HEAV
05-21-2005, 10:51 AM
Among the many questions swirling around Vikings running back Onterrio Smith as he awaits an expected one-year suspension for a third violation of the NFL's substance-abuse policy are these: Could the Vikings release him, and would they? According to Vikings vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski, yes and no. "Yes, we could release him now," Brzezinski said Friday. "But why?" In other words, the Vikings have no immediate plans to release Smith, who would forfeit his $380,000 salary if he is suspended but couldn't be released until after the suspension.
Despite all their off-season moves, the Cowboys have questions remaining at free safety. They passed on free agents Cory Hall and Damien Robinson after workouts, but might look at a couple of other veterans when the June 1 cuts are announced. Two options include Corey Chavous of Minnesota and Lance Schulters of Tennessee. However, the Cowboys will likely fill the free safety spot with a player already on the roster.
The Titans could add a veteran receiver at some point. So far they've expressed a passing interest in some free-agent veterans. Troy Brown, Freddie Mitchell, Az-Zahir Hakim and Curtis Conway are among the available veterans, but the Titans expect there will be more to choose from after June 1. "Receiver will probably be one of those positions we'll pay attention to all the way through the start of the season,'' Reese said. "There is going to be three, four spots we are going to pay constant attention to, and if something pops and we feel good that somebody is going to improve us in that spot, then I think we'll probably go with it.''
The Texans are among several teams expressing interest in free-agent left tackle L.J. Shelton, who was released by the Arizona Cardinals on Wednesday. Shelton, a first-round pick in 1999, was the Cardinals' starting left tackle for most of the past five seasons, but was benched last season after falling out of favor with coach Dennis Green.
The agent for Ricky Williams said Friday the retired running back "absolutely" will report to Dolphins training camp in July. "Ricky's made the decision he wants to play again," Leigh Steinberg said. Asked when Williams can be expected to make a final decision about returning to the Dolphins, Steinberg said: "He has. He's expressed his desire to play this year." Steinberg said he has been in constant contact with Williams in the past several months and especially in the past 10 days, since Williams returned to California from a monthlong stay in India.
Ricky Williams continues to confound and contradict. In an e-mail exchange with SportsIllustrated.com this week, Williams said he has ''4,000 yards left in him,'' but conceded he doesn't know if he plans to play football again, much less for the Dolphins. ''I honestly don't know,'' Williams wrote when asked if he would resume his career. Williams has shown signs he is pondering the idea. He called Dolphins coach Nick Saban on Wednesday and got a return call from the coach Thursday -- an obvious sign both parties are interested in at least discussing a return by the running back to the team he left abruptly one week prior to training camp in 2004.
The first day in the position battle to decide the Bears' 2005 placekicker was by general consensus a draw. Neither veteran challenger Doug Brien nor incumbent Paul Edinger took any appreciable lead in their competition, one that promises to go into training camp unless Edinger is traded or the Bears make a surprise cut. If the Bears are planning anything, Edinger would like to know about it soon. "I want to know what is going to happen," Edinger said Friday after the first practice of the weekend mini-camp. "If there was a trade, if I was to go, I'd like to be able to do it early enough to be able to have a chance somewhere else." But while suspicions linger that Brien has an advantage over Edinger—never a favorite of general manager Jerry Angelo—time and competition may be on Edinger's side.
The Saints have the right to leave New Orleans after this season if they repay $81 million to the state of Louisiana. Frustrated by an impasse in his negotiations with state officials, Saints owner Tom Benson let it be known he might move the club to San Antonio, where he has a home, or to Albuquerque, N.M. Rev. Douglas Haywood apparently took Benson's threat more seriously. In his recent invocation to open the legislative session in Baton Rouge, the lifelong Saints fan "asked God to save us from the bondage of Tom Benson. ... I love the Saints, [but] I'm kinda upset with them now because they're talking about moving to San Antonio. Tom Benson owes it to the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana to reach an agreement. The fans have been faithful for all these years going back to when they were wearing bags on their heads."
Baltimore Ravens Pro Bowl linebacker Terrell Suggs rejected a plea agreement in his ongoing court case and is set to stand trial in Arizona on two counts of aggravated assault on June 13, according to a spokesman for the Maricopa County Superior Court. The charges stem from a fight in the parking lot of Phoenix Municipal Stadium in March 2003, a month before the Ravens made Suggs the 10th overall pick in the NFL draft. Suggs is charged with assaulting a man with a reinforcement rod and attacking another man.
An invitation to have NFL receiving legend Jerry Rice join the Denver Broncos has been formally extended. All that remains is Rice's RSVP. Rice will take the weekend to consider the offer before informing the Broncos of his decision early next week. "He's just considering whether it's the right thing to do," Rice's agent, Jim Steiner, said Friday. "It's just a lot to absorb. He definitely wants to play. I'm sure this will be his final stop. He just wants to think about it, then make the call."
Armed with an ambitious proposal labeled ``the best I've ever seen'' by longtime civic leader Leonard Levy, the Bay area's Super Bowl delegation appeared confident Friday that the NFL's showcase event is returning to Tampa in 2009. The Bay area is competing against Atlanta, Houston and Miami for the 2009 game. Following brief presentations by the suitors, NFL owners will choose the winning region Wednesday afternoon by secret ballot in a Washington, D.C. hotel ballroom.
Safety Lance Schulters hasn't practiced during minicamp because his agent and the Titans are concerned the veteran might get injured. The decision is a big clue that the Titans plan to release Schulters after June 1, when his remaining charges against the salary cap can be spread into 2006. In recent days there have been no negotiations between the Titans and Schulters' agent, Brian Levy. Levy has had clients released in the past. And if it happens to Schulters? "I am not overly concerned,'' Levy said. "Lance is not the type of guy that will be on the unemployment line for more than 48 hours.''
They love Matt Jones, the Jaguars' first-round pick, in Jacksonville because he hunts, fishes and talks with a twang. I'm not saying he's the prototypical Jacksonvillian, but you wonder when he'll dress up as Stonewall Jackson and take part in a Civil War battle reenactment.
Colts RB Edgerrin James told coach Tony Dungy his reason for missing minicamp and subjecting himself to a $1,000 per-day fine during a telephone conversation, but Dungy declined to share what James said. "It's probably better coming from him," Dungy said. James could not be reached for comment, and agent Drew Rosenhaus declined comment Friday. This marks the second time in his career James has failed to participate in a mandatory team function.
So how can Mike Martz possibly claim he always has made special teams a priority? And how could he possibly be hacked off at my conclusion that he's suddenly putting more emphasis on the special teams? As I said, it's been a bizarre week at Rams Park. And it's only May. It's supposed to be a calm, quiet time on the football calendar.
When Rex Grossman took the practice field Friday, his surgically repaired right knee was there for all to see. No wrap, no brace, no extra protection. "We'll always protect our quarterbacks, but Rex is ready to go as far as we're concerned," coach Lovie Smith said after the first practice of the Bears' three-day mini-camp. "We don't put players out there if they need special treatment, and he doesn't need any." Grossman went through all the usual workouts in these non-contact mini-camps, another phase in his recovery from ACL surgery on his right knee that ended his 2004 season after three games.
The recent release of outside linebacker Peter Boulware left just five players in Baltimore who started Super Bowl XXXV in 2001: Middle linebacker Ray Lewis, cornerback Chris McAlister, offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden, guard Edwin Mulitalo and center Mike Flynn. Running back Jamal Lewis, linebacker Cornell Brown and kicker Matt Stover also played in the Ravens' victory over the New York Giants.
Despite all their off-season moves, the Cowboys have questions remaining at free safety. They passed on free agents Cory Hall and Damien Robinson after workouts, but might look at a couple of other veterans when the June 1 cuts are announced. Two options include Corey Chavous of Minnesota and Lance Schulters of Tennessee. However, the Cowboys will likely fill the free safety spot with a player already on the roster.
The Titans could add a veteran receiver at some point. So far they've expressed a passing interest in some free-agent veterans. Troy Brown, Freddie Mitchell, Az-Zahir Hakim and Curtis Conway are among the available veterans, but the Titans expect there will be more to choose from after June 1. "Receiver will probably be one of those positions we'll pay attention to all the way through the start of the season,'' Reese said. "There is going to be three, four spots we are going to pay constant attention to, and if something pops and we feel good that somebody is going to improve us in that spot, then I think we'll probably go with it.''
The Texans are among several teams expressing interest in free-agent left tackle L.J. Shelton, who was released by the Arizona Cardinals on Wednesday. Shelton, a first-round pick in 1999, was the Cardinals' starting left tackle for most of the past five seasons, but was benched last season after falling out of favor with coach Dennis Green.
The agent for Ricky Williams said Friday the retired running back "absolutely" will report to Dolphins training camp in July. "Ricky's made the decision he wants to play again," Leigh Steinberg said. Asked when Williams can be expected to make a final decision about returning to the Dolphins, Steinberg said: "He has. He's expressed his desire to play this year." Steinberg said he has been in constant contact with Williams in the past several months and especially in the past 10 days, since Williams returned to California from a monthlong stay in India.
Ricky Williams continues to confound and contradict. In an e-mail exchange with SportsIllustrated.com this week, Williams said he has ''4,000 yards left in him,'' but conceded he doesn't know if he plans to play football again, much less for the Dolphins. ''I honestly don't know,'' Williams wrote when asked if he would resume his career. Williams has shown signs he is pondering the idea. He called Dolphins coach Nick Saban on Wednesday and got a return call from the coach Thursday -- an obvious sign both parties are interested in at least discussing a return by the running back to the team he left abruptly one week prior to training camp in 2004.
The first day in the position battle to decide the Bears' 2005 placekicker was by general consensus a draw. Neither veteran challenger Doug Brien nor incumbent Paul Edinger took any appreciable lead in their competition, one that promises to go into training camp unless Edinger is traded or the Bears make a surprise cut. If the Bears are planning anything, Edinger would like to know about it soon. "I want to know what is going to happen," Edinger said Friday after the first practice of the weekend mini-camp. "If there was a trade, if I was to go, I'd like to be able to do it early enough to be able to have a chance somewhere else." But while suspicions linger that Brien has an advantage over Edinger—never a favorite of general manager Jerry Angelo—time and competition may be on Edinger's side.
The Saints have the right to leave New Orleans after this season if they repay $81 million to the state of Louisiana. Frustrated by an impasse in his negotiations with state officials, Saints owner Tom Benson let it be known he might move the club to San Antonio, where he has a home, or to Albuquerque, N.M. Rev. Douglas Haywood apparently took Benson's threat more seriously. In his recent invocation to open the legislative session in Baton Rouge, the lifelong Saints fan "asked God to save us from the bondage of Tom Benson. ... I love the Saints, [but] I'm kinda upset with them now because they're talking about moving to San Antonio. Tom Benson owes it to the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana to reach an agreement. The fans have been faithful for all these years going back to when they were wearing bags on their heads."
Baltimore Ravens Pro Bowl linebacker Terrell Suggs rejected a plea agreement in his ongoing court case and is set to stand trial in Arizona on two counts of aggravated assault on June 13, according to a spokesman for the Maricopa County Superior Court. The charges stem from a fight in the parking lot of Phoenix Municipal Stadium in March 2003, a month before the Ravens made Suggs the 10th overall pick in the NFL draft. Suggs is charged with assaulting a man with a reinforcement rod and attacking another man.
An invitation to have NFL receiving legend Jerry Rice join the Denver Broncos has been formally extended. All that remains is Rice's RSVP. Rice will take the weekend to consider the offer before informing the Broncos of his decision early next week. "He's just considering whether it's the right thing to do," Rice's agent, Jim Steiner, said Friday. "It's just a lot to absorb. He definitely wants to play. I'm sure this will be his final stop. He just wants to think about it, then make the call."
Armed with an ambitious proposal labeled ``the best I've ever seen'' by longtime civic leader Leonard Levy, the Bay area's Super Bowl delegation appeared confident Friday that the NFL's showcase event is returning to Tampa in 2009. The Bay area is competing against Atlanta, Houston and Miami for the 2009 game. Following brief presentations by the suitors, NFL owners will choose the winning region Wednesday afternoon by secret ballot in a Washington, D.C. hotel ballroom.
Safety Lance Schulters hasn't practiced during minicamp because his agent and the Titans are concerned the veteran might get injured. The decision is a big clue that the Titans plan to release Schulters after June 1, when his remaining charges against the salary cap can be spread into 2006. In recent days there have been no negotiations between the Titans and Schulters' agent, Brian Levy. Levy has had clients released in the past. And if it happens to Schulters? "I am not overly concerned,'' Levy said. "Lance is not the type of guy that will be on the unemployment line for more than 48 hours.''
They love Matt Jones, the Jaguars' first-round pick, in Jacksonville because he hunts, fishes and talks with a twang. I'm not saying he's the prototypical Jacksonvillian, but you wonder when he'll dress up as Stonewall Jackson and take part in a Civil War battle reenactment.
Colts RB Edgerrin James told coach Tony Dungy his reason for missing minicamp and subjecting himself to a $1,000 per-day fine during a telephone conversation, but Dungy declined to share what James said. "It's probably better coming from him," Dungy said. James could not be reached for comment, and agent Drew Rosenhaus declined comment Friday. This marks the second time in his career James has failed to participate in a mandatory team function.
So how can Mike Martz possibly claim he always has made special teams a priority? And how could he possibly be hacked off at my conclusion that he's suddenly putting more emphasis on the special teams? As I said, it's been a bizarre week at Rams Park. And it's only May. It's supposed to be a calm, quiet time on the football calendar.
When Rex Grossman took the practice field Friday, his surgically repaired right knee was there for all to see. No wrap, no brace, no extra protection. "We'll always protect our quarterbacks, but Rex is ready to go as far as we're concerned," coach Lovie Smith said after the first practice of the Bears' three-day mini-camp. "We don't put players out there if they need special treatment, and he doesn't need any." Grossman went through all the usual workouts in these non-contact mini-camps, another phase in his recovery from ACL surgery on his right knee that ended his 2004 season after three games.
The recent release of outside linebacker Peter Boulware left just five players in Baltimore who started Super Bowl XXXV in 2001: Middle linebacker Ray Lewis, cornerback Chris McAlister, offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden, guard Edwin Mulitalo and center Mike Flynn. Running back Jamal Lewis, linebacker Cornell Brown and kicker Matt Stover also played in the Ravens' victory over the New York Giants.