HEAV
05-22-2005, 01:08 PM
Now the Eagles must at least consider a drastic remedy to their T.O. problem: Trading him. He's in the process of tearing the Eagles apart, which is the best thing to happen to the Giants this offseason. Owens was a hero in Philly last season, especially after coming back to play in the Super Bowl so soon after his severe ankle injury, but he's going to turn off the tough Eagles fans with his selfishness. The Eagles are McNabb's team. Owens is due a $5 million roster bonus next March, which realistically may be the time the Eagles say goodbye to him.
Tedy Bruschi has been a regular at Gillette Stadium the past few weeks, as doctors have cleared him to workout. His doctors also have not categorically ruled out a return to football. Bruschi consults regularly with coach Bill Belichick. ``We talk all the time about it,'' Bruschi said. ``It's about football, and it's about life. . . . I'm going in (to the stadium) and getting my health back in order, and that's the step I'm taking right now.'' The Pats won't formally have to announce Bruschi's status until the start of training camp July 27, which is when Bruschi would be placed on an inactive or reserve list. Bruschi said sitting out 2005 and returning in 2006 is a possibility. ``It's one of the options,'' he said. ``I have a lot of options, and that's one of them.''
Tom Lewand, the Lions executive vice president in charge of juggling the salary cap, is not about to throw gasoline on his cap numbers by paying too much for Ty Law. The Lions are fairly stocked at cornerback, anyway. Before Law broke his foot and was released by New England, he was among the best corners in the league for years. But now at 31 and faced with rehabbing an injury, Law cannot command the near-$10 million figure he expected to make in New England this season. The Jets, considered the favorite to sign Law, can back off now that Donnie Abraham decided not to retire. Miami and Indianapolis also are in the running for Law. But if the Dolphins lure Ricky Williams back, can they afford Law? Can anyone? That's why, although Law has always been regarded as a long shot to sign in Detroit, Lewand will not definitively rule out anything. Things change, and a player's value can plummet regardless of whether he or his agent like it.
The only member of the Dolphins' current roster to play under Don Shula, Jimmy Johnson and Dave Wannstedt probably won't get that same opportunity under first-year coach Nick Saban. Tim Bowens' continuing problems in recovering from a back injury that sidelined him almost all of last season have left serious doubts about his return for a 12th NFL season. Saban admitted there is "some concern" about the status of Bowens and fellow defensive tackle Larry Chester, who recently needed arthroscopic surgery to clean loose debris from a right knee that was reconstructed last September. "I think both those situations are a little bit up in the air right now," Saban said. Chester, though, recently received a strong commitment for the 2005 season when the Dolphins decided not to release him before having to pay a weight-based incentive clause. Chester collected what is believed a six-figure bonus by tipping the scales at 338 pounds, which is just 13 more than his 2004 playing weight of 325.
Brett Favre isn’t sure if his new offseason workout regimen with a personal trainer will improve his production or lengthen his career. But he figures it can’t hurt. “The last couple of years I’ve worked out, and I’ve prepared but I felt like I could’ve been in better shape,” Favre said in a telephone interview Friday. “I don’t know if I’ve ever said that before. It’s not whether I have the tools. It’s whether I’m willing to sharpen them so I can be at the top of my game. I haven’t been self-motivated to the point where I was before, and I don’t feel like I could do it myself.” Favre, 35, said that once he decided to return for a 15th NFL season, he also decided to ask Green Bay Packers coach Mike Sherman for a favor. “I told Mike I was interested in hiring a personal trainer, someone to motivate me, to push me, and that I was looking into core training,” he said. “Mike said he didn’t know what core training was but that he’d investigate and get back to me.”
Speculation about Chad Lewis' future has been all over the map. Some reports have suggested that he is going to retire, and others have said that Lewis has been told by the Eagles that they will not bring him back. It is believed the Eagles are waiting to see how Lewis comes through his rehabilitation before making any decision. Lewis admitted his trip down rehabilitation road still has quite a few miles remaining.
The expected release of R.W. McQuarters on June 1 will leave a spot open at punt returner, and the Bears are looking hard at three possibilities. McQuarters won't be easy to replace. He returned seven punts for at least 20 yards to help the Bears rank third in the NFL last season with a combined 11.1 yards per return. Receiver Bernard Berrian holds a slight edge over cornerback Nathan Vasher and receiver Bobby Wade because of Berrian's ability to field punts.
Don't worry. That is the message prospective Vikings owner Zygmunt Wilf wants to get across to Minnesotans who fear he will buy the team and move it out of the state. "That'll never happen,'' Wilf said Saturday in a telephone interview with the Pioneer Press. "I'm not going anywhere.'' Told Red McCombs also said he intended to keep the Vikings in Minnesota when he bought them in 1998, only to make rumblings about moving the franchise after failing to get a new stadium, Wilf said, "There's no question (the Vikings are staying in Minnesota). Listen, no way (they're leaving). It's a storied franchise. It is Minnesota.'' Asked if he was confident NFL owners would endorse his attempt to buy the Vikings from McCombs, Wilf said, "I'm very optimistic.''
Ziggy Wolf, expected to be approved as the Vikings owner this week, has said he plans to keep coach Mike Tice.
If Wilf is a fair guy, unlike his predecessor, he will pay Mike Tice at least the average salary of NFL coaches rather than inheriting the embarrassment of having the lowest-paid coach in the league.
With Onterrio Smith out for the season, it will be interesting to see whether the Vikings, depending on budget, try to trade unpredictable running back Michael Bennett and/or unhappy cornerback Brian Williams for running backs Edgerrin James of Indianapolis or Travis Henry of Buffalo. Both could be available for the right price, and it would be an opportunity for anticipated new owner Zygmunt Wilf to show fans he is serious about winning.
One reason the Browns hired former Patriot Ben Coates as tight ends coach was to groom Kellen Winslow, but Winslow is out for the season with a torn ACL as a result of his motorcycle accident May 1. Now Coates will try to get production out of Aaron Shea, Steve Heiden, and Keith Heinrich.
The decision by defensive back Donnie Abraham not to retire and to return to the Jets might spell the end of their pursuit of Ty Law. Law's longtime friend Curtis Martin had been very vocal to Jets coaches about acquiring Law, according to a source familiar with Martin's wishes.
The feeling in Jets Land is that Wayne Chrebet's game is back and he should excel under new offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger. Chrebet's role was significantly reduced under former coordinator Paul Hackett, who has moved on. Jets guard Pete Kendall said, ''I thought Wayne looked good last year but we just couldn't get him the ball. He's always been a productive player and he's looked terrific in workouts. We've added some other pieces like Laveranues Coles and Doug Jolley that should play a big role, and our new offensive coordinator has some good ideas that should improve our offense and spring some bigger plays."
Patriots defensive end Richard Seymour became a father for the third time two weeks ago. Agent Eugene Parker has been trying to hammer out a new deal for Seymour, who has two years remaining on his rookie deal.
Former Patriots defensive tackle Chad Eaton, who retired last season in Dallas, says he now weighs 230 pounds and is in the land development business in the Seattle area. Eaton played at 300 pounds.
Here's a guess at some of the teams that just might surprise: ARIZONA CARDINALS You know how teams will copy another team's offense or defense as it becomes the thing to do. The Cardinals are building their public relations staff in the mode of the Eagles. Philly native and former Eagles assistant Mark Dalton is the top man in Arizona and his able assistant is another former Eagles aide, Mike Kane. In a weak NFC West, Arizona could be division champions. Offensively, if the line can protect quarterback Kurt Warner, he could have a big year with an excellent trio of wide receivers in Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Bryant Johnson. Remember, the Giants were over .500 with Warner at quarterback before the team pulled the plug and went with golden child Eli Manning.
Something will have to give on the receivers depth chart, which is now seven-deep with legitimate NFL players/prospects. David Givens and Deion Branch are roster locks, but after that, the situation is fluid. Bethel Johnson, David Terrell and P.K. Sam all have maturity issues, while veteran Tim Dwight has been injury-prone during his career. Johnson recently was spotted walking with the aid of a crutch and with a medical boot on his left foot. At least one, and perhaps two, of those players will have to go.
For his first year as a head coach, Mike Nolan will wear what the league tells him to wear - but sometime soon, representatives from Reebok and the NFL's consumer products division will meet with Nolan in San Francisco to discuss his garb for the 2006 season. The plan is to come up with something dressier but still in keeping with what Reebok believes it can sell. "I am sympathetic to the other coaches; there are some big-men coaches who would love to wear Tommy Bahama and stuff like that; it's much more comfortable for them," Nolan said. "And if Reebok pleases Mike Nolan saying he can wear a suit, those guys are gonna say, 'Look-it, I don't like that [stuff] we're wearing, either. I want to wear Tommy Bahama.' "But as to what's right, I think the suit is right. That will happen in time. I think when they find a way to market it, make money on it, they'll do it."
Tedy Bruschi has been a regular at Gillette Stadium the past few weeks, as doctors have cleared him to workout. His doctors also have not categorically ruled out a return to football. Bruschi consults regularly with coach Bill Belichick. ``We talk all the time about it,'' Bruschi said. ``It's about football, and it's about life. . . . I'm going in (to the stadium) and getting my health back in order, and that's the step I'm taking right now.'' The Pats won't formally have to announce Bruschi's status until the start of training camp July 27, which is when Bruschi would be placed on an inactive or reserve list. Bruschi said sitting out 2005 and returning in 2006 is a possibility. ``It's one of the options,'' he said. ``I have a lot of options, and that's one of them.''
Tom Lewand, the Lions executive vice president in charge of juggling the salary cap, is not about to throw gasoline on his cap numbers by paying too much for Ty Law. The Lions are fairly stocked at cornerback, anyway. Before Law broke his foot and was released by New England, he was among the best corners in the league for years. But now at 31 and faced with rehabbing an injury, Law cannot command the near-$10 million figure he expected to make in New England this season. The Jets, considered the favorite to sign Law, can back off now that Donnie Abraham decided not to retire. Miami and Indianapolis also are in the running for Law. But if the Dolphins lure Ricky Williams back, can they afford Law? Can anyone? That's why, although Law has always been regarded as a long shot to sign in Detroit, Lewand will not definitively rule out anything. Things change, and a player's value can plummet regardless of whether he or his agent like it.
The only member of the Dolphins' current roster to play under Don Shula, Jimmy Johnson and Dave Wannstedt probably won't get that same opportunity under first-year coach Nick Saban. Tim Bowens' continuing problems in recovering from a back injury that sidelined him almost all of last season have left serious doubts about his return for a 12th NFL season. Saban admitted there is "some concern" about the status of Bowens and fellow defensive tackle Larry Chester, who recently needed arthroscopic surgery to clean loose debris from a right knee that was reconstructed last September. "I think both those situations are a little bit up in the air right now," Saban said. Chester, though, recently received a strong commitment for the 2005 season when the Dolphins decided not to release him before having to pay a weight-based incentive clause. Chester collected what is believed a six-figure bonus by tipping the scales at 338 pounds, which is just 13 more than his 2004 playing weight of 325.
Brett Favre isn’t sure if his new offseason workout regimen with a personal trainer will improve his production or lengthen his career. But he figures it can’t hurt. “The last couple of years I’ve worked out, and I’ve prepared but I felt like I could’ve been in better shape,” Favre said in a telephone interview Friday. “I don’t know if I’ve ever said that before. It’s not whether I have the tools. It’s whether I’m willing to sharpen them so I can be at the top of my game. I haven’t been self-motivated to the point where I was before, and I don’t feel like I could do it myself.” Favre, 35, said that once he decided to return for a 15th NFL season, he also decided to ask Green Bay Packers coach Mike Sherman for a favor. “I told Mike I was interested in hiring a personal trainer, someone to motivate me, to push me, and that I was looking into core training,” he said. “Mike said he didn’t know what core training was but that he’d investigate and get back to me.”
Speculation about Chad Lewis' future has been all over the map. Some reports have suggested that he is going to retire, and others have said that Lewis has been told by the Eagles that they will not bring him back. It is believed the Eagles are waiting to see how Lewis comes through his rehabilitation before making any decision. Lewis admitted his trip down rehabilitation road still has quite a few miles remaining.
The expected release of R.W. McQuarters on June 1 will leave a spot open at punt returner, and the Bears are looking hard at three possibilities. McQuarters won't be easy to replace. He returned seven punts for at least 20 yards to help the Bears rank third in the NFL last season with a combined 11.1 yards per return. Receiver Bernard Berrian holds a slight edge over cornerback Nathan Vasher and receiver Bobby Wade because of Berrian's ability to field punts.
Don't worry. That is the message prospective Vikings owner Zygmunt Wilf wants to get across to Minnesotans who fear he will buy the team and move it out of the state. "That'll never happen,'' Wilf said Saturday in a telephone interview with the Pioneer Press. "I'm not going anywhere.'' Told Red McCombs also said he intended to keep the Vikings in Minnesota when he bought them in 1998, only to make rumblings about moving the franchise after failing to get a new stadium, Wilf said, "There's no question (the Vikings are staying in Minnesota). Listen, no way (they're leaving). It's a storied franchise. It is Minnesota.'' Asked if he was confident NFL owners would endorse his attempt to buy the Vikings from McCombs, Wilf said, "I'm very optimistic.''
Ziggy Wolf, expected to be approved as the Vikings owner this week, has said he plans to keep coach Mike Tice.
If Wilf is a fair guy, unlike his predecessor, he will pay Mike Tice at least the average salary of NFL coaches rather than inheriting the embarrassment of having the lowest-paid coach in the league.
With Onterrio Smith out for the season, it will be interesting to see whether the Vikings, depending on budget, try to trade unpredictable running back Michael Bennett and/or unhappy cornerback Brian Williams for running backs Edgerrin James of Indianapolis or Travis Henry of Buffalo. Both could be available for the right price, and it would be an opportunity for anticipated new owner Zygmunt Wilf to show fans he is serious about winning.
One reason the Browns hired former Patriot Ben Coates as tight ends coach was to groom Kellen Winslow, but Winslow is out for the season with a torn ACL as a result of his motorcycle accident May 1. Now Coates will try to get production out of Aaron Shea, Steve Heiden, and Keith Heinrich.
The decision by defensive back Donnie Abraham not to retire and to return to the Jets might spell the end of their pursuit of Ty Law. Law's longtime friend Curtis Martin had been very vocal to Jets coaches about acquiring Law, according to a source familiar with Martin's wishes.
The feeling in Jets Land is that Wayne Chrebet's game is back and he should excel under new offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger. Chrebet's role was significantly reduced under former coordinator Paul Hackett, who has moved on. Jets guard Pete Kendall said, ''I thought Wayne looked good last year but we just couldn't get him the ball. He's always been a productive player and he's looked terrific in workouts. We've added some other pieces like Laveranues Coles and Doug Jolley that should play a big role, and our new offensive coordinator has some good ideas that should improve our offense and spring some bigger plays."
Patriots defensive end Richard Seymour became a father for the third time two weeks ago. Agent Eugene Parker has been trying to hammer out a new deal for Seymour, who has two years remaining on his rookie deal.
Former Patriots defensive tackle Chad Eaton, who retired last season in Dallas, says he now weighs 230 pounds and is in the land development business in the Seattle area. Eaton played at 300 pounds.
Here's a guess at some of the teams that just might surprise: ARIZONA CARDINALS You know how teams will copy another team's offense or defense as it becomes the thing to do. The Cardinals are building their public relations staff in the mode of the Eagles. Philly native and former Eagles assistant Mark Dalton is the top man in Arizona and his able assistant is another former Eagles aide, Mike Kane. In a weak NFC West, Arizona could be division champions. Offensively, if the line can protect quarterback Kurt Warner, he could have a big year with an excellent trio of wide receivers in Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Bryant Johnson. Remember, the Giants were over .500 with Warner at quarterback before the team pulled the plug and went with golden child Eli Manning.
Something will have to give on the receivers depth chart, which is now seven-deep with legitimate NFL players/prospects. David Givens and Deion Branch are roster locks, but after that, the situation is fluid. Bethel Johnson, David Terrell and P.K. Sam all have maturity issues, while veteran Tim Dwight has been injury-prone during his career. Johnson recently was spotted walking with the aid of a crutch and with a medical boot on his left foot. At least one, and perhaps two, of those players will have to go.
For his first year as a head coach, Mike Nolan will wear what the league tells him to wear - but sometime soon, representatives from Reebok and the NFL's consumer products division will meet with Nolan in San Francisco to discuss his garb for the 2006 season. The plan is to come up with something dressier but still in keeping with what Reebok believes it can sell. "I am sympathetic to the other coaches; there are some big-men coaches who would love to wear Tommy Bahama and stuff like that; it's much more comfortable for them," Nolan said. "And if Reebok pleases Mike Nolan saying he can wear a suit, those guys are gonna say, 'Look-it, I don't like that [stuff] we're wearing, either. I want to wear Tommy Bahama.' "But as to what's right, I think the suit is right. That will happen in time. I think when they find a way to market it, make money on it, they'll do it."