NFL News

"Anquan Boldin, unhappy with his contract and suggesting his relationship with coach Ken Whisenhunt is badly strained, wants out of Arizona. "At the beginning of camp, I hadn't asked for a trade. But ... recently we did," the Cardinals' star receiver said Tuesday afternoon, referring to his high-powered agent, Drew Rosenhaus. "My whole thing is if I'm not going be treated fairly and my hard work and loyalty isn't going to be rewarded here, then let me go somewhere where it will be rewarded. "That's how I feel, and I'll continue to feel that way." Boldin has three years left on a five-year, $22 million contract. He wants a new deal and has said the Cardinals promised him one. The team ..."

"It could have been the last pass of Brett Favre's career. In the bitter cold of Lambeau Field last January, his throw was intercepted, setting up the field goal that sent the Giants to the Super Bowl. Now, it serves as a backdrop to the Jets' game Saturday night against the Giants. Favre is expected to get his most extensive action before the regular season begins. The interception, on a terribly thrown pass, was not the inspiration for Favre's return. But the Giants' upset victory may have changed the course of Favre's future as much as their own. "Maybe we're not here right now," Favre said, when asked what might have happened if the Packers had gone on to the Super Bowl instead of the ..."

"Spirits were extremely high on the turf at Chargers Park yesterday, but the late burst of enthusiasm may have had less to do with the imminent end to training camp than the sight of the newcomer to passing drills, a tight end coming off the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. "I hadn't put the pads on since the Patriots game," said Antonio Gates, referring to the AFC Championship Game at New England that he basically limped through as an ill-disguised decoy. "It was fun. I was excited. Needless to say, though, I've got a lot of work to do." Gates, the Pro Bowl tight end who's averaged nearly 80 catches and more than 10 touchdowns over the past four seasons, has been brought along ..."

"Tampa Bay's release of LT Luke Petitgout came just days before the NFL notified teams he will be suspended for the start of the regular season. Petitgout must serve a four-game suspension for violating the league's steroid policy, according to Greg Aiello, the NFL's senior vice president of public relations. Players are suspended four games after their first violation, eight after a second infraction and at least one year on their third. Bucs coach Jon Gruden said the NFL's discipline did not weigh into Tampa Bay's decision to release Petitgout. "I do like Luke Petitgout a lot, and that's about all I can say," Gruden said. "We made the decisions to do what we did for the reasons we said ..."

"The Ravens are less confident that Ed Reed will be ready for the regular-season opener. A week after downplaying Reed's concerns, coach John Harbaugh said yesterday that it's not a lock that the Pro Bowl safety will be in the starting lineup when the Ravens kick off the season Sept.7 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Reed missed the first two preseason games because of a shoulder injury. "I think it's a little more slow progress than we all thought it was going to be," Harbaugh said. "Maybe Ed had a sense of that at one time because he's the guy that feels it. We're still optimistic that he'll be there the first week, but I don't think you can say 'definitely' right now." After spending the ..."

"It was out with the old and in with the new at Gillette Stadium yesterday, as the Patriots released 36-year-old veteran tight end Marcus Pollard and filled his roster spot by signing 23-year-old rookie tight end Tyson DeVree, who returns for a second stint after being released June 11. Pollard, a veteran of 13 NFL seasons with the Indianapolis Colts (1995-2004), Detroit Lions (2005-06), and Seattle Seahawks (2007), was signed as a free agent April 23. He was veteran insurance behind Benjamin Watson and David Thomas, who is coming off a season in which he was limited to two games by a broken foot. Pollard made only two catches for 17 yards in two preseason games, and his role was not what ..."

"Not that the Bears needed another injury, but defensive end Mark Anderson is out for Thursday's exhibition game after undergoing thumb surgery. Anderson attended Monday's practice but sat out. He was nowhere to be seen Tuesday. "He should be good to go for next week," coach Lovie Smith said, referring to Anderson's surgery as "minor." Anderson won't be the only player out of Thursday's home exhibition against the San Francisco 49ers. Tight end Desmond Clark has a knee sprain, and long snapper Patrick Mannelly and reserve linebacker Nick Roach are out with a stinger and a concussion, respectively. They collided during Saturday's exhibition loss to Seattle. To fill in for Mannelly, the ..."

"Many have wondered how the Dallas Cowboys would have fared against the New York Giants in the playoffs last year if Cowboys Pro Bowl receiver Terrell Owens had been healthy. Owens admits having similar thoughts. Owens missed the final game of the season with a high ankle sprain but returned to the field in the Cowboys' 21-17 divisional loss to the Giants two weeks later. He second-guesses the Cowboys' strategy more so than his health. He caught four passes for 49 yards and a touchdown in the game, all in the first half. But he said he could have done more, especially in the second half when he was held without a catch. Owens caught nine passes for 212 yards and touchdowns of 22, 47, 25 ..."

"Brett Favre will never face a bigger moment against the Giants than he did in overtime at Lambeau Field in the NFC Championship Game in January. An awful interception canceled his invitation to what was likely his last best shot at the Super Bowl. Now he faces the Giants again Saturday in his new Jets uniform, but it's just a preseason game with no chance at redemption, even if he throws three touchdown passes over Corey Webster, who picked off Favre's misguided attempt in OT, setting up the winning field goal. "I'm not thinking about the past," Favre said Tuesday. "They are the team to beat in this league. We're just trying to get better this week." Giants defensive end Justin Tuck, ..."

"On Monday, the Eagles discussed a position change intended to give a fringe player a better shot to make the team. And so Tony Hunt is hoping to salvage his career at fullback. On Tuesday, the team discussed another position shuffle, one with a more significant goal. Still seeking more pass-rushing weaponry to complement right defensive end Trent Cole, defensive coordinator Jim Johnson said reserve right ends Darren Howard and Jerome McDougle would audition on the left side. Johnson had hoped newcomer Chris Clemons would provide that edge rush from the left side, but injuries have sidetracked Clemons' adaptation to an entirely new defense. The result is more opportunities for two veterans ..."