Zorn takes charge of Chiefs QBs

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) - About 30 years ago, a youngster who ate, drank and slept football had a poster of Jim Zorn. The kid was a rabid Pittsburgh Steelers fan, but thought the creative, left-handed former Seattle quarterback was cool.

He still does. Almost within hours of Zorn's departure from the Ravens, Todd Haley was on the phone asking if he'd be interested in coaching quarterbacks for his Kansas City Chiefs.

To Haley's delight, he was. Now, in the broiling heat of training camp, Zorn is working to bring along a couple of potential young backups and raise Matt Cassel's play even beyond the level that elevated him to last year's Pro Bowl.

"Todd asked me to come and interview. I liked what I saw with Todd," said Zorn, who looks younger than his 58 years and still fit enough to step back and throw a quick out.

"I think Todd and I communicate well together. I think we feel the same way. We want to extend it. We want to get it to be super efficient, super effective, attack down the field. All those things helped sway me to come here."

It must also have been nice to feel wanted.

In January 2010, Zorn was released after two years as head coach of the Redskins. A year later, he was let go as quarterbacks coach of the Ravens even though Jim Flacco had just experienced the greatest season of his three-year career, throwing for 3,622 yards and 25 touchdowns.

"I was still reeling from leaving Baltimore," Zorn said. "I enjoyed it there. I think (head coach) John Harbaugh is tremendous. Joe Flacco is a really good quarterback, and so it was hard for me to leave there. But the next opportunity that comes along, to come here, is a great opportunity. We've got a lot of weapons here."

In another significant coaching change, Bill Muir was elevated from offensive line coach to offensive coordinator, replacing Charlie Weis.

Muir will be the fourth offensive coordinator Cassel's had in his three years in Kansas City and Zorn will be at least the third quarterbacks coach, counting Haley and Weis, who did not actually carry the title.

Burress joins new Jets teammates for training camp

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Plaxico Burress realizes he's not 25 anymore. Or even 31 - the age he was when he last played in the NFL.

None of that matters to the new Jets wide receiver. And, he's eager to show why no one else should worry about it, either.

"I would say that when I step on this field Thursday or Friday, I'll look 25," Burress said as the Jets opened training camp Monday. "I feel that good physically."

Burress, who turns 34 on Aug. 12, was back on an NFL field for the first time since being released from prison after serving 20 months on a gun charge. The Jets signed him Sunday to a one-year deal, hoping he can revive his career the way Michael Vick has with the Eagles.

Vick missed two seasons while serving prison time for his involvement in a dogfighting ring before returning to football in 2009. He was eased back into things by the Eagles before taking over as the starting quarterback last year and capping a terrific, highlight-filled season by being selected the AP's Comeback Player of the Year.

Eagles now trade DT

Bunkley to Denver

PHILADELPHIA - Defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley was traded from Philadelphia to Denver for a 2013 draft pick, two days after the Eagles agreed to send the former first-round pick to Cleveland.

The move was announced Monday. Bunkley was initially sent to the Browns on Saturday for a fifth-round pick in 2012. He reported to Cleveland but did not meet all the conditions of the trade and was reverted to the Eagles, who managed to find a new suitor in Denver.

All trades are contingent on players passing physicals. Bunkley had an elbow injury last season.

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said Bunkley was surprised by the trade.

Bunkley had six sacks in 76 games in Philadelphia. He became expendable when the Eagles signed former Packers defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins.

Saints' Nicks signs offer,

Ingram agrees to terms

METAIRIE, La. - Saints restricted free agent guard Carl Nicks has signed his tender offer and is at the club's training headquarters in suburban New Orleans.

The 6-foot-5, 343-pound Nicks, a fifth-round draft choice out of Nebraska in 2008, started 13 games as a rookie and has remained the starting left guard ever since.

Nicks did not report to training camp on time while attempting to renegotiate his contract. His arrival on Monday means free agent center Jonathan Goodwin is the only 2010 starter on the offensive line not yet back with New Orleans.

Saints spokesman Greg Bensel also has confirmed the addition of veteran free agent linebacker Clint Ingram, who was with the Saints in 2010 but never played because of his slow recovery from microfracture surgery on his left knee.

Cardinals aim for quick, new deal with Fitzgerald

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - After a frenzy of activity elsewhere in recent days, the Arizona Cardinals are turning to an effort to sign star wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald to a new contract.

General manager Rod Graves said on Monday that talks are beginning this week and he believes a new deal can be reached before Arizona's season opener on Sept. 11.

"We want Larry to end his career as an Arizona Cardinal," Graves told The Associated Press, "and we are prepared to make him the highest-paid player in team history and one of the highest-paid players in the NFL."

Fitzgerald joked after Monday morning's workout that he was worried Arizona's money had dried up after all the recent signings. But he praised the team's personnel moves, saying it's the most active he's seen the franchise since he came to the team as a 20-year-old rookie in 2004.

Bears move on without Kreutz

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. - Jerry Angelo says he's not concerned about popularity contests. Good thing for him since his Q-rating among Bears fans probably isn't at its peak.

Contract negotiations with veteran free agent center Olin Kreutz came to a bitter end over the weekend, and the six-time Pro Bowl pick is out after 13 seasons, creating a big leadership void in the locker room.

Angelo insisted he bargained in good faith, but agent Mark Bartelstein claimed that wasn't the case and indicated the general manager and coach Lovie Smith might not have been on the same page when it came to Kreutz.

Either way, the Bears will have a new center. And Angelo's reputation has another mark.

There was the botched trade with Baltimore during the first round of the draft, in which the Ravens were supposed to send the 26th pick to Chicago. It fell apart because the Bears neglected to phone the league to receive confirmation and Baltimore wound up picking 27th.