Giants' Umenyiora gets work in, leaves to have knee examined

Two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora is showing some signs that he might be ready to practice with the New York Giants.

For the first time in almost a week, Umenyiora worked with team trainers at practice Wednesday, simulating snap counts. The 29-year-old, who hasn't practiced since reporting to training camp a day late on July 30, got down in his stance and made pass-rushing moves during his session.

Umenyiora looked explosive coming off the ball during the roughly 5-to-10 minute workout, showing no signs that his left knee was bothering him.

The nine-year veteran is upset the Giants have not reworked his contract, which will pay him $7.1 million over its final two years. He alleged that general manager Jerry Reese said after last season that the team would rework the contract. The former Troy product had 11.5 sacks last season and a league-high 10 forced fumbles.

After the workout, Umenyiora walked into the team's indoor practice facility for a couple of minutes and then came out and sat on a stationary bike while teammates practiced.

Roughly 40 minutes into the team's practice, Umenyiora peeled off his No. 72 jersey and walked off the field into the Giants' headquarters. He told NFL Network's Scott Hanson he was headed for a flight to Atlanta to have the knee examined.

A person familiar with Umenyiora’s status told The Star-Ledger (Newark, N.J.) he is dealing with a meniscus cartilage issue that could require surgery. The person requested anonymity because the extent of the injury has not been made public.

Umenyiora didn't immediately return an email from The Associated Press seeking comment.

Coach Tom Coughlin sounded optimistic that Umenyiora might practice soon.

"I hope we get some closure on that chapter and start on the new one," he said, adding that he has talked to Umenyiora frequently, encouraged him and told him to try to get on the field as soon as possible.

Coughlin reiterated that Umenyiora had issues with his hip last season and not his knee.

"I am thinking that whatever is in the best interest of our team right now, that's the only thing I've thought about," Coughlin said. "We will manage whatever we have to manage. We've done it. Like I said, the hip -- we couldn't practice both Wednesday and Thursday (last season) so we practiced one day under those circumstances. So if there's an issue here, we'll find a way to work with the issue. We'll find a way to get the player in the best position he could be in on Sunday."

Fellow defensive end Justin Tuck felt that Umenyiora's trip to Atlanta could be seen as a sign of progress in the dispute.

"It's movement," Tuck said, adding just as quickly that no one really knows when the situation will be resolved.

Guard David Diehl said that while teammates want Umenyiora to practice, they also understand the business side of the problem.

"He's got his own thing going on," Diehl said. "The only thing you can focus on are the guys that are playing and all we've been doing, making sure we are making progress."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Ruling leaves open possibility for NFLPA to file injunction

Friday's ruling by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declaring that the NFL lockout remains in place came as no surprise to either party and multiple sources on both sides said it should not derail the negotiating process to any degree. 

Negotiations in New York continue and the sides remain cautiously hopeful they can resolve the remaining hurdles within the next week, though there are no guarantees.

However, according to legal sources who have read Friday's ruling, the language from the 8th U.S. Circuit Court creates an opportunity for the NFL Players Association to file another expedited injunction seeking additional rights for rookies and free agents not under contract. And, according to a high-placed source within the NFLPA, the players would file that injunction if a labor agreement is not struck in short order.

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The NFL would not be permitted to appeal any ruling by U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson regarding a new injunction for rookies and free agents, according to lawyers who have read Friday's decision. The wording of Friday's decision says that injunction, if sought, would be legal.

Friday's ruling contains language that leaves open the specific rights "free agents and rookies" possess under the lockout. Rules of the NFL lockout prohibit any contact between players and teams regarding virtually all matters and explicitly contract negotiations are deemed illegal. According to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court's ruling, those issues "should be addressed by the district court in the first instance."

According to the NFLPA source, the potential injunction on rookies and free agents that would be filed with Judge Nelson would be for the right for those players to immediately negotiate and sign deals.

Thus, the players could return to Judge Nelson's court in Minnesota and seek a separate injunction on the lockout, limited to rookies and free agents, based on the contention that those not under contract have the right to engage in contract talks with potential employers in the NFL. Given that Judge Nelson previously declared the lockout itself illegal, her interpretation would seemingly side with the players, and an expedited decision could come within a matter of weeks after filing, the NFLPA believes.

If there is not an agreement reached between the NFL and the players on a new labor deal in the short term, then the players "would seek an injunction right away," according to the source. However, as always, one would expect an appeal to be involved and the 8th U.S. Circuit Court has taken a different view of things than Judge Nelson to this stage. But it's the NFLPA lawyer's interpretation of Friday's decision by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court, based on the wording of the ruling, that such an injunction would be legal and not subject to appeal.

The timing of an injunction, and any subsequent appeal, could become complicated and, right now, it's the threat of losing preseason games and real revenue and paychecks -- not court decisions -- driving the urgency with labor talks. Friday's ruling doesn't change that, and the only chance to start a preseason and regular season on time continues to come from the bargaining table, and nowhere else.

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Ex-Giants WR Burress leaves prison, targets return to NFL

Clad nearly all in black -- hooded sweatshirt, athletic shorts, sneakers -- and a white T-shirt, Plaxico Burress walked alone through a gate in a chain-link fence topped by swirls of barbed wire.

He looked around for something familiar, and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, ran up and jumped into his arms as both men broadly smiled.

Freedom at last for Burress. The former New York Giants wide receiver was released from prison around 9 a.m. ET Monday after spending nearly two years behind bars on a gun charge.

"I just want to thank God for bringing me through one of the most trying times in my life," Burress said in a brief exchange with reporters outside Oneida Correctional Facility in Rome, N.Y. "It's a beautiful day. It's a beautiful day to be reunited with my family. I want to go home and spend some quality time with them.

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"I'd like to thank everybody for their prayers and words of encouragement," Burress said as the fog-shrouded morning gave way to brilliant sunshine. "I'd like to thank all my fans all around the world for the thousands of letters, for their unwavering support. As far as football is concerned, if and when everything gets settled, when they get back on the field, I'll be ready."

Burress pleaded guilty in August 2009 to attempted criminal possession of a weapon and was sentenced to two years in prison. He was released about three months early for good behavior.

Burress will be on parole for two years. He has to get and keep a job, undergo substance-abuse testing, obey any curfew established by his Florida parole officer, support his family and attend any anger counseling or other conditions required by his parole officer.

It didn't take long for friends and former teammates to transmit their good wishes.

In response to a tweet that said: "Just In! Plaxico Burress Just Released from Jail!" former Giants star Michael Strahan responded: "About time!!"

Despite the intensity of the NBA Finals, even Miami Heat star LeBron James took a moment to tweet: "Welcome home Plaxico! Best of luck in the near future both on and off the field. 17 Jersey coming to a city near u."

Former Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce, who was with Burress the night his life unraveled, tweeted the following a couple of hours before Burress was released: "17.. Time well over due.. Great teammate, friend, person and better yet Man. Always a Champ.. Only 1 way to go ... Back to the TOP."

Burress, who turns 34 in August, seemed intent on doing just that. He gave the victory sign as he sped away in a black Range Rover to meet up with his wife for the flight to their Florida home.

Eagles quarterback Michael Vick, who served a 23-month federal sentence for running a dogfighting ring, has shown it's possible to successfully return to the NFL. Vick said in a recent radio interview with WIP-AM in Philadelphia that Burress would be a great fit with the Eagles. Maybe that's why Burress also was wearing a Philadelphia Phillies hat when he was freed.

"I think certainly Plaxico is going to come out with a chip on his shoulder the same way I did, and he'll go out and help this football team to whatever capacity he can," Vick said. "I think the guys would be willing to embrace him and bring him in. If that happens? Who knows? We talking about 'what ifs' now? It would certainly be a good thing."

The Giants declined comment Monday. But Giants running back Brandon Jacobs, one of Burress' closest friends, has questioned if the receiver has a future with the team.

"No, he ain't coming to the Giants," Jacobs said last week, 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."

The New York Daily News reported that Jacobs revised those comments Monday on SiriusXM NFL Radio.

"I mean, I think there’s a chance the Giants ... I mean, I know they probably want him back. But with him having more options to pick from, I don’t know how that’s going to work out," Jacobs said, adding that Giants coach Tom Coughlin would be interested in Burress' return.

"No question about it. I do think so. Coach Coughlin wants to win, so he knew what we had was very special before this whole incident happened. The Giants want to win, coach Coughlin wants to win, we want to win as a team and as an organization, so it would be smart to make at least an attempt. But given the fact that he has a lot of other opportunities to play in other cities, it may be kind of difficult."

Giants left tackle David Diehl 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."

Rosenhaus said Monday that the receiver would immediately fly home to begin workouts. Rosenhaus said he has spoken to several teams about Burress and expects him to play again in the NFL. Rosenhaus said Burress matured in prison, and there are things the receiver would do differently.

"He's learned an awful lot," Rosenhaus said outside the prison moments before his client emerged. "He knows that he obviously made a mistake. To miss two NFL seasons in the prime of your career. To not be with your family, most importantly. To lose out on millions and millions of dollars. These are things that have forced him to certainly evaluate his life."

Rosenhaus said the teams he has talked to haven't expressed any concerns about Burress. Rosenhaus didn't say to which teams he has spoken or how many.

"He's going to be a top free agent," Rosenhaus said. "There are going to be multiple teams interested in signing him. I expect him to get a good contract. I expect him to absolutely be playing."

Burress' high school coach and friend, Cadillac Harris, also is confident the receiver won't have trouble finding work and a fresh start.

"I think he's going to be a much different guy coming out, a much more mature person," Harris told The Virginian-Pilot last week. "His decision-making on and off the field, and his relationship with his family should be much better. I enjoyed seeing his spiritual development, his awareness of what's taken place and what's valuable to him."

Harris visited Burress in prison in April and told The Virginian-Pilot that the receiver has "at least eight NFL teams" showing interest in talking to him once the lockout ends.

Because he was a high-profile inmate, Burress was placed in a protective custody unit at the prison, which has 930 inmates, 20 in protective custody. While in prison, he completed an aggression management program and worked as a lawn and grounds laborer, according the state's Department of Correctional Services.

Burress violated prison rules and regulations three times. He lied to a guard about having permission to use the phone; gave another inmate a pair of black and silver sneakers that were deemed contraband; and had too many cassette tapes and an unauthorized extra pillow in his "filthy" cell.

"I didn't sense bitterness in him," Harris told The Virginian-Pilot. "He knows he made a bad decision. He knows he's a victim of the circumstances he put himself in."

The 6-foot-5 receiver had the world at his feet in February 2008, after catching a 13-yard pass from Eli Manning with 35 seconds to play to give the Giants a stunning 17-14 victory over the undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.

Burress' world fell apart nine months later when he walked into a Manhattan nightclub with a handgun tucked in the waistband of his pants. The weapon slipped down and discharged as Burress tried to grab it, injuring him in the thigh.

The wound wasn't serious. The backlash was.

New York mayor Michael Bloomberg called for Burress to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and was irate that officials at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center treated the receiver and failed to report the shooting, as required by law. A doctor who treated Burress was later suspended.

The gun wasn't licensed in New York or in New Jersey, where Burress lived. His license to carry a concealed weapon in Florida had expired in May 2008.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Browns' McCoy plays with ankle sprain, but leaves in a boot

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Cleveland quarterback Colt McCoy left Jacksonville in a walking boot, the latest injury for the banged-up Browns.

McCoy injured his left ankle on a sack early in the third quarter. He stayed in the game and finished 17 of 28 passing for 241 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. He said X-rays afterward were negative, but he will have more tests Monday in Cleveland.

"I wasn't going to come out of the game," McCoy said. "We evaluated it and it hurt, but it wasn't something that I was going to pull myself out of the game over. I felt like I could still do the things I needed to do. It was bothering me, but I needed to be out there."

McCoy was sacked a season-high six times. Jeremy Mincey got him twice, with the first one doing most of the damage. Coach Eric Mangini even got backup Seneca Wallace warming up on the sideline, but stuck with the rookie who has played well since taking over for starter Jake Delhomme.

Delhomme and Wallace also sprained ankles earlier this season, injuries that led to McCoy taking over the starting job.

"It definitely bothered him and I talked to him throughout the course of the game," Mangini said. "And at one point I had Seneca warm up. (But) he felt like he could continue on."

McCoy scrambled for an 18-yard gain in the fourth, got pushed out of bounds by Don Carey and gingerly jogged back to the huddle.

Mincey sacked McCoy again three plays later, forcing the Browns to settle for a field goal and a 20-17 lead with 2:51 remaining.

It was another wasted chance for the Browns, who scored just 10 points off Jacksonville's six turnovers.

"Offensively, we didn't execute when we had short fields," McCoy said. "You've got to score more than 10 points off six turnovers. That's on us, as an offense and on me for maybe getting us to different plays ... I don't know. We're going to have to go back and look at it.

"If you want to take anything positive out of this, we fought up to the very end. Just because things weren't going well for us, we didn't hang our heads. We kept fighting and trying, down to the very last play."

Cleveland, coming off a loss to the New York Jets in overtime, had a final chance to win in Jacksonville. But Sean Considine tipped McCoy's pass away from Ben Watson at the goal line with a few seconds remaining.

The ball bounced off Watson's chest and landed in Considine's arms.

"They dropped everybody back," McCoy said. "You can't throw short routes because we have no timeouts. You've got to take a shot like that. It's risky."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Falcons CB DeCoud leaves game after helmet-to-helmet hit

ATLANTA -- Falcons safety Thomas DeCoud left Sunday's game with a head injury after a helmet-to-helmet collision with Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson.

DeCoud's teammates waved for Atlanta's trainers following the play with 3:17 remaining in the first quarter. DeCoud was kneeling when trainers arrived, and he was escorted to the sideline.

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DeCoud sat on the bench and stood on the sideline through the remainder of the first half.

The Falcons announced at the start of the second half that DeCoud's status was questionable.

There was no penalty on the play. Erik Coleman replaced DeCoud.

The Falcons' secondary was short-handed after cornerback Dunta Robinson suffered a concussion in a hit on Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson last week.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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