The Rumor Mill

[ALinChainz]

Thomas Jones: Subject of Trade Rumors

RotoWire.com Staff - RotoWire.com

Sunday, April 23, 2006

Update: Amid trade rumors, Jones fired agent Tom Condon and signed with Drew Rosenhaus. In addition, he has stopped reporting for Chicago's voluntary offseason program, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Recommendation: With last year's first round draft pick Cedric Benson on the bench, there were bound to be trade rumors now that Jones' value is at its highest point following a 1,335 yard season. General manager Jerry Angelo did not deny an ESPN Internet report linking Jones to Indianapolis, but coach Lovie Smith insists that the Bears need at least two good backs to commit to the run game.

[ALinChainz]

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

POSTED 1:53 p.m. EDT, April 24, 2006

HEISMAN TRUST LOOKING AT STRIPPING TROPHY?

Though we can't yet find anything about this on the 'Net, the Heisman Trophy Trust is looking at the situation involving 2005 award winner Reggie Bush, and the highest honor on the NCAA totem pole could ultimately be stripped.

In a Monday appearance on The Dan Patrick Show, Joe Schad of ESPN.com reports that the Heisman committee is meeting to discuss what could or should happen. Schad says that the Heisman ballot specifically says that the winner must be in complete compliance with all relevant NCAA bylaws.

Schad also told Patrick that attorney David Cornwell says that the Bush family will "cooperate fully" with any Pac-10 or NCAA investigation.


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POSTED 1:20 p.m. EDT, April 24, 2006

CORNWELL SPEAKS REGARDING REGGIE

After ducking inquiries from Jason Cole of the Miami Herald for much of the last week, attorney David Cornwell has issued a statement regarding the controversy that is now engulfing USC tailback Reggie Bush.

''Mr. and Mrs. LaMar Griffin previously leased a house in the San Diego area from a San Diego businessman, Michael Michaels. They are no longer living in the house,'' David Cornwell wrote in a statement sent by e-mail to Cole (and presumably others) at 2:40 a.m. on Monday.

''Reggie Bush was a full-time student at the University of Southern California and never lived in the house," Cornwell said. "As is the case with most 20-year-old college students, Reggie was not aware of personal or financial arrangements relating to his parents or their house. Mr. and Mrs. Griffin now realize that, given Reggie's public profile, their personal decisions can reflect on their son."

Looks good in print, but it really doesn't answer anything. Instead, it raises more questions.

If the house was rented to the Griffins, where's the lease? How much did they pay? Did the release permit them to vacate the premises within 24 hours after someone started asking questions about the living arrangements? Were they already planning to move before reporters started asking questions last week?

Cornwell's statement also ignores the reality that the receipt of benefits by the family of a student-athlete from an agent renders the player automatically ineligible. Automatically. Regardless of whether Reggie knows about it, or whether USC knows about it.

As one league insider explained to us on Monday morning, the efforts of Team Bush to throw water on this emerging mess are far too late. As the source opined, agent Joel Segal should have taken prompt action to get the family out of the house and to repay the fair value of the rent before it became a matter of national media interest.

We're hearing that rumors of the Bush family living in a house owned by a prospective agent have been making the rounds for months, and that no one ever really bothered to look into the situation. If that's true, then Segal should have put a lid on this thing long before the media blew the lid off of it.

The fact that the Griffins apparently fled once the feces his the ceiling fan just looks bad. If they weren't doing something that they shouldn't have been doing, why run away?


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POSTED 11:18 a.m. EDT, April 24, 2006

BEARS' HANDS TIED ON MANNING

Reggie Bush isn't the only guy with SoCal ties making news on Monday morning. Former UCLA defensive back Ricky Manning Jr., who signed on Friday an offer sheet with the Bears, has been arrested in Los Angeles and charged with assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly knocking a man unconscious at a Westwood Denny's. Manning and four or five of his friends reportedly were teasing the man because he was (drum roll, please) working on a laptop computer.

(Man, this sounds like a deleted scene from Crash. Or Playmakers.)

The man reportedly asked a Denny's employee to intervene, and then Manning reportedly hit the man in the face. The others then began to kick him and beat him. Allegedly. The men fled when an employee called the police.

Manning's Range Rover fit the description given by witnesses, and then the alleged victim identified Manning. Of course, Manning has told his agent that he didn't do it. (If he goes to jail, he'll fit right in, 'cause none of those guys who are locked up did it, either.)

The bigger question is whether Chicago can now revoke the offer sheet that, if not matched by the Panthers, will make Manning a member of the Bears. According to Article XIX, Section 3(d) of the old CBA, an offer sheet can be revoked only upon the written consent of the player. (This specific provision was not affected by the term sheet generated in connection with the "new" CBA; thus, the language of Article XIX, Section 3(d) likely controls.)

If ultimately convicted, Manning faces possible discipline under the league's Personal Conduct Policy. For persons merely charged with crimes, however, the league can only require a "clinical evaluation and, if appropriate, additional counseling or treatment as directed."

Despite reports that Carolina has until Friday to make up its mind as to whether to match the offer, we noticed in Article XIX, Section 3(b) of the CBA a requirement that the intent to match be communicated "within seven days from the date the Prior Club receives an Offer Sheet, but not later than four days before the Draft."

Under this language, it appears that the deadline for matching is noon on Tuesday, April 25.

We won't hold our breath.


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POSTED 8:54 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 9:29 a.m. EDT, April 24, 2006

CARAVANTES ADMITS THAT MICHAELS WAS TRYING TO SCORE HIM SOME BUSH

The San Diego Union-Tribune has now chimed in on the major scandal that unfolded in its own backyard, and that two journalists from other locales broke before the paper of record for the city of San Diego.

Agent David Caravantes tells the Union-Tribune that the owner of the house in which the Bush family lived (possibly for free) was trying to get Caravantes included in the pool of potential representatives for Bush.

"They were trying to get me in front of [Bush] during the interview process, which I was never a part of,” Caravantes said. "They didn't try to recruit him for me. They thought it would be a good idea to have everything in San Diego. I think their concept was that they were going to deal with marketing, and they [needed] an agent.

"If things worked out, we were going to try to put something together [to become business partners]. But everything was in waiting to see if they landed (Bush) to do the marketing. Nothing came of it."

Though Caravantes claims that "[t]hey didn't try to recruit him for me," the rest of his quote indicates that that's precisely what they were doing.

And the "they" here is the owner of the house, known both as "Michael Chief Michaels" and "Michael Pettiford," and Lloyd Lake, who currently is in federal prison. According to the Union-Tribune, "Michaels was arrested under his Pettiford name in October 1999 on felony charges of making terrorist threats and discharging a firearm in a negligent manner in an incident involving current Sycuan Tribal Chairman Daniel Tucker," but the charges were dropped in 2000 due to lack of evidence.

Caravantes' statements suggest that there is no relationship between himself and New Era. This conflicts with the information that our tech guy Sean found on Sunday, which indicates that offensive lineman Jabari Levey of South Carolina is represented by New Era Sports & Entertainment -- and David Caravantes.

The strangest thing about the article in the Union-Tribune is that the paper apparently has known about this issue for a while. So we wonder whether the U-T ever would have said word one about this matter if its hands hadn't been forced by other journalists.

After all, the U-T will be angling for access to its native son as he launches his NFL career. And there's nothing like exercising a little editorial restraint in order to unlock a stream of inside information regarding Bush and his journey in pro football.


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TMQ RETURNING TO ESPN

We've learned that Gregg Easterbook's popular Tuesday Morning Quarterback column is heading back to ESPN.com, after an extended stay at NFL.com.

Easterbook's witty and insightful (and incredibly detailed and prolific) take on each weekend's slate of games, and all sorts of other stuff, landed on the league's official site after ESPN.com severed ties with Easterbook in the wake of some unfortunate comments regarding Jewish movie executives.

Easterbrook's return will come on Tuesday, April 25, with his annual mocking of the mock draft process.

Our suggestion for pick No. 3? "Michael Michaels a/k/a Michael Pettiford, the only guy who has shown that he might be able to take down Reggie Bush."


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SOMEBODY IN MINNESOTA "GETS IT," THANKFULLY

Major kudos and other indicia of respect and admiration to Jim Souhan of the Minneapolis Star Tribune for calling out Vikings director of player personnel Fran Foley for his multiple resume inaccuracies.

"One clerical error, one oversight, one mistake, even one small embellishment might be understandable," writes Souhan. "For Foley to inflate his importance even at insignificant junctures of his career should be worrisome to the Vikings brass. . . . Foley was chosen over internal candidates Scott Studwell and Jeff Robinson. As far as we know, Studwell and Robinson are, if nothing else, competent known quantities with many years of service to their franchise on their uninflated resumes. . . .

"Maybe [Foley's] a swell guy who will do a great job, but I'm surprised an organization that is trying to portray itself as pristine and savvy would do so little research on a major hire, or would offer so little public reaction to the Star Tribune's stories on Foley."

Amen, Jim.

Frankly, we're amazed that neither the AP nor any other national outlet picked up the Star Tribune's Friday night story containing information regarding four additional errors in Foley's bio. And Foley promptly should send to USC tailback Reggie Bush a fruit basket (or, you know, a whole house), since it is the Bush family fiasco that will keep Foley's foibles off of the national radar screen.


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POSTED 8:25 a.m. EDT, April 24, 2006

BUSH BROUHAHA BUILDS

On Sunday morning, a search of the terms "reggie" and "bush" in Google News generated nothing but articles regarding the draft.

It's less than 24 hours later, and man has the world changed.

Reports of the family of USC tailback Reggie Bush possibly receiving benefits from a prospective agent in violation of NCAA rules have exploded, with links to the story on newspaper web sites throughout the country. The item also appears on the front page of ESPN.com and Foxsports.com. There was a story about it on SportsCenter, too.

The latest? According to the Los Angeles Times, the Pac-10 conference will conduct an investigation into the matter.

But there already are signs that the powers-that-be will push this thing under the rug.

Ron Barker, the associate commissioner for enforcement of the Pac-10, said that the matter could be "tricky" because Bush has no eligibility left. Barker also told the Times that "much would hinge on what, if any, cooperation Bush's family might provide."

What the hell is that? So if the Bush family refuses to provide any info as to where they lived or what they paid, then the case is closed?

We think that if the Bush bunch won't talk, then they should be presumed guilty, based on the media reports that already have been published. Indeed, the onus should be on LaMar Griffin and Denise Griffin, Reggie's stepfather and mother, to prove that they paid at least fair market rent for the house owned by Michael Michaels, who apparently also owns New Era Sports & Entertainment, which as we reported on Sunday apparently is working with agent David Caravantes in the representation of at least one draft-eligible prospect, South Carolina offensive lineman Jabari Levey.

Of course, conducting a legitimate investigation might require the Pac-10 and/or the NCAA to stick a fork into the golden goose otherwise known as the USC football program. And with the NCAA, the Pac-10, and/or USC earning millions from the success of the program (since, among other things, there's no pro football team in Los Angeles), the last thing that the NCAA and/or the Pac-10 ever will do is declare that Bush was ineligible for one or more games for 2005, that USC knew or should have known that Bush's parents were living in a $757,000 house on a possibly low-or-no-rent basis, that USC should therefore forfeit its 12 wins from 2005, and that the Pac-10 should surrender the money earned by virtue of USC's appearance in the Rose Bowl.

To justify a finding of ineligibility, the key will be to establish that the Griffins didn't pay fair value for their 2005 stay in the Michaels house -- and that Michaels was an "agent" at the time. Defining "agent" could be challenging, since it's possible that Michaels was merely an aspiring sports marketing agent at the time.

Based on Sunday's reports, however, it appears that there was some overlap between the 2005 football season and the launch of New Era Sports & Entertainment.

One of the key figures in this regard could be James Choe, who registered the newerasports.tv web domain. Choe surely knows who hired him to set up the site, which as we reported on Sunday was registered on November 2, 2005, and Choe likely knows whether Michaels was involved in the business.

Indeed, Choe has contacted us regarding the publication of his name and contact information in this space yesterday afternoon:

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Dear Mike,

It was brought to my attention by friends within the sports industry that my name and personal contact information were part of your Reggie Bush Probe article. I’ve actually enjoyed your articles, just never thought I would soon become part of an unfortunate situation in sports.

I hope I can write to you and have you take my concerns honestly. I am a marketing consultant, I provide services for many businesses throughout California and help them develop identities, print collateral, websites (not really), and others. My main business is a clothing company that has been halted for some time now due to partnership issues, however, just to preserve my identity and that of my roommates, I was hoping you could remove my personal home address and contact information.

The reason my info is on the domain newerasports.tv is because I did register the domain, it was part of a package for new era, and they to this day, have not paid me in full for my services. Hence the information remains under my name. I changed it today, because already I have been receiving phone calls from journalists, etc., digging for information. And it is starting to become a bit discomforting.

I respect your work, and what it requires, but all I am asking is a favor to remove my information. I work hard at what I do, and cannot have anything disrupt work with my current clients. Let me know if there is anything else I can do, I appreciate your immediate attention.

Thanks, and keep up the good work.

James.

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We agreed to remove the information, in the hopes that Choe would provide us with some information regarding the persons who hired him to register the newerasports.tv domain -- and thereafter apparently failed to pay him. But Choe clammed up, claiming in part that he's not aware of any of the details.

Still, he's surely aware of the names of the folks who hired him to perform work for New Era. Although we won't re-publish Choe's contact info, we ask the NCAA to drop us a line if the organization is intent on conducting a real investigation.

And that's what we'll be watching most carefully going forward. Will the Pac-10 and/or the NCAA delve into this matter as aggressively as the media has, or will the folks with jurisdiction over Bush and USC merely presume that the Griffins got out of the house so quickly last week due to an infestation of poltergeists?


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POSTED 12:45 a.m. EDT, April 24, 2006

COLE CONFIRMS BUSH REPORT

Jason Cole of the Miami Herald confirms many of the details first reported on Sunday by Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports regarding Reggie Bush and the apparently free teepee in which his family was residing during the 2005 season.

New tidbits from Cole include a revelation that Bush has hired lawyer David Cornwell to handle the matter. Cornwell has basically stonewalled Cole's efforts to get answers regarding the situation.

Cole also addresses the primary question regarding this situation: What does it all mean to Bush, and to USC?

Citing NCAA bylaw 12.3.1 and an NCAA rules guide for student-athletes, Cole suggests that Bush might have been ineligible for the entire 2005 season.

The controlling language, based on our own review of the NCAA bylaws, seems to come from Rule 12.3.1.2(b):

12.3.1.2 Benefits from Prospective Agents. An individual shall be ineligible per Bylaw 12.3.1 if he or she (or his or her relatives or friends) accepts transportation or other benefits from:

(a) Any person who represents any individual in the marketing of his or her athletics ability. The receipt of such expenses constitutes compensation based on athletics skill and is an extra benefit not available to the student body in general; or

(b) An agent, even if the agent has indicated that he or she has no interest in representing the student-athlete in the marketing of his or her athletics ability or reputation and does not represent individuals in the student-athlete's sport.

As Dante suggested in the April 23 PFT PodCast, Bush likely will be screwed on this one if his family did not pay a fair rental price during their stay in the house owned by Michael Michaels, an aspiring sports marketing agent. Cole indicates that, even if market value was tendered to Michaels, there still could be problems for Reggie due to the fact that the NCAA frowns on relationships between athletes and agents.

The consequences of a violation are still unclear. If this situation had come to light during the season, Bush automatically would have been ruled ineligible -- and USC would have been required to petition for his reinstatement. Even if Bush's family had paid over to Michaels the full value of the benefits received (if any), Bush might have missed a game, or more.

Now that the season has been finished, what happens? It's a question that we and others will be considering very carefully over the coming days and weeks.

Meanwhile, Vince Young might want to start working on a belated Heisman pose.


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POSTED 10:58 p.m. EDT, April 23, 2006

IF REGGIE IS INELIGIBLE, WHAT HAPPENS TO THE HEISMAN?

A great question that several readers have raised in the wake of the jarring revelation that the family of former USC tailback Reggie Bush apparently was living for free in a house owned by a guy who wanted to handle Reggie's marketing work is what happens to Bush's Heisman trophy if the NCAA ultimately finds that Reggie was ineligible for the 2005 season?

Our best guess is that Bush would lose the trophy, and that it would go to Texas quarterback Vince Young, who finished second in the voting.

And though we're not suggesting that Bush eventually will have to turn over the biggest individual prize awarded in college sports, this thing easily could spin out of control -- especially since the Yahoo! Sports story has been picked up by the AP and will get a lot more play on Monday as the national talking heads begin to focus on the story.

It's not exactly the kind of attention that the Bush family was hoping to receive five days before the draft, but none of them should be surprised by the fact that their apparent decision to accept a benefit from someone who wanted to represent Reggie has been exposed.

Meanwhile, look for other journalists with more resources that us to dig deeper into the relationship between the owner of the house, Michael Michaels, and agent David Caravantes. As we explained earlier on Sunday, it appears that Michaels and Caravantes are working together in the representation of South Carolina tackle Jabari Levey. Since Caravantes is certified by the NFLPA, he might be hearing (as soon as Monday) from the union regarding his role, if any, in the acquisition of the house.

Also, the fact that Caravantes used to practice with Joel Segal -- who now represents Bush -- could prompt the NFLPA to take a look-see at whether there was any connection between Segal and the house owned by Michaels.

This one is a mess, folks. And we think it's gonna get a lot messier, quickly.


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POSTED 5:04 p.m. EDT, April 23, 2006

BUSH FAMILY WAS THE BENEFICIARY OF INDIAN GIVER

Kudos to Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports for being the first to report that USC tailback Reggie Bush is the previously unnamed first-round prospect whose family had been living (free of charge, apparently) in a house paid for by a budding agent from an Indian tribe.

Robinson reports that Bush's family abruptly packed up and moved out of the San Diego home within 24 hours after Yahoo! Sports started asking Bush's mother, Denise Griffin, questions about information linking the house to Michael Michaels, who allegedly has a role in steering Bush toward an agent.

Per Robinson, Michaels is a member of the Sycuan Indian Tribe and a business development officer for the tribe's development corporation. He failed to return multiple calls from Robinson, and claimed to be unavailable when Robinson dropped by his home on three occasions this weekend.

The Sycuan tribe denied any knowledge of Michaels' relationship with the Bush family. The tribe owns a casino and a resort.

Robinson reports that Michaels bought the house in which Bush's family had been living for $757,000 in March 2005. Neighbors told Yahoo! Sports that the Griffins (Bush's stepfather, mother, and brother -- not Peter, Meg, Stewie, etc.) moved in at about that same time. Michaels is the only person listed on the deed, even though an inscription on one of the cement slabs reads "The Griffins '05."

Michaels and an associate named Lloyd Lake reportedly contacted San Diego-based agent David Caravantes regarding the possibility of recruiting Bush. Michaels was looking for an NFLPA-certified agent to handle the football contracts of players that Michaels intended to sign to his marketing firm, which Michaels reportedly planned to launch under the name of "New Era Sports and Entertainment."

Robinson found a potential web site for New Era Sports. Our tech guy Sean has determined via his own Internet sleuthing techniques that the domain was created on November 2, 2005, and that the administrative contact is James Choe of New Era Sports & Entertainment. (Editor's note: We have removed the address and phone number at the request of James Choe. It appears that he has been flooded with calls from journalists in the hours since we initially posted his contact information in this space.) Sean also found a myspace.com profile of a kid from Nebraska who claims that he'll be working for "New Era Sports & Entertainment" in La Jolla, California in May 2006, another myspace profile of a guy who claims to be the "Director of Recruitment" for "New Era Sports Marketing & Entertainment" in San Diego, and the cache of a third myspace profile of a guy known as "Haterproof Homey," who lists "New Era Sports & Entertainment" as one of his "companies."

Finally, Sean found reference to "New Era Sports & Entertainment" as the agency for South Carolina offensive lineman Jabari Levey.

The contact agent? David Caravantes.

Bottom line -- Robinson's report seems to be right on the money.

So what does all of this mean? Not much for Bush. He'll still be drafted where he otherwise would have been drafted. And he'll still likely earn as much money via endorsements as he otherwise would have earned -- unless, of course, the free lodging for his family is merely the tip of a bigger iceberg that expands into a major national story.

Regardless of how it might affect Bush, this whole thing could get very interesting for the folks at Southern Cal. Since the Griffins apparently were living in the house during the 2005 season, the NCAA could eventually rule that Bush was ineligible -- and likewise could require the Trojans to forfeit all of their 2005 victories. Though we doubt for now that such an extreme outcome will result, Robinson reports that USC has referred the matter to the Pac-10 for an investigation.

Our own take on the whole thing is that it was stupid and/or arrogant for the Griffins to think that they could squat in the house bought by Michaels without giving anything to Michaels in return, and without the matter ever coming to light. We've heard that, for the past two months or so, Michaels had been trying to get his money back for the house and/or threatening to take the whole thing public. So why didn't the Griffins get the hell out of the house long before someone showed up and started asking questions?

More importantly, why did they accept free lodging from Michaels in the first place? Did they have no appreciation of the problems it could cause for Bush and the Trojans?

And why wouldn't USC be keeping closer watch on the activities of the family members of the players most likely to be targets for benefits from agents and marketing companies?

Stay tuned for more on this one.

[ALinChainz]

Catch all the previous installments at ProFootballTalk.com or fantasyoutlaws.com.

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

POSTED 9:02 p.m. EDT, May 12, 2006

WOY DEFENDS DRIVER DEAL

On Thursday, we suggested that the failure of agent Jordan Woy to disclose the bonus structure of receiver Donald Driver's new contract with the Packers was evidence that the bonus structure, well, wasn't all that good.

On Friday, we heard from Woy.

"I did give a statement to the press regarding Donald Driver's new two year extension," Woy wrote in an e-mail. "However, I was asked by Driver and the team not to disclose certain information."

But Woy was candid regarding certain other information. Here's what he had to say.

"The Driver deal was outstanding under the circumstances," Woy said. "Donald is 31 years old and had two years remaining on his contract for salaries of approximately $1.36 million and $1.86 million. After witnessing what Javon Walker went through I was amazed and very happy we were able to get accomplished what we did. We did it behind the scenes without any bad blood between Donald and the front office and no bad press for Donald in a town that idolizes their stars.

"Donald had no interest in leaving Green Bay," Woy explained. "He also told the team he would NEVER hold out. Andrew Brandt and Ted Thompson knew these things about Donald and could have really squeezed us. In fact, they did for a number of months. I had meetings with both of them several times face to face just to inch up their offers. We continued to point out over and over again why it was fair for them to take care of Donald in his final years and pay him accordingly. In the end, after a lot of debate, they did. Javon Walker was 23 with a great future in front of him but he was unable to get an extension in Green Bay. Many teams would have jumped to do an extension. Green Bay is not one of those teams. They keep their salaries tight and are no big on re-doing deals until they are up.

"Donald's deal is an outstanding deal given his age. He could have played it out and been a free agent at 33. Their is no telling what could happen in those two years and how much someone would pay a 33 year old receiver. As I told the Packers, 'It is time for the good guys to get taken care of.' I think NFL players get tired of only seeing the players who make scenes of themselves in public and fight with the teams in public get deals. Players like Donald, who came into the league as a 7th rounder from Alcorn State and who has been outstanding citizen should get taken care of. A lot of times they don't. I am happy when all players get paid large amounts of money. It is just nice when players like Donald Driver can get paid without going through a public mess and threatening to hold out or be traded."

Last month, Driver denied an ESPN report that he had asked to be traded if his deal was not restructured. The fact that the team "squeezed" Driver "for a number of months" makes us wonder whether there's any truth to the notion that Woy got frustrated during the process and asked for Driver to be dealt.


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FRIDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

The Lions will get a sixth-round draft choice in 2007 from the Fins for QB Joey Harrington, which will upgrade to a fifth-round selection if Harrington reaches playing-time thresholds.

Browns CB Daylon McCutcheon has graduated from college seven years after leaving it.

Team Tangini finally takes the field.

Like many pro athletes, Warrick Dunn is helping single mothers "get their start". (Unlike many pro athletes, Dunn's efforts involve no actual physical contact.)

Xbox 360 of PS3? For Madden fans, "X" marks the spot.

Holy crap -- a Titan not named Pacman Jones is facing criminal charges.

The Chiefs have signed OT Ian Allen.

"We Hosted A Super Bowl And All We Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt . . . And $20 Million in Tax Revenues."

Two former Rutgers players have been invited to the Jets' minicamp.

The Vikings reportedly won't hire a replacement for Fran Foley.

The Eagles have dumped C Dominic Furio.

Attorney Jeffrey Kessler won't say whether Fran Foley is a candidate for jobs in Houston or St. Louis. (Or maybe Kessler couldn't get out a response through the laughter at the notion that anyone would touch this guy.)


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POSTED 5:12 p.m. EDT, May 12, 2006

WHIZZINATOR WON'T MAKE MUCH IN CANADA

In response to news that former Vikings running back Onterrio Smith will play for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL, we're hearing that the guy who pissed away his NFL career through a Whizzinator won't make much money during his Canadian detour.

Initial indications are that Smith will receive a base salary of $60,000 Canadian, and a whopping per-game bonus of $500 Canadian.

Based on current exchange rates, that $54,000 in U.S. dollars for base pay, and $450 in U.S. currency per game.

But Smith obviously is doing this with another American payday in mind. There are NFL scouts who believe Smith can still perform effectively, and Smith's play in Canada will be monitored closely.

Smith was suspended by the league for a year in May 2005. After a recent attempt at reinstatement failed, the Vikings released him. He is now eligible to be reinstated in October.

During his limited time with the Vikings, Smith was effective. He rushed for 579 yards on 107 carries in 2003, and he ran for 544 yards on 124 carries in 2004. He also caught 36 passes for 394 yards and returned nine kicks for 155 yards in 2004, giving him more than 1,000 all-purpose yards despite serving a four-game suspension for violation of the substance abuse policy.


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POSTED 12:46 p.m. EDT, May 12, 2006

TEXANS PLAYERS STUNG BY SCAM ARTIST

A 21-year-old Texas man has been charged with fleecing multiple victims out of millions of dollars.

And at least ten of his marks are members of the Houston Texans football team.

According to KTRX-TV, Darrick Moore has been arrested in connection with an investment scam that allegedly ensnared many people. Authorities claim that he operated from him home "a mortgage and auto loan scam" using "'straw buyers -- people he paid to use their credit to buy the homes or cars.'"

Texans safety Jason Simmons is one of the victims, and Simmons was at Moore's home when the fuzz hit the fan. "What are you going to do, arrest me too?" Simmons asked the law enforcement officials who arrived to retrieve Moore and to confiscate computers, file, and other items.

Simmons reportedly "invested" $450,000 in the operation.

Moore denies any wrondoing. "I'm a black guy who has helped a lot of ball players save a lot of money, invest a lot of money," he said. "And they can't deal with it."

Coincidentally, Moore is on parole for "engaging in organized criminal activity and also filing false information on a title application."


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POSTED 9:42 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 12:18 p.m. EDT, May 12, 2006

STORM LOOMING OVER ROOKIE SIGNINGS

There's talk in league circles that the coming wave of rookie contract negotiations could be more contentious than any round of talks that the league has ever experienced.

The problem, as we explained a couple of weeks ago in connection with the Texans' efforts to get the first overall pick signed, is that at a time when the salary cap has surged by 20 percent over 2005, the rookie salary pool is up by only five percent.

Further complicating matters is that signing bonus money can be prorated over only five years (the limit moves back to six in 2007), and the maximum length of the deals for the top half of the round is six years. (For the bottom half of round one, the limit is five seasons.) Then there's the so-called 25-percent rule, which states that in each year after the rookie season the player's compensation can increase only by 25 percent of his first-year salary, minus signing bonus.

Meanwhile, we hear that the NFLPA is pushing agents to get a 20 percent increase on guaranteed money over what guys in the same slot received in 2005. It's asinine, in light of the limits that the NFLPA allowed to be inserted into the new CBA.

Though attempting to explain and/or digest the details can induce insomnia and/or brain tumors, the end result is that a mess is on the horizon. Signing bonuses will be small and/or nonexistent, replaced instead by roster bonuses and other devices aimed at pumping up the basis for the application of the 25 percent rule. In some cities, teams might have to choose not to sign one or more low-round picks, since it could very well require a disproportionate share of the total rookie pool allotment to sign the first-round pick.

In Houston, for example, defensive end Mario Williams' first-year cap number should have been $2.83 million, which would have represented a five-percent climb over Alex Smith's $2.7 mllion cap number in 2005. But the Williams number is $2.9 million, which means that there will be $70,000 less in first-year money for the team's other draft picks.

In theory, then, it makes sense for teams and agents to get started negotiating deals now. The problem, however, is that the agents like to wait to see how other deals turn out before pulling the trigger. This year, there could be even more guys dragging their feet.

Unlike other seasons, the guys who don't strike their deals in time could end up being forced to take a bad deal -- or worse. The team can, if it chooses, hold the player's rights through the 2006 season, forcing him to sit out and preventing him from getting paid.


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HARRINGTON HEADING TO MIAMI

After weeks of discussion and debate, which included at one point accusations of a CBA violation, the Lions and Dolphins finally have reached an agreement that will send quarterback Joey Harrington, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2002 draft, to Miami.

No terms were available. The Dolphins had most recently offered a sixth-round pick in 2007.

During the draft, word broke that the Lions were trying to trade Harrington to the Browns, but that Harrington was refusing to entertain the possibility of working out a new contract with Cleveland because he already had a deal with the Fins. The Lions complained to the league, which reminded the morons in Motown that they created the situation by allowing Harrington to try to work out a deal with a new team in order to facilitate the trade.

Harrington was due to receive a $4 million roster bonus on June 15, which gave him plenty of leverage. If a trade hadn't been completed before that date, the Lions' only option would have been to cut him. For the Lions, the only leverage was that they could keep Harrington out of the offseason program in Miami until mid-June by refusing to cut him until the latest possible date.


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FRIDAY EARLY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

The Jaguars claim, sort of, that WR Jimmy Smith's retirement decision had nothing to do with drug testing: "I'm not aware of any other issues influencing the decision other than what he said at the press conference," said team spokesman Dan Edwards.

At least one guy, however, is giving Smith the benefit of the doubt.

The Texans could be acquiring RB Michael Bennett from the Saints.

Super Bowl XL MVP Hines Ward is trying to dance around comments from this week's SI regarding his relationship with Coach Chin.

The Titans finally have met with CB Ty Law (but with only $100,000 in cap room, they can't sign him until they trade or release Steve McNair).

Jets QB Chad Pennington wants to be better than he was, before his shoulder exploded. Twice.

The Big Show has confirmed that he wants to coach the Seahawks beyond 2006.

Good news: The Jags are only 1,250 shy of selling out their season ticket allotment. Bad news: The Jags' season ticket allotment is only 10,000. (We're kidding. We think.)

Chargers G.M. A. J. Smith thinks that former San Diego WR Reche Caldwell will have an impact in New England.

The Steelers will get their Super Bowl rings on June 2, after visiting the White House. (We pieced that information together through a search of phone records.)

Giants LB LaVar Arrington is ready to defer to DE Michael Strahan.

[ALinChainz]

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

POSTED 11:00 a.m. EDT, May 14, 2006

WEBSTER ON SHORT LIST IN ST. LOUIS

As the St. Louis print media continues to ignore the upheaval in the Rams' front office, we continue to hear that Buccaneers director of player personnel Ruston Webster quietly is emerging as a leading candidate to replace G.M. Charley Armey, once Armey is nudged out.

Webster's contract with the Bucs has expired, and he is considered to be a candidate for jobs in Houston, St. Louis, and Seattle. His first choice, we've heard, is Houston. The last choice presumably is Seattle, since it would essentially be a lateral move for Webster.

The strangest aspect of this story is that the Buccaneers apparently are making no effort of any kind to keep Webster. A year ago, the Bucs wouldn't let Webster interview for a position with the Seahawks, who are now run by former Tampa colleague Tim Ruskell. And the Bucs actually promoted Webster in 2005 from director of college scouting to his current gig. So our only guess is that Webster has made clear to the Bucs his desire to move on after 18 years with the same team.

We've previously heard that Rams president Jay Zygmunt wants to bring former Bills G.M. Tom Donahoe to the team. Some league insiders, however, believe that Donahoe has no chance to join the Rams.

Earlier this month, we reported that multiple scouts had been fired by the team. To date, there has been no mention of this development in the paper of record in St. Louis.


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POSTED 6:05 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 9:20 p.m. EDT, May 13, 2006

BRONCOS WON'T HESITATE TO DUMP JAVON

Although the agent for receiver Javon Walker believes that his client's 2007 payday of $10 million is protected by the fact that the Broncos shipped a second-round pick to Green Bay in order to acquire Walker's services, multiple league insiders are convinced that Denver coach Mike Shanahan won't think twice about dumping Walker if his performance, attitude, or any other factor suggests that Javon isn't worthy of the big-money portion of his new contract.

The Broncos signed Walker to a contract that will pay him $25 million over three years. Starting in year two. None of the payments are guaranteed, and Denver can dump him without consequence after the 2006 season, during which Walker will receive only $2.15 million.

Walker's agent, Kennard McGuire, believes that the lost second-rounder will be enough to dissuade the Broncos from cutting the cord. But these are the Broncos we're talking about. Coach Kevlar and company have squandered plenty of draft picks over the years, and Coack K is no closer to being on the hot seat today than he was when he won back-to-back Lombardis in the 1990s.

Just last year, Shanahan spent a third-round pick for Maurice Clarett. Since Clarett insisted on getting no signing bonus, preferring instead an incentive-laden deal, the Broncos were able to dump him without taking a cap hit. They did so, regardless of the fact that they were conceding that they'd blown a three.

Heck, Shanahan has pissed away plenty of first-round picks, and he's still standing. He drafted receiver Marcus Nash in 1998, and traded him for another stiff a year later. In 2000 and 2001, the Broncos selected Deltha O'Neal and Willie Middlebrooks, respectively, in round one. Both were later traded out of town for a bag of moldy peanuts and a block of lukewarm cheese.

Shanahan's record with drafting receivers on the first day of the draft isn't much better: Nash, Travis McGriff, Chris Cole, Ashley Lelie, and Darius Watts.

"He'll gladly give up a second-round pick for a guy that can play one year," said one league insider.

With quarterback Jake Plummer entering possibly the last year of his tenure as starter and No. 1 wideout Rod Smith on the tail end of his career, Shanahan is going for his third Super Bowl title right now -- and he'll worry about 2007 when 2007 gets here.

We're not saying that the Broncos have merely rented Walker for one season with no intention of keeping him. If he plays like a guy who deserves $25 million over three years in 2006, he'll get it.

But if he doesn't, he won't. And no one else will give it to him, either.

The other benefit that the Broncos have acquired is exclusive negotiating rights with Walker, in the event that it's obvious after the season that he doesn't deserve $25 million over three years. At that point, Walker and McGuire might decide that what the Broncos are offering by way of an adjustment to his contract is better than what Walker would get elsewhere.

Bottom line -- the "investment" of a second-round pick means squat to Shanahan, and Walker is in reality no closer to that huge payday now than he was with the Packers.

He's still got to earn it on the field in 2006.


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PETERSON WON'T BE PULLING A BOZ

The Seattle media reported this week that linebacker Julian Peterson will be wearing No. 44 in Seattle.

Lost on the Seattle media was the significance -- and fallacy -- of Peterson's new number.

NFL rules prohibit linebackers from wearing numbers in the 40s. Nearly 20 years ago, another Seahawks linebacker tried to finagle No. 44, and actually was able to wear the jersey for his first regular-season game after securing a temporary restraining order in a Court of law.

Brian Bosworth was the guy who wanted to sport his college number at the pro level, and in lieu of trying to get the NFL to change its rules, the Boz took a more aggressive approach. Bosworth and company eventually caved when it became obvious that the NFL's numbering system couldn't successfully be challenged through the litigation process.

Peterson, who wore No. 98 in San Francisco, had to give up that number in Seattle because it's already been claimed by Grant Wistrom. And the team's official roster shows that Peterson's number is actually 92.

Player can wear different numbers in practice, and that's presumably what Peterson is doing. In fact, he might in the end have to pick a number from 50 to 59, since numbers in the 90s are available to linebackers only if all of the numbers in the 50s are claimed. Currently, all of the numbers in the 50s are taken.


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SATURDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

Steelers WR Hines Ward will keep his last name taped above his facemask until he makes the team; "This is how I did it when I first got here, and I'm recommitting myself."

Jaguars RB Fred Taylor is back to 100 percent. (And he'll stay at 100 percent as long as he doesn't, you know, do anything.)

Lord Flutie is making a final decision on his plans for 2006 within a week; if/when he retires, he'll try his hand at broadcasting.

The Jets already like Kellen Clemens.

Jason Cole says Matt Millen must go.

Owners might be picking a location later this month for the team that eventually will play in L.A.

Rookie DT Barry Cofield could be the answer for the Giants.

The Eagles have re-signed RB Reno Mahe and S Quintin Mikell.

49ers WR Antonio Bryant is sucking up to the guy who'll be throwing him the ball.

The new Madden promises to pump up the running game.

Vikings coach Brad Childress is increasing the pace of minicamp practices.

Chiefs coach Herm Edwards has banned cell phones from the locker room, and he has also removed a pool table that Dick Vermeil had given to players.

[ALinChainz]

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

POSTED 10:02 a.m. EDT, May 15, 2006

MARCUS LANDING IN MIAMI?

Alex Marvez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and Greg Bedard of the Palm Beach Post report that the Miami Dolphins are negotiating a free-agent contract with former Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick.

But the baby brother of Falcons quarterback Michael Vick might ultimately say "no, thanks" to the Fins' offer. Coach Nick Saban wants to move Marcus to receiver -- and the CFL's Toronto Argonauts want Vick to play quarterback there.

Vick would make much more money in Miami, if he makes the roster. The NFL minimum rookie salary is $275,000.

Marcus was an invited participant at the Dolphins' recent rookie minicamp. He took snaps both at quarterback and receiver. On the final day of the camp, he lined up exclusively as a pass-catcher.

Marvez reports that Saban is "intrigued" by Vick following the tryout.


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PORTER PLANNING TO GIVE THE PREZ A PIECE OF HIS MIND

Steelers linebacker Joey Porter is looking forward to the team's visit to the White House on June 2 in celebration of their Super Bowl victory.

But not for the reasons that most folks anticipate a visit to the place when the President lives and works.

"Yeah, I got something to say to [George] Bush, I'm going to have a swagger when I walk in there, too," Porter said. "I'm looking forward to it. I have something to tell him, too. I don't like the way things are running right now. I feel like he has to give me some of my money back, so I got something to tell Bush."

Even if Porter is mildly exaggerating or completely kidding, it's not the kind of attempt humor that the men and women of the Secret Service ordinarily regard as funny. Our guess is that, at a minimum, Porter will get a stern talking to from someone in authority regarding his stated plans and, depending on what Porter says in response, he might not receive the requisite clearance to attend.

Or maybe he'll say all the right things in advance and then try to make a scene when he gets there. But the thing that Porter, who already has been shot once in his life, needs to keep in mind is that the folks in the Secret Service will be aiming a little higher than his ass if he crosses the line in the presence of the President.

Better still, perhaps Porter can display the area of his prior wound to Bush, a la Forrest Gump and LBJ.


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MONDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

The Pats brought in former New England CB Ty Law for a physical on May 12.

Eagles DE Jerome McDougle has the words "true" and "story" tattooed on each side of the scar resulting from the gunshot wound and ensuing surgery he experienced in 2005. (We would have gone with something like "Do not open until Christmas.")

New Jets coach Eric Mangini won't be cutting any slack to QB Chad Pennington.

Former Lions QB Joey Harrington talks about the demise of his Detroit career.

New Falcons S Lawyer Milloy thinks the team is ready to win.

WR Andre Reed will be the 23rd member of the Bills' Wall of Fame.

Rookie QB Tarvaris Jackson is turning heads at Vikings minicamp.

Uncle Rico's jersey has shot to the top of the list for rookies.

Jags WR/KR Chad Owens turned down the team's request that he play in NFL Europe, which might have been the kiss of death for his career with the team but for the recent retirement of Jimmy Smith.

We're taking bets on which Jaguar will be the first guy to poop in the team's new sandpit.

Even though he reduced his salary to stay with the team, we've got a feeling that RB Duce Staley won't be with the Steelers when the regular season starts.

Steelers S Troy Polamalu lobbied unsuccessfully for the team to keep former starting free safety Chris Hope.

A Sunday sign at the Steelers' minicamp locker room said "Call Your Mother Today."

Titans RB LenDale White is using his draft-day slide as motivation. (It would have been a lot cheaper if he would have just bought a Tony Robbins book in January. . . . Or a few less Ho Hos since then.)


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POSTED 9:42 p.m. EDT, May 14, 2006

GANNON VISITING THE BUCS

Our friends at PewterReport.com reports that former Raiders, Chiefs, Redskins, Vikings, and Patriots quarterback Rich Gannon will visit with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Tuesday, May 16.

When we first heard the news, we thought that Gannon might be mounting a comeback. But for now at least there's no plan for the former NFL MVP to come out of retirement to play for Tampa. Instead, Gannon will merely be in attendance for the team's OTA's.

Gannon last played in 2004, when a neck injury suffered in a game against the Bucs put him out for the balance of the year. Although many league insiders believed he might land in Tampa for 2005 with former Raiders coach Jon Gruden, Gannon opted instead for the broadcast booth (where, by the way, he's not very good).

In 2002, Gannon and the Raiders met Gruden and the Bucs in the Super Bowl, only one year after Gruden left Oakland. Gruden's intimate knowledge of Gannon's play enabled the Buccaneers to slice up the Raiders offense en route to a blowout win.

Gannon previously was out of football for a full season in 1994, before re-igniting his career with the Chiefs and Raiders.


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POSTED 8:22 p.m. EDT, May 14, 2006

SWEET PEA GOES SOUR

Colts defensive tackle Vincet "Sweet Pea" Burns is free on bail after allegedly trying to pull a Popeye on a Kentucky police officer Friday night.

Burns was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and menacing outside a Lexington nightclub. When asked by police to leave the area for a third time, Burns "pulled his shirt off and pulled his arm into a striking position" toward the officer.

Burns was a third-round pick of the Colts in 2005. He didn't play last year due to a knee injury.


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SUNDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

Redskins QB Jason Campbell is learning a new offense for the sixth straight year.

Tyrone Carter played free safety with the Steelers' first-team defense on Saturday.

So far, so good for WR Chad Jackson.

With a new shoe deal in hand (or as the case may be on foot), Pats first-round RB Laurence Maroney has turned in his Air Jordans: "I never wore Reebok a day in my life," he said. "Now I’m the biggest Reebok fan ever."

Pats K Stephen Gostkowski got drafted in the fourth round despite not having much coaching at Memphis.

New England coach Bill Belichick says it's a coincidence that five Florida Gators are in camp.

The Titans want to teach Uncle Rico how to get the ball with his hands pressed against the center's bum.

Falcons QB Mike Vick claims he stayed in the pocket so much last year because he was hurt.

Former Texas A&M QB Reggie McNeal put on receivers' gloves for the first time since 1998.

Saints RB Reggie Bush missed practice on Sunday with a tweaked hamstring.

[Va Beach VH Fan]

Originally posted by ALinChainz
Even though he reduced his salary to stay with the team, we've got a feeling that RB Duce Staley won't be with the Steelers when the regular season starts.

You guys finally posted something about the Steelers that isn't completely ridiculous...

I actually think this one could turn up true.... I think they're not done negotiating with the Falcons for Duckett, hence Duce could be on his way out....

[ALinChainz]

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

POSTED 8:39 a.m. EDT, May 16, 2006

"REAL" MEDIA WAKES UP ON WEBSTER STORY

Finally, the folks who get paid to cover football for a living are starting to talk about the possibility that Bucs director of player personnel Ruston Webster will land in St. Louis as the team's new General Manager.

And, as usual, there's no mention of the only outlet that has been talking about the story.

In Tuesday's Tampa Tribune, Roy Cummings deftly avoids the obligation to give credit to (gasp) a web site by writing that he has "confirmed" the Rams' interest in Webster.

"Confirmed" is journalist code for "I refuse to give credit to the person who reported this first, but I'd better not take the chance of getting fired by suggesting that I'm breaking this one."

Meanwhile, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch finally has acknowledged the team's interest in Webster, but has opted to bury the item at the very bottom of a column covering miscellaneous topics, beneath riveting items such as Marques Haggans taking a few snaps at quarterback and the dates for the team's next minicamp. Bill Coats of the P-D also uses the "confirmed" device to avoid giving credit for the story.

In five years of covering the NFL on a daily basis, we've never seen a newspaper so deeply in the tank for the local team. It's one thing to spin the news -- it's another thing to ignore it. Indeed, the last time the Post-Dispatch even mentioned the possibility of the Rams retooling the front office, the paper tabbed "highly regarded" scouts Tom Marino and Dave Razzano as potential candidates for the position of pro personnel director.

Since then, the Rams have fired both Marino and Razzano. And the P-D has said J-S about it.

Hey, newspaper guys. Look at your paychecks. They're not signed by the owner of the local NFL team. Independence is one of the most basic qualities of journalism. Without it, you're just part of the P.R. staff of the entity that you cover.


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TUESDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Another day, another Arizona writer trying to dig his nose into Matt Leinart's butt.

The trade for QB Joey Harrington allows Miami to use in the supplemental draft the fifth-round or sixth-round pick that will go to Detroit, pushing the Lions' compensation for the failed No. 3 overall pick in the 2002 draft to 2008.

Steve McNair's grievance against the Titans will be decided by May 23.

Although CB Ty Law took a physical last week for the Pats, there have been no substantive contract talks.

The Steelers don't plan to tinker with QB Omar Jacobs' modified Uncle Rico motion.

Doug Flutie thinks that QB Matt Cassel is capable of being the No. 2 in New England.

WR Roddy White was the star of the Falcons' minicamp.

Eagles RB Brian Westbrook wants to earn his money in 2006.

Last year, the receivers were the Mike Vick scapegoats; this year it will be the coaches.

The Jets have signed four and dumped one.


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POSTED 7:21 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 7:44 p.m. EDT, May 15, 2006

FINS INK MARCUS

More than a week after bringing him in for a three day look-see, the Miami Dolphins have signed quarterback Marcus Vick to a free-agent deal.

Vick officially will be listed as a wide receiver/quarterback/specialist with the Fins.

The move could be another opportunity for Miami coach Nick Saban to prove that he can get through to even the turdiest of the turds, and to coax from them a high level of performance.

But Marcus will be on a short choke chain in South Florida.

"I want to make it very clear that we will not condone any behavior issues in the future relative to Marcus Vick," Saban said "Marcus acknowledges that he has made some mistakes, all of which has [sic] resulted in severe consequences for him. They have helped him learn that he will need to make much better choices and decisions in the future or risk similar consequences that could jeopardize his career as a professional player.

"As an organization, we did an enormous amount of research, including consulting with professionals in detailed, in-depth analysis to feel comfortable that giving Marcus an opportunity as a free agent is a risk worth taking. Marcus has made a commitment to this organization and our fans to represent the Miami Dolphins in a first-class manner."

We suggested when word first broke of the Fins' interest in Vick that the younger brother of Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick would be required to humble himself before getting a chance to stick with Saban's team. By accepting a change in his primary position, Marcus might indeed be on the path toward showing that he's willing to do whatever is necessary in order to play pro football.

Of course, signing a contract and making the final 53 are two different issues. Marcus still has a loooong way to go before he dresses out September 7 in Pittsburgh, but the guy definitely has the athletic ability to pull it off.

Whether he can keep it together long enough to avoid being dumped remains to be seen.


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MONDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

The Fins also signed TE Keith Heinrich, LB Keith Newman, and CB Michael Lehan.

Lions OL Jeff Backus has made out like Thurston Howell with a one-year, $6.983 million contract and a promise that he won't be franchised again in 2007.

QB Craig Krenzel is the odd man out in Cincy.

Chargers QB Philip Rivers attended his first practice as the starting quarterback.

The Ravens are hosting a Fan Fest this weekend. (Is one of the activities a pretend police lineup?)

An arbitrator will hear QB Steve McNair's grievance against the Titans on Tuesday.

Coach Chin ran sprints with the troops on Monday.

The Vikings might go topless in their new stadium, in order to keep the costs down.

Jason White won't be pulling an Eric Crouch.


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POSTED 1:40 p.m. EDT, May 15, 2006

FLUTIE FLIES THE COOP

Long-time pro quarterback Doug Flutie announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday, more than 21 years after capping his college career with a with one of the most famous Hail Mary plays in football history -- and winning the Heisman Trophy.

And Flutie will return to his roots in the next stage of his career, working as an college football analyst for ABC and ESPN.

At the pro level, Flutie played in the CFL and the NFL. But he started out with the USFL, and Sports Illustrated asked whether Flutie could be the savior for the league with ambitions larger than its bank accounts.

After the USFL finally packed it in, Flutie landed with the Chicago Bears, where he threw 46 passes during the 1986 season. He then spent three years with the Patriots -- starting nine games in 1988 -- before trying his hand in Canada.

In eight seasons with the CFL, Flutie became a superstar with the B.C. Lions, Calgary Stampeders, and Toronto Argonauts. He was named the league's most outstanding players a record six times, and he threw for more than 6,000 in two different seasons. His teams won three Grey Cups, and he was the MVP of each game.

In 1998, Flutie returned to the NFL, joining the Buffalo Bills. He started 30 games in three seasons with the Bills, earning two Pro Bowl nods. After the 2000 season, Flutie was on the losing end of a much-publicized quarterback controversy with Rob Johnson. Flutie landed in San Diego, where he started all 16 games during the 2001 season. Thereafter, he gave way to Drew Brees but remained with the team for three more years as a backup. He returned to New England 18 years after he first signed with the Patriots, finsihing his career as the backup to Tom Brady.

Flutie punctuated one of the most unique and lengthy pro football careers by converting an extra point -- via a drop kick -- on his last NFL snap.

"If that ends up being my last play, it wouldn't be bad," Flutie said after the game.

Only days after some folks in the media debated whether Jaguars receiver Jimmy Smith should make it to the Hall of Fame, we think that Flutie merits far more serious consideration than Smith. It is, after all, the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Flutie's unique path, and extreme success, are the kinds of thing that should be inspiring kids with an interest in the sport long after we're all taking a permanent nap in a pine box.

Besides, if Flutie lands a spot in Canton, he'll likely be the only Hall of Famer who was winless for his collegiate career against the West Virginia Mountaineers. . . .


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POSTED 11:33 a.m. EDT, May 15, 2006

RAMS' GIG IS WEBSTER'S IF HE WANTS IT

Multiple league sources tell us that Tampa director of player personnel Ruston Webster is getting closer to becoming the new G.M. in St. Louis. But first Webster has to decide that he wants the job.

Even as the Rams still have a G.M. in place, by the name of Charley Armey.

But we're hearing that Webster is reluctant, for a couple of reasons. First, although the move entails a promotion in name, it's still unclear whether the G.M. in St. Louis will really be the G.M., given that many believe that president of football operations Jay Zygmunt currently holds the bulk of the power -- and that team president John Shaw retains the ability to revoke and redistribute the power whenever the mood might strike him.

Second, we're told that family concerns might prompt Webster to choose to stay in Florida, with the Buccaneers.

We're told that Webster interviewed for the job on Tuesday night and Wednesday of last week, and that the Rams are waiting for Webster to make up his mind as to whether he wants the job.

Although some league insiders believe that Webster isn't a candidate for the Houston G.M. job, we continue to hear that his name is and will be on the list. And the Texans' position is the one most likely to provide Webster with the highest degree of authority over the football operations.

Finally, the Seahawks remain interested in adding Webster to the front office. Seattle's team president is Tim Ruskell, and Ruskell and Webster are very close friends.

Stay tuned. It's one of the only intriguing stories currently unfolding in the NFL.

And no one else except us is talking much about it.

[ALinChainz]

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

POSTED 8:32 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 11:26 a.m. EDT, May 16, 2006

SPECULATION INTENSIFIES THAT SMITH WAS FACING A SUSPENSION

There is increasing talk in league circles that Jags receiver Jimmy Smith opted to retire from the NFL because he otherwise would have been slapped with a one-year suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

We're not officially reporting -- yet -- that Smith failed another drug test. But plenty of league insiders are of the opinion that Smith's sudden decision to walk away was merely an effort to avoid a far less graceful exit from the game.

Since the league's testing policy and program is confidential (except when, you know, someone blabs), there's no hard evidence to either prove that Smith was in line for a one-year suspension, or to prove that he wasn't. Under the circumstances, we think that Smith should authorize the league to comment on the matter. Unless and until he does, folks will continue to believe that chose to walk the plank in lieu of having the plank shoved up his poop chute.


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MESSAGE TO TITANS, RAVENS -- "WORK IT OUT, BOYS"

To the keenly trained eye of a skilled and savvy NFL observer (and when we find one we'll let you know), the announcement by arbitrator John Feerick that a decision on the grievance filed by quarterback Steve McNair against the Titans won't be issued until early June is a clear message to both the Titans and the Ravens that they should work together to finalize a trade that would send the former co-MVP to Baltimore.

There's no other reason why Feerick would wait three weeks to issue a ruling. T.O.'s grievance against the Eagles, which was far more complex and involved a lengthy background and a jambalaya of disputed facts, was resolved in five days.

In this case, the issue is simple. Should the Titans be required to allow Steve McNair to work out on a voluntary basis at the team's facility?

Per the Nashville Tennessean, the team's defense primarily focused on whether McNair had fully participated in voluntary workouts in the past. Though technically irrelevant to whether he has the right to be present at the facility, the team's point is that McNair is seizing upon a technicality in order to force his release.

Even if McNair wins the grievance, the team will simply say, "Okay, Steve, you're allowed to work out here," knowing full well that he won't. And with a decision expected in early June, the offseason program will be nearly over if McNair chooses to show up.

But the Titans shouldn't get too cocky on this one. We think that, if Feerick is forced to make a decision on this one, he might just find a way to declare that, given the Titans' actions, McNair is a free agent.

Bottom line -- all parties to this unnecessarily ugly and protracted affair should clean up the mess before Feerick is forced to do it for them.


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SEAHAWKS STAND ON PRINCIPLE

Several league insiders with whom we have spoken are applauding the Seattle Seahawks for moving swiftly to cut the cord on offensive lineman Wayne Hunter, only days after he was arrested for assault and malicious mischief. The team could have avoided a potential grievance from Hunter and the NFLPA by carrying him on the roster into training camp and then adding his name to the list of final cuts. This strategy would have made it difficult if not impossible to tie Hunter's termination to his recent arrest.

As we explained on Tuesday night, teams have limited authority under the CBA to impose disciplines on players. Only the Commissioner can mete out punishment to players who plead guilty to or who are convicted of criminal charges.

But teams like the Seahawks, who we hear quietly have instituted a zero tolerance policy for players with behavioral problems, apparently are willing to face the financial consequences of sending a strong message to the locker room.

At a time when teams are required to spend more money than ever on player salary, who cares if the team ends up forking over $721,600 to a guy that they don't want infecting the rest of the roster?

Hunter is regarded in league circles as a Class A-1 turd, and we're amazed in hindsight that the 'Hawks opted to extend to him the restricted free agent tender offer. Still, we're hearing that the team had essentially put him on final notice that any further issues would result in his release; perhaps, then, the team gave him a one-year offer under the express understanding that one false move would result in a pink slip.

The only remaining question is whether Hunter will challenge the decision via the filing of a non-injury grievance. It looks like an open-and-shut case, but to the extent that he wants to play for another NFL team, now might be a good time for him to show the rest of the football world that he's ready to accept responsibility for his conduct.


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MORE MEDIA MISBEHAVIOR IN WEBSTER AFFAIR

On Tuesday, we took a shot across the bow at Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune for failing to give due credit to this here site for a series of reports regarding the status of former Bucs director of player personnel Ruston Webster. Cummings used the journalistic code word "confirmed" in order to bypass the obligation to mention the entity that first reported the story of Webster's possible departure for St. Louis.

On Wednesday, Cummings brazenly goes a step farther, penning a story that creates the false impression that Cummings is the person who broke the news that Webster has opted to take a job with the Seahawks.

For shame, Siegfried.

Actually, John Czarnecki of FOXSports.com broke the Webster-to-Seattle story, and we confirmed it (while also crediting Czar).

Likewise, Cummings takes a gratuitous swipe at Webster in the first paragraph of his Wednesday article, describing Webster as a "castoff" of the Bucs.

Castoff? The guy gives 18 years of his life to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the hack from the local rag calls him a "castoff" when he leaves for a better opportunity -- and presumably more money?

With this kind of arrogance permeating newsprint throughout the nation, it's no wonder that more and more consumers are relying on other sources for their daily dose of information.


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WEDNESDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Vikings FB Joey Goodspeed is the first unofficial ACL victim of the 2006 offseason.

The 'Hawks have signed CB Gerard Ross and have dumped OL Kyle Ralph.

Former Bengals TE Dan Ross is dead at 49.

We can't quit wondering why the Big Show has re-upped for only two years.

The Commish won't be handling the grievance filed by Fran Foley against the Vikings.

The Ravens have exchanged proposals with S Ed Reed on a new contract.

The Broncos have a saltlick in their pockets for Jay Cutler.

Denver WR Ashley Lelie is losing out on a $100,000 workout bonus by not attending voluntary sessions.

The Broncos had planned to draft Miami CB/KR Devin Hester, but the Bears beat them to him.

Bengals OT Levi Jones wants to stay with the team beyond 2006. (Hey, Levi -- you'll increase your chances of getting a new contract if you pull a gun on someone.)

The Bears signed CB Carlos Hendricks and cut K Matt Fordyce.

John Branch of the New York Times says that the competition committee "probably" will recommend that owners change the numbering system to accommodate Reggie Bush. (Branch "probably" pulled that one out of his ass crack, since the wind decidedly is blowing against a rule change.)

Texans coach Gary Kubiak has a wizard's hat in his pocket for LT Seth Wand.

Cards coach Dennis Green was in the house the night that Wilt Chamberlain bagged 100. (Green is talking about scoring points in a basketball game. We think.)

The Redskins plan to open up the offense in 2006.

Former Redskins S Ryan Clark is impressed by the camaraderie in the Pittsburgh locker room. (Get back to us, Ryan, after the make you do the Elephant Walk.)

Former NFL QB Rich Gannon says his presence at Bucs OTA workouts isn't a sign that he's coming out of retirement.

Pickings are slim for a backup quarterback in New England.

The T.O. Circus officially opens on July 27 in Oxnard.

At a time when former USC RB Reggie Bush is pissing and moaning about his inability to wear No. 5, it's nice to know that former USC teammate Matt Leinart is accepting silently the fact that he'll have to pick a jersey number other than 11 in Arizona.

Two-Ton Toniu Fonoti is hoping to get down to a svelte 370 pounds.

The Chiefs have fingered Denny Thum as their new COO.

Rutgers QB Ryan Hart did not get an offer from the Giants after a weekend tryout.

The Giants have waived TE Sean Berton.

The NFL might use a Super Bowl to entice the folks in Minnesota to fork over a new stadium.

The Ravens have signed former Raiders LB Tim Johnson.


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POSTED 7:23 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 10:00 p.m. EDT, May 16, 2006

HAWKS COURTING GRIEVANCE BY CUTTING HUNTER

The Seattle Seahawks have released offensive tackle Wayne Hunter, only three days after he was arrested for fourth-degree assault and third-degree malicious mischief.

Hunter is a former third-round draft pick, who signed earlier in the offseason a one-year restricted free agent tender worth $721,600.

The move, however, is sure to be challenged by the NFLPA as a violation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Teams cannot cut players due to arrests and/or other alleged misconduct.

And the nexus between the arrest and the release is fairly obvious. If the Seahawks didn't think Hunter can play, they wouldn't have given him a tender offer for the 2006 season.


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TRAYLOR BUSTED FOR BUSTING A BUILDING

Dolphins defensive tackle Keith Traylor recently has been arrested for DUI and possession of a controlled substance.

After Traylor was taken to jail, he tore a smoke detector off of the wall. Under Oklahoma law, the offense constitutes injury to a public building, which is a felony.

"The type of behavior that allegedly took place is disappointing, out of character for Keith and something that we don't condone as an organization," said Dolphins coach Nick Saban. "It is important that our players understand the responsibility they have in representing themselves, their families, their teammates, this organization and our fans in a first class way."

Traylor, a wide-bodied run stuffer, signed with the Dolphins in 2005. Earlier in the offseason, the team considered adding Sam Adams, which likely would have resulted in Traylor's release.

Grady Jackson is still on the market, if the Fins decide to phase out Traylor. To do so without setting themselves up for a non-injury grievance, the Fins would need to make the thing look like a football decision.


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TUESDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

The Big Show has signed a two-year extension with the Seahawks.

Reggie Bush is now going to wear No. 5 for the rookie photo card shoot.

Coach Kevlar is getting upset.

An arbitrator won't issue a ruling on Steve McNair's grievance until the beginning of June.

Mario Williams makes his debut.

The contract between Notre Dame and Charlie Weis contains a "Herculean" buyout.

Reggie Bush has a "mild strain" of his hamstring.

The NFL Network's new programming ideas include a competition of some sort among cheerleaders. (But will the thing be filmed on location from a bathroom stall at Banana Joe's in Tampa?)

The Commish is stumping for a new stadium in Minnesota.


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POSTED 6:22 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 6:59 p.m. EDT, May 16, 2006

POLLACK HAS BROKEN LEG?

There's scuttlebutt in league circles that Bengals linebacker David Pollack has suffered a broken leg this offseason while playing basketball.

The team isn't saying much about it. Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com writes that Pollack missed a voluntary practice session on Tuesday due to a foot injury.

Pollack was the team's first-round pick in 2005. He started in five games as a rookie, racking up 22 tackles, six assists, and 4.5 sacks.


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PROPS FOR BLOOM

Although Vic Carucci of NFL.com chides Eagles receiver/kick returner Jeremy Bloom for his reluctance to give interviews in order to avoid being a distraction, at least one league insider applauds Bloom's effort to keep his head low.

"Good for Jeremy," said the source. "Some of these other rookies should take heed."

Bloom was a fifth-round pick of the Eagles. He played football for only two years at Colorado. The NCAA stripped his remaining eligibility due to endorsement money received via his skiing career.


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MORE CONFIRMATION OF WEBSTER TO SEATTLE

We've heard from another source that Buccaneers director of player personnel Ruston Webster has accepted a position with the Seattle Seahawks.

And we've picked up more info regarding the basis for Webster's decision to pass on the G.M. job in St. Louis. It's an empty title, we've heard from multiple sources. Webster would have had no real authority.

Meanwhile, folks around the league are flat-out amazed by the failure of the media to mention that the courting of Webster means that G.M. Charley Armey is out the door in St. Louis -- and by the media's general ignorance of the Rams' decision to fire senior scouts Tom Marino and Dan Razzano.


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POSTED 3:28 p.m. EDT, May 16, 2006

REGGIE NOT WEARING NO. 5 FOR TRADING CARD SHOOT

Spurned to date in his efforts to change the NFL's numbering system to suit his desire to wear No. 5, Saints running back Reggie Bush will don No. 25 for the upcoming rookie trading cards photo shoot, according to Darren Rovell of ESPN.com.

Bush's marketing agent, Mike Ornstein, previously had said that Bush would wear No. 5 for the event. Ornstein and Bush apparently were overruled. It's a strong sign, in our view, that Bush ultimately will not secure the ability to wear No. 5 on the field.

And more and more league insider are hoping that, in the end, the NFL won't change its numbering system simply to accommodate Bush and Ornstein.

"Perhaps this scandal [involving alleged payments made to Bush and/or his family while Bush was still at USC] is more revealing than we realize," said one league source. "Maybe [Bush] is a selfish jackass. Maybe it's all about him. Or maybe Ornstein is looking for headlines for himself."

Elsewhere in Bush World, the 2005 Heisman* winner now plans to donate 25 percent of his cut from the sale of his jersey to Hurricane Katrina charities regardless of whether he wears No. 5 or No. 25. Ironically, sales of his jersey have fallen behind Uncle Rico of the Titans due to the lingering uncertainty regarding the number that Bush ultimately will wear.

Also, Bush surprisingly wore Nike shoes during the Saints' recent minicamp, despite signing an endorsement deal with adidas. Ornstein told ESPN.com that Bush's adidas shoes had not yet arrived.


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POSTED 2:59 p.m. EDT, May 16, 2006

WEBSTER SAYS "NO" TO RAMS

John Czarnecki of FOXSports.com reports, and we separately have confirmed, that Bucs director of player personnel Ruston Webster has turned down an offer to join the Rams' front office, opting instead to take a job with the Seahawks.

Per Czarnecki, the Rams would not give Webster control over football personnel.

Webster also was regarded as a candidate for the G.M. position in Houston, but opted in the end not to wait for the process of replacing Charley Casserly to play itself out. As to Webster's long-time employer in Tampa, it's unclear whether there were ever any meaningful talks aimed at bringing him back for a 19th season. Instead, it appears that Webster's agent, Jimmy Sexton, decided to shop Webster to a new city, hoping that the Bucs would step up with a big offer to keep him.

They didn't.

So now Webster will re-join former Tampa colleague Tim Ruskell, who currently runs the show in Seattle.

[ALinChainz]

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

POSTED 9:23 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 10:40 a.m. EDT, May 18, 2006

BENGALS COY ABOUT POLLACK INJURY

The Cincinnati Bengals curiously are keeping quiet about an injury recently suffered by linebacker David Pollack.

On May 16, we reported on rumors in league circles that Pollack broke his leg while playing basketball.

Adam Schefter of the NFL Network added to the story on May 17, writing that the second-year pro "suffered a sprained ankle during a non-football activity the Bengals declined to identify." One team official told Schefter that the injury is "minor" and that "if we had a game tomorrow, [Pollack] would play."

Sorry, but we don't buy it. The team's official web site characterized Pollack's injury as a "foot" problem, and the Cincinnati Enquirer on May 17 identified Pollack's injury as "NA" (which either means "not available" or "nuts and anus"). The fact that the team can't get its story straight regarding a supposedly minor ankle sprain suggests that there's more to the story. Much more.

Our take? It's worse than a sprain, and the team is trying to keep it under wraps primarily in order to ensure that Pollack's sock won't have a bull's-eye on it once the games start in 2006.


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REGGIE REALLY IS A SELFISH ASSHOLE

With apologies to everyone out there who has lined up to nuzzle the crotch of the 2005 Heisman* winner, we've decided after careful consideration that, in our opinion, Reggie Bush is a selfish asshole.

And our decision in this regard was not influenced significantly by the storm of controversy regarding whether and to what extent Bush and his family got paid while Bush was still playing for USC. We believe that this sort of stuff happens, in varying degrees, at most major college football programs, and that if the Bushes are guilty of anything it's of being careless to the point of stoopid.

No, we reached our final opinion regarding Reggie only recently, when we were reminded by a reader that the number he so desperately wants to wear at the pro level, No. 5, is already spoken for on the team that drafted him.

Quarterback Adrian McPherson, drafted by the Saints in 2005 because (as we hear it) he reminded the organization of Vince Young, currently is assigned No. 5. But there has been not a peep from the Bush camp reflecting a scintilla of respect for the fact that someone else holds the rights to the number that Reggie wants.

Hell, there's likewise been no comment from Team Bush regarding the fact that his fallback choice -- No. 25 -- is the property of Fred McAfee.

So if wearing No. 5 or (if that fails) No. 25 is such a big deal for Bush, why doesn't Bush think it might be a big deal for the guys who already wear those numbers?

Folks, whether you like or dislike Reggie Bush, his current mentality falls within the four corners of the textbook definition of selfish.

Per Webster.com, "selfish" means "seeking or concentrating on one's own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for others."

Without regard for others.

So it's a no-brainer. By showing zero regard for the fact that McPherson owns No. 5 and McAfee owns No. 25, Bush is selfish.

Of course, Bush's handlers are smart enough to know that Reggie must pander to the Katrina victims by promising to donate 25 percent of the earnings from the sale of his jersey to ongoing relief efforts. Whoop-de-doo. It's an obvious P.R. move aimed at selling even more jerseys and, in the end, pocketing more money than if he'd kept 100 percent of the proceeds without making the commitment.

The other problem here is that the Saints are aiding and abetting Bush's selfish assholishness. They allowed him to wear No. 5 at the team's recent minicamp, even though the number has been issued to McPherson.

And as to McPherson, we're making an open offer to negotiate on his behalf -- at no charge -- the transaction with Bush for the rights to No. 5, assuming that the NFL changes its rules regarding jersey numbering. If, after all, Bush and his people are pushing the issue in order to enhance Reggie's earning potential, McPherson could end up holding an asset worth much more than a bowl of soup at Mendy's. It's a seven-figure proposition, and hopefully McPherson realizes it.

So how much should McPherson request for No. 5? Just enough to get Bush to accuse him of being selfish.


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THURSDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

The Big Show will be making some big dough in 2007 and 2008.

CB Ty Law wants a $10 million signing bonus. (So do we -- and we have about the same chance as Law of getting one.)

Steelers LB Joey Porter was the only starter absent from voluntary workouts on Wednesday.

Lions DL Marcus Bell denies that he blew the whistle on coach Rod Marinelli.

Days after being cut by the Rams, UConn hoopster Ed Nelson isn't giving up yet on the possibility of playing in the NFL.

Great job by John DeShazier of the New Orleans Times-Picayune in putting the Bush number thing in perspective.

Uncle Rico is back in Nashville.

Colts CB Nick Harper hasn't made good on threats to boycott offseason workouts (maybe he realized it was far better than staying home with Mrs. Harper and her collection of pointy objects).

Giants RB Ryan Grant will miss the 2006 season due to a non-football wrist and hand injury.

Great line from Tom Kowalski of mlive.com: "The Detroit Lions held a media session on Wednesday to give themselves the opportunity to say nothing to those who attended."

Owners aren't expected to make a decision as to the stadium location of an eventual L.A. franchise next week in Denver.

Receivers can now wear No. 10, and Santonio Holmes will do it in Pittsburgh. (Hmmm . . . . We thought that the Steelers had retired that one in honor of Kordell Stewart.)

Pats owner Bob Kraft refuses to disclose the length or the value of coach Bill Belichick's contract.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says that former first-round DE Greg Ellis will continue to have a key role in the team's defense, even if Ellis doesn't think he fits in the 3-4 system.

Former Texas QB Matt Nordgren will be battling Timmy Chang for the bottom rung on the Eagles' depth chart.

Don Shula has opened a steak house in New Orleans.

Former Bears and Vikings K Paul Edinger can't find a job. (Wal-Mart is usually hiring, Paul.)

Broncos QB Bradlee Van Pelt thinks he'll be a starter "someday, somewhere." (How about "next year" and "in Europe"?)

How does Broncos DE Kenard Lang plan on adding 10 pounds? "I'll get back to being a fat boy a little bit, eating whatever I want and enjoying myself."

There's nothing laissez faire about Chris Simms' offseason in Tampa.

Two of the Giants restricted free agents signed their one-year tenders.

It looks like the Vikings will have to wait another year before finalizing plans for a new stadium.

QB Joey Harrington's contract with Miami is essentially a two-year deal, which pays him $3.75 million in guaranteed money.

Jail time now appears unlikely for Fins DT Keith Traylor.

Steelers S Troy Polamalu is looking more like the Tazmanian Devil.


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POSTED 4:28 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 10:53 p.m. EDT, May 17, 2006

FAMILY WITH "NOTHING TO HIDE" HAS NOTHING TO SAY

Less than four weeks after Reggie Bush declared that he and his family have "nothing to hide" regarding their dealings with New Era Sports & Entertainment, Bush and his family curiously have nothing to say to NCAA and Pac-10 investigators who are looking into the situation.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that Bush and his family have declined to be interviewed. Because the NCAA and the Pac-10 have no subpoena power, there's nothing that can be done to force them to answer questions.

The Bushes undoubtedly are keeping quiet in order to prevent New Era lawyer Brian Watkins from picking up information that could be used against them in a looming lawsuit that will attempt to recover more than $54,000 in unpaid rent and $100,000 in payments allegedly made to the Bush family.

But if, as Reggie claimed on April 25, his family has done "absolutely nothing wrong," what's the problem with coming clean? Indeed, the family's decision to say nothing serves only to fuel speculation that they do have something to hide and that Reggie did lose his eligibility via the actions of New Era and his parents.

And although we continue to be concerned that the NCAA and/or the Pac-10 will find a way to brush this matter under the rug, the investigation won't be abandoned simply because the Bushes choose not to speak. If/when suit is filed by New Era, they'll have to talk.


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LIONS WHO ROARED REVEALED

Tom Kowalski of mlive.com confirms reports from WXYT-AM that Marcus Bell and James Hall are two of the Lions who recently blew the whistle regarding CBA violations occurring at the first official minicamp under new coach Rod Marinelli. WXYT also reports that Shaun Rogers was one of the players who complained, but Kowalski says that Rogers didn't.

All three players are defensive linemen.

Bell is under contract through 2007 and Hall is signed through 2008. Whether either of them make it that long remains to be seen.


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WEDNESDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

The felony charged filed against Dolphins DT Keith Traylor might be reduced to a misdemeanor.

Vikings CB Fred Smoot goes to trial on May 30 and OT Bryant McKinnie faces his day in court on July 7.

The Saints have sold nearly 55,000 season tickets.

Former NFL LB Hardy Nickerson is joining the Bucs' radio broadcasts.

The Chiefs have signed four players.

The roster of the Toronto Argonauts includes former NFL players Lee Woodall and Erik Flowers.

Former Florida State G Matt Meinrod is being treated like a nimrod.

Dick Butkus is fighting steroids.

The Packers will play their final preseason game on a Friday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. in deference to local high school football.

Both Jeff Fisher and Lovie Smith are twisting in the wind.

The Lions grievance thing won't go away.

The Fins have been awarded C Dominic Furio on waivers from the Eagles.

The Pats have cut undrafted rookie free agent S Sam Smith.

The Jets have waived LB Tearrius George.

DT Ted Washington is poised to become the biggest player in Browns history.

Giants WR Sinorice Moss and TE Matt Kranchick have switched jerseys, giving Moss No. 83.

Eagles WR Jeremy Bloom was at the White House on Wednesday.


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POSTED 1:24 p.m. EDT, May 17, 2006

PORTER BACKTRACKS ON BUSH COMMENTS

Steelers linebacker Joey Porter has "clarified" his recent comments regarding his plans for the team's June 2 visit to the White House.

On Sunday, Porter said, "Yeah, I got something to say to [George] Bush, I'm going to have a swagger when I walk in there, too. I'm looking forward to it. I have something to tell him, too. I don't like the way things are running right now. I feel like he has to give me some of my money back, so I got something to tell Bush."

Not surprisingly, Porter is now singing a different tune.

"I regret that my quotes about our team’s upcoming visit to the White House were taken out of context," Porter said in a prepared statement. "I am very excited to have an opportunity to visit the White House and meet the president of the United States. During a lighthearted session with the media, I did joke with them about meeting Uncle Sam and FICA. I did not say that I disapproved of President Bush or the job he has done leading our country. We will be guests of the president and I would never do anything to disrespect him. I consider our upcoming trip an honor and a dream come true. Our entire team is looking forward to visiting the White House and enjoying what promises to be the opportunity of a lifetime."

Said one league insider in response to the quotes attributed to Porter: "He couldn't even read this statement much less write it."

Of course, it's easy for Porter to blame the media for (God forbid) repeating his words verbatim. Though some accounts made sure to mention that Porter was laughing loudly when he made the remarks, we explained on Monday that the folks hired to protect the President won't see the humor.

Really, does it take a genius to figure that there are certain things that shouldn't be said, even in jest? We don't have the time to compile the full list, but we have a feeling that "I'm going to talk shit at the President when I go to his crib" falls somewhere between "Stewardess, can I have a pillow to set this bomb on?" and "Honey, I've got the herpes" on the official ranking of statements uttered in jest that won't draw much laughter.

Then again, should we expect anything else from Porter? As one league source recently said: "He is so f--king dumb and to have him as a mouthpiece for the team is unbelievable."

[ALinChainz]

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

POSTED 5:51 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 9:13 p.m. EDT, May 20, 2006

SHERMAN HAS VOICE IN TEXANS' G.M. SEARCH

A league source tells us that one of the people who will be included in the process of selecting a new General Manager for the Houston Texans is former Green Bay head coach/G.M. Mike Sherman, who joined the Houston coaching staff after being dumped by the Packers earlier this year.

On one hand, Sherman's role is curious, since he was hired to be an assistant coach. Sherman's involvement could create a strange dynamic if, in the end, owner Bob McNair chooses a guy that was higher on Sherman's list than on head coach Gary Kubiak's. The new G.M. could have greater loyalty to Sherman -- and thus the two of them could, in theory, work together to undermine Kubiak over the long haul.

On the other hand, Sherman arguably has the most qualifications of anyone in the organization to hire a G.M. because he actually has been a G.M. Sure, he was ultimately relived of his G.M. duties a year before losing his job as the head coach. But he at least has an idea as to what a G.M. actually does, and the qualities necessary to do it.

And Sherman's involvement in the process could mean a boost for Packers director of pro personnel Reggie McKenzie, who has received the green light from Green Bay to interview for the Texans job.


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SMITH'S QUALIFICATIONS QUESTIONED

The Rocky Mountain News reports that the Broncos are willing to allow assistant G.M. Rick Smith to accept the G.M. position with the Texans, even though the team has the ability to block the move if, as expected, Smith does not receive "final say" authority on personnel matters.

The development has prompted multiple league insiders to conclude that, if the Broncos are willing to let Smith leave, then he really doesn't bring enough to the table to justify keeping. Otherwise, there's no way the team would let him walk.

Said one league insider, "All anyone is in the Broncos' front office is a puppet boy for [coach Mike] Shanahan."

Another source thinks that the Texans are looking at "the wrong Smith," and that Jaguars director of college scouting Gene Smith would be a better choice (notwithstanding the recent decision to draft UCLA running back Maurice Drew).

It's our understanding, however, that the process will still take time to unfold, and that Rick Smith merely was the first of many candidates.


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SATURDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

The fact that Barbaro broke his leg and might die would be a real shame if he were, you know, human.

P Ben Graham has signed a six-year, $7 million deal with the Jets.

Colts QB Peyton Manning says that he plans to play eight more years, which hopefully will spare us all from a year-in, year-out Lord Favre thing.

There's got to be a better way to describe the NFL experience for a rookie than "Eat or be eaten."

RB Ricky Williams might not be able to get out of Toronto after only one season.

Panthers LB/S Thomas Davis is in trouble for allowing his three pit bulls to roam his neighborhood.

The Whizzinator is carrying 20 extra pounds. (And none of it is in the form of fake genitalia.)

Colts LB Kendyll Pope, suspended for 2005, has not yet been reinstated and his status for 2006 is up in the air.

K Adam Vinatieri has been "constantly" at the Colts' practice facility.

Green Bay FB William Henderson and WR Rod Gardner showed up for Saturday's minicamp practices after missing Friday's work.

QB Tim Couch worked out for the Colts this week, but wasn't signed.


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POSTED 10:48 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 11:42 a.m. EDT, May 20, 2006

BUSH BLAMES LAWYER FOR SILENCE

Although he proclaimed nearly four weeks ago that he and his family have "nothing to hide," Reggie Bush now says that his lawyer has advised him not to talk to NCAA and Pac-10 investigators who are exploring the question of whether the 2005 Heisman* winner and/or his family received benefits from New Era Sports & Entertainment (or anyone else) while still supposedly eligible to play college football.

The stated reason for the silence is a threatened lawsuit from New Era. Anything Bush says now can be used against him in the civil proceedings, during which he'll be questioned under oath at a deposition and later at trial. And skilled lawyers know how to develop and to demonstrate inconsistencies in the statements of key witnesses, which ultimately forces the jury to ask itself not whether the witness has lied, but when and how many times.

Another benefit of silence is that Bush's silence will bog down the investigation, delaying further negative publicity regarding the New Era fiasco for weeks if not months.

So if New Era is going to file suit, New Era should do so sooner rather than later. Hell, the paperwork should have been filed and the summons served on Bush this weekend, while back in L.A. for the rookie trading card photo shoot.

Along with formal notice that his deposition will be taken in early July, during the dead spot in the NFL calendar after offseason workouts and prior to the launch of training camp.


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DREW GETS SUED

The Jacksonville Times-Union reports that the other well-known running back from a Southern California university, Maurice Drew of UCLA, already has been sued for an incident that occurred on the same day that the poop first hit the fan for USC's Reggie Bush.

Sabzi Soroush has sued Drew, former UCLA teammate Tyler Ebell, and Bears cornerback Ricky Manning, Jr. Soroush is a 25-year-old UCLA student.

The complaint, filed on May 16, does not make a specific monetary demand, but lawyer Aviv L. Tuchman tells the Times-Union that Soroush wants punitive damages -- and that "they will be huge."

Careful, Aviv. Before making specific predictions about what will eventually happen in a court of law, perhaps you should speak with the guy who represented Moe Williams in his Love Boat trial. During the proceedings, Williams' lawyer proclaimed that only a "complete idiot" could lose the case. The next day, the jury's verdict proved that he is one.

And punitive damages are a tricky concept. Sure, it's an opportunity to cash in against a wealthy defendant, since the award won't represent appropriate punishment unless it takes into consideration the financial position of the person being punished.

But the U.S. Supreme Court made clear three years ago that punitive damages hinge on compensatory damages, and that an award of punitives that exceeds by ten times the money paid to compensate the victim for his losses could be overturned. So if someone does something really mean to someone else but the conduct causes only $10 in actual harm, punitive damages of more than $100 would be subject to reversal -- even if the defendant is Bill Gates.

The practical problem in this case is that Soroush is Muslim (or, at a minimum, Arabian). Depending on the precise composition of the jury, he might not get a huge award of compensatory damages that would then support an even huger award of punitives. Especially if/when it comes out that Soroush's own words and behavior prior to the incidednt didn't fit the mousy computer geek profile that was painted by previous media reports.

Assuming that Soroush didn't suffer any broken bones or scars or other extensive injuries, the damages for getting the crap beaten out of him might not be enormous, assuming that Soroush can even prove that Drew or Manning were responsible for his injuries.

The risk for Drew and Manning is that, if they flatly deny hitting or kicking Soroush and if the jury doesn't believe them, the jury's quantitative assessment of the qualitative pain and suffering that Soroush experienced could be driven higher -- ultimately supporting a bigger award of punitives.

In summary, Drew and Manning are in hot water on this one, and even if they win at trial they'll be spending a lot of money in legal fees to make it happen.


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DREW WASN'T ARRESTED ON APRIL 23

Maurice Drew and Ricky Manning, Jr. also will be spending a nice chunk of money for legal fees related to the defense against criminal charges resulting from the alleged assault. But even though it's been confirmed that both Drew and Manning have been charged with assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury, it now appears that Drew wasn't arrested on April 23.

The Los Angeles district attorney's office admits that it mistakenly said in a Thursday news release that Drew had been arrested with Manning on the day of the incident.

"It was our mistake, and it will be corrected," a spokesperson told the Florida Times-Union. "Drew was never arrested, but there was a warrant out for him."

Although this disclosure means that Drew didn't successfully dupe 32 NFL teams and NFL Security into thinking he wasn't arrested, the fact that no one in the league knew that a warrant had been issued for his arrest is still cause for embarrassment -- assuming the warrant was issued before the draft.

Drew and Manning face up to four years in jail if convicted. If, as prior reports suggest, Manning is still on probation for an incident that occurred while he was still at UCLA, Manning could face incarceration for the new incident, based on a standard of proof that he "did it" lesser than proof beyond a reasonable doubt.


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SATURDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Experts are amazed that the Saints have sold nearly 55,000 season tickets.

The Packers have plenty of receivers . . . but how many of them can play?

A whopping 22 Packers are missing from their current minicamp.

The Steelers have pushed their Super Bowl ring ceremony back to June 4.

Colts coach Tony Dungy jokes that rookie RB Joseph Addai "probably will be in the Hall of Fame in six years."

Chiefs coach Herm Edwards thinks that CB Ty Law won't sign with anyone until training camp: "Knowing him, he won't sign until July. That's what he always does. He's going to wait until training camp. That's what veteran guys do."

Rookie DE Tamba Hali already is running with the ones in K.C.

Titans QB Billy Volek thinks that WR Bobby Wade is a lot like former Titans WR Derrick Mason (without, you know, the statistics or the talent).

David Climer of the Nashville Tennessean thinks that Jay Cutler will be the best of the 2006 first-round quarterback class.

Warren Moon thinks QB Steve McNair can still play.

Cards CB Antrell Rolle underwent arthroscopic surgery on his knee, to remove scar tissue.

Former Pitt WR Greg Lee, who could have developed into a first-day pick if he'd stayed in school for another year, was forced to choose between two receiver-heavy teams -- the Cards and the Lions.

Packers OL Will Whitticker has been moved from guard to tackle -- and his next move could be through the door.

If there's no contact during offseason workouts, what in the world would be happening to make Packers CB Ahmad Carroll throw multiple punches at a receiver? (Other than Carroll just being a general butthole.)

Packers S Mark Roman has removed the stick from his ass.

Legendary Steelers radio analyst Myron Cope is back in the hospital.


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POSTED 9:19 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 9:49 p.m. EDT, May 19, 2006

BELL BLEW THE WHISTLE

Although Lions defensive lineman Marcus Bell denies that he filed the complaint with the NFLPA regarding impermissible contact during minicamps, we've confirmed that Bell is the guy who blew the whistle on new coach Rod Marinelli.

Also, reports that defensive end James Hall and defensive tackle Shaun Rogers joined in the complaint aren't accurate. Hall signed off on the complaint in his capacity as the Lions' union representative. Rogers simply had nothing to do with the complaint.

The identity of the whistleblower is becoming more and more important because there are multiple Lions players who aren't happy about the fact that a complaint was made. At least three members of the team privately have made strong comments regarding the filing of the complaint, and Bell should be far more worried about retaliation from his teammates than from the coaching staff.

We're not suggesting that Bell will be the victim of violence. Instead, we suspect that he'll be ostracized by the the other guys on the roster, and that he'll eventually be begging to be cut.

Our guess is that the front office eventually will oblige.


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FRIDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

RB Dominic Rhodes get the first crack at replacing Edgerrin James.

L.A. City Council voted to plunk down $25 million for improvements to the Coliseum in order to put an NFL team back in there.

The 1951 University of San Francisco football team was honored for turning down an Orange Bowl berth because the bowl committee wanted them to leave the black players at home.

Bucs owner Malcolm Glazer has suffered a second stroke.

Ruston Webster has been officially named the V.P. of player personnel in Seattle.

With Lord Favre riding his tractor, QB Aaron Rodgers gets a shot at running the offense in minicamp.

Packers DT Donnell Washington practiced Friday after being sidelined in the team's last minicamp because he was too fat.

The Cards have signed a three-year agreement to conduct training camp at Northern Arizona University.

The Falcons have cut K Seth Marler.

The Jags have signed WR Troy Edwards and WR Randy Hymes.


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POSTED 8:09 a.m. EDT, May 19, 2006

JAGS KNEW ABOUT DREW?

The agent for former UCLA running back Maurice Drew claims that the Jacksonville Jaguars knew about his alleged involvement in the assault of a man at a Denny's in Westwood.

Specifically, agent Adisa Bakari tells the Florida Times-Union that Drew was present when the incident occurred, but didn't take part.

But Drew's disclosure that he was present but not involved is one thing. It remains to be seen whether Drew told the Jags -- or anyone -- that he'd actually been arrested following the incident.

As far as we can tell, no one within league circles knew that Drew had actually been arrested. In fact, most of our regular contacts hadn't even heard about Drew's potential involvement in the days before the draft.

Per one league source, NFL Security sent a fax to teams on draft day discussing Drew's potential involvement, explaining that the league was cooperating with authorities, and advising that there would be a full investigation. Given this significant unknown so close in time to the draft, the source was "shocked" that the Jaguars pulled the trigger on Drew in round two.

And here's another curious factor that sets off our patent-pending bullpoopie detector. Bakari claimed before the draft that Drew and Bears cornerback Ricky Manning, Jr. are not acquaintances. However, Thursday's AP story says that Drew and Manning were in the same vehicle when they both were arrested.

Finally, here's one more tidbit regarding the incident that we've picked up from our discussions with league sources over the past few weeks.

The alleged victim is Muslim.

Maybe now the "real" media will get to the bottom of this one.


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SMITH GETS PERMISSION TO TAKE TEXANS JOB?

Lost in the Friday report from Houston Chronicle writer (a/k/a Texans Assistant Director of Media Relations) Megan Manfull that Broncos assistant G.M. Rick Smith will interview for the General Manager job with the NFL's newest franchise is that the Broncos presumably have given Smith permission to take the job, even though the position by all appearances does not entail "final say" authority over the draft, the roster, and the coach.

Front-office personnel without "final say" who are still under contract can be blocked from jumping to another team, unless the move provides them with said "final say." If the Broncos have given Smith permission to interview for the job, the Broncos most likely have also given him permission to take it.

Manfull possibly didn't mention this tidbit because the notion that the Broncos won't stand in Smith's way could be interpreted as an indication that he's not A-list material.

Manfull also mentions that current G.M. Charley Casserly is staying on the job until June 1. We assume that this disclosure was made in direct response to our suggestion from Thursday that the Texans are having trouble putting together a plan for finding a new G.M. with Casserly there to make the decisions.

Okay, so Casserly is still technically on the job. But does anyone believe that anyone in the front office has asked Casserly to have any input in the search for his replacement? The dude jumped before he got pushed. So he's the last person that would be plotting the course to find his replacement.


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FRIDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

The Commish concedes that he doesn't expect to be able to retire by July 31, but he is hopeful that a new Commissioner will be in place by the start of the regular season.

Fins QB Joey Harrington, on the "champagne and caviar" remarks from FOX's Tony Siragusa from 2004: "More than anything, Siragusa was trying to call me soft." (Actually, we thought he was trying to call you gay.)

The Dolphins will allow RB Ricky Williams to play for the Toronto Argonauts, if the Argos agree to release him when the 2006 season ends.

The Fins will still blitz "a lot" under Dom Capers.

Veteran WR David Boston had a tryout with the Bucs on Thursday.

Congrats to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, which is reporting on the termination of Rams scouts Tom Marino and Dave Razzano only two weeks after the moves occurred. (We smell Pulitzer . . . oh wait, it's just horsesh-t.)


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POSTED 6:57 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 7:49 p.m. EDT, May 18, 2006

DREW'S ARREST KEPT UNDER WRAPS PRE-DRAFT

Kudos to everyone involved in keeping under wraps the arrest of UCLA running back Maurice Drew only six days before the April 29 draft.

Including, apparently, the relevant law enforcement authorities.

As it turns out, Drew was busted with Bears corner Ricky Manning, Jr. on April 23 after a man allegedly had the crap beat and/or kicked out of him at a Denny's restaurant in Westwood, the site of the UCLA campus. Previous reports indicated that the incident was sparked after a group of men started to make fun of the alleged victim for working on a laptop.

We're also assuming that the media was in some way complicit in keeping Drew's pre-draft arrest under wraps, given that the AP story announcing the fact that Drew has been charged with assault grossly glosses over the fact that Drew was originally arrested at the same time that Manning got busted.

Word of Drew's potential involvement was churning through the NFL rumor mill in the days preceding the draft, but the prevailing school of thought was that Drew had nothing to do with the incident.

The end result? Drew was drafted in round two, by the Jaguars. He most likely would have gone later if the arrest had been disclosed.

The winners? Drew, obviously. But another guy who'll make out is the alleged victim, since he'll now likely be able to get even more money from Drew through the civil justice system for injuries sustained as a result of the incident.


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THURSDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

The Commish spoke at the Georgetown senior class convocation.

Coach Kevlar is taking another chance on CB Willie Middlebrooks, a former first-round bust of the Broncos.

The Chiefs have chopped S Jerome Woods.

Former NFL CB Dennis Weathersby is hoping to make a comeback.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have signed former Packers WR Andrae Thurman.

The FBI has busted a hedge fund manager who allegedly bilked millions from victims including several current and former members of the Broncos.

The Fins are getting closer to permitting RB Ricky Williams to play in Canada.


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POSTED 3:09 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 4:36 p.m. EDT, May 18, 2006

TEXANS G.M. SEARCH MOVING SLOWLY

A league source tells us the Houston Texans have made little or no progress in their search for the successor to former G.M. Charley Casserly, the only person who held the position in the history of the franchise.

Part of the problem, as we hear it, is that the front office relied on Casserly for everything, and without Casserly there to make the decisions as to the plan for proceeding, the team doesn't really know what to do.

There's talk that the Texans will hire a search firm to assist in the process. On one hand, using an outside business to track down candidates -- and check backgrounds -- can help to avoid an outcome such as the Fran Foley fiasco in Minnesota. On the other hand, such an approach can send a message that the team doesn't know what it's doing.

Sure, the NFL currently is using a search firm to help find a Commissioner. But in this specific instance the league ends up with a convenient scapegoat if/when folks are pissed off that their candidates of choice are overlooked.

So look for the Texans' search to take a while. A long while.


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VIKES, EAGLES SWAP WIDEOUTS

Vikings coach Brad Childress has swung a deal with his old team, the Eagles, to land one of his former players.

Under the deal, the Eagles will send receiver Billy McMullen to the Vikings for receiver Hank Baskett.

The curious aspect of the transaction is that McMullen was a third-round draft choice in 2003, while Baskett was an undrafted free agent signed by the Vikings in 2006.

McMullen appeared in 16 games for the Eagles in 2005, catching 18 passes for 268 yards and one touchdown. He is under contract through 2006, at a base salary of $500,000.

Baskett, who played last year at New Mexico, was expected to be a mid-round pick. ESPN's Mel Kiper had him ranked as the 130th best player in the 2006 talent pool. He specifically selected the Vikings after being snubbed. Now, the Vikings have shipped him out of town based on only one minicamp.


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LEAGUE, UNION AGREE TO NEW PROCEDURES FOR DILUTE SPECIMENS

The NFL and the NFLPA have reached agreement on a new procedure for determining whether a urine sample is sufficiently dilute to be considered a positive result.

Previously, a specimen with a specific gravity of less than 1.003 and a creatinine concentration of less than 20 mg/dL was considered to be diluted -- and automatically regarded as a positive. Prior to the 2003 draft, for example, there were reports that receiver Charles Rogers and cornerback Torrie Cox had generated dilute specimens at the scouting combine.

Said Cox's agent, Peter Schaffer, at the time: "This is ridiculous. I guess it means I'm representing a water abuser."

Although the NFL has not agreed to look the other way when it comes to dilute samples, the rules have been softened. A dilute sample will now be tested to the so-called "limits of detection." If positive, the result is then recorded as a positive. If negative at the "limits of detection," the result is then handled somewhat differently.

Most notably, a player in Stage Two or Stage Three gets one "warning" for an dilute sample that generates an "LOD Negative" result. Also, a player who is not in the substance abuse program enters based on behavior, not based on a positive test, if a dilute sample reveals no banned substances at the "limits of detection."

The NFL and the NFLPA also have reiterated the dress code for sample collection: "BARE ABOVE THE KNEES." The players may not wear shirts or other upper body garments, and all lower body garments must be pulled down to the knees.

This became an issue in 2005, when folks wondered how in the hell former Vikings running back Onterrio Smith was able to use a plastic pecker to funnel phony urine into the collection cup. The reality is that the employees responsible for monitoring the, ahem, harvesting of sample don't really want to stand there and watch the guy make pee-pee.

[ALinChainz]

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

POSTED 11:38 p.m. EDT, May 22, 2006

COLON GETS LESS BONUS MONEY THAN GUY TAKEN ONE SPOT LOWER IN 2005

Len Pasquarelli of ESPN.com reports that the Steelers have signed offensive lineman Willie Colon, the team's fourth-round pick in the 2006 draft and the second pick this year to agree to terms.

The deal carries a signing bonus of $283,500 and minimum salaries for each of the three seasons.

The player taken at the same spot in 2005, running back Darren Sproles of the Chargers, received a $392,000 bonus on a four-year deal. Though the additional $108,500 in bonus money that Sproles received might not justify losing a shot at restricted free agency as a result of making a four-year commitment. Coupled with some escalator provisions that aren't in Colon's deal, it's impossible to make an apples-to-apples comparison between the two contracts.

The most curious aspect of the deal is that Colon will get less bonus money than the player drafted one spot lower a year ago. In 2005, the 132nd pick in the draft received a bonus of $296,000 on a three-year deal, with minimum salaries for each season.

Coincidentally, the player -- Fred Gibson -- was also a draft pick of the Steelers. And, like Colon, Gibson signed in May.

Sure, Colon will get roughly $50,000 more over the life of the deal than Gibson's contract paid, given the net effect of the increase in CBA salaries. But even with the collectively negotiated benefit taken into account, Colon's deal is worth approximately three percent more than Gibson's contract.


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MONDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

The Cardinals were awarded OL Deke Morris on waivers from the Chiefs, who signed him as an undrafted free agent in early May.

Indiana WR James Hardy is ready to be drafted by the Bengals. Or claimed off of waivers by the Jaguars. Or signed by the Dolphins.

From the "Whoever Will Be Retired By Christmas Take One Step Forward . . . Not So Fast Big Tall Boring Guy" file, the search firm hired by the NFL to find a new Commish is still in the process of talking to the 32 owners to find out what they're looking for.

The Lions have re-signed LB James Davis.

Former Bengals QB Boomer Esiason doesn't want Carson Palmer to rush back too soon from his torn ACL. (Because if he does, and if the team manages to win enough games to secure home field advantage in the playoffs and ultimately win the Super Bowl, Boomer will become roughly as relevant as David Shula in franchise history.)

The Jags are officially added to the revised list of turd collecting teams.

Maurice Drew has issued a statement regarding his alleged involvement in the Grand Slam Breakfast at the Westwood Denny's on April 23. (Here's a shock -- he says he didn't do it.)

The Vikings are now in line to get their new stadium approved in 2007. (Assuming that no one in the organization does anything really stupid or embarrassing, such as scalping Super Bowl tickets or cavorting with strippers in a semi-public place or planting multiple misrepresentations in his bio or getting caught in an airport with a fake penis or demanding a $10 million raise or sending a series of ill-advised e-mails to the media.)


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POSTED 5:10 p.m. EDT, May 22, 2006

LIONS BOUNCE BIG DADDY

The Detroit Lions have released defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson, a three-year starter with the team.

Wilkinson was the first overall pick in the 1994 draft. He spent four years with the Bengals and five with the Redskins. He joined the Lions prior to the 2003 season.

In a blog with no byline on the team's official web site, the Lions explain that, "[a]fter extensive internal discussions regarding Wilkinson, [CEO Matt] Millen and [coach Rod] Marinelli decided it was best to focus on giving the younger players, like second-year defensive tackle Shaun Cody, more of an opportunity."

"We’re going to release Dan Wilkinson this afternoon and bring some closure to this and see exactly where we’re at," Millen said. "I've been talking to Dan quite a bit. Dan's sorting through some things and we talked about before that he was talking about maybe retiring. Coach [Marinelli] and I talked a bunch about it and in light of where we are with a couple of our young defensive lineman – Shaun Cody, Marcus Bell and also Damian Gregory – and where we're at with this scheme and given the fact that we're getting the program and putting it into place, I'll release Dan here today."

Marcus Bell recently has been fingered in various reports as the guy who blew the whistle on impermissible contact at a recent minicamp. The Lions lost two OTA days because of the CBA violation.

Wilkinson was under contract through 2006, with a salary of $2.4 million. Teams who might be interested in the 12-year veteran include the Dolphins and the Rams. Miami had been interested in Sam Adams earlier in the offseason, and Keith Traylor recently has had a scrape with the law. St. Louis recently has reiterated an interest in free agents Grady Jackson and Jason Fisk.

The Lions' blog compares the move to the seemingly abrupt decision by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to dump defensive tackle Brad Culpepper in favor of Anthony "Booger" McFarland, a move which occurred while Marinelli was the team's defensive line coach.

"The Bucs felt it was in their best interest to move on, go younger and improve their defense," write the unknown blogger. "Since Culpepper’s release, the Bucs continued to dominate on defense, and eventually won a world championship."

The only difference in this case? The Lions defense pretty much sucks.


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POSTED 10:35 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 11:42 a.m. EDT, May 22, 2006

'HAWKS, NFL CLEAR THE AIR

The (Peter) King Of All Football Media (and we don't mean that in our usual smart-ass way, but as a high compliment to his burgeoning presence everywhere a football fan turns) reports in his MMQB column that the Seattle Seahawks and the National Football League have smooched and made up after one of the most hotly-disputed games in league history.

According to King, NFL director of officiating Mike Pereira ventured into the belly of the Big Show's beast last week for an annual offseason visit regarding 2006 rules changes. And, yeah, there was also a little something on the agenda regarding Super Bowl XL, which threw the entire Pacific Northwest into a tizzy with the perception that the Seahawks got scuh-rewed.

King identifies three calls about which the team still believes it got the shaft, shoved sideways: (1) the flag thrown against Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck for making a low block on an interception return, which was obviously wrong because Hasselbeck was actually hitting the guy who was returning the pick; (2) the momentum-turning holding call on tackle Sean Locklear, which erased one of the few times that tight end Jerramy Stevens didn't drop the ball; and (3) a holding penalty that wiped out a 46-yard punt return by Peter Warrick on the first play of the second quarter. (The Seahawks also still think that Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's touchdown plunge was short of the goal line, but that call already had been debated at length between the team and the league office before last week's meeting.)

The most compelling aspect of the story, in our view, is that the Big Show a/k/a Mike Holmgren defused a potentially ugly session with Pereira by calling his assistant coaches together the prior evening and telling them to handle the league's emissary with respect. After all, the Seahawks will play up to 20 games that count in the coming season, and each of them will be handled by a crew of guys who, contrary to popular belief, are human beings -- and thus are subject to the same conscious and subconscious biases as the rest of us. If there's any merit to the hypothesis that the bad calls in the Super Bowl had their roots in the public griping in which Holmgren engaged after narrowly defeating the Giants in November, then it made no sense to set a bad tone for 2006 by tearing Pereira a few new Pujols.

By all appearances, Holmgren's strategy worked.

"It was the longest coaches' meeting I've ever been a part of,'' Pereira told King. "But they were a professional group of coaches. We disagreed without hostility, and when it's all said and done, we got some closure. I'm really glad I went. Now we can finally look ahead to the 2006 season.''

And Holmgren won't have to worry about the zebras going out of their way to stick it to his team as he tries to take the franchise one level higher.

Heck, the officials might even think subconsciously that they owe him a few close ones.


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MONDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Colts WR Marvin Harrison will have elbow surgery to address a lingering problem from the 2005 season. (Gee, why didn't he wait until August?)

Packers OL Kevin Barry was carted off of the field after suffering a thigh injury during minicamp. (You'll have that when the guys are playing full contact football without, you know, pads.)

Hey, lacrosse dudes -- how about a drinking game based on Ron Wolf giving a quote to the media?

The Big Grease might be on his way to becoming the Big Cheese.

From the "Things That Make Us Feel Even More Selfish And Inadequate" file, Ravens president Dick Cass recently donated a kidney to a longtime friend from law school.

Packers RB Ahman Green might not be ready for the start of training camp.

Ravens president Dick Cass anticipates that the team's window of opportunity for winning another Super Bowl is two years. (Hey, Dick -- if you plan to try to leap through that window, don't lead with your kidney.)

Pats WR Bethel Johnson, a second-round pick in 2003, knows that he's running out of chances to live up to his draft status.

Colts coach Tony Dungy chewed on the ear of DT Vincent Burns.

Although the Texans have received permission to interview Packers director of pro personnel Reggie McKenzie, McKenzie hadn't heard from Houston as of Sunday.

New digs for the Twins and Gophers, but not the Vikings.


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POSTED 9:02 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 9:48 a.m. EDT, May 22, 2006

SEGAL SETTING REGGIE UP FOR A HOLDOUT?

Agent Joel Segal has a problem. His highest-profile client, Reggie Bush, knows that he can't afford to come off of as greedy regarding the extent to which his guaranteed football money exceeds $20 million, since many of the Loozianans who'll be cheering from him come September are still pooping in plastic pots. But Segal is at the same time notorious for not doing a first-round deal until his client is bracketed by the packages paid to the player in front of him, and behind him.

So with Bush recently declaring that he doesn't want to be a holdout, Segal is doing his best to foment a little resentment between Reggie and the Saints.

In a spoon-fed interview to ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli (who only beats the bushes after dropping a cheeseburger into them), Bush lays the foundation (perhaps unwittingly) for a contract rhubarb by proclaiming that, while he doesn't want to miss training camp, "we have to have a fair offer, one that meets our expectations."

So which is it, Reg? Because whether the offer is "fair" and whether it "meets [your] expectations" are two very different propositions.

Also included in Pasquarelli's article is a suggestion that Bush wants to start the process of negotiating his contract now. The only problem with this statement is that it isn't attributed to Reggie as a direct (or indirect) quote.

Our guess is that the concept of premature negotiation was planted by Segal, who knows full well that the Saints aren't inclined to sign Bush any time soon. First of all, teams typically don't have the kind of cash flow in May or June that is necessary to support the issuance of big checks. This reality applies even more forcefully to the Saints, who are run by one of the cheapest owners in all of sport. Second, most teams prefer to push the process of signing draft picks into July, with work beginning in earnest after the annual celebration of an nation-building exercise that turned out far better than our current efforts in that regard.

What does Segal gain through this approach? It makes it easier for him to argue to Bush that the team isn't participating fairly and adequately in the process. "Reggie," Joel might say in the near future, "we made it clear to the Saints that we want to work something out now, and they're dragging their feet."

It also might make it easier for Reggie to win the looming P.R. battle if a holdout ultimately is required, since Reggie can then supply a stream of sound bites supporting the notion that it was the team, not Segal, that forced the holdout by delaying the commencement of the process by two months.

Our advice to the Saints? Call Segal's bluff. Send him a letter inviting him to the table right now, and say all the right things aimed at making Bush believe that the team is willing to work hard in the short term to get a deal done.

In response, Segal will sputter. He'll stall. He'll freeze. Because there's no way in hell that Segal will allow Bush to do a deal until Vince Young inks a contract at No. 3 with the Tennessee Titans.

Why, you aks? Because Segal is sufficiently insecure about his ability to negotiate a solid deal that he'll be paralyzed by the fear that Young will end up getting a better contract than Bush despite being picked one spot lower.

The other intriguing dynamic at play here is that, while Segal is most likely willing to tolerate a holdout, Bush's marketing agent, Mike Ornstein, most likely isn't. If Bush misses time and then loses the P.R. war, his potential for off-field earnings will take, at a minimum, a short-term hit. And that, in turn, will affect Ornstein's booty.

Our guess is that, for now, Segal and Ornstein are on the same page as to the approach. Things will get very interesting, however, if the Saints react by making objectively "fair" offers, since it most likely will prompt Segal to stick his head in the sand.


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AGENTS FOR LATE-ROUNDERS SHOULD GET CRACKING

Although we regard the efforts of agent Joel Segal to kick-start the contract negotiations for running back Reggie Bush to be hollow, agents representing players taken at the bottom portion of the NFL's April draft should consider attempting to get their guys signed sooner rather than later.

As we explained earlier this month, a combination of various factors will make it harder for teams to sign players taken high in round one, possibly forcing teams to renounce their rights to low-round picks.

The biggest problem is that, although the rookie salary pool has increased only by five percent, the minimum rookie salary has increased by 17 percent, from $235,000 to $275,000. This means that, if teams are compelled to devote an excessive chunk of the 2006 rookie pool to their first-rounders in order to build enough money into the future years of the deals, there simply might not be enough money left over to extend a bare-bones contract to the guy acquired via a supplemental seventh-round selection.

So the smart move is to get those low-end contracts done. Before there's no money left to do them.


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POSTED 11:30 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 1:08 p.m. EDT, May 21, 2006

DOUBLE STANDARD AT WORK IN FRONT OFFICE MOVES?

There's a growing concern in league circles regarding the manner in which some teams are using their ability to block movement of front officer personnel who aren't being offered "final say" over the roster, the draft, and/or the head coach.

Or, more accurately, regarding the manner in which some teams aren't using that ability.

Some league insiders believe that a double standard is in play, based on the race of the candidates. Minority candidates for front-office vacancies, such as Broncos assistant G.M. Rick Smith and Packers director of pro personnel Reggie McKenzie, are being permitted to interview for jobs like G.M. of the Texans, even though the Texans' position undoubtedly will not nearly carry the same degree of authority that Charley Casserly wielded for six years.

But there's a concern that white front-office employees who might end up on the Texans' list won't receive permission to interview for the position, even though it technically is a promotion over their current gigs.

"You can deny [Ravens director of college scouting] Eric DeCosta or [Eagles director of player personnel] Jason Light or [Jaguars director of college scouting] Gene Smith permission to interview for the Houston G.M. job," said one league source, "but you can't deny Rick Smith or [Jaguars director of pro personnel] Charles Bailey or Reggie McKenzie or [Seahawks director of pro personnel] Will Lewis."

Why? "The Fritz Pollard Alliance would rain down on your ass," said the source. "John Wooten and Cyrus Mehri would be on the front page of the USA Today sports section calling the entire process an injustice."

We're not sure it would come to that, but we do wonder whether minority employees are getting permission more freely in order to improve the total number of minority General Managers.

If it's happening, it's a great strategy. The question of whether the minority candidate who ultimately gets the job is truly more qualified than the non-minority candidates who don't becomes significantly diluted if the number of non-minority candidates is kept artificially low by other teams who refuse to give them permission to interview.

Our suggested solution? Let everyone interview for jobs with other teams -- or none of them. Allowing the teams to decided on a case-by-bases basis whether "permission" will be granted invites decision-making based on factors that never should enter into the equation.


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LORD FAVRE CATCHING MORE FLAK

There's plenty of chatter in league circles regarding the failure of Packers quarterback Brett Favre to appear at or participate in the team's weekend minicamp.

Sure, it's "voluntary." But that word has been rendered meaningless over the past five years. Voluntary minicamps are now "voluntary" only in the sense that a guy can't be fined for not attending. The players who believe in the cause and who intend to do their best to contribute for the coming season are expected to be there.

And where else is full participation more important than in Green Bay, where the team is coming off of a disastrous 4-12 season and breaking in a new coaching staff?

And why wouldn't Favre want to be there, especially if this very well could be his last season? He has the rest of his life to ride his tractor and play golf. (Maybe he can find a way to combine the two endeavors.) If he doesn't have a burning desire to soak in the final weeks and months of his pro football experience, maybe he should have retired.

There are other reasons for Favre to be there. Last season, he stayed away from much of the offseason workouts -- and look at the results. A career-high 29 interceptions.

Even if there's no correlation between his lack of preseason reps and his poor performance when the games counted, we always thought that pro athletes looked for ways to make changes after suffering through a bad season, if for no reasons other than superstition. This year, Favre really isn't doing anything much differently than a year ago.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the younger players need to see their on-field leader buying in to the new staff and the new zone blocking schemes and anything else that is different from a year ago. It will make it easier for them to sign off on the system, and it will make them less likely to view 2006 as the Favre farewell tour, where winning games is secondary to kissing Brett's butt.

As one league source opined to us, "The front office and coaching staff have no balls, and they are just feeding this guy's massive ego."

Based on the past four months, it's hard not to agree.


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WE GET LOVE FROM AN UNLIKELY SOURCE

A few months back, yours truly got into an e-mail sparring match with Bill Emkow of mlive.com, who took a backhanded swipe at us in his "Highlight Reel" blog by suggesting that our news and information is unreliable.

It got a little heated, but then we somehow found a common ground. Eventually, I encouraged Emkow to keep a closer eye on what we do, and to judge for himself whether we're simply embellishing and/or flat-out making stuff up.

The verdict is in.

"I've given grief to PFT in the past, and even debated the site's merits with PFT editor Mike Florio via email," writes Emkow. "He insisted I watch closer to what he's doing, and I would have a better appreciation for his work. I have been, and he's right.

"Because of the nature of what he writes it can't always be waterproof, but he does label it rumor mill. It's worth the read. Plus, he's got quite an audience of Who's Who in the NFL. It can't be too far off base."

Pay attention to that last part -- "he's got quite an audience of Who's Who in the NFL." The thing that we've been trying to impress upon our readers over the past couple of years is that we're different from other web sites and blogs because virtually everyone connected to the NFL checks out our content. Players, coaches, General Managers, owners, broadcasters, journalists, agents.

So thanks, Bill, for giving us a fair and honest assessment. Please disregard that e-mail comment about that thing we suggested you do to your dog. And all the other stuff we said.


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SUNDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

The Browns decided to try to trade QB Trent Dilfer after they concluded that he might retire.

Even if the NFL finds a way to let Reggie Bush wear No. 5, the chances of Browns C LeCharles Bentley being permitted to do "00" are 0.0 percent.

Browns TE Kellen Winslow is running routes again (which means it's only a matter of time before he finds another way to injure himself).

Here's yet another reason to despise T.O.

Packers CB Al Harris supposedly isn't skipping the team's current minicamp due to his contract.

Mike Freeman of the Florida Times-Union takes a look at what he calls Pancakegate.

Packers RB Najeh "Dookie" Davenport will "sit" (that's s-i-t; no "h") until training camp.

The Pats might be interested in LB Donnie Edwards via post-June 1 free agency, or LB Ahmad Brooks via the supplemental draft.

Eagles DE Jevon Kearse wants to be more disruptive in 2006. (We suggest farting loudly during team meetings.)

Titans DE Kyle Vanden Bosch hopes to improve upon his stellar Tennessee debut.

Colts WR Reggie Wayne isn't getting complacent.

Jets owner Woody Johnson is sticking his, um, nose a little deeper into the team's affairs.

Packers WR Donald Driver says he wouldn't have held out for a new deal.

The Bucs are expected to work out a contract extension with CB Ronde Barber.

As QB Chris Simms is learning, "laissez faire" actually means "hit that damn sled, Nancy."

QB Brock Huard is still looking for a job. In the NFL. Seriously.

Good news: a running back drafted by the Saints in the first round is persuading an entire football league to change its rules to accommodate him. Bad news: it's not Reggie Bush.

Steelers WR Cedrick Wilson, recruited by Tennessee to play quarterback, could be the next pass-throwing pass-catcher in Picksburgh.

[ALinChainz]

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

POSTED 4:00 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 4:26 p.m. EDT, May 23, 2006

PORTER BOYCOTTING PRACTICE DUE TO CONTRACT

A league source tells us that, indeed, Steelers linebacker Joey Porter is staying away from the team's voluntary offseason program due to his dissatisfaction with his current contract.

Porter is under contract through 2007.

The Steelers ordinarily don't renegotiate contracts with multiple years remaining. Exceptions have been made in the past only for quarterbacks Kordell Stewart and Tommy Maddox.

Porter claims that he wants to be the leader of the team, given the retirement of Jerome Bettis.

"Some leader," said the source.

Our suggestion to the Steelers? Cut him after June 1, and break the news to him just as the team prepares to journey into the Rose Garden for the meeting with the President.


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TEXANS HAVE YET TO SEEK PERMISSION TO INTERVIEW DEPAUL

Although we've heard that the Texans plan to interview Bears pro personnel director Bobby DePaul for the G.M. position in Houston, a league source tells us that the Texans have yet to request permission from the Bears to interview DePaul.

Per the source, the Bears don't anticipate the receipt of such a request, but they also do not plan to deny permission, if the Texans eventually make the call or send the fax.

Because the Texans' G.M. job is not expected to entail "final say" over personnel, the draft, and/or the coach, teams are not required to grant permission to front office employees currently under contract.


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McCARTHY GOES WILDE

In too many cities, the local beat writers keep their noses in the hind quarters of the teams they cover. In Green Bay, new Packers coach Mike McCarthy could be forcing it.

An industry source tells us that McCarthy recently -- and loudly -- dressed down Jason Wilde of the Wisconsin State Journal, in the presence of other writers. Per the source, McCarthy wasn't happy with Wilde's story suggesting that cornerback Al Harris isn't happy with his contract.

The thinking is that McCarthy was trying to send a message to the other beat writers by chewing on Wilde. Here's hoping that it backfires, and that it makes the local media in and around Green Bay less likely to nuzzle crotch and more likely to kick ass when it comes to getting at the truth, and exposing it for the consumption of the football-following public.


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POSTED 9:04 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 10:00 a.m. EDT, May 23, 2006

TEXANS SEARCH EXPANDS

With Broncos assistant G.M. Rick Smith and Packers director of pro personnel Reggie McKenzie the first two candidates on the list for the General Manager gig in Houston, a league source tells us that the field is soon going to grow.

By two.

Bears director of pro personnel Bobby DePaul and Jaguars director of pro personnel Charles Bailey are the next names to be added to the list, and there likely will be more candidates as the process continues to unfold.

Although we'd heard talk last week that the Texans might be using a search firm to assist with the process, the team has decided for now to go it alone.

And as to the suggestion in some circles that current G.M. Charley Casserly has spent his final few weeks on the job helping out with the current effort to find his replacement, one league insider has made the following observation: "If Casserly is truly helping in this search, he trying to run the franchise into the ground."


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LAWYER HAS THREE WITNESSES AGAINST DREW

As Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio asks that judgment against rookie running back Maurice Drew not be passed until the legal process has "a chance to run its course," there's apparently evidence that might result in an outcome Del Rio finds to be unacceptable.

According to the Florida Times-Union, the attorney for Soroush Sabzi says that he has three witnesses who have signed statements identifying Drew as one of the people who were "punching Sabzi in the face and stomping on his head."

In a case that likely will involve two drastically different versions of the events from the central figures, the information supplied by others can be critical -- assuming that they are neutral and unbiased. If the three witnesses were bystanders with no connection to the incident or the people involved, their accounts become instantly persuasive.

Whether that leads to a finding of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt remains to be seen. But in the civil proceedings against Drew, Bears cornerback Ricky Manning, Jr., and former UCLA player Tyler Ebell, a lower standard of proof applies, requiring Sabzi to prove only that his version of the events is more likely than not (i.e., 51-49) true. In such a case, corroborating testimony from witnesses with no reason to embellish, exaggerate, or lie typically will push the balance in the plaintiff's favor.

And shame on the Jaguars for not knowing that there were three witnesses who would point a finger at Drew as the guy who put five fingers -- and a few toes -- onto Sabzi at a Westwood Denny's six days before the draft. In our view, Del Rio isn't only requesting that folks delay passing judgment on Drew before the process has unfolded. Del Rio also wants the football world not to pass judgment on the Jags generally (and on him specifically) for blowing a second-round pick on a guy who might be breaking rocks instead of tackles when it's all said and done.


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YET ANOTHER JAGUAR TURD

Jacksonville quickly is becoming a haven for antisocial behavior, rivaling at this point only the Bengals for the top spot on the official PFT turd collection watch.

In addition to Drew and recently-acquired offensive lineman Wayne Hunter, the Jags also have signed defensive tackle Tony McDaniel, who pleaded guilty to assault after cold-cocking a guy during a pickup basketball game in January 2005.

Why didn't he claim he didn't do it? Because the incident was captured on video.

Here's the clip. McDaniel does his dirty work at about the 20-second mark, and the kid is still laying on the wood more than six minutes later.

McDaniel received 11 months and 29 days of supervised probation. He also was suspended for two games during the 2005 season.

Now, McDaniel is being sued by the man whom he flattened, for $800,000. The victim, Edward Goodrich, claims that he suffered four broken bones in his face as a result of the incident.

Nice job, Jags. Maybe their new marketing slogan is "Buy tickets or we'll beat you with a shoe."


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PORTER POSTURING FOR MORE PAY?

Steelers linebacker Joey Porter, who claims that he wants to become the team leader in the wake of the retirement of Jerome Bettis, is setting a bad example by skipping out on the team's voluntary workouts.

Porter's agent, Jeff Sperbeck, was tight-lipped as to the reasons for Porter's absence. "The Steelers are aware of Joey's situation," Sperbeck told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Sperbeck's sound bite could be intended to imply that Porter has been trying to get a pay raise, and that the team has declined. Porter is scheduled to earn salaries of $3.85 million in 2006 and $4 million in 2007. He also is due to receive a $1 million roster bonus in 2007.

Steelers spokesman Dave Lockett told the Post-Gazette that coach Bill Cowher was aware that Porter would miss last week's sessions, and Lockett emphasized that the workouts are (wink, nod, fart) "voluntary."

Hey, Joey. If you want to know whether the team is going to overpay for a linebacker from a 3-4, zone-blitzing scheme that has made plenty of players into stars, we suggest that you place a call to Greg Lloyd. Or Kevin Greene. Or Chad Brown. Or Hardy Nickerson. Or Jerrol Williams. Or Levon Kirkland.

Bottom line for Porter -- he's fungible. And his big mouth won't prompt the front office to make any exceptions for him when the time comes to decide whether to pay him, or to let him walk.


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TUESDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

From the "Definitive Proof That The NFL Finally Is Serious About Returning To L.A." file, the local college team whose ox could be gored by a pro team playing in the Coliseum is pissing and moaning and using hyperbole.

Texans defensive line coach Bob Karmelowicz has been hospitalized with dehydration and cellulitis.

Texans WR Jerome Mathis was back on the field after suffering injuries in April due to a motorcycle accident.

The Jags have signed P Toby Gowin.

We've gotten several e-mails from readers speculating that recently released Lions DT Dan Wilkinson was one of the guys who finked on coach Rod Marinelli and his minicamp workouts; however, Wilkinson had not attended any of the team's offseason sessions.

Even when he gets a rare puff piece for doing something selfless (absent a community service order), Titans CB Pacman Jones still finds a way to come off as a jerk; he now suggests that there are other guys on the team who do bad things but that no one pays attention to them.

The Packers are waiting for more information as to the severity of OL Kevin Barry's leg injury. (And we suggest that some of those "Get Well Barbaro" cards be sent instead to Barry, since Barry might be in a slightly better position to, you know, read them.)

The Lions have opted not to sign WR Az Hakim, choosing instead to go with the 27 receivers already on the roster.

Lions CEO Matt Millen says that no team was willing to trade for DT Dan Wilkinson.

Titans DT Albert Haynesworth has a June 14 preliminary hearing on reckless endangerment charges.

Steelers DE Brett Keisel is busting his ass.

The Glazers have a succession plan in place.

Jags RB Fred Taylor is still skipping the team's voluntary program.

The Ravens and Titans might be able to finally work out a trade for QB Steve McNair by using a conditional pick, which would upgrade based on McNair's performance.

A date for the Fran Foley arbitration will be picked within a week.

[ALinChainz]

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

POSTED 9:39 p.m. EDT, May 24, 2006

TEXANS' LIST CURRENTLY STANDS AT FIVE

A league source with knowledge of the status of the search for a new General Manager in Houston tells us that the list of candidates currently stands at five.

Broncos assistant G.M. Rick Smith, Packers director of pro personnel Reggie McKenzie, Bears director of pro personnel Bobby DePaul, Jaguars director of pro personnel Charles Bailey, and Lions senior V.P. and assistant G.M. Martin Mayhew.

Smith, McKenzie, Bailey, and Mayhew are African-American.

Per the source, the Texans are committed to exhausting the interview process before identifying a top candidate or making an offer. Also, it's possible that more names will be added to the list.


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POSTED 9:07 p.m. EDT, May 24, 2006

DROUGHNS IN HOT WATER, AGAIN

A league source tells us that Browns running back Reuben Droughns, fresh on the heels of an acquittal from DUI charges, potentially will be facing kidnapping charges after a domestic incident involving his wife.

The matter, we're told, is still being investigated, and Droughns has not yet formally been charged. The kidnapping element arises from allegations that Droughns restrained his wife in their house, against her will, during their altercation.

The incident occurred earlier this month, in the days after a jury found Droughns not guilty of charges that he was driving drunk on November 1, 2005. His blood alcohol content was 0.08, Ohio's legal limit.

After the verdict, Kellie Droughns expressed relief. "This is such a relief. It's been hard on us, hard on Reuben," she said. "We're taking a limo everywhere, even to the grocery store."


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POSTED 4:50 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 6:00 p.m. EDT, May 24, 2006

EDDIE LOOKING TO GET BACK IN?

Nancy Gay of the San Francisco Chronicle, citing among other things a forthcoming story from Michael Silver of Sports Illustrated, reports on rumors that former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo is contemplating the possibility of seizing control of an NFL team and moving it to Los Angeles.

DeBartolo told Silver in March that the Raiders are a potential target, given an ongoing problem with attendance and owner Al Davis' "declining" health. (By the way, we've heard all sorts of rumors and speculation about the health condition of the guy who calls the shots in Oakland, but we've refrained from commenting on the subject out of respect for Davis. . . . And because we don't want to get sued.)

Teaming with former 49ers president Carmen Policy, DeBartolo also has eyeballed the Saints.

Raiders president Amy Trask told Gay in response to the SI story: "This is not a story about the Oakland Raiders being sold. This is not a story about the team relocating. This is a story about two gentlemen, Eddie DeBartolo and Carmen Policy, who clearly are drinking too much of Carmen's recently bottled wine.''

Zing!

"The only look those two are going to get at this team is if they want to watch it on television,'' Trask added.

Double zing! (Hey, this girl could write copy for us if that whole "high-paying NFL front-office job" thing doesn't work out.)

Five years ago, there were rumors that DeBartolo was interested in joining with Outback Steakhouse owners Chris Sullivan and Bob Basham to buy the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from Malcolm Glazer. Though DeBartolo denied any interest in buying the team in a story published on January 24, 2001, he indicated otherwise in an item dated January 27.

"Malcolm Glazer and his family are very astute business people," DeBartolo said, "and all they had to say was that team wasn't for sale. And they did. But if something were to happen, and the Holy Ghost came down and Malcolm said, 'I'd like to sell the team,' would I be interested? Maybe."

But even if DeBartolo could find a team willing to let him buy it, the other members of the Billionaire Boys Club would have to approve the transaction.

We'd be willing to bet the riverboat casino that they won't.

DeBartolo pleaded guilty in 1998 to federal felony charges resulting from his failure to report an alleged extortion attempt by former Louisiana governor Edwin Edwards, in which DeBartolo supposedly handed $400,000 in cash to Edwards in order to help DeBartolo win a riverboat casino license. In 1997, DeBartolo ceded control of the 49ers to his sister, Denise DeBartolo York, after DeBartolo was advised of his impending indictment.

And when DeBartolo signed away his interest in the 49ers to York in March 2000, Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross of the Chronicle wrote that the move occurred after "NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue made it increasingly clear that -- despite DeBartolo's willingness to turn state's evidence against Edwards down in Louisiana -- the league would never let him back into football."

So there's no way, as a practical matter, that DeBartolo would ever get control of an NFL team. There are simply too many other folks out there with the money and the interest.

And without the rap sheet.


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WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

The Buccaneers have signed WR David Boston.

Packers OL Kevin Barry is out for the season with a tord quad.

Ahh, the sweet smell of corroboration. (Oh wait, I had asparagus for lunch.)

Here's a shock -- a Broncos player whose injury was reported by the team to be less severe than it really was.

Broncos TE Wesley Duke, who was the first player issued No. 84 after TE Shannon Sharpe, has given up the shirt for WR Javon Walker, without compensation.

Carson Palmer hates the Steelers.

Agent Joe Linta represents the Browns' head coach and the Browns' first-round draft pick. And that's perfectly okay with the NFL and the NFLPA.

Now we know why the Cubs are so bad -- the company that owns them is stupid enough to cite slapd-ck web sites as the source of NFL news.

The Argos are done talking about Ricky Williams until a deal is place to ship him north.

Malcolm Glazer has made nearly $700 million in ten years on his investment in the Bucs.

Jason Babin is moving back to defensive end in Houston.

Texans CB Dunta Robinson could return some punts in 2006 (assuming that the Houston defense ever, you know, forces the other team to punt).

The writers in Jacksonville are noticing that the Mean Machine has moved to town.


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POSTED 3:00 p.m. EDT, May 24, 2006

QUINCY CUT IN CANADA

Former NFL quarterback Quincy Carter can now add the phrase "former CFL quarterback" to his resume after being cut by the Montreal Alouettes.

Carter was cut late Tuesday night after roughly a week of training camp. Team officials say that he was cut based on his performance.

The former Dallas Cowboys and New York Jet was competing with several others for an opportunity to serve as the backup to starter Anthony Calvillo.

Obtained by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2001 draft, Carter started in eight games as a rookie, seven in 2002, and all 16 in 2003, leading the Cowboys to the playoffs in the first year of the Bill Parcells regime.

Prior to the 2004 season, however, Carter was cut after violating the league's substance abuse policy. Carter signed with the Jets, and appeared in seven games in 2004. He filed a non-injury grievance against the Cowboys, which is still pending.

Carter was out of the NFL in 2005.

The former Georgia Bulldog would have earned $75,000 (Canadian) if he had made the Alouettes' roster. "I haven't played in about a year and a half," Carter recently told the Montreal Gazette. "To get out and get the juices going is a great feeling. To get on the field, back calling signals was good."

Good, but temporary.


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POSTED 10:09 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 11:01 a.m. EDT, May 24, 2006

BUSH SAYS NO TO NFL

The NFL is keeping a very tight lid on the list of candidates for the job of Commissioner, in order to save those who ultimately are rejected from any embarrassment. However, the league can't control what the folks who tell the NFL "no, thanks" might say.

Per the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, one guy who has opted to pass on the opportunity to enter the screening process is Florida governor Jeb Bush.

Bush says that he was contacted by Patrick Rooney, Sr., the brother of Steelers chairman Dan Rooney, regarding the looming vacancy.

"I met with Mr. Rooney and I said I'm doing my job until I'm finished and then I'm going to consider other things," Bush said. "But I'm not going to do anything until I finish."

Bush finishes his term in January 2007. This means that Jeb Bush won't be the Commissioner, since the owners are committed to hiring a replacement for Paul Tagliabue by August 18.

The league's interest in Bush suggests that the owners will look broadly for a new poobah, and it opens the door for other figures who have made a mark in the world of politics to secure consideration. Names that now come to mind include: Steve Largent, a Hall of Fame receiver who was a Congressman (and a picket-line crosser in 1987); J.C. Watts, a former Oklahoma quarterback and Congressman whom a reader mentioned to us on Tuesday as a possible candidate, before the Bush story broke; and former New Jersey governor James McGreevey, whose personal experiences might encourage all gay players to come out of the closet. (Um, we're kidding about the last one.)

Given the NFL's sensitivity to appearances, we wonder whether Jeb was asked to keep the league's interest in him confidential. Such a request would make sense, since it's now likely that many casual observers will carry around in their heads the idea that Bush was the first choice for the job, even though the truth at this point is that the owners are still in the process of gathering candidates.

Even if Bush wasn't specifically asked to be discreet, why in the hell would he choose to blab? It makes us think that, despite public denials, he's secretly toying with the possibility of running for President in 2008.


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POSTED 9:16 a.m. EDT, May 24, 2006

COLLAPSE COMING FOR THE JAGUARS?

In response to a rash of recent acquisitions of players with character questions, some league insiders now believe that it's only a matter of time before the current power structure in Jacksonville collapses.

One league source attributes the trend to a lack of attention to detail on the part of V.P. of player personnel James "Shack" Harris.

"I knew it would be only a matter of time before it caught up with Shack," said the source.

"Give it a little time," the source added, "that thing will implode and unravel quickly."

Over the past few weeks, the Jaguars burned a second-round pick on UCLA running back Maurice Drew, despite allegations that he beat the hell out of a guy at a Denny's restaurant six days before the draft. The Jags also selected in round seven defensive back Dee Webb, who happened to have four guns, including an AK-47, and whose Florida teammate fired said AK-47 into an adjacent apartment.

After the draft, the Jags signed Tennessee defensive tackle Tony McDaniel, who sucker-punched a guy while playing basketball and then let him lay there, apparently unconscious. Most recently, the Jaguars claimed former Seahawks tackle Wayne Hunter on waivers after the 'Hawks flushed the commode on the former third-round pick.

There's also lingering criticism regarding Jacksonville's decision to pay an eight-figure signing bonus to cornerback Brian Williams, a chronic malcontent who wasn't even a regular starter in Minnesota.

So don't put much stock in the team's 12-4 record from 2005. "They played a horse-shit schedule last year," said the source.

Another source agrees that trouble is on the horizon. "I don't know about [coach] Jack [Del Rio]. I kind of liked him but he is going to have a tough group to control."

We then reminded the source that Del Rio now has the Meathead in town to help keep the inmates from overrunning the asylum. "That's right, he's there too," the source remarked. "How would you like to turn your billion dollar business over to those two guys?"

Our guess? Del Rio and Harris will be gone within two years, and owner Wayne Weaver again will be bemoaning the fact that he can't sell out the stadium -- making a sale of the team to L.A. interests look better and better.


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LEN CONTINUES TO PIMP

We've gotten to the point where we're pretty much numb to Len Pasquarelli's kiss-agent-ass-in-order-to-make-my-job-easier routine, but that doesn't stop us from listening when a league insider contacts us with concerns regarding Len's gratuitous slurping on a guy in order to keep the inside information coming.

Most recently, our network of insiders has noticed two such examples.

The first one came when Len wrote a puff-piece on cornerback Dennis Weathersby, a client of agent Gary Uberstine, who is as suspected friend of Len.

Weathersby has been out of the league since a serious automobile accident in April 2004. But now Weathersby is looking to get back into the game, and Len does his best to beat the bushes (and not just in search of that fumbled fudgesicle): "It will take a team with a lot of guts to gamble on him now, given his medical background, but word is that Weathersby is running well and is in excellent condition. The search for cornerbacks in the NFL, especially cover guys with size, is a never-ending one. Maybe it will lead some team to Weathersby, who is all but ready to work out and eager to try to restart his career."

Len ignores, however, that Weathersby's non-medical background remains an even bigger concern for plenty of teams, even before he was shot and lost half of the blood in his body prior to the 2003 draft.

"This guy was an absolute turd coming out [of Oregon State]," said one source. "Everyone at the school killed the kid. . . . He has no friends anywhere on the team. Teammates disliked him, coaches, trainers. [He] consistently quit on his teammates."

But after spending the first pick in the fourth round on Weathersby, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said he was satisfied that Weathersby is not a "character problem."

Still, Weathersby was charged with assault while at Oregon State, and there are accounts of Weathersby quitting on the team during a game.

"In the middle of a game against USC, he took himself out of the game, claiming he was dehydrated," said a league source. "The trainers ran tests, iced him, and couldn't find anything. Then he said he had to take a dump. He went into the locker room and stayed there. They had to send trainers in to get him . . . and found him pacing the locker room."

The source estimates that 75 percent of teams removed Weathersby from their draft boards.

Len also sticks his nose into the anal cleft of agent Joe Linta in his recent piece regarding the signing (drum roll, please) of a fourth-round draft pick, Hofstra offensive lineman Harry Colon.

"Have you ever seen so much detail in a piece about a f--king fourth-round pick?" said the source. "Len's article gave everything but the kid's mother's maiden name. I'm not looking to hit Joe at all. I'm just making the point of how shameless we know Len is."


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POSTED 7:32 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 8:29 p.m. EDT, May 23, 2006

NFL SAYS NO TO BUSH

The Associated Press reports that the NFL's competition committee has recommended against a rule change that would allow Saints running back Reggie Bush continue to wear No. 5, his jersey number since high school.

The decision was made based on two conference calls among the members of the committee. The owners, 24 of whom would have to vote in favor of any changes to the rules, never considered the move.

Bush, the 2005* Heisman winner, and marketing agent Mike Ornstein had been pressing for a change to the numbering system that has been put in place more than 30 years ago. Running backs can choose from No. 20 through No. 49. The efforts to force a change in the rules alienated some "old school" league insiders, who believe that Bush should have adopted a more low key approach, especially after finding himself embroiled in a significant controversy regarding whether alleged payments made to his parents resulted in a forfeiture of his collegiate eligibility.

"Obviously, I am disappointed by today's decision but I respect the NFL Competition Committee's judgment," Bush said.

"We have not decided which number I will wear for this coming season, but that decision will come soon."

As we explained when this issue first came up, kids who hope to wear the same number from high school to college to the NFL should pick a number now that fits within the NFL's numbering system.

Or they shouldn't care about the number they wear. Sure, it's a measure of individuality in an otherwise conformity-obsessed endeavor. But it's what's inside the uniform that matters. Great players will play great no matter what they're wearing.

With the exception of those old gay pirate uniforms that the Buccaneers sported for two decades.


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DON'T BELIEVE THE SPIN ON PORTER

Despite rampant media reports that Steelers linebacker Joey Porter will miss the balance of offseason workouts due to arthroscopic knee surgery, we've confirmed and re-confirmed that the root of Porter's absence to date from voluntary workouts was his dissatisfaction with his contract.

We're not suggesting that he isn't really having surgery, or that he's only having surgery to provide himself with some cover. But it's a coincidence, and we're certain that the root of the problem is his pay. Or lack thereof.

Porter will make $3.85 million in 2006 and $5 million in 2007.


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TUESDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

August 18 is the target for hiring a new Commish.

Eagles DT Paul Grasmanis has called it a career.

The 49ers have signed FB Moran Norris.

A writer from Forbes magazine thinks Bills owner Ralph Wilson is full of poopie.

Golfer Phil Mickelson is a lifelong fan of the Chargers.

Former Steelers LB Jason Gildon is wanted for assault. (In an unrelated development, the Jaguars want to sign him. So do the Bengals.)

Toyota and Lexus are sponsoring Monday Night Football.

World Bowl XIV will be shown on the NFL Network. (We'd rather watch reruns of The Brady Bunch.)

We knew it was bound to happen, but we still find it hard to believe -- a Norman Chad column that simply isn't funny.

The Rams supposedly were interested in Vikings director of college scouting Scott Studwell, before Studwell signed a three-year deal to stay put.

With Barbaro improving, it looks like the only way we'll be able to get two sheets of paper to stay together is with a stapler.

[ALinChainz]

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

POSTED 8:31 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 10:18 a.m. EDT, May 26, 2006

McKENZIE "BLEW AWAY" SMITH

A league source tells us that Texans' brass believes that Packers director of pro personnel "blew away" Broncos assistant G.M. Rick Smith in their respective interviews for the position of G.M. in Houston.

With that said, the Texans have yet to make a decision as to who will be hired. As we mentioned on Thursday, it's possible that the Texans were turned off by the normally quiet and media-averse McKenzie's public comments after the interview, in which he campaigned for the job. Soon-to-be-former G.M. Charley Casserly had a habit of talking too much to the press, and we've heard that owner Bob McNair didn't like it.

Meanwhile, the Texans have expanded the list of five candidates that we previously have identified by adding New Orleans director of player personnel Rick Mueller. On Thursday, the Texans sought and received permission to interview Mueller, according to the team's P.R. department a/k/a the Houston Chronicle.

And more names could surface. "I don't want to overlook anybody," McNair told the Chronicle. "I've had some people call me — other coaches, other owners and what have you — who have suggested some names, and I want to give them consideration."

The other candidates we have identified via our sources are Lions assistant G.M. Martin Mayhew, Bears director of pro personnel Bobby DePaul, and Jaguars director of pro personnel Charles Bailey. Word is that the Texans have spoken to the Bears about DePaul, but that DePaul has not yet been invited to interview.

McNair acknowledges that the front-runners are McKenzie and Smith. "I think they are both real solid football guys," McNair said. "They've both been players. They've both had some coaching experience. They have both been scouts, and they have both been with good organizations. So everything you would like to see in a positive way is positive. I think they are also both very good people. So I am very much impressed with both of them."


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MRS. DROUGHNS WANTS CHARGES TO BE DROPPED

Kellie Droughns, the spouse of Browns running back Reuben Droughns, has made "repeated demands" that the charges pending against Drougns be dropped, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Droughns has been arrested and charged with assault and harassment after a domestic incident involving Mrs. Droughns on May 11.

"It's reflected in the police report that [Kellie] didn't want the charges to be filed and she's been insistent about that," lawyer Harvey Steinberg said.

How shocking. Forgiveness, in our view, is a lot easier to muster when the failure to let bygones be bygones could ultimately impact the amount of disposable income available to Mrs. Droughns for necessities such as hiring a limo to go to the grocery store.

It's a common phenomenon when pro athletes are faced with allegations that they have roughed up or otherwise violated the rights of a supposed loved one. A negotiated guilty plea, even with no jail time, subjects the breadwinner to the loss of some serious cake, due to the league's personal conduct policy. And a conviction potentially pulls the plug, temporarily if not permanently, on the moneymaker's football career.

This creates a big problem for prosecutors, since it's virtually impossible to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Joe Blow beat the snot out of Mrs. Blow when she gets on the witness stand and says, "He never touched me, muther-f--ker."

So the prosecution in the Droughns case is now in a bind. Droughns can't afford to plead guilty to anything, since it could cost him a game check. Absent a deal that permits the charges to be dropped in exchange for Droughns entering, for example, an anger-management program, a trial is unavoidable -- even if the chances of a conviction are minimal.


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FRIDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Bills RB Willis McGahee is skipping out on OTAs -- but he's at least indirectly helping owner Ralph Wilson's balance sheet by appearing this week on the network of which Wilson owns a 1/32nd interest.

Broncos QB Jake Plummer, on his recent legal troubles: "Image tarnished, whatever. Role model, blah, blah -- I'm here to play football." (He needs to add to that: "For one more season, at most.")

Bucs WR David Boston, who seemingly has been around forever, is only 27 years old.

RB Ricky Williams is in Toronto, visiting with the Argonauts.

Gary Kubiak is trying to turn David Carr into a successful NFL quarterback.

In discussing the struggles of DT Travis Johnson, Texans defensive line coach Bob Karmelowicz comes dangerously close to admitting that the offseason helmets-and-underwear practices involve contact: "A lot of times guys go, 'Hey, come on; it's May. We have no pads. They give you a list of reasons why they shouldn't do anything hard. But you must give yourself permission to do it. That's what's got to click on with him right now. That's what he's fighting. As soon as he allows himself to do it, he'll pick it up in a New York minute."

It sounds like Dolphins WR Chris Chambers wants to give Daunte Culpepper a lap dance.

David Hughes of the Terre Haute (Ind.) Tribune-Star writes: "If I shamelessly plug the popular profootballtalk.com national Web site in this column for a second straight year, will I get mentioned in its 'Rumor Mill' section again? (I'd prefer a more flattering mention than last year, though.)" (Answer: Yes, but only because your on-line columns no longer are published with a picture of a guy who looks like the geeky fraternal twin of former Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt.)

Jags OT Mike Williams is trying to get from 370 pounds to 340 pounds.

Eagles G Shawn Andrews is also looking to shave off some baby fat, even if it means that he won't be able to pick up any more sumo wrestlers.

Eagles WR Hank Baskett was expecting to be cut when he was called into the office of Vikings coach Brad Childress; instead, he was traded.


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POSTED 9:57 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 11:02 p.m. EDT, May 25, 2006

REGGIE TO WEAR NO. 25

Saints running back Reggie Bush will make his mark in the NFL with jersey No. 25.

All together now: Whoop-de-freakin'-doo.

Yeah, it's slow right now in the NFL news and rumor bidness. So, yeah, we keep talking about the question of the number that Bush will wear on his chest, back, and arms. But only because we continue to be disturbed by the fact that, in our view, Bush hasn't been properly humbling himself in the infancy of his NFL career.

Per ESPN.com, Bush finagled No. 25 from running back Fred McAfee. For nothing.

Well, not for nothing. Instead, Bush's deal with McAfee is that half of the money that Bush had planned to devote to Katrina-related charities from the sale of his jersey will now be diverted to a charity of McAfee's choice.

So if McAfee decides to support the American Cancer Society or the United Way or the Barbaro Relief Fund, then the end result is that the Katrina relief efforts will get less money from Bush than previously expected.

And because Bsh's marketing agent, Mike Ornstein, won't give up his quixotic campaign to get the NFL to change its numbering system, our guess is that more than a few people who would have been inclined to buy Bush 25 will wait 'til next year, in the event that Ornstein and Bush get their way.

"Hopefully, they will change the rules next year so that Reggie can go back to wearing his old number," Ornstein told Darren Rovell of ESPN.com.

Here's an idea -- the league should offer for sale both the Bush game jersey and the Bush practice jersey. And Bush should donate all of the proceeds of Bush No. 5 to the Katrina efforts.


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McKENZIE DISSES A. J.?

Earlier on Thursday, we noted that Packers director of pro personnel Reggie McKenzie might have shot himself in the foot by shooting off his mouth regarding his desire to become the next G.M. of the Texans.

An additional quote that a reader e-mailed to us on Thursday evening suggests that, if McKenzie ends up staying in Green Bay, he might have set himself up for an awkward moment or two with first-round selection A. J. Hawk, the large-skulled linebacker taken with the fifth overall pick in the draft.

Said McKenzie regarding the Texans' No. 1 overall pick in the draft, defensive end Mario Williams: "If he would've landed at the No. 5 pick, I'd still be dancing in the streets of Green Bay. He's the one guy that we think that could turn a defense around."

Implicit in this remark is the suggestion that McKenzie thinks that Hawk, well, isn't a guy who could turn a defense around.

Of course, not every team agreed with McKenzie's assessment. In the days preceding the draft, the Saints decided to select Hawk at No. 2, if the Texans had opted for Reggie Bush at No. 1. This would have prompted Williams to fall to No. 4.

So it looks to us that McKenzie is swinging for the fences in the efforts to get a promotion -- even if it means burning a bridge or two in his current place of employment.


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DROUGHNS AVOIDS KIDNAPPING CHARGE, FOR NOW

On Wednesday night, we reported that Browns running back Reuben Droughns was in hot water with the law, again, after an incident involving his wife. The rumor making the rounds was that Droughns might be charged with kidnapping after restraining his wife in their home during an altercation.

As it turns out, Droughns was indeed arrested Wednesday on charges of third-degree assault and harassment. For now, however, he has not been charged with kidnapping.

Droughns has been released on bail after spending the night in jail, and he has been ordered to have no contact with his accuser. Although authorities have declined to identify the accuser, we've heard from multiple sources that the accuser is Droughns' spouse.

Droughns faces up to 18 months behind bars on the assault charge, and up to six months on the harassment charge.

The incident occurred on May 12, three days after Droughns was acquitted of DUI charges.


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THURSDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

With no chance at putting a retractable roof on Arrowhead Stadium, the Chiefs have officially given up on hosting the Super Bowl in 2015.

The Superdome will be "football ready" on September 27. (Whether the Saints are is a different story.)

Attorney Jeff Kessler has agreed to put a sock in it regarding Fran Foley's arbitration claim against the Vikings.

The Toronto Argonauts denied on Thursday that they have been given permission by the Dolphins to negotiate a contract with RB Ricky Williams.

The doctor who admitted to giving steroids to several members of the Panthers has lost his license to practice medicine.

Says Bengals QB Carson Palmer regarding the support received after tearing his ACL: "It was like I was dying of AIDS." (How insensitive; he should have said, "It was like I'd changed my name to Barbaro.")

Coach Kevlar wants his quarterback to learn how to take the high road.

Central Florida has signed coach George O'Leary to a ten-year deal. (And next week they're interviewing Fran Foley for the position of director of football operations.)

Giants RB Tiki Barber will host a weekly show on NFL Sirius Radio.

[ALinChainz]

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

POSTED 10:01 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 11:41 a.m. EDT, May 27, 2006

RODGERS' ARREST HURTS McKENZIE?

Packers' fourth-round draft pick Cory Rodgers was arrested Friday on gun charges, after police in Fort Worth, Texas broke up a brawl involving gang members and former TCU football players.

Rodgers is charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and discharge of a firearm, which means in lay terms that he shot a freaking gun during the brouhaha.

Roughly 50 to 60 people were involved in the brawl, using pool cues and beer bottles as weapons.

As one league source remarked in response, " can't imagine it helps Reggie McKenzie" that the team's fourth-rounder was arrested on these charges so soon after the draft. McKenzie is Green Bay's pro personnel director, and he currently is a candidate to replace Charley Casserly as the G.M. of the Houston Texans. Although McKenzie technically has no direct responsibility over the draft, his recent comments regarding No. 1 over all pick Mario Williams demonstrate that he had a role in the team's selection process.

Then again, when it comes to a tendency to acquire turds, Broncos assistant G.M. Rick Smith -- also a candidate for the Texans gig -- doesn't exactly have clean hands, either.

Said the source: "I wonder if McNair has taken into account the number of scumbags that Denver has signed over the years that Rick smith has been at Denver? Not saying that he is responsible, however, he is a part of the process."


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McKINNIE PLEADS OUT, TOO

The cheese stood alone. But not for very long.

Within hours after Vikings cornerback Fred Smoot pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct charges arising from the Love Boat fiasco, the last remaining defendant -- Vikings offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie -- pleaded guilty as well.

Both men got the same deal: $1,000 fine, 48 hours of community service, and 30-day jail sentences that were stayed for a year.

Both men also pleaded guilty to "being a public nuisance on a watercraft," but these specific charges will be expunged from their records if they stay on the right side of the law for a year. (And that'll come in handy if either of them ever apply for a job on a watercraft.)

In a statement released on Friday afternoon, Vikings owner Zygi Wilf said: "With today's resolution of the case, the matter will now be reviewed by the National Football League for potential fines of both players under the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy. This policy is in place to address off-field conduct matters with league-wide consistency on behalf of the NFL clubs. Both the Minnesota Vikings and the NFL will continue to hold our players, coaches and staff to a high standard both on and off the field. Our organization has taken numerous steps to strengthen our franchise and will continue to do so as we look forward to the 2006 season and beyond."

As we explained on Friday afternoon after Smoot pleaded guilty, the Personal Conduct Policy also could result in a suspension without pay or banishment from the league. But NFL spokesman Greg Aiello says that the duo won't be suspended.

Smoot was charged with using sex toys on strippers during a party cruise on Lake Minnetonka. McKinnie was charged with performing oral sex on one of the strippers.

And thanks to the reader who reminded us that Smoot had vehemently denied any involvement in the sex romp in the days after word broke of the sordid story.

At the time, Smoot threatened to sue anyone who "put my name in there."

"They're killing my name," Smoot said. "Point blank. Somebody's going to have to pay for it."

In the end, that "somebody" was Smoot, who'll cough up at least $1,000 and possibly a lot more before this is finally put to rest.


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GIANTS CUT PETERSON

The "Wills" are gone.

More than two months after 2001 first-round cornerback Will Allen left New York via free agency, the Giants cut 2001 third-round cornerback William Peterson, reportedly after he failed a physical due to a lingering back problem.

Peterson originally was known also as "Will" as well, but he later changed his official playing moniker to "William" -- presumably to avoid confusion between himself and Allen.

"This is a very disappointing development for our ballclub," G.M. Ernie Accorsi said. "Will Peterson was a rising star cornerback and just ran into very tough luck last year with the back injury."

Though Allen was permitted to play out his rookie contract, Peterson received a five-year contract extension in 2004, which carried a $5 million bonus and was worth up to $28.5 million with incentives. According to NFLPA records, his base salary would have spiked from $900,000 in 2005 to $2 million in 2006. Peterson was scheduled to make $2.9 million in 2007, $3.4 million in 2008, and $3.768 million in 2009.

By cutting Peterson before June 1, the Giants apparently have opted to take the full cap acceleration resulting from the remainder of Peterson's signing bonus in 2006. It's possible, however, that the Giants have utilized a tweak in the new CBA that allows teams to cut one guy before June 1, but to then treat the move as a post-June 1 transaction, allowing the cap hit to apply over two seasons.


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RAG DOLL RETURNS

As the saying goes, you can't keep a good man down. Or former NFL quarterback Rob "Rag Doll" Johnson.

Johnson, an overrated signal-caller best known for holding onto the ball longer than a guy walking through a room full of three-year-olds with those damn plastic hammers, has signed with the Giants after spending a year out of the NFL.

Johnson's return comes days after Doug Flutie announced his NFL retirement. In one of the most bitter quarterback controversies in the free agency era, Johnson bounced Flutie out of Buffalo after the 2000 season, two years after Johnson signed a five-year, $25 million deal with the Bills.

After the 2001 season, Johnson was a former Bill, too.

Since then, Johnson won a Super Bowl ring during a one-year sting with the Bucs, signed with the Redskins in March 2003, was cut by the 'Skins in October 2003, joined the Raiders, and remained with the team through the 2004 season. He has been recovering from reconstructive elbow surgery.

Johnson was one of Giants coach Tom Coughlin's original draft picks with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1995. The former USC quarterback was selected in round four as the 99th overall choice.


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SATURDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Bears CB Ricky Manning, Jr. pleaded not guilty to assault charges resulting from the Grand Slam Breakfast at a Westwood Denny's.

The Dolphins reportedly are now concerned the RB Ricky Williams will decide that he likes Canada -- and stay there.

Meanwhile, the Argos are reportedly planning to announce on Saturday a final decision on whether Ricky Williams will join the team.

Eagles DT Kenyota Marshall got a see a different kind of wienerschnitzel during his stay in Germany.

We're not quite sure how the Chiefs will replace OT Willie Roaf when the time comes to do so, but we're pretty sure that his shoes can't be filled by some guy who is cutting his teeth in NFL Europe.

With more teams using 3-4 defenses, guards need to get lighter and quicker.

Eagles QB Donovan McNabb is taking bids for the opportunity to appear on his weekly show this season. (Man, we hope that T.O. puts in an offer.)

Eagles OL Todd Herremanns is making the switch from tackle to guard.

Rob Parker of the Detroit News reports that a player blew the whistle on Lions coach Rod Marinelli and his overly intense minicamp practices. (Hey, Rob -- we're glad to see that you've finally emerged from your coma.)

It's time to trade in that Super Bowl ring for some Soap-On-A-Rope.


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POSTED 4:45 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 5:15 p.m. EDT, May 26, 2006

SMOOT COPS A PLEA

Vikings cornerback Fred Smoot avoided a trial set for next week regarding his alleged antics on the Love Boat by pleading guilty to disorderly conduct, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

Under the deal, Smoot will pay a $1,000 fine and perform 48 hours of community service.

Smoot also received a 30-day jail sentence, which has been stayed for a year. If he behaves for the next 365 days, the sentence disappears and the affair will be expunged from his record.

Based on the sordid allegations regarding Smoot, two strippers, and a sex toy, we wish that the whole thing could also be expunged from our memories.

With Smoot's case resolved, the only remaining defendant is offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie, who is accused of performing oral sex on one of the strippers. (We've got a few smart-ass comments that we could make right now, but yours truly is unable type the sentiments without gagging.) McKinnie has received a plea offer, but no agreement has been reached.

Previously, charges against former Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper were dismissed after the prosecution bungled a preliminary hearing by failing to put on evidence to support a probable cause finding. Also, former Vikings running back Moe Williams was convicted of disorderly conduct one day after his lawyer proclaim that only a "complete idiot" could lose the case.


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FRED MUST NOW FACE THE COMMISH

Even though his criminal charges are resolved, Vikings cornerback Fred Smoot is still subject to punishment via the league's personal conduct policy.

As the policy states: "It will be considered conduct detrimental for Covered Persons to engage in (or to aid, abet or conspire to engage in or to incite) violent and/or criminal activity. Examples of such Prohibited Conduct include, without limitation: any crime involving the use or threat of physical violence to a person or persons; the use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a crime; possession or distribution of a weapon in violation of state or federal law; involvement in "hate crimes" or crimes of domestic violence; theft, larceny or other property crimes; sex offenses; racketeering; money laundering; obstruction of justice; resisting arrest; fraud; and violent or threatening conduct."

Although Smoot pleaded guilty to "disorderly conduct," the disorder arose from the allegation that he publicly engaged in a sexual act; thus, it's likely that the NFL will conclude that Smoot pleaded guilty to a "sex offense."

Smoot's potential discipline includes a fine, a suspension without pay, and/or banishment from the league. Our guess is that he'll be fined, but we wouldn't be shocked if he gets a one-game suspension, given the significant embarrassment that the incident caused to the team and the league.

Under the policy, Smoot has the right to appeal the decision to the Commissioner or his designee.