D.J. Hackett returned to practice for the Carolina Panthers on Wednesday after sitting out with a sore knee. The Panthers signed Hackett and fellow veteran Muhsin Muhammad in the offseason to give them more options to pair with star Steve Smith. Muhammad and Hackett were expected to contend for the starting job. Hackett was the third receiver before sitting out two optional practices with a sore knee.
At no point last season did Colts WR Anthony Gonzalez feel lost or alone as he experienced the NFL for the first time. But neither was the team's 2007 first-round pick totally comfortable. The transition took time, and remains ongoing as Gonzalez participates in the Colts' voluntary summer school, reports the Indianapolis Star. Gonzalez appeared in 13 regular-season games, nine as a starter. While learning on the run and dealing with a dislocated thumb suffered Nov. 4 against New England, he had 37 receptions for 576 yards and three touchdowns. "I don't want to say I feel great about everything, but I'm coming along," he said. "Every part of my game just needs to be a little bit better, a little bit sharper, a little bit crisper and a little bit faster."
After making the miraculous catch that helped the Giants win Super Bowl XLII, David Tyree has enjoyed an offseason full of accolades. He has made numerous television appearances and been asked hundreds of times to pose with a football perched against his head, imitating the 32-yard reception he made on the Giants' game-winning drive against New England. He even has a book coming out, "More Than Just a Catch," that will chronicle his off-field personal struggles. What the Super Bowl hero doesn't have right now is a guaranteed roster spot, reports the New York Post. The sixth-year pro out of Syracuse had arthroscopic knee surgery in the offseason, which prevented him from participating in Tuesday's workout. With starters Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer entrenched in their roles and youngsters Steve Smith, Sinorice Moss and rookie Mario Manningham available, there could be a battle at wide receiver that could leave Tyree on the outside looking in.
On Tuesday, the New York Post reports Giants LB Mathias Kiwanuka spent his morning on the field along with his teammates, admittedly more excited than most of them to merely be out there running around. He missed the last six games of the regular season with a broken left leg and ankle damage that required surgery, meaning he was a very interested bystander for the entire playoff run and Super Bowl glory. Kiwanuka started the first 10 games last season on the strong side and was just beginning to look like a bona fide linebacker when on Nov. 18 his left fibula snapped in Detroit. Kiwanuka said he came through Tuesday's first real test with no residual problems. For now, he remains at linebacker, although that could change if Michael Strahan retires, meaning Kiwanuka could return to defensive end.
It's not a stretch to say the 33-year-old Amani Toomer looks way ahead of where he was at this point last year, reports the New York Daily News. One year ago, Toomer was rehabbing his way back from a torn ACL in his left knee. It was an injury that had many wondering if his career was nearing an end. But 59 catches, 760 yards, and one Super Bowl championship later, the 13-year veteran feels like he's just getting started. "It always could be better," Toomer said. "I felt like last season, I wouldn't say I was disappointed, but I felt like I didn't have the season I wanted to have at the beginning of the year. Toward the end I started coming around a little bit, but I feel like I need to put together a whole complete season." That desire is one of the reasons why Toomer never considered retirement, despite the lure of riding off into the sunset after finally winning the Super Bowl. But he said the biggest reason was that "I still enjoy it. It's not really work to me."
The Washington Post reports Redskins WR Santana Moss was candid about the "sickness" that forced him to miss Monday's practice, admitting that a weekend of charity events and parties to celebrate his 29th birthday certainly had something to do with how he was feeling Monday morning. Coach Jim Zorn said the Redskins sent Moss home Monday with the flu, but Moss said his teammates knew better. "All they did is laugh because they knew it was going to happen like that," Moss said. "I told them, 'You think you're still young and you can still hold up,' but they all know what time it was. You have to chalk it up and be ready the next day." Moss said he felt much better Tuesday.
The Washington Post reports Redskins coach Jim Zorn had yet to make contact with absent cornerback Shawn Springs as of Tuesday. Springs has been working out in Arizona -- as he did last offseason -- and has told people that he does not intend to report to Redskins Park until the start of mandatory work in training camp. Springs has not contacted the team, however, Zorn said. "We're still wondering where Shawn is," Zorn said, "but he knows what he's doing. We're still trying to reach him." Zorn said that there could be a tendency to allow Springs's absence to frustrate the staff, but that he is not allowing it to do so. "Guys know how to stay aloof, and I could get frustrated," Zorn said. "But I don't get frustrated." Springs reported to camp in shape last season after following a rigorous routine in Arizona that he is maintaining this offseason.
HomePlayer News Tatupu pleads not guilty to drunken driving charge
Tatupu pleads not guilty to drunken driving charge
Tuesday, 17 June 2008
Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu entered a plea of not guilty Tuesday to charges of driving under the influence of alcohol.
