The Rumor Mill

[ALinChainz]

by Profootballtalk editor Mike Florio



POSTED 10:11 a.m. EDT, July 9, 2004



ARRINGTON, 'SKINS STILL AT ODDS



Though the issue has been quiet for the past several weeks, the Washington Post reports that the Redskins and linebacker LaVar Arrington are still caught in a dispute regarding Arrington's December 2003 arbitration -- and Arrington's claim that the team essentially screwed him out of $6.5 million when the final version of the deal was presented to his agents.



Under the collective bargaining agreement, disputes of this nature are sent to arbitration, not to the court system. So in early August, an arbitrator will hear evidence and arguments and eventually issue a decision as to whether Arrington has proven that his contract should have included a $6.5 million roster bonus payable in 2006 -- in addition to the $6.5 million roster bonus that he's already scheduled to receive under the deal to earn in 2006.



Though coach Joe Gibbs wants the issue resolved before the regular season opens, it's unlikely that a decision will be rendered before the 'Skins host the Bucs on September 12 -- unless the parties agree to submit the matter for a decision without post-hearing briefs and/or they request an expedited ruling.



As we see it, it's unlikely that Arrington's camp will go out of their way to move things forward quickly, since the lingering cloud could ultimately prompt the team to settle the claim.



Still, efforts to resolve the issue have gone nowhere to date. NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw met with both sides in May to urge them to settle the grievance. The 'Skins have resisted the notion of paying anything, since doing so could cause fans and/or the media to conclude that they were indeed engaged in some type of untoward conduct in connection with the negotiations.



Arrington apparently plans to try to prove fraud and/or negligence on the part of team negotiator Eric Schaffer. The Post reports that Arrington might even call a General Manager to testify -- probably as an expert witness regarding the manner in which contracts are negotiated. This testimony then would be compared to/contrasted with Schaffer's handling of the Arrington deal in an effort to prove that Arrington should not be responsible for the admitted failure of his agents to notice the absence of the $6.5 million in the final, signed version of the deal.



In the end, that'll be the hardest obstacle for Arrington to overcome. If anyone was negligent, it was his agents -- the notorious Poston brothers -- who signed the contract without reading it. So absent clear evidence that prior versions of the contract contained clauses pushing Arrington's 2006 roster bonus to a cap-busting $13 million or that the team verbally agreed as a last-minute concession to add the $6.5 million to the deal, Arrington is wasting everyone's time, including his own.



Our guess is that the arbitrator will give Arrington strong hints at the hearing that he should take what he can get -- just as the arbitrator did during the hearing regarding the Terrell Owens free agency fight. The arbitrator's not-so-subtle clues led directly to a deal that resolved the issue.



The difference in this case, however, is that Arrington's heels are dug in too far to realize that receiving (for example) some type of a modest additional benefit under his contract is better than getting nothing.



Of course, he won't get nothing if he takes action against the Postons for their own role in this process. But since making a claim against the Postons would be an implicit blow to Arrington's locker-room image (since he's the knucklehead who hired the knuckleheads) our guess is that Arrington won't pursue the path of least resistance.



COLTS ACQUIRE REYNOLDS



In a move that further highlights the strides that the Indianapolis Colts still need to make on defense, the Colts picked up former top-ten bust Jamal Reynolds from the Packers for an undisclosed future draft pick.



Though the Colts probably won't be giving up much to the Pack in the end, the Colts will launch the Reynolds era in Indy next week, by giving him a $217,000 roster bonus (unless, of course, the deal is restructured in the immediate future).



The trade forces the Pack to take the full remaining cap hit of $1.3 million this year. Cutting him would have split the hit over two seasons -- if he hadn't been claimed off of waivers. (Since the Colts were willing to trade for him, it seems reasonable to conclude that the Colts would have put in a waiver claim.)



The draft pick is conditioned upon Reynolds making the Indy roster.



With the Colts, Reynolds will join his brother, Diron, a quality control assistant.



FRIDAY ONE-LINERS



John Elway and Dan Reeves are in the process of burying the hatchet.



Though we've got a ton of respect for former Vikings RB Robert Smith, it's more than a bit out of character for the media-shy speedster to start talking to reporters merely because he's hawking a book (the irony, of course, is that his failure to embrace celebrity during his playing days has forced him to self-publish).



Though Denny Green has named QB Josh McCown the starter, backup Shaun King plans to try to knock him to No. 2.



The Giants are considering building a new stadium in lieu of renovating their current home.



With the "3Com" label long gone, the naming rights to the 'Stick are again available.



QB Steve Beuerlein is close to signing a deal with CBS to serve as analyst for eight games, but he doesn't rule out a return to the field once signal-callers start falling victim to the preseason injury bug.

[ALinChainz]

by Profootballtalk editor Mike Florio



POSTED 10:35 a.m. EDT, July 10, 2004



FINS LOSE THOMAS FOR SIX WEEKS



The challenging offseason for the Miami Dolphins got a bit more difficult this week when linebacker Zach Thomas tore knee cartilage during an individual workout.



Thomas suffered the injury on Thursday while running cone drills at the team's facility, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Team physician John Uribe operated on Friday, and Uribe estimates that Thomas will be ready to go in six weeks.



"The good news is it is not an injury that is going to affect him in the long term and it won't have an impact going into the season," agent Drew Rosenhaus told the Sun-Sentinel. "It will take six weeks approximately for it to be 100 percent. Zach is a great rehabber, but Dr. Uribe feels he needs about six weeks."



Strongside linebacker Morlon Greenwood will move to the middle until Thomas returns, approximately on August 19.



SATURDAY ONE-LINERS



From the "Hey, Alanis -- This Is An Accurate Example of Irony" file, Jack Ryan, who bowed out of the Illinois Senate race due problems arising from trying to have sex with his wife in public, could be replaced on the ballot by Mike Ditka, who re-entered the public eye last year after going public with his problems in trying to have sex with his wife.



Saints S Mel Mitchell admits that he faces an uphill battle to regain the starting job that he'd won before tearing up a knee in the final 2003 preseason game (thanks to a cheap shot from Dolphins QB Sage Rosenfels).



The Jets have signed TE Mikhael Ricks and released rookie TE Michael Carter.



Former Browns DB Percy Ellsworth has sued NBA player Carlos Boozer for $15,000 in unpaid rent.



Single-game tickets for Dolphins game will go on sale on July 24.



After creating a stir by dropping the price of its NFL simulation to $19.99, Sega might be moving the release date for ESPN NFL Football 2K5 to July 20, beating EA's Madden franchise to the shelf by a couple of weeks.

[ALinChainz]

by Profootballtalk editor Mike Florio



POSTED 2:02 p.m. EDT, July 11, 2004



PEYTON DISSES JAKE



The Manning Passing Academy proceeded this year without any NFL quarterbacks not named "Manning." It was a departure from past seasons, in which guys like Jake Delhomme, Patrick Ramsey and Kelly Holcombe participated.



"We're kind of disappointed Jake couldn't come back," Peyton Manning told the New Orleans Times-Picayune on Friday. "He tried to charge us an appearance fee now that he's gotten so big-time."



Hmmm. Delhomme and his back-loaded contract worth less than the total value of Peyton's signing bonus is now "big time"?



Even more surprising is the fact that Peyton gave us all a rare glimpse behind that Gomer Pyle/Herman Munster facade -- and that the national media hasn't picked up on the remark. Even the Times-Picayune buried the comment deep within its Sunday NFL report.



Then again, the media is nearly as infatuated with Peyton as they are with John Edwards, and we suspect that no one who gets paid to do this for a living will go out of their way to say/write anything that will expose the golden boy of football for the phony that he truly is.



Maybe other NFL quarterbacks don't come to the Manning Passing Academy because they've figured out that Peyton and Eli are a couple of jerks with no regard for their teammates or anything other than stuffing their pockets with money.



And maybe Peyton is feeling a bit envious of the success that Delhomme's team enjoyed last season -- especially since the Colts will be hard-pressed to maintain a solid supporting cast while Manning is filling his face with salary cap pie.



G-MEN LOOKING TO COMPETE WITH JETS



A league source tells us that the recent announcement from the Giants that they'll try to build a new stadium in lieu of renovating their current home is motivated by good old-fashioned notions of keeping up with the Joneses.



Or, in this case, the Johnsons. Es.



Word is that the Giants have grown weary of the publicity that the Jets are receiving as they attempt to finagle new digs in Manhattan. The process recently has devolved into a full-blown clusternutfudge, guaranteeing that one of the 73 dailies in New York will be covering virtually on the daily basis the Jets' efforts until ground is broken.



The Giants understandably want equal time.



In our view, the Giants also realize that now is the time to use the "build it or we'll move" leverage -- since the last, best open market will be filled within the next few years as an existing team loads up the truck and moves to Be-ver-ly.



As we see it, more teams than the Saints, Vikings, and Colts are drooling over the Los Angeles market, given the millions of potential merchandise-purchasing fans and the billions of dollars that can be used to buy luxury suites.



We floated recently the possibility that the Cowboys could move to Cali, and we also don't rule out possibility of the Giants (or the Jets) joining the Giants (and the Dodgers) as major league franchises making a cross-country move.



Sacrilege? Sure. Such a move would be almost as ridiculous as the Colts moving out of Baltimore, or the Browns moving from Cleveland.



Still, we think that every team that has not yet gotten a new stadium will quietly play the L.A. card in an effort to get enough public funds to make it happen. In the end, the last franchise without definite plans for a new stadium in place will be the team to win the golden ticket to the chocolate factory.



Under this approach, everyone involved will be sucking on an everlasting gobstopper full of cash for the next generation, or longer.



SUNDAY ONE-LINERS



Retired RB Terrell Davis is unfazed by the likelihood that he won't get into the Hall of Fame.



Former NFL running back LeShon Johnson, who played for the Packers, Cardinals, and Giants and who overcame lymphoma, had pit bulls seized from his residence on Friday in connection with an ongoing investigation into a dog fighting ring.



Pats LT Matt Light isn't thinking about the fact that his contract expires after this season -- and that he might have to choose between playing for a winner or getting paid the most coin.



Starting in 2005, the Falcons will no longer conduct training camp at Furman University, opting instead to practice at their facility.



Jags cap guy Paul Vance is bracing for his first negotiations with the Postons, who represent first-round WR Reggie Williams (here's a clue, Paul -- Reggie Jackson has a better chance of participating in your team's training camp).



3,000 tickets to each of the Titans' eight home games were sold out in 18 minutes on Saturday (psst, Bud, most of those fans bought those seats with the expectation that Chris Brown won't be the starting tailback this season).



The NFLPA has filed a grievance against the Pats on behalf of WR Jamin Elliott, who spent the whole season on the practice squad and eight days on the active roster -- but didn't get a Super Bowl ring (when did Mike Brown swap franchises with Bob Kraft?).



Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News ranks the ten best offseason moves; the Eagles' acquisition of WR Terrell Owens in No. 3 (hey, Rick, you sure that list isn't supposed to be the ten worst offseason moves?).

[ALinChainz]

Inside Dish: Pirates see lots of interest in Benson

By Ken Rosenthal - SportingNews



The Angels, Mets and Twins are among the teams pursuing Pirates RHP Kris Benson, but don't rule out the Phillies or even the Yankees. The Pirates want to add at least one power hitter at first base, third or center field in the 0-to-3-year service class. The Mets have offered 3B Ty Wigginton and a pitching prospect, but one rival executive says the Pirates should aim higher. The executive says of Wigginton, "He's an average kind of guy. He plays hard. He can hit. He's not very good in the field. I wouldn't mind having him, but you had better have better players around him." Benson has not allowed a home run in his last seven starts, compiling a 2.92 ERA. . . .

The Twins are deep in position prospects, particularly in the outfield, but they would be reluctant to overpay for a potential free agent like Benson. Scouts are mixed on Twins Class AAA OF Michael Restovich, who has tremendous power but is viewed by some as a mediocre hitter who feasts on mistakes. Class AA OF Jason Kubel is considered a superior prospect, and his compact 5-11, 190-pound frame and lefthanded bat draws comparisons to players like Brian Giles, Jim Edmonds and Fred Lynn. . . .

Forget about the Astros trading CF Carlos Beltran, 2B Jeff Kent or other veterans even if they somehow fall out of wild-card contention by the July 31 non-waiver deadline. "We've made a commitment to a lot of people, players and fans," general manager Gerry Hunsicker says. "A lot of tickets have been sold, especially because of (Roger) Clemens and (Andy) Pettitte. It would be kind of foolish for us to turn our backs on our fans. To even think about something like that is mind-boggling to me. I don't see a scenario where that would happen regardless of where the team is at the trading deadline." The Astros would like to add rather than subtract, but the team is not in position to replace injured RHP Wade Miller, who probably is out until at least August 1. "We've already traded away a couple of our better young players," Hunsicker says. "You do have to think about tomorrow. You can't just carve up your system. We don't have the ability to fill a lot of holes via free agenc y." RF Richard Hidalgo's breathtaking start with the Mets reflects poorly on Astros manager Jimy Williams, whom many suspect will be fired on Wednesday, the day after the All-Star break. Williams benched Hidalgo, a notoriously streaky player, in favor of Jason Lane. Those who know Hidalgo describe him as a sensitive person who felt that Williams lacked confidence in him. If Williams had gotten more out of Hidalgo, the Astros might not have traded him, then acquired CF Carlos Beltran in a deal that cost them closer Octavio Dotel and C John Buck. . . .

One executive says that Braves scout and former manager Jim Fregosi would be the perfect choice to replace Williams if the Astros make a change. "When you need a jump-start, Jim certainly has enough personality," the executive says. "He doesn't care who you are. He'll put (Jeff) Bagwell and (Craig) Biggio in their place. Those guys have way too much power. It's not that they're bad examples or bad leaders. But the manager has to be the leader." Astros special-assignment scout Mike Cubbage and third base coach Gene Lamont also are possible replacements for Williams. . . .

The A's have two struggling lefty starters in Barry Zito and Mark Redman--a situation that raises questions about the combined $20.2 million that Oakland G.M. Billy Beane spent last offseason on Redman and LH reliever Arthur Rhodes. Redman has been less effective in Oakland's Network Associates Coliseum, a neutral ballpark, than he was last season at Miami's Pro Player Stadium, a pitcher-friendly park where he faced weaker N.L. lineups. Beane says he trusts the track records of both Zito and Redman -- and Zito has been generally untouchable in the second half. Among pitchers who have worked 350 career innings after the All-Star break, Zito's 2.54 ERA and .199 opponents' batting average are the best in the majors, according to STATS Inc. If the A's want to trade him, they probably will need to wait until RHP Tim Hudson recovers from his strained oblique muscle. Beane, saying this is "the worst year we've had with injuries," believes the team will be fine once it is healthy . The A's still could use a second baseman and additional relief help. . . .

Oakland's biggest offseason loss wasn't shortstop Miguel Tejada, but pitching coach Rick Peterson. While former Cy Young winner Barry Zito and several veteran A's relievers have pitched below expectations, Peterson's Mets lead the National League in ERA, with pitchers like Braden Looper and Orber Moreno showing marked improvement. "Rick was Zito's mentor," one scout says. "Barry's one of those cerebral, high-maintenance guys. He's very intelligent. He wants to analyze everything. He misses Peterson." . . .

Among his other attributes, Twins rookie Joe Mauer might be the fastest catcher in the majors. Mauer, a lefthanded hitter, runs from home to first in 4.2 seconds, according to one scout. Mariners RF Ichiro Suzuki, one of the fastest runners in the game, typically runs 3.8-3.9. . . .

Rangers manager Buck Showalter says of RH reliever Frank Francisco, "He has a chance to be special." Francisco, acquired from the White Sox in the Carl Everett trade, is averaging 12.31 strikeouts per nine innings -- and plays chess in the middle of the clubhouse with pitching coach Orel Hershiser. . . .

The Giants' fade as the first half ended was partly attributable to fatigue -- the team had only two days off between May 25 and the break, not including a rainout that led to a day-night doubleheader. At the All-Star break, Giants relievers Jim Brower, Felix Rodriguez, Matt Herges and Scott Eyre were on pace to pitch in 89, 86, 80 and 80 games, respectively. No team has ever had four pitchers with 80 appearances in the same season, according to STATS Inc. The 2003 Dodgers were the only team to have four with 75. . . .

A scout who monitored the Yankees' system recently says Class AAA 2B Robinson Cano is a far better prospect than AAA C Dioner Navarro. "There's no comparing the two--Cano has much more ceiling," the scout says. "Offensively, he's pretty advanced. He has no problems at second; I don't see why he can't play shortstop. He's a confident player. He has a lot of swagger to him." One scout says Navarro might only be a platoon player; another says he has a chance to be a regular, but not an impact player. . . .

Pittsburgh closer Jose Mesa figures to be traded, but he could be this season's Reggie Sanders, a player the Pirates won't move unless they get a usable part in return. Sanders remained in Pittsburgh all of last season while earning a modest $1 million. Mesa is earning $800,000, and the Pirates could use him to protect leads for young LHPs Oliver Perez and Sean Burnett. Perhaps the most encouraging part of the Pirates' season has been the emergence of Perez and Burnett along with LH relievers Mike Gonzalez, John Grabow and Mike Johnston, who is currently on the disabled list. Each of those pitchers has less than three years of service time, giving the team a potential edge in a division that currently features only two other lefthanded starters--the Brewers' Doug Davis and the Astros' Andy Pettitte. . . .

The Braves and Astros are among the clubs seeking lefthanded relief help, but perhaps only the Yankees would take on the complex contract that the Mariners awarded LH closer Eddie Guardado last offseason. If Guardado's club declines an option of $6 million in 2005, he can exercise a player option for $4 million. The same goes for '06, when the club option is worth $6.25 million and the player option $4.25 million. Guardado also can earn up to additional $1 million if he exercises the player option for '05 and finishes 60 games and up to an additional $1.25 million if he exercises the player option for '06 and finishes 60. He also has a blanket no-trade clause. The Mariners are more likely to trade LH relievers Mike Myers and Ron Villone. . . .

The Marlins, 13th in the N.L. in on-base/slugging percentage at catcher, would love to add Pirates C Jason Kendall, but they can't afford him. Kendall, 30, is owed $37 million through 2007, and the Pirates aren't willing to contribute more than half of that. . . .

A name to remember: Tony Pena Jr. Pena, the Braves' shortstop at AA, was batting .295 with nine homers and 28 RBIs after 302 at-bats. "He's really developed in the last year," one scout says. "He's going to be real, real good." . . .

It's difficult to imagine anyone other than Barry Bonds as National League MVP when Bonds could become the first player to finish with a single-season on-base percentage above .600. The best argument for Scott Rolen is that in addition to his lofty batting average and power numbers, he's the best defensive third baseman in the game while Bonds is now a below-average left fielder. After slightly declining zone ratings the previous seasons -- from .906 to .896 to .883--Bonds' ZR has dropped to .838 this season, putting him in a sixth-place tie among nine qualifying N.L. left fielders. Zone rating is the percentage of balls fielded by a player in his typical defensive zone, as measured by STATS Inc. . . .

Nice try by the Phillies, dangling RHP Kevin Millwood for Cardinals RHP Matt Morris in a swap of struggling potential free agents that also might have included Phillies 2B Placido Polanco and Cardinals LHP Steve Kline. Polanco is a chip the Phillies could use to acquire pitching, but Millwood isn't exactly tempting. Since the 2003 break, a span of 33 starts, he's 10-11 with a 4.88 ERA. . . .

Acquiring CF Steve Finley from the Diamondbacks might not be as simple as the Padres had anticipated. The Diamondbacks will drive a harder bargain with a division rival, and their other option is to sign Finley to a contract extension. It is doubtful they would offer him salary arbitration as a free agent and risk paying him a significant increase from his $7 million salary. . . .

The value of defense: The Red Sox are 11-17 when they allow an unearned run, according to STATS Inc., 37-20 when they do not. The Sox have allowed 67 unearned runs, most in the majors. The Dodgers have allowed 14, the fewest in either league. . . .

Brewers C Chad Moeller, a former Diamondback, raves about new Arizona manager Al Pedrique, a former manager in the D-backs' farm system. "I think he'll do a great job," Moeller says. "He really knows how to run a game. He has a good knowledge of the game. The players really like him. As long as you play hard, he's going to be behind you."



Senior writer Ken Rosenthal covers baseball for Sporting News. Email him at kenrosenthal@sportingnews.com.

[ALinChainz]

Inside Dish: Wagner's stint in summer school goes well

By Sean Deveney - SportingNews

The Cavaliers are encouraged by G Dajuan Wagner's performance in the Orlando summer league. Wagner led the league in scoring entering the week, at 18.6 points per game. The team hopes the 6-2 Wagner, who is too short to be a shooting guard, can handle point guard duties, though not necessarily for Cleveland. The Cavs, already struggling to find big men, received a devastating blow when PF Carlos Boozer signed an offer sheet with the Jazz. Without Boozer, the Cavs will have no true power forward on the roster. The team will have to attempt to trade for one, and a league source says Wagner is Cleveland's best bait, especially if another team is convinced he can be a point guard. . . .

It shouldn't take long for SG Tracy McGrady to recognize that his decision to force a trade to the Rockets will present a challenge. With realignment, McGrady will play in the Southwest Division, which features Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Memphis and New Orleans. He has done well in his career against the Grizzlies, but the other teams have given McGrady some of his toughest matchups. In the past two seasons, he has shot a miserable 38.2 percent against the Spurs, 42.1 percent against the Hornets and 37.9 percent against the Mavericks, a team not known for its defensive prowess. . . .

Newly signed SG Brent Barry could be a perfect fit for the Spurs, who still are trying to find the kind of clutch shooting they had during their 2003 championship run. That's why they were unfazed when the Magic signed Spurs restricted free agent G/F Hedo Turkoglu to a big offer sheet -- San Antonio was unimpressed with how Turkoglu handled playoff pressure. But Barry replaces Turkoglu's 3-point shooting, and, at age 32, the Spurs feel he'll be able to handle pressure situations. Barry also came cheaper than Hawks SG Stephen Jackson (who is heading to Indiana in a sign-and-trade deal) would have, signing a four-year deal in the $22 million range. And Barry provides the added bonus of backing up flighty PG Tony Parker. . . .

At the beginning of the week, sources were divided over whether the Nets would let PF Kenyon Martin leave New Jersey. Martin was entertaining maximum-dollar contract offers from the Hawks and Nuggets, and the Nets are reluctant to pay that much. The reason? SF Richard Jefferson has improved so dramatically in his three seasons that he could command a max offer when he is a free agent next summer. Jefferson is versatile, athletic and the perfect match on the wing for PG Jason Kidd's passing skills. The team already is paying Kidd the max and can't afford all three at that price. Martin is an All-Star, a great rebounder and defender, but the team sees him as the easiest of the three to replace. . . .

The Lakers will push to make free-agent Vlade Divac their new center, which would leave Kings SF Peja Stojakovic in a strange spot. Divac long has been the glue of the Kings' locker room, but divisions have arisen over the years, especially between Divac and PF Chris Webber. Stojakovic, who considers Divac a hero, would be without his strongest ally. Rumors of a Stojakovic trade have been floated, but an NBA general manager says talk has cooled.

Sean Deveney is a staff writer for Sporting News. Email him at sdeveney@sportingnews.com.

[POJO_Risin]

Jesus...the Lakers WANT Vlade to be their starting center...

it's all down hill from here...

I'd comment on the baseball crap...but just to damn much...lmfao...

if I were Oakland...i wouldn't deal Zito...

I know he's struggling...and they have depth...but their hitting sucks...

[ALinChainz]

I think they better keep Zito just because Redman sucking wind too, insurance either way and if you can hold teams down, all the offense in the world won't get it done for you anyway.

They need their bullpen to pick it up to.

[ALinChainz]

NFL | Fighting Dogs Seized at Johnson's Home - from www.KFFL.com
Sun, 11 Jul 2004 19:02:13 -0700

Oklahoma narcotics agents seized more than 80 pit bulldogs after search warrants were served on Friday, July 9 at the Tulsa home of former NFL RB LeShon Johnson, according to the Associated Press. The seizures were part of an investigation leading to the confiscation of 141 dogs in May and the arrests of 22 people, including Johnson. "When we did the roundup in May, we knew we didn't get all of the people involved, nor did we get all of the dogs," said Mark Woodward, a spokesman for the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control. "Today, we found the dogs we were looking for, as well as documentation that will help tie seven to 10 more people to this dog fighting and drug distribution network." Johnson was arrested in Hughes County two months ago on dogfighting, conspiracy and racketeering counts. Many of the dogs involved suffered from malnutrition and sustained numerous injuries from fighting. Dogfighting is illegal in all 50 states, and is a felony in Oklahoma.


Buccaneers | Coleman to Backup - from www.KFFL.com
Sun, 11 Jul 2004 07:43:33 -0700

Rick Stroud, of the St. Petersburg Times, reports the Tampa Bay Buccaneers project OG Cosey Coleman as a reserve lineman this year.


Buccaneers | Walker to Backup - from www.KFFL.com
Sun, 11 Jul 2004 07:42:39 -0700

Rick Stroud, of the St. Petersburg Times, reports the Tampa Bay Buccaneers project OT Kenyatta Walker as a reserve lineman this year.


Buccaneers | Deese Projected as Starting LT - from www.KFFL.com
Sun, 11 Jul 2004 07:41:54 -0700

Rick Stroud, of the St. Petersburg Times, reports the Tampa Bay Buccaneers project free agent pickup OT Derrick Deese as their starting left tackle in 2004.


NFL | Patten Would be Hot Commodity - from www.KFFL.com
Sun, 11 Jul 2004 06:28:36 -0700

Nick Cafardo, of the Boston Globe, reports if the New England Patriots release veteran WR David Patten later this summer, many teams would express interest in him. "You factor in experience, his ability to make the big play, and his work ethic, and there isn't a team in the NFL who wouldn't at least explore it," said an AFC general manager. "The Patriots are stacked, and if a guy like Patten is out there he won't be unemployed very long."


Patriots | Patten a Training Camp Casualty? - from www.KFFL.com
Sun, 11 Jul 2004 06:26:33 -0700

Nick Cafardo, of the Boston Globe, reports there is early speculation that New England Patriots WR David Patten may have a difficult time making the team's final roster this summer with a young stable of wide receivers battling for roster spots in training camp.


Panthers | Pleasant an Option? - from www.KFFL.com
Sun, 11 Jul 2004 06:24:29 -0700

Nick Cafardo, of the Boston Globe, reports free agent DE Anthony Pleasant (Patriots) had planned to retire this offseason, but may consider joining his hometown team, the Carolina Panthers, this year.


Patriots | Pleasant to Return? - from www.KFFL.com
Sun, 11 Jul 2004 06:21:52 -0700

Nick Cafardo, of the Boston Globe, reports free agent DE Anthony Pleasant (Patriots), who initially had planned to retire this offseason, may consider re-joining the New England Patriots this season.


Patriots | Light Unfazed Over Contract Status - from www.KFFL.com
Sun, 11 Jul 2004 06:20:26 -0700

Nick Cafardo, of the Boston Globe, reports New England Patriots OT Matt Light is scheduled to become a free agent following the 2004 season, but is not concerned with his cloudy future with the team. "I love what I do," Light said. "I would never put that pressure on myself or play mind games and what-ifs. The season coming up is what I'm thinking about." Light could be highly coveted if he hits the free agent market next year as he plays the all-important left tackle position.


Patriots | Light Begins Training, May Miss Start of Camp - from www.KFFL.com
Sun, 11 Jul 2004 06:19:11 -0700

Nick Cafardo, of the Boston Globe, reports New England Patriots OT Matt Light (appendectomy) has begun working out after undergoing appendectomy surgery last month and might be limited at the start of training camp this summer. "It took a little longer than I thought it was going to take, and I didn't get back on my feet as soon as I thought I might, but basically the way I look at it, I'm glad I got it out before something bad happened," Light said. "I'm just waiting for a scar to heal. For me it's just getting my wind back and getting back into the weight room."


Eagles | Rookies Expected to Ink Long-Term Deals - from www.KFFL.com
Sat, 10 Jul 2004 20:18:46 -0700

Len Pasquarelli, of ESPN.com, reports that the Philadelphia Eagles have joined a growing list of NFL teams who want all of their rookies, including low-round draft picks, to sign five-year contracts.


Chargers | Chargers, City Reach Agreement on Stadium Lease - from www.KFFL.com
Sat, 10 Jul 2004 10:49:09 -0700

Ronald W. Powell, of the San Diego Union-Tribune, reports the San Diego Chargers and the city have reached concessions on the stadium lease that the San Diego City Council will vote on after a public hearing Monday, July 12. Both sides compromised on issues including the dismissal of a lawsuit the team filed against the city in November, the team's dropping an expensive maintenance requirement on the stadium, and the inclusion of an exit clause that allows the Chargers to leave San Diego at the end of the 2008 season as long as it paid off $57.7 million in outstanding bonds for the 1997 stadium expansion.


NFL | Tillman Honored for Patriotism - from www.KFFL.com
Sat, 10 Jul 2004 10:15:08 -0700

The Associated Press reports former Arizona Cardinals S Pat Tillman, who quit the NFL to join the military and was killed in Afghanistan earlier this year, was the recipient of the Audi Murphy Patriotism Award, an annual award presented over the Fourth of July celebration weekend. The award was given to the Tillman Foundation, formed to carry on Tillman's spirit and help families of soldiers killed overseas.


Buccaneers | McFarland Progressing In New Role - from www.KFFL.com
Sat, 10 Jul 2004 10:06:20 -0700

Roger Mills, of the St. Petersburg Times, reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers DT Anthony McFarland is making strides in shifting from nose tackle to the under tackle position previously held by former DT Warren Sapp. "He's really starting to grow into the position," defensive line coach Rod Marinelli said. "He understands it very well. He's got the motor, the effort and the hustle. Now it's up to him to develop that one-on-one rush all the time."


Dolphins | More Practice Reps for Moore - from www.KFFL.com
Sat, 10 Jul 2004 08:51:29 -0700

Michael Cunningham, of the Miami Sun-Sentinel, reports Miami Dolphins second-year LB Eddie Moore will see more practice reps at the strongside linebacker position in training camp now that LB Morlon Greenwood has been shifted to middle linebacker to replace injured LB Zach Thomas (knee).


Dolphins | More Practice Reps for Jenkins - from www.KFFL.com
Sat, 10 Jul 2004 08:50:33 -0700

Michael Cunningham, of the Miami Sun-Sentinel, reports Miami Dolphins second-year LB Corey Jenkins will see more practice reps at the strongside linebacker position in training camp now that LB Morlon Greenwood has been shifted to middle linebacker to replace injured LB Zach Thomas (knee).


Dolphins | Injury to Thomas Shifts Greenwood - from www.KFFL.com
Sat, 10 Jul 2004 08:42:40 -0700

Michael Cunningham, of the Miami Sun-Sentinel, reports the Miami Dolphins will shift starting strongside LB Morlon Greenwood to the middle linebacker spot with LB Zach Thomas (knee) out with a knee injury.


Dolphins | Thomas Injury Update - from www.KFFL.com
Sat, 10 Jul 2004 08:40:21 -0700

Updating a previous report, Michael Cunningham, of the Miami Sun-Sentinel, reports Miami Dolphins LB Zach Thomas (knee) is expected to miss about six weeks after undergoing successful knee surgery to repair torn cartilage suffered during Thursday's practice, July 8. "The good news is it is not an injury that is going to affect him in the long term and it won't have an impact going into the season," Thomas' agent Drew Rosenhaus said. "It will take six weeks approximately for it to be 100 percent."

[ALinChainz]

by Profootballtalk editor Mike Florio



POSTED 7:38 a.m. EDT, July 12, 2004



GALLOWAY'S STRUGGLES NOT A SURPRISE



In response to news that Bucs receiver Joey Galloway is having trouble grasping an offense that requires him to do something other than go deep on every play, one league personnel exec tells us that Galloway's struggles with the Tampa playbook are not surprising.



"He has the concentration level of a turnip," the source said. "And that is slighting the turnip a bit."



Galloway recently told Bucanneers.com that the complexity of the offense is at times making his head spin. "It's difficult and it takes time," Galloway said. "There have been times we have shifted so much that when we got done shifting, I forgot the play."



Galloway was traded to the Bucs earlier this year for Keyshawn Johnson in lieu of almost certainly becoming a cap casualty in Dallas.



BEUERLEIN WON'T GET A SHOT



We recently posted a blurb regarding the possibility that 49-year-old quarterback Steve Beuerlein could return to an NFL roster if/when somebody goes down with an injury.



In response, a league personnel exec told us that Beuerlein "has been on scholarship for the past few years," and that "no one wants him -- no one."



Beuerlein most recently played for the Broncos, backing up Jake Plummer. Beuerlein's season ended in October after suffering a grotesquely dislocated finger against the Vikings.



KING ASPIRATIONS MISS THE MARK



As to statements last week from Cardinals quarterback Shaun King regarding his intention to press John McCown for the starting gig in the desert, a league exec tells us that "the only way he'll start if they also field a arena team -- and even that wouldn't be guaranteed."



King, per the source, is "too small, too dumb and [he has] no heart."



Not long ago, King had secured the starting job in Tampa, losing it to Brad Johnson in the final year of the Tony Dungy regime. King remained on the bench for the first two seasons under Jon Gruden, and he bolted for 'Zona via free agency.



MONDAY ONE-LINERS



Redskins S Sean Taylor could be fined $10,000 for skipping out of last month's rookie symposium -- past recipients of a five-figure fine include Ryan Leaf and Ron Dayne.



Bucs WR Frank Murphy punched a barroom doorman in the face after Murphy tried to skip out with an unpaid tab of more than $1,600 -- and after he left a tip of only $40.



The arbitration hearing between the Redskins and LaVar Arrington will occur either on August 3 or August 10.



U.S. sprinter Tyree Washington plans to try out for some NFL teams in the fall.

[ALinChainz]

by Profootballtalk editor Mike Florio

Missed a story? Check out our Rumormill archives!

POSTED 7:36 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 8:36 a.m. EDT, July 13, 2004



BIG BEN NOT TICKING IN THE 'BURGH?



As folks throughout the league try to guess which of the Postons' first-round clients will be the last to sign a rookie contract, there's a chance that all of them could be cashing their bonus checks long before Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger suits up.



A league source tells us that the Steelers privately are concerned that they're in for a protracted holdout with Roethlisberger, the first Pittsburgh first-round signal-caller since Mark Malone in 1983.



The problem, as we hear it, is two-fold. First, word is that Roethlisberger still hasn't gotten over the fact that he was drafted third among the three high-profile quarterbacks -- and that he hopes to get a contract comparable to the deal to be signed by No. 4 overall pick Philip Rivers in order to soothe his ego. Second, Roethlisberger was supposed to be agent Leigh Steinberg's return to the big time in his first top-five splash since that ugly public split with David Dunn.



The thinking is that Steinberg will swing for a grand slam from the No. 11 spot, in lieu of settling for a mere home run if Roethlisberger had been drafted at the 4 hole. Also, there's nothing like a long-term holdout to keep Steinberg's name in the headlines well into August.



Moreover, with the Postons trying to nail a big deal for receiver Reggie Williams at No. 9 and the Texans likely to overpay cornerback Dunta Robinson at No. 10, the potential price for Roethlisberger could end up being far more than the Steelers are willing to pay.



And that's the real reason, in our view, for the Steelers' decision to give starter Tommy Maddox a raise heading into the 2004 season. In the end, it likely was cheaper to keep Maddox satisfied in the short term than to pay the ransom that Steinberg would have demanded if the team publicly had committed to making Ben the starter from week one of his rookie year.



With more and more rookie quarterbacks taking a redshirt season, the Steelers are now protected against a long-term holdout by Roethlisberger. The fact that Charlie Batch has not yet been released strengthens our opinion that the Steelers plan to go with Maddox, Batch, and Brian St. Pierre until Roethlisberger is signed, sealed, and delivered.



Really, why keep Batch around? Dumping him would create some cap room, and the Steelers could sign a camp arm or two in a heartbeat to take his place.



Batch is still on the team for a reason. It's called leverage -- and the Steelers might need a lot more of it to get Roethlisberger into camp before the leaves start falling off of the trees in Western Pennsylvania.



TUESDAY ONE-LINERS



The NFL isn't expected to decide this week whether to fine Redskins S Sean Taylor for skipping out on the rookie symposium.



The Seahawks signed fifth-round WR D.J. Hackett to a three-year deal with a $112,750 bonus and minimum base salaries.



Steelers players are hurting after the unexpected passing of Stephanie Porter, 44, who manned the cafeteria line at the team facility and served as a mother figure for the players.



How slow is it right now in the NFL right now? The Washington Post has a loooong story regarding the fate of a time capsule buried by the Redskins in 1977.



The Seahawks have signed DT John Schlecht, who hasn't played in the NFL since 2001.



Former Redskins OL George Starke received a $50 fine and a year of probation after pleading guilty to possessing seven grams of crack cocaine (who says athletes don't get off easy in court?).



Former Vikings RB and self-styled intellectual Robert Smith labels himself a "[s]mart-mouth atheist" in an interview with Bob Sansavere of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, which we find even more disappointing that his inability to sell his book to a major publisher.



Miami Hurricanes CB Artrell Rolle, a potential first-rounder in 2005, has been charged with a felony and two misdemeanors following an altercation with a police officer.



POSTED 11:13 p.m. EDT, July 12, 2004; LAST UPDATED 8:36 a.m. EDT, July 13, 2004



HAMILTON COUNTY TAKES ON BENGALS



At a time when the Cincinnati Bengals are reversing a decade of worse-than-crappy performances on the field, a potentially gi-normous embarrassment suddenly is looming large in the rear-view mirror.



On Monday, federal judge S. Arthur Spiegel granted the request of Hamilton County to take over a lawsuit filed initially by County Commissioner Todd Portune in his status as a taxpayer.



The suit alleges that the NFL illegally used its monopoly to squeeze the Queen City into funding a new stadium for the then-bungling Bengals.



The most significant short-term development is that the amendment to the suit clears the way for the so-called discovery process, which will allow lawyers for Hamilton County to begin obtaining sensitive internal NFL records and deposing key league officials. Of course, the NFL and its stable of blue-suited hammerheads likely will do everything possible to prevent such information from becoming public. But even if a protective order is entered to shield the information from disclosure pending trial, a trial is an inherently public proceeding, and plenty of dirty laundry will be aired for all to see if the case isn't thrown out via the filing of a dispositive motion, or settled via the payment of big coin from the league and the Bengals back to the citizens of Hamilton County.



And settlement could be the ultimate goal, via the renegotiation of the Bengals' lease for the County-owned stadium. Under the current deal, the Bengals pay a total of $11.7 million in rent for the first nine years, no rent for the second nine years, and then the County pays the Bengals for the next nine years. Throughout the full 27-year term, the Bengals have control over development in the riverfront area, which recently triggered concerns regarding the ability of the local government to bring riverboat gambling to the area.



Stay tuned. This one could get very interesting as it unfolds.



CARDS SMACKED BY NFL



In a development that has received a tad less attention than the firestorm that accompanied the Giants' battle with the NFLPA regarding the drills conducted at Camp Coughlin, the Cardinals have been forced to forfeit the final week of their voluntary offseason program, from July 12 through 16.



According to Cardinals.com, "NFL Executive Vice President Harold Henderson and Players Association Executive Director Gene Upshaw have determined that the Cardinals violated rules pertaining to the intensity level and tempo of drills conducted during organized team activity days."



The allegations -- and the resulting penalty -- barely has registered a blip on the media radar screen at a time when the NFL otherwise is experiencing a dearth of news items. The East Valley Tribune covers the story in its Tuesday edition, explaining that the action followed complaints by players regarding the degree of contact in the drills.



"We have been informed of the decision by the Management Council," said Rod Graves, Vice President of Football Operations. "We’re very respectful of the CBA and are taking the appropriate measures to make sure this does not re-occur."



EARLY TUESDAY ONE-LINERS



LB Jason Gildon is "very close" to making a decision between the Bills, Bengals, and Packers.



It's official -- ESPN Football 2K5 will be released on July 20, beating the Madden franchise to the punch (and we can only hope that the Vikings' computerized defense can stop the run this year -- and that a receiver other than Moss can catch the ball).



Edmonton Eskimos RB Mike Pringle has set a CFL record for yards from scrimmage, passing 19,000 career yards.



Former Bears and Saints coach Mike Ditka is getting more and more serious about seeking a job from which, as a practical matter, he can't be fired.



Nelly is in, and Snoop Dogg is out of the remake of the classic film The Longest Yard.

[Troy]

I've read some stuff about Marshall Faulk being hurt and the Rams keeping it under wraps, because they're not sure if he'll be ready for camp, anyone else hear this?

[ALinChainz]

I have heard this too Troy.

All makes more sense that they drafted Stephen Jackson in the first round.

Faulk is wearing down, might have a season at top production if healthy, which seems to be a big IF.

Sounded to me like he should be in camp sometime, and won't miss the start of the season.

[Va Beach VH Fan]

Originally posted by ALinChainz
and that he hopes to get a contract comparable to the deal to be signed by No. 4 overall pick Philip Rivers in order to soothe his ego.

That dog ain't huntin', not with the Rooney's it ain't.....

Take your fucking money and sit the bench....

At least until Tommy starts fucking up, that is....

[ALinChainz]

I had to laugh when they referred to Charlie Batch as insurance, and maybe somewhat of a bargaining chip, in so many words.

Batch? LOL ... I've probably said this before, but we were ready to help him load the moving van to get him out of Detroit.

[ALinChainz]

by Profootballtalk editor Mike Florio



POSTED 8:14 a.m. EDT, July 14, 2004



REASONS FOR RUSSELL RELEASE A MYSTERY



A day after the Tampa Bay Bucs decided abruptly to part ways with former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Darrell Russell, the reasons for the move are in dispute.



The oddest aspect of the development is that the Bucs didn't bother to inform Russell before cutting him. According to the Tampa Tribune, he learned of it via a phone call from a friend who heard the news on ESPN.



Russell explains away the decision to dump him by pointing to the team's depth at the nose tackle position. "This is all about Tampa Bay freeing up a position they felt they were stacked in,'' Russell said. "Even though I had a rapport with [G.M.] Bruce [Allen], Coach [Jon] Gruden and [defensive line coach] Rod Marinelli, I was competing against guys like Chuck Darby and Ellis Wyms, who had been in the program for years."



The team provides a different spin. "We had strict parameters for this young man, and those parameters were not met,'' Gruden said. "We put in all these hurdles to test how much of a price Darrell was willing to pay. It's disappointing, because even before the relationship begins, the relationship is over."



In an apparent effort to defuse speculation that Russell reverted to prior conduct (actual and/or alleged), Allen said, "You can rule that out -- Darrell didn't break any laws. But he didn't comply, and it didn't work out for him. It is what it is. You feel for the player because this was a second, third or fourth chance for him."



Still, there is speculation in league circles (and speculation only), that the Bucs made the move upon receiving from the NFL official notice that Russell had tested positive for a banned substance, which most likely would have triggered a mandatory suspension. As one league source explained to us, there otherwise would have been no reason to jettison before camp opened a guy who is making the veteran minimum, which would cost the team only $450,000 in real dollars and in cap dollars.



If the move indeed were prompted by receipt of such notification from the NFL (and we'll say it again -- we're speculating as to whether any league policies were violated by Russell), this would make the team's failure to give him a ring before making the move more understandable, since Russell and/or his agent soon will be receiving their own copy of the letter.



Other theories making the rounds are that Russell was 20 pounds overweight, that he has lost his high-level ability, and that he simply doesn't like playing football. The last reason meshes most closely with Gruden's explanation that the team tried to test Russell by seeing how much of a price he was willing to pay.



Still, Russell's ultimate transgression was sufficiently serious to prompt Gruden and Allen to proceed without bothering to make a phone call to the player first, and this tells us: (1) that something came to their attention out of the blue; (2) that it was sufficiently clear and convincing to make any efforts to obtain an explanation from Russell useless; (3) and/or that Allen and/or Gruden were sufficiently pissed off by the news to prompt them to hit the kill switch immediately.



So if we were betting men (and as far as anyone knows we aren't), we'd drop some coin on the "positive pee test" square.



And for the other end of the parlay, we'd wager that Russell's NFL career is done, permanently.



MORE DETAILS ON CARDS VIOLATION



In the wake of the news that the Cardinals have forfeited the final week of their voluntary offseason program due to CBA violations resulting from so-called OTAs, a league source tells us that the Cards were dinged because: (1) the team was conducting full-contact one-on-one drills between linemen; and (2) they were exceeding the two-hour daily on-field time limit.



Another league source tells us that some of the current Cardinals players believe that the complaints were pushed by guys who had been cut by Dennis Green since his arrival in January. (We also wouldn't be surprised to learn that L.J. Shelton griped to the NFLPA after he was demoted from his starting gig at left tackle -- possibly based on his performance in those one-on-ones.)



Yet another league source opined that the notion of nailing a team for engaging in too much physical contact during OTAs "is bullshit," since "[e]veryone does that in the offseason."



Indeed, we've previously heard that the line play during offseason workouts is intense, and that defensive ends come off of the ball with the same speed and force used during training camp. We've also heard that players would prefer to wear pads during these drills, since many of them get banged up in T-shirts and shorts.



STEELERS, ROETHLISBERGER START TALKING



In the wake of our report from Tuesday that the Steelers are bracing for a protracted holdout by first-round draft choice Ben Roethlisberger, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that chief contract negotiator Omar Khan recently met with agent Leigh Steinberg in California to discuss general parameters for a deal.



Some folks in league circles have reminded us that Steinberg doesn't have a reputation for keeping guys out of camp, apparently because Steinberg routinely promises recruits and their parents that the player will be in training camp on time. Still, other league insiders believe that Steinberg is committed to making a big splash with Roethlisberger in order to get back into the ranks of elite NFL agents.



Notwithstanding the news that initial discussions have occurred on a potential Roethlisberger deal, we continue to hear that the Steelers are indeed concerned about a holdout -- which might explain the team's decision to dispatch Khan to Cali for a meet-and-greet that involved no actual negotiations.



WEDNESDAY ONE-LINERS



Radically conservative and blunt-speaking Mike Ditka reportedly has warned Illinois GOP officials that "If I run [for the U.S. Senate], it could cause problems for you." (Maybe Ditka's first order of business would be proposing a restriction on Levitra sales to heterosexuals only.)



Deion Sanders' difficult year continues -- after walking away from his CBS gig and losing his position at ESPN, he now has been accused of failing to pay child support and of mismanaging his children's $2 million trust fund.



One of the agents for RB Shaun Alexander says that Alexander wants to stay in Seattle beyond the expiration of his contract following this season, and that the objective is to get an extension in place by September (the 'Hawks already are on the hook to pay Alexander $3.25 million this year because his three 1,000-yard seasons triggered an escalator pushing his base salary up from $545,000).



The Falcons have signed fourth-round LB Denorrio Williams and sixth-round S Etric Pruitt to three-year deals.



Agent Joel Segal, who represents Falcons first-round CB DeAngelo Hall, first-round WR Michael Jenkins, and seventh-round RB Quincy Wilson, met with G.M. Rich McKay on June 24 to begin negotiating deals for the three players.



In an effort to beat the heat, the Jags will have 13 evening training camp practices under portable lights.