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Minnesota Vikings training camp a crash course for players, coaches
 MANKATO, Minn. -- The hardest part of Camp Chaos is remembering names. There are 90 of them, many of whom once commanded large, superlative-laced bios in college media guides but have faded into a purple haze. On July 31, their first day together, they lined up for head shots, and each held a dry-erase board with his name and position so the photographer -- and the coaches -- could figure out who the heck these guys were. Donovan McNabb, one of the newest additions to the Minnesota Vikings, cut to the front of the line, because (A) if you don't know his name, you have no business being within 400 yards of this training camp, and (B) hasn't the old man waited long enough? "All the vets keep cutting the rookies n line," tweeted Devon Torrence as he patiently inched his way to the front. Neither Torrence, the wide-eyed rookie, nor Official Eagles Jersey Shop Online McNabb, the veteran quarterback, talked about what every coach in the NFL must have been frantically playing through his head when training camps recently started in 32 towns across the country. That six weeks before the 2011 season was set to kick off, playbooks hadn't been delivered, names hadn't been New Orleans Saints Jersey Authentic memorized and rookies hadn't figured out how to find the bathrooms. Elizabeth Merrill/ESPN.comDevon Torrence, out of Ohio State, is trying to land a roster spot.But this is life after the NFL lockout. This is Training Camp 2011. It's cramming five months of a lost offseason into two weeks and moving faster than any NFL players have ever gone. Torrence was so eager to get started that in the dog days of the lockout he packed a bag full of T-shirts, socks and shorts just so when the call came, he'd be ready to fly anywhere to play football. The bag sat untouched for roughly Cheap Ravens Jersey a month. Torrence, a cornerback from Ohio State, was projected to possibly go in the middle of the draft in April, then three days came and went without a call and Torrence was stuck for three more months without a team. When the lockout ended and the Vikings called, he was in Minneapolis within 24 hours. A bus took him and a few dozen other strangers through the lush, green Minnesota countryside to Minnesota State University, home of the Vikings' training camp. Torrence was assigned to a fifth-floor room at Gage Hall, an old, brick 13-story dorm with window air conditioners and cots on the floor. He wakes up every morning at 6:45, slams down breakfast and a variety of meetings, then drops to one NFL Reebok Saints Jerseys knee before every practice. He just wants a chance to show what he can do. It's like finals week, except school has just started. He doesn't Baltimore Ravens Jersey Outlet have much time.  "I can't control that there was a lockout," Torrence says. "I had nothing to do with the CBA, past players or whatever. I can only control things I can control, and that's showing up with a positive attitude, working hard and trying to do my best." He clutched his pads and his No. 29 jersey after Wednesday's practice, the second-to-last one in Mankato. A little girl in a Brett Favre jersey -- a jersey that now Official Steelers Jersey seems way outdated -- walked up to Torrence asking for an autograph, reminding him how quickly the clock ticks in the NFL. And how it seems to move even faster today. Some calm and cool If a story NFL Football Saints Jerseys was to be done about the Great Summer Panic of 2011, Vikings camp, in hindsight, probably wasn't the best locale. Yes, the team has all the elements for a chaotic training camp -- new quarterback, new coach, new offense, plus a search for a new left tackle after Bryant McKinnie showed up for camp reportedly hovering near 400 pounds. But the Vikings are Authentic Pittsburgh Steelers Jerseys now led by Leslie Frazier, arguably the calmest, most mild-mannered coach in the NFL. Frazier is a football player's Valium. He does not panic.

Jeremy Maclin of Philadelphia Eagles to have more testing
content: More Tests For MaclinEagles WR Jeremy Maclin, out with an undisclosed illness, will undergo more tests in St. LouisTags: SportsCenter,  Sal Paolantonio,  Maclin,  Illness,  Training CampMore Tests For MaclinPhiladelphia Eagles receiver Jeremy Maclin, who hasn't participated in training camp because of an undisclosed illness, will undergo more tests in his hometown of St. Louis, a team spokesman confirmed Thursday.The Herd with Colin CowherdESPN NFL Insider Sal Paolantonio Kids New England Patriots Jerseys says the Eagles signing Steve Smith is surprising due to what they have been saying about Jeremy Maclin. He talks about Michael Vick's camp concerns and says Tim Tebow isn't ready to start. More Podcasts Maclin reportedly contracted mononucleosis in the spring, but is is unclear if his current illness is related to that. He recently tried to shoot down reports that he's suffering from Youth New England Patriots Jerseys a career-threatening condition."Those crazy reports aren't true," he told reporters last Saturday.Coach Patriots Jersey Womens Andy Reid said last week that he was optimistic that Maclin would be ready for the start of the season.The 23-year-old Maclin caught 70 passes for 964 yards last season. His 10 touchdown receptions tied for seventh in the NFL.On Wednesday, the Eagles agreed to a one-year deal with former Patriots Jersey New York Giants receiver Steve Smith, who is recovering from a knee injury, on Wednesday. Smith played for the Giants from 2007 to 2010, totaling 220 receptions for 2,386 yards and 11 touchdowns. Smith made the Pro Bowl in 2009, when he posted a franchise-record 107 receptions for 1,220 yards and seven touchdowns. Sources with knowledge of Smith's medical review by the Giants and Eagles told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen that doctors realistically believe the receiver could return Men New England Patriots Jerseys by mid-October if he suffers no setbacks in his rehabilitation.NFC Womens New England Patriots Jerseys East blogESPN.com's Dan Graziano writes about all things NFC East in his division blog.Blog network: NFL NationUnder that projected timeline, Smith likely would begin the season on the PUP (physically unable to play) list, meaning he would be required to miss the first six regular-season games. The Eagles have their bye in Week 7.But a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter that the Eagles expect Smith to contribute early on and not start the season on the PUP list.If Maclin and Smith are healthy, the Eagles will boast one NFL New England Patriots Jerseys of the most talented receiver corps in the NFL. DeSean Jackson, who ended his holdout over his contract Monday, is a two-time 1,000-yard Patriots Jersey Youth receiver and Jason Avant caught 50 passes last season.
Tennessee Titans will make Chris Johnson highest-paid RB, GM Mike Reinfeldt says

Dallas Cowboys' Stephen McGee elevates play with game on the line  Dallas
content: Cowboys Flying Under Radar?Sportsnation discusses whether the Cowboys expectations are different this year.Cowboys Flying Under Radar?VIDEO PLAYLIST Cowboys Flying Under Radar?Cowboys Flying Under Radar?Sportsnation discusses whether the Cowboys expectations are different this year.Are Cowboys Super Bowl Contenders?Are Cowboys Super Bowl Contenders?Skip Bayless, Herm Edwards and Bob Glauber debate if the addition of Rob Ryan 49ers Jersey to the Cowboys staff makes the Cowboys Super Bowl contenders.Cowboys Encouraged After Preseason WinCowboys Encouraged After Preseason WinTony Romo looked good in his first game back with all the Cowboys pulling their weightTags: cowboys,  romo,  watkinsHighlight Of The NightHighlight Of The NightCowboys nip Broncos NFL Patriots Jersey with two-point conversionTags: Highlight Of The Night, NFL,  highlight,  Tony Romo,  Tim Tebow,  Cowboys,  BroncosARLINGTON, Texas -- Before Authentic Philadelphia Eagles Jerseys Stephen McGee directed the Dallas Cowboys on a game-winning, fourth-quarter drive Thursday against the Denver Broncos, he had a conversation about his second-quarter interception with Jon Kitna.[+] EnlargeTim Heitman/US PresswireStephen McGee led the Cowboys on a game-winning drive of 65 yards that included a two-point conversion in the preseason opener against Denver."He said there's three things he looks for in a quarterback," McGee said. "A, the quarterback has to be accurate and, B, see how the guy handles adversity."McGee never got to the third point in the locker room after the game but the guess is it is "win the Patriots Jersey Men game."It has not always looked pretty for McGee, but there is something about end-of-game situations that brings out the best in him. Thursday was a prime example of that.The interception can be blamed on poor timing between wide receivers Kevin Ogletree and Jesse Holley. McGee also was responsible for a sack when he held the ball too long knowing the Broncos overloaded one side of the protection with a blitz. He was not necessarily accurate the entire night, either.But trailing by seven points with 5:44 to play, McGee had Official San Francisco 49ers Jersey to take the Cowboys 65 yards for a touchdown and he also knew there would be a two-point conversion play because overtime and preseason go together as well as Bill Maher and the Tea Party.He completed 5 of 7 passes for 52 yards. He completed a 28-yarder to Martin Rucker on fourth-and-6 from the Denver 34. His next fourth-down completion came from the Denver 13 with 15 seconds to play to rookie wide receiver Dwayne Harris for a touchdown.On the two-point conversion, he bought some time with his legs by rolling right and found Rucker for the winning points."We weren't exactly moving up and down the field on offense and we weren't moving it on his first couple of drives," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. "He hung in there."The last time we saw McGee in action, he directed a game-winning drive at Philadelphia on Jan. 2 that ended with a 4-yard touchdown to Jason Witten with 55 seconds to play. On the drive, he completed 4 of 5 passes for 54 yards.[+] EnlargeAP Photo/Eric GayStephen McGee can always look to Tony Romo (left) and Jon Kitna (center) as examples of QBs who weren't supposed to succeed in the NFL.A week earlier on Christmas night at Arizona, filling in for an injured Kitna, he put the Cowboys in position to win with a 37-yard touchdown pass to Miles Austin with 1:41 to play. But then David Buehler missed the point-after attempt and the defense allowed the Cardinals to answer with a winning field goal."Unfortunately we've not had any practice with the 'three' group in a two-minute situation in camp," McGee said. "I just feel like it's a time you've got to step up and make plays. The team's relying San Francisco 49ers Jersey on you, the game's on the line. I think that's fun right there. Not to downplay any other situation; they're all important but I just feel those are fun."As McGee attempts to move up the quarterback food chain, those moments will buy him time. Kitna, who turns 39 next month, remains the Cowboys' No. 2 quarterback but he is in the final year of his contract and understands retirement is not too far away.McGee has to fit in where he can get in. That's Patriots Jersey Kids the life of a No. 3 quarterback. He has admitted to some frustration during camp because he is working with rookies and untested players unfamiliar with the offense. Some plays look uglier than others because they don't know where they're going. The evaluation of McGee can be skewed because what might look like a poor pass could be a poor route or missed blocking assignment.In McGee's meeting room he can look at Kitna, Tony Romo, Wade Wilson and Garrett as examples of perseverance. None came in with much hope of lasting when they joined the NFL but all excelled when called upon.More on the CowboysCalvin Watkins, Tim MacMahon and Todd Archer have the Dallas Cowboys blanketed for ESPN Dallas. BlogCowboys Camp Home ESPN Dallas   Camp chats So on what will probably be a forgettable August night whenever the Cowboys' season ends in 2011, for McGee it was as important a moment as Authentic San Francisco 49ers Jersey he could have."He's got some moxie to him," tight end Jason Witten said. "I think obviously there a lot of plays he can correct, but it's hard to do what he did and he's done that consistently the last couple of years where he's stepped in and made plays. There's something to be said with the way he plays and competes and I'm proud of him. He's going to have a chance because of that."McGee just doesn't know when the next chance will come.

New York Jets' Plaxico Burress won't play Monday; MRI confirms sprain  New York
content: FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Plaxico Burress underwent an MRI on Friday morning on his injured left ankle, which confirmed that he has a sprain, the New York Jets wide receiver said Friday afternoon. Burress sat out of all but the stretching portion of the afternoon practice and was later taken inside for treatment on the injury."Everyone knows I want to get out on the field," said Burress, who turned 34 Friday.But the Jets aren't ready to let him play. Earlier in the day, Womens New England Patriots Jerseys coach Rex Ryan said that Burress would not play in Monday's preseason game in Houston."We don't want it to linger and we think that if we just chill him until Wednesday, he should be fine," Ryan said.New York Jets: Training campHere's all your news from Jets camp:Jets Center  Blog  Photos Ryan said that the trainers were concerned that if Burress flew to Houston with the team it could cause the ankle to swell. He will not practice with the team until next week, when he expects to be 100 percent."I think we were all anxious to see him out there but I want to see him out there at 100 percent, not 80 percent," Ryan said. "If we had to play a (regular-season) game he would definitely play."The Jets initially said that Burress would miss one or two practices after rolling his ankle at the start of camp, but Youth New England Patriots Jerseys he participated in team drills only once, sneaking into the first rep on Sunday and again on Monday. On Tuesday, Ryan said Burress experienced some swelling, and Burress admitted his ankle is taking longer to heal than he expected."Yes, probably a couple days longer than what I expected," Burress said. "But it's a sprain, it's the preseason, I mean Rex's whole mindset is, 'Hey, if we have the chance to get it 100 percent now, let's just do it right one time.'"Burress hasn't played Men New England Patriots Jerseys football in two seasons after serving time in jail for carrying an unlicensed handgun into a Manhattan nightclub, where he accidentally shot himself. Ryan said he isn't yet concerned about the fact that the new $3 million receiver hasn't gotten involved in team drills yet."He knows how to play football. I'm Patriots Jersey not concerned right now," Ryan said. "Now, if it goes on I have to answer the question next week, the week after, whatever, I don't think we're going to have those issues."Ryan said he didn't think the ankle injury was a continuation of some problems Burress had while playing for the Giants. His prior ankle trouble was with the right ankle. Burress said the injuries were completely different."I know the difference between pain and soreness," Burress said. "This is just soreness. The other ankle that I hurt I tore the tendon completely off the bone. There was nothing that could be done for that, (just) surgery and rest. But this is just a minor sprain."And if I Kids New England Patriots Jerseys remember the Patriots Jersey Youth last time I had a NFL New England Patriots Jerseys little tweaked ankle in training camp, I won Patriots Jersey Womens the Super Bowl."

New York Giants GM Jerry Reese defends moves, guarantees playoffs  New York
content: Reese Bold Prediction Too Bold?Sportsnation discusses whether Giants general manager Jerry Reese's guarantee that the Giants will make the playoffs is too bold.Reese Bold Prediction Too Bold?VIDEO PLAYLIST Reese Bold Prediction Too NFL Patriots Jersey Bold?Reese Bold Prediction Too Bold?Sportsnation discusses whether Giants general manager Jerry Reese's guarantee that the Giants will make the playoffs is too bold.N.Y. SportsCenterN.Y. SportsCenterRays rock Sabathia; Mets fall in PhoenixTags: yankees,  mets,  st john,  sabathiaFree Agent Follow-UpFree Agent Follow-UpGiants GM Jerry Reese talks on all the departures and additions made this offseason and sheds light on the latest Osi Umenyiora dealings.Schefter Recaps Tough G-Men OffseasonSchefter Recaps Tough G-Men OffseasonESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter joins SportsCenter to talk about the Giants rough offseasonEAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Jerry Reese knows what the perception is of the New York Giants' 2011 season so far. Fans are screaming for blood after Reese lost out on Plaxico Burress, Kevin Patriots Jersey Men Boss and now Steve Smith in free agency. But the general manager says the Giants are going to be just fine. In fact, he confidently says the Giants will return to the postseason for the first time in three years."We won 10 games last year; it wasn't like we were 6-10," Reese said. "We expect to build off that. If we made a couple of plays here and there last year, we would have been in the playoffs. And who knows what would have happened? But it didn't happen, so we will make the plays this time and we'll get in the playoffs and make a run."New York Giants: Training campHere's all your news from Giants camp:Giants Center  Blog  Photos  Considering that the Giants' biggest moves thus far have been re-signing running back Ahmad Bradshaw and defensive end/linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka, while adding free-agent center David Baas, frustration has been boiling to the point where it feels as if angry fans will be trying to storm the Giants facility doors with pitchforks and torches."It seems like people are in a panic about the perception (that) we are not doing San Francisco 49ers Jersey a lot," Reese said in his first meeting with reporters since the start of training camp. "We had a game plan, we stuck to our game plan.""When I say sticking to our game plan, we made responsible offers and if those offers weren't good enough, we would move on," Reese clarified. "The proof's in the pudding. We'll see when we get out there. We feel like we have a strong squad." While teams like the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots went on spending sprees and orchestrated blockbuster trades, the Giants have chosen to add a few pieces here and there while hoping that several of their young players on the roster will step up and fill holes.They brought in Burress for a visit before he joined the Jets for a fully guaranteed one-year, $3.017 million contract. Boss was expected to re-sign until the tight end left for a four-year deal with the Raiders worth $16 million, with $8 million guaranteed. And then Smith visited with the team on Monday and Tuesday and had his surgically repaired knee examined. Smith ended up signing with the Eagles for a one-year deal reportedly worth $4 million, with $2 million guaranteed. Reese said he made "responsible offers" to those players."Sometimes it doesn't work out the way you want it to work out,
" Reese said. "We will play the hand we are dealt and we will win with it." Some wonder, though, how the Giants will close the gap between themselves and their division nemesis Philadelphia. The Eagles have beaten the Giants in six straight games and now have added players like 49ers Jersey Nnamdi Asomugha, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Ronnie Brown and Smith.Still, Reese sees no reason why he needs to go out and make some big headline-grabbing transaction."Look at how many big sexy moves the Green Bay Packers made last year. ... I don't remember a lot," Reese said. "Who won before? Pittsburgh? How many big sexy moves did they have? You develop players. The making a splash, the big sexy move, I don't know if that always Authentic Philadelphia Eagles Jerseys works. I don't Authentic San Francisco 49ers Jersey know if all the big sexy moves are the right way to go."Reese restructured several contracts to get under the salary cap to re-sign Bradshaw and others. He modified the deals of Brandon Jacobs, Antrel Rolle and Corey Official San Francisco 49ers Jersey Webster. "Obviously you have to stay in the confines of (the) salary cap but our cap situation is we are flexible," Reese said. "We can still do some things if we need to do something in respect to the salary cap."The Giants, though, have to keep some flexibility in case something happens later in the season. As for how his free agency is going, Reese defended several of his moves thus far. The general manager believes he solidified the Giants with moves like adding Baas at center, re-signing a key backup like offensive lineman Kevin Boothe and signing punter Steve Weatherford to compete with Matt Dodge.He also is counting on one of his several young receivers to step up and give Patriots Jersey Kids the Giants a third receiver to go with Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham. Reese is banking on tight end Travis Beckum to replace Boss in the receiving game and for former second-round pick Will Beatty to start at left tackle. Reese is confident his vaunted defensive line will remain stout, as he expects Osi Umenyiora to remain a Giant this season.   But Reese understands that explaining that young players like Linval Joseph will step up at defensive tackle just isn't as tantalizing as signing a recognizable free-agent talent.He knows the perception is that the Giants have taken a step back. But the general manager respectfully disagrees."I'm not bothered by that," Reese said of the perception that the Giants are not better than last year. "That's mostly fans who say that kind of stuff and really don't understand the process. We have good players on the team. We are not looking to go out and make every sexy splash that can be made.""We will make solid football decisions," he added. "That has been happening for a long time. You can go to any camp and the fans are saying that about their football team. That is what fans do and that is what makes fans great."Even those fans who criticized Reese for drafting Smith and Boss are those same fans who now scream at Reese for letting those two go elsewhere."Come up to my office and let me show you some of my mail I get and I will show you 'under the microscope,'" Reese said of being scrutinized. "It is pretty vicious in the very beginning, some of the mail I got. But this is a big boy sport. If you have thin skin in this market, in the National Football League period, then you are in the wrong job. I'm tougher than I look."

Former Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive coordinator Corwin Brown taken to hospital with self-inflicted gunshot wound
content: GRANGER, Ind. -- Former Notre Dame football defensive coordinator and NFL player Corwin Brown was taken from his home Friday night with a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a nearly seven-hour standoff, police said.St. Joseph County Metro Homicide Commander Kids New England Patriots Jerseys Tim Corbett said Friday night he did not know whether Brown's injuries were life-threatening.Police say they heard gunshots inside the home shortly after they arrived about 1 p.m. in response to a reported domestic dispute. Brown's wife and children exited the house sometime later and police say they began trying to talk him out using cellphones and a bullhorn.Police said Brown, who was a tri-captain of the Michigan football team in 1992, asked to talk to several friends during the standoff. Shortly before it ended, someone could be heard saying through the bullhorn: "Be a Michigan man today. Step up to your obligation."Several seconds later the person said: "Please don't let me down. Please!"Moments later a fire truck and ambulance rushed to the front of the house. The ambulance left moments later.Police would not identify the person who had been talking to Brown.Police said Brown's wife, Melissa, had a bruise on her head when she left the house earlier in the day. Their children were not hurt.Police could be heard urging Brown, 41, throughout the day to give up or to give them a call. "We'd appreciate it if you'd let us know you're OK," one officer said through the bullhorn.Sgt. Matt Blank, a St. Joseph County police spokesman, said Brown came out of the house several times during the standoff only to go back inside."Just calm down and put your hands in the air," a police officer said when he came out about 4:45 p.m. Several moments later, Brown could be spotted inside in a window closing the blinds.Blank said no shots were fired by police during the standoff.Officers blocked off entrances to the subdivision about 10 miles northwest of the Notre Dame campus in South Bend, and blocked access Patriots Jersey to the Brown home from about three houses away. Police at one point provided an escort as a family left their home next door.Brown was drafted in the fourth round of the 1993 NFL draft out of the University of Michigan, where he was co-captain and all-Big Ten his senior year. Brown played eight seasons in the NFL as a defensive back with the Patriots, Jets and Detroit Lions, from 1993-2000.Before coming to Notre Dame, Patriots Jersey Youth Brown was an assistant with the New York Jets and at the University of Virginia.He was Notre Dame's defensive coordinator from 2007 to 2009. He was fired along with most of the rest of the staff when Charlie Weis was fired. He coached defensive backs with the New England Patriots last season but was not retained.
President Obama gracious to Green Bay Packers despite love of Chicago Bears
 Packers Visit White HousePresident Obama welcomes the World Champion Green Bay Packers to the White HouseTags: NFL,  White House,  President Obama,  Packers,  Green BayPackers Visit White HouseWASHINGTON --  Welcoming the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers to the White House was no easy task for President Barack Obama.The president is a die-hard fan of the Packers' rivals, the Chicago Bears, the team Womens New England Patriots Jerseys Green Bay beat in last year's conference championship game to move on to the Super Bowl.AP Photo/Pablo Martinez MonsivaisThe Packers presented President Obama not only with a personalized jersey Friday but also a certificate for a share Youth New England Patriots Jerseys in the publicly owned team."I'm just gonna come out and say it," Obama said. "This hurts a little bit. This is a hard thing for a Bears fan to do. It doesn't hurt as much as the NFC championship game hurt, but it still hurts."But in the spirit of sportsmanship, the president welcomed the Packers and some of their fans to the White House Friday. He praised the team for overcoming a slew of injuries throughout the season as Patriots Jersey Womens they marched toward their fourth Super Bowl victory. And he recognized their work in the Green Bay community, citing their millions of dollars raised for charity, scholarships given to local students, and support of service members and their families.The Packers visit to the White House had been delayed because of the National Football League lockout, which ended last month.Obama singled out Packers cornerback Charles Woodson -- but not for his skill on the football field. Seifert: D.C. Trip Worth The WatchJokes about his Bears allegiance, an Aaron Rodgers trade and Clay Matthews' hair highlighted a good White House visit for the Packers as the champions met Barack Obama, ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert writes. BlogWhen Obama traveled to Wisconsin in January, just before the Super Bowl, he received several Packers gifts, including a jersey signed by Woodson that read: "See you at the White House. Go Packers.""Charles, you're a man of your word," Obama said Friday during a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House.The players then presented Obama not only with a personalized Packers jersey, NFL New England Patriots Jerseys but also a certificate for a share in the team. The Packers are Men New England Patriots Jerseys publicly owned, and more than 100,000 stockholders hold shares in the team.Once he was made a part owner, the president had some suggestions for the team -- namely trading their quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers to his beloved Bears. No word on how that suggestion was playing in Obama's hometown, and with Bears quarterback Jay Cutler.Packers linebacker Desmond Bishop traveled to Washington Friday, but wrote on his Twitter account that he didn't get to meet Obama.Bishop accidently left his ID on the plane."Just found some extra motivation tweeples," Bishop wrote. "I forgot my id on plane so won't get access to see @barackobama. This time! But next year ;)"