Logistical hurdles cleared, NFL to begin game-day drug testing

NEW YORK -- The NFL is adding game-day testing for performance-enhancing substances -- but not recreational drugs -- this season under the new collective bargaining agreement.

The league's senior vice president of law and labor policy, Adolpho Birch, said Tuesday on a conference call with reporters that tests weren't conducted on past game days "because of logistical issues involved, much more so than any philosophical issues."

The NFL free agency cycle is in full effect, with teams and players agreeing to terms fast as training camps open. Get the latest on all the news right here.

Birch, who oversees the NFL's drug program, added that the league had developed a way to test that "is not overly disruptive to the clubs and that respects the game-day process."

Birch wouldn't say where talks between the NFL and the players' union stand -- or even if they have started -- about details that need to be worked out before the league can introduce random, year-round blood testing for human growth hormone.

The league and union agreed last week that HGH testing can become part of the sport's drug program under the new, 10-year collective bargaining agreement that was ratified by players Thursday. But first, issues such as the appeals process and how tests are taken must be negotiated.

"The key to this testing is the randomness of it, and that every player is subject to and eligible for testing on a year-round basis, with no notice," Birch said.

The only limitation on the number of tests is that a player may be tested a maximum of six times each offseason, from February until the start of training camp.

"I would certainly expect players will be tested in an amount that will be meaningful," Birch said. "But more important, the idea is not so much the number of tests performed, but it is the constant threat of testing that provides the key to deterrence under this particular program."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

View the original article here

Agent: Umenyiora will fly to Atlanta to see specialist

The agent for disgruntled New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora said Tuesday that Umenyiora will travel to Atlanta in the next few days to get a second opinion on his knee, which has kept him from participating in the team's recent practices.

"We won't do anything without conferring with the Giants medical staff first," Tony Agnone told the Star-Ledger. "We're just looking for a way to get him back on the field soon."

Umenyiora's planned trip to Atlanta to see a specialist is the latest chapter in what has been an eventful offseason for the Giants' defensive star. Unhappy with his contract, Umenyiora was initially a holdout as the team opened training camp. The Giants front office gave Agnone permission to seek a trade, but the agent's asking price of a first-round pick, and Umenyiora's desire for a restructured deal, didn't attract any takers. After one missed practice, Umenyiora returned, but has been limited to riding a stationary bike.

Umenyiora missed the entire 2008 season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. The same knee has been an issue this summer.

Giants team doctors have already examined Umenyiora, and seem to think he can manage the knee with rest and still participate in practice, according to the New York Post.

A person familiar with Umenyiora’s status told the Star-Ledger he is dealing with a meniscus cartilage issue that could require surgery. The person requested anonymity because the extent of the injury has not been made public.

View the original article here

Texans WR Johnson dislocates finger but avoids serious injury

HOUSTON -- Texans All-Pro wide receiver Andre Johnson will miss "a day or two" of practice after dislocating his left index finger in a morning workout.

Coach Gary Kubiak said Johnson will be OK.

"I think we got lucky," Kubiak said.

Johnson wore a bandage on his finger as he watched the Tuesday afternoon walk-through from the sideline.

Johnson was running a slant route in an individual drill and leaped to catch a pass, with rookie cornerback Roc Carmichael defending. Johnson couldn't make the catch and came down shaking his left hand. He took off his glove, his finger was bleeding and he walked to the sideline, where a trainer examined him.

"As soon as I felt it pop, I felt it out of place and I popped it right back in," Johnson said. "I really wasn't in a lot of pain, or anything like that. It was just more concern about the bleeding and stuff."

Johnson left the field on a cart and went to the hospital. He was back at Reliant Stadium by 1 p.m., eating lunch in the cafeteria with his teammates.

"I wasn't scared," Johnson said. "It's just a dislocated finger. I've had worse. I don't think I'll be worried about a finger keeping me from missing anything."

The 6-foot-3, 223-pound Johnson had 86 catches for 1,216 yards last season, ranking sixth in both categories. He played most of 2010 with a sprained right ankle and underwent surgery in January -- a much more serious injury than this one, he said.

"It's just a finger," Johnson said. "I played with a bum ankle. I don't think a finger is going to keep me out. I'm fine. I'm just letting it heal up, and I'll be right back out there."

Kubiak said he'll wait for doctors to clear Johnson to return to work.

"When he's ready to go, he'll go," Kubiak said. "But it's an opportunity for these younger guys to take some reps."

The NFL free agency cycle is in full effect, with teams and players agreeing to terms fast as training camps open. Get the latest on all the news right here.

Second-year receiver Dorin Dickerson took Johnson's first-team reps for the remainder of practice. Kubiak also said cornerback Jason Allen and guard Wade Smith missed some snaps on Tuesday, due to illness.

Linebacker Brian Cushing has sat out team drills for the first two days as he continues to recover from offseason knee surgery. Cushing had an ice wrap on his knee after Tuesday's morning workout but participated in the afternoon walk-through.

"He's a few days away," Kubiak said of Cushing. "I'll have to let you know from day to day. He's the one guy we had who wasn't quite ready to go on the field (on Monday). We're just trying to take our time to do that."

Kubiak and general manager Rick Smith acknowledged on Tuesday that the team is talking to two free agents - defensive end Ty Warren and fullback Lawrence Vickers.

The 6-5, 300-pound Warren was cut by New England after playing for the Patriots from 2003-09. He spent last season on injured reserve with a hip injury. The 6-foot, 250-pound Vickers has played five seasons with Cleveland. Houston is looking to replace All-Pro fullback Vonta Leach, who helped Arian Foster lead the NFL in rushing in 2010.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

View the original article here

Denver adds another D-lineman, signing ex-Patriot Warren

The Denver Broncos snatched up defensive tackle Ty Warren on Tuesday, a few days after the 6-foot-5, 300-pounder was released by the New England Patriots.

The Denver Post reported Tuesday night that Warren, 30, agreed to a two-year contract with the Broncos.

According to The Post, Warren also visited the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs before deciding to accept Denver's offer.

Warren missed all of the 2010 season after sustaining a hip injury during the preseason. Before that he was a starter for the Patriots since 2004. He has 20.5 sacks, including a season-high 7.5 in 2006.

Warren will join a revamped Broncos defensive line under first-year Denver coach John Fox. The team also acquired defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, and signed free agent defensive end Derrick Harvey, who previously played with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

View the original article here

Eagles' haul gets even bigger: RB Brown, RT Harris, S Page

The Philadelphia Eagles' offseason onslaught continued Tuesday when the team added three more free agents: running back Ronnie Brown, safety Jarrad Page and right tackle Ryan Harris.

Brown, who spent his first six seasons with the Miami Dolphins, agreed to a one-year contract that will pay him $1 million in base salary plus incentives, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Brown, 29, rushed for 4,815 yards and 36 touchdowns and caught 184 passes for 1,491 yards in Miami. He ran for 1,000 yards in 2006 and made his only Pro Bowl team in 2008.

Eagles weighing offers for Samuel Eagles president Joe Banner told NFL.com on Tuesday
that the team has received several calls inquiring about Asante Samuel's availability and is considering its options. More ...

"Ronnie is an all-around running back with a versatile skill set," Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said in a statement released by the team. "He can run the ball, catch it, and does very well in pass protection. He'll add some good size to our backfield, and he's a good character guy. We think he'll be a tremendous compliment to LeSean (McCoy) and the other young backs on this team that we really like. You can never have enough good running backs in this league, and we are happy to have Ronnie join us."

Before adding Brown, the Eagles' only experienced running backs were starter McCoy, who ran for 1,080 yards and caught 70 passes last season, and Eldra Buckley, who has just 36 carries in two years with the team.

Brown was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, behind San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith.

Later in the day, the Eagles signed free-agent offensive tackle Harris to a one-year deal.

Harris spent his first four seasons with the Denver Broncos, starting 34 games. He was their third-round pick in 2007 out of Notre Dame, where he played with Eagles defensive linemen Victor Abimiari and Trevor Laws.

Right tackle is a question mark for the Eagles, with Winston Justice, the starter the past two years, beginning training camp on the injured list with a knee injury. The team has been using second-year pro Austin Howard and former seventh-round draft pick King Dunlap at right tackle during the early days of camp.

Harris started 16 games in 2008, eight in 2009 and 10 last season.

"I appreciate everything the Broncos have done for me," Harris told the Denver Post. "I'm grateful they drafted me, and I built a lot of great relationships with a lot of great people over the past four years. It wasn't an easy decision. But in the end, money had nothing to do with my decision. This was about what I thought was the best opportunity at this point in my career."

Finally, the Eagles scooped up former New England Patriots safety Page late Tuesday. Page, 26, had 12 tackles and two interceptions in 10 games last year for New England. Before that he spent four years with the Chiefs, starting 39 games.

Like all other NFL free agents, Brown, Harris and Page aren't permitted to practice with their new team until Thursday.

In the week before Tuesday's flurry, Philadelphia had already acquired defensive linemen Jason Babin and Cullen Jenkins, cornerbacks Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Nnamdi Asomugha, offensive lineman Evan Mathis and quarterback Vince Young.

That plethora of new talent sparked Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan to call the Eagles the "all-hype team" on Monday, and the additions have made Philadelphia early Super Bowl favorites in the eyes of many.

In other Eagles news Tuesday, the Inquirer reported that wide receiver Jeremy Maclin reported to the team's training camp at Lehigh, Penn. He had been out with an unspecified illness. The team is still waiting for star wide receiver DeSean Jackson to report. Jackson is holding out for more money.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

View the original article here

Seahawks continue overhaul by adding Pro Bowl TE Miller

Pete Carroll believes he found the deep-threat wide receiver he needed in Sidney Rice and burly veteran presence required on the offensive line in Robert Gallery.

Fantasy: Miller's value takes a hit Remember when Zach Miller was considered a potential draft bargain as a Raider? Well, Michael Fabiano says it's time to rethink that status now that Miller has signed a huge deal with the Seahawks. More ...

Now Carroll has grabbed the top pass-catching tight end on the free-agent market, with a little help from new assistant coach Tom Cable.

The Seahawks announced Tuesday afternoon they had reached agreement on a reported five-year deal with Pro Bowl tight end Zach Miller, who played under Cable with the Oakland Raiders.

"The Raiders always showed interest," Miller told KHTK-AM in Sacramento, Calif. "Throughout the whole process, I always had good communication with coach (Hue) Jackson, and we talked a lot. Seattle, about a week ago, I wasn't sure if they would be involved in this process. Coach Cable gave me a call, and that's when it started. It's definitely been a crazy last few days here."

Miller is coming off the two finest seasons of his NFL career. Just 25 years old, Miller was a Pro Bowl selection last season after catching 60 passes and five touchdowns, but he was even better in 2009 when he caught 66 passes for 865 yards and three touchdowns.

"That's what people have to realize about him is he's a very complete player," said Cable, now the Seahawks' offensive line coach. "He's going to be able to block off the line of scrimmage ... you can move him around. He can do all the crack blocks. He can do the one-on-one matchups in the passing game."

The deal is worth $34 million, with $17 million guaranteed, according to ESPN.

Miller's arrival could spell the end for John Carlson, who's entering his final year under contract. Carlson played 15 of 16 games last season but caught a career-low 31 passes and had only one touchdown reception during the regular season. Carlson did catch two touchdown passes in the Seahawks' first-round playoff upset of the New Orleans Saints.

Carroll immediately tried to dispel the notion that Miller's signing equaled Carlson's end, saying the versatility and different types of looks the two tight ends could provide were a huge benefit.

"Absolutely. It's exactly what is in our minds," Carroll said. "Anyone that thinks otherwise doesn't get it. We think those guys will play in tandem, on opposite sides, we'll be moving them around to matchups and stuff. I think it's a great asset for us now, and we've always liked to play with two tight ends in a number of different packages, and this just gives us tremendous flexibility at a really high level."

Miller said he's excited to be part of Seattle's new-look offense, which also added quarterback Tarvaris Jackson to go with Rice and Gallery.

"I think it's looking really good with the weapons brought in on offense," Miller told KHTK-AM. "Obviously, Sidney Rice, Tarvaris Jackson, you have Marshawn Lynch running the football and then me working the middle of the field. It's been really good, I'm really looking forward to it. Coach Carroll, I think he develops a great atmosphere. He wins everywhere he goes. I'm really looking forward to getting into football and being a big part of this team."

For his part, Carlson seemed to understand the competitive nature of the situation he was being placed in with Miller's arrival.

"We have to perform on the field," Carlson said. "I have to prove I deserve to be out there, as are the other guys at our position. We're all trying to fight for a spot, for a role. It's like that every year. It's always competitive; you always have to earn your spot."

Earlier Tuesday, the Seahawks agreed to terms with defensive end Jimmy Wilkerson, who adds depth to the defensive line as a potential rusher in passing situations.

Wilkerson spent last season in Seattle, but his best seasons came in 2008 and 2009 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when he worked with new Seahawks defensive line coach Todd Wash. Wilkerson started a career-high 15 games in 2009 and had career bests in tackles (46) and sacks (6).

Wash said Wilkerson would be used as an inside pass-rusher on third downs, but he also could play at defensive end on first and second downs.

The Seahawks also brought back cornerback Kelly Jennings on Monday and reached a contract agreement with free-agent defensive lineman Ryan Sims.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

View the original article here

Jets give LB Harris reported $29.5M guaranteed in new deal

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- David Harris was rewarded by the New York Jets for his patience.

The playmaking linebacker signed a new four-year deal Tuesday night after Harris originally looked into an extension last year. A person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press that the contract is worth $36 million, with $29.5 million guaranteed. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because neither the team nor Harris' agent announced the financial terms.

The NFL free agency cycle is in full effect, with teams and players agreeing to terms fast as training camps open. Get the latest on all the news right here.

That came after Harris waited as general manager Mike Tannenbaum took care of other players first and gave out big money. Harris signed his franchise tender before the NFL lockout began in March, but agent Brian Mackler said they tore up the tag and worked out a completely new contract.

"Every player takes it differently," Harris said. "Coming from a humble background, a blue-collar background, I knew that Mike would come through on his promise and I just wanted to focus on football and not focus on the contract and the business side of it. I just want to go out there and help my teammates win games, and I'm glad that it's all done with."

Mackler added that the deal includes the highest amount of guaranteed money -- but wouldn't say how much -- for an inside linebacker on a four-year contract. Carolina's Jon Beason recently signed a five-year, $50 million extension with $25 million guaranteed, according to published reports.

Harris thanked the team "for allowing me to play my career out as a New York Jet."

After Tuesday morning's walkthrough, Harris said he expected an extension to be worked out soon. A few hours later, he had the new deal. Harris didn't practice, Mackler said, just to be cautious.

He was the last of the Jets' "Core Four" players -- Harris, Darrelle Revis, Nick Mangold, and D'Brickashaw Ferguson -- to get new contracts.

"We're really glad that he'll be here for a really long time," Tannenbaum said. "From a GM's perspective, it's a dream to have someone like David, not only what he does on the field, but off the field and how he conducts himself in such a professional way. When you have those types of people, you do everything you can to make sure they never leave your locker room."

The 27-year-old Harris was drafted in the second round out of Michigan in 2007 after the Jets traded up to get him. He became a starter after the Jets traded Jonathan Vilma before the 2008 season. He has 428 tackles, 14 1/2 sacks, two interceptions and five forced fumbles in four seasons, and is one of the keys to coach Rex Ryan's aggressive defense as he calls the signals for the unit.

"He's a real traditional three-down linebacker and even when we play all of our substitution packages, going back to our playoff game against the Patriots when (Ryan) had 11 DBs up for the game, David played so much," Tannenbaum said. "He can blitz, cover, (is) good in between the tackles. I can say all these good things now that we signed him."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

View the original article here