Associated Press
The NFL notebook …
PHILADELPHIA — Michael Vick is really back on top now.
Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles agreed on a six-year contract on Monday that again makes the Pro Bowl quarterback one of the highest-paid players in the NFL.
A source familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press the deal is worth $100 million, including about $40 million guaranteed. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because terms weren’t released.
Vick has come a long way since spending 18 months in federal prison on dogfighting charges. He led the Eagles to the NFC East title last year, was the starting quarterback in the Pro Bowl and was the AP Comeback Player of the Year.
“I’m very happy we were able to reach an agreement with Michael on this long-term contract,” Eagles coach Andy Reid said in a statement. “It’s a product of all the hard work Michael has done to better himself over the last couple of years, both on and off the field. I’m very proud that he has been able to achieve success again in this league, but he’ll be the first one to tell you that there is a lot of work yet to be done by him and this team as a whole.”
JETS 17, GIANTS 3
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The preseason braggin’ rights for the New York metropolitan area belong to the Jets, although neither Rex Ryan’s team nor the Giants have much to be happy about.
Mark Sanchez threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes and the Jets capitalized on two big special teams plays in 17-3 victory Monday night in a preseason game delayed two days by Hurricane Irene’s devastating march up the East Coast.
Bilal Powell had a 1-yard TD run in the fourth quarter and the Jets defense intercepted Eli Manning twice in what probably will be the last major warmup for both teams’ starters before the regular season.
The Jets (2-1) will face the Eagles here Thursday. The Giants (1-2) finish their preseason at New England, also on Thursday.
FREEMAN READY
TAMPA — Quarterback Josh Freeman declared the young Tampa Bay Buccaneers first-team offense is ready.
“It really is practice. You want to get tuned up and ready for the regular season,” said Freeman, who will not play in Thursday’s preseason finale at Washington. “You want to work on your base stuff, get the offense gelling together. As far as what the preseason is for, we got that accomplished.”
CRABTREE CAUGHT
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers notified the NFL on Monday that wide receiver Michael Crabtree caught a couple dozen passes during warmups while still on the physically unable to perform list.
Team spokesman Bob Lange said the club immediately reported the “oversight” to the league office after it happened Monday afternoon. It’s unclear whether the Niners will be penalized.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league was investigating the situation.
QUINN TO GET START
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Broncos coach John Fox isn’t revealing his quarterback rotation for Thursday night’s preseason finale at Arizona.
It’s likely Brady Quinn will get the start with Kyle Orton sitting this one out. Quinn has outperformed Tim Tebow all summer and didn’t play last week against Seattle, when Tebow finished up with another inconsistent performance.
With Quinn likely having secured the job as Orton’s primary backup, the bigger question Thursday is whether he’ll split snaps with Tebow or if Adam Weber plays.
Weber, an undrafted free agent from Minnesota, has been impressive at practice but may not get his shot to play in the preseason because the Broncos would like to slip him through waivers onto their practice squad. Playing him could expose him to other teams and quash those plans.
Weber said he anticipates playing a couple of series at least, but if the Broncos decide not to expose him, he’s fine with that.
“You just can’t worry about that stuff,” Weber said. “My whole focus is continuing to get better every day and hopefully getting a chance to go out there and play and show these coaches and everybody that I can perform.
“I only try to focus on what I can do, and if I don’t get out there, I don’t get playing time, I try not to worry about that.”
Weber said he hopes to stay in Denver, even if that means playing on the practice squad.
“My ultimate goal is to be a starting quarterback, but you’ve got to take small steps to get there, and if that’s practice squad, then so be it,” he said. “I don’t mind putting in my time.”
NOTES: With Kevin Vickerson sidelined with a sprained left ankle Monday, the Broncos were missing their top four defensive tackles. Ty Warren is recovering from triceps surgery, Marcus Thomas is out until next month with a torn chest muscle and Brodrick Bunkley is down with a sprained knee. So, the latest starters are Ryan McBean and Jeremy Jarmon, a converted defensive end.
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Connect with AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Stapleton at http://twitter.com/arniestapleton
The Associated Press
08/29/11 19:47