BATON ROUGE – Thomas McGaughey, who has spent the last four seasons in the NFL with the New York Giants, has been named LSU’s special teams coordinator, head coach Les Miles announced on Thursday. 

 

McGaughey served as the assistant special teams coordinator with the New York Giants from 2007-10, during which time the franchise ranked among the most productive in the NFL. During his career, McGaughey has coached for eight years in the NFL, two years at the collegiate level and he spent one season in NFL-Europe.

 

In addition to his special teams duties, Miles said McGaughey will assist on the defensive side of the ball.

 

“Thomas is a great addition to the staff,” Miles said. “He comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in all phases of special teams. He’s coached in both the NFL and college so he has a tremendous understanding of the game. We are excited about bringing Thomas and his family to LSU.”

 

Most recently, McGaughey spent four years with the New York Giants, where he helped the franchise capture the Super Bowl in 2007 and win the NFC East crown in 2008.

 

The Giants also had several individual special teams standouts during McGaughey’s four years with the franchise. In 2009, kicker Lawrence Tynes ranked fifth in the NFL with a career-best 126 points, while Domenik Hixon finished seventh in the league in punt returns with a 10.9 average. Hixon also set the Giants record with 1,291 kickoff return yards.

 

During New York’s NFC East title season in 2008, the Giants had three special teams players – kicker John Carney, punter Jeff Feagles and long snapper Zak DeOssie – named to the NFC Pro Bowl team, while cover specialist Chase Blackburn was named a Pro Bowl alternate.

 

Carney, who was signed just prior to the 2008 season, set a franchise record by connecting on 35-of-38 field goals for .921 percent. The 35 field goals tied the team mark, while the .921 percent stands at the franchise record.

 

During the Giants’ Super Bowl season in 2007, the club excelled in special teams with Tynes connecting on 23-of-27 field goals, including the game-winner of 47-yards in an overtime victory over Green Bay in the NFC Championship Game. The Giants also ranked among the NFL leaders in kickoff returns with a 23.9-yard average and they rated fourth in the league in punt coverage, allowing only 173 yards for the entire season.

 

McGaughey joined the Giants after two seasons as the Denver Broncos’ assistant special teams coach. In 2006, the Broncos held opposing punt returners to an average of 6.9 yards a return, the fifth-best figure in the NFL. The previous year, McGaughey worked with the Broncos special-teams that helped the club go 13-3 en route to capturing the AFC West title and advancing to the AFC Championship Game.

 

McGaughey was the Kansas City Chiefs’ assistant special teams coach for the 2002 season. He broke into the NFL as a minority intern with the Chiefs during their 2001 training camp before working as a pro scouting assistant in an internship with the Houston Texans that year as the franchise prepared for its inaugural season.

 

McGaughey spent two years (2003-04) working at his alma mater, the University of Houston, before joining the Broncos’ staff. He served as Houston’s special teams coordinator in 2003 and as special teams coordinator/cornerbacks coach in 2004.

 

A safety in his playing days, McGaughey entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 1996. He competed in the training camps of the Cincinnati Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles in 1996-97, respectively. He was on the Eagles’ practice squad late in the 1996 season and was a member of the Barcelona Dragons’ team that won NFL Europe’s World Bowl in 1997.

 

McGaughey played for the Houston Cougars from 1991-95 and was special teams captain as a senior. He also lettered in track from 1991-93, competing in the 110-meter hurdles.

 

McGaughey, 37, was born in Chicago and grew up in Houston. He and his wife, Erika, have three children.

 

The McGaughey File

Year at LSU:        First (appointed March 10, 2011)

Birthdate:           May 8, 1973 at Chicago, Ill.   

Wife:                      Erika

Children:              Thomas III, Taylor, Trenton 

College:                 University of Houston

                               

Playing Experience
1991-95                 University of Houston (defensive back)

1996                       Philadelphia Eagles (safety)

1997                       Barcelona Dragons (NFL Europe)

 

Coaching Experience

1998                       Houston (graduate assistant)

1998-2001            Willowridge (Texas) High School (defensive backs, special teams)

2001                       Kansas City Chiefs (minority intern)

2001                       Houston Texans (pro scouting assistant)

2002                       Scottish Claymores (defensive backs, special teams coordinator)

2002                       Kansas City Chiefs (assistant special teams coordinator)

2003-04                 Houston (special teams coordinator, 2003; special teams coordinator/cornerbacks, 2004)

2005-06                 Denver Broncos (assistant special teams coordinator)

2007-10                 New York Giants (assistant special teams coordinator)

2011                       LSU (special teams coordinator)

 

Bowl Experience

2003                       Hawaii (lost to Hawaii, 54-48)

(Courtesy: LSU Athletics Department)

February 25, 2011, 9:17 AM EST

By Darrell Preston and Aaron Kuriloff

Feb. 25 (Bloomberg) — Governments that subsidized $7 billion of National Football League stadium construction will be the biggest losers if the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys and other teams lock out players March 4.

Mayors and city officials of Houston, Miami, Minneapolis, San Diego and Kansas City, Missouri, have written the NFL asking that it avoid a work stoppage that could cost the entire season and millions in revenue and wages for workers at stadiums, hotels, restaurants and other businesses that depend on games.

Governments that financed 65 percent of new stadiums in the past 20 years would receive an unexpected blow at a time when tight budgets are forcing them to dismiss teachers and firefighters and cut back other government services.

“We don’t want to lose a dime,” said Tony Young, San Diego City Council president, who said by telephone that the NFL’s Chargers generate at least $100 million of local spending. “We’re talking about janitors, parking-lot attendants and catering crews, people who are already struggling.”

The 2011 regular season could be in jeopardy if “serious negotiations” don’t begin soon, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a commentary posted on the NFLlabor.com website last week. The league may lose $1 billion in ticket sales if it takes until September to reach an agreement, according to Eric Grubman, executive vice president for business operations. Each week of lost games would cost the league about $400 million.

Opting Out

Owners in the U.S.’s most-watched television sport voted in 2008 to opt out of the labor deal with players as of next week, saying it didn’t account for costs such as those for building stadiums. Talks have ranged from dividing revenue and expanding the season to 18 games from 16, to a rookie salary cap and health-care benefits. Both sides agreed Feb. 17 to negotiations run by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

Bondholders of both corporate and municipal debt tied to stadiums and other infrastructure would be protected by reserves of as much as 18 months of revenue or the proceeds of hotel and motel taxes pledged to repay bonds sold by municipalities. The rating company Standard & Poor’s said in 2008 that it didn’t expect the NFL owners’ rejection of the current contract to hurt repayment of seven stadium-related debt issues.

“If NFL games were not played, the stadium projects should have sufficient liquidity to withstand a prolonged labor action,” S&P’s Jodi E. Hecht and Craig Parmelee, both New York- based analysts, said in a bulletin.

Cowboy Stadium Bonds

As the deadline for an agreement has approached, prices of bonds that the city of Arlington, Texas, issued to help build a new stadium for the Dallas Cowboys have risen, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. On Feb. 23 the bonds traded at an average of 98.4 cents on the dollar, up from 93.8 cents on Jan. 19, driving the yield down to 5.14 percent from 5.55 percent.

Sal Galatioto, who has helped structure bond deals for teams including the New York Giants, said he doesn’t expect stadium bondholders to be hurt because of reserves and the fact that the national TV contract would keep paying the NFL during a work stoppage.

“You’re making plenty of money because you have no expenses,” said Galatioto, the president of Galatioto Sports Partners LLC in New York. “The bondholders would be fine.”

For NFL cities, the teams add value to the property-tax base and labor pool, said N. Edward Coulson, an economist with Pennsylvania State University in University Park, who has studied the value of sports franchises.

“People are willing to pay more to live in a town with an NFL team,” Coulson said.

Sought-After Franchises

The value leads government officials to offer subsidies as incentives to help owners finance stadiums. In Houston, bonds for the Houston Texans’ Reliant Stadium are backed in part by taxes on hotel and car rentals. Alcohol and tobacco taxes helped fund the Cleveland Browns’ stadium.

Subsidies in the Ohio city, which dismissed firefighters, and in New Orleans, which has struggled to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, would continue to be paid even if localities are cut off from the economic benefits expected from games, according to official documents and reports. Yet the cities would lose the economic benefits generated by the events.

In Minneapolis, the Minnesota Vikings’ regular-season games generate $6 million of spending that “support a wide variety of good jobs for workers in the hospitality, hotel and service industries,” wrote Mayor R.T. Rybak in a Feb. 3 letter to Goodell. Playoff games generate $9 million, the letter said.

Metrodome Situation

The city has no guarantee the Vikings will play in the Metrodome after the roof collapsed in December, leaving the team to host games at the University of Minnesota’s TCF Bank stadium.

Houston Mayor Annise Parker said in her Feb. 8 letter to Goodell that the Houston Texans’ games in Reliant Stadium generate $250 million of economic activity in restaurants and other entertainment outlets.

“Any decline in these revenues would hurt working families and the city as a whole, further compounding the difficulties we are facing due to the ongoing economic downturn,” Parker wrote.

As businesses and governments that depend directly on games lose income, the impact on the economy in most NFL cities will be minimal as fans spend on other activities, said Andrew Zimbalist, who teaches sports economics at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts.

“It may be devastating to the psyche of a community, but not the economy,” Zimbalist said. “Instead of spending money at the stadium, fans will go bowling or do something else.”

–Editors: Ted Bunker, Dex McLuskey.

To contact the reporters on this story: Darrell Preston in Dallas at dpreston@bloomberg.net; Aaron Kuriloff in New York at akuriloff@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Mark Tannenbaum at mtannen@bloomberg.net; To contact the editor responsible for this story: Michael Sillup at msillup@bloomberg.net.

CHICAGO (AP) — Dave Duerson, a four-time Pro Bowl safety who played on Super Bowl winners with the Chicago Bears and New York Giants, has died. He was 50.

The Bears released a statement Friday saying they were “stunned and saddened” by the news and called Duerson “a great contributor to our team and the Chicago community.”

“Today is a difficult day for all of us who loved Dave,” the team said. “We’ll miss him. Our prayers are with his family.”

Miami-Dade Police Detective Robert Williams says the body of a Dave Duerson was found Thursday in Sunny Isles Beach, Fla. Computer records show that the Duerson who lived at the address was born the same month and year as the player.

Investigators have not determined the cause of death. Williams says detectives are awaiting the medical examiner’s report.

Duerson’s ex-wife, Alicia Duerson, told NBC Chicago that he “loved and cherished his family” and was “extremely proud” of Notre Dame and the Bears.

A native of Muncie, Indiana, Duerson was a third-round draft pick by the Bears in 1983 out of Notre Dame and became a key figure on one of the greatest defenses ever assembled.

Who can forget the 1985 team mauling opponents while shuffling all the way to the championship with Hall of Famers such as Mike Singletary, Dan Hampton and Richard Dent up front? With Todd Bell sitting out the entire season, Duerson played a big role in the backfield with five interceptions that year and made the first of four straight Pro Bowls.

“He was a great player for us,” coach Mike Ditka told the Associated Press. “He stepped in and did a great job. It’s very sad.”

A year later, he picked off a career-high six passes while setting what was an NFL record for sacks by a defensive back with seven. That mark stood until 2005, when Arizona’s Adrian Wilson had eight.

Duerson would go on to win another Super Bowl with the 1990 Giants after being released by the Bears and spent three years with Arizona before retiring after 11 seasons.

Emery Moorehead, a tight end on the ’85 team, said: “He was a man’s man. Smoked cigars. Just a personable guy. … He had a lot of people that loved him everywhere.”

“Our hearts go out to the Duerson family and to all those who knew Dave,” Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick said in a statement. “In addition to being a great football player, Dave represented himself and the University in so many other ways as a team captain, as well as through his work with the Monogram Club and the Board of Trustees. You couldn’t help but be impressed by him when you met Dave Duerson, and I think that was the reaction from anyone who was ever around him.”

Ray Ellis, the sports channel director at Voice America Sports, where Duerson had a weekly radio show streamed live over the Internet, said he tried reaching Duerson on Thursday when he didn’t host his regular program.

Friday morning, a friend informed Ellis of Duerson’s death.

“If you looked at him visually, Dave Duerson looked like he could play strong safety today,” Ellis said.

He added that Duerson recently told him he’d gotten engaged and planned to marry in late spring or early summer.

Ellis said Duerson’s show wasn’t typical sports talk. He talked about a range of subjects and liked to highlight athletes’ accomplishments and good work off the field.

“There was so much more to Dave than being a former Chicago Bear,” Ellis said. “Dave took pride in his accomplishments off the field.”

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

CHICAGO (AP) — Dave Duerson, a four-time Pro Bowl safety who played on Super Bowl winners with the Chicago Bears and New York Giants, has died. He was 50.

The Bears released a statement Friday saying they were “stunned and saddened” by the news and called Duerson “a great contributor to our team and the Chicago community.”

“Today is a difficult day for all of us who loved Dave,” the team said. “We’ll miss him. Our prayers are with his family.”

Miami-Dade Police Detective Robert Williams says the body of a Dave Duerson was found Thursday in Sunny Isles Beach, Fla. Computer records show that the Duerson who lived at the address was born the same month and year as the player.

Investigators have not determined the cause of death. Williams says detectives are awaiting the medical examiner’s report.

Duerson’s ex-wife, Alicia Duerson, told NBC Chicago that he “loved and cherished his family” and was “extremely proud” of Notre Dame and the Bears.

A native of Muncie, Indiana, Duerson was a third-round draft pick by the Bears in 1983 out of Notre Dame and became a key figure on one of the greatest defenses ever assembled.

Who can forget the 1985 team mauling opponents while shuffling all the way to the championship with Hall of Famers such as Mike Singletary, Dan Hampton and Richard Dent up front? With Todd Bell sitting out the entire season, Duerson played a big role in the backfield with five interceptions that year and made the first of four straight Pro Bowls.

“He was a great player for us,” coach Mike Ditka told the Associated Press. “He stepped in and did a great job. It’s very sad.”

A year later, he picked off a career-high six passes while setting what was an NFL record for sacks by a defensive back with seven. That mark stood until 2005, when Arizona’s Adrian Wilson had eight.

Duerson would go on to win another Super Bowl with the 1990 Giants after being released by the Bears and spent three years with Arizona before retiring after 11 seasons.

Emery Moorehead, a tight end on the ’85 team, said: “He was a man’s man. Smoked cigars. Just a personable guy. … He had a lot of people that loved him everywhere.”

“Our hearts go out to the Duerson family and to all those who knew Dave,” Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick said in a statement. “In addition to being a great football player, Dave represented himself and the University in so many other ways as a team captain, as well as through his work with the Monogram Club and the Board of Trustees. You couldn’t help but be impressed by him when you met Dave Duerson, and I think that was the reaction from anyone who was ever around him.”

Ray Ellis, the sports channel director at Voice America Sports, where Duerson had a weekly radio show streamed live over the Internet, said he tried reaching Duerson on Thursday when he didn’t host his regular program.

Friday morning, a friend informed Ellis of Duerson’s death.

“If you looked at him visually, Dave Duerson looked like he could play strong safety today,” Ellis said.

He added that Duerson recently told him he’d gotten engaged and planned to marry in late spring or early summer.

Ellis said Duerson’s show wasn’t typical sports talk. He talked about a range of subjects and liked to highlight athletes’ accomplishments and good work off the field.

“There was so much more to Dave than being a former Chicago Bear,” Ellis said. “Dave took pride in his accomplishments off the field.”

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Dave Duerson, a four-time Pro Bowl safety who helped the Chicago Bears and New York Giants to Super Bowl championships, was found dead in his Miami home at the age of 50.

Duerson, who won titles with the Bears during the 1985 season and the Giants during the 1990 campaign, was found last night, the Bears said in a news release on their website. The cause of death wasn’t disclosed.

“We are stunned and saddened to hear the tragic news regarding Dave Duerson,” the team said in a statement. “He was a great contributor to our team and the Chicago community. Today is a difficult day for all of us who loved Dave. We’ll miss him. Our prayers are with his family.”

David Russell Duerson was born Nov. 28, 1960, in Muncie, Indiana. He became a four-year starter and two-time All-American at the University of Notre Dame.

Duerson was picked by Chicago in the third round of the 1983 National Football League draft. He played in 102 games over seven seasons for the Bears, including 76 starts, recording 566 tackles, 18 interceptions and 15 sacks.

He won the Super Bowl in his only season with the Giants before concluding his NFL career with the Phoenix Cardinals from 1991 to 1993. For his 11-year career, Duerson had 20 interceptions in 160 contests.

Funeral arrangements weren’t disclosed.

Dave Duerson, a four-time Pro Bowl safety who helped the Chicago Bears and New York Giants to Super Bowl championships, was found dead in his Miami home at the age of 50.

Duerson, who won titles with the Bears during the 1985 season and the Giants during the 1990 campaign, was found last night, the Bears said in a news release on their website. The cause of death wasn’t disclosed.

“We are stunned and saddened to hear the tragic news regarding Dave Duerson,” the team said in a statement. “He was a great contributor to our team and the Chicago community. Today is a difficult day for all of us who loved Dave. We’ll miss him. Our prayers are with his family.”

David Russell Duerson was born Nov. 28, 1960, in Muncie, Indiana. He became a four-year starter and two-time All-American at the University of Notre Dame.

Duerson was picked by Chicago in the third round of the 1983 National Football League draft. He played in 102 games over seven seasons for the Bears, including 76 starts, recording 566 tackles, 18 interceptions and 15 sacks.

He won the Super Bowl in his only season with the Giants before concluding his NFL career with the Phoenix Cardinals from 1991 to 1993. For his 11-year career, Duerson had 20 interceptions in 160 contests.

Funeral arrangements weren’t disclosed.

To contact the reporter on this story: Mason Levinson in New York at mlevinson@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Michael Sillup at msillup@bloomberg.net.

CBS’ lead NFL analyst Phil Simms said during a radio interview Monday that he was “sorry” for his near brawl with ESPN college football analyst Desmond Howard during the run-up to Super Bowl XLV in Dallas. But the former New York Giants quarterback said he’s upset that Howard then posted about their altercation on his Twitter account.

Speaking with Chris “Mad Dog” Russo of SiriusXM satellite radio on Monday, and reported via USA Today, Simms said he regretted the encounter with Howard, a fellow former Super Bowl MVP, at the NFL Experience. Howard’s critical remarks about Simms’ son Matt, a University of Tennessee quarterback, raised the elder Simms’ hackles.

“It’s over,” Simms said. “And, you know, and I’m sorry. I really, I mean this, I’m sorry it happened. I really am because even if it remained private, there’s still nothing gained. So I’ve learned another lesson.”

Howard wrote on his Twitter account: “At NFL-Xperience and Phil Simms just threatened 2 hit me b/c I said his son was 1 of the worse QBs in the SEC. I told him ‘LET’S GO!’”

Howard’s willingness to recount the episode immediately to the masses “annoyed” Simms.

“Well, of course I am. But it is what it is,” Simms said. “It’s a great lesson learned and of course I’m not excusing myself. You know, I’ve got to know better. It’s a new day and age. I talked about it the week before, or whatever, the week after the championship games with Jay Cutler so it’s kind of the same situation. And, you know, you’ve got to know that I think about those things all the time. It’s just not good on my part, either. I understand that.”

When Antrel Rolle watches the New York Jets, he sees a team “going to war” for its brash head coach.

And the outspoken safety wonders how good the New York Giants would be if their coach, Tom Coughlin, was more like the Jets’ Rex Ryan.

During an interview with Miami radio station WQAM, Rolle reiterated that while he likes Coughlin as a person, he would like to see him loosen up.

“On a personal level, honestly, [Coughlin is] one of the best guys to be around,” Rolle told WQAM. “Very caring. Honest guy. Very straightforward.”

But Rolle was then asked about Coughlin as a head coach.

“Honestly, that’s where the problem comes in with me, as a coach,” Rolle said. “Since I’ve been playing the game since the age of six, to me it’s never been about the money, it’s never been about anything more than winning and having fun.”

When asked if Rolle is having fun playing for Coughlin, the safety answered, “Honestly, I’m not having the fun.”

[+] Enlarge

Jim O’Connor/US PresswireAntrel Rolle told a Miami radio station that Tom Coughlin was too “uptight.”

In his first season with the Giants, Rolle questioned the leadership on the team and whether the atmosphere was too controlled after the Giants were routed by the Colts in Week 2.

Rolle sat down with Coughlin and expressed his concerns. He also talked to defensive captain Justin Tuck and, after starting 1-2, the Giants won five straight games.

Rolle may want to have another heart to heart with Coughlin since the two will continue to have to work together. Ownership announced at the end of the season that Coughlin will return.

“As a person I don’t have any problem with coach Coughlin,” Rolle said. “We have a great relationship. When you’re talking about the coaching side of things, do I feel like things are a little too uptight? Yeah, I do.

“I feel like if he just loosened up just a little bit, still run the ship the way you want to run it, still run the program the way you want to run it but let us have a little fun … because at the end of the day that’s what it’s all about.”

“And people like to talk about Rex Ryan and this that and the other. That team is going to war for him,” Rolle added.

Teammate and fellow safety Kenny Phillips was with Rolle during the interview. Phillips mentioned he doesn’t truly know Coughlin all that well.

“Honestly, I don’t know,” said Phillips, who, like Rolle, starred at the University of Miami. “I am still trying it figure it out. I am going into my fourth year and I am still trying to feel him out. All I know is he’s a straight guy, sometimes he is kind of loose. He is sort of like a general. That is basically the way he runs his football team.”

When Ryan came up later in the interview, Phillips said the Jets coach looks like a fun coach to play for.

“I would love to play for a guy like Rex,” Phillips said. “He goes to bat for his players. He’ll take the blame, he allows you to be you. He’s not asking you to hide. If you’re a guy that likes to talk, go out and talk, long as you back it up. Like [Antrel] said, his guys are playing for him and I’d love to be a part of that.”

One of the major reasons why ownership said it was bringing Coughlin back was because the players were still playing hard for the 64-year-old coach.

Several players, including Rolle, defended Coughlin in the final weeks of the season after the Giants suffered a collapse against the Philadelphia Eagles before being trounced in Green Bay with a playoff berth at stake.

The Giants were pretty much eight minutes away from making the playoffs and potentially winning the NFC East when they led the Eagles 31-10.

No matter who was to blame for their finish, the Giants are sitting home for a second straight year watching the Jets sweep New York off its feet with another deep postseason run.

Rolle said he would like to see the Jets win it all but when asked to compare the Jets to the Giants, the safety said he thinks the only difference is chemistry.

“If you match us up against the Jets, do I think they are the better team? No, I don’t think so at all,” Rolle said. “But when it comes to their chemistry, I think their chemistry might be better than ours. I think they have a lot more fun than we have.

“At the end of the day, yeah, we’re professional athletes,” Rolle continued. “Yeah, we get paid a lot of money to do what we do but we’re all human. No one is a robot at this level. We do have feelings, we do all have the same kind of familiarity as far as character, and we like to have fun.”

Rolle and Phillips did not place blame on Coughlin for the Giants’ failure to make the playoffs after finishing 10-6. In fact, Rolle admitted he missed some plays while trying to adjust to a new role under Perry Fewell’s defensive system.

But both safeties look at what Ryan is doing and wonder what it might be like under a more carefree Coughlin.

“I love New York,” Rolle said. “I don’t think I could have picked a better place to play. I love the atmosphere, I love the organization. I like the coach. I understand what he is trying to do. But he has to understand it is 2011. Things have changed.

“As a coach he does lot of great things, he does a lot of things the right way, things the way they need to be done. But honestly, he has to understand on his team we have a great team, we don’t have a problematic team, we don’t have guys with discipline problems. We’re going to pretty much handle ourselves outside of football.

“When it comes to football we’re going to take care of our business on the field. Just let us have a little fun a little bit, man. That’s it. That’s it.”

Ohm Youngmisuk covers the Giants for ESPNNewYork.com. Follow him on Twitter.

When Antrel Rolle watches the New York Jets, he sees a team “going to war” for its brash head coach.

And the outspoken safety wonders how good the New York Giants would be if their coach, Tom Coughlin, was more like the Jets’ Rex Ryan.

During an interview with Miami radio station WQAM, Rolle reiterated that while he likes Coughlin as a person, he would like to see him loosen up.

“On a personal level, honestly, [Coughlin is] one of the best guys to be around,” Rolle told WQAM. “Very caring. Honest guy. Very straightforward.”

But Rolle was then asked about Coughlin as a head coach.

“Honestly, that’s where the problem comes in with me, as a coach,” Rolle said. “Since I’ve been playing the game since the age of six, to me it’s never been about the money, it’s never been about anything more than winning and having fun.”

When asked if Rolle is having fun playing for Coughlin, the safety answered, “Honestly, I’m not having the fun.”

[+] Enlarge

Jim O’Connor/US PresswireAntrel Rolle told a Miami radio station that Tom Coughlin was too “uptight.”

In his first season with the Giants, Rolle questioned the leadership on the team and whether the atmosphere was too controlled after the Giants were routed by the Colts in Week 2.

Rolle sat down with Coughlin and expressed his concerns. He also talked to defensive captain Justin Tuck and, after starting 1-2, the Giants won five straight games.

Rolle may want to have another heart to heart with Coughlin since the two will continue to have to work together. Ownership announced at the end of the season that Coughlin will return.

“As a person I don’t have any problem with coach Coughlin,” Rolle said. “We have a great relationship. When you’re talking about the coaching side of things, do I feel like things are a little too uptight? Yeah, I do.

“I feel like if he just loosened up just a little bit, still run the ship the way you want to run it, still run the program the way you want to run it but let us have a little fun … because at the end of the day that’s what it’s all about.”

“And people like to talk about Rex Ryan and this that and the other. That team is going to war for him,” Rolle added.

Teammate and fellow safety Kenny Phillips was with Rolle during the interview. Phillips mentioned he doesn’t truly know Coughlin all that well.

“Honestly, I don’t know,” said Phillips, who, like Rolle, starred at the University of Miami. “I am still trying it figure it out. I am going into my fourth year and I am still trying to feel him out. All I know is he’s a straight guy, sometimes he is kind of loose. He is sort of like a general. That is basically the way he runs his football team.”

When Ryan came up later in the interview, Phillips said the Jets coach looks like a fun coach to play for.

“I would love to play for a guy like Rex,” Phillips said. “He goes to bat for his players. He’ll take the blame, he allows you to be you. He’s not asking you to hide. If you’re a guy that likes to talk, go out and talk, long as you back it up. Like [Antrel] said, his guys are playing for him and I’d love to be a part of that.”

One of the major reasons why ownership said it was bringing Coughlin back was because the players were still playing hard for the 64-year-old coach.

Several players, including Rolle, defended Coughlin in the final weeks of the season after the Giants suffered a collapse against the Philadelphia Eagles before being trounced in Green Bay with a playoff berth at stake.

The Giants were pretty much eight minutes away from making the playoffs and potentially winning the NFC East when they led the Eagles 31-10.

No matter who was to blame for their finish, the Giants are sitting home for a second straight year watching the Jets sweep New York off its feet with another deep postseason run.

Rolle said he would like to see the Jets win it all but when asked to compare the Jets to the Giants, the safety said he thinks the only difference is chemistry.

“If you match us up against the Jets, do I think they are the better team? No, I don’t think so at all,” Rolle said. “But when it comes to their chemistry, I think their chemistry might be better than ours. I think they have a lot more fun than we have.

“At the end of the day, yeah, we’re professional athletes,” Rolle continued. “Yeah, we get paid a lot of money to do what we do but we’re all human. No one is a robot at this level. We do have feelings, we do all have the same kind of familiarity as far as character, and we like to have fun.”

Rolle and Phillips did not place blame on Coughlin for the Giants’ failure to make the playoffs after finishing 10-6. In fact, Rolle admitted he missed some plays while trying to adjust to a new role under Perry Fewell’s defensive system.

But both safeties look at what Ryan is doing and wonder what it might be like under a more carefree Coughlin.

“I love New York,” Rolle said. “I don’t think I could have picked a better place to play. I love the atmosphere, I love the organization. I like the coach. I understand what he is trying to do. But he has to understand it is 2011. Things have changed.

“As a coach he does lot of great things, he does a lot of things the right way, things the way they need to be done. But honestly, he has to understand on his team we have a great team, we don’t have a problematic team, we don’t have guys with discipline problems. We’re going to pretty much handle ourselves outside of football.

“When it comes to football we’re going to take care of our business on the field. Just let us have a little fun a little bit, man. That’s it. That’s it.”

Ohm Youngmisuk covers the Giants for ESPNNewYork.com. Follow him on Twitter.

Article published January 12, 2011
Giants defensive coach Fewell interviews with Browns
ASSOCIATED PRESS
CLEVELAND — Perry Fewell’s first shot as an NFL coach was temporary. He’d like to make his next one a little more permanent.

Fewell, the New York Giants defensive coordinator who served as Buffalo’s interim coach for seven games last season, interviewed Tuesday with the Cleveland Browns, the third known candidate to formally meet with team president Mike Holmgren.

Fewell followed St. Louis offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur and Atlanta offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey, who met with the Browns last week. It’s not yet known if the club has scheduled any more interviews or follow-ups.

However, Cleveland’s search to replace Eric Mangini does seem to be narrowing.

The Browns, who have kept their pursuit of a new coach cloaked in secrecy, were expected to speak with Philadelphia offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg because of his personal and professional connections with Holmgren. However, that meeting has not been set up.

Also, former NFL coach and current ESPN analyst Jon Gruden appears to be out of the Browns’ mix.

Following Monday night’s BCS title game, Gruden said on a radio broadcast that he will not coach in 2011. Gruden grew up in Ohio rooting for the Browns, and it was assumed he would be contacted by Holmgren, who gave Gruden his start in the NFL as an assistant in San Francisco.

Gruden was asked by announcer Mike Tirico if he would get back into coaching.

“No,” Gruden said. “I’ll be back with you.”

Former Carolina coach John Fox may still be on Holmgren’s list, but he’ll interview Wednesday with Denver.

The only definitive coaching news related to the Browns was that wide receivers coach George McDonald has left Cleveland for the same position with the University of Miami. Holmgren has not yet met with the rest of Mangini’s staff still under contract.

Fewell, 48, came to Cleveland hoping to convince Holmgren that he’s the best candidate to take over a franchise that has had eight double-digit loss seasons and one playoff appearance since 1999. Fewell also interviewed with Denver and Carolina.

The high-energy Fewell is popular with Giants players, who appreciate the way he allows them to think independently on the field. He urged them to take advantage of any opportunities, and they did as New York led the league with 39 takeaways this season.

 
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CLEVELAND (AP)—Perry Fewell’s first shot as an NFL coach was temporary. He’d like to make his next one a little more permanent.

Fewell, the New York Giants defensive coordinator who served as Buffalo’s interim coach for seven games last season, interviewed on Tuesday with the Cleveland Browns, the third known candidate to formally meet with team president Mike Holmgren.

Fewell followed St. Louis offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur and Atlanta offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey, who met with the Browns last week. It’s not yet known if the club has scheduled any more interviews or follow-ups. It’s also unclear if owner Randy Lerner has had any role in the process.

However, Cleveland’s search to replace Eric Mangini does seem to be narrowing.

The Browns, who have kept their pursuit of a new coach cloaked in secrecy, were expected to speak with Philadelphia offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg because of his personal and professional connections with Holmgren. However, that meeting has not been set up.

Also, former NFL coach and current ESPN analyst Jon Gruden appears to be out of the Browns’ mix.

Following Monday night’s BCS title game, Gruden said on a radio broadcast that he will not coach in 2011. Gruden grew up in Ohio rooting for the Browns, and it was assumed he would be contacted by Holmgren, who gave Gruden his start in the NFL as an assistant in San Francisco.

Gruden was asked by announcer Mike Tirico if he would get back into coaching.

“No,” Gruden said. “I’ll be back with you.”

On Monday, a network spokesman told The Associated Press that Gruden “remains committed to ESPN and to Monday Night Football.”

Former Carolina coach John Fox may still be on Holmgren’s list, but he’ll interview on Wednesday with Denver.

The only definitive coaching news related to the Browns was that wide receivers coach George McDonald has left Cleveland for the same position with the University of Miami. Holmgren has not yet met with the rest of Mangini’s staff still under contract.

Fewell, 48, came to Cleveland hoping to convince Holmgren that he’s the best candidate to take over a franchise that has had eight double-digit loss seasons and one playoff appearance since 1999. Fewell also interviewed with Denver and Carolina.

The high-energy Fewell is popular with Giants players, who appreciate the way he allows them to think independently on the field. He urged them to take advantage of any opportunities and they did as New York led the league with 39 takeaways this season.

Fewell’s visit means the Browns have complied with the NFL’s Rooney Rule requirement that they interview at least one minority candidate.

Holmgren would prefer to hire a more offensive-minded coach than Mangini, whose run-heavy philosophy and questionable in-game decisions led to his firing after two 5-11 seasons.

CLEVELAND — Perry Fewell’s first shot as an NFL coach was temporary. He’d like to make his next one a little more permanent.

Fewell, the New York Giants defensive coordinator who served as Buffalo’s interim coach for seven games last season, interviewed on Tuesday with the Cleveland Browns, the third known candidate to formally meet with team president Mike Holmgren.

Fewell followed St. Louis offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur and Atlanta offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey, who met with the Browns last week. It’s not yet known if the club has scheduled any more interviews or follow-ups. It’s also unclear if owner Randy Lerner has had any role in the process.

However, Cleveland’s search to replace Eric Mangini does seem to be narrowing.

The Browns, who have kept their pursuit of a new coach cloaked in secrecy, were expected to speak with Philadelphia offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg because of his personal and professional connections with Holmgren. However, that meeting has not been set up.

Also, former NFL coach and current ESPN analyst Jon Gruden appears to be out of the Browns’ mix.

Following Monday night’s BCS title game, Gruden said on a radio broadcast that he will not coach in 2011. Gruden grew up in Ohio rooting for the Browns, and it was assumed he would be contacted by Holmgren, who gave Gruden his start in the NFL as an assistant in San Francisco.

Gruden was asked by announcer Mike Tirico if he would get back into coaching.

“No,” Gruden said. “I’ll be back with you.”

On Monday, a network spokesman told the Associated Press that Gruden “remains committed to ESPN and to Monday Night Football.”

Former Carolina coach John Fox may still be on Holmgren’s list, but he’ll interview on Wednesday with Denver.

The only definitive coaching news related to the Browns was that wide receivers coach George McDonald has left Cleveland for the same position with the University of Miami. Holmgren has not yet met with the rest of Mangini’s staff still under contract.

Fewell, 48, came to Cleveland hoping to convince Holmgren that he’s the best candidate to take over a franchise that has had eight double-digit loss seasons and one playoff appearance since 1999. Fewell also interviewed with Denver and Carolina.

The high-energy Fewell is popular with Giants players, who appreciate the way he allows them to think independently on the field. He urged them to take advantage of any opportunities and they did as New York led the league with 39 takeaways this season.

Fewell’s visit means the Browns have complied with the NFL’s Rooney Rule requirement that they interview at least one minority candidate.

Holmgren would prefer to hire a more offensive-minded coach than Mangini, whose run-heavy philosophy and questionable in-game decisions led to his firing after two 5-11 seasons.

CLEVELAND — Perry Fewell’s first shot as an NFL coach was temporary. He’d like to make his next one a little more permanent.

Fewell, the New York Giants defensive coordinator who served as Buffalo’s interim coach for seven games last season, interviewed on Tuesday with the Cleveland Browns, the third known candidate to formally meet with team president Mike Holmgren.

Fewell followed St. Louis offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur and Atlanta offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey, who met with the Browns last week. It’s not yet known if the club has scheduled any more interviews or follow-ups. It’s also unclear if owner Randy Lerner has had any role in the process.

However, Cleveland’s search to replace Eric Mangini does seem to be narrowing.

The Browns, who have kept their pursuit of a new coach cloaked in secrecy, were expected to speak with Philadelphia offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg because of his personal and professional connections with Holmgren. However, that meeting has not been set up.

Also, former NFL coach and current ESPN analyst Jon Gruden appears to be out of the Browns’ mix.

Following Monday night’s BCS title game, Gruden said on a radio broadcast that he will not coach in 2011. Gruden grew up in Ohio rooting for the Browns, and it was assumed he would be contacted by Holmgren, who gave Gruden his start in the NFL as an assistant in San Francisco.

Gruden was asked by announcer Mike Tirico if he would get back into coaching.

“No,” Gruden said. “I’ll be back with you.”

On Monday, a network spokesman told The Associated Press that Gruden “remains committed to ESPN and to Monday Night Football.”

Former Carolina coach John Fox may still be on Holmgren’s list, but he’ll interview on Wednesday with Denver.

The only definitive coaching news related to the Browns was that wide receivers coach George McDonald has left Cleveland for the same position with the University of Miami. Holmgren has not yet met with the rest of Mangini’s staff still under contract.

Fewell, 48, came to Cleveland hoping to convince Holmgren that he’s the best candidate to take over a franchise that has had eight double-digit loss seasons and one playoff appearance since 1999. Fewell also interviewed with Denver and Carolina.

The high-energy Fewell is popular with Giants players, who appreciate the way he allows them to think independently on the field. He urged them to take advantage of any opportunities and they did as New York led the league with 39 takeaways this season.

Fewell’s visit means the Browns have complied with the NFL’s Rooney Rule requirement that they interview at least one minority candidate.

Holmgren would prefer to hire a more offensive-minded coach than Mangini, whose run-heavy philosophy and questionable in-game decisions led to his firing after two 5-11 seasons.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

By Tom Canvan, AP Sports Writer

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The key for the New York Giants is running the ball.

Have any doubts? Look at the numbers heading into the Giants’ possible playoff clincher at Green Bay on Sunday.

New York (9-5) is 7-0 this season when it gains more than 120 yards rushing. Anything below 120 and it’s not good. The Giants are 2-5 when they gain under 120 yards and 0-4 with anything below 117 yards.

It’s an even bigger concern this weekend, with the Giants coming off their second worst rushing effort of the season. Philadelphia, which limited them to season-low 61 yards on Nov. 21, held the Giants to 100 yards on 31 carries in Sunday’s gut-wrenching 38-31 loss.

When the Giants needed to run out the clock with a 21-point fourth quarter lead, they couldn’t do it. Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson made them pay in a 28-point fourth quarter that Jackson capped with a 65-yard punt return on the final play of the game.

What made the running game so pathetic last week was the number of negative plays and short gains. Sixteen of the Giants’ 31 rushes were for 3 yards of less, including six that went for either zero or negative yards.

“We know that we’re the ones that were off flow last week,” said halfback Brandon Jacobs, who gained 34 yards on 12 carries after gaining more than 100 in his previous two games. “If you’re going to win, you have to get the running game going no matter what week it is and no matter what’s at stake.”

The Giants have everything at stake this weekend. If they win, they are back in the playoffs after missing out a year ago. If they lose, they fall into a tie with Green Bay and the Packers will have the tiebreaker based on head to head going into the final weekend.

Giants center Shaun O’Hara said looking at the videotapes of Sunday’s game was tough. Eli Manning put the Giants in position to win throwing four touchdown passes. The running game, however, could not finish off the Eagles (10-4).

O’Hara reluctantly gave the Eagles some credit. However, he also said it wasn’t just them. Continued…

“One of the frustrating things about watching tape is when you go back and look and see opportunities here and there, it’s one block separating a 20-yard gain from a 2-yard gain,” O’Hara said. “They did a good job, but we hope we see them again. I think we are pretty confident in our ability to run the football. That’s something we have done for a long time here and we know how to fix it.”

The Giants didn’t break any long runs against the Eagles. Of their 15 runs that were 4 yards or more, the longest was 11 yards. Ahmad Bradshaw had one and five others more than 5 yards.

“It’s a division opponent,” Jacobs said. “They know what we do and we know what they do. They dialed up the right things at the right time. It’s kind of like Techmo Bowl when you press the same button as your opponent and everything breaks down. They had the right blitzes dialed up against the right runs, and they got lucky.”

The run may be even more important this weekend in Green Bay. The last time the Giants played there was the NFC title game in early 2008 and the temperature was around minus 20, which is 40 degrees less than Sunday’s forecast.

“We have to be physical this week,” guard Rich Seubert said. “We have to have the run. We do better when we run the ball. The running sets up the pass and that sets up the run. Last week we scored points but we didn’t score enough. We needed one more first down and we didn’t get it.”

Concussion has Favre in limbo: As the Minnesota Vikings have been reminded this season, ruling Brett Favre out is never easy.

He managed to make it in Monday night’s game after the final injury report declared him out, let alone all the other weeks just this year when his status was unclear until the final hours.

That’s why Vikings interim coach Leslie Frazier is still holding a spot in the starting lineup for the 41-year-old, soon-to-be-retired quarterback in case he recovers quickly from the concussion that knocked him out of the game against the Bears.

“It will just be a day-to-day situation,” Frazier said. “If he gets cleared by our doctors then things will change, but until he’s cleared there isn’t much that can be done other than whatever the doctors recommend.”

Teammate Ryan Longwell joked that Favre called him “Brian” when they spoke on Wednesday. Continued…

“Certainly when you get your head bounced off a hard surface like that it’s no fun, but he’s doing all right,” Longwell said. “We chuckled about a few things.”

None of the Vikings would bet against seeing Favre on the field again this season.

“When it comes to him,” tight end Visanthe Shiancoe said, “you should expect everything.”

As required by the NFL, Favre will undergo daily post-concussion testing until he proves he can play without symptoms. For now, the Vikings are preparing rookie Joe Webb to start — just as they did the previous week, when Favre’s shoulder suddenly felt good enough the morning of the game to warrant giving it a try.

Jets’ Sanchez limited, says he’ll play vs. Bears: Mark Sanchez says he will be ready to play in the New York Jets’ game at Chicago on Sunday, despite being limited in practice by a sore right shoulder.

Sanchez played most of the Jets’ 22-17 win at Pittsburgh last Sunday with a banged-up throwing shoulder after he “fell funny” on New York’s second drive. Sanchez had an MRI exam on the shoulder Monday, which revealed no serious injury.

The second-year quarterback did mostly soft-tossing early in practice Wednesday, and even threw a few passes left-handed.

Sanchez says he’s “playing, that’s all there is to it,” whether or not he feels 100 percent.

Meanwhile, wide receiver Santonio Holmes did not practice, sitting out with turf toe, but is also expected to play.

Ravens’ Kindle may also miss next season: Ravens rookie linebacker Sergio Kindle might be forced to miss a second season in 2011 because of the uncertain status of his fractured skull. Continued…

Baltimore’s top draft pick this year is sitting out the season and hasn’t played in the NFL yet after falling down two flights of stairs in late July at a friend’s house in Austin, Texas.

The former University of Texas star met with doctors at Baltimore’s Sinai Hospital on Tuesday and got a disappointing report about his condition. Kindle says his future is “up in the air” because doctors are uncertain how his skull would react to a hit.

Kindle says he has no headaches or other symptoms.

Colts WR Collie out for season: eyton Manning has lost another of his top targets for the season.

Colts receiver Austin Collie suffered a concussion Sunday against Jacksonville, and the team placed him on injured reserve Wednesday.

Though Collie is in his second year, Manning feels like he’s losing a veteran. Despite missing five games and more than a half in three others, Collie leads all Indy receivers with eight touchdown catches, is second in receptions (58) and third in yards (649).

“He’s fast, he’s got a good feel for zones, he understands defenses,” Manning said. “He has his physical talents, but also, his experience has helped him play at such a high level at such a young point in his career.”

Collie was injured late in the first half against Jacksonville when linebacker Daryl Smith appeared to hit him in the head with his forearm as Collie went low to make a catch. It was his second concussion of the season.

Rodgers returns: Aaron Rodgers returned to practice for the Green Bay Packers on Wednesday. With the playoffs still a realistic possibility, he’s expected to start Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.

And while Rodgers acknowledges he’ll be careful about sliding instead of taking a direct hit when he scrambles in the future, he says coming back from his second concussion this season won’t fundamentally change the way he plays.

“I have zero doubts taking the field,” Rodgers said. “I feel confident. I’ve been cleared. The doctors are confident. I’m going to continue to play the way I play.”

By Tom Canvan, AP Sports Writer

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The key for the New York Giants is running the ball.

Have any doubts? Look at the numbers heading into the Giants’ possible playoff clincher at Green Bay on Sunday.

New York (9-5) is 7-0 this season when it gains more than 120 yards rushing. Anything below 120 and it’s not good. The Giants are 2-5 when they gain under 120 yards and 0-4 with anything below 117 yards.

It’s an even bigger concern this weekend, with the Giants coming off their second worst rushing effort of the season. Philadelphia, which limited them to season-low 61 yards on Nov. 21, held the Giants to 100 yards on 31 carries in Sunday’s gut-wrenching 38-31 loss.

When the Giants needed to run out the clock with a 21-point fourth quarter lead, they couldn’t do it. Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson made them pay in a 28-point fourth quarter that Jackson capped with a 65-yard punt return on the final play of the game.

What made the running game so pathetic last week was the number of negative plays and short gains. Sixteen of the Giants’ 31 rushes were for 3 yards of less, including six that went for either zero or negative yards.

“We know that we’re the ones that were off flow last week,” said halfback Brandon Jacobs, who gained 34 yards on 12 carries after gaining more than 100 in his previous two games. “If you’re going to win, you have to get the running game going no matter what week it is and no matter what’s at stake.”

The Giants have everything at stake this weekend. If they win, they are back in the playoffs after missing out a year ago. If they lose, they fall into a tie with Green Bay and the Packers will have the tiebreaker based on head to head going into the final weekend.

Giants center Shaun O’Hara said looking at the videotapes of Sunday’s game was tough. Eli Manning put the Giants in position to win throwing four touchdown passes. The running game, however, could not finish off the Eagles (10-4).

O’Hara reluctantly gave the Eagles some credit. However, he also said it wasn’t just them.

“One of the frustrating things about watching tape is when you go back and look and see opportunities here and there, it’s one block separating a 20-yard gain from a 2-yard gain,” O’Hara said. “They did a good job, but we hope we see them again. I think we are pretty confident in our ability to run the football. That’s something we have done for a long time here and we know how to fix it.”

The Giants didn’t break any long runs against the Eagles. Of their 15 runs that were 4 yards or more, the longest was 11 yards. Ahmad Bradshaw had one and five others more than 5 yards.

“It’s a division opponent,” Jacobs said. “They know what we do and we know what they do. They dialed up the right things at the right time. It’s kind of like Techmo Bowl when you press the same button as your opponent and everything breaks down. They had the right blitzes dialed up against the right runs, and they got lucky.”

The run may be even more important this weekend in Green Bay. The last time the Giants played there was the NFC title game in early 2008 and the temperature was around minus 20, which is 40 degrees less than Sunday’s forecast.

“We have to be physical this week,” guard Rich Seubert said. “We have to have the run. We do better when we run the ball. The running sets up the pass and that sets up the run. Last week we scored points but we didn’t score enough. We needed one more first down and we didn’t get it.”

Concussion has Favre in limbo: As the Minnesota Vikings have been reminded this season, ruling Brett Favre out is never easy.

He managed to make it in Monday night’s game after the final injury report declared him out, let alone all the other weeks just this year when his status was unclear until the final hours.

That’s why Vikings interim coach Leslie Frazier is still holding a spot in the starting lineup for the 41-year-old, soon-to-be-retired quarterback in case he recovers quickly from the concussion that knocked him out of the game against the Bears.

“It will just be a day-to-day situation,” Frazier said. “If he gets cleared by our doctors then things will change, but until he’s cleared there isn’t much that can be done other than whatever the doctors recommend.”

Teammate Ryan Longwell joked that Favre called him “Brian” when they spoke on Wednesday.

“Certainly when you get your head bounced off a hard surface like that it’s no fun, but he’s doing all right,” Longwell said. “We chuckled about a few things.”

None of the Vikings would bet against seeing Favre on the field again this season.

“When it comes to him,” tight end Visanthe Shiancoe said, “you should expect everything.”

As required by the NFL, Favre will undergo daily post-concussion testing until he proves he can play without symptoms. For now, the Vikings are preparing rookie Joe Webb to start — just as they did the previous week, when Favre’s shoulder suddenly felt good enough the morning of the game to warrant giving it a try.

Jets’ Sanchez limited, says he’ll play vs. Bears: Mark Sanchez says he will be ready to play in the New York Jets’ game at Chicago on Sunday, despite being limited in practice by a sore right shoulder.

Sanchez played most of the Jets’ 22-17 win at Pittsburgh last Sunday with a banged-up throwing shoulder after he “fell funny” on New York’s second drive. Sanchez had an MRI exam on the shoulder Monday, which revealed no serious injury.

The second-year quarterback did mostly soft-tossing early in practice Wednesday, and even threw a few passes left-handed.

Sanchez says he’s “playing, that’s all there is to it,” whether or not he feels 100 percent.

Meanwhile, wide receiver Santonio Holmes did not practice, sitting out with turf toe, but is also expected to play.

Ravens’ Kindle may also miss next season: Ravens rookie linebacker Sergio Kindle might be forced to miss a second season in 2011 because of the uncertain status of his fractured skull.

Baltimore’s top draft pick this year is sitting out the season and hasn’t played in the NFL yet after falling down two flights of stairs in late July at a friend’s house in Austin, Texas.

The former University of Texas star met with doctors at Baltimore’s Sinai Hospital on Tuesday and got a disappointing report about his condition. Kindle says his future is “up in the air” because doctors are uncertain how his skull would react to a hit.

Kindle says he has no headaches or other symptoms.

Colts WR Collie out for season: eyton Manning has lost another of his top targets for the season.

Colts receiver Austin Collie suffered a concussion Sunday against Jacksonville, and the team placed him on injured reserve Wednesday.

Though Collie is in his second year, Manning feels like he’s losing a veteran. Despite missing five games and more than a half in three others, Collie leads all Indy receivers with eight touchdown catches, is second in receptions (58) and third in yards (649).

“He’s fast, he’s got a good feel for zones, he understands defenses,” Manning said. “He has his physical talents, but also, his experience has helped him play at such a high level at such a young point in his career.”

Collie was injured late in the first half against Jacksonville when linebacker Daryl Smith appeared to hit him in the head with his forearm as Collie went low to make a catch. It was his second concussion of the season.

Rodgers returns: Aaron Rodgers returned to practice for the Green Bay Packers on Wednesday. With the playoffs still a realistic possibility, he’s expected to start Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.

And while Rodgers acknowledges he’ll be careful about sliding instead of taking a direct hit when he scrambles in the future, he says coming back from his second concussion this season won’t fundamentally change the way he plays.

“I have zero doubts taking the field,” Rodgers said. “I feel confident. I’ve been cleared. The doctors are confident. I’m going to continue to play the way I play.”