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BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Now that he’s finally signed his contract, Jeremy Maclin hopes to show the Eagles that trading up to draft him was a smart move.
Maclin arrived at Eagles training camp Tuesday a day after agreeing to a five-year deal. The Eagles traded up two spots to select the speedy wide receiver from Missouri at 19th overall in this year’s NFL draft.
“I’m a competitive guy, so I wanted to be out here competing and be out here with my teammates,” Maclin said. “I was anxious from day one. I was anxious ever since I got drafted. But I’m happy I’m here now and that’s the big part.”
Maclin said he didn’t want to miss the start of camp, but felt it was important to negotiate a contract that was “right the first time.”
Chiefs sign Toomer
RIVER FALLS, Wis. — Amani Toomer knew he still wanted to play, knew he still could play. Retirement was never an option.
So even as training camps opened around the league, the 13-year veteran kept working out, waiting to get a call.
It came this week, when the Kansas City Chiefs invited him for a workout, then signed him to a one-year deal.
“I definitely thought I was going to play, I kept working out like I was going to play,” Toomer said Tuesday after his first practice with his new team. “It bothered me ego-wise, but I kept going, kept doing my thing and I’m here now.”
The Chiefs didn’t pursue Toomer as a free agent during the offseason, opting to head into training camp with an inexperienced group of receivers. But as those receivers continued to drop passes, they started looking for veteran help.
Kansas City brought in Toomer, David Terrell and D.J. Hackett for a workout on Monday, then completed a deal with Toomer before Tuesday’s practice. The Chiefs also claimed linebacker Vince Redd off waivers from New England, creating space on the roster by releasing tight end Tony Curtis and guard Edwin Harrison.
Kemoeatu ‘bummed’
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Maake Kemoeatu sat in the shade off to the side of Carolina’s practice field Tuesday, his right leg extended and wrapped in an air cast. A pair of crutches rested on a folding chair next to him.
A day after completely tearing his Achilles’ tendon, the Panthers’ largest player and top run-stuffer could only watch a group of inexperienced defensive tackles try to replace him.
“Bummed out,” Kemoeatu said, his face partially hidden under a floppy hat. “I wasn’t coming into camp expecting to get hurt on the first day. But that’s all a part of football. The Carolina Panthers will move on. We’re going to do good.”
Kemoeatu is scheduled for surgery Wednesday, but remains hopeful that “maybe I’ll make it back for the last month of the season.” Kemoeatu hasn’t been placed on injured reserve, and coach John Fox said the Panthers will consider holding a roster spot for him.
For now, Fox and new defensive coordinator Ron Meeks are more concerned with finding an immediate replacement at a position the salary cap-strapped Panthers had almost no depth entering camp.
Nick Hayden, who played in two games as a rookie last season, worked with the first team Tuesday. Behind him are undrafted rookies Marlon Favorite and Lonnie Harvey, and Lorenzo Williams, who had a short stint on Carolina’s practice squad last season.
Lawson ready for new role
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Manny Lawson succinctly summarizes his role in the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive scheme this year. “Just create havoc,” Lawson said.
Lawson’s job at strong-side linebacker is actually much more complex than that. And how he performs as an every down player will be vital to the success of a unit that climbed to No. 13 in the NFL last season and aims to get better this year.
San Francisco’s defense improved significantly over the second half of last season when Lawson became a full-time performer. He often played only on first and second downs earlier in the season.
This year, he’s expected to be one of the 49ers’ leading pass rushers while also making plays sideline to sideline against the run and in coverage.
“He’s progressing quite well but he needs to keep it going,” defensive coordinator Greg Manusky said. “He’s going to be coming off the edge in our sub-package. He’s an explosive player who’s got those long arms and a long reach and he takes a sight line and he goes.”
The 49ers have been lacking a consistent pass rush. It was one of San Francisco’s weaknesses last year when the team finished with 30 sacks.
Ward taking CTO
LATROBE, Pa. — Hines Ward didn’t appear at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ afternoon practice until he started running sprints with running back Willie Parker midway through the 2-hour workout.
Four days into camp, the four-time Pro Bowl receiver has practiced once. Ward said Tuesday he’s not injured, although he had offseason shoulder surgery.
Ward said he’s merely taking CTO — coach’s time off.
Coach Mike Tomlin is giving several experienced Steelers considerable rest early in camp following the team’s Super Bowl run, including safety Troy Polamalu and Ward. Polamalu reported to camp with a sore hamstring. Parker didn’t practice because of a shoulder problem.
“I can’t knock what coach Tomlin is doing,” Ward said. “He’s a proven coach, he’s won the Super Bowl. Yeah, it looks a little strange, me not out there and people wondering, but it’s his team.”
Tomlin’s explanation for the 33-year-old Ward’s extended summer vacation?
“Hines has money in my emotional bank account, so I take care of Hines,” said Tomlin, who had Ward sit out every midweek practice last season.
Ward, the Steelers’ career record-holder for receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches, probably doesn’t need a lot of work to get ready for his 12th season. But he needs some, if only to get back into a rhythm with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Williamses await resolution
MANKATO, Minn. — If the waiting is the hardest part, Kevin Williams and Pat Williams haven’t shown it.
The Minnesota Vikings and their stalwart defensive tackles are still seeking resolution to their fight against the NFL’s attempt to issue them a four-game suspension for use of the now-infamous weight-loss supplement StarCaps.
More than eight months after news of their positive tests first broke, the Williamses find themselves in continued limbo.
“I just keep on praying on it. That’s all I’m going to do. Whatever happens happens,” Pat Williams said after Tuesday’s training camp practice, teasing Adrian Peterson on his way off the field about all the kids screaming for the running back’s autograph.
“Hopefully it will be over soon, and we can move on,” Kevin Williams said. “I’m not going to even worry about it.”
The state judge involved in the case has said he’ll decide this week whether to put the players’ lawsuit on hold at the league’s request, while a federal appeals court considers other issues including input from other major sports.
The NFL wants the suspensions, originally handed out last season, to start with Minnesota’s opener on Sept. 13, but the league would rather the federal appeals be resolved first before further proceedings at the state level to avoid conflicting rulings.
The players’ attorney is pushing for a trial before the regular season begins on Sept. 13; if that’s not possible, they want it delayed again until the season is over.
The Williamses have acknowledged taking StarCaps, which contained an unlisted but illegal ingredient called bumetanide that can mask the presence of steroids; they’re not accused of taking steroids, however.
Their original lawsuit was dismissed in federal court, but their claims that the suspensions would violate Minnesota employment laws were sent back to state court. The NFL didn’t tell players that StarCaps contained the banned substance, but it claims that players are responsible for what they take and that the collective bargaining agreement that is in place should dictate the punishment.
Whew.
No wonder their focus is on football: This is almost too complicated to think about anyway.