Legendary Starr OK after collapsing NFL NOTEBOOK

MADISON, Wis. — Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr collapsed during a speech in Madison, Wis., on Tuesday. Conference organizers say he appears to be OK.

The Green Bay Packers' former quarterback and coach finished speaking at the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority conference at Monona Terrace, then collapsed on stage.

Authority spokesman Kevin Fischer says Starr then sat up and said he was fine. Fischer tells the Journal Sentinel the 78-year-old Starr was speaking coherently and left the convention center with his wife, Cherry, got into a limo and was taken to the Dane County Regional Airport.

Starr led the Packers to five NFL titles and two Super Bowl championships. He was Green Bay's head coach from 1975-83.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — With Brian Urlacher nursing a hamstring injury, the Chicago Bears have signed Dom DeCicco to a two-year contract, adding depth at linebacker.

The team announced the move Tuesday.

Urlacher's status for this week's game at Minnesota and beyond is in question after he was injured on the final drive of Sunday's overtime loss to Seattle. Coach Lovie Smith indicated Monday that he has a pulled hamstring.

The Chicago Tribune, citing sources, reported Tuesday that he is expected to miss three games and possibly the rest of the regular season.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots have placed wide receiver Julian Edelman on injured reserve with a foot injury and signed Donte' Stallworth at that position.

Edelman was on crutches with a walking boot on his right foot after the Patriots' 23-16 win at the Miami Dolphins last Sunday. The team's announcement Tuesday did not specify the nature of the injury. Edelman has five touchdowns this season — three on receptions, one on a punt return and one on a fumble recovery.

ALAMEDA, Calif. — The Oakland Raiders running game, which struggled so much the first half of the season when Darren McFadden was healthy, showed signs of life in recent weeks after the star back sprained his right ankle.

With McFadden poised to come back this week, the Raiders are excited to see what he will be able to do now that the offensive line is adjusting to the new zone blocking scheme.

DAVIE, Fla. — Left tackle Jake Long was placed on injured reserve Tuesday by the Miami Dolphins because of a left triceps injury, ending his season and perhaps his tenure with the team.

The perennial Pro Bowl pick and No. 1 overall choice in the 2008 draft was hurt in Sunday's loss to New England. Long might have played his final game for Miami because he can become an unrestricted free agent this winter.

TEMPE, Ariz. — The Arizona Cardinals have released Todd Heap, bringing an end to the former All-Pro tight end's brief, injury-plagued time in the desert.

Heap appeared in just two games with Arizona this season, catching eight passes for 94 yards. Over the past two seasons with the Cardinals, Heap appeared in 12 games, catching 32 passes for 377 yards and one touchdown.