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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Shanahan: Fixing Redskins harder than thought

ASHBURN, Va. -- Having lost at least 10 games for the second consecutive season, Washington coach Mike Shanahan admitted Monday the rebuilding project he took on was a more difficult task than he expected.

"A lot longer than I first anticipated," Shanahan said in the wake of the 33-26 home loss to the lowly Minnesota Vikings that dropped the Redskins to 5-10 heading into Sunday's season finale against the Eagles in Philadelphia. "We had less depth than I thought. We were a little bit older at a few different positions. I thought we might keep those players a little longer than we did."

Since he took command of the Redskins in January 2010, Shanahan has overhauled the aging roster he inherited from Jim Zorn. Only 12 of the 53 current active players ever suited up for the Redskins before his arrival. And yet, Washington has clinched a fourth straight last-place finish, a first in the NFC East's 42-year history.

"I never would have imagined," said third-year outside linebacker Brian Orakpo. "It's tough to swallow. But that's the NFL, man. We thought (last week's 23-10 upset of the New York Giants) was the turning point as far as us taking another step forward. Obviously we took a step back (against Minnesota)."

Shanahan agreed with nose tackle Barry Cofield's assessment that the defense that had been carrying the Redskins most of the season had its worst day against the Vikings. Minnesota ran for 241 yards despite losing star running back Adrian Peterson and starting quarterback Christian Ponder on the first series of the third quarter in what was then a tie game.

"It's depressing," Cofield said. "The way we got trampled, it's the worst defense we played all year. When teams run the ball like that, it hurts me personally. It's very disappointing, especially coming off of last week where we played well.

"We got a lot to think about for next week. We got a lot to think about for the offseason. Hopefully guys use it as a driving force."

Still, Shanahan and Orakpo remain upbeat about the future, which is symbolized by a newly solid front seven on defense, and rookie running backs Roy Helu and Evan Royster, who combined for four 100-yard games the past five weeks.

"I see a big difference from two years ago," said Shanahan, who could lose 11 games for the first time in his 17 full seasons with the Los Angeles Raiders, Denver and Washington. "We have a much younger football team. We have a lot more depth at a lot of different positions. I feel good about the type of players that we do have. I feel good about the direction we're heading."

Aside from adding more talent via free agency and the draft, particularly at quarterback and on the offensive line, Shanahan's goal for 2012 is to slash Washington's 34 turnovers (23 by quarterback Rex Grossman). Only Philadelphia and Tampa Bay have more.

"We've got the right guys in this locker room," Orakpo said. "Guys are fighting hard. We don't really have any issues. Guys play for each other. Got a great coaching staff. We got an owner (Dan Snyder) doing everything possible to win. ... 5-10 is a terrible season to have, but I'm a very optimistic guy, I want to keep building and hopefully get this organization on top eventually."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Bengals place WR Caldwell on IR with hernia

Which teams hold the tiebreakers and what's left on the schedule? ESPN breaks it down entering Week 17. Story

• Blog: Week 17 clinching scenarios
• Figure it out: Playoff machine
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St. Louis Rams QB Sam Bradford named top offensive rookie

Updated: February 4, 2011, 9:49 PM ET

DALLAS -- Top draft choice, top rookie.

St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford won The Associated Press 2010 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award on Friday.

The first overall selection in last year's draft, Bradford guided the Rams from the embarrassment of a 1-15 record to a 7-9 mark. In the weak NFC West, that was good enough to contend for the division title; St. Louis lost out on a tiebreaker to Seattle.

Bradford

"I think the more I'm out there, the more comfortable I become," Bradford said. "It's been like that all year. There's been some ups, there's been some downs, but I feel like for the most part I've learned from my mistakes each week. I think the game's stating to slow down a little bit, but I really still have a long way to go before I'm as comfortable as I want to be."

The voters certainly were comfortable with Bradford's passing and leadership.

He earned 44 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league. Only two other rookies received votes: Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Williams earned four, and Pittsburgh center Maurkice Pouncey had two.

Bradford is the fourth quarterback since 2004 to win the award. Before that, no quarterbacks had won it.

"If you asked me before the season, I probably wouldn't have said that we would have thrown the ball as much," Bradford said. "As a quarterback, you love to throw the football. So the fact that our coaching staff feels comfortable with the ball in my hands just gives me confidence. It makes me feel very good about going out there on Sundays."

Health was one of the major questions about Bradford when he came out of college.

He won the 2008 Heisman Trophy as a redshirt sophomore, when the Sooners lost to Florida for the national championship, then decided to stay at Oklahoma another season. It was cut short by an early shoulder injury and he barely played in 2009. Still, Bradford so impressed pro scouts in postseason workouts that he was a consensus No. 1 pick.

The questions about his durability remained, and he answered them by taking every snap this season. He threw 590 passes, completing 60 percent for 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

"I take a lot in that, especially coming off the shoulder injury last year and knowing that there were a lot of questions about my durability, about my ability to take hits in this league," Bradford said. "So the fact that I've been able to take every snap with this offense, I do take a lot of pride in that."

Bradford became the starter in training camp and never looked over that shoulder. Coach Steve Spagnuolo and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur placed their faith in him, and he came through like, well, a rookie of the year.

It didn't begin well -- Bradford threw three interceptions and was sacked twice in a 17-13 loss to Arizona. But he began to hit his stride in midseason, at one point going four straight games and five of six without being picked off.

His best performances came in a 36-33 win over Denver, when he had three TD passes and a season-best 308 yards through the air, and in a 20-10 win over Carolina that featured 25-of-32 passing and two touchdowns.

"He's obviously extremely talented, and I think he works his fanny off to make sure that he does the right things and masters the game plan," said Shurmur, now the head coach in Cleveland. "So to say I would be surprised, I would say no.

"To be thankful that he is what he is, I would say yes."

Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger was the first quarterback to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, in 2004, followed by Tennessee's Vince Young in 2006 and Atlanta's Matt Ryan in 2008.

Williams, a fourth-round pick (101 overall) from Syracuse, had 65 catches for 964 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. Pouncey, the rare offensive lineman to collect votes, was a standout in helping the Steelers win the AFC North title.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Streak over: Hospitalized fan Robert Cook will miss first Super Bowl

Updated: February 5, 2011, 6:20 PM ET

MILWAUKEE -- The streak is over: One of the four men featured in a national commercial for never missing a Super Bowl game will not be at Sunday's showdown between Pittsburgh and Green Bay.

Family members say 79-year-old Robert Cook of Brown Deer, Wis., is hospitalized and has sent his two daughters to Arlington, Texas, instead.

Cook's wife, Sarah, tells The Associated Press they were packed and ready to go Thursday, but her husband became very weak and ended up in a hospital. Cook says her husband is very depressed; the streak is over, but he also won't be able to watch his beloved Packers in the big game.

Cook and three other men who've been to every Super Bowl since 1967 created the "Never Missed a Super Bowl Club" and gained recognition in a recent Visa Inc. credit card commercial. Cook's daughters have enlarged a photo of their dad and attached it to a stick so they could hold it up at the game.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Super Bowl XLV: Green Bay Packers expect Donald Driver to play despite quadriceps injury

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DALLAS -- Donald Driver waited 12 seasons to play in a Super Bowl, so Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy doesn't see any way a quadriceps injury will keep the veteran receiver on the sideline.

McCarthy said he will be "shocked" if Driver isn't on the field when the Packers face the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cowboys Stadium on Sunday.

"He would practice today if I would let him," McCarthy said Friday. "He tweaked it in Wednesday's practice, and frankly I just do not want to take any chances at this point. So I will hold Donald from practice again today. Donald's played a lot of football, he knows the offense, he's had a whole week of preparation with the plan last week, so this is clearly just being safe."

The Packers added Driver to their injury report Thursday, listing him as limited in practice. Driver missed a game earlier this season because of a quadriceps injury.

McCarthy said the week has gone smoothly for his team, although several inches of snow falling in the Dallas area Thursday night into Friday morning could cause delays as players' families try to get in for the game. McCarthy was a few minutes late for his news conference presumably because of the weather.

“

There are a lot of steady personalities in our locker room. We don't have a lot of people bouncing off the walls when something goes wrong. I think that is a real credit to our people, to our players.

” -- Packers coach Mike McCarthy

Given the fact that this is the first Super Bowl for most Packers players, McCarthy turned to Hollywood to drive home the point that a football game is a football game -- even when it's played on a bigger stage.

McCarthy showed the team a scene from the movie "Hoosiers" where Gene Hackman's character measures the dimensions of the court in an attempt to convince his small-town high school basketball team that playing in a large venue isn't much different than playing in their own gym.

"Everybody loves the movie Hoosiers, where the basketball team walks into the arena and they measure the foul line and it's 15 feet, and they measure the hoop and it's 10 feet, and everybody goes 'OK, it's big in here,' " McCarthy said. "That's our approach. We're going to play football."

McCarthy also has arranged for a guest speaker to address the team, but is keeping it a secret.

Despite their relative inexperience, McCarthy is happy with the way his players handled the week and says they're ready to play.

One significant distraction was resolved Thursday, when Honolulu police told The Associated Press they located the father of Packers defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins in Hawaii and he was OK. Jenkins said this week that he was worried about his father because he hadn't heard from him in more than a month.

"I think anytime you're dealing with a personal situation in such a heightened week of importance professionally, it definitely drains on you," McCarthy said. "I know Cullen is relieved and that's more of a personal matter for him and his family. But definitely, there's relief, the fact that there's been communication."

The Packers also will take care of a far more minor distraction Friday when they take their much-discussed team photo. Some of the Packers' injured players complained last week that they weren't going to be included in the photo, and the team decided to schedule it later in the week so injured players could be present.

"There are a lot of steady personalities in our locker room," McCarthy said. "We don't have a lot of people bouncing off the walls when something goes wrong. I think that is a real credit to our people, to our players, and I think that is a big part of why we have been successful this year."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Union, agents talking boycott of NFL combine, report says

Updated: February 4, 2011, 7:24 PM ET

DALLAS -- The NFL players union has discussed a boycott of the scouting combine later this month with player agents.

Several people familiar with the talks told The Associated Press on Friday that the union suggested keeping potential 2011 draft picks away from the combine in Indianapolis and from other draft-related activities while there is no collective bargaining agreement. The people spoke anonymously because they are not authorized to give out the information.

Such a boycott could jeopardize the draft status of those players, who are not yet members of the union. And with CBA negotiations including a possible rookie wage scale, such a move could be detrimental to college players entering the league.

NFL Network first reported the story.

"We have no knowledge of any such discussions," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told the AP in an e-mail.

The union is hopeful such a boycott would disrupt teams' scouting of college players, but it's unlikely to get widespread support from the agents whose first duty is helping their clients get selected high in the draft.

Those agents already are upset about the rookie wage scale proposed by the owners for a new CBA; the current agreement expires March 3. Such a scale would severely limit the bargaining power for first-round picks in particular. The likelihood of anyone approaching Sam Bradford's record $50 million guaranteed in his rookie contract with the Rams last summer would be nil.

The draft is April 28-30 in New York, and union officials would like for college players to skip those proceedings if there is no CBA, particularly if the league has locked out the players.

Teams will hold workouts for prospects throughout March and April leading up to the draft, and the NFLPA is urging agents to consider boycotting those, as well.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Chicago Bears sign receiver Andy Fantuz

Updated: February 4, 2011, 2:42 PM ETBy Michael C. Wright
ESPNChicago.com
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LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears signed Canadian Football League standout wide receiver Andy Fantuz on Friday to a reserve/future contract.

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The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Fantuz led the CFL in 2010 with 1,380 yards on 87 catches to go with six touchdowns.

Fantuz, who worked out for the Bears in January, played the last five seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, racking up 276 receptions for 4,136 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Fantuz, 27, was the third overall pick of the 2006 CFL draft.

"Hey everyone, I just signed a contract with the Bears today," Fantuz posted to his Twitter account. "I want to thank everyone for all of your support."

Michael C. Wright covers the Bears for ESPNChicago.com and ESPN 1000.

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Former Patriots defensive standout Antwine dies

Updated: December 27, 2011, 4:07 PM ET

Former Patriots defensive tackle Houston Antwine, a six-time American Football League all-star and one of the members of the franchise's 50th anniversary team, died of heart failure on Monday night in Memphis, Tenn., at age 72, the team confirmed.

[+] Enlarge Dick Raphael/US PresswireIn 142 regular season games for the Patriots, Houston Antwine recorded 39 sacks.

His wife, Evelyn, died less than 24 hours later of lung cancer. Services and burial have yet to be determined.

Antwine, a pass-rushing specialist, played 11 seasons for the Patriots from 1961-1971, sticking with the team through the AFL-NFL merger. In addition to being on the Pats' anniversary team, he is also a member of the All-AFL team.

"For those of us who grew up watching the Boston Patriots, this is a really sad day," Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in a statement released by the team. "In the 1960s, the defensive tackle tandem of 'Twine' and Jim Lee Hunt were as good as any in the league and helped propel the Patriots to the franchise's first division championship in 1963.

[+] Enlarge Courtesy of the PatriotsHouston Antwine was among the players selected for the Patriots' 50th Anniversary team in 2009.

"Myra and I had the good fortune of hosting Houston and his wife, Evelyn, at my home just two years ago when we honored the Patriots 50th Anniversary Team. I loved hearing Houston's stories about those early days in Boston. It was such a thrill for me, personally, to spend time with the players from that era. I am saddened to learn of the deaths of both Houston and Evelyn and want to express my deepest sympathies to the Antwine's daughter, Regina, and all who mourn her losses. Let us all cherish life and remind loved ones how we feel about them daily."

From 2009-11, the Patriots Hall of Fame nomination committee picked Antwine as one of three finalists for induction, but he was beaten out each time. In 2011, Antwine finished second in the fan balloting to Drew Bledsoe.

The Louise, Miss., native was an AFL all-star for six consecutive seasons, from 1963-68. In 142 regular season games for the Patriots, he recorded 39 sacks, leading the team in that category for three straight seasons from 1967-69.

After starring at Southern Illinois University in both football and wrestling, Antwine was originally drafted by the Houston Oilers in the eighth round of the 1961 AFL draft by the Houston Oilers. He was traded to the Patriots soon after and never played for the Oilers. He spent 11 of his 12 professional seasons with the Patriots, playing his final season in 1972 with the Philadelphia Eagles.

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Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey ruled out; Doug Legursky to start

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DALLAS -- Maurkice Pouncey is sidelined for the Super Bowl.

The Pittsburgh Steelers center has a high left ankle sprain that has kept him out of practice since he was injured nearly two weeks ago in the AFC championship game. Now, the rookie Pro Bowl selection will miss the big game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

"He's out," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told a pool reporter Friday after the team completed its final full practice indoors at TCU.

Backup Doug Legursky will play in his place in what will be his first NFL start as a center. Signed as an undrafted free agent out of Marshall in 2008, Legursky started four games at guard earlier this season.

"The NFL is made up of lots of players like him: guys who somehow got an opportunity and seized it," Tomlin said. "We're completely confident that he will seize this opportunity and play well. That's why we're not changing what we do."

Pouncey needed crutches and wore a walking boot on his left foot as he got off the team plane in Dallas on Monday, but didn't need either during the players' final media session Thursday. Tomlin said earlier Friday that the rookie Pro Bowl selection would not play if he could not participate in the team's last practice.

Defensive end Aaron Smith also is out. He's been sidelined since Oct. 24 with a torn triceps muscle and has been limited in practice.

The Packers' main concern is outside linebacker Erik Walden, who was listed as questionable with an ankle injury.

Wide receiver Donald Driver tweaked his quadriceps this week and has been limited in practice, but Packers coach Mike McCarthy said earlier Friday that Driver is expected to play. He is listed as probable.

Meanwhile, the Steelers practiced with crowd noise piped in for the first time this week.

"We've had a very good practice week, very normal," Tomlin said. "We're lucky to have guys who just love football and love one another. It's a special group."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Super Bowl XLV: Packers put wrap on Super Bowl preparations

Updated: February 5, 2011, 5:37 PM ETBy Todd Archer
ESPNDallas.com
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IRVING, Texas -- The Green Bay Packers concluded their final preparations for Super Bowl XLV on Saturday morning at the team's Omni Mandalay Hotel in Irving, Texas, with separate jog-throughs for the defense and the offense, totaling 41 minutes.

In the Salon D ballroom, defensive coordinator Dom Capers ran through a series of defensive calls in a 27-minute session, covering all kinds of down-and-distance as well as time-and-score situations. Offensive coordinator Joe Philbin put the offense through a 14-minute session going over some final corrections. When completed the players chanted and clapped before breaking up for the day.

"I really liked today's schedule because finally this gets you back on the routine you've been on for the last five years," head coach Mike McCarthy said. "We've had an opportunity for our final corrections in our meetings. The coordinators have given their last message to each unit and they had their final walkthrough, like we always do. They're done for today and we'll have a team meeting tonight."

Wide receiver Donald Driver (quadriceps) took part in the jog-through, while linebacker Erik Walden, who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game with an ankle injury, stood next to outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene during the defensive walkthrough.

"Erik's going to have to show us something before the game," McCarthy said. "Obviously we're going over early, 2 o'clock, so we'll have a decision right there at the deadline."

Unlike Pittsburgh, the Packers will remain at the hotel they have called home since arriving on Monday, on Saturday night.

"I've received feedback from clubs that have left the hotel and stayed," McCarthy said. "Seeking routine and consistency in how we've operated in the past, I chose to stay in the same hotel. I've heard positives from both sides."

Following the jog-through the players were off until an 8:30 p.m. chapel and 9 p.m. team meeting. McCarthy will hold his final team meeting at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday before the team heads to Cowboys Stadium.

"This is their time," McCarthy said.

McCarthy said will have a guest speaker at Saturday's team meeting but he did not want to divulge who that will be. It has become known that the speaker will be nationally recognized motivational speaker Kevin Elko.

"To me the preparation stress has just left the building," McCarthy said. "I think it's very important to put the players in a mental state where their mind is clear and it's time for them to prepare themselves for the game. We'll have our team meeting. We'll have a strong message tonight then our snack will follow ... I'll give them the final message at 10:30 in the morning."

Todd Archer is a reporter for ESPNDallas.com.

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New York Giants' Michael Boley: Shoulder doing fine after surgery

Updated: February 5, 2011, 4:41 PM ETBy Jane McManus
ESPNNewYork.com
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DALLAS, Texas -- Michael Boley had surgery on his right shoulder at the end of the Giants' season, and said that the injury was healing well during one of the events in Fort Worth, Texas leading up to the Super Bowl.

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The Giants linebacker is one of several who is getting medical attention well in advance of a possible lockout on March 4. Defensive end Osi Umenyiora had surgery on his hip, offensive lineman Rich Seubert on his torn patella, cent Shaun O'Hara on his foot and running back Ahmad Bradshaw is expected to have his ankle scoped next week.

In the event of a lockout, players will not have access to the Giants' rehab facilities or team doctors.

Boley, who notably sacked Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo in Dallas last season, a hit that resulted in Romo's season-ending shoulder injury, said he was getting a lot of comments about the hit while in north Texas.

Jane McManus is a columnist and reporter for ESPNNewYork.com.

Follow Jane McManus on Twitter: @janesports

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