February 2010 4for4 Player News Articles

New York Jets running back Thomas Jones will not restructure his contract and will be released this week, sources told ESPN on Saturday.

Jones, who will become a free agent March 5, was slated to receive a $3 million roster bonus March 9 and a $2.8 million base salary in 2010.

Jones, who has played the last three seasons for the Jets, rushed for 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns on 331 carries last season. The Jets reached the AFC Championship Game.

Terrell Owens is on the market after the Buffalo Bills announced Saturday they do not plan to offer him a contract.

The Bills also declined to offer contracts to defensive end Ryan Denney and wide receiver Josh Reed, allowing them to become unrestricted free agents at midnight on March 5.

"We wanted to inform all three players ahead of the start of the free agency period so they could begin making their plans," Bills general manager Buddy Nix said. "We just felt that was the right thing to do. All three have represented our organization with class and we thank them for their dedication and hard work."

Owens, who will turn 37 in December, caught 55 passes for 829 yards and five touchdowns in his only season in Buffalo. He also ran for a touchdown.

"I would like to thank the great fans in Buffalo, Ralph Wilson & the Bills organization for all their supports this past season," Owens said on Twitter.

San Diego will not tender RB Darren Sproles and will allow him to test free-agent market.

The Philadelphia Eagles announced Tuesday that they will release two-time Pro Bowl running back Brian Westbrook, who struggled to stay healthy this past season.

A former All-Pro, Westbrook led the league in 2007 with 2,104 yards from scrimmage. He rushed for 1,333 yards and accounted for 12 touchdowns that season.

However, Westbrook spent much of last season on the sideline. He missed eight games because of two concussions and an ankle injury and finished with just two touchdowns.

"Brian is one of the greatest Eagles of all time and he is even a better person and leader," Eagles coach Andy Reid said in a statement released by the team. "In my mind, there has not been a more versatile running back that the NFL has seen.

"I had a conversation with Brian this morning to let him know (he was being released). This is by far the most difficult part of this job. We wanted to make this move now in order to maximize Brian's chances of landing with another NFL team."

Second year back Lesean Mccoy will be the starter heading into 2010.

Ladainian Tomlinson and the San Diego Chargers are parting ways, ending a brilliant nine-year run in which he became one of the NFL's greatest running backs and the team made five playoff appearances.

Chargers president Dean Spanos met with Tomlinson on Monday and informed him that the team had decided to release him.

"This is a part of the business that I hate, and it's particularly hard when you're dealing with someone I consider a friend," Spanos said in a statement released by the team. "Change involving great players is never easy.

I respect L.T. as much or more than any player I've ever known. And no one appreciates his contributions to this organization more than I do. That is why this is such a difficult announcement for me to make."

Still, the move had been expected for some time.

"It was a longtime coming, but I knew it was coming," Tomlinson said in a telephone interview with SI.com. "Now that it's official, I can kind of look to the next step in m

Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez wrote on his Twitter page Wednesday afternoon that surgery on his left knee was a success.

Sanchez, who described the surgery to stabilize the patella ligament in the knee as "minimally invasive,'' will be sidelined approximately two months. He has said he'll "definitely" be ready for the start of training camp in July.

Jamal Lewis was released by the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday, but he hasn't given up hope of playing in the NFL.

The Browns let Lewis go with one year remaining on his contract. His 2009 season ended Dec. 2 when he went on injured reserve with post-concussion symptoms, but he doesn't want his career to stop that way.

First, doctors must clear Lewis to return to the field.

"If Jamal wants to play and he's cleared to play, I think he's got a lot of football he can bring to the table to help an organization," said Mitch Frankel, Lewis' agent. "He can be a significant contributor to the right organization. Jerome Bettis and some other guys at the end of their careers took on a different role, and I think Jamal can do that."

Lewis said after the Browns' season finale that he was still suffering from headaches and blurred vision as a result of the concussion, which he sustained during the opener against the Minnesota Vikings. Frankel said he wasn't sure if Lewis, 30, was still having the problems, and the running back didn't address them in a prepared statement, although he did thank Browns fans and owner Randy Lerner for his time in Cleveland.

"I plan to evaluate my future and have not made a final determination on whether I will be playing football next season," Lewis said.

The Baltimore Ravens signed wide receiver Donte' Stallworth to a one-year deal Wednesday. The team will announce the move later, but will not hold a formal press conference until their offseason program begins in mid-March, allowing him time to meet teammates and coaches first before meeting the media.

"We've given a lot of thought to this, and we've done extensive research into Donte' beyond football," Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said. "He made a huge mistake. There's no doubt about that. He has paid a significant price for that and, as he has said, he carries a heavy weight. As ( Ravens owner) Steve (Bisciotti) said, we believe in second chances, and Donte' does deserve that.

"But, we've signed him because we want to get better, and we think he has a chance to help us."

Howard Balzer reports via Twitter that Rams QB Marc Bulger has cleaned out his locker at Rams Park.

Panthers RB Deangelo Williams had surgery Monday to address the foot/ankle problems that sidelined him for the last two games of the season, The Herald in Rock Hill, S.C., reported.

Herald beat writer Darin Gantt noted that Williams played in the Pro Bowl, so the injuries likely weren’t all that serious. Dr. Robert Anderson, a foot and ankle specialist who’s the Panthers’ team doctor, performed the procedure.

Williams, a four-year pro, still managed to rush for 1,117 yards and seven touchdowns in 13 games this past season. He had a career-high 1,515 rushing yards and 20 total TDs in 2008.

WR Matt Jones found his second chance with a team known for giving them.

The former Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver signed a one-year deal Friday to join the Bengals, according to multiple published reports. The Cincinnati Enquirer reported Friday the deal is worth worth around $700,000. The Bengals' official Web site reported the deal is likely to be close to minimum salary with incentives.

“He’s had troubles like Chris (Henry), but I give Mike Brown credit," Chad Ochocinco told Bengals.com of the team president. “He’s not afraid to give people second chances. I just want to say, ‘Thank you.’ Matt can play. I think it’s great. He’s fast as hell and he (doesn't drop anything). He gives us height and that is something we’ve been missing a little without Chris. He gives us a presence and another weapon for Carson (Palmer) to use.”

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell signs 5-year contract extension. No pay increase in the new deal.

One of the worst defensive seasons in New York Giants history claimed another victim -- middle linebacker Antonio Pierce.

The Giants announced Thursday that they had released Pierce, who led the defense for the past five years during a tenure that included four playoff trips and a Super Bowl XLII victory in the 2008 season.

Pierce's status with the Giants was put into question this season when he suffered a neck injury, forcing him to miss the final seven games of a season in which the Giants surrendered 427 points.

The Jacksonville Jaguars chose youth over experience Thursday, releasing wide receiver Torry Holt and left tackle Tra Thomas, both of whom have made Pro Bowls during their distinguished NFL careers.

The moves were expected because Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio already told the aging veterans that they wouldn't be part of the team's rebuilding process.

Defensive lineman Rob Meier, a 10-year veteran who has played only for the Jaguars, also was released.

"After completing our postseason roster evaluation, we've made the decision in the best interest of the organization to release three veteran players with tremendous playing history in the league," Jaguars general manager Gene Smith told the team's official Web site. "All three players have played 10 or more years in the NFL and have made a positive impact on the Jaguars' organization. These decisions certainly weren't easy ones, as Torry, Tra and Rob have over 350 starts between them and they still have the ability contribute for other teams in the league."

Although Devin Hester was the Bears' No. 1 receiver in 2009, Mike Martz indicated that Hester could see a reduced role in the passing game in 2010. Martz said he could see using Hester as the slot receiver, the way the Rams used Az Hakim, and Martz also hinted that Hester could see an increased role in the return game.

"Devin Hester in that role could just be stupid good, if that makes sense to you," Martz said. "It would be very difficult for him to play every snap on offense and still play effectively on special teams."

Tight end Greg Olsen led the Bears with 60 catches and eight receiving touchdowns in 2009, but Mike Martz suggested that Olsen will need to focus primarily on blocking in 2010.

"All tight ends, their first responsibility, they have to put their hand down on the line of scrimmage and be a successful blocker, and then they move to receiving," Martz said. "To just skip by that and say, 'He's a terrific receiver,' well, then you might as well just put another wide receiver in there."

As expected, the Browns terminated Dante Stallworth's contract Monday, the same day he was reinstated by the NFL after his season-long suspension without pay for killing a pedestrian while driving drunk.

Colts DE Dwight Freeney active and starting.

New Orleans Saints inactives:

WR Adrian Arrington, TE Darnell Dinkins, RB Lynell Hamilton, TE Tory Humphrey, G Jamar Nesbit, DE Paul Spicer, LB Anthony Waters

Indianapolis Colts inactives:

DE Ervin Baldwin, TE Colin Cloherty, WR Samuel Giguere, DT John Gill, DT Fili Moala, G Mike Pollak, OT Michael Toudouze, K Adam Vinatieri

In his first interview since the Broncos faded from a 6-0 start to an 8-8 finish, Pat Bowlen, the team's owner since 1984, addressed his club's hot-button issues with The Denver Post on Super Bowl eve Saturday.

Bowlen said he would like star receiver Brandon Marshall to remain with the Broncos, but wouldn't block a trade if rookie coach Josh McDaniels feels it would benefit the team. Bowlen revealed the plan is for Kyle Orton to remain the Broncos' quarterback, but the team hopes to select another quarterback in the upcoming draft.

Dwight Freeney watched the Colts' final Super Bowl practice from a golf cart, and it's still uncertain whether he will play in Sunday's Super Bowl.

Indianapolis coach Jim Caldwell said Freeney had improved from Friday to Saturday but declined to say whether the star would play against the Saints.

Freeney's ankle was not wrapped and he did not receive treatment during the 40-minute walkthrough.

Star receiver Reggie Wayne also seemed to ease concerns about his possible absence Sunday, returning to practice one day after aggravating a season-long right knee injury. Wayne left Friday's practice 20 minutes early, and Caldwell sounded confident that Wayne would play Sunday.

Indy's only other starter trying to recover from an injury is cornerback Jerraud Powers. He returned to practice Friday, nearly three weeks after having surgery to repair a fracture in his left foot, and did light work Saturday.

Randall Gay sat out Saints practice for a second straight day Saturday with a cold, but should be ready for the Super Bowl, according to coach Sean Payton.

The Saints concluded their practice work for the weak with a quick walkthrough practice. Gay is one of the team's extra defensive backs and figures to get plenty of snaps against the Colts' pass-heavy attack. He watched practice from the sideline Saturday.

Fourth running back Lynell Hamilton sat out the walkthrough as well; he hasn't practiced all week and looks unlikely to play.

Colts DE Dwight Freeney likely to play tomorrow. He'll test ankle in pregame. Barring any setbacks, Freeney will play.

Wide receiver Torry Holt and offensive tackle Tra Thomas, two veteran free agents who were signed last year, won’t be returning to the Jaguars next season.

The Jaguars can’t make the moves official until next week because players can’t be waived before Monday, but the players were given advance notice because they both hope to continue their careers, and the Jaguars want to give them time to find new teams.

Holt, 33, was the Jaguars’ third-leading receiver with 51 catches for 722 yards this season.

Thomas started three games, two against Tennessee. He replaced Eugene Monroe, who was ill, for the first Tennessee game.

Reggie Wayne was limited in practice Friday after aggravating a knee, but is probable to play. The injury is not considered serious.

As expected, DE Dwight Freeney did not practice. He remains questionable.

DB Jerraud Powers returned to limited practice after missing practice earlier in the week and is also questionable.

Everyone else was a full participant Friday.

Colts Friday Injury Report:

Probable:

RB Joseph Addai (shoulder), DB Antoine Bethea (back), LB Gary Brackett (knee), RB Donald Brown (foot), DB Melvin Bullitt (knee), OT Ryan Diem (knee), DB Aaron Francisco (hand), RB Mike Hart (ankle), DT Antonio Johnson (shoulder), OT Charlie Johnson (foot), OG Ryan Lilja (back), DE Robert Mathis (shoulder), OG Jamey Richard (shoulder), K Matt Stover (left calf), TE Jacob Tamme (ankle), OT Tony Ugoh (knee), K Adam Vinatieri (right hip),
WR Reggie Wayne (knee)

Questionable:

DE Dwight Freeney (ankle), DB Jerraud Powers (foot)

Receiver Reggie Wayne hurt his knee late in Friday's practice, but is listed as probable in the team's final injury report. Indianapolis coach Jim Caldwell said Wayne hurt the fat pad in his right knee, but the injury isn't considered serious.

Giants RB Brandon Jacobs back underwent surgery last month to repair a partially torn meniscus that hampered him all season. Looking back, he realizes he should have had the injury repaired after it occurred in in the opener against the Redskins.

"I would’ve got it done Week 1, missed four or five weeks and came back and played," Jacobs said at the Super Bowl media center.

So what did he learn from trying to play through it?

"Not to play hurt," Jacobs replied. "If something happens to you, no matter what it is, go and get it taken care of. Because things aren’t going to get better."

The Saints issued their final injury reports Friday before Super Bowl XLIV. For New Orleans, DE Will Smith (groin), LB Jonathan Vilma (knee) and S Pierson Prioleau (quad) participated fully in practice after being limited earlier in the week. They are all listed as probable.

CB Randall Gay (foot/illness), who has been limited all week, didn’t practice Friday, but is still probable for Sunday.

The only player on the Saints’ roster listed as questionable is reserve RB Lynell Hamilton (ankle), who hasn’t practiced all week.

Saints Friday injury report:

Probable:
CB Randall Gay (foot/illness); CB Malcolm Jenkins (hamstring); DE Bobby McCray (back/ankle); S Pierson Prioleau (quad); WR Courtney Roby (knee); S Darren Sharper (knee); TE Jeremy Shockey (knee); DE Will Smith (groin); T Zach Strief (shoulder); LB Jonathan Vilma (knee); T Jermon Bushrod (thumb); LB Jonathan Casillas (ankle); TE Darnell Dinkins (foot); G Jahri Evans (foot); LB Scott Fujita (knee); CB Jabari Greer (groin); WR Robert Meachem (ankle); WR Lance Moore (ankle); CB Tracy Porter (knee)

Questionable:

RB Lynell Hamilton (ankle)

Colts DE Dwight Freeney missed practice again as expected. Jerraud Powers was limited.

Reggie Wayne left practice early; aggravated knee injury. Don't see it as a big story.

Rather than name a defensive coordinator to replace Dean Pees for the 2010, Patriots coach Bill Belichick will involve himself more directly in the team's defensive planning and play calling.

Rod Marinelli has been promoted to Bears defensive coordinator/assistant head coach.

Ed Reed said the nerve impingement in his neck has gotten worse, the Pro Bowl safety told the NFL Network at the Super Bowl on Friday. He reiterated that he remains undecided on whether he will return to the Ravens or retire.

Indianapolis coach Jim Caldwell sounded optimistic Friday that defensive end Dwight Freeney could play against the New Orleans Saints in Sunday's Super Bowl.

"He's trending in the right direction," Caldwell said at his final pre-Super Bowl news conference.

While Chad Ochocinco's offer to join the Bengals is tempting, Terrell Owens said he's open to staying with the Bills.

"I would like to be a Bill under the right circumstances," Owens said. "I want to compete for a Super Bowl. If the neccessary pieces are put in place for that to happen, then I'll be there."

A final decision on coach Tom Cable’s status still has not been made.

“We are still meeting and examining everything,” Oakland senior executive John Herrera said. “We never said that coach Cable will not return. That has all been media speculation from the beginning. If there is a change, we'll let people know."

Any plans Chris Johnson has for a renegotiated contract are “premature,” according to Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher.

“We’ve done things prior to players going into the last year of their contract. For me to come out right now, it’s way too premature to say we have any intention of doing anything for CJ,” Fisher said.

Saints coach Sean Payton cut back Thursday's practice about 20 minutes from the previous day and it was by design. He also limited team drills to eight snaps while also interspersing some special teams' work between offense and team defensive work.

Once again, the only key player who didn't participate in practice was running back Lynell Hamilton. However, Hamilton, a stout special teams' player and short-yardage runner, did some jogging on his sore left ankle under the eyes of the training staff.

"He's feeling better," Payton said of Hamilton. "I'm hopeful of him playing."

''I was really banged up this year," Bears WR Devin Hester said.

That he injured his ankle and calf were well-documented during the season, the latter one sidelining him for three of the season's last four games. But Hester said his left shoulder was also ailing throughout the regular season.

''You're timid and weak on that side,'' Hester said of his shoulder injury, which he said he suffered in a 27-17 preseason victory over the Denver Broncos on Aug. 30. ''I really couldn't use my left shoulder, really.''

The injury slowed him but didn't sideline him, and he persevered because he prides himself on playing through pain.

''If I'm hurt, and I can at least go 75 or 80 percent, then I'm going to try to do it,'' said Hester, who missed only one game in his first three seasons. ''I want to fight through it.''

Cardinals K Neil Rackers is an unrestricted free agent and the Cardinals are interested in re-signing him, for the right price. They aren't wedded to Rackers, however, and will look elsewhere if his contract demands are too high.

Rookie cornerback Jerraud Powers had surgery on his left foot after getting injured in the Colts' Jan. 16 playoff win over Baltimore, coach Jim Caldwell said Friday morning at his final news conference before the Super Bowl.

Powers, a rookie fourth-round draft pick, has not practiced since injuring the foot in the 20-3 win over the Ravens.

"He had, what the doctors refer to as, and I 'm going to use their medical description, an internal fixation of a fractured foot," Caldwell said. "I couldn't give you all the details. But it's something obviously he's been able to get himself pretty close to being able to play. So he's working himself through it."

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Did not participate in practice: RB Lynell Hamilton (ankle).

Limited participation in practice: CB Randall Gay (foot), CB Malcolm Jenkins (hamstring), DE Bobby McCray (back, ankle), S Pierson Prioleau (quadricep), WR Courtney Roby (knee), S Darren Sharper (knee), TE Jeremy Shockey (knee), DE Will Smith (groin), OT Zach Strief (shoulder), LB Jonathan Vilma (knee).

Full participation in practice: OT Jermon Bushrod (thumb), LB Jonathan Casillas (ankle), TE Darnell Dinkins (foot), G Jahri Evans (foot), LB Scott Fujita (knee), CB Jabari Greer (groin), WR Robert Meachem (ankle), WR Lance Moore (ankle), CB Tracy Porter (knee).

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Did not participate in practice: DE Dwight Freeney (ankle), G Ryan Lilja (back), CB Jerraud Powers (foot).

Full participation in practice: RB Joseph Addai (shoulder), CB Antoine Bethea (back), LB Gary Brackett (knee), RB Donald Brown (foot), CB Melvin Bullitt (knee), OT Ryan Diem (knee), CB Aaron Francisco (hand), RB Mike Hart (ankle), DT Antonio Johnson (shoulder), OT Charlie Johnson (foot), DE Robert Mathis (shoulder), G Jamey Richard (shoulder), K Matt Stover (left calf), TE Jacob Tamme (ankle), OT Tony Ugoh (knee), K Adam Vinatieri (right hip), WR Reggie Wayne (knee).

For the second straight day, tight end Jeremy Shockey was limited in practice.

But that means for the second straight day, he was practicing, back-to-back workouts that he didn’t do last week.

Two Eagles put on some weight during their rookie seasons. Running back Lesean Mccoy now weighs in at 210 pounds, after previously being listed as 198 pounds. Meanwhile, safety Macho Harris bulked up from 187 pounds to 195 pounds as season's end.

When Redskins GM Bruce Allen was asked about Clinton Portis' status with the team, Allen noted that the running back has met with Coach Mike Shanahan, and "we're looking forward to seeing Clinton help us win," Allen said.

Saints receiver Lance Moore is getting healthy at the right time.

"I feel great. This is definitely the best I've felt since the beginning of the season," Moore said. "I'm definitely excited about the gameplan.

Brandon Marshall is open to playing for Broncos next season.

For two seasons, the Chicago Bears' Devin Hester was the most electrifying return man in the NFL. Now Hester, the receiver, wouldn't mind getting back to his roots.

"I know what I'm best at," Hester said Thursday on "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000. "The return game is my bread and butter, so if I had to cut back on my receiving and go back to returning, that's something I would love to do."

Hester scored 11 regular-season touchdowns on punt and kickoff returns from 2006 to 2007, and brought a kick back for a score in the Super Bowl in 2007.

Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown has finally gotten out of the walking boot he was wearing following foot surgery after missing the second half of the season due to an injury suffered against Carolina.

According to a league source, Detroit Lions running back Kevin Smith, who was expected to have off-season shoulder surgery, is continuing to seek more medical opinions and might not have the surgery after all.

It was believed that Smith, who is currently recovering from knee surgery, was delaying the operation on his shoulder until after he got off crutches. However, Smith might opt to repair the shoulder through rehabilitation instead.

Chargers RB Ladainian Tomlinson is due a $2 million roster bonus on March 5, the first day of the new league year. Provided the new league year is not postponed to allow for further collective bargaining negotiations, Tomlinson will likely be released before then, because the Chargers don’t seem inclined to pay his $5 million total salary. Both sides have said since a restructuring of Tomlinson’s contract last March that the deal would not be reworked again.

Chad Ochocinco told Jay Glazer that he thinks Terrell Owens will be a Bengal next year. He said he's sure of it.

Raheem Brock is keenly aware that, when Sunday evening rolls around, he’ll most likely be one of the closest watched players in recent Super Bowl history.

With defensive end Dwight Freeney’s availability for Super Bowl XLIV in doubt, thanks to a torn ligament in his right ankle, it looks like Brock and Robert Mathis will be in the starting lineup against the New Orleans Saints.

But its a role that he is familiar with. Earlier this season, with Freeney nursing a strained groin that kept him out of the lineup for a couple of weeks, it was Brock moving into the Colts’ starting defensive lineup.

“Yeah I mean we’ve been through this before from earlier in the season where Dwight’s not playing and me and Rob [Mathis] are starting, [with] the rest of the young guys stepping up and playing a little bit more. We’re not worried. We’ve been through it before,” he said Wednesday.

“You can’t replace Dwight, but we still want to get to the quarterback like we do.”

Giants QB Eli Manning said his injured right heel/foot is feeling much better and he has been able to work out on it. He does, however, still expect to undergo more testing and an MRI to make sure he’s healing properly.

"I feel good," Matthew Stafford said Wednesday, relaxing in the green room before an ESPN interview amid the hoopla of Super Bowl XLIV. "I've been lifting on my leg, working it out."

Stafford has been rehabbing in his hometown of Dallas with the same doctor who scoped his left knee in high school.

"It's still in the rehab phase, but I'm moving around, doing a lot of stuff with it," Stafford said. "It's more strength now than anything, not, 'Is the knee going to be OK?' "

Stafford said he's just working on getting his right leg in the same shape as his left. He also suffered a separated left shoulder during his rookie season, but that did not require surgery. He is expected to be ready for the start of the off-season conditioning program in March.

Against a widespread belief that Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington's two-year tenure in Miami is over, the two-time NFL comeback player of the year isn't ready to say the same. Pennington wants to stay in South Florida.

The veteran has decided to make it his priority to stay with the Dolphins, even if it means backing up quarterback Chad Henne, two sources said this week. The Dolphins are willing to entertain the possibility under some circumstances.

The Indianapolis Colts were missing two players Wednesday: defensive end Dwight Freeney (ankle) and cornerback Jerraud Powers (foot).

Only one player missed practice for the New Orleans Saints on Wednesday: tailback Lynell Hamilton, who had a protective boot over his sprained ankle.

Osi Umenyiora wants to continue his career with the Giants, but if he doesn't get his starting job back he's going to just quit.

Houston HC Gary Kubiak said the prognosis is good for running back Steve Slaton, who underwent surgery two weeks ago.

Slaton underwent a discectomy to relieve pressure on the nerve root that was causing the problem in his spine.

The surgery was performed in Dallas by Dr. Drew Dossett. The Texans said the surgery went well and that recovery will take from four to six months. Kubiak said Slaton will avoid contact until training camp.

Larry Fitzgerald is close friend's with Kurt Warner, but said he is excited to get back to work with Matt Leinart. "I know he's been chomping at the bit for this opportunity for a long time," Fitzgerald said.

Dwight Freeney says the pain in his sprained right ankle is subsiding and he still hopes play in Sunday's Super Bowl.

The Colts' All-Pro defensive end said Wednesday that in addition to using an oxygen tent, he has been walking barefoot and in the Florida sand to strengthen the ankle.

It appears to be working.

The Patriots will meet tomorrow with Ricky Foley, the Canadian Football League’s sack leader this season, in an effort to bolster their pass rush.

Colts CB Jerraud Powers unsure about practice today, but sure he's playing Sunday. It's an injury to the side of his left foot.

Ex- Giants star Plaxico Burress has vowed “I will play again” in his first interview since being imprisoned for accidentally shooting himself in the leg in a Manhattan nightclub.

NFL Network's Michael Lombardi reported Tuesday night that the Eagles, suddenly, plan to keep quarterback Michael Vick.

Lombardi says the Eagles feel as if they're "in a luxury position" with regard to their current quarterback group. They have Vick, probable future starter Kevin Kolb, and five-time Pro Bowler Donovan Mcnabb signed through 2010.

As expected, Patriots receiver Wes Welker underwent surgery today at Massachusetts General Hospital, a source told The Herald. The goal was to repair his torn knee ligaments in his left knee.

As you read last month, Welker was waiting and waiting to have surgery, as he chilled while his MCL got a little better. It was 30 days from when Welker tore his knee against the Texans.

The surgery was performed by Thomas Gill, the team doctor for the Patriots. Colleague Karen Guregian was told the surgery was a grand success. So that’s good for Wes and the Patriots.

And now, it’s time to rehab.

The Eagles have hired Dick Jauron to coach their secondary, according to a league source.

During a radio interview with San Diego station 1090, Chargers running back Ladainian Tomlinson said that he "would not take a paycut under any circumstances."

When asked if he thinks he'll return, Tomlinson replied: "I'm not really sure. I can see a lot of things happening. I just kind of leave it open. I spent a lot of years here and enjoy football a lot and enjoy being around the guys in the locker room."

He stressed that he still feels like he can consistently rush for 1,400 to 1,500 yards.

Dallas Cowboys starting fullback Deon Anderson was arrested in the early hours Tuesday morning on traffic warrants discovered by Addison, Texas, police who were called to a disturbance between Anderson and restaurant staff.

According to a statement from the Addison police department, two weapons were confiscated at the scene and Anderson's car was impounded for further investigation. No charges have been filed at this time in relation to the weapons.

Clinton Portis expects to be back w/ Skins and back healthy for 2010. Portis has not yet been medically cleared.

Bill Parcells on Chad Pennington:

“I think Chad’s intention is to try to continue playing, so I don’t think coaching is on the forefront for him right now.”

Eagles backup quarterback Michael Vick said yesterday he wants to be a starter in the NFL next season and that it would be difficult for him to return to the same role he had in Philadelphia.

"Me and my agent spoke briefly about 2 days ago [about the Eagles being willing to let him out of the final year of his contract]," Vick said on Dan Patrick's radio show. "He's just trying to get an understanding on what we thought was the best-case scenario and how we should approach the situation in regards to being respectful. We thought that was important. We didn't put a timetable on it but it should happen pretty soon. So, we'll see."

A league source told the Daily News last week that coach Andy Reid told Vick he will be traded before April's draft. At last week's Senior Bowl, several teams expressed curiosity about Vick, who should bring at least a fourth-round pick in a trade.

Vick, for whom the Eagles hold a club option for 1 more year for $5 million, was asked if he could play the same backup role with the Eagles next year.

"It would be a tough decision to make," he said. "I would really have to take a lot of things into consideration, the fact that I want to be a starter and the fact that I'm blessed just to be back playing football. If I had to [be a backup], I would. If another opportunity presented itself, then it would be even better.

"I would really have to think about it. But for the most part, I like the coaching staff. I like the people around here, within the organization. Maybe I would do it. Who knows? I'm still kinda young. It may work out."

Vick, who will turn 30 in June, then went back on his previous statement about returning as a backup. "As I think about it now, getting back to your previous question, it would be fairly hard [to return to the Eagles as a backup]," he said. "I know I can play in this league. I know I still have a lot of games left in me. I can be improved and be in shape and have an opportunity to go play somewhere else in the league. I'm just being optimistic and hoping that things work out in my favor. To be honest, I do want to play."

Mark Sanchez has made up his mind: It's surgery for his left knee, as expected.

After soliciting second and third opinions, the Jets' franchise quarterback will have surgery in two or three weeks to strengthen a patella-stabilizing ligament, the Daily News has learned.

The operation, believed to be an arthroscopic procedure, will be performed by the Jets' doctors, led by orthopedist Ken Montgomery.

Sanchez's recovery time will be about two months, taking him until late April. He's expected to be ready for training camp in late July, but he will miss at least the first month of the offseason program.

Colts Coach Jim Caldwell says the Colts are preparing to play without defensive end Dwight Freeney in the Super Bowl, though he remains hopeful the All-Pro defensive end will suit up for the game.

“Hopefully they’ll want to give me a new deal. I think I deserve to be the highest paid running back in the league, or even the highest paid offensive player besides the quarterback,’’ said Titans RB Chris Johnson, who scored the game-winning touchdown in Sunday night’s Pro Bowl.

“But it’s not like I am not going out in the media saying, ‘Pay me, I want a new deal now.’ I am just saying, if they were to pay me, I want that. Hopefully they want that, too.’’

Steven Jackson of the Rams became the highest-paid running back in the NFL when he signed a five-year, $48.5 million contract in 2008.

Bears new OC Mike Martz said he was impressed with Cutler's football mind when the quarterback asked him a question about a receiver's "splits" on a play he had just drawn up on the board.

"There was an instant connection," Martz said. "That happened to me with Jon Kitna the first time I met him, too. ... This was very interesting because we were on the same page on so many things."

Martz also said he was excited about what he has seen from the Bears' receiving corps.

"There's plenty of talent there," he said. "I'm real excited about the speed."

Dolphins LB Joey Porter just said he wants to be traded away from the Dolphins.

The AFC's starting cornerbacks, Darrelle Revis and Nnamdi Asomugha, want to play on the same team. As fantastical as that notion might be, it's frightening to consider.

Oakland Raiders star Asomugha was smiling when he brought up the dream scenario, but insisted he was "dead serious" and has spoken to New York Jets coach Rex Ryan about it.

"Me and Revis have been talking to Rex to try to do something," Asomugha said. "You may see us in the future. There's a little bit of talk going on. Either he's coming to Oakland or something else will happen."

Said Revis: "Me and him have talked about it, but I can't really control that situation. I don't know if he can either."

As much of a nightmare as it would be for opposing quarterbacks, it would be just as daunting for a team's capologist to figure out a way to pay them both. Asomugha has two years left on a three-year, $45.3 million contract that made him the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history.

Revis, considered by most to be the NFL's top cover cornerback, might make more than that soon.

"That's a lot of money they're going to be pushing around," Revis said, "but that'll be tough for quarterbacks. I'll tell you that."

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have hired former Buffalo Bills quarterback coach and interim offensive coordinator Alex Van pelt as their quarterbacks coach for the 2010 season, according to a source.

The Chicago Bears hired Mike Martz as their offensive coordinator on Monday, the team confirmed.

Martz interviewed with the Bears on Friday then traveled to Nashville, Tenn., to speak with Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. Martz, working for the NFL Network, had criticized Cutler's comportment after the quarterback threw four interceptions in a season-opening loss at Green Bay.

The hiring ends a prolonged search that included an interview with Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks coach Kevin Rogers. The Bears also were interested in former Denver Broncos quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates, who worked with Cutler in Denver, but Bates went to the Seattle Seahawks with Pete Carroll after serving a season on USC's staff.

The Bears also interviewed the Cincinnati Bengals' Ken Zampese and the San Diego Chargers' Rob Chudzinski.

Martz is a former St. Louis Rams head coach and offensive coordinator. The Rams won a Super Bowl with Martz as the offensive coordinator and lost a Super Bowl when he became head coach.

Martz hired Lovie Smith as the Rams defensive coordinator.

"Even though I've never worked with Mike Martz, I'm in favor of the Bears hiring anybody that can get us back on the right track, and hopefully back to a Super Bowl," Bears tight end Desmond Clark said. "Mike Martz has a great track record, and I'm excited to see how this offense could grow in 2010."

Wide receiver Randy Moss was diagnosed with a separated shoulder following the Patriots' season and that was the reason he did not play in the Pro Bowl, a league source said on Monday.

A Colts' spokesman said Dwight Freeney suffered "a third-degree, low basketball ankle sprain'' in their Jan. 24 AFC Championship Game victory over the New York Jets.

"We expect him to be questionable for the Super Bowl,'' Craig Kelley said Sunday night.

In talking with NFL Network’s Rich Eisen about the CBA negotiations with the Players’ Association, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell struck a conciliatory tone, saying the sides need to work harder to reach an accord.

“The real core message here is that we all want to get a fair agreement, for the players, for the owners, to allow the game to continue to grow,” said Goodell. “There are conversations going on, that’s a positive step. But we’re all frustrated there’s not more progress.”

As for next season, Goodell admitted it will most likely be uncapped, “It’s looking virtually certain we’ll get to that point.”

Rex Ryan fell one game short of the Super Bowl, but he's making his presence felt in South Florida. The Jets' coach attended an MMA event in the area and let some fans (presumably Dolphins fans) know how he feels about them, by flipping the bird.

"I just want to tell everyone in Miami that we're coming to beat you twice next year," he said.