Giants contact Strahan about return

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. » The New York Giants are interested in luring Michael Strahan out of retirement after losing Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora to a season-ending knee injury Saturday night.

The Super Bowl champions contacted the representative for the seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end yesterday to gauge Strahan's interest in returning for a 16th season.

"They want to see if there is any interest there," agent Tony Agnone said. "I have to talk to Michael."

Strahan is on vacation in Greece. Agnone said he has not talked to him about the Giants' inquiry.

With Strahan's status uncertain, the Giants shuffled their defense yesterday and moved Mathias Kiwanuka back to end from his strongside linebacker spot.

Chiefs sign Feely

KANSAS CITY, Mo. » Apparently unsatisfied with both candidates in a summer-long kicking competition, the Kansas City Chiefs signed free agent Jay Feely to a one-year contract yesterday.

Feely will join Connor Barth and Nick Novak today in what coach Herm Edwards called a "kick-off," and one of the three will be released before Thursday night's preseason finale against St. Louis.

Feely kicked well for Miami last season, converting 21 of 23 field goals and all 26 extra points.

Brady says he’ll be ready

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. » Tom Brady says he'll be ready for the New England Patriots' opener even if a foot injury keeps him from taking a single snap in exhibition games.

Last season's NFL MVP sat out the first three games and plans to tell coach Bill Belichick he's "feeling great" in hopes of playing in Thursday night's final exhibition game at the New York Giants, the team that ruined the Patriots' unbeaten season by beating them in the Super Bowl.

"I'm hoping I'm always out there," Brady said yesterday on his regular weekly appearance on WEEI radio, "and if I don't play, I'll be ready for Kansas City."

The Patriots open the regular season at home vs. the Chiefs.

Backup role jars Grossman

LAKE FOREST, Ill. » Rex Grossman vowed to be ready and expressed no regrets about re-signing with the Chicago Bears, but he also made one thing clear about his new role.

"I'll never fully get over it," he said. "And I don't think anyone would expect me to."

Although he didn't lash out at coach Lovie Smith for making Kyle Orton the starting quarterback last week, Grossman acknowledged he's having trouble accepting being a backup. He was "a little surprised" by the announcement and still sees himself as a starter.

Pennington to start for Miami

DAVIE, Fla. » Miami Dolphins coach Tony Sparano couldn't help but have a little fun yesterday when he finally announced the winner of the team's drawn-out quarterback competition.

"It's Chad," he said, chuckling.

Chad Pennington or Chad Henne?

"Pennington," he added. "I think the guy will do a great job of managing our team. And the team has responded really well to him, and that's where we are going."

Cardinals waive Satele

The Arizona Cardinals waived former Hawaii offensive lineman Hercules Satele yesterday.

Satele was trying out as a center for the Cardinals.