nfl roundup Training camp headlines

Luck’s tune: Andrew Luck didn’t get much of a chance to show his strong right arm at Sunday morning’s first training camp workout. Instead, the No. 1 draft pick is impressing new teammates with his command. Receiver Austin Collie says Luck knows the Colts’ new offense better than the veterans, and another receiver, Donnie Avery, likes Luck’s take-charge approach. But teammates and coaches found one thing to critique in their new quarterback: Luck’s ability to carry a tune. Luck was booed off the stage Saturday night when he tried to sing “Country Roads” as part of the traditional rookie initiation. Collie and coach Chuck Pagano both say the performance was “awful.”

MIA rookie arrives late: Rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill has made his Miami Dolphins debut after missing the first two days of training camp. Tannehill joined his teammates for the 8 a.m. practice about nine hours after he arrived at the team’s training facility to sign his contract. Offensive coordinator Mike Sherman says “he didn’t seem to miss a beat.” Tannehill’s first practice included two interceptions, but both happened on passes that went off the hands of receivers. The first quarterback drafted in the first round by the Dolphins since Dan Marino in 1983. Tannehill will compete for the starting job.

Cards flying: Defense was the strength of the annual Red and White practice for the Arizona Cardinals. A record crowd estimated at 14,500 watched the controlled scrimmage, where John Skelton and Kevin Kolb split time with the first team. Kolb had the only touchdown pass of the Saturday session but also threw two interceptions. Skelton was not intercepted. Second-year running back Ryan Williams reeled off a 43-yard run and first-round draft pick Michael Floyd had several nice catches. Pats ready to return: Only three teams averaged fewer yards on kickoffs than the Patriots’ 21.4 yards. Only two had their longest return of the year cover less than New England’s 37 yards. Danny Woodhead returned 20 kickoffs last year for an average of 21.9 yards, while Julian Edelman brought back 12 for a 23.7-yard average. Running backs Stevan Ridley and wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth have also fieled kicks in camp.

Associated Press