Stallworth looks ahead to future that's likely without Ravens

Donte' Stallworth has warm feelings for the Baltimore Ravens, the franchise that gave him a second chance as a football player.

It was the Ravens who signed Stallworth after the one-year suspension and short jail term that followed a driving under the influence manslaughter conviction in 2009. But the wide receiver, who will become an unrestricted free agent when the lockout is lifted, has regrets about his limited time on the field in Baltimore.

“Yeah, there’s mixed feelings,” Stallworth told the Carroll County Times in Friday's edition. “The organization was nothing but great to me. I appreciate the opportunity they gave me. The guys were great and the fans welcomed me. They tell me all the time they hope things work out for me and that I would come back. From the foot injury standpoint, it definitely derailed a lot of things that I was looking forward to doing.”

Stallworth broke his foot in an Aug. 28 preseason game and didn't make his Ravens debut until October. By that point, the team had signed veteran receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, relegating Stallworth to a reserve role. Stallworth finished the season with just two catches for 82 yards and five rushes for 45 yards.

“We picked up T.J. and he played really well and I was hoping that maybe at some time I would get an opportunity to do what I feel like I can do,” Stallworth said. “I didn’t really get that chance for whatever reason, but I still have a lot left in the tank.”

Stallworth's fate with the Ravens is all but sealed, a reality the receiver is aware of. The team drafted University of Maryland speedster Torrey Smith in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft and it's expected the rookie will assume a key role in the offense.

Stallworth has no ill feelings toward Smith, who he's worked out with in Miami this offseason.

“That’s my boy,” Stallworth said. “I’m excited that he got drafted by Baltimore. I know the coaching staff wanted to get younger and faster at that position and that’s exactly what they did. He’s a really good kid.”

It remains to be seen what kind of interest Stallworth would draw among NFL teams. The free-agent and trade market figures to be flooded with veteran wide receivers like him. It's certain he won't get a contract that comes close to the seven-year, $35 million deal he got from the Cleveland Browns before his suspension.

“I can’t say exactly where I’m going to go, but there are a few teams that like me that I’m interested in as well,” Stallworth said. “I’m only 30 years old. I feel like I have a lot of years left. I can still do good wherever I end up next year. Hopefully, I’ll have that opportunity.”

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Locked-out? Sites could lose revenue without training camps

MINNEAPOLIS -- Jake's Stadium Pizza has been a fast-food fixture on the Minnesota State University campus for nearly four decades. This summer, they're cooking that thin crust with crossed fingers in Mankato, Minn.

The NFL lockout, now headed toward its fourth month, is threatening a revenue-driving, profile-raising event for this small, family-owned business: Vikings training camp.

"We're hoping they get it done, because it's not just us. It's the whole state that will suffer," said Wally Boyer, the owner of the joint where players from Jim Marshall to John Randle have recuperated after many a draining workout. Fans, too, have long made that familiar walk down Stadium Road after watching practice to fill up and cool off.

If the work stoppage lingers long enough to keep teams holding traditional training camps, the hit would be felt far beyond Minnesota, and it wouldn't just be about losing money.

In upstate New York, the Jets have trained on the SUNY Cortland campus the last two years.

"Just their presence alone has stimulated people. It's just good for the mental health of the community," said Cortland State football coach Dan MacNeill. "For our people, it's been fun. It has impacted the football program. We don't have normal use of our facilities. But an NFL franchise, no matter where you go, there's a heck of a following."

Seventeen of the 32 NFL teams last year held training camp at their year-round facilities, reflecting a trend toward cost-and-time efficiency in an era in which chemistry is built and conditioning established well before the two-a-day grind in August.

But the other 15 teams still take their show on the road, many of them to slower-paced cities and small colleges where their presence is a big deal -- and a big financial boon.

Some people make a summer vacation out of watching their favorite team run drills and scrimmages. Day-trippers at least stop for a bite to eat on the way out of town.

The Cardinals have held camp at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff since 1988, and the school's Rural Policy Institute estimated it brought $7 million to the local economy last year, with an overall impact of $10 million. There were over 38,000 visitors, 81 percent of those from out of town, along with 122 jobs created by the camp.

In southern Minnesota, a 90-minute drive from the Twin Cities, Vikings training camp makes a $5 million impact on the region, said Anna Thill, president of the Greater Mankato Convention and Visitors Bureau. Last year, it drew 60,000 visitors from at least 30 states, and a few foreign countries.

The university charges $7 for parking near the practice fields, but that's only part of the story. The school also receives tremendous exposure.

"They do bring people here, and young people are introduced to the campus. There's certainly a marketing value to the Vikings being here that is difficult to determine," said Michael Cooper, the university's media relations director.

Whether it's Westminster, Md., Anderson, Ind., or Spartanburg, S.C., the reflected glamour of having an NFL team in town for a few weeks can go a long way.

"You can't put a price on it, to be honest. Newspaper articles go out every day that have Georgetown, Ky., as the dateline. It puts the community on the map," said John Simpson, executive director of the Georgetown/Scott County Tourism Commission. The Bengals train at Georgetown College, about 100 miles south of Cincinnati.

The Vikings' presence was enough to get Jake's Stadium Pizza a mention in Sports Illustrated once. Boyer said his business spikes about 20 percent during camp.

"It's a lot of frosting on the cake," he said.

Even some of the teams that don't train off site, like the Washington Redskins, make a mark on local economies. Visit Loudoun president Patrick Kaler said his group estimates a $600,000 impact to the Virginia county during camp alone.

"It brings in a lot of people who just drive in. They're staying in the hotels, they're going to restaurants, doing other things while they're here, so it's a big deal for us. That helps put us on the map," Kaler said. "How many people know where Loudoun County, Virginia, is?"

Start dates are staggered by team, but generally training camps begin the last week of July -- seven weeks or so from now. There is plenty of time for NFL owners and players to reach an agreement by then, but teams and their hosts need some lead time to make arrangements.

For the Jets, early July is essentially the deadline for a new collective bargaining agreement in order to commit to Cortland for 2011. Team spokesman Bruce Speight said that's "an internal point of reference. There is some leeway, and it is subject to developments."

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league "has set no such date" for an agreement to ensure the opening of normal training camps.

So, at SUNY Cortland and several points west and south, they wait.

"Everybody is anxious," MacNeill said.

According to a report from the university, Jets camp drew 41,000 visitors last year, from 32 states and four Canadian provinces. Though nearly 90 percent were from New York, 59 of the 62 counties were represented. The overall economic effect of camp has been pegged at $5.8 million, and spectators at last summer's camp accounted for 82 percent of that spending.

"We think it will be even bigger this year if they can get the collective bargaining agreement done," SUNY Cortland president Erik Bitterbaum said. "From an economic perspective, it's an economic engine, and from a morale standpoint it lifts the community. People spruce up their neighborhoods. It really was a point of pride."

Doug's Fish Fry is a half-mile down the road from the practice field, and it's become a destination for fans. Owner Mark Braun has the place spruced up just as one would expect from a Jets season ticket-holder the past 15 years.

There are Jets photos and autographs at every turn. Welcome banners are nailed to all corners above the main dining area, and a "Hard Knocks" T-shirt in honor of the popular HBO documentary series hangs between two burnt-orange neon fish signs.

"I'm just nervous if we miss a year they might not remember us as easily," Braun said. "I'll miss it as a business owner, but more as a fan."

Then there is Green Bay, Wis., home of the defending Super Bowl champions, where fans would miss preseason football as much as anyone. The Packers train at their team headquarters, but an estimate by AECOM Technical Services put the impact of their 2009 camp at $7.4 million, based on 34,000 attendees.

More than 80 percent of them come from outside of Brown County, and they stay an average of close to two days, giving a lift to local restaurants and hotels.

"It's going to be a fairly significant hit in terms of impact, because we have a number of people where that is their vacation," said Fred Monique, the president of the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce.

"The Packers organization and the city of Green Bay did not get a chance to celebrate like it should. They won the championship, then they went straight to the lockout."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Pats' Brady sets NFL mark for pass attempts without interception

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has set the NFL record for consecutive pass attempts without an interception.

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Tom Brady wasn't the only player to set a record Sunday. Find out who else reached milestones in Week 16. More

Brady broke the mark of 308 attempts without a pick previously set by Cleveland's Bernie Kosar over the 1990 and 1991 seasons with his 17th attempt in the third quarter of New England's game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. It came on a short pass over the middle that tight end Rod Gronkowski dropped at the goal line.

The two then hooked up for an 8-yard TD on the next play to put the Patriots ahead 31-3. Brady opened the game going 10-of-18 passing for 87 yards and three touchdowns.

Brady has thrown just four interceptions this season, his last coming nine games ago when he threw two in a 23-20 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 17.

Copyright 2010 by the Associated Press

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Colts may continue playoff run without concussed WR Collie

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Colts may have to make their final playoff push without one of their top play-makers, receiver Austin Collie.

Less than 24 hours after Collie left his third game in seven weeks with a head injury, coach Jim Caldwell said he didn't know when -- or if -- Collie would return this season.

"We lean totally upon those who are in charge," Caldwell said, referring to the doctors. "Here's the thing. There's not a coach that makes any decision based on anybody who has a concussion. Once he's cleared and ready to go, that's the case."

The second-year receiver was injured late in the first half Sunday when Jacksonville linebacker Daryl Smith appeared to hit Collie in the head with his forearm as Collie went low to make a catch.

Unfortunately for Collie, it's been a recurring theme.

Since the second half of a Nov. 7 game at Philadelphia, Collie has played in only three quarters, leaving games twice with diagnosed concussions and a third time with what the team described as "concussion-like symptoms." Caldwell couldn't say definitively whether the third instance was considered a full-blown concussion.

But losing Collie could be another blow to the Colts' postseason hopes.

Despite missing five games and more than a half in three others, he leads all Indy receivers with eight TD catches, is second in receptions (58) and third in yards (649). And when four-time league MVP Peyton Manning was mired in the worst slump of his pro career, Collie wasn't wearing pads.

When he returned Sunday against the Jags, for what amounted to a playoff-elimination game, Manning threw 10 passes to Collie in the first half. He caught eight for 87 yards and two TDs, and, perhaps not surprisingly, his presence helped open things up for Indy's suddenly rejuvenated ground game.

And although Caldwell has not ruled out Collie for this week's game at Oakland, few expect him to play.

"Things are moving in the right direction from what I saw after the game," Caldwell said. "The medical professionals are as good as they come, they take all the necessary precautions. They are very, very conservative."

Clearly, Collie's health has become a serious concern for the Colts (8-6).

Caldwell said it was his top priority, and teammates understand why doctors are likely to be even more cautious given Collie's recent history and the league's new guidelines dealing with concussions.

"I talked to him (Collie) and he said it wasn't as bad as the last one, so that's the good news," Pro Bowl receiver Reggie Wayne said Sunday. "But they're all bad."

Meaning, Indy will probably have to finish its playoff push without Collie.

If the Colts win at Oakland and beat Tennessee at home, they will win their seventh AFC South title in eight years and earn a ninth straight playoff berth.

At least the Colts are playing more like the defending AFC champs.

After limiting Tennessee's Chris Johnson to 111 yards rushing and one TD, Indy held the league's hottest running back, Maurice Jones-Drew, to just 46 yards and no scores. This week, they'll have to contend with Darren McFadden and Michael Bush, who helped Oakland run for 264 yards in Sunday's victory over Denver. Then comes the rematch with Johnson.

The other promising sign is that Indy has added balance to its offense.

The Colts ran 32 times, compared with 35 passes, against the Titans, and ran 24 times while throwing 39 times against Jacksonville.

Clearly, it's made a difference in Manning's play. He's thrown four TD passes and no interceptions the past two weeks -- a stark contrast to the 11 picks he threw in the previous three games.

"Your play-action, it (balance) probably gives it a little more pop," Manning said. "Collie's second touchdown was on play-action, so we've got to keep that going."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Favre, Vikings without answers after loss to Packers

MINNEAPOLIS -- Brett Favre looked ready for retirement, with six likely meaningless games now left for Minnesota in the epilogue of his 20-year career.

Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay's swarming defense sure made it clear who's in charge of this Packers-Vikings rivalry right now.

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Rodgers went 22 for 31 for 301 yards, with three of his four touchdown passes going to Greg Jennings. He beat Favre for the second time this season and sent Green Bay to a 31-3 victory over melting-down Minnesota on Sunday.

"This has got me at a loss for words," Favre began his post-game news conference. "Disappointing would be an understatement."

The Packers (7-3) emerged fresh from their bye week and kept pace in the NFC North race with the Chicago Bears (7-3), ruining any realistic hope the Vikings (3-7) had left for another shot at the Super Bowl.

"I hate to use Jim Mora's comments about playoffs, but we can't think about that," Favre said.

Instead, this 100th meeting between these border-state rivals, likely the last for the 41-year-old Favre, was marked by costly turnovers, untimely penalties and even some sideline shouting by the frustrated Vikings to cast further doubt on coach Brad Childress' future with the team.

Owner Zygi Wilf walked sternly out of a silent locker room without commenting.

"I can't really talk about that," Childress said, "because that's not my decision going forward."

The Vikings also lost starting right guard Anthony Herrera to a season-ending knee injury. Childress said he didn't think the Vikings quit, but some players wondered aloud whether everyone's effort was there. Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe, who chucked his helmet in disgust after a failed fourth down early in the fourth quarter, was the most outspoken.

"If you see something that you have flaws in or you're not good at, you have to stay extra," Shiancoe said. "You have to work at it, correct these mistakes that we're making."

As for Favre's future?

He insisted he's committed to the team and the rest of the season, despite failing to directly answer questions about whether he wants to finish it and vaguely saying he planned to "re-evaluate" the situation on Monday.

"I'm here, and we're in this thing together," Favre said.

Said Childress: "He's always worked his craft. I don't think there's any doubt that it will continue to work as we move forward."

Tramon Williams intercepted Favre to stop a long Vikings drive, and Rodgers took the Packers the other way for a touchdown to James Jones in the final minute of the first half to give the visitors a 17-3 lead.

Favre and close friend Darrell Bevell, the offensive coordinator, were seen on TV snapping at each other on the sideline after the interception. Favre said he and Bevell were "fine" and said he'd have made the same throw again, crediting Williams -- who's having a Pro Bowl-caliber season -- for an exceptional play.

The "Go Pack Go!" cry from the Wisconsin transplants and travelers grew louder as the game went on, with Vikings fans getting in a few "Fire Childress!" chants for good measure.

"I need to say a big thank you to our fans," Rodgers said.

Wide receiver Sidney Rice made his season debut for the Vikings after missing the first nine games following hip surgery, finishing with three catches for 56 yards. But his return hardly gave Favre and the offense a spark. Favre finished 17 for 38 for 208 yards, sailing several passes over the heads of his receivers and facing heavy pressure most of the game.

Favre, who threw a career-low seven interceptions last season, has 17 of them this year. Opponents have taken his 22 turnovers and turned them into 71 points over 10 games, and the Vikings -- who entered the weekend last in the NFL in giveaway-takeaway ratio -- watched their turnover differential fall to minus-13.

With 10 players and five starters lost for the season on injured reserve, plus a stiff second-half schedule featuring a trip to NFC-leading Atlanta next week, McCarthy and the Packers have plenty of work in front of them.

But the steam and swagger they regained in their 28-24 win over the Vikings on Oct. 24 is making them look more like the Super Bowl contender they were purported to be this summer.

"We're going to be tough to beat when we're playing that well," Rodgers said.

The Dom Capers defense has yielded just 10 points in three games since beating the Vikings the first time.

"We've got a foot on the gas, hands on the wheel and we're looking straight ahead," McCarthy said.

The Vikings pressured Rodgers early the way they needed to, the way they did last season, after failing to take him down at all in last month's loss. But he found a rhythm once the strong rush forced him from the pocket and delivered at just the right times.

Jennings had 152 yards on seven catches, giving cornerbacks Asher Allen and rookie Chris Cook a rough time. Cook also got beat for a 39-yard reception by Jones on third-and-10 from midfield before Green Bay's first touchdown.

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Safety Husain Abdullah had trouble, too, dropping a must-have interception at the goal line on that same drive and then letting Jennings get in front of him on the next play for an 11-yard touchdown catch after Rodgers ran left to flee the rush to make it 10-3.

"I don't know how good we are. The stars are the limit to how good we can be," Jennings said. "It's all about what we're willing to put forth."

Notes: The Packers lost both backup safeties to injury, Anthony Smith (ankle) and Atari Bigby (hamstring). ... Vikings DT Kevin Williams had his name misspelled on the back of his jersey: W-I-L-L-A-I-M-S. ... McCarthy improved to 7-3 against Childress. The Packers now lead the series 51-48-1. ... The Vikings, who entered the game tied for 26th in red-zone touchdowns, have reached the end zone only 12 times in 29 possessions inside the 20-yard line this season.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Raiders likely without CB Asomugha, TE Miller against Chiefs

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Packers prepare for life without Barnett, who has wrist injury

Green Bay Packers starting inside linebacker Nick Barnett will receive a second opinion on his injured wrist, but the team doesn't expect good news and is preparing to be without him for the rest of the season, a league source said Thursday.

Barnett was injured during Sunday's 28-26 victory over the Detroit Lions, and X-rays during the game were negative. But further tests showed damage that confirmed reports of Barnett likely requiring season-ending surgery.

Desmond Bishop likely will move into Barnett's spot, the source said. Brandon Chillar, who is recovering from a shoulder injury, also could work there, but he typically rotates with fellow inside linebacker A.J. Hawk. Brady Popinga has been moved to inside linebacker from outside to provide depth in light of Barnett's situation.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Wednesday there is "definitely a possibility" that Barnett could be out for an extended period of time. McCarthy confirmed that Barnett and Chillar are receiving second opinions this week.

The Packers also are hurting at safety. Rookie Morgan Burnett tore an anterior cruciate ligament against the Lions and is out for the season. And veteran Nick Collins had to sit out practice Wednesday because of a nagging knee injury, making his status for Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins unclear.

The Packers placed Burnett on season-ending injury reserve and signed linebacker Maurice Simpkin from the practice squad.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Pats move on without Moss; Belichick denies any issues

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Wes Welker might become more of a leader. Vince Wilfork doesn't know if the team will be better or worse. Bill Belichick says he has confidence in all his players.

The New England Patriots moved on without Randy Moss on Thursday when they practiced for the first time since one of the NFL's best receivers was traded to the Minnesota Vikings.

Some players were concerned that a friend was gone, but they noted that football is a business. Others chatted and joked as if it were a typical day. And Belichick spoke positively about the player who said he didn't expect to be with the Patriots once his contract expired after this season.

Tom Brady says he has come to terms with Randy Moss' trade to the Vikings, telling the Pats' official website, "Randy really knows how I feel about him, I love him as a guy, as a person, as a player." More ...

"Randy was really a pleasure to coach. I enjoyed having him on our team," Belichick said. "It was a difficult decision but one that I feel was in the best interests of the football team. ... I wish Randy the absolute best."

Several factors contributed to Wednesday's trade, Belichick said, but the coach didn't specify them.

"I would say there was never any incident or discipline problem with Randy," he said. "There never has been one with me in four years, and it certainly wasn't about contract and money."

Belichick did send Moss and three other players home last year when they showed up late for team meetings during a snowstorm that had traffic backed up on Dec. 9.

Now that Moss is "back home" in Minnesota, as the receiver said at a news conference Thursday, how will the Patriots' offense respond?

"I have a lot of confidence in our total team, all of our players," Belichick said.

Welker is New England's only proven receiver. Brandon Tate, a third-round draft pick last year, steps into a starting spot. Rookie tight end Aaron Hernandez has the speed and shiftiness of a wide receiver but lacks experience.

So how can the Patriots, who received two draft picks for Moss, be better this season without him?

"I'm not going to sit here and say 'no' or 'yeah.' Time will tell," said Wilfork, a nose tackle. "I'm happy with this team, with everybody that's around here, young and old. ... We're getting ready for Baltimore. We'll see what happens without Randy.

"We never had problems with Randy."

The Patriots are 3-1 and tied for the AFC East lead. They have a bye week and play their next game Oct. 17 at home against the Baltimore Ravens (2-2).

That's when Welker should see how defenses guard him without a deep threat like Moss drawing plenty of attention. They joined the Patriots together in 2007 and, in the first three years, Welker led the NFL with 346 receptions.

"Things may change a little bit, but we have some fast guys that can definitely go deep and stretch the field," Welker said. "Obviously, Randy was one of the best in the game to do it."

Without Moss, 33, the Patriots' most experienced receiver is Welker, who acknowledged that he could play "maybe more of a leadership role as far as the receivers (go)."

"I'm the older guy in there now and just trying to bring these guys along," he said.

After the first game of the season, Moss had his agent, Joel Segal, ask Belichick for a trade, the Boston Herald reported Tuesday.

"That was kind of the difficult thing just because he was the guy always giving pep talks before the game, halftime, after the game," Welker said, "but, at the same time, he's doing what's best for him. It's a business and you've just got to just kind of roll with it. We have a sign that says, 'If you don't want to be here, you don't have to be here.' And I guess, I'm not really sure the scenario or anything like that, but it's kind of the way things worked out."

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Belichick said that when he spoke with Moss on Wednesday, the conversation was "honest, open, very forthright," just as their discussions had been since the receiver joined the team.

"There was no one thing (that led to the trade)," Belichick said. "Part of it was just the personal relationship with Randy. And in talking to him, some of the feelings and things that he expressed that he and I talked openly about, when all was said and done and it all was put together, I felt like that was the best thing."

At his news conference in Eden Prairie, Minn., Moss was asked if he had wanted to be traded.

"I don't know what the answer is," he said. "All I can say is there's no other place I'd rather get traded to besides Minnesota."

Moss praised Belichick for bringing him to New England and said the experience "is just something that I'll never forget. We did some magical things up there, but the show must go on, and it is a business."

Moss' former teammates might miss him, but they're confident they can keep winning.

"We all in this locker room love Randy," tight end Alge Crumpler said. "There's nothing we can do to bring him back. All we've got to do is focus on playing and staying together."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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