Owner: Bengals won't trade Palmer, consider QB to be retired

CINCINNATI -- Bengals owner Mike Brown insisted on Tuesday that he won't trade quarterback Carson Palmer, who wants to leave one of the NFL's least-successful franchises.

Palmer, who has four years left on his contract, told the team in January that he would retire if he's not traded. The Bengals have only two winning seasons in the last 20 years, one of the worst stretches of futility in league history.

Brown said the club will move on without its franchise quarterback. The Bengals plan to hold their first training camp workout Saturday in Georgetown, Ky.

"I honestly like Carson Palmer," Brown said. "He was a splendid player for us. He's a good person. I wish him well. And he is retired. That is his choice. ... I'm not expecting him to be back."

Asked why he wouldn't trade Palmer and get some draft picks in return, Brown said it was a matter of principle.

"Carson signed a contract. He made a commitment. He gave his word," Brown said. "We relied on his word. We relied on his commitment. We expected him to perform here. He's going to walk away from his commitment. We aren't going to reward him for doing it."

Brown has traditionally taken a hard line on players trying to leave. Receiver Chad Ochocinco unsuccessfully lobbied for a trade three years ago, but Brown refused. Ochocinco has one year left on his deal, but is hoping to be released during the next few weeks.

Brown and coach Marvin Lewis declined to say anything about Ochocinco on Tuesday other than that he's under contract. The Bengals picked receiver A.J. Green in the first round of the draft, giving themselves his eventual replacement.

The Bengals drafted Andy Dalton in the second round of April's draft. Brown indicated on Tuesday that he will be the starter heading into camp, even though he hasn't been able to work with coaches because of the NFL's lockout. Jordan Palmer -- Carson's younger brother -- is the only experienced quarterback on the roster.

Brown said the team will look for another veteran, but it will give Dalton a chance to win the job.

"We think he is promising for our future," Brown said. "Yes, he'll have teething problems. It won't be altogether easy for him all the time. But we're going to put him in there. If he can do it, we're going to go with him. And I hope he can manage it."

The Bengals are coming off a 4-12 season that included 10 consecutive losses. Carson Palmer told the team he wouldn't be back after Lewis decided to return even though Brown promised no significant changes in how the organization is run.

The Bengals originally planned to have players report at Georgetown College -- a 90-mile drive south of Cincinnati -- on Wednesday and have their first practice a day later. They pushed the schedule back by two days.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Eagles owner talks about process of signing troubled players

Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie isn't afraid to take a chance on a reclamation project, as proven by the franchise star he now has behind center.

But Lurie made it clear the signing of Michael Vick following the quarterback's 18-month prison stint came only after a long look at both physical skills and personality makeup.

"We've shown we'll take chances if it's warranted," Lurie told the Philadelphia Inquirer on Wednesday.

Which, of course, begs the question: Are the Eagles interested in signing soon-to-be free agent Plaxico Burress?

The former Giants star was released from prison on Monday after a 22-month term stemming from a weapons conviction. Burress exited prison wearing a throwback Philadelphia Phillies cap, a not-so-subtle nod to one of his potential landings spots.

Burress would appear to be a good fit with the Eagles, but Lurie said properly judging a player goes beyond game tape and bio information.

"You can evaluate his talent. You can evaluate his age. But you can't evaluate where his heart and his head are at the moment," Lurie said. "Until you can do that ... it's far from enough information."

That was the case when the team began its flirtation with Vick that led to their signing of the quarterback in 2009.

"We evaluate case by case. It involved a lot of research into Michael -- what kind of teammate he was," Lurie said. "What his motivations were. How much he cared for the game."

As for Burress' recent choices in headwear, Eagles coach Andy Reid isn't one to make much of it.

"He must be a Phillies fan," he told the Inquirer. "If he'd had an Eagles hat on, then we'd talk."

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Ochocinco draws inspiration from owner, eyes snake wrangling

If nothing else, Chad Ochocinco has proved this offseason that he's up for any challenge.

And while his soccer tryout was cute, and the bull riding was brave, the Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver's latest plan might qualify as downright crazy.

"I've partnered with Snake Jungle to go out and become the first black #SnakeWrangler," Ochocinco tweeted Wednesday. "Thanks to my owner Mike Brown for the great idea."

He was referring to Bengals owner Mike Brown, who offered his opinion on Ochocinco's colorful offseason during an interview Tuesday.

"He's going to do the things he does. Next maybe he'll be a snake wrangler and we'll watch to see if he gets bit," Brown said at the NFL Spring Meeting in Indianapolis. "He's always up to some stunt. They amuse me in a way."

Brown's off-handed riff turned into inspiration for Ochocinco, who's apparently looking for any way to pass the time during the longest work stoppage in NFL history. The owners locked out the players March 12.

"I'm going to be a #SnakeWrangler, I got the awesome idea from my owner, catching a Black Mamba and a King Cobra #EPIC," Ochocinco added. "Does anyone know these snakes I'm gonna catch, Taipan, Blue Krait, Eastern Brown Snake, Rattle Snake and the Death Adder."

It remains to be seen if Ochocinco is serious or simply exhibiting online courage, 140 characters at a time. His track record makes going through with it a genuine possibility.

"Chad has a genius for bringing notice to himself," Brown said Tuesday.

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Dolphins owner Ross to meet with Sparano, Ireland this week

Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross will be in Florida on Monday, and he plans to meet with coach Tony Sparano and general manager Jeff Ireland at some point this week, according to a team source.

Ross has been out of the country and didn't attend Sunday's game, a 38-7 loss to the New England Patriots. The Dolphins might have been playing for Sparano's job, but they crumbled in a fitting end to a dud of a season.

Neither Chad Henne nor Tyler Thigpen could do much with the offense as Miami fell behind 38-0 before a late touchdown helped the team avert its second shutout of the season.

"We don't want to be in this position again, and we shouldn't forget what just happened to us out there," said Sparano, who looks forward to meeting with Ross and sharing his ideas for improving the Dolphins. "It's not a good place to be, and we did it to ourselves."

Sparano, who has one year left on his contract, led the Dolphins to the playoffs in 2008 -- his first season as an NFL head coach -- for their only postseason appearance since 2001. But Miami is 14-18 since then.

"He is such a good coach," Dolphins cornerback Benny Sapp said of Sparano. "You just hate to see it go down like that, especially when (he) works so hard during the week getting us motivated."

The Patriots (14-2) already had clinched home-field advantage through the AFC playoffs, and the Dolphins had long been eliminated from postseason contention. But Miami (7-9) came into Sunday's game with a chance to finish .500 and end the season with a win that could help make the case for keeping Sparano.

Instead, the Dolphins' defense gave up touchdowns on two of the Patriots' first three possessions. And, after scoring on Julian Edelman's 94-yard punt return near the end of the first half, New England opened the second half with two quick touchdown drives to make it 38-0.

Only the Patriots' benevolence kept the game that close, with backup quarterback Brian Hoyer leading a 9-minute, 35-second drive to eat up most of the fourth quarter before New England ran the ball on fourth-and-9 from the Miami 19 instead of attempting a field goal.

"It was difficult, frustrating, disappointing and embarrassing. It was all those things," Dolphins defensive lineman Kendall Langford said of the loss. "We let each other down, the coaching staff and the organization. What went on out there is not acceptable at all."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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'Fins owner Ross frustrated, will evaluate Sparano, GM Ireland

Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross verbalized his displeasure with the team's 34-27 loss to the Detroit Lions in comments to The Miami Herald on Sunday.

"You've seen what's going on," Ross told the newspaper during his exit from Sun Life Stadium.

Miami (7-8), eliminated from the playoff race last week, blew a late 10-point lead to finish 1-7 at home. That's the worst home record in the league, and it matches a franchise low.

Ross described his disappointment as "tremendous, like any fan."

"I feel as frustrated as any fan," he said, refusing to discuss coach Tony Sparano and general manager Jeff Ireland's future, adding that he is "starting to evaluate now."

The Dolphins led 24-14 with five minutes to go when the Lions forced a punt, and on the first play Jahvid Best turned a short pass from Hill into a 53-yard touchdown.

Three plays later, Henne overthrew a receiver and Vasher was there, setting up a 47-yard field goal by Dave Rayner to tie the game with 2:44 remaining.

Two Miami plays netted 2 yards before Henne threw another interception. Intended receiver Davone Bess fell as the ball arrived, and Levy grabbed it, then zigzagged 30 yards to the end zone for Detroit's third score in less than 3 minutes.

"I was in here at 2:30 in the morning, so I had a lot of time to digest it," Sparano told reporters Monday.

Sparano was asked to describe his conversation with Ross following the loss.

"It will stay between Mr. Ross and I," Sparano said. "We did speak by phone."

Sparano would not directly address speculation about his future with the team.

"I'm pretty confident I can get it turned around," Sparano said. "...I just worry about the Patriots right now, and winning the football game. Then we'll see where we are."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Jets owner says his respect for Ryan hasn't diminished

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The finger. The show. The reporter. The knee. The wall. And, now, the feet.

Through it all, New York Jets owner Woody Johnson has stood by his coach and team during this, ahem, interesting -- and winning -- year.

Rex Ryan (left) has owner Woody Johnson's support, despite reports of a foot-fetish video linked to the Jets coach.

"I'm very proud of the organization," Johnson said Thursday. "I think the organization responded very responsibly in every case. The culture that I'm looking for is starting to develop and has developed to the point where the people in this building are able to handle it and be resilient and focused on what our real job is, and that's playing football."

Johnson still had to answer plenty of non-football questions during a 10-4 season in which the Jets are a victory away from a second straight playoff berth under Rex Ryan.

His latest defense came a day after the embarrassed coach declined comment about a foot-fetish report posted by the sports website Deadspin.

"I have a lot of respect for Rex and his family," Johnson said. "My respect has not diminished one iota."

The site put up four videos of a woman -- she bears a close resemblance to Ryan's wife, Michelle -- and shows her displaying her toes to an off-screen cameraman who sounds a lot like the coach. Ryan said Wednesday it was a "personal matter." Johnson thinks it is, too.

"My reaction is I don't really want to talk about that," Johnson said. "I'm going to respect Rex and how he wanted to characterize it. It's a personal matter, and that's the way it is."

Johnson said he has spoken with Ryan and offered his support.

"He's still the coach of the New York Jets," the owner said.

Ryan's twin brother, Rob, who is Cleveland's defensive coordinator, refused to get dragged into the Jets' latest drama.

"That's a personal thing with Rex," he said. "Whatever happened happened. I don't think any of us have wings on."

Johnson disagrees with the perception that the Jets have racked up an "inordinate" number of headline-grabbing distractions this season, something some fans and media have attributed to Ryan's brash personality.

"I don't think it's loosey-goosey, and I don't think we lack discipline," Johnson said. "You can't win the number of games we've won, even with a rookie quarterback (last season) with a loosey-goosey anything. We are very disciplined. I think the perception is that he smiles, or whatever, and that gets confused for a lack of whatever. But I don't look at it that way.

"I know the players don't, either. Players want to feel that they are getting better, and they want to feel that the people in command are giving them a formula that they are capable of winning with. I think they feel it. I know they feel it."

The NFL paid the Jets a visit last week about a play Dec. 12, when assistant coach Sal Alosi tripped a Miami player running along the sideline during a game.

"Obviously, tripping somebody outside by a nonplayer is something we don't condone," Johnson said. "You can call it a violation. It's a rules violation. It's not called because it's not done very often."

Alosi, the Jets' strength and conditioning coach, was initially suspended by the team without pay for the rest of the season, including the playoffs, and fined an additional $25,000. The team suspended him indefinitely two days later when it learned Alosi was responsible for ordering inactive players to form a sideline wall.

Johnson, who spoke to Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and apologized, hasn't decided what to do with Alosi.

"Indefinitely is a pretty long time," Johnson said. "We're focused on the season, not really the season, but we're focused on the Chicago Bears at this point. In football, that's about as far as you can go."

Johnson also called New England owner Bob Kraft to apologize after Jets special-teams coordinator Mike Westhoff said the Patriots also use the wall tactic.

"Our job is not to insult another team, particularly from a coach or owner's standpoint," Johnson said. "That's not what we're here to do."

After a series of high-profile moves in the offseason, when the team brought in LaDainian Tomlinson, Jason Taylor and Antonio Cromartie, things really heated up in the summer when the Jets became reality-TV stars on HBO's "Hard Knocks."

Ryan's foul language drew the ire of many, including former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy, and all the boasts about being "soon-to-be champs" rubbed other teams the wrong way.

September brought an investigation by the league after reporter Ines Sainz, of TV Azteca, said she felt uncomfortable in the team's locker room. As a result, the NFL developed a workplace-conduct program, underwritten by Johnson.

A few weeks later, wide receiver Braylon Edwards was arrested and charged with drunken driving, a case that is still pending. Prosecutors say Edwards had a blood-alcohol level twice the legal limit after he was pulled over in Manhattan. He already was on probation after pleading no contest to aggravated disorderly conduct in a dustup outside a Cleveland nightclub. Edwards is due back in court Jan. 11.

Last January, Ryan was fined $50,000 by the team after he was caught on a cell-phone camera flipping his middle finger at a fan during a mixed-martial arts competition in Sunrise, Fla.

Through it all, Johnson insists his team will continue to improve -- on and off the field.

"Once we've made a mistake, I think we are pretty good at trying to make remedies, trying to cure, trying to correct what we're doing, and we try to get better every year," he said. "We're going to work on things like our culture. We're going to work on trying to make ourselves an organization that doesn't have, preferably, any incidents, but we know that we're going to have some."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Panthers' owner didn't tell coach he was sending apology note

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- As Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson ended his silence by apologizing for his team's ugly season, perhaps the best example of the disconnect with his coach came as John Fox was asked Wednesday about that letter sent to permanent-seat-license holders.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Fox said.

After being denied a contract extension the past two offseasons, Fox is in the last year of his deal and not expected to return in 2011. Richardson didn't directly address Fox's status in a letter sent out this week to PSL owners, who account for about 60,000 seats at Bank of America Stadium.

Many of those fans have stopped showing up as the Panthers (1-11) have sunk from NFC South champions in 2008 to the league's worst team amid a youth movement that dramatically slashed payroll.

"I know how difficult the season has been for you," Richardson wrote. "As the person ultimately responsible for putting a team on the field, I take full responsibility for our shortfalls. It is agonizing that we have not performed at the level we had planned for and expected."

Richardson defended the decision to shed numerous veterans during the offseason and replace them with inexperienced, cheaper players. The Panthers have lost six games in a row and are the league's lowest-scoring team.

"When the season began, we believed there was every opportunity for success," Richardson wrote. "Many of the players were returning from a team that had finished last year very strong. The motivation for this approach was both performance-based and a commitment to the future. Obviously, we have fallen short, but our faith and commitment are still the same."

The terrible record and Fox's seemingly lame-duck status have made for an odd situation as the Panthers inch closer to acquiring the No. 1 overall pick in April's draft. Fox insists his players are still playing hard.

"I don't think our team's results have been related to effort at all," Fox wrote.

The talent level appears to be far short of making this team competitive, thanks to decisions not to go after a veteran quarterback, wide receiver, right guard and defensive tackles following the offseason purge that left Carolina with a league-low $77 million payroll. That's not counting about $30 million in so-called "dead money" for players no longer on the team that would have counted toward the salary cap this season, if there was one.

"Going forward, our plan of attack is to build through the draft while retaining our core players," Richardson wrote. "We have one of the youngest teams in the league, and a number of those younger players have shown genuine promise in this otherwise disappointing season. We won't give up on them. We also have a solid nucleus of veterans that we will seek to keep intact."

Richardson, who hasn't answered questions from reporters since January 2008, also addressed his role as head of the owners' negotiating committee for a new collective-bargaining agreement. Many have questioned if Richardson's payroll-slashing was to cut costs in anticipation of a lockout.

"Let me be clear: A successful CBA is critical in sustaining the competitive balance of the NFL," Richardson wrote. "We're all in this together, and what is good for football is good for the continued success of each and every team.

"It's important for us to reach an agreement that benefits the fans, players, and teams. I want the players paid fairly, and I want us to play winning and exciting football."

There has been only one win and little excitement this season, but Richardson has been virtually assured of continued sellouts, thanks to the large number of PSL owners who are required to buy season tickets.

"I understand that in a season like this, words can sound hollow, but, as PSL owners, you have my commitment to provide you a team that will make you proud," Richardson wrote.

Several players came to Richardson's defense Wednesday, expressing confidence he'll successfully rebuild the team.

"I think it's just the character here that Mr. Richardson has, and it just goes down from there," defensive end Everette Brown said. "Everybody he brings in, from the staff working in the building to the coaching staff to the players to the equipment room, nobody's letting down, nobody's quitting."

Carolina is just one month from more uncertainty regarding its coach, who apparently wasn't consulted before Richardson sent his letter.

"I want all of you to know that we plan to look at every aspect of our organization," Richardson wrote. "What we do in the future will entirely be geared toward putting the best possible team on the field. I am committed to fielding a winning team, and I'm willing to invest the resources necessary to make it happen."

Notes: CB Chris Gamble (hamstring) remained sidelined from practice Wednesday. LB Jon Beason (knee), G Travelle Wharton (toe), DT Ed Johnson (knee) and LB Nic Harris (head) also sat out. ... RB Tyrell Sutton (ankle), S Marcus Hudson (ankle) and LB Jason Williams (knee) were limited. ... The Panthers were forced to practice on their artificial-turf field because the grass fields were frozen amid a cold snap.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Vikings owner Wilf discusses state of team with veterans

Team owner Zygi Wilf spent a second day at the Minnesota Vikings' practice facility Thursday, watching practice, talking with coach Brad Childress and several veteran players, and even eating lunch in the cafeteria.

The Star Tribune reported, according to NFL sources, that Wilf's discussions with quarterback Brett Favre, guard Steve Hutchinson and defensive linemen Jared Allen, Kevin Williams and Pat Williams included the topic of Childress.

Wilf declined interview requests, but the newspaper reported the owner was displeased with how Childress handled the release of Randy Moss -- not using team protocols -- but perhaps not with the decision to release the receiver, who skewered the Vikings' coaching staff during a postgame rant last Sunday.

Wilf could be seen talking with Childress during Thursday's practice, and the coach is aware the owner also has talked to a cross-section of players. What impact that has remains to be seen.

"You'd have to talk to those people," Childress said.

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