The Dallas Morning News reports observers in the Alamodome booed Cowboys QB Quincy Carter after he had a horrible practice. Carter was unable to handle the different looks that the defense threw at him. Carter threw interceptions, misfired on other passes, and looked generally lost.
AP reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers DT Warren Sapp appeared fully recovered from off-season rotator cuff surgery and in good spirits today. "Surgery will do that for you,'' Sapp said. "The first surgery in your life. The first time in your life you've never been able to use your hand. I cut my hair off, put myself in a different frame of mind, and I'm going to enjoy this ride.'' HC Jon Gruden is so impressed with the 6-foot-2, 303-pound tackle's athleticism that he has plans to use Sapp on offense in some situations this season (reported earlier). As a rookie, he lined up as a blocking back for RB Errict Rhett five times, and Tampa Bay scored three touchdowns. "It was just something (Gruden) kind of asked me and I was like, 'No problem,''' Sapp said. "It was fun after I looked at a couple of those routes and blocking assignments. I said, 'Oh yeah, in a heartbeat. Just call me up. Say, '99, get in there.' I'm going.'' With his surgically repaired shoulder, Sapp hopes to improve on his so-so sack totals (6) from last season. Sapp played with a torn rotator cuff for all of last season. Sapp said he injured the shoulder when he hit New England QB Drew Bledsoe during a preseason game last August. He never complained about the injury because he didn't want to give opponents an advantage. "That's the way I was groomed,'' Sapp said. ``No excuses, no explanations. I'm on the field, get it done.''
AP reports Miami Dolphins QB Jay Fiedler returned to practice Wednesday on a limited basis after missing almost three weeks while recovering from arthroscopic left hip surgery. "I got a few cobwebs out,'' Fiedler said after going through individual and 7-on-7 drills. "I started out slowly and I was real conscious of the hip. As we got going, I started to forget about it. It felt great just to be out there and just show these guys that I've still got it.'' Fiedler had no difficulties dropping back and throwing, but his range of motion was limited, especially when rolling out. Fiedler underwent a similar procedure on his right hip two years ago and missed the first three preseason games, but was still named the Dolphins starting quarterback. Last year, Fiedler played all 16 games and completed 60.7 percent of his passes for 3,290 yards, 20 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. He also ranked second on the team with 321 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.
AP reports Chicago Bears FS Mike Brown (broken finger) could miss the first two preseason games. "If there's no problems healing, then I'll be all right,'' he said today, wearing a protective cast over his hand.
The Pioneer Press reports the Vikings showed a glimpse of the offense's new emphasis on WR Randy Moss in the morning practice. Four consecutive passes went to Moss. That will be the focal point of HC Mike Tice's new offense. Tice has instructed new OC Scott Linehan to get 40 percent of the receivers passes to Moss. "I think you all saw what throwing the ball to Randy more times can do," Tice said. "There was a series where he caught a few consecutive passes, and it looked pretty good... . We get him open, and we're able to make some big plays. I was excited about that."
The Contra Costa Times reports Raiders RB Tyrone Wheatley (calf strain) and rookie TE Doug Jolley (groin strain) remained out of practice. HC Bill Callahan said he hopes to have Wheatley back by the end of the week. The Chronicle adds WR James Jett strained a hamstring two weeks before training camp commenced July 25 and it has limited him through the first five days of workouts. "I'm getting close with it, but I don't want to do anything to tweak it further," said Jett. Callahan said Jett might be close to full speed later this week
AP reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers DT Warren Sapp appeared fully recovered from off-season rotator cuff surgery and in good spirits today. "Surgery will do that for you,'' Sapp said. "The first surgery in your life. The first time in your life you've never been able to use your hand. I cut my hair off, put myself in a different frame of mind, and I'm going to enjoy this ride.'' HC Jon Gruden is so impressed with the 6-foot-2, 303-pound tackle's athleticism that he has plans to use Sapp on offense in some situations this season (reported earlier). As a rookie, he lined up as a blocking back for RB Errict Rhett five times, and Tampa Bay scored three touchdowns. "It was just something (Gruden) kind of asked me and I was like, 'No problem,''' Sapp said. "It was fun after I looked at a couple of those routes and blocking assignments. I said, 'Oh yeah, in a heartbeat. Just call me up. Say, '99, get in there.' I'm going.'' With his surgically repaired shoulder, Sapp hopes to improve on his so-so sack totals (6) from last season. Sapp played with a torn rotator cuff for all of last season. Sapp said he injured the shoulder when he hit New England QB Drew Bledsoe during a preseason game last August. He never complained about the injury because he didn't want to give opponents an advantage. "That's the way I was groomed,'' Sapp said. ``No excuses, no explanations. I'm on the field, get it done.''
AP reports Miami Dolphins QB Jay Fiedler returned to practice Wednesday on a limited basis after missing almost three weeks while recovering from arthroscopic left hip surgery. "I got a few cobwebs out,'' Fiedler said after going through individual and 7-on-7 drills. "I started out slowly and I was real conscious of the hip. As we got going, I started to forget about it. It felt great just to be out there and just show these guys that I've still got it.'' Fiedler had no difficulties dropping back and throwing, but his range of motion was limited, especially when rolling out. Fiedler underwent a similar procedure on his right hip two years ago and missed the first three preseason games, but was still named the Dolphins starting quarterback. Last year, Fiedler played all 16 games and completed 60.7 percent of his passes for 3,290 yards, 20 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. He also ranked second on the team with 321 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.
AP reports Chicago Bears FS Mike Brown (broken finger) could miss the first two preseason games. "If there's no problems healing, then I'll be all right,'' he said today, wearing a protective cast over his hand.
The Pioneer Press reports the Vikings showed a glimpse of the offense's new emphasis on WR Randy Moss in the morning practice. Four consecutive passes went to Moss. That will be the focal point of HC Mike Tice's new offense. Tice has instructed new OC Scott Linehan to get 40 percent of the receivers passes to Moss. "I think you all saw what throwing the ball to Randy more times can do," Tice said. "There was a series where he caught a few consecutive passes, and it looked pretty good... . We get him open, and we're able to make some big plays. I was excited about that."
The Contra Costa Times reports Raiders RB Tyrone Wheatley (calf strain) and rookie TE Doug Jolley (groin strain) remained out of practice. HC Bill Callahan said he hopes to have Wheatley back by the end of the week. The Chronicle adds WR James Jett strained a hamstring two weeks before training camp commenced July 25 and it has limited him through the first five days of workouts. "I'm getting close with it, but I don't want to do anything to tweak it further," said Jett. Callahan said Jett might be close to full speed later this week
