NFL

Colts leave service tighter than ever

INDIANAPOLIS - The Colts returned to work Wednesday more relaxed, more determined and more unified.

The subdued locker room and practices of last week were replaced by laughter, horseplay and video games, and a hope that the team could honor the message its missing coach, Tony Dungy, sent during Tuesday's eulogy for his 18-year-old son, James.

"I was so impressed with what he said and the integrity he had," Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday said. "I thought he made some great comments."

One day after about 200 Colts players, coaches and officials flew to Tampa for James Dungy's funeral, players credited the emotional trip for bringing even closer a team that already got along well. The players were around Dungy for the first time since he left for Tampa on Dec. 22, the day his son was found dead.

The way Dungy handled the tragedy has had a significant impact on players.

Saturday said he was touched by Dungy's call to be bolder about being role models for boys, and receiver Troy Walters said he believes the impact of Tuesday's trip could be long term. Others agreed.

"I think we came together," defensive tackle Montae Reagor said. "It allowed us to grow as a group and showed that we truly are a family."

GIBBS MIFFED: Redskins coach Joe Gibbs reacted sharply after linebacker LaVar Arrington discussed his likely departure. Arrington said he expects the Redskins to try to trade or cut him because of his salary and said he might retire. Gibbs was angry at the distraction to a team trying to clinch a playoff berth against the Eagles. "Right now, for anybody in this organization, I would hope in the entire town, to be focused on anything other than Philly would be ridiculous," Gibbs said.

FAVRE IN LIMBO: Brett Favre says he hasn't decided whether he'll return to the Packers next season, and it has occurred to him the team might not want him back. "It is a business," Favre said. "And up to this point, we're 3-12. And from a business standpoint, wouldn't you think they're sitting there going, "Okay, if we're running a risk of this happening next year, we might as well save the money and put that money elsewhere for the future'?"

BILLICK RETAINED: Brian Billick will return as Baltimore coach next season, the result of owner Steve Bisciotti's belief that continuity is the best way for the team to recover from consecutive disappointing seasons.

ALEXANDER TO PLAY: Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander will leave today to attend a family funeral Friday in Cincinnati, then rejoin the team in time to start Sunday at Green Bay. Alexander is tied for the NFL record with 27 TDs.

ASSAULT PLEA: Former Dolphins linebacker Stephen Towle received a suspended sentence after pleading guilty in Independence, Mo., to seriously injuring a man during a roadside fight in September after he cut off the other man in traffic. Towle, 52, committed second-degree assault on Rudy Babbitt, 49, who was left with limited speech and mobility.

BENGALS: Carson Palmer is expected to play Sunday against the Chiefs, even though he has a strained groin and the team has little at stake.

JAGUARS: Quarterback Byron Leftwich practiced for the first time in more than a month. Leftwich, who broke his ankle Nov. 27 at Arizona, is questionable for Sunday.

PANTHERS: Receiver Steve Smith was fined $15,000 for bumping an official during Saturday's loss to Dallas.

ARENA FOOTBALL: The Storm signed offensive/defensive lineman A.J. Lindsay, a run-stuffing defensive tackle from Temple. Lindsay, 6-feet-3, 310 pounds, decided to forego his senior season to enter the 2005 NFL draft. He signed a rookie free-agent contract with the Packers and was released in August.

Times staff writer Frank Pastor contributed to this report.

[Last modified December 29, 2005, 00:52:13]