Contract no concern: Peterson ready to roll, Vikes' Frazier says

Contract concerns won't keep All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson away from Vikings training camp, Minnesota coach Leslie Frazier said Monday, via The Star Tribune.

"Oh yeah, we had a good conversation. And that's not an issue, and he's looking forward to camp like all of our guys are," Frazier said.

Peterson is in the final season of his rookie contract and has a salary cap hit of $12.775 million. The Vikings and Peterson both would like to re-sign him to a long-term extension that includes a lower cap figure.

Frazier said he spoke with Peterson and cornerback Antoine Winfield almost as soon as the lockout was lifted.

"Both of those guys, there was tremendous excitement in their voice," Frazier said. "Both feel like they're in the best shape of their lives."

Frazier also said he would not rule out rookie quarterback Christian Ponder starting in the season opener, though he added Joe Webb and Rhett Bomar also will compete for the starting job.

"Our coaches feel very comfortable in doing whatever's necessary to put us in the best position to be successful when we open the season against San Diego, and that may mean a young quarterback being in that role," Frazier said.

The Vikings also have been linked to several veteran quarterbacks, including Donovan McNabb and Kyle Orton.

Ponder planned to report as soon as the doors to the Vikings facility open Tuesday.

"It's the first place I'm heading in the morning," Ponder said, "so I'll be up there to meet with [offensive coordinator Bill] Musgrave and talk some ball and finally to get to catch up to what we've been missing all summer."

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Moore ready to move on, says Panthers won't re-sign him

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A year ago, Matt Moore was preparing to enter training camp as the Carolina Panthers' starting quarterback.

Now he's looking for a job.

Moore arrived at Bank of America Stadium on Tuesday morning, but he exited less than 30 minutes later while fellow quarterbacks Cam Newton and Jimmy Clausen remained inside to go over the playbook with new quarterbacks coach Mike Shula. Even more telling for Moore's future: He left the stadium without a playbook in hand, while other players departed periodically carrying a three-inch binder.

Moore, an unrestricted free agent, seemed resigned that the Panthers have no intention of re-signing him come Friday. The Panthers previously said they're considering bringing in a more experienced quarterback to mentor Newton and Clausen.

"The main goal right now is to have a job and get in there and get your hands dirty and get to work," Moore said of his future.

When asked what jersey number rookie Cam Newton will wear because Clausen is already No. 2, Moore laughed and said, "He's probably going to wear No. 3."

That's the number Moore wore for the past four seasons with the Panthers, including last year when he entered training camp as the starter, only to be benched after two games. Moore later returned to a starting role, but he tore the labrum in his right shoulder against the New Orleans Saints in Week 9 and went on injured reserve.

Moore said he left the stadium Tuesday without talking to general manager Marty Hurney or any members of the coaching staff.

Moore said the purpose of his visit to the stadium was to get his shoulder checked out by the training staff. Moore added it's fully healed.

"Said hello and goodbye," Moore said.

Moore said he is a starting-caliber quarterback in the league.

"I think so given the right situation and the timing," Moore said. "A lot of things have to fall into place for that to happen, but yeah, I feel good. I feel like I can come in and compete."

Moore said he spent time this offseason working out with Newton, the team's No. 1 draft pick. Newton declined comment when he arrived at the stadium and as he left for a lunch break with running back Jonathan Stewart.

Clausen said he's eager to get going with the lockout over.

"We're grinding right now," Clausen said. "We have to get ready to go. Obviously we're a little behind because there is a new coaching staff and a new playbook. We just have to keep grinding each and every day."

Notes: Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson, considered the team's top free agent, said on Twitter he had a conversation with the team Tuesday and it "went great. Not good, but great!!" The team can't sign free agents until 6 p.m. ET Friday. ... The Panthers agreed to terms on a one-year contract with safety Kevin Payne, who previously was with St. Louis and Chicago.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Giants' Coughlin seems ready to turn page on Burress era

Tom Coughlin heard that Plaxico Burress criticized his coaching style earlier this week. It hasn't fazed the New York Giants coach, however. Like his team, Coughlin seems to have moved on from the veteran wide receiver.

"I don't pay any attention to it," Coughlin said in Thursday's New York Post. "It is what it is. Maybe he's sending me along a badge of honor. How do I know?"

Burress -- who was released from prison on June 6 after serving a nearly two-year sentence on gun charges -- described his relationship with Coughlin as "ambivalent," feeling the Giants coach didn't communicate well enough.

"This is not college. This is professional sports," Burress said. "If you can't sit down and go talk to a man that you are busting your tail for, not even have the respect for anything that you have to say, like I said, the only thing I knew then was to rebel."

Coughlin was at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, where his seven-year-old grandson, Dylan, was an honorary batboy for the home team. Now entering his eighth season with the Giants, Coughlin made it clear he was rooting for Burress, the player who made the game-winning touchdown grab in Super Bowl XLII.

"As I've said many times, I'll stay with the same line: I hope he gets some normalcy in his life and has a chance to spend some time with his family and that he gets to know his kids once again," Coughlin said. "His wife has done a tremendous job of holding that family together for the last two years. She deserves some help."

Regarding the lockout, the football lifer said he doesn't "feel fulfilled" without a team to coach. Coughlin knows his job only gets more difficult as days continue to fall off the calendar without a team structure.

"We're getting anxious," he told The Post. "We've seen so much time come and go. I try not to look back at our rookies, the fact that we haven't even had the chance to teach them what our expectation level is. These guys are being hurt more than anyone else."

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Colts QB Manning should be ready for season, dad Archie says

Archie Manning expects his son, Peyton, to continue being a pain in the neck for NFL defenses next season.

He, like every other football fan, isn't exactly sure when that will be.

The patriarch of football's first family said Monday that his son's recovery from neck surgery isn't going as quickly as the Indianapolis Colts quarterback had hoped, though he should be ready in time for the start of the 2011 season.

"It's just been 10 days," the father said. "He's not where he wants to be. It's just something that came up and had to be done, so hopefully it'll work out."

Manning spoke to reporters during Jim Kelly's charity golf tournament in Batavia, N.Y., about 40 miles east of Buffalo. This year's event, the 25th anniversary of Kelly's first tournament, is expected to raise more than $400,000 for the Hall of Fame quarterback's Kelly For Kids Foundation, which distributes money to numerous children-supported charities across western New York.

Those attending the event included Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger; former Bills stars Bruce Smith, Thurman Thomas and Andre Reed; and Colts vice chairman Bill Polian, the architect of Buffalo's four Super Bowl teams.

Between the neck surgery and the ongoing lockout, there were lots of issues to discuss.

At the top of the list was the surgery that Peyton Manning had last month to remove part of a bulging disk. It was the second time in 15 months that the Colts' franchise player had neck surgery.

Carucci: Peyton's silence is golden Peyton Manning hasn't publicly discussed the antitrust lawsuit that bears his name, but a league source told Vic Carucci why. It could hurt the QB
in contract talks. More...

Two weeks ago, Colts owner Jim Irsay said he expected the recovery to take 6 to 8 weeks. Archie Manning didn't provide an updated timetable for his son's return.

There are, of course, other complications in play.

Manning's contract expired after last season. In February, the Colts put the exclusive franchise tag on Manning -- a move that prevents him from negotiating with other teams. If he signs the one-year deal, he would make $23 million next season.

But until the labor situation is settled, the Colts can't even negotiate.

Without providing precise details, Irsay has said he already has offered Manning a deal that will make him the highest-paid player in NFL history. New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady currently holds that distinction after signing a four-year contract that pays him $72 million for a record average annual salary of $18 million.

There's also the ongoing lockout.

Peyton Manning was one of the players on a class-action antitrust lawsuit intended to end the work stoppage. Archie Manning said both of his sons, Peyton and New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, have been working out with teammates, so they'll be ready for the start of the season -- whenever it happens.

"They're not frustrated. A quarterback's duty now is to try to organize his team and have some workouts, so they've both been doing that throughout the offseason on and off," Archie Manning said. "Unfortunately, Peyton just had a little surgery, so he's down right now. They're like all the other players. They love what they do. They want to get back at it and have a season."

The father can't wait for a resolution, either.

"There's really nothing to create urgency thus far. The closer we get probably to July, hopefully both sides kind of say, 'We need to get this done so there can be some practice time,' " he said. "I just sincerely hope they don't miss any games. I really don't want to miss games. The NFL has done such a great job through the years, it's a great product, a great game, and I understand both sides and what they're trying to do. But I'm just like all the other fans, I hope it can get done."

Until then, the Colts apparently will receive updates on their best-known player any way they can, including talking to Manning's father.

"Well, we had a conversation about general things like the twins and how Peyton's doing," Polian said, referring to the two children whom Peyton and his wife welcomed in March. "It was good to see him."

But the Colts would rather see a resolution to the lockout and get their quarterback back on the field quickly, too.

"If things go right, he'll be there for the season," Archie Manning said.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Vikes' Favre still doubtful; Peterson ready to go vs. Eagles

Minnesota Vikings coach Leslie Frazier announced Monday that quarterback Brett Favre has yet to pass the first part of his concussion test and remains doubtful for the team's Tuesday night showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles, according to the Star Tribune.

Favre led the Vikings on a touchdown drive to open the game Monday night against the Chicago Bears, but he didn't make it through the second quarter after being sacked by Corey Wootton. Favre's head slammed off the frigid turf at TCF Bank Stadium, and he was knocked woozy.

The Vikings didn't list Favre, 41, as "out" Monday, as they did last week when he had a sprained right shoulder. He was upgraded to questionable the day of the game and ended up starting against the Bears.

Frazier said earlier this week that no Vikings player had participated in a game the week after suffering a concussion.

Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson told the Star Tribune that he will play Tuesday.

Peterson was listed as questionable with the thigh bruise that kept him out of the game against the Bears and said that the extra two days off "helps a lot."

The Associated Press contributed to this report

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Eagles WR Jackson 'ready to roll' vs. Colts, coach says

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Banged-up Cowboys starters ready to go vs. Packers

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Rams RB Jackson ready to go vs. Panthers after finger surgery

ST. LOUIS -- Steven Jackson had surgery Monday for a broken ring finger on his left hand. No big deal: The Rams' running back usually carries the ball in his right hand anyway.

Jackson said Thursday that he will play Sunday when the Carolina Panthers (1-5) visit the Rams (3-4).

"Absolutely, I will definitely be out there Sunday," said Jackson, who had two pins inserted into the finger. "The surgery went fine. Everything went well. It's unfortunate it had to happen. It's on the left hand, so it's not a big deal as if it was my right hand."

Despite missing practice, Steven Jackson should still suit up and is a strong start against a struggling Panthers defense. No reason to panic as of yet. More ...

The pins will be in Jackson's hand for six to eight weeks. Jackson didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday. He said he might work out Friday.

"I don't see why not," Jackson said about practicing Friday. "First thing, we want to make sure infection doesn't happen. Pain is going to occur. That's something we're not trying to avoid. That's not something we're thinking won't happen. Pain will be part of the game Sunday."

Playing with pain or an injury is nothing new for Jackson.

Earlier this season, Jackson sustained a groin injury against the Washington Redskins in Week 3 and wore extra padding in the next two games before healing. Last season, he played with a sore back.

That Jackson plans to play doesn't surprise Rams guard Jacob Bell.

"He's like Brett Favre, man," Bell said. "You got to count in him until he's out. Nothing really stops the guy."

Jackson is a big part of the St. Louis offense.

Jackson became the Rams' all-time leading rusher Sunday at Tampa Bay, where he had his third consecutive 100-yard game, finishing with 110 yards on 22 carries. He moved ahead of Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson when he gained three yards early in the second quarter. Dickerson gained 7,245 yards for the Rams from 1983 to 1987. Jackson stands at 7,324.

Jackson's 617 rushing yards this season rank fourth in the NFL and second in the NFC behind Minnesota's Adrian Peterson (684).

Jackson will look at some different protections for his hand.

"We're going to experiment with a couple of different things," Jackson said. "It will be some sort of soft cast to protect the ring finger. It won't be a club. Something that's functional that will allow me carry the ball, catch the ball and hold the ball. We'll play around with it. We'll see what we come up with."

Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said he believes Jackson will be able to work around the injury.

"I'm sure it's not going all that comfortable having to put something on you and lug a football around and try to shed blockers," Spagnuolo said. "He's dealt with injuries before, so we'll be optimistic."

Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said not practicing this week shouldn't affect Jackson's ability Sunday.

"I guess I've learned that we keep practicing and coaching, and on Sunday, we see who's there," Shurmur said. "Steven has displayed an ability to play extremely well with limited practice. So, that's kind of the approach we're taking at this point."

Shurmur noted that Jackson can play with pain. It won't change any plays Shurmur might want to call for his big back.

"With a warrior-type player like Steven, it's not as much of a concern as it would be a player who's dealing with his first injury," Shurmur said.

Jackson said he'll do his best regardless.

"Just like with any injury, you've got to perform at the level you can," Jackson said.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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No Clark, no Collie, no problem: Colts ready for Texans

INDIANAPOLIS -- Peyton Manning sees the Colts' injuries at wide receiver as merely another challenge to overcome.

Jacob Tamme heads into his second career start at tight end in place of Dallas Clark, and undrafted free agent Blair White is expected to see more playing time while subbing for Austin Collie when the Colts host the Houston Texans on Monday night.

Clark has been lost for the season with a wrist injury, and Collie will miss the game after undergoing surgery on his right thumb.

Manning expressed confidence Thursday when asked about his depleted group of pass-catchers.

"I really look forward to seeing where we are in this game," the quarterback said. "We'll get better each game with some of the new guys that are going to be playing in different spots. It's an exciting opportunity for these guys."

Wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez is expected to be available after missing four of the past five games with a sprained right ankle, but running back Joseph Addai is considered day to day with a nerve injury in his left shoulder and didn't practice Thursday. Wide receiver Pierre Garcon sat out with a hamstring injury, and the team's top wideout, Reggie Wayne, was limited with a hamstring injury.

At one point, Manning removed "injuries" from his vocabulary.

"It's not something that ... you can just keep drowning yourself with that word," he said. "We have to move on with the guys that are playing."

Even through all the injuries this season, Manning, a four-time MVP, has been dominant. He leads the NFL with a 103.4 passer rating and is tied for third with 13 touchdown passes.

"That one weapon that's going to take all them snaps is pretty good," Texans coach Gary Kubiak said.

Dallas Clark doesn't receive as much publicity as some of his teammates, but the Colts will have a difficult time replacing what he brought to the offense, Bucky Brooks writes. More ...

Center Jeff Saturday said the team takes great pride in its depth.

"It's something that we've built ourselves on here," he said. "Tamme's going to have to step in and do well, Gonzo's going to have to come back and be what he can be. Blair White, anybody. Next guy up has got to step up and meet the challenge. I've got faith in those guys."

There's no time to ease the youngsters into the lineup. The Colts are 0-2 in the AFC South and would have difficulty winning the division with another loss. The Texans and the Colts, both 4-2, are a half-game behind the Tennessee Titans for the division lead.

The Colts acknowledge that losing Clark affects their game plan. Clark's speed and pass-catching skills often have created mismatches and forced defenses to play with additional defensive backs.

"He certainly created some opportunities for us," Colts coach Jim Caldwell said. "Anytime you see a guy in his position catch 100 balls (last year), obviously, he's an integral part of what we do. He's been able to force teams to adjust what they want to do from a defensive standpoint in terms of personnel. Losing Dallas certainly is a bit of a blow to us."

Tamme, a special-teams standout who has six catches in his career and none this season, said his preparation has been similar to other weeks.

"Obviously, there's a few more reps, but mentally, no different," he said. "I think I'm prepared pretty good. Dallas does a good job of getting all of us prepared to play. I've been prepared to play every week. I'll prepare the same way."

White has made six catches for 66 yards this season. He was called up from the practice squad in Week 3 and caught three passes for 27 yards and one touchdown in a win over the Denver Broncos.

Garcon said the Colts expect anyone who plays to produce.

"We're not really making an adjustment based on the people that we're missing, we're making an adjustment on the defense that we're playing against," he said. "It's real simple. Just be where you're supposed to be at the time you're supposed to be there -- and make the plays."

Saturday knows the Texans don't feel sorry for the Colts.

"Obviously, losing those guys hurts, but you've got to continue to find ways to win," he said. "They ain't calling any games off."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Bengals QB Palmer rests hip, should be ready Sunday

Carson Palmer sat out practice to rest an injured hip, but Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis expects his quarterback to be ready for Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins, the team's official website reported.

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Jordan Palmer and Dan LeFevour split the snaps in practice Thursday, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer.

Also sitting out practice were cornerbacks Leon Hall (hamstring) and Morgan Trent (knee), and safeties Chinedum Ndukwe (knee) and Roy Williams (knee).

Linebacker Brandon Johnson (knee), cornerback Johnathan Joseph (ankle), wide receiver Terrell Owens (hand) and linebacker Keith Rivers (foot) were limited.

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Redskins TE Cooley ready for Bears after mild concussion

Washington Redskins tight end Chris Cooley appears set to play in Sunday's game at Chicago after recovering from a mild concussion and attending practice.

"He didn't have any signs of anything that was wrong, so ready to go," Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said Thursday, according to The Washington Post. "Unless there's something that happens tomorrow, but today, (I) talked to him after practice, he felt good. Hopefully, there's no setbacks there."

Cooley was injured during the second quarter of Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, but he continued to play into the second half, believing only that the hit was a "little bit of a bell-ringer" but not forceful enough to knock him out, he said Monday during his regular weekly appearance on 106.7 The Fan.

"If I had known it was a concussion, I wouldn't have played," Cooley said Thursday. "Sometimes you take a hit and it rings your bell a little bit and you can bounce right back. I came back for the second half and passed all the tests, and it got a little bit worse in the third quarter, so I called it."

Cooley practiced in a helmet and pads after going two days without showing any post-concussion symptoms.

"It was a pretty mild concussion," Cooley said. "I'm not surprised about it. I think this is what I was planning on."

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Cooley has 28 catches for 340 yards and two touchdowns this season.

Linebacker Rocky McIntosh, who missed Sunday's game with a concussion, practiced for the second consecutive day and also appears ready to play against the Bears.

Defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth, who missed two games following his half brother's death in an Oct. 7 motorcycle accident, also is expected to play Sunday.

"Yeah, he'll be active," Shanahan said of Haynesworth. "He had a good workout Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, good conditioning. Worked extra. Then obviously he's had a good couple days here. I believe he'll be in good shape."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Holmes returns to Jets practice, 'ready to get season started'

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Santonio Holmes arrived at the New York Jets' facility before the sun even rose, eager to start his day.

After four weeks of no practice while serving an NFL-mandated suspension, the wide receiver was downright antsy to be on the field again Wednesday. Even if it was only 6 a.m.

"I was a little upbeat this morning," Holmes said. "I was up early, walking the dog, got myself situated, driving to practice ready to go. I sat in meetings at attention. Everything was a little bit different."

Holmes, whom the Jets acquired in April from the Pittsburgh Steelers, is expected to make his regular-season debut in Monday night's game against the Minnesota Vikings. He was forced to sit the first four regular-season games for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.

"I'm ready to get the season started for myself," he said.

Although he hadn't practiced since camp ended, Holmes was able to attend meetings during his suspension. He used the rest of the time to stay in shape -- not to reflect on what he had done to put him in that situation.

"To look in your eyes and be honest with you, not 1 percent," Holmes said. "I've been the same person since I stepped foot in the NFL. I'll continue being the same person until I leave. I didn't have anything to think about. Everything was already done in the process. It's time to play football now."

Holmes, a former Super Bowl MVP, came to the Jets with some off-the-field issues other than the suspension. He was arrested in 2008 for possession of marijuana and involved in a domestic-violence incident in 2006; the misdemeanor charges were later dismissed.

Holmes said those incidents had no impact on his performance on the field.

"I made it to the Super Bowl and won it, didn't I?" Holmes said. "That's all I had to do with myself. I didn't have anything to think about. I'm a football player. What happens off the field happens off the field. It doesn't affect anything I do or what I'm capable of doing."

Holmes joins a Jets offense that has been solid through four games, with Mark Sanchez throwing eight touchdown passes with no interceptions.

"I think he's going to be a huge thing for us," Jets coach Rex Ryan said of Holmes. "He looks like he hasn't missed a beat. He looked good."

Not that being away was easy for the receiver.

"It's a totally different mindset," Holmes said. "You can't be in the same mindset as a player. It's tough, you know, being an outcast."

Holmes was welcomed by his teammates and coaches whenever he was at the facility, when he wasn't working out in Florida four hours per day. Holmes still needed to think of himself as someone who wasn't a true part of the team.

"It's a mindset that I had to use," Holmes said, "that I'm not playing, can't think like I'm on the field yet. Go to meetings, learn and keep moving."

Holmes isn't concerned where he'll be used on the field. He's just happy to be back, as are his teammates.

"He's just somebody who has big-play potential," Sanchez said. "He catches an underneath route and has the ability to run by people. He'll be perfect for our group."

Once Holmes returned to the field, it didn't take him long to feel comfortable.

"It's football," he said. "I've been doing this since I was 7 years old. It's not like I became a professional football player yesterday or five years ago. I've been playing ball since I was a kid. I've learned the ins and outs, the ups and downs of the game. The media, the different aspects, whatever it is, I'm on top of everything."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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