Return to sender: Browns' Cribbs won't resort to touchbacks

BEREA, Ohio -- Josh Cribbs has figured out a way to combat the NFL's rule changes on kickoffs. He'll return everything.

Unless it's an emergency, Cribbs isn't dropping to a knee in anyone's end zone.

Cleveland's dynamic return specialist, who has been openly critical of the NFL's decision to move the kickoff line from the 30-yard line to the 35, was asked Wednesday if the Browns will have a rule in place on how deep players are allowed to catch the ball in the end zone and still bring it out.

The new kickoff rules continue to be a hot topic of conversation. As our experts weigh in, some think the changes will have a positive impact, but it's far from unanimous. More ...

» How new rules could impact game

"It will be different for each returner," Cribbs said. "But for me, nine yards. Anything above nine yards, I'll probably keep it in."

He was joking.

We think.

Cribbs, though, is dead serious about what the league has done to his craft. And the league's career leader with eight kickoff returns for touchdowns has been irate since owners, citing the need to protect players from violent collisions, announced the change during the lockout in March.

"I don't see (injury) stats behind it, and that's what the issue was" Cribbs said. "There's no stats to back it up. Their intentions are good, but the stats aren't there to back up the reasoning."

The change will likely increase touchbacks dramatically while reducing returns.

Cribbs, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, first vented his anger toward the league over the rule switch on Twitter: "U not making the game safer u messing a great sport, trynna hide behind safety just to add 2 games...smh."

Cribbs has no choice but to accept the adjustment, but that doesn't mean he's in favor of it. After watching exhibition games on TV last week, Cribbs again used the social network to state his case.

"I see an immediate amendment on the kickoff rule either b4 the end of the year or beginning of next year bc without that part of the return game it might as well be a scrimmage," he tweeted.

Has anyone from the league told him to stop?

"No. Not at all," he said Wednesday after practice. "Every player is entitled to their opinion with respect to the NFL, and as long as there is respect there, I feel like there will be no type of disciplinary action. I'm entitled to my opinion, that's the way I feel and players are entitled to their opinion."

Cribbs -- and the Browns -- might have already been penalized enough.

With his rare ability to take back any kickoff or punt (he has two career touchdowns and a 10.6-yard average), Cribbs gives Cleveland a weapon few teams can match. Last season, opposing teams did all they could to kick the ball away from the dreadlocked former Kent State quarterback, who for the first time in his six-year pro career failed to take a kickoff back the distance.

Cribbs, who was not used on returns in Cleveland's preseason opener against Green Bay, believes some players will thrive under the change.

"Good returners will take advantage of it. There will be good schemes, and there will still be opportunities," he said. "There will be a lot of inside the 20-yard-line tackles this year. A lot of returners will get tired of taking a knee in the end zone and will try to bring it out. Guys are getting down there faster. Kickers hare hanging the ball up there. That's what you can look for -- touchbacks and inside-the-20 tackles."

Cribbs remains disappointed the league didn't consult with any players, past or present, before making a rule change that could significantly alter strategy.

"I wish they could have waited for a new CBA or an agreement was in place," he said, "and consulted with players on the matter. But just creating that rule the way they did, I disagreed with it."

Cribbs expects to have the green light to return any kick -- within reason. If he feels he can make a big return, he's going to try.

"I'm not a big fair-catch guy," he said. "I just want to get positive yards. I'm going to be smart and help our team. They (coaches) are aware each time is a possibility. I'm going to decide if I'm going to keep it or not. Nobody is going to come back and say, 'Oh, oh, wait.' I'll make the decision."

There's nothing he can do now about the change but turn it into a positive. And with the ball in his hands, that's always a possibility.

"I want somebody to come chase my record," he said. "I want to be able to chase it as well. At the same time, it's just an obstacle to get over, and I'm looking forward to getting over it."

Notes: Starting guard Eric Steinbach left the morning practice when his back tightened up. Also, RB Peyton Hillis and safety T.J. Ward were bothered by hamstring problems. Coach Pat Shurmur downplayed all three injuries, but Steinbach did not take part in the afternoon walkthrough. Ward and Hillis were on the field. ... Shurmur said Cleveland's starters will play "close to one half" against Detroit on Friday. He wants both lines to get at least 20 plays. ... RB Montario Hardesty ran with purpose and seems to be progressing. Still no word if he'll face the Lions.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Newest Eagle Smith is 'pretty close' to return from knee injury

The Philadelphia Eagles agreed to terms with former New York Giants wide receiver Steve Smith on a one-year deal Wednesday.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported the deal is worth $2 million guaranteed with "a number of very-hard-to-earn incentives," according to a league source.

The 26-year-old Smith had 220 catches for 2,386 yards and 11 touchdowns in four seasons with the Giants. In his 2009 Pro Bowl season, he caught a franchise-record 107 passes for 1,220 yards and seven touchdowns.

Smith sustained a season-ending left knee injury in the Giants' win over the Vikings at Ford Field in Detroit on Dec. 13 and had microfracture surgery eight days later.

He said Wednesday night he believes he'll be able to play soon.

"I think I'm pretty close," Smith said. "I think I can realistically be out there (the first month). It could be week one. You never know."

Giants coach Tom Coughlin told reporters Wednesday after meeting with Smith that he believed Smith faced a "long haul" before he could play again.

"I would disagree with that," Smith said. "I feel good. I've been running, cutting, doing different things. I haven't had any setbacks."

Smith said he was examined by doctors from both the Giants and Eagles and said both gave him a positive report.

Asked why Coughlin might have indicated that Smith faced a longer rehab than Smith's doctors expressed to him, Smith said, "Maybe Coughlin had a plan up his sleeve when he said that. We'll see what happens when I get out on the field."

Smith said he believes the real reason the Giants didn't want him was financial.

"This was obviously not an easy decision for me or something I ever expected but unfortunately the business aspect proved that the Eagles wanted me to be part of their organization MUCH more than the Giants did," Smith added in a post on his Facebook page.

Smith said he couldn't speculate exactly when he'll be able to return to practice.

"I'm not sure," he said. "If it was up to me, I would say I could go practice tomorrow, but I want to be extra careful and don't want to rush it and have any setbacks. Hopefully, I'll be able to get out there really soon."

Smith enters a crowded wide receiving field with the Eagles, who also have two-time Pro Bowl pick DeSean Jackson; Jeremy Maclin, who caught 70 passes last year but hasn't practiced yet this training camp because of an undisclosed illness; Jason Avant, who caught 50 passes last year; and second-year pro Riley Cooper.

"We feel very good about our current group of receivers and Steve adds another dimension to that position," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "He's played very well against us in the past few years and we're happy to have him on board."

Although he was almost exclusively an inside slot receiver in his four years with the Giants, Smith said he's equally comfortable in any role.

"I feel great inside, outside," he said. "The Giants used me mainly inside, but I feel like I can do both."

Smith is the sixth Pro Bowl player to join the Eagles in last two weeks, following cornerbacks Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Nnamdi Asomugha, defensive end Jason Babin, quarterback Vince Young and running back Ronnie Brown.

"(General Manager) Howie Roseman and I are always keeping our eyes open for good football players and players that we think can help our football team win," Reid said. "And Steve Smith certainly fits that category. He's a Pro Bowl-quality receiver that we will work into our offense as soon as he is ready to go."

The Associated Press contributed to this report

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L.T. enjoying time away from game, but he's anxious to return

FORT WORTH, Texas -- LaDainian Tomlinson is enjoying the extended summer break from the rigors of minicamp and other offseason activities. After 10 NFL seasons, the New York Jets running back has been able to spend more time with family and a nearly year-old son while resting his body.

That doesn't mean Tomlinson hasn't been on the football field during the NFL lockout.

Tomlinson has participated in two minicamp-like sessions with his Jets teammates, one in California and another in New Jersey. He was back Monday for the start of Camp LT, his annual event for kids at TCU, where he was a record-setting running back before the San Diego Chargers drafted him fifth overall in 2001.

When kids ask Tomlinson if there will be NFL games this season, his answer is: "Yes. Yes, we will play."

While he hasn't yet thought about whether or not the labor situation will be settled to start training camp on time, he expects to be thinking differently about that soon.

"It's a time clock on my body, and I promise you as you get closer to August, you start feeling like hitting. That's just what it is for football players," Tomlinson said. "I've been at the point where I'm like, 'Oh, I'm good. Working out, everything's good.' I am starting to get a little eager to hit people and kind of to get hit maybe."

Tomlinson said the workouts with Jets teammates helped them get back in the swing of things and that quarterback Mark Sanchez was like a coach helping install plays.

Still, it's a strange summer not being around outspoken Jets coach Rex Ryan.

"It's been kind of boring actually. He always has a way of keeping it interesting, to say the least," Tomlinson said. "The things you guys hear Rex say, he's said to us already. ... We hear it every day. Every day, we have to hear it. It works. His style of coaching definitely works."

Tomlinson likes the idea of going into his 11th NFL season as primarily a third-down running back and letting youngster Shonn Greene take a lot more carries. Tomlinson believes he showed last year when he got to the Jets that he could have an important role on the team.

Though he had a career-low 219 carries, Tomlinson still rushed for 914 yards and six touchdowns, and he also caught 52 passes for 368 yards for a team that made it to the AFC Championship Game and oh-so-close to his first Super Bowl.

"I think I proved that I can still play and that I've got a lot left," said Tomlinson, who turned 32 last week. "Let me do a lot of the pass catching and the blocking and kind of that third-down role and still be able to take some handoffs. ... Beating up my body, running through there, taking all the carries, and I can run routes, I've proved that."

Tomlinson isn't sure how much longer he will play in the NFL, but he might have enjoyed a perfect career ending had the Jets made it to the Super Bowl last season at Cowboys Stadium, which is just about 20 minutes from TCU and in his home state.

"I was able to kind of taste how close it was. ... It seemed like a dream ending to a fine career," he said. "It didn't work out like that, but at the same time, it lets me know how close I am. I have a heck of a team, great coaching staff, and I expect us to make another push."

So what if the Jets make it this season and he finally gets to play in the Super Bowl?

"Not to say if we win it this year I'm going to retire, because I probably won't," Tomlinson said. "I don't want to put a limit on when I should stop playing. I think it's a feeling you have, but also I don't want to have that feeling of leaving just a tad bit too early and saying, 'Gosh, I wish I could've kept playing another year.' Or hold on too long. It has to be the right exit to the game."

The Jets' scheduled season opener is at home Sept. 11 against the Dallas Cowboys.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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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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Collins open to return with Titans, mentoring rookie Locker

After 16 NFL campaigns, veteran signal-caller Kerry Collins isn't planning to walk away just yet and would love to return to the Titans -- if the situation is right.

"I know I still have good football left in me, and I want to see where (the Titans are) at, too," Collins told the Tennessean in a story for Saturday's editions. "If it makes sense on both sides to do it, I’d be good for coming back."

The 38-year-old Collins told the newspaper that he's been working out and feels healthy and ready to return if the Titans choose to sign him. He was fit enough to throw 14 touchdowns and more than 1,800 yards in 10 appearances for the Titans last season, but another run in Tennessee likely hinges on Collins' willingness to mentor rookie passer Jake Locker, selected No. 8 by the Titans in April's draft. 

Locker -- not Collins -- is viewed as the future hope for a position that's seen its share of chaos during the Vince Young era.

"I went through it with Vince (Young)," Collins said. "I would be open to it, but it would have to be the right thing. I would like to get to know Jake a little bit to make sure he’d be the type guy I’d want to help out. That won’t be the sole issue either. It is not about what kind of guy Jake is. I just have to weigh a lot of things."

Titans players told NFL.com's Steve Wyche that Locker has shown some command of the attack in offseason player-only workouts. He's set players in the correct spots at the line of scrimmage and expressed a command of the huddle that caught teammates' attention. Cornerback Cortland Finnegan already coined him the "Face of The Franchise."

The Tennessean speculates that if the lockout drags on, it could help Collins' chances of being retained by the Titans, which makes sense to the veteran.

"I think it is legitimate speculation to think the longer this thing goes, the more attractive I would be to them because of my familiarity with everything," Collins said. "I know we have new coordinator (Chris Palmer), but I am sure a lot of terminology is going to be the same. On paper it makes sense to at least talk to me about coming back. The longer this thing goes, the better it could work out for me."

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Brunell getting finances in order, hopes for return to Jets

Mark Brunell is edging closer to an escape from bankruptcy.

The veteran quarterback filed for Chapter 11 last June, and on Tuesday U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Jerry Funk gave conditional approval to the disclosure statement that details his plans to eliminate his debts, The Florida Times-Union reported.

Funk will set another hearing to confirm the reorganization plan once the statement gets final approval.

An investment in 12 Whataburger restaurant franchises in Jacksonville played a key role in Mark Brunell's financial troubles. (Paul Jasienski/Associated Press)

Brunell's lawyers will have to add more information in the disclosure statement before getting final approval from the judge. This came after objections from creditors seeking more details on the QB's finances.

As Brunell attempts to get his financial house in order, he has his eye on returning for his 19th season in the NFL.

Brunell, who spent last season behind Mark Sanchez, signed a two-year deal with the New York Jets in 2010, but the second year of the deal isn't guaranteed. The original filing said Brunell's "future income is highly uncertain."

Michael Freed, an attorney for Brunell, said the 40-year-old's future with the Jets is in doubt.

"If there is an opportunity to play, I expect he will," Freed told the Times-Union. "We're hopeful though."

Brunell became wealthy during a lucrative and successful NFL career that began with the Green Bay Packers in 1993.

He was the first quarterback for the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars in 1995, receiving three Pro Bowl nods with the team while entrenching himself in the community. But two failed business partnerships -- a real-estate development company called Champion LLC and an investment in 12 Whataburger restaurant franchises -- led the quarterback to serious financial trouble.

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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.

Debate: Where will Plaxico play? We asked seven experts to predict which team will sign Plaxico Burress, and they all had different answers, ranging from the Giants to the Rams to the Seahawks.
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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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Gaither's back 'feeling great'; OT eyes return to lineup

Agent Drew Rosenhaus says his client Jared Gaither, the hulking 6-foot-9, 340-pound offensive tackle who missed all last season for the Baltimore Ravens with an upper back injury, has made a full recovery.

"Jared Gaither's back is totally healed," Rosenhaus tweeted Saturday. "He's had a great offseason and will have a bounce back yr. He's back to full strength & ready to go."

"Basically, I'm cleared," Gaither confirmed to the Carroll County Times. "I just have to be cleared by the ballclub and take that physical. I'm doing a lot better. I'm feeling great. I can't wait for next season."

Despite Gaither's rehabilitation, his status with the team is in limbo after spending most of last season on injured reserve -- and the lingering NFL lockout only muddies those waters.

Under last year's rules, Gaither stands as a restricted free agent. Under a new collective bargaining agreement, the four-year veteran could be an unrestricted free agent, in which case the team is unlikely to furnish him a lucrative contract with injury red flags waving, the Times reported.

"I have no control over that, and I just hope everything gets worked out," Gaither told the Times after last season, saying he's leaving his contract status for Rosenhaus to figure out. "However that works out, if they do tender me or don't, there's not that much I can do about that. I'm prepared for anything. You just don't know what's going to happen."

Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome is taking a wait-and-see approach to Gaither's future, noting that as a restricted free agent, Gaither would remain part of the team and "if he's healthy, he'd get a chance to come back and start."

Gaither's started 28 games for the Ravens since being selected in the fifth round 2007 NFL Supplemental Draft, most all of them at left tackle, where he's comfortable playing. Despite the emergence of Michael Oher at that position, Gaither told the Times it matters to him to stick in the spot that feels like home.

"Yeah, it does," Gaither said. "I've been playing left tackle my whole career. It wouldn't make much sense to change now and get a whole new position underway at this point in time."

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Pat Williams says Frazier told him Vikings want him to return

The Minnesota Vikings might have their vaunted Williams Wall for one more season after all.

Pat Williams, who'll be a free agent once the NFL lockout ends, now pegs his chances of returning to the Vikings as 50-50, he told The Star Tribune on Friday night, just before teammate Ray Edwards' boxing debut in Hinckley, Minn.

Williams, 38, said he talked to Vikings coach Leslie Frazier last month during the short time that the lockout was lifted by a Minnesota court, and the defensive tackle received assurances that the team wants him to return. Williams previously said he didn't trust the Vikings, with whom he has spent six seasons after eight years with the Buffalo Bills.

"It's just guys up in the office, man," Williams said when The Star Tribune asked him whom he didn't trust. "You know how the front office is. It's just certain guys up in the office. I don't have a problem with Coach Frazier. Me and Coach Frazier talked. We talked a lot of times. It's just people up in the office, man. With a lockout going on now, it's all the same. Business."

Williams also said he was cleared to lift weights last week, after he recovered from offseason surgery to fix a torn left triceps. And when he does return, there's the whole matter of a four-game NFL-imposed suspension. In March, the Minnesota Court of Appeals upheld the league's right to ban Williams and his linemate, Kevin Williams, after they tested positive for a banned direutic in 2008.

Kevin Williams, 30, decided not to appeal that decision, but Pat Williams isn't giving up.

"We're hoping everything gets solved ... so we don't get suspended, but if we do, we do," Pat Williams told The Star Tribune on Friday.

Kevin Williams jokingly added: "With all this (lockout stuff) going on, maybe they'll forget about it and we can go on with our regular work. If it happens, it happens. I found a great place to work out in Little Rock. I'll be there getting ready and see you in Week 5 if that's the case."

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Ex-49er Coffee: NFL 'ruins lives,' but I'd return if Lord says so

Glen Coffee abruptly walked away from his NFL career in August, saying he wanted to focus on his Christian faith. The former San Francisco 49ers running back still isn't enamored with the NFL lifestyle, but he won't rule out returning to the game.

Actually, he's back, sort of, playing linebacker in a semipro football league in his native Florida while taking online classes at the University of Alabama, where he starred before going to the 49ers in the third round of the 2009 draft.

Coffee played only one season in San Francisco before informing former 49ers coach Mike Singletary during last year's training camp that he was done. Coffee's reasons for quitting have baffled many, but he told The Sacramento Bee this week that the NFL "ruins a lot of lives" and that he takes his cues from "the Lord."

"People just keep asking me (why he quit the NFL), and it's like, 'OK, why are you asking me that?' " Coffee said. "And their No. 1 reason -- their only reason -- is money. It saddens me, man. If your only focus is money, you're going to be sorely disappointed. A lot of people, they chase money. And when they get the money they think, 'OK, what now? There's got to be more than what I'm feeling now?' ...

"As far as the NFL goes, I have a hard time putting it like this because it sounds kind of harsh, but I feel like it ruins a lot of lives more than anything else. And that goes for people who have short careers in the NFL and long careers in the NFL. Because what happens is they see that as success. And money throughout your life has nothing to with your salvation in Christ.

"A lot of players get that money. And they chase that money, man, and I feel that they're really missing the true meaning of life. So I'm constantly afraid for the NFL and the players, because kids growing up nowadays, they see that as the end all, be all. And that's just not the case."

Quitting the NFL had nothing to do with the physical toll that the game takes, Coffee said, although "people assume that's why I left."

"If you ask anybody who knows me -- and I say this with full confidence -- they'll say I'm one of the toughest people they know," he said. "Because that's not a factor for me. When I was playing football, if I had something that needed to be done, it was no questions asked. I did it with 100 percent of my heart. That didn't weigh in as a decision for me, but at the same time I do feel like guys have it in their head that it's OK to put my body through this because I'm getting paid to do it.

"Looking at it from that standpoint, I think it's wrong. But, I mean, people are grown. And when they sign on that line, they know what they're going to go through. But it does suck that they have to put their bodies through that."

Coffee, 24, courted controversy, especially in light of his commitment to Christianity, when he was arrested in October in Alabama for possession of a concealed firearm. Charges were later dropped, but critics railed against him.

"It really hurts me that they'll judge like that, because in the end they'll hurt themselves," Coffee told The Bee. "But as far as the handgun, first of all, I'm human. I see nothing wrong with owning a gun. I actually like guns. I plan to collect guns in the future. I was in the process of collecting guns when I got arrested.

"People say, 'OK, if you're a Christian, then you don't need a gun. Christ will protect you. You will never be in trouble.' I don't understand that. Because if I'm going to have a gun in my car, I'm going to have a gun. Now if I buy a gun telling myself I plan to use the gun in the future, then there's something wrong with that. But if I just want to have a gun in my car to have one in my car, I don't see what's wrong with that."

Coffee said two incidents while he lived in Tuscaloosa, Ala. -- one in which a man pretended he had a gun and another in which a man tried to rob him, during his sophomore year in college -- prompted him to purchase the weapon "for safety reasons."

"So then," he said, "we go ahead on the timeline: I find Christ, but it's almost like I already had the gun in my car. I'm already riding around with a gun in my car. And just because I found Christ, I didn't think in my head, 'OK, I don't need to have a gun in my car anymore.' You know what I'm saying? It's almost it wasn't as a big of a deal.

"It didn't cross my mind to say, 'I need to take the gun out of my car.' If I had it in my car, I didn't feel I needed to take it out of my car."

Had the gun been in plain sight, Coffee said, he wouldn't have been arrested.

Coffee is wrapping up his degree in consumer affairs and said he's not sure what he'll do next.

"As far as the ministry is concerned, I mean, that's always something that I try to do, speaking and things like that," he said. "But as far as the seminary and full-time ministry and things like that, I still haven't made that decision. And that door is always open. Right now I just want to finish school, and I'll go from there."

Any chance he'll return to the NFL?

"I never say never, man," he said. "You know, my reason for leaving is that I was there for the Lord. That's the reason I left 'Bama early, and that's the reason I also left the NFL. If the Lord should say that I should return one day, then I'll return. But as of right now, I don't see that happening. ...

"And I want to add on as a far as returning to the NFL -- how do I put this? I'm not what you call an entertainer, man. I don't want to sound mean or attack the NFL, but I'm not an entertainer. I see football as being the same as being a singer, being a dancer or something along those lines. When we fill out our W-2s, we're in that category of entertainers, man.

"That's not me. I want to be doing something to better myself, to better someone else. Glen Coffee's not an entertainer. ... I want to love what I do. I don't just want to get paid."

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Boy, 10, uses savings to return Super Bowl ring to 'The Fridge'

CHICAGO -- Bears great William "The Refrigerator" Perry has his 1985 Super Bowl ring back on his finger, thanks to a 10-year-old boy.

Cliff Forrest of Fox Chapel, Pa., took $8,500 out of his college savings account to buy Perry's Super Bowl ring in New York.

"He only played in one Super Bowl," Cliff said. "I thought he would want it more than I did."

So the boy asked his father if he could give the ring back to Perry, who has been diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome. The autoimmune disease attacks the nervous system and can cause paralysis.

Cliff Forrest Sr. said he wouldn't have approved the purchase.

"I would not have permitted the purchase myself, but his mother is a little more soft-hearted," Forrest said.

But Cliff admires Perry and had heard of the Bears' famous Super Bowl XX-winning team. Cliff's parents agreed to their son's request and set out to return the ring to Perry, taking a flight to Chicago and giving the former football player his ring before an autograph session.

"He was very appreciative and he said, 'Thank you,'" Cliff said.

In return, Perry gave the boy two autographed jerseys signed: "The Fridge, Thanks!"

Perry won't say how his Super Bowl ring ended up for sale. These days, he said he is doing better, though sometimes he uses a battery-powered scooter.

"I'm up and moving around," he said. "I'm doing what I like to do best -- fishing."

His former coach, Mike Ditka, believes Perry looks good, too.

"It's the best I've seen him look in a long time," Ditka said. "He's really working at it."

Perry played 10 seasons in the NFL. The defensive lineman and occasional goal-line running back became a national celebrity during his rookie season with the Bears in 1985, helping them win the Super Bowl title.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Coughlin to return for eighth season as Giants coach in '11

LANDOVER, Md. -- Tom Coughlin will return as coach of the New York Giants next season, and his status wasn't in question at all, according to team co-owner John Mara.

Speaking Sunday after the Giants were assured of missing the playoffs for a second consecutive season, Mara put an end to any speculation about Coughlin's future.

"There was never any doubt in my mind, never any doubt in (co-owner) Steve Tisch's mind, never any doubt in (general manager) Jerry Reese's mind," Mara said.

New York finished its season Sunday with a 17-14 victory over the Washington Redskins, but the Giants didn't get the help they needed to claim the NFC's remaining wild-card berth.

The Giants went 10-6, making New York and Tampa Bay the first NFC teams since 1991 to miss the playoffs despite double-digit victories. Instead, another team with a 10-6 record -- Green Bay -- got the conference's last postseason berth.

"You wanted the other part of the package," Coughlin said. "To win the 10 games was nice, but we all wanted to win the 10 games so we could get a chance to play next week as well."

The 64-year-old Coughlin has been the Giants' coach since 2004 and led them to the Super Bowl title at the end of the 2007 season. But he also oversaw late swoons the past two seasons.

The Giants started 2009 at 5-0 before dropping eight of 11 down the stretch, including poor efforts in their final two games to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2004.

This season, New York had a 9-4 record going into an NFC East showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles two weeks ago -- then led that game 31-10 with 8 minutes left. But Michael Vick and the Eagles came all the way back to beat the Giants 38-31, with DeSean Jackson scoring a touchdown on a 65-yard punt return on the final play.

The Giants could have clinched a playoff berth last weekend by beating the Packers, but lost 45-17.

"We had put so much into the Philadelphia game, to be honest with you," Coughlin said, "and then to lose it like we did -- and actually, we practiced well that next week, but we didn't have the passion and the emotion."

He, for one, showed plenty of both on the sideline Sunday.

After one of Eli Manning's passes went off Mario Manningham's hands and ended up as an interception in the first quarter, Coughlin barked at Manningham as the receiver left the field. The coach also hustled over to slap hands with Manningham after he caught a 92-yard TD pass from Manning about 2 ½ minutes into the second half.

Coughlin later made his way onto the field for pats on players' backsides after his defense forced one of its four turnovers. And he was cursing after Lawrence Tynes missed a 39-yard field-goal attempt.

After the game, Coughlin was asked whether he had any doubts about whether he would keep his job.

"I have no doubt," he replied, "but we just have to see about that."

Not very long after that, Mara made everything perfectly clear.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Browns QB McCoy, RB Hillis return to practice field for Browns

BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Colt McCoy was back at practice Thursday after missing one day because of the stomach flu, and running back Peyton Hillis also was back on the field after resting his sore left knee.

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McCoy was ill Wednesday and unable to participate in the full outdoor practice. He took part in the early walkthrough period as the Browns (5-9) get ready to play host to the Baltimore Ravens (10-4).

Browns coach Eric Mangini said McCoy looked a lot better and that it shouldn't be difficult for the quarterback to catch up with the game plan.

Hillis, who has rushed for 1,129 yards this season, gained 144 earlier this season against the Ravens.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Romo's return unlikely, but Cowboys still taking it 'day-to-day'

IRVING, Texas -- The return of Tony Romo remains on hold.

Since Romo broke his left collarbone Oct. 25, the Dallas Cowboys have pointed toward having him back in the lineup this week. However, team owner Jerry Jones said Sunday he was not optimistic and Monday interim coach Jason Garrett was very noncommittal.

"We'll just see how he does tomorrow, see how he feels," Garrett said.

The Cowboys are usually off on Tuesdays, but will be practicing because they play Saturday night in Arizona. They only have two games left and can't make the playoffs.

Jon Kitna has matched Romo statistically, with the notable exception of Dallas going 1-5 in Romo's starts and 4-4 with Kitna. There's no quarterback controversy, though, because Kitna is 38 and Romo remains the face of the franchise.

Dallas could have placed Romo on injured reserve a long time ago, ending his season and freeing up a roster spot for someone else. But Jones was holding out hope that Romo could return, especially since all he needed was rest, not surgery, to repair the bone on his non-throwing side.

The outlook dimmed after seeing Romo throw before the game Sunday.

"Frankly, he's still having sensitivity there," Jones said. "We're a little behind where I thought we would be on how healthy he is. ... He's not ready to play. That doesn't mean he might not get out there throw and practice, but he's not ready."

Another issue is defining readiness.

When a guy is slightly banged up, he usually has to make it through one practice to prove he can be effective in a game. Romo has missed eight games and hasn't practiced at all since the injury. The Cowboys are expected to practice in pads Tuesday, so that could be a stiff test for him.

Then again, he's the most experienced guy in this offense, which Garrett coordinated for 3 ½ years before getting promoted. So he should be able to pick things up quickly -- if he's healthy enough.

"I think you want to see any player feel comfortable practicing before you put them in a game-type situation, regardless of their experience," Garrett said.

How long does it take to get comfortable?

"It probably varies from player to player," he said.

When asked why the Cowboys haven't just given up on Romo this season, Garrett said, "It's just important to evaluate on a day-to-day basis." Even he laughed at his evasiveness.

The question of how hard Dallas should be trying has been debated among fans lately. While they are rooting for a better draft pick, Jones wants to have a competitive enough team to sell seats and luxury suites at his $1.2 billion stadium and Garrett is trying to shed the interim label. The Cowboys beat Washington 33-30 on Sunday to improve to 4-2 since Garrett took over.

"We try our best to win every week," Garrett said. "We try our best to go about it the right way. Our young players who need to be evaluated understand that approach and they glob onto it. When they get their opportunities, hopefully they'll do that. A lot of guys have gotten a lot of opportunities in recent weeks and we got a chance to evaluate them. We'll continue to try to put our best forward this week against Arizona."

But Garrett isn't really making way for the youngsters. Those who have gotten on the field lately have entered the lineup because of injuries. For instance, Sam Hurd was the second receiver and Manny Johnson the third on Sunday but only because Roy Williams was inactive with a groin injury and Dez Bryant and Kevin Ogletree were on injured reserve.

"We're not going to force any young player into action," Garrett said. "We've had a chance to see a lot of young guys because of the injuries that we have had."

Does that mean the youngsters who aren't playing aren't good enough?

"You have to earn your opportunities to play," Garrett said. "It's a competitive league."

Garrett said it's too soon to know whether safety Gerald Sensabaugh and rookie linebacker Sean Lee will recover from their concussions in time to play against the Cardinals.

"They have to be symptom free as they go through each of the stages," Garrett said. "So we'll just go through that process."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Jackson caps Eagles' historic comeback with electrifying punt return

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Call it "The Great Escape."

Michael Vick engineered it. DeSean Jackson capped it. And the Philadelphia Eagles have control of the NFC East firmly in their hands because of it.

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Jackson scored on a 65-yard punt return on the last play of the game and the Eagles scored a team-record 28 points in the final 7:28 to stun the New York Giants 38-31 and take over first place in the NFC East.

"By far, this is one of the greatest comebacks of my career, being down by such a huge deficit," Vick said after accentuating his candidacy for the MVP award by throwing for two touchdowns and running for another in the incredible late rally that all but clinched the division for the Eagles (10-4).

"We were able to come back in a short period of time," added Vick, who threw for 242 yards and three touchdowns overall and ran for a game-high 130 yards. "It's outstanding. I give a lot of credit to my teammates. I have to thank God for the opportunity but it was, by far, one of the best."

The win gave the Eagles a sweep of the season series with New York (9-5). They need to either win one of their final two home games (Minnesota or Dallas) or have New York lose one of its two road games (Green Bay or Washington).

For Giants fans it brought back memories of "The Fumble" by Joe Pisarcik, the giveaway that allowed another group of Eagles to steal a late win in 1978 when all New York had to do was take a knee.

The loss left Giants coach Tom Coughlin so angry he threw his notes as Jackson backed into the end zone on his only punt return of game.

"I've never been around anything like this in my life," Coughlin said. "It's about as empty as you get to feel in this business, right there."

Until the rally, Jackson was more worried about making the playoffs.

"I probably don't even realize how big it is," said Jackson, who battled a foot injury all week and told coach Andy Reid only to use him on punt returns if the game was on the line.

Reid gave him the signal -- a whistle -- before the last punt to get on the field. The rest is the final chapter in the great escape.

"This is a special one," Reid said. "It was an exciting one. It was as exciting for you guys. It was a great day to be a Philadelphia writer."

Atlanta clinched a playoff spot with the Giants' loss.

Jackson's winning return came with game seemingly headed for overtime with 14 seconds to play.

Rookie Matt Dodge, who had been instructed to punt the ball out of bounds, got a high snap and hurried to get his kick off. He hit a line drive kick that Jackson bobbled at his 35. Once he regained control, Jackson broke through the initial wave of coverage and sped down the right sideline. It was apparent he was about to score, but instead of simply going into the end zone, he danced along the goal line before going in with zeros showing on the clock.

"I always try to do something out of the ordinary," Jackson said. "I probably would have dove in from the 12-yard line if I could. I knew nobody was going to catch me. I look to do things for excitement. The fans pay for that. I just wanted to bring that out of them."

As Jackson scored, the Eagles jumped on each other in a celebration they never could have expected. They were victimized by Eli Manning's four touchdown passes, including an 8-yarder to Kevin Boss with 8:17 to play for a 31-10 lead.

This loss could cripple the Giants' playoff hopes. They need to win out to clinch a postseason berth and the Packers' game will be crucial, especially because the final playoff spot might come down to head to head with New York and Green Bay.

Vick started the comeback with a 65-yard scoring pass to tight end Brent Celek on which the Eagles caught defensive end Justin Tuck in coverage.

New York fell asleep on the ensuing kickoff and Riley Cooper recovered David Akers' onside kick, a play on which the kicker may have been offside. A 13-yard pass to Jackson and a 35-yard run by Vick set up the quarterback's 4-yard TD run with 5:28 to go, cutting the lead to 31-24.

New York had a chance to run out the clock, getting to a second-and-6 at the Eagles 38. However a procedure penalty forced a punt and the Eagles tied the game with an eight-play, 88-yard drive that featured scrambles of 33 and 22 yards by Vick. He eventually capped the series with a 13-yard pass to Jeremy Maclin with 1:16 to go.

"When you are a part of it as long as I have been, you see a lot of crazy things," Giants' 11-year veteran linebacker Keith Bulluck said. "We had control the whole game, but that is why this game is so great. You have to play for 60 minutes, because in those 60 minutes anything can happen."

It did, and the Eagles made it happen in what has been a sensational season for Vick a little more than a year and a half after being released from federal custody for his part in a dogfighting ring.

The Giants dominated the opening half, outgaining the Eagles' top-ranked offense 222-74. Vick was under constant pressure, sacked twice, hit about a half-dozen other times and limited to six completions for 33 yards and only his fifth interception of the season.

Manning was given time by his line and made the most of it, leading New York on touchdown drives of 71, 73 and 8 yards, the last coming when Maclin lost a fumble late in the half and safety Kenny Phillips returned the ball to the Philadelphia 8 with :09 to go.

Manning found Nicks in the right corner 4 seconds later for a 24-3 halftime lead.

Manningham, limited all week in practice because of a hip flexor, showed up big-time on game day, catching touchdown passes of 35 and 33 yards to open a 14-3 lead.

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Philadelphia's defense set up its first three points. Darryl Tapp tipped a pass and Quintin Mikell intercepted at the Giants 45. An 11-yard scramble by Vick and a personal foul gave the Eagles a first down at the 19. They got a 34-yard field goal by Akers.

Manning made up for the mistake on the next series, capping a 73-yard drive with the 33-yard pass to Manningham, who motored the final 20 yards after Dimitri Patterson slipped.

NOTES: The punt return TD was the fourth of Jackson's career. ... The Eagles have rallied to win four of their last five games, outscoring opponents 79-21 in the fourth quarter of that span. It was the ninth time in NFL history a team trailed by 21 points in the fourth quarter and won the game, and the first by the Eagles. Their 28 fourth-quarter points were the most in team history.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Eagles' Avant knocked out during Jackson's punt return

All eyes were on Eagles return man DeSean Jackson on Sunday when he fielded a punt on the game's final play and zig-zagged his way through the entire special teams unit of the New York Giants to give the Eagles a 38-31 win.

All eyes except for those of Eagles wide receiver Jason Avant, who said he was briefly knocked out after throwing a block for Jackson and colliding with Giants long snapper Zak DeOssie, according to the Philadelphia Daily News on Monday.

"When I saw (Jackson) break the initial wave, and I saw a lane to the right, I knew if I got (DeOssie), he was gonna score," Avant told the newspaper. "So I just threw it in there. I knew he scored. Me being knocked out just reminded me of a dream I had of us winning on the last play, but I didn't know who it was against."

Eagles coach Andy Reid confirmed in his news conference Monday that Avant has a slight concussion, and tested very well.

DeOssie said after the game that he thought he would be the one to prevent Jackson from scoring.

"I thought I had a great angle. I thought I was going to stop him. I don't have eyes in the back of my head," DeOssie said.

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McCoy works with Browns trainers, could return to practice

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Colt McCoy still isn't ready to practice because of an ankle injury that likely will keep him out for a third consecutive game.

McCoy hasn't played since sustaining a high left ankle sprain Nov. 21 at Jacksonville, his fifth start.

"We have a shot for him practicing this week," Browns coach Eric Mangini said Wednesday. "I wouldn't say it's a slam dunk, but I think it's a possibility."

Mangini said McCoy was able to work with trainers Tuesday.

"It's different when you're thinking about reading coverages, letting your body react," the coach said. "That's sort of the next step, and it remains to be seen."

Jake Delhomme started the past two games for the Browns (5-7), who will travel to Buffalo (2-10) on Sunday. McCoy said last week that he wants to play again this season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Raiders QB Gradkowski re-injures shoulder in return

Bruce Gradkowski is likely headed back to the bench for the Oakland Raiders. But it doesn't have anything to do with the quarterback's performance.

The Contra Costa Times reported on Sunday night that Gradkowski re-injured his throwing shoulder in Oakland's 33-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins.

Gradkowski told the paper that his shoulder felt similar to when he suffered a third-degree separation against the San Diego Chargers in Week 5. That injury cost him five weeks.

The fifth-year pro was back into the starting lineup on Sunday in place of Jason Campbell. For the season, Gradkowski is 66 for 125 (52.8 percent) for 807 yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions.

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Steelers' offense changing with Roethlisberger's return

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Branch embraces new and familar in return to New England

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Together again, Deion Branch and Tom Brady walked side-by-side to the sunny practice field.

The New England Patriots' new wide receiver was receiving a crash course on plays installed since he left the team in 2006, after he was part of two Super Bowl championships.

"I still remember some plays," Branch said Tuesday. "They didn't call those plays today."

The Patriots on Monday reacquired Branch, whom they drafted in the second round in 2002 -- and who was the MVP of their 2005 Super Bowl triumph -- from the Seattle Seahawks for a fourth-round draft pick next year.

Some things are the same since New England traded Branch to Seattle: Brady, center Dan Koppen, tackle Matt Light, guard Stephen Neal and running back Kevin Faulk are still around from the offense.

And much is different: The Patriots haven't won the Super Bowl since Branch left. Randy Moss has come and gone. And Branch is wearing No. 84 because his old 83 belongs to Wes Welker.

"Wes came in, did a great job," Branch said with one of the many wide smiles he flashed during his 10-minute news conference. "I'm just going to get one (number) higher than his, because I'm taller than him."

At 5-foot-9, Branch doesn't exactly tower over Welker. And with Julian Edelman, listed at 5-10, three of the Patriots' top four receivers are small.

Size isn't the only difference between Branch and the 6-4 Moss, whose trade Wednesday to the Minnesota Vikings created a need for an experienced wide receiver in New England. Branch hopes to play Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens.

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"That's the first thing I want to let you all know," Branch said. "I'm not here to replace Randy. I'm not Randy Moss. I wasn't Randy Moss when I was here, and I'm not here to replace him. My job is to go out and do what the offense asks me to do."

Moss was a deep threat who drew double-teams. Branch is a possession receiver. But both left the Patriots after having contract concerns and said they felt as if they were home again after returning to their original NFL teams.

Moss said several times this year that he didn't believe the Patriots would re-sign him before his contract expired after this season. Branch, who led the Patriots with 78 catches in 2005, was traded the day after the 2006 opener, following a 45-day holdout that he staged in hopes of improving on the $1.045 million he was scheduled to receive that year, the last of his original contract.

"I wish it never happened, but no regrets," Branch said. "When I left here, there weren't any issues between me and coach (Bill) Belichick, none at all. We talked during the course of the year. ... We didn't leave on a bad note, and I think that's why it was so easy to return."

Branch is signed through next season with base salaries of $5.45 million in 2010 and $5.95 million in 2011. But he said he'd be willing to adjust that. He also said he thought it more likely that he would be traded last year, when he started just five of 14 games he played for the Seahawks.

Brady isn't sure that Branch's transition will be smooth.

"I'm sure there will be a pretty steep learning curve for him," Brady said on his weekly appearance on WEEI-AM. "Hopefully, he gets up to speed as quickly as possible, because we'll need him this week."

Brady also denied a report aired on a CBS pregame show Sunday that he and Moss had a confrontation before the receiver was traded.

Branch, in his first stint with the Patriots, made 213 receptions for 14 touchdowns. Moss was much more prolific, with 259 catches and 50 touchdown receptions in three full seasons, plus four games this year. But Branch was outstanding in the 2004 and 2005 Super Bowls, with a total of 21 catches.

"I'm excited," said Edelman, a seventh-round draft choice last year. "He's been here when they won Super Bowls, and I'm going to be able to get to learn from another guy, another veteran."

Branch started three of Seattle's four games this season, catching 13 passes for 112 yards and one touchdown. He has been healthy after missing parts of the past three seasons with knee, hamstring and foot injuries. He caught 190 passes, 15 for touchdowns, with the Seahawks.

Branch said he was "very thankful" to have been part of the Seahawks' organization and also to return to the team that drafted him, then traded him for a 2007 first-round pick that turned out to be starting safety Brandon Meriweather.

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"The opportunity presented itself, and they took another shot at it," Branch said.

None of the team's receivers were on the team during Branch's first go-round in New England.

"That's part of the business," he said. "They find a way to get the job done."

They're receiving plenty of help from the quarterback who escorted Branch to Tuesday's practice.

"When you have a quarterback such as Tom, you can do a lot of things," Branch said. "You've just got to make sure you put the right guys in the right place. You just follow (Brady's) lead, and he won't lead you in the wrong direction."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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