Terrell catches a ride with the Broncos
Wide receiver David Terrell, who was released by the Patriots Saturday, signed a free agent contract with the Denver Broncos yesterday.
Terrell had signed with the Patriots April 5 after playing five years for the Bears. He was a first-round draft choice of the Bears and eighth overall in 2001, but never made much of a contribution in the Windy City.
''It is nice to have him in and get him started," said coach Mike Shanahan, whose receiving corps has been thinned by injuries. ''He will get a chance to adapt this week and start to get used to a different language."
Terrell has 128 career catches for 1,602 yards with nine touchdowns in 53 regular-season games.
Other ex-Patriots on the move yesterday were defensive back Dexter Reid, who was released by the Colts, and rookie fullback Kyle Eckel, a Naval Academy graduate who was placed on the Dolphins' reserve-military list after being called up by the Navy.
An olive branch?
Terrell Owens is ready to end his feud with Donovan McNabb.Owens and McNabb haven't been on speaking terms throughout the preseason, but the All-Pro wide receiver said in an interview on ESPN that he plans to talk to McNabb before Philadelphia's season opener at Atlanta Monday night.
''It's not that I hate Donovan. I love Donovan. I don't hate him at all," Owens said, speaking publicly for the first time since he returned from a one-week exile from training camp three weeks ago. ''I was just disappointed in a few things. I have the right to do that.
''Everybody speaks out of emotion. Everybody speaks out of frustration. Everybody's done it. That means I'm human. If you want me to go in and say I was wrong, maybe I was. Maybe I wasn't."
Owens started the friction in April when he took a shot at McNabb, saying Owens ''wasn't the guy who got tired in the Super Bowl."
McNabb responded harshly, insisting he didn't get sick and wasn't tired in the fourth quarter of the Eagles' 24-21 loss to the Patriots.
After he was banished from camp last month following a heated dispute with coach Andy Reid, Owens again went after McNabb, calling the five-time Pro Bowl quarterback a hypocrite.
Giant step
Giants quarterback Eli Manning has been upgraded to probable and likely will start Sunday's opener against the Cardinals. Manning, who said he has felt no pain since resuming practice Tuesday, sprained his right elbow in an exhibition game against Carolina Aug. 20 . . . The Dolphins released offensive lineman John St. Clair and signed free agent cornerback Kiwaukee Thomas. St. Clair started 14 games at tackle last season, but slipped to a backup role at guard during the preseason under new coach Nick Saban. Thomas was released last week by the Jaguars after five seasons in Jacksonville . . . The Colts re-signed veteran receiver and punt returner Troy Walters, two days after he was released to make room for another player on the team's 53-man roster . . . Starting right guard Chris Villarrial twisted his ankle in practice and his status is uncertain for the Bills' opener against the Texans Sunday. Coach Mike Mularkey said the team had not determined the severity of the injury. He added it's unlikely Villarrial will practice today . . . A Miami judge ordered former Raiders center Barret Robbins jailed for at least two weeks because he possessed marijuana while awaiting trial on attempted murder charges stemming from a brawl with Miami Beach police. Judge Kevin Emas scheduled a hearing for Sept. 21 to see if Robbins could be treated elsewhere for his bipolar disorder . . . Wide receiver Roddy White, the Atlanta Falcons' first-round draft pick, practiced yesterday and is expected to play in Sunday's season opener against Philadelphia. White was slowed much of the exhibition season by a high ankle sprain.
