The Rumor Mill

[ALinChainz]

by Profootballtalk editor Mike Florio



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POSTED 7:42 p.m. EST, February 28, 2005



FULLBACK RUNS LIKE A WIDEOUT



Every year, there are guys not invited to the Scouting Combine who, well, should have been.



This year, one glaring omission might have been fullback Matt Pagel of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. The 5'11", 238-pounder recently ran, we're told, a blazing 4.38 in the 40, timed with three watches.



Of the fullbacks who ran at the Combine, the fastest was Texas A&M's Keith Joseph, who ran a 4.69. All of the others were above 4.8.



Pagel's time also was faster than each of the running backs who ran the 40 at the Combine. Then again, the track at the RCA Dome is notoriously slow.



Still, 4.38 for a fullback is impressive on any track, including a ski slope.



MONDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS



The Patriots have set phree LB Roman Phifer.



On Sunday, the wife of QB Rodney Peete, actress Holly Robinson Peete, went into labor during an Oscars party and later had the couple's fourth baby; on Monday, Papa Peete got poop-canned by the Panthers.



The Browns have released veteran S Robert Griffith; don't be surprised to see him land in Arizona with former Minnesota head coach Denny Green.



The 49ers have eleven draft picks, including the first pick in each round.



The Falcons have dumped S Cory Hall, De Travis Hall, and DT Ed Jasper.



The Bears finally have given up on WR David Terrell, the last first-round pick before the arrival of G.M. Jerry Angelo.



The Saints have dropped the March 1 deadline on talks aimed at solving their Superdome mess.

[ALinChainz]

by Profootballtalk editor Mike Florio



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POSTED 7:13 a.m. EST, March 1, 2005



FREROTTE IN LINE TO START FOR FINS?



It's been reported by multiple locations that the Miami Dolphins will make a play for Vikings backup quarterback Gus Frerrotte, who becomes a free agent on Wednesday. Former Minnesota offensive coordinator, Scott Linehan, is now charting the X's and O's in Miami, so the fit makes sense, since Frerotte knows the Linehan system well.



Linehan, we're told, is high on Frerotte, who performed very well in limited duty when starter Daunte Culpepper was injured in 2003, notching a passer rating of 118.1.



In contrast, current No. 1 man on the depth chart A.J. Feely is a holdover from the pre-Saban regime.



So if Frerotte signs with Miami, look for the veteran to be given a fair chance to leapfrog Feely. For the same reasons that the powers-that-be felt compelled to justify the 2004 trade for Feely by forcing him into the lineup, Saban and company likely will be looking for ways to show that their own guy, who didn't require an investment of draft picks, is better.



TEAMS SNIFFING AROUND TOMMY?



With only a handful of quality veteran backup quarterbacks set to hit the open market on March 2, we're hearing that some teams have been checking into the availability of Steelers No. 2 guy Tommy Maddox, a former starter who lost his gig to rookie Ben Roethlisberger after suffering an elbow injury in the team's second game of the season, at Baltimore.



The Steelers, we're told, are reluctant to move Maddox, since they consider him to be a quality backup who, even with the raise he got a year ago, comes at an affordable price.



And without Maddox, the Steelers likely would be required to sign some other established veteran to serve as Roethlisberger's understudy and, to a certain extent, mentor. Forgotten man Charlie Batch remains on the roster, but our guess is that he'll be released before the season.



Look for a deal to happen, if at all, after the dust settles after guys like Jeff Garcia, Kurt Warner, Gus Frerotte, Jay Fiedler, and Brad Johnson find new homes.



CARDS TO MAKE BIG SPLASH IN FREE AGENCY



The perennially cap-rich but money-grubbing Arizona Cardinals apparently are planning to make a significant dent Bill Bidwill's man purse in free agency.



The primary target of the coming cap splurge will be the defensive line, with Vikings defensive tackle Chris Hovan, a Dennis Green first-round pick in 2000, likely a focal point. Broncos defensive end Reggie Hayward also could be at the top of the Arizona dance card.



Bad drafting over the past several years have prevented the D-line from developing into a strong unit, although last year's free-agent pickup, Bertrand Berry, turned in a Pro Bowl performance in his first season with the Cardinals.



JAGS LOOKING TO SHOP DARIUS



Word out of Jacksonville is that the Jags are shopping safety Donovin Darius, who currently wears the franchise tag.



The Miami Dolphins, we're told, are interested in acquiring the veteran safety, who also played under the franchise tag in 2004.



Darius was one of two first-round picks of the Jaguars in 1998.



BENGALS LOOKING FOR A BIG DT



Spurned a year ago in their efforts to attract Warren Sapp to the Queen City, word is that the Bengals are looking again for a big defensive tackle in free agency.



Jason Ferguson of the Jets will be hitting the market, and as we've recently reported the Giants might be dumping Norman Hand.



There otherwise isn't a glut this year of big fellas to clog the middle of the line like low-flow toilets, so our guess is that the guys who are available will get paid handsomely.



TUESDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS



Now that they're unlikely to snag WR Laveranues Coles and they've likely pissed off WR Santana Moss by almost trading him, the Jets are prepaing to make a run at former Titans WR Derrick Mason.



The Washington Times reports, however, that the Coles-for-Moss deal might still have a chance.



The Washington Times is backing off of its claim that the Redskins will sign CB Samari Rolle; the Times now reports that the team will pursue Rolle only if there is little or no market for his services.



The Washington Post flat-out states that the Rolle reports were false, and that Coles won't be traded or released.



The Moss-to-Oakland deal will be completed on Wednesday if LB Napoleon Harris passes a physical.



The Jags apparently are the first choice of WR Derrick Mason.



Agent Drew Rosenhaus says he plans to call the Dolphins about a long-term contract for his new client, Colts RB Edgerrin James, who also happens to wear the franchise tag.



The Bucs will release QB Brad Johnson on Tuesday, and there likely will be others to go as the team tries to get under the salary cap.



The Giants and Bears are competing for the services of QB Jay Fiedler.



Bucs assistant coach Kyle Shanahan won't be charged with any crimes after his weekend arrest in Indianapolis.



The Packers gave the low-end tender of $656,000 to restricted free agent RB Najeh "Hamper Dookie" Davenport; we've previously heard that the Bears might make a "run" at him.



The Jets might pursue QB Brad Johnson to back up Chad Pennington.



Absent contract restructurings, the Dolphins might be releasing WR David Boston, LB Junior Seau, and OT Damion McIntosh.



The Giants have extended the low-end tender to LB Nick Griesen and two other restricted free agents.



FB Mike Alstott has reached a new deal with the Bucs, and likely will retire after the 2005 season.



The Fins have extended low-end tenders to C Seth McKinney and DT Dario Romero.



The Rams have withdrawn their three-year offer to S Antuan Edwards.

[ALinChainz]

DRAFT NEWS AND NEAR NEWS

March 1

(12:01 AM): Will he or won't he... It's been the story behind the story at this week's Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and that is persistent rumors that Southern California QB Matt Leinart may opt to enter the NFL supplemental draft after passing on the chance to apply for early entry to the full 2005 draft. Peter King of CNNSI has the latest details on the story in his Monday report. What has given the story added legs in recent days has been the fact that USC offensive co-ordinator Norm Chow has left the Trojans for the same position with the NFL's Tennessee Titans. Leinart, who is recuperating from off-season arm surgery isn't saying anything. Neither are the 49ers who with the #1 pick in this year's regular draft would get first crack at Leinart if he were to enter the summer supplemental draft which is usually held in early July if any players have applied. USC head coach Pete Carroll, though, has dismissed the idea. In order to be eligible for the supplemental draft, Leinart would have to graduate this spring, something he is reportedly close to being on schedule to accomplish.


Combine wraps up later today; on to campus calls for NFL scouts... The Scouting Combines concludes in Indianapolis later today with the DBs and LBs wrapping things up. And with the CBs rated as perhaps the top overall position in the 2005 draft class, its something along the lines of saving the best for last, although many of the top corners including Antrel Rolle of Miami and West Virginia junior Adam Jones won't actually work out until their respective Pro Days. Speaking of on-campus workouts, pro scouts won't have much time to catch their breath following the combine as the Pro Day schedule starts almost immediately. In fact, Rolle and his Miami teammates have their on-campus workout on Thursday. We'll have a full list of the key on-campus workouts later in the week. Meanwhile, its going to be one of the busiest weeks on the NFL calendar with teams having to get under this year's $85.5M salary cap by midnight tonight before the trading and free agent signing periods get underway on Wednesday.


More cuts around the league... Several more veteran players got the unkindest cut of all yesterday as teams worked either to get under the salary cap or to put themselves in position to sign veteran free agents. Among those getting the axe yesterday were S Robert Griffiths released by Cleveland, LB Roman Phifer who was cut by New England, while Atlanta released veteran DTs Ed Jasper and Travis Hall, along with S Cory Hall and Carolina dumped QB Rodney Peete and OG Doug Brzezinski.


February 28

(5:00 PM): Tweeners flash at combine... It was 'tweener' day at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis as several DE/LB prospects put up some impressive numbers. Undersized DEs David McMillan of Kansas, Jonathan Welsh of Wisconsin and Marshall's sackmaster Jonathan Goddard posted the fastest 40 times among the defensive linemen earlier this afternoon. McMillan, at 6-1, 250, covered the 40 yards in 4.60 seconds, while the 6-2, 245-pound Welsh clocked 4.63 and Goddard, an odd-sized 6-0, 255 ran a 4.72. Of the three, the Badgers' Welsh looked particularly smooth. Many of the big-name defensive linemen such as DE Marcus Spears of LSU, DT Shaun Cody of Southern Cal, DT Travis Johnson of Florida State and junior DE Justin Tuck of Notre Dame either chose not to run or were kept on the sidelines by minor injuries. And the top-rated DE prospects who did run were all rather consistent. Indeed, Georgia's David Pollack, Erasmus James of Wisconsin and Matt Roth of Iowa all ran right around 4.80 in the 40; meanwhile, Northwestern DT Luis Castillo continued to add to his ever-growing resume when the 302-pounder ran a 4.85 40. Iowa DT Jonathan Babineauz, who has had a strong week in Indianapolis, also sizzled running a quick sub-4.80 40. Massive 325-pound Utah DT Sione Pouha also impressed running the 40 in just over 5.00 seconds, while 315-pound Missouri junior DT C.J. Mosely stopped the clock in an unofficial 5.10. Among the TEs who worked out earlier in the day, Jerome Collins of Notre Dame posted the fastest 40 time when he crossed the line in 4.65. Most of the top DE prospects, including Virginia junior Heath Miller, though, opted not to run.

http://www.gbnreport.com/

[ALinChainz]

by Profootballtalk editor Mike Florio



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POSTED 11:20 a.m. EST, March 2, 2005



'SKINS REEL IN RABACH



The Associated Press reports that the Redskins have opened free agency by plucking a player from their backyard, landing Ravens center Casey Rabach.



An agreement was reached at 2:30 a.m., and Rabach then planned to drive to Redskins Park for a physical and an inking of the deal.



Rabach, a third-round pick in 2001, likely will replace Cory Raymer as the starting center for the 'Skins.



POSTED 7:25 a.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 9:36 a.m. EST, March 2, 2005



SABAN PLAYS P.R. GAME IN HIRING SMITH?



There's talk around the league that Miami Dolphins coach Nick Saban chose to hire former Lions linebackers coach Richard Smith as defensive coordinator due in large part to media criticism regarding Saban's inability to fill the position.



Saban, we're told, was upset that the media was questioning the wisdom of possibly giving the job to Will Mischamp, who served as defensive coordinator at LSU and who was already on the Dolphins' staff as Saban tried to fill the coordinator spot by making offers to at least two other guys who declined.



Although there are still questions as to whether FSU linebackers coach Kevin Steele and/or Kentucky defensive coordinator Mike Archer were actually offered the d-coordinator gig with the Fins, the perception became that Saban couldn't find anyone to take the job.



The perception (and possibly the reality) now is that Saban believed he'd be admitting defeat if he were to give the job to Muschamp, especially since some in the media surely would have wondered why, if Muschamp is so good, he wasn't given the job in the first place.



Regardless of whether the defensive coordinator is Muschamp or Smith or Eric Mangini or Tom Landry, the fact is (as one league source told us) that Saban runs the defense on his teams. "He spends all his time with the defense," said the source. "Saban never is with the offense [in practice]. He lets the [offensive coordinator] run the offense."



BROWN OUT OF NEW ENGLAND



There's a cruel reality to the team-first concept that the New England Patriots have developed over the past four seasons.



When no one is above the team, anyone is subject to being removed from it.



Lawyer Milloy found that out the hard way two years ago. Ty Law joined the parade last week.



On Tuesday, the notion that no one is safe was confirmed when veteran Troy Brown, a key component in the team's three Super Bowl seasons, was permitted to become a free agent after an agreement couldn't be reach on a revised contract.



The fact that Brown, 33, is getting long in the tooth by NFL standards surely contributed to the team's reluctance to overpay. But the fact is that the team overpays for no one, in order to maintain the right balance under the salary cap to enable the Pats to field a solid team every season.



It's easy for Brown to think that the team owes him something more than what it's willing to offer, given that he's had such a key role in shaping the dynasty, especially with two-way play in 2004, harkening memories of guys like Chuck Bednarik. But with not too many years of football left (and possibly fueled by the Tedy Bruschi example that it all could go away at any time), Brown apparently has decided that he wants to try to make more money before he has to pack it in.



Then again, the fact that Brown will become a free agent doesn't mean he won't be back. If he doesn't get lucrative offers on the open market, or if there's not much of a difference in the end between what the Patriots would pay and what he can get elsewhere, Brown would be foolish not to finish his career in New England.



But if he decides to grab the brass ring in a city where he's not likely to win a fourth Super Bowl ring before he retires, the Pats would be wise to keep an eye on whether that whole team-first thing is showing any cracks in the foundation.



PEYTON THE PHONY STRIKES AGAIN



We make no secret about the fact that, while we greatly respect Peyton Manning's skills, we think he's a phony.



Our opinion has been shaped by multiple factors, including his "naked butt and rectum" escapades with Tennessee trainer Jamie Ann Naughright, his allegedly defamatory comments about her in his autobiography, and the fact that several league insiders for whom we have high regard agree with our assessment of Manning.



We took some heat last summer for supposedly misconstruing harsh comments made by Peyton when Jake Delhomme declined to attend the Manning Passing Academy (of whatever in the hell they call it). The writer of the piece in the New Orleans Times-Picayune thought Manning's comments were a joke, we were told.



But now another example of Peyton's phoniness has arisen.



After the Colts lost to the Patriots in the AFC divisional playoffs, Manning made the following remarks:



''We keep giving ourselves chances,'' he said. ''I think about some teams that maybe lost in the playoffs last year and they kind of feel sorry for themselves and they end up going 5-11 the next year and don't give themselves another chance.''



The only team fitting that description in 2004 was the Tennessee Titans, who lost in the same round at Foxboro in 2003 before tanking last year.



But at a Tuesday press conference held in connection with Manning's appearance for the Middle Tennessee Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Peyton tried to deny dissing the Titans.



''I don't know where that came from, I never mentioned any record,'' he said, according to the Nashville Tennessean. ''I was just talking about our team, that we keep giving ourselves a chance and I know how tough it is in the NFL, especially in this AFC South. . . . It's tough to win just a game much less a Super Bowl. We're knocking on the door.''



But then Peyton seemed to realize that maybe, just maybe, someone in the media had a recording of what he really said after the loss to New England, so he added, ''Obviously it's somewhat of a hard interview to do after you lose a playoff game.''



We'd have much more respect for Manning if he wouldn't be so obviously obsessed with the notion that everyone has to love him. Perhaps his beliefs in this regard are buoyed by the fact that the league and the media are trying to transform him into the poster boy for pro football.



Or maybe Peyton's ultimate goal in making no enemies is to preserve those secret political ambitions we believe he has. If so, perhaps he should learn to catch his tongue in those tough moments.




WEDNESDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS



Here's a great look at each team's offseason needs, from Paul Kusharsky of the Nashville Tennessean.



Houston re-signed a trio of Texans on Tuesday CB Demarcus Faggins, DT Junio Ione, and LB DaShon Polk.



Key team personnel are gathered in Atlanta for an NFL "executive session" to discuss the status of the CBA and the remaining television packages that have yet to be placed after the current deal expires.



Bill Walsh think QB Jeff Garcia should sign with Denver (we think Walsh should shut up and go away).



The Colts don't plan to spend big money in the free-agent market. (How in the world can they, after giving so much money to keep their own in the fold?)



Colts RB Edgerrin James actually is now represented both by Drew Rosenhaus and Eugene Mato.



The Packers saved more than $10 million in cap room by dumping G Mark Wahle.



QB Brad Johnson's agent says that the veteran signal-caller "[c]ertainly" is interested in reuniting with Denny Green in the desert.



Here's a new alternative definition of the term "depreciation": Trading the fourth overall pick in the 2001 draft less than four years later for a fourth-round choice.



The only quarterback under contract with the Browns are Luke McCown and Josh Harris.



Punches are flying in Bill Romanowski's "'Roid Rage" trial.



The Cowboys have dumped LB Dexter Coakley, but he could be re-signed.



The Vikings are poised to act swift and aggressively in free agency, which suggests they'll end up paying guys too much.



The Saints also plan to be aggressive in free agency (and maybe instead of signing bonuses they'll give out some of Tom Benson's high-priced spoons from his wedding registry).



POSTED 8:55 p.m. EST, March 1, 2005



GROH GETS MAD AT PFT.COM



We received late Tuesday afternoon an e-mail from Nancy Bourne of the University of Virginia, who is an Administrative Assistant to Cavaliers head coach Al Groh.



Ms. Bourne, it turns out, was sending us a letter from her boss.



Gulp.



Groh took issue with recent reports appearing here and on our sister site, Collegefootballtalk.com, regarding the physical condition of several of the players who have emerged from the Virginia football program, and who are now trying to put themselves in position to earn a living at the sport they've been playing for free in Charlottesville.



Groh also didn't appreciate our tongue in check reference to the founder of the University's propensity to procreate with his personal property.



Here's the full text of Groh's letter:



-----------------------------------



Re: February 27, 2005 Daily Rumor Mill

Dear Mr. Florio,

I take great offense at your uninformed and flippant remarks about the University of Virginia and our football program. Especially offensive in this day and age is your remark about women.

As to the condition of our player [sic] and their efforts at the combine, you are both out of the know and insensitive. Chris Canty suffered a serious knee injury which required surgery after four games. He is ahead of schedule in his rehab, was at the combine and will work out when able. Heath Miller started twenty-nine straight games. He had post-season surgery for a sports hernia so that he would be ready to go for training camp. It is unlikely that you would have been able to work out at the combine with similar surgeries. Alvin Pearman had a terrific season (All-ACC), worked out and I am told he did very well, as did Marquis Weeks. Elton Brown was more than capable of performing -- bad advice is likely the reason that he did not.

I don't recall, Mr. Florio, that you have ever attended one of our
practices to know first hand of the "pounding" you refer to. Since
we only practice in full pads one day a week, I must wonder what your agenda is in making inaccurate and disparaging statements about how our team is prepared. Over our four seasons, our record in games down the homestretch of the season is 10-4, hardly a team that is worn out.

Thomas Jefferson, the founder of the University, was an author and signer of the Declaration of Independence, President of the country, and a statesman. You show great disrespect in trying to be a humorist with your remarks.

Sincerely,

Al Groh
Head Football Coach
University of Virginia



-----------------------------------



We're drafting a response to Groh. As we've explained to the handful of readers who previously complained about our tongue-in-cheek reference to Jefferson's relationship with his female slaves, we meant no offense to the female slaves who were the subject of Jefferson's carnal desires. Our ridicule in this regard is directed at the inherent hypocrisy of the man who coined the phrase, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal," while at the same time he owned other human beings who catered to more of his needs than they ever should have.



In 1774, Jefferson owned 187 slaves. In 1824, he still owned 187 slaves. It was reported in 1802 that Jefferson was keeping one of the slaves, Sally Hemmings, as a concubine with whom he had multiple children.



It's amazing, quite frankly, that in an era where so many believe that Hollywood and popular culture are contributing to the collapse of our society that we shrug our shoulders at the unspeakably improper conduct in which at least one of our Founding Fathers engaged more than 200 years ago.



Because, as Jefferson wrote, all men are created equal, then we believe that no man is beyond reproach. We find Jefferson's ownership of and activities with his slaves to be shameful, and we do not believe that utilizing this behavior as fuel for our trademark irreverence is disrespectful to Mr. Jefferson.



Instead, ignoring these deep flaws in Mr. Jefferson's character shows great disrespect to all of the men and women who spent years, if not their entire lives, in the bonds of slavery.



Turning to the less controversial aspects of Groh's letter, we've reconfirmed with our sources the belief held by some players that they've emerged from the season with too many bumps, bites, and bruises to be as effective as they could have been in their pursuit of a job in the NFL.



Although, as Groh points out in his letter, the team practices in pads only once per week, we're told that they are in "shells" for the other two, where there's still a lot of hitting.



We've also heard that injured guys have been nudged to stay in games, even in the team's bowl game -- with All-Star contests and the Combine only weeks away.



So the issue isn't whether the Cavs are worn out down the stretch of the season, but whether the players are worn out in those critical months after their college careers end. We've heard from far too many people that they are.



And the fact that Groh would actually take the time to pen a letter to some rinky-dink independent web site suggests to us that maybe, just maybe, we've inadvertently jammed a sharp stick into a raw nerve.



NUMBERS SHOW APPEALS OF FINES PAY OFF



A league source has shared with us some of the numbers relating to fines imposed on NFL players in 2004, and the steps taken by the NFLPA to reduce the amounts.



Though we've rarely been accused of being lap dogs for the union, we've got to give credit where it's due. The NFLPA has been effective in limiting the payments ultimately made.



In 2004, the league meted out nearly 600 fines, for a gross fine amount of $3.3 million.



360 of the fines were appealed, involving a total amount of $1.7 million. Through the appeal process (which involves a conference call to former NFL great Jackie Slater, who watches the tape before the hearing, listens to the player's version of the events, and later rules), the $1.7 million in fines was reduced by $800,000.



That's nearly a savings of nearly 50 percent.



The message for players is obvious. If you've got a legitimate basis to appeal, do it. It's worth it. It's a big part of what you're paying those dues for.



WHAT NOT TO SAY AT THE COMBINE



On a day when Bucs cornerback Dwight Smith helped us to craft Rule No. 1 of free agency (i.e., don't get arrested on weapons charges within 24 hours of the opening bell), we've heard about an interesting interview that occurred at the Scouting Combine.



Asked why he had decided to come out of school a year early, a player who won't be named told a team we won't disclose that he gave up his remaining eligibility because needed to earn money so that he could support his family.



All together now: Ahhhhhhh.



In response, one of the team employees asked, "So why did you spend $80,000 of your $100,000 line of credit on a brand new Hummer?"



Ouch.



Here's the lesson, kids. Don't try to bullsh-t guys who have waded through far more of it than you could ever throw. They've heard it all before, they've seen it all before, and though it might come as a shock you're really not smarter than any of them.



POSTED 5:26 p.m. EST, March 1, 2005



BUCS BOUNCE FOUR VETS



Our pals at PewterReport.com report that the Buccaneers have dumped four players in order to get under the salary cap.



Gone are quarterback Brad Johnson, cornerback Mario Edwards, linebacker Ian Gold, and receiver Joe Jurevicius.



Johnson and Jurevicius were key played in the team's 2002 Super Bowl season. Injuries have limited Jurevicius for most of the past two seasons, and Johnson was benched in 2004.



Gold was signed to a much-hyped $35 million contract after gathering dust on the free-agency shelf last year. His agents at the time, Carl and Kevin Poston, wanted a $15 million signing bonus, even though Gold had torn an ACL during the 2003 season.



Gold played well in Tampa, but his contract contained two poison pills that would have grossly inflated his cap number for 2005 barring a restructuring.



Gold has since fired the Postons.



POSTED 4:54 p.m. EST, March 1, 2004



SEVERAL OPTIONS FOR BECHT?



One of the few tight ends available in this year's free agency pool is Anthony Becht of the Jets. One of the team's four first-round picks in the 2000 draft, the Jets have not focused on re-signing him.



But that might change. We're hearing that new offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger has been lobbying coach Herm Edwards and G.M. Terry Bradway to try to keep Becht, whom Heimerdinger apparently thinks would thrive in the same system that made a Pro Bowler out of retired Titans tight end Frank Wycheck.



Beyond the Jets, other teams are getting in line. His first trip as a free agent, we're told, will be to the Pittsburgh Steelers.



The Steelers recently cut tight end Jay Riemersma, who previously rendered former first-rounder Mark Bruener waiver-wire bait.



Also interested in Becht, we hear, are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.



Becht, a former All-American at West Virginia University, is the only member of the Jets' first-round class of 2000 who'll be getting a real whiff of the open market. Quarterback Chad Pennington signed a long-term contract last year, as did defensive end Shaun Ellis. Defensive end John Abraham is the team's franchise player.



POSTED 3:08 p.m. EST; UPDATED 4:21 p.m. EST, March 1, 2005



RUDI ACCEPTS TENDER



Bengals.com reports that Cincinnati franchise player Rudi Johnson has accepted his one-year tender offer.



Johnson is now guaranteed to make $6.3 million in 2005 salary, and he still will be permitted to field offers from other teams. If he signs an offer sheet on a long-term deal, the Bengals will have seven days to match the offer. If they decline, the Bengals will receive two first-round draft picks as compensation.



Johnson set the team's single-season rushing record in 2004, with 1,454 yards on 361 carries.



Some within the league think that the Bengals chose to use the one-year franchise tag on Johnson so that they could determine in 2005 whether 2004 first-rounder Chris Perry can be the long-term answer at the position. Johnson previously had indicated that he might opt to sit in lieu of getting a long-term deal.



The only drawback to signing the tender is that Johnson is now "under contract," and thus obligated to participate in offseason mandatory workouts and training camp. In the past, players like Orlando Pace have signed the franchise tender on the eve of the regular season, which allows them to earn the full salary with no requirement that they participate in any preseason activities.



Johnson is the second franchise player to sign the one-year tender within the past week. Last Friday, Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson expressed his intent to accept the one-year, $10.5 million contract, prompting an angry reaction from the Raiders and a statement by the team that Woodson soon will be traded.



POSTED 3:52 p.m. EST, March 1, 2005



SMITH VIOLATES FIRST RULE OF FREE AGENCY



Bucs cornerback Dwight Smith has violated the first rule of free agency, which we'll make the initial entry on our list of conduct to be avoided on the eve of the annual signing period.



Rule No. 1: Don't get arrested on a weapons charge less than 24 hours before hitting the market.



Smith pointed (allegedly) a pellet gun at two men who approached his car at a McDonald's drive-through window on Monday night.



The men said they recognized Smith and wanted to talk to him. But Smith aimed the gun at them, and Smith's friend, David Roston (who has a lot in common with an NFL player of a very similar name) got out of the car and punched one of the men.



For Smith, conduct of this nature is now firmly in the "trend" column. In 2003, he pleaded guilty to pulling a gun on a motorist. He was fined $225, placed on one year's probation, ordered to take anger management classes, and commanded to complete 25 hours of community service.



Smith arguably could have been the MVP of Super Bowl XXXVII, returning two interceptions for touchdowns. But the second score came very late in the game, most likely after the votes were cast for safety Dexter Jackson.

[ALinChainz]

by Profootballtalk editor Mike Florio



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POSTED 3:11 p.m. EST, March 2, 2005



CARDS SWAPPING STARKS TO PATS?



A league source tells us that the Arizona Cardinals and the New England Patriots are close to working out a trade for cornerback Duane Starks.



In return, the Cards would get New England's third-round pick. The teams also would flip-flop their fifth-round selections in the upcoming draft, a benefit for the Pats, who draft at the bottom of the round.



The deal, we're told, hinges on whether Starks will re-do his contract. The Pats have limited wiggle room under the cap, and Starks might not be inclined to cooperate, which could kill the deal.



POSTED 1:27 p.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 2:55 p.m. EST, March 2, 2005



WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS



The Ravens have reached an agreement on a multi-year deal with WR Derrick Mason.



The front page of NFL.com says that the Moss-to-Oakland trade is now official, ; meanwhile, a photo of the receiver in his purple-and-gold uni is still (as of this posting) on the front page of the Vikings official web site.



The Chiefs are meeting with CB Samari Rolle, and they hope to have a sit-down with CB Fred Smoot, CB Ken Lucas, LB Kendrell Bell, LB Ed Hartwell, LB Jeremiah Trotter, LB Ian Gold.



ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli reports that the Rams have pounced on Cowboys LB Dexter Coakley, whom Dallas had hoped to re-sign after releasing him for cap reasons.



The Lions have tendered restricted free agent KR Eddie Drummond at the first-round level, guaranteeing him a $1.4 million salary in 2005.



RB LaMont Jordan is "very interested" in the Raiders, who with WR Randy Moss on the way will only see eight in the box after Warren Sapp has eaten four donuts.



The Giants have $8-$10 million in cap room, but don't plan to make a big splash in free agency.



It looks like LB Jeremiah Trotter might be leaving the Eagles, again.



The Giants and three other teams have expressed interest in former Dolphins DE Jay Williams, reports our old friend Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald.



The 49ers were unable to re-sign WR Cedrick Wilson, K Todd Peterson, or CB Jimmy Williams before they became unrestricted free agents.



LB Ian Gold will be visiting the Broncos soon.



The Seahawks have made the low-end tender to five restricted free agents.



Despite all the hoopla over the retention of LT Walter Jones, QB Matt Hasselbeck, and (via franchise tag) RB Shaun Alexander, the Seahawks still have 13 unrestricted free agents on the market; they're talking to the agents for 10 of them, and have targeted five for aggressive efforts.



Kevin Lynch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that the 49ers are talking to former Redskins exec Joe Mendes about joining the organization (now where have we recently seen that one recently?).



Bears QB Rex Grossman hints that the team will be focusing on improving the offense in the offseason.



Broncos restricted free agent DT Monsanto Pope is already drawing interest from three teams; tendered at the low end, compensation for his services would be a mere seventh-round pick, if Denver chooses not to match.



The Seahawks soon could be dumping LB Anthony Simmons and/or S Damien Robinson to avoid upcoming roster boni.



The Bears and Giants are still chasing QB Jay Fielder.



Jim Trotter of the San Diego Union-Tribune has a great story on the rolling tumbleweeds market for franchised quarterback QB Drew Brees.



Eleven cornerbacks ran the 40 at the Combine in under 4.4 seconds; five of them were under 4.35 seconds.



The Bears are still interested in acquiring OT L.J. Shelton via trade.



From the "Mailing It In" file, Mark Gaughan of the Buffalo News thinks that the Seahawks used the franchise tag on left tackle Walter Jones.



Here's a quick look at what's going on in Jets land.



Cutting G Frank Middleton, S Ray Buchanan, and TE Roland Williams saved the Raiders $6 million against the cap.



Steelers LB Larry Foote's five-year deal means that one-time budding superstar Kendrell Bell will head elsewhere in 2005.



The Jags kept TE Kyle Brady by paying his $400,000 roster bonus; he'll make a salary of $1.9 million in 2005.



Only four Jacksonville free agents, WR Troy Edwards, RB Chris Fuamatu-ma'afala, DE Jason Gildon and OT Bob Whitfield, hit the open market.



The Packers have to decide by March 12 whether they will pay a $2.6 million roster bonus to S Darren Sharper.

[ALinChainz]

by Profootballtalk editor Mike Florio



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POSTED 8:15 p.m. EST, March 2, 2005



PIERCE POISED TO SIGN WITH GIANTS



The NFC East linebacker shuffle will continue.



In past years, guys like Jeremiah Trotter and Jessie Armstead jumped from one NFC East squad to another, with both coming to the Redskins.



This time around, the linebacker is walking from Washington to New York.



A league source tells us that the Giants soon will sign free-agent linebacker Antonio Pierce to a six-year contract worth up to $25 million.



Pierce, an undrafted free agent signed by the Redskins in 2001, had 112 tackles, one sack and two interceptions in 2004, his fourth season as a pro. He is generally considered to be the top linebacker available in free agency this year.



POSTED 10:29 p.m. EST, March 2, 2005



WEDNESDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS



The Chargers have scheduled visits with Falcons KR Allen Rossum and Packers S Bhawoh Jue.



The Jaguars have signed DE Reggie Hayward to a five-year contract.



The Cowboys have signed CB Anthony Henry.



The Panthers are close to a deal with free-agent G Mike Wahle.



The Colts have released TE Marcus Pollard, creating $2.65 million in cap room.



Bills OT Jonas Jennings has signed with the 49ers.



The Redskins were ambivalent about LT Chris Samuels not too long ago; now, he's got his name on a $47 million deal with a $15.5 million signing bonus.



The Dolphins have been told they'll play in the Hall of Fame game, most likely against the Bears or the 49ers.



The Lions re-signed S Bracy Walker to a one-year deal.



The Raiders are pushing hard to get RB LaMont Jordan under contract.



The Bucs have re-signed restricted free agent LB Ryan Nece to a long-term deal, according to PewterReport.com.



POSTED 9:59 p.m. EST, March 2, 2005



OUR TAKE ON FAVRE RUMORS



We've been asked by several readers for our reaction to a report on the independent web site Sportsbrief.com that Packers quarterback Brett Favre has informed the team that he plans to retire, and that he'll announce his decision on the Friday before the draft.



Though Favre still very well might retire, the timing of the rumored announcement makes no sense to us.



Think about it. Why would Favre declare to the world that the Packers suddenly have a significant need at the quarterback position the day before teams start pulling rookies off of the board in front of them?



The story would be far more plausible if the rumor were that Favre plans to announce his decision to retire the Monday after the draft. That way, the Packers could snare a quarterback without anyone else knowing for sure that they need someone to place the future Hall of Famer.



With all that said, our guess is that Favre still hasn't made up his mind -- and that he still won't make a final decision for a while.



POSTED 9:43 p.m. EST, March 2, 2005



STARKS AGENT HINTS AT DEAL



Peter King of SI.com has obtained an on-the-record indication from agent Drew Rosenhaus that the Cardinals soon will trade cornerback Duane Starks to the Patriots.



"We're still discussing a few things,'' Rosenhaus told King. "But we're very close. It will be a great fit for Duane, and it will be a great fit for New England.''



We've also got to say thanks, once again, to King, the only national NFL journalist who publicly has acknowledged our existence, this time by giving us credit for first reporting the possible trade. It's the third time in three months that King has mentioned us in one of his items, and we're forever grateful to him for helping us to continue to get the name of our site in front of football fans all over the world.



We know we've had a history of taking pot shots at other national journalists, but we no longer feel the need to throw mud in order to get noticed.



Besides, it's much more fun to twist the tails of guys like Al Groh.



POSTED 9:32 p.m. EST, March 2, 2005



AGENTLESS GOLD RETURNS TO BRONCOS



Adam Schefter of the NFL Network reported on Wednesday night that linebacker Ian Gold will be returning to the Broncos, a year after leaving Denver and taking an overly-inflated, funny-money deal with the Bucs that required, as a practical matter, a restructuring or a release after one year.



We reported on February 10 that Gold had fired his agents, Carl and Kevin Poston. An industry source tells us that Gold is still without an agent.



So, in order words, Gold is negotiating his own contract with the Broncos.



Needless to say, it'll be interesting to see what Gold gets.



POSTED 8:43 p.m. EST, March 2, 2005



PAT WILLIAMS HEADS TO MINNY



Jay Glazer of FoxSports.com reports that free-agent defensive tackle Pat Williams has agreed to terms with the Vikings on a three-year, $13 million contract, including $6 million in bonus bonus.



Incentives can push the value of the deal to $15 million.



Although the Vikings were pleased with undrafted rookie Spencer Johnson, who helped render former first-rounder Chris Hovan irrelevant, the combination of Pat "Serena" Williams with Pro Bowler Kevin "Venus" Williams gives the Vikings a formidable one-two punch in the interior of the defensive line.



Serena, by the way, is an eight-year veteran who signed with the Bills as an undrafted free agent in 1997.



POSTED 8:25 p.m. EST, March 2, 2005



STARKS TO PATS NEARLY DONE



We've confirmed that the Cardinals and the Patriots are finalizing a trade that will send the veteran cornerback to the two-time defending Super Bowl champs.



Starks originally was drafted by the Ravens, and he signed with the Cardinals prior to the 2002 season.



Scroll down for more on this one.



MASON TURNED DOWN MORE COIN FROM PATS



Adam Schefter of the NFL Network reported on Wednesday evening that, in an ironic turn, a player actually took less money not to sign with the Patriots.



Receiver Derrick Mason, per Schefter, chose less coin from the Ravens than was offered to him by the Patriots. Schefter reports that the determining factor for Mason was that his wife wanted to put down roots in the Baltimore area.



New England's pursuit of Mason suggests that, even with Super Bowl XXXIX MVP Deion Branch on the roster, the team knows that it needs a go-to guy at the position, especially with David Patten and Troy Brown on the open market.



POSTED 8:35 p.m. EST, March 2, 2005



REAL NUMBERS ON COAKLEY DEAL



Howard Balzer has forwarded to us the real numbers on linebacker Dexter Coakley's deal.



The total package is $14.15 million, slightly less than the $14.5 million reported elsewhere.



Coakley gets a $3 million signing bonus, and a $1 million salary in 2005.



In 2006, he receives a $250,000 roster bonus and a $1.5 million salary.



In 2007, the numbers moves to $525,000 and $1.75 million, respectively.



For 2008, it's $500,000 and $2.3 million.



For 2009, it's $525,000 and $2.8 million.

[Lou]

That's a LOT of money for Pierce. $4M a year...too much for a guy with 1 sack.

[ALinChainz]

Must be the 112 tackles on the Skin's top tier defense.

I agree, I heard he would get a good deal, but that's more than I thought.

Usually anyone signing early in free agency gets overpaid. By any team.

[Lou]

I think Derrick Mason made a bad move signing with the Ravens, on his end. If he wants to win a championship, it won't be happening in Baltimore anytime soon and he ain't getting any younger.

[ALinChainz]

He isn't.

Boller just isn't a QB in this league IMO.

His wife wants to put down roots there? Could have still and played for the Pats.

Billick and Fassel must have talked their asses off.

[ALinChainz]

by Profootballtalk editor Mike Florio



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POSTED 9:48 a.m. EST, March 3, 2005



UNCAPPED YEAR WILL LIMIT ELITE TEAMS



As the 2005 free-agency spending spree continues to unfold, more details are emerging regarding the realities of the looming uncapped year, which under the current collective bargaining agreement will occur in 2007.



Although, on the surface, the notion of no salary cap is a bonanza for players, we've recently reviewed the reality that the threshold for hitting the market will move from four years of service to six.



And there are more provisions that will, as a practical matter, limit the ability of players to cash in on this cash cow.



For example, each team will have in 2007 an extra transition player designation. Under current rules, teams can use either a franchise or a transition designation. In 2007, the additional transition tag creates a right of first refusal in exchange for a one-year average salary equal to the top ten salaries at the player's position or 120 percent of his 2006 salary, whichever is greater.



More importantly, the final eight playoff teams from 2006 will be limited in their free agency activities in 2007. In other words, the rich won't be permitted to go out and try to get richer by spending their riches. Richly.



Specifically, the teams in the conference championship games will be permitted only to sign their own unrestricted free agents or unrestricted free agents off of waivers. They each also may sign an unrestricted free agent for each unrestricted free agent lost to another team.



The next four teams (the losers in the divisional round) will be limited as well, plus one unrestricted free agent with a 2007 salary of $1.5 million or more and others with a first-year salary of less than $1 million (not including the signing bonus).



The final eight teams may sign franchise and transition players without limitation.



Finally (for now), there's some good news for the NFL cheapskates in 2007. Just as there's no ceiling on player spending that year, there's also no floor.



As we learn more about the realities of the uncapped year, we become even more convinced that the NFL and the union will work out a deal before then. The grass of the uncapped season isn't nearly as green for the players as first blush might suggest, but there are obvious reasons for the owners to try prevent guys like Dan Snyder and Jerry Jones from throwing cement mixers full of cash at every available free agent.



POSTED 10:05 a.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 11:20 a.m. EST, March 3, 2005



COLES-FOR-MOSS SWAP BACK ON?



A day after one receiver named Moss was traded to the Raiders, the other Moss might still end up with the Redskins.



Jay Glazer of Foxsports.com reports that talks as to the once-dead trade of Santana Moss of the Jets for Laveranues Coles of the Redskins have been revised, and that the chances of getting the deal done are now back to 50-50.



The Redskins had wanted to get the deal done before March 1, since Coles' potential surrender of $5 million in deferred signing bonus money would have counted as a 2005 cap credit. Now, if he gives up the $5 million payment due on April 1, the 'Skins won't get the credit against the cap until 2006.



MORE THURSDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS



Bob Sansavere of the St. Paul Pioneer Press observes that, if the guy wearing the Raiders jersey at the press conference in Oakland had shown up more often in Minnesota, he's still be wearing purple 84.



Ronnie Lott shared his views on extracurricular fisticuffs while on the witness stand at the Romo 'Roid Rage trial.



Many thanks to Tom Curran of the Providence Journal, Darren Urban of the East Valley Tribune, and Ryan O'Halloran of the Hampton Roads (Va.) Daily Press for giving us credit for stories we broke on Wednesday.



DE Hugh Douglas and RB Correll Buckhalter re-signed with the Eagles.



Eagles LB Jeremiah Trotter is poised to accept a long-term deal with the Chiefs.



The Giants were in "serious negotiations" with LB Kendrell Bell before signing LB Antonio Pierce (stay tuned for more -- an industry source tells us that Bell's deal might have been killed by something unusual that occurred during his visit to the team).



The New York Post, without citing any source (named or unnamed) says that WR Plaxico Burress is likely heading to Minnesota.



The Post also says the Texans are interested in RB Ron Dayne, but an industry source has told us that the Texans actually have no interest in the 1999 Heisman winner.



Jets RB LaMont Jordan will get a jaw-dropping $27.5 million deal from the Raiders, with $7 million to sign and $15 million in guarantees the first three years.



The Giants are interested in Jets OT Kareem McKenzie and Titans OT Fred Miller, but not in Browns RB William Green, who's on the trading block (as opposed to the butcher's block).



The Ravens apparently will be sticking with Orlando Brown at right tackle, and drafting his backup.



G Joe Andruzzi has jumped from the Pats to the Browns.



The 'Boys broke out the check book for CB Anthony Henry and DT Jason Ferguson.



QB Kurt Warner will visit the Bears on Friday, and QB Brad Johnson will visit at some point, too.



The Lions are planning visits with QB Kurt Warner and S Kenoy Kennedy; they also might meet with QB Brad Johnson.



Vikings QB Daunte Culpepper denies wanting WR Randy Moss out of Minnesota, calling him a "once-in-a-lifetime player."



DT Kevin Carter has visited the Dolphins.



The Vikings are interested in Miami CB Patrick Surtain, who is being shopped by the Fins.



The Ravens might be close to re-signing CB Gary Baxter.



POSTED 7:54 p.m. EST, March 3, 2005



WASHINGTON, WARRICK WANT OUT OF CINCY?



With the Bengals' decision to re-sign WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh to a long-term deal, we're hearing rumblings that two of the teams' other receivers are now interested in moving on.



Specifically, Peter Warrick and Kelley Washington interpret the Houshmandzadeh deal as the type of coin paid to starters. With Chad Johnson on the roster as the Bengals' No. 1 receiver, the best that Warrick and Washington will do, barring injury, in No. 3 and No. 4.



Both, we hear, hope to be higher than that on a team's depth chart, so both, we hear, want out.



Warrick was the Bengals' first-round pick in 2000. Though some believe Warrick won the Heisman in 1999, the award actually went to Ron Dayne of Wisconsin that year. Allegations relating to some deeply discounted clothing might have kept him from bagging an honor that his on-field abilities arguably merited. (Although the issue didn't affect Warrick's draft stock, further off-field issues pushed his partner in the alleged clothing scam, Laveranues Coles, into round three that year.)



Washington was taken by the Bengals in the third round of the 2003 draft.



NAPOLEON SEES NO WATERLOO IN MINNY



With former Vikings receiver Randy Moss wearing his new silver and black No. 18 jersey and raring to get to work for his new team in Oakland, the player sent from the Raiders to Minnesota as part of the deal disagrees with Moss' assessment that the All-Pro wideout is now in position to win a Super Bowl.



"My opinion is now I have a chance to win a Super Bowl with Minnesota," linebacker Napoleon Harris told the Minneapolis Star Tribune on Wednesday. "Last time I checked, Minnesota made the playoffs and won a game, and [the Raiders] were 5-11 and didn't even make the playoffs."



Harris was a first-round pick of the Raiders in 2002 (which prompted the team to cut on the eve of the season Greg Biekert, who ironically finished his career with two seasons in Minny). Harris was shipped to Minnesota with the team's first-rounder in 2005 (seventh overall), along with a seventh-round pick.



"I'm still a young player, and I definitely can become an impact linebacker in this league," Harris said. "If you throw in a top-10 pick, I guess I could say the same thing about the Vikings that people are saying about Randy putting the Raiders over the hump."



Although the Raiders seem to be ignoring the potential impact of Moss in the locker room if/when he doesn't get his way or chooses not to play hard, Harris recognizes that chemistry is important. "The year we went to the Super Bowl in Oakland, we had good chemistry," Harris said. "The next year, everything fell apart. We had some injuries and a lot of dissension on the team. In order for the ship to go in one direction, you can't have people paddling in different directions."



With that said, we don't think Moss will be a problem for the Raiders in 2005, or possibly in 2006. In the same way that former Moss teammate Cris Carter benefited from a fresh start when he came to Minnesota in 1990, Randy's do-over in Oakland will yield great results in 2005 for him, and for the team.



The problems won't arise unless and until Randy gets upset, frustrated, moody, and/or complacent. And once that cat is out of the bag, the Raiders never, ever will be confused with the Patriots.



Until, that is, Randy gets another fresh start.



NO DENVER DEAL YET FOR GOLD?



Contrary to reports that linebacker Ian Gold has reached an agreement to return to the Broncos after a one-year Tampa hiatus, the Rocky Mountain News reports that no deal is done, yet.



"I have not signed on the dotted line with any team," Gold said.



On Wednesday night, an industry source told us that Gold is acting as his own agent, and relying upon advice from the NFLPA as to his general market value. The same source also said that Gold is telling other teams he received $10 million to sign and an average of $5 million per year from the Broncos. The real number for the bonus, however, could be more like $8 million.



So what gives? It's possible that, in a crude, inartful way, Gold has reached a verbal understanding with the Broncos, and is now shopping the offer in the hopes of getting someone else to step up with more money.



Gold is in this situation because he recently fired his agents, the Postons, a year after signing a puffed-up "$35 million!" contract with the Bucs that was, for all practical purposes, a one-year deal. (We're told that Gold still hasn't paid the Postons their fee for the bonus money and salary he made in Tampa.)



Our advice to Ian is this -- sign with a good agent, pay the man (or woman) his commission, and rest assured that you'll get more in the end with him (or her) than without him. Or her.



THURSDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS



We've learned that Ravens WR Travis Taylor is visiting Minnesota on Thursday.



Vikings S Brian Russell, a restricted free agent with no compensation if he signs elsewhere, is visiting the Browns.



Former Browns S Robert Griffith is drawing interest from several teams, we're told, especially from Arizona.



The Cowboys are trying to get Packers G Marco Rivera under contract before he visits Detroit and Baltimore.



Even with a new contract in Pittsburgh, RB Jerome Bettis still hasn't made a firm decision on whether he'll retire -- he plans to do so by June 1.



Some details have been revealed regarding Reggie Fowler's big-money backers.



After a visit to the Jets, Texans NT Seth Payne decided to stay in Houston with a four-year, $16 million contract, which includes a $4.5 million signing bonus.



Jags coach Jack Del Rio filled his staff on Wednesday by hiring former Seahawks special teams coach Mark Michaels as assistant special teams coach.



The Rams might sign Vikings LB Chris Claiborne as early as Thursday; a former first-round selection of the Lions, Claiborne was so-so in two seasons with Minny.



The Vikings made a run at Redskins LB Antonio Pierce before he signed with the Giants.



Trade talks have stalled between the Chiefs and Dolphins regarding Miami CB Patrick Surtain.

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[ALinChainz]

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



JETS GETTING PUNKED BY AGENTS?



There's a rumor making the rounds in league circles that various agents could be using the Jets as a tool for driving up their clients' offers elsewhere, with no serious intention of recommending that their guys go to New York.



Several pro personnel execs have told us that the Jets seem to be desperate to make a splash in free agency, and that the agents are seizing on this as a chance to drive the price up for taking another team's offer.



Examples of this include defensive tackle Pat Williams, who parlayed New York's interest into a gig with the Vikings. Also, nose tackle Jason Ferguson flirted with the Jets (causing them to stutter-step on Williams) before heading to Dallas.



Running back LaMont Jordan used a $3 million per year offer from the Jets as a springboard for a $27 million package in Oakland, and defensive tackle Seth Payne abruptly inked with his Texans after returning from a trip to New York.



A similar phenomenon occurred a year ago, when cornerback Antoine Winfield looked to be ready to sign with the Jets before landing in Minnesota.



So stay tuned. We don't know whether the rumors are valid, but we'll keep our ears open for more info along these lines.



POSTED 2:31 p.m. EST; UPDATED 2:56 p.m. EST, March 3, 2005



RED CHIMES IN ON MOSS




Hard pressed to sit tight while former receiver Randy Moss sounds off on his perceived parsimoniousness, lame-duck Vikings owner Red McCombs said on Thursday that he nearly fired coach Mike Tice late in the 2004 season in order to motivate Moss.



According to the Associated Press, McCombs wanted so badly to "get a spark out of Randy" that he nearly pulled the trigger on Tice before Moss returned from a hamstring injury.



Asked about McCombs' comments, Tice joked that he thought about quitting last season, so he believes that he and the boss are even.



Frankly, it's hard for us not to view McCombs' words as sour grapes. Moss was hurt at the time, and just before he got hurt, he was torching the Saints with yet another highlight-reel performance. So what kind of a spark did he want?



If anything, McCombs should have fired Tice for not having the sack to tell Randy that it was dumb to play sparingly in two games after getting hurt before taking the time off that was needed to heal the injury.



Red also should have fired Tice for making like Archie Bunker's favorite son-in-law.



The fact that McCombs would even say with a straight face that he thought there was a causal link between dumping the coach and getting Moss to be all he can be makes us even more convinced that it was wise for Red to pocket his nine-figure profit and get out of the sport.



THURSDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS



The NFL Draft will be held at the Javits Convention Center in New York, designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei (we can hear Homer Simpson chuckling in the distance); the event was moved from Madison Square Garden after its owner tried to outbid the Jets for Manhattan real estate on which the team wants to build a stadium.



The Cardinals have claimed Vikings RB Larry Ned and Rhett Nelson off of waivers.



The Cowboys hope to be able to announce the acquisition of G Marco Rivera on Thursday.



The Cards are hosting four free agents: QB Kurt Warner, OT Oliver Ross, TE Itula Mili, and LB Orlando Huff.



The Browns hosted Ravens P Kyle Richardson and Bucs G Cosey Coleman on Thursday.

[ALinChainz]

by Profootballtalk editor Mike Florio



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POSTED 10:41 p.m. EST, March 3, 2005



ROLLE RUNS BETTER THAN EXPECTED



Word out of South Florida is that "U" cornerback Antrell Rolle ran in the high 4.4s to the low 4.5s at his March 3 Pro Day workout. Not bad for a guy who wasn't considered to be a speed burner.



Rolle, a physical cover man who might have had greater value before the renewed emphasis on the illegal contact rule, could ultimately be moved to safety. For now, his time in the 40 keeps him squarely among the top two guys at the position in the upcoming draft.



The other elite corner in this year's crop is Adam "Pac-Man" Jones of West Virginia. Jones is scheduled to run at WVU's March 11 Pro Day workout, and yours truly will try to get inside the building with a stop watch and a cell phone, so that his numbers can be instantly posted.



POSTED 7:04 p.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 7:56 p.m. EST, March 3, 2005



CLARETT BARRED FROM OSU WORKOUT



It's safe to say that Maurice Clarett is having a bad week.



Tom Friend of ESPN The Magazine reports that Clarett has been asked not to participate in the Ohio State Pro Day workout scheduled for March 9.



Because Clarett is no longer enrolled at Ohio State and hasn't played for the Buckeyes in more than a year, the school may choose to preclude him from the annual session for prospective draft picks from the school.



And choose it did.



"[T]hey would not allow Maurice to participate," said agent Josh Luchs, "because, first and foremost, he does not meet their criteria. And then [sports information director Steve Snapp] said, 'Look, we wish him well, but we also feel it would be a distraction for the other players who are trying to showcase their talents for NFL teams.' Well, the last thing Maurice wants to do is be a detriment to the other players. Out of respect to them, we accept and understand their position, and are going to do it elsewhere."



The rules permit players to work out at their schools or in their home towns. Clarett likely will run for scouts on April 1 in his native Youngstown, the same day that quarterback Charley Frye will work out in Akron. Luchs and Steve Feldman plan to bus scouts the 50 miles from Akron to Youngstown after Frye works out.



"We understand NFL people have a lot of travel to do, to see these prospects at their private workouts," Luchs said. "So we'd like to select April 1 to make it as easy as possible for these NFL teams, many of which will be in Akron."



The real question, as we see it, is whether any of them will get on the bus after Frye finishes up.



THURSDAY EVENING ONE-LINERS



The Panthers have pounced on G Mike Wahle and CB Ken Lucas.



The Rams have signed LB Chris Claiborne, who'll joins LB Dexter Coakley in Millennium Blue and New Century Gold (which are the gayest names of colors we've ever heard next to Honolulu Blue) in 2005.



The Fins hosted on Thursday DE Tony Bryant of the Saints and Panthers CB Traveras Tillman.



Dolphins DE Bryan "Dude Looks Like A Lady" Robinson visited the Bengals on Thursday.



Browns TE Kellen Winslow addressed the media regarding his comeback from a broken leg; we wonder whether anyone asked him about the failure of his agents to insert the trigger for his minimum play-time bonus into future years.



Dolphins LB Morlon Greenwood got some greenbacks from the Texans.



The Jags cleared $3.5 million in cap room by cutting CB Dewayne Washington, CB Juran Bolden, and FB Marc Edwards.



The Chargers signed Packers S Bhawoh Jue (gesundheit) to a three-year deal on Thursday.



The Giants have parted ways with WR Ike Hilliard.



The Redskins have inked Pats WR David Patten.



The Raiders have released G Ron Stone and LB DeLawrence Grant.

[redblkwht]

Any updates on the Bears AI?
I read grossman dropped a few hints on an interview today.

[ALinChainz]

Other than they are having Warner in for a visit, and probably Brad Johnson and they may be thinking runningback at #4 instead of a WR like everyone has them pegged as taking there (Edwards, Williams).



Bears | Ross an Option? - from www.KFFL.com
Thu, 3 Mar 2005 12:35:42 -0800

Terry Bannon, of the Chicago Tribune, reports the Chicago Bears are seeking an offensive tackle in free agency and could pursue free agent OT Oliver Ross (Steelers).


Bears | McKenzie an Option? - from www.KFFL.com
Thu, 3 Mar 2005 12:35:13 -0800

Terry Bannon, of the Chicago Tribune, reports the Chicago Bears are seeking an offensive tackle in free agency and could pursue free agent OT Kareem McKenzie (Jets).


Bears | Interested in Reese - from www.KFFL.com
Thu, 3 Mar 2005 12:34:20 -0800

Terry Bannon, of the Chicago Tribune, reports the Chicago Bears are in the market for an outside linebacker and may have interest in free agent LB Ike Reese (Eagles).


Bears | Johnson to Visit - from www.KFFL.com
Thu, 3 Mar 2005 12:34:13 -0800

Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports free agent QB Brad Johnson (Buccaneers) will visit with the Chicago Bears sometime next week.


Bears | Warner to Visit - from www.KFFL.com
Thu, 3 Mar 2005 12:33:03 -0800

Updating an earlier report, Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports free agent QB Kurt Warner (Giants) will visit the Chicago Bears Friday, March 4.


Bears | Fiedler to Visit - from www.KFFL.com
Thu, 3 Mar 2005 12:17:56 -0800

Terry Bannon, of the Chicago Tribune, reports free agent QB Jay Fiedler (Dolphins) will visit the Chicago Bears sometime next week.


:D