Associated Press
The NFL notebook …
RENTON, Wash. ó Seahawks coach Jim Mora says Michael Vick deserves to be reinstated to the NFL, though that second chance apparently wouldn’t come in Seattle.
Mora, who coached Vick when he was the Atlanta Falcons’ quarterback, said Wednesday during the Seahawks’ mandatory minicamp: “I believe he’s paid his debt to society.”
But Mora said Seattle won’t be adding any quarterbacks.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has not committed to reinstating Vick after he completes his 23-month sentence on July 20 for running a dogfighting ring.
Mora said he last spoke to Vick just before the suspended former Pro Bowl passer went to prison in the fall of 2007.
Mora was asked if he would welcome Vick to the Seahawks, who have three-time Pro Bowl passer Matt Hasselbeck plus veteran backup Seneca Wallace and rookie sixth-round draft choice Mike Teel.
“You know what? It’s a sticky situation, one I’m not comfortable talking about,” Mora said. “The fact of the matter is, Michael Vick is a member of the Atlanta Falcons’ organization right now. For me to be speaking on him would be speaking out of turn. I’ll just say this for the record: We are very happy with the quarterbacks we have on our roster. We have no intentions of adding another player to our roster at this time.”
SANCHEZ SIGNS
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. ó The New York Jets and quarterback Mark Sanchez reached an agreement on a multiyear contract Wednesday.
Sanchez was the fifth overall pick in the NFL draft in April after leading Southern California to a Rose Bowl victory over Penn State with a record-setting performance. The quarterback is competing with veteran Kellen Clemens for the Jets’ starting job, up for grabs after the retirement of Brett Favre.
The Jets made the announcement while Sanchez was still at practice during the afternoon session of minicamp. The deal was expected to be for quite a bit less than the $41.7 million in guarantees Detroit gave top pick Matthew Stafford as part of a six-year deal worth up to $78 million.
FAVRE UPDATE
MINNEAPOLIS ó The Minnesota Vikings never told Brett Favre to make up his mind by this week if he wants to play, according to coach Brad Childress.
In fact, Childress said Wednesday, the team has no timetable for Favre to decide about coming out of retirement again to quarterback the Vikings.”I’m not into predicting the future, you know?” the coach said. “We’ll just have to see what’s around the corner tomorrow.”
HELPING OUT
NEW YORK ó The NFL is starting a spinal treatment program for retired players.
The league will make specialists available at five hospitals across the United States to evaluate and treat retirees with spinal injuries. It will be available to any player whose pension is vested, which comes after he has played three seasons plus four games.
STEELERS RINGS
PITTSBURGH ó The Pittsburgh Steelers have gotten their Super Bowl rings, four months after beating the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 for the franchise’s record sixth championship.
The rings were presented at a private ceremony Tuesday night at Heinz Field. The ring’s design was kept confidential until then.
Each player got a ring with his name and number on it. On Monday, coach Mike Tomlin said he was excited about getting his ring, but that it will mark the end of the 2008 season. Now, he says, it’s time to focus on 2009.