McKenzie to Saints
Mike McKenzie got his wish Monday when the Green Bay Packers traded him to the New Orleans Saints for a second-round pick in 2005 and a backup quarterback.
“It’s time to move on,” Packers coach-general manager Mike Sherman said.
Since ending his holdout without retracting his trade request three weeks ago, McKenzie has been paid more than $485,000, but played just nine snaps, all against Chicago. That led fans and teammates to wonder whether he was still holding out, but getting paid anyway.
The recalcitrant cornerback sat out the last two games with a mysterious hamstring injury. He was left home when the Packers traveled to Indianapolis two weeks ago and wasn’t on the sideline Sunday when the Packers lost to the New York Giants at home.
“Mission accomplished,” McKenzie’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus told the Associated Press. “It’s important to relay that there’s no hard feelings on Mike’s behalf. He’s obviously grateful they were able to work out a deal and there’s certainly not going to be any backbiting or any negativity on our behalf.”
Rosenhaus said McKenzie will play under the terms of his current contract, but he hopes to have talks with Saints general manager Mickey Loomis soon about an upgrade.
The Packers acquired quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan, 25, and the second-round selection in the 2005 draft in return for McKenzie, 28, and a future conditional draft choice.
15 Vikings, Bears fined for ‘scuffle’
Nine Vikings have been fined for their roles in a scuffle with the Chicago Bears on Sept. 26.
In addition to a $5,000 fine levied against Randy Moss, the other fines totaled $23,500.
Wide receiver Nate Burleson, who absorbed the hit from Bears safety Todd Johnson that sparked the shoving matches, was fined $7,500 for removing a Chicago player’s helmet.
Six other Vikings – center Cory Withrow, tight end Sean Berton, quarterback Daunte Culpepper, wide receiver Keenan Howry, guard Chris Liwienski and tackle Bryant McKinnie – were fined $2,500 each for “entering the area” of the altercation. Running back Onterrio Smith was fined $1,000.
Johnson was not among six Bears players fined. Six Bears were fined $2,500 each: cornerbacks R.W. McQuarters and Todd McMillon; linebacker Lance Briggs; defensive tackles Tommie Harris and Ian Scott; and safety Cameron Worrell. McQuarters was fined an additional $5,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct on a separate play.
•Minnesota running back Michael Bennett will miss at least two more games and could miss four weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.
Favre improves; Pederson hurting
The Green Bay Packers are confident quarterback Brett Favre’s first concussion in nine seasons was mild and won’t prevent him from starting next Monday night against the Tennessee Titans.
“He’s fine. I may hold him back on Wednesday but he’ll practice on Thursday,” coach Mike Sherman said. “He has been looked at by the doctors and they feel pretty confident he’s OK to go.”
The status of backup Doug Pederson, however, isn’t as positive.
Offensive coordinator Tom Rossley said Pederson has a broken rib and “he’s still hurting pretty bad today.”
Injury updates
San Francisco cornerback Mike Rumph probably will miss the rest of the season after breaking his arm in a loss to the St. Louis Rams. Defensive end Andre Carter will be out at least three weeks after surgery on his troublesome back, and linebacker Derek Smith is doubtful Sunday because of a leg injury. … Tampa Bay kick returner Frank Murphy ruptured his left Achilles’ tendon against Denver and will have season-ending surgery. … Jacksonville Jaguars left tackle Mike Pearson is out for the season after tearing ligaments in his left knee against Indianapolis.