a winning record," cornerback Ronde Barber said. "We're just playing. You like to win them all, regardless of who the opponent is."

Coming close didn't make the defeat any easier to take.

"There's no positives," Barber said. "You either find a way to win or you don't -- and we didn't today."

Josh Freeman went 17 for 37 for 162 yards and a touchdown. Although he avoided being sacked, Freeman often was forced to throw under pressure and had only one completion of more than 20 yards.

"I played extremely poorly. There are a number of balls I usually hit that missed," Freeman said. "I just wasn't getting it done."

Freeman threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Kellen Winslow with 3:05 left to make it 17-10, but the Buccaneers didn't get the ball back.

"I thought we were in control. We were never really threatened until the end of the game," Flacco said. "We had to do a good job there and put the game away."

With the score 3-all late in the second quarter, Heap slipped behind two Tampa Bay defenders, caught a pass from Flacco in stride and raced to the end zone on the longest play of his 10-year career.

The Buccaneers then went three-and-out, and an iffy pass interference call against Myron Lewis preceded Flacco's touchdown pass to Mason with 32 seconds left in the half.

Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris disputed the penalty at the time and continued to protest while running off the field at halftime.

"I disagreed with it at the time, but it is what it is," he said. "My opinion really doesn't matter. The call was made and you got to move on."

Mason finished with eight catches for 87 yards.

Baltimore made only two first downs in its first two series, but punter Sam Koch twice pinned the Buccaneers inside the 20. That enabled the Ravens to begin their third possession at the Tampa Bay 41, which led to a 45-yard field goal by Billy Cundiff.

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After another Buccaneers punt, Aqib Talib got his team-high sixth interception and returned it 25 yards to the Baltimore 31. It was the first interception thrown by Flacco at home this season; he had gone 128 passes without one.

Tampa Bay safety Cody Grimm hurt his left ankle during the return and was carted off the field. He did not return.

After the turnover, Tampa Bay failed to gain a yard on three plays from the Baltimore 4 before Connor Barth kicked a field goal to make it 3-all.

Notes: Ravens FB Le'Ron McClain sprained his left ankle. ... Baltimore S Dawan Landry left in the third quarter with a concussion. ... Tampa Bay G Davin Joseph hurt his foot in the first quarter and did not return. ... Ravens LT Michael Oher sprained his right knee.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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