Super Bowl trophies ignored? For IRL contenders, there’s only 1 trophy that matters right now

DAVIE, Fla. — Dario Franchitti was getting dressed at the Miami Dolphins’ training facility Thursday afternoon, when someone warned him that the adjacent pile of football playbooks were top secret.

Carr ready as heel injury sidelines Giants’ Eli Manning for second straight day

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — With 79 career starts, David Carr knows how much Eli Manning wants to be on the field calling the plays when the New York Giants meet the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.

Cardinals don’t have sellout for Texans game yet; NFL extends blackout deadline 24 more hours

TEMPE, Ariz. — The NFL has given the Arizona Cardinals a 24-hour extension to the television blackout deadline for Sunday’s game in Glendale against the Houston Texans.

McNabb and Vick? Eagles may prefer powerful ground attack of Westbrook and McCoy instead

PHILADELPHIA — Never mind Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick. The Philadelphia Eagles may want running backs LeSean McCoy and Brian Westbrook in the same backfield instead.

New York Jets get visit at practice from 6-time champion boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Floyd Mayweather Jr. stopped by the New York Jets’ practice facility and came up with a knockout of an idea for his next career move.

LBs Joey Porter, Akin Ayodele and defensive end Phillip Merling return to Dolphins practice

DAVIE, Fla. — Linebacker Joey Porter and two other injured Miami Dolphins defenders returned to practice Thursday in preparation for their Monday night game against the Jets.

Lions QB Matthew Stafford doesn’t practice for 2nd straight day because of injured right knee

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions are being coy about the quarterback’s injured right knee and his status.

Brotherhood: Fast starts could have Peyton and Eli Manning looking like identical twins

INDIANAPOLIS — Peyton and Eli Manning will never make their NFL careers a personal competition.

Wide receiver Braylon Edwards takes practice field for first time with Jets

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Braylon Edwards spent most of his first few hours with the New York Jets meeting his new teammates and coaches and digging into the playbook.

Pro Picks: Annoyed Ravens, coming off loss to Pats, likely to take it out on surging Bengals

Even in defeat at New England, the Baltimore Ravens were impressive. They showed lots of moxie in staying close to the Patriots despite turnovers and overall carelessness.

Mammoth Minnesota Vikings offensive line keeping soon-to-be 40-year old Brett Favre upright

Vikings line keeping rejuvenated Favre upright

Offense gets big boost as Jets acquire WR Braylon Edwards from Browns

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Braylon Edwards went home frustrated way too many times, tired of all the losing in Cleveland.

Jets acquire receiver Braylon Edwards from Browns for WR Stuckey, LB Trusnik, draft picks

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Braylon Edwards’ arrival was picture-perfect for the New York Jets.

Tight ends taking increased lead role in NFL passing attacks; on pace for record production

NFL coaches are using athletic tight ends to take advantage of mismatches more than ever.

Broncos star Bailey getting tested often in 2009, welcomes increased attention

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The bully on the corner for so long, Champ Bailey is now the one getting picked on.

Inconsistent Arizona offensive line looks to regain Super Bowl form

TEMPE, Ariz. — When the running game goes nowhere and the quarterback is knocked around like a pinata, the offensive line gets the blame.

Merriman not happy with GM’s comments that Chargers have been ’soft and bewildered’ at times

SAN DIEGO — Chargers outside linebacker Shawne Merriman wasn’t pleased to read a comment from general manager A.J. Smith that the team’s play at times this year has been “soft and bewildered.”

With DeAngelo Williams wearing pink shoes, Panthers ready to run _ finally

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — DeAngelo Williams was a catalyst for the NFL’s decision to allow players to wear pink cleats to raise awareness for breast cancer. Then he and the Panthers were off with a bye when the initiative began last weekend.

Linebacker Joey Porter, 2 other defenders sit out Dolphins’ practice because of injuries

DAVIE, Fla. — Linebacker Joey Porter is among three Miami Dolphins defensive players sidelined with injuries as the team begins preparations for Monday night’s game against the New York Jets.

Banged-up Raiders offensive line gets tough test this week against Giants

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Facing the New York Giants defensive line is a tough enough task for an offensive line in the best of circumstances. The banged-up Oakland Raiders have to do it this week with backups in three of the five spots.

Steelers RB Willie Parker doesn’t practice, status for game against Lions uncertain

PITTSBURGH — Steelers running back Willie Parker isn’t optimistic about playing in Detroit.

Jets QB Sanchez says he was fined $5,000 by league for low hit on Saints LB Vilma

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — New York Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez said Wednesday that he was fined $5,000 by the NFL for his low block on New Orleans linebacker Jonathan Vilma last weekend.

Broncos injured running back Correll Buckhalter sits out practice

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos might be without their most productive running back when they face the New England Patriots this weekend.

Giants quarterback Eli Manning misses practice Wednesday with heel injury

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — While his painful heel injury is improving, Eli Manning is not guaranteeing he will quarterback the New York Giants this weekend against the Oakland Raiders.

FANTASY FOOTBALL: T.O., Romo are really missing each other _ at least statistically

The crisis has gotten so bad that maybe the NFL should consider a fantasy football bailout package. Tony Romo and Terrell Owens are terrible.

Packers’ pass protection problems making life rough for QB Aaron Rodgers _ Is help on the way?

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The possible return of veteran right tackle Mark Tauscher could be a step backward for current starter Allen Barbre, who won the job in training camp after the Green Bay Packers initially passed on the chance to bring Tauscher back from a major knee injury.

Raiders re-sign RB Gary Russell, release kickoff returner Justin Miller

ALAMEDA, Calif. — The Oakland Raiders brought back running back Gary Russell and released kick returner Justin Miller.

Lions add S Marvin White off waivers from Cowboys, sign LB Zach Follett off practice squad

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The Detroit Lions claimed safety Marvin White off waivers and signed linebacker Zach Follett from their practice squad.

Seahawks shelve 9-time Pro Bowl LT Walter Jones until at least November

RENTON, Wash. — Seahawks nine-time Pro Bowl tackle Walter Jones will not return until at least November, if at all this season.

Lions QB Matthew Stafford doesn’t practice Wednesday because of injured right knee

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Matthew Stafford was held out of practice Wednesday by the Detroit Lions because of his injured right knee.

Trading smelling salts for science: Treatment for players with concussions has advanced

NEW YORK — The days of a football player getting his bell rung, taking a whiff of smelling salts and getting back on the field are gone.

Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb set to make return from cracked rib against Buccaneers

PHILADELPHIA — Donovan McNabb is ready to pull on the No. 5 gameday jersey, take the snap, drop back and throw the ball downfield.

49ers reach 6-year contract with first-round draft pick, wide receiver Michael Crabtree

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Michael Crabtree is confident he can play a big role for the San Francisco 49ers as a rookie even though he’s months behind. He will get his chances in an offense that could really use him.

Rookie linebacker Fein, Baltimore Ravens hopeful, dies in Washington state

SEATTLE — Tony Fein, an Iraq war veteran and NFL rookie linebacker who played with the Baltimore Ravens during the preseason, has died of unexplained causes on the Kitsap Peninsula of Washington state.

49ers reach 6-year contract with first-round draft pick Michael Crabtree

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Michael Crabtree have agreed to a six-year contract after several months of difficult negotiations.