Coming off his second major injury in three years and entering his 15th season, Michael Strahan of the New York Giants still believes he is the NFL's best defensive end.
While that might sound boastful, the seven-time Pro Bowler didn't see it that way as the Giants conducted a three-day mandatory minicamp.
"I can still pop on the film and show you I am still the best at what I do," Strahan said. "I mean that's my opinion."
Strahan, who set the league's single-season sack record with 22 1/2 in 2001, has a lot to prove this season. He missed almost the entire second half of last season with a mid-foot sprain, and one has to wonder how much is left in the tank for a 35-year-old who's been an every-down fixture for most of his first 14 seasons.
"Coming back from the injury, I enjoy it because it's a challenge," Strahan said. "After so many years, you kind of lose out on challenges. This is a challenge to myself, like when I came off the pec (pectoral) injury. Can I come back and play at 250 pounds?
"Now the challenge is can I come back and play on a bad foot, 15 years into it, and still try to be a Pro Bowl-type, All-Pro player. That's my own personal challenge, my own motivating factor."
JETS LB EXPLAINS DOGFIGHTING COMMENTS: Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma said Thursday his recent comments comparing dogfighting to horse racing were misunderstood. Asked on a local radio show his thoughts on the investigation of Falcons quarterback Michael Vick's possible involvement in dogfighting, Vilma said: "Dogfighting is much more extreme, but you can equate it to horse racing ... Everyone has heard about dogfighting. Whether you choose to participate or not, that's your decision. I'm not here to condone or accept it. It's been there for a while ... "
Speaking at the team's minicamp Thursday, Vilma insisted "my comments that were misinterpreted were that I am not for or against dogfighting or Michael Vick. It's an unfortunate situation for Michael Vick whether he is involved or not."
"I was definitely not comparing the two, dogfighting to horse racing. You'll have activists who are against both. They say in horse racing, you put a lot of stress on the animals," Vilma added. "I'm indifferent and it's a matter of wanting to stay away from the whole Michael Vick situation, whether he is involved or not. I'm not saying anything about dogfighting or anyone who might be involved in it."
'PACMAN' LAWYER DEMANDS EVIDENCE: Adam "Pacman" Jones' lawyer urged authorities Thursday to file criminal charges or stop trying to link the Tennessee Titans cornerback to a strip club melee and triple shooting.
Attorney Robert Langford said no evidence tied Jones to the shooting, and DNA comparisons failed to show the NFL star was responsible for a bite injury reported during the February mayhem. He termed what happened a "glorified bar fight at best."
"It is really unfair to Mr. Jones that they continue to assert some investigation when they can't come up with any more evidence," Langford said.
Las Vegas police Wednesday turned over to Clark County District Attorney David Roger the results of a nearly four-month investigation of the Feb. 19 fracas inside the club. The shooting moments later outside left a bar employee paralyzed and two other people wounded. No new suspects were identified, police Lt. George Castro has said, and police were not seeking new charges since Roger first declined to prosecute in April.
ALSO: Miami Dolphins quarterback Daunte Culpepper said Thursday that he slightly bruised his left, non throwing hand in a two-car accident, but escaped serious injury. "I am fine," Culpepper said in an e-mail... Brett Favre was held out of the Green Bay Packers' practices Wednesday and Thursday because of a sore right shoulder. "I probably could practice, but it really don't make a lot of sense to go out and make it any worse," Favre said ... The Jacksonville Jaguars released veteran safety Donovin Darius in a move that signaled the team's desire to go with younger and faster defenders ... Donovan McNabb completed his first week of practice since tearing a knee ligament in his right knee on Nov. 19 and expects to be on the field when the Philadelphia Eagles reconvene next month.