Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 24

C4 TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2009 FOOTBALL THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC NFL NOTES ism ing back corner Lucas seanaw Team also signs FB Griffith; Chargers LB Phillips finds trouble at SD hotel mer first-round pick. The New York Jets waived punter Reggie Hodges and running back Marcus Mason. Former Kansas City Chiefs coach Frank Gansz has died in a Dallas hospital. SMU spokesman Brad Sutton said Gansz, who was special-teams coach for the Mustangs last year, developed complications after undergoing knee-replacement surgery last week. He said Gansz, 70, died Monday afternoon.

After going un-drafted, Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell has agreed to attend the Cleveland Browns' rookie minicamp this weekend. Quarterback John Beck, a former Mesa Mountain View star, was released by the Miami Dolphins two years after he was taken in the second round of the NFL draft. versity to succeed during a season. Bryant's 3-month-old son died in his sleep in the week preceding the third game of the season. Rooney got the Horrigan Award for the person (not a player or team public-relations staffer) who helped the media best do their job last season.

Extra points Titans franchise player Bo Scaife, a tight end, joined the team's off-season program and signed his one-year, $4.46 million tender. Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel, a former Heisman Trophy finalist who wasn't chosen in the NFL draft, agreed to terms with the Washington Redskins. The Bengals released running back Chris Perry, ending an injury-plagued career in Cincinnati for the for nerves. NAU free agents Northern Arizona cornerback K.J. Gerard, the school's career record holder with 19 interceptions, signed a free-agent contract with the Baltimore Ravens.

Punterplace kicker Robbie De-haze, who made 56 career field goals and averaged 45.1 yards per punt as a senior, signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Falcons. Award winners Buccaneers kicker Matt Bryant and Steelers owner Dan Rooney won awards from the Professional Football Writers of America. Bryant won the Halas Award that goes to the individual in the NFL who overcame the most ad Chargers Linebacker Shaun Phillips was cited for misdemeanor battery for allegedly striking a security guard in the face at a downtown San Diego hotel early Sunday morning. 'Fridge' upgraded Former Chicago Bears defensive lineman William "Refrigerator" Perry, 46, has been upgraded to fair condition in a South Carolina hospital, where he has been hospitalized for two weeks to deal with complications from Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a chronic inflammation disorder of the peripheral Associated Press After removing the franchise tag from linebacker Leroy Hill, the Seahawks brought back free-agent cornerback Ken Lucas. Monday's signing fills Seattle's need for more size in the secondary.

The team also announced it signed veteran fullback Justin Griffith. Both get one-year contracts. Lucas began his career in Seattle as its second-round pick in 2001. He signed with Carolina as a free agent after the 2004 season and played four seasons there. The Panthers released him last month in a salary-cap move.

CARDINALS NOTES Beanie to beat it after minicamp RB must wait until school's out before return 1 id. James likely gone soon C.ui DAVID KADLUBOWSKITHE running back Beanie Wells in the first round of the draft Saturday meant the club could release James, who has a year left on his contract. That's something James has sought since the end of the 2008 season, but the Cardinals declined to cut him until after the draft. If they hadn't chosen a running back in the first round, the Cardinals likely would have brought James back this season. "We're planning on having personnel meetings today (Monday) and early this week," Graves said.

"It may not be a one-day process. We'll make some decisions about all those players that may be affected at some point this week." That could mean additional players are released. Releasing James will save $5 million under the salary cap, giving the team more room in which to accommodate new deals for Dansby and Wilson this year. Both are due to be free agents in 2010. Boldin must wait It's questionable if the team wants to extend Boldin's contract this year, too.

He has two years remaining on the deal, and there is some question of his worth after the lack of interest in trading for him. In addition, the UA By Kent Somers The Arizona Republic Coaches had better get a long look at rookie running back Beanie Wells during the mandatory minicamp this weekend, because they won't see him on the field until June. Wells, the team's first-round pick, isn't allowed to practice again until after Ohio Beanie Wells State's school year is over. The school is on the quarter system, the reason for the late finish. The Cardinals have six practices in May as part of their voluntary workouts.

Winners Kurt Warner received the Pro Football Writers Association's Good Guy Award given to a player who best helped the media do their job. The team's public-relations department, headed by Mark Dalton, the vice president of media relations, won the Ro-zelle Award, which is given to the PR department that best helped the media do their job. New players The Cardinals signed nine rookie free agents: wide receiver Justin Brown (6-2, 200) from Hampton, linebacker Chase Bullock (6-3, 234) from Maryland, cornerback Tony Davis (5-10, 195) from Penn State, Hawaii cornerback Ja-meel Dowling (6-3, 205), Cincinnati guardtackle Khalil El-Amin (6-4, 312), Florida State kick returner and cornerback Michael Ray Garvin (5-8, 182), Oregon State wide receiver Shane Morales (6-1, 209), Memphis tackle Brandon ASU Because of the Cardinals' first-round selection of Beanie Wells, running back Edgerrin James (right) likely will be released within the next few weeks, which will free considerable money under the salary cap the team can use to re-sign other veterans. ARIZONA REPUBLIC club has re-signed quarterback Kurt Warner, and with the hefty contracts likely to be commanded by Wilson and Dansby, the Cardinals could wait until 2010 to try to re-sign Boldin. Boldin and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, could not be reached for comment Monday, but Boldin is likely seeing a deal worth $8 million to $10 million a year, the going rate for a Pro Bowl receiver.

The Cardinals, however, were surprised by the lack of interest in trading for Boldin, and there are reports some teams were scared off by concerns over Boldin's contract. Titans coach Jeff Fisher caused a bit of a stir Saturday when he told local reporters that the Titans left "several messages" with the Cardinals on Friday night to discuss trading for Boldin, but that the calls weren't returned until Saturday. "They said that they weren't interested in moving him," Fisher said. Graves, however, denied that, saying he exchanged messages with Titans General Manager Mike Reinfeldt on Friday and talked to someone else in the Titans' personnel department that day. "There was communication between both teams," Graves said.

tends to have Britton compete for playing time at right guard or right tackle. "I'm angry. But I am thrilled about going to a great organization in Jacksonville," Britton said. "I couldn't ask for a better place to go than playing for the Jaguars and coach Jack Del Rio. They like to run the ball, and I want to help them do that." Thomas, who stands 5-8, believes his draft stock fell because of his height.

"I've got knocked down for being 5-8, 5-7 or whatever you want to call it," Thomas said. "I definitely think that is going to spark my fuse, and it's already sparked my fuse." Thomas, the Pac-10 record holder with 259 career receptions, is seen by Jacksonville as a slot receiver and potential return specialist. The Jaguars' receiving corps includes Tony Holt and former UA star Dennis Northcutt. UA linebacker Ronnie Palmer signed a free-agent contract with the Washington Redskins. Pearce (6-6, 290) and Kansas State linebacker Reggie Walker (6-0, 238).

A special upgrade Improving special teams wasn't the primary focus in the Cardinals draft, but it was a factor with several picks. Coaches think safety Rashad Johnson from Alabama, the third-round choice, could make an excellent "gunner" on punt coverage. Outside linebackers Cody Brown and Will Davis are big and can run, always a desirable demographic for special teams. Running back LaRod Stephens-Howling, a seventh-round pick, will get a long look at kick returner. "He's an outstanding special-teams player," coach Ken Whisenhunt said, "very physical, very fast." Injury update A handful of Cardinals aren't expected to participate in this weekend's minicamp because of injury issues.

Quarterback Warner (hip), nose tackle Gabe Watson (knee), fullback Tim Castille (knee), safety Matt Ware (knee) and tight end Stephen Spach (knee) have all undergone surgery since January. All are expected to be ready by training camp in July. A public appearance The Cardinals hold "Fan Fest" Saturday as part of the minicamp. Gates at the team's Tempe facility open at 9 a.m., and there will be an autograph session for kids 12 and under. The session is 10:15 a.m.-10:40 a.m., and practice is set for 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

It's the only practice session of the minicamp that's open to the public this weekend. training camp in the summer will be veteran Brooks Bollinger and fourth-round pick Stephen McGee of Texas Seattle, Indianapolis, Denver and Jacksonville, where former ASU coach Dirk Koetter is offensive coordinator, also had interest in Carpenter, who finished his college career with 10,491 yards passing and 81 touchdowns. "There's probably not a better place than Dallas because it's such a storied franchise," Carpenter said. "This will be a whole new experience. I'm used to being at ASU, where things were centered around me.

Now I'm the lowest man on the totem pole, trying to make a team. I've got my work cut out for me because they did draft a quarterback. I'm sure they're going to give him every opportunity." After knee surgery in December, Carpenter trained in Los Angeles with former NFL quarterbacks Eric Kramer and Hall of Famer Joe Montana. One of Carpenter's main targets at ASU, Michael Jones, CARDINALS Continued from CI camp starts Friday. General Manager Rod Graves will explore extending the contracts of linebacker Karlos Dansby and strong safety Adrian Wilson.

And it will be intriguing to see where the team and Anquan Boldin go from here, after the club listened to trade offers for the Pro Bowl receiver the past two weeks. Several teams called to inquire about Boldin, but there were only two firm offers and neither involved a first-round pick. Bears General Manager Jerry Angelo acknowledged offering a second-round pick, the 49th overall, for Boldin. And Graves said another team offered a draft pick and players. Contrary to reports, that team wasn't the Ravens, who never made an offer, said Graves, who declined to name the team.

"We weren't looking to give Anquan away," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. Changes imminent Training camp doesn't open for three more months, but a handful of personnel issues will be in the news this week due to the upcoming minicamp. The selection of Ohio State Cowboys signed as a free-agent wide receiver with Houston. Jones grew up in metro Houston and chose to sign with the Texans over Denver and Pittsburgh. The Texans drafted ASU safety Troy Nolan in the seventh round.

The Sun Devils' only other draftee was offensive lineman Paul Fanaika, also a seventh-rounder, by Philadelphia. ASU has had at least one NFL draft choice every year beginning in 1964 Fanaika came to ASU as a walk-on and played in 48 games, starting the final 35. Being drafted "speaks volumes of this journey I've been through," Fanaika said. "I'm on the verge of realizing my dreams. It's almost unreal." Nolan, who had 10 interceptions in two seasons at ASU, was unaware of any interest from Houston, where former ASU safety Jason Simmons played from 2002-07.

"I'm going in ready to work," Nolan said. The sky is the limit once you get in there." QB Carpenter signs with Britton, Thomas still mates Cats drafted later than they liked, both by Jags By Jeff Metcalfe The Arizona Republic Rudy Carpenter is second behind only Danny White in wins as a starting quarterback at Arizona State. So there's something fitting about Carpenter starting his professional career as a free-agent signee with the Dallas Cowboys, where White played for his entire 13-year NFL career and was starting quarterback from 1980-87. White had a better launching pad as a third-round draft pick in 1974 after his 30-3 run as a starter at ASU. But for Carpenter, 26-17 as a Sun Devils starter, working his way up is nothing new.

"It's always been this way for me," Carpenter said Monday. "I came to ASU as the second guy behind Max Hall, then had to compete with Sam (Keller). I've always been able to find a way to make it work." Carpenter will compete for a roster spot behind Cowboys starter Tony Romo and backup Jon Kitna. Others going to By John Moredich Tucson Citizen TUCSON Eben Britton and Mike Thomas will continue to be teammates at the next level. Britton, Arizona's All-Pac-10 offensive tackle, and Thomas, UA's all-time receiving leader were both drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars Britton in the second round (39th overall) and Thomas in the fourth.

Both expressed disappointment at when they were drafted but not their next destination. "I'm extremely (upset) about not being, taken in the first round," said Britton, who was projected by many analysts as a late first-round pick. "I'm the most underrated player in this draft. I will lead the Jacksonville Jaguars to the Super Bowl." Britton, 6 feet 5 and 317 pounds, was the fifth offensive lineman to be drafted. Jacksonville also took Virginia tackle Eugene Monroe with the eighth pick in the first round and in-.