HEAV
05-20-2005, 09:35 AM
The Titans are concerned enough about Chris Brown's capacity to be an
every-down back that they've remained in contact with the Buffalo Bills about
the possibility of acquiring running back Travis Henry. "If Chris is going
to be unable to carry the load we have to be smart about that," Titans
General Manager Floyd Reese said. "And maybe the combination of him and
other guys will allow you to get it done instead of putting all the pressure on
Chris.'' Although Reese has publicly downplayed his efforts to trade for Henry,
who is unhappy with his situation in Buffalo, the Titans and Bills have been
discussing a deal since the April 23-24 NFL Draft. Their most recent
conversation was earlier this week. The Bills have remained firm in their demand
of a third-round pick for Henry, but so far the Titans haven't been willing to
go that high.
As if the Green Bay Packers haven't had enough of Drew Rosenhaus for a second
straight off-season, now comes this bombshell straight from the mouth of the
calculating superagent. Reached Wednesday by telephone, Rosenhaus said he was
recently hired by Packers halfback Najeh Davenport to be his agent. What's more,
Rosenhaus is after a new contract for his new client.
Kyle Orton, the Bears’ fourth-round pick out of Purdue, impressed with his arm
strength three weeks ago at the rookie minicamp, and GM Jerry Angelo believes he
has the ability to eventually be a starter. But in the short term, the Bears
hope Orton can develop into a reliable No. 3 and then a backup, although he
still must unseat Craig Krenzel for the third spot. The Bears didn’t put much
effort into acquiring a veteran backup quarterback in free agency, but they
believe their selection of Orton may be a better solution. It’s still a risk
going into this season with unproven Chad Hutchinson and a rookie behind
Grossman, but Angelo seems willing to gamble now for what he hopes will be a big
payoff later.
Onterrio Smith would become the 18th NFL player since 1995 to be suspended for a
full season. He would forfeit his $380,000 salary, and any contact with the
Vikings would be limited to medical treatment. Smith, 24, would have to appeal
directly to NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue for reinstatement at the end of the
suspension. Smith, whose salary would not count against the Vikings' 2005 cap,
could be released after the suspension. The two league sources insist that
Smith's latest violation of the substance abuse policy is not related to the
April 21 incident at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Smith was
detained that day with The Original Whizzinator, a kit with a prosthetic penis,
plastic bladder and dried urine that is designed to circumvent drug tests. It's
still unclear whether Smith actually tested positive for a third violation. A
person with knowledge of the situation said Smith told the team that he missed a
scheduled drug test by the league, which would constitute a violation.
The most moving part of Bill Belichick's speech may have related to receiver
Troy Brown, who was released from the Pats in February and remains a free agent.
``Leadership is about one word on the Patriots,'' said Belichick. ``One word:
attitude. . . . I haven't been around a better leader in 30 years in the NFL
than Troy Brown. And he would never stand up in front of the team and give a
speech. It's just not what he does. But he always comes in prepared and ready to
help the team. Whatever I ask him to do, he does. Play defensive back. Return
punts. Whatever. He'll do it for the good of the team, and that's a great
leader.
Jim Johnson is that vital to this team's success. The Eagles acknowledged that
fact again yesterday by giving Johnson a four-year contract extension that
likely will keep him around through the 2010 season. Johnson had signed a
four-year deal through 2006 after the 2002 season. "As I've said many
times, Jim Johnson is the best in the business at what he does," Eagles
coach Andy Reid said in a statement. "His defensive units continue to
produce at a very high level as he puts a lot of pressure on opposing offenses.
Jim is a valuable member of the Eagles organization and we're happy to keep him
here for the next several years." Johnson, who will turn 64 in six days,
has been arguably the most valuable member of an Eagles defense that has endured
its share of personnel changes during his tenure. All-pro safety Brian Dawkins
has been the only continual starter on the Eagles' defense since 1999, the year
Johnson took over as the defensive coordinator and Reid took over as the head
coach. This contract e
xtension likely will allow Johnson to retire with the Eagles, unless he decides
to continue coaching beyond the age of 69.
Two-time Pro Bowl center Jeremy Newberry of the 49ers could miss part, or all,
of next season because of additional problems with his troublesome right knee.
Newberry, who played only one game in 2004 after September surgery to repair a
displaced right kneecap, has been experiencing pain and inflammation in the knee
since participating in a mini-camp two weeks ago. ``It just kind of swelled up
on him,'' Coach Mike Nolan said Thursday after an organized team workout.
``There's not much left in that knee, cartilage-wise. When that happens, you're
always trying to fix it in different ways.''
Dolphins coach Nick Saban continues to insist that the starting quarterback
position will go to "whoever plays the best," but that 12-year veteran
Gus Frerotte has a "little bit of an advantage" over incumbent starter
A.J. Feeley and Sage Rosenfels. "Because he has a lot of knowledge and
experience in this system," Saban said of Frerotte, who played under
offensive coordinator Scott Linehan the past two seasons in Minnesota.
The Dolphins have talked to the agent for veteran defensive tackle Keith
Traylor, but have yet to sign him.
Ricky Williams hasn't announced he's coming out of retirement to rejoin the
Miami Dolphins. But new coach Nick Saban gave the strongest indication yet that
it could be a possibility during a meeting Thursday with reporters.
Dolphins coach Nick Saban said any hopes to sign former Patriots cornerback Ty
Law are "fantasy football," because Miami can't afford him.
As for the July return, Ricky Williams technically can't return to the team
until then or he would face a one-year suspension under the NFL's
substance-abuse policy. Williams had tested positive for marijuana use three
times. His retirement in July before training camp was considered a fourth
violation of the policy and would have resulted in a one-year suspension. The
fourth violation and suspension can only be avoided if Williams sits out a full
year. Williams faces a four-week fine and four-week suspension for his second
and third positive tests. An NFL source indicated the league likely will give
Williams the full penalty for those violations. Williams recently told people
involved in his paternity suit he had stopped using marijuana. Williams has
three children with three women and recently settled a paternity suit with one
of them.
Jon Gruden spends his life studying football film. So it's only fitting that he
would be asked to draw up a few plays for the Longest Yard, a film about
football that premieres on Memorial Day. Producers of the film, a re-make of the
1974 movie starring Burt Reynolds, approached Gruden about designing some plays
for pro quarterback Paul Crewe (played by Adam Sandler), who is doing time in
the same prison as former college coach Nate Scarboro (Reynolds). "They
just wanted to use me in any way I could to help them out a little bit with a
couple plays, maybe. We'll see how they work out. "We're going to try and
sneak out and show our football team the movie and try to give them a sneak
preview." Gruden, who does not appear in the film, said he didn't initially
believe the phone call from Hollywood was for real. "I thought it was a
prank," he said. "They sent me the script, they asked me to read the
script, and being one that doesn't sleep much, that was no problem. When they
came and met with me, it was only a couple hours and hopefully I gave them the
feedback they were looking for."
When asked Thursday what Priest Holmes can do for him in 2005, Dick Vermeil
jokingly rattled off 2,100 yards and 29 touchdowns. Holmes doesn’t think it’s so
funny. He has a deal with Chiefs trainer Keith Abrams. They want 30 touchdowns
this year. “I read my body very well,” Holmes said. “There’s one thing to be
able to play three quarters on skill and then leave the last quarter to will.
It’s different when you’re playing from the very beginning of the game on will
because all your skill is diminishing. That’s not the case with me. My skill
level is still very high. “I’m out here, I’m running, and I’m excited about how
the body has healed up.”
Tony Gonzalez is plugging his appearance on MTV’s “Cribs.” He just flew in from
Portugal and apparently forgot his iron in another time zone. His T-shirt that
says “Gotta Go To Work” has gotta have at least a thousand wrinkles. But
Gonzalez cozies up to the cameras, lets out a “What’s up, fellas?” then gives a
short dissertation on how he’s spent his offseason. Did you know he had a piece
of bone chopped off? Oh, and coach Dick Vermeil will love this one — a few days
ago, Gonzalez went tooling around in a Formula One race car. No big deal. They
were just going about 180 mph. “If Morgan Freeman did it,” Gonzalez says, “I can
do it.”
The Jaguars -- and Fred Taylor -- insist that Taylor will be able to start
running next month and will be ready for the start of training camp on Friday,
July 29. Meanwhile, they're counting on LaBrandon Toefield to fill the void.
James Harris, the team's vice president of player personnel, said the Jaguars
haven't made any overtures to get an experienced back such as Travis Henry of
the Buffalo Bills.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Javon Walker, who is holding out for a better
contract, took his case before a national television audience Thursday when he
was interviewed on ESPN's "Rome is Burning" show with Jim Rome.
Walker, who has two years left on his contract, told Rome he "should be
paid as one of the top five receivers in the league." When asked about
holding out, presumably from training camp in July, Walker said: "That
could be a possibility. I'm thinking, hopefully, we can get something worked
out. As of right now, we'll just take it one day at a time and see what
happens." Walker said he was prepared for a quick resolution or a prolonged
battle.
With their plan to build a $2.2 billion stadium on the Far West Side of
Manhattan stalled in Albany, the Jets are putting together a backup plan that
would allow the team to remain at Giants Stadium in New Jersey until 2018. No
deal has been signed, but Jets executives and New Jersey officials say they have
a tentative agreement on a 10-year extension of the team's lease, which expires
in 2008. The lease would lower the Jets' rent in New Jersey while also allowing
the team to terminate the new agreement after paying a penalty fee.
Jerry Rice, the most prolific receiver in NFL history, talked Wednesday with
Broncos coach Mike Shanahan about playing for the team this season. Rice's
agent, Jim Steiner, confirmed Shanahan and Rice talked Wednesday, and Steiner
said he and Shanahan had a preliminary conversation last weekend. "I think
there is some interest on both sides," Steiner said. "I think Jerry
would love to play for Mike again." Rice and Shanahan worked together from
1992-94 when Shanahan was the San Francisco 49ers' offensive coordinator. The
49ers won Super Bowl XXIX, concluding the 1994 season. Through the years,
Shanahan frequently has cited Rice as the consummate professional.
every-down back that they've remained in contact with the Buffalo Bills about
the possibility of acquiring running back Travis Henry. "If Chris is going
to be unable to carry the load we have to be smart about that," Titans
General Manager Floyd Reese said. "And maybe the combination of him and
other guys will allow you to get it done instead of putting all the pressure on
Chris.'' Although Reese has publicly downplayed his efforts to trade for Henry,
who is unhappy with his situation in Buffalo, the Titans and Bills have been
discussing a deal since the April 23-24 NFL Draft. Their most recent
conversation was earlier this week. The Bills have remained firm in their demand
of a third-round pick for Henry, but so far the Titans haven't been willing to
go that high.
As if the Green Bay Packers haven't had enough of Drew Rosenhaus for a second
straight off-season, now comes this bombshell straight from the mouth of the
calculating superagent. Reached Wednesday by telephone, Rosenhaus said he was
recently hired by Packers halfback Najeh Davenport to be his agent. What's more,
Rosenhaus is after a new contract for his new client.
Kyle Orton, the Bears’ fourth-round pick out of Purdue, impressed with his arm
strength three weeks ago at the rookie minicamp, and GM Jerry Angelo believes he
has the ability to eventually be a starter. But in the short term, the Bears
hope Orton can develop into a reliable No. 3 and then a backup, although he
still must unseat Craig Krenzel for the third spot. The Bears didn’t put much
effort into acquiring a veteran backup quarterback in free agency, but they
believe their selection of Orton may be a better solution. It’s still a risk
going into this season with unproven Chad Hutchinson and a rookie behind
Grossman, but Angelo seems willing to gamble now for what he hopes will be a big
payoff later.
Onterrio Smith would become the 18th NFL player since 1995 to be suspended for a
full season. He would forfeit his $380,000 salary, and any contact with the
Vikings would be limited to medical treatment. Smith, 24, would have to appeal
directly to NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue for reinstatement at the end of the
suspension. Smith, whose salary would not count against the Vikings' 2005 cap,
could be released after the suspension. The two league sources insist that
Smith's latest violation of the substance abuse policy is not related to the
April 21 incident at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Smith was
detained that day with The Original Whizzinator, a kit with a prosthetic penis,
plastic bladder and dried urine that is designed to circumvent drug tests. It's
still unclear whether Smith actually tested positive for a third violation. A
person with knowledge of the situation said Smith told the team that he missed a
scheduled drug test by the league, which would constitute a violation.
The most moving part of Bill Belichick's speech may have related to receiver
Troy Brown, who was released from the Pats in February and remains a free agent.
``Leadership is about one word on the Patriots,'' said Belichick. ``One word:
attitude. . . . I haven't been around a better leader in 30 years in the NFL
than Troy Brown. And he would never stand up in front of the team and give a
speech. It's just not what he does. But he always comes in prepared and ready to
help the team. Whatever I ask him to do, he does. Play defensive back. Return
punts. Whatever. He'll do it for the good of the team, and that's a great
leader.
Jim Johnson is that vital to this team's success. The Eagles acknowledged that
fact again yesterday by giving Johnson a four-year contract extension that
likely will keep him around through the 2010 season. Johnson had signed a
four-year deal through 2006 after the 2002 season. "As I've said many
times, Jim Johnson is the best in the business at what he does," Eagles
coach Andy Reid said in a statement. "His defensive units continue to
produce at a very high level as he puts a lot of pressure on opposing offenses.
Jim is a valuable member of the Eagles organization and we're happy to keep him
here for the next several years." Johnson, who will turn 64 in six days,
has been arguably the most valuable member of an Eagles defense that has endured
its share of personnel changes during his tenure. All-pro safety Brian Dawkins
has been the only continual starter on the Eagles' defense since 1999, the year
Johnson took over as the defensive coordinator and Reid took over as the head
coach. This contract e
xtension likely will allow Johnson to retire with the Eagles, unless he decides
to continue coaching beyond the age of 69.
Two-time Pro Bowl center Jeremy Newberry of the 49ers could miss part, or all,
of next season because of additional problems with his troublesome right knee.
Newberry, who played only one game in 2004 after September surgery to repair a
displaced right kneecap, has been experiencing pain and inflammation in the knee
since participating in a mini-camp two weeks ago. ``It just kind of swelled up
on him,'' Coach Mike Nolan said Thursday after an organized team workout.
``There's not much left in that knee, cartilage-wise. When that happens, you're
always trying to fix it in different ways.''
Dolphins coach Nick Saban continues to insist that the starting quarterback
position will go to "whoever plays the best," but that 12-year veteran
Gus Frerotte has a "little bit of an advantage" over incumbent starter
A.J. Feeley and Sage Rosenfels. "Because he has a lot of knowledge and
experience in this system," Saban said of Frerotte, who played under
offensive coordinator Scott Linehan the past two seasons in Minnesota.
The Dolphins have talked to the agent for veteran defensive tackle Keith
Traylor, but have yet to sign him.
Ricky Williams hasn't announced he's coming out of retirement to rejoin the
Miami Dolphins. But new coach Nick Saban gave the strongest indication yet that
it could be a possibility during a meeting Thursday with reporters.
Dolphins coach Nick Saban said any hopes to sign former Patriots cornerback Ty
Law are "fantasy football," because Miami can't afford him.
As for the July return, Ricky Williams technically can't return to the team
until then or he would face a one-year suspension under the NFL's
substance-abuse policy. Williams had tested positive for marijuana use three
times. His retirement in July before training camp was considered a fourth
violation of the policy and would have resulted in a one-year suspension. The
fourth violation and suspension can only be avoided if Williams sits out a full
year. Williams faces a four-week fine and four-week suspension for his second
and third positive tests. An NFL source indicated the league likely will give
Williams the full penalty for those violations. Williams recently told people
involved in his paternity suit he had stopped using marijuana. Williams has
three children with three women and recently settled a paternity suit with one
of them.
Jon Gruden spends his life studying football film. So it's only fitting that he
would be asked to draw up a few plays for the Longest Yard, a film about
football that premieres on Memorial Day. Producers of the film, a re-make of the
1974 movie starring Burt Reynolds, approached Gruden about designing some plays
for pro quarterback Paul Crewe (played by Adam Sandler), who is doing time in
the same prison as former college coach Nate Scarboro (Reynolds). "They
just wanted to use me in any way I could to help them out a little bit with a
couple plays, maybe. We'll see how they work out. "We're going to try and
sneak out and show our football team the movie and try to give them a sneak
preview." Gruden, who does not appear in the film, said he didn't initially
believe the phone call from Hollywood was for real. "I thought it was a
prank," he said. "They sent me the script, they asked me to read the
script, and being one that doesn't sleep much, that was no problem. When they
came and met with me, it was only a couple hours and hopefully I gave them the
feedback they were looking for."
When asked Thursday what Priest Holmes can do for him in 2005, Dick Vermeil
jokingly rattled off 2,100 yards and 29 touchdowns. Holmes doesn’t think it’s so
funny. He has a deal with Chiefs trainer Keith Abrams. They want 30 touchdowns
this year. “I read my body very well,” Holmes said. “There’s one thing to be
able to play three quarters on skill and then leave the last quarter to will.
It’s different when you’re playing from the very beginning of the game on will
because all your skill is diminishing. That’s not the case with me. My skill
level is still very high. “I’m out here, I’m running, and I’m excited about how
the body has healed up.”
Tony Gonzalez is plugging his appearance on MTV’s “Cribs.” He just flew in from
Portugal and apparently forgot his iron in another time zone. His T-shirt that
says “Gotta Go To Work” has gotta have at least a thousand wrinkles. But
Gonzalez cozies up to the cameras, lets out a “What’s up, fellas?” then gives a
short dissertation on how he’s spent his offseason. Did you know he had a piece
of bone chopped off? Oh, and coach Dick Vermeil will love this one — a few days
ago, Gonzalez went tooling around in a Formula One race car. No big deal. They
were just going about 180 mph. “If Morgan Freeman did it,” Gonzalez says, “I can
do it.”
The Jaguars -- and Fred Taylor -- insist that Taylor will be able to start
running next month and will be ready for the start of training camp on Friday,
July 29. Meanwhile, they're counting on LaBrandon Toefield to fill the void.
James Harris, the team's vice president of player personnel, said the Jaguars
haven't made any overtures to get an experienced back such as Travis Henry of
the Buffalo Bills.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Javon Walker, who is holding out for a better
contract, took his case before a national television audience Thursday when he
was interviewed on ESPN's "Rome is Burning" show with Jim Rome.
Walker, who has two years left on his contract, told Rome he "should be
paid as one of the top five receivers in the league." When asked about
holding out, presumably from training camp in July, Walker said: "That
could be a possibility. I'm thinking, hopefully, we can get something worked
out. As of right now, we'll just take it one day at a time and see what
happens." Walker said he was prepared for a quick resolution or a prolonged
battle.
With their plan to build a $2.2 billion stadium on the Far West Side of
Manhattan stalled in Albany, the Jets are putting together a backup plan that
would allow the team to remain at Giants Stadium in New Jersey until 2018. No
deal has been signed, but Jets executives and New Jersey officials say they have
a tentative agreement on a 10-year extension of the team's lease, which expires
in 2008. The lease would lower the Jets' rent in New Jersey while also allowing
the team to terminate the new agreement after paying a penalty fee.
Jerry Rice, the most prolific receiver in NFL history, talked Wednesday with
Broncos coach Mike Shanahan about playing for the team this season. Rice's
agent, Jim Steiner, confirmed Shanahan and Rice talked Wednesday, and Steiner
said he and Shanahan had a preliminary conversation last weekend. "I think
there is some interest on both sides," Steiner said. "I think Jerry
would love to play for Mike again." Rice and Shanahan worked together from
1992-94 when Shanahan was the San Francisco 49ers' offensive coordinator. The
49ers won Super Bowl XXIX, concluding the 1994 season. Through the years,
Shanahan frequently has cited Rice as the consummate professional.