Minnesota Vikings' Brett Favre says he may have cracked rib

NFC North blog

ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert writes about all things NFC North in his division blog.

•Blog network:
NFL Nation

Brett Favre told ESPN before the Minnesota Vikings' game on Monday that he suspects he may have a cracked rib.

Favre hasn't had an official diagnosis, but he says taking a deep breath causes discomfort. The 39-year-old quarterback isn't listed on the injury report and no other other Vikings official mentioned the injury pregame.

The three-time MVP says he has no plans to wear any kinds of special padding, saying "the damage is done." Favre is expected to play the entire first half against the Houston Texans.

Favre, who signed a $25 million deal with the Vikings on Aug. 18, completed just one pass for four yards over two series in his Minnesota debut just days later.

Sevilla capture NegredoAgent: Brett Favre decision likely to come next week

Eric Mangini: Cleveland Browns QB competition to continue

BEREA, Ohio -- Despite Brady Quinn asserting himself and creating distance with a stellar preseason outing last weekend, the Cleveland Browns quarterback competition still hasn't been decided, according to coach Eric Mangini.

AFC North blog

ESPN.com's James Walker writes about all things AFC North in his division blog.

•Blog network: NFL Nation

The Browns haven't named a starter for the preseason finale Thursday against the Chicago Bears, much less the season opener Sept. 13 against the Minnesota Vikings. Mangini says he wants to keep the quarterback competition ongoing between Quinn and Derek Anderson.

"We're going to go through the whole process," Mangini said bluntly Monday.

Rotating Quinn and Anderson in the regular season is not an option, Mangini added. Mangini's said in the past that once he makes his decision on the position he plans to stick to it.

After reviewing game tape, Mangini praised both Quinn and Anderson for their outings in Saturday night's 23-17 win over Tennessee. Quinn started and threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Braylon Edwards -- Cleveland's only passing TD thus far in the preseason -- and finished 11 of 15 for 128 yards against the Titans, one of the NFL's top defenses.

Anderson went 7 of 11 for 77 yards, but made two questionable throws and was sacked on a play that killed a potential scoring drive.

"He did some positive things," Mangini said. "Regardless of which quarterback was in for that play we probably would have eaten dirt."

It may be Anderson's turn to start, but Mangini hasn't decided how he will use his quarterbacks for Cleveland's final exhibition game on Thursday night in Chicago.

Mangini approached Titans coach Jeff Fisher for insight on how to best use his starters in the fourth exhibition, normally a game where the starters play one or two series and rest up for the opener.

Against Tennessee, Quinn played four series to just two for Anderson. Mangini has been careful not to show any favoritism and has been mindful of evenly splitting the practice reps and playing time between the two. A quarterback controversy could be a potential distraction for any team if not handled correctly, but Mangini feels there are positives in having his two QBs rotate with the first- and second-team offense.

"You get guys working with a lot of different people," he said. "Over the course of the weekend there were a couple of different quarterbacks hurt in games and now the No. 2 guy goes in and who knows how long he's going to be in? Maybe he hasn't gotten that kind of work, so now you have to radically transition to that person.

"I think the upside with working with a lot of different people was there is always uncertainty. There are always injuries and hopefully we won't have any but usually during the course of the season there is."

Mangini felt both QBs were in rhythm with the offense while they were in the game. The revolving-door approach could make it tough for continuity, but wide receiver Mike Furrey said there is no drop off whether No. 10 or No. 3 is lined up under center.

"At this point it just seems, whoever's in there, either one of them, it just seems so comfortable," Furrey said. "They know what they're doing. We have trust. We've been around each other for the last three or four months. We've earned the trust and the respect from all of them, so it's kinda like whoever's in there, we trust in them, they trust in us. It's been real comfortable."

Mangini is relying on his experience in New York to guide him through the Quinn vs. Anderson quarterback dilemma. During his first summer coaching the Jets, Mangini was patient while Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens battled it out.

"I think it made both guys better and I think it made us a better team," said Mangini, who eventually named Pennington his starter before the season opener.

That announcement came after weeks of constant peppering by the New York media. It's been no different in Cleveland, where Mangini's daily news conferences center on the QB conundrum.

"I don't remember when I did it [name a starter], but I know I would get the questions," he said. "I'm not trying to be difficult for the sake of being difficult."

In other Browns news, the team made a surprise cut by releasing veteran cornerback Rod Hood. Cleveland signed Hood in free agency after he was a solid contributor for the NFC champion Arizona Cardinals in 2008.

Source: Cleveland Browns QB Anderson OK for training campIniesta eyes Super Cup return

Kansas City Chiefs remove Chan Gailey as offensive coordinator

The Kansas City Chiefs, who have an uncertain quarterback situation because of a knee injury to Matt Cassel, said Monday that Chan Gailey has been relieved of his duties as offensive coordinator.

Head coach Todd Haley will take over as offensive coordinator. Haley said Gailey would be offered another job within the organization.

Better late than never

Really, the only surprise about Chan Gailey's ouster is that it took this long, as AFC West blogger Bill Williamson notes. Blog
• AFC West blog

Haley said that making himself offensive coordinator while still finding his way as a head coach was the most difficult decision he's faced. He was offensive coordinator the past two years at Arizona.

"I think the world of Chan as a coach, have the greatest amount of respect for him as a coach, as a person," said Haley. "But ultimately, the fate of this team, the accountability, falls to me."

The Chiefs are 0-3 in the preseason and have scored only two offensive touchdowns. The injury to Cassel on Saturday raises even more questions about how ready the Chiefs -- who were 2-14 last year -- will be for their season opener.

"After going through three preseason games and a lot of OTAs and a lot of practices in training camp, it became more apparent to me that I had to be more involved," Haley said.

He also will serve as quarterbacks coach.

In a statement released by the team, Gailey said he respected Haley's decision.

"There's never great timing for situations like this. However, Todd has to do what's best for the team and for the future of the Chiefs. I respect that. It didn't work out for us, but I certainly think that he has a very fine offensive mind and I feel very fortunate to have worked for the Chiefs these past two years.

"I look forward to seeing how I might be able to help the franchise in the near future in other areas."

A clash between Haley and Gailey seemed inevitable to running back Larry Johnson.

"It's like my mother says -- too many roosters in the henhouse, so to speak," he said. "Two coordinators and both passionate about what they do and passionate about how they want to call plays."

Gailey's firing comes less than two weeks before Kansas City's Sept. 13 regular-season opener at Baltimore.

Gailey was the Chiefs' offensive coordinator last season under former coach Herm Edwards. Haley was the offensive coordinator for the Cardinals during their run to the Super Bowl last season before being hired to replace Edwards.

Kansas City Chiefs acquire offensive lineman Ikechuku Ndukwe, Andy Alleman from Miami DolphinsRobben linked with Bayern move

Cincinnati Bengals finally sign holdout top pick Andre Smith

CINCINNATI -- The Bengals have finally signed top draft pick Andre Smith after a long contract impasse that became a subject of derision among teammates.

AFC North blog

ESPN.com's James Walker writes about all things AFC North in his division blog.

•Blog network: NFL Nation

The contract is a four-year, $26 million deal, including $21 million guaranteed, with a team option for two more years that would make it a six-year, $42 million contract that would guarantee $29.5 million.

Smith's contract leaves Michael Crabtree, drafted by San Francisco with the 10th overall pick, as the only first-round selection yet to sign.

The Bengals had originally planned to have Smith start at right tackle, but he has missed all of training camp and three preseason games. They confirmed his signing Sunday on their Web site shortly before the start of practice.

"He has a lot of work to do, but he knows the challenge ahead of him to make an impact on our team as soon as possible," coach Marvin Lewis said in a statement released as practice began.

Smith was on the practice field Sunday afternoon.

Smith, the sixth overall pick, was the highest unsigned NFL pick with one week left in the preseason. The Bengals had insisted on paying him less than a player taken later in the draft, Oakland's Darrius Heyward-Bey, leading to the impasse.

The team gave Smith's bed to another player during training camp in Georgetown, Ky. HBO's "Hard Knocks" episode last Wednesday showed teammates mocking Smith's weight during the team's annual rookie skits.

Prolonged holdouts are commonplace in Cincinnati. Last year, linebacker Keith Rivers missed nine days of camp and was one of the last two first-round picks to come to terms.

The Bengals' offensive line was one of their top priorities in the offseason. The offense finished last in the league in 2008 in large part because of the line's ineffectiveness. Quarterback Carson Palmer missed a dozen games because he tore a ligament and tendon in his throwing elbow when he got hit while passing.

Only right guard Bobbie Williams returns in the same spot this year. The Bengals let their two tackles leave and drafted Smith, whose holdout forced them to revamp their plans. Anthony Collins has played right tackle in Smith's absence.

The Bengals conclude the preseason on Thursday night against Indianapolis, then open the season at home against the Denver Broncos. Lewis said Smith's availability for the final preseason game "will be evaluated as we go through the week."

Green Bay Packers signed first-round pick B.J. Raji to 5-year dealCosta blasts Zaragoza

Source: New England Patriots release backup QB Kevin O'Connell

In the first surprise move in the NFL cutdown to 75 players on rosters, the New England Patriots informed quarterback Kevin O'Connell that he is being released, according to a source.

AFC East blog

ESPN.com's Tim Graham writes about all things AFC East in his division blog.

•Blog network: NFL Nation

A third-round choice in 2008, O'Connell was the leading candidate to be Tom Brady's backup this season after the departure of Matt Cassel. The timing of the release was particularly surprising considering Brady's right shoulder injury Friday night against the Redskins.

Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth landed on Brady after he released a pass. Though it did not appear Brady separated the shoulder, the possibility of doing damage to the shoulder was possible considering how Haynesworth landed on him. Sources, however, have indicated the shoulder injury might not be too bad, though the Patriots aren't providing information about the right shoulder except to say that is it sore.

O'Connell's release means that the three quarterbacks being groomed behind Brady the past couple of years are gone -- Cassel, O'Connell and Matt Gutierrez. Cassel and Gutierrez both landed in Kansas City so it's not out of the question for the Chiefs and the Broncos to put in waiver claims on O'Connell. Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli was involved in drafting O'Connell last year. Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels coached him in New England last season.

O'Connell is a 6-foot-5, 225-pound draft choice from San Diego State. He was the 94th pick in the 2008 draft.

Tigers pounce for AltidoreNew England Patriots QB Tom Brady suffers sore shoulder after hit

New England Patriots QB Tom Brady suffers sore shoulder after hit

Brady

LANDOVER, Md. -- New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has a sore throwing shoulder, the result of a crushing hit by Washington Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth.

Brady's right shoulder was pressed to the ground by Haynesworth on an incomplete third-down pass late in the first half of Friday night's preseason game.

Brady went to the bench, where he flexed and rotated his arm as the half came to a close. He did not play in the second half, even though most of the first-team offense returned for the first drive of the third quarter.

"Anytime someone 350 pounds falls on him, it's going to hurt him," New England right tackle Matt Light said. "You just know it's part of the game, and Tom's been through it before and you know he can take it."

In the fourth quarter, the Patriots announced Brady's injury as a sore shoulder, a diagnosis that gave coach Bill Belichick a twitch in his both of his shoulders. The Patriots coach was his classic self, displaying the annoyed shrug so familiar when anyone asks him about an injury. Despite the team's announcement, Belichick said Brady had only "some bumps and bruises, just like everybody else who played in the game." He also said that he had not planned for Brady to play any of the second half.

Brady did not speak to reporters after the game.

Brady completed 12 of 19 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns.

Srna’s agent rules out BarcaNew England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady not focused on contract

Michael Vick will play in Philadelphia Eagles last preseason game

PHILADELPHIA -- Michael Vick will play in the Eagles' final preseason game, and might even take some snaps as a conventional quarterback.

How much Vick plays Thursday night against the New York Jets at the Meadowlands has yet to be determined.

Vick was in for six wildcat plays in Thursday's game against Jacksonville, throwing four times, running once and handing the ball off to rookie running back LeSean McCoy once. He came onto the field for what would have been a seventh play, but called time out, and then was not on the field after the break in action.

NFC East blog

ESPN.com's Matt Mosley writes about all things NFC East in his division blog.

•Blog network: NFL Nation

It was his first time Vick had played in over two years. He served 18 months in prison for his involvement in a dogfighting ring.

This week will be his first road game with the Eagles. It could also mark his first time under center in the West Coast offense of Eagles head coach Andy Reid.

"We'll see how that goes," Reid said. "There's a chance of that."

During the 33-32 win over Jacksonville at Lincoln Financial Field, Vick came in and out of the game. In all but one of his six plays, starting quarterback Donovan McNabb stayed on the field and lined up as a wide receiver.

It seemed to cause a disruption to the offensive rhythm and the plan was shelved midway through the second quarter.

"I think that's all part of this, just kind of getting used to it and working through it," Reid said. "I think, from a coaching standpoint, from a player's standpoint and so on, there was a lot of hoopla around him getting into the game. I think that will settle down once we get playing in season games and everybody will just play."

Reid rarely uses his starters in the fourth preseason game, which means McNabb in all likelihood will get the night off. That leaves backups Kevin Kolb, A.J. Feeley and Vick to split up the four quarters against the Jets.

"Again, I'm just going to see how he does this week," Reid said of Vick. "How he progresses. He didn't have any setbacks in the game. So I just want to see how he does this week."

Reid liked what he saw of Vick against the Jaguars.

"I thought he did well," the coach said. "He threw the ball well when he threw it. When he ran, he outran the defensive end, which was good to see.

"I thought it was good to get him back out there just for the speed of the game. He came out healthy. You always worry about that the first game back. I thought he handled himself well. He seemed poised, made some good reads. That's a start."

Thursday could be the last time the Eagles see Vick in uniform for a while. Commissioner Roger Goodell can wait until Week 6 to reinstate him to the team's roster.

Meanwhile, Shawn Andrews practiced for the first time since reinjuring his surgically repaired back and hopes to play the season opener against Carolina on Sept. 13.

The two-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman for the Eagles took part in an abbreviated practice Saturday at the team's NovaCare Complex.

"It was a big step," said Andrews, who has not practiced since training camp opened for veterans on July 30. "It felt good. Of course it wasn't with pads, but I still got the feel of the pass rush. So we're getting there."

Andrews ran with the scout team, going against the Eagles' No. 1 defense. He's still hoping to get back his starting right tackle job, a spot currently held by Winston Justice.

"We're taking it nice and easy with him," Reid said. "He made it through this morning. So we're just going to go day to day with him."

Andrews had been penciled in as the team's starting right tackle after playing right guard his first five years in the league. He had back surgery last year and has been out since the first day of training camp when he reinjured his back during a running drill.

Reid would not say whether Andrews would play in the final preseason game, let alone the opener in Carolina.

"I want to see how he does this week," Reid said. "That's what I'm set on right now. I just want to see how he progresses. Again, we are talking about Shawn's back here and I want to make sure we handle it the right way."

Michel in Blues medicalSources: Michael Vick to see action in first quarter

X-rays negative, but Dallas Cowboys' Roy E. Williams likely done for preseason

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Roy E. Williams likely is done for the preseason after injuring his left shoulder during practice Thursday night on a goal-line collision with cornerback Orlando Scandrick.

Williams was down for longer than normal, then was examined by athletic trainers and shouted in anger as he headed into the locker room before the workout ended.

Williams' shoulder X-rays showed no break, but he was scheduled to undergo more testing Friday.

Williams might have been upset because he and Scandrick keep getting tangled up. During training camp, Scandrick -- who is battling Mike Jenkins for a starting job -- hit Williams hard enough to knock his helmet off (the chin strap wasn't buckled) and was covering Williams again on a play when Williams landed hard and sprained his wrist.

The Cowboys are counting on Williams to replace Terrell Owens as Tony Romo's top target.

Immediately after the workout, coach Wade Phillips said he had no information about Williams' status, later adding: "I don't know that he's injured. Just wait and see."

"He banged his shoulder a little bit and we're checking on him," Phillips said.

If Scandrick was a little too aggressive for a practice conducted in helmets but no pads, he might have a good excuse: There were 26,460 fans watching. The video boards were in full use and there was even a halftime performance by cheerleaders, giving it a far different feel than any other helmet-and-no-pads workout.

"It's football," linebacker Bradie James said. "I mean, sometimes people run into each other. Hopefully that's all it is."

Fans were let in for free, but paid $10 to park. The concession stands likely did brisk business, too.

Anyone hoping to see punter Mat McBriar hit the video boards went home disappointed. He took about 25 kicks and not a single one reached the world's largest high-definition televisions.

McBriar said no one told him to avoid it. He simply never kicks the ball straight up down the middle of the field and he's not interested in trying just for grins.

"I don't want to get away from what I'm used to doing," he said.

NFL rules on Cowboys Stadium plays involving video display board

Basically, it's a do-over in Dallas.

The NFL has ruled that the down will be replayed and clock will be reset if a football hits the massive video display board that hangs over the field at Cowboys Stadium.

Perhaps the key piece of the ruling, issued Friday morning, is that it is only for this season. The league can review it after the season.

By setting the video boards 90 feet above the field, the Cowboys cleared the current league standard by 5 feet. But this action indicates the 85-foot rule might be re-examined in the offseason, which could force the first major renovation to the $1.15 billion stadium.

This season, if the video board comes into play, the replay official will have the power to institute a booth review without a coach's challenge, even if it isn't in the final two minutes of a half. Coaches, however, can also throw a red flag to challenge on close plays.

[+] Enlarge

Tim Heitman/US PresswireTitans punters knocked ball after ball off the Cowboys Stadium's video screens before -- and once during -- the venue's NFL debut last Saturday night.

"We will continue to address the particular circumstances in Dallas, giving full consideration to the competitive, safety and fan experience issues involved," commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. "The Cowboys have been fully cooperative as we have addressed this subject, and we will continue to work closely with the club on a longer term resolution."

On his radio show, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he's pleased to have this settled. He also reiterated his stance that "I don't see it as ultimately an issue" because punts rarely are kicked that high down the middle of the field because teams prefer pinning returners closer to the sideline.

Still, he knows it will be talked about every game, from Saturday night's preseason game against San Francisco and throughout the regular season.

"You can anticipate the ball hitting the board from time to time," he said. "There's no reason why this can't be something [for punters] to deal with very similar to the way you'd deal with the wind in your face or with elements; rain, sleet or snow."

Tennessee punters knocked ball after ball off the screens before -- and once during -- the stadium's debut last Saturday night.

Titans coach Jeff Fisher is head of the NFL's competition committee, meaning his group worked with the league office to figure out how to handle balls conking off the boards.

Jones has been a staunch defender of the height of his boards for various reasons, including how much time and money it could cost to hike them. (They cost about $40 million to install.)

The boards are going higher to fit the stage for a U2 concert in October, but the screens will have to be disconnected. To lift the boards and keep them operable will require engineering and architectural adjustments.

Jones and Cowboys punter Mat McBriar say this has become a big issue only because Titans punters intentionally kicked high and down the middle to try hitting the boards.

NFC East blog

ESPN.com's Matt Mosley writes about all things NFC East in his division blog.

•Blog network: NFL Nation

McBriar has yet to hit the boards and he insists "no one has told me not to hit it." He definitely has the leg to reach it -- he topped 100 feet during a trial two years ago when Jones was deciding the height -- but always aims his kicks away from the center of the field.

"It looks lower than it is just because of the size of it," McBriar said.

Long-term changes can be made only at the annual rules meeting. However, Goodell noted that Rule 3, Section 1 of the league rulebook allows for new policy to be enacted for the current season only.

Fisher's complaint went beyond the height. He realized officials didn't even see the ball hitting the boards because they were all watching the action on the field; he threw his challenge flag to make sure they realized what had happened. The ruling was a do-over, but the clock was not reset.

The new rules -- which apply to all stadiums even though it's an issue only at this one -- address those concerns.

Downs will still be replayed "if a ball in play strikes a video board, guide wire, sky cam, or any other object," but now the game clock will be reset to the time when the first play was snapped. Any penalties during the wiped-out play won't count, except for personal fouls.

Former Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson was in the stadium Thursday.

"If there's anything wrong, it's that people are going to watch the video board and not the game," Johnson said. "It is so dominating, but I think it's so cool. I think it's great."

Denver Broncos suspend insubordinate Brandon Marshall

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall, openly unhappy with the Denver Broncos, was suspended by the team through Sept. 5 for what coach Josh McDaniels called "detrimental" conduct.

Marshall, who has brooded since demanding a trade and asking for a new contract, was informed of the suspension by McDaniels on Friday.

"We tried to handle this situation with Brandon as privately and professionally as we could throughout the entire process with he and his agent, Kennard McGuire," McDaniels said at a news conference. "This morning, we made the decision as an organization to go ahead and suspend Brandon and that suspension will last through Sept. 5th. We'll look forward to having him back on Sept. 6th as we begin our preparations for Cincinnati" in the Sept. 13 regular-season opener.

Schefter's Blog

Keep up with Adam Schefter's news and notes from around the NFL daily on his ESPN Insider blog. Schefter blog

McGuire didn't immediately return a phone call Friday to The Associated Press, and was said to be out of the country until Monday.

McDaniels did not single out a specific episode, but said the suspension resulted from a series of incidents, though some boorish antics during the team's practice Wednesday -- after he had been warned about such conduct that very morning -- seemed to be the final straw for the coach.

"His actions didn't really change after that warning. That leads us to today," McDaniels said.

Marshall went out during pre-practice warmups and walked while the rest of the team ran. He punted a ball away instead of handing it to a ball boy, and swatted a pass thrown to him. His actions were caught on video and broadcast by KMGH-TV.

The Broncos already have had discussions with the league regarding Marshall's suspension. They are expected to reassess the situation when the preseason ends Sept. 5.

Marshall said during an ESPN interview Thursday night that he was not trying to force a trade through insubordination, but that frustration got the best of him during a disruptive display at practice this week.

Marshall said some of the video, which included a shot of him sitting on his pads before practice, was taken out of context. But he acknowledged his frustration boiled over and that it was an error in judgment to act as he did, especially when he punted the ball.

AFC West blog

ESPN.com's Bill Williamson writes about all things AFC West in his division blog.

•Blog network: NFL Nation

"I think everybody knows there's a lot of stuff built up there,and me handling it that way wasn't good," Marshall said.

Marshall said he wasn't trying to force his way out of town -- heasked for a trade this summer after the Broncos declined to reworka contract that will pay him $2.2 million this season.

"I'm not out there trying to be a distraction to the team,"Marshall said. "Unfortunately, yesterday I kind of let myfrustration get the best of me."

The receiver was held out of practice Thursday, apparently as the organization was formulating its disciplinary response.

"We're trying to handle this in a way that we can discourage this from happening," McDaniels said. "We didn't want to be in this situation. We never wanted it to get to this point. I'm sure they didn't either."

For all of the tension and disagreement between the receiver and his coach and organization, McDaniels said he hasn't given up on the notion that the sides can work things out.

"I'm not sure necessarily if I think it will or I think it won't [work out]," McDaniels said. "I'm just hopeful that it will, because obviously he's a talented football player that we'd love to have pulling in the same direction as the other 79 guys that go out there and work their tail off.

"Obviously, there's a disagreement about some things. We're trying to make it right, to work through it."

Marshall was held out of the Broncos' preseason game Sunday night at Seattle after admitting he didn't know the playbook andrunning almost strictly with the scout team last week.

Marshall, who had 206 receptions the past two seasons, is also upset with what he believes was the team's misdiagnosis of a hip injury that required offseason surgery. He pulled a hamstring during the first weekend of training camp and didn't return until a week ago.

In addition, Marshall missed the team's exhibition opener against San Francisco two weeks ago because he was on trial in Atlanta, where he was acquitted of a misdemeanor battery charge. Prosecutors had accused him of beating his then-girlfriend.

Marshall hoped the acquittal would give him leverage for a new deal in Denver or elsewhere. He was angered when the Broncos prohibited teammates from saying they were happy for Marshall about the verdict.

That's when Marshall began spending more time between drills with the scout team and the defensive unit instead of his fellow offensive players.

The run-in with Marshall marks the second clash with a high-profile player since McDaniels, the former New England Patriots offensive coordinator, was hired in January to succeed the fired Mike Shanahan. McDaniels had a falling out with Pro Bowl quarterback Jay Cutler after he learned his new coach had discussed trading him in a foiled attempt to land his former New England quarterback, Matt Cassell, who is now with Kansas City.

Cutler subsequently forced a trade to the Chicago Bears, who are due in Sunday night, when the Broncos play their first home game under McDaniels.

McDaniels said his issues with Cutler and Marshall were nothing unusual, just part of being an NFL coach.

"We're not unique, we're not unique at all," McDaniels said. "Other coaches, other organizations have challenges in front of them and you deal with them as best you can."

Source: Denver Broncos QB Chris Simms to miss 2-4 weeks

Denver Broncos backup quarterback Chris Simms suffered a high-ankle sprain, and according to a team source, he could be out of action anywhere from two to four weeks.

The Doug Gottlieb Show

Eddie Royal likes the Broncos chemistry. He's been impressed with Kyle Orton's work ethic and expects Brandon Marshall to remain in Denver all season.

More Podcasts

To bolster their depth at the position, the Broncos signed free agent Ingle Martin later Wednesday.

Denver has two preseason games remaining -- Sunday night against the Bears and Sept. 3 against the Cardinals -- and were down to two quarterbacks in starter Kyle Orton and rookie sixth-round pick Tom Brandstater.

Typically, teams like to rest many of their starters in the last preseason game, meaning Brandstater could be showcased against the Cardinals.

"Under our current situation, with only two quarterbacks that can come out and practice, it felt like it was better for us to [add Martin]," coach Josh McDaniels said. "He's got good size, a decent arm. He's a smart kid. He's a guy that we felt like could come in and help us compete right now and see what happens."

Martin joined the Broncos in time to take part in Wednesday's practice, though he went through the workout in a numberless orange quarterback's jersey.

"Hopefully, the equipment guys will hook me up tomorrow," Martin said with a smile.

The Broncos are the fourth NFL team for Martin, who was released earlier this month by the Kansas City Chiefs after splitting time last season between their active roster and practice squad. Martin came into the league in 2006 as a fifth-round draft choice of the Green Bay Packers. He also spent two years with the Tennessee Titans.

"When you're a guy like me, you just want an opportunity and that's what I've got here," Martin said. "Hopefully, I can come in and show them a little bit of what I can do and make myself stick."

Martin said he's taking a crash course on the Broncos' offensive scheme in hopes of being able to function in the system as quickly as possible. It was uncertain whether he would see any playing time in Sunday night's exhibition against Chicago.

Simms suffered the injury when Seahawks pass rusher Nick Reed fell on his left ankle during the third quarter of Saturday's 27-13 loss at Seattle.

Simms' injury is the latest setback for the injury-plagued player. Since rupturing his spleen nearly three years ago, Simms has taken only six regular-season snaps, all of them coming last season for the Titans.

Caceres seals Juve switchSource: Denver Broncos’ Knowshon Moreno has slight MCL sprain

Sources: Michael Vick to see action in first quarter

PHILADELPHIA -- The mystery is solved: Expect to see Michael Vick on the field in the first quarter of Thursday night's preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to sources with knowledge of the Eagles' game plan.

NFC East blog

ESPN.com's Matt Mosley writes about all things NFC East in his division blog.

•Blog network: NFL Nation

Coach Andy Reid does not want Vick -- or Eagles fans -- to wait very long for him to see his first action. Initially, Vick will be used as a quarterback, then in some Wildcat formations.

"Andy wants him to play quarterback -- run around on the field and see how he responds to the speed of the game," said one source who has talked to Vick about Thursday's plans.

Reid is concerned that Vick -- after a layoff of more than two years -- can quickly adjust to the speed and intensity usually reserved for the third preseason game, which is customarily treated like the regular season by most NFL teams. Indeed, Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio has told his defensive starters to expect to play well into the third quarter.

"Another thing they want to see is Michael's ball security tonight," a source close to Vick said. "They want to see how Michael handles the traffic of the game."

Eagles coaches have warned Vick that the Jaguars will attack the football to test his ability to protect against fumbling, usually a problem with players who have not seen game action for quite a while.

Reid said on Tuesday that if Vick looks like he's struggling with the pace of the game, he will not hesitate to end Thursday's experiment with Vick, who will also be used in several Wildcat formations and plays -- some of them with quarterback Donovan McNabb playing wide receiver.

On Wednesday night, Vick talked to his league-assigned mentor, Tony Dungy, by telephone for about a half hour. According to Dungy, the former coach wanted Vick to be focused on playing the game, to not get caught up in the distractions, "don't overreact to how some people may react to you."

Contrary to some reports, Dungy is still Vick's mentor, and will remain so until NFL commissioner Roger Goodell makes a decision on when Vick will play in the regular season, according to league spokesman Greg Aiello. Dungy's role as Vick's mentor could continue well into the 2009 season, Aiello said.

"That relationship is continuing," Aiello said.

During early warmups at Lincoln Financial Field, well before fans were allowed into the stadium, Vick threw passes to a variety of teammates. His demeanor was far more serious than McNabb, who was joking around and even displaying to Vick the proper way to get two feet inbounds when catching a pass.

Dressed in his game pants and a black warmup top, Vick exchanged a few fist bumps with teammates.

By then, a few dozen fans were in the stands, including a handful wearing No. 7 Vick jerseys or shirts. His head down as he headed into the tunnel, Vick did not acknowledge the fans.

Running back Brian Westbrook will not play for the Eagles, who said they're just playing it safe with Westbrook. Earlier this week, Reid had said he expected Westbrook to play. Westbrook underwent surgery to remove two bone spurs from his right ankle in June.

Philadelphia Eagles prepare for pro-Michael Vick marchIniesta eyes Super Cup return

Court documents: Ben Roethlisberger's accuser drafted fake resignation

CARSON CITY, Nev. -- A woman who has accused Ben Roethlisberger of raping her at a Lake Tahoe hotel drafted her own resignation letter in an e-mail as a spoof after she had sex with the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, according to court documents filed by lawyers seeking to dismiss the case on behalf of seven casino employees.

The e-mail and others between Andrea McNulty and Guy Hyder, chief of security at Harrah's Lake Tahoe, were included in the motion filed late Tuesday in Washoe District Court in Reno.

Roethlisberger

In one e-mail to Hyder, McNulty apparently spoofed a memo from Harrah's President John Koster to staff, announcing her immediate resignation.

"She is with Big Bens child and ... she has relocated to Pittsburgh," the e-mail said. "We wish her good luck [she will need it] in her future endeavors."

McNulty's lawyer did not immediately return calls for comment Wednesday evening.

McNulty, a VIP casino hostess, filed the civil suit against Roethlisberger in July, claiming the Super Bowl-winning quarterback raped her in 2008 in a hotel penthouse across the street from a golf course where he was playing in a celebrity tournament.

Roethlisberger and his lawyers deny McNulty's allegations, and last week accused her in court documents of fabricating the assault to extort a big payoff from him.

McNulty said she reported the incident to Harrah's security but never filed a criminal complaint because she feared Harrah's would side with Roethlisberger and she would be fired. She also accused Harrah's officials of orchestrating a cover-up.

The suit seeks a minimum of $440,000 in damages from Roethlisberger, at least $50,000 in damages from the eight Harrah's officials named as defendants and an unspecified amount of punitive damages.

In the motion to dismiss, Margo Piscevich, attorney for several casino workers, including Hyder, said McNulty kept the casino security chief "informed with running e-mail commentary about her plan to have sex with Roethlisberger."

"Hyder did not report it to management, since having consensual sex with a hotel patron, while on the job, would get her fired," the motion said.

It added that her suit "is cloaked in a media-attention-getting, sensationalized and inflammatory pleading" that lacks any legal basis against the casino workers.

McNulty alleges Roethlisberger assaulted her after she went to his room to fix his television.

In another e-mail exchange with Hyder, she reportedly wrote, "Hail Mary full of grace give me the strength to not go to his room to fix his television."

Ibra agrees Barca dealFormer coworker says accuser bragged about being with Ben Roethlisberger

Mark Sanchez named New York Jets' starting QB

What the football world expected became reality Wednesday when the Jets' quarterbacks were informed that Mark Sanchez is the new starter.

Uncharted Territory

No Jets rookie started the first game of a season since Dick Jamieson started the first game in franchise history in 1960 when the Jets were known as the New York Titans.

The last Jets rookie QB to start a game was Matt Robinson on Nov. 27, 1977 at home against Pittsburgh.

So when Sanchez starts in Week 1, he'll do something even Joe Namath didn't do. Namath made his first start as a rookie in the Jets' third game of the 1965 season.

Rookie pass attempts by Jets QBs drafted in first round:

Year Quarterback Attempts 

2009 Mark Sanchez ? 

2000 Chad Pennington 5 

1983 Ken O'Brien 0 

1976 Richard Todd 162 

1965 Joe Namath 340 

1962 Sandy Stephens 0 

Source: ESPN Stats & Information 

Sanchez will start the Jets' third preseason game Saturday night against the New York Giants -- and, more importantly, the team's regular-season opener at Houston against the Texans.

"I feel that the best move for our franchise and our team is to go with Mark as our quarterback," Jets first-year head coach Rex Ryan said Wednesday.

It wasn't a question of if Sanchez would be named the starter, but when. Even though he struggled some against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night, the Jets have seen enough moxie and talent from Sanchez to make this year's fifth overall pick the face of the franchise.

"I think Mark gives us the best opportunity to win," Ryan said.

The designation of Sanchez as the Jets' starter was first reported by FoxSports.com.

The Jets traded up in the draft to select Sanchez, who was signed to a five-year deal that could be worth up to $60 million, including $28 million guaranteed.

Vying to become the Jets' starter, Sanchez, drafted out of Southern California, got off to a wretched start Monday night but finished with a flourish in a 24-23 preseason loss.

Starting for the first time, Sanchez handed off the ball on the game's opening play from scrimmage. Then he forced a pass while being hit in the stomach by middle linebacker Ray Lewis. The ball was intercepted by Haloti Ngata, who rumbled 25 yards for a touchdown to make it 7-0 with 52 seconds elapsed.

"Not obviously the way you want to start. I thought I was doing the right thing; I felt Ray come free on the right side from the protection," Sanchez said. "I was checking it down to the flat, perfect. Haloti just jumped right in front of the ball and made a really athletic play."

Mike and Mike in the Morning

ESPN NFL analyst Chris Mortensen confirms the news that Mark Sanchez has won the starting QB job with the Jets. Plus, he goes over other QB battles and talks about the Cowboys' stadium issue.

More Podcasts

Sanchez nearly had his second pass picked off, too. On his final play, however, he threw his first NFL touchdown pass -- a 19-yarder to running back Leon Washington with 5:50 left in the second quarter.

Sanchez went 3-for-8 for 43 yards. He didn't experience success until the Ravens removed several players from the first-team defense, including Lewis and safety Ed Reed.

Ryan spent the previous 10 years building the Baltimore defense, but there was no way he could fully explain to Sanchez the experience of going up against the wickedly effective unit.

"You put a young guy like Sanchez in there and you see our defense, it can be difficult," Lewis said. "You saw his eyes get big, and he was jumping around in the pocket. Bottom line: We gave a lot of looks and disguises and we confused him a little bit."

To say the least.

AFC East blog

ESPN.com's Tim Graham writes about all things AFC East in his division blog.

•Blog network: NFL Nation

"Oh, they were flying. They were flying around," Sanchez said. "You practice for it and you see it on film. These guys were doing it. You're trying to keep one eye on Ed Reed and one eye on Ray Lewis and a D-lineman gets you."

Clemens, who started New York's other exhibition game, was 5-for-10 for 60 yards. Like Sanchez, he had an interception returned for a touchdown and threw a TD pass (a 28-yarder to David Clowney in the third quarter).

Sanchez finally started to move the offense on his final drive Monday night. A short pass to Washington on a third-and-12 went for 16 yards, and a run by Washington for 15 yards on a third-and-10 set up the TD pass.

"I'm proud of the way he responded," Ryan said of Sanchez. "It ain't going to be perfect; sometimes you have these type of nights. You've got to give credit where credit is due, and most of that goes to their defense."

Toffees show Lescott loveErnest Wilford cut by Miami Dolphins, Drew Rosenhaus says

Philadelphia Eagles prepare for pro-Michael Vick march

PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia chapter of the NAACP, the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and other local civil rights groups are planning a massive demonstration to support Michael Vick at Lincoln Financial Field on Thursday, when Vick is expected to make his debut with the Eagles.

“

We believe Michael Vick has served his time, paid his debt to society and deserves a second chance and the animal rights groups want to hold him hostage for the rest of his life.

”-- J. Whyatt Mondesire, president, NAACP's Philadelphia chapter

"We believe Michael Vick has served his time, paid his debt to society and deserves a second chance and the animal rights groups want to hold him hostage for the rest of his life," J. Whyatt Mondesire, president of the Philadelphia chapter of the NAACP, said Wednesday. "We think that's patently unfair. It denies Michael Vick's basic civil rights, denies him his ability to make a living."

Mondesire said about a half-dozen groups from around the Philadelphia area were planning to meet at the front of Lincoln Financial Field and begin a march around the stadium prior to the Eagles' preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Eagles have not heard of any planned demonstration or protest from animal rights groups, which met with team management for two hours on Monday at the team's practice facility. Although no local animal rights group have yet to partner with the Eagles or Vick in a local anti-dogfighting campaign, the meeting appeared to end on a positive note and head off any planned massive protest, participants said.

Nevertheless, the Eagles' security operation is planning for individual animal rights protests, and now must plan for the pro-Vick march.

Michael Vick embraces new opportunity with Philadelphia EaglesFigo not planning return

Agent Drew Rosenhaus: Edgerrin James signs 1-year deal with Seahawks

RENTON, Wash. -- Edgerrin James is the Seahawks' latest aging star running back, less than a year and half after Shaun Alexander was unceremoniously booted out of town.

The league's leading active rusher signed a one-year contract with the Seahawks on Tuesday night. He's being asked to help revive a rushing offense that has been generally dormant since February 2006, when Alexander was the NFL MVP and Seattle was in its only Super Bowl.

Earlier Tuesday night, Seattle waived fellow veteran running back T.J. Duckett to clear roster space.

NFC West blog

ESPN.com's Mike Sando writes about all things NFC West in his division blog.

•Blog network: NFL Nation

"It's official! Congrats to Edgerrin James on signing a 1 year deal with the Seahawks," agent Drew Rosenhaus posted on Twitter late Tuesday.

A team spokesman confirmed the signing moments later.

A source told ESPN.com's John Clayton the deal can be worth as much as $2 million if James hits all of his incentives. It is not known what the base salary is and what guarantees are involved.

The deal comes 16 months after Seattle released Alexander, when he was 30.

James, 31, is 11th on the NFL rushing list with 12,121 yards but was benched for the first time in his career last season by Arizona. He is expected to practice for the first time with his third NFL team on Wednesday.

Duckett confirmed to The Associated Press in a text message Tuesday night that he had been released. Seattle was at its preseason roster limit and had to shed someone to add James.

The 28-year-old Duckett, who played in Atlanta for current Seahawks coach Jim Mora and offensive coordinator Greg Knapp from 2004-05, led Seattle with eight touchdowns rushing last season. But he did not start a game in his only season with the Seahawks, and he was relegated by former coach Mike Holmgren to almost exclusively being a short-yardage back.

Knapp is installing his highly successful zone-blocking scheme in Seattle this season, with an offensive line that already is missing three starters to injuries. He had been planning to use a triumvirate to run behind it: Julius Jones, Duckett and elusive, still-developing second-year man Justin Forsett.

In 12 combined seasons, they have rushed for 5,125 fewer yards than James, the 10-year veteran and former star with the Indianapolis Colts. James is within 158 yards of Marcus Allen and Marshall Faulk on the career rushing list, and 191 yards behind Jim Brown for eighth.

"Yeah. I watched 'Edge' quite a bit. I know he's a good back," Jones said. "He's definitely a great back and somebody I've always watched."

James had 794 carries for 2,895 yards and 16 touchdowns in his three seasons in Arizona. He topped 1,000 yards in 2006 and again in 2007, but was benched for seven games early in '08 as the Cardinals went with rookie Tim Hightower.

James asked Arizona to release him then. The Cardinals refused, and he was reinserted into the lineup late in the season. His resurgence during the playoffs gave Arizona the running game it had lacked and sparked the team to James' only Super Bowl.

Before the Cardinals released him, James had one year and $5 million remaining on the four-year, $40 million deal he signed with Arizona before the 2006 season.

Until Tuesday night, the lone veteran tailback remaining on Seattle's roster had been Jones. He now stands to lose carries to James.

"No. I'm not worried about that," said Jones, the former lead back with the Dallas Cowboys. "All I'm working on is trying to get myself better."

Jones practiced for only the second time in 12 days Tuesday following a bruised thigh.

"We'll wait and see," Jones said of Seattle's new running back picture. "I guess in a day or two, it will work itself out."

Source: Ex-Arizona Cardinal Edgerrin James signs with Seattle SeahawksBarca agree Maxwell deal

Plaxico Burress says club security knew he had a gun the night he shot himself in the leg

Plaxico Burress said security at a New York nightclub knew he had a gun on the night he accidentally shot himself while walking up a flight of stairs in November 2008.

That gunshot landed him in jail for two years after a guilty plea last week. Burress will be sentenced Sept. 22.

Plaxico Burress Talks to Jeremy Schaap

Check out Jeremy Schaap's exclusive interview with Plaxico Burress on E:60 Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Burress spoke for the first time publicly in an interview with ESPN E:60 correspondent Jeremy Schaap on Monday afternoon in Florida. The complete interview is scheduled to air Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN).

Burress said that security at the Latin Quarter nightclub knew he was carrying a gun. "It wasn't like I was trying to hide it," Burress said.

"I go into this place and go through the security -- they know I have it and they pat me down and they said 'OK,' and they let me in with it."

Burress said he was in the club for about five minutes when a crowd of people began to gather around him. At that point, he said club personnel asked if he wanted to go to an upstairs room to "relax" and get away from others.

As he was walking upstairs, Burress said he missed a step and the gun began to slide down his pantleg. Burress said he reached to stop it from hitting the ground when he accidentally pulled the trigger through his pants.

"My finger hit, like, right on the trigger," he said. "What are the odds on that happening?"

The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Jeremy Schaap says Plaxico Burress takes responsibility for the gun incident and is emotional when talking about his kids. After an hour and 20 minutes, Schaap has sympathy for Plaxico.

More Podcasts

He said he didn't realize he was shot until he noticed that his shoes were red with blood. He said nobody heard the gunshot. He told teammate Antonio Pierce to take him to the hospital.

"I never even made it up to the VIP room," he said. He said he was wearing black jeans, not sweatpants as earlier reported, and a sweatshirt.

Schaap asked Burress why he did not have a holster.

"Bad judgment," Burress said.

The 32-year-old Burress pleaded guilty last Thursday to one count of attempted criminal possession of a weapon.

His plea deal calls for a two-year prison term. Burress is to be sentenced Sept. 22. With time off for good behavior, Burress likely will serve 20 months. He will be monitored during an additional two years of supervised release.

NFC East blog

ESPN.com's Matt Mosley writes about all things NFC East in his division blog.

•Blog network: NFL Nation

Burress' lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, told the New York Post last weekend that his client is getting advice from a prison consultant on "how to use his period of confinement as productively as possible."

"I really don't know what to expect, to be honest with you," Burress told Schaap. "I know people that went in and came out and they tell you about it, but as a person -- nobody wants to go to prison.

"Like I said, I got myself into a situation and, you know, I gotta deal with the consequences for it."

Burress was indicted earlier in August on two counts of criminal possession of a weapon and one count of reckless endangerment. He faced a minimum sentence of 3 years if convicted at trial.

The Giants released Burress in April; he has not signed with a new team.

Hours after Burress' court appearance last Thursday, the NFL announced that commissioner Roger Goodell has suspended the receiver and said Burress is ineligible to sign with any team until he completes his prison term. After that, Burress may sign with an NFL team without further review.

Valencia deny Banega switchFormer New York Giants receiver Plaxico Burress pleads guilty, to serve 2 years in prison

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady not focused on contract

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Tom Brady isn't focusing on his contract after quarterback Philip Rivers signed a lucrative deal with the San Diego Chargers.AFC East blog

ESPN.com's Tim Graham writes about all things AFC East in his division blog.

•Blog network: NFL Nation

Brady said Tuesday he's thought about the status of his contract, which expires after the 2010 season. But he's more concerned with preparing for the New England Patriots season after missing the last 15 games in 2008 with a knee injury.

The NFL's 2007 MVP is in the fifth year of a six-year contract worth $60 million. On Monday, Rivers signed a six-year contract through 2015 worth $92 million with between $38 million and $39 million guaranteed. Eli Manning of the New York Giants recently signed a six-year, $97 million extension with $35 million guaranteed.

Brady said contract negotiations always work out, one way or another.

Matt Cassel signs long-term deal with Kansas City ChiefsSrna’s agent rules out Barca

Source: Ex-Arizona Cardinal Edgerrin James signs with Seattle Seahawks

Former Arizona Cardinals running back Edgerrin James has agreed to terms with the Seattle Seahawks, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

James was expected to sign later Monday night, according to a team source.

The Seahawks were mum on talk they are about to add James. A team spokesman said the team would not comment Monday about the subject of James, amid reports the free agent and league's active leading rusher with 12,121 yards has signed with Seattle. The spokesman said the Seahawks would address the "speculation" on Tuesday, their next practice day heading into their third preseason game on Saturday at Kansas City.

James

The 31-year-old James, a former star with the Arizona Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts, did not visit Seahawks headquarters and was not in the Seattle area on Monday. He has not taken or passed a physical, so a contract is not finished.

ProFootballTalk.com cited sources in reporting it was a one-year deal worth $2 million.

His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, did not immediately return e-mails and text messages seeking comment.

Seahawks coach Jim Mora did not comment on James during a 30-minute session with reporters.

When asked how his running backs have been this preseason, Mora said "just OK." He called Seattle's new running game "still a work in progress."

"We're always looking, at every position we're looking," for reinforcements, Mora said, while not specifically addressing the James talk.

Seattle has new offensive coordinator Greg Knapp installing his highly successful zone-blocking scheme for this season, and had been planning to use a triumvirate to run behind it: former Dallas Cowboys lead back Julius Jones, bruiser T.J. Duckett and elusive second-year man Justin Forsett.

In 12 combined seasons, those three have rushed for 5,125 fewer yards than James. The 10-year-veteran passed Franco Harris last season for 11th on the NFL's all-time rushing list. James is within 158 yards of both Marcus Allen and Marshall Faulk on that list, and he is 191 yards behind Jim Brown for eighth.

The Cardinals finally granted James' wish to be released in late April.

James had 794 carries for 2,895 yards and 16 touchdowns in his three seasons in Arizona. He topped 1,000 yards in 2006 and again in 2007 but was benched for seven games early in '08, the first time that's happened in his career, as the Cardinals went with rookie Tim Hightower.

James asked the team to release him then. The Cardinals refused, and he was reinserted into the lineup late in the season. His resurgence during the playoffs gave Arizona the running game it had lacked and sparked it to James' only Super Bowl.

James had sought his release early in the free agency period but the Cardinals held off until after April's draft, where they chose Ohio State running back Chris "Beanie" Wells in the first round.

Before the Cardinals released him, James had one year and $5 million remaining on the four-year, $40 million deal he signed with Arizona before the 2006 season. He recently experienced a personal tragedy with the death of his longtime girlfriend, and mother of his four children, of leukemia at age 30.

Matt Cassel signs long-term deal with Kansas City ChiefsZigic staying at Valencia

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Angelo Crowell is lost for season

TAMPA, Fla. -- Tampa Bay linebacker Angelo Crowell tore his biceps in Saturday's preseason game against Jacksonville and will be lost for the season, Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris said Sunday afternoon.

NFC South blog

ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas writes about all things NFC South in his division blog.

•Blog network: NFL Nation

Crowell was one of the first free-agent signings after Morris and general manager Mark Dominik took over and initially was viewed as the likely starter on the strong side.

Crowell, slowed by other injuries in offseason workouts and preseason, fell behind Quincy Black and Adam Hayward on the depth chart. Black now appeared to be ticketed for the starting job with Hayward and Geno Hayes as the top two backups at the outside linebacker positions.

The 28-year-old spent six seasons in Buffalo after entering the NFL as a third-round draft pick in 2003. He had his best season in 2007, leading the Bills with 140 tackles, two sacks and one interception.

Sevilla capture NegredoAqib Talib of Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrested, charged with battery, resisting arrest

Kansas City Chiefs acquire offensive lineman Ikechuku Ndukwe, Andy Alleman from Miami Dolphins

New Kansas City Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli kept it in the family as he tried to upgrade the Chiefs' offensive line.

Pioli acquired two offensive linemen from the Miami Dolphins for undisclosed compensation, likely future draft considerations, two NFL sources said. The Dolphins are run by Bill Parcells, who is Pioli's father-in-law.

AFC West blog

ESPN.com's Bill Williamson writes about all things AFC West in his division blog.

•Blog network: NFL Nation

The Chiefs acquired guard/tackle Ike Ndukwe and guard/center Andy Alleman. Ndukwe is expected to push for a starting spot at guard or tackle.

He was a starting guard for the Dolphins last season but was moved to tackle this year.

Alleman is expected to provide interior line depth. Alleman is a third-year player from Akron. He started four games last season for Miami.

The Chiefs' offensive line has been a work in progress since the offseason and it has been somewhat shaky this preseason. Thus, the pursuit for stability led to this trade.

Matt Cassel signs long-term deal with Kansas City ChiefsCity beat Barca in friendly

Ernest Wilford cut by Miami Dolphins, Drew Rosenhaus says

DAVIE, Fla. -- The Miami Dolphins have given up on their experiment with Ernest Wilford at tight end -- or anywhere else.

AFC East blog

ESPN.com's Tim Graham writes about all things AFC East in his division blog.

•Blog network: NFL Nation

Wilford's contract was terminated Monday. The Dolphins also waived running back Anthony Kimble, nose tackle Joe Cohen and linebackers Orion Martin and Tearrius George. Receiver Chris Williams was waived injured.

Wilford, Miami's biggest free-agent bust since the Bill Parcells regime took over, moved from receiver to tight end this year. He caught a 33-yard touchdown pass against Jacksonville's reserves in the exhibition opener but had no catches in the second preseason game Saturday.

Wilford, 30, signed a four-year, $13 million contract last season with the Dolphins in a frenzy of moves at the start of free agency.

However, he never fit into the Dolphins offense. He played in only seven games and caught three passes for 25 yards.

He caught 141 passes during his first four seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars before leaving for the Dolphins.

Pedro pens new Barca dealBaltimore Ravens add Drew Bennett to fill void at wide receiver

Pittsburgh Steelers hold QB Ben Roethlisberger (Achilles tendon) out of preseason game vs. Washington Redskins

LANDOVER, Md. -- Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger got the night off after injuring his Achilles tendon in practice this week.

The Steelers said Roethlisberger did not play in Saturday night's 17-13 preseason loss to the Washington Redskins.AFC North

ESPN.com's James Walker writes about all things AFC North in his division blog.

•Blog network: NFL Nation

Roethlisberger was hurt Thursday when left tackle Max Starks stepped on the quarterback's foot. The injury isn't thought to be serious, and Roethlisberger traveled with the team to Washington.

Roethlisberger initially complained about feeling considerable pain but later reported that it had begun to subside.

"Yeah, he's fine. Well, not fine," coach Mike Tomlin said after the game. "Of course, if he was fine, he would've played. But we don't think it's going to be a long-term thing at all."

Roethlisberger was seen in tennis shoes walking with a limp before Saturday's game.

Roethlisberger had an ice pack on the back of the ankle when he was carted off at the end of Thursday's workout, with offensive coordinator Bruce Arians accompanying him. Roethlisberger didn't talk to reporters, but he could be overheard saying, "Oh it just feels great. It feels like a car ran over it."

As the Steelers' starting offense practiced against the starting defense, Starks couldn't handle a rush from linebacker James Harrison, the 2008 NFL defensive player of the year.

"But you never like to see your quarterback hurt," said Starks.

Starks went down to one knee as he tripped Roethlisberger, who stayed on the turf for about five minutes.

Charlie Batch started in Roethlisberger's place and struggled. He finished 5-of-14 for 63 yards. Left guard Chris Kemoeatu also missed the game with a rib injury.

Former coworker says accuser bragged about being with Ben RoethlisbergerNegredo set for Tigers talks

Williamson: Reports indicate Raiders assistant Randy Hanson will cooperate with police

The assault case involving two Oakland Raiders coaches is reportedly going back into the hands of the Napa, Calif., police department.

The National Football Post is reporting that Oakland defensive assistant Randy Hanson will cooperate with police and tell them who is responsible for his broken jaw. He was allegedly assaulted by another member of the Raiders staff. AOL's Fanhouse reported that Hanson was assaulted by Oakland head coach Tom Cable.

AFC West blog

ESPN.com's Bill Williamson writes about all things AFC West in his division blog.

•Blog network: NFL Nation

Cable and the Raiders have called it an internal matter. Cable told ESPN analyst and former college teammate Mark Schlereth that nothing happened. ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported that Hanson was hurt when his face hit a cabinet after the chair he was sitting was flipped over by Cable in a meeting room at the team's training camp facility in Napa earlier this month.

The National Football Post reported Thursday that Cable choked Hanson during the confrontation and threatened to kill Hanson.

The NFL is investigating the matter and Cable could face league discipline if it is proven that he assaulted Hanson. However, now that Hanson is reportedly going to cooperate with police, Cable could face up to felony charges if it is proven Hanson's jaw was broken in the altercation.

Hanson's attorney John McGuinn, of San Francisco, did not return a phone message from ESPN.com. Napa police have said that they would not pursue the case unless Hanson cooperated. Now, it appears he will.

Injured San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Jones to miss 2 monthsFigo not planning return

Former New York Giants receiver Plaxico Burress pleads guilty, to serve 2 years in prison

NEW YORK -- Facing the prospect of spending at least 3 years behind bars, one-time Super Bowl star Plaxico Burress on Thursday accepted a plea bargain with a two-year prison sentence for accidentally shooting himself in the thigh at a Manhattan nightclub.

The former New York Giants wide receiver pleaded guilty to one count of attempted criminal possession of a weapon, a lesser charge than he had faced. He will be sentenced Sept. 22, and lawyer Benjamin Brafman said he expects Burress to begin serving his sentence immediately after.

Burress got into a black SUV without speaking to reporters outside Manhattan state Supreme Court, but Brafman said, "After an agonizing period of discussion, Plaxico decided that he wanted to do this, to put this behind him as quickly as possible."

[+] Enlarge

AP Photo/Seth WenigPlaxico Burress, leaving a courthouse in Manhattan with his attorney, Benjamin Brafman, will be sentenced Sept. 22.

Burress was indicted earlier this month on two counts of criminal possession of a weapon and one count of reckless endangerment. He faced a minimum sentence of 3 years if convicted at trial.

Hours after Burress' court appearance, the NFL announced commissioner Roger Goodell had suspended the receiver and said Burress is ineligible to sign with any team until he completes his prison term. After that, Burress may sign with an NFL team without further review.

Goodell, who met with Burress and his representatives last week, decided the case didn't need to be reviewed because he already had decided to suspend Burress for one season, sources told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen.

If Burress had entered a not-guilty plea Thursday, Goodell would have suspended him for the upcoming season, sources told Mortensen.

The guilty plea ends months of haggling between Brafman and the Manhattan district attorney's office. The case went to a grand jury after negotiations broke down, apparently because District Attorney Robert Morgenthau was insisting that Burress serve at least two years in prison.

Morgenthau did not comment on Burress' guilty plea.

“

This was not an intentional criminal act. In my judgment, a two-year prison sentence is a very severe punishment.

”-- Benjamin Brafman, Plaxico Burress' attorney

Assistant District Attorney John Wolfstaetter said in court that Thursday was Burress' last chance to accept the deal.

Burress, wearing a dark blue suit and appearing subdued, first entered a not-guilty plea to the initial charges against him. After Brafman informed Judge Michael Melkonian that Burress had decided to plead to the lesser charge, Burress said, "guilty" to attempted weapons possession in the second degree.

Brafman said Burress, 32, was thinking of his family in taking the plea, but the attorney questioned the recommended prison sentence.

"This was not an intentional criminal act," Brafman said. "In my judgment, a two-year prison sentence is a very severe punishment."

With time off for good behavior, Burress likely will serve 20 months. He will be monitored during an additional two years of supervised release.

The Giants released Burress in April; he had not signed with a new team.

Giant Support

Many of Plaxico Burress' former Giants teammates were astonished upon hearing of his guilty plea and two-year prison sentence. They lamented his absence from the playing field, and expressed sorrow at the turn of events. Story

"I have spoken with John Mara, Steve Tisch, Jerry Reese and Tom Coughlin this morning, and to a person, they had the same reaction: This has been a tragic, sad, disappointing situation from the beginning," Giants vice president of communications Pat Hanlon said in a statement. "Our concern has always been for Plax's welfare, and that continues to be our overriding feeling."

Burress' former teammates likewise were saddened by Thursday's news.

"He is a friend of mine, a great teammate. We won a championship with him. I am saddened by the news -- two years," quarterback Eli Manning said. "Again, I just wish the best for him and his family and try to support him any way we can."

Pro Bowl defensive end Justin Tuck said his heart sank when he learned of the plea.

"Today when I heard the news, my heart went out to him and his family, and obviously I'm just hoping that everything turns out all right in the end," Tuck said.

Burress, who caught the winning touchdown for the Giants against the New England Patriots in the final minute of the 2008 Super Bowl, and former teammate Antonio Pierce were at the Latin Quarter nightclub in Manhattan in late November when a gun tucked into Burress' waistband slipped down his leg and fired, shooting him in the right thigh.

NFC East blog

ESPN.com's Matt Mosley writes about all things NFC East in his division blog.

•Blog network: NFL Nation

The bullet narrowly missed a nightclub security guard who was standing inches away, prosecutors said. It lodged in the floor and was recovered by a bartender.

The gun was not licensed in New York or in New Jersey, where Burress lived. His license to carry a concealed weapon in the state of Florida had expired in May 2008.

Prosecutors said Pierce drove Burress to a hospital, then took the gun to his own home in New Jersey. It was later delivered to Burress' home.

Pierce was not indicted. The grand jury also did not indict the nightclub security guard who carried the gun to Pierce's car or the hospital staff members who failed to notify police that Burress had been shot.

Brafman called the case "a perfect example about how bad judgment can have very serious consequences," and said Burress was treated more harshly because he is a celebrity.

"If Plaxico Burress were not a high-profile individual, there never would be a case," he said. "If he were just John Q Public he could have walked out of the club and he never would have been arrested."

Burress would make a statement at his sentencing, Brafman said, adding that he did not know where Burress would serve his time.

Donte Stallworth of Cleveland Browns released from jailThomert hopes for Spain switch

Aqib Talib of Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrested, charged with battery, resisting arrest

Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib was arrested early Thursday and charged with simple battery and resisting arrest, both misdemeanors, in connection with an alleged assault on a cab driver.

Tampa-area media outlets reported that according to a Florida Highway Patrol arrest report, Talib struck a cab driver in the right ear and neck with a closed fist shortly after 11 p.m. on Wednesday night.

Talib

According to a report from the Pinellas County, Fla., sheriff's office, Talib, 23, was arrested early Thursday morning by the Florida Highway Patrol. He was booked and released on a total of $300 bail at about 6 a.m. Thursday, according to the report.

According to the police report, when police arrived on the scene Talib and two other men were passengers in the cab. Police asked Talib to get out of the car three times and he did not cooperate, according to the report.

"It was like someone hit me upside the head with a hammer," said the driver, 47-year-old David Duggan of St. Petersburg, according to the St. Petersburg Times. "He hit me so hard he knocked my hat off my head."

NFC South blog

ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas writes about all things NFC South in his division blog.

•Blog network: NFL Nation

Duggan said he had picked the men up outside Nova 535, a St. Petersburg venue that hosts private parties, and charged the men $50 to take them to a hotel in Tampa, according to the Times.

Speaking to reporters Thursday, Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominick said the team is in contact with the NFL regarding Talib's arrest.

"It's unfortunate certainly what happened last night," he said. "I've been in contact with the league office [Thursday] and this falls under the personal conduct policy. Certainly whatever decision is made, the commissioner's decision supercedes everything."

An NFL spokesman confirmed the league would review the incident, according to The Tampa Tribune.

"As in any other such matter, we will look into it," league spokesman Greg Aiello said in an e-mail, according to the Tribune.

Dominick expressed strong disappointment in Talib.

"Aqib is a very outgoing, outspoken young man," Dominick said. "He certainly needs to mature a lot more. That's what I'll say."

But Dominick also said the team isn't ready to give up on last year's first-round draft pick.

"What we're trying to do is to try to help him. It may not seem like it's worked, but we're going to continue to work with him," Dominick said. "If he needs counseling, we'll get him counseling. We're going to work and try to catch his attention."

Talib, whom the Buccaneers drafted 20th overall in 2008 out of Kansas, is currently penciled in as one of the Buccaneers' starting cornerbacks. He had four interceptions in 15 games as a rookie last season.

"Obviously you're concerned, obviously you're disappointed," coach Raheem Morris said. "The real deal of the matter is it's a league issue. ... You have to let it go through due process."

Morris said Talib did not practice for "obvious reasons," though last year's No. 1 draft pick is expected to play in Saturday night's preseason game at Jacksonville.

"Right now all I can do is mentor and help him, get him going the right way," the first-year coach said. "Make sure stuff like this doesn't happen to him again."

Talib has been involved in a pair of violent incidents since joining the league, according to area media reports. In a brawl during practice in May, Talib swung his helmet at a teammate and hit bystander Torrie Cox instead. And last year, during the league's rookie symposium, he got into a fight with then-teammate Cory Boyd.

Zokora targets Sevilla gloryJacksonville Jaguars preseason games will not be on local TV

Fran Tarkenton expresses disdain over Brett Favre and retirement indecision

Fran Tarkenton, who previously has expressed his loathing over Brett Favre's inability to make a decision, spoke out again Wednesday, a day after Favre decided to sign with the Minnesota Vikings.

"I really have no interest in what Brett Favre does. He kind of lost me a few years ago by retiring and unretiring and here and there," Tarkenton said on "The Opening Drive" on Sirius NFL Radio.

"I asked a few friends here, maybe 10 or 12 people we were out with last night. I said, 'What do you think about Brett Favre going back to the Vikings?' You know who cared? Nobody. It's good news for you guys. It's good news for television and so forth but the last time I heard ... football was a team sport, isn't it? It's not just about the quarterback."

Scott Van Pelt

Aaron Rodgers explains why he has never been bothered by the constant Brett Favre talk. Rodgers supports Favre's decision to return, but says the build-up to this season has been much easier for him without the distractions.

More Podcasts

Favre, who first retired in March 2008, came out of retirement and forced the Green Bay Packers -- with whom he had starred for 16 years -- to trade him to the New York Jets in August when the Packers declined to accept his unretirement.

He played one season for the Jets, then retired again in February.

But rumors started bubbling again in May that Favre wasn't fully committed to retiring. Vikings coach Brad Childress communicated regularly with Favre. And Tarkenton -- a Hall of Famer who spent five seasons with the New York Giants, but is remembered for his 13 seasons with the Vikings -- made clear he was disgusted by the team's flirtation with Favre.

"I think he has been a great flamboyant quarterback, but he has made more stupid plays than any great quarterback that I've ever seen. Look at his final game in a Packers uniform. He blew that game [NFC championship] against the Giants," Tarkenton said in late May on KFAN-1130 in the Twin Cities.

At first, Favre said he would remain retired. Then he wasn't sure. He said he would let the Vikings know by July 30. Then he decided he'd stay retired. Then on Tuesday, he flew to Minnesota and signed a two-year deal worth $25 million.

NFL Rumor Central

ESPN Insider has the updated buzz from the National Football League rumor mill.
Story

"I really think the whole Brett Favre saga of retiring, unretiring, three weeks ago [saying] 'I can't play,' the Vikings said, 'We're moving on,' it's a circus," Tarkenton said Wednesday on "The Opening Drive." "It's an absolute circus, and it takes away from all the other things that are going on with the Vikings, with the NFL. We're getting ready for a football season and this is a circus and I just have no interest in it.

"Wouldn't you be upset if you're a Packer fan? I think you're going to have Packer fans burning the No. 4 Favre Green Bay jersey. I think the Packer fans have every right to be outraged."

Packers fans might be upset, but Vikings fans have embraced their new quarterback, as evidenced by the Vikings' ticket sales.

The team has sold more than 3,000 season tickets in 24 hours, and about 10,000 single-game tickets during that time. Seats for the Oct. 5 game against Green Bay are available only through a season ticket. There are roughly 7,000 season tickets remaining.

Last season, the Vikings had to race to beat the blackout deadline for several games.

Merchandise also is moving. Team chief marketing officer Steve LaCroix said several hundred pre-orders for Favre jerseys were placed online Tuesday. The purple No. 4s were scheduled to begin showing up in stores Wednesday.

Tony Dungy, the former Indianapolis Colts coach who retired -- and has stayed retired -- in January, was on "The Waddle and Silvy" show on ESPN 1000 in Chicago, and said Favre has a limited window in which to win over his new teammates.

"I would be very worried about that if I were the Minnesota Vikings and their head coach," Dungy said on "The Waddle and Silvy" show. "He's going to have to let them know he's as committed as they are. And get that across to them. If that happens, it could to be a big boost. If it doesn't happen, if players feel you weren't in this from the beginning ... is he really in this with us? If there were feelings for quarterbacks who were already there ... it's going to be interesting to see how this plays out."

Figo not planning returnAgent: Brett Favre decision likely to come next week

Ben Roethlisberger's lawyer: Accuser e-mails absolve QB

PITTSBURGH -- A former Nevada casino worker who accused Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger of rape in a civil lawsuit should drop the case because her own e-mails and text messages prove she wasn't assaulted, his attorney said.

Andrea McNulty "should abandon her lawsuit immediately and admit that Ben Roethlisberger did not rape her," Roethlisberger's attorney W. David Cornwell said in a statement e-mailed to The Associated Press. "We believe that [the woman's] own words directly refute the scurrilous allegations made in her complaint."

Roethlisberger

McNulty contends in the lawsuit filed last month in Washoe County District Court in Reno, Nev., that Roethlisberger raped her in his room at Harrah's in Lake Tahoe in July 2008 when he was there to play in a celebrity golf tournament.

McNulty never went to authorities; her lawsuit says she didn't file a criminal complaint because she feared Harrah's would side with Roethlisberger and she would be fired. She also accused Harrah's officials of orchestrating a cover-up.

Cornwell provided the AP and other news outlets with 18 pages of e-mails and texts purportedly between the 31-year-old woman and a male friend.

Cornwell wouldn't say Wednesday how he obtained the e-mails and texts, but said he has a "good faith basis" to believe they are legitimate. Some of the e-mails were sent within a day of the alleged attack, including some just a couple of hours later, Cornwell said.

In an e-mail two days before the alleged rape, McNulty tells her friend that she has been chosen to take care of the resort's celebrity guests, including Roethlisberger, Cornwell said. She also tells him that he and the quarterback look alike.

On July 12, less than 24 hours after the alleged rape, McNulty writes about how much she has enjoyed entertaining the celebrities and VIPs.

"The golf tournament has been really fun ... I am really excited because we are all going to see Journey tonight and that will be soooooo much fun. Speaking of which I need to head over to dinner with your lookalike and a few others before heading out," the e-mail said, according to Cornwell.

Calvin Dunlap, the attorney for McNulty, told ESPN's Shelley Smith "no comment" on Wednesday in response to the release of the e-mails. Dunlap didn't return a message left by The Associated Press on Wednesday. Cornwell wouldn't comment beyond his e-mailed statement.

In her lawsuit, McNulty said she was distraught and left work after the assault, going to cry in her pickup truck.

But in an e-mail sent from her work station two hours after the alleged attack, she sounds as if nothing has occurred, Cornwell said. "Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh I finally got away," she writes. Nine minutes later she sent him a cute note filled with mock baby talk, Cornwell said.

In text messages sent in December, the man asked her what would happen if they broke up, Cornwell said.

"I would date Ben Roethlisberger," she answered. "hahahahah."

Michel in Blues medicalFormer coworker says accuser bragged about being with Ben Roethlisberger

Brett Favre signs with Minnesota Vikings

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Brett Favre is coming back for more.

The 39-year-old quarterback turned his back on retirement forthe second time in as many years, agreeing Tuesday to play for theMinnesota Vikings.

"I felt I did everything I possibly could do to get where I need to be," Favre said at his introductory news conference Tuesday. "You're 39, your arm may not feel like it did at 21. But the pieces are in place that you don't have to do that much and I agree with that.

"If they were willing to take that chance, I was, too."

Lackluster Finishes

The memory of the Jets' 1-4 finish with Brett Favre at the helm is fresh, but the truth is, Favre has experienced late-season fades in each of the past four seasons. The numbers below, from ESPN Stats and Information, are for 2005 through 2008.

Category First 11 games Last 5 games 

Comp pct 64.8 56.1 

Pass yards PG 253.8 211.4 

TD-Int 75-50 13-34 

Passer rating 88.2 59.9 

Favre finally decided that he didn't want to live with regrets.

"I don't know how I'll feel a year from now, five years from now, but I didn't want to say what if," he said.

The Vikings will pay Favre $12 million this year and $13 million next season, sources told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen and ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. The contract does not contain performance bonuses.

Because Favre is a vested veteran, the $12 million is guaranteed for this season if he is on the opening day roster. This also applies to the $13 million 2010 deal. This year, $6 million is guaranteed for skill and injury, meaning that if he is bad during the next few weeks, the Vikings can't get out for less than $6 million.

The 2009 salary payments are deferred: $4 million over the season, $4 million in March and $4 million in 2011.

The first inkling that something was afoot came early Tuesday, when two television stations in Hattiesburg, Miss., and Minneapolis reported that the Vikings had sent a private plane to Hattiesburg to pick up Favre.

Sources told Hattiesburg television station WDAM, which initially broke the story, that Favre had said: "We may know something by dinner."

A high-level source first told Minneapolis TV station WCCO that Favre was expected to sign a deal with the Vikings on Tuesday.

The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Trent Dilfer reacts to Brett Favre's return to the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings. Dilfer says it's worked out well for Favre, but he's not sure it will work out well for the Vikings.

More Podcasts

Favre and his wife, Deanna, arrived to cheering fans outside the team's practicefacility and the quarterback was in a helmet and pads less than 90 minutes later. His red practice jersey was the familiar No. 4, the same number he wore for years with his now-rival Green Bay Packers.

Coach Brad Childress, who greeted the Favres at the airport, had confirmed the planned meeting in an early Tuesday e-mail to The Associated Press. Asked if the plan was to sign Favre, Childress replied: "In a perfect world."

Childress' wish came true shortly afterward, when the Vikings announced the signing.

"This is the weekend Brett decided he wanted to come back. And I'm not sure either side ever closed the door," Favre's agent, Bus Cook, told ESPN's Mortensen.

ESPN analyst Cris Carter reported that Childress already has told the Vikings that Favre would be starting in Friday night's preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

"I have mixed emotions, but I have always loved to watch him play," Favre's mother, Bonita, told the Sun Herald of Biloxi. "This time, however, I thought he would stay retired and stay home. I guess he could not do it.

"They [Minnesota] seem to have a good team in place, and he liked that. I guess I need to get a Vikings jersey now."

Favre's arrival translated into instant action in the Vikings' ticket office. During a five-hour stretch Tuesday afternoon, the team sold 2,000 season-ticket packages and 6,000 single-game tickets, according to vice president of sales and marketing Steve LaCroix.

Favre, a longtime star in Green Bay, came out of retirement last season to play for the New York Jets. He retired again, only to then entertain the idea of joining the Vikings. Three weeks ago, Childress said the quarterback would stay retired.

The pronouncement turned out to be premature.

Fantasy: What to expect

Brett Favre's addition to the Vikings should be a boon to the cast around him, ESPN.com Fantasy analyst Matthew Berry believes.

While Favre is just a borderline top-20 fantasy quarterback (he was 16th in points among QBs in 2008), Adrian Peterson and Bernard Berrian should see boosts in production.

The presence of Favre makes Peterson the consensus No. 1 pick. Berry previously had Peterson ranked No. 2 behind Michael Turner.

Also, Berrian is now a top-20 fantasy receiver. He is currently ranked No. 26 in ESPN.com average draft position.

ESPN.com projections:
•Favre: 3,294 passing yards; 21 TDs; 19 INTs
•Berrian: 73 receptions; 1,150 yards; 7 TDs
•Peterson: 1,701 rushing yards; 11 rushing TDs; 22 receptions; 184 receiving yards; 3 receiving TDs

•2009 Draft Kit | Blog

Favre said that the injury that required surgery on his biceps tendon and then finding out that he had a tear in his rotator cuff led him to think he shouldn't play anymore.

"I just kept thinking I didn't want to go through what I did last year," he said.

"Between three weeks ago and the phone conversation yesterday [with Childress], I talked to Dr. [James] Andrews and he assured me it wouldn't be an issue. I felt if everyone was going to take that chance, I was to."

Dr. Andrews detected a slight tear in his right rotator cuff in May while performing arthroscopic surgery on the quarterback's passing shoulder.

During practice sessions in Mississippi, Favre said that "the arm has felt, not 100 percent, but pretty good, good enough to make the throws I need to make."

That led him to decide to go for it.

"As friends and family has told me, you never know until you take the chance," he said.

Favre, who holds almost all of the NFL's career passing records, has never been much of a fan of offseason practices, though. Last summer, he ended his retirement with the Packers and forced a trade to the Jets, where he faded down the stretch amid problems with his throwing arm.

But Favre remained in regular communication with the Vikings' coaching staff the past three weeks, and a source told ESPN's Ed Werder that owner Zygi Wilf had to do very little convincing when the two met this week near Favre's home in Hattiesburg.

"He had a lot of aches and pains and they basically needed a commitment from him before he felt he was ready to play,'' a source told Werder. "He wants to be able to do the best he can do and doesn't want to disappoint them.''

Favre has been working out regularly with Oak Grove High School players in Hattiesburg, according to WDAM-TV, and has not missed a practice even after telling the Vikings he would remain retired.

The fact that the Vikings have a chance to make a deep run in the playoffs factored heavily in Favre's decision.

"I felt from my standpoint that I could offer some experience and leadership, and I have to admit through this whole process after I said no three weeks ago, sometimes I was OK with it, and other times I said. I can really help this team."

The Vikings finished training camp last week and beat Indianapolis 13-3 in their preseason opener Friday. They got a strong performance from quarterback Sage Rosenfels, who has been competing with Tarvaris Jackson for the starting job since Favre jilted the team July 28.

When Favre arrived at training camp, third-string quarterback John David Booty graciously gave him his jersey number. Booty, who had been wearing No. 4, was assigned No. 9.

“

I think he's a great quarterback, a great guy, a greatleader. Would I like to hit him? Hell, yeah, I'dlike to hit him. All these damn practices out here and they didn'tlet us hit him.

”-- Packers linebacker Nick Barnett

Jackson and Rosenfels were a little more begrudging in handing over the starting job.

"It's not a good feeling, but you have to take it for what it's worth and try and get better from it," said Jackson, who was hoping to assert himself and live up to the label of quarterback of the future he received when coach Brad Childress drafted him in 2006.

It may be even more difficult for Rosenfels, who spent the first eight seasons of his career as a backup in Washington, Miami and Houston. When the Texans traded him to the Vikings this offseason, the 31-year-old thought he was finally getting a chance to be the man.

Now he'll have to take a seat on the bench, again.

"It's something that wasn't a total shock," said Rosenfels, who had a strong preseason debut when he completed 10 of 13 passes and led two scoring drives against the Colts on Friday. "Obviously this has been three months in the ongoing sort of thing. So for me personally, this wasn't what I was hoping for. I tried to get traded here and got traded here.

"But in my nine years this is the best football team I've ever been on. We have so much talent. If the team needs me this year, when the team needs me this year, I'm going to be ready."

The Vikings are expected to challenge for the NFC North title this season, with whoever is behind center.

Rosenfels and Jackson have had some rough moments during practice. Jackson hurt his knee, missed a few workouts and then returned, but he was out of sync last week against the Colts.

Rosenfels did well, but preseason games are tough to evaluate and Indianapolis held out all four starting defensive backs.

Linebacker Ben Leber had nothing but sympathy for two veterans he watched work so hard during the most grueling part of training camp as they tried to assume control of the team. He wasn't sure if either player could be consoled at this point.

"I don't know what you say to them," Leber said. "It's hard to sit there and say, 'Hey, keep competing.' I think it's pretty clear who is going to be the No. 1 guy. I guess you have to compete for No. 2 and it will figure itself out."

Childress sat down with all three incumbent quarterbacks on Tuesday morning before going to the airport to personally pick up Favre. He said it was "a hard conversation to have" with them all after only three weeks ago telling them they were moving on without Favre.

"But our game is about competing," Childress said. "Just like I told our team today again, whatever position you're at, you're fighting for the 53 spots on this football team. You make a huge mistake to count the number in lines or how many are we going to keep.

"The fact is we've used a couple of quarterbacks every year I've been here from an injury standpoint. I think those guys will keep their eye on what they need to do."

When the possibility of Favre joining the Vikings first arose earlier this offseason, there were reports that Jackson would request a trade.

"I never said that," Jackson said Tuesday. "I never said anything like that at all."

Rosenfels, who has missed two straight practices with a sprained right ankle, was a little more coy when asked if he would seek a trade.

"I don't know. I haven't really thought about that," Rosenfels said. "I'm just trying to get my ankle fixed right now. It's feeling pretty good for the most part but just trying to get that right. I haven't even really thought about that stuff."

Favre also could have to smooth things over with some of the veterans who reported to camp on time, were spurned by him initially, then spent the next two weeks sleeping in those uncomfortable dorm beds at Minnesota State University, Mankato and enduring two-a-day practices.

"Brett Favre is a different player. He's a Hall of Fame player," tight end Visanthe Shiancoe said. "He can kind of stretch the limits a little bit. No hard feelings. He's here. It is what it is."

For his part, Favre said he's ready to start getting to know his teammates and will ease into a leadership role when the time is right.

"Even though I've played a long time and been around and played against a lot of guys and played under a lot of coaches and against a lot of coaches, you still have to earn the respect of this team," Favre said. "What you've done in the past is great, but it means nothing here. ... You earn the respect of these guys and that's what I intend to do."

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said after practice Tuesday he was not surprised by Favre's return.

"I don't think anybody should be surprised by it," McCarthy said.

Green Bay visits Minnesota on Oct. 5, and the Packers host the Vikings on Nov. 1.

"The bottom line is it's football," Favre said. "Once you step into the huddle, I don't look at the helmets. I look at the faces and the guys will know I'm in it for the right reasons because I still love to play."

Aaron Rodgers, who inherited the starting quarterback position after Favre retired -- then unretired -- said, "I don't have a reaction. It doesn't pertain to me. It has absolutely nothing to do with me. It doesn't change anything. It has nothing to do with the Green Bay Packers."

Packers general manager Ted Thompson also didn't want any partof the Favre situation, which caused a major distraction during thePackers' training camp a year ago and lingered on well after Favrewas traded to the Jets.

After dodging a few questions about Favre on Tuesday, Thompsonrefused to bite on a question about whether it's wise for a team totie its fortunes to a player with commitment issues so late intraining camp.

"You guys just try to get me in trouble," Thompson said,smiling.

Packers linebacker Nick Barnett told the newspaper: "After all those years of not being able to hit him, do I want to hit him? Of course I want to hit him. He's an awesome guy. I wish him the best."

Zigic staying at ValenciaAgent: Brett Favre decision likely to come next week