Rodgers has 'no doubt' he'll play against Seahawks
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Barring some sort of minor medical miracle, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will once again be playing through the pain of a sprained right shoulder on Sunday.
At least now he knows he can do it, leaving "no doubt" that he'll be on the field in Seattle.
With his effort in a loss to Atlanta last Sunday, Rodgers removed any lingering doubts in his own mind about his ability to shrug off a significant injury.
"Being able to play, and realizing the pain that I went through last week and pushing through it told me I can play with it," Rodgers said Wednesday. "I'm very confident I can play this week. I'm hoping the pain and the soreness will be less, but either way I'm going to go."
A week after spraining his right shoulder in a game against Tampa Bay, Rodgers played against the Falcons -- and played well. The Packers lost the game, but Rodgers won more respect in the locker room.
Rodgers said he felt a "duty" to play as one of the team's leaders. But he was quick to point out that linebacker A.J. Hawk, cornerback Charles Woodson and others also are playing through significant injuries.
"I don't want to single myself out as the only guy playing with pain, because we all are," Rodgers said. "A.J. didn't practice all week and played, Wood's been doing it for a number of weeks now. But, as one of the leaders of this football team, I felt like it was my duty to be on the field as long as I could play close to the level of effectiveness I feel I'm capable of playing at."
The decision to let Rodgers play against the Falcons wasn't made until a few hours before game time, after Rodgers proved to Packers coach Mike McCarthy that he could make all the throws he needed to in a closed-door warmup session at an indoor practice facility across the street from Lambeau Field.
And while Rodgers' participation in practice will be significantly restricted again this week, he doesn't expect to be a game-time decision against Seattle.
"I'm going to play. No doubt about that," Rodgers said. "But I'm hoping I can be a little better for Friday and maybe do a little bit more. But that still remains to be seen."
Rodgers made only a cameo appearance in the portion of Packers practice that was open to the media on Wednesday. He didn't throw a pass during a jog-through period, then left before full-speed team drills began.
McCarthy's plan going into the week was to have Rodgers begin throwing on a limited basis Thursday, but the Packers want to see how he responds to rehabilitation exercises.
"He was sore yesterday so they backed off him, and then they were going to rehab him hard again today," McCarthy said. "We'll see where he is in the morning."
Either way, Rodgers said the injury is better than it was a week ago.
"The shoulder's doing better than it was last week at this point," Rodgers said. "But we're just going day-by-day. The guys in the training room are doing a great job, spending time with me. We've been working on strength and flexibility, just trying to maintain and feel better each day and go from there."
Rodgers barely practiced at all last week, but still managed to go 25-for-37 for 313 yards with three touchdowns against Atlanta -- and nearly led the Packers to a late comeback.
He did make one major mistake, a fourth-quarter interception deep in Packers territory that set up a Falcons touchdown. But McCarthy said earlier this week that coaches gave Rodgers' overall performance high marks.
"I think I proved to the staff and really to myself -- although you don't want this to be a precedent -- that I can play effectively without practicing all week," Rodgers said. "Now, I don't want to set that as a precedent for the season. I want to be out there as much as I can. but you have to be realistic with the state of my body at the moment."
For Rodgers, the biggest concern about missing practice is not having a handle on what his distance and accuracy might be like until the game starts.
But he figures that's how it's going to be until the Packers' off week Oct. 26.
"That's kind of what I have to deal with at the moment," Rodgers said. "Hopefully my shoulder will be feeling a little bit better this Sunday, but I think until I have a couple good weeks to not do anything, which will be the bye week, that's kind of the pain I'll be in. I think my pain threshold is such that I can deal with that."
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
Bears suspend defensive tackle Harris
CHICAGO -- The Chicago Bears suspended defensive tackle Tommie Harris for Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions.
Coach Lovie Smith said Thursday that Harris broke a team rule, but he didn't immediately explain what it was.
"He'll continue to rehab but won't practice with the football team this week," Smith said. "Monday he'll be back with the team, hopefully ready to go and I'll kind of go from there."
Harris didn't play over the weekend against the Philadelphia Eagles due to a knee injury. But the three-time Pro Bowler had been expected to play in Detroit. Harris will be replaced by Israel Idonije, with defensive tackle Anthony Adams also getting playing time.
Smith said he met Thursday with Harris and told him of the suspension. Harris was not available for comment.
"It's always disappointing when you have to suspend one of your players, but nothing's bigger than the team, so we'll kind of move on from there," Smith said.
"Injuries happen, players don't play from time to time, you have to move on," he said. "We played last week without Tommie, so we've been in that situation before."
Harris received a $40 million contract extension before the season. Smith wouldn't say whether Harris will be paid through the suspension, but Harris will be allowed to continue rehabbing his knee this week at Halas Hall.
Smith said Harris' large contract did not make the situation more disappointing.
"No, it's disappointing, period, no matter how much money someone is making," he said. "It's disappointing when you have to suspend a player on your football team, period."
The Bears practiced without injured cornerbacks Charles Tillman (shoulder) and Nate Vasher (wrist) for the second straight day.
Without their top coverage corners, the Bears defense will need a better pass rush, but Harris has always been their best inside pass rush. He has two tackles and no sacks this season while struggling with the sore knee.
"We need to get pressure, whether it be through blitz or the front four," defensive coordinator Bob Babich said. "We need to get pressure on the quarterback for our defense to perform."
The Bears also practiced without wide receivers Marty Booker and Brandon Lloyd due to knee injuries for the second straight day.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
Godfrey's learning curve as Panthers' starting FS
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Charles Godfrey had no time to ease into the NFL.
Six days after the Carolina Panthers selected him in the third round of the draft, Godfrey was working with the first team at free safety in a minicamp practice.
It was the beginning of a crash course on becoming a rookie starter for a team without depth at safety. He spent much of training camp attached to secondary coach Mike Gillhamer, getting constant instruction between plays. He quizzed veterans, studied extra film and managed to avoid any major mistakes in preseason games.
The start of the regular season has been a much rockier road for the former Iowa star.
"When the regular season picks up, it's another gear," Godfrey said Thursday. "Obviously I had to pick up my game. The first couple of games, it kind of was a shock, because I didn't know what to expect. Now I know what to expect and I know what's going on."
At times, Godfrey has displayed tremendous athleticism and speed. He got his first sack on a safety blitz Sunday against Minnesota, and has recorded 12 tackles in the past two games.
But Godfrey has also made rookie gaffes. He was in the wrong coverage on Philip Rivers' 44-yard touchdown pass to Chris Chambers in the season opener at San Diego. Godfrey gave up Gus Frerotte's 48-yard pass to Bernard Berrian in Sunday's loss to Minnesota.
"I think the San Diego play has been well documented," coach John Fox said. "The play last week, the guy had quite a bit of time to throw and the guy made a great throw and the guy made a great catch. I don't know he was so much out of position. I think like all plays we can do something a little bit better. But I think he's played pretty well."
Not well enough for the 5-foot-11 perfectionist, who switched from receiver to defensive back in high school so he could "knock somebody over," then played cornerback and both safety positions in college.
"My whole game, everything I've got to improve on," Godfrey said. "I'm not where I need to be anywhere in my game. That's one thing about me, I'm very hard on myself. I have to keep on improving because I want to be good, I want to be great."
And Godfrey believes he can be great. Full of that mandatory confidence to be a defensive back, Godfrey feels he gives the Panthers plenty of defensive options missing when they used a parade of journeymen at safety the past several years.
"They want me running. They want me putting pressure on the quarterback, going out and covering receivers," Godfrey said. "That's one of the upsides I have, I can cover and then I can also blitz and use my speed. And I'm a great tackler, also."
Quickly becoming a starter as a rookie hasn't stopped him from catching plenty of grief from the veterans. Punter Jason Baker on Thursday asked when he was going to cut his long hair. Linebacker Jason Beason initially responded to a question about Godfrey by yelling, "Charles Godfrey is awful!"
But Beason, who knows a little about facing pressure as a rookie when he took over for Dan Morgan last season at middle linebacker, believes Godfrey has what it takes to be a successful safety.
"He doesn't seem to get rattled at all," Beason said.
A good philosophy when you're a rookie on the final line of defense.
"It's not about getting beat, it's about coming back on the next play and capitalizing," Godfrey said. "Everybody gets beat, even the best. Deion (Sanders) got beat and he's one of the best cover corners to ever play the game. It's about how you bounce back. You have to know that as a DB. You can't get down on yourself."
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
Andrews doubtful for Eagles vs. Steelers
PHILADELPHIA -- Two-time Pro Bowl guard Shawn Andrews is doubtful for the Eagles' game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday because of back spasms.
"He hasn't recovered as fast as we'd hoped," coach Andy Reid said Friday. "We'll see how he is in the next couple of days."
Max Jean-Gilles, who filled in when Andrews missed time in training camp to deal with depression, would start in his place. The third-year pro has one career start.
"Max gets plenty of reps in there in case something were to come up with either guard," Reid said. "We feel comfortable he'll step in and do a good job for us."
Wide receiver Reggie Brown is expected to play after missing the first two games with a hamstring injury. Brown may not start, but will rotate with other wideouts.
"Reggie looks like he's feeling pretty good," Reid said. "We'll give him an opportunity to play."
Center Jamaal Jackson missed practice all week for personal reasons, but Reid expects him to be ready Sunday.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
Saints defense missing 3 starters
METAIRIE, La. -- The Saints' defense will be short at least three players who started in Week 1 when New Orleans plays at Washington on Sunday.
Safety Roman Harper, cornerback Randall Gay and linebacker Scott Fujita were unable to practice Friday, and coach Sean Payton said they will not play this weekend.
Harper pulled his right hamstring and Gay his left hamstring during the season-opening 24-20 victory over Tampa Bay last Sunday. Fujita bruised his right knee in the first quarter of that game, but returned to make a clinching interception.
This week, however, the swelling worsened, so trainers and coaches chose to hold him out, meaning the seventh-year veteran will miss only the second game of his career.
"I was kind of hoping for a miracle and I had hoped that by Friday I would be ready to go, but it's just not" better, Fujita said. "It's pretty painful. ... Hopefully by Monday I'll be able to run around a little bit and we'll see how that goes."
Meanwhile, the Saints placed linebacker Mark Simoneau on injured reserve. Simoneau, a starter the past two seasons, needs surgery on his back to repair a damaged disk, Payton said.
Simoneau's back began bothering him during the preseason and he was unable to play last week. He tried to practice this week before the team's medical staff decided it would be best for him to get surgery.
Simoneau was not expected to start because the Saints acquired Jonathan Vilma in an offseason trade. Still, Simoneau looked strong early in training camp and appeared on track to see regular action in what would have been his ninth season.
Payton said the Saints intended to sign defensive end Josh Savage from the practice squad to fill Simoneau's spot on the roster. The move also meant linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar, signed off the practice squad last week, will remain on the active roster for now.
Cornerback Mike McKenzie, who tore his right anterior cruciate ligament late last season, practiced this week. He is very close to being ready, Payton said, adding his status would be a game-time decision.
On offense, the Saints will play a second straight week without reserve running Aaron Stecker (hamstring).
Deuce McAllister, coming back from a second knee reconstruction in three seasons, is expected to be in uniform for a second straight week, but whether he plays for the first time this season is unknown.
Payton said he called McAllister last Sunday night to reassure the Saints' all-time leading rusher that he was "in the plans."
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
Titans eager to see changes turn into points
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Explanations for Tennessee's inability to score a touchdown with Vince Young came fast and furious all preseason. Nobody's panicking. Not tapping too much of the playbook. The production's there on the practice field.
Heading into their season opener against Jacksonville on Sunday, coach Jeff Fisher has refined his act so well that he handled a question about having access to all of the Titans' playbook with a quick joke.
"Well, we're going to try and score one more point than they do," Fisher said. "And in the effort to do so we're going to probably have to do some different things than we did in the preseason."
Fans have worried about the Titans' inability to score anything other than field goals with Young and the first-team offense during the preseason because scoring touchdowns was a big problem in 2007. Remember, All Pro kicker Rob Bironas led the NFL with 35 field goals and set a record with eight field goals in one game last season.
The Titans went 10-6 and clinched a wild-card berth despite averaging 18.8 points, which forced the defense to work even harder.
Fisher, and the Titans' offense, think they are better after changing offensive coordinators with the hiring of Mike Heimerdinger, the signing of veteran tight end Alge Crumpler and right guard Jake Scott and the drafting of running back Chris Johnson.
And Fisher told Jacksonville reporters that he wasn't concerned that Young didn't score a TD in the preseason.
"We work at it. Our hope is that things will get back on track, but I thought he had a really good camp. He's had a great offseason, he and Mike are working very well together and I've seen improvement in all aspects of his play," Fisher said.
Fisher dismissed preseason statistics as misleading and cautioned against jumping to conclusions. The Titans did rank second in the preseason to only Seattle with 370.3 yards of offense and led the NFL averaging 5.81 yards per carry.
Measuring where the Titans are now compared to a year ago is harder for Fisher to gauge. The Titans opened up running for 282 yards in beating the Jaguars in 2007, the second-most yards in franchise history. But he said he does feel good about the offense.
"You have to give us a couple weeks into the season before we'll be able to compare ourselves where we were this year to last year," Fisher said.
Veteran center Kevin Mawae is more confident. He looks at an offensive line that replaced retired right guard Benji Olson with Scott and moved up Eugene Amano to left guard after Jacob Bell signed with St. Louis and sees the other changes as helping the unit. Receivers Justin Gage and Justin McCareins must lead a young group.
"I think we're capable of winning games. I think we're capable of winning big. Again, it goes back to everybody doing their jobs," Mawae said.
The biggest questions revolve around Young going into his third season. He threw only nine touchdown passes with 17 interceptions in 2007 and spent the offseason working with Heimerdinger.
Mawae said Young is better than when he came in as a rookie in 2006, but has heard the questions about whether the quarterback can lead them to a title.
"If you ask anybody on this team, we all believe that Vince can be, and that's where you start. As long as your team believes in your quarterback, you have half the battle licked," Mawae said.
Running back LenDale White said they will be better because many of the Titans are heading into a third season together, a group led by himself and Young. He sees Johnson as an intelligent player whose speed will open up room for himself and Young. He believes the scoring will come with the Titans working together.
"We've still got to score points. You've got to put points on the board no matter how good you think you are. ... If you score 20, 21 good points on offense, it usually helps you win football games," he said.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
Chiefs owner Clark Hunt expects KC to compete for playoff spot in '08
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- In his first public comments since the Kansas City Chiefs lost their last nine games and finished 4-12, owner Clark Hunt seemed to be putting his embattled front office on notice.
"The 2008 season is going to be a very important year for our football team," Hunt said Thursday in an interview with The Associated Press. "I expect us to at least compete for a playoff spot."
At the same time, Hunt conceded that third-year coach Herm Edwards faces a major retooling of a team that finished near the bottom in many offensive statistics while struggling through a losing streak that set a record for the franchise his father founded more than 40 years ago.
"I'm realistic and patient to some degree. But I also know that in the NFL you can quickly turn things around," he said. "I think you can look at a franchise like Green Bay who three years ago was in the same spot we're in. They were 4-12."
Sitting in the large, tastefully appointed office in Arrowhead Stadium that his father had long occupied, Hunt discussed his plans while drinking sweet-smelling imported coffee out of a plastic foam cup.
"I'm not saying this football team's got to win 10 or 11 games next year. But I expect us to be competitive for a playoff spot," he said. "Certainly, if we're 4-12 again that would be a failure, or anywhere close to 4-12. It's not unrealistic for us to have a team that's in the mix fighting for a playoff spot late in the year next year."
The 43-year-old Hunt became the youngest owner in the NFL when Lamar Hunt died 14 months ago and willed most of his vast estate to his four children. Clark Hunt also has been one of the least visible and least involved owners, until now devoting most of his time to the family's other interests.
But signaling an increased presence, Hunt spent Thursday meeting individually with various print and electronic reporters who regularly cover the Chiefs. Since granting an interview to the AP last summer, he had spoken with the media only in passing.
"The Chiefs are going to receive the majority of my time," Hunt said. "That's been a big shift over the last 18 months. It's been an outgrowth of my father's passing away and me getting very involved with the Arrowhead Stadium renovation.
"Now I'm tuned into it closely," he said. "The Chiefs are by far my No. 1 priority."
Hunt disappointed a great many fans last month when he decided to retain Carl Peterson, the president and general manager since 1989. Against a backdrop of dwindling attendance and declining local television ratings of Chiefs games, fans had become increasingly displeased with a CEO whose team has not won a playoff game since the 1993 season.
The criticism reached a crescendo in Herm Edwards' second season, when the team finished with its worst record in 30 years.
"First of all, I share their disappointment," Hunt said. "Our performance this year was not satisfactory in any regard."
He said an evaluation of the football operation convinced him that Peterson had made the right adjustments two years ago when he hired Edwards to replace the retired Dick Vermeil and promoted Bill Kuharich to vice president of player personnel.
"Carl obviously has a very good long-term record. He's shown that he can turn a bad football team into a good football team in several different places, including here. At the end of the day, I concluded that continuity in our front office really gave Herm and the football team the best chance of being successful in 2008."
He seemed to lay most of the problems the Chiefs are now encountering at Vermeil's door.
"The earlier part of this decade, we built the team primarily with veteran players through free agency. That was the type of player Coach Vermeil liked," he said.
"But fast forward to 2007, those (young) players who would now be in the prime we don't have on the roster. I think to Carl's credit, he recognized that when Coach Vermeil left we needed to make a change in the evaluation process and how we were drafting players. I've had a chance to watch Bill and Herm work together the last two years and I think they've done a very good job drafting players and I expect them to do well again in 2008."
Hunt said he expected the Chiefs to rebuild primarily through the draft and not sign any veteran free agents who would not spend their prime years in Kansas City.
But he's also expecting immediate results.
"We've got to rebound from the year we just had. I'm going to look for two or three different things," he said.
"First of all, the win-loss record. I understand that we're in a rebuilding phase and it's difficult to go from 4-12 to 12-4. But we should at least be able to compete for a playoff spot.
"I also expect that we will be greatly improved on the offensive side of the ball.
"Third, as the season goes along I'd like to see us playing better than we did at the beginning of the season. We're going to have a young football team, a young quarterback and a new coordinator. You would expect over the course of the year they'd get better. You can contrast that to 2007 where we probably played worse as the season went along. I expect to see the opposite next year."
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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