The Rumor Mill

[ALinChainz]

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

POSTED 10:19 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 11:11 a.m. EDT, July 30, 2005



NO CONTRACT EQUALS NO HOLD OUT



At a time when plenty of players are absent from training camps around the NFL, we think it's time to reiterate an important distinction that the media and the fans need to keep firmly in mind when looking over the list of guys who are sitting at home while their teammates are sweating their asses off.



The term "hold out" applies only to guys who are ignoring a contractual obligation, not to players who have no contracts.



So no rookie who is not under contract ever should be called a "hold out." Likewise, Jets defensive end John Abraham and any other veteran player whose contract has expired and who has not signed a new deal is entirely within his legal rights to not be present, and it's not fair to slap these guys with an inherently derisive label.



The problem is that "hold out" is quick and easy, and that there's no similar shorthand reference that properly captures the status of a guy who, for whatever reason, hasn't received an acceptable contract offer.



These players are in limbo, at impasse, in football purgatory, casualties of the negotiation process -- but not hold outs.



Hold out. Those seven simple letters and two easy syllables likely will never find a widely-used replacement in situations where the player is doing nothing wrong by not being with his team.



A couple of years ago, we put out an open call for ideas. And since we still haven't come up with anything that we like, let's do it again.



Send us your suggestions, and we'll post the best right here.



BOULWARE STILL WAITING FOR $4 MILLION



We're hearing that the agents for free-agent linebacker Pete Boulware remain confident that they'll receive a contract for the former Raven worth $4 million in 2005.



Before being released by Baltimore, Boulware rejected an offer worth $2 million in salary and up to $2 million more in incentives.



Since then, Boulware has drawn interest from a handful of teams, but no offers close to that from which he walked away. Even after a much-hyped workout in Tallahassee from a couple of weeks ago, he still hasn't found a home.



Boulware's best bet, in our view, is to find a good short-term fit, in the hopes of putting up some big numbers that might make a team more interested in giving him more money in 2006. Even then, however, we can't imagine anyone giving a 31-year old, limited-down player with a history of injury the kind of money that he wants.



Then again, he still could get lucky. A team might suffer a key injury in training camp, suddenly becoming desperate for his services.



The more likely reality, however, is that the only way Boulware will see $4 million this year is if he starts playing Powerball.



TAYLOR, DEL RIO AT ODDS?



The soap opera continues in Jacksonville regarding the December 2004 knee injury suffered by running back Fred Taylor.



Several weeks back, Taylor declared that the team covered up the extent of the injury, and that he actually had severe ligament damage that hampered him throughout the offseason.



Earlier this month, coach Jack Del Rio said on the team's Web site that Taylor would practice once per day in shorts for the first week of training camp, and that the team would like to work him into padded practices in the run-up to the preseason opener.



Taylor's response came on Friday, as the players reported for training camp:



"I saw a lot of stuff on the [team's] Web site that didn't really make a whole lot of sense," Taylor said, according to Bart Hubbuch of The Florida Times-Union. "I don't want to sound like I'm saying they [the Jaguars] don't know what they're talking about, but until my knee feels the way it needs to feel, all of it is speculation and optimism. I'll never rush myself."



"I'll do everything in my nature to help the team when it's time for the real bullets to fly, but as far as training camp, I'm not going to rush myself," he added.



The whole thing could make for some interesting interactions between Taylor and Del Rio, especially since the team screwed up its chance to land Travis Henry as insurance against Taylor's inability to play.



SATURDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS



The bullet that struck DE Jerome McDougle in the stomach hit no major organs; he's currently listed in stable condition.



The new-look Browns opened training camp with a low-key practice.



Seahawks CB Marcus Trufant is moving from the left side to the right side.



The Seahawks are "very close" to signing their top two picks.



Packers WR Javon Walker admits that he abandoned his planned holdout without getting any assurances from the team that they'll re-work his deal.



Mike Strahan now has a chip on his shoulder to go with that gap in his teefs.



Vikings S Corey Chavous and CB Brian Williams both reported for training camp after boycotting offseason sessions.



The Jags are interested in CB Ty Law, if he makes like Bob Barker.



Cadillac Williams made it to the Bucs' opening practice; said coach Jon Gruden, "I was going to change his name to Dodge Ram if he didn't get in here on time."


The Giants have signed all draft picks except second-round CB Corey Webster.



CB Ty Law says that the Jets have made him an offer, but he won't talk about the terms of it.



The Ravens, Panthers, and Vikings are the finalists for the services of RB Jesse Chatham, who was cut this week by the Chargers.



DE Marcellus Wiley is fired up for his shot at redemption with the Jaguars: "The only way to prove what happened in Dallas wasn't totally my fault is to go out and do well here," said Wiley. "I can't do some of the things [the Cowboys] told me to do. I'm glad I'm somewhere they won't ask me to do things that I've never done in nine years of football. Let me play my game.''



With $100,000 less to buy food, the Meathead lost 24 pounds during the offseason.



Roughly 25 members of the Vikings will take a pill that monitors their body temperature during practice (and we assume that the device eventually will serve as a meat thermometer, of sorts).



Eagles FB Thomas Tapeh will miss the start of training camp due to lingering problems from a 2004 hip injury.



Vikings CB Fred Smoot might start training camp on the PUP list due to a neck thing that isn't considered serious.



Eagles coach Andy Reid reiterated that S/KR J.R. Reed will not play in 2005 after damaging a nerve behind his knee.



Agents Ralph Cindrich and Joe Linta have some free advice for Steelers WR Hines Ward -- and we think he should listen.



The Browns have made a new proposal to No. 3 overall pick WR Braylon Edwards.



Cowboys TE Dan Campbell will miss the first week of training camp due to appendicitis.



Could the guys the The Atlanta Journal-Constitution finally be starting to strip back the curtain on the great and powerful Wizard of Valtrex?



Panthers DT Kris Jenkins has made peace with his penchant for booze and 'burgers: “I’m comfortable with my weight,” he said. “I’m always gonna be big. Fat people are special. I think us big guys, and big women, are special people. In a time nowadays where everything is supposed to be thin, thin, thin, I like to break the mold.” (And you'll eventually be breaking the casket, about 30 years prematurely.)



In a not-so-unrelated piece, WR Kevin Johnson will be the first Lions player to don jersey number 85 since Chuck Hughes suffered a heart attack and died on the field wearing that number.



The Vikes started training camp without their two first-round picks.



Colts LB Rob Morris isn't b***hing about his fall from first-round pick to the second-string: "There are a lot of first-round picks that are working at Piggly Wiggly after four or five years," said Morris. (Hey, Rob -- are you lifting one of our lines?)



The Saints were pleased to see potential holdouts LeCharles Bentley, Mike McKenzie, and Fakhir Brown show up for the start of camp; of the trio, only Bentley and McKenzie's peeps are in talks for a new deal.



Browns receiver Andre Davis isn't miffed about offseason reports of a possible trade to the Seahawks.



Jets QB Chad Pennington says he is 85 percent healthy.



The Packers are optimistic that they'll get first-round QB Aaron Rodgers signed soon.



DB Aeneas Williams is unsigned at 37, but has yet to announce his retirement.



From the "Why Doesn't He Just Drive Around The Parking Lot With The Lombardi Trophy Tied To His Bumper" file, Packers DT Grady Jackson is b***hing about the team's decision to place him on the PUP list.



Green Bay DT Cletidus Hunt is back with the team.



The Redskins and LB LaVar Arrington have settled the grievance relating to his phantom $6.5 million roster bonus.



The 'Skins have added S Omar Stoutmire as further insurance against the potential incarceration of S Sean Taylor.



Several veteran Bucs will be practicing only once per day, for now.



The bad news -- Moonshine Jones hasn't signed with the Jags; the good news -- he hasn't pulled a hamstring yet.



DT Travis Johnson is the first Texan to not be signed in time for training camp.



Pats QB Tom Brady won't be calling the offensive plays.



The chances of the Pats re-signing CB Ty Law got a little slimmer when they issued his jersey number to second-year S Dexter Reid.



Logan Mankings and Russ Hochstein will battle for the starting gig at left guard in New England.



Despite being on the PUP list (from which he could return later in the season), LB Tedy Bruschi will not play at all in 2005.



Seattle WR Darrell Jackson is in camp, but he's still unhappy about the team's failure to make good on verbal promises allegedly made by former team president Bob Whitsitt.



With four offensive linemen missing from camp for various reasons on Friday, the Nicktator cut short practice on Friday.



Titans G.M. Floyd Reese says that there has not been much progress toward a contract with first-round CB Pacman Jones, and Tony Beckham hopes it stays that way.



Ravens CB Samari Rolle is expected to be suspended for one game due to an offseason domestic violence thing.



Saints DT Johnathan Sullivan finally has realized that he was McDonald'sing his big ass out of the NFL.



LB Ronald McKinnon is "giddy" about being a Saint (and only a guy who has spent his entire career with the Turdinals would feel that way).

[Va Beach VH Fan]

Originally posted by ALinChainz
BOULWARE STILL WAITING FOR $4 MILLION

We're hearing that the agents for free-agent linebacker Pete Boulware remain confident that they'll receive a contract for the former Raven worth $4 million in 2005.

Before being released by Baltimore, Boulware rejected an offer worth $2 million in salary and up to $2 million more in incentives.

Since then, Boulware has drawn interest from a handful of teams, but no offers close to that from which he walked away. Even after a much-hyped workout in Tallahassee from a couple of weeks ago, he still hasn't found a home.

Boulware's best bet, in our view, is to find a good short-term fit, in the hopes of putting up some big numbers that might make a team more interested in giving him more money in 2006. Even then, however, we can't imagine anyone giving a 31-year old, limited-down player with a history of injury the kind of money that he wants.

Then again, he still could get lucky. A team might suffer a key injury in training camp, suddenly becoming desperate for his services.

The more likely reality, however, is that the only way Boulware will see $4 million this year is if he starts playing Powerball.

Still hearing that when Boulware wakes up, he might be a Steeler....

[ALinChainz]

POSTED 12:05 p.m. EDT, July 30, 2005



TY WANTS THREE YEARS OF GUARANTEED COIN



A league source tells us that the primary sticking points in cornerback Ty Law's contractual demands is that he wants the first three years of the deal to be fully guaranteed.



Such a move would be rare if not unprecedented for any NFL player. As a practical matter, many contracts given to high-end players are "guaranteed" for at least three years, given the cap consequences of a premature release. Where huge bonus figures are paid in years one and two (via an option payment), the chances of a team swallowing the huge cap hit incident to a release are remote. Thus, few of the league's premier players have ever had the occasion to demand that the team formalize an arrangement that it's already in the team's interests to provide.



So while the total money Law is demanding is keeping teams like the Lions and the Jets from making the plunge, Ty's desire for an official guarantee through 2007 is a major reason why teams are shying away.



And Law is hardly in a good position to command financial security beyond 2005, especially as he recovers from a serious foot injury that still has teams questioning whether he'll be at 100 percent come September.

[ALinChainz]

Originally posted by Va Beach VH Fan
Still hearing that when Boulware wakes up, he might be a Steeler....

Getting a strange feeling that the Pats might try and get him also, even with what they have already.

These players coming off injury, you'd think they'd get it. Teams aren't going to pony up, workouts aren't game conditions.

[ALinChainz]

POISTED 4:23 p.m. EDT, July 30, 2005



TEXANS SIGN TRAVIS



A league source tells us that the Houston Texans have reached agreement on a contract with first-round draft pick Travis Johnson.



Johnson, a defensive tackle from Florida State, will get $7.7675 million in guaranteed money on a contract worth $10.2 million. Escalators and other devices can nudge the value up by another $4.375 million.



The Texans open training camp on Sunday, and have yet to fail to get a draft pick under contract before the start of preseason practice.



POSTED 4:18 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 4:39 p.m. EDT, July 30, 2005



SAINTS, MCKENZIE DO THE DEED



The Saints continue to march Tom Benson's "real dollars" into the pockets of key players.



Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com was the first to report that the Saints and cornerback Mike McKenzie have agreed to terms on new five-year, $22 million contract.



And we're the first to report the break down of the contract, and to analyze it.



Per a league source tells us that the package includes a $7 million signing bonus and $3 million in roster boni, with $1 million paid in 2006, 2007, and 2008.



McKenzie also has $125,000 in workout bonuses for 2006 through 2009.



His base salaries are as follows: $550,000 (2005), $1.5 million (2006), $2 million (2007), $3 million (2008), $4.45 million (2009).



He also can earn up to $3 million in escalators under the following formula.



If he makes the Pro Bowl in 2005 or 2006, he gets $500,000 in 2007. If he does it in 2006 or 2007, he gets $500,000 in 2008. If he does it in 2007 or 2008, he gets it in 2009.



Also, if he participates in 85 percent of the snaps and gets six interceptions in 2005 or 2006, he gets $500,000 in 2007. If he does it in 2006 or 2007, he gets $500,000 in 2008. If he does it in 2007 or 2008, he gets it in 2009.



Any money earned via escalators will increase the value of the deal beyond its current five-year, $22 million level.



Because McKenzie was under contract through 2006, the contract is in essence a three-year extension. He previously was scheduled to earn $3.43 million in 2005 and $4.1 million in 2006. Thus, the "new" base money on the contract is $14.47 million.



Like the contract signed earlier in the offseason by Saints receiver Joe Horn, the real value of McKenzie's signing bonus is reduced by the drop in 2005 base salary. As of the regular season opener, McKenzie's $3.43 million base wage would have been fully guaranteed, since he is a vested veteran. Because his salary will drop from $3.43 million to $550,000, the net value of the $7 million bonus is $4.12 million.



Factoring in the $1 million 2006 roster bonus and the reduction in salary from $4.1 million to $1.5 million in 2006, McKenzie will get $2.6 million in new money for three more years that are worth a base amount of $11.8 million.

[ALinChainz]

POSTED 7:20 p.m. EDT, July 30, 2005



'BOYS BANKROLL WARE



Word out of Camp Cowboy in Cali is that the team has reached agreement with first-rounder Demarcus Ware on a five-year, $13 million deal.



Ware, a defensive end from Troy State, was the 11th overall pick in the draft.



The Cowboys still must sign 20th overall pick Marcus Spears, who already is in Oxnard with the team. Both Spears and Cowboys coach Bill Parcells are represented by agent Jimmy Sexton.

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

[ALinChainz]

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

POSTED 12:54 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 1:07 p.m. EDT, July 31, 2005



CARDS EXTEND BOLDIN



The Arizona Cardinals have reached an agreement with receiver Anquan Boldin on a four-year contract extension.



Per a league source, the new deal is a four-year extension of a contract that was set to expire after the 2006 season. Boldin's new agreement replaces minimum salaries of $380,000 and $450,000 over the next two seasons with the following terms:



$5 million signing bonus;



2005 salary of $1.5 million;



$5 million option bonus due in early 2006;



$1.75 million salary in 2006;



and salaries of $2 million in 2007, $2.5 million in 2008, $2.75 million in 2009, and $3 million in 2010.



The "new" money, then, is $22.67 million over the six-year term of the deal, with a total of $13.25 million paid over the next two years and a total of $15.25 million paid over the first three seasons.



Not bad for a guy who has played only two years, and who missed six games in 2004 with a knee injury.



Boldin caught 101 passes for 1,377 yards and 8 touchdowns in his rookie season of 2003, and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has been trying to get a replacement deal for the second-round draft pick for much of the past season. Boldin abandoned plans to hold out in an effort to force a new deal earlier in the offseason, after coach Denny Green made it clear that the organization was prepared to move on without him.



Instead, the Cards and Boldin will be together for the long haul.



POSTED 12:39 p.m. EDT, July 31, 2005



ARRINGTON GRIEVANCE BACK ON?



One day after The Washington Post reported that the Redskins and linebacker LaVar Arrington had reached a compromise on Arrington's grievance resulting from his December 2003 contract extension, The Washington Times says that the report was erroneous -- and that it prompted the tentative agreement to fall apart.



As a result, the dispute could end up back before an arbitrator.



We've made our position on this matter crystal clear over the past nineteen months, and we've heard over and over again that the 'Skins are prepared to prove convincingly that the negotiations leading up to the December 2003 agreement did not entail a $6.5 million roster bonus due in 2006, which would have been in addition to a 2006 $6.5 million roster bonus that was already in there.



Our guess is that the 'Skins were looking for a way to allow Arrington and his agents, Carl and Kevin Poston, to save some face without increasing the real value of the deal. Both sides therefore need to create the illusion that Arrington will receive some benefit in exchange for giving up his grievance -- even if he really doesn't.



If all else fails, we think the 'Skins should go the distance on this one. The issue already has become a far bigger distraction that it ever should have been, and there's no reason for the team to come off as weak or indecisive.



SUNDAY ONE-LINERS



The Packers have agreed to terms with first-round QB Aaron "Free Fallin'" Rodgers.



The Falcons have signed first-round WR Roddy White.



The Cardinals have cut loose DT Wendell Bryant, the 12th overall pick in the 2003 draft (look for the Pack to reel him back to Wisconsin).



Let the Dan Marino butt smooching begin (and please don't mention that he never won a Super Bowl).



The Browns have gone soft on Evel Kellnievel.



QB Drew Bledsoe wants to create his own Cowboy legend. (How about a near-death experience on the field that opens the door for a sixth-round draft pick who becomes one of the greatest signal-callers in the history of the game? Oh, wait -- that's already been done.)



There's been little or no contact of late between the Vikings and Troy Williamson's Bia . . . agent David Canter.



Fins WR David Boston says his knee is at 100 percent.



Randy Moss' new teammates love his purple ride.



Giants WR Plaxico Burress hyperextendicoed his knee on Saturday morning, but returned for the afternoon practice session.



The loser of the Michael Bennett vs. Mewelde Moore battle for the starting job in Minnesota could fall to No. 3 on the depth chart, behind Moe Williams.



Fins DL Kevin Carter has been playing end and tackle in training camp.



Bengals coach Marvin Lewis took a shot at agent Craig Domann for the two-day absence of fourth-round C Eric Ghiacuic.



Falcons FB Justin Griffith aggravated a 2004 ankle injury.



Eagles QB Donovan McNabb is taking a business-only approach to T.O.



Lions WR Charles Nelson Rogers isn't concerned about breaking any more bones.



The Eagles say that DE Jerome McDougle will be out at least four weeks; his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, says he'll miss six weeks.



McDougle, we're told, was shot with a .22 caliber handgun, and the bullet was lodged in his pelvic bone.



The Jaguars have their sights set on getting back to the postseason, which only strengthens our belief that Jack Del Rio will be Del Done-O if the team doesn't make the playoffs.



The Nicktator is spending a lot of time with the defensive backs.



Bears QB Rex Grossman is on his fifth offense in five years.



Rams RB Steven Jackson and FS Adam Archuleta got into a scuffle on Saturday after Adam treated Steve like Eve.



Pats DE Richard Seymour is still staying away from camp.



The Jets apparently are CB Ty Law's first choice.



The Lions are refusing to offer KR Eddie Drummond anything more than his one-year, $1.4 million tender.



Sorry, Steelers fans, but the Cowher era has demonstrated three key trends: (1) when expectations are low, the team overachieves; (2) when expectations are high, the team underachieves; and (3) home field advantage in the playoffs don't mean sh-t.

[ALinChainz]

http://www.profootballtalk.com

POSTED 8:10 a.m. EDT, August 1, 2005



JIMMY ON THE OUTS WITH THE JAGS?



We've heard repeated rumblings over the past week regarding the future of receiver Jimmy Smith in Jacksonville.



Smith, 36, is set to make $3.525 million in salary this season under a deal that expires in 2006.



Although the addition of quarterback Byron Leftwich two years ago raised immediate questions regarding the future of then-starter Mark Brunell, the selection of receiver Matt Jones in round one of the 2005 draft has not sparked speculation that Smith's tenure in the 'Ville could be nearing a conclusion.



But maybe it should.



With guys like Reggie Williams and Ernest Wilford and Troy Edwards on the roster, the Jags might decide between now and September 11 that the time has come to part ways with Smith, whose base wages become fully guaranteed if he's on the roster for the first regular season contest.



Stay tuned. We're not saying it's a done deal. But based on what we're hearing, we think it's a definite possibility.



VIKES INK ERASMUS



Word out of the Twin Cities is that the Vikes have completed their twin killing, reaching an agreement with defensive end Erasmus James less than a day after signing receiver Troy Williamson.



James was the eighteenth overall pick in the 2005 draft. Williamson was the seventh overall selection.



While Williamson is considered more of a necessity for the team given the absence of Randy Moss, James is a luxury of sorts, given that the team has a promising corps of defensive ends, including 2004 first-rounder Kenechi Udeze and 2004 third-rounder Darrion Scott.



And it'll be interesting to see whether Udeze or James will break a trend of substandard first-round defensive ends drafted by the Vikings in the 20 years since they nabbed Chris Doleman and dropped him down to the D-line from the position of linebacker. The franchise swung and missed with guys like Derrick Alexander, Duane Clemons, and Dimitrius Underwood in the 1990s, and they need a strong defensive line if they intend to reinvigorate a defense that has pretty much sucked ever since Tony Dungy bolted for the Bucs nine years ago.



MONDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS



By reading the comments of some of Hines Ward's teammates, it's pretty clear that these guys don't realize that every extra dollar he squeezes out of the pockets of the Rooneys is one less dollar available to pay the rest of them.



Because he is in breach of the contract that he signed sans gun to his noggin, Ward now faces $6,000 per day in fines and the potential forfeiture of $500,000 in signing bonus money.



Brett Favre gave a 7-year-old boy a signed ball after scaring the caa-caa out of him.



In a battle of the sons of former Super Bowl signal-callers, Chris Simms is competing with Brian Griese for the starting job in Tampa (and Phil Simms has a better chance of coming in and winning this one).



Career right tackle Victor Riley is in the mix to be the starting left tackle in Houston.



WR David Terrell and CB Hank Poteat got into a scrap in Pats practice on Sunday.



New England DE Richard Seymour's hold out is now a week old.



Jets P Ben Graham has an unusual kicking style, which makes his balls hard to handle.



T.O. and agent Drew Rosenhaus could be meeting with Eagles coach Andy Reid and president Joe Banner.



Redskins S Sean Taylor says that after the two phases of the June 1 incident resulting in multiple criminal charges being filed against him, someone shot "a whole lot of bullets" into the house where Taylor had gone.



The Ravens might open camp on Monday without first-round WR Mark Clayton.



'Skins LB LaVar Arrington won't be ready for the start of training camp as he continues to rehab his knee.



The 'Boys are running short on tight ends.



Dallas DT La'Roi Glover is adjusting well to the 3-4 -- and to the reality that the presence of Jason Ferguson will cut into his playing time.



Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor is helping Cowboys rookie Demarcus Ware become the next "L.T." -- but without the drugs and the hookers (we think).



Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil is gushing about rookie LB Derrick Johnson (you'd think it was the first time Vermeil ever drafted a guy who was worth a damn on defense . . . oh, wait -- it was).



Mexico heads to Tokyo on Tuesday.



Packers QB Aaron Rodgers apparently is angling for the much-coveted Pier One endorsement deal (which makes sense, since Kirstie Alley was about the size of a nose tackle when she had the gig).



Washington's new-look linebacking corps will feature, for now, Warrick Holdman on the weak side, Lemar Marshall in the middle, and Marcus Washington on the strong side.



The Bucs are hoping that Booger will pick up his game.



Tampa TE Alex Smith and DE Dewayne White got into it during practice on Sunday.



There's been no dialogue between the Packers and the agent for TE Bubba Franks since the opening of training camp.



Green Bay CB Ahmad Carroll is hoping to box his way out of a backup role.



The Packers might move LB Na'il Diggs from the weak side to the strong side.



Vikings S Corey Chavous put a hard hit on RB Michael Bennett in practice on Sunday; commented Bennett, "I said, 'Man, Corey, I thought you and me was [friends].'"



Vikings WR Troy Williamson, the seventh overall pick, apparently got more guaranteed money and a higher total package than No. 5 pick Cadillac Williams.



Broncos CB Champ Bailey supposedly will get some practice reps at receiver.



Vince Wilfork and Dan Klecko are the two primary nose tackles for now in New England.



Chiefs WR Freddie Mitchell suffered a knee injury on Saturday, and will miss a few weeks.



Jets WR Wayne Chrebet admits that he is "on thin ice" with his history of concussions.



Lions vice chairman Bill Ford Jr. thinks his team will contend for first place in the NFC North, and he thinks that the contract of Matt Millen should be extended (suddenly, we have a better understanding of the thought processes behind the Edsel).



Giants S Shaun Williams is pissed that he's not considered a candidate for the starting lineup; "I thought I would have had a chance to start, or I wouldn't have chosen to come back," Williams said. "If I didn't feel I had a chance to start I wouldn't have worked hard in the offseason and been here a lot of days when people weren't."



With LT Walter Jones in training camp for the first time in four years, Pork Chop Womack can focus on the right side.



The Jags have made an offer to CB Ty Law, but it's not deemed worthy of a guy who apparently thinks he's Deion Sanders in his prime.



POSTED 10:30 p.m. EDT, July 31, 2005



SUNDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS



The Chiefs have inked first-round LB Derrick Johnson.



The Vikes have signed WR Troy Williamson, according to his biatch.



As we reported last week, the Steelers have said they won't resume negotiations with WR Hines Ward until he reports to camp.



Does Ward receive a new deal? RB Jerome Bettis thinks so: "What do you think? He's like the 40th paid wide receiver in the league."



The 'Skins have signed veteran TE Brian Kozlowski.



When WR Plaxico Burres woke up on Sunday morning, he had a stiff joint (his knee was also hurting him a little bit, too).



Giants RB Mike Cloud on oversized rookie RB Brandon Jacobs: "He's the type of running back, when you're playing Madden football and you can create your own back, that's the guy that you want to have."



Falcons QB Mike Vick says he is "definitely not worried about" the lawsuit filed against him by a woman who claims he gave her herpes.



John Czarnecki of FOXSports.com says that Bucs coach Jon Gruden isn't on the hot seat, among other NFL rumors.



The Cards have given second-round RB J.J. Arrington money to buy lots of dyn-o-mite.



Steelers QB Tommy Maddox bristled at questions as to whether he needs to win the No. 2 job in camp.



POSTED 7:31 p.m. EDT, July 31, 2005



HINES IS A HOLD OUT



Andrew Stockey of WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh reports that receiver Hines Ward did not show up as of the 6:00 p.m. reporting deadline for the start of Steelers training camp.



Ward wants a new contract worth far more than the team's best offer, which would give Ward the biggest signing bonus in team history.



Our discussions with league insiders have led us to the conclusion that Ward simply isn't worth a long-term deal that would pay him $25 million in the first three years, which we've heard he is demanding. Though he's a great player, he lacks the speed to draw double coverage, making him a cut below guys like Randy Moss, Marvin Harrison, Terrell Owens, and Andre Johnson.



We've also heard recently that Ward had a lingering knee problem and early stages of arthritis.



The Steelers, we've reported, will engage in no further discussions with Ward until he reports. If he makes good on his threat to sit out the entire season, the Steelers would still own his rights in 2006.



POSTED 5:02 p.m. EDT, July 31, 2005



TROY SIGNS WITH VIKES?



We've heard an unsubstantiated rumor that the Vikings have agreed to terms with receiver Troy Williamson, the seventh overall pick in the 2005 draft.



We're trying to track down more info on this potential deal, which would be the first contract reached by a player taken in the bottom five of the top ten.

[ALinChainz]

POSTED 11:35 p.m. EDT, August 1, 2005



MOONSHINE SOON TO SUIT UP



Word out of the 'Ville is that first-round wideout Matt "Moonshine" Jones will be under contract on Tuesday, possibly in the early morning hours.



Jones was a surprise pick at the 21st overall selection. A converted quarterback with the size of a tight end and the speed of a sprinter, Jones rocketed up the draft board, landing with the Jags in round one.



Jones was hampered in offseason workouts by a strained hamstring. Though we had some fun at his expense, league insiders believe that it was wise for Jones to rest up. The real question is whether Jones will suck it up and play with a sore hammy when the real games roll around.



POSTED 11:01 p.m. EDT, August 1, 2005



SEYMOUR TO SHOW



Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com reports that New England Patriots defensive end Richard Seymour will end his holdout after he and the team reached an agreement regarding his compensation for the 2005 season.



Seymour and the team will work on a long-term deal after the season.



The sixth overall pick in the 2001 draft, Seymour had two years remaining on his rookie contract. He boycotted offseason workouts and missed the first week of training camp.



Glazer says that Seymour is expected to show by Wednesday.



POSTED 10:41 p.m. EDT, August 1, 2005



'SKINS SCALP CAMPBELL



A league source tells us that the Redskins have agreed to terms with first-round quarterback Jason Campbell.



Campbell, of Auburn, was the team's second first-rounder. The team also drafted cornerback Carlos Rogers, also of Auburn, at the ninth overall pick.



No word yet on the financial package.



POSTED 7:43 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 9:23 p.m. EDT, August 1, 2005



T.O. SHOWS, WESTBROOK DOESN'T



While Eagles receiver Terrell Owens opted to report for the start of the team's training camp, running back Brian Westbrook surprisingly decided to stay away.



Westbrook signed a one-year restricted free agent tender earlier in the offseason and reported for a mandatory minicamp, which Owens skipped. Westbrook wants a long-term deal, and even though he's now represented by the same agent as quarterback Donovan McNabb, our guess is that the Eagles will take a hard line, fining Westbrook for each day of his absence.



Because, however, Westbrook's RFA tender did not include a signing bonus, the team will only be able to impose daily fines until he shows up.



The Eagles had this to say regarding the absence of Westbrook:

"We've been very aggressive in trying to secure a long-term contract for Brian. We had thought we were making good progress in that regard.

"Unfortunately, Brian made a counter-productive and almost unprecedented decision to not report to training camp. We will focus our attention on the players that are present as we begin full-squad practices on Tuesday."

Per a little-known league rule, if Westbrook stays out past August 8, he will forfeit the ability to become an unrestricted free agent in 2006. Players under contract who fail to report within 30 days prior to the commencement of the regular season lose a year of service credit.



As to Owens, his decision to report comes on the same day the television cameras caught a lukewarm greeting by Owens of his agent, Drew Rosenhaus.



REPORTS ON WILLIAMSON'S DEAL ARE FLUFF



A league source tells us that reports of receiver Troy Williamson's deal containing $200,000 more in guaranteed money than the deal signed by running back Cadillac Williams are off the mark.



Williamson was the seventh overall pick, and Williams was the fifth overall selection.



Although Williamson will get $13.3 million in signing and option boni, as compared to $13.117 for Williams, the difference is in the so-called "falling off the log" bonus, based on the achievement of minimum playing time. NFL insiders generally factor those payments into the assessment of guaranteed money. In this case, the addition of such payments pushes Williamson to $14.85 million and Williams to $16.117 million.



Slight difference. Advantage Williams.



Of course, the one-time bonus payments linked to minimum play time aren't always achieved. Just ask Kellen Winslow and the Postons, who limited the 35 percent trigger in 2004 only -- not in every year of the deal. When Winslow's leg went "crracckk" early in the regular season, the otherwise guaranteed payment was gone forever. Still, most agents place the minimum play-time trigger into each year of the contract.



Still, based on the manner in which these deals typically are analyzed, Williamson didn't get a better package of "guaranteed" money than Williams.



MONDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS



A league source tells us that WR Mike Williams' contract with the Lions pays out $10.73 million in 2005.



Colts RB Edgerrin James has decided that he'll make the trip to Tokyo for a preseason game in which he'll likely be on the field for one or two series.



WR Koren Robinson has checked into a 28-day alcohol rehab program and hopes to join an NFL team this season (but we wonder if and when he'll get slapped with a one-year banishment from the league, given that he had a four-game sit in 2004).



Panthers LB Chris Draft left Panthers practice after having an asthma attack.



Though we've had plenty of fun at the Nicktator's expense, we have a feeling that he'll be fondling the Lombardi within three years.



Redskins S Sean Taylor says he isn't afraid about going to jail (someone needs to 'splain to him the whole sodomy angle).



Pats WR Tim Dwight was removed from the PUP list and participated in his first practice with the team on Monday.



Moose and Peanut are battling it out in Bears camp.



Ravens LB Dan Cody has a second-degree or third-degree ACL sprain.



Bengals rookie WR Chris Henry has missed two straight practices.



Browns RB Reuben Droughns has forgotten all about his demands for a new contract.



Coach Chin on Hines Ward: "I love him as a player, a great kid. He’s very much respected on this football team, not only by the players but by the entire organization. It’s unfortunate that it has come to this. We’re hopeful that he’ll get here sometime in the near future, but we are going to move on with or without him."



Coach Jeff Fisher talks about the Titans.



S Steve Atwater will join the Broncos' Ring of Fame.



Some notes from Chiefs camp.



From the "We Think There Might Be Something To This Whole Identity Theft Thing" file, Chargers G.M. A.J. Smith had this to say about the talks that led to a sooner-than-expected deal with Shawne Merriman: “The negotiations with Kevin Poston were cordial, professional and it was a pleasure doing business with him.”



Cowboys OL Larry Allen returned to practice on Monday, after failing a conditioning test on Friday.



Bucs DT Chris Hovan has impressed the team by not playing like he did the last two years in Minnesota.



Cards RB Troy Hambrick began his last days with the team on the PUP list.



POSTED 5:12 p.m. EDT, August 1, 2005



"LIGHTS OUT" GETS PAID



In a move that short-circuited what many thought would be a long and acrimonious contract dispute, the Chargers have agreed to terms with linebacker/defensive end Shawne Merriman, the 12th overall pick in the 2005 draft.



"I'm kind of speechless right now," Merriman said told The San Diego Union-Tribune. "I really didn't believe it was going to get done this soon. I'm more anxious to get out there than I have ever been."



The contract (which we assume his agents read before he signed it) reportedly guarantees $9 million of a five-year, $11.33 million deal.



Merriman refused to participate in offseason workouts due to the team's injury protection language. He later offered to attend meetings at minicamps, but the team declined his offer.



More recently, G.M. A.J. Smith talked tough regarding the team's position, prompting many to conclude that the Postons would dig in for a long fight, lest it be perceived that they caved.



POSTED 10:53 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 11:53 a.m. EDT, August 1, 2005



CODY HURT AT PRACTICE



We've confirmed that Ravens second-round draft pick, Dan Cody, was carted off of the practice field after suffering a knee injury in his first training camp practice with the team.



Per a league source, the team doesn't believe the injury will bring a very premature end to Cody's rookie season. The team anticipates that the injury is likely an MCL sprain or mild tear, but not an ACL injury. Tests will be done to determine his condition, including most likely an MRI.


Cody, we were told, was helped up by teammates after suffering the injury and couldn't put weight on the leg.



Cody is in the process of converting from defensive end to linebacker in the Ravens' new/old 4-3 system.



VIKES HAVE NO DEAL WITH JAMES, YET




Oops. Our bad.



As it turns out, the Vikes have yet to reach an agreement with first-round defensive end Erasmus James.



Published reports indicate that a deal is close, but a league source with knowledge of the status of the negotiations tells us that the two sides haven't spoken since Saturday, and that a deal is not imminent.

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

[ALinChainz]

POSTED 12:07 p.m. EDT, August 2, 2005



RAVENS CONCERNED ABOUT CODY



Although the initial diagnosis on rookie linebacker Dan Cody's injured knee was that he suffered a second-degree or third-degree sprain, we're told that the Ravens are concerned that the injury will significantly hurt Cody's chances of contributing in his rookie year.



The MRI showed no evidence of any tears, but the team is worried about the extent to which Cody's knee has swollen only a day after suffering the injury in his first training-camp practice. The team, we've been told, plans to make a definitive diagnosis in about four weeks. For now, however, the organization doesn't expect much of a contribution from Cody in 2005.



It's bad news for the Ravens, who were impressed by Cody's transition from defensive end to linebacker -- and who were looking forward to pairing him on passing downs with Terrell Suggs. The team had hoped that Cody would be a factor from day one.



Instead, day one of training camp could have been the end of his first NFL season.



WESTBROOK'S TACTICS MAKE NO SENSE



Though the decision of T.O. to report to Eagles camp on Monday was the biggest news in Philly, the oddest item was by far the decision of running back Brian Westbrook not to show up.



The move was met by league insiders with plenty of head scratching.



Westbrook surprised the Eagles by signing his one-year restricted free agent tender and reporting for a mandatory minicamp in June. But if he hadn't signed the tender, he would have been fully within his rights to stay away.



And the same thing applies for training camp. If he hadn't signed the tender, he wouldn't be in violation of his one-year, $1.43 million contract, and thus not subject to fines. Sure, the Eagles could have played hardball with him and reduced the tender if he hadn't signed it by a certain date, but the decision to accept the one-year contract and then not show is confusing to many around the league.



Most folks with knowledge of the NFL system expect that Westbrook's holdout will be short-lived. As we explained on Monday night, the failure of a player under contract to report within 30 days prior to the start of the regular season loses an accrued year. And since it takes four years to become an unrestricted free agent, Westbrook will be stuck at year number three through 2006 if he fails to report by August 8.



TUESDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS



Titans G.M. Floyd Reese doesn't expect to see CB Pacman Jones back in a white helmet for a long while.



LB David Pollock is the lone unsigned played in Bengals camp, and we hear that the stand off could get nasty.



The 'Skins have inked first-round CB Carlos Rogers.



The Broncos aren't likely to retire the number of TE Shannon Sharpe -- especially since they've already re-issued the thing to undrafted rookie Wesley Duke.



It sounds like Eugene Parker hasn't got a firm plan in mind for dealing with the Steelers refusal to negotiate with WR Hines Ward until he honors his contract.



With Ward out, newcomer Cedrick Wilson steps into the starting lineup with Antwaan Randle El.



For Ravens LB Ray Lewis, his best offseason workout routine was two months of nothing.



Eagles DE Hugh Douglas says that the rift between QB Donovan McNabb and WR Terrell Owens "makes for an awkward situation."



Panthers RB DeShaun Foster doesn't react well to the suggestion that he might be a little fra-gee-lay.



Raiders WR Jerry Porter was scheduled to undergo an MRI after limping off of the practice field with a right hamstring strain.



POSTED 9:50 a.m. EDT, August 2, 2005



GUS HAS INSIDE TRACK IN MIAMI



Even though quarterbacks Gus Frerotte and A.J. Feeley are listed as co-starters on the Dolphins' depth chart, we're told that Frerotte will be the opening-day starter.



It's no surprise, frankly. Frerotte is familiar with offensive coordinator Scott Linehan's system, based on their years together in Minnesota. And Frerotte excelled in several 2003 starts, when Daunte Culpepper was out with a back injury.



Feeley, on the other hand, has yet to live up to the potential that prompted the team to send a second-round pick to Philly in order to finagle his services. Though he might ultimately grow into the role, our guess is that Frerotte will take the reins over the next year or so as the team searches for a guy to work the gig on a long-term basis.



Sure, Gus won't have Randy Moss to throw to in Miami. But the receiving corps of Chris Chambers, Marty Booker, and David Boston could be one of the best in the league, if Boston is healthy (he says he is) and able to stretch the field. Coupled with a glut of running backs and an improving offensive line coached up by Hudson Houck, we won't be surprised to see the Fins end up at 8-8 or better in the Nicktator's first tour of duty.



FINS SHOPPING GORDON



Speaking of the Dolphins, we're hearing that the team is willing to trade running back Lamar Gordon, obtained from the Rams on September 9 for a third-round pick as a guy to carry the load in the wake of Ricky Williams' "retirement."



Gordon, who missed nearly all of 2004 due to injury, currently is listed as the starting tailback in a group that also includes Williams, No. 2 overall pick Ronnie Brown, Travis Minor, Sammy Morris, and Kay-Jay Harris.



The problem is that the unsigned Brown has already missed more than a week of camp. Likewise, Williams is due to serve a four-game suspension for a pre-retirement doobie incident.



So unless the Fins get a solid offer for Gordon between now and the start of the regular season, our guess is that they'll showcase him during Ricky's suspension in the hopes of moving Lamar prior to the October 18 trade deadline.



FRANCE IN OVER HIS HEAD?



One of the common gripes we hear from agents is that inexperienced contract reps often screw things up for the guys who know what they're doing.



Case in point -- Todd France is a relative newbie who got his hooks into three first-rounders this year. And we're hearing that France is foot-dragging with his two top-ten clients because he's a-scared that the contracts he negotiates won't compare favorably to the guys taken directly before and after his clients.



France represents Miami running back Ronnie Brown, the No. 2 overall pick. Per a league source with knowledge of but no involvement in the discussions between the Fins and Brown and the Browns and No. 3 pick Braylon Edwards, France won't do a deal for Brown until the Browns sign Edwards, because France fears that Edwards will get a better deal from the Browns than Brown will get from the Fins.



Whew.



France also represents Carlos Rogers, the cornerback selected by the 'Skins at No. 9. Word is that France might pull the trigger on Rogers even though the Cards have yet to sign cornerback Antrell Rolle at No. 8. With Mike Williams and the Lions a done deal at No. 10, the floor has been established for France as to Rogers. We're also hearing that Rogers is pressing France to get the deal done.



France's fears have been fueled, we're told, by the fact that another one of his clients, Panthers safety/linebacker Thomas Davis, agreed to terms before the guy taken immediately after Davis, linebacker Derrick Johnson of the Chiefs, had done a deal. Word is that France did the Davis deal early because he knew where the Saints were heading with Jammal Brown (who was taken one spot ahead of Davis), by virtue of France's relationship with Saints negotiator Russ Ball. But France got burned when he concluded based on info from the Chiefs that Davis would come in roughly $500,000 ahead of Johnson. We're told that the actually spread between the Davis and Johnson deals is very close.



The bottom line is that agents shouldn't allow themselves to be paralyzed by fear that their deals won't compare favorably to those of guys drafted before or after their players. And if an agent isn't sufficiently confident in his skills and abilities to get his deals done -- especially when he has three first-round picks and two in the top ten -- maybe he's in the wrong line of work.

[ALinChainz]

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

POSTED 7:38 a.m. EDT, August 3, 2005



EAGLES DISPUTE "AUGUST 8" RULE



In a move that makes little or no sense since it undermines their short-term leverage against holdout running back Brian Westbrook, the Eagles disagree with the interpretation of the collective bargaining agreement, first reported here, that Westbrook must report to the team by August 8 or blow his shot at becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2006.



For a franchise that has mastered the salary cap, the terms of which are laid out in the Collective Bargaining Agreement, we're surprised by their failure to acknowledge a clear and unambiguous provision from that same document.



Article XVIII, Section 1 of the CBA reads as follows, with the key language emphasized:

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

Section 1. Accrued Seasons Calculation:

(a) For the purposes of calculating Accrued Seasons under this Agreement, a player shall receive one Accrued Season for each season during which he was on, or should have been on, full pay status for a total of six or more regular season games, but which, irrespective of the player’s pay status, shall not include games for which the player was on: (i) the Exempt Commissioner Permission List, (ii) the Reserve PUP List as a result of a nonfootball injury, or (iii) a Club’s Practice or Development Squad.

(b) For the purposes of calculating Accrued Seasons under this Agreement, for any League Year during the term of this Agreement beginning with the 1993 League Year, a player shall not receive an Accrued Season for any League Year in which the player is under contract to a Club and in which he failed to report to such Club at least thirty days prior to the first regular season game of that season, or in which the player thereafter failed to perform his contract services for the Club for a material period of time, unless he demonstrates to the Impartial Arbitrator extreme personal hardship causing such failure to report or perform, such as severe illness or death in the family. The determination of the Impartial Arbitrator shall be made within thirty days of the application by the player, and shall be based upon all information relating to such hardship submitted by such date. The determination of the Impartial Arbitrator shall be final and binding upon all parties.

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

The Eagles possibly believe that Section 1(b) doesn't apply to Westbrook because the title of Article XVIII is "Veterans with Less than Three Accrued Seasons." Like most contracts, however, the CBA expressly states that the titles and headings are meaningless.



Per Article LV, Section 16: "The headings in this Agreement are solely for the convenience of the attorneys for the parties, and shall not be deemed part of, or considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement."



In other words, the language of the contract controls. Since nothing in Article XVIII limits the application of Section 1 to veterans with less than three accrued seasons, the rule applies to all players under contract.



Even if the Eagles have yet to see the light on this one, at least one person in Philly accepts this interpretation. Rich Hoffman of The Philadelphia Daily News expressly credits us for reporting the tweak in the CBA -- and he agrees that Westbrook must show up on or before August 8 or forfeit his shot at free agency in 2006.



It's also possible that the Eagles realize that the rule applies to Westbrook, but that they would prefer that Westbrook and his agent, Fletcher Smith, miss the deadline, thereby giving the team even more leverage against Westbrook in the long run. If, however, Westbrook doesn't report by August 8, he could later argue that any efforts by the team to keep him from becoming a free agent in 2006 should fail, since the team already has taken the position that the August 8 rule doesn't apply.



WEDNESDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS



Fins RB Ricky Williams says that he has done "a pretty good job" of staying away from Mary Jane. (His choice of words implies that he has occasionally slipped; since THC metabolites can hang around in the body for up to a month, one mistake could be enough to bring this whole "Back in the NFFL" thing to a crashing halt.)



Redskins QB Patrick Ramsey knows that this is his last chance to become the guy he was drafted in the first round to be (especially since the 'Skins just drafted another guy in round one to be that guy that Ramsey never has been).



Redskins RB Clinton Ports had a career-high 343 carries in 2004 -- and he wants even more this year.



From the "Gone But Never to Be Forgotten" file, an onlooker at Steelers training camp yelled to CB Ike Taylor after giving up a deep ball to WR Antwaan Randle El: "You got burned like Chad Scott."



The Texans are poised to sign RB Domanick Davis to a multiyear contract.



Rams rookie S Jerome Carter, a fourth-round pick, is already the No. 1 strong safety on the depth chart (and we're not sure whether that's evidence of how good Carter is -- or of how good the Rams defensive backfield isn't).



Rams WR Torry Holt has missed four straight practices with lower back pain.



The Lions refuse to negotiate with KR Eddie Drummond until he signs his restricted free agent tender and reports to camp (but does a guy who catches kicks and runs them back really need to be in training camp?).



Broncos DE Courtney Brown has made it through training camp thus far without any injuries.



Colts QB Peyton Manning is looking forward to "tak[ing] in a little of the culture" in Japan (and we think that'll all change after he hears, "Rook, it's Herman Munsterson!" about 26 times).



The Jets will meet with CB Ty Law's agent on Wednesday, but defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson says that Law's price tag still needs to come down.



The Pats increased DE Richard Seymour's salary from $2.87 million to $4.0 million in 2005.



The contract for Packers QB Aaron Rodgers will escalate his salary significantly if he's the starter as of 2006.



The Jags are putting play-action back into their offense.



Denver P Paul Ernster likely won't knock Todd Sourpuss off of the roster, but with kicks of 64 and 67 yards on Tuesday Ernster might get some calls from other teams once the Broncos officially give him the boot.



Eagles DE Jerome McDougle is out of the hospital, and the kids who allegedly shot him are in the hoosegow.



The Titans and Pacman's agent are talking again, but there's still much to be done before he has a deal.



POSTED 10:35 p.m. EDT, August 2, 2005



TUESDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS




The Fins have signed C Alonzo Ephraim and dumped LB Derek Curry.



Mike Vrabel and Monty Beisel were the ILBs and Tully Banta-Cain and Rosevelt Colvin were the outside 'backers with the first-term Pats defense on Tuesday morning.



The Jets have signed two corners -- neither of whom is named "Ty" or "Law."



Bengals second-round LB Odell Thurman says that he ultimately agreed to the team's demand for a five-year deal because he hopes "they'll be convinced to rip . . . up [his rookie contract] in a couple of years."



The Steelers had a spirited 11-on-11 practice on Tuesday.



Jags rookie CB Scott Starks gave Moonshine Jones a nice lick on Tuesday, prompting this reaction from the converted Arkansas QB: "It wasn't like it was a hard hit. I mean, he's 170, 180, how hard can he hit me?" (Yeah, but we have a feeling that, next time around, it'll be a little harder.)



The Chiefs are selling single-game tickets.



Cowboys rookie DE Chris Canty is back on the field after recovering from an offseason eye injury.



Eagles president Joe Banner is glad T.O. is in the fold, but the organization isn't backing off of its stance: "Our position always has been that he has a contract and he needs to honor it. That continues to be our position."



Here's a recap of Redskins' practice on Tuesday.



Bears CB Jerry Azumah will seek a second opinion in Denver regarding his ailing hip.



Looks like it'll be return of the Smurfs in D.C.

[ALinChainz]

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

POSTED 7:26 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 8:17 p.m. EDT, August 3, 2005



CONDON LEADING LEINHART LOTTERY



Word around the league is that Tom Condon of IMG is the early favorite to snare three percent of the multi-million-dollar windfall that will be paid next year to USC quarterback Matt Leinhart, the presumptive No. 1 overall pick in the 2006 draft.



Though Condon's spot on the inside track to the representation of the fifth-year senior isn't surprising given IMG's penchant for landing quarterbacks selected high in the draft -- Condon has represented the last two No. 1 overall picks, Eli Manning and Alex Smith -- IMG's position at the front of the pack is a mild surprise, given the pipeline from Trojans coach Pete Carroll to NFL.com's Pat Kirwan to agent David Dunn.



Kirwan received 40 percent of Dunn's fee from the contract generated by former USC signal-caller and Heisman winner, Carson Palmer. The relevant parties denied that Kirwan was paid for helping to deliver Palmer to Dunn.



It's possible that the scrutiny resulting from Kirwan's connection to Carroll, Carson, and Dunn has prompted Kirwan to lay low in the Leinhart lottery.



Of course, it's possible that Condon has already received his piece of the last $50 million Powerball prize. Rumors of a rookie pay scale in the new CBA, with greatly reduced guaranteed payouts, aren't going away. A league source tells us that the NFLPA still plans to argue against a rookie pay scale, and there continues to be a discrepancy between the players and the Players Association regarding whether veterans want to funnel some of those millions paid every year to a dozen or so unproven newbies to guys who have demonstrated their value on the field.



Condon, of course, also represents NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw.



But we're sure that's just a coincidence.



NFLPA AGREES THAT ARTICLE XVIII APPLIES



We continue to have significant respect for NFLPA general counsel Richard Berthelsen, who always responds to our inquiries even though we continue to post in this here space rumors and opinions that aren't necessarily favorable to the administration of the union. (E.g., scroll up.) Plenty of other folks would reward such candor by ignoring us.



Most recently, Berthelsen responded to an e-mail inquiry by expressing agreement with our interpretation of Article XVIII, Section 1 of the CBA, which states that a player under contract who fails to report within 30 days prior to the regular season opener does not receive an accrued year. Per Berthelsen, the provision applies across the board, to all players under contract -- and not only to those with less than three accrued seasons.



The distinction is important with respect to the case of Eagles running back Brian Westbrook, who has three accrued seasons and a contract. Per Article XVIII, Section 1, if Westbrook doesn't report to Eagles camp by August 8, he will not earn a fourth accrued year in 2005. In turn, he won't be eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2006.



The Eagles have said that they disagree, but have not elaborated on their reasoning. Our discussions with league and industry insiders have reinforced our belief that the Eagles are smart enough to figure this out -- and that they likely are downplaying the issue in the hopes that Westbrook fails to report in time to remain eligible for unrestricted free agency in '06.



MILLEN GETS FIVE MORE YEARS



When we received the first e-mail on this topic earlier in the day, we figured that someone was simply messing with us. Lions CEO and president Matt Millen gets a five-year contract extension after presiding over a franchise that averaged only four wins per year over his four prior seasons.



Several years back, we reported that Millen had a habit while serving as a color commentator with FOX of offering unsolicited advice to teams on how to improve. The Ford family, by all appearances, bought his shtick like a '93 Escort.



We're not saying that Millen has done a poor job. The deck currently is stacked for the team to make a run at the postseason. But how in the world does his performance over the past four years justify a five-year extension?



I mean, the dude hired Marty Mornhinweg to be the coach, and his handling of the hiring of Steve Mariucci blatantly violated the league's diversity policy, resulting in a six-figure fine.



WEDNESDAY EVENING ONE-LINERS



Nightclub owner and Steve McNair friend Robert Gaddy is unloading on Pacman.



The Seahawks have inked first-round C Chris Spencer, who missed five days of training camp.



The Fins have signed G Frank Middleton and waived WR Ronald Bellamy.



Pats QB Tom Brady, celebrating his 28th birthday, was given the day off of practice.



The arrival of RB Jamal Lewis in Ravens training camp has been delayed from Friday to Monday.



Agents Tom Condon and Ken Kremer have left Cincinnati after making little progress in a deal for first-rounder David Pollack.



Jags WR Reggie Williams is celebrating touchdowns scored in practice (and we'll cut him some slack here, since he didn't get to do much celebrating at all in his rookie season).



FredEx will not be required to go under the 'scope to address a knee injury.



"Lights Out" made his practice debut on Tuesday night.



Cowboys rookie LT Rob Pettiti suffered a severe ankle contusion on Wednesday.



Cowboys RB Julius Jones also dinged up an ankle on Wednesday, but appeared to be fine after practice.



Shipp happens at Cardinals camp.



Giants rookie DE Eric Moore was carted off the field on Wednesday after suffering knee and ankle injuries.



Bears CB Jerry Azumah is out 3-4 weeks after undergoing arthroscopic hip surgery.

[ALinChainz]

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

POSTED 12:09 a.m. EDT, August 4, 2005



EARLY THURSDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS



Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil is re-thinking his decision to retire after the 2005 season (coincidentally, King Carl is re-thinking his decision to hire his pal Dickie in 2002).



Just as the Jets lied about the condition of QB Chad Pennington's shoulder last season, it looks like they also were speaking with forked tongue regarding the condition of DE John Abraham's knee in the playoffs.



Adidas is dropping $3.8 billion to buy Reebok.



49ers LB Julian Peterson seems to be recovering nicely from a popped Achilles' tendon.



Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw will make a cameo appearance on "The Simpsons" (even though he couldn't spell "doh" if you spotted him the "d" and the "oh").



Bucs RB Michael Pittman welcomes the "help" from rookie Cadillac Williams (yeah, as in "Mike, allow me to help you to the bench").



Saints WR Talmon Gardner is getting props from Haz.



Vikings RB Michael Bennett thinks he's the fastest dude in the NFL.



MNF will have a new halftime highlights package this season with background music, with re-worked lyrics, from Tim McGraw (we suggest a feature on Redskins S Sean Taylor to the tune of -- you guessed it -- Indian Outlaw).





POSTED 8:39 a.m. EDT, August 4, 2005



EAGLES, SMITH DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT ARTICLE XVIII?



Les Bowen of The Philadelphia Daily News reports that the Eagles are now backpedaling from their prior denial that the failure of running back Brian Westbrook to report by August 8 will cost him a year of credit toward free agency, per Article XVIII of the CBA.



"For 2 days," Bowen writes, "the Eagles were denying a report that originated on profootballtalk.com that Westbrook must report by Aug. 8, a month before the first NFL game, or lose a year of accrued service, meaning he wouldn't have 4 years' service and couldn't become an unrestricted free agent next spring. But Eagles president Joe Banner said yesterday there had been a miscommunication somewhere along the line -- Banner said the team meant to say that it was unfamiliar with the clause in the collective bargaining agreement being cited, and that it would take a lawyer to look at the CBA and see whether Westbrook was included in the relevant clause."



We still think that the Eagles knew all about Article XVIII, and that they were hoping that Westbrook and his agent, Flecther Smith, would blow the deadline, which in turn would give the team even more leverage in its dealings with Westbrook. Indeed, Smith told The Daily News that he'd never heard of the requirement that a player under contract must report within 30 days prior to the regular season opener or lose an accrued year.



Then again, whether this means that Westbrook will show by Monday remains to be seen. Smith, who by all appearances has lost control of Westbrook, might not be able to make him understand the consequences of not showing up before August 8 -- especially if Smith had previously laid out all of the potential consequences of a holdout without telling Westbrook that a failure to show by August 8 could blow his shot at unrestricted free agency in 2006.



THURSDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS



Giants RB Tiki Barber has bulked up in the offseason.



Giants WR Plaxico Burress will miss several days with a strained hip flexor.



Packers WR Javon Walker says he has no regrets regarding his holdout that never was.



Steelers RB Duce Staley was kept out of practice of Wednesday afternoon due to a little inflammation in his knee.



Ravens TE Todd Heap still isn't practicing (but he's earning plenty of interest on that signing bonus).



Colts WR Brandon Stokely has separated a shoulder in the Land of the Rising Sun.



Fresh from getting a salary increase to $4 million from a team that had no obligation to give him a dime beyond his $2.87 million base pay, DE Richard Seymour says that he wants to retire as a Patriot (we would, too, if they gave us a free $1.13 million).



In response to a statement from Steve Young that the Pats have it all "figured out," coach Bill Belichick said: "I wish Steve would come here and tell us what we've figured out. Maybe he could tell us what we need to know. It didn't look to me like we have it figured out. I don't know what he is talking about. I have no idea."



Lions WR Mike Williams put the pads on for the first time in 19 months.



Agent Michael Huyghue says that Robert Gaddy demanded payment of $250,000 from Pacman Jones.



Packers RB Ahman Green, in his contract year, wants to be paid among the top guys at his position (unfortunately for Ahman, he's even older than two elite running backs who can't land long-term deals, Shaun Alexander and Edgerrin James).



Jets CB Ray Mickens knows that his chances of winning a starting job are greater if a dude named Ty doesn't join the team.



Ravens coach Brian Billick is starting to bristle regarding the absence of WR Mark Clayton.



Fins QB Gus Frerotte says that the offense will be throwing the ball down the field a lot in 2005.



Fins coach Nick Saban seems to recognize that No. 2 overall pick Ronnie Brown's agent is a-scared that the No. 3 pick, Braylon Edwards, will get a better deal if Brown signs first.



Vikings CB Fred Smoot (stiff neck) will make his training camp debut on Monday.



T.O. finally talks: "God put me in the situation to go out here and still play the game. That's why I'm here."



Four guys are fighting for the right to backup Bills RB Willis McGahee.



Fins OT Damion McIntosh is listed as a backup to Vernon Carey and Stockar McDougle.



The Milwaukee/Green Bay press continues to write stories about Packers DT Grady Jackson's quest for more coin without recognizing that the team CANNOT increase his 2005 salary because his deal was already re-done once this year.



Vikings LB Donatarrious Thomas is beating out Raonall Smith for the starting job on the weak side.



Packers OT Brad Bedell injured a hamstring on Wednesday.



Minnesota first-round DE Erasmus James has blown his shot at starting at right end via his absence from camp.



The Rams are still waiting for first-round OT Alex Barron (if all else fails, they can re-sign Crazy Joe Davola).



Bucs coach Jon Gruden gave his team Wednesday afternoon off.



Bears G.M. Jerry Angelo doesn't expect to sign a free-agent corner to fill in for Jerry Azumah will he recovers from hip surgery.



Vikings CB Ken Irvin says that the presence of Randy Moss in past training camps made the defense better (we wonder just how bad the team's defense would have been over the past five years if Randy hadn't been there to help pull them up to, you know, No. 31).

[ALinChainz]

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

POSTED 9:10 a.m. EDT, August 4, 2005



TEMPERATURES RISE OVER AGENT INSURANCE



As more and more agents become aware of the new requirement from the NFL Players Association that liability insurance be purchased through a specific AIG group policy arranged by the union, the hue and cry against this move is rising.



The memo from the NFLPA requires payment of the initial premiums by September 1, but the union has provided no substantive information to the agents regarding the details of the product they're being forced to purchase.



"What in the f--k am I buying?" said one agent. "I haven't even seen the policy. What is covered? What is excluded?"



As to the September 1 deadline to pony up the premiums or lose certification, the agent observed, "It's like they are limiting the time period so that we can't b***h."



Another problem with the arrangement is the requirement that the insurance obligation be satisfied through buying coverage from the insurance carrier that was hand picked by the PA. Given the legal problems that AIG has experienced in the not-too-distant past, agents are very skeptical of the relationship.



In October 2004, AIG disclosed that it was the target of a federal probe in Indiana regarding sales of "nontraditional" insurance products. At the time, it was the fourth probe launched against AIG in a month. In November 2004, AIG agreed to pay $126 million in fines to settle claims that it was helping companies cook their books.



Since then, the controversies regarding the company mushroomed, ultimately resulting in the "resignation" of CEO Hank Greenberg. More recently (as in yesterday), Greenberg disputed a $3.9 billion earnings restatement by the company, likely since the ten-figure "our bad" will serve only to turn up the heat on his rear end.



Said one agent: "I'd like to see the disclosure forms detailing any conflicts of interest between the NFLPA and AIG. It's one thing to mandate malpractice coverage. It's another to mandate where you have to buy it from especially, if [you] already have coverage. I wouldn't be shocked to see those companies that will lose the business . . . sniff around and follow the money to see who benefits from the exclusivity at AIG."



Another problem relating to the forced purchase of the AIG product is the finger-pointing that inevitably will occur if an agent has separate coverage with another company. When a claim is made and the feces starts to fly, neither company will want to be the "primary" insurer -- putting the guy who has paid two premiums in the unenviable position of trying to get someone to make good on their promise to provide indemnity in exchange for the premiums that were paid.



Finally, the tying of the premiums to revenue is fueling speculation that, at its core, the deal stinks. Insurance policies typically are priced not based on the net worth of the customer but on the extent of the coverage provided.



The same reasoning applies with other professional liability policies. For example, yours truly doesn't pay legal malpractice premiums based on revenue or numbers of clients, but on the specific level of coverage desired per potential claim.



The end result is a perfect storm of concerns that is prompting many agents to complain loudly -- and some to consider privately whether and to what extent the arrangement can be challenged legally.



ALL FENCES MENDED BETWEEN BRADSHAW, 'BURGH



It's official. All past problems between the Pittsburgh Steelers and quarterback Terry Bradshaw have been resolved.



After years of estrangement for the Hall of Famer and the team with which he starred in the 1970s, Bradshaw has now fully re-embraced the organization and it has fully re-embraced him, a league source tells us.



To Steelers fans, the feud between Bradshaw and the team was always an oddity, with most of them ignoring the hard feelings and carrying a torch for the guy who helped deliver four Lombardi in six years.



HUYGHUE NEEDS TO GET PACMAN INTO CAMP



As the Titans and No. 6 overall pick Pacman Jones continue to conduct a high-stakes stare down regarding the terms of his rookie deal, more and more league insiders are dumping the blame for the impasse on agent Michael Huyghue.



"He has no leverage," said one league insider. "The team wants the contract to be heavy on incentives. And the more time the kid misses, the harder it will be for him to earn the incentives."



Folks around the league also are criticizing Huyghue's failure to conduct substantive, face-to-face talks with team, relying instead upon certified letters that say little or nothing about the terms of the deal.



With all that said, there's cause for optimism that Huyghue has finally gotten the process into high gear. Per The Nashville Tennessean, the two sides exchanged proposals on Thursday night. They have reached an agreement regarding the length of the deal and are close to an accord as to the amount of guaranteed money and the total amount of the package.



The sticking points continue to be the timing of the bonus payments and the amount of the incentives.



A string of off-field incidents involving Jones likely has prompted the team to insist on a bonus payout structure that will protect the team against a continuation of such behavior. Likewise, the team probably is trying to shift some of the "guaranteed" money from signing and option boni into incentives that will be readily attainable if Jones avoids the kind of conduct that will keep him off the field.



FRIDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS




Cards WR Anquan Boldin suffered a broken nose in practice on Thursday.


The David went down to Georgia.



The protracted dispute between the Bears and Ricky Williams Jr. apparently is rooted in the fact that the agent wants Ced-Ben to get paid like last year's No. 4 overall pick, who ended up getting paid like No. 2.



Giants rookie DE Eric Moore has a sprained MCL and will miss two weeks.



Big Ben got busted up by the Bus.



The Tuna blurted out something about a Saturday scrimmage, and then denied knowledge of it.



There's no end in sight for the contract impasse between the Browns and No. 3 overall pick Braylon Edwards.



The Colts-Falcons games will be played on a harder, baseball-friendly version of FieldTurf.



Mt. Meathead erupted on Thursday.



Lightning prompted some soiled jockey shorts in Miami on Thursday.



By all appearances, Drew Brees had a man crush on Doug Flutie.



With CB Fred Smoot on the PUP list, CB Ken Irvin out with a shoulder injury, and CB Brian Williams on leave due to a death in the family, the current Minnesota defensive backfield is conjuring memories of the latter years of the Denny Green era.



Bears LB Brian Urlacher realizes that he quickly went from young buck to old man.



'Skins QB Jason Campbell is drawing early raves in D.C.



Bucs coach Jon Gruden is chiding FB Rick Razzano for missing practice with a hamstring injury.



Vikings owner Zygi Wilf eventually could invest $1 billion of his own coin into a new stadium complex in Minnesota.



The Bills are reportedly interested in a trade for Eagles DT Corey Simon.



Steelers RB Duce Staley has missed his second straight day of practice with inflammation in his knee.



QUOTE OF THE DAY



"T.O. has a history with his groin."



POSTED 4:37 p.m. EDT, August 4, 2005



DRUMMOND INKS TENDER



A league source tells us that Lions restricted free agent Eddie Drummond has signed his one-year restricted free agent and will report to Lions training camp.



Drummond had been sitting on a one-year, $1.43 million offer from the Lions while hoping to finagle a long-term deal. The Lions, in turn, refused to talk about a long-term contract absent Drummond's name on the tender.



We're told that Drummond will now continue to negotiate with the Lions on a long-term deal as he approaches unrestricted free agency. Because his primary position is receiver, the chances of the team using the franchise tag or transition tag on a guy who serves primarily as a kick return specialist are slim, meaning that Drummond will hit the open market in 2006.



UNION MANDATES MALPRACTICE INSURANCE



In a move that already is prompting some serious hand-wringing and teeth-gnashing among agents, the NFL Players Association is requiring all agents to purchase liability insurance.



Though most agents generally have known that the measure has been in play for a while, the procedure that the union has adopted is being criticized privately in the agent community.



Via a memo dated August 3 and circulated to all agents on Thursday, the NFLPA 'splains that coverage has been arranged through AIG, and that the individual premiums will be tied to revenue.



For agents generating zip to $100,000 in fee revenues during the 2004 calendar year, the premium is $3,500, with a $5,000 deductible.



For agents making $100,000 to $250,000 in fees in 2004, the premium bumps to $5,000.



For agents earning $250,000 to $1 million, the premium moves to $7,500 and the deductible increases to $10,000.



The premium for agents earning more than $1 million in revenues, the premiums and deductibles are "to be determined."



As we see it, the practical effect of the insurance requirement will be to force the low-end agents with little or no client base out of the business. It's one thing, for example, for Johnny Gold Chains to spend $1,200 per year for the right to flash his NFLPA agent card at the nightclubs in order to impress the ladies (or, as the case may be, the men). But buy jacking that out-of-pocket for the right to claim status of clientless agent to $4,700, many of these wannabes will walk away.



Still, even the established agents are upset with the NFLPA's decision to force additional costs upon them, especially at a time when the union is talking about dropping maximum fees from three percent to two.



"I suppose the next thing they'll wanna do is sleep with our wives," said one agent.



But other agents think that the imposition of mandatory liability insurance will result in abandonment of the move to cut the fees.



Amazingly, the NFLPA is requiring agents to buy the insurance even if they already have the coverage. Perhaps the union specifically has negotiated rates for group coverage with AIG based on the presumption that all agents will be included in the pool of risk. Still, if this thing is the result of the union's desire to protect players, it shouldn't matter where or from whom the coverage is purchased.



Stay tuned for more fallout on this one.



POSTED 2:13 p.m. EDT, August 4, 2005



T.O. INJURES GROIN



Eagles receiver Terrell Owens has suffered a groin injury in practice on Thursday.



We're told that Owens strained the groin and was carted from the field. A source close to the action says that Owens had a similar injury during his time with the 49ers (insert joke re: pulled groins and San Fran here), and there's quiet concern at this point as to the severity of the condition.



Despite indications that Owens might return to practice on Thursday afternoon, he is expected to be kept out of action.



And we know that many of you cynics out there are thinking that the disgruntled T.O. has caught himself a case of the blue flu. Our guess, however, is that the injury can be confirmed via standard diagnostic procedures, and we're confident that the Eagles will (to use technical terminologu) MRI the sh-t out of the leg to ensure the injury is legit, if he misses any significant practice time.

[ALinChainz]

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

POSTED 9:06 p.m. EDT, August 5, 2005



FRIDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS



The Eagles have confirmed that WR Todd Pinkston is indeed out for the season with a torn ACL.



Raiders WR Jerry Porter will miss the preseason opener with a strained hamstring.



From the "That Thin Air Sure Can Mess With A Guy's Brain" file, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan says that he'll be "disappointed" if DT Gerard Warren doesn't make it to the Pro Bowl.



Speaking of the Broncos, DE Courtney Brown's dislocated elbow has enabled him to complete the "Operation" cycle.



Is it just us, or is it incredibly bad form to stage a game of American football in Tokyo on the 60th Anniversary of the day on which we turned Hiroshima into a fluorescent parking lot? I mean, would we host a freakin' sumo match in Madison Square Garden on December 7?



Cowboys DE Marcus Spears will miss 2-4 weeks with a sprained MCL and a high ankle sprain.



Our deepest condolences to Jim Kelly and his family on the passing of 8-year-old Hunter, who fought a courageous battle with Krabbe Disease.



The Pats have waived WR Ricky Bryant.



The Jets and Giants will practice together on Saturday in Albany.



The 'Skins and Ravens scrimmage on Saturday in Baltimore.



Ravens coach Brian Billick is increasing the rhetoric regarding first-round WR Mark Clayton: "It's unfortunate because it's going to hurt the team. The kid is going to be in here, make no mistake. [But] in no uncertain terms, it is hurting this football team, in no uncertain terms. Anybody who wants to justify it the other way is mistaken."



As to Clayton, we hear that the hang up is the value of his escalators.



A lightning storm brought a premature end to the Bucs' practice on Saturday.



Cards WR Anquan Boldin (nose) is expected to miss one to three weeks.



Our "Moonshine" moniker for Jags WR Matt Jones is catching on.



Browns RB Reuben Droughns has missed practice since Wednesday night with a pulled hamstring.



The Steelers' ones squared off on Friday in the one-minute drill.



POSTED 1:41 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 1:54 p.m. EDT, August 5, 2005



PINKSTON OUT FOR THE YEAR



A day after receiver Terrell Owens pulled his groin (and hurt his upper leg), two more key members of the Eagles offense went down with training camp injuries.



Bob Kent of PhiladelphiaEagles.com reports that receiver Todd "Calista" Pinkston suffered an Achilles' injury and running back Correll Buckhalter sustained yet another knee injury.



A league source tells us that Pinkston has a suffered torn Achilles' tendon, and is out for the year.



Buckhalter missed the 2002 and 2004 seasons with knee injuries. The extent of the latest injury is not yet known.



As to Owens, word is that he's day-to-day with the tender groin. Until he returns, the Eagles will be thin at receiver.



The team is likely to get some relief at running back, however. Word is that agent Fletcher Smith now acknowledges that running back Brian Westbrook must report to training camp by August 8 or lose his shot at unrestricted free agency in 2006. Smith previously said he was not aware of the little-known rule requiring players under contract to report at least 30 days prior to the regular season opener in order to earn a year of accrued service.



As one league insider told us, Smith likely would have been suspended by the NFLPA if Westbrook hadn't reported on time and Smith hadn't warned him of the August 8 rule, which was first reported and explained in this space on Tuesday evening. Smith also likely would have faced a claim under the NFLPA's new mandatory liability insurance policy, since Westbrook would have lost millions if forced to play under the restricted tender for a second year.



So, Fletch, we're not expecting a cut of the commission on Westbrook's long-term deal or anything, but a "thank you" card and a box of nonpareils would be a nice touch.



POSTED 2:11 p.m. EDT, August 5, 2005



SPEARS HURT, TOO



They're dropping like flies in the NFC East.



According to The Dallas Morning News, Cowboys first-round defensive end Marcus Spears was carted off of the practice field on Friday morning in Oxnard with a knee injury.



A player rolled over Spears' knee during team drills, as the defensive unit was pursuing ball carrier Anthony Thomas.