NFL

Giants say no new contract for Strahan

By TIMES WIRES
Published August 2, 2007

ALBANY, N.Y. - The Giants won't renegotiate Michael Strahan's $4-million contract to persuade the seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end to stop mulling retirement and play this season.

"I don't want to get into negotiating in the media," co-owner John Mara said Wednesday as Strahan's holdout entered its sixth day. "He is under contract and I think you all know what our position is on that. I don't want to make any statements on that."

Mara said he feels Strahan, 35, will decide to play, but he said the team was prepared to move on without him.

The Giants on Wednesday had former Bucs defensive end Simeon Rice in for a physical. Rice met with coach Tom Coughlin and general manager Jerry Reese and was to have dinner with team officials Wednesday night.

Mara downplayed a report that Strahan felt betrayed because of fines of $14,288 for each day of his holdout.

"He hasn't expressed that to us," Mara said. "I'm not sure I believe that."

BENGALS: Suspended linebacker Odell Thurman has been ordered to appear in court for reportedly violating probation on his drunken driving conviction. A probation officer said Thurman failed to show up for a scheduled meeting July 24. Thurman then was ordered to appear before a judge Aug. 21 to explain himself. If the judge decides Thurman violated probation, he could be sent to jail.

BROWNS: End Orpheus Roye, the team's best defensive lineman, is scheduled to have arthroscopic surgery today to fix loose cartilage in his right knee and could miss the Sept. 9 opener. Roye, 34, missed the final five games last season with a knee injury.

COWBOYS: Receiver Terrell Owens didn't take part in practice because of a sore hamstring. He didn't respond to reporters' questions. The team's other top receiver, Terry Glenn, was in Dallas for arthroscopic surgery on his right knee that will keep him out for about two weeks.

REDSKINS: Key starters Clinton Portis, Chris Samuels, Marcus Washington, Santana Moss and Randy Thomas are sidelined or are having their practice time curtailed less than one week into training camp. Running back Portis was out for the second straight day Wednesday, riding a stationary bicycle because of swelling and soreness due to tendinitis in his right knee. Right guard Thomas was supposed to have recovered from last month's knee surgery, but he's only just starting to take part in some drills. Receiver Moss' work is limited because of a sore leg. Strongside linebacker Washington has been rested for several practices after feeling a twinge in his surgically repaired hip. Left tackle Samuels, who sprained a knee ligament Monday, is expected to miss four weeks at most, which would put him on pace to return for the Sept. 9 opener.

STEELERS: Running back Willie Parker missed practice for the second day in a row because of a sore left knee and is likely to miss the Hall of Fame exhibition game Sunday.

[Last modified August 2, 2007, 07:08:07]