Jags’ Collier remains critical after shooting

First thing Tuesday morning Clint Ingram went to Shands Jacksonville (Fla.) Medical Center to be with his best friend, Richard Collier.

But he couldn’t. The Jaguars’ linebacker just sat in the waiting room for the entire day, until the hospital kicked him out.

“I just really want to know how he’s feeling, you know, and go in there and maybe whisper something in his ear to let him know we’re behind him,” Ingram said.

Collier, an offensive tackle, was shot early Tuesday morning outside an apartment complex in Jacksonville.

He had surgery on Tuesday, then was said to be in critical but stable condition.

No further details about Collier’s condition were released on Wednesday.

New Lions running back Rudi Johnson said former Lions running back Tatum Bell stole two of his bags from the locker room Monday.

Johnson said when the bags were returned Tuesday, they were empty; missing were his identification, credit cards, about $200 in cash and some undergarments.

“All this happened once he got released,” Johnson said Wednesday as he came off the practice field. “He came here to get some stuff out of his locker. That’s when he scooped the bags up. Some real shyster, conniving stuff, man.”

Bell said it was an honest mistake. He said he intended to pick up some bags for a former teammate, and he grabbed the wrong ones. He said he never opened the bags and doesn’t have anything of Johnson’s.

“I ain’t no thief,” Bell told the Detroit Free Press in a phone interview. “I ain’t never been one, and I ain’t never going to be one.

PATRIOTS

New England coach Bill Belichick expects Tom Brady to be ready Sunday for the season opener against Kansas City after the NFL’s reigning MVP missed all four exhibition games.

Brady, who participated fully in practice Wednesday, said Monday the condition of his foot has improved and he could have played in all four exhibition games.

JETS

Brett Favre has made quite an impression on his new teammates.

The ballots are in, and the veteran quarterback was voted one of the New York Jets’ offensive captains despite being with the team for less than a month.

“I’m honored,” Favre said Wednesday before the Jets’ first practice at their new home in Florham Park, N.J.

“I felt a little uncomfortable to be voted. I feel like I need to earn it.”

RAVENS

Quarterback Kyle Boller was placed on injured reserve by Baltimore, ending his season and perhaps his stay with the team.

Boller hurt his shoulder in Baltimore’s second preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings and has not played since.

Coach John Harbaugh described the injury as either a torn labrum or other damage that would render Boller unable to play this year.

Bucs Tampa Bay’s Joey Galloway is raring to go. All he needs is a nod from coach Jon Gruden.

The speedy receiver said Wednesday he’s ready to play Sunday in the season opener at New Orleans.

Gruden was noncommital after practice, but it sounded like there’s a good chance Galloway will play.