CINCINNATI

Broncos 34, Steelers 17: Cornerback Andre Goodman returned one of Dennis Dixon's two interceptions 77 yards for a touchdown for the host Broncos. Dixon, expected to back up Byron Leftwich with Roethlisberger out, went 9-of-16 for 94 yards and was sacked twice. Roethlisberger took 11 snaps, going 4-of-6 for 67 yards. Former Gator Tim Tebow, who sat out last week with bruised ribs, played the second half for Denver. He went 5-of-10 for 72 yards with a 3-yard touchdown and an interception. wholesale Steelers jersey linebacker James Farrior left in the first quarter with a head laceration. His helmet went flying when he helped make a tackle, exposing his head. His status was undetermined.

Raiders: Running back Michael Bush is set to have surgery today on his broken left thumb. Coach Tom Cable said Bush could play in the season opener but more will be known after the surgery. Bush's hand hit a helmet during a carry Saturday.

Jets: Linebacker Calvin Pace, who had a team-high eight sacks last season, is set to have surgery today on his broken right foot. He will miss at least the season opener, but his status after that hasn't been determined. He was hurt Friday while being blocked.

McNabb out?cheap  Redskins jersey coach Mike Shanahan said he's not certain quarterback Donovan McNabb will be available for the season opener. McNabb hasn't practiced since spraining his left ankle during the second preseason game against Baltimore. He and the No. 2 quarterback, former Gator Rex Grossman, were not scheduled to play in the preseason finale.

Roethlisberger, Goodell to talk: Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will meet with commissioner Roger Goodell after the team's final preseason game on Thursday to determine if his suspension will be reduced from six games to four. The league declined to say when or where it will happen or when a decision would come. Roethlisberger was suspended after being accused of sexually assaulting a college student in March. He was not criminally charged in the case.

"I did a test (Friday) night, and they found some things that we think was the main cause of (the migraines)," Harvin said. "I'm not saying I'll never get a headache again. But hopefully, we can slow it down a little bit."

Harvin was not expected to play after not practicing all week.

"Just glad to get back out there with my teammates and work some of the rust off," Harvin said. "I've got a lot of work to do conditioning-wise, but it felt good to get out there."

MINNEAPOLIS — cheap Vikings jersey receiver Percy Harvin said he felt "great" after Saturday's preseason debut. The former Gator, out for most of camp with migraines, caught two passes for 30 yards and took two big hits to the head.

Harvin optimistic

Owens quickly developed into the Bengals' top receiver in preseason while Bryant, 29, missed all four games because of the knee. He said the muscles around the knee weren't strong enough to let him cut at full speed.

The knee began bothering him over the summer, and he wasn't able to practice during camp. The cheap Bengals jersey signed Owens to a one-year deal at the start of camp.

Bryant and Terrell Owens worked out for the Bengals in March. Cincinnati chose Bryant, who was coming off an injury-marred season with the Bucs. He had surgery to repair cartilage damage in his left knee and caught only 39 passes last season.

Receiver Antonio Bryant was released on Sunday by the Bengals, who signed him to a four-year, $28 million deal (about $8 million guaranteed) in March believing he would be a complement to Chad Ochocinco.

The Seattle Seahawks traded defensive end Lawrence Jackson to the Detroit Lions

The Seattle Seahawks cleaned house after a poor 5-11 showing in 2009. The salvation project is now former USC head coach Pete Carroll's who is looking for redemption of sorts after two failed stints as an NFL head coach. The roster is thin on both sides of the ball so a return to respectability is really all that Carroll can hope for in his first season back on an NFL sideline. Carroll has the benefit of doing his rebuilding in a butter soft division and our NFC West picks staff expects the Seahawks to finish out of the cellar. Seattle Seahawks 2010 NFL Predictions: Below is a closer look at the team question marks along with a free sports picks play on the Seahawks from our NFL picks team of experts.

The Seattle Seahawks traded defensive end Lawrence Jackson to the Detroit Lions for an undisclosed draft pick in 2011.

One day after Jackson admitted he was in limbo in Seattle, the Seahawks announced Wednesday that they had traded away the lineman, who was 28th overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft. Seahawks general manager John Schneider wasn't on the job when the team drafted Jackson out of USC.

Neither was Pete Carroll, Jackson's former coach at USC, nor the rest of the Seahawks' defensive staff. They are installing schemes that call for ends to be run stuffers or fast pass rushers, and Jackson has demonstrated he is neither.

Jackson becomes the latest arrival on the Lions' revamped defensive line. Veteran tackle Kyle Vanden Bosch and Ndamukong Suh, the second overall pick in April's draft, arrived earlier to help rescue the NFL's worst defense.

In Seattle, former tackle Red Bryant has moved his 335-plus pounds to end on one side of the starting defense. The Seahawks also acquired former part-time linebacker Chris Clemons from the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason to be their pass-rushing end, then grabbed 315-pound defensive tackle and end Kentwan Balmer from the NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers on Monday.

Jackson, who returned to practice Tuesday after missing one week with a hamstring injury, sensed he lost his place in the Seahawks' defense this summer. The 6-foot-4, 270-pounder wasn't big enough to be a run-stopping end, and he isn't yet enough of a proven pass rusher to become a specialist.

"I'm kind of in the middle of both extremes," Jackson said after Tuesday's practice. "Everything is still up in the air right now."

Not anymore. Jackson is headed to the Lions, cast off for a draft pick as Carroll and Schneider continue to turn over the Seahawks' roster, half of which has changed since they took over in January.

The pick the Seahawks receive from the Lions likely will be in the same low round next year as the one the Seahawks dealt to the 49ers to acquire Balmer, who was drafted one choice behind Jackson in 2008.

Jackson started 24 of 31 games in his two seasons with the Seahawks. He had a career-high 4½ sacks during the 2009 season.

"Detroit showed strong interest in Lawrence, and this provides him an opportunity to move forward while he is still early in his career," Schneider said in a statement released by the Seahawks. "We wish him the best."

Colts have a healthy Anthony Gonzalez

This off-season, the Jets used their first round pick on Boise State corner Kyle Wilson. They also signed Antonio Cromartie from the Chargers, a man whose entire career was made back in 2007 when he picked off Peyton three times in a Sunday night game in San Diego. This was the infamous game where Dwight Freeney broke his foot, Peyton threw six picks, and Adam Vinatieri missed a chip shot field goal late in the fourth quarter that would have won the game for the Colts.

The Jets, and Ryan, have looked to beef up their secondary to counter the Colts passing attack. To counter, the Colts have a healthy Anthony Gonzalez, a further developed Pierre Garcon, newly drafted tight end Brody Eldridge, and the same QB that continues to haunt Rex Ryan: Mr. Peyton Manning.

Oh, and the Colts defense is better. The same defense that knocked Shonn Greene out of the AFCCG and held the run-happy Jets to 86 yards on 29 carries.

No offense to Ryan, but if the Saints  could beat the Colts 31-17 as they did in Super Bowl 44, they'd have waxed the Jets 55-0. And, please, to suggest that the 2006 Baltimore Ravens would have beaten the New England Patriots  that year is absurd. The Ravens were a paper tiger that season. All Indy did was expose them. As the AFC Championship that year proved, the Patriots were a better team than the Ravens.

But, I understand Rex Ryan is as big a homer for his teams; as well he should. However, the quote under-scores Ryan and the Jets' obsession with defeating the Colts. Back in late April, the Jets designed their entire draft around finding players who could help them beat Manning. After the jump, we go into detail...

As we expected, Pat McAfee  has looked outstanding in camp, booming punts and nailing kick-offs. McAfee was an unsung weapon for the Colts last year, improving the team's field position and providing a much needed upgrade over former-Colts punter Hunter Smith. Hunter certainly wasn't a bad punter, but what he couldn't offer was McAfee's ability to kick-off. By allowing Adam Vinatieri  the ability to focus solely on place kicking, it will likely increase his longevity Anthony Gonzalez in the league coming off multiple injuries that had him miss much of the 2009 season.

For Vinatieri, there will be more scrutiny on him this season than in season's past. He hasn't been healthy, truly healthy, since 2005. Even in 2006, his first year as Colts kicker, he was battling all sorts of injuries. The team had to sign Martin Gramatica for a period during the season while Vinatieri recovered. He returned to play out the rest of the season, including a marvelous performance in the post-season. He tied an NFL playoff record against the Baltimore Ravens by going 5-5 on field goals.

The key element of the special teams this off-season is the Colts investment in finding a truly dynamic kick and punt returner. In general, the team is happy with their punter and kicker. They were NOT happy with the (lack of) punt and kick return yardage last season. Using Football Outsiders, the Colts were a putrid -1.6 on kick returns and a -5.8 on punts returns.

In camp, 7th round pick Ray Fisher has started to dazzle on-lookers in Anderson with his kick returns. On punts, Brandon James is pretty much a lock to get the job unless, of course, he goes out in a pre-season game and fumbles the ball all over the place. Both Fisher and James clearly stand out on return drills.

The other players vying for a job as a returner are Blair White, Sam Giguere, and (surprisingly) Anthony Gonzalez. Don't be surprised to see the Colts use Gonzo as a returner in special situations. Gonzo has very good speed, and is especially good with yards after contact. He also has sure hands.

Devin Moore is looking to win a job as a returner, but I haven't seen many folks make note of him in their camp reports.

The first-team offense as receivers DeSean Jackson

Rookie safety Kurt Coleman had a good day Wednesday. He teamed with veteran linebacker Omar Gaither to stuff Scott during a goal-line scrimmage.

Rookie wide receiver Riley Cooper made a diving catch off a deflected pass during an 11-on-11 scrimmage, prompting fans to chant "Cooooop."

Position analysis:

Wide receiver

Returning players: DeSean Jackson (starter), Jeremy Maclin (starter), Jason Avant, Jordan Norwood (practice squad), Dobson Collins (practice squad).

Newcomers: Hank Baskett, Riley Cooper, Chad Hall, Jared Perry, Kelley Washington.

Outlook: Jackson and Maclin are battling nagging injuries but should be ready for the regular season. They have the potential to be one of the league's top receiving duos. Avant is a productive slot receiver, especially on third down. Baskett, Cooper, Hall, Perry and Washington are all fighting for two or three roster spots. Special teams could be a determining factor.

If the season started today

Avant, Baskett and Cooper would be the top three wide receivers. Baskett and Cooper worked with the starters Wednesday while Jackson (strained lower back) and Maclin (hyperextended knee) sat out.

How I spent my summer

Washington just bought a house in Isleverde, Puerto Rico, and spent all of his offseason there.

"I've been going to Puerto Rico for years," Washington said. "It's like my second home. It's where I go to just relax and get away from the world."

Play of the day

Linebackers Stewart Bradley and Ernie Sims delivered the most vicious hit of training camp against running back Eldra Buckley. Buckley had just caught a pass when both linebackers hit him so hard that his helmet flew about 10 yards. Buckley writhed on the ground for a few minutes, but walked off and eventually rejoined the action about 15 minutes later.

"It just knocked the wind out of me," Buckley said. "It was a good hit by them. I'm not mad at them or anything. Hard hits are a nature of the game."

What they're saying

Owner Jeffrey Lurie, on the team's goals this season: "I'm very, very proud of our performance in the last decade. We have one remaining goal and that's to win a championship. That's our sole obsession."

Bumps and bruises

The Eagles got through a day without suffering any injuries for the first time since full-squad workouts began last Saturday. Running back Mike Bell (bruised hamstring) and center Nick Cole (sore knee) were back at practice. Wide receiver DeSean Jackson (strained lower back) and cornerback Asante Samuel (strained hamstring) did rehab drills on a side field.

Cooper, a fifth-round draft pick from Florida, is getting increased time with the first-team offense as receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin are sidelined with injuries. Cooper caught six of the seven passes Kolb threw his way Thursday, with the other sailing over his head.

"He's been down the field deep behind the defense a lot," receiver Jason Avant said. "I think he's doing a great job."

Avant also thinks Cooper brings something different to Philadelphia's receiving corps: size and strength. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 222 pounds, Cooper is five inches taller than Jackson and three inches taller than Maclin. He's listed as the heaviest receiver on the team.

"And he's fast," Avant said.

Cooper's performance in training camp comes as no surprise to Eagles coach Andy Reid. He said the expectations for Cooper are higher than the usual fifth-round pick and that the Eagles couldn't believe they got Cooper so late in the draft.

Now, it's up to Cooper to prove he can perform in more meaningful action.

"I think he's going to be a good player in this league," Avant said. "And possibly great."

Up and running: Jackson didn't practice Thursday morning but did get out on the field for stretching and jogging. He was joined by cornerback Asante Samuel, and neither appeared uncomfortable as they ran.

"I don't think they're too far away," Reid said of their return.

Jackson has been out since aggravating his back Saturday, and Samuel injured his hamstring Sunday.

Meanwhile, Maclin ran inside, Reid said, and is feeling "remarkably well" despite hyperextending his left knee at the end of Tuesday's practice. Reid didn't give a specific timetable but said he doesn't think it will be too long before Maclin returns. Still, because Maclin has bone bruising, it's important the Eagles keep him from getting banged around, Reid said.

Green Bay Packers' A.J. Hawk

Quick observations:
- There is a lot of talk here in Green Bay on the Brett Favre retirement. My thoughts — he stays retired until September 9th when, while mowing the lawn, he decides to drive the lawnmower to the Superdome to announce his return… Bobby Boucher style.
- Looks like we may potentially see some FGs tonight. Hopefully it goes better than it has been, especially from the right hash.

Offense vs. defense
- Aaron Rodgers short pass to Tom Crabtree. A.J. Hawk on coverage.
- Nice pass from Rodgers to Donald Lee on the run.
- Rodgers pass to James Jones in front of Frank Zombo.
- All plays had running backs split out wide, which looks like a new wrinkle.

Kickoff practice
- Players start in a huddle and sprint out to their positions as soon as Mason Crosby is ready to kick.

1-on-1
- Brady Poppinga wins both of his and gets a breather for it.
- Shawn Gore probably wonders how he drew Quinn Johnson.
- Cyril Obiozor gets some love from the coaches. He seems like a guy they really like.

Offense vs. defense, round two
- End around to Jordy Nelson would of been stopped by Clay Matthews, except Nelson throws to James Jones for huge gain.
- Well set up screen from Graham Harrell to John Kuhn.
- Desmond Bishop with the quick pressure on Rodgers — would of been a sack if not for the red jersey.
- End around to James Jones goes for not much of a gain.
- Errant pass from Graham Harrell to Chastin West broken up by Charlie Peprah.

1-on-1 (linebackers vs. tight ends)
- Championship belt shown to crowd as the winner's prize.
- Matthews beats Jermichael Finley.
- Poppinga beats Crabtree with a rip move.
- Andrew Quarless beats Zombo.
- Donald Lee beats Obiozor.
- Matthews beats Jermichael again.
- Crabtree holds his own against Poppinga and Brady takes it to the ground.
- Quarless beats Zombo again.
- Lee and Obiozor get into it after the whistle. Kevin Greene breaks it up, tags in Ric Flair
- Tight ends win the championship belt.

Two-minute drill — offense needs a TD (2 timeouts), 7-on-7
- Rodgers puts a pass on Donald Driver's back shoulder.
- Pass down the middle to Nelson, timeout.
- Great back shoulder catch by Finley.
- Another back shoulder toss with a great catch by Brett Swain.
- TD to Lee on a short pass.
- Matt Flynn takes the No. 2 offense down the field but fails to score.

Regular offense vs. defense drills
- Quinn Johnson makes a huge block on Zombo. The pads popped.
- Finley shows his strength as he catches a quick screen, gets his helmet knocked off, and keeps going.
- First teams are looking pretty sharp.
- Charles Woodson would have destroyed Flynn on a blitz.
- Nelson makes a huge catch deep down the middle from Rodgers. It would of been a 30-plus yard gain.

This one is as close to being a thumbs down as it is a thumbs up. Finally, someone had the bright idea of getting LB Desmond Bishop  on the field for more than just a token appearance in the "psycho" package. What took so long? Bishop, who for the last three years has been a demon in camp only to be relegated to special teams because he plays behind A.J. Hawk, finally saw the light of day with the No. 1 unit, albeit in the "nickel" package. The new nickel debuted in full Monday and included Clay Matthews and Brandon Chillar at the two outside positions and Nick Barnett  and Bishop at the inside positions. Chillar actually played at Matthews' right outside position, but the two can flip-flop depending on match-ups. It remains to be seen whether Chillar can succeed rushing from the outside because at 237 pounds he's not the typical sized rusher, but he did have some success at that in St. Louis' blitzing defense prior to coming here. Having Bishop inside gives the defense someone who can shed blocks if it's a running play and deliver some hits in the middle of the field on passing plays. He's limited in his coverage ability, but so is Hawk, so he might as well be given a shot.

Chargers hope stealth receiver will make an impact

One pass was deftly thrown by Philip Rivers to the left. Though surrounded by defenders, Antonio Gates was the only one to get a hand on the ball, essentially tipping it to himself for the catch and eliciting a natural response from the training-camp crowd:

The next pass was released by rookie Jonathan Crompton to the right, and it appeared to be headed for no one in particular, if anyone at all. From amid a number of defenders in blue jerseys, a wide receiver went up and into full-sprawl mode to make the balletic reception, also eliciting a natural response from the crowd:

This is sort of the Chargers' plan and hope for Jeremy Williams, a first-year, free-agent wideout from Tulane with a degree in graphic arts and a similarly creative sense when it comes to his position. They like the idea of having a young receiver who comes in as a relative unknown and remains well under the radar, but has the skills to challenge for a role on a pass-minded team.

"I'm a guy who can make those catches," said Williams. "I'm a jump-ball guy. I can dive for balls. I'm really confident in my hands and what I bring to this team."

Though he certainly must have felt an urgency to make a fast impression on Antonio Gates  the Chargers, given the fact he arrived as an undrafted rookie, Williams joined a team not known for hurrying receivers along in the process. None of the returning Chargers veterans — Malcom Floyd, Legedu Naanee, Buster Davis — nor yet-to-return Vincent Jackson, were starters their first year.

"That happens when you've already got good players in the starting lineup, as we have," said head coach Norv Turner. "With the guys we've had here, it's hard to break through."

The absence of Jackson opens a window of opportunity. The wonder is just what kind of receiver Williams might become and how the Chargers would use him. When he first went to Tulane, Williams was utilized primarily as an inside receiver in the spread offense. With the takeover of the program by Bob Toledo, Tulane played the pro-style West Coast offense, generally putting Williams on the flank.

"I learned a different type of position that way," said Williams of the pro-style attack. "We ran a lot more play-action, so I'd get behind the safety and get a lot of deep balls. I sort of flourished."

By virtually all accounts, about the only reason Williams wasn't drafted by somebody was a knee bearing the scars of two operations. A relatively minor procedure repaired his lateral meniscus, but far more serious was microfracture surgery that ended his junior season.

Not only did Williams return for his final year, but he seemed to blossom, making 84 receptions for 1,113 yards and seven scores. Earning a spot in the Senior Bowl, he was named Most Valuable Player of the South team with six catches for 82 yards and a 27-yard gain via a reverse. (Two of his Chargers teammates, Philip Rivers and Darren Sproles, also were Senior Bowl MVPs.)

"Everything's been back to normal with the knee," said Williams, who's also been returning punts in camp. "There are days when swelling gets in there. I've learned how to take care of it."

Disappointing as it was to go undrafted, Williams was left with more say about where he signed. He said Philadelphia, Jacksonville, Miami and Cleveland made overtures, but San Diego had a special appeal to a young man born and raised in Baytown, Texas.

"I remember when I was a sophomore in college," said Williams. "My graphic-design project was to come up with something looking at what we expected to be doing in the future. I made myself with the Charger emblem in the background."

Raiders' organized team activities and minicamps

Houston was one of the Raiders' most noticeable players during offseason Nnamdi Asomugha workouts, as much for his frequent flare-ups with teammates as for his play. Don't expect much change when the pads go on.

"That's just how I am," Houston said Sunday, taking a break from the team's two-a-day workouts. "I love the game and I love to play. Until they tell me not to play, I'm going to go out there and play to the fullest."

That attitude — and a need to plug one of the NFL's weakest run defenses — is precisely why the Raiders made Houston the 44th overall pick in April's draft.

Since 2002, Oakland hasn't finished higher than 22nd against the run. Over Darrius Heyward the past seven seasons, the Raiders are allowing a league-worst 143.7 yards per game along with 146 rushing touchdowns. Last season they were 29th in run defense, allowing 155.5 yards per game.

That has been a big factor in the team's run of seven consecutive seasons with at least 11 losses, a league record for futility.

Coach Tom Cable and defensive coordinator John Marshall have wasted no time throwing the rookie into the mix. Houston opened training camp as Oakland's starting left defensive end, lining up alongside five-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Richard Seymour.

"I ask (him) everything I can ask," Houston said. "He's been in the league for Darren McFadden a long time and he has so many Super Bowl rings. Anything I can ask, I ask him during meetings and after meeting. Sometimes I just sit down with him and ask him about techniques and stuff."

The Raiders focused on improving their run defense during the offseason. The used their first-round pick on middle linebacker Rolando McClain and immediately selected him to be a starter. They also added veteran defensive tackle John Henderson and franchised Seymour.

Cable didn't rule out Houston playing as much as McClain, either.

"I don't see why not," Cable said. "Certainly, we'll find out as we go. But that's why we picked him, really."

Houston played primarily defensive tackle in college, though he was an end Louis Murphy during his first two years at Texas. Raiders scouts were impressed by his athleticism — Houston is a former high school running back — and it didn't take long for his teammates to come to the same conclusion.

That is, when Houston wasn't getting into a scuffle or two.

During the Raiders' organized team activities and minicamps, Houston managed to get into tussles with veteran offensive linemen Robert Gallery and Langston Walker, as well as running back Rock Cartwright.

Now comes Oakland's first day of hitting.

"I'm excited, it's been a long time since everybody's been in some pads," Houston said with a grin. "Working technique in pads will be a lot different than just working in jerseys. It should be fine. Without pads, some guys get a little frustrated, and you just know with pads on, it will be a little bit different."

The Oakland Raiders are looking to get their money's worth with first-round draft pick Rolando McClain.

The rookie linebacker, whom many thought would be restricted to running situations, practiced with the first-team nickel defense on Sunday according to Jerry McDonald of the Oakland Tribune.

By all accounts, he did very well. The Alabama product picked off Jason Campbell during 7-on-7 drills and nearly added a second.

Trevor Scott was thought to have that position wrapped up, but was instead working out with the second team.