Mum’s the word on Tebow wildcat plan

The New York Jets have done some work on the wildcat.

Yes, Tim Tebow was involved, of course. And the elusive backup quarterback felt pretty good doing it.

As for other details, though, they're off limits. That qualifies as top-secret information around these parts.

"We put a couple of wildcat plays in there, and I think that was good," coach Rex Ryan said Monday. "It just kind of gives you a different look out there."

The practice was the first in which the Jets extensively worked with the wildcat package with Tebow in front of the media during training camp. But it was closed to the public, and the media - per team rules - were restricted from reporting specifics about how the Jets used it and with what personnel.

"Well, it's fun," a smiling Tebow said when asked if it was nice to finally practice the tricky scheme. "Anytime you get the opportunity to go out there and run around a little bit and play football, it's always fun."

So, Tim, what particular type of football were you playing out there?

"Umm," Tebow said, "I just played the football that they asked me to play."

"It's part of our scheme and strategy," starting quarterback Mark Sanchez said. "Can't divulge those details."

Meanwhile, all the begging might finally be paying off for Antonio Cromartie. The speedy and athletic cornerback has been lobbying Ryan to let him play at wide receiver, and he might get that opportunity this season.

Cromartie participated in individual drills with the receivers for the first time during practice, running routes and catching passes as coaches watched him.

■ COLTS - Coach Chuck Pagano said starting inside linebacker Pat Angerer, last year's leading tackler, could miss at least six weeks because of a broken foot.

Angerer led the Colts with 146 tackles last season after replacing captain Gary Brackett, who missed most of the season with a torn rotator cuff.

Also, backup linebacker Scott Lutrus will need season-ending surgery after a torn anterior cruciate ligament, and starting offensive guard Mike McGlynn will be out indefinitely because of a high ankle sprain.

■ EAGLES - Philadelphia cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha was evaluated for a concussion after colliding with teammate Nate Allen during a training camp session.

An Eagles spokesman said later that Asomugha does not have concussion symptoms yet. Asomugha was also left with a lacerated lip and sore neck as a result of the midair collision, which occurred on a pass play during a seven-on-seven period.

■ GIANTS - Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks was taken off the physically unable to perform list by New York and can start practicing with the team.

The Super Bowl champions made the move after Nicks passed his physical. The four-year veteran will be limited for his first three workouts. His first could be today.

Nicks missed the first two weeks of training camp at the University at Albany while completing rehabilitation on a broken right foot that he hurt in May during Organized Team Activities.

■ SAINTS - Louisiana State Police investigators found no evidence that the team or general manager Mickey Loomis rigged Superdome wiring so opposing coaches' radio communications could be intercepted.

"This has been an intensive investigation, and after numerous interviews, we have determined that there is no evidence that state laws have been violated," State Police Col. Mike Edmonson said after meeting with New Orleans owner Tom Benson to brief him on the status of the probe.

State police investigators have been working in conjunction with the FBI since the eavesdropping allegations surfaced in news reports in April.

Also, assistant head coach Joe Vitt said running back Darren Sproles will not play in the preseason game against Jacksonville on Friday night because of knee soreness. Sproles was one of several players who sat out Monday's practice, the first since the Saints played at New England on Thursday night.

n CHARGERS - Running back Ryan Mathews is targeting San Diego's Sept. 10 season opener against the Oakland Raiders for his return from a broken collarbone suffered in the team's first preseason game.

Mathews was injured on his first carry of the preseason in the Chargers' game against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night. He had surgery Friday, and the Chargers said he would miss four to six weeks.

Mathews led the Chargers with 1,091 yards rushing and a 4.9-yard average last season, earning him a trip to the Pro Bowl.

■ TITANS - Jake Locker will get his first start of the preseason Friday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Coach Mike Munchak made the announcement that the 2011 first-round pick would start after Matt Hasselbeck started Saturday night's 27-17 loss in Seattle.

The plan calls for both quarterbacks to play longer than they did in the opener, with Locker going about 20 to 25 plays with the offense.

■ PACKERS - Guard T.J. Lang agreed to a four-year contract extension with Green Bay. Lang, a fourth-round pick out of Eastern Michigan in the 2009 draft, became a full-time starter last season and is considered a key cog in one of the NFL's most productive offenses.

■ DOLPHINS - For Chad Johnson, a weekend confrontation with his wife has led to repercussions beyond a misdemeanor charge and NFL unemployment.

VH1 pulled from its schedule the reality series "Ev and Ocho," starring newlyweds Johnson - formerly known as Chad Ochocinco - and Evelyn Lozada. The network announced the move, citing "the seriousness of the allegations" against Johnson, and said it had no plans to air the show.

The Dolphins terminated Johnson's contract Sunday night, about 24 hours after he was arrested in a domestic battery case involving Lozada.