Umenyiora's holdout lasts one day, but unhappiness still there

Two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora has ended his holdout after one day and reported to the New York Giants.

Umenyiora reported to training camp Saturday afternoon after missing the opening day at the team's headquarters in East Rutherford, N.J. He said during the summer that he was unhappy with the team because general manager Jerry Reese failed to live up to a promise to renegotiate his contact after last season.

"I'll be there today," Umenyiora said in an email to The Associated Press around 3:20 p.m. ET Saturday.

Neither Umenyiora nor Reese was immediately available for comment after the player reported around 4 p.m. NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora reported that Umenyiora hasn't lifted his request to be traded or receive a new contract.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin said he spoke briefly with Umenyiora and that the defensive end didn't have his physical because of his late-afternoon arrival.

Umenyiora started all 16 games during the 2010 season and led the NFL with 10 forced fumbles. His 11.5 sacks tied Justin Tuck for the team lead.

Tuck hinted earlier in the day that Umenyiora might return soon.

"I think he realizes this is a business, and he's doing what's best for him. You can't blame him for that," Tuck said. "A lot of people have different opinions on how to handle the situation. You might not see eye-to-eye with how he handled it. He has to do what's best for him. That's all I tell him to do. My biggest concern is that he doesn't do something that's going to hurt Osi."

Umenyiora ripped Reese in an affidavit filed by players as part of an antitrust suit against the league during the recent lockout.

Tuck believed the comments wouldn't be a problem.

"A couple years ago, Michael Strahan was in a similar situation," Tuck said. "He might've had a little bit more (leverage) being a future Hall of Famer. You've got to understand, we just got out of a tremendous business deal with just being able to come out here and play this game again. It is a business.

"I think a lot of people get caught up in the loyalty to the game and things of that nature like the Giants in this situation. We're definitely loyal to the team. But, in Osi's situation, he feels as though he needs to do this."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Eagles still dealing, give DL Jenkins five-year, $25M pact

Following Friday's breathtaking maneuvering to score free agency's biggest prize, cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday added defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins to a roster that's suddenly bursting with big names.

Jenkins agreed to a five-year, $25 million deal, a league source told NFL Network insider Michael Lombardi.

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"Thank you #packernation for everything," Jenkins tweeted while explaining why he wouldn't return to the Green Bay Packers. " ... Unfortunately the option wasn't given to continue."

Added Jenkins: "Now it's on to the next chapter and I'm more pumped and motivated than ever."

Jenkins is the fifth major acquisition for the Eagles, who, along with landing Asomugha, found Kevin Kolb's replacement by giving Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young a one-year deal. The team also signed defensive end Jason Babin away from the Titans and acquired cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie from the Arizona Cardinals in the Kolb trade.

"It's exciting," Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said. "It's really exciting to put it all together, and we want to see them out here out on the field and get going."

Jenkins started 66 games in seven seasons with the Packers, with a career-high seven sacks in 11 games last year.

"This is a guy who we didn't think we'd have the opportunity to acquire," Roseman said. "The way things have worked out here in the past few days, when the opportunity came at us, we jumped on it."

Roseman said Jenkins will fill a variety of roles in the Eagles' newly structured defense under first-year coordinator Juan Castillo. But his main role will be as an inside pass rusher.

"On third down, he rushes from inside," Roseman said. "We think he makes a difference in that role. In this defense and in this scheme, it really utilizes all his talents."

To make room for Jenkins, the Eagles traded defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley to the Cleveland Browns for a 2012 fifth-round draft pick.

The Eagles also re-signed unrestricted free agent linebacker Akeem Jordan.

Roseman said he's hearing from agents of players around the league who want to be Eagles.

"People want to come to Philadelphia because of the organization, having coach (Andy) Reid and having a quarterback like Michael (Vick) and the players we have here," he said. "I think they're all great selling points. When you talk to agents, people want to come to Philly."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Still in the fold: Troubled Talib works out with Bucs mates

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Cornerback Aqib Talib, who was indicted on an aggravated assault weapon charge for a March incident in Texas, was at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' minicamp workout Tuesday.

Talib's attendance is nothing new. The fourth-year pro has attended several player-organized workouts.

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Talib's lawyer recently said the case against his client likely won't be resolved until after the 2011 season unless there is a plea agreement or dismissal.

"Right now, if I requested a trial, it would be late November at the earliest and most likely it would be next year," Frank Perez told the St. Petersburg Times in a story published June 19.

The Times reported Perez has had several meetings with the Dallas County district attorney, and another announcement hearing is scheduled for Thursday, at which point he said he will present evidence that is "favorable" to Talib and ask to either set a trial or have the charges dismissed.

"I don't like the case if I'm the district attorney," Perez said. "We feel very, very strongly Aqib is going to prevail in this. There's nothing to this case. I can't tell you now, but I'm confident we've got something that's going to turn the tide of public opinion."

It's not the first time that Talib, who's free on $25,000 bond, has been in trouble. He was involved in a fight with fellow Bucs rookie Cory Boyd at the 2008 NFL Rookie Symposium, hit teammate Torrie Cox in the face with his helmet while scuffling with Donald Penn during a minicamp workout in May 2009, and was charged with simple battery and resisting arrest in connection with an assault on a taxi driver in Tampa in August 2009.

But Talib, a starter since the Bucs took him in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft, has done well on the field, intercepting 15 passes in his three NFL seasons. He's coming off a fine 2010 campaign in which he had 50 tackles, 11 passes defended and six picks, one returned for a touchdown.

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Hillis' profile is higher than ever, but work ethic still the same

Peyton Hillis may be the new "Madden 12" cover boy, but he's not letting the newfound notoriety affect his work ethic.

The Cleveland Browns' rugged running back has been busy enhancing his skill-set during the NFL lockout, training in his own distinct way in his hometown of Conway, Ark. Hillis has been seen around the neighborhood powering down the street with a half-ton truck harnessed to his chest. On lighter days, he drags a small car or all-terrain vehicle.

"I know it's weird, but if you saw it, you can see it works," Hillis told The Plain Dealer in Saturday's edition. "It's just something a buddy of mine came up with and I've been doing it since my junior year in high school."

Hillis went from being a relative unknown to one of the most talked-about players in the league in a 2010 season in which he totaled 1,177 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns, despite playing the last three weeks with a painful cracked rib that made breathing a chore.

Hillis, like every other NFL player this offseason, is in the unique position of preparing for a new season without the structure that the NFL provides. Hillis is doing his best to create a positive support system.

"I have coaches from Conway High working me out and all kinds of local fitness experts," he said. "I'm doing yoga, MMA and things like that. I'm an unorthodox player, so I have to do things that fit my kind of game."

The biggest flaw in Hillis' game last season was ball security, and like other aspects of his training this offseason, the 25-year-old has taken a straightforward approach.

"I'll carry a ball around with me all day and ask people to try to knock it out of my hand when I least expect it," he said. "I'll give them some money and stuff so people get pretty geeked up about that. It just helps me to take care of the ball without even thinking about it."

Looking ahead to the 2011 season, Hillis is excited to be part of a West Coast offense under new coach Pat Shurmur and welcomes a potential challenge for the starting job in the form of Montario Hardesty, who is set to return to action after reconstructive knee surgery.

"I always find competition in each and every thing I do and it will bring competition -- no doubt about it," Hillis said. "But being professional and being who I am, I like competition. I like a good challenge and I'm always up for anything."

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Umenyiora unhappy with contract, but Giants still an option

Defensive end Osi Umenyiora might be unhappy with his contract, but he has not ruled out a return to the New York Giants.

NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora reported Thursday that Umenyiora gave a deposition as part of the Brady et al v. the National Football League et al case, claiming that Giants general manager Jerry Reese promised to either trade him or make him among the top five defensive ends in the league back in 2008, according to sources who have seen the affidavit.

In the statement, which was given under the penalty of perjury, Umenyiora details conversations with Reese, saying that he was promised that if he "was playing at a high level" over the following two seasons, he would be compensated among the best at his position or dealt to a team that would compensate him. Umenyiora's agent, Tony Agnone, was also deposed.

Umenyiora, 29, claims that Reese has failed to make good on his word.

As one of the plaintiffs in the Brady case, he provided the statements to NFL Players Association lawyers to show the kind of "irreparable" harm being done to players by the lockout.

Despite the drama, Umenyiora told The New York Times on Friday that he would "absolutely" be willing to return to the Giants.

"I love my teammates," Umenyiora said. "The owners of the team, Mr. (John) Mara and Mr. (Steve) Tisch, I'm really cool with both of them. They came to the hospital when I was injured. They're wonderful people. I don't have a beef with them per se. At the end of the day, they're going to have to make the best decision for them.

"If they renegotiate my deal, I have to be on the field, and I have to perform. To play all those guys is going to be very, very difficult. For everyone to get their chance to showcase their skills, it’s going to be difficult to do that."

Said Umenyiora: "Any time you mention my name, it seems as if it’s just a firestorm of negativity, and Osi doing this and Osi doing that. Nobody in that organization or on that team can tell you I’m a disruption or a negative person or I’m perceived in such a way, because they’d be lying."

Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy came out of the woodwork Thursday to respond to Umenyiora's situation via Twitter, calling the defender "overrated n soft" and the "3rd best d-line on his team honestly."

Umenyiora fired back, telling The Times: "That little Chihuahua or poodle in the backfield. He doesn't have to block me. ... If you have something to say, say it man to man. You can't be a Twitter gangster. That's easy to do, trying to be a tough guy. Say it to my face, and we'll see what happens."

Umenyiora also spoke to The Star-Ledger on Friday and referred to McCoy as "Lady Gaga."

"I mean, he’s a girl, man. Who does stuff like that?" Umenyiora said. "If he has more of these things to say, he can say 'em to my face."

Umenyiora went on to describe his contentious relationship with McCoy.

"Yeah, me and him, we had words on the field -- both times we played. I hate him, he hates me, period. He chose to take that off the field and make it public when it's something that's between me and him. It’s something we can address on the football field. He let the whole world know about it, so I’m going to respond."

Said Umenyiora of past entanglements: "Oh, he said all kinds of stuff. He called me an 'African (expletive).' It was bad. It was pretty intense between me and him. I said a couple of things to him."

If Umenyiora ends up with another club, it will pull him out of a Giants-Eagles rivalry he labeled "rough," but he said he'll find his way back to McCoy one way or another.

"I’ll see him somewhere for sure. It’s going to continue, man. There's going to be no going back from this one because I feel he crossed the line."

Giants wideout Steve Smith joined the fray Friday, tweeting: "The nerve of certain youngins running their mouth." 

Smith's message included a photo montage of the Giants celebrating their Super Bowl XLII victory next to an empty Eagles trophy case.

"Eagles have a great team as do we," Smith continued. "They've had our number lately but until you win something major I don't wanna hear it."

Umenyiora, a seven-year veteran, has been unhappy for quite some time with the contract extension he signed in 2005. The collective bargaining agreement signed in 2006 prompted increased spending around the league, and other defensive linemen quickly eclipsed the $31 million deal, averaging $5.5 million a season, that he had signed.

With two years left on his contact, he can earn $3.875 million in salary and bonuses in 2011, and $4.725 million in salary and bonuses in 2012, far below others with similar career production.

Umenyiora's monster season in 2007 -- in which he posted 13 sacks and helped the Giants win the Super Bowl -- spurred the meeting with Reese that was covered in the affidavit. A league source, however, pointed out that there could conceivably have been some miscommunication, that Reese might have been talking about possibly exploring a trade or new contract down the road without directly promising to do so.

In the two years Umenyiora was to perform at a high level, he did not do so -- he spent 2008 on injured reserve with a knee injury and lost his starting spot and became a situational player in 2009 while clashing with the coaching staff. La Canfora reports that his trade value was low, based on injury concerns and the fact he was coming off just a seven-sack season in 2009, at the time Reese was to have had to make good on his "promise," as per the statements from the affidavit.

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Still hurting: Ravens' Reed says he's not yet 100 percent

Not every player who battled injuries this past season has fully recovered during the extended recovery time afforded by the lockout.

Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed, in New Orleans for his annual football camp, told The Times-Picayune on Tuesday he still is not fully healthy.

"I'm still not 100 percent (healthy)," Reed said. "But I'm 100 percent mentally at this point as far as everything I can do. I know my limitations. I still have a lot of work to do before the season starts."

Reed, a five-time All-Pro selection, had hip surgery before the 2010 season and was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list, missing the first six games. He still led the league with eight interceptions in just 10 games.

Reed also missed four games during the 2009 season because of neck problems.

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Lawyer: Bryant still owes more than $600K to Texas jeweler

While Dez Bryant recently claimed to have his legal woes under control, a lawyer says the Dallas Cowboys wideout still owes more than $600,000 and faces a pending lawsuit, ESPNDallas.com reported Monday.

Cowboys owner stands by his man

Bryant told reporters Saturday that his money troubles are behind him, saying: "I have a handle on it and it's done. It's in the past and I'm ready to go ahead from here."

But attorney Beth Ann Blackwood says Bryant owes upwards of $600,000 to Eleow Hunt, a Colleyville, Texas, jeweler and ticket broker who filed suit against Bryant for outstanding bills for jewelry, tickets to sporting events and cash advances before he was selected by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

The former Oklahoma State star -- who was supposed to pay back Hunt when he signed either an NFL or promotional contract, whichever came first -- is hoping to settle the suit when the NFL lockout ends, at which time he is set to net a $1 million roster bonus from the Cowboys.

Blackwood said the suit is on hold because Bryant's attorney -- Royce West, a Texas state senator -- is in special session in Austin.

Bryant also bought $267,000 worth of jewelry from A+A Diamonds LTD d/b/a Rafaello & Company last year, and the New York-based company filed suit against the receiver for non-payment. Mikel J. Bowers, the company's attorney, confirmed to ESPNDallas.com in April that a settlement had been reached in the case, although he didn't disclose the terms.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Packers have held off on paycuts, but they could still happen

The Green Bay Packers haven't been as affected by the NFL lockout as much as other teams, but Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy said the team isn't ruling out paycuts for its staff and coaches if the labor stalemate drags on, the Green Bay Press-Gazette reported on Friday.

“It’s based on when we’re going to start missing revenue,” Murphy said.

About 75 percent of NFL teams have imposed a pay reduction of some kind in reaction the lockout, which is approaching its third month. The Packers have been among the holdouts, citing strong revenue across the board.

The Packers have lost some sponsorship money, but Murphy said they can hold off on paycuts until other avenues of the business model falter.

The Packers are defending Super Bowl champions, a fact that no doubt helps keep business booming for the league's only publicly-owned franchise.

“Each team has to make their own decisions, and some teams have been affected already,” Murphy said. “We’re very fortunate, I think, with the type of fans we have and the success we had last year. We haven’t seen a drop-off in ticket revenue or premium seats, where some of the other teams in the league, they’ve already seen losses in revenue.”

Murphy told the Press-Gazette that if paycuts are imposed, the team would repay lost pay to employees if no regular-season games are missed.

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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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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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Carroll says Hasselbeck still Seahawks' starter

RENTON, Wash. -- Pete Carroll spent part of Monday just watching.

The Seahawks coach wanted to see how Matt Hasselbeck reacted in meetings to the blunt criticism of all the mistakes he's made recently. Then Carroll sat down with Hasselbeck to make certain he was in the right state mentally after having been booed off the field less than 24 hours earlier.

With a division title still obtainable -- even at 6-8 -- Carroll decided he's going to stick with his veteran quarterback instead of making a change to unproven backup Charlie Whitehurst.

"We're going with Matt. Matt's been our quarterback, he's given us a chance all throughout, the best chance to finish off right and I'm excited in that sense he's going to pull this thing together," Carroll said Monday afternoon. "We've got to play well around him. We've got to take care of the quarterback in all ways, protection-wise, running the football, we need to play better on defense so it's not all tuned where the focus is to one guy and people can try and point the finger."

Carroll put to rest what could have been a lingering debate all week as the Seahawks prepare to play at Tampa Bay on Sunday in a game that could end up being relatively meaningless to their chances at an NFC West title. If St. Louis beats San Francisco at home on Sunday, then it doesn't matter what the Seahawks do against the Buccaneers, the NFC West title will be decided on Jan. 2 when the Seahawks host the Rams.

And unless an injury occurs or Hasselbeck's horrid turnover rate continues, Carroll made clear that Hasselbeck will be the Seahawks quarterback for the final two games.

"I was very specific to our team and Matt today about how to handle it and giving us a chance to keep staying with the game plan and giving our special teams and our defense a chance, and our offense as well, a chance to get back into it by not overtrying, by not trying to force the issues," Carroll said.

Hasselbeck was pulled in the third quarter of Sunday's 34-18 loss to Atlanta after throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble that resulted in a Falcons touchdown. Whitehurst replaced Hasselbeck and played well, scoring on a 1-yard TD run in the fourth quarter that prompted chants of "Charlie" from the fans who remained.

Carroll said Whitehurst's performance makes the coach more confident if he needs to turn to Whitehurst.

Hasselbeck has continually violated what Carroll preaches the most, taking care of the ball. In his last four games, Hasselbeck's been responsible for 13 turnovers -- three fumbles and 10 interceptions. His fumble in the end zone on Seattle's first offensive play of the second half Sunday was recovered by Jonathan Babineaux for a touchdown and a 24-10 Falcons lead.

Hasselbeck followed up with interceptions on Seattle's next two possessions.

And this performance came after he had the first five-turnover game of his career -- four interceptions and one fumble -- a week earlier at San Francisco. It hasn't helped that Seattle's fallen behind in both games and Hasselbeck has admitted feeling as though he needed to force things.

"Looking back, I seem to do stupid things when we're losing. When we're down by two touchdowns or more, that's where I have to be way smarter. That's where I've really failed recently. That's on me. I know better. You have to learn the lesson the hard way, and I just have to be smarter in those kind of situations."

Carroll said he was pleased with how Whitehurst played when he entered, but the decision to continue with the struggling Hasselbeck is another statement on how the Seahawks view Whitehurst. Seattle traded a second-round pick to San Diego and signed Whitehurst to an $8 million, two-year deal with incentives last offseason with the hope he would compete for the starting job that Hasselbeck clearly won.

Whitehurst was 8 of 16 for 83 yards in about one quarter of action on Sunday.

"He did handle himself very well yesterday, did a nice job handling the situation, and if we need him we'll call on him," Carroll said. "Maybe just in that sense I feel better about him, you know, under those circumstances."

On the Seahawks' injury front, the team placed special teams captain Roy Lewis on injured reserve with a lingering knee injury that will require surgery. Carroll remains hopeful cornerback Marcus Trufant will be able to play Sunday at Tampa Bay.

The team also signed defensive back Marcus Brown to the active roster.

Lewis had been bothered by the injury for a few weeks.

Trufant left Sunday's game with back spasms. Carroll says this is not related to the back injury that cost Trufant the first six games of 2009.

Cornerback Walter Thurmond is expected back this week after missing Sunday's game with a hamstring injury. Defensive tackle Junior Siavii's status is unknown after he suffered a stinger in the fourth quarter Sunday.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Favre struggling with shoulder injury; status still unknown

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Brett Favre's sprained throwing shoulder makes it difficult for him to put on a shirt or pull on his socks, so the 41-year-old Minnesota Vikings quarterback will wait a few days before he decides about playing against the New York Giants on Sunday.

Favre said Wednesday that he is unsure if he will be able to extend his NFL record for consecutive games started. He hopes a few more days of rest will provide some clarity for him to make a decision by Friday, but Vikings interim coach Leslie Frazier said he wouldn't be surprised if it goes right up until game time.

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Favre has started in 297 consecutive regular-season games, a record he cherishes more than any other he has achieved over the past 20 seasons. But if that mark ends Sunday, Favre insisted he is fine with that.

"It really hasn't crossed my mind this week that I've got to get out there to keep the streak going," Favre said. "I think the most important streak right now is we've won two in a row."

Favre didn't practice Wednesday and said it was unlikely that he would get much work in this week. He has played through numerous injuries throughout his career to keep the remarkable streak going, a reputation for toughness that has Frazier thinking that Favre will be ready to go again this week.

"Brett Favre is so, so unique when it comes to recovering from injuries," Frazier said. "I'm optimistic that he will be out there playing on Sunday."

In what he says is his final season, Favre has only reinforced his iron-man reputation. He is playing on a left foot that has two broken bones and also has played through tendinitis in his throwing elbow and injuries to his calf, neck, back and chin.

Still, Favre has thrown a league-high 18 interceptions, and his 69.6 passer rating ranks 29th in the league, ahead of just Arizona Cardinals veteran Derek Anderson and Carolina Panthers rookie Jimmy Clausen.

Favre said this injury, a sprained SC joint, is different. He has never had one like it before and isn't sure how he will recover. It happened when he was crunched by Buffalo Bills linebacker Arthur Moats in the third play of the game last Sunday and is even more significant because it is in Favre's throwing shoulder, which rendered him unable to play the rest of the game.

"I know if I pull my shirt over my head right now, I'm going to feel it," Favre said. "And if you think that way in a game: 'Ooh, if I throw this hook, it's going to (hurt), I may want to throw it to the flat first,' then I probably shouldn't play."

Tarvaris Jackson filled in for the rest of the game, throwing two touchdowns and three interceptions in Minnesota's 38-14 victory over Buffalo. If Favre cannot play, Jackson would make the start.

Frazier said team doctors and trainers are still discussing if a painkilling injection would even help Favre. A sprained SC joint is a rare injury in football, and the location -- where the collarbone meets the breastbone -- can make it more difficult to quickly rehabilitate.

Despite the beating he has taken this season, Favre still said he doesn't have any regrets about returning. He sometimes thinks about the toll that it will take on his body five or 10 years down the road.

"I think had I not played this year, I was going to still feel the 19 years I've played for many years to come," Favre said. "I probably haven't helped myself too much this year. But I chose to play, that's part of it. As an older player, you find it harder, as we all do, to recover from certain injuries. But that's the price you pay."

Frazier said it isn't an option to start Favre to keep the streak alive, then pull him for Jackson early in the game.

"Either he can go or he can't go," Frazier said. "We'd like to make that determination, and when he goes in there, we're at full expectation that he'll play for four quarters. That will be the plan. We wouldn't go into it, get a start, play a couple reps and get out. No."

That's fine with Favre.

"I want to see this through, and that means game and season," Favre said. "But I also don't want to jeopardize the team by just doing it for selfish reasons, and I wouldn't do that. Just treat it day to day, and if the streak's over this week, it's over."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Del Rio still looking for right formula to rebuild Jags' defense

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jaguars' defensive collapse happened quickly and with little warning.

There might have been some signs, like New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's near-perfect performance against the Jaguars in January 2008. But no one predicted that coach Jack Del Rio's defense would fall so far so fast.

The Jaguars had one of the NFL's most consistent defenses between 2004 and 2007, stuffing running backs, harassing quarterbacks and holding opponents to 17 points or less in 36 of 64 games.

It was what Del Rio believed in, what he wanted, even what he demanded.

It just didn't last. With the Jaguars (4-4) heading into a bye week off a lopsided victory at Dallas, Del Rio reflected on his once-stout defense -- the unit that currently ranks 30th in the NFL and the one he's trying so desperately to turn around this season. He took blame for overrating personnel and missing badly on free agents and draft picks, and he vowed to return the defense to where it was a few years ago.

"Defensively, when we got here in '03, a lot of work went into establishing a mentality and a mindset of how we're going to do things," Del Rio said. "And our guys embraced it. We played some really stout defense for a number of years."

Del Rio mixed oversized tackles Marcus Stroud and John Henderson, speedy linebacker Mike Peterson and hard-hitting safety Donovin Darius with second-year linebacker Daryl Smith and third-year cornerback Rashean Mathis. It was a recipe for success.

Jacksonville might not have been the 1985 Chicago Bears or the 2000 Baltimore Ravens, but it wasn't too far off. The Jaguars ranked in the top 10 in nearly every defensive category between 2004 and 2007, establishing the benchmark for Del Rio's tenure.

The defense carried the franchise to the playoffs in 2005 and 2007, but that last postseason run was where things started to turn.

Brady completed 26 of 28 passes for 262 yards and three touchdowns in an AFC divisional game, taking advantage of a mostly nonexistent pass rush and picking apart Jacksonville's secondary.

In the aftermath of the 31-20 loss, Del Rio and then-personnel chief James "Shack" Harris decided to trade Stroud for two draft picks. They took those picks, packaged them with some of their own and moved up in the first and second rounds to select Florida defensive end Derrick Harvey and Auburn defensive end Quentin Groves.

It turned out to be Del Rio's worst move since putting a sharp ax and a tree stump in the middle of the locker room.

Harvey has six sacks in 40 career games and was finally benched last week. Groves was even less productive and was traded to Oakland in April.

Del Rio justified trading so many picks for two rookies by saying few draft choices would have made the roster.

"We probably underrated the number of players we had that were getting up in their years, that weren't going to continue playing for a long time," Del Rio said Wednesday. "I would say that's absolutely something we have to admit looking back, that to package that many picks and try and move, thinking you're that close, that's really not the sound way to do things.

"I think we gave into some of those thoughts, some of those feelings. To acknowledge that is just being honest."

Making matters worse, the Jaguars gave cornerback Drayton Florence about $12 million guaranteed in free agency -- to be a backup -- and whiffed on safety Reggie Nelson (first round, 2007) and linebacker Clint Ingram (third round, 2006).

Throw in fourth-rounder Brian Smith (2007) and fifth-rounders Chris Thompson (2004), Brent Hawkins (2006), Josh Gattis (2007), Derek Landri (2007), Thomas Williams (2008) and Trae Williams (2008), and the Jaguars had more late-round defensive flops than finds.

"You never know how it's going to turn out," Mathis said. "You can go get a young guy in the draft or bring a guy here in free agency. We missed on both, in free agency and the draft. When you do that, it's going to take you a while to come back around."

The Jaguars overhauled their defense in 2009, then tweaked it again this offseason after finishing with a franchise-low 14 sacks.

With newcomers at nearly every position, the Jaguars have given up at least 26 points in eight games and are on pace to set franchise records in touchdowns, points and yards allowed. Nonetheless, Del Rio believes the defense is on the verge of playing better, just not quite ready to be like it was before.

"We have a good group of guys," he said. "We have an energetic group of coaches that are teachers, we have a group of guys that are willing to learn and they're unselfish. I like the way that were working at it, and I do feel that we will play much improved defense down the stretch here."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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McNabb move shows Shanahan, 'Skins still learning each other

ASHBURN, Va. -- Just when the Washington Redskins were starting to get a decent feel for life under coach Mike Shanahan, along came his benching of Donovan McNabb, a move so baffling that even players admitted they couldn't figure it out.

"I thought McNabb was hurt," linebacker Lorenzo Alexander said. "I would never expect in a million years that he would be taken out of a game, being who he is and what he's done and his resume. You just don't see that. You wouldn't see a Tom Brady coming off the field. It was surprising, shocking, but (Shanahan) had his reasons for doing it."

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Had Jim Zorn pulled such a move -- yanking a six-time Pro Bowl quarterback for unimpressive Rex Grossman in the final two minutes with the game on the line against a one-win Detroit Lions team -- Redskins owner Dan Snyder probably would have moved even more quickly to hire a consultant out of Bingo-calling retirement to oversee the head coach's work.

But Shanahan has more cachet, more power, more room for error than the coach who was fired after last year's 4-12 season. Two Super Bowl titles with the Denver Broncos gives Shanahan plenty of leeway in the rebuilding process, and it turns out he might need it. As the McNabb episode shows, the Redskins are still in the getting-to-know-you stage with the demanding coach who likes to control everything.

"We've only been with the guy for six, eight months," Alexander said, "so you've still got to learn his personality, what he likes, what he does, what's the method of his madness -- because we haven't seen the results quite yet from it. But once you start being successful with a guy like that, you understand what he's doing, you become more comfortable and you understand, 'OK, this is why he's doing this.'"

Added guard Artis Hicks: "There's going to be a feeling-out process. It's going to be pretty much for the length of the season, and we're still going through that."

Some of the more practical directives were understood from the start. Don't dare show up late for a meeting. Learn your playbook. Look sharp in practice. Any violation is met with the infamous Shanahan glare.

"There have been times at practice where I might have missed a guy, and I look back and he's just giving me that look," Hicks said. "He don't have to say much. That look says it all. You can look in his eyes, and that's all you need."

If some of Shanahan's words and deeds have raised eyebrows, that's to be expected. After all, he spent 14 years with the Broncos, an eternity in the coaching business and more than long enough for Shanahan to firmly establish his way of doing things for everyone inside the locker room and throughout the community at large. Bumps in the road were inevitable with a change of venue.

Shanahan started well in his first major test of wills, refusing to budge in a standoff against disgruntled defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth. Even the players had called Haynesworth selfish, so they more than understood when Shanahan made the two-time All-Pro pass a conditioning test and work his way up from second string.

Shanahan also put his players on notice that he's monitoring their words. He had a chat with Chris Cooley after the tight end mentioned on the radio something about Haynesworth working with the scout team in practice, a strategic no-no in the eyes of the coach. When the media reported something in a way Shanahan didn't like leading into the first game of the season, he didn't pull reporters aside for a constructive chat to sort out the problem -- he lectured them twice in three days, on the record with cameras rolling, about the need to preserve the team's "competitive advantage."

"I don't want to be called upstairs and talked to," fullback Mike Sellers said. "You've got to watch what you say. We joke about it. 'Now, watch what you say.' It's just one of those things. You've really got to tread lightly."

And it doesn't seem to matter if you're an undrafted rookie or the high-paid Haynesworth.

"You want to be on your Ps and Qs," Alexander said. "And you don't want to be a guy that's caught in his doghouse. He wants it a certain way, and if you don't give it to him, he'll find somebody else and he really doesn't care who you are. You can see that in meetings, how he talks to people. He's the same way from top to bottom. He expects a certain level of professionalism."

Despite the early hiccups, things were starting to hum along as the weeks passed. The Redskins have made it to 4-4 at the bye, equaling their number of wins from last season, despite major problems along the offensive line and at receiver, plus a defense that creates turnovers but gives up lots of yards. Players have credited Shanahan for creating an atmosphere of belief that they can win the close, ugly games they would often lose under Zorn.

But pulling McNabb? It's a head-scratcher that could divide the locker room, outrage the fans and alienate the quarterback for whom Shanahan gave up two draft picks. Shanahan then made things worse by giving inconsistent explanations for the benching. Shanahan's son, the offensive coordinator, gave a version that was flat-out contradicted by McNabb.

Perhaps it's just a matter of a coach being new in town and not yet fully understood. Shanahan, for what it's worth, believes he is on the right track, at least with his players.

"I think all the players have a good feel of what we want as an organization," Shanahan said. "What we're trying to do on the football field and off, the standard at which we practice and which we play at, and I like the direction we're going."

Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett, who once turned around a losing franchise as coach of the New Orleans Saints, said it takes a while to shift a team culture.

"You don't just turn the football team around, you've got to turn the whole organization around," Haslett said. "Because there's a lot of people in that organization, including secretaries, administrative people, people in the building that are negative because you've been losing so many years. So you've either got to get rid of the people that are the negatives, and I'm talking about everybody, and you've got to start over and bring people in that want to build a winner -- or you've got to change people. The whole organization has to feel that they're part of winning.

"When I first went to New Orleans, you didn't want to be out in public because you knew you weren't very good. When we left, I felt they had a great feeling about themselves: 'Hey, this is a good football team.' They felt proud about being out in the community. That's in the process we're in right now."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Dolphins still steaming about controversial loss to Steelers

DAVIE, Fla. -- Upon further review, the officiating crew in Sunday's Miami Dolphins-Pittsburgh Steelers contest made only one mistake on the game's pivotal play.

That's small consolation to the Dolphins, who believe they were robbed of a win, which instead turned into a 23-22 loss.

"For the game to end like that and us to get the raw end of a deal, it hurts," Miami safety Yeremiah Bell said.

The Dolphins (3-3) were angry because an erroneous touchdown call by the head linesman might have cost them the game. Miami linebacker Ikaika Alama-Francis emerged from an end-zone pile with the ball lost by Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger with 2:30 left.

A replay review determined that Roethlisberger's touchdown was instead a fumble at the half-yard line, but because the video didn't provide clear evidence as to which team recovered the ball, the Steelers kept it and kicked the winning field goal on the next play.

Because the touchdown was overturned, only the video review could determine which team recovered the fumble. Any ruling on the field as to which team recovered was irrelevant, because the play is considered over when a touchdown signal is given, and the officials don't continue to officiate.

Regarding the fumble recovery, conclusive video evidence is required.

"There must be a clear recovery by the defense in order to reverse to a touchback," the league's Instant Replay Manual says. "If there is a pileup and you can't see who recovered the ball, or a long delay with players stopping before the ball is recovered, the offense retains possession."

Various Steelers players claimed that Roethlisberger, offensive tackle Jonathan Scott or guard Doug Legursky recovered the ball. The Dolphins all said it was Francis.

If the linesman hadn't signaled a touchdown, the scrum would have determined possession.

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Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington argued that the linesman shouldn't have been so quick to signal a touchdown. That way, the officials on the field would have determined who recovered the ball.

"If it looked like the ball was loose, play it out," Pennington said. "Don't throw your hands up in the air, especially in the last two stinking minutes of the game."

Coach Tony Sparano said the Dolphins wrote the NFL requesting an explanation, but he expects nothing to change. And he noted many other factors contributed to the defeat.

"The thing I'm most frustrated about is just that we got close against a good football team in that situation and didn't finish," he said.

The Dolphins repeatedly squandered chances to score touchdowns, instead settling five times for field goals. They again were plagued by mistakes in kick coverage and pass coverage. Even after the disputed call, they had a chance to come back but gained just 4 yards in an ugly four-play sequence, losing the ball on downs.

As a result, the Dolphins dropped their fifth game in a row at home, a streak that dates to last season. They're the first team since the 1982 St. Louis Cardinals to start a season 0-3 at home and 3-0 on the road, according to STATS LLC.

The good news: The Dolphins are on the road this Sunday -- at Cincinnati.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Titans QB Young still day to day; Collins able to practice

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Quarterback Vince Young paid close attention as backup Kerry Collins led the Tennessee Titans through practice Thursday in preparation for their game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

A decision on whether or not Young will watch Sunday's game from the sideline likely won't be made until just before kickoff.

Young didn't practice as the Titans (4-2) went through their first real workout since Monday night's 30-3 victory at Jacksonville. That's where Young had his left leg twisted underneath him after he recovered a fumbled snap.

Young said Thursday that his knee and ankle feel about the same. His leg is feeling better every day, thanks to constant treatment, but Young doesn't know yet if he will make his 17th consecutive start.

"It's basically day to day still and making that decision on Sunday," Young said. "So right now, I mean just continue to keep treating it and pretty much do some things tomorrow to see how it feels."

Titans coach Jeff Fisher said he will see how Young is Friday before deciding if he will practice then or not.

"Again, it's been a day-to-day thing," Fisher said. "We want him to play, he wants to play, but he is unable to practice right now because of his injuries. So we'll see how he is tomorrow. Tomorrow is Friday."

Young said he is thankful his injuries weren't as bad as they looked.

"To walk away from it with nothing torn, that's a real good thing. All respect to God on that," he said.

Collins banged the middle finger of his throwing hand, but he is able to practice.

Young is 30-15 overall as a starter and 12-2 against NFC teams as a starter, and he has three touchdown passes with a 100.8 rating in two games against NFC opponents this season. He has been accurate this season, completing 61.4 percent of his passes for seven TDs with two interceptions and a career-best 98.8 rating.

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Young said he's paying close attention to what Collins sees in practice and the game plan. But Young said he still needs the physical practice as well. How much he can run will be a key Sunday when he tells Fisher how his leg feels, and the Titans decide whether he will start or Collins will go against the Eagles (4-2), who have a sack in 25 consecutive games.

"I've been delivering the ball in the pocket pretty good," Young said. "... Knowing the type of aggressiveness the Eagles have, sometimes you're going to have to take the ball and make some moves downfield in order to keep the chains moving."

Notes: Young was one of four Titans who didn't practice Thursday as they work to recover in a short week. DT Tony Brown (right knee) and Jason Jones (shoulder) and TE Bo Scaife (groin) also watched. Fisher said Brown, Jones and Scaife should be able to practice Friday.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Raiders' Gradkowski still can't practice; McFadden questionable

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Oakland Raiders quarterback Bruce Gradkowski missed practice for a second consecutive day Thursday with an injured shoulder, and running back Darren McFadden said he is questionable for Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers with a hamstring injury.

Gradkowski was knocked out last week after taking a hard hit from San Diego Chargers linebacker Shaun Phillips. The quarterback has only been able to watch practice this week, and third-stringer Kyle Boller has taken extra snaps in practice in case he needs to be Jason Campbell's backup Sunday.

"There's some improvement with Bruce, but unless he could work tomorrow, then we kind of know where we're headed with it," Raiders coach Tom Cable said.

Cable said if Gradkowski is healthy enough to play, he likely would be the Raiders' starter.

McFadden will be the backup to Michael Bush if he is able to play. McFadden has practiced this week but said he isn't yet 100 percent. Cable said he will not use McFadden if he's not fully healed.

"I just think that if they're tentative, they can't cut it loose," Cable said. "And if you can't cut it loose, you're not going to run hard or at the best of your ability. And if you do try to, you'll probably pull it again."

McFadden injured his right hamstring on a run in the fourth quarter two weeks ago against the Houston Texans and missed last week's game against the Chargers.

McFadden also missed a couple of weeks in training camp with a left hamstring injury and doesn't want to rush back too soon out of fear of making this injury even worse.

"You just try to tell yourself you just want to go out and try to coast, don't hit a burst until you feel like you can all the way," he said.

McFadden got off to a fast start this season, rushing for 345 yards in the first three games as he finally started to show signs of why he was drafted fourth overall in 2008. He has 454 yards from scrimmage in his first four games and scored two touchdowns.

Bush, who missed the first two games with a broken left thumb, has picked up where McFadden left off. He had a strong fourth quarter after McFadden's injury two weeks ago against Houston, then rushed for 104 yards and the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter against San Diego.

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The Raiders are looking forward to having both backs healthy in the same game. That could create matchup problems when Oakland uses both on the field at the same time.

"We're going to play to their strengths," offensive coordinator Hue Jackson said. "The key in that situation is let them play. I think they both know and understand that whoever has the hot hand, they're going to get the ball. That's just the bottom line. There's no egos there, which is fun for me."

The Raiders are expected to have starting left guard Robert Gallery back for the first time since he injured his hamstring in the season opener against the Tennessee Titans.

Oakland has endured a run of hamstring injuries this season, but Gallery's was one of the more severe as his popped while he was chasing after an interception against the Titans.

"Until this week, I wasn't able to drive out of a stance," he said. "You can't fight through that. I just have to be comfortable with the stuff I do in practice and go in a game and do that. Obviously, it's probably not going to feel great or 100 percent -- nobody is -- but if I can go, that's what I am going to do."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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