Owens skips minicamp; McNabb defends himself

With Terrell Owens absent, Donovan McNabb didn’t miss his target.

While Owens skipped Philadelphia’s first mandatory minicamp practice Friday, McNabb responded sternly to the All-Pro wide receiver’s stinging comments about the quarterback’s performance in the Eagles’ 24-21 loss to New England in the Super Bowl.

“I don’t play games in the media,” McNabb said. “I’m not going to sit here and try to have a war of words. I’m a man at what I do. If there’s a problem with anyone, and they feel the need to lash out, they know how to get in touch with me and we can handle it like men.”

Owens – who is holding out, presumably because he wants a new contract – took a verbal shot at McNabb in an interview earlier this month. Some Eagles said McNabb was so ill in the fourth quarter against the Patriots that he couldn’t call one play in the huddle.

“I played every snap they allowed me to play,” Owens told ESPN.com. “I wasn’t even running until, like, two weeks before the game. But I made sure I was in the best shape possible. I wasn’t the guy who got tired in the Super Bowl.”

Flutie returns to Patriots

Doug Flutie, who won a Heisman Trophy at Boston College and played for the Patriots during two well-traveled decades in professional football, has signed a one-year deal to return to New England.

“I’m very excited about being back in New England, being home and being a part of a great football team,” the 42-year-old Massachusetts native said in a conference call.

Disgruntled Boldin fails to show

Wide receiver Anquan Boldin failed to show up for the first day of the Arizona Cardinals’ minicamp in a dispute with the franchise over a new contract.

•Pro Bowl wide receiver Javon Walker failed to report to the Green Bay Packers’ minicamp, beginning a holdout after changing agents in February.

The team will fine Walker, a first-round draft choice three years ago. Coach Mike Sherman did not specify how much, but the maximum under league rules is $1,000 a day.

•Disgruntled Buffalo Bills running back Travis Henry will be disciplined after missing the start of a mandatory minicamp.

Without saying what form of discipline will be applied, coach Mike Mularkey said Henry is under contract and required to be present for the session that runs through Sunday.

•Disgruntled safety Donovin Darius skipped Jacksonville’s minicamp, drawing criticism and a fine from coach Jack Del Rio.

Jags’ Jones injures hamstring

Matt Jones had a short first day with the Jacksonville Jaguars, missing most of the afternoon practice after straining a hamstring.

Jones, the former Arkansas quarterback who will be a receiver for the Jaguars, was the team’s first-round draft pick, the 21st overall selection. He strained his left hamstring and wasn’t sure when he would return to the lineup.

The injury ruined an otherwise spectacular debut for the 6-foot-6 Jones.

On one of the first plays of the morning session, Jones sped past cornerback Chris Thompson and made a sliding catch for a 15-yard gain. He also made several tough receptions over the middle and didn’t drop a ball.

•Adam “Pacman” Jones was pulled from an afternoon workout when he experienced tightness in his lower body during the Tennessee Titans’ rookie orientation.

Jones, a cornerback from West Virginia who was the first defensive player taken in the draft, left the practice field with a trainer approximately 25 minutes into the session.