Giants' Tuck: Hate of Cowboys is out of respect

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Six days before the game that will decide the NFC East title, New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck made his position about his opponent very clear.

"I've been quoted many times saying I hate the Dallas Cowboys, and I still do," Tuck said.

Tuck has been consistent on this. He's even been quoted in the past few years ripping the Cowboys' new stadium. But pressed on his reasons for his hatred of the Cowboys, Tuck couldn't come up with an answer. He was just very matter-of-fact about his feelings and said he didn't really know where they came from. If anything, he was respectful in discussing this week's opponent.

Justin Tuck was being himself when he talked about hating the Cowboys and not being sure why. He'll need to be himself on the field for the Giants to win the NFC East, writes ESPN.com's Dan Graziano. Blog

"A lot of it's out of respect," Tuck said. "I think when you look at all of the history, all of the great players, the championships won, I think the two teams are probably more similar than a lot of people like to admit."

Wherever it comes from, there will be plenty of emotion flowing Sunday night when Tuck and the Giants face the Cowboys at MetLife Stadium for the NFC East title.

"I do not like the Cowboys and they don't like me," Tuck said. "And that's how it's supposed to be. That's nothing new."

Tuck believes the home crowd will provide the Giants with a major advantage.

"I know our crowd is going to come out fired up for this game, playoff atmosphere, Sunday night, winner take all and I know our fans hate the Cowboys as much as I do," Tuck said.

Tuck was as fired up Saturday for a game as he has been at any time this year, casting aside the nicks and bruises that have been bothering him all year after a pep talk from coach Tom Coughlin. He believes he played his best game of the year in the Giants' win over the New York Jets.

This week, he expects everybody on both sides to be in the right competitive frame of mind. He expects injured Cowboys Tony Romo and Felix Jones to play -- an expectation shared by Coughlin and safety Antrel Rolle.

"I don't really care," Tuck said when asked if he thinks Romo and Jones will play. "They can bring back everybody back on that (Dallas Cowboys') Ring of Honor for them. You got to play (against) them. In games like this, pains don't hurt as much. Romo is going to play and Felix Jones is going to play and we are going to have to beat them."

Tuck also believes he will be in fine shape even after playing 88 snaps Saturday against the Jets.

"Last week was a playoff game for us. This week is a playoff game for us. And hopefully we win and get another playoff game after that," he added. "After all of the adversity we've gone through this year, I think we're poised to make a run."

Since it's only Monday, Tuck has a feeling there will be more words exchanged between these two NFC East rivals.

"Well, you know, we have Brandon Jacobs on our team so obviously it's going to be something," Tuck said of the Giants running back, who doesn't hide his hatred for Dallas either. "Last time we played, DeMarcus (Ware) told me I wanted to be a Cowboy, so we'll see what they follow up with this week."

"But I think because of the mutual respect between both teams, this rivalry is intensified for good reason," Tuck added. "This will be another game that goes in the long list of games between these two teams that meant so much. When you have that, that's when you start to get the mutual respect but in the same sense, it also intensifies the trash talk."

If there are words exchanged between the two teams this week, Tuck hopes the Giants will respond the way they did last week, when the Jets mouthed off and fired up the Giants.

"I think the Jets won the talking war," Tuck said. "We talked a little bit more with our pads than they did and that was the end of it."

Dan Graziano covers the NFC East for ESPN.com. Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPNNewYork.com contributed to this report.

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Report: Pats lineman Mankins has sprained MCL

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New England Patriots starting left guard Logan Mankins has a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee, the Boston Herald reported.

ESPNBoston.com's Mike Reiss on Logan Mankins' injury and the Pats heading into Week 17.

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Mankins will not need surgery, according to the report, and is hoping to return for the playoffs.

The injury occurred on the second series of Saturday's win over the Dolphins, knocking Mankins from the game. On a run by Danny Woodhead, Dolphins defensive lineman Jared Odrick fell on Mankins' leg. Mankins stayed in the game for the next play before coming off the field on fourth down.

Mankins was examined by team trainers and doctors on the bench and a wrap applied by trainers to the knee. He tested it, but he was unable to return.

Information from ESPNBoston.com's Mike Rodak was used in this report.

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Mid-February trial date set for Packers' Walden

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- A mid-February trial date has been set for Green Bay Packers linebacker Erik Walden on a disorderly conduct-domestic abuse charge.

Walden

He pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor, which stems from a dispute with his girlfriend last month.

A judge Tuesday set a trial date of Feb. 16, which is 11 days after the Super Bowl.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said in an email to The Associated Press that the league will review the matter after the court case is resolved.

Defense attorney Steve Richards says he hopes the case can be resolved at a Feb. 13 pre-trial conference. A message left for Brown County District Attorney John Zakowski was not immediately returned.

Walden spent the weekend after Thanksgiving in jail following his arrest on Nov. 25, and has continued to play. He made a public apology to the Packers, his teammates and fans after he was released.

Walden has started 15 games for the Packers this season and has 57 tackles and three sacks.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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Police say Albert Haynesworth of Washington Redskins punched fellow motorist

Updated: February 4, 2011, 7:29 PM ET

Washington Redskins defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth has been accused of simple assault and a summons notice has been issued by authorities in Virginia, police said Friday.

Police say he threw a punch at a fellow motorist Wednesday in a Washington, D.C., suburb.

Haynesworth

Fairfax County authorities said arrangements have been made through Haynesworth's attorney to meet with them to receive a summons-releasable warrant sometime next week.

Haynesworth's agent, Chad Speck, said Friday the player had yet to speak to police or prosecutors.

Haynesworth, 29, allegedly threw a punch to the nose of Joel Velazques, 38, of Leesburg, Va.

Velazques told ESPN that after their vehicles jockeyed for road space in Reston, Va., a person he recognized as Haynesworth got out of a Ford F-150 truck with Tennessee license plates and confronted Velazques and punched him in the nose before taking off.

Speck said the allegations are false.

"Only one side of this story has been told at this point in time," Speck said. "If contacted by the authorities, Albert will certainly cooperate in any way."

Simple assault is punishable in Virginia by not more than a year in jail and a fine of $2,500 or less.

Redskins owner Daniel Snyder said Friday that he had not had any contact with Haynesworth or his representative, and didn't know whether general manager Bruce Allen or coach Mike Shanahan had been in touch with them, either.

Snyder, who was in Dallas for the Super Bowl, said he didn't know all the facts.

"We'll see what happens," he said.

A Redskins executive told The Washington Post the team had not heard about the incident.

"This is the first I'm hearing about this," Tony Wyllie, Redskins senior vice president, told the Washington newspaper in a phone interview from Dallas, where he was attending Super Bowl events with owner Daniel Snyder. "At this time, we need to gather information."

Velazques said he followed Haynesworth but lost him along the way, but he did call 911. Fairfax County police eventually were called, and Velazques gave a statement to them.

"This man, who actually provoked the situation himself, recognized Albert and is now simply trying to turn it into his 15 minutes of fame and get, we can only assume, some money," Speck said. "Albert did not assault this man and looks forward to his day in court to refute these ridiculous allegations."

Velazques said Haynesworth came to the driver's side window of his car, and after Velazques lowered his window, Haynesworth said to him twice, "You're not so tough now," and then punched him in the side of his nose.

Velazques said he was treated at a local hospital, where it was determined he suffered a contusion to his nose but it was not broken.

Officer Shelley Broderick told The Post the driver of a 1994 Honda Civic reportedly issued a "non-verbal hand gesture" to a pickup driver behind him before the two stopped for a light at an intersection at about 9:16 a.m. ET Wednesday. The Honda driver had thought the pickup was tailgating, Broderick told the newspaper.

Haynesworth, a two-time All-Pro, has had his share of trouble while with the Redskins. He repeatedly clashed with coach Mike Shanahan and was suspended without pay for the final four games of the season for "conduct detrimental to the club."

He has played only 20 games for the team since he was signed in 2009 to a seven-year, $100 million contract, with $41 million in guaranteed money.

Haynesworth isn't the only Redskins player to be in trouble with the law recently. In December, defensive lineman Joe Joseph was arrested on charges of driving under the influence less than 24 hours after making his NFL debut.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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Vikes hopeful on Peterson for early next season

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The athletic abilities of star running back Adrian Peterson led the Minnesota Vikings to give him a seven-year, $100 million contract extension before the season started.

Now, they hope his recuperative abilities are just as good and he is able to live up to being the highest-paid running back in the NFL.

ESPN NFL Insider John Clayton covers the injuries to Vikings RB Adrian Peterson and Cowboys QB Tony Romo.

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Minnesota expects Peterson to be recovered from left knee surgery for two torn ligaments in time to start the 2012 season.

"We expect most people to recover from this injury in eight to nine months and instead of comparing Adrian to any other player at any level that's had an anterior cruciate ligament, and they happen every day, I would really like Adrian to stand on his own merit because Adrian, I feel, is very unique," Vikings head trainer Eric Sugarman said Monday.

"Adrian has a great work ethic. Adrian has the DNA to heal quickly, which he has shown in the past. He certainly will have the desire and the mental toughness to be able to get through the rehab process, which will take months and months, as you know. So, I think if anyone can get better quickly and safely in that time period, it would be Adrian Peterson."

Peterson tore his ACL and MCL when he was hit in the side of the knee by Washington Redskins safety DeJon Gomes in the third quarter of Saturday's 33-26 win at Washington. An MRI on Saturday evening revealed the ligament tears and meniscus damage, and Peterson will undergo surgery within the next seven to 10 days.

Backup Toby Gerhart, who started three games earlier this season when Peterson was out with a high ankle sprain, will start Sunday in the season finale against the Chicago Bears. A second-round pick in 2010, Gerhart has filled in well for Peterson and notched the first 100-yard rushing game of his career with 109 yards on 11 carries Saturday. But the Vikings expect Gerhart's time as the starter to be short-lived.

Forget about breakaway speed. The real concern for Adrian Peterson will be to regain the strength he needs to be the power runner he was already becoming, Kevin Seifert writes. Blog

"He sets his goals extremely high and he's one of those guys who, when he puts his mind to it, there's no reason to ever doubt that he can achieve what he sets his mind to," Minnesota coach Leslie Frazier said of Peterson. "We're looking forward to his attacking this rehab like he's attacked every offseason, to come back and play and be even better than he was before. I know with Eric and our medical staff, they're going to do everything they can to get him back on the field and ready to go when we line up in that first football game next season."

Gerhart's emergence over the past month at least offers optimism if Peterson has to miss extended time next season.

Gerhart has had the top three rushing days of his career in the past four weeks. On his first carry after Peterson left Saturday's game, Gerhart showed some big-play ability of his own, busting free for a 67-yard run, the longest of his short career.

Believing Peterson will be ready for the first game of 2012 and knowing Gerhart is available if needed, Frazier said the team wouldn't change its run-first offensive approach.

"One of things about Adrian's absence earlier in the season, we had a chance to get Toby some extended snaps and we really haven't altered the offense by any means," Frazier said. "Toby has done a very good job in Adrian's absence. Did a great job (Saturday) of stepping in and performing and rushing for over 100 yards. So we really haven't had to alter things. We really don't plan to. We look forward to eventually getting Adrian back on the field, but we don't think we have to really alter the offense."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Super Bowl XLV: Coach Mike Tomlin says Pittsburgh Steelers applying 'finishing touches'

Updated: February 4, 2011, 5:43 PM ET

DALLAS -- Mike Tomlin stood stone-faced behind the Lombardi Trophy as a few dozen cameras fired away.

"Smile, Mike!" one photographer yelled out.

"Nah," the Pittsburgh Steelers coach said without a hint of a grin on another cold, snowy Friday in Big D.

He eventually cracked a smile, but this is serious stuff for Tomlin as the Steelers go for the seventh Super Bowl title in franchise history Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.

“

I'm a robot. I'm just going to ride the wave.

” -- Steelers coach Mike Tomlin

"We're putting the finishing touches, of course, on our plan here," Tomlin said in a sparsely attended final media session that lasted barely five minutes. "It's been a good week, but of course, like the Green Bay Packers, I'm sure we're all getting a little antsy and getting ready to play."

Tomlin will keep an eye on his guys during the next few days to make sure they remain even-keeled with so much at stake.

But what about the 38-year-old coach who could be hoisting that trophy for the second time in his four seasons?

"I'm a robot," Tomlin said. "I'm just going to ride the wave."

And it could carry him to a special place among NFL coaches. He would become only the 13th coach in league history to win multiple rings.

"It's awesome, it really is," Tomlin said of the opportunity. "It's humbling, it's inspiring, it motivates you. It's all those things. I think fortunately for us, we have what you can't buy, which is legacy -- which is unbelievable standard and expectation and all those great things."

The Steelers had their final full practice at TCU later Friday, and Tomlin said the players would have some free time at night to spend with family and friends. They'll have a "dress rehearsal" Saturday in their last practice, going through what Tomlin called "a mock game" before the Super Bowl at Cowboys Stadium.

Tomlin said rookie Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey, dealing with a high left ankle sprain, will be out for the Super Bowl. Doug Legursky will make his first start at center in Pouncey's place.

Pouncey, who didn't practice all week, was injured early in the Steelers' 24-19 victory over the New York Jets in the AFC championship game nearly two weeks ago.

The Dallas-Fort Worth area has been hit by several inches of snow and subfreezing temperatures since the Steelers arrived, but Tomlin said it hasn't bothered the team.

"We're kind of used to inclement weather," Tomlin said. "At least from my perspective, it hasn't changed how we've worked at all."

In a few days, Tomlin could be back in chilly Pittsburgh with another Super Bowl trophy -- and smiling.

"It's the pinnacle," he said of being a champion. "Thirty-two teams start this journey with the same intentions. So, of course, you're overcome with emotions. Great feelings of satisfaction, but also humility because you realize that there are probably a lot of people that are deserving, to be quite honest with you."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Roethlisberger has 'shot' to play against Browns

PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin believes injured quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and center Maurkice Pouncey both have "a shot" to play in Sunday's regular season finale at Cleveland.

"It is our intention right now that if those guys are healthy enough to practice and prepare, then we will play them," Tomlin said Tuesday.

Given the way backups Charlie Batch and Trai Essex handled themselves in a 27-0 win over St. Louis last Saturday, the Steelers (11-4) may not need Roethlisberger or Pouncey to hurry back from their badly sprained left ankles to keep the team's hopes of an AFC North title alive.

Batch played effectively against the Rams, passing for 208 yards while showing there's still some life in his 37-year-old legs. He extended plays with his mobility and even threw the ball downfield, hitting Mike Wallace for a 46-yard gain in the fourth quarter that set up the clinching touchdown.

"I thought he did some really good things," Tomlin said of Batch. "(But) his performance has no bearing on how we go about making the decisions that are right for us this week. A lot of the decisions center around Roethlisberger's health. But I like the way Batch played, not only the way he performed but the way he led and communicated."

It's what Batch has done with consistency while subbing for Roethlisberger through the years. The Pittsburgh native is 5-2 when starting in relief and had the Heinz Field crowd chanting "Charlie! Charlie!" after a handful of plays.

The moment wasn't lost on Batch.

"I think that they have appreciated what I have done, and what I am doing to help this team win," he said. "I embraced it."

And he'll embrace trying to do it on the road against the Browns (4-11) if necessary.

Pittsburgh can win the division with a victory in Cleveland and a loss by Baltimore in Cincinnati. It can even gain the top overall seed in the AFC with a win and losses by both the Ravens and Patriots.

It's why Tomlin isn't quite ready to rule out Roethlisberger. The coach isn't sure if Roethlisberger will be able to practice this week, but even if the quarterback doesn't, Tomlin expects to wait until the last minute before making a decision.

"There are some scenarios that can unfold, where we can improve our playoff position," Tomlin said. "We are aware of that. We are also aware that all of those scenarios include us winning this football game. We are going to do what we deem necessary for us to put ourselves in position to do that."

And even Batch understands that when relatively healthy few quarterbacks can do what Roethlisberger can do.

"This is Ben's team," Batch said. "This team moves with him and to see him do everything in his power to get back on the field is really something special to watch."

Pouncey sat out the last two games and backup Doug Legursky went out early against the Rams with a left shoulder injury. Enter Essex, who hadn't taken a snap at center all season. He performed admirably, helping the Steelers gash St. Louis for 169 yards on the ground.

"It was under unusual circumstances," Tomlin said. "To have a guy come in and deliver the way he delivered for us, not only in terms of snapping the football but declaring fronts and blocking people in the run game, it was just a special afternoon for him."

Legursky is out for Sunday, and if Pouncey can't play Essex will get the call again, though Tomlin sounded optimistic Pouncey will be ready.

Linebacker LaMarr Woodley (strained left hamstring), and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (right foot) could also play in Cleveland.

Tomlin will not rest players just to rest them, but could modify the amount of playing time depending on how things shake out elsewhere, particularly if Baltimore gets up big on Cincinnati and the Steelers know they'll have to start the playoffs on the road the weekend of Jan. 7-8.

"Those are the easy decisions I can make as the game and situations unfold," Tomlin said. "Some of them are obvious. ... That's not rocket science as far as we're concerned."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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