May 30, 2007 - SPORTS NEWS - NFL NEWS

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NFL PICKS & NFL FREE PICKS NFL PICKS- (covers.com) search warrant for vicks home acquired. Authorities have a search warrant to look for as many as 30 dog carcasses on property owned by Michael Vick that is at the center of a dog fighting investigation. But the warrant has not been executed. In a news release, Sheriff Harold D. Brown said the warrant issued May 23 has not been executed at the request of Brown and Surry County Commonwealth's Attorney Gerald G. Poindexter. The release did not say why the two officials leading the investigation into possible dog fighting on the 15-acre property made the request. Brown was not in the office and is the only member of the sheriff's department who can comment on the case, a dispatcher said Tuesday. Poindexter also was out of the office and did not return a message left by The Associated Press seeking comment. No charges have been filed, but Poindexter has said he is confident when sufficient evidence is gathered, it will be brought before a special grand jury. The warrant is based on investigator W.R. Brinkman being told by an informant that seven pit bulls were destroyed on the property in Surry County and buried in shallow graves two days before a drug raid on April 25. It cites ''reliable sources'' as saying that as many as 30 dogs are buried in various locations on the property, much of which is surrounded by a black fence and secluded behind a massive two-story brick home. A copy of the warrant was provided to the AP by The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk. The document gives investigators permission to search for pit bull terrier/fighting dog carcasses on the grounds and in buildings behind the black privacy fence in the rear of the home, which Vick has claimed he rarely visited. The Atlanta Falcons quarterback put the home up for sale shortly after the dog fighting investigation began and sold it the first day, but it is unclear whether the sale has been completed. The warrant also allows authorities to search ''all outbuildings which have blood-covered wood floors or walls'' for anything that could be used in the killing of animals - including ropes, guns, rifles, spent shotgun shells, spent bullet cartridges, shovels and ''any and all evidence contributing to dog fighting and animal cruelty.'' Police raided the home as part of a drug investigation. They seized 66 dogs, 55 of them pit bulls, and a variety of equipment that could be associated with dog fighting. While items such as treadmills and syringes seized could be typical of a legitimate breeding operation, which Vick is registered to have, items like a ''pry bar'' used to pry apart a dog's jaws, and bloodstained carpeting raised dog fighting suspicions. A native of Newport News who starred at Virginia Tech, Vick has blamed family members at the home for taking advantage of his generosity. He claimed he didn't know a large kennel on the property could be involved in criminal activity. News of the search warrant comes after a report by ESPN on Sunday citing a ''reliable police informant'' as saying Vick is ''one of the heavyweights'' in dog fighting circles and has been known to bet in the tens of thousands of dollars on fights

NFL PICKS : (associated press): titans rb fails to show up ofr minicamp. -- Tennessee Titans running back LenDale White did not make it back in time for Tuesday's organized team workouts, leaving coach Jeff Fisher unclear about White's whereabouts. ''Everybody else managed to make it back,'' Fisher said. ''He didn't, so I don't know, I guess he had things that are more important to him than what we're doing. I would assume he would be back at some point today.'' White, a second-round pick from Southern California last season, has had other issues this offseason, reporting for the Titans' offseason program at approximately 260 pounds, then suffering a hamstring injury. Fisher said he had not spoken directly to White but did receive a telephone message from the running back about his absence saying he had flight problems. White is expected to compete with second-round pick Chris Henry for the starting running back job. ''He'll get on the field eventually. I just hope it's not going to be too late,'' Fisher said. ''I've been on record with being disappointed with him right now. I hope to have him back on the practice field Thursday. But again, everybody else was here, he wasn't. I'm anxious to hear what kind of excuse he has.'' FREE NFL PICKS. (associated press): browns wide reciever practieces with third team. Braylon Edwards didn't want to talk about his one-day absence from the Cleveland Browns' voluntary practices last week. But his place in the wide receiver pecking order Tuesday appeared to speak volumes how the team felt about it. Edwards took reps with the third-team offense and was the last receiver in line during position drills. ''There's no significance to it at all. He's trying to learn the system,'' Browns coach Romeo Crennel said. ''It is not the same system that was in place last year and he is trying to learn it. He did miss a day, and so he is probably just a little bit behind.'' Edwards declined to comment on his absence, which Crennel said was because of a personal issue. ''He called and said that he wouldn't be here. It is a voluntary camp, so what can I do about it?'' Crennel said. ''Nothing else is going to happen. He has been here every day since.'' Crennel noted that the depth chart will be switched around so they can evaluate players and help teach them the new offense. The absence came after Edwards promised to be a better teammate after being a major distraction last season. ''I'm moving on,'' Edwards said Tuesday. He spoke highly of the new offense being installed by first-year coordinator Rob Chudzinski. ''There are some things I messed up on today, but as a whole I like this offense,'' Edwards said. ''It allows us to create a lot of mismatches and allows everybody to move around as opposed to staying stationary. We're going to be unpredictable this year.'' While on the third team, Edwards worked with rookie quarterback Brady Quinn, who continued to display inaccuracy during the Browns' voluntary practices. ''In September, it will be a concern if they are not on target,'' Crennel said. ''But right now he is still learning. He's still learning the system. He's learning the defense.'' Sportsbook.com has the Browns priced at +800 to win the AFC North next season.

FREE NFL PICKS- (associated press) titans hope harper can fill need at cornerback. Nick Harper has had plenty of moments in his career when he personally hurt the Tennessee Titans, none more painful than when he took a would-be touchdown away from then-Tennessee receiver Derrick Mason for an interception in 2004. That play turned a Titans' fourth-quarter lead into a 31-17 loss to division rival Indianapolis. It led to a 5-11 season and the end of an era where Tennessee had been among the AFC's best. Now three years later, Harper finds himself on the Titans' roster after the Colts allowed the veteran who helped them finally win the Super Bowl to leave as a free agent. SportsInterAction.com has the Colts set at +900 to repeat as Super Bowl champions. ''We're going to have to overlook that part,'' Harper said of his past role as Titans' spoiler. ''That was down the road when I played for another team. Now I want to go out and make the same plays and make them for our team.'' The Titans are leaning heavily on the six-year veteran to anchor a secondary staggered by the loss of cornerback Adam ''Pacman'' Jones to a season-long suspension from the NFL for conduct detrimental to the league. Titans coach Jeff Fisher doesn't sound worried that Harper played mostly zone in Indy's Cover 2 scheme. ''He's always been a guy that seems like he made a play against us at the right time in the game, so it's nice to have him obviously playing on our side now,'' Fisher said. ''He has excellent quickness, and he understands the game well. He sees things and he's been well coached in their scheme, but he's not one dimensional. They didn't do an awful lot on defense, yet he's capable of doing the things that we ask of him.'' Tennessee has five-year veteran Chris Hope, who won a Super Bowl ring himself in Pittsburgh. Another five-year veteran, safety Lamont Thompson, will be competing with Calvin Lowry, last year's fourth-round pick. The Titans drafted Michael Griffin of Texas at No. 19 overall in April and are trying to convert the safety to cornerback. Reynaldo Hill, a seventh-round pick in 2005, has started 24 of 30 games at cornerback and is healthy again after playing with torn knee cartilage and ligaments last season. The Colts let Harper leave as a free agent even though he tied the team record of three interceptions, ranked sixth with 73 tackles and started 15 games at left cornerback. The Titans signed him to a three-year deal in March. ''Them going out and getting me shows that they're dedicated to winning and bringing in guys that know how to win,'' Harper said. ''I'm hoping to go out and be a leader on the field and off the field and get the guys to buy into the defense.'' Hope sees Harper as a veteran who will help the young defensive backs learn how to study film more effectively, prepare physically and take care of their bodies. ''Those guys haven't had a proven veteran corner to teach them,'' Hope said. Linebacker David Thornton played with Harper in Indy before signing with the Titans as a free agent last year. He thinks the addition could be a big move with Harper's understanding of the passing game. ''He's a proven winner. He's a champion. He's coming off a Super Bowl team,'' Thornton said. Some teammates have had a hard time looking at Harper and believing he's really 32 years old. Harper's happy to share some of his secrets. ''It's easy. You've just got to get plenty of rest, stay out of the streets, just rest. Rest is the key. Your recuperation time is key,'' he said. NFL PICKS- (associated press): patroits reserve dt dies in jetski accident. The body of New England Patriots player Marquise Hill was found Monday, a day after he was reported missing following a jet ski accident on Lake Pontchartrain. Hill's body was discovered by searchers about a quarter of a mile from where the 24-year-old former LSU star and a female companion were involved in the accident, Capt. Brian Clark of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Department said. ''We have suffered a stunning and tragic loss,'' Patriots coach Bill Belichick said in a written statement Monday evening. ''Marquise will be remembered as a thoughtful and caring young man who established himself as one of the year-round daily fixtures of our team. I send my deepest condolences to the Hill family.'' The Coast Guard was called Sunday night, Petty Officer Tom Atkeson said. The search began immediately, using boats and helicopters. By the time the body was found, the Coast Guard, Wildlife and Fisheries, the New Orleans Police Department and Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Department were involved, Clark said. Loved ones including Hill's fiancee, Inell Benn, and friends, including Patriots teammate Randall Gay, waited anxiously along the shoreline as the search went on. They consoled one another when authorities told them Hill had been found dead. ''Right now's a terrible time,'' Benn said. ''I don't know what to feel right now.'' Gay, who also played with Hill at LSU, had planned to spend the holiday weekend in Baton Rouge, but drove to New Orleans on Monday to monitor the search. ''Knowing that I have to go back to work and go look at his locker this week, it's tough,'' Gay said. Hill's body was taken to the Orleans Parish Coroner's office, but phone messages left there and on coroner Frank Minyard's cell phone were not immediately returned. Hill's agent, Albert Elias, said he had been told Hill and a young woman were jet skiing Sunday in the lake when both of them went into the water, which had a strong current. Authorities said the woman was able to make it to a pylon and hang on until she was rescued, while Hill was last seen floating away from the scene. Hill played on LSU's national championship team and was a second-round draft pick by New England in 2004. Hill had yet to start for the Patriots, playing in 13 games in his NFL career. ''We are absolutely heartbroken,'' Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in a statement. ''Marquise was a very respectful young man who worked hard to improve and was always eager to contribute to the team, both on the field and in the community.'' The woman, whose identity was not available Monday, was rescued and sent to Tulane Medical Center where she told them Hill had tried to keep her calm as the two were drifting away from each other. Neither Hill nor the woman wore a life preserver, Atkeson said. ''It's so important to have a life jacket and a signaling device,'' Atkeson said. ''One keeps you afloat and the other helps us find you.'' Elias said Hill, a defensive end, spent much of his time since Hurricane Katrina helping rebuild the homes of family members including his mother, Sherry, and the mother of his 2-year-old son. ''From what I hear he's done a lot to help with things after Katrina and I know he had a great passion for the city of New Orleans,'' said former LSU quarterback Matt Mauck, who was Hill's teammate at LSU. ''Off field he was a really kind person, kind of like a gentle giant. And not only for LSU, but for New England and everyone who got chance to meet him throughout his life, everyone has to be extremely saddened and disappointed to hear the news.'' After going to the NFL, Hill continued to do much of his offseason training at LSU's Baton Rouge campus, about 80 miles up the Mississippi River from New Orleans, and was known and admired by current Tigers players, university athletics spokesman Michael Bonnette said. ''His presence meant a lot for some of the younger guys. He gave them someone to look up to and he was always there for them,'' Bonnette said. ''Here's a 6-foot-6, 300-pound guy, as intimidating as can be, and yet every time you approached him he always welcomed you with big old smile. In between the lines, he had his game-face on, but outside the lines, in the community or in the weight room, he was always smiling and having good time.''

FREE NFL PICKS (associated press) broncos wr to stay wit hteam. Denver Broncos receiver David Kircus's job is no longer in jeopardy over allegations he threw a punch that landed a man in the hospital with multiple facial fractures. Coach Mike Shanahan, who had pledged to release Kircus if it was determined he was at fault in the fight, said Tuesday that Kircus passed a lie detector test administered by an expert. Kircus will remain with the team regardless of the legal outcome of his case. ''David came to me and said, 'Hey coach, I guarantee I did not take the first swing. I defended myself. I probably used poor judgment, being at the wrong place at the wrong time.' ''I said, 'Well David, I'll give you a chance to take a lie detector test, and he wanted to do that. And he passed it with flying colors, so he will be on our football team,'' Shanahan said. Kircus faces a second-degree assault charge that carries a prison term of two to six years. He is accused of punching a 26-year-old man and telling him ''You don't know what I'm capable of'' after a party in suburban Denver on May 20. Kircus is free on $6,000 bail. Shanahan said an expert who ''does it for a living'' administered the lie detector test on Friday. ''If he flunked the test, he would not be with us,'' Shanahan said. ''He wanted to take the test. He said, 'Coach, if I flunk it, I won't be on this football team. If I do pass it, I'll be on this team.' I said, 'Hey, that's fair enough for me.' ''Anybody that wants to go in there and take a lie detector test where his career is based on whether it comes out positive or negative, I've got a good feeling'' that he defended himself in the fight, Shanahan said. Kircus, who has not spoken publicly about the alleged assault, declined comment again Tuesday when the Broncos began their seven-day camp. Kircus is a backup receiver and return specialist who joined the team last season. He had nine receptions for a team-leading 20.8 yards per catch and returned six punts for a 14.3-yard average last year.

FREE NFL PICKS - (associated press): green and agent upset with chiefs. The agent for quarterback Trent Green said Thursday the Miami Dolphins have indicated ''some flexibility'' in their offer to Kansas City, but that he can't get the Chiefs to respond. A Chiefs spokesman said later, however, that the Dolphins remain inflexible in offering only a supplemental sixth-round draft pick for the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback. The Chiefs are believed to be asking for a fourth-rounder. ''Last Friday I made a call to the Chiefs to let them know I thought there was some flexibility (on Miami's end), that we discussed what that might be, and if they were interested that I would carry that back to the Dolphins and see if we could put something together,'' agent Jim Steiner told The Associated Press on Thursday. ''And I've yet to get an answer from the Chiefs.'' But Chiefs spokesman Bob Moore said the Dolphins had not budged. ''Miami's made no offer. The last offer they made was a sixth-round pick,'' Moore said. ''It has nothing to do with Jim Steiner. Miami hasn't changed anything. We haven't talked to Miami in weeks. Miami has to cut the deal. Miami has to call the Chiefs. If Miami's interested, they can call Denny (Thum, Chiefs' executive vice president).'' Green turns 37 in July and is due $7.2 million if he stays with Kansas City this year. He asked permission to seek a trade when coach Herm Edwards said he wanted to reduce the overall age of the roster and indicated second-year man Brodie Croyle would be given every opportunity to win the job.
Steiner and Green have negotiated a contract with Miami, but the deal has been held up while the two teams argue over compensation. Although Edwards said this week that Green would be given the same chance as everyone else to compete for the starting position, Green believes he would be at a disadvantage because of his age and salary. ''I talked to Denny Thum on Monday,'' Steiner said. ''But I've placed calls to them on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and haven't heard back yet. So I don't know where they stand.'' Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson is in Scotland, where his daughter is about to give birth. Steiner said he did not know why the Chiefs were not responding. ''The mysterious thing now is the lack of communication. I think the communication process needs to continue for anything to happen,'' Steiner said. ''The whole thing is very mysterious.'' Steiner declined to say how the Dolphins modified their offer. He also denied that the Dolphins were losing interest in Green, whose play declined last year after he came back from a severe concussion. ''That's propaganda that the Chiefs are offering,'' he said. ''A deal will get done eventually. The timing is something we can't predict.''

NFL FREE PICKS- (associated press) keyshwn johnson retires.

Keyshawn Johnson gave up football for a microphone Wednesday, retiring from the NFL and taking his opinionated voice to ESPN. Johnson, one of the NFL's top receivers during an 11-year career, agreed to a multiyear contract and will appear on several ESPN telecasts, including pre-game shows on Sundays and Monday nights. ''I've done everything I wanted to do in my career. I tried to find as much as I could to push me back and play football for one or two more years,'' Johnson said at a news conference on the Southern California campus, where he starred in college. ''I wavered time and time again,'' he said. ''I've lived my dream. Now, I'm going to live another dream. I think today is not as emotional as the last two weeks, thinking about it. There were times there were sleepless nights, wondering if this was the right thing to do.'' Johnson turned down several offers to keep playing, including one from the Tennessee Titans that could have been worth $8 million. Jerome Stanley, Johnson's agent, said his client agreed to terms what he called a substantial deal with ESPN. ''We're very, very pleased,'' Stanley said, adding that the Titans offered close to $8 million for two years with most of the money guaranteed. Johnson, who turns 35 in July, said at least a half-dozen teams offered him a job. ''Those guys were terrific, from Lane Kiffin to Bill Belichick to Jeff Fisher,'' Johnson said, referring to the coaches in Oakland, New England and Tennessee, respectively. ''They all wanted me to play football for them. At the end of the day, it just didn't fit into what I wanted to do now.'' Johnson worked the NFL draft last month for ESPN, which was impressed enough to offer him a job. He was released by Carolina three days after the Panthers took former USC star wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett in the second round. The Panthers are listed at +600 on SPORTSBETTING.com to win the NFC outright in 2008. ''When Keyshawn decided to retire from football, we jumped at the chance of adding him to our NFL roster, especially after his impressive on-air performance during the NFL draft,'' ESPN executive vice president Norby Williamson said. ''He delivered passionate opinions and candid analysis, attributes that will make him a first-rate analyst in his new career.'' Johnson became the 16th player in NFL history to reach 800 career receptions and the 26th with 10,000 receiving yards last season, when he caught 70 passes for 815 yards and four touchdowns. He visited the Titans last week, meeting with coaches and watching film. Fisher, who became friends with Johnson while he played at USC and Johnson was a ball boy, said Monday he thought Johnson's numbers and production spoke for themselves. ''He still played at a high-level last year. He takes very good care of himself,'' Fisher said. ''He hasn't had any injuries per se. Anytime you get a chance to bring an experienced veteran in to add to your roster then it's a good thing.'' Johnson was the top pick in the 1996 draft, being selected by the New York Jets. After a good rookie season - 63 catches, eight touchdowns - for a team that went 1-15, he wrote a book: ''Just Give Me The Damn Ball,'' which was well-received by the public if not by his teammates. He eventually earned the nickname ''Me-shawn'' for that, but his coaches, particularly Bill Parcells with both the Jets and Dallas Cowboys, considered him a hard worker and versatile clutch player. Parcells once called Johnson one of the best players he'd coached. But Johnson did have run-ins with Jets receiver Wayne Chrebet when they played together and, less than a year after helping Tampa Bay win the 2003 Super Bowl, Johnson's spat with Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden got him suspended for the final six games of the season. Johnson then joined Parcells and the Cowboys, where he had two productive seasons, with 141 catches and 12 touchdowns. The Panthers signed Johnson last year after he was released by Dallas in a salary cap move so the Cowboys could sign Terrell Owens. While Owens had 85 catches for 1,180 yards and 13 TDs last year as the focal point of the passing game in Dallas, Johnson performed well as the No. 2 receiver behind Steve Smith in Carolina.

NFL FREE PICKS- (associated press) : texans want another reciever. The Houston Texans hope Kevin Walter will become the receiver they've long looked for to take pressure off Andre Johnson. Walter, who spent his first three seasons in Cincinnati, hasn't made much of an impact in four NFL seasons. But coach Gary Kubiak believes this could be his breakout year. ''I think what you're looking at right there is a player that earned the right to play,'' Kubiak said. ''I went back and watched our film and it felt like if I gave Kevin Walter more chances to make plays, we win a few more games. That's what he is.'' Walter appeared in each game last season with two starts and finished with 17 receptions for 160 yards. Johnson made the Pro Bowl for the second time last season after catching 103 passes for 1,147 yards, both career highs. He played opposite veteran Eric Moulds, who was released in the offseason. Kubiak has been talking Walter up throughout the offseason, and he believes the 25-year-old has a positive attitude his young team needs. ''He's an overachiever, a tremendous worker,'' Kubiak said. ''His teammates can count on him. He's going to win out because of his work ethic in the long haul, and that's what we want around here.'' Walter isn't daunted by Kubiak's expectations. ''I have a high standard for myself,'' Walter said Thursday. ''I'm glad to get the opportunity. I'm glad he thinks that I deserve a chance to play and make some plays.'' The 6-foot-3, 214-pound player has already made an impression on new quarterback Matt Schaub. ''Kevin's done a great job. He's a go-getter,'' Schaub said. ''He wants to get better. He's a guy you want on your side. He knows his stuff and he's really coming along.'' While Walter is the front-runner, there are other candidates for the spot, including free-agent acquisition Andre Davis and rookie Jacoby Jones. Davis had three solid years with Cleveland but didn't see much playing time since in a season in both New England and Buffalo. The Texans drafted Jones in the third round out of Division II Lane College and believe the former track star has potential, but he'll have to overcome his small college background. ''He is all over the map right now,'' Kubiak said. ''He's made a few plays and he's got a few chewing outs, too. He's getting a great opportunity to help our football team. He's very talented.'' The Texans could also use the speedster to return kicks as Jerome Mathis, who made the Pro Bowl at returner as a rookie in 2005, continues to struggle with injuries. Jones finished with a school-record 1,937 kickoff return yards at Lane. But Jones is still adjusting to the demands of the NFL, Kubiak said. ''He gets frustrated, but he's got to realize it's not going to be easy and that's what we're trying to teach him right now,'' Kubiak said. ''But he definitely fits in out here and it's exciting to see.'' Jones realized quickly that one of the best ways to learn is to follow Johnson's lead. ''That guy is amazing,'' Jones said. ''You see he's that big and can move like that and run routes like that. I steal some of his things, but don't tell him that. I'm trying to steal his knowledge.'' Johnson has been impressed by Jones and fellow rookie receivers Terry Richardson and Onrea Jones. Johnson takes helping younger players seriously because he didn't really have anyone to look up to when he was drafted by the Texans in just their second year in 2003. All three crowded around Johnson at practice Thursday as he pointed out certain plays and gave them pointers. ''All three of them have a lot of talent,'' Johnson said. ''They ask questions trying to learn things because they don't get many reps, so we just try to help them out as much as possible. Any question they ask, I try to tell them what to do or just try to help them out as much as possible.''