NFL talking with Jets about reporter flap

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP)—The NFL was still trying to determine exactly what went on at New York Jets camp involving a TV Azteca reporter, and rebuked Clinton Portis(notes) for comments about the woman Tuesday, saying they were offensive and inappropriate.
Ines Sainz, who works for the Mexican network, said she was uncomfortable Saturday in the Jets’ locker room, where a few players let loose with some catcalls as she waited with two male co-workers to interview quarterback Mark Sanchez(notes), who is of nfl jersey
Mexican descent.
An assistant coach also seemed to deliberately throw to players near where Sainz was standing on the sideline during practice.
“They’re here investigating, and we’re open,” Jets coach Rex Ryan said. “Whoever the NFL wants to talk to, I’m not sure who it is, but we’ll let that play out. We’re here to cooperate.”
Ryan said league representatives were speaking with specific players, and the coach also volunteered to talk to the NFL.
Meantime, Portis, the outspoken running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
Washington Redskins, said in his weekly appearance on 106.7 The Fan: “I think you put women reporters in the locker room in position to see guys walking around naked, and you sit in the locker room with 53 guys, and all of the sudden you see a nice woman in the locker room. I think men are going to tend to turn and look and want to say something to that woman.”
The NFL swiftly chastised Portis.
“The comments are clearly inappropriate, offensive, and have no place in the NFL,” league spokesman Greg Aiello said in an e-mail.
Then the Redskins issued a statement by Portis, who said he was “wrong to make the comments” and that he respects the job reporters do.
The Redskins said they “will take the necessary steps” to remind players about acting in a professional manner.
The Association for Women in Sports Media said it was in contact with the NFL about Portis’ remarks and appreciated the league’s swift response.
“AWSM continues to monitor issues regarding locker-room access and is Indianapolis Colts jersey
committed to helping create and maintain a work environment that is free of harassment and hostility,” the statement said.
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AP Sports Writer Joseph White in Washington and Associated Press Writer Eduardo Castillo in Mexico City contributed to this report.

Breaston, Wilson help Arizona survive opener

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP)—Penalties, errant passes and fumbles—lots of fumbles. Arizona’s first game of the post-Kurt Warner(notes) era was no thing of beauty.
The Cardinals survived with a 17-13 victory over the Rams football jerseys
in St. Louis, thanks in large part to the play of wide receiver Steve Breaston(notes) and safety Adrian Wilson(notes).
Not only did Breaston catch seven passes for a career-best 134 yards, he made two potentially game-saving tackles. On the second one, after quarterback Derek Anderson(notes) fumbled, Breaston ran down Rams defensive lineman Clifton Ryan(notes) and stripped the ball from him just shy of the goal line. Arizona center Lyle Sendlein(notes) recovered in the end zone for a touchback.
“That’s a game-changing play for us,” coach Ken Whisenhunt said on Monday. “When you talk about kids that are watching this game and how it should be played, if you want to point to one thing, that play is what you point to—the hustle, the never-give-up, the never-quit. … He had a very good game as an offensive player, but that play really distinguished who Steve is and what he means to our team.”
Breaston said he learned his lesson on this type of game in the 2009 Super Bowl, when Pittsburgh’s James Harrison(notes) intercepted Warner’s pass in the end zone and returned it 100 at the end of the first half. Breaston was in the game and watched that play unfold. Now, when something like that happens, there is no watching anything. He immediately takes off for the ball carrier.
“In the Super Bowl, I looked and I was trying to take in what was going on,” Breaston said. “By the time I looked up, I caught him at like the 1-yard line. Now I’m just reacting. When I see what’s going I just go toward the ball. I don’t stop and think about it.”
The play would have meant nothing had Sendlein and other Arizona linemen rambled down the field, too.
“That’s just something our coaches always talk about is finishing every play,” Sendlein said. “It goes to show that the effort that Steve had and that we had up front was to never quit and run all the way.”
Wilson, meanwhile, blocked a field goal, sacked Sam Bradford(notes) and intercepted the Rams rookie quarterback twice, the last one to seal the victory as the game ended. Wilson joked that it was not “the best game of my illustrious career.”
But it had to be among them.
“I think we all know who Adrian Wilson is, his reputation, what type of Minnesota Vikings jersey
player he is,” Whisenhunt said. “But when he does what he did yesterday, he just goes to further solidify the legend of who he is.”
Anderson, who won the quarterback job from Matt Leinart(notes) after two pre-season games, completed 22 of 41 passes for 297 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. He went through a rough stretch in the third quarter and took a nasty hit, but came back to direct a seven-play, 86-yard drive, culminated with a 21-yard pass to Larry Fitzgerald(notes) for what proved to be the winning touchdown.
“I think you have to judge it by how he finished the game and how he hung in there,” Whisenhunt said . “Look, he took a huge shot to the chest and I didn’t know if he was going to be able to continue. Then we took a time-out, he got h is breath and then he hit a big third-down play after that, that speaks volumes about leadership, about the intensity, about the competitor that he is.”
Anderson and Fitzgerald had been out of synch most of the day. Fitzgerald, who had missed the last three pre-season games with a bruised knee, was far from his normal self. And it was clear the two had not smoothed out their timing.
“We’ll be good,” Anderson said. “Obviously not having him for a month or three weeks throws a wrench in things. I don’t know how he exactly feels but the man shows a lot of toughness to go out there and play. I had a knee injury in the past and I know its tough to trust it and its tough to do the things that you really want to do.”
Arizona fumbled seven times losing four of them.
“It’s not very often that you’re going to win a game on the road with four lost fumbles,” Whisenhunt said.
Two were by running back Tim Hightower(notes), one inside the Rams’ 10-yard line and one late in the game that gave St. Louis a last-gasp chance for the victory. Replays of the second fumble seemed to show that Hightower was down before the ball came out, but that’s not how the officials saw it.
No matter, Hightower said.
“I was more surprised in myself that it even came out, especially after the first one, especially in that situation. The game’s pretty much over. All we’ve got to do is just keep the ball. It shouldn’t even have come down to that. You should never leave it in Dallas Cowboys jersey
the refs hands.
Wide receiver Early Doucet(notes) re-injured his groin in the game and was to be evaluated further. Running back Beanie Wells(notes) sat out the contest after missing practice all of last week with a sore knee but he is expected back for Sunday’s game at Atlanta.

NFL doc: Four concussions in Week 1 not a trend

NEW YORK (AP)—The co-chairman of the NFL’s Brain, Head and Neck Medical Committee doesn’t see four concussions sustained by players in the first weekend of the regular season as a trend.
But Dr. Hunt Batjer says the rate of nfl jerseys
concussions is something the league and its medical staff will closely monitor throughout the season.
“One weekend doesn’t make a trend,” Batjer said. “It’s certainly a number that caught everyone’s eye.
“If this pace continues, it’s either better reporting of the symptoms, or it is something else systemic. We must keep a close eye on this and we will.”
Sustaining concussions on Sunday were quarterback Kevin Kolb(notes) and linebacker Stewart Bradley(notes) of the Eagles in their loss to Green Bay, and Panthers quarterback Matt Moore(notes) and Giants tight end Kevin Boss(notes) in their game, won by New York.
Batjer says the injuries were properly treated in Philadelphia and East Rutherford, N.J., according to the guidelines set by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL Players Association.
“We are all comfortable with the fact the players received appropriate treatment,” he said.
Batjer believes players are so cognizant of the symptoms of concussions that they no longer try to hide such injuries.
“I think we are looking at a culture change that the players are aware and all the people on the field are aware and are taking them out of games,” Batjer said.
Dr. Thom Mayer, the medical director for the players association, would like time before confirming that the injuries in Philadelphia were treated according to league guidelines.
“We are still reviewing the evaluation and care provided to our players last weekend. As the referees in the Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
NFL often say, `After further review…”’ Mayer said. “Until we have had a chance to review all of the data, it is premature to say the care was appropriate.”
After Bradley banged his head on a teammate’s leg, struggled to get up, took a couple steps and fell helmet-first onto the ground, he wound up back on the field for a few plays. Then he was pulled for the rest of the game.
Minutes before Bradley was hurt, Kolb’s head was slammed down on a tackle and the Eagles said he injured his jaw. He returned to throw three passes, then sat out with a concussion.
“We stuck to the criteria there, and then followed up on it,” coach Andy Reid said Monday. “We didn’t just stick (them) out there without having followed the protocol. We also made sure that we stayed on top of it when they came back off the field and made the decision when symptoms were there. I have full trust in the trainers and the doctors and the procedure they (go) through.”
The followup on the latest NFL concussions came as researchers at Boston University said they have found early signs of a disease caused by hard hits in the brain of a University of Pennsylvania football player who killed himself in April. The New York Times reported that a brain autopsy on Owen Thomas showed he had chronic traumatic encephalopathy, an affliction primarily connected to NFL players who suffer depression and impulse control issues.
Dr. Adam Shunk, a neuropsychologist at St. Vincent Sports Performance Center in Indianapolis, treats athletes who have had effects from head injuries. He believes the pressure on athletes to be in the lineup impacts their decisions.
“Some are very responsible with their own health and others are going back to play because it determines their salaries and bonuses,” he said. “But athletes generally are aware now that they have to think about whether they should return to play or not.”
And the game they return to, Shunk says, is getting more dangerous.
“I think the game is unsafer,” he said. “Just look at the physicalness of Dallas Cowboys jersey
football now. Athletes are bigger and stronger and faster, and mass media has the effect of glamorizing big hits and it increases risks of concussions.”
AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi in Philadelphia contributed to this story.

Eagles come under scrutiny for concussions

PHILADELPHIA (AP)—Stewart Bradley(notes) banged his head on a teammate’s leg, struggled to get up, took a couple steps and fell helmet-first onto the ground.
Clearly, something was wrong.
Bradley sustained a concussion when he collided cheap nfl jerseys
with Ernie Sims(notes) during Philadelphia’s 27-20 loss to Green Bay on Sunday. Yet somehow, the Eagles’ middle linebacker returned for a few plays before he was pulled for the rest of the game.
Minutes before Bradley went down, Kevin Kolb’s(notes) head was slammed down so hard on a tackle from behind that a chunk of grass got stuck in his helmet. He got up slowly and walked off the field.
The team initially said Kolb had a jaw injury, and the quarterback returned to throw three passes before sitting out the rest of the game with a concussion.
Head injuries were an important issue for the NFL in the offseason. Last year, the league implemented stricter return-to-play guidelines for players who show concussion symptoms, and each team must consult with an independent neurologist whenever there is a head injury.
So, how could Bradley and Kolb be allowed to re-enter the game with concussions?
“We stuck to the criteria there, and then followed up on it,” coach Andy Reid said Monday. “We didn’t just stick (them) out there without having followed the protocol. We also made sure that we stayed on top of it when they came back off the field and made the decision when symptoms were there. I have full trust in the trainers and the doctors and the procedure they admit through.”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell sent a memo to the 32 teams last Dec. 2 saying a player who gets a concussion should not return to action on the same day if he shows certain signs or symptoms.
Those include an inability to remember assignments or plays, a gap in memory, persistent dizziness, persistent headaches and confusion as evidenced by disorientation to person, time or place.
Anyone watching Bradley stagger to his feet and then crash to the ground probably would’ve considered him disoriented.
“When he came off that initial time, he was fine, he went through all the steps and he flew through those things fine, and obviously was eager to get back out there,” Reid said.
Reid said he didn’t see the play live. When it happened, Kolb already was receiving attention, so it’s unknown which members of the medical staff witnessed Bradley’s disturbing tumble.
Reid would not allow head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder to speak to reporters on Monday, saying: “I gave you everything that needed to be done.”
He staunchly supported Burkholder and the medical staff for Minnesota Vikings jersey
the way they addressed the injuries.
“They go to the extreme to make sure that they follow the medical protocol that’s set for everything and it’s no different for this situation.”
The NFL Players Association is looking into way the Eagles, Panthers and Giants handled the situations.
“We are still reviewing the evaluation and care provided to our players last weekend,” said Dr. Thom Mayer, the union’s medical director. “As the referees in the NFL often say, `After further review…’
“Until we have had a chance to review all of the data, it is premature to say the care was appropriate.”
The NFL Brain, Head and Neck Medical Committee also looked into it.
“We are all comfortable with the fact the players received appropriate treatment in these cases, as per the guidelines set out by the commissioner and by the players association,” said Dr. Hunt Batjer, co-chair of the NFL Committee.
Last year, the Eagles let running back Brian Westbrook(notes) return three weeks after sustaining his first career concussion. He suffered another one in his first game back, and later said he wasn’t completely healed when he came back.
Kolb and Bradley weren’t available for comment Monday. Both players were sent home from the team’s practice facility, and didn’t watch film with their teammates.
“They didn’t feel great,” Reid said.
However, Reid didn’t rule either player out for Sunday’s game at Detroit.
“I can’t tell you that,” he said. “We have to go through and do exactly what the protocol calls for and that’s the procedure that we’re doing right now.
Kolb and Bradley will be evaluated on Wednesday and they’ll see an independent specialist, as required by the league, on Friday.
Michael Vick(notes), who nearly led the Eagles to a comeback win in a dynamic half of Indianapolis Colts jersey
action, would get the start if Kolb doesn’t play.
Reid again squashed any quarterback controversy.
“Kevin Kolb’s the No. 1 quarterback,” Reid said.
AP Pro Football Writer Barry Wilner in New York contributed to this story.

Icy Bits: Senators in line for 2012 NHL All-Star Game

Look for a Sept. 15 announcement giving the Ottawa Senators the 2012 All-Star Game. Commissioner Gary Bettman will be in Canada's capital that day for a luncheon. Also expected to attend, the Ottawa Sun reports, is Senators owner Eugene Melnyk, nfl jersey
who reportedly was promised an All-Star weekend after the 2008 draft. The festivities would be in conjunction with the 20th anniversary of the Senators' return to the NHL. …
Free-agent forward Ryan Potulny(notes) landed a gig for next season, as the Chicago Tribune reports he signed with the Blackhawks. Cast off by Edmonton, Potulny had 15 goals and 17 assists last season with the Oilers. It's a one-year, two-way deal that will pay him $500,000 on the NHL level. He'll get a fraction of that for time spent with the Blackhawks' AHL Rockford affiliate. Potulny was a Philadelphia Flyers third-round pick, 87th overall, in 2003. He has 22 goals and 27 assists in 116 NHL games. …
Winger Nigel Dawes(notes) also cut a one-year, two-way deal this week. His is with the Atlanta Thrashers, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. The numbers: $600,000 NHL, $105,000 AHL. Dawes was an unrestricted free agent who had 14 goals and 18 assists with the Calgary Flames last season. Dawes was a fifth-round pick by the New York Rangers in 2003. …
Stan Bowman has a new title with the Chicago Blackhawks, adding vice president to his nameplate. Bowman took over as GM on July 14, 2009, when Dale Tallon was fired and helped direct the Tallon-built 'Hawks to their first Stanley Cup since 1961. This summer, Bowman did a teardown of Indianapolis Colts jersey
Tallon's team to keep under the salary cap. Bowman's dad is NHL legend Scotty Bowman. …
Quebec City continues to dream of a return to the NHL, and Canada's government is being asked to help the cause by promising $180 million for an arena in the city. That would be 45 percent of the project's cause, the Canadian Press reports. Quebec's provincial government has already promised that amount, and municipal leaders are willing to kick in the rest. The Quebec Nordiques fled to Denver in 1995, becoming the Colorado Avalanche. NHL brass has said it would consider a return only if an arena is build to replace Le Colisee. …
The Rangers have signed center Kelly Tessier to a one-year, entry-level deal. Tessier became a free agent after he and the Avalanche couldn't come to terms. The Avs made him the 110th overall pick in 2008. Look for Tessier, who is 5-9, 169 pounds, to get a look with the Rangers' AHL Minnesota Vikings jersey
Hartford affiliate. …
Ilar Filppula, older brother of Detroit Red Wings center Valtteri Filppula(notes), appears headed for AHL Grand Rapids. He signed with the Wings in May after coming over from the Finnish league.

Boudreau: Capitals won’t trade Tomas Fleischmann

Bruce Boudreau expects Tomas Fleischmann(notes) to have a breakout season—and he expects it to happen with the Washington Capitals.
Fleischmann, a talented left nfl throwback jerseys
winger, was the center of trade rumors this summer, but Boudreau said it's time to end the speculation.
"Oh yeah. Those trade rumors, I think you can faithfully put all of them to bed," Boudreau told Sporting News. "We laugh at so many of them that have no substance. I don't know who makes them up. Some people have very vivid imaginations."
Fleischmann's name came up as a possible Dallas Cowboys jersey
candidate to be moved when it was reported that unrestricted free agent center Eric Belanger(notes) was going to sign with the Capitals. That still hasn't happened.
"There is no Belanger deal," Boudreau said.
Fleischmann is signed to a one-year, $2.6 million deal and is coming off a season in which he had 23 goals.
Boudreau believes that goal total can increase this season.
"He's ready this year. Last year he missed the first 11 games of Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
the season [from a blood clot] and couldn't practice all of training camp," Boudreau said. "This year, watching him skate at our practice facility and talking to him—he's ready for the season."

Tomas Kaberle: No problem with Maple Leafs or coach

Defenseman Tomas Kaberle(notes) is back in Toronto and making it clear he's happy to still be with the Maple Leafs. Specifically, Kaberle told the Toronto Star he doesn't agree with recent comments by his father, who claimed his son has a dispute with Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson.
"My dad, I love my dad and he watches a lot of football jerseys
games and he can say what he wants," Kaberle told the Star on Wednesday. "It's his opinion but I don't agree with it."
Kaberle, 32, also said he will not be asking GM Brian Burke for a trade. That might quell rampant rumors—for a while, at least.
Kaberle pooh-poohed talk of dissent with Wilson as part of frustration over last season's struggles, when the Leafs missed the Stanley Cup playoffs for the fifth consecutive year. And he is back under protection of his no-trade clause as he enters the walk year of his contract.
Kaberle has been dogged by trade rumors for three years. Indianapolis Colts jersey
Leave now? Nope, Kaberle told the Star.
"No, I have a good feeling about this team; I want to stay here. I love this organization; they've been very good to me and my family," Kaberle said.
As if on cue, the National Post of Canada on Wednesday opined that until Kaberle is dealt or gets an extension trade talk will remain front and center. Key will be how the Leafs start and how long they remain in the playoff hunt. The Post noted that the Leafs need Kaberle now.
Kaberle realizes things could change.
"I never ask to be moved or anything like that," Kaberle said. Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
"But you never know what's going to happen tomorrow … if I don't fit, then I'm going to have to move on."