Associated Press
SALINE, Mich. ó Kevin Jones darted to the right, planted his foot, pivoted and sprinted back across a patch of grass.
iThat is what teams canít believe I can do,î Jones said Thursday morning after doing a shuttle run in 4.3 seconds.
Soon, NFL teams will get a chance to witness what seems like a remarkable comeback from ACL surgery.
Jones has a workout scheduled for scouts on June 28 in Saline.
In a town about 40 miles west of Detroit, the former Lions running back has been rehabbing his surgically repaired knee at Brookside Golf Course, a pool and in the basement and dojo of a holistic medicine practitioner and sports agent.
iIíve never worked out like this and I feel great,î Jones said.
Dr. James Andrews performed the surgery on Jonesí right knee in January and told him it would take up to 10 months to get back on the field.
Jones believes he will be able to go through non-contact drills with the team that signs him during training camp next month.
New England, Chicago, Green Bay, Tennessee, Tampa Bay, Denver, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Buffalo and the New York Jets are among the teams who have shown interest in Jones.
NOTRE DAME
SOUTH BEND, Ind. ó NBC renewed its television contract with Notre Dame football through the 2015 season on Thursday despite the Fighting Irish last year drawing their lowest ratings since the network began broadcasting their games in 1991.
NBC Sports chairman Dick Ebersol said the network doesnít look at year-to-year results when it comes to Notre Dame, calling the football program a premier brand that defines the network as much as the Olympics, the NFL and the U.S. Open golf championship.
iWeíre big believers in how Notre Dame time and time again over all these generations has maintained its strength,î he said. iI donít see that going away.î
Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed, although Ebersol said the contract is a flat fee and not based on ratings. The current contract that expires in 2010 is reported to be worth $9 million a year.
PGA
CROMWELL, Conn. ó Johnson Wagner shot a 6-under 64 to match Steve Lowery, Brad Adamonis and Englishman Brian Davis for the first-round lead in the Travelers Championship.
LPGA
ROCHESTER, N.Y. ó Japanís Ai Miyazato, celebrating her 23rd birthday, shot a 4-under 68 to join Cristie Kerr and five South Korean players atop the crowded leaderboard at the Wegmans LPGA.