NFL Notes: Coach says Vick should play

Mora: Vick should play

RENTON, Wash. -- Seahawks coach Jim Mora says Michael Vick deserves to be reinstated to the NFL, though that second chance apparently wouldn't come in Seattle.

Mora, who coached Vick when he was the Atlanta Falcons' quarterback, said yesterday during the Seahawks' mandatory minicamp: "I believe he's paid his debt to society."

But Mora said Seattle won't be adding any quarterbacks.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has not committed to reinstating Vick after he completes his 23-month sentence on July 20 for running a dogfighting ring.

Mora said he last spoke to Vick just before the suspended former Pro Bowl passer went to prison in the fall of 2007. That was about 10 months after the Falcons fired Mora following three seasons, including 2004 when Mora was a rookie head coach and the dynamic Vick led Atlanta into the NFC championship game.

Sanchez signs with Jets

The New York Jets and quarterback Mark Sanchez reached an agreement on a five-year deal.

Sanchez was the fifth overall pick in the NFL draft in April after leading Southern California to a Rose Bowl victory over Penn State with a record-setting performance. The quarterback is competing with veteran Kellen Clemens for the Jets' starting job, up for grabs after the retirement of Brett Favre.

The Jets didnt disclose financial terms. Sanchez and the team agreed on a five-year deal that includes a guaranteed $28 million and $50 million total, according to sources.

No deadline for Favre

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Vikings never told Brett Favre to make up his mind by this week if he wants to play, according to coach Brad Childress.

In fact, Childress said, the team has no timetable for Favre to decide about coming out of retirement again to quarterback the Vikings.

"I'm not into predicting the future, you know?" the coach said. "We'll just have to see what's around the corner tomorrow."

Childress called into local radio station KFAN during his drive to work and refuted an earlier ESPN report that he had mandated Favre determine his status for the 2009 season this week. Asked if there was a deadline, Childress said "absolutely not" -- unless it came from Favre's wife, Deanna, or "somebody like that."

Childress added: "Certainly not from me. Not even close. Don't know where that would've dropped out of the sky from."

Ryan throws verbal jab

FLORHAM PARK, N.J.--Rex Ryan claimed he didn't know much about Channing Crowder until recently. Now, the New York Jets coach can't stop talking about the Miami Dolphins linebacker.

For the second straight day at minicamp, Ryan led off his news conference by mentioning Crowder and playfully firing back at some comments he made in a war of words that has become downright humorous.

"I love it," Ryan said, causing everyone in the press room to crack up. "The only thing I can say is, and let's see if he can top this one, I've walked over tougher guys going to a fight than Channing Crowder."

He laughed and added, "The dude's going to kill me."

It all started last week when Crowder sounded off on Ryan's bold talk about being confident in his team during organized team activities. Crowder sarcastically said Ryan must be excited because he's a first time head coach and that he's "the OTA Super Bowl winner."

Elsewhere:

• Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman practiced for the first time in organized team activities following January surgery to repair a shoulder injury he suffered Sept. 28 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

• The NFL is starting a spinal treatment program for retired players. The league will make specialists available at five hospitals across the United States to evaluate and treat retirees with spinal injuries.

• Nose tackle Vince Wilfork is practicing again with the New England Patriots. Wilfork skipped all 12 days of voluntary organized team activities to emphasize his desire for a new contract to replace the six-year deal that ends after this season.

Pittsburgh prosecutors have dropped a misdemeanor drug charge against Steelers wide receiver and Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes.