Ravens' Martin cited on drug charge in Cleveland

CLEVELAND -- Baltimore Ravens cornerback Derrick Martin was cited on a charge of drug abuse after police say he was found in possession of suspected marijuana at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

Police Lt. Thomas Stacho said on Monday he confirmed with Ravens director of security Darren Sanders that Martin was the individual arrested. A day earlier police were not able to confirm whether Martin was a Ravens player.

Airport screeners discovered three small packets of suspected marijuana while searching Martin at a security checkpoint Saturday, police said.

Martin was issued a ticket and will be sent a summons to appear in Cleveland Municipal Court on July 15, Stacho said. The maximum penalty for misdemeanor drug abuse is a $150 fine, chief city prosecutor Victor Perez said.

Martin, 23, was a sixth-round draft pick in 2006 out of Wyoming. He did not return a phone call seeking comment.

Ravens spokesman Chad Steele said Martin told the team he was not cited.

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Panthers give GM Martin extension

Pats' DB Andrews being held after gun incident

MANSFIELD, Mass. -- New England Patriots defensive back Willie Andrews is being held without bail after allegedly pointing a handgun at his girlfriend's head.

Andrews

A spokesman for the Bristol County district attorney said Andrews was arrested Monday morning after the alleged incident, which occurred when Andrews returned home at about 1 a.m. and an argument began between him and his girlfriend.

Mansfield (Mass.) police told WBZ television that Andrews' fiancee accused him of pointing a gun at her temple during the argument. According to police, the woman then went to stay at a hotel, but when officers arrived, Andrews was there talking to the woman.

Andrews, 24, left the scene but was later apprehended at his home. Police told the television station that they found a .45 caliber weapon, believed to be Andrews', near a dumpster.

Bristol County spokesman Gregg Miliote said Andrews, a backup since being drafted by the Patriots in 2006, was charged with illegal possession of a large capacity firearm and assault with a dangerous weapon. He said Andrews is being held without bail pending the results of a dangerousness hearing Thursday.

The Patriots said they were aware of the report but would have no further comment.

In February, Andrews was arrested on a marijuana possession charge. In May, he admitted in court that there was enough evidence to convict him at trial but did not plead guilty.

He was fined, ordered to speak to student athletes about the dangers of drugs and made to enter an NFL substance-abuse program.

Andrews was a seventh-round pick of the Patriots in the 2006 draft but has seen limited time. He returned one kick for a touchdown in 2007.


Yanks’ Posada put on DL for first time in career
AHL Board extends Andrews’ contract through 2013
Pats cornerback Andrews pleads to drug offense


Yanks’ Posada put on DL for first time in career
AHL Board extends Andrews’ contract through 2013
Pats cornerback Andrews pleads to drug offense

Titans sign RT Stewart to multiyear extension

David Stewart

Offensive Lineman
Tennessee Titans

Profile

2007 Season StatsTotSoloAstFFSackInt110000

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans signed starting right tackle David Stewart to a multiyear contract extension Monday.

Stewart has started 30 games at tackle during his three-year career, including all 16 games last season.

Contract details were not released. He had signed a one-year tender earlier this offseason as a restricted free agent.

Stewart is the Titans' second starting offensive lineman to sign since April. Left tackle Michael Roos agreed to a multiyear deal earlier.

Bills sign offensive lineman Butler to extension
STEWART CINKS OPPOSITION

RB Kevin Jones workout witnessed by 4 NFL teams

Kevin Jones went through a workout Saturday while four NFL teams watched the running back sprint and cut just five months after he had major knee surgery.

Jones

Dr. D.S. Ping, who has been helping Jones rehabilitate his right knee, said Miami, Green Bay, Pittsburgh and Detroit sent representatives to the workout in Saline, Mich.

The Lions cut their former first-round pick in March with one year left on his contract after he hurt the knee late last season, adding to the injury woes that have stunted his success in the league.

The Cleveland Browns also called, Ping said, and asked for a video of the workout.

Jones did a shuttle run on wet grass in 4.3 seconds, ran around cones and caught passes.

"All the teams basically said they were amazed by what Kevin can do," Ping said.

Jones missed the first two games last season recovering from a foot injury that also sidelined him for the last three games of 2006. He ran for at least 70 yards in five games, including a season-high 105, before hurting his knee Dec. 23 against the Chiefs.

A few months later, the Lions released him. The franchise was interested enough, though, to send director of pro personnel Sheldon White about 45 minutes west of Detroit to witness the workout.

"Sheldon said what impressed him was Kevin's burst after standing still," Ping recalled. "He also liked how Kevin picked himself up and finished a drill when he slipped on the grass that was really slick because of a lot of rain."

Ron Hughes, the Steelers' college scouting coordinator, was also impressed.

"Ron told me he thought Kevin ran really well," Ping said.

Dr. James Andrews performed the surgery on Jones' right knee in January and told him it would take up to 10 months to get back on the field. Jones, though, expects to go through non-contact drills during training camp with the team that signs him.

"I honestly feel like I'm ready to play right now," Jones insisted earlier this month.

Jones has said several other teams have also shown interest. He's vying for a job along with free agent running backs such as Shaun Alexander, Chris Henry, Ron Dayne and Cedric Benson.

He ran for 3,000-plus yards in four seasons in Detroit, including 1,133 yards as a rookie in 2004.

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Report: Cowboys, WR Glenn in talks about return

Wide receiver Terry Glenn, still unable to work out with the Dallas Cowboys, appears to be pushing anew for a prompt return with the team, The Dallas Morning News has reported.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told the newspaper he has held talks with Glenn and his agent, James Gould.

Glenn

"Terry is someone I have a lot of interest in," Jones told the paper Friday night. "We worked well together last year. We will sit down here and look at how he fits and what we can do with him as a player this year."

Glenn, a former wideout for the Patriots and Packers who would be entering his 13th year, failed a physical after last season and still hasn't passed it because of problems with a right knee that was operated on twice last season.

Jones wants Glenn, whose base salary is $1.74 million, to agree to accept a $500,000 injury settlement if he re-injures the knee and can't play this season, but Glenn has refused. As a result, the team has barred him from all preseason workouts.

According to Jones, Glenn was paid $5 million for the 2007 season but was only able to log four plays.

Glenn played in the regular-season finale, but didn't catch any passes. He had two catches in Dallas' only playoff game.

A Cowboys source confirmed to ESPN's Ed Werder on Friday that the team has held internal discussions about possibly acquiring wide receiver Joe Horn from the Atlanta Falcons to line up opposite Terrell Owens.

"I want Jerry to understand that I know he has the ultimate power in everything that goes on with the Cowboys, and I'm not trying to challenge him in any way, shape or form," Glenn told Werder earlier this month. "He can -- and will -- determine the outcome of this because it's ultimately his decision.

"But what I want is to remain a Cowboy. I've been here for five years and I've made Dallas my home, and I would love nothing more than to be a Dallas Cowboy."

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No trade: Steelers release backup RB Davenport

PITTSBURGH -- Running back Najeh Davenport was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday after the team couldn't work out a trade for Willie Parker's former backup.

Davenport

Also released were safety Mike Lorello, long snapper Jared Retkofsky and offensive lineman Doug Legursky.

Davenport rushed for a career-high 499 yards and averaged 4.7 yards per carry last season, but was ineffective as a starter in the Steelers' final two games after Parker broke a leg Dec. 20.

Davenport was held to 25 yards on 16 carries in a 31-29 wild-card playoff loss to Jacksonville after gaining 27 yards on 12 attempts in a season-ending loss at Baltimore.

The Steelers recently drafted running back Rashard Mendenhall on the first round and signed third-down back Mewelde Moore, moves that meant Davenport had little chance of making the team. The team also wanted to keep second-year back Gary Russell.

Davenport played with the Green Bay Packers from 2002-04. He was in the final year of a contract worth $1 million in 2008.

In April, Davenport was acquitted of a misdemeanor domestic violence charge in Cleveland Municipal Court. He was accused of slapping and punching the mother of his 5-year-old son at her Cleveland home in October.

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Goodell dismisses fears of Bills' move to Toronto

CHAUTAUQUA, N.Y. -- NFL commissioner Roger Goodell dismissed fears the Buffalo Bills will relocate to Toronto, adding he believes the franchise's future is more secure with the additional revenue it generates from playing an annual game north of the border.

"The Buffalo Bills are doing terrific," he said Friday. "I think their step to Toronto has helped strengthen that. And I see the Buffalo Bills being in western New York for a long time."

Goodell

Goodell noted the Bills' bid to play in Toronto, which received unanimous approval from NFL owners, is part of the team's regionalization plans first instituted in the late 1990s. Under the deal, which begins this year and runs through 2012, the Bills will become the first NFL team to play an annual regular-season game outside the United States.

The series begins with Buffalo set to play Miami on Dec. 7 at the downtown Rogers Centre, which has a retractable roof. The series also includes three preseason games played every other year, starting with a game against Pittsburgh on Aug. 14.

The Bills will be paid $78 million -- more than double their calculated 2006 operating income -- for the eight-game series, which is far more than they could have generated playing in economically troubled Buffalo.

Besides adding revenue, the Bills hope to secure numerous marketing deals and attract more fans by having a firm presence in Canada's financial capital and North America's fifth-largest market. Toronto has a regional population of about 5 million and is a 90-minute drive from Buffalo.

Toronto organizers, led by communications billionaire Ted Rogers, have been careful not to discuss the long-term future of the Bills. But they have described the series of games as an opportunity to showcase Toronto as a city that can host a permanent NFL franchise.

"I don't think there's anyone that thinks negatively of the city of Toronto. It's a great city," Goodell said. "But this is about making sure that we keep the Bills successful in western New York."

Goodell spoke before taking part in an hour-long question-and-answer forum to close a weeklong sports symposium held at the Chautauqua Institution. He grew up in nearby Jamestown, and his family maintains a cottage on the grounds of the gated and picturesque community overlooking Chautauqua Lake.

Team owner and founder Ralph Wilson, 89, has maintained he has no intention to sell or relocate the Bills during his lifetime. But it's unclear what provisions he's made in his will about the Bills. Wilson has previously said his family isn't interested in taking over the franchise, which would potentially put the team on the open market.

Goodell said he's had discussions with Wilson and said the owner "would like to see the team stay in Buffalo, and we're going to work very hard to make sure that it does."

Goodell also noted there are strict relocation rules that any new owner would have to meet before considering a move. As commissioner, Goodell said he would also have a say in determining the Bills' future.

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Bills' Lynch fined, license revoked in hit-and-run

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Bills running back Marshawn Lynch had his driver's license revoked in traffic court on Friday after saying he didn't know he hit someone while driving on a Buffalo street last month.

Administrative Law Judge Thomas Gagola found Lynch's behavior on May 31 "constituted a reckless disregard of human life or property." He also imposed the maximum $100 fine and $50 surcharge after Lynch pleaded guilty to failure to exercise due care toward a pedestrian.

Lynch, the Bills' first-round draft pick in 2007 out of California, was driving his 2008 Porsche Cayenne SUV in the city's bar district at 3:30 a.m. when he struck a 27-year-old Ontario woman and kept going.

"It was raining real hard, there was a dancing pedestrian in the middle of the street," the 22-year-old Lynch said before the hearing. "I slowed down to let her go and continued on my way home. I didn't know my car had hit anyone or anything."

Investigators believe the woman Lynch struck was near the woman he saw dancing.

A longer written statement issued by Lynch's attorney after the hearing said police officers later came to his house and removed his car and that Lynch "was in disbelief" when told it had been in an accident.

Attorney Michael Caffery called the revocation of Lynch's license for an unspecified length of time "a little harsh."

During the hearing, Police Officer Allan Kasprzak said the woman Lynch struck, Kimberly Shpeley, bruised a hip and required seven stitches for a cut on her thigh.

Lynch only had his New York driver's license one day, having received it Thursday after turning in his California license.

Lynch's guilty plea was part of a deal reached last week between his lawyer and Erie County prosecutors that allowed Lynch to avoid a criminal charge. Caffery said investigators found that Lynch did not intentionally leave the scene of an accident, pointing out that Lynch drove home and parked in his driveway.

"There was no intention on his part to hide his vehicle," Caffery said.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, in western New York for a sports symposium, said the league was monitoring the Lynch case. Under the NFL's personal conduct policy, players can be disciplined for "conduct that undermines or puts at risk the integrity and reputation of the NFL, NFL clubs or NFL players."

"From our standpoint," Goodell said, "we'll wait and see what the facts are and then we'll decide whether it's a violation or if it has any involvement in our personal conduct policy."

The Bills did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In the weeks immediately after the accident, investigators grew frustrated by a lack of cooperation from Lynch and the Bills. That eventually led Erie County District Attorney Frank Clark to subpoena three players and at least two Bills officials, including chief operating officer Russ Brandon, to appear before the grand jury.

The grand jury was dismissed without hearing testimony once the agreement was reached.

Lynch, in his statement, said he was following his lawyer's advice.

"I regret that this matter has taken some time to resolve," he said. "If I had known at the time that my vehicle had struck a pedestrian, I would have stopped immediately.

"My greatest concerns and well wishes are of course for Ms. Shpeley. However, I also wish to apologize to my teammates, the entire Buffalo Bills organization and the Buffalo fans for this unfortunate accident," he said.

Shpeley has indicated she is considering filing a lawsuit against Lynch.

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Judge sets bail for suspect in Walker beating

LAS VEGAS -- A man charged with kidnapping, beating and robbing Javon Walker this month after the Oakland Raiders wide receiver spent a night club-hopping was held Friday on bail totaling $86,000.

Walker

Arfat Fadel's lawyer, public defender Shane Emerick, said outside court he doubted Fadel could make bail. Emerick said Fadel intended to plead not guilty to charges that he and an unidentified second man followed Walker from club to club before enticing him into their vehicle and robbing him.

Justice of the Peace Tony Abbatangelo set bail at $73,000 and scheduled a preliminary hearing for July 16 on four felony charges: first-degree kidnapping, conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery, and battery causing substantial bodily harm. A kidnapping conviction carries a sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole.

The 30-year-old Fadel, of Las Vegas, told another judge Wednesday that he couldn't raise $13,000 bail in a separate kidnapping and domestic battery case.

Las Vegas police say Fadel has not cooperated with investigators who are seeking another man shown in surveillance videotapes with Fadel shadowing Walker at nightclubs late June 15.

Police say the 29-year-old Walker "willingly" got into a vehicle with Fadel and the other man in a valet area at the posh Bellagio resort about dawn June 16. Walker, who a police lieutenant characterized as intoxicated, was found robbed, beaten and unconscious a little more than an hour later.

NFL.com Video

2006 Highlight: Jake Plummer passes deep to Javon Walker for 61 yards.

Walker sustained broken bones in his jaw and around his right eye, and a concussion, according to a police report submitted to the court. Police said $3,000 in cash, at least two $1,000 gambling chips, two credit cards, and a watch, diamond earrings and necklace worth a combined $100,000 were taken. The items have not been recovered.

The police report details Walker's visit to the Body English nightclub, where he was photographed spraying champagne into the crowd, and a brief a foray to the Hard Rock casino where police say he won $1,600 playing blackjack before he went to the Dorm Days after-hours club at the Hard Rock.

Walker arrived back at the Bellagio in a car with a female friend before police said he got into a black Range Rover with Fadel and the other suspect about 6 a.m.

Walker later told police he never met the men before.

Walker called his female friend once, and said he was at Drai's, an after-hours nightclub at Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon on the Strip. Walker was found unconscious shortly after 7 a.m. several blocks away.

The Range Rover was seen on surveillance videotapes at the Bellagio and at Drai's, police said. It was traced to Fadel's girlfriend, Alicia Granstedt, 32, of Los Gatos, Calif., and was found near an extended-stay motel near the Strip.

WILLETT TURNING PRO
Police: Raiders’ Walker robbed of cash, jewelry

For NFL season, real Ravens on field ... in the air?

BALTIMORE -- Baltimore Ravens fans could see real ravens this season.

A trainer in Georgia is working with two 8-week-old ravens, hoping to have them ready to fly around M&T Bank Stadium before home games this season. Ravens officials plan to have one of the birds fly out of the tunnel players use to run onto the field.

The Ravens' vice president for marketing, Gabrielle Dow, thought of the idea after seeing a trained hawk at a Seattle Seahawks game.

Trainer Daniel Walthers says he is even teaching the birds to mimic the words "touchdown," and "Go Ravens."

The birds are not native to Baltimore. They are an African variety because it is illegal to keep or train migratory birds native to this country.

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One charge against ex-Bengal Henry dismissed

CINCINNATI -- The trial of former Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chris Henry will continue Monday, but the wide receiver will be facing one less charge.

Henry

Henry, who had been accused of punching a man in the face and breaking his car window with a beer bottle, had been charged with assault and criminal damaging.

On Friday, Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Richard Bernat dismissed the criminal damaging charge. Henry testified Friday that he swung at his accuser in self-defense.

According to a complaint filed by Gregory Meyer, 18, Henry punched Meyer in the face on March 31, causing "visible injury," and threw a beer bottle at Meyer's car, breaking the rear passenger window.

Henry, 25, pleaded not guilty at his initial appearance April 3, when a Municipal Court judge ordered Henry to wear an electronic ankle monitor and remain in his home.

That order was rescinded in May when Henry's lawyer told the judge that Henry, who was cut by the Bengals after his last arrest, had an offer to try out for an unidentified team. Earlier this month, Henry was suspended indefinitely by the NFL.

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Henry: Just Go, Eto’o

Sando: Patriots spring checkup

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Quarterback Tom Brady and wide receiver Randy Moss fueled the Patriots to a perfect regular season before stumbling in the Super Bowl. Both must come back strong in 2008 to avoid the Super Bowl curse.

Six of the last seven Super Bowl losers have failed to qualify for the postseason after losing the big game. The Patriots' loss to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII was particularly excruciating after a 16-0 regular season and two playoff victories. That's why it was important for New England to dive into its minicamps without wallowing in what could have been. The Patriots opened practices with their usual fast tempo. Their leaders said the right things and sounded genuine saying them. What we learned from minicamp The Patriots are hungry. Quarterback Tom Brady made that clear in his comments early in the June minicamps. "You come out here the first day and it's not like this is the 2007 team revisited," Brady said. "There are new players and there's a new element to what we're going to face. We don't pick up where we left off last year. We're starting where everybody else is starting." Brady set the example and safety Rodney Harrison and other veterans have helped to drive home the point.

NFL.com Video

Tom Brady talks about improving his team as the Patriots prepare for the 2008 season.

The Patriots boasted full attendance for organized team activities. Even right tackle Nick Kaczur, revealed as a federal informant only days before minicamp, showed up and practiced. On the field, linebacker Victor Hobson worked at inside linebacker along with Tedy Bruschi and first-round rookie Jerod Mayo. Adalius Thomas worked some on the outside, perhaps indicating a position change. The mix could change again if the Patriots re-sign Junior Seau. The addition of safety Tank Williams armed defensive coaches with another versatile player. Williams has the size to double as a linebacker in certain situations. He could also provide insurance for Harrison, who has missed 23 games to injury and suspension over the past three seasons. Williams looked the part in practices and made a positive impression. Offensively, receiver Chad Jackson worked extensively with the starters while Wes Welker rested what appeared to be a minor injury. Jackson worked on the outside opposite Randy Moss, with Jabar Gaffney in the slot. Donte' Stallworth's departure to the Cleveland Browns in free agency means the Patriots could use more production from Jackson, who should continue to get quality reps in training camp. Still unresolved The Patriots aren't sure how their offensive line will shake out. Kaczur's situation could remain fluid while the legal system sorts out his alleged role in a scheme involving illegally acquired painkillers. Kaczur is the incumbent starter at right tackle, but coaches played him at right guard during minicamps. The move allowed Russ Hochstein to get work at right tackle, providing the Patriots with another potential fallback option if Kaczur isn't available. Depth on the line will improve once starting right guard Stephen Neal and newly acquired veteran right tackle Oliver Ross return from injuries. On defense, cornerback Fernando Bryant is the favorite to replace Asante Samuel in the starting lineup. Past Patriots teams have leaned on a strong front seven while scheming around personnel issues in the secondary. The challenge could become more difficult this time because Samuel, now with the Philadelphia Eagles, was coming off an outstanding season. Injury analysis Unlike other injured players, Welker participated in a walk-through session to end the most recent mandatory minicamp. That's a solid indication that his injury, undisclosed by the team, isn't serious. Fantasy Snapshot: Benjamin Watson •  Overall rank: 109
•  Tight end rank: 13
•  Auction Value: $1
•  Patriots depth chart
'08 Projection: 470 receiving yards, 5 TDsPlay


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Foreclosure sale of Pacman's home postponed

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A foreclosure sale on the home of former Tennessee Titan Adam "Pacman" Jones has been postponed until next month.

Attorney J. Phillip Jones has been appointed trustee of the property. His office says the sale originally scheduled for Friday on the steps of the old Williamson County Courthouse is set for July 28.

The office declined to say why the sale of the home on 30 acres, located in a Nashville suburb, was postponed. Jones has defaulted on the terms and conditions of a mortgage, according to a notice of foreclosure sale published earlier this month.

Tax records show he purchased the property in July 2006 for $1.5 million.

The cornerback missed the 2007 season while serving an NFL suspension. He was traded to the Dallas Cowboys this year.

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Goodell: Current pay for NFL rookies 'ridiculous'

CHAUTAUQUA, N.Y. -- NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said it's "ridiculous" to reward untested rookies with lucrative contracts, and wants the issue addressed in contract talks.

"There's something wrong about the system," Goodell said Friday. "The money should go to people who perform."

Goodell

Goodell referred to Michigan tackle Jake Long's five-year, $57.75 million contract -- with $30 million guaranteed. Long was the first overall draft pick by the Miami Dolphins in April.

"He doesn't have to play a down in the NFL and he already has his money," Goodell said during a question-and-answer period at the end of a weeklong sports symposium at the Chautauqua Institution. "Now, with the economics where they are, the consequences if you don't evaluate that player, you can lose a significant amount of money.

"And that money is not going to players that are performing. It's going to a player that never makes it in the NFL. And I think that's ridiculous."

Goodell said he favors lowering salaries offered to rookies, but allowing a provision for those players to renegotiate their deals after proving themselves on the field.

His statement was greeted by a long round of applause from the estimated crowd of 2,000 inside the amphitheater.

Speaking to reporters before his appearance, Goodell said he plans to open negotiations with the players union on a revamped labor deal this fall. He's listened to concerns from all 32 owners in meetings over the past month.

"We just finished a series of one-on-one meetings with all 32 teams, where I have a better understanding and people have a better understanding of the economics each team is facing," Goodell said. "I think we can identify what it is we need in a negotiation to continue to make the agreement work for the NFL and for the players."

Goodell said the key need is to have the NFL Players' Association appreciate the financial challenges owners face with rising stadium construction costs and a faltering economy. Those issues were not anticipated in the previous collective bargaining agreement, which provided players a 60 percent share of the league's gross revenues.

"As our costs increase outside of player costs, that other 40 percent ... squeezes the margins and just makes it financially unworkable," Goodell said. "There has to be some more recognition of the costs."

League owners, last month, voted unanimously to opt out of the CBA that was signed in spring 2006. The decision to opt out maintains labor peace through 2011, but will result in changes regarding the NFL's salary cap and contract signings if a new deal is not signed by March 2009.

Goodell referred to next March as a deadline, but "not the end deadline," but hoped a deal could be reached by then. If not, teams will enter the following season without a salary cap. While there are concerns some of the NFL's richer teams would use their vast resources to buy up star players, there's also a drawback for players.

Under the new rules, the time for free agency in an uncapped year would rise from four years to six and allow teams to protect one extra player with franchise or transition tags. In addition, the two-year lag would allow many teams to extend the contracts of their most important players, maintaining the continuity that is important to winning teams.

Goodell acknowledged the NFL and its owners failed to foresee the economic issues that would face the league when the last CBA was approved.

"There have been some things that none of us could've envisioned," Goodell said. "You have an economy that's weakening. You have aspects of the deal that we didn't realize that we were going to be building billion-dollar stadiums. ... Things happen. I don't look back at it as a mistake. I look back at it as what do we need to do going forward?"

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Giants sign Snee to help keep offensive line intact

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants guaranteed that their offensive line will stay together for the foreseeable future, signing guard Chris Snee on Wednesday to a six-year, $43.5 million contract extension.

Snee, 26, will earn nearly $24 million in the first three years of the deal, agent Tony Agnone said.

The extension will keep the right guard under contract with the Super Bowl champions through 2014.

Since beating the New England Patriots for the NFL title in February, the Giants have locked up three starters on the offensive line. Left tackle David Diehl got a two-year extension last month that will keep him under contract through 2013 and pay him $31 million. Left guard Rich Seubert also got a new contract through 2013.

Right tackle Kareem McKenzie and center Shaun O'Hara are under contract through 2012.

"Chris thought re-signing everyone was important," Agnone said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "They can have a cohesive unit for a while now."

The signing will also keep the family happy. Snee is the son-in-law of coach Tom Coughlin. The Giants rewarded the coach after the Super Bowl with a four-year contract worth $21 million.

"I am just happy to have it done before the season and really just have peace of mind and not worry about it and go out and play," Snee said. "I had faith that it would be done."

A former second-round draft pick, Snee has started all 59 regular-season and six postseason games that he has played for the Giants. The former Boston College product has started 48 consecutive regular-season games. He missed the final five games of his rookie season because of an inflamed gland under his jaw.

"We are very pleased to get Chris extended," general manager Jerry Reese said. "He has been a tremendous player and person for us since day one. It's also very important to keep our offensive line intact."

The Giants scored 373 points, their fifth-highest total in franchise history, last season. New York averaged 134.3 yards rushing, fourth best in the league.

The Giants also acquired guard Kurt Quarterman off waivers from the Atlanta Falcons. He spent most of last season on the Falcons' practice squad.

Two charged in burglary of Packers RB's home

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Two Green Bay men face charges of burglarizing the home of Packers running back Noah Herron, who hit one of them over the head with a bedpost when the man came in his bedroom.

Herron

Yeshua Tate, 31, was charged with two counts of being party to burglary on Friday after he was released from a Madison hospital.

The same charges were filed Monday in Brown County Circuit Court against Joel Mullin-Romo, 20, who was arrested outside Herron's home. He has remained in custody on a probation hold.

Investigators said Tate had a key in his pocket for a sport utility vehicle parked nearby that had three flat-screen TVs inside that were taken from a neighboring residence the same night.

Police said Mullin-Romo had $3,500 in cash in his pocket when he was apprehended.

According a criminal complaint, Herron was in an upstairs bedroom playing a video game and talking by phone with his girlfriend about 11:30 p.m. on May 30 when the doorbell rang twice. He ignored it and then heard people on his deck, so he called police.

When he heard breaking glass and realized people were inside and coming up the stairs, he called police a second time.

NFL.com Video

Brett Favre 10-yard TD pass to Noah Herron.

Then he unscrewed a bedpost, hid behind a bedroom door and saw a man enter and take cash from his desk drawer. Herron told police the man went to the stairs and called to someone else, which made him fear for his life as he realized there were at least two people inside.

When the second intruder came in, Herron hit him in the head, then shut the bedroom door to keep the other man out.

He said he heard one person running outside, and when the man on the floor started to get up, he hit him again and then went to his garage and told police a man upstairs needed medical help.

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Two charged in burglary of Packers RB's home

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Two Green Bay men face charges of burglarizing the home of Packers running back Noah Herron, who hit one of them over the head with a bedpost when the man came in his bedroom.

Herron

Yeshua Tate, 31, was charged with two counts of being party to burglary on Friday after he was released from a Madison hospital.

The same charges were filed Monday in Brown County Circuit Court against Joel Mullin-Romo, 20, who was arrested outside Herron's home. He has remained in custody on a probation hold.

Investigators said Tate had a key in his pocket for a sport utility vehicle parked nearby that had three flat-screen TVs inside that were taken from a neighboring residence the same night.

Police said Mullin-Romo had $3,500 in cash in his pocket when he was apprehended.

According a criminal complaint, Herron was in an upstairs bedroom playing a video game and talking by phone with his girlfriend about 11:30 p.m. on May 30 when the doorbell rang twice. He ignored it and then heard people on his deck, so he called police.

When he heard breaking glass and realized people were inside and coming up the stairs, he called police a second time.

NFL.com Video

Brett Favre 10-yard TD pass to Noah Herron.

Then he unscrewed a bedpost, hid behind a bedroom door and saw a man enter and take cash from his desk drawer. Herron told police the man went to the stairs and called to someone else, which made him fear for his life as he realized there were at least two people inside.

When the second intruder came in, Herron hit him in the head, then shut the bedroom door to keep the other man out.

He said he heard one person running outside, and when the man on the floor started to get up, he hit him again and then went to his garage and told police a man upstairs needed medical help.

Bills sign offensive lineman Butler to extension

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Offensive lineman Brad Butler signed a contract extension with the Buffalo Bills on Wednesday, following a season in which he took over the starting right guard spot.

Butler

Terms of the extension were not immediately available, but Butler's new deal is expected to provide a significant raise over the $445,000 base salary he was scheduled to make this season. Buffalo's fifth-round pick in the 2006 draft out of Virginia had two years left on his contract and was scheduled to make a base salary of $530,000 in 2009.

The Bills also signed rookie tight end Derek Fine, the second of Buffalo's two fourth-round draft picks. Selected 132nd overall, Fine was a three-year starter at Kansas, where he set the school record for tight ends with 98 career receptions. He finished with 1,009 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns.

Fine is expected to compete for a backup spot behind returning starter Robert Royal. Fine is the third of Buffalo's 10 draft picks to sign.

The Bills offensive line is still unsettled with left tackle Jason Peters holding out for a new contract. Peters was fined by the team after he missed Buffalo's two mandatory minicamp practices earlier this month.

Recently retired Strahan joins Fox pregame show

NEW YORK -- Within minutes of his introduction as the newest member of Fox's NFL pregame show, Michael Strahan was spouting his opinion on Plaxico Burress' contract dispute, debating the issue with Jimmy Johnson, and trading barbs with Terry Bradshaw about their respective divorces.

Fox executives David Hill and Ed Goren leaned back in their chairs and grinned during Tuesday's news conference. That's the sort of personality and chemistry they hope the recently retired New York Giants defensive end will bring to the show.

NFL.com Video

A compilation of Michael Strahan's best sound bytes.

Known for his charisma and candor as a player, Strahan insisted he won't be afraid to criticize former teammates or friends within the league.

"I look at it as I'm on this team now," he said. "I have to speak objectively and tell the truth of what I see, regardless of if I was in the locker room last season or not, if those guys are my friends or not."

Another former Giant who moved to TV, Tiki Barber, riled his ex-teammates last year with critical comments he made while working for his new employer, NBC.

"I think my situation, my personality, I'm different than Tiki," Strahan said. "If I were to say something, I'm just going to tell the truth. For me, I think a lot of people expected that.

"I think for Tiki, it was a little bit out of his comfort level, what people expected of him."

Strahan joins a profession whose members he didn't always have the rosiest relationship with as a player. He would stop talking to reporters or bristle at sports talk radio comments.

Strahan said he had no problem with criticism unless it was personal or malicious. And if a player turned down his interview request?

"If somebody does that, then fine, that's their prerogative," Strahan said. "I've been there. I understand that."

Hill and Goren said that until Strahan retired, no player had come along who made them want to expand their core group of analysts in Bradshaw, Johnson and Howie Long. Strahan said he had offers from other networks but felt most comfortable at Fox, with which he had worked before.

The 36-year-old Strahan made seven Pro Bowls in his 15 NFL seasons and had the fifth most sacks in league history. His final game ended in a Super Bowl victory in February.

By hiring Strahan, Fox adds a younger commentator whose career fans are sure to remember.

"Definitely that youthful factor, just coming off the field, may attract certain people to watch the show, to tune in," Strahan said. "I think that was definitely one of the things they were going after."

He then got in a friendly jab at his new colleagues: "I'm a lot younger than these guys, a whole lot younger than these guys, a lot better looking, too."

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Titans DE Kearse won't talk about DUI charges

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans' Jevon Kearse wouldn't talk Tuesday about being charged with drunken driving, saying instead that he is trying to concentrate on practice.

The 31-year-old defensive end was stopped at 4:42 a.m. Sunday by Vanderbilt University police after they saw the SUV he was driving weave across the road.

After Kearse failed a field sobriety test and refused a breathalyzer test, he was taken to the Metro Nashville Criminal Justice Center and booked on the DUI charge.

Asked if it was difficult to concentrate on football with the charges pending, Kearse said it was tough and that he was trying to stay positive.

Coach Jeff Fisher said he was disappointed in the arrest. He said the Titans are trying to eliminate the embarrassing incidents that have plagued them over the past few seasons.

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Ex-Bear Benson ordered to install alcohol car lock

AUSTIN, Texas -- Former Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson was ordered Monday to install an ignition-lock breath tester in his car after he was charged with drunken driving.

Benson

Benson was charged in separate incidents of boating and driving while intoxicated. Travis County Court-at-Law Judge Elisabeth Earle ordered him to install the device within 72 hours as a condition of his bail at a pretrial hearing.

The device prevents the car from starting if it detects alcohol.

Earle said the ignition lock requirement is common for defendants facing multiple DWI charges and does not indicate whether Benson is guilty or innocent.

NFL.com Video

2007 Highlight: Cedric Benson runs 43 yards for a touchdown.

Benson's attorney did not immediately return a telephone message seeking comment.

On May 3, the former Texas star was charged with boating while intoxicated on Lake Travis and resisting arrest. A few weeks later, he was charged with driving while intoxicated when he was pulled over in downtown Austin.

The Bears cut Benson after the second arrest. Chicago drafted him in the first round in 2005.

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Imus: Pacman remark was attempt at sarcasm

NEW YORK -- Don Imus said Tuesday morning on his radio show that he was trying to "make a sarcastic point" with his latest on-air remarks about race, but that they had been misunderstood. Imus resurrected his radio career six months ago with a pledge to mend the wounds caused by a racist and sexist comment he made about a women's basketball team. On Tuesday he said he was following the spirit of that promise by calling attention to the unfair treatment of blacks -- in this case the arrests of suspended Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones. "What people should be outraged about is that they arrest blacks for no reason," Imus said Tuesday. "I mean, there's no reason to arrest this kid six times. Maybe he did something once, but everyone does something once." Jones told The Dallas Morning News in Tuesday's editions that he's upset by Imus' comments and plans to pray for the radio host. "I'm truly upset about the comments," Jones said. "Obviously Mr. Imus has problems with African-Americans. I'm upset, and I hope the station he works for handles it accordingly. I will pray for him." Imus called the flurry of criticism surrounding the comments "ridiculous" and said that his program's cast is now more diverse than ever -- and includes a black producer and two black co-hosts, a man and a woman. "How insane would I have to be? What would I be thinking?" Imus wondered aloud. The latest comments by Imus to come under scrutiny were aired on Monday's broadcast. During a conversation about Jones' run-ins with the law, Imus asked, "What color is he?" Sports announcer Warner Wolf said Jones -- formerly known as "Pacman" -- is "African-American." Imus responded: "There you go. Now we know."

NFL.com Video

Adam Jones talks about his first workout with the Cowboys.

The on-air exchange came months after Imus' return to work on a new show on WABC-AM following his firing from MSNBC and CBS Radio for calling the Rutgers University women's basketball team "nappy-headed hos." When he returned to work, Imus gave a lengthy on-air apology and pledged to use his new show to foster an open dialogue on race relations. In a statement issued Tuesday, Rutgers coach C. Vivian Stringer said, "There is no need to revisit the past." She said the program would not have any additional comment. Co-host Karith Foster, who is black, came to Imus' defense during Tuesday's broadcast, saying, "People who interpret what you said as racist clearly didn't hear the whole thing, and they don't know who you are and what the program is about -- and they obviously haven't been listening."

WABC and Citadel Broadcasting Corp. vice president Phil Boyce said Monday that it was unlikely the broadcasters would take disciplinary action against Imus.

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Panthers' Jarrett receives punishment in DWI case

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers receiver Dwayne Jarrett pleaded guilty to driving while impaired on Monday, minutes before he was scheduled to go on trial.

Jarrett

Jarrett surrendered his driver's license and was ordered to pay $420 in court costs and perform 24 hours of community service after appearing in Mecklenburg County District Court.

Jarrett will enter the first stage of the NFL's substance abuse program, meaning he will be subject to more frequent tests for drugs and alcohol.

The 21-year-old Jarrett was arrested March 11 in the Charlotte suburb of Mint Hill after police say he crossed the center line and ran a red light. The police report said Jarrett's blood-alcohol level was .12, above North Carolina's legal limit of .08.

"This is a thing that happened and you learn from your mistakes," the 6-foot-4 Jarrett said outside the courthouse. "You always have to take the right steps in everything you do. That's life in general. I took full responsibility for what happened. I'm here in court. Everything worked out."

The DWI arrest capped a tumultuous rookie season for Jarrett.

Expected to become a starter after being taken in the second round out of Southern California, Jarrett struggled to crack the lineup and was on the inactive list for much of the season. He was held to six catches for 73 yards and no touchdowns and was criticized for not learning the playbook.

Jarrett also had a well-documented run-in with the team's star receiver, Steve Smith. While conducting an interview at his locker with reporters, Smith interrupted and told Jarrett he should spend more time in the film room instead of talking to reporters.

"He's definitely one of the most explosive players in the NFL and he's someone you take heed to," Jarrett said. "We collided heads at times, but he wanted the best for me. We just had that miscommunication between us and we worked things out. There's no bad blood between us. I'm here every day working hard just like he is and I'm just trying to learn from him."

Jarrett said he and Smith, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, have since smoothed their differences.

"We definitely had a lot of talks the last year and that is between us," Jarrett said. "There's nothing I can pinpoint on. But he came to me and said some things he wished he could have handled better as far as things he said in the past and got out -- that kind of conflict between us that it was made to look like in the paper. But he's my teammate and we're just trying to get the Panthers back to that big game and I'm trying to do everything in my power to help them."

Jarrett now faces increased competition when training camp starts next month. Offseason acquisitions Muhsin Muhammad and D.J. Hackett are expected to vie for the starting job opposite Smith.

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Giants waive 'Hefty Lefty' Lorenzen, four others

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Backup quarterback Jared Lorenzen was waived by the New York Giants on Monday, a little more than a month before the Super Bowl champions open training camp.

The Giants also waived receiver Todd Lowber, long snapper Nick Leeson, defensive tackle Brian Soi and offensive lineman Jacobs Hobbs -- all first-year players.

Lorenzen's status had been a question mark since the Giants signed veteran David Carr as a free agent and drafted Andre' Woodson, who, like Lorenzen, played at Kentucky. With Eli Manning and Anthony Wright also on the roster, the moves left the Giants with five quarterbacks. With the current 80-man training camp roster limit, there was no way the team was going to bring five quarterbacks to camp at the University at Albany.

Signed as a free agent in 2004, Lorenzen left the team after minicamp and did not return for personal reasons. The big left-hander rejoined the club in 2005 and spent the past three seasons as a seldom-used backup to Manning.

Lorenzen, who battled weight problems, played in four regular season games and one postseason game with the Giants. All eight of his regular-season passes came last season, with four completions for 28 yards. He also used his bulk to rush twice for first downs in short-yardage situations in 2006.

Lorenzen was the backup quarterback for two games this past season and third quarterback behind Manning and Wright the rest of the year.

Woodson is a little more athletic. He threw for 3,709 yards and 40 touchdowns for the Wildcats last season, hitting 63 percent of his passes.

"This was too good to pass up," coach Tom Coughlin said after the Giants used a sixth-round pick to take him. "He was highly rated on our board."

The moves leave the Giants with 81 players on their roster, including six unsigned draft choices.

Lowber had two stints on the Giants' practice squad last season. The former Ramapo College basketball player was originally signed by Minnesota as a free agent.

Leeson played in two preseason games for the Baltimore Ravens last year.

Soi played in four preseason games for the Miami Dolphins in 2007.

Hobbs played in four preseason games for the Philadelphia Eagles last year. He was also the first University at Albany player signed by the Giants.

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Titans DE Kearse charged with DUI in Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Titans defensive end Jevon Kearse has been arrested and charged with driving under the influence after a traffic stop near the Vanderbilt University campus.

NFL.com Video

Jevon Kearse wants to prove his worth in Tennessee after a poor year with the Eagles in 2007.

Vanderbilt spokesman Jim Patterson said Kearse was stopped early Sunday morning after campus police reported seeing the SUV that Kearse was driving weaving across the road. The Tennessean reported that officer James Hicks said that Kearse also appeared to be traveling well in excess of the posted 30 mph speed limit.

"Immediately I noticed he had red watery eyes, slurred speech, and an obvious odor of alcohol coming from his breath," Hicks wrote in the report, according to the newspaper.

Patterson says Kearse took a field sobriety test, but refused a breathalyzer. He was arrested and charged with DUI and violation of Tennessee's implied consent law for failing to take the breathalyzer test. According to the Tennessean, Kearse was later released on a $1,000 bond and has a court date scheduled for July 14.

Patterson told the Tennessean that there were two passengers in the car and one was given permission by Kearse to drive the car home.

A call to the Titans was not immediately returned. A spokesman for Kearse's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said Kearse had no comment.

Kearse, the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1999 with the Titans, re-signed with the club in the offseason after spending the last four years with the Philadelphia Eagles.


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DT Harris says 'classy' talks led to deal with Bears

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Tommie Harris says the talks that led to his four-year, $40 million contract with the Chicago Bears were businesslike and "classy."

Harris

Speaking at a morning news conference at Halas Hall, the defensive tackle said he and Bears management kept negotiations private in reaching a deal that will keep him with Chicago through 2012.

That differs from what has happened between the team and linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs. They've both gone public with complaints and either hinted or threatened holdouts.

"We didn't try to go out there and talk about one another or dispute different things, and I feel like we did it all in-house," Harris said.

"I would never go out and talk about the Bears in front of the media or disrespect my team," added Harris, whose deal was the richest ever for the Bears in terms of dollars per year.

NFL.com Video

Brian Urlacher is feeling good and happy to be back playing football.

Harris started 56 of his 60 career NFL games and recorded 208 tackles during his four seasons with the Bears. The three-time Pro Bowler had 13 total sacks over the last two seasons -- ranking him second among defensive tackles.

Now the Bears must turn their attention to the pending negotiations of Urlacher and Devin Hester. Both are under contract beyond 2008, and general manager Jerry Angelo would like to reach deals on contract extensions before training camp begins next month.

"The timetable is when we're in the offseason. This is the time to talk business and do these things," said Angelo, who reached deals for contract extensions with defensive end Alex Brown and kicker Robbie Gould during the offseason.

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Jones wants 'Pacman' nickname to be thing of past

FORT WORTH, Texas -- No more "Pacman"?

That would be the preference of Adam Jones, the suspended Dallas Cowboys cornerback who has been known by the nickname throughout his life. He'd like to be called by his given name and make "Pacman" a thing of the past.

Jones

"There's really just a lot of negativity behind it," Jones said. "It's just time for a change, man. I'm doing everything to make sure that I'm all right as a person, mentally and emotionally."

Jones missed all of the 2007 season with the Tennessee Titans while serving his NFL suspension that has not been completed lifted. The Cowboys acquired Jones from the Titans for draft picks in April.

While he was on the practice field with the Cowboys the last three weeks, Jones might have to wait until the week before Dallas' Sept. 7 opener to find out if commissioner Roger Goodell will let him play during the regular season.

After speaking to about 60 kids at a basketball camp hosted by Dallas Mavericks forward Brandon Bass on Saturday, Jones expressed his desire to drop his nickname.

NFL.com Video

Adam "Pacman" Jones talks about his first workout with the Cowboys.

The kids at the camp called out "Pacman Jones! Pacman Jones!" after he spoke to them. But he signed autographs with his given name, not the nickname given to him by his mother when he was an infant.

"My mom is going to call me 'Pacman.' That is what it is. I can't change that," Jones said. "I'm not saying that my teammates won't call me 'Pacman' on the field. But for the most part, I want to be Adam or Mr. Jones."

Rosters handed out by the Cowboys during their mandatory minicamp last week listed No. 21 as "Pacman Jones," based on what he had initially told team officials.

When Jones conducted his only extensive interview at the Cowboys' facility June 4, the first week he was cleared by Goodell to practice with the team, he gave no indication that he planned to forsake his nickname.

Jones had told reporters that he'd talk Thursday after the end of minicamp, the last organized on-field sessions for the Cowboys until they report July 24 to training camp in Oxnard, Calif. But there was no media access after coach Wade Phillips canceled the final scheduled practice and replaced it with family day activities.

Jones was suspended in April 2007 following an accumulation of arrests and legal problems, including his connection to a shooting at a Las Vegas strip club. He's been arrested six times and involved in 12 incidents requiring police intervention since being drafted in the first round by Tennessee in 2005.

Meanwhile, Jones' name has recently appeared in the news. A woman involved in the Las Vegas brawl was found dead last week behind a building in the Bronx, a borough of New York City. Officers found her unresponsive with injuries consistent with a fall.

The woman, 26-year-old Sadia Morrison, had pleaded no contest to a felony battery charge last year in Las Vegas. Jones pleaded no contest to a disorderly conduct charge in Las Vegas after police said he incited the melee.

Back in Tennessee, a foreclosure sale was published involving Jones' home and 30 acres in a Nashville suburb. The home and land are scheduled to be sold Friday on the courthouse steps. Tax records show Jones purchased the property in July 2006 for $1.5 million, but he defaulted on the terms and conditions of a mortgage.

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Titans' Fowler denies allegations of steroids use

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Titans linebacker Ryan Fowler denied Wednesday that he had taken performance-enhancing drugs, less than two weeks after his lawyer said Fowler received a letter from the NFL saying he was under investigation and faced a possible suspension.

Asked if he could definitively say he had never done steroids, Fowler replied, "I can tell you that."

Fowler

"I'm really not thinking of that [suspension] as a possibility. I think it will all get cleared up before then," Fowler said after a minicamp practice. "My reputation my whole life has been as a good guy. I hope that this one accusation doesn't taint my reputation that's been pretty clean."

Fowler was linked to convicted steroids dealer David Jacobs, who was found dead with a female companion in his Plano, Texas, home earlier this month. Police say Jacobs killed himself and his girlfriend.

Before his death, Jacobs told The Dallas Morning News that he supplied Fowler with performance-enhancing drugs before and after the 2006 season.

Fowler's attorney, Peter Ginsberg, said last week that Fowler was under investigation by the NFL and was notified that he faces suspension. Ginsberg said he assumed the investigation stemmed from the Jacobs case.

Fowler declined comment Wednesday when asked if he had a relationship with Jacobs.

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Report: Burress expects new deal before camp

Not practicing at mandatory minicamp created an uproar, but Plaxico Burress thinks his contract situation will be peacefully resolved before next month's training camp.

The New York Giants wide receiver wants a new deal and he told WIP radio in Philadelphia on Tuesday that he thinks it will happen. Camp begins at the University at Albany on July 25.

Burress

"Honestly, I think my situation is going to be rectified before training camp," Burress said, according to NJ.com. "I'm not going to worry about it, but I did state that I was unhappy with my current situation with my contract. It'll be worked out."

Burress, who caught a game-winning 13-yard touchdown pass with 35 seconds remaining in the Super Bowl to give the Giants a 17-14 win over the previously unbeaten New England Patriots, has three years remaining on his six-year, $25 million deal. He will earn $3.25 million this year, $3.5 million in 2009 and $3.75 million in 2010.

NFL.com Video

Super Bowl Highlight: Plaxico Burress and Eli Manning slay the Patriots with a TD in the final moments.

But after big deals for Randy Moss, Terrell Owens and Javon Walker, Burress wants a raise. But he also wants to stay in New York.

"I don't want to go anywhere. I made that very evident," Burress told the radio station, according to NJ.com. "If I wanted to go somewhere else or if I didn't want to be there, I would have let that be known, too.

Moss, Owens and Walker have worn three different uniforms in their careers. Burress said he doesn't want that.

"I love the situation I'm in, I love the guys I play with, I love the city and I just love everything about me playing football up there," he told the station. "I just want to end my career there. I don't want to travel all around the globe trying to play football. I'll be 31 in August, so I just want to play my last five or six years there and end my career there and hopefully win another championship."


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Ex-Giants DE Martin completes cross-country walk

SAN DIEGO -- It took 10 months, 24 pairs of shoes and 40 pounds of flesh, but former New York Giant George Martin can finally rest after taking the final steps of a cross-country walk to raise money for people with health problems linked to the Sept. 11 attacks.

[+] Enlarge

AP Photo/David Karp

George Martin, beginning his 3,000 mile walk for charity on New York's George Washington Bridge in September, finished Saturday in San Diego.

Martin began walking from New York to California on Sept. 16 to draw attention to the plight of rescue and recovery workers who developed respiratory problems after working in the dusty ruins of the World Trade Center.

He marched the final 4½ miles Saturday, arriving at a finish line in San Diego, where he was met by police officers, firefighters and other NFL alumni.

The trip began on the George Washington Bridge in Manhattan and covered 3,003 miles, winding south to Tennessee, west through Texas, and through high plains and desert to California.

Along the way, Martin trudged through rainstorms, winter ice and brutal heat, averaging 22 miles per day. He lost 40 pounds, burned through 80 pairs of socks, and raised more than $2 million, organizers said.

"These heroes need our collective support," Martin said in a written statement. "Many who answered our nation's call for help now cannot even walk up the steps in their own homes due to severe respiratory and other ailments. Some are dying. They deserve our help."

NFL.com Video

Former Giants DL George Martin walks across America in effort to raise money for his foundation, Journey for 9/11.

Martin was a co-captain of the Giants team that won Super Bowl XXI. A defensive end who played in the NFL for 14 years, he is now an executive at AXA Equitable, a financial services firm. He lives in New Jersey.

Some medical studies have indicated that thousands of people may have been sickened by exposure to toxic World Trade Center dust. The number of people who suffered permanent damage is still unknown.

Martin's walk wasn't without hitches. High winds forced him to walk some segments of his route backward, from west to east, because headwinds were exhausting him.

He had originally planned to head for the Golden Gate Bridge, but adjusted his route part way through to finish in San Diego.

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Pacman faces foreclosure on home in Tennessee

FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- A foreclosure sale has been published involving the home of former Tennessee Titans cornerback Pacman Jones.

Jones has defaulted on the terms and conditions of a mortgage with U.S. Bank, according to a notice of foreclosure sale published Thursday in The Tennessean newspaper in Nashville.

The home and 30 acres, located in a Nashville suburb, will be sold June 27 on the steps of the old Williamson County Courthouse.

Jones was traded to the Dallas Cowboys this year. He missed all of the 2007 season while serving an NFL suspension that hasn't been completely lifted.

Tax records show he purchased the property in July 2006 for $1.5 million.

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Cards' Arrington charged with disorderly conduct

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. -- Arizona Cardinals running back J.J. Arrington was among five people arrested after a fight at a nightclub in North Carolina.

Police in Rocky Mount said an off-duty officer called for assistance around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday after the fight broke out at the D&I Center nightclub. Arrington, 25, was charged with disorderly conduct.

NFL.com Video

2006 Highlight: J.J. Arrington returns a kick for 99 yard touchdown.

Nash County sheriff's Sgt. T.R. Lamm said a magistrate later ordered Arrington held for 24 hours for contempt of court.

The four others arrested were charged with simple affray. One was also charged with assault on a government official.

Arrington was born in Nashville, N.C. He was a second-round pick out of California in the 2005 NFL draft.

A Cardinals spokesman said the team was aware of the incident and was seeking more information.

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Walker expected at training camp following attack

LAMEDA, Calif. -- The Oakland Raiders expect new receiver Javon Walker to be ready for training camp when he recovers from injuries incurred during a robbery in Las Vegas last weekend.

Raiders coach Lane Kiffin finally spoke to Walker by phone on Wednesday morning, more than two days after Walker was discovered unconscious and beaten on a back street near the Las Vegas Strip following a night of partying. Walker was released from a hospital after treatment for a concussion and facial injuries.

"The info that I have is he's going to be fine," Kiffin said. "Training camp won't be an issue. ... But until our guys look at him, I don't want to say [the extent of Walker's injuries]."

Kiffin said Walker was scheduled to fly to Oakland on Wednesday evening in time to attend the final session of the Raiders' organized team activities on Thursday, though he obviously won't suit up with quarterback JaMarcus Russell and his new teammates. Oakland opens training camp July 25 in Napa.

"We are aware that Javon Walker was the victim of a robbery," Raiders spokesman Mike Taylor said in a statement. "We have been told that he will make a full recovery in the near future and resume his preparation for the 2008 NFL season."

NFL.com Video

2006 Highlight: Javon Walker 72 yard rush for touchdown.

A Las Vegas police spokesman said a large amount of cash and expensive jewelry were taken from Walker, who was photographed earlier in the fateful evening spraying a nightclub crowd with champagne. His agent, Kennard McGuire, said Walker was "recovering in a private environment" on Wednesday.

Walker signed a six-year, $55 million deal with the Raiders after the Denver Broncos released him in February. The 29-year-old former Packers star has participated in some offseason work with Russell, though Kiffin said two weeks ago that Walker was "a little heavy" for workouts.

Russell has been a high-profile star since high school, and the former No. 1 draft pick is fully aware of the dangers inherent in such a high-profile profession.

"There's people out there," Russell said. "Just be careful and watch your surroundings. Watch out, or always carry somebody with you when you go out. Just watch yourself and know that you're representing a whole bunch of people when you're out there."

Details of Walker's party night still were sketchy, and the Raiders weren't expected to make Walker available to the media on the final day of workouts, with Thursday scheduled to be closed to reporters.

But Walker knows the dangers of nighttime partying better than most athletes.

On Jan. 1, 2007, a still-unidentified gunman targeted a car carrying Walker and several Broncos teammates in a drive-by shooting outside a downtown Denver nightclub. Darrent Williams, a defensive back, died in Walker's arms in their rented limousine after an apparent altercation between a handful of athletes and other partygoers.

Nobody has been arrested or charged in Williams' slaying. Walker and other witnesses said Broncos teammate Brandon Marshall had sprayed that crowd with champagne, which might have sparked the confrontation that led to the shooting.

"All we can do is educate [players] the best that we can," Kiffin said. "We can't babysit them. ... Not many good things happen after midnight, and this is another example of that, another reminder of how dangerous it is out there."

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District attorney: Deal reached with Bills' Lynch

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch is expected to plead guilty next week to an unspecified charge stemming from a hit-and-run accident involving his SUV, Erie County District Attorney Frank Clark said Friday.

Lynch

Clark declined to detail the charge but said a tentative plea agreement assumes Lynch was driving his 2008 Porsche Cayenne when it hit a woman crossing a Buffalo intersection early May 31, leaving the victim with a bruised hip and in need of stitches.

There was one other person in the SUV at the time, Clark said. He would not say who it was.

The announcement of an "agreement in principle" between lawyers came as a grand jury was scheduled to begin hearing testimony in the case. Several Bills players and front-office employees were subpoenaed by investigators frustrated by Lynch's refusal to speak with them.

The prosecutor said he does not fault Lynch for exercising his right to stay silent, but acknowledged that his office and the Buffalo police could have used the nearly three weeks spent on the headline-grabbing Lynch case on more serious crimes.

"This, at its worst, is a vehicle and traffic misdemeanor. In the hierarchy of criminal conduct, this is certainly in the bottom third," he said.

Lynch, 22, was the Bills' first-round draft pick in 2007. His lawyer, Michael Caffery, did not immediately respond to Clark's announcement Friday. Earlier in the day he said by phone he was working toward a resolution. A message left with the player's agent was not immediately returned.

Clark said Lynch, who left town after a Bills minicamp last week, is expected to appear in a Buffalo courtroom in the middle of next week.

"He is going to be back here. He is going to be in Buffalo. He is going to confront the matter directly. He's going to do whatever he has to do to resolve it and then he's going to make a statement," he said.

Although the accident has been under investigation since the end of May, plea negotiations began moving quickly forward late last week after Buffalo Bills team lawyers got involved, according to Clark. Bills chief operating officer Russ Brandon was among those served with a subpoena.

Bills spokesman Scott Berchtold said the organization was aware of Clark's comments, "but will maintain our position that we will not comment until the process has been fully completed."

Clark said there was no reason to believe the delay in resolving the case affected the outcome.

"I think that the way this will be resolved will be in line with the way most of these cases are resolved and probably very much in line with the way it might have been resolved had all of this come together sooner," he said.

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Titans' Haynesworth not expecting long-term deal

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The agent for All-Pro defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth doesn't think a long-term deal with the Tennessee Titans will be reached before the July 15 deadline.

"There has been no significant movement from the Titans on a long term deal since prior to the Combine in February and I don't think this will change before July 15th," Speck said in his e-mail.

Haynesworth

Speck said recent talks have involved what he proposed in March: Haynesworth signs the tender if the Titans promise not to use the franchise tag on the tackle again in 2009. Speck said such deals were used on other franchised players like Shaun Alexander, defensive backs Nate Clements and Asante Samuel and linebacker Lance Briggs.

If no deal is reached by July 15, the team can only sign their franchise player to a one-year deal and could not sign a long-term contract then until after the conclusion of the regular season.

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Albert Haynesworth on making his 1st Pro Bowl.

A team spokesman said Titans general manager Mike Reinfeldt was not available to comment Tuesday. But the general manager has said he has been talking through the offseason with Speck.

The agent declined to comment further.

Without a contract, Haynesworth has been working out on his own and not taken part in any of the Titans' offseason program. Coach Jeff Fisher has said he trusts that Haynesworth is working to stay in shape.

The team's first-round pick in 2002, Haynesworth has struggled with injuries in each of his six seasons. He hasn't played in all 16 games since his rookie season and was limited to 13 in 2007 during his best season as a pro.

Haynesworth had a career-high six sacks in 2007 and added 69 tackles in earning his first All-Pro recognition. He also had 23 quarterback pressures, which matched what he had as a rookie and was so dominant he was considered as an MVP candidate before a hamstring injury in November.

Even without a contract, the tackle who played at the University of Tennessee did make appearances on behalf of the Titans' annual fan caravan back in April.