NFL notes

— JETS

QB: Shoulder better

Mark Sanchez said his right shoulder is feeling the best it has in “three, four weeks,” and he was a full participant in practice for the New York Jets forthe first time in nearly a month.

Sanchez has been bothered by a sore shoulder since falling awkwardly in a game against Pittsburgh on Dec. 19. He has played well through the injury and said Wednesday he’ll be “ready to go” for the Jets’ playoff game against the New England Patriots (14-2) on Sunday.

Sanchez is 3-1 in playoff games, including leading the Jets (12-5) to a 17-16 victory over the Colts last Saturday, but, he was off target on several throws in the first half.

VIKINGS

Team willing to pay

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - Though Minnesota state lawmakers appear likely to insist that a roof be part of any public deal for a new Vikings stadium, the team is sticking with its offer to pay about a third of the bill - minus whatever a roof would cost.

Lester Bagley, the Vikings vice president and stadium point man, said Wednesday the Vikings would prefer an outdoor stadium but understood that might not win legislative approval when lawmakers in February take up the team’s request for a stadium funded in part by taxpayers.

State Sen. Julie Rosen, likely lead sponsor of the stadium bill at the Capitol, confirmed that hunch. She said most lawmakers want a facility like the Metrodome that can host not just NFL football but also dozens of high school and college tournaments and other public events.

Bagley said the Vikings wouldn’t insist on playing outside, despite team owner Zygi Wilf’s recent comments that he preferred an outdoor stadium. But Bagley said the Vikings saw it as precedent that the Minnesota Twins ponied up about a third of the cost of outdoor Target Field.

“A roof does not provide any benefit to the Vikings,” Bagley said. “It also costs a couple hundred million dollars more in capital costs, in addition to the operating costs that are much higher for a covered facility.”

An outdoor stadium has been estimated to cost at least $700 million, with a permanent or retractable roof likely to add another few hundred million dollars to the total price. But a roof could also be the cost of getting the bill through the Legislature, said Rosen, R-Fairmont.

“If you’re going to put this much capital, this much sweat and tears into it, you’re going to need a 365-day facility like the Metrodome,” she said.

SEAHAWKS

Team wants QB back

RENTON, Wash. - Coach Pete Carroll said Wednesday the Seattle Seahawks would like to bring quarterback Matt Hasselbeck back for the 2011 season.

Asked about Hasselbeck’s future with the franchise during his weekly news conference, Carroll said the team would like to do “everything we can” to have Hasselbeck return for an 11th season with the franchise.

“We don’t know the timelines or how that’s going to work out and all that kind of stuff, but that’s a big issue for us that we’re looking forward to,” Carroll said. “He’s had a terrific run for us, and we want to see what we can do to keep that going.”

Hasselbeck’s current contract expires at the end of this season.

Seattle plays at Chicago on Sunday in the NFC divisional playoff.

BROWNS Coaching search stalls

CLEVELAND - The Cleveland Browns’ coaching search has either stalled or stopped.

Team president Mike Holmgren did not interview any candidates on Wednesday, the 10th day of Cleveland’s pursuit of a replacement for Eric Mangini. A team spokesman said the team had nothing to report and was not aware of any further interviews.

The Browns have met with three known candidates: St. Louis offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, Atlanta offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey and Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell. It was assumed the Browns would interview Philadelphia offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, but that meeting has not taken place or been scheduled.

Sports, Pages 19 on 01/13/2011

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