Monday, Aug. 11, 2008

Depth allows 49ers to cut Moore loose

Spikes should replace veteran at linebacker

SANTA CLARA -- The San Francisco 49ers waived veteran linebacker Brandon Moore on Sunday, opening a roster spot that could go to two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Takeo Spikes.

Spikes will likely to start alongside the NFL's reigning defensive rookie of the year Patrick Willis at inside linebacker in the team's 3-4 defense.

Moore started 10 games in 2005 and 11 in 2006, when he led the team in tackles with 114 and sacks with 6½. He lost his starting job last year.

Jeff Ulbrich started the 49ers' exhibition opener Friday night against the Oakland Raiders at inside linebacker next to Willis. Rookie Larry Grant is behind Ulbrich on the depth chart while Dontarrious Thomas, a free-agent pickup, is behind Willis.

"I think the biggest thing is we've gotten better since then, from a personnel standpoint," 49ers coach Mike Nolan said of Moore's 2006 season. "Obviously (with) Patrick Willis inside, that exposes the guys next to (him) a lot."

FAVRE UPDATE, at Hempsted, N.Y. -- Even Brett Favre isn't immune to some punishment at practice. The new Jets quarterback fumbled a snap from Nick Mangold on Sunday morning and knew what was coming next: his first penalty lap.

"It's not punishment," said Favre, who couldn't recall if he had ever run a penalty lap in his previous 17 seasons. "It's more of a team unity thing."

But it might have been the NFL's first penalty lap to draw cheers.

There was No. 4 at his second practice with the Jets, jogging along the sideline with Mangold -- to hearty cheers from the 4,000 fans there to catch a glimpse of their new quarterback.

"He's one of the guys," coach Eric Mangini said. "You put the ball on the ground, you have to run. And that's the way, when we talked about it, he wanted it and that's the way I wanted it."

BURRESS RESTS, at Albany, N.Y. -- Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress said he won't practice with the New York Giants until his troublesome right ankle is healthy.

"Of course I definitely want to be out there," Burress said Sunday after watching the morning workout at the University at Albany. "Like I said, Plaxico Burress has to take care of Plaxico Burress."

Burress, who caught the game-winning pass in the upset of the New England Patriots, has not practiced since the Giants opened training camp on July 25. The last time he practiced was before the Super Bowl.

He skipped the optional offseason workouts and refused to take part in the veteran minicamp in June because his contract, which will pay him $3.25 million this season, was not renegotiated.

EDWARDS HURT, at Berea, Ohio -- Browns wideout Braylon Edwards was running a sprint in his socks when receiver Donte' Stallworth stepped on the back of his foot and opened a cut that required stitches and a night in the hospital.

Edwards spent Saturday night at the Cleveland Clinic and was released Sunday. The stay was precautionary and the injury wasn't thought to be serious, coach Romeo Crennel said.

QUICK HITTERS -- Texans running back Ahman Green will likely sit out Houston's preseason game against New Orleans this week with a pulled groin, but coach Gary Kubiak said the injury isn't serious. ... The Pittsburgh Steelers signed veteran quarterback Byron Leftwich, choosing the former Jacksonville Jaguars starter over Daunte Culpepper, a three-time Pro Bowl player. ...

Cleveland signed former Ohio State defensive back Brandon Mitchell. ... St. Louis Rams cornerback Justin King's rookie season is over before it started after he tore a ligament in his left big toe in Saturday night's preseason opener against Tennessee. The injury will require season-ending surgery. ...

Anquan Boldin went through a full practice with Arizona for the first time in more than two weeks due to a sore hamstring and said he expects to play next weekend. ...Anthony Mix suffered a broken rib during Saturday's 17-14 preseason win over Buffalo. The reserve wide receiver will miss at least one week.