Giants' Nicks, out since Week 2, practices and looks ready to face Niners

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks has practiced for the second straight day and there is a chance he will play Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers in a rematch of the NFC title game.

The Giants listed Nicks as questionable in their injury report Friday, but teammates seemed to indicate that his chances of playing were better than 50-50.

Nicks has not played since the second week of the season, when he was sidelined with soreness in the right foot that he broke in the offseason, and swelling in his left knee. He returned to practice on Thursday for the first time in two weeks.

Coach Tom Coughlin said Nicks' status will be better determined Saturday when doctors see whether practicing aggravated either his foot or knee.

Copyright 2012 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and The Associated Press is strictly prohibited.

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One game in, Griffin looks like franchise quarterback Redskins needed

Robert Griffin III outplays the Saints' $100 million man, record-setting Drew Brees. (AP)

NEW ORLEANS -- There are a lot of ways to describe the first career start for Washington Redskins rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III, but leave it to an offensive lineman, one of the guys in front of him, to sum it up best.

"They said we traded away our franchise to get him," Redskins tackle Trent Williams said. "Now you know why."

We sure do.

Griffin was sensational in his debut here in leading the Redskins to a 40-32 victory over the New Orleans Saints, likely ruining a lot of survivor pools in the process. He completed 19 of 26 passes for 320 yards, two touchdowns and a passer rating of 139.9, keeping the Saints off balance the entire day.

When the Redskins traded up to draft him second overall this year -- giving up two first-round picks and a second, as well as swapping picks in this year's draft -- it meant that they couldn't afford to miss.

One game in, it looks like Dan Snyder might finally have his guy. This franchise seeming has been searching forever for a star passer. That's why the Redskins have made the playoffs four times in the past 20 years, and why the horrors of Rex Grossman, John Beck, aging Donovan McNabb, Heath Shuler and all the other bad quarterback play might finally be in the past.

"That guy is a gamer," Redskins receiver Aldrick Robinson. "The game counts and he turns it on."

Using an up-tempo spread system early to get some confidence, Griffin completed his first 11 passes, including an 88-yard touchdown pass to Pierre Garcon. His mastery continued the entire day.

There were only two RG3-and-outs the entire day.

The Redskins did a great job of playing to his strengths, which are his feet and his ability to get the ball out on time and use his powerful arm. There was very little sitting in the pocket, which would seem to be something he has to do more down the road.

That's because Griffin took a lot of shots. He is a wild ride, but there is clear danger playing that way.

Sunday wasn't about that, though. That is something that will play out down the road. This was about a chance to show that he can be special, a coming-out party to announce he is the real deal, whatever way he did it.

RG3 is certainly easy enough to like. Forget about what he can do on the field. How many stars come to the podium a half-hour after the game is over and meet the media in full uniform, aside from helmet and cleats. Yes, the shoulder pads were still on.

He looked like a commercial up there, something you would see as a mock press conference. But there he was, tossing a football around as he spoke. Not just any football, either, but the one his teammates gave him to commemorate his first TD pass of his career, the one to Garcon.

The best thing about that throw to Garcon is how he reacted to a blitz. Let Griffin explain it.

"They blitzed on that play and I was going hot," he said. "I was looking for my hot guy. He got covered. So Pierre was the primary receiver on the outside. I had enough time, so I pulled it back and threw it to him. Pierre went across the middle and caught it high across the middle and did a good job of finishing it."

That is a veteran play. But it's clear that for now the Redskins will keep it simple for Griffin.

He ran 10 times for 42 yards to go with his aerial numbers, but he could have run even more. On one play, he had a clear field in front of him. Instead of turning on the speed and running for 10 yards or so, he kept his head up and threw to a crossing Santana Moss for a 27-yard gain.

"Everyone's in my head making sure I stay safe," Griffin said of not running as much.

You think? You are the franchise.

It's that threat of the run that makes him so effective. His ability to ball-fake on read-option plays, and get outside the pocket, makes the defense hold for a second. That opens up the quick slants and things like that against man coverage.

For at least one day, he made it all work. He was better than New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees, the guy coming off a record-setting season for passing yards. You're not supposed to come into the Superdome and outplay Brees -- especially a rookie.

That's why the Redskins fans above the tunnel serenaded him as he walked off the field.

"RG3, RG3," they yelled.

He stopped to throw his skull cap into the crowd on his way into the locker room.

Advice for the person who got it: Keep it.

If his debut is an indicator, that thing could be worth a lot of money on eBay someday.

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Manning shows zip, looks sharp in Broncos' first OTA workout

Manning throws during minicamp at the Broncos' OTA workouts Monday. (AP)

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- His passes were hitting receivers in stride and right between the numbers, not skipping off the ground or whizzing behind their heads like so many of Tim Tebow's.

The Denver Broncos got their first real taste of Peyton Manning on Monday with a spirited, fast-paced workout, the four-time MVP's first full practice in more than 16 months.

"It felt good to be out there. It's been a while for me," Manning said. "It's been about a year and a-half since I've been in uniform, been in an organized practice. So, it felt good to be out there. And it will be a good film to study."

Monday also was the first chance for the media to get a look at the progress Manning has made since a series of neck operations sidelined him all of last season and led to his release from the Indianapolis Colts.

And Manning looked great, showing zip and accuracy on his passes, comfort under center, complete command of his offense and no ill effects from the nerve injury that caused weakness in his throwing arm.

"Man, it feels good to know he's going to be on my side because what I saw today, he's going to give us some good work," star cornerback Champ Bailey said. "And we might not see a quarterback like that all year."

Manning became the most prized free agent in NFL history following his release from the Colts after 14 seasons. His signing in Denver led to Tebow's trade to the New York Jets, despite a thrilling run to the playoffs guided by the younger QB.

The Broncos and a handful of other suitors watched Manning throw during his whirlwind free agency tour in March, but before Monday, reporters had to rely on his receivers for updates on his progress. Manning had refused to talk about it.

"Well, you guys got to see him today," tight end Jacob Tamme said.

And he looked like the Manning of old. His throws, most of which were intermediate, were strong and on target. His only deep pass was true, too, hitting Matthew Willis in stride before being broken up by cornerback Tracy Porter at the goal line.

Watching his pinpoint passes zip around Dove Valley, one never would have guessed he'd been forced to take a sabbatical and go under the scalpel multiple times since his last game, a wild-card playoff loss to the Jets in January of 2011.

"Oh, no. Absolutely not," Bailey said. "You know, it's not live, but from what I see right now, the guy hasn't missed a beat."

Coach John Fox said Manning's "getting better every day."

And so are the Broncos, on account of Manning's presence.

"He definitely raises all boats, that's for sure, and that's not just with the young players, (but also) the veterans," Fox said. "We're excited where that is and what's he's done to raise those boats."

Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas and the other young receivers have all been refining their route-running so as not to endure Manning's famous wrath.

"Well, I think they're on their way," Bailey said. "Obviously, I want to help them as much as possible, try to sharpen their routes up and things like that, but one thing about them is they get open a little bit, they're open a lot to him. That's one thing that's a big difference this year."

Manning wouldn't gauge the progress he's made in his two months in Denver, first during private workouts at local high schools and then at the team's training facility.

"It's hard to say. I try to get better every day, you know, that's my goal and I really need to use this time," he said. "I do think there's a difference when you are on the field in helmets going up against a defense. Up until now, we hadn't been able to go against a defense. So, this will be great work for me going against Champ Bailey and Von Miller and Elvis (Dumervil) and (Tracy) Porter, Drayton Florence.

"We've got three great cover corners to work against. So, until now we've been kind of throwing passes versus air, and you can work on your timing with receivers but it's a great test to go against these corners."

Manning is clearly more concerned about ironing out the wrinkles in his new offense than what fans seem to be harping on: his health status.

"I've always believed you develop your timing for your passing game in the offseason, I don't think you can just show up in September and expect to be on the same page," Manning said. "So, what a great opportunity for these receivers going against these corners. I mean, if you can't get better going against some of these top cover corners, then it's just not meant to be. So, it's a great challenge for everybody."

Monday marked one signpost. Up ahead is putting on the shoulder pads, training camp, taking that first hit in the preseason.

"There's no question it's a different mentality for me in these OTAs than it has been in other years because of all the changes," Manning said. "But I look forward to the challenge and I just can't tell you how important these OTAs are. I think they're important for everybody. But when you're a new player, on a new team, certainly coming off an injury, I think they certainly take added importance, and I thought today was an excellent start."

Notes: After practice, Fox went for a ride-along with the Air Force Thunderbirds. ... Among the no-shows for the voluntary workout was DT Ty Warren, whom the Broncos are hoping takes a pay cut, and LB D.J. Williams, whose DUI case ended in a mistrial Monday

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