AP: NFL notebook: Shanahan must pay $20,000 fine

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NFL notebook: Shanahan must pay $20,000 fine

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seahawks/2002516822_nfl24.html

By The Associated Press

DENVER — The league fined Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan $20,000 for his criticism of a call that reversed Darrent Williams' punt return for a touchdown Sunday against San Diego.

Officials called Denver for too many men on the field toward the end of Williams' 61-yard punt return after a few Broncos ran off the sideline to prepare for the extra point. None of the players who ran onto the field were within 15 yards of the play.

"It was a horrible call. Horrible call," Shanahan said Monday. "You wouldn't see a lot of calls like that in high school."

Yesterday, Shanahan acknowledged he had been fined.

"It's the first time I've ever been fined," he said jokingly. "That is pretty impressive."

Williams said he had no response to his coach's penalty. "I won't be helping Mike pay the fine," he said.

Atlanta's Vick likely to start

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Quarterback Michael Vick practiced for the second straight day and likely will start when the Atlanta Falcons visit the Buffalo Bills tomorrow.

Vick injured his left hamstring on a 32-yard scramble in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 21-18 loss in Seattle. Coach Jim Mora upgraded Vick from questionable to probable after the two-time Pro Bowl selection returned to practice Thursday.

The Falcons (1-1) have a five-game road losing streak. Atlanta is 26-15-1, including four playoff games, when Vick starts.

Giants' Strahan listed as questionable

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Defensive end Michael Strahan of the New York Giants missed practice with a sore back and was listed as questionable for tomorrow night's game in San Diego.

Strahan, who also missed some practice time last week with back spasms before recording five tackles and a sack against the New Orleans Saints on Monday night, did not appear too worried about his latest problem.

"I'm fine," Strahan said. "If I don't play on Sunday, then be concerned."

Giants coach Tom Coughlin said Strahan would seek treatment from a chiropractor, as he did before Monday night's game.

Strahan, the league's active career sack leader, has had back spasms in previous years but they have never caused him to miss a game. He missed the last eight games of the 2004 season with a torn pectoral muscle.

Notes

• Two Jacksonville players previously listed as questionable — quarterback Byron Leftwich (groin injury) and defensive end Reggie Hayward (back) — were upgraded to probable for tomorrow's game against the New York Jets.

• Philadelphia defensive end Jevon Kearse has been held without a sack in the Eagles' first two games, just as he was last year before getting three in the third game. He has gone five consecutive regular-season games without a sack.

Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson said Kearse, who plays against Oakland tomorrow, is due for a breakout game.

"That will come," Johnson said. "I don't worry about individual stats. I just want to make sure we get the effort, and he is giving us great effort, so that is all I care about."

• Former Oakland center Barret Robbins will be held without bond until his trial sometime next year on attempted murder and other charges stemming from a January brawl with police.

Robbins had been free on $51,000 bond and undergoing treatment for bipolar disorder at a Texas hospital. Miami-Dade (Fla.) circuit judge Kevin Emas revoked that bond yesterday after Robbins was arrested Aug. 13 on marijuana charges in San Antonio.

Emas ordered Robbins, 32, held in a special psychiatric wing of the Miami-Dade County Jail "until the case is resolved." No trial date has been set.