NFL
Inspection rules to change
The NFL is preparing to send out instructions to game officials and teams explaining new rules for inspecting footballs used in games.
Two people familiar with the league’s plans told The Associated Press on Monday that proper inflation of the footballs will be documented as part of the new policy. But those people, speaking on condition of anonymity because the league has not released information on the new policy, said no instructions have been sent out yet.
The first preseason game is Aug. 9, the Hall of Fame game between Minnesota and Pittsburgh at Canton, Ohio. Among the details being considered for the new policy is having game officials appointed by the referee inspect the 48 footballs for each game more than two hours before kickoff. In the past, the referee inspected the footballs. Also under consideration is checking pressure readings for every ball before the game and then again at halftime. These changes stem from the use of underinflated footballs in last season’s AFC Championship Game, which led to a four-game suspension for New England quarterback Tom Brady, a $1 million fine for the Patriots and the Pats’ loss of two draft picks.
Brady has appealed the suspension and is awaiting Commissioner Roger Goodell’s ruling. The Patriots did not challenge their punishments.
Under the new guidelines, the official in charge of balls used in the kicking game would handle all footballs after they pass inspection by the two chosen game officials. Ten minutes before the game, a member of the officiating crew and a security official will bring 24 balls, 12 for each team, to the field. The other 24 balls will remain in the officials’ dressing room. Those footballs would be used in the second half of games in which the first 24 balls are inspected at halftime. Those halftime inspections will be done randomly.
Data for all inspected balls, including the amount of air in each, will be sent to the league office for evaluation.
BROWNS
Manziel still No. 2
BEREA, Ohio — Johnny Manziel had an uneventful summer, but his improved behavior hasn’t changed his position on Cleveland’s depth chart.
Cleveland Coach Mike Pettine said Monday that veteran Josh McCown will open training camp as the team’s No. 1 quarterback, but Manziel, the former Heisman Trophy winner who had an unproductive rookie season, still has a chance to win the job based on his performance.
Meeting with reporters in advance of the team opening camp later this week, Pettine said McCown likely will start the season opener against the New York Jets on Sept. 13. However, Pettine said Manziel can potentially unseat McCown. “I don’t think anything’s changed,” Pettine said. “The repetitions will be handled that way, with Josh as the 1. I wouldn’t say I’m guaranteeing today that Josh McCown is going to be the starter against the Jets. A lot can happen in a preseason.”
Manziel, who spent 10 weeks during the offseason in a Pennsylvania rehab facility that specializies in drug and alcohol addiction, reported to the team’s facility Monday.
PANTHERS
Martin to retire
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers offensive tackle Jonathan Martin, the lineman harassed during the Miami Dolphins’ 2013 bullying scandal, will retire, according to a source close to him. Martin’s agent Ken Zuckerman told The Associated Press his client recently injured his back during a workout, with doctors eventually informing Martin he’s not allowed to do any activity for six weeks and needs surgery.
Zuckerman said he advised Martin “not to rule anything out,” but said his client would rather retire than have surgery.
The agent said Martin “tells me he’s not going to play. I told him to never say never [because] there are always medical advancements.”
Martin, 25, signed with Carolina earlier this offseason after playing for San Franciso last season. He’s been working with the second team and has participated in all drills during the Panthers’ organized team activities and minicamps last month.
Martin made national headlines in 2013 when he abruptly left the Dolphins during the season amid reports he was bullied by teammates on the offensive line, including Richie Incognito. Incognito was suspended by the Dolphins in 2013 and Martin underwent counseling. Neither player played for the Dolphins again.
GIANTS
One-day deal for DE
NEW YORK — Osi Umenyiora is expected to sign a contract with the Giants — just not the kind of contract that puts him back on the field to help the team’s pass-rush issues.
The former New York Giants sack specialist, who helped the team win Super Bowl championships after the 2007 and 2011 seasons, will sign a one-day contract to retire as a Giant, according to a source familiar with the situation. The move is expected to happen sometime during training camp, which begins Friday.
The contract would not preclude Umenyiora from returning to the NFL if he wanted to resume playing for another club.
Umenyiora, 33, joined the Giants as a second-round draft pick out of Troy State in 2003 and played 10 seasons before signing with the Falcons in 2013 as a free agent. He had 75 sacks for the Giants and added 10 more for the Falcons.
Umenyiora was a first-team All-Pro in 2005, when he had a career-high 14 1/2 sacks. He was a second-team All-Pro in 2010. He had 13 sacks in the Giants’ 2007 championship season and added nine in 2011, when the Giants beat the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl for the second time.
The Giants face an uncertain situation at defensive end after Jason Pierre-Paul was hurt in a fireworks accident on July 4. Pierre-Paul reportedly had the index finger on his right hand amputated, and he suffered fractures in his right thumb. Umenyiora had been mentioned as a potential short-term replacement for Pierre-Paul, but the contract he’s expected to sign is purely ceremonial.
BUCCANEERS
Bowers set to re-sign
TAMPA, Fla. — Defensive end Da’Quan Bowers is getting another opportunity to prove himself with Tampa Bay.
The 2011 second-round draft pick was a major disappointment in four seasons with the Buccaneers, appearing in 50 games but only making 10 starts after entering the NFL as one of the nation’s top college pass rushers. Bowers, who has 7 career sacks, had 21 tackles and 1½ sacks in 11 games with Tampa Bay last season. He became an unrestricted free agent in March but did not sign with another team.