HEAV
04-08-2005, 07:51 AM
Joe Horn's cell phone cost him $30,000 in fines when he used it to celebrate a touchdown during a New Orleans Saints game against the New York Giants.The same phone cost Jay Foster just $645, and it has been worth every penny.Foster, who purchased it at a charity auction last year, keeps the phone, complete with all of Horn's personal contacts still stored in it, on a pedestal in a jewel case in Foster's Ocean Springs law office. It makes for an interesting conversation piece with clients and is a reminder of Foster's love for his favorite team.Foster said his friends have called him "nuts" for spending so much on an ordinary cell phone. But the diehard Saints fan says the phone's sentimental value has no price tag."This is a piece of Saints history," he said. "I just had to have it."
Free-agent wide receiver Kevin Johnson, the former Hamilton High standout, spent yesterday in Kansas City talking with the Chiefs top personnel people and could be close to a deal with the team. Johnson, who opted out of his contract with the Baltimore Ravens last month, flew home last night, but was hopeful a contract with the Chiefs could get done possibly as soon as today.
Locked in a contract dispute with John Abraham - an impasse that shows signs of turning ugly - the Jets are willing to listen to trade offers for their star pass rusher, an NFL source told the Daily News yesterday. This represents a shift for the Jets. A few days after the season, GM Terry Bradway said, "John is going to be here." But the landscape has changed.
The Dolphins are apparently waiting for the Chiefs to sweeten the pot with a draft pick in at least the first three rounds before agreeing to deal Patrick Surtain to chop $8.4 million of their salary cap figure.
The Jaguars gave David Garrard permission this offseason to work out a trade, but Garrard's agent found no partners because Jacksonville wanted a first-round draft pick in return. So Garrard reported to the Jaguars' offseason program this week resigned to spending one last season as Byron Leftwich's primary backup before leaving as an unrestricted free agent next winter. "There's no need in losing my cool over it,'' Garrard said. "I'm not going to be an impatient guy. I'm more than happy being here right now.'' Arizona, San Francisco, Chicago and Cleveland all inquired about Garrard before balking at the Jaguars' high asking price for a player who has started just three games in his three-year pro career.
After visiting the Cincinnati Bengals earlier yesterday, free-agent linebacker Jamie Sharper was at Seahawks headquarters in the afternoon and evening. The team is continuing talks with Sharper and his agent, Tony Agnone, today.
The Giants are aware that Tiki Barber, who just turned 30, will eventually begin to slow down and the team could look for his eventual replacement as soon as this month's draft. But after Barber set a team record with 1,518 yards rushing in 2004 while dispelling doubts about his durability and ball security, there is no reason to expect a drastic drop this year. "I've gotten better as I've gotten older. So I hope that trend continues," Barber said. "Of course there's a point where it'll start to go downhill. Hopefully that's three or four years from now."
Although wide receiver Santana Moss, the cornerstone acquisition of the Washington Redskins' offseason, is not participating in voluntary workout sessions, at least one of his new teammates is confident that when Moss does report, he will be in great shape. Right guard Randy Thomas, who played with Moss in New York, said the receiver is training diligently in Florida and expects big things from him. Although these workouts are voluntary, Moss's absence is unexcused and tied to Washington's inability to agree to a long-term contract with him, Coach Joe Gibbs said. Moss, 25, had one season worth $450,000 left on his current deal.
The Steelers went with a double-tight end set Thursday, signing well-traveled Marco Battaglia and closing in on a deal with six-year veteran Matt Cushing. Neither has caught more than 14 passes in a season. Starting tight end Jerame Tuman caught nine passes for 89 yards last season. Battaglia agreed to a one-year deal worth $655,000 with no signing bonus. He is attempting a return to football after sitting out all of last season. Cushing, an unrestricted free agent who's spent his entire career with the Steelers, is expected to have a deal finalized possibly as soon as today. By securing the two tight ends, the Steelers added depth to a position that was in need of bodies after Jay Riemersma was released prior to the free-agency period. Did You Know? Battaglia is friends with Howard Stern.
Braylon Edwards, who grew up on Detroit's near west side and played wide receiver at Michigan, is scheduled to visit the Lions today at their headquarters facility. "He's flattered by the Lions' interest in him," Stan Edwards, Braylon's father, said Thursday. "To have that kind of interest in the home team, it's kind of refreshing around here." Edwards is ranked as one of the top players in the draft, regardless of position, and isn't likely to be on the board when the Lions draft 10th overall April 23. But players have been known to go lower than expected, and the Lions need to add a receiver in the draft or free agency. Earlier this week, they got visits from Mark Clayton of Oklahoma and Troy Williamson of South Carolina.
Texan Red McCombs will probably pay a Minnesota tax of $7 million to $12 million on his prospective sale of the Vikings under current state law, a team lawyer told the Senate Taxes Committee on Thursday as it considered a special transfer tax for professional sports franchises. "Minnesota tax law is not so unsophisticated as to depend on the accident of where owners live or where corporations are registered," attorney Bill Busch testified. "Ordinary taxes that have been in place for many years already apply."
Neil Cornrich, the agent for Packers starting defensive end Aaron Kampman, said based on the interest he has received from other teams he can see an offer sheet being made to his client before the deadline next Friday. "There's been significant interest in Aaron," Cornrich said Thursday. "Numerous teams have called and inquired about his status. It's very flattering and is the result of what Aaron has accomplished over his first three years in the league. "I wouldn't be surprised if a team presents him with an offer in the near future." Cornrich would not identify any of the teams that have expressed interest in Kampman and would not say whether Kampman had made a free-agent visit.
When Nick Saban was asked if Texas running back Cedric Benson's stock would drop because of his former association with Ricky Williams, he veered from his normally stoic manner. "This is a view from the log on the side of the hill looking down on the valley because I wasn't here," Saban said. "I don't have an opinion that this guy was a really bad guy all the time he was here. "He was a really good guy and made a positive impact on a lot of things. It just didn't end up well, so I don't think anyone's association with Ricky is negative."
According to Kenyatta Walker, all of the Bucs are feeling pressure in 2005. ``It's not fun to be the only team to win a Super Bowl and the next two years don't get to the playoffs,'' he said. ``That's a big burden on me. I still look at that [championship] ring for motivation, but the first thing is, let's win the NFC South.''
The Bucs continue to parade running backs through One Buc Place. Cal's J.J. Arrington and Louisiana Tech's Ryan Moats visited with the Bucs on Thursday, one day after the team welcomed Texas' Cedric Benson. Bucs coach Jon Gruden is expected to travel to Alabama to meet with Auburn running back Ronnie Brown in the next few weeks. After Brown, Auburn's Carnell Williams and Benson, Arrington is considered by many to be the next best back in the draft.
Scott Fujita's season could rest on results of arthroscopic ankle surgery he was to have today in California. The Chiefs are privately concerned that Fujita, a three-year starter at linebacker, might miss at least the start of the regular season and perhaps a lot more. Fujita, contacted before leaving Kansas City for California on Thursday, indicated the injury might not be that severe. But it's possible today's surgery will reveal damage beyond what he might anticipate.
Offensive lineman Richie Incognito, a former all-Big 12 performer at Nebraska before being suspended from the team and leaving school, is paying a pre-draft visit to Rams Park that will conclude today. Wisconsin's Erasmus James, one of the top defensive ends in the draft, and a certain first-round pick, is scheduled to visit Rams Park today.
Terrell Owens and Jevon Kearse, now fellow clients of agent Drew Rosenhaus, costar in a commercial for Right Guard Xtreme deodorant that debuts on Monday, according to the Gillette Co. The two Eagles, apparently cast in the role of odor, are knocked down in a kids' game of Red Rover, thereby illustrating the power of the smell-fighter.
The Giants play the Chargers in San Diego this year and will find out when the matchup will take place when the NFL schedules are released on Wednesday. The game could be slated for Monday Night Football. "I'm just looking to see who our first (opponent) is going to be and just get prepared for that," Eli Manning said. "When the Chargers game comes up, I'll deal with that."
Eli Manning doesn't mind that Jeremy Shockey is working out in Miami. But in the next few weeks, the Giants' second-year quarterback wants his tight end in East Rutherford so the two can start working together. Manning said he called Shockey last week and attempted to convince him to attend the team's off-season workouts. Though it was clear Shockey would not arrive this week, Manning requested his presence sometime before the team's minicamp in early June. Shockey is believed to be the only Giants player who has not attended the off-season workouts, now in their third week. He is one of several Miami-based players -- many of whom are represented by Drew Rosenhaus -- who train in Florida.
The Lions have begun lifting weights with a purpose -- to pull themselves into playoff contention. The offseason conditioning program began Monday, and cornerback Dre' Bly has noticed a recurring theme among his teammates. "It's good," Bly said Thursday. "There's a good turnout. Everybody seems to be motivated, looking for the year to start. We're just ready to move forward. "This is a big year for us. The Super Bowl's here in Detroit. Guys have been playing together for two or three years. I think this could be our year." The Lions have had four straight losing records. They finished third in the NFC North with a 6-10 record last year. It was a disappointing record for them after they started the season 4-2.
Free-agent wide receiver Kevin Johnson, the former Hamilton High standout, spent yesterday in Kansas City talking with the Chiefs top personnel people and could be close to a deal with the team. Johnson, who opted out of his contract with the Baltimore Ravens last month, flew home last night, but was hopeful a contract with the Chiefs could get done possibly as soon as today.
Locked in a contract dispute with John Abraham - an impasse that shows signs of turning ugly - the Jets are willing to listen to trade offers for their star pass rusher, an NFL source told the Daily News yesterday. This represents a shift for the Jets. A few days after the season, GM Terry Bradway said, "John is going to be here." But the landscape has changed.
The Dolphins are apparently waiting for the Chiefs to sweeten the pot with a draft pick in at least the first three rounds before agreeing to deal Patrick Surtain to chop $8.4 million of their salary cap figure.
The Jaguars gave David Garrard permission this offseason to work out a trade, but Garrard's agent found no partners because Jacksonville wanted a first-round draft pick in return. So Garrard reported to the Jaguars' offseason program this week resigned to spending one last season as Byron Leftwich's primary backup before leaving as an unrestricted free agent next winter. "There's no need in losing my cool over it,'' Garrard said. "I'm not going to be an impatient guy. I'm more than happy being here right now.'' Arizona, San Francisco, Chicago and Cleveland all inquired about Garrard before balking at the Jaguars' high asking price for a player who has started just three games in his three-year pro career.
After visiting the Cincinnati Bengals earlier yesterday, free-agent linebacker Jamie Sharper was at Seahawks headquarters in the afternoon and evening. The team is continuing talks with Sharper and his agent, Tony Agnone, today.
The Giants are aware that Tiki Barber, who just turned 30, will eventually begin to slow down and the team could look for his eventual replacement as soon as this month's draft. But after Barber set a team record with 1,518 yards rushing in 2004 while dispelling doubts about his durability and ball security, there is no reason to expect a drastic drop this year. "I've gotten better as I've gotten older. So I hope that trend continues," Barber said. "Of course there's a point where it'll start to go downhill. Hopefully that's three or four years from now."
Although wide receiver Santana Moss, the cornerstone acquisition of the Washington Redskins' offseason, is not participating in voluntary workout sessions, at least one of his new teammates is confident that when Moss does report, he will be in great shape. Right guard Randy Thomas, who played with Moss in New York, said the receiver is training diligently in Florida and expects big things from him. Although these workouts are voluntary, Moss's absence is unexcused and tied to Washington's inability to agree to a long-term contract with him, Coach Joe Gibbs said. Moss, 25, had one season worth $450,000 left on his current deal.
The Steelers went with a double-tight end set Thursday, signing well-traveled Marco Battaglia and closing in on a deal with six-year veteran Matt Cushing. Neither has caught more than 14 passes in a season. Starting tight end Jerame Tuman caught nine passes for 89 yards last season. Battaglia agreed to a one-year deal worth $655,000 with no signing bonus. He is attempting a return to football after sitting out all of last season. Cushing, an unrestricted free agent who's spent his entire career with the Steelers, is expected to have a deal finalized possibly as soon as today. By securing the two tight ends, the Steelers added depth to a position that was in need of bodies after Jay Riemersma was released prior to the free-agency period. Did You Know? Battaglia is friends with Howard Stern.
Braylon Edwards, who grew up on Detroit's near west side and played wide receiver at Michigan, is scheduled to visit the Lions today at their headquarters facility. "He's flattered by the Lions' interest in him," Stan Edwards, Braylon's father, said Thursday. "To have that kind of interest in the home team, it's kind of refreshing around here." Edwards is ranked as one of the top players in the draft, regardless of position, and isn't likely to be on the board when the Lions draft 10th overall April 23. But players have been known to go lower than expected, and the Lions need to add a receiver in the draft or free agency. Earlier this week, they got visits from Mark Clayton of Oklahoma and Troy Williamson of South Carolina.
Texan Red McCombs will probably pay a Minnesota tax of $7 million to $12 million on his prospective sale of the Vikings under current state law, a team lawyer told the Senate Taxes Committee on Thursday as it considered a special transfer tax for professional sports franchises. "Minnesota tax law is not so unsophisticated as to depend on the accident of where owners live or where corporations are registered," attorney Bill Busch testified. "Ordinary taxes that have been in place for many years already apply."
Neil Cornrich, the agent for Packers starting defensive end Aaron Kampman, said based on the interest he has received from other teams he can see an offer sheet being made to his client before the deadline next Friday. "There's been significant interest in Aaron," Cornrich said Thursday. "Numerous teams have called and inquired about his status. It's very flattering and is the result of what Aaron has accomplished over his first three years in the league. "I wouldn't be surprised if a team presents him with an offer in the near future." Cornrich would not identify any of the teams that have expressed interest in Kampman and would not say whether Kampman had made a free-agent visit.
When Nick Saban was asked if Texas running back Cedric Benson's stock would drop because of his former association with Ricky Williams, he veered from his normally stoic manner. "This is a view from the log on the side of the hill looking down on the valley because I wasn't here," Saban said. "I don't have an opinion that this guy was a really bad guy all the time he was here. "He was a really good guy and made a positive impact on a lot of things. It just didn't end up well, so I don't think anyone's association with Ricky is negative."
According to Kenyatta Walker, all of the Bucs are feeling pressure in 2005. ``It's not fun to be the only team to win a Super Bowl and the next two years don't get to the playoffs,'' he said. ``That's a big burden on me. I still look at that [championship] ring for motivation, but the first thing is, let's win the NFC South.''
The Bucs continue to parade running backs through One Buc Place. Cal's J.J. Arrington and Louisiana Tech's Ryan Moats visited with the Bucs on Thursday, one day after the team welcomed Texas' Cedric Benson. Bucs coach Jon Gruden is expected to travel to Alabama to meet with Auburn running back Ronnie Brown in the next few weeks. After Brown, Auburn's Carnell Williams and Benson, Arrington is considered by many to be the next best back in the draft.
Scott Fujita's season could rest on results of arthroscopic ankle surgery he was to have today in California. The Chiefs are privately concerned that Fujita, a three-year starter at linebacker, might miss at least the start of the regular season and perhaps a lot more. Fujita, contacted before leaving Kansas City for California on Thursday, indicated the injury might not be that severe. But it's possible today's surgery will reveal damage beyond what he might anticipate.
Offensive lineman Richie Incognito, a former all-Big 12 performer at Nebraska before being suspended from the team and leaving school, is paying a pre-draft visit to Rams Park that will conclude today. Wisconsin's Erasmus James, one of the top defensive ends in the draft, and a certain first-round pick, is scheduled to visit Rams Park today.
Terrell Owens and Jevon Kearse, now fellow clients of agent Drew Rosenhaus, costar in a commercial for Right Guard Xtreme deodorant that debuts on Monday, according to the Gillette Co. The two Eagles, apparently cast in the role of odor, are knocked down in a kids' game of Red Rover, thereby illustrating the power of the smell-fighter.
The Giants play the Chargers in San Diego this year and will find out when the matchup will take place when the NFL schedules are released on Wednesday. The game could be slated for Monday Night Football. "I'm just looking to see who our first (opponent) is going to be and just get prepared for that," Eli Manning said. "When the Chargers game comes up, I'll deal with that."
Eli Manning doesn't mind that Jeremy Shockey is working out in Miami. But in the next few weeks, the Giants' second-year quarterback wants his tight end in East Rutherford so the two can start working together. Manning said he called Shockey last week and attempted to convince him to attend the team's off-season workouts. Though it was clear Shockey would not arrive this week, Manning requested his presence sometime before the team's minicamp in early June. Shockey is believed to be the only Giants player who has not attended the off-season workouts, now in their third week. He is one of several Miami-based players -- many of whom are represented by Drew Rosenhaus -- who train in Florida.
The Lions have begun lifting weights with a purpose -- to pull themselves into playoff contention. The offseason conditioning program began Monday, and cornerback Dre' Bly has noticed a recurring theme among his teammates. "It's good," Bly said Thursday. "There's a good turnout. Everybody seems to be motivated, looking for the year to start. We're just ready to move forward. "This is a big year for us. The Super Bowl's here in Detroit. Guys have been playing together for two or three years. I think this could be our year." The Lions have had four straight losing records. They finished third in the NFC North with a 6-10 record last year. It was a disappointing record for them after they started the season 4-2.