The Rumor Mill

[redblkwht]

personally id take the wr avail at #4 whether it was edwards or williams
the draft is filled with a ton of decent rb's..if they take a back
ill be pissed..
id do a #2 pick on a rb, T.Jones is good enough, we just need to
replace a-train..(a good backup)
id like them to get another OL.. thx AI x2

[ALinChainz]

by Profootballtalk editor Mike Florio



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POSTED 9:26 a.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 10:21 a.m. EST, March 4, 2005



ROLLE, PARRISH WORKOUTS "UNBELIEVABLE"



An AFC personnel exec tells us that the March 3, 2005 Pro Day workouts of Miami cornerback Antrelle Rolle and receiver Roscoe Parrish were "unbelievable."



Running back Frank Gore, per the source, "did not run real well" but "he did the position drills very well."



The source projects all three as first-day selections, with Rolle as a clear-cut first rounder, Parrish as a late one or early two, and Gore as a late two early three.



Rolle is aiming high. "I would love to be the first corner taken off the board, or even the first player," Rolle said, according to Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press. "I do think I'm the best player right now in college football. I'm not taking anything away from anyone else, but I've put in a lot of hard work. There's people right now wishing they could be in my shoes."



Reynolds describes Rolle as a "consensus top-five pick," but we're not so sure where Reynolds has gotten his information, quite frankly. Virtually every mock draft we've seen has Pac-Man Jones higher than Rolle, due in large part to the fact that Jones better fits the "no-touchy" mode that the NFL recently has assumed, which puts a premier on fast guys with recovery skills (like Jones) and reduces the relevance of larger guys (like Rolle).



Again, we'll all know more about whether Jones or Rolle will be the first corner off of the board next Friday. If Pac-Man gobble ups the stripes like Blinky is bearing down on his ass, look for Jones to gobble up a higher spot on draft day.



RAVENS SIGN BAXTER



We've confirmed that the Ravens have re-signed cornerback Gary Baxter to a multi-year deal.



Baxter, a second-round pick in the 2001 draft, also has played safety during his career.



The move helps to keep in place a solid defensive backfield, which includes guys like Ed Reed and Chris McAlister. The Ravens recently said that they plan to retain the services of former Pro Bowler Dale Carter in 2005, and Deion Sanders might return for another season.



The Ravens will be announcing the Baxter deal on Friday morning.



MORE FRIDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS



OT Jonas Jennings' contract with the 49ers reportedly is worth $36 million over six years; Jennings will man the left side and Kwame Harris will move to his more natural position on the right.



With Jennings in the fold, the 49ers will dump OT Scott Gragg after June 1, in order to spread the cap hit over two years.



T-wolves owner Glen Taylor is still waiting in the wings to buy the Vikings if Reggie Fowler's purchase falls through.



The Jags likely won't trade backup QB David Garrard.



Jaguars S Donovin Darius isn't delighted with wearing the franchise tag for three straight years.



Chiefs RB Derrick Blaylock signed a five-year, $11.1 million contract with a $3.2 million bonus to join the Jets as the backup to Curtis Martin.



Texans LB Jamie Sharper has been given permission to seek a trade.



The brother of former Pats OL Joe Andruzzi sounded off on Thursday regarding the manner in which his relationship with the team ended.



Broncos RFA TE Jeb Putzier is meeting with the Jets on Friday; if he signs an offer sheet and Denver doesn't match, the Broncos would get a sixth-round pick as compensation.



Eagles LB Jeremiah Trotter left Kansas City without a contract.



POSTED 7:54 a.m. EST, March 4, 2005



JAMES TRADE ON THE HORIZON?



Although it's still very early in the free-agency merry-go-round, there's a growing sense that the chances of running back Edgerrin James returning to the Colts this season are slim.



Sure, the Colts have severely restricted his movement via the one-year franchise tender. But James wants a long-term deal, and we're hearing that he and the Colts are far apart as to terms.



So if James can't get the deal he wants from Indy, he has to look elsewhere.



''Whoever wants to give me a contract, I'm ready to play,'' James said on Thursday at the Miami Pro Day workout, according to Jason Cole of the Miami Herald.



"I just want to find out where I'm going to be at, sooner than later," James said, according to Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post.



But it's sounding like James really doesn't want to stay in Indy, at least based on his thoughts regarding the team's ability to succeed moving forward. "I really don't know," James said. "The team is a good team and we've been doing a lot of great things. But as far as the future, I don't know."



Former University of Miami tailback Clinton Portis chimed in at one point during James' comments, suggesting a trade of James for Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor.



Though any deal most likely would involve one or more draft picks instead of players, our guess is that James and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, will be as creative as necessary to get the veteran chain-mover in position to get what likely will be James' last big payday. With six seasons of an NFL pounding on that green cement in Indy, there's only so many years left before he's no longer on of the league's marquee backs.



BOLDIN-FOR-BENNETT RUMORS OFF THE MARK



We received several e-mails on Thursday regarding a rampant rumor that the Vikings will trade running back Michael Bennett and a second-round or third-round pick to the Cardinals for receiver Anquan Boldin.



Although we prefer to monger rumors in lieu of debunking them, we've checked around on this one and we've concluded that there's nothing to it.



Although Boldin has been angling for a new contract, there's no reason to believe the Cardinals will move him. Coach Dennis Green likely didn't enter the Randy Moss sweepstakes because the Cards are stocked at the receiver position. If Green wanted to move Boldin, why not offer Boldin plus a pick or two for Moss?



Bennett, on the other hand, is a guy who surely could be had, for the right price. The Vikings have a glut of running backs -- and with the team likely shifting its focus to an inside running game that will hopefully open up the passing options, the speedy, fra-gee-lay Bennett simply doesn't fit the new profile.



FRIDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS



The Vikings apparently are delaying payment of signing bonuses to free agents until the summer, when the bill will be the responsibility of new owner Reggie Fowler; the tactic caused them to miss out on LB Antonio Pierce, and to pay extra for DT Pat Williams.



LB Ian Gold signed with the Broncos on Thursday; he'll get an $8 million bonus on a six-year deal.



The return of Gold means that D.J. Williams likely will be moved to the strong side.



Steelers RB Jerome Bettis is "leaning toward" coming back in 2005.



The Redskins will replace LB Antonio Pierce with Lemar Marshall, who filled in for LaVar Arrington for most of 2004.



The Redskins have a standing offer to CB Fred Smoot with a $10 million signing bonus.



WR Travis Taylor is hoping to land in Minnesota; the Vikings are also talking to WR Plaxico Burress, but no visit has been scheduled.



Broncos S Kenoy Kennedy will visit Detroit on Monday and then Miami.



The Bucs have reached agreement on a contract extension with DE Greg Spires, which gives the players plenty of coin and the team some extra 2005 cap room.



CB Samari Rolle might have a deal in place on Friday, likely with the Chiefs.



With CB Ken Lucas gone to Charlotte, the Seahawks have inquired about Dolphins CB Patrick Surtain.



DE Bryce Fisher has yet to make any free-agent visits because of his National Guard commitments.



Seahawks DE Chike Okeafor arrived in Denver Thursday night, and will head to Arizona on Friday.

[ALinChainz]

by Profootballtalk editor Mike Florio



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POSTED 3:05 p.m. EST, March 4, 2005



BREES INKS SAN DIEGO TENDER




In a move possibly aimed at forcing the Chargers to trade him, San Diego quarterback Drew Brees has signed his one-year franchise tender of $8.08 million.



The Chargers arguably slapped the tag on Brees, the 2004 comeback player of the year, in order to ensure that they will receive something in return for the 2001 second-rounder, who was essentially written out of the team's long-term plans when it acquired Philip Rivers on draft day 2004.



But Brees, in his contract year, came on unexpectedly strong, leading the Chargers to a 12-4 record and a playoff appearance.



There has been little (i.e., no) interest in Brees through the first few days of free agency, By inking the tender, Brees is guaranteed to receive his $8.08 million salary in 2005. He'll then be eligible for free agency again in 2006, when the Chargers would be forced to decide whether to let him walk -- or whether to tender him at $9.7 million, which represents a 120 percent raise over his 2005 wages.



POSTED 2:05 p.m. EST; UPDATED 2:27 p.m. EST, March 4, 2005



TROTTER DOESN'T GO PRODIGAL AGAIN



Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter left once before during free agency.



This time around, he's staying put.



Bob Kent of Eagles.com reports that the Eagles have reached an agreement with Trotter on a five-year deal.



Trotter left the team three years ago in a haze of acrimony, after the team removed the franchise tag. But following two disappointing seasons with the Redskins and a well-timed phone call from Andy Reid after Trotter suffered an injury, Trotter came back to Philly -- and became once again a force in the middle for the Eagles.



Trotter flew to Kansas City at the outset of free agency, but left without a contract.



MIXON DEAL ALREADY DONE?



The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that Vikings defensive end Kenny Mixon, who'll be relegated to a reserve role behind 2005 starters Kenechi Udeze and Darrion Scott, will be required to take a pay cut or take a hike in the coming weeks.



But we've heard through the grapevine that Mixon already has worked out a new deal. It replaces the contract that otherwise would have paid Mixon $3.8 million in 2005.



Mixon joined the Vikings in 2002. He had 2.5 sacks and 42 tackles in 2004.



POSTED 1:58 p.m. EST, March 4, 2005



FRIDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS




The Jets have signed DL Lance Legree.



Former Pro Bowl FB Sam Gash is the Jets' new assistant running backs and special teams coach.



Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com refers to our story regarding WR Peter Warrick and WR Kelley Washington wanting out of Cincy, but Hobson doesn't mention the site by name (that's okay, Geoff, we still like you).



The Bears are meeting with QB Kurt Warner on Friday.



The Bucs are looking for a veteran quarterback to give them four heading into training camp.



The Cards are hosting on Friday S Steve Gleason and S Robert Griffith.



Eagles OL Jermaine Mayberry visited with the Saints on Thursday.



John McGrath of the Tacoma News Tribune raises a very good question -- who in the hell are these guys who are getting all this free agency money?

[ALinChainz]

by Profootballtalk editor Mike Florio

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POSTED 9:09 p.m. EST; UPDATED 9:40 p.m. EST, March 4, 2005



BAXTER BLOWS OFF BALTIMORE FOR BROWNS



Cornerback Gary Baxter, who as of Friday morning had agreed to terms with the Ravens, has spurned the team that drafted him in 2001 and signed with the Cleveland Browns.



We're trying to track down all of the details on this one. For now, though, the Baltimore Sun attributes the change of heart to a miscommunication regarding his Ravens signing bonus.



Apparently, Baxter was under the impression that his signing bonus was $11 million, but he saw that it was only a $7 million payment just before signing the deal (note to Lavar Arrington: it's important to read the contract before signing it).



We weren't the only ones to jump the gun on Baxter. Several Baltimore-area radio and television stations were reporting that he'd agreed to stay with the Ravens.



Instead, he'll be leaving the team that drafted him for the guy who drafted him, new Browns G.M. Phil Savage.



FRIDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS



The Dolphins have signed Panthers S Traveras Tillman.



So much for Shane -- the Bills have signed Browns QB Kelly Holcomb, presumably to back up starter J.P. Losman.



The Dolphins hosted on Friday Raiders DE Bobby Hamilton and Falcons LB Matt Stewart.



The Bengals hosted RB Anthony Thomas on Friday, along with LB Jeremiah Trotter before he re-upped with the Eagles.



The Giants signed Jets RT Kareem McKenzie, a rare free agent who changes teams without leaving his stadium.



TE Dave Moore re-signed with the Bucs.



The Seahawks have released S Damien Robinson and LB Anthony Simmons.

[ALinChainz]

by Profootballtalk editor Mike Florio

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POSTED 10:00 a.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 10:35 a.m. EST, March 5, 2005



PLAX'S AGENT GETTING DESPERATE?



There's a growing feeling around the league that agent Michael Harrison is desperate to land a contract for Steelers receiver Plaxico Burress.



A league insider tells us that Harrison recently called one team three times in a a single day. And recent reports linking Burress to the Vikings were based upon quotes from Harrison, who's doing his best to stir up a market for the guy who was a first-round selection of the Steelers in the 2000 draft.



Desperation doesn't play well in this context. Teams will sense it, and they'll continue to bide their time until the agent and the player think that they'd better take what they can get.



With all that said, we're hearing from one league source that the Vikings are indeed giving Burress a "strong look," and that an eventual deal there is "probable."



But that's likely because no one else is stepping into the fray, leaving Burress with only one logical choice.



The Vikings, on the other hand, have another option. If Burress balks, they can turn to Ravens receiver Travis Taylor, another former first-rounder who has yet to find his groove in the NFL. Taylor, we're told, would love to play with quarterback Daunte Culpepper.



So for Burress to land in Minnesota in the short term, it won't be for the money that Harrison undoubtedly told Burress that would be out there for him. That's why we think that Burress might shake his head at any deal the Vikings put on the table, and instead wait for injuries or other unexpected developments to create a demand for his services later in the offseason.



Alternatively, Burress could eventually agree to an incentive-laden deal, or an Ian Gold-type contract that makes great headlines for Harrison, but that is in essence a short term arrangement that will lead to a restructuring or a release.



Either way, the slow-to-nonexistent demand for Burress hardly surprises us. The guy has a great Q factor among the NFL and its fans, but the truth is that his numbers simply don't merit placement on the short list of top receivers.



Finally, don't be surprised if Burress parts ways with Harrison and starts over again with a new guy. We're hearing that Burress is getting pissed, and given the amateurish manner in which Harrison has played the market so far, we can't blame him.



BEST EVIDENCE OF FAVRE RETIREMENT?



Shortly after Ted Thompson was hired to be the General Manager in Green Bay, we heard that the plan was to conduct routine maintenance with the current roster until Brett Favre retires -- and then blow the thing up.



So with the Packers shedding players like hair from a sick dog, it's starting to look like maybe, just maybe, Thompson knows something that the rest of us don't. Yet.



Over the past few days, the Pack have watched both starting guards, Mike Wahle and Marco Rivera, walk away. Safety Bwahoh Jue left for San Diego after the Pack made a pedestrian effort to re-sign him.



On Friday, defensive back Michael Hawthorne was shown the door, since a $125,000 roster bonus was coming due this week.



And with safety Darren Sharper next up on the chopping block, Mark Roman would be the only safety left on the roster with any NFL experience.



Meanwhile, the team's efforts to bring in new players have been limited. Guard Brad Bedell was signed to a one-year, $540,000 contract, joining Steve Morley as the only other guard under contract from the 2004 team.



A visit has been scheduled with Browns linebacker Kevin Bentley, and the team is talking to tight end Itula Mili and guard Jermane Mayberry. If any of those three end up in Canton, it will be as a paid visitor.



On paper, then, it sure looks like Thompson is in the process of ripping the thing apart in Green Bay. Thus, there are two possible interpretations. The Packers know that Favre won't be back.



Or they're trying in very subtle fashion to influence his decision.



NED'S SHORT STAY IN ARIZONA



Earlier this week, Bucs cornerback Dwight Smith helped us craft Rule No. 1 of unrestricted free agency -- don't get arrested for brandishing a weapon within 24 hours of hitting the market.



Now, Cardinals running back Larry Ned has aided the establishment of Rule No. 1 of being claimed off of waivers.



Don't steal someone's laptop within a day after getting a second chance in the NFL.



On Friday, Ned was arrested at Sky Harbor International Airport after grabbing another flier's computer after Ned passed through a security checkpoint.



Ned was found hiding in a men's bathroom, and arrested on a theft charge.



The Cardinals abruptly released him.



So maybe Paul Tagliabue was right when he said that Playmakers is unrealistic. If anything, it looks like the show was too tame.



JETS DO BRONCOS' NEGOTIATING FOR THEM



With tight end Jeb Putzier signing an offer sheet from the Jets, one league insider explained to us that this is a prime example of the reason why it's often a bad idea for a player to sign an offer sheet, and for a prospective team to put one on the table.



Unless the package inked by the player was specifically designed to prevent the player's original team from matching it (e.g., the Bears and John Tait last year), there's a good chance that the player and his prospective team were simply making it easier for the original team to sign the guy to a long-term deal.



On Friday, Putzier signed a five-year, $12.5 million offer sheet with the Jets. The deal includes a $1 million signing bonus in 2005 and a $1.5 million roster bonus in 2006.



The Rocky Mountain News characterizes the package as having "guaranteed money" of $2.5 million, but we disagree. Although it's unlikely that Putzier will be cut before his $1.5 million roster bonus comes due, the Jets would realize a net cap savings of $700,000 plus his 2006 salary if they decide after one season that Putzier isn't the answer.



But as the Rocky Mountain News points out, the key here is that the Jets have done the legwork for the Broncos by putting together a deal that Putzier would accept. The Broncos had tried, unsuccessfully, to ink Putzier to a long-term deal.



Now, all the Broncos have to do is decide whether to take a sixth-round pick or keep Putzier under a contract that has a cap charge of only $1.5 million in 2005, along with an opportunity to walk away after the first season with a net cap savings.

[ALinChainz]

by Profootballtalk editor Mike Florio



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POSTED 4:25 p.m. EST, March 5, 2005



THE TRUTH BEHIND THE BAXTER DEAL?



On Saturday morning, Browns cornerback Gary Baxter said at a press conference that there's two sides to every story.



Though Baxter wouldn't get into any details regarding his version of the events that resulted in his decision not to sign with the Ravens at the last minute, we've gotten, we think, the details from the player's perspective.



Per a league source, Baxter and the Ravens had reached an agreement on the parameters of a deal. Then, the Ravens pulled the deal off of the table, which gave the Browns a chance to get into the mix.



Then Baxter went back and forth over whether to go to Cleveland or stay in Baltimore. Baxter decided to sign with the Ravens, which resulted in widespread reports in the Baltimore area -- and an erroneous report on this here site -- that the deal was done.



In the end, Baxter didn't feel comfortable signing with the Ravens after the original agreement had been yanked. So Baxter met with Ravens G.M. Ozzie Newsome at a local McDonald's and explained that he was going to Cleveland.



We suspect that the Ravens have a different version, and we're working on tracking down exactly what the team believes happened here.



PIERCE BONUS ONLY $3.25 MILLION?



Although all media reports regarding the contract signed by Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce characterize the deal as a six-year package with a $6.5 million signing bonus, a league source tells us that the "bonus" actually is a combination of $3.25 million to sign plus a series of $812,500 option bonuses in each of the final four years of the contract.



In Pierce's case, we don't know the salaries or the cap numbers in the out years. As a practical matter, though, it's unlikely that he'll see the $812,500 in years five and six, at a minimum, since he'll either sign an extension or be released before then, especially if (as usual) there are some unrealistic terms in the back end of the deal.



We're not saying that it was a bad deal for a guy who basically came out of nowhere in 2004. But it's not nearly as good of a deal as has been advertised, and we wonder whether the Giants were hoping that the erroneous reports would drive up the market for Jeremiah Trotter, who ultimately took less money than the Chiefs had on the table to stay in the NFC East, with the Eagles.



POSTED 3:38 p.m. EST, March 5, 2005



COLES, MOSS DEAL GOES DOWN



A week after Peter King of Sports Illustrated first reported on the seemingly improbable deal that would send receiver Santana Moss from the Jets to the Redskins for receiver Laveranues Coles, the on-again, off-again, dead-in-the-water-again swap has gotten done.



According to the Associated Press, the trade is contingent on both players passing their physicals, and that Coles got the new contract he wanted, which apparently had delayed the contract.



Word first arose nearly two weeks ago that the Redskins had agreed to release Coles, who was acquired two years ago via a much-hyped offer sheet that the Jets wouldn't match. In the same offseason, the Redskins also pilfered Jets guard Randy Thomas, kicker Jon Hall, and running back/kick returner Chad Morton.



But then the focus shifted to trading Coles, and the 'Skins found an unlikely suitor in the form of the Jets, who shipped in the end Coles' successor as the go-to receiver to Washington.



Moss, however, was rumbling for a new deal, and in the end the Jets opted to give the money to Coles instead.



POSTED 11:37 a.m. EST; UPDATED 11:59 a.m. EST, March 5, 2005



SATURDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS



The Jets are talking to CB Ty Law.



With CB Gary Baxter gone to Cleveland, the Ravens likely will extend an offer sheet to Broncos RFA CB Kelly Herndon.



DT Kendrick Clancy is drawing interest from the Jets and the Giants.



The 49ers, Seahawks, Bucs, and Steelers are interested in TE Anthony Becht; don't be surprised to see the Jets get back into the mix if the Broncos match their offer sheet to TE Jeb Putzier.



Free-agent Eagles LB Ike Reese wants to return, but the team has yet to make an offer.



Eagles DE Derrick Burgess plans to visit the Dolphins.



KR Allen Rossum is weighing a contract offer from the Chargers.



We're told that DT Lance Legree got a $500,000 signing bonus from the Jets.



Steelers OT Oliver Ross has signed with the Cardinals, which doesn't do much for Arizona's leverage in its efforts to trade OT L.J. Shelton.



The Steelers are close to signing 34-year-old CB Willie Williams to a long-term deal.



The Bucs are trying to re-sign WR Joey Galloway and WR Joe Jurevicius.



The Bucs are talking to TE Marcus Pollard, TE Itula Mili, TE Roland Williams, and TE Anthony Becht.



The Saints are interested in Eagles G Jermane Mayberry, but they want to move him to tackle.



Patriots CB Duane Starks is hoping to make folks forget about his ineffectiveness in Arizona and recall his performances with the Ravens.



Former Giants WR Ike Hilliard may get a sniff from the Patriots.



The Texans have given both LB Jamie Sharper and LB Jay Foreman permission to seek a trade.



The Texans have hired Virginia assistant coach Mike London to replace Todd Grantham as defensive line coach.



The Texans have signed FB Moran Norris to a three-year, $1.9 million deal with a $600,000 signing bonus.



Texans WR Corey Bradford will meet with the Lions later this week.



The Chiefs visited on Friday with LB Kendrell Bell and CB Dwight Smith.



The Chiefs are close to signing CB Samari Rolle, but coach Dick Vermeil says that there are "some medical things that have to be cleared up."



The Chiefs plan to meet with S Sammy Knight next week as the team continues to pursue its goal of signing two defensive backs and one linebacker.



If/when the Broncos trade DE Trevor Pryce, the team will free up $5.63 million in cap room.



Ram G Matt Lehr will visit the Broncos next week.



Broncos LB Donnie Spragan will visit Miami on Monday and possibly Seattle later in the week.



Rams DE Bryce Fisher has had contact with the Broncos, but he still can't make any visits until next week due to his National Guard commitments.



Agent Kevin Poston is crowing that Kareem McKenzie is now the highest paid right tackle in the NFL; we'll believe it when we see the contract (which Poston might, or might not, have actually read).



LB Jeremiah Trotter took less money to stay with the Eagles than was being offered by the Chiefs.



Seahawks restricted free agent DT Rocky Bernard visited with the Texans on Friday, and the Jets are also interested.



The Dolphins created $3 million in cap space by restructuring the contract of OT Damion McIntosh.



Veteran QB Jim Miller will visit the Giants on Sunday.



If QB Kurt Warner seriously believes he has a chance to bogart the starting job in Chicago from QB Rex Grossman, then Warner really has had too many bumps on the noggin in his career.



RT Kareem McKenzie took a parting shot at the Jets, in response to questions as to whether he was surprised that the team didn't try to re-sign him: "Not at all, because in looking at the history of the Jets and seeing how they have trouble keeping key players to maintain consistency, you never know what to expect around the corner. So you just prepare yourself for the worst."



Panthers DE Julius Peppers has restructured his contract, reducing his cap hit from $9.5 million to $5 million in 2005.



The Panthers have re-signed special teams captain Karl Hankton.

[ALinChainz]

by Profootballtalk editor Mike Florio



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POSTED 11:52 a.m. EST, March 6, 2005



JETS THINK JORDAN DEAL WAS "INSANE"



Word out of New York is that the Jets regard the five-year, $27.5 million contract running back LaMont Jordan signed with the Raiders as "insane."



Earlier this week, Jordan left the Jets for Oakland after four seasons in New York. With 292, 316, 190, and 479 yards rushing in 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004, respectively, Jordan never was able to take a serious dent out of starter Curtis Martin's touches. Over the same four seasons, Martin had 1513, 1094, 1308, and 1697 yards, which was a career high and a franchise record.



Though the Raiders surely were paying Jordon not on performance but on potential, there's no guarantee that Jordan can carry the load as a full-time, 20-plus-touches-per-game tailback.



In fact, the Raiders need look no farther than their own roster for one of the most recent examples of a guy who was great off the bench, but who fizzled out as the No. 1 back. Amos Zereoue, who played his way into the starting role with the Steelers in 2003, quickly found his way back to the bench after an ineffective stint as the go-to guy in Pittsburgh.



Even if the Raiders hope to create the same one-two punch with Jordan and Zereoue that Bettis and Zereoue had formed with the Steelers, it's a lot of money to pay to Jordan in the hopes that he can carry the load successfully.



We're also hearing that the Jets knew once defensive tackle Jason Ferguson hit free agency that they had no chance to keep him. He originally signed a four-year deal to stay with the team in 2001, but then abruptly suffered an injury during training camp and missed the entire season.



TITANS' CAP PROBLEMS FALL TO FLOYD?



Two weeks after the Tennessee Titans sent six veterans packing, including receiver Derrick Mason and cornerback Samari Rolle, we're hearing that personnel execs around the league believe that the team perpetually is caught in salary cap purgatory because G.M. Floyd Reese doesn't know how to proactively manage the limit on annual player spending.



Instead, Reese is reactive to the cap, constantly looking for ways to get under it in a given year instead of negotiating contracts in a way that will avoid such problems.



There's also a perception around the league that Reese is overrated by the media, and that he's not the genius that many make him out to be.



POSTED 12:27 p.m. EST; UPDATED 12:38 p.m. EST, March 6, 2005



SUNDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS



WR Laveranues Coles gets to keep the $5 million due from the Redskins on April 1, plus $15 million in guarantees over the next three season from the Jets.



Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch takes a look at the intriguing possibility of QB Kurt Warner joining the Arizona Cardinals, and facing the Rams twice per season as a member of the team that used to play in the town of the Big Arch.



It is possible that the NFL already has passed by the fair-haired Jon Gruden, who won his only Super Bowl with a team that someone else built? Consider this gem: "You know, I'm tired of talking about the cap,'' he said. "I don't know how it works. I just want some guys who want to play some football." (Hey, Jon, sounds to us like maybe you should be thinking about that Golden Dome gig the next time it comes open.)



Kevin Mannix of the Boston Herald takes a look at the sudden disintegration of the team-first mentality in New England.



Browns G.M. Phil Savage is miffed that the departure of QB Kelly Holcomb is getting more play than the arrival of CB Gary Baxter: "It ain't even close when you compare what those two guys have done in the league," Savage said. "No disrespect to Kelly Holcomb and no over-the-top respect to Gary Baxter, but one guy is getting $30 million and the other guy got $6.6 million. So add it up."



The Vikings are talking to the Redskins about WR Rod Gardner, who drew comparions to former Minnesota great Cris Carter when he was drafted in 2001.



Several teams have contacted the Vikings regarding a trade for RB Michael Bennett.



The Bucs are interested in former Giants WR Ike Hilliard.



The Saints are interested in Bucs DB Dwight Smith (& Wesson).



The Rams are bringing in DB Michael Hawthorne and DB Michael Stone for visits.



The Seahawks will host Rams DE Bryce Fisher on Wednesday.



T Fred Miller is expected to decide between the Bears and the Saints, as early as Sunday.



The Rams will talk to LT Orlando Pace's agents this week about a possible long-term contract.



QB Kurt Warner and S Kenoy Kennedy are expected to arrive in Detroit on Sunday.



QB Brad Johnson will visit with the Lions on Wednesday, if they don't sign Kurt Warner first.



The agent for DT Kevin Carter hopes to get a deal with the Dolphins done by Monday.



Broncos CB Kelly Herndon is being pursued by the Falcons and Ravnes.



The Broncos are still hoping to land QB Jeff Garcia as the backup to Jake Plummer.



The Broncos have visited with TE Stephen Alexander, who could end up replacing Jeb Putzier if the Broncos don't match his offer sheet with the Jets.



RB Ron Dayne will visit the Saints on Tuesday and then the Dolphins.



With a bunch of no-name cornerbacks getting eight-figure signing boni, Bucs CB Ronde Barber is suddenly underpaid.



The Saints are visiting on Sunday with RB Anthony Thomas and TE Itula Mili.


POSTED 9:44 p.m. EST, March 5, 2005



SATURDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS



The Dolphins have signed DE Vonnie Holliday to a two-year contract.



The Saints have signed OL Jermane Mayberry.



Former TE Ben Coates is the new tight ends coach with the Browns.



The Browns acquired QB Trent Dilfer from the Seahawks for a fourth-round draft pick; Dilfer was the Ravens quarterback in 2000 when Baltimore won the Super Bowl and Browns G.M. Phil Savage was a member of the Ravens' front office.



Thanks to the reader who pointed out to us on Saturday that the Raiders still have a message in the archives portion of their official web site promising that CB Charles Woodson will be traded.



Cardinals coach Denny Green said Saturday that, with the acquisition of OT Oliver Ross, the starting offensive line is set.

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by Profootballtalk editor Mike Florio



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POSTED 6:12 p.m. EST, March 6, 2005



WARNER FLIES TO 'ZONA



John Clayton of ESPN reports that two-time NFL MVP Kurt Warner has signed with the Cardinals.



The Cardinals will be Warner's third team in three seasons, and he brings some stability to a quarterback position that was riddled with inconsistency in 2004.



Stay tuned for more details



POSTED 5:01 p.m. EST, March 6, 2005



BURRESS TO VISIT BIG BLUE



The Associated Press reports that free-agent receiver Plaxico Burress will make his first visit on Monday, to the New York Giants.



Agent Michael Harrison told the AP that Burress arrive in New York on Monday afternoon from Miami.



"The Giants are very much appealing to Plaxico," Harrison said. "They have some of the key things we're looking for."



As in, the Giants are one of the few teams to actually express an interest.



On Saturday, we reviewed the reality that the demand for Plax's services is sssslow, due in part to the perception that he wants a big-money deal and in part to the fact that, in five NFL seasons, Burress hasn't done much to deserve it. His bizarre behavior in the 2004 offseason (when among other things he chastised the Steelers for holding a mandatory minicamp on Mother's Day weekend) likely isn't helping much, either.



POSTED 4:26 p.m. EST, March 6, 2005



SUNDAY LATE AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS



The Falcons have re-signed CB Allen Rossum, and have signed K Todd Peterson.



The 49ers re-signed DE Chris Cooper to a two-year contract.



Time magazine asks whether Pennsylvania has found its Ahh-nold in the form of former Steelers WR Lynn Swann (the only difference between the two is that Schwarzenegger has a slightly

firmer grasp on the English language).



New York City could still land the 2010 Super Bowl, if the Jets are able to build a West Side stadium.



The Minneapolis Star Tribune looks at prospective Vikings owner Reggie Fowler's upcoming chllanges.

[ALinChainz]

Trade talks continue to top NFL rumor mill...

While the 2005 draft is now less than 50 days away, the main focus around the league remains the veteran trade and free agency market.

Washington and Minnesota have reportedly talked about a possible deal involving Redskins' WR Rod Gardner. The Vikings, of course, are still looking for a replacement for Randy Moss who was traded to Oakland late last month. In fact, the Vikings had been considered to be almost a lock to sign Pittsburgh free agent WR Plaxico Burress, however, demand for Burress has been very soft. Indeed, Burress will reportedly be in New York later today to meet with the Giants, who are believed to be prepared to offer him something of a low-ball deal.

Meanwhile, the Vikings could also look to deal RB Michael Bennett, although obviously not to the Redskins who traded for Clinton Portis last winter. The Vikings reportedly may have some interest in either Miami CB Patrick Surtain or Jacksonville SS Donovan Darius, who was franchised for the 3rd straight year, but has been given him permission to seek a trade/new deal. are trying to move. Seattle has also reportedly made some inquiries about Surtain after Ken Lucas signed as a free agent with Carolina.

The Dolphins reportedly would like a #1 pick in exchange for Surtain, but appear resigned to settling for no better than a #2 pick. For their part, the Jaguars would also like a #1 pick for Darius, but reportedly would settle for a #2 and later rounder.

Houston has given both starting inside LBs - Jamie Sharper and Jay Foreman - permission to seek trades for themselves, although the Texans aren't likely to let both go; if they do find a taker, however, Houston could be in the market for a young MLB at the 2005 draft where they have the 12th pick overall.

And in case any one missed it over the weekend, San Diego QB Drew Brees signed his franchise tender. Despite a 'comeback player of the year' type season when he completed 66% of his pass attempts in leading the Chargers to a 12-4 record, has been told that the team's QB job is "open" for competition, Brees, of course, will be competing with Phillip Rivers the Chargers #1 pick in 2004. While, the Chargers say they intend to keep both, Brees could become available later this summer if it looks like Rivers is up to the job.

While Denver is thinking about whether to match the offer sheet TE Jeb Putzier signed with the Jets late last week, the Broncos could have a second decision as RFA CB Kelly Herndon is reportedly close to signing with either Atlanta or Baltimore.

The Broncos reportedly will match the offer sheet Putzier signed with the Jets, but may be willing to trade him for more than the 6th round pick that they'd get as compensation.

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[ALinChainz]

by http://www.profootballtalk.com editor Mike Florio



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POSTED 8:30 a.m. EST, March 7, 2005



WHY A ONE-YEAR DEAL FOR WARNER?



In the wake of quarterback Kurt Warner's decision to sign with the Arizona Cardinals for only one season, league insiders are scratching their heads over whether Warner specifically asked for it and, if so, why?



One league insider put it bluntly when he said, "If [Warner] could get a long-term deal and didn't, he is a f--king idiot."



Warner gets a $2 million signing bonus and $2 million in salary for 2005, with no commitment by team or player for 2006. From Warner's perspective, the risk is that he has no security beyond 2005. From the team's perspective, the risk is that, if Warner's career takes off again in 2005, he's in position to leverage a bigger deal out of them next year.



And as outlined in our mock draft, we think that the Cardinals will jump on quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers or Alex Smith, if either is available when Arizona exercises the No. 9 overall pick. This would partially explain why the team wouldn't want to commit to Warner for more than one season -- and why Warner would be leery about locking himself in beyond 2005.



Meanwhile, the two-time former MVP is still spinning his release from the Rams, and his benching last season in New York. As to the Giants' gig, Warner has suggested that he didn't get yanked because of his performance (even though he lost two games in a row to fall to 5-4 before getting pulled).



As to the Rams, Warner apparently is hinting that he got shafted by team management. "The media has made so many determinations on what's wrong with me and why I'm not in St. Louis anymore," Warner said last week. "And nobody knows the whole story. It's not something I'm going to talk about. But I know that the reason I'm not in St. Louis is not because I can't play this football game. It didn't have anything to do with my skills diminishing."



Now, Warner is committed to the Cardinals, even if he's technically committed for only a single season. "Even though this is a one-year deal, I really don't want to go anywhere else," Warner said, "and would like nothing more than to end my career by helping the Cardinals win a championship."



GIANTS ONLY TEAM INTERESTED IN PLAX?



With receiver Plaxico Burress on his way to New York on Monday for a visit with the Giants, the New York Daily News suggests that a deal could be done quickly, primarily because no other team is seriously interested in the free-agent wideout.



The Giants, the Daily News reports, are looking to pay Burress a $20 million contract over six years, with a $4 million signing bonus. The Daily News also reports that Burress was/is hoping for a $10 million signing bonus.



The problem, from Plax's perspective, is that there is no other market for his services. The Vikings reportedly aren't interested, even though Burress' agent, Michael Harrison, has tried his best to drum up an offer. And no one else has even made a peep regarding the former first-rounder.



The Giants currently are $5 million under the salary cap, which is more than enough space to accommodate the kind of contract that the team is willing to offer to Burress.



MONDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS



A spinal condition reportedly is keeping the Chiefs from signing CB Samari Rolle.



K Jay Feely picked the Giants over the Bucs because Tampa simply doesn't have the cap room.



The cap hit resulting from the trade of WR Laveranues Coles might require the Redskins to reduce their standing offer to CB Fred Smoot.



If the Chiefs sign DB Dwight Smith, they will ask him to play safety instead of cornerback.



Cardinals TE Freddie Jones will visit the Vikings on Tuesday.



The Vikings and TE Jermaine Wiggins are "far apart" on contract negotiations.



The Steelers will host 49ers WR Cedrick Wilson.



Broncos G Cooper Carlisle will meet with the Falcons on Monday.



Broncos LB Donnie Spragan will meet with the Dolphins on Monday.



The Ravens have made an offer to restricted free agent CB Kelly Herndon, of the Broncos.



The Broncos are visiting with G Matt Lehr on Monday.



QB Jeff Garcia will be making his second visit to the Lions.



DE Chike Okeafor is deciding between the Seahawks and the Broncos.



The Bears could sign T Fred Miller as soon as Monday.



Despite not throwing a pass in three years, teams are still interested in QB Jim Miller.



DT Kevin Carter is close to signing a deal with the Dolphins.



New York City and New Jersey could end up in a tug-o-war for the Jets.



Bucs G Cosey Coleman is visiting Green Bay after failing to reach an agreement with the Browns.



Eagles DE Derrick Burgess might not be visiting Miami, given their addition of Vonnie Holliday and potential signing of Kevin Carter.

[ALinChainz]

by Profootballtalk editor Mike Florio



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POSTED 6:41 p.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 7:37 p.m. EST, March 7, 2005



BURRESS A NO SHOW



We've confirmed through a league source that Steelers receiver Plaxico Burress didn't make it to New York for his scheduled visit with the Giants on Monday.



The apparent excuse, based on radio reports, is that Burress was ill.



We've trying to track down more details on this one, including whether Plax's cancellation will be enough to scare the Giants away.



RAVENS REEL IN ROLLE



The Baltimore Ravens have reached an agreement with cornerback Samari Rolle, a former Pro Bowler who was cut two weeks ago by the Titans in a salary cap move.



The Chiefs had been flirting with Rolle, but the team hesitated because of concerns regarding a narrowing of his spinal column.



The Ravens apparently had no such qualms after giving Rolle the once-over, so now he'll join former teammate Derrick Mason in Baltimore.



According to ESPN.com's John Clayton, Rolle received a six-year, $30.5 million deal with an $11 million signing bonus.



Rolle recently was arrested on a charge of domestic assault. He faces up to a year in prison if convicted, and the team's decision to proceed with Rolle conflicts with reports that new owner Steve Bisciotti is hoping to reverse the team's image as a haven for bad boys. Running back Jamal Lewis currently is serving time on federal drug charges, linebacker Ray Lewis faced a murder rap five years ago, and cornerback Corey Fuller was acquitted recently on charges stemming from an alleged high-priced poker game.



AGENT ISSUES DROVE WARNER'S ONE-YEAR DEAL?



As more and more league insiders echo our sentiment that quarterback Kurt Warner's decision to sign a one-year contract with the Cardinals is unusual, to say the least, we think that perhaps we've identified a reason for the very short-term deal.



Warner is represented by Mark Bartelstein, and Bartelstein's agency also represents Cardinals quarterback Josh McCown, who necessarily will be supplanted by Warner in 2005.



It's possible, then, that Bartelstein suggested and/or agreed to such an arrangement in order to minimize the likelihood that McCown will dump Bartelstein's agency in lieu of other representation.



Then again, whether it's a one-year deal or a lifetime contract, our guess is that McCown isn't thrilled with Warner's arrival. Unless, of course, Bartelstein's people were able to persuade McCown that a year of experience working behind the two-time former MVP will be beneficial to McCown's long-term development.



The situation will become very interesting if Warner's performance ignites discussions on a long-term contract. Our guess is that, if that happens, Bartelstein's challenge will then be to persuade McCown to accept his role as the backup to Warner, with the hopes of succeeding him if/when he retires.



CARTER TO FINS A BAD SIGN FOR TAYLOR?



With former Pro Bowler Kevin Carter inking a five-year contract worth $30 million and carrying $8 million in guarantees, an obvious question arises.



What does the recent influx of talent and money on the defensive line in Miami mean to Jason Taylor?



If Carter stays at the tackle position, the answer could be "not a thing." But if Carter is going to play end in the Miami defensive front, the recent acquisition of defensive end Vonnie Holliday suggests that Taylor's status on the team might not be as secure as believed.



Last week, Redskins running back Clinton Portis suggested that the Fins should trade Taylor to Indy "straight up" for running back Edgerrin James. Portis might have been joking, but we're now wondering whether maybe Nick Saban might be thinking about a Taylor-for-Edge swap, or some other trade possibility.



We don't know what the cap consequences would be, and the bonus acceleration could make such a move difficult if not impossible. But if the Redskins were able to swallow a $9 million cap charge as a result of trading Laveranues Coles, we have a feeling that the Fins would find a way to work out the numbers, if their recent free-agent signings means that Taylor is on the outs in the new regime.



Another possibility, as reported by Adam Schefter of the NFL Network, is that Taylor will play some linebacker in a 3-4 front.



MONDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS



Adam Schefter of the NFL Network sez that the Cardinals are working out a contract with DE Chike Okeafor.



The Chargers have given G.M. A.J. Smith a three-year contract extension, locking him up through 2009.



The Falcons have signed Rams S Rich Coady.



The Pats have re-signed FB Patrick Pass.



The Bears have signed T Fred Miller to a five-year deal.



The Lions have signed Broncos S Kenoy Kennedy.



The Dolphins, to no surprise, have parted ways with WR David Boston.



POSTED 2:15 p.m. EST, March 7, 2005



TEAMS HIDING IN WEEDS ON BURRESS?



Word around the league is that there are several teams who are waiting for the market for receiver Plaxico Burress to be established via an offer from the Giants, and that one or more of them might jump into the fray once an offer is on the table.



There's a growing feeling that Burress will be required to take a below-market deal, due in part to lingering concerns regarding his offseason conduct from a year ago with the Steelers and the simple fact that his numbers simply don't merit a blockbuster deal.



The Vikings are one team who is, by all appearances, not interested in Burress, but the Vikes perhaps will be if the Giants set the bar low sufficiently low.



Another team to watch is the Redskins, who never met a free agent with name recognition that they didn't like, and who needs a lanky complement to the speedy Santana Moss as they remake their receiving corps.



Heck, if the price is right, we don't rule out the Steelers making a run at Burress. As far as we know, the Steelers never got a firm demand from Plax's agent, so there's really no way of knowing how high the team would have gone to retain him.



Once the Giants make an offer (assuming that they do), everyone will have a good idea as to what it might take to get Burress under contract.



POSTED 11:28 a.m. EST, March 7, 2005



SAINTS SNARE SMITH, WHO'LL PLAY SAFETY



Word out of the Bayou is that the New Orleans Saints have agreed to terms with free-agent defensive back Dwight Smith on a five-year, $15 million contract.



Smith, who previously played for the Saints' division rivals in Tampa, will receive a $3.5 million signing bonus.



In all, it's not a bad recovery for Smith, who was arrested less than a week ago for allegedly brandishing a pellet gun at two men who approached his car at the drive-thru of a McDonald's. We've heard that Smith's legal team is confident that the charges will be dropped, and the Saints apparently are, too.



Smith has played both corner and safety in his career with the Bucs. The Saints, we're told, plan to put him at free safety.



In 2003, Smith returned two interceptions for touchdowns in Tampa's Super Bowl win over the Raiders. The fact that one of those scores came late in the game likely prevented him from snaring MVP honors from safety Dexter Jackson, since the votes likely already had been cast.



One last point. The contract is not yet signed. As we all were reminded on Friday (Gary Baxter), the deal isn't done until it's done.



With that said, there's no reason to think that Smith won't sign his name on the dotted line.

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by Profootballtalk editor Mike Florio



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POSTED 12:22 p.m. EST, March 8, 2005



SMOOT STUCK ON THE SHELF



Lost in the cornerback signing frenzy that has occurred over the first week of free agency is that one of the supposedly premier cover men, Fred Smoot, has gotten barely a sniff.



Now, it looks like the team that drafted him in 2001 isn't interested any more, either.



A league source tells us that the Redskins have yanked their standing offer of a contract including a $10 million signing bonus. Although some reports have suggested that a modification of the open-ended offer might be necessary due to the $9 million cap charge resulting from the trade of Laveranues Coles, we're hearing that the decision to pull the offer was driven by the posturing in which Smoot's camp engaged prior to the start of free agency.



Smoot is visiting the Vikings on Tuesday, who intentionally decided to stay away from any potentially high-priced free agents during the initial spending splurge. To date, Minnesota has signed only defensive tackle Pat Williams, to a relatively modest deal.



And if Smoot doesn't land in Minny, it's not clear whether any other teams will be interested. The Chiefs whiffed on Samari Rolle, which might put them in the mix for Smoot.



HARSH REACTION TO DARIUS TACTICS



In response to the efforts of safety Donovin Darius to get himself traded out of Jacksonville, league insiders are chiming in.



And their comments aren't favorable to Mr. Darius.



As one personnel exec told us, "With his skills he wouldn't average what his tender is now. His actions are scaring teams away. He's seen as a me-me guy."



Another league insider questioned the wisdom of agent Tom Condon's decision to allow Darius to contact the Minnesota and Miami media directly in order to lobby for a trade. The player's comments to the Minneapolis Star Tribune created the distinct impression that Darius wants to play for the Vikings (and only the Vikings); his comments to the Miami Herald indicate that he'd also be happy to play for the Dolphins.



Either way, it's a mess that's only getting messier.



MORE ON THE BAXTER BUFFOONERY



Though it's by no means the team's official version of the events that led to the decision of Gary Baxter to sign with the Browns instead of the Ravens, we're hearing that the problems arose when Baxter misread the original contract that he was intending to sign.



Some published reports state that Baxter's misgivings trace to the fact that he contract identified a signing bonus of $7 million, when Baxter thought he was getting $11 million. Word is that the contract also included a guaranteed option bonus of $4 million, but that Baxter's agent, Dave Dunn, apparently hadn't 'splained to the player the phenomenon of the two-tiered bonus.



As the rumor goes, Dunn apparently directed Baxter's ensuing venom toward the team, and possibly fueled it by telling Baxter than the Ravens were trying to swing a trade for Duane Starks, which then would have enabled the team to move Baxter back to safety.



We're not saying that any of this is factual, or that we fault Dunn for doing what he had to do to get an irate client under control. And now that the Ravens have landed Samari Rolle instead of Baxter, we doubt that they're shedding many/any tears in hindsight.



The fact that Dunn also represents Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis (who has been in on-again, off-again discussions on a new contract over the past year or so) likely persuaded the Ravens not to make a big deal about the whole incident.



POSTED 8:04 a.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 8:59 a.m. EST, March 8, 2005



VIKINGS, EAGLES INTERESTED IN PLAX?



With receiver Plaxico Burress missing his visit to the Giants on Monday due to a case of (so he says) the flu, the New York Daily News reports that the Vikings and Eagles might be entering the bidding for his services.



There's also a question of when and if Burress will visit the Giants. One source told the Daily News that Burress will arrive on Tuesday. Another said that Burress wouldn't come until Wednesday, if at all.



Our guess is that Burress and his agent, Michael Harrison, were hoping to smoke out other teams once word broke of the Giants' intended six-year, $20 million offer. Presumably, the Eagles and Vikings have perked up because they believe that they can compete with such a package.



As we 'splained on Monday, there might be other teams who emerge from the woodwork once a firm offer is made. The challenge, as we see it, for any team that actually brings Burress in will be to get him signed before he can shop the offer elsewhere.



The Eagles' interest is intriguing, given the presence of Terrell Owens on the roster. But if, as suggested, Burress wants to be the No. 1 guy, Philly won't be a good match, even if all the attention Owens receives would open up the field for Plax.



It's also possible that the Eagles are feigning interest in order to drive up the price that the Giants ultimately pay for his services.



WHAT WILL WARNER DO IN 'ZONA?



Our initial focus regarding the acquisition of quarterback Kurt Warner has been directed to the bizarre one-year contract that he signed.



But in that one year in Arizona, what will Warner do? On Monday, we got some input from an NFC personnel exec regarding the likely impact of Warner with the Cardinals.



"He is better than anyone Arizona has but he is still limited," said the source. "I really question his [toughness] when he starts to get knocked around. When he is protected he plays well. When you put pressure on him his play really falters.


"I think he is an ideal backup because he can win you a few games, but I question if he can play well for more than 5 or 6 games."



In 2004, Warner led the Giants to a 5-2 record. But in his final two starts, the team faded to 5-4.



The primary knock on Warner is that he holds the ball too long. His biggest successes have come in a rhythm-based attack, where he throws the ball from a short drop and doesn't try to navigate a disintegrating pocket.



So the challenge for Cardinals coach Dennis Green will be to adapt his offense to mesh with Warner's skills. And Green knows a thing or two about adjusting the attack to accommodate a new quarterback. From Rich Gannon to Sean Salisbury to Jim McMahon to Warren Moon to Brad Johnson to Randall Cunningham to Jay Fiedler to Jeff George to Daunte Culpepper to Josh McCown to Shaun King to John Navarre, Green's 11 years as an head coach has involved 12 different quarterbacks who have started at least one game.



Number 13 is No. 13, and Warner (even with his limitations) stacks up very well against the dozen other guys who have taken snaps for Coach Green.



DARIUS BEGS FOR TRADE TO MINNY, MIAMI



How desperate is Donovin Darius to get out of Jacksonville? So desperate that he's openly flirting with two different teams, and creating the impression in each city that their team is really the one for which he wants to play.



Darius recently sent e-mail messages to the media in both Minnesota and Miami, lobbying for a trade to the Vikings and Dolphins.



He 51-word e-mail to the Minneapolis Star Tribune was followed by a 30-minute phone call.



"Tell the fans up there that if I had my choice of any team in the league to play for, it would be the Minnesota Vikings," Darius said. "I've looked at every team in the league, and it's definitely the best fit for both sides."



He also e-mailed an interview request to the Miami Herald.



"Miami expressed some interest in looking into the situation further after my agent contacted them,'' Darius said. "Where that will go, who's to say right now? But I would love it if something could be done . . . I have no more desire to wear the emblem on the uniform of the Jacksonville Jaguars.''



So which is it, Donovin? Minnesota or Miami?



Darius wants out of Jacksonville due in large part to the fact that the team has used the franchise tag to prevent his departure for three straight seasons. Most recently, Darius confronted owner Wayne Weaver regarding the tactic.



"I told him he has abused the franchise tag long enough and that I can no longer put on that Jaguars uniform with the same kind of pride I used to," Darius said. "I'm not saying I will never play for them if they don't trade me. But I did tell Wayne Weaver that I lost respect for him as an owner and the entire organization. I said, 'You guys really disgust me.'"



Some folks in Minnesota and Miami might feel the same way about Darius, since it looks like he's pandering to the locals in each locale as he tries to fulfill his only real objective -- getting out of Jacksonville.



WICHARD SAYS TAYLOR ISN'T A LINEBACKER



Although early speculation following the addition of defensive ends Vonnie Holliday and Kevin Carter by the Dolphins is that Jason Taylor could be moved to outside linebacker in a 3-4 front, his agent says that Taylor isn't interested in such a move.



"He's the man, he's started in the Pro Bowl," Gary Wichard told the Palm Beach Post. "He's not looking to become a situational, standup outside linebacker. At this point in his career, it's not the right position.



"I don't think he would be overly excited about it. Why would you take a man that's had his hand on the ground throughout his career, that's made multiple Pro Bowls and tell him now to play linebacker?"



Coach Nick Saban has said that he doesn't believe the team has the personnel to switch from a 4-3 to a 3-4. But with Carter and Holliday on board, perhaps Saban's feelings have changed.



Either way, the presence of Carter and Holliday will have an impact on Taylor, unless Carter was signed to play tackle instead of end. If Carter plays end in Miami, it could be the end of Taylor's career there.



We pointed out last night the possibility that Taylor could be traded to the Colts for Edgerrin James. With Chike Okeafor leaving the Seahawks, there's also a chance that Taylor could be shipped to Seattle for Shaun Alexander. Both James and Alexander have been slapped with the franchise tag by their respective teams.



TUESDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS



The addition of CB Samari Rolle might be enough to coax Deion Sanders to return for another season.



The Vikings will meet with CB Fred Smoot on Tuesday.



If the Steelers sign 49ers WR Cedrick Wilson, the chances of WR Plaxico Burress returning go from slim to none.



The Ravens have only had preliminary discussions with WR Ike Hilliard.



Steelers G Keydrick Vincent is talking to the Falcons and the Ravens.



Vikings QB Gus Frerotte visited the Dolphins on Monday, and is expected to sign.



From the "Write This Down And Pull It Out In About Four Years Unless It Never Comes To Fruition" file, the return of WR Laveranues Coles to the Jets and the once-upon-a-time return of QB Fran Tarkenton to Minnesota after a mid-career hiatus gives us a weird feeling that WR Randy Moss eventually will return to Minnesota before his career ends.



With Kenoy Kennedy in Detroit, Terrence Holt likely will move to free safety.



The Giants reportedly backed off of LB Kendrell Bell when they found arthritis in one of his shoulders.



DE Chike Okeafor chose the Cardinals over the Seahawks even though the money was roughly the same.



CB Willie Williams' two-year deal with the Steelers is worth $2.5 million, with a $500,000 signing bonus.



TE Freddie Jones is drawing interest from the Packers and the Vikings.



Titans CB Andre Dyson arrived in Seattle on Monday for a visit.



QB Jeff Garcia will visit the Seahawks before deciding where to play in 2005.



With the Giants signing QB Jim Miller, QB Jay Fielder could land with the Jets.



Dolphins S Trent Gamble is visiting the Jets.



The Pats visited with S Antuan Edwards on Monday.



The Falcons could make Broncos RFA CB Kelly Herndon an offer on Tuesday.



The Falcons also will host G Cooper Carlisle, C/G Matt Lehr, and LB Ike Reese.



Cowboys CB Pete Hunter doesn't want to move to safety.



The Cowboys have spoken with DE/DT Bryan Robinson.



The Cardinals deny rumors that they are trying to trade WR Anquan Boldin.



Agent Mark Bartelstein says that one of his clients, Kurt Warner, is coming to Arizona as the starter, but another of Bartelstein's firm's clients, Josh McCown, is under the impression it'll be an open competition.



QB Jay Fielder and QB Brad Johnson will be visiting with the Bears.

[ALinChainz]

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POSTED 7:40 p.m. EST; UPDATED 7:57 p.m. EST, March 8, 2005



VIKES GIVE LOOT TO SMOOT



The Minnesota Vikings have made their second big free-agent cornerback signing in roughly a year, securing cornerback Fred Smoot.



Smoot signed a six-year deal worth $30 million, including a $10 million bonus.



Last year, the Vikings gave a similar contract to cornerback Antoine Winfield, with the bulk of the up-front money coming in the form of a roster bonus, given the team's enormous cap room.



This year, the Vikes were $31 million under the cap prior to signing Smoot.



The acquisition of Smoot significantly bolsters the team's secondary, giving them arguably the best 1-2 punch at corner in the NFC. The move also takes the Vikings out of the market for Pac-Man Jones or Antrell Rolle in the upcoming draft, allowing them to focus on the positions of receiver, defensive end, and/or linebacker with their two first-round picks.



TUESDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS



The Chiefs have signed Steelers LB Kendrell Bell to a seven-year deal with $10 million in guarantees.



The Bucs have re-signed WR Joey Galloway.



The Browns have signed Bucs G Cosey Coleman.



The Steelers have inked 49ers WR Cedrick Wilson to a four-year deal.



The Cardinals signed S Robert Griffith to a two-year contract.



The Fins are hosting QB Gus Frerotte, OL Stockar McDougle, and LB Donnie Spragan.



The Pats have re-signed G Stephen Neal.



The Bengals have re-signed LB Marcus Wilkins.



The Bengals are going to try to sign RB Rudi Johnson to a long-term deal before the March 16 moratorium on reaching such contracts with franchise players.



The Jags have signed CB Terry Cousin.



The Saints will host RB Antowain Smith and TE Shad Meier.



POSTED 2:59 p.m. EST, March 8, 2005



TAYLOR WANTS OUT OF MIAMI?



A league source tells us that, in the wake of the Miami Dolphins' acquisition of defensive ends Vonnie Holliday and Kevin Carter, Pro Bowl defensive end Jason Taylor soon could be requesting a trade out of Miami.



Taylor, we hear, is miffed by the possibility that he'll be shifted to outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. Such a change would reducing Taylor's sacks by limiting the number of times that he actually would be rushing the passer.



The fact that Taylor is a prominent member of the "old guard" Dolphins players also could be influencing the burgeoning feud. New coach Nick Saban, we suspect, probably would like to jettison holdover players who are in position to undermine the new regime in the locker room. But Saban surely can't unilaterally dump Taylor with incurring the wrath of the fan base and the local media (whom Saban already has pissed off by clamping down on the flow of information).



So what better way to engineer Taylor's exit than to goad him into asking to be traded? This way, Saban gets what we believe he really wants without (if he's lucky) the P.R. fallout.



If Taylor ends up on the block, the most obvious trade partners are any of the three teams with franchise-tagged running back.



The Seahawks have running Shaun Alexander, and need a replacement of Chike Okeafor. The Bengals have Rudi Johnson, and Justin Smith is entering the final year of his contract. And the Colts have Edgerrin James as part of an offense with far more firepower than the team's defense.



The fact that Dwight Freeney is entrenched as the right-side defensive end in Indy might, on the surface, reduce the Colts' interest in Taylor. However, Taylor moved around a good bit in 2004, and he got half of his sacks from the left side, where he typically was facing the opponents' second best tackle.



Stay tuned. We have a feeling that the situation is going to deteriorate quickly in South Florida.



PERRY HAS ANOTHER HERNIA



Regarding the Bengals, they might want to think twice before shipping running back Rudi Johnson anywhere. A league source tells us that Johnson's backup/heir apparent, 2004 first-rounder Chris Perry, needs surgery for yet another sports hernia.



Perry landed on injured reserve in 2004 with a sports hernia on one side of his body. Now, he's got one on the other side.



There have been whispers that Perry, who had all of two carries for all of one yard in his rookie season, could end up being a bust. We've heard reports that he's had trouble fitting in with his teammates, and it looks like his offseason preparations will take a major blow if he's sidelined for a month or two after undergoing yet another surgical procedure.



On Monday, Johnson signed his one-year, $6.3 million tender, but he's made no secret of his desire for a long-term deal.

[ALinChainz]

by Profootballtalk editor Mike Florio



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POSTED 7:59 a.m. EST; UPDATED 8:27 a.m. EST, March 9, 2005



MEATHEAD LANDS IN HOT WATER



"You are a meathead. Dead from the neck up. Meat. Head."



Why is it that, whenever we hear the words "Mike" and "Tice" in the same sentence, we instantly hear in our mind's ear that classic phrase from Archie Bunker?



Maybe it's because Mike Tice is far more deserving of the moniker than Mike Stivic ever was.



The latest proof? Don Banks and George Dohrmann of Sports Illustrated report that Tice is under investigation for allegedly heading up and profiting from a Super Bowl ticket-scalping ring within the Vikings organization.



All together now: "You dumbass!"



We've known for years that NFL players and personnel routinely buy Super Bowl tickets and re-sell them at a profit. The profit, which can be $2,000 to $3,000 per seat, rarely if ever is declared as taxable income.



As one league insider told us this morning via e-mail, "It's one of the NFL's dirtiest secrets. . . . a MAJOR scandal that the league office puts its head in the sand on. . . . it's been happening for over twenty years."




Tice reportedly was doing more than re-selling his own tickets at a profit. Instead, he was brokering the sale of his players' tickets -- and apparently pocketing a piece of the action. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that, per an anonymous informant who reported Tice to the league office, the coach traveled to Chicago on January 19 with his cache of tickets and returned with $250,000 in cash.



"Tice has been turning around tickets for years and years," a player who was with the Vikings in 2003 told Banks and Dohrmann. "He's been selling them to the same guy. He commits to a certain amount every year."



Though Tice is currently drawing the focus of NFL Security, he's hardly the only violator.



"A lot of teams do it," an NFL assistant who once worked for the Vikings told Banks and Dohrmann. "Everybody can do it. Every team has a guy who takes care of moving the tickets. I'd hate to see it end because coaches have always used that as extra money. Coaches do count on that as a little extra deal. [Team] owners will probably stop doing it now, because they don't have to give us those tickets."



Another coach told Banks and Dohrmann: "Mike's the wheeler dealer. But it's just stupidity doing it as a head coach. Maybe the NFL wants to send a wake-up call about scalping, and they're going to come down on Mike."



Tice acknowledges that he has been questioned, but he denies any wrongdoing. "They were in there here talking to me and others about how we deal with our Super Bowl tickets, and how they're distributed,'' Tice said. "I'm confident when the league finishes looking at this, everything will come out fine. It's a shame assumptions are being made about my role in this. I did not approach any player about Super Bowl tickets as head coach of the Minnesota Vikings.''



NFL SCRUTINY THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG



The Banks and Dohrmann story lays out a fairly damning case against Tice, which could prompt some type of sanction by the league office.



But, as we see it, Tice also should be far more concerned about a group known widely as the Internal Revenue Service.



Look for the IRS to take a microscope to Tice's financial records as they try to determine whether he has any significant chunks of unaccounted-for income over the past few years.



For example, the IRS might take a close look at Tice's bank accounts. For every deposit made, there should be corresponding documentation as to whether it was pay, a gift, an inheritance, a loan, etc. Absent such documentation, the deposit reflects unrecognized income -- which raises a red flag.



If none of the money Tice made through his alleged ticket brokering operation was deposited in the bank, the IRS can then examine the purchases he made during the relevant time period and compare those amounts to the cash received from pay, loans, gifts, etc. If there's a significant discrepancy between money out and money in, the IRS will conclude that he is hiding cash and income.



Of course, the IRS might have a more direct pathway to proving that Tice failed to pay taxes on income earned through the scalping of Super Bowl tickets. Specifically, if the IRS can get current or former players to testify (possibly under a grant of immunity) that Tice re-sold their Super Bowl tickets and pocketed a portion of the price paid, Tice could be on ice for awhile.



Think we're exaggerating the risk that Tice now faces? Consider the experiences of several NBA referees, who faced prosecution in the 1990s for converting their first-class airfare to coach, pocketing the difference, and not declaring it as income.



If anything, there's a concern that the IRS is getting more aggressive in matters of this nature. On January 1, for example, the NBA began withholding taxes from referee's wages for the two complimentary premium tickets they are eligible to receive for each game they work represent income. Officials who accept the free tickets for every game they work will realize more than $25,000 in additional annual income.



So our advice to Tice? Remove your head from your butt, hire a good lawyer, brace yourself for the ride of your life, and get your resume in order.



WHO RATTED ON TICE?



The Banks and Dohrmann story also does not specifically address a key question that immediately came to mind when we heard of the Tice flap.



Who turned him in?



Our guess is that it was a player who recently has acquired an ax to grind against the head coach, and presumably someone who was in the organization long enough to observe Tice's conduct in multiple years.



The first name that comes to mind is Randy Moss, who learned two weeks ago that he was being shipped to Oakland. We've heard from at least one league insider that Tice couldn't stand Moss, and it's possible that Moss opted to express his disdain for getting dissed by the head coach by making an anonymous report to the league office regarding Tice's side bidness.



Or it could be one of the gaggle of players who were released on February 22 -- Larry Ned, Terrance Shaw, Rhett Nelson, Cory Withrow, and Kenny Clark. But none of them were with the team for very long.



Or it could be defensive tackle Chris Hovan, a former first-round pick whom Tice put on the inactive list several times this past season. Some league insiders believe that Hovan was getting a raw deal from Tice, and Hovan strikes us as the kind of guy who would look for a way to exact a little revenge against his enemies.



Or maybe the culprit isn't a player, but owner Red McCombs, who seems to be on a mission to do as much damage as possible to the organization as he waits for his nine-figure windfall from Reggie Fowler. If, as we've been told, the NFL has turned a blind eye to this kind of stuff for 20 years, our guess is that the league would have been more inclined to launch an investigation based upon a complaint from a guy like McCombs, who could cause a lot of damage to the league and to the team if he were to go public with this and other dirty little secrets of the business after the check clears.



McCombs' other motivation, if indeed he's the one who finked on Tice, might be to ensure that the purchase of the team by Fowler is approved. Work with us on this one. There currently are concerns that Fowler's bid will fail. The finance committee begins its review of Fowler's money situation, coincidentally, TODAY.



With the Vikings reeling from a string of embarrassments, and with McCombs seemingly less stable and predictable by the day, the league might have no choice but to approve Fowler -- simply because he's emerging as, by default, the lesser of two evils.



ONE-YEAR DEAL WAS A FALLBACK



Although the spin resulting from the decision of quarterback Kurt Warner to sign a one-year deal with the Cardinals is that Warner believes a strong performance in 2005 will create an opportunity for a big payday either from the Cardinals or elsewhere in 2006, a league source tells us that the short-term option was utilized because Warner wanted way too much money on a long-term contract with the Cardinals.



This news bolsters our opinion that, when it comes to Warner, it's often more about form than substance. Since he and Yoko broke onto the scene in 1999, we've been very leery of the image that they've tried to cultivate, and we're always suspicious of folks who thump the Bible and talk openly of their piety and good works -- not only because such conduct seems to contradict the teachings of the New Testament but also because we think that, at a very basic level, people who try to get others to focus on such goody-goody aspects of their character might have some darker traits that they're hoping to keep under wraps.



In this specific case, we're not saying that Warner should have declared at his press conference that he would have done a long-term deal if the team had met his salary and bonus demands. But we nevertheless think that Warner and his agent should not have then tried to characterize the resulting contract as a badge of honor without disclosing that Warner would have done a long-term deal if the team merely had caved to his unjustifiably lofty demands.



TAYLOR TRADE WOULD COST $3.5 MILLION



Jason Cole of the Miami Herald reports that, if the Miami Dolphins were to trade defensive end Jason Taylor, the move would cost the team $3.5 million against the salary cap.



We assume that Cole is referring to the net hit -- that is, total bonus acceleration minus 2005 salary. In this regard, the team also should consider the net effect of such a move on the 2006 cap, since there would be zero bonus acceleration and a full savings of his 2006 salary.



With all that said, we don't view the net cap hit to be an insurmountable problem for the Dolphins in 2005. A restructuring here and/or a post-June 1 release there could enable the team to recoup the $3.5 million fairly quickly. A trade of cornerback Patrick Surtain, for example, results in no additional bonus acceleration (since it's the final year of his deal) and a full savings of his 2005 salary.



Moreover, if coach Nick Saban's ultimate plan resulting from the acquisition of Vonnie Holliday and Kevin Carter is to transition the defense to a 3-4 front, the question of whether the Fins can swallow the cap hit is irrelevant, since it's clear (as of right now) that Taylor will balk at moving to outside linebacker -- and we believe (as of right now) that Taylor would ask for a trade in lieu of becoming a linebacker.



And if a trade is explored, we've identified (with the help of a reader) another potential trade partner -- the Packers.



A trade of Taylor for running back Ahman Green would make sense, since Taylor would be reunited with former Miami defensive coordinator and interim head coach Jim Bates -- and since the Packers would be able to shed Green as he enters the final year of his contract, making Najeh "Dookie" Davenport the "go-to" hammer (as opposed to "went-in" hamper).



Finally, thanks to Jason Cole for mentioning in his story regarding Taylor our Tuesday afternoon post regarding Taylor's possibly forthcoming request for a trade.



SOME PROPS FOR THE JETS



Although there's a notion in some circles that free agents, and their agents, are punking the Jets by using their interest as leverage for a bigger deal elsewhere, some personnel execs are quietly praising the Jets for their restraint regarding two of the players the team lost on the open market.



Specifically, folks believe the Jets were wise not to break the bank to keep defensive tackle Jason Ferguson and/or running back LaMont Jordan.



Ferguson, as we've previously 'splained, has a reputation of going soft after getting paid.



Jordan, as we've also pointed out, hasn't done enough to prove that he's worthy of a five-year, $27.5 million contract.



So the money that would have been spent on Ferguson and Jordan will be better spent elsewhere, and it's possible that the Jets will, in the end, get more value in the end for the investment.



WEDNESDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS



The Rams are still working to get LT Orlando Pace signed to a long-term deal before the March 16 blackout on talks with franchise players.



The Rams are interested in TE Roland Williams.



The Jets have had discussions with CB Ty Law, but they were "not very serious.



WR Plaxico Burress will visit the Giants on Wednesday, and the team might try to get him to sign with them before leaving.



The Vikings have acknowledged that they are interested in S Donovin Darius.



The Falcons have signed P Toby Gowin.



Re-signed Bucs WR Joey Galloway was humble (insert eye roll here) when he commented on whether the team shouldn't select a receiver in the first round of the draft: "I don't think there's another Joey Galloway in this draft," said Joey Galloway.



TE Anthony Becht is now schedule to meet with the Bucs, Steelers, and Vikings.



TE Ken Dilger is arranging visits with the Eagles, Vikings, and Rams.



Cross the Vikings off of the list for Becht or Dilger, however, given that Minny has re-signed TE Jermaine Wiggins.



G Cooper Carlisle will visit the Bucs this week.



Redskins exec Vinny Cerrato denies that the team was preparing to reduce its offer to CB Fred Smoot, who signed with the Vikings (we heard on Tuesday that the 'Skins had yanked their offer from the table).



Reggie Fowler's bid to buy the Vikings might not be approved until May 23-25.

[ALinChainz]

by Profootballtalk editor Mike Florio



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POSTED 2:53 p.m. EST, March 9, 2005



BURRESS MIGHT HAVE BEEN BUYING TIME



As Plaxico Burress huddles with the New York Giants, the first team he's visited in free agency, word around the league is that Burress skipped the meeting originally scheduled for Monday because he was thinking about firing his agent, Michael Harrison.



Burress, to date, hasn't made a change before his meeting with the Giants.



ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli reports that Burress might sign a one-year deal, if he can't land a long-term contract that meets his demands. "It's definitely a possibility," Harrison said. "If people are going to lowball him, I could see doing a one-year deal, sending him to a team where 'Plax' would catch a lot of balls and then going back [into free agency] next year. I could insure him [heavily], so that he's taken care of if he is injured, and do a one-year deal."



POSTED 12:32 p.m. EST, March 9, 2005



MEATHEAD ADMITS TO SCALPING



Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com reports that Vikings coach Mike Tice has admitted to scalping Super Bowl tickets as an assistant coach, but not as a head coach.



It's a reversal for Tice, who told SI.com he's had nothing to do with selling Super Bowl seats at a mark-up.



Tice also told Mortensen that media reports regarding his involvement contain "innuendos that might force me to take legal action."



Our advice for Tice is that he should worry first about any legal action that might be taken against him, possibly by the IRS to recover taxes on any income he earned while selling and/or brokering the sale of Super Bowl tickets.



Tice also needs to spend a little time getting acquainted with the laws of defamation. First, truth is an absolute defense. Second, he's a public figure, so he'd be required to prove that any false statements about him were made with actual malice.