Mendenhall running on instinct

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1 Mendenhall running on instinct Page 1 of 2 SPORTS / STEELERS & NFL Mendenhall running on instinct Willie Parker and teammates ease off giving advice to the Steelers' No. 1 draft choice in order to let his ball-carrying instincts take over Wednesday, August 20, 2008 By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Peter Diana / Post-Gazette Mendenhall Suffering Information Overload Willie Parker said he is done tutoring Rashard Mendenhall, the Steelers' No. 1 pick this year. Parker said he has stopped giving the rookie running back advice about playing in the National Football League and won't do so again unless he is asked. But, before anyone accuses the two-time Pro Bowl running back of being selfish or feeling threatened about Mendenhall's development, consider the reason: Parker said he thinks Mendenhall is getting too much advice and just needs to go out and run the football, unencumbered and without thinking too much. "I told him I'm going to stay away from him a little bit because everybody is telling him too much right now," Parker said yesterday. "Then your mind gets clouded and he makes mistakes he normally wouldn't make. You don't want to tell him too much, so I told him I'm going to step back a little bit and have everybody else leave him alone and let him go out and play football." Coach Mike Tomlin issued a similar critique several weeks ago after the first goal-line drill of training camp, saying Mendenhall needed to think less and run more instinctively in short-yardage opportunities. Now, after two preseason games, Parker is saying the same thing, all with the direct purpose of letting Mendenhall's running style -- a combination of power, speed and wiggle -- freely start to blossom. The Steelers already have seen some flashes, including the easy manner in which Mendenhall scored on a 6-yard run against the Buffalo Bills -- his first touchdown of the preseason. "To have a feeling like that, that you haven't had in a while, gives you a little confidence," said Mendenhall, who rushed for 22 touchdowns in two seasons at Illinois. "It's something to move forward on." None of this is to suggest the Steelers are disappointed in the pace of Mendenhall's development or that he has not progressed quickly enough to somehow alter their plans for him when the regular season begins. ONLINE Join assistant managing editor/sports Jerry Micco at noon today for his weekly chat. Talk about the Steelers or anything else pertaining to sports. Log in as early as 6 a.m. to post your questions at Post-Gazette Now Chats Rather, offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said Mendenhall, the 21st overall pick in the draft, has been everything the team hoped and more.

2 Mendenhall running on instinct Page 2 of 2 "He's violent running down there," Arians said. "He made the one guy miss and he ran over the safety. There's going to be one of those guys you have to take care of yourself, and he's starting to understand that and get yards." Then Arians added, "It's nice to not have to throw him into the fire. He can go bits and pieces until we have to [use him]. "I have no problems using him in any phase right now, whether it's first-and-10, short-yardage, goal-line or third-down. But we're still two weeks away. He'll find his actual role." There are several possibilities. The most intriguing involves a same-backfield pairing with Parker, a two-back formation that Arians has said he would like to use. Another option would be to utilize Mendenhall, who is 6 feet, 225 pounds, in short-yardage situations. It is unlikely, however, that he will be used as a third-down back, a role that will be filled by newcomer Mewelde Moore, who was signed in free agency from the Minnesota Vikings. No matter the role, though, Mendenhall is beginning to excite his teammates. "His feet... he has very, very quick feet," said fullback Carey Davis. "For a bigger guy, you wouldn't expect that from him. He's able to get in and out of holes and make cuts that some people may not see. "But maybe he's a little tentative, just because things are moving so fast when you're trying to learn things. When it's new to you, you kind of hesitate a little trying to make everything right." Little by little, Mendenhall said he is starting to understand. "It's been what you expected, but getting through it is a different story," he said. "You hear about how difficult it is, but it's different when you play out there. It's getting accustomed to everything and gaining experience." Some of it, he will have to do on his own. Gerry Dulac can be reached at gdulac@post-gazette.com. First published on August 20, 2008 at 12:00 am

3 Steelers Notebook: Batch on fast recovery track Page 1 of 2 SPORTS / STEELERS & NFL Steelers Notebook: Batch on fast recovery track Wednesday, August 20, 2008 By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Backup quarterback Charlie Batch said his surgically repaired broken right collarbone is feeling better, and he began his rehabilitation yesterday, hoping that he will be able to return sooner than anticipated. "I feel pretty good right now," Batch said. Batch, 33, was injured in the preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles and had surgery Aug. 11 to insert a plate in his collarbone -- a procedure designed to not adversely affect his throwing motion. With Batch out, the Steelers signed veteran Byron Leftwich, a former starter with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons, to a one-year, $645,000 contract. "I always felt I would be back before the timetable anyway," Batch said. "I always have whenever I had anything done before. But you want to err on the side of caution." Batch said he was told he would be out nearly six weeks following surgery, meaning he could return for the third, and possibly the second, game of the regular season. He had the surgery, rather than let the injury heal on its own, because he didn't want to be placed on injured reserve and miss the rest of the season. Batch would have been out 10 to 12 weeks if he didn't have surgery. Also, there was a chance his collarbone would "shorten" without surgery because scar tissue would form on the clavicle. Yesterday was the first time Batch had X-rays on his collarbone since the surgery. Polamalu back on the field Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu officially came off the physically-unable-to-perform list yesterday and practiced -- albeit gingerly -- with his teammates for the first time since training camp began. Polamalu, though, acknowledged that he "didn't really test out too much" the hamstring injury that has bothered him since before the start of camp. "It's not smart to," he said. "Not the first day out there, to start sprinting and put it out there like it's game day." He said he would like to play Saturday night in the preseason game in Minnesota, but that it's more important that he is ready to play in the Sept. 7 season opener against the Houston Texans. Coach Mike Tomlin said he will gauge Polamalu's progress this week before determining if, or how much, he will play against the Vikings. "I want to play, but I want to play against Houston," Polamalu said. "I want to be smart on this hamstring and not injure it worse. But I also want to be physically prepared to play. I want to get some reps. I would love to play against Minnesota." Holmes' punt-return role Santonio Holmes said he is "a little nervous" about getting to return punts against the Vikings because he hasn't done it since his rookie season in But, he said he is looking forward to getting to do it again, even if Tomlin said he might use Holmes as a situational returner in the regular season. "If that's what it's capable of being, then that's what it's going to be," Holmes said. "If he needs me back there to make plays for the team, I'll jump back there anytime." Tomlin said Holmes might get to return punts in special situations in the regular season, comparing the role to the way the Washington Redskins used to employ cornerback Darrell Green as a part-time punt-returner. Green returned only 51 punts

4 Steelers Notebook: Batch on fast recovery track Page 2 of 2 in his career, but he averaged 12 yards per return. "I think I can handle punts pretty well," Holmes said. "It's a different phase of the game that allows me to be more of a football player. It allows me to make plays." Hartwig starting again Tomlin said center Justin Hartwig, who started the second preseason game against Buffalo, will start against the Vikings -- an indication that he likely has won the starting position from incumbent Sean Mahan. Mahan, though, has performed very well in the preseason, as has Darnell Stapleton, an undrafted rookie free agent in 2007 who impressed the coaching staff last season, too. First published on August 20, 2008 at 12:00 am

5 Polamalu finally practices - Tribune-Review Page 1 of 2 Polamalu healthy enough to practice By John Harris TRIBUNE-REVIEW Wednesday, August 20, 2008 Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu isn't targeting Saturday night's preseason game at Minnesota as his return date, although he wouldn't mind returning to the playing field as soon as possible. "I want to play against Houston," Polamalu said Tuesday following his first practice after missing all of training camp with a pulled hamstring. The Steelers open the regular season Sept. 7 against Houston at Heinz Field. Polamalu wasn't a full participant at yesterday's practice at the team's South Side facility. He was on the field for a 7-on-7 drill and also for some 11-on-11 work. However, he didn't practice with the first-team defense. Polamalu's limited practice schedule was by design, he said. "I felt good," Polamalu said. "I didn't want to rush it. That wouldn't be smart." When asked about his practice schedule and his desire to play against Minnesota, Polamalu said the decision is out of his hands. "That's up to coach (Mike) Tomlin," Polamalu said. The Steelers conclude the preseason Aug. 28 against Carolina at Heinz Field. Tomlin said he was satisfied with how Polamalu looked on the practice field. But he cautioned against rushing Polamalu back in the lineup. Polamalu was injured working out on his own the week prior to camp. He took part in the conditioning test on the first day of camp, but spent the three weeks at St. Vincent College on the physically-unable-to-perform list. "He ran around and looked pretty good. We're being cautious," Tomlin said yesterday. "We can't take steps backward." Missing in action A look at the number of games Steelers safety Troy Polamalu has missed in the past two seasons: 2007 Opponent Date Injury

6 Polamalu finally practices - Tribune-Review Page 2 of 2 Seattle Oct. 7 Rib Miami Nov. 26 Knee Cincinnati Dec. 2 Knee New England Dec. 9 Knee Baltimore Dec. 30 Precaution (knee) 2006 Opponent Date Injury Tampa Bay Dec. 3 Knee Cleveland Dec. 7 Knee Carolina Dec. 17 Knee Tomlin said he didn't know if Polamalu would play against the Vikings. "There's a chance," Tomlin said. "More than anything, it's how he feels (this) morning." Polamalu ran fluidly and accelerated to the ball yesterday. He moved easily from side to side and backpedaled with no apparent difficulty. Following his second appearance on the practice field, Polamalu left for good. Standing away from his teammates, he had the bandage on his left leg checked by head trainer John Norwig. Polamalu missed five games in 2007 with knee and rib injuries. He also left another game early because of abdominal injury. In 2006, he missed the first three games of his career with a knee injury and sat out part of another contest with a concussion. Polamalu has suffered at least six concussions in his football career. Tomlin was coy with reporters about Polamalu's playing status upon leaving his interview, referring to injured Minnesota quarterback Tavaris Jackson. "If you guys can find out whether or not Tavaris Jackson's playing, I'll let you know about Troy," Tomlin said. John Harris can be reached at jharris@tribweb.com or Images and text copyright 2008 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co. Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from PghTrib.com

7 Titans cut ex-steelers punter Miller - Tribune-Review Page 1 of 1 Titans cut former Steelers punter Josh Miller By The Associated Press Tuesday, August 19, 2008 NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans waived punter Josh Miller today and replaced him on the roster by signing defensive back Tuff Harris. Miller took part in Tuesday morning's special teams session before being released. Miller signed with the Titans on April 25 and spent all but the final two practices of training camp with the team. He was their second punter on the roster, helping veteran punter Craig Hentrich. The 38-year-old punter joined the Titans as a chance to work out for other teams. He was with New England last year but was cut so late he couldn't catch on with another team for the season. Miller punted for the Steelers from 1996 to Harris was an undrafted free agent in 2007 out of Montana, who had signed with the Miami Dolphins. The Associated Press can be reached at or. Images and text copyright 2008 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co. Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from PghTrib.com

8 .: Print Version :. Page 1 of 1 Print Page WEDNESDAY AUGUST 20, 2008 :: Last modified: Wednesday, August 20, :30 AM EDT Polamalu's back but rusty By Mike Bires Times Sports Staff PITTSBURGH Troy Polamalu is no longer a PUP, but it s still not known if his hamstring is 100 percent healed. After spending the past three weeks on the physically unable to perform list, the all-star strong safety was cleared to join his teammates Tuesday. Polamalu was limited at what he was able to do, and never exerted himself as he would in a game. It felt good, he told reporters. Later, Polamalu admitted privately that his hamstring was a little tight. Not so far, he said when asked if he had any lingering effects after his first official practice of the preseason. But I really didn t test it. Polamalu, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, did not participate in team drills with the first-team defense. Instead, he practiced with backups in team situations. His status for Saturday night s preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings has yet to be determined. Yeah, I want to play against Minnesota. But I also want to play against Houston, Polamalu said of the Sept. 7 regular season opener against the Texans. I want to get some reps (in Minnesota). But I want to be smart and not injure my hamstring worse. It s up to Coach (Mike Tomlin). Tomlin said after Tuesday s practice on the South Side that he s anxious to see how Polamalu feels today. Troy ran around, and looked pretty good, Tomlin said. We ll continue to take that day to day. There s a chance he may play (in Minnesota). But we ll see how he feels in the morning and proceed from there. We re being cautious. We can t take steps backwards. Polamalu, the Steelers No. 1 pick in the in the 2003 NFL Draft, hurt his hamstring while running the week before training camp. He participated in the July 27 run test at St. Vincent College, but was nonetheless placed on the PUP list due to his sore hamstring.

9 .: Print Version :. Page 1 of 2 Print Page WEDNESDAY AUGUST 20, 2008 :: Last modified: Wednesday, August 20, :30 AM EDT Lack of picks doesn't overly-concern Steelers By Mike Bires Times Sports Staff PITTSBURGH Ike Taylor doesn t have hands of stone. It just seems that way because of all the interceptions he lets slip through his fingertips every year. I should have averaged probably eight a year since I became a starter, he said. Taylor, a sixth-year pro who s in his fourth season as a starter, is an easy target to blame for the Steelers low number of interceptions last year. But he certainly isn t the only culprit responsible for a lowly total of 11 picks. If our guys would have caught just the balls that we dropped, we d have twice as many interceptions, defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said. We missed a lot of balls. Taylor led the team with three interceptions. But no one else had more than two. Man, that was terrible, free safety Ryan Clark said. That s just terrible. To put that in perspective, consider that the Steelers 11 interceptions tied them for last in the NFL. The Houston Texans and Philadelphia Eagles, a pair of 8-8 non-playoff teams, also had 11. That s 19 less than the league-leading 30 snagged by the San Diego Chargers. With 10 interceptions on his own, Charger cornerback Antonio Cromartie had just one fewer than the Steelers did as a team. Beyond that, the 11 picks represent the second-lowest number in 75 years of Steelers football. Only the 1955 Steelers, who finished last in the Eastern Conference with a 4-8 record, had fewer with 10. The 1939 team, then known as the Pirates, also had 11 interceptions when they went and tied for last place in the division. Do I want more interceptions? Absolutely, LeBeau said. I want to be in the top 10 in interceptions every year. But I would also like to add my own set of statistics on what we re taking about. LeBeau was talking about the 10-6 Steelers, the AFC North Division champs last year, leading the league in fewest yards allowed per pass play. On average, opponents gained only 4.94 yards per attempt. The NFL average was Moreover, said LeBeau, the Steelers finished second in the league in points allowed with 269. Only the Indianapolis Colts allowed less at 262. What that tells us is that people aren t throwing the ball all over the field on us, LeBeau said.

10 .: Print Version :. Page 2 of 2 That being said, coach Mike Tomlin and LeBeau have addressed the low number of interceptions to their defensive backs and linebackers. Interceptions are among those moments Tomlin calls splash plays. Every day at practice, defensive backs and linebackers work on ball-catching drills. That s especially true of the DBs. There s typically a period of practice when cornerbacks and safeties turn their backs to a jugs machine only to turn around the instant the ball arrives. They must locate the ball and catch it within a heartbeat. Taylor has even gone as far as asking wide receiver Santonio Holmes for pass-catching tips. I m going to have a lot of opportunities to make plays, said Taylor, who often shadows a team s goto receiver. I just have to go out there and do it, that s all. My main goals are making sure the other guy doesn t catch the football, or making sure I don t get beat deep. But once I get my hands on the ball, I have to do a better job coming down with it. It s just a matter of concentration. For us, it s more important not to give up the big play, said cornerback Deshea Townsend, who picked off two passes last year. If the picks come, they come. We can t worry about the numbers. Still, nine teams last season had 19 interceptions or more. Eight of them made the playoffs. Interceptions rank right behind making sure the other guys don t catch it, LeBeau said. So yes, it s way up there on our list of priorities. It s one of the great ways you can impact a game, get (our defense) off the field is by intercepting a pass, running it back in good field position, picking it off in their end of the field, or even running it back all the way for a touchdown. You can dramatically impact the game. Yes, interceptions are big.

11 Lewis is turning corner as a safety Page 1 of 2 Lewis is turning corner as a safety By F. Dale Lolley, Staff writer dlolley@observer-reporter.com PITTSBURGH - In most cases, NFL coaches handle rookies with kid gloves when it comes to asking them to learn more than one position. But there are times when necessity forces the team's hand. Such was the case with Steelers' rookie Roy Lewis. With safeties Troy Polamalu and Anthony Smith not practicing early in training camp, the Steelers were forced to move somebody to the position. They didn't want to take one of their veteran cornerbacks and move him to the spot, though William Gay and Deshea Townsend each played free safety in the past. Instead, they asked Roy Lewis to make the shift. It was an eye-opening move for both the Steelers and Lewis. "He took advantage of an opportunity that wasn't expected by me or by him," head coach Mike Tomlin said of the 5-10, 190-pound Lewis. "That's always a good sign." Lewis is positioning himself to earn a spot on the 53-man roster. Tomlin, like most coaches, values players who can play more than one position because of the flexibility it gives the Steelers. Lewis didn't lobby to move to safety, but he's embraced it. "They just said, 'Hey, Roy, we want you to start taking some snaps at safety and learn some safety,' " Lewis said. "I started studying my playbook and started learning all the DB positions - whether it's nickel, dime or safety - so that if I was thrown into those positions, I would know what to do. It's helped me understand the whole concept of the defense." Lewis has done so despite not being able to practice with the team throughout much of the offseason. NCAA rules prohibit players whose class has not graduated from attending offseason workouts other than mini-camp. Washington, where Lewis was a three-year starter, is a quarter school, meaning its graduation date is later than many universities. So while the Steelers were holding offseason workouts this spring, Lewis was still attending classes. "I still had an opportunity to study my playbook," Lewis said. "While they were here grinding and working, I was just back at school doing double-duty, going to class and working out and studying my book so I would be caught up. I didn't know exactly what I was missing, so in order to prepare for everything, I made sure I was well-rounded in everything I was doing."

12 Lewis is turning corner as a safety Page 2 of 2 That's paying off now. "More than anything, what he's done is cast a bigger net," said Tomlin. "He's shown that he's capable of doing multiple things and bettering his chances of being a part of this thing. He's very deliberate for a guy who's moving from corner to safety. He didn't shy away from any contact." Polamalu, meanwhile, returned to practice Tuesday after being removed from the Physically Unable to Perform list. The Pro Bowl safety missed all training camp practices at Saint Vincent College because of a hamstring injury. Polamalu worked exclusively with the scout team defense, used to give the offense a look at what they'll face from an upcoming opponent. "We got Troy back out there today," said Tomlin. "He ran around and looked pretty good. We'll continue to take that day-to-day and see how he feels (Wednesday) and proceed from there." Tomlin said there's a chance Polamalu could play in Saturday's preseason game at Minnesota. "We can't take steps backward as we proceed and we're very conscious of that," Tomlin said. Odds and end zones Tight end Cody Boyd continues to be limited in practice by a shoulder injury.... Linebacker Mike Humpal (stinger), safety Ryan Mundy (ankle) and quarterback Charlie Batch (shoulder) did not practice. Copyright Observer Publishing Co.

13 The Herald Standard - Sports Polamalu tests injured hamstring Page 1 of 1 0 Polamalu tests injured hamstring By: Jim Wexell, For the Herald-Standard PITTSBURGH - Troy Polamalu returned to the practice field for the first time since minicamp in early May. The Steelers' star strong safety tested an injured hamstring that kept him on the PUP list throughout training camp. He admitted that it felt a bit tight, so he's not certain whether he'll play in the Steelers' third preseason game Saturday night in Minnesota. "I want to play against Houston," Polamalu said of the Sept. 7 opener. "I want to be smart on this hamstring and not injure it worse. But I also want to be physically prepared to play and I'd like to get some reps. I'd love to play against Minnesota. What better running backs to prepare for the season?" The Vikings have last season's best running back duo in Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor, who combined for 2,185 rushing yards last season. Polamalu practiced only with the scout team on Tuesday, but his sidekick at free safety, Ryan Clark, talked about what Polamalu means to the defense. "It's almost like having LaDainian Tomlinson on defense," Clark said. "Offenses have to know where he is every play. A lot of what we do is predicated off him, but, kind of like when you have a Randy Moss or a T.O. type guy, sometimes the best job they do is when they're doing nothing. Just because the offense is paying attention to Troy, you might have to single up a James Harrison or a Brett Keisel. That's what he brings to the whole defense, a total concentration on him, which allows everybody else to be that much better." CENTER POSITION: The worst-kept secret with the Steelers is that Justin Hartwig will be the starting center opening day. But Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin said he won't name the starter until "hopefully" next week. Tomlin explained why Hartwig's getting the start this week. "We're giving him another opportunity to get some group cohesion with those guys," Tomlin said. "It's easier for Sean (Mahan) because they have games, preseason included, dating back to last year of getting an understanding between he and Kendall (Simmons) and so forth. We feel that Hartwig, in order to get a fair evaluation, needs that time." THIRD QUARTERBACK: It's also become obvious that the Steelers will keep rookie Dennis Dixon on the roster as the third quarterback this year. Tomlin was asked if the spread offense Dixon ran in college is viable on the pro level. "In some form or fashion it is," Tomlin said. "Professional football is professional football and there are subtle differences between that and the college game. Some of the things you can do in college football are because of the hashes. You can put people on an island that you can't put people on in the National Football League. The ball's always in the middle of the field. Not only that, but there are very few athletic mismatches on the NFL field like you can get on the college field at times." So, the answer is a solid maybe. QUOTABLE: Tomlin on whether he's pleased with the state of the team following training camp: "I am. By no means are we a finished product, but I like some of the things we're doing. It looks like we're in the second year of a system and we're taking the giant strides that we need to take. Ultimately we'll be measured by how we perform inside stadiums, we understand that, but I like where we are at this point." The Herald Standard 2008

14 N.F.L. Roundup - Colts Manning Shows Up, but Not Much Is Cleared Up - NYTimes.com Page 1 of 2 August 20, 2008 N.F.L. ROUNDUP Colts Manning Shows Up, but Not Much Is Cleared Up By JOSHUA ROBINSON A day after Domenik Hixon made his best case yet to be in the Giants regular rotation of wide receivers, the players in his way seemed set to return. Hixon had two touchdown receptions and returned a free kick for a score in the Giants preseason victory against the Cleveland Browns on Monday night. But in a teleconference Tuesday, Coach Tom Coughlin said that he expected Amani Toomer, Steve Smith and Mario Manningham, who have missed most of training camp, to practice Wednesday. Coughlin added that Toomer was ready to play right away, but that he would have to spoon-feed Manningham and Smith back in ahead of Saturday s game against the Jets. Coughlin said he was encouraged by the prospect of the return of those receivers, but he also reported that Monday s game took a toll on other players. The rookie cornerback Terrell Thomas is day to day with a hamstring strain, receiver Brandon London took a hit to an already injured shoulder, running back Kay-Jay Harris sustained a serious injury to his ankle and midfoot, and quarterback Anthony Wright left the game with a strained back. The rash of injuries did not diminish Coughlin s frustration with the Giants second- and third-stringers who took over mainly after the first quarter. At that point, the Giants led, By the two-minute warning in the second half, the Browns were a field goal from tying the game. It was a game where we didn t feel like our backup players, and I don t want to generalize, but we didn t play as well as I thought we would play, Coughlin said. Although we did rise up when we had to. COLTS MANNING PRACTICES Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning made it to his first practice of the season Tuesday in Indianapolis, then ended his self-imposed silence by saying he wanted to play in Indianapolis s first regular-season game Sept. 7 against Chicago although he would not provide a guarantee. I ve not really had a whole lot to say, to tell you the truth, he said. As to when I ll be back on the practice field, that s still to be determined. Obviously, the sooner, the better for me. Manning had been kept out of public view since having surgery to remove an infected bursa sac from his left knee July 14. Team officials said he was staying away to reduce the risk of another infection. (AP) HENRY REJOINS BENGALS With their two Pro Bowl receivers hurt, the Cincinnati Bengals brought back

15 N.F.L. Roundup - Colts Manning Shows Up, but Not Much Is Cleared Up - NYTimes.com Page 2 of 2 the troubled receiver Chris Henry, a move that their coach had emphatically ruled out only a month earlier as inappropriate. The signing helps the team but raises questions about its commitment to holding players accountable for their actions. Henry must serve a four-game suspension from the N.F.L. his third such punishment before he can fully rejoin the team. The move was stunning in light of Coach Marvin Lewis s statement before training camp opened that the team had permanently parted ways with Henry, who has been arrested five times since he joined the Bengals. Chad Johnson sprained his left shoulder in a preseason loss to Detroit on Sunday, and T. J. Houshmandzadeh missed both preseason games with a hamstring injury. (AP) FALCONS RELEASE HORN The veteran receiver Joe Horn was released by Atlanta after the team said it could not trade him. The Falcons will receive no return on the guaranteed $2.5 million salary in 2008 for Horn. Horn was a disappointment in 2007, when he caught 27 passes for 243 yards and a touchdown. (AP) AROUND THE LEAGUE Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin asked to be traded, saying he did not think that his contract situation could be resolved. A team spokesman said that the Cardinals had no plans to trade Boldin and that they still hoped to sign him to a contract extension.... Buffalo Bills quarterback Trent Edwards sustained a deep bruise to his right quadriceps during practice, and it is unclear whether he will return to practice this week. (AP) Copyright 2008 The New York Times Company Privacy Policy Search Corrections RSS First Look Help Contact Us Work for Us Site Map

16 NFL teams offer fans fast pass into stadiums - USATODAY.com Page 1 of 1 Powered by NFL teams offer fans fast pass into stadiums By Thomas Frank, USA TODAY Advertisement First it was airports. Now football arenas are offering speedier security lines. Fans who attend NFL games at four stadiums this season will be able to go through a separate, faster security checkpoint reserved for those who pay a fee of $100 to $128 a year. The security pat downs required by the NFL at all stadium entrances will not change, but the lines that can take up to an hour to get through will be substantially shorter for those using the new security option, team officials say. The Washington Redskins, San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons all plan to offer special entrance gates for fans who buy an access card. The cards also let people into reserved security lanes at some airport checkpoints. The Baltimore Ravens and Oakland Raiders will offer the program in the 2009 season. "The lines will be much quicker," Ravens vice president Kevin Rochlitz said. Fans with the special card will wait only about 10 minutes to get into 71,000-seat M&T Bank Stadium, compared with an hour-long wait for other fans entering just before kickoff, Rochlitz said. Fee-based reserved security lanes could expand to more football teams and to other entertainment venues, office buildings, and bus or train stations. "This has applicability in many, many settings," said Luke Thomas, executive vice president of Virginia-based FLO Corp., which is selling the $100 Redskins, Ravens and Raiders access cards. The program began three years ago in U.S. airports to get passengers through security checkpoints quickly. Nineteen airports including three in the San Francisco area and two near Washington, D.C., offer the exclusive lanes through the Registered Traveler program. The football cards can be used at any of the 19 airports. "What you do at an airport is not drastically different from what you do at a stadium," Thomas said, referring to searches. "Instead of flying somewhere, you're watching a game." Redskins spokesman Karl Swanson said if a lot of fans sign up for the cards, the team will add more special lanes at 92,000- seat FedEx Field. Steven Brill, CEO of Verified Identity Pass of Manhattan, said it made sense to start special security lanes at football games, which attract about 80,000 people and have the longest entrance lines. Verified is selling its $128 cards for 49ers, Broncos and Falcons games. Find this article at: Check the box to include the list of links referenced in the article. Copyright 2008 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.

17 Veteran players may be ally in NFL's push for rookie cap - USATODAY.com Page 1 of 2 Powered by Veteran players may be ally in NFL's push for rookie cap By Tom Pedulla, USA TODAY Advertisement NFL commissioner Roger Goodell may have an ally in his effort to scale back escalating rookies salaries veteran players. "There's a lot of guys who have come out and haven't done much," says New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith, a first-round draft choice in "Then you have older guys who have been at the position six or seven years that's done a lot for his team and the league and the young guy comes in making more money than him at the position." Minnesota Vikings safety Darren Sharper, during a phone interview in May, acknowledged he was uncomfortable with the huge contracts top draft picks Jake Long (Miami Dolphins) Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) received. Sharper noted that contracts given to rookies ultimately impact all salaries. He also said, "When you see guys who have never taken a snap in the league make twice as much as guys who have been to three and four Pro Bowls, that's not right." NFL Players Association executive director Gene Upshaw could not be reached for comment, but said in a previous interview with USA TODAY, "We're dealing with such short careers with our players, if you entered into some type of scale, it wouldn't make any sense in our business." Ryan makes no apologies for a contract that guarantees him $34.75 million as a potential franchise quarterback. But he is aware of grumbling among established players. "I understand it. I have a lot of respect for veterans in this league who have been around (for many) years and deserve to be compensated," he says. "At the same time, for me it's the system I came into and I can't be concerned about that stuff." NFLPA general counsel Richard Berthelsen says there's a reason Goodell and the owners are pushing a rookie cap. "More than anything, the NFL owners' focus on limiting rookies in the next CBA is motivated by a desire to pit player against player and is part of a divide and conquer strategy," Berthelsen said earlier this summer. Jacksonville linebacker Mike Peterson, a nine-year veteran, has struggled to obtain a new contract from the Jaguars. But he sees both sides of the issue. "It's not right, but it's been set up that way," Peterson says. "Now, it's hard to pull it back. I was once a young guy trying to get my money, too." Find this article at:

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19 Fouts, Sapp deepen CBS' analyst bench - USATODAY.com Page 1 of 1 Powered by Fouts, Sapp deepen CBS' analyst bench By Michael Hiestand, USA TODAY Advertisement CBS re-signed a veteran quarterback Tuesday and picked up some help on defense. Dan Fouts, a CBS analyst from 1988 to 1993 after a Hall of Fame NFL quarterbacking career, will be an analyst on some CBS NFL games with a variety of play-by-play announcers, including Don Criqui, Bill Macatee and Dick Enberg. Fouts also will work some CBS Southeastern Conference games. After last season, Fouts was waived by ABC/ESPN, where he'd been a Monday Night Football analyst and worked college games with Keith Jackson and tried calling college play-byplay last season. So why keep coming back? "It's what I do, a part of my life since I was born," says Fouts, whose father, Bob, was a longtime San Francisco 49ers sportscaster. "I enjoyed ABC a great deal. I just look forward to working." Warren Sapp looks forward, along with Fox TV rookie Michael Strahan, in representing a side of the ball that rarely shows up in the studio defense. As Inside the NFL this season migrates from HBO to the CBS-owned premium cable channel Showtime, just-retired NFL veteran Sapp will join CBS' James Brown and Phil Simms and NBC's Cris Collinsworth. Says Sapp, noting ex-offensive players, especially quarterbacks, dominate national on-air NFL rosters: "They're the more traditional pretty-boy positions the talkers. Michael and I are breaking the rule." Sapp also has a convincing answer to the usual question about whether players fresh from the field can be candid about their old colleagues: "(NBC analysts) Tiki Barber and Jerome Bettis tell me I'll lose a friend a week doing this. But I've only had three friends my whole life. So I'm good." Spice rack: ABC/ESPN, expected to bid on the next available Olympic TV rights the 2014 Winter Games took a shot at NBC's Beijing coverage at a New York news media breakfast Tuesday. Said ESPN executive John Skipper to SportsBusiness Daily regarding NBC's "live" graphic that appears on the screen during action shown on tape-delay in the West: "When we put a live bug on SportsCenter, it means live right now." With alum Dan Patrick joining NBC's Sunday night NFL studio show, ESPN will move Chris Berman opposite him on its 7 p.m. ET SportsCenter. Find this article at: Check the box to include the list of links referenced in the article. Copyright 2008 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.

20 ESPN.com - Wanting new deal, Cards WR Boldin asks for trade Page 1 of 2 ESPN.com: NFL Training Camp 2008 images] [Print without Tuesday, August 19, 2008 Wanting new deal, Cards WR Boldin asks for trade Associated Press FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin asked to be traded, saying he doesn't feel his situation can be resolved and declaring he has no relationship with coach Ken Whisenhunt. "I'm a football player. That's about it," Boldin said Tuesday when asked to characterize his dealings with the coach these days. A team spokesman said the Cardinals have no plans to trade the sixth-year standout and still hope to sign him to a contract extension. Whisenhunt sounded puzzled when discussing reports that Boldin had said he was no longer speaking to the coach. "We've been communicating," he said. "If communicating is talking, that's what we have been doing at practice. As we go forward, I don't know. I don't foresee anything changing. If it does, it's in his court." Boldin offered a glimpse of his talent late in Tuesday's workout, splitting a pair of defenders on a slant route during a 2-minute drill. He made a nimble catch on a bullet thrown by Kurt Warner for a 25-yard gain. But with training camp starting to wind down, Boldin made it sound as if it was a tortured three weeks off the field. The two-time Pro Bowl player, who blasted team officials as camp opened, claims the Cardinals reneged on an offer to re-negotiate his contract. He has three years left on the four-year, $22.75 million extension he signed after the 2005 season that keeps him under contract through He's making an average of $4 million a year. "It's a tough situation, especially when you come into a working environment," Boldin said after practice. "But my job is to stay professional. I'm going to do what I'm supposed to do." Although Boldin previously denied asking for a trade, he said Tuesday that his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has asked the Cardinals to consider it now. "At the beginning of camp, I hadn't asked for a trade," Boldin said. "As of recently, we did." Asked if he believes his standoff with Arizona can be resolved, Boldin shook his head and simply said, "No." Teammate Larry Fitzgerald signed a four-year $40 million, deal after last season, with $30 million

21 ESPN.com - Wanting new deal, Cards WR Boldin asks for trade Page 2 of 2 guaranteed, but Boldin has said he believes Fitzgerald earned the deal and that's not why he's unhappy. Boldin is one of the NFL's top receivers. He reached 400 career receptions faster than any other player, doing it in 67 games. In five seasons, Boldin has 413 receptions for 5,458 yards and 29 touchdowns. "If I'm not going to be treated fairly, if my hard work and loyalty isn't going to be rewarded here, then let me go somewhere where it's going to be rewarded. That's how I feel," Boldin said. ESPN.com: Help PR Media Kit Sales Media Kit Report a Bug Contact Us News Archive Site Map ESPN Shop Jobs at ESPN Supplier Information 2008 ESPN Internet Ventures. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information/Your California Privacy Rights are applicable to you. All rights reserved.

22 ESPN.com - Bengals re-sign Henry, who will have to sit out first four games of '08 Page 1 of 2 ESPN.com: NFL [Print without images] Tuesday, August 19, 2008 Bengals re-sign Henry, who will have to sit out first four games of '08 Associated Press CINCINNATI -- Receiver Chris Henry is back with the Cincinnati Bengals because their owner has a soft spot for troubled players. Henry signed a two-year deal Tuesday with the team that let him go after he was arrested for the fifth time, a decision that seemed to mark a change in philosophy for owner Mike Brown. Instead, it was an aberration. The Bengals took him back at Brown's behest. Coach Marvin Lewis, who had no interest in bringing back the troubled receiver, said Brown wanted to give Henry yet another chance. "I obviously know that at the end of the day, that the owner has the final say-so on whether or not he wants to give a guy an opportunity or not," Lewis said, following an evening practice. "Mike has wanted to give Chris this opportunity, and asks that we do the best job that we can to try to prepare him and get him ready to play football." The Bengals released Henry after he was accused of punching a college student and breaking his car window with a beer bottle in March. Henry was one of 10 Bengals arrested during a 14-month span -- a local judge referred to the receiver as a "one-man crime wave." The decision to let Henry go seemed to mark a major change for the Bengals owner. "His conduct can no longer be tolerated," Brown said at the time. "The Bengals tried for an extended period of time to support Chris and his potentially bright career. We had hoped to guide him toward an appropriate standard of personal responsibility that this community would support and that would allow him to play in the NFL.... But those efforts end today, as we move on with what is best for our team." Brown declined to be interviewed Tuesday about his change of heart. However, during an interview last month, Brown said he still believed in giving players chances to change their lives. "I guess the world is divided up between redeemers and non-redeemers," Brown said at the time. "I happen to be a redeemer. I think people can be made better and right. If that's a fault, so be it." Henry has been in trouble repeatedly since the Bengals drafted him in the third round in Henry was suspended by the league for two games in 2006 and for the first eight games of last season for repeatedly violating its conduct policies. He was suspended indefinitely by the league following his latest arrest, the one that led the Bengals to release him. After a mistrial, prosecutors dropped the charges against Henry and his suspension was reduced to four games. Henry said the Bengals were the only team willing to offer a contract at this time.

23 ESPN.com - Bengals re-sign Henry, who will have to sit out first four games of '08 Page 2 of 2 "My agents spoke with other teams, but as far as signing, there was none of them," Henry said, dressed in street clothes while the team finished practice. Before the Bengals made their offer, Henry worried that he might never play in the NFL again. "To have that taken away from you, that can be really hard," said Henry, who has the NFL's shield tattooed on the back of his right hand. "That would have been a tough thing to go through. I kind of went through that. I was scared at one point that I wouldn't have the opportunity to be back on the field." With Brown interested in bringing him back, Lewis talked to Henry last week, getting an idea of how he was handling his life. "I think the last three or four months have been very humbling for Chris," Lewis said. "The week since the charges were dropped and his phone didn't ring, I think that was also humbling." The Bengals could use another receiver now that Pro Bowl receiver Chad Johnson has a sprained left shoulder, suffered during a preseason loss to Detroit on Sunday night. Johnson waved away reporters trying to get an update on his condition after practice Tuesday. Pro Bowl receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh also missed practice because of a hamstring injury that has kept him out of the preseason games and team workouts. Henry won't be able to practice with the team during his four-week suspension in the regular season. Once it ends, the Bengals will decide whether to add him to the team. "Once off suspension, we'll have an opportunity to see whether or not he'd be a positive addition to the football team and go from there," Lewis said. ESPN.com: Help PR Media Kit Sales Media Kit Report a Bug Contact Us News Archive Site Map ESPN Shop Jobs at ESPN Supplier Information 2008 ESPN Internet Ventures. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information/Your California Privacy Rights are applicable to you. All rights reserved.