Shiancoe: Just call me when it's over

Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe is tired of hearing optimism that isn't accompanied with results. So after completing a workout on the University of Minnesota campus Wednesday morning on a hot, muggy day, Shiancoe poured some cold water over the four-month NFL lockout.

"I'm to the point, man, I'm like, 'Look, just call me when it's ready,'" Shiancoe said. "I don't care about all this other stuff. I don't care about any hypothetical dates. Just give me the date. That's all I care about so I'm going to be ready to go. I'm pretty sure a lot of other people feel the same way I feel. It's been a long, drawn-out ordeal."

Shiancoe proved to be right on the money as representatives from all 32 teams, including the Vikings' Steve Hutchinson, failed to vote on a new collective bargaining agreement on Wednesday.

JUDD ZULGAD

Former players sue NFL Mark Duper, Ottis Anderson and 73 other former players sued the NFL, claiming it concealed information about the danger of concussions for decades.

The negligence, fraud and liability suit was filed Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court. Many players' wives also are plaintiffs.

The suit alleges the NFL knew as early as the 1920s of the harmful effects of concussions but concealed them from coaches, trainers, players and the public until June 2010. It also names helmet-maker Riddell, the NFL's official helmet supplier.

"We have not seen the complaint but would vigorously contest any claims of this kind," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said in a statement.

Myra Kraft dies Myra Kraft, married to New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft for 48 years and a hard-working philanthropist dedicated to numerous causes, died Wednesday morning after a battle with cancer, the NFL team said in a statement. She was 68.

In Washington for an NFLPA meeting, Patriots player representative Matt Light said, "It's amazing how much one person can do."

Heath Evans, a New Orleans Saints running back who played for the Patriots from 2006 to 2008, tweeted: "What made Myra Kraft special? Strong but Tender-hearted/Proud but Humble/Bold but Soft-Spoken/Extremely blessed but lived to be a Blessing."

Jenkins retires Kris Jenkins, a four-time Pro Bowl selection at defensive tackle, announced his retirement on his Facebook page after his last two seasons with the New York Jets were cut short by serious knee injuries. Jenkins, who'll be 32 on Aug. 3, played 10 seasons, helping Carolina to the Super Bowl in 2004.

McMahon's agent, Vincent Calo, told the Reno Gazette-Journal that McMahon, 51, tore ligaments in his foot and suffered trauma to his head, neck and back. His girlfriend, Lori Navon, suffered a concussion.

Calo says both have returned home to Scottsdale, Ariz.

Another Vick deal The endorsements keep on coming for Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick.

On Wednesday, Vick, who signed with Nike earlier this month, became an equity partner in Double Eagle Holdings, Ltd., the parent company of Fuse Science, Inc. And as part of the agreement, Vick will endorse Fuse Science and its line of sports nutrition vitamins and minerals.

Vick signed his first endorsement after being released from prison on Jan. 27 with Unequal Technologies, a company that produces football pads. And then on July 1, he returned to Nike, a company that had previously dropped him.

His image has dramatically turned around since his release from federal prison in July 2009 after serving 18 months for dogfighting charges.