NFL Notebook

Shanahan, Haynesworth meet in private

Associated Press / August 24, 2010

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Redskins coach Mike Shanahan met with Albert Haynesworth yesterday and kept the conversation to himself, saying it’s “completely ridiculous’’ to keep talking about it publicly.

“If you guys want to talk about football, we’ll talk about football,’’ Shanahan said. “But to keep on talking about things outside of football to me is completely ridiculous. I did have a conversation with him. If you want to talk about football, we’ll talk about football.’’

So Shanahan gave no response to the strong words uttered by the disgruntled nose tackle following Saturday’s loss to the Ravens. Haynesworth accused the coach of mischaracterizing the reason he missed practice last week and said he will stay away from the Redskins’ offseason workout program again next year.

Reports say Haynesworth was suffering from a muscle condition called rhabdomyolysis, but Shanahan has said he was not aware of that. Shanahan had given various reasons for Haynesworth’s inability to practice, eventually attributing it to a headache.

Haynesworth did not talk to reporters yesterday, but was back at practice for the first time in a week.

Manning practices

Giants quarterback Eli Manning, who suffered a 12-stitch gash on his forehead against the Jets Aug. 16, was back at practice and getting ready to start Saturday’s exhibition game against the Ravens in Baltimore.

“I liked his tempo right away,’’ coach Tom Coughlin said. “He got the ball out of his hand quick and made some real good decisions. So we’re glad to have him back on the practice field.’’

Manning was held out of Saturday’s game against the Steelers. Team physicians were concerned the gash would reopen if he were hit or would become irritated or infected by wearing a helmet.

Titans triumph

Chris Johnson ran for a touchdown, Vince Young outplayed Matt Leinart, and Tennessee beat the Arizona Cardinals, 24-10, last night in Nashville. The Titans never trailed in the exhibition game as Johnson scored on his sixth carry, an 8-yard TD that capped an 85-yard drive. The All-Pro, who signed a restructured contract last month to avoid a holdout, watched from the bench the rest of the night. Young was 9 of 13 for 128 yards and left after four series with a 10-0 lead. Leinart, who is trying to hold off Derek Anderson for the starting job, was 4 of 6 for 28 yards.

Bradford gets the start

A.J. Feeley’s thumb injury put No. 1 draft pick Sam Bradford on the fast track. The rookie from Oklahoma gets his first start with the Rams in Thursday night’s game against the Patriots, and with two preseason games to go he has a chance to seize the position that everybody knows will be his eventually. “There’s no doubt in my mind that he will lead this team,’’ safety Oshiomoghe Atogwe said. “He has to play and he has to get a feel and make this offense his own offense, and that takes time. Coach Steve Spagnuolo said Feeley wouldn’t practice this week and didn’t know about next week . . . Quarterback Todd Collins made no pretenses about his ambitions after signing a one-year contract with the Bears. The 38-year-old longtime NFL backup and former Walpole High star agreed to terms with an eye on taking the No. 2 spot away from injured quarterback Caleb Hanie (right shoulder sprain) . . . Saints running back P.J. Hill is out for the season because of an arm injury, and the team signed free agent running back DeShawn Wynn . . . Redskins free safety Kareem Moore had arthroscopic surgery on his sprained right knee and is expected to be sidelined 4-6 weeks . . . Dolphins coach Tony Sparano says he doesn’t expect Pat White to play in the team’s game Friday against Atlanta, an indication the second-year quarterback’s roster spot is in jeopardy. White, a second-round pick, took three snaps to run out the clock in the preseason opener and didn’t play Saturday at Jacksonville. He’s fourth on the depth chart behind Chad Henne, Chad Pennington, and Tyler Thigpen, and Sparano has said he’ll keep only three quarterbacks.