Belichick has no plans to retire
February 3, 2012
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)—Bill Belichick says he’s focusing on Sunday’s Super Bowl andnot thinking about retiring after 37 years as a coach in the NFL.
In his final news conference before the New England Patriots face the NewYork Giants, he was asked on Friday if winning his sixth NFL championship as anassistant or head coach might influence him to retire.
New England Patriots head coac… AP – Feb 3, 9:10 am EST New England Patriots head coac… AP – Feb 3, 9:03 am EST 1 of 2 NFL Gallery
He didn’t answer directly but said he still enjoys coaching young playersand veterans and likes preparing them for games and the games themselves.
“It beats working,” said Belichick, who turns 60 on April 16.
He also said that tight end Rob Gronkowski, recovering from a high leftankle sprain, appeared to have no setbacks from his first Super Bowl practice onThursday.
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No setbacks for Gronkowski in practice
February 3, 2012
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)—Rob Gronkowski hasn’t had any setbacks after his firstpractice on his injured left ankle.
Coach Bill Belichick said Friday, “I think he was OK this morning” and“we’re certainly moving in the right direction.”
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Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski was without the walking boot he wore last week.(Getty Images)
The All-Pro tight end practiced for the Super Bowl for the first time on alimited basis Thursday since suffering a high ankle sprain 11 days earlier inthe Patriots 23-20 win over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC championship game.
“I don’t think we had any setbacks,” Belichick said of Gronkowski, who hasbeen getting treatment “morning, noon and night” and has improved every day.
The Patriots last practice for Sunday’s championship game against the NewYork Giants was scheduled for later Friday. They plan a walk through onSaturday.
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Doctor clears Colts’ Manning to play
February 3, 2012
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)—Peyton Manning is cleared to play football. Still not soclear is whether it will be with the Indianapolis Colts.
He got the good news Thursday while little brother Eli was making finalpreparations to lead the New York Giants against the New England Patriots inSunday’s Super Bowl—something big brother always aims for.
Maybe there’s even a Manning vs. Manning Super Bowl in the offing.
What remains unsettled, though, is Peyton’s status with the Colts andwhether he and team owner Jim Irsay can patch up their very public spat.
At least it’s a possibility now that Manning’s surgeon has given the starquarterback clearance to start taking hits again.
Peyton Manning watches preseason action.(AP)
“Peyton Manning underwent a thorough medical re-evaluation as part of apostoperative visit with his surgeon,” Dr. Robert Watkins said in a statement.“As a result of this examination, Manning is medically cleared to playprofessional football.”
Colts owner Jim Irsay responded to Watkins’ statement by writing on Twitterthat Manning has not been cleared to play by the team because he has not passedits physical. He said the club would issue a statement later Friday.
That’s just another piece of this muddled mess.
The Colts owe Manning a $28 million roster bonus by March 8, they want touse the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft on Manning’s successor and they mustmake key decisions over the next five weeks without knowing yet how much roomthey’ll have under the salary cap.
Manning, who turns 36 in March, had neck surgery in September—his third in19 months.
“We’re in a holding pattern in that respect,” new general manager RyanGrigson said when asked if the uncertainty would prevent the Colts from doingbusiness with their soon-to-be free agents. “Until it is (resolved), we’regoing to go about our business as usual.”
Nobody seems to know how this will play out.
The biggest problem in Manning’s recovery has been regaining the strength inhis throwing arm. That’s something Manning and the Colts have not discussed,and, apparently, it’s not even a topic between the two brothers.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen with Peyton,” Eli Manning said. “Iknow he is rehabbing. He is going to try to get better. I know he wants tocontinue to play football, if that’s an option. The No. 1 priority for him is toget to 100 percent. Until he gets to that position, it’s tough to say what isgoing to happen.”
The Manning circus has dominated the headlines at Indianapolis’ first SuperBowl.
It started with rumors about Manning’s possible retirement, and the Colts’pending statement will certainly keep Peyton in the headlines—and overshadowhis brother’s quest for a second Super Bowl title—for a fifth consecutive day.
The question is whether the Colts are willing to pay a 36-year-oldquarterback who has had three neck surgeries in 19 months.
And there have been growing indications the Colts may be ready to part withtheir longtime franchise player, though Irsay will make the final call.
“You can’t do things to where you are going to hurt the whole franchisewith other decisions that you know might hurt at the moment, but in the end theyhelp the sum of the parts,” Grigson said. “It is a tough deal in thisbusiness, and it happens at every position. It happens with coaching, it happenswith people in personnel and it is completely part of the process and thebusiness.”
Irsay and Manning are scheduled to meet again next week.
Last month, the Colts fired vice chairman Bill Polian, general manager ChrisPolian, coach Jim Caldwell and most of Caldwell’s assistants. The flurry ofmoves prompted Manning to go public with his complaints, which drew a strongrebuke from Irsay.
The two appeared to mend fences Friday.
But the onslaught of Manning news just keeps coming.
“It’s hard not to pay attention. It seems to be all over the newseverywhere and I don’t live in a cave,” said Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck,the presumed successor to Manning.
“You never really replace someone like that,” he added. “He (Manning) issuch an iconic sports figure especially for this city, this area. From what Iunderstand, he’s done so many great things outside of football and in thecommunity.”
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Packers name Clements off. coordinator
February 3, 2012
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP)—The Green Bay Packers didn’t have to look far to findtheir new offensive coordinator, promoting quarterbacks coach Tom Clements toreplace Joe Philbin.
Clements has coached the Packers’ quarterbacks since 2006, Mike McCarthy’sfirst year in Green Bay. Philbin left to become the Miami Dolphins’ head coachlast month.
“Tom has been an integral part of our success and our staff, making it anobvious decision to promote him to offensive coordinator,” McCarthy said in astatement. “He has earned this opportunity and we look forward to continuedoffensive success in 2012.”
The offensive-minded McCarthy calls his own plays, but relies on hisoffensive coordinator to plan during the week and help make adjustments duringgames.
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has gone out of his way to credit Clementsfor helping his development. Clements’ name was linked to open jobs in the NFLand college football in recent months.
“I’m happy that it’s happened and I’m happy for Joe that he’s a head coach,and I’m glad I was able to step into his place,” Clements said. “I’ve been acoordinator before, only for a few years. I’ve always wanted to get back todoing that and I’m thankful that it’s here in Green Bay.”
Before coming to Green Bay, Clements was the Buffalo Bills’ offensivecoordinator from 2004-05.
Clements has 19 seasons of coaching experience, including 15 in the NFL.
He was a three-year starter at quarterback for Notre Dame, guiding the Irishto a national championship in 1973. He played 12 seasons in the CanadianFootball League.
Clements earned a law degree from Notre Dame in 1986 and practiced law forfive years before beginning his coaching career as an assistant with the Irish.
Clements has been quarterbacks coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers (2001-03),Kansas City Chiefs (2000) and New Orleans Saints (1997-99).
Under Clements, Rodgers has passed 17,037 yards in his first four seasons asa starter.
In 2011, Rodgers set the NFL single-season record for passer rating (122.5)and set team records with 45 touchdown passes, 4,643 yards passing and a 68.3completion percentage.
Clements has also helped develop backup Matt Flynn, who is expected to drawinterest from other teams looking for a new starter in the offseason.
“I think it’s a great opportunity,” Clements said. “We have a young team.We’ve had success over the past couple of years. We still have a lot of room togrow and I’m happy to be a part of it.”
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Umenyiora: Absence was honest mistake
February 2, 2012
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)—New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora insists hisabsence from a mandatory media session four days before the Super Bowl was anhonest mistake and not an attempt to blow off the function to spend time withhis family.
A day after the NFL fined him $20,000 for missing the session, Umenyioraattended Thursday’s media availability and once again apologized for his absenceWednesday. He said he spent the hour with his family.
Umenyiora had no problem with the amount of the fine, saying it made sense.
When pressed. the two-time Pro Bowler said the absence wasn’t a big deal,noting it was not like he missed practice or skipped a team meeting for Sunday’sgame against the New England Patriots.
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QB Luck: I want to play right away
February 2, 2012
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)—Quarterback Andrew Luck says he’s ready to start in theNFL next season.
Luck was in Indianapolis on Thursday to work out at the Gatorade SportsScience Institute. It won’t be his last trip to Indy.
He’ll return in three weeks for the NFL combine and perhaps for good afterApril’s draft. Colts owner Jim Irsay has said he will use the No. 1 overall pickon a quarterback, especially with Peyton Manning’s health still unresolved.
Manning’s surgically-repaired neck sidelined him for the 2011 season, but hesays he’s making progress and has been throwing passes recently. Also, Irsaymust pay a $28 million roster bonus by March 8 or risk losing Manning to freeagency.
Luck says he could co-exist with Manning, but he wants to play right away.
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Martindale to coach Ravens LBs
February 2, 2012
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP)—The Baltimore Ravens have signed former DenverBroncos defensive coordinator Don Martindale to be their linebackers coach.
Martindale takes over for Dean Pees, who was promoted to defensivecoordinator after Chuck Pagano left for Indianapolis.
The 49-year-old Martindale has coached for seven years in the NFL. He lastserved as Denver’s defensive coordinator in 2010 after spending a year as theteam’s linebacker coach. He also worked with Oakland’s linebackers from2004-2008.
Martindale also worked as defensive coordinator at Western Kentucky andWestern Illinois.
He inherits a linebacking crew that includes two of the best in the game,Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs. Martindale says signing up with Baltimore was “ano-brainer,” adding, “I am thrilled to be a part of a proven system.”
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Ill Patriots OT Light finally practices
February 2, 2012
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)—Matt Light has been protecting Tom Brady for 11 yearsand three Super Bowl championships. He’s not about to let a little sickness keephim from trying for a fourth.
The left tackle participated fully in practice Wednesday for the first timesince the New England Patriots arrived in Indianapolis on Sunday evening for thetitle game against the New York Giants.
“I’m feeling better,” Light said. “I was a little under the weather. Weare ready to rock-and-roll for Sunday.”
And fight?
Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora and Light got into a scrape in theregular-season finale in 2007 and again in the eighth game this season.
“This is maybe my second or third time playing against Matt Light,”Umenyiora said. “There is no hatred there. Some of the things he has done, Iwish he wouldn’t have, but at the end of the day, we’re both professionals andhe seems to be a good guy.”
Light has had plenty of time to learn the tricks of the tackle trade sincethe Patriots drafted him in 2001 in the first round out of Purdue, not far fromthe Super Bowl site.
Play to the whistle and beyond. Shove and scratch in a pile. Deliver aforearm to the back while on the ground.
All are tactics offensive linemen might use on players they’re trying toblock.
Light has faced Umenyiora three times, including a 17-14 Giants win in theSuper Bowl four years ago, and may have developed a mini-rivalry with him.
“Can you have an individual rivalry?” Light said. “I thought rivalrieswere between teams in general. But I’m ready to go out there and play whatevergame I have to play. We’ll have fun doing it. I’m not sure that comes at apersonal level.”
The one person he’s most concerned about is Brady, the Patriots greatesthope of success.
Light has done an outstanding job protecting his quarterback’s blind sidethroughout their careers. Those two and running back Kevin Faulk are the onlycurrent Patriots with four Super Bowl appearances and three championships.
“It’s hard to believe that in one career you can go to this thing fivetimes,” Light said. “It never gets old and is always a lot of fun. To haveguys that have been with you the whole time is something you never forget.”
After watching Light excel for 11 seasons, coach Bill Belichick can stillappreciate his steadiness.
“Matt has been a real solid guy for us at left tackle since we drafted himin 2001,” Belichick said. “He’s gone up against a lot of great players playingon that left side. He’s battled them. He’s tough, and he’s smart. He has realgood technique, footwork and hand placement.”
For seven seasons, guard Logan Mankins has been lining up next to Light.Coordinating their blocking is second nature to them.
And now that Light is healthy enough to practice, they should keep doingthat on Sunday.
“The good part is he was sick a week before the game,” Mankins said.“He’s got all week to recover and feel the best that he can. He had those twodays off to rest. We’ll give him all the time he needs so that he’s at fullstrength on Sunday.”
Before Wednesday, Light last practiced on Friday. The Patriots held meetingsand film sessions on Tuesday but didn’t practice. There are two more practicesbefore a walkthrough on Saturday.
“Every guy upfront has a job to do,” Light said. “Keeping (Brady) uprightis a big part of that.”
Even if it might mean forsaking good sportsmanship.
“He just does all that extra pushing and tries to hit you over the pile andstuff like that,” Umenyiora said. “At the end of the day, I’m not paying anyattention to that anymore. We’re just going to go out and play and that’s justgoing to be the end of it.”
His illness kept Light from media day Tuesday, but Umenyiora passed on somegood—if not entirely sincere—wishes.
“Yeah, `Matt Light, please get well soon. I hope to see you on Sunday. Youare one of my greatest friends.’ “
Light acted surprised.
“He said that?” the recovering Patriot said. “Wow. I’m feeling better.”
Umenyiora wasn’t feeling so good Wednesday, but not because he was sick. Hewas fined $20,000 by the NFL for missing a mandatory morning media session,saying later that he misunderstood the schedule.
No doubt, Light and Umenyiora will both show up Sunday.
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Pats TE Gronkowski misses practice again
February 2, 2012
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)—Rob Gronkowski still hasn’t practiced with the NewEngland Patriots for the Super Bowl, sidelined by a high left ankle sprain fourdays before the game against the New York Giants.
“He’s day to day,” coach Bill Belichick said after Wednesday’s practice.“He’s getting better, but we’ll just take it day to day.”
Related content SB XLVI gear Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski was without the walking boot he wore last week.(Getty Images)
The All-Pro tight end hasn’t worked out with his teammates in Indianapolis.The Patriots practiced Monday and Wednesday and held meetings and film sessionsTuesday. Gronkowski also missed the last two practices in Foxborough, Mass., onThursday and Friday.
Gronkowski, who set an NFL single-season record for the position with 17touchdown receptions, was hurt late in the third quarter of the 23-20 win overthe Baltimore Ravens in the AFC championship game Jan. 22.
He had worn a protective boot for a week until shedding it Monday. He saidat Tuesday’s media day his ankle was improving daily. But he wouldn’t say if hewould play Sunday.
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The Patriots practiced in helmets and shells for 2 1-2 hours on Wednesday.
“We had our moments, some good ones and some things we’ve got to work on,”Belichick said. “They’re trying. They’re working hard. We’ve got a ways to go,though.
“We’ve had a little bit of extra time to prepare, so we hit all the areas.I thought we had good tempo and good timing. We’ll back down a little bit thenext couple of days.”
Offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer practiced on a limited basis aftermissing the past seven games with back and foot problems.
“He did a little bit today,” Belichick said. “We’ll see how he doestomorrow.”
Left tackle Matt Light participated in the entire practice after dealingwith an illness upon arriving in Indianapolis on Sunday evening.
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Giants have everyone on practice field
February 2, 2012
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)—The New York Giants had perfect attendance for theirfirst Super Bowl practice in Indiana.
Running back Ahmad Bradshaw, linebacker Jacquian Williams and receiverHakeem Nicks all worked on a limited basis Wednesday at the University ofIndianapolis.
The Giants were loose during their 80-minute workout on at the Greyhounds’FieldTurf practice field—the same type of surface they will play on Sundayagainst the New England Patriots.
“This was a good, spirited, up-tempo practice,” coach Tom Coughlin said.“There are a few things we will clean up, obviously, and we want to be bettertomorrow and build to our best work on Friday.”
Bradshaw, who has been restricted to one practice a week with a broken bonein his right foot, was a surprise participant. Coughlin had said earlier in theday Bradshaw would not practice.
However, the extra time off after the NFC title game win over San Franciscohelped him get back on the field.
Williams injured his right foot against the 49ers. Nicks hurt a shoulder inthat game.
Defensive end Osi Umenyiora (ankle/knee) and cornerback Corey Webster(hamstring) also were limited. They have been nursing those injuries for weeks.
All were observed by a pool reporter in the regular part of practice atclose to full speed, though their practice reps were less than a typical fullload.
It seemed the Giants were eager to get back out on the field. They wereboisterous after the pre-practice stretch and ran from drill to drill.
“I saw that,” said Coughlin. “They’ve been excited about getting back towork for the first time in a few days.”
Coughlin said Bradshaw told trainer Ronnie Barnes he “wants to be a part ofthis” and wanted to be out at the first practice.
“I just hope he’s OK tomorrow,” said Coughlin.
The Giants had to take buses 7 miles from their downtown hotel to thefacility for the 4 p.m. practice. The players will have their final mediasession of the week Thursday at their hotel, then return to the university’spractice facility for another 4 p.m. practice.
They also will practice here Friday and have a short walkthrough Saturday intheir final prep work for Sunday’s game.
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