NFL | Fred Taylor apologizes after arrest

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jaguars running back Fred Taylor walked into the locker room Monday, saw a throng of reporters waiting for him and said, "I feel like we're going to the Super Bowl."

Not even close. These questions were much, much different.

Taylor apologized to team owner Wayne Weaver for his arrest on a disorderly conduct charge over the weekend, said the whole incident was "very, very petty," and hinted that he was provoked by police. Taylor even refused to characterize it as an arrest, calling it a citation.

"I'm not going to get into any details," he said. "It's an awkward situation, but I really do, sincerely, from the bottom of my heart, want to apologize to the Weavers and this organization for this type of press. It's never really good when it's in the negative light."

Taylor was cited outside a Miami Beach nightclub Saturday around 4 a.m. According to his attorney, Adam Swickle, Taylor was getting into his car as police arrived at the club. Officers ordered him to put his hands on the hood, then patted him down and searched his vehicle for firearms and drugs with a K-9 unit.

Taylor admitted getting into a verbal altercation with police and said his tone may have prompted the citation.

"It's not me versus the cops," Taylor said. "I don't want to get into that grudge match, whether right or wrong. ... It's all about authority. Pride gets in the way, then you have two people disagreeing.

"I felt like I was defending myself and I just honestly said one or two curse words that I shouldn't have. It went from one extreme to the next. Unfortunately, it happened. The milk spilt. Can't do a whole lot about it now but keep my head up and keep smiling. I know at the end of the day, I feel I was doing the right thing for myself regardless of whatever happened."

Stanback may play

Dallas Cowboys receiver and ex-Husky Isaiah Stanback practiced Monday, providing a potential boost for the team heading into its season opener.

Stanback, a Garfield High grad, separated his left shoulder returning a kickoff Aug. 22 and didn't practice last week, when he still couldn't lift his arms above shoulder level.

Coach Wade Phillips said Stanback looked good at practice and could play Sunday at Cleveland.

"Caught the ball over his head. Made a couple of real good catches," Phillips said.

In other news, Cory Procter of Gig Harbor, a fourth-year player who is also the backup center, will start the opener at left guard in place of injured Kyle Kosier.

Superdome OK

INDIANAPOLIS — New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said the team remains hopeful it will be able to host the season opener against Tampa Bay on Sunday.

The Saints moved their practice site to Indianapolis over the weekend to get out of the path of Hurricane Gustav. Loomis said the team's practice facility sustained only minor damage, such as damaged awnings. But the Saints still plan to practice in Indianapolis this week. The Louisiana Superdome, which was severely damaged three years ago during Hurricane Katrina, appeared to be in good condition, too.

Loomis said Monday the Saints plan to return to their home base later this week — if city officials permit it. Until then, they'll stay in Indy, suddenly the home of two NFL teams.

Notes

• Rookie quarterback Joe Flacco will start in the season opener Sunday for the Baltimore Ravens, who awarded the job to their top draft pick because he's the healthiest player at the position. Flacco, the 18th pick overall, will launch his NFL career against the Cincinnati Bengals. There is a chance the two other quarterbacks competing for the job, Troy Smith and Kyle Boller, will not be available as backups. Smith is still feeling the effects of infected tonsils and Boller has a sore shoulder that could ultimately require surgery. In an effort to add depth, the Ravens worked out quarterbacks Chris Simms, Joey Harrington and Todd Bouman.

• The Green Bay Packers will start the regular season against the Minnesota Vikings with a new punter, a new holder and a new long snapper. General manager Ted Thompson cut punter Jon Ryan in favor of ex-Washington Redskins punter Derrick Frost and chose Brett Goode to be the team's long snapper. Only second-year kicker Mason Crosby remains in the kicking game from the group that went through camp.

• Mike Westhoff is back running the New York Jets' special teams unit. The 60-year-old coach stepped aside after last season to have a ninth operation on his left leg, which has been ravaged by bone cancer. He now has a clean bill of health.

• The Chargers placed backup center Cory Withrow, a former Washington State player, on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.

• The Oakland Raiders agreed to terms on a one-year contract with discarded receiver Ashley Lelie.

• The Patriots signed two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Deltha O'Neal two days after Cincinnati cut him.

• NFL players will wear a uniform patch — the initials GU and the number 63 — this season to honor NFL Players' Association leader Gene Upshaw, who died Aug. 20 died of pancreatic cancer.