NFL Report Sunday

[HEAV]

Another season is fast approaching. Terrell Owens' contract squabble has not been resolved. A mandatory minicamp already has been skipped, and, by all indications, training camp is next on the list of things to miss. But if Owens is smart - and boy, does he need to be smart over the next few weeks - he'll continue to say very little before training camp starts. He'll act like the boss instead of the client and make sure new agent Drew Rosenhaus is muted, as well. Then he'll go about the business of quietly trying to get something done with the Eagles. Even if it means showing up to training camp at Lehigh University at the end of the month. Even if it means replacing Rosenhaus as his agent. Now, no one's advocating that Rosenhaus be dismissed. The man is an admitted shark who smirks while eating his prey. The last time I checked, he is the agent of choice for most athletes blessed with common sense. Except it's not about right or wrong here anymore. It's not about whether Owens should honor his contract, or simply do what National Football League teams do at their discretion - arbitrarily void contracts because the collective-bargaining agreement allows them to do so. But it can't be about Rosenhaus anymore, either. The fact is, it has been all about Rosenhaus thus far.


It's obvious there is something about former Baltimore Ravens star Peter Boulware that has several teams worried. He visited such teams as Houston, Cleveland and Seattle -- and no one made him an offer even close to the $2 million (plus $2 million more in incentives) that he turned down from Baltimore. Boulware had major knee surgery after the 2003 season and missed all of last year. He had an operation on his toe in December. Some teams want to see him work out before making a commitment, and ESPN has reported that Boulware might comply by holding an open workout to prove to teams that he is recovering. If Boulware has anything left and is not a physical wreck, I'd bring the linebacker to Cleveland on a contract much like the one he turned down from Baltimore -- $2 million guaranteed plus incentives. He's only 30, has exceptional character and even if he just plays in pass-rush situations, he has to help the Browns. He also likes the 3-4 defense, which coach Romeo Crennel is installing.


There is a strong sense around the NFL that Philadelphia will use a late second-round pick on Manuel Wright, who could eventually succeed high-priced starting defensive tackle Corey Simon. ''You're basically talking about what's almost a third-round pick if you're the Eagles,'' one NFL executive said. ``I could easily see them doing that.''

[HEAV]

Jacksonville Jaguars Coach Jack Del Rio might be getting a little nervous about his running game. The reason? No one seems to be saying anything about starting running back Fred Taylor's health. So, does that mean the Jags have an interest in the Buffalo Bills' Travis Henry, who is expendable because of the emergence of Willis McGahee? The Jags say no, but Tennessee GM Floyd Reese seems to believe otherwise. The Titans also are interested in Henry.


Time is running short, but teams aren't yet desperate enough to offer contracts to veteran quarterbacks Jeff Blake, Jeff George, Kordell Stewart, and Vinny Testaverde. Expect that to change in the next few weeks, with Testaverde, who started 15 games for the Cowboys last season, likely to be the first in line. Blake (six teams in 13 seasons) saw a little action as a backup in Philadelphia last season, but will probably get a camp invite. Stewart saw even less time with the Ravens. George hasn't taken a snap in a game since 2001, but typically some team (he has seven on his resume thus far) thinks he's matured enough to help .


The Best thing about Boston is Tedy Bruschi, according to the Improper Bostonian. No argument here. But what does the sidelined New England Patriot think is the Best part about Boston? The people! ``I'm being honest here,'' said the linebacker, who is this year's ``Boston's Best'' cover-hunk. ``That's one thing Boston has that other cities don't: People giving you genuine support.'' And no one knows that better than Bruschi, who suffered a stroke last February after winning his third Super Bowl and credits the fans with helping him bounce back. ``After I had the stroke, the people of Boston rallied around me,'' he told the Improper. ``They helped me get back on my feet, to the point I'm at now where I'm feeling great. I'm still getting mail from people wishing me well.'' Tedy doesn't reveal anything about his football future in the maggie which hits the streets tomorrow.


Seattle RB Shaun Alexander said signing the Seahawks' $6.32 million franchise tender is "out of the question," and he said he could sit out a while. Under NFL rules, the Seahawks can't reopen negotiations with Alexander until July 15. "I honestly believe that they're going to make a great deal for me," Alexander said.


With Onterrio Smith suspended for the year, the Vikings haven't given up on acquiring another running back.


As for what he sees as the greatest challenge for the Patriots, Matt Light cited the mental aspect of the game. ``We'll have to push ourselves even more, and really focus on the little things,'' he said. ``Once you get into the season and things start to develop and you see which way things are going, you see how tough it is to do it again. That's when you have to be able to call on the guys around you. ``The pressure is going to be there, and I think the toughest thing is going to be us mentally getting back to the form we had last season. And we'll have to do it early because our opening of the schedule, those first handful of games, that's going to be an uphill battle.''

[HEAV]

Remember Ross Verba telling teams not to call him unless they wanted to offer something in the $40 million range? So far, the phone has been quiet for the former Browns tackle. Supposedly, most of his offers have been in the one-year range, and for not much more than $1 million. Verba doesn't realize how popping off about the Browns has led to questions about his character. Teams also know that he missed all of 2003 with a biceps injury, and he will be 32 at the end of October. He'll play somewhere, but not for the big money he expected.


The approximately 30,000 tickets that were available — 3,000 to each of the 10 home games — didn't last long. Late yesterday the Titans said their sellout streak is now at 73 games. "We declare officially sold out,'' said Marty Collins, director of ticket operations.


The Dolphins will have a chance to select talented-but-unproven defensive tackle Manuel Wright of Southern California, considered the best of an unusually strong list of players who will be available. The supplemental draft, which is conducted by e-mail and lasts less than two hours, usually has all the significance of the announcement of the All-NFL Europe team. This year might be different. Aside from Wright, there are Clemson wide receiver Roscoe Crosby, who was a prep sensation three years ago before trying pro baseball and getting hurt; UNLV cornerback Charles Ealy, who has a strong combination of size and speed; and pass-rushing defensive end Jerome Walker of Toledo.


In an effort to reconnect with their fans, the San Francisco 49ers are spending $2 million on an ad campaign that launched Friday. Adweek.com reports that the TV spots focus on a gatekeeper, who "has worked turnstiles at 49ers games since the beginning of time" and allows fans to enter only if they are dedicated to the team.


Expect Tim Brown, a native of Dallas, to join former Cowboys great Emmitt Smith and kicker Gary Anderson (probably) as first-ballot choices in the Hall of Fame Class of 2010.


Early bets for easiest schedule to start the season? St. Louis. Toughest? Atlanta. The Rams open with four games against teams with losing records in 2004. The fun begins at San Francisco (2-14), then continues at Arizona (6-10), home against Tennessee (5-11) and at the New York Giants (6-10). With an improved defense and the emergence of Steven Jackson, the Rams are hoping to improve on their 8-8 record from last season, when they squeaked into the playoffs. As for Atlanta, the Falcons play both teams that played in the Super Bowl early on. Things start with a rematch against the Eagles (13-3) at home, then at Seattle (9-7, NFC West champs), at Buffalo (9-7, never an easy place to play), home against what should be a much-improved Minnesota team (8-8, wild card) and then home against the Patriots (14-2, Super Bowl champs).

[Broncoman13]

The Rams early schedule isn't quite as easy as they're saying. I think that both the Cards and Giants will be amongst the more improved teams in the NFC.

That being said, the Falcons have a brutal opening month and a half!!! Eagles will be them, they will hang with Seattle, Buffalo will beat them, Minn will beat them and they will hang tough with the Pats. I personally see a 9-7 season for the Pats. They deserve a lot of respect, but the obstacles this year are greater than years past. I'll remain a sceptic until proven otherwise.

Thanks for the report Heav. Funny how Verba and Boulware aren't getting many calls. That's what they get for being greedy!!! More so in the case of Verba, but Boulware had a good chunk of change offered to him in Balt too....

[HEAV]

The Rams early schedule isn't quite as easy as they're saying. I think that both the Cards and Giants will be amongst the more improved teams in the NFC.

That being said, the Falcons have a brutal opening month and a half!!! Eagles will be them, they will hang with Seattle, Buffalo will beat them, Minn will beat them and they will hang tough with the Pats. I personally see a 9-7 season for the Pats. They deserve a lot of respect, but the obstacles this year are greater than years past. I'll remain a sceptic until proven otherwise.

Thanks for the report Heav. Funny how Verba and Boulware aren't getting many calls. That's what they get for being greedy!!! More so in the case of Verba, but Boulware had a good chunk of change offered to him in Balt too....


Speaking of greed, what about Shuan Alexander? I understand the career of an NFL running back is short. But still sign the 6.25 deal. Sitting out won't get you much. Not with Morris behind you. It's one thing if your the teams only RB, also it's not the late 90's, a period where great backs where required. With todays rules the WR has more value than a RB.

Still, both Alexander and the Seahawks have had issues for years. This just seems like a marraige set for a divorce.

[watermock]

These players pop off their mouths early in the offseason, then seem confused when the money dries up by July, as teams literally have stopped shopping, money has been spent, the full roster has been pretty well set for camp, and their attention has shifted to training camp. It happens every year but they just don't get it.