Robinson gets 50 hours of community service
Minnesota Vikings: Wide receiver Koren Robinson was sentenced Wednesday to 50 hours of community service for parole violations following his July guilty plea to driving under the influence.
Robinson, a former receiver for the Seattle Seahawks, admitted in Kirkland Municipal Court that he violated parole by failing to provide a change of address and for failing to report to a probation officer on time.
Robinson's attorney, Jon Scott Fox, characterized the violations as minor, but Judge Wayne Stewart imposed community service. An allegation that Robinson showed up smelling of alcohol to serve a one-day sentence on the DUI charge was dismissed.
"He can just go out and play now, and he's excited about that," Fox said.
Robinson pleaded guilty to the DUI charge on July 18. As part of his sentence, he was ordered to abstain from alcohol and nonprescription drugs. After serving his one-day jail term, Robinson entered a 28-day treatment program in South Carolina before signing with the Vikings on Sept. 6.
Baltimore Ravens: With starting quarterback Kyle Boller sidelined indefinitely by a severely sprained toe, the Ravens signed veteran free agent Kordell Stewart to bolster the depth chart.
A 10-year veteran, Stewart was with the Ravens in 2004, and appeared in two games, but the team did not attempt to re-sign him this spring as an unrestricted free agent. Stewart drew very little interest, in fact, in the free agent market. But when Boller was injured on a sack by Indianapolis defensive tackle Larry Tripplett on Sunday, and tests indicated that he would miss playing time, the Ravens phoned Stewart.
Baltimore officials considered a few other free agent quarterbacks, including Danny Kanell, but Stewart's familiarity with the Ravens offense gave him a big edge. Stewart spent much of Tuesday at the team complex, meeting with coaches and going over the playbook with them.
To create a roster spot for Stewart, the Ravens, who will at least temporarily carry four quarterbacks on the active roster, released veteran wide receiver Patrick Johnson. There is no timetable for Boller's return and journeyman Anthony Wright, a seventh-year veteran, will be the starter until his return.
Stewart, 32, will probably be listed as the No. 3 quarterback for now. The other backup on the roster is rookie Derek Anderson of Oregon State, an undrafted college free agent.
Contract details were not yet available, but it is believed that Stewart signed a one-year deal for the minimum base salary of $765,000, prorated over the balance of the season.
In 125 games, including 87 starts, Stewart has completed 1,316 of 2,358 passes for 14,746 yards, with 77 touchdown passes, 84 interceptions and a career passer rating of 70.6. He has also rushed 556 times for 2,850 yards and 38 touchdowns.
The former University of Colorado star has played with Pittsburgh (1995-2002), Chicago (2003) and the Ravens (2004).
-- Len Pasquarelli, ESPN.com senior writer
Dallas Cowboys:
Drew Bledsoe sure knows how to make a good first impression.
Bledsoe did so well in his debut for the Cowboys that on Wednesday he was named the NFC's offensive player of the week. The last time he received such an honor? Early in his tenure with the Buffalo Bills.
After six months of Cowboys fans being divided over his arrival -- many against it, some taking a wait-and-see approach and very few endorsing it -- Bledsoe began winning them over by going 18-of-24 for 226 yards and three touchdowns in a 28-24 victory over the San Diego Chargers.
His quarterback rating was 143.4, the highest in the league and the fourth-best in his 173-game career.
"I expect to play that way," Bledsoe said Wednesday. "I expect to be smart with what I'm doing. As I said in the preseason, one of the goals coming in for me personally was to avoid the negative plays. And there were a few opportunities in the game for me to try and force a ball down the field, force a ball into coverage, and I didn't do that.
"I allowed us to avoid possible turnovers whenever I could. I felt like I played smart football and that's what I expect to do every week. Will it always be that clean? Probably not. But that's certainly the type of game I expect to play and I also expect to be able to hit some big plays when we have the opportunities."
San Francisco 49ers:
Ahmed Plummer is wearing a chunky cast extending from his left thumb to his wrist. Getting dressed is difficult, and catching a football would seem awfully tough.
The 49ers cornerback is curiously quiet about the injury, refusing to say what happened or how long he'll wear the cast. But he's vocal about the effect it will have on his efforts against Terrell Owens and the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
"It's not going to stop me from getting my job done," Plummer said Wednesday. "I played with it against the Rams [last Sunday], and I already know I can do everything I need to do."
Plummer isn't on the 49ers' injury list because there's no doubt he'll play in Philadelphia. When pressed, Plummer acknowledged his injury occurred during practice last Friday and required surgery Tuesday, apparently to repair ligament damage.
And Plummer played with a cast on his hand for part of his rookie season, so he isn't worried about it.
"We've got a lot bigger things to worry about," he said.
Indianapolis Colts:
Safety Mike Doss could not have returned at a better time.
Doss, activated Tuesday from the reserve-suspended list, participated Wednesday in his first full practice in a month. His return could give the Colts secondary a boost as several players are out with injuries.
The NFL suspended Doss for two games after he was arrested in May on illegal gun possession charges. After an appeal, the league reduced the punishment to one game, and Doss sat out last week's season-opening 24-7 win over Baltimore.
A groin injury kept him on the sidelines for most of training camp and the preseason. But the injury has improved to the point that he should see extended playing time in the home opener Sunday against the Jacksonville.
"I'm just glad to be able to get back out there," Doss said Wednesday. "It's been a while since I've practiced. But I feel like I'm ready to go."
Colts lose cornerback for year: The Colts placed cornerback Donald Strickland on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.
Strickland had missed most of training camp and all of the preseason because of the bad hamstring, but started Sunday against the Ravens, aggravating the injury, the team said.
The Colts also added defensive tackle Jason Stewart to the active roster and linebacker Johnathan Goddard and offensive lineman Matt Ulrich to the practice squad.
Stewart had been one of Indianapolis' final training camp cuts. Ulrich had been waived from the active roster on Tuesday to make room for safety Mike Doss, who was activated from the reserve-suspended list.
Kansas City Chiefs:
The National Football League is a tough place under the best circumstances. For Jordan Black, who keeps being switched from left to right, guard to tackle, it's especially grueling.
Unless 10-time Pro Bowler Willie Roaf makes a miracle recovery this week, Black, a third-year man out of Notre Dame, will step in for him at left tackle against Oakland on Sunday night.
It's not an ideal situation for either the Chiefs or Black. They all know the Raiders are certain to attack what could be a vulnerable spot in the Chiefs' high-powered offense.
"Of course. That's what I would do if I was a defensive coordinator," said the 6-foot-5, 305-pound Black.
The good news for the Chiefs offensive line on Wednesday was the return of right tackle Kevin Sampson.
Seattle Seahawks: Seneca Wallace is going to be working twice as hard in practice this week as the Seahawks prepare to host the Falcons on Sunday.
Wallace, the main backup to Matt Hasselbeck, is going to act as Atlanta's Michael Vick in practices to help the Seahawks defense prepare for the Falcons speedy quarterback, the The (Everett, Wash.) Herald reported.
"You can't put just anybody back there and simulate what Mike can do," Seahawks defensive tackle Rocky Bernard told the paper. "With Seneca here, he's really going to give us a good look."
Wallace represented Vick when he quarterbacked the scout team during practice before the team's meeting in January; the Seahawks won that game over the Falcons to clinch the NFC West title.
"It's totally different [than playing in the game]. But it's a lot of fun," Wallace told the paper. "We're the same type of player.
"I'm not really trying to be him. I'll just do whatever I feel like doing. They give me the freedom to just play," he added. "The main thing for them is just simulating the speed. I think that's the main thing, knowing that when he's out there, he can make plays with his feet."
• Rhodes to be at game, not call plays: Defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes plans to be at Sunday's game against Atlanta, but will not be calling plays.
Rhodes was hospitalized last week after suffering from dizziness. He did not accompany the team to Jacksonville, where Seattle lost 26-14. Linebackers coach John Marshall filled in for Rhodes and will call the defense again against the Falcons.
"He's coming back a little at a time. We're going per doctors orders on this," coach Mike Holmgren said. "If they say 'No, he can't be there,' he's not there."
Rhodes will help with game-planning for the Falcons and is expected to be in the coaches box on Sunday in a supporting role for Marshall. But Holmgren said team doctors are keeping a close watch on Rhodes.
"Coaching a football game is really not that important compared to getting well," Holmgren said. "He must be smart about this. It's very hard for him to back off, but he must right now."
• TE Mili doubtful: Tight end Itula Mili was listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against Atlanta, still bothered by a blockage in his intestine.
Coach Mike Holmgren said Mili had a scan done and was waiting to see the results.
"If those results are positive, then that's a good thing," Holmgren said. "If they're not, then they have to do surgery to relieve this problem."
Holmgren said doctors think the results are going to come back positive, but that Mili has no energy right now and has lost some weight.
The blockage in Mili's intestine has to do with scar tissue left over from when he had his appendix removed. Mili did not go with the team to Jacksonville last week.
"I hope we don't have to have surgery," Holmgren said.
New Orleans Saints: The Saints sold about 50,000 of
the 99,000 tickets they're offering for three games in the San
Antonio Alamodome on Wednesday, the first day they were made
available.
The Saints, displaced by Hurricane Katrina, are holding back approximately 32,000 tickets per game so season-ticket holders can have first dibs. While it may be difficult to reach them all, or for them to reach the club, the team will sell anything that's unclaimed 10 days before each game.
The Saints have not announced plans to give away or reduce ticket prices for Louisiana residents, many of whom are living in Texas, including thousands in the San Antonio area.
Roughly 33,000 seats per game were available Wednesday and fans began lining up by 4:30 a.m. for the 10 a.m. opening of the ticket window. Lines stretched an estimated quarter-mile as folks wanted to make sure they got tickets to the first NFL regular-season game in the Alamo City.
The team announced Monday it will play four home games in Baton Rouge, La., and three in San Antonio because of the extensive damage to their usual home, the Superdome. The Saints already are practicing in San Antonio.
Their first "home" game has been transferred to Giants Stadium. The Saints will meet the New York Giants at their place on Monday night.
Ticket brokers are advertising tickets for $40 to $300 per game, compared to face value of $30 to $125.
Carney honored: John Carney, who kicked a 47-yard field goal with three seconds remaining to give the Saints a 23-20 victory Sunday against the division rival Carolina Panthers, was named special teams player of the week by the NFL.
Going back to last season, the Saints have earned the award for five consecutive weeks, marking the first time that was accomplished by an NFL team since the award was established in 1993. Carney also made field goals of 28 and 48 yards against the Panthers.
Cleveland Browns: The Browns will be without
linebacker Matt Stewart and kick returner Joshua Cribbs this
Sunday, but could have cornerback Gary Baxter back in the lineup.
Baxter practiced Wednesday for the first time in more than three weeks after sustaining a concussion in an Aug. 20 exhibition game against Detroit.
Stewart and Cribbs both hurt their knees in Sunday's loss to Cincinnati. MRIs indicated ligament damage, said coach Romeo Crennel, who listed their status as week to week.
Chaun Thompson replaced Stewart against Cincinnati, and Crennel said rookies Nick Speegle and David McMillan could see playing time against Green Bay.
Cribbs could be replaced on kick returns by rookie Antonio Perkins, who returned more punts than kickoffs at Oklahoma.
Tight end Steve Heiden (neck stinger) was expected to play Sunday, while tight end Aaron Shea (shoulder) was unlikely to be available, Crennel said.
Running back Lee Suggs, out with a high ankle sprain since Aug. 17, also returned to practice Wednesday.
Tennessee Titans: Tennessee linebacker Keith Bulluck sat
out his first practice in years Wednesday because of a sore right
calf, but insists he won't miss Sunday's home opener with the
Baltimore Ravens.
"Me, I'm feeling fine. Honestly, I'm feeling fine," Bulluck said after practice. "I know I'll be out there on Sunday, and I don't plan on missing a beat. I was in tune with practice today. It was like a mental day for me."
Bulluck officially was listed as questionable. He has missed only one game in his previous five seasons. That was in 2001 against Jacksonville, when he was deactivated because of his right ankle.
Defensive end Antwan Odom also sat out practice and was listed as questionable with a left knee injury.
Left tackle Brad Hopkins returned from his one-game suspension and practiced. He was listed as questionable because he had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee three weeks ago.
NASN to broadcast NFL in Europe
European broadcaster North
American Sports Network has acquired exclusive rights to show
NFL games for four years in 17 European countries and shared
rights in four others, it said on Wednesday.
The deal, which does not include rights for Britain or Ireland, gives 3-year-old NASN a boost as it seeks to expand into new countries and grab young male viewers in an increasingly cluttered European digital television landscape.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. It runs from the 2005-06 season through the 2008-09 season.
NASN shows baseball, basketball, Nascar and other U.S. sports and is already available in Britain, Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Iceland.
"The NFL represents one of the main pillars of American sports," NASN Chief Executive Amory Schwartz said. "It is an integral part of our continuing expansion, representing must-have content in most of the markets in which we operate."
The deal is also an opportunity for the NFL to expand its audience outside the U.S. The NBA has had success finding fans and players overseas, where soccer is the dominant sport.
"The NFL's popularity in Europe continues to grow, and we believe that NASN's approach complements our strategy to maximize coverage and build our European fan base," said Katie Boes, senior director of international media for the league.
The deal includes rights for Austria, Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Switzerland.
Bankert Retires
John Bankert, who served the Pro Football Hall of Fame for 41 years, including the last nine as executive director, is retiring at the end of the year.
Bankert has been an integral part of three major building expansions, plus revisions in the annual enshrinement ceremony.
His tenure began in 1964. He's the only full-time employee to work under each of the hall's previous three directors. He was chosen as the hall's fourth executive director in 1996 and president in 2003.
Bankert, who has been on medical leave for the past several months, will continue his leave until his retirement date.
The hall's board of trustees has taken initial steps to find a replacement.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
