NFL Capsules - AFC: Texans give extensions to Smith, Kubiak

HOUSTON (AP) ? The Houston Texans announced contract extensions Thursday for general manager Rick Smith and coach Gary Kubiak, rewarding them for taking the team to the playoffs last year for the first time.

Texans owner Bob McNair wanted to maintain continuity with both men in the final years of their current contracts. Smith's extension is for four years, which will keep him with the team through 2016. Kubiak's is a three-year agreement which re-does the last year of his current deal and keeps him under contract through 2014.

"Stability is very important and these people work well together and they are committed to bringing a championship to Houston," McNair said. "That's our goal and what we work for every day. I'm real pleased we were able to bring this about."

McNair said he offered Kubiak a four-year deal, but he preferred to make it for three.

"Gary has assured me that with the level of success he's going to have, he's going to be worth a lot more money in three years instead of four. So I had to agree with him," McNair said with a laugh.

McNair wanted to extend the contracts after the team finished 10-6 to win its first AFC South title. He was impressed that Kubiak was able to lead the franchise to the postseason and its first playoff victory despite playing significant time without a number of key players. Outside linebacker Mario Williams and receiver Andre Johnson missed large chunks of the season, and Houston had to rely on rookie third-string quarterback T.J. Yates after starter Matt Schaub and backup Matt Leinart were lost to injuries.

The Texans beat Cincinnati 31-10 in the first-round of the playoffs before a 20-13 loss to the Ravens ended their historic season.

"I think the coaching performance last year of Gary was outstanding with the injuries we had and I don't know how he could have done a better job," McNair said.

Kubiak and Smith were both hired in 2006 after the team finished a franchise-worst 2-14. Smith spent 10 years with Kubiak while the coach was offensive coordinator of the Broncos. Smith was Denver's defensive assistant for four seasons before moving into the front office for his last six years with the Broncos.

The pair has led the transformation of this team, which began play in 2002, from league laughingstock to contender. But the process hasn't been without challenges.

The team went 6-10 in their first year and 8-8 in each of the next two seasons. Expectations were high in 2010 after Houston finished at 9-7 for its first winning record in 2009. But the Texans instead fell to 6-10, which led to many fans calling for Kubiak's firing.

McNair was disappointed by that setback, but still believed Kubiak was the man to lead his team.

"If you coach in this league, especially as a head coach, you're going to go through tough times," Kubiak said. "It's hard to win in this business (but) Bob stayed the course with our program through a very tough time two years ago ... and we were rewarded."

Kubiak loves working for McNair and is looking to build on the team's success in 2012.

"It's an honor. It's a big responsibility," he said of his new contract. "You guys know since the day I walked in here it's been a dream situation for me to come back home and build a winner in Houston. I'm just very thankful that Bob and Janice and their family have entrusted me with this situation and (have) done it again for a few more years."

Smith improved Houston's defense by drafting several key players in the past few years that have developed into starters. He nabbed inside linebacker Brian Cushing in the first round in 2009 and picked up weakside linebacker Connor Barwin in the second round that same year. He drafted cornerback Kareem Jackson in 2010 and added outside linebacker Brooks Reed and defensive end J.J. Watt last season.

He's excited to have several more years to work on building this team.

"One of the things that's important to us is that we're a consistent winner, and it takes time to put processes in place to get players and coaches," Smith said. "We've set the foundation for success and we had a little bit of that last year and I think we're in position to continue that."

McNair is impressed with the growth of Smith and Kubiak since he hired them as what he called "rookies," since neither man had been a head coach or general manager before joining the Texans.

"It takes a little time to learn your job and work with others and determine how things mesh, and I think we have gotten better as we've gone along," McNair said. "They know each other well and they work well together and they listen to each other and I think that's extremely important."

DL Mercilus signs with Texans

HOUSTON (AP) ? The Houston Texans signed first-round pick Whitney Mercilus to a four-year deal on Thursday. Mercilus was the 26th overall pick in this year's draft out of Illinois.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) ? Kenrick Ellis gathered a few things from his locker, joked around with a New York Jets teammate and smiled.

The second-year defensive tackle was relaxed and happy throughout the team's three-day minicamp, giving no indication that he would be headed to a much different place than everyone else planning their vacations after the final practice Thursday.

Ellis is expected to report Friday to a Virginia prison, where he will begin serving a 45-day jail sentence after pleading guilty last month to assault and battery stemming from a 2010 fight while attending college at Hampton University.

"It's a legal issue," Ellis said this week, "and it's over with."

Or, at least, it will be soon. Ellis is thrilled with everything he has accomplished this offseason on the field, impressing his coaches with marked improvement and a resculpted body. All of that will be put on hold for now as he is expected to miss a few days of training camp next month while finishing his sentence.

"He's a strong man," Ryan said. "And I know one thing: He's looking forward to this season. He put so much into this offseason."

In a brief hearing last month in Hampton, Va., Ellis entered an Alford plea, meaning he didn't admit guilt but acknowledged prosecutors could prove the case against him. He was sentenced to 179 days in jail, with 89 suspended, but his attorney, Timothy Clancy, said Ellis likely would serve 45 days. Ellis originally faced a felony malicious wounding charge from the fight and faced up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

"I definitely talked to him," Ryan said. "There are people that have gone through similar things, and I basically said, 'Lean on each other.' That's pretty much it."

Fellow Jets defensive lineman and former Hampton teammate Marcus Dixon has been one of those guys for Ellis. He served 15 months in prison after being convicted in 2003 by a Georgia court of statutory rape and aggravated child molestation. It was a highly publicized case that had many saying Dixon was the victim of a severe injustice.

"He's a grown man and he's going to persevere," Dixon said. "This is a little stepping stone. Whatever happens, he'll do it and come back even better."

After a lost rookie season, Ellis is determined to do just that. Ellis, who preferred to not talk about his legal situation, has been one of the small handful of players Ryan has repeatedly praised this offseason.

"It's nice to hear, definitely," Ellis said before quickly crediting new defensive line coach Karl Dunbar and veteran linemen such as Sione Pouha and Mike DeVito. "They're the ones who really helped me mature within the scheme of the system. I just want to do everything I can to help the team win."

As a third-round pick in the draft last year, Ellis was expected to play a large role in the defense as a rookie. Instead, he played in just five games and made seven tackles.

"As a rookie coming in, you don't know that you don't know," Ellis said. "When you find out that you didn't know, you've got to come in and do what you can from there forth. I was just as raw as they come. I was just green. It was a big transition."

Ryan often talked about how good he thought Ellis could become, and the talent that made him so dominant in college. But Ellis wasn't able to get on the field during games, partially victim of a numbers game and also because he hadn't forced the issue with his play during practice.

"I just tried to do my job the best I could," he said. "I wished I could've been on the field to help out last year, but I wasn't ready. Like I said, I didn't know that I didn't know."

Ellis was also not in great shape, ballooning to nearly 350 pounds. He is below 340 now, thanks to an offseason of intense training with linebacker Bart Scott, who took Ellis under his wing and has also impressed Ryan with his physical condition.

"He showed me what work really meant," Ellis said. "My definition of work wasn't what work really was. I'd just like to thank him in a big way. One of his favorite quotes was always: 'While they're sleeping, we're working.' We worked Saturdays, Sundays, it didn't matter. We were going to get up and go work."

Ellis would routinely get texts or calls from Scott, who would give details about when and where he planned to work out the next morning.

"And I'd say, 'OK, good,' and I'd just show up," Ellis said. "I mean, he's been in the game for 10 years, so what better role model than him?"

The results have been striking, especially in the weight room, where Ellis once struggled to do a single pull-up. Now, the big defensive lineman is doing several sets of pull-ups ? even with 35-pound weights attached to him.

Ellis is also making his presence felt on the field, taking advantage of the offseason workouts and practices he missed out on as a rookie because of the lockout.

"I might be biased, but I'm so proud of him," Dixon said. "That's a Hampton guy, you know what I'm saying? Now that we had OTAs and a full offseason, man, I'm excited to see what he's going to do."

While the prison time might affect his conditioning, Ellis maintains that he'll just work that much harder when he returns to the team.

"I'm still a rookie, man, a young guy and I'm still learning," Ellis said. "I know what I need to do now. Every chance I get and every opportunity I get, I try to soak up as much knowledge as possible. It's not about being just the strongest guy on the field. You want to be one of the smartest, know your job, where you're supposed to be at. It's a beautiful thing."

NOTES: WRs Santonio Holmes and Stephen Hill did individual drills, but did not participate in team drills while recovering from tight hamstrings that limited them throughout minicamp. ... DL Muhammad Wilkerson playfully wagged his finger ? Dikembe Mutombo-style ? after batting down Mark Sanchez's first pass during 11-on-11 drills. ... Defensive backs coach Dennis Thurman said rookie Josh Bush, a sixth-round pick, is the team's No. 4 safety, and Ellis Lankster is the No. 4 cornerback, after impressive offseasons.

-- Dennis Waszak Jr.

Holmgren plans to be more out front with Browns

BEREA, Ohio (AP) ? Mike Holmgren plans a major change in his third season as president of the Cleveland Browns. And it starts at the top of the organization ? with him.

Aware of outside criticism that he's been detached since coming to Cleveland and sensitive to questions about his commitment to the franchise, Holmgren vowed to be more available to the media and fans than he has been since joining the Browns in 2010. Holmgren chose to stay in the background during his first two years so he wouldn't upstage his coach or general manager.

The coach they called "The Big Show" in Green Bay and Seattle for his larger-than-life persona, is moving back out front.

"I want it to help," he said. "I do not want it to be a burden on the coach or our general manager. And if I can help and open things up and make some things a little clearer for our fans, that's my goal and that is my only goal."

With the opening of training camp more than one month away, Holmgren spent nearly an hour Thursday addressing a variety of topics including the team's quarterback competition, rumors owner Randy Lerner plans to sell the Browns, the team's rift with Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown and expectations for next season.

After presenting an award to the 100,000th fan to join the Browns Backers ? Cleveland's global fan club ? Holmgren opened his remarks by explaining his intentions to be more visible during the upcoming season. He said his past reluctance to speak about football matters as a front-office executive stemmed from his time on the sideline.

"As a coach, for a long, long time, anytime the president got involved with football stuff it used to irritate me a little bit," he said. "We had many discussions about that, if something is going to be said about the football, I would like to be the one who says it. I think it's important to have one voice."

Holmgren has assured Browns coach Pat Shurmur and general manager Tom Heckert that he has no intention of interfering with their work. He hired them to run the football team and that's what he'll continue to let them do. However, Holmgren does want to take on a more prominent public role to perhaps make things easier for them.

Holmgren said he's gotten feedback and suggestions to be more accessible.

"I'm hardheaded," said Holmgren, who will turn 64 on Friday. "But I've started to listen to some people I would meet around town saying, 'Gee we would like to hear a little bit more from you about things.' So this year that's what I'm going to try to do."

Holmgren's aware there are risks in expanding his role as president, a job he never held before Browns owner Randy Lerner hired him to fix a franchise that has made just one playoff appearance since 1999. He knows signals may get crossed, but he's going to do all he can to make sure everyone's on the same page.

"There can't be any controversies created by things that I would say or Pat would say or Tom would say," he said. "The hard part about it is at times there will be a little thing that comes out and it will be easy to say 'wait a minute' ? he said 'this' and he said 'this.' That's kind of the danger of this a little bit. But as long as they know I have their back."

A portion of Cleveland's fan base has painted Holmgren as disconnected, a perception he unintentionally reinforced by doing a radio interview on a Seattle station last season. Some fans wondered if his heart was into the job, questioning his loyalty.

But Holmgren made it clear he's dedicated to building the Browns into perennial winners.

"You have to have thick skin in this business," he said. "But when I heard that, I was sensitive to that and it bothered me because if anything I think I care probably too much. I'm committed. I made promises to our owner and he's kept his promises to me.

"I'm committed here."

Holmgren is in the third year of a five-year contract. He doesn't have any regrets about his first two seasons in Cleveland ? other than the fact the Browns have gone just 9-23 since his arrival. However, he's convinced the worst is over and believes the Browns, coming off a 4-12 season, can make a "good, healthy jump" next season.

"I know we're a better football team," he said. "We're a more talented football team. There's more continuity on the coaching staff, we've had the offseason program, but I believe we're a more talented football team. We've added some things, we're coming together nicely."

As always, Cleveland's burning offseason issue is at quarterback, a position the club hopes it solved by drafting Brandon Weeden in April. Although Shurmur has not named the 28-year-old rookie as his starter, it's only a matter of time before Weeden gets the job.

Holmgren has been impressed with Weeden's performance during minicamp and OTAs but stressed there are no certainties.

"His skill level is excellent," Holmgren said. "He passes the ball easily. He is as prepared to come in and start as a rookie as any quarterback I've seen in a long time because of his maturity level and his age. He's already been through a whole bunch of competitive situations."

On other topics:

? Holmgren said "right now" the plan is not to move either quarterback Colt McCoy or Seneca Wallace off the Browns' roster but "that's not to say we might not change something." Earlier this week, Wallace said he didn't think all three QBs would be on Cleveland's roster for training camp.

Holmgren said his long history with Wallace, who played for him in Seattle, would not factor into any decision on the backup.

? Holmgren would like to patch up the team's rift with Brown, the greatest Cleveland Brown of them all. Brown, who was removed as an advisor by Holmgren, has been critical of the organization since leaving. He skipped a Ring of Honor ceremony in Cleveland last year and called first-round draft pick Trent Richardson an "ordinary" running back.

"How the Browns view Jim Brown hasn't changed and will never change," Holmgren said. "I would love to see Jim Brown walk in right now, be a part of this. I would welcome him with open arms."

? Holmgren reiterated the Browns are not for sale, further refuting a rumor last week that Lerner had the team on the market.

"No, the Browns are not for sale," he said. "I talk to Randy all the time, and I assume he'd tell me. We have a very open, honest relationship. No, there's no truth to that."

-- Tom Withers

Manning looks good heading into break before camp

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) ? What Tom Moore saw this week was oh, so familiar. Short or long, the throws were potent and precise, smacking sternums with both authority and a loud thwack. Peyton Manning is most certainly back.

The Denver Broncos wrapped up their three-day minicamp that capped their offseason work Thursday with another spirited practice marked by precision and power from their new 36-year-old quarterback. On hand as a guest all week was Moore, Manning's offensive coordinator for all but one season when the two were in Indianapolis.

"Watching these three days, he looked excellent to me," said Moore.

Manning has shown no ill effects of the nerve issue that caused weakness in his throwing arm last year, required four neck operations, forced him to miss the entire 2011 season and led to his release from the Colts.

The biggest free agent in NFL history looks better and better every day as he regains strength and adjusts to his new team.

"We don't think about the injury anymore," said receiver Brandon Stokley, who played with Manning in Indianapolis. "And I'm not sure he does, either."

The Broncos took a chance by signing the league's only four-time MVP to a five-year, $96 million deal in March, and with offseason on-field work out of the way and training camp seven weeks away, all indications are they're getting the Peyton Manning of old.

Manning said he wishes he could have tripled the 13 offseason practices they were allowed to hold, but he cherished the time nonetheless.

Over the last two months, he's shown both himself and John Elway, who recruited him to this quarterback-crazed town, that he still has plenty left in his right arm that has thrown for 54,828 yards and 399 touchdowns and hoisted a Super Bowl trophy.

Manning averaged 42 passes a game in his last full season, in 2010, but the Broncos don't plan on having him air it out that much. They're meshing some of the power formations they used in leading the league in rushing last year with some of the spread formations that Manning was accustomed to running in Indianapolis.

The reconstruction of both quarterback and offense appears to be going very well, indeed. Manning has given the Broncos no reason to hold back once training camp rolls around, offensive coordinator Mike McCoy said.

"We're going fullspeed ahead. We're being aggressive with everything we're doing," McCoy said. "He's fine. We have no concerns right now. We're not worrying about it. We're moving forward."

With his arm strength not really an issue, the question facing Manning is whether he can get his timing down with his new targets.

"There's lots of things that enter into it, obviously, accuracy, anticipation, touch, arm strength, you know, it's an all-involved thing," Moore said. "He looks good. He looks excellent."

Manning is loath to declare himself injury-free, insisting he has much work to do in his rehab just as he does in preparing for the 2012 season.

"You don't really expect him to say anything else," Stokley said. "That's just kind of his persona, it's all about work every day, trying to get better. No matter if he's having one of his best years ever as a quarterback. Even during his MVP years, he's still saying the same stuff: 'Just trying to get better every day.'"

Moore said Manning's well-known work ethic is what will push him through this season.

"Nobody works harder than him," Moore said. "On anything. Anything. I mean, his work habits are fantastic. He'll be successful his entire life at whatever he does. Because of his work ethic and his dedication and his commitment to what he's doing."

When he was asked this week whether the Broncos had the potential to be as potent as the Colts were under his stewardship, Manning demurred.

"I'm not doing the comparison game to the other offenses," he said. "I think what we're trying to do right now is form our identity. And I don't think that necessarily happens over 14 practices in May and June. I do think over training camp and into the preseason, I think hopefully we'll get a feel for the things that we really do well."

Even if Manning's right arm isn't 100 percent this season, his mind is, Stokley said, noting that while "he's never had the strongest arm," nobody can decipher a defense and then pick it apart like Manning.

Manning's arrival has had its anticipated ripple effect on both the offense and defense, and most of the six practices the media were allowed to watch were crisp. If anything, Manning's throws were sometimes too strong, sailing over his receivers' heads.

Stokley said Manning is the ultimate leader because everybody around him gets better. He saw it in Indy and he's witnessing it now in Denver.

"Whatever he asks, guys will do, because they've seen what it can lead to. It can lead to great things for teams and individuals," Stokley said. "There's no questioning him. It's not phony with him. You see it firsthand, how hard he works, how hard he prepares.

"And it's by far more and harder than anybody that's ever played this game. There's no question in my mind that nobody else has even come close to putting in the kind of effort and work that he's put into the NFL."

NOTES: Moore, 73, who was a consultant with the Jets last year, had his right knee replaced in the spring and will have his left one fixed in August. "So, next season I'd like to coach again," he said. "I'll be in good shape."

-- Arnie Stapleton

Chiefs' defense ends offseason program in style

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) ? Matt Cassel misfired on a couple of throws, and the Kansas City defense stuffed the offense during a mock 2-minute drill that ended with a missed field goal Thursday ? an ominous conclusion to the Chiefs' mandatory three-day minicamp.

Unless, of course, you were wearing the red jerseys of the defense.

"Hey, offense sells tickets, they win games, but defense wins championships," said former Oakland Raiders cornerback Stanford Routt, who signed with the Chiefs in the offseason. "That's the way football's always been."

The haphazard performance by the Chiefs' offense on a steamy June morning notwithstanding, coach Romeo Crennel said he was pleased with Kansas City's entire offseason program.

The Chiefs had near-perfect attendance during voluntary workouts, with the only significant player absent for the duration being wide receiver Dwayne Bowe. He has yet to sign his franchise tender, which means he was also exempt from the mandatory minicamp.

The flotilla of guys who missed nearly all of last season due to injury appeared to have made headway in their rehab. Pro Bowl safety Eric Berry missed minicamp due to family issues, but tight end Tony Moeaki and All-Pro running back Jamaal Charles were itching to get back on the field.

All three of them tore the ACL in their left knee by Week 2 last year.

Linebacker Brandon Siler didn't even make it that far ? he tore his Achilles tendon during training camp. But even he was able to participate almost fully in offseason workouts.

"I feel like we've made progress during the offseason," said Crennel, who took over for the fired Todd Haley on an interim basis last season, and then was given the full-time job.

"I'm encouraged by the installation of the offense, installation of the special teams, and defensively we looked at some things we don't normally do, so I was encouraged there."

The Chiefs made plenty of headway in learning the system run by new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, even though more than one player acknowledged during offseason workouts that their "head was spinning" trying to pick up the terminology and scheme.

Fortunately for the rookies, they at least had that opportunity this year.

The group of players coming out of last year's draft were basically handed a playbook and sent on their way because of the NFL lockout. In many cases, they arrived at camp in August and were out of shape physically or grossly behind in learning their team's system.

Sometimes they were both.

"I had these guys around me helping me out, so it wasn't bad for me," said defensive tackle Dontari Poe, the Chiefs' first-round draft pick. "You just come in here the first couple days and it was a lot to go in, let alone go out there in full pads for full-on training camp.

"I'm glad I'm coming in a year after the lockout."

The lockout may have set back last year's crop of rookies, but wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin ? the Chiefs' first-round pick in 2011 ? appeared to have caught up during minicamp.

Baldwin got off to a slow start after hurting his hand during a locker-room incident with departed running back Thomas Jones. But he came on late in the year, and has showed over the past few weeks the playmaking potential the Chiefs saw out of him in college.

It's helped his cause that Bowe remains a no-show.

Baldwin took virtually every snap with the first-team offense while Bowe waits to sign his tender. Bowe has said he'll be on the field when Kansas City reports to camp in St. Joseph, Mo., late next month, but he's already fallen behind in learning the new offense.

Make no mistake, Bowe provides the big-play potential that the Kansas City offense could have used during its mock 2-minute drill at the conclusion of Thursday's practice.

Even though players weren't wearing pads, they were still going close to full speed, giving the first real glimpse at how things are shaping up for next season. Cassel was off target on a few throws, and the defense managed to blanket Baldwin and wide receiver Steve Breaston.

When kicker Ryan Succop trotted onto the field, he yanked his attempt wide left.

The backup offense fared little better behind quarterback Ricky Stanzi. His completion to rookie wide receiver Aaron Weaver resulted in Weaver being tackled in bounds, and the game clock expiring before the offense could get off another play.

A disappointing way to end an otherwise successful offseason program? Only if you're looking at things from the offensive side of the ball.

"That's what the game is all about. Somebody has to leave here that way," Breaston said. "At the end of the season our defense was one of the best out there, so I hope they do that every game this year. We'll be all right."

-- Dave Skretta

Raiders wrap up offseason program

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) ? After spending most of the past two months installing an entirely new playbook on offense and defense and building a relationship between a new coaching staff and players, the Oakland Raiders ended their offseason program.

The team held its final minicamp practice and meetings on Thursday before splitting up for the next six weeks. When new coach Dennis Allen next gathers his entire team, it will be to start training camp in Napa on July 29.

"I was pleased with the progress," Allen said. "Obviously, we're not near where we need to be yet, it's always going to be a work in progress. But I specifically thought over the last couple of days that I could kind of feel that we were kind of figuring out what we were asking them to do and I thought the guys really responded over the last couple of days."

Most of the players will head home for the next six weeks before reconvening in Napa. Injured players can rehab at the facility but coaches are not allowed to discuss football at all with the players.

Allen said he was extremely pleased that the team had no major injuries this offseason and everyone on the roster is expected to be healthy and ready to go when camp starts.

The coaches also will take a break after going full bore since the staff started getting put together less than five months ago.

"We got to relax and recharge and our coaches have put a lot of time and effort in this offseason, starting up a whole new program," Allen said. "For them to have a successful season and for them to be at their best they've got to have time to recharge, too. So we'll take some time off, get away from football for a little bit and we'll be back and ready to roll for training camp."

The Raiders are implementing entirely new systems this offseason as part of an overhaul in the first season since the death of longtime owner and architect of the franchise, Al Davis.

Reggie McKenzie was hired as general manager in January to run the front office and he gave Allen his first head coaching job at any level. Allen brought in new coordinators in Greg Knapp on offense and Jason Tarver on defense, as well as other new assistants, and McKenzie made key changes to the roster.

With an abbreviated offseason program under the new collective bargaining agreement, there wasn't a whole lot of time to implement the changes on the field.

"I personally think we're further along than I thought we would," McKenzie said. "I knew they were going to throw in a lot on both sides of the ball. But it was good to see things going right a whole lot more than wrong as far as coaches yelling and screaming, running a play over and over again. Every day you didn't hear a lot of that. That's a good indication that players are getting it and coaches are coaching it."

Allen said that the staff installed most of the playbook with a few additional wrinkles to be added in training camp. Quarterback Carson Palmer said Knapp "fired everything at us" so he is looking forward to studying these next few weeks to get fully up to speed for camp.

He said he still has plenty of nuances to learn about the running game, protections and the 2-minute drill as he tries to absorb the new system.

"It's a completely new offense, there's really no similarities to anything I've done before," he said. "But I love all the boots and play-actions and all the nakeds and keepers. I'm excited to do that and really those are the things that are going to help the run game. The more the running game moves the chains and the better the run game is, the better everyone else is on the entire team."

NOTES: McKenzie said he expected no problems in getting unsigned rookies OL Tony Bergstrom and WR Juron Criner under contract before training camp. ... McKenzie said there have been discussions about a long-term deal with representatives for S Tyvon Branch, who signed a $6.2 million franchise tag tender last month. "Nobody's slamming the phone on each other so that's positive," McKenzie said. ... McKenzie also said he is comfortable with the status of LB Rolando McClain, who was sentenced to 180 days in jail last month in Alabama after being convicted of third-degree assault, menacing, reckless endangerment and discharging a firearm in the city limits. McClain is appealing the conviction. "I'm not going to hold anything over his head about what he's done in the past. We're only concerned with what he does from here on out," McKenzie said.

-- Josh Dubow

Injured Hampton mentoring McLendon, Ta'amu

PITTSBURGH (AP) ? The somewhat crude white sheet of paper taped to the top of Casey Hampton's locker said "Coach Hamp." And it was not the veteran nose tackle's idea.

Then again, considering what Hampton's doing these days, it's an apt job description.

"It comes with being an old guy," Hampton said with a shrug of his massive shoulders. "Being a coach is part of it."

He certainly looks the part, minus the whistle. The five-time Pro Bowler spent the last few weeks standing off to the side while the rest of the Steelers went through organized team activities and minicamp as he continues to rehab his surgically repaired right knee.

Every once in awhile Hampton would pull backups Steve McLendon or rookie Alameda Ta'amu off to the side and give them a few pointers on what it takes to play in the heart of coordinator Dick LeBeau's 3-4 defense.

Consider Ta'amu all ears. The fourth-round draft pick out of Washington is considered the eventual heir to Hampton, though he'll get at least one season to learn at the foot of one of the greatest nose tackles of his generation.

Ta'amu, who missed all three weeks of OTAs while finishing up school, nodded intently while Hampton gave pointers following one particularly intense drill.

"He's one of those guys you grow up watching," Ta'amu said. "You better be listening when he talks, because he knows how to play this position better than just about anybody."

Just not for much longer, and Hampton knows it. He'll be 35 before the season opener at Denver on Sept. 9 and is now the longest tenured player on the defense following the retirement of defensive end Aaron Smith.

"It's definitely different when you've been with guys for 10-plus years," Hampton said. "That's the nature of the beast, that's how it is. I've seen a lot of guys come and go."

Which is why Hampton's not quite ready to judge the 355-pound Ta'amu just yet. Sure, the kid looks like a nose tackle. It'll be awhile before Hampton decides Ta'amu can play like one.

"Everybody looks good in shorts," Hampton said.

Particularly Hampton, never a fan of football in the springtime. In that way the torn ACL he suffered in the Wild Card loss to Denver has been a blessing. He underwent surgery on Jan. 27 and spent the first few months of the offseason working out in Houston.

Besides, at this point he doesn't really think he needs the practice time.

"I've been in the defense for 12 years, it's not like I have a learning curve or have to do a whole lot," Hampton said. "I just know what to do."

He believes he's on pace to be back in time to face the Broncos, which would be his preference every year if given the choice, and said the Steelers haven't approached him about moving him to the Physically Unable to Perform list.

"I can't see that happening," Hampton said. "I feel I'll be ready to go."

Until then, expect to see a lot of McLendon, who spelled Hampton capably last season. Hampton said the somewhat undersized McLendon, who is listed at 280 pounds, could start for most NFL teams. McLendon's teammates agree it's time for him to emerge from Hampton's considerable shadow.

"It's one of those years that you should know the defense, you should know the calls, you should know the techniques," defensive end Brett Keisel said. "You should be able to go out and play at high speed, at game speed, so that's where he's at."

Ta'amu isn't quite there yet, which is fine. He's only too happy to quietly absorb the considerable advice Hampton offers. Of course, Ta'amu has little choice in the matter.

"He doesn't have to ask, I'm going to help him regardless," Hampton said. "If he wants a piece of mind, he's going to get it. Everything I've told him he's been wide open to it."

Ta'amu shares Hampton's enthusiasm, and his appetite. The 21-year-old needs to shed about 10 pounds before training camp starts in July. Getting to the 340-pound range shouldn't be an issue.

Become a disruptive force the way Hampton has done for over a decade? That's another matter. Hampton will only be only too happy to show Ta'amu the way. Though to be honest he'd rather have a coach's paycheck than some makeshift sign.

"Hopefully they'll come with the extra salary that came along with (the sign)," Hampton said with a laugh. "If they want to give me a coach's salary plus my salary, I'll take that."

-- Will Graves

Ravens LB Suggs still expects to play in 2012

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) ? When he tore his right Achillies tendon in April, Terrell Suggs spoke optimistically about returning to the Baltimore Ravens as soon as November.

The five-time Pro Bowl linebacker had surgery on May 8 and recently discarded his crutches, yet the slow pace of his rehabilitation has made him realize that he will almost certainly be sidelined longer than originally anticipated.

"We're just going to see where we land," Suggs said Thursday after the team's final minicamp session. "Maybe we were shooting too far. We'll see."

Suggs had 14 sacks last season in helping the Ravens reach the AFC title game. He was voted The Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year and invited to the Pro Bowl.

Suggs has played in all 16 games in eight of his nine NFL seasons, missing three games in 2009 with a knee injury. But this year will be decided different.

Suggs, 29, knows he's going to miss several months, and that a November return would be the absolute best scenario.

"When we did the timetable, you kind of look at the month and I was like, 'Oh, I could be back by then.' But I'm not a doctor," he said. "It feels good now, I guess. I will be in a Baltimore Ravens uniform in 2012. The only question is when."

Suggs said initially that he sustained the injury during an offseason conditioning drill, but there were reports that he hurt himself playing basketball in Arizona. Even though the Ravens say he will get his full salary in 2012 regardless of how the injury occurred, Suggs insists the torn tendon did not happen while he was on a basketball court.

"You all that know me know when I said what happened, that's exactly what happened," he said. "It was kind of upsetting and frustrating. But we're talking about two different incidents. I didn't get hurt" playing basketball.

Walking in a protective boot and watching his teammates practice was agonizing for Suggs.

"This is a very unfamiliar feeling for me," he said. "I used to dread this. 'Oh my God, I have minicamp. You have to go back and go in the sun.' But now, I've never appreciated it so much because I've never had to sit and watch my brothers go to battle without me. So it's definitely frustrating. It's going to be a learning experience for me."

Instead of honing his pass-rushing skills, he's working on following doctor's orders. It has not been fun, but it's all he's got.

"It is tough because like I said, I've never sat out before," Suggs said. "But you got to know your body. They constantly keep trying to tell me, 'Rehab and rest. Work as hard as you can.' Right now, rehab is my football skill. Until I master it, I won't be out there again so I'm definitely going to try to become an All-Pro at that ASAP."

Coach John Harbaugh said Suggs has done his best to be part of the team.

"He's in every meeting," Harbaugh said. "I talk to him all the time. He's part of everything we're doing except practice."

Suggs believes the Ravens will survive without him, just as they did last season when middle linebacker Ray Lewis missed a month with a foot injury.

"This defense has tons of stars and I ain't going to name nobody because I don't want to leave anybody out," Suggs said. "This defense definitely can get it done until I get back, just like we had to do last year when we lost our general for four games. You got to go get it done."

-- David Ginsburg

Bengals' Dalton more comfortable being leader

CINCINNATI (AP) ? If a receiver runs the wrong route, Andy Dalton isn't shy about taking him aside and correcting the problem.

The quarterback is more comfortable with his role as a leader entering his second season with the Cincinnati Bengals, taking more responsibility on his inexperienced shoulders. He was so concerned about learning the play book as a rookie last season that he left a lot of things up to his coaches and teammates.

There was a clear difference during the Bengals' three-day minicamp that ended Thursday.

"I think he's just more comfortable or confident," offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth said. "He's not walking into a situation where who knows if the other starter's coming back, if he's going to have to play and all these other things he had to have in the back of his mind.

"Now he knows it's his team and we're rallying behind him and we'll go as far as he takes us. He has that feeling."

The second-round pick from TCU took the Bengals to the playoffs last season, where they lost to Houston in the first round. That was big stuff around Cincinnati, which has had only three winning records since 1991.

Both Dalton and rookie receiver A.J. Green ? Cincinnati's first-round pick ? made the Pro Bowl.

It was more impressive because Dalton had so little time to learn the offense. The NFL lockout prevented him from working with coaches after the draft. A year ago this week, the Bengals were holding voluntary workouts at a soccer complex in the suburbs and at the University of Cincinnati, with second-string quarterback Jordan Palmer running the offense.

When the league and the players reached a new labor deal, Dalton wasn't sure if he would be the starter or whether starting quarterback Carson Palmer would relent on his threat to sit out if he wasn't traded.

The entire offense was learning a new system, coordinator Jay Gruden's West Coast style passing attack. There was little time with a lot to do.

Correct a teammate for making a mistake? Not a priority.

"I was trying to get the next play or trying to do things like that, and I let the coaches handle it," Dalton said. "Right now, I feel like I can go over there and say something because the next play is second nature.

"I think I've done a better job this spring. If a guy runs a route a little differently, instead of letting a coach do it, I'm going to go over there and talk to him. Things like that, where we make sure we're on the same page."

Dalton threw for 3,398 yards with 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions last season, including a 332-yard game at Denver that set a Bengals passing record for a rookie. His 80.4 passer rating was the best by an AFC rookie.

He became only the fifth rookie quarterback in NFL history to throw for 3,000 yards. Game by game, he convinced the Bengals he was their quarterback of the future ? one of the factors in owner Mike Brown's decision to trade Carson Palmer to Oakland at midseason.

"I feel like everybody on this team understands and knows what they're going to get out of me," Dalton said. "This year I am able to step out a little bit more. I was able to prove myself a little bit last year, and now everyone knows and understands we're going to be on the same page, and I can voice that a little bit more.

"I probably should have done a little better job last year, but there were a lot of other things that were on my mind. But this year, I'm comfortable with everybody that we've got."

They've noticed.

"Andy has looked good," Green said. "He's more comfortable out there. He knows it's his team this year."

-- Joe Kay

Franchise tag not stopping Griffin this offseason

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) ? Michael Griffin has yet to sign his tag as Tennessee's franchise player. The veteran safety also sees no reason why he should hold out now or miss the team's offseason program.

The five-year veteran has taken part in all of the Titans' offseason program, including Thursday's final organized team activity. He also will be here next week for the minicamp wrapping up the offseason.

Now the question is will he report for training camp in late July.

"My job is to play football," Griffin said. "My agent and the organization whatever they got going on, that's up to them. Right now I know I'll be here for the year playing football. That's all that matters."

A two-time Pro Bowl safety, Griffin is a key veteran on a youthful defense. The Titans brought back eight-year veteran Jordan Babineaux but let Chris Hope leave along with cornerback Cortland Finnegan. That leaves Griffin, a first-round pick out of Texas by the Titans in 2007, as the defensive back who has been with Tennessee the longest heading into his sixth season.

Mix that with defensive coordinator Jerry Gray finally having an offseason to expand his schemes, and being in Nashville was the only move Griffin felt he could make to make sure he was at each of the OTAs and workouts along with minicamp.

"I told my agent I want to be here for the offseason program, what not, so I get the same thing my teammates are getting," Griffin said. "Plus being one of the older guys here being here for the leadership and being with my teammates. Now I mean hold out? We don't have the first game till September. You held out right now, it's not really doing anything. It's not making a statement. Right now I'm just enjoying my time with my teammates."

That approach is exactly what Griffin told cornerback Jason McCourty to expect earlier this year.

"He's coming in and doing what he's accustomed to doing," McCourty said. "I think that's important for him personally is that he's used to being here, and he's used to working. He kind of didn't want to break that mold that's got him the success he has. I'm happy to see him here and definitely glad to have his leadership here."

Griffin has played in every game since being selected 19th overall in 2007, starting 73 of his 80 games. He has 17 interceptions in that stretch with seven of those coming in 2008 to earn his first Pro Bowl berth and four in 2010 for his second. He also has 487 tackles with seven forced fumbles and four recovered.

With 14 of Griffin's interceptions since 2008, only Ed Reed (23), Troy Polamalu (19) and Nick Collins (17) have had more picks at safety in the NFL. He ranked third on the team with 96 tackles in 2011 with one sack and tied for the team lead with two interceptions.

Coach Mike Munchak said Griffin's attitude has been great from the beginning for a player who comes out to practices early and also helps coach. He sees the veteran developing into a nice leader.

"It's a win-win for all of us when a player comes in, and I think it makes the other players realize it's important for Griff to be here and it's just another form of leadership," Munchak said.

Babineaux said being here will only help Griffin as the defense hones technique and to become more comfortable with the players around him. With Finnegan gone, the Titans will have a new starter at cornerback. Babineaux said handling the franchise tag can be like a game of chess with players handling it in a variety of ways, though he's never gotten the chance.

"If I had an opportunity to be in that position, one I would take it as a compliment," Babineaux said. "Two, nothing is promised in this league so the fact you have a great opportunity to make some money, some guaranteed money within a year. I guess it depends on the circumstances and the player. I think it's a compliment."

Notes: Rules of the CBA allow the teams to spend more time on the field during minicamp, but Munchak said the Titans have worked well enough he doesn't feel it's necessary to do that. He said he feels they've worked well enough it was an easy decision.

-- Teresa M. Walker

Belichick cancels last day of minicamp practice

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) ? New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick sent the team home early from minicamp with an extra day off and a message: This is not summer vacation.

Belichick canceled the last practice of the three-day workout on Thursday, a surprise for the defending AFC champions as they headed out to the field. But the coaching staff and the veterans have been reminding the younger players that they need to come back in shape when training camp starts in July.

"We all need the work, man," receiver Deion Branch, who is entering his 11th season. "When you think you're that good, shut it down, discontinue training. We're not that good. We're not where we want to be. We need to work."

A day after receiving their AFC championship rings ? an event Belichick called "bittersweet" ? the coach gave his players another present. Players were not ready to conclude that it was a reward for getting their work done in the first two sessions.

"You'll have to ask Bill on that," linebacker Bobby Carpenter said. "Maybe he was so mad everyone was doing so poorly he wanted to get us out of here. You'll have to ask him why he does the things he does. I'm not trying to get inside his mind."

A few minutes earlier, Belichick told reporters: "I feel like we've gotten a lot done but we still have a long way to go. Hopefully we'll be ready to go to training camp, this is really what this is all about, to prepare all of us for the start of training camp."

Branch said he would tell the rookies that they need to manage the balance between resting up for a long season, and staying sharp for it.

"Get the proper rest. Stay in the playbook. Continue training. I think that's most important now," he said. "Don't take the next five weeks and try to vacation for three and work out for the last two. It doesn't work that way."

Quarterback Tom Brady said this week that minicamp was a way for players to gauge where they are in their preparation. If they need work with their playbook, they should spend time on that; if conditioning is off, then they need to work on that.

"We're in full preparation mode. This is the point where things really start getting ramped up," he said. "There's no breaks, we had our vacation, we had a lot of time off and now it's time to really focus in on what we need to do because we're going to blink and the first game is going to be here.

"You've got about five weeks and everyone should use it really wisely. Get in better shape, get in better football shape and have a better understanding of what we're doing so that we can go out there and when training camp starts, you can really get off to a great start."

Also Thursday, Belichick said it was possible the team would hold joint practices with the New Orleans Saints before their Aug. 9 exhibition game. The teams held combined workouts before playing a preseason game in 2010.

Belichick said he has discussed it with Saints interim coach Joe Vitt. The Saints also play in the Hall of Fame game on Aug. 5.

"It's a little bit of a tight schedule on their end," Belichick said. "So we'll see how it goes."

-- Jimmy Golen

News & Notes

Titans' draft pick hurts shoulder diving for ball

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) ? Titans' top draft pick Kendall Wright left practice early Thursday after hurting his shoulder diving for a ball. Tennessee coach Mike Munchak says he expects the No. 20th pick overall to be sore, though the Titans still planned to run tests on the receiver to be sure.

"His shoulder is sore from falling on it," Munchak said. "He went for a ball, trying to make a play. That is sort of in his DNA, to try and catch every ball. That is one he probably should've just let go. You don't want anyone to get hurt obviously, but from what we can tell it is not something that is going to be long-term. He'll be all right."

Jake Locker threw the pass and took blame for throwing a bad ball that went inside.

"Always hate to see a guy get injured trying to make a play he made a great effort at it and you just hope it's nothing too serious," Locker said.

Wright is the only Titans' draft pick still unsigned. The receiver from Baylor was not in the locker room after the team's final organized team activity.

"He's just talented," Locker said of Wright. "He's explosive. He's got a really good for the field. ... He's a football player. He's not just set in stone in what the book says. He's really good at interpreting the game, interpreting how you want to run a play what you want to get out of a play and finding ways to get himself open."

The Titans have their minicamp next week, but Wright may be held out just to make sure he's ready for training camp.

"I guarantee you he's done that probably five or six times since he's been here, and no problem," Munchak said of Wright's move to catch a ball. "So it's something he's probably going to do again. If he misses a little time over it, I'm sure he comes back. It's just something that, when the ball's in the air, he feels he can catch everything. So you try to get smart when you can, cut back on some of the balls that you have to let go, but he'll be all right."

Notes: Receiver Kenny Britt, who's recovering from a second surgery to clean up his right knee after tearing his ACL and MCL last September, ran by himself and cut back and forth after practice. The Titans had thought he might do that next week, and Munchak said that's encouraging and hopefully will have Britt ready to help in July. ... WR Lavelle Hawkins did not practice with a sore ankle and may be limited in the minicamp. Rookie S Markelle Martin watched with a sore hamstring along with WR O.J. Murdock (Achilles tendon).

QB Young's suit against ex-adviser called 'hollow'

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) ? Vince Young's allegations that his former financial adviser Ron Peoples cheated the quarterback out of millions of dollars are described as "hollow" and "without merit."

In response to a lawsuit filed by the Buffalo Bills player in Houston this week, Peoples' attorney David Chaumette released a statement saying his client did nothing wrong and will be cleared of any liability.

Peoples and his Raleigh, N.C.-based firm are accused of misappropriating at least $5.5 million of Young's earnings from 2006 to 2011. Young's former agent, Major Adams II, is also named in the lawsuit, and accused of conspiring with Peoples.

Chaumette says transactions made by Peoples' firm were approved by a trustee appointed by Young. Chaumette did not reveal the trustee, and noted the person was not named in Young's lawsuit.

Men in black: Ryan rewards Jets with dark jerseys

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) ? The New York Jets' defensive players were "Men in Black" on the final day of minicamp.

Rex Ryan says he stole an idea from new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano by having the defense wear black jerseys Thursday. It will be a reward, determined by Ryan, for who did the best ? offense or defense ? in a specific emphasis during training camp.

Ryan says he let the defense wear them first because "I'm a defensive guy."

The players didn't know why the jerseys were hanging in their lockers, but linebacker David Harris says "it looked good on the defense." Cornerback Antonio Cromartie says the players joked about having black jerseys "with green with a little bit of white, maybe gray in it. I think that would look real good."

-- Dennis Waszak Jr.

Jets sign WR White, last of team's draft picks

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) ? The New York Jets have signed wide receiver Jordan White, the team's seventh-round draft pick, to a four-year contract. White, sidelined by a broken left foot, is the last of the Jets' eight draft picks to sign.

White broke the fifth metatarsal in the foot during the team's first session of organized team activities May 21. Team surgeon Dr. Ken Montgomery operated two days later at Morristown Memorial Hospital. He's been with the team during minicamp, but his foot is in a walking boot. He's expected to be sidelined until at least the start of training camp next month.

White played at Western Michigan, where he redshirted in 2006 and again two years later because of knee issues. He rebounded last year to catch 140 passes for 1,911 yards.

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