Desperados kicker gets a shot with the Falcons
STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
Carlos Martinez, who has kicked for the Dallas Desperados in the Arena Football League the past three seasons, signed a contract Monday with the Atlanta Falcons.
The move came a day after the Falcons waived injured kicker Zac Derr. Atlanta did not re-sign Todd Peterson, meaning the kicking duties will fall to either rookie Tony Yelk or Martinez.
Martinez, 26, finished third among AFL kickers last season with 141 points and set league records for extra points attempted (130) and converted (117). He was 8-for-14 on field-goal attempts and recently won the kicking portion of the ArenaBattle Skills Challenge.
This isn't Martinez's first NFL opportunity. He spent training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2003 but was released before the season began. He signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the end of the 2003 season but was released in March 2004.
Leinart, Brady missing
Arizona rookie quarterback Matt Leinart stayed out of the sun Monday, as did veteran counterpart Tom Brady, who was mysteriously absent from workouts with the New England Patriots.
Leinart missed the first day of practice while contract negotiations went on between the Cardinals and representatives of the first-round pick. Brady, a two-time Super Bowl MVP, missed his third straight practice, but Patriots coach Bill Belichick didn't say why his quarterback wasn't present.
"Guys that aren't out here, it's either because of their practice routine or they are day to day," he said.
Arizona appeared close to a deal with Leinart when his agent, Tom Condon, came to Phoenix on Friday to meet with club officials. But he left after the sides didn't meet Sunday.
Finneran out for season
Falcons wide receiver Brian Finneran is out for the season after tearing up his left knee Sunday night as he practiced a one-on-one drill. An MRI confirmed that Finneran tore the anterior cruciate ligament, in addition to sustaining cartilage damage and a slight displacement of the knee cap. He will have surgery later this week.
Piling on?
Tank Carter had 54 months added to what would have been a six-month sentence for driving with a revoked license in Broward County, Fla. The reason? He skipped out of going to jail in January to watch his brother, Steelers defensive back Tyrone Carter, play in three road playoff games and the Super Bowl.
By now, Tank Carter would be leaving a North Broward jail, not looking at another 4 1/2 years there, if he reported to jail as required on Jan. 6. When he finally showed up on Feb. 13, a week after the Super Bowl, Broward Circuit Judge Stanton S. Kaplan added the extra time.
Briefly
Saints: With his contract done more than a week before he expected, Reggie Bush scrambled to get to New Orleans training camp Monday evening. Bush's flight from Atlanta landed in Jackson, Miss., shortly before 6:30 p.m., and he was driven to training camp at Millsaps College to sign his contract. He is expected to begin practicing today.
Titans: Tennessee released running back Damien Nash on Monday, finally losing patience with their fifth-round draft pick of 2005. Coaches said he was out of shape.
Colts: Indianapolis put Pro Bowl safety Bob Sanders, who had off-season surgery on his left shoulder, on the physically unable to perform list.
Dolphins: When the White House extended an invitation to dine with President Bush, Dan Marino accepted, but Miami Dolphins coach Nick Saban and defensive end Jason Taylor both said no. Saban said his obligations at training camp took priority over the chance to spend an evening with the president. Politics weren't a factor, he said.
Browns: Cornerback Daylon McCutcheon and right offensive tackle Ryan Tucker will both undergo knee surgery in hopes of being ready for the season opener.
Bills: Linebacker Takeo Spikes was back after a long absence, donning full pads for the first time since tearing his right Achilles' tendon in Week 3 last season.