Goodell unable to avoid Vick
Roger Goodell wants to talk football. Michael Vick keeps getting in the way.
The NFL commissioner, making a tour of training camps, raved about Detroit Lions coach Rod Marinelli and his players after visiting them Thursday. He spoke to them mostly about their responsibilities as players.
As soon as Goodell started taking questions during a news conference, however, he was asked about Vick. And the questions kept coming.
There has been an unrelenting drumbeat of news concerning Vick, who is charged with running a dogfighting ring on his Virginia property. Goodell insists this is not eclipsing enthusiasm about the game itself.
“I don’t think it’s overshadowing the season,” he said. “I think our fans are excited about football, but I understand the interest in the story.”
Vick is facing pressure to strike a deal with prosecutors in his federal dogfighting conspiracy case. He conferred with his lawyers for hours Wednesday.
“We’re going to do what we always said we were going to do, which is rely on the facts,” Goodell said. “If there is some type of a plea agreement, then we will obviously take the time to understand what that plea is and we’ll see how it fits into our personal conduct (policy).”
Goodell barred Vick from taking part in training camp while the league investigates. He said the league is monitoring talks between Vick’s lawyers and prosecutors and wants the legal process to run its course before he rules on Vick’s future in the league.
Owens covered
Once Terrell Owens finally got to practice, it didn’t take long before the Cowboys receiver was again going head-to-head in drills against Champ Bailey and Dre’ Bly.
Dallas and the Denver Broncos practiced against each other four times in two days. In three of the sessions, T.O. got to work against the Broncos cornerback duo of Bailey, the seven-time Pro Bowler, and the always talkative Bly.
“I love it. He’s one of the best in the game and you don’t get to see that every day,” Bailey said. “Why not take advantage of that opportunity to go against one of the best?”
Still no word on Strahan
New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese hasn’t talked to holdout defensive end Michael Strahan in a while and has no clue when the seven-time Pro Bowl player will make a decision on whether to retire.
“We would like for him to be here if he’s going to be here, just for him to get some work,” Reese said at training camp at the University at Albany. “Michael knows that if he’s going to come back, he has to get some work in. You just can’t show up and play in the National Football League.
Walter faces uncertainty
The Oakland Raiders thought so highly of Andrew Walter a year ago that they passed on the chance to draft Matt Leinart, believing they already had the quarterback of their future.
That all changed after Walter had a disappointing debut last year as part of one of the worst offenses in NFL history. The Raiders responded by using the No. 1 overall draft pick on JaMarcus Russell, trading for Josh McCown and signing former Pro Bowl quarterback Daunte Culpepper.
That’s put Walter’s status in doubt. He doesn’t know if he’ll be the starter, backup, third-stringer or somewhere else when the season begins.
“I’m here to play,” he said. “That’s what we’re all fighting for. If that situation occurs we’ll cross that bridge when it does. Until then, I’ll continue to be a pro and do my job. We’re all competing to play. Certainly I am as well.”
Ferguson released
Wide receiver Robert Ferguson’s injury-marred career with Green Bay is over, coach Mike McCarthy said.
“Robert will no longer be a Packer. We’re going to go another direction,” he said.
Dolphins edge Chiefs
Patrick Cobbs scored on a 7-yard run and John Beck slipped into the end zone for the 2-point conversion with 4:30 left, leading Miami past Kansas City 11-10 and making the Dolphins 2-0 in preseason games, the first time since 1982.