HEAV
02-08-2006, 05:33 PM
There has been speculation that the Ravens would use the tag on Jamal Lewis and trade him to the Minnesota Vikings for disgruntled quarterback Daunte Culpepper. Others have projected the Ravens to take Southern California running back LenDale White with the 13th overall pick in the draft, which would remove the need for keeping Lewis. It appears the only guarantee is Lewis won't be receiving a new long-term deal from the Ravens before free agency begins March 3.
New general manager Mike Tannenbaum extended an olive branch to three-time Pro Bowl DE John Abraham yesterday, but Abraham's future with the club remains in doubt. People close to Abraham say he wants out because the Jets continue to drag their feet regarding a long-term deal and there are several teams reportedly interested in the unrestricted free agent, including the Chargers, Redskins, Browns and Texans. The Jets are expected to place the franchise tag ($8.3 million) on Abraham this month (they have from tomorrow until Feb. 23) and then try to trade him, according to someone with knowledge of the situation.
So, Shaun Alexander, the National Football League's MVP wants to know, what will the Seahawks do to keep him in blue and green? "The most important thing to me is just fair. When everybody is fair, no one holds anything back," Alexander said just hours before departing to Honolulu for the Pro Bowl. His status for the game is uncertain because of a sprained foot.
La'Roi Glover's career, which has included Pro Bowl seasons with Dallas and New Orleans, could continue elsewhere next season. Glover still has one year remaining on his current contract and is scheduled to count $7.2 million against the Cowboys' salary cap in 2006, including a $1.5 million roster bonus due in March. If the Cowboys decide not to pay the roster bonus and release Glover, they would save about $6 million on the cap.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady should expect a recovery period of 6-8 weeks following his impending hernia surgery. “There are two procedures that can be done to alleviate the pain in the crease between Brady’s leg and body,” said L. Douglas Dolgov, sports medicine physician at MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham. One involves a three-inch incision in which a mesh is inserted that protects content from pushing through the abdomen. “It’s like patching a hole in the wall,” Dolgov said. The other procedure involves less cutting, with three small holes made in the groin area.
Jon Kitna, a former Bengals starter and Carson Palmer's backup the past two seasons, will be an unrestricted free agent March 3. "No," Kitna, 33, said Tuesday night when asked if he and the Bengals have talked in the past month on a new contract. "Free agency is four weeks away."
Although it's long been expected the Ravens will use the franchise tag on Jamal Lewis, general manager Ozzie Newsome suggested yesterday that is not a certainty. The Ravens have 15 days before an NFL-mandated deadline that will force them to either place the tag on their all-time leading rusher or let him become an unrestricted free agent. If the Ravens use the tag on Lewis, they can stop him from becoming a free agent with a one-year tender worth $6 million. If they decide against it, Lewis would enter a loaded running back market, which is expected to include Seattle's Shaun Alexander, Indianapolis' Edgerrin James and Carolina's DeShaun Foster. Asked if a decision has been made on Lewis, Newsome said, "Not really." Asked if the Ravens would let Lewis become a free agent, Newsome said, "It could possibly be that."
Steve McNair and Kyle Vanden Bosch are the two Titans players who are front and center as the team decides which direction it will go during the off-season. Vanden Bosch is an unrestricted free agent who totaled 12.5 sacks this season playing on a one-year veteran minimum deal. McNair, meanwhile, is due a $50 million roster bonus in March, which the Titans and McNair agent James “Bus” Cook are trying to negotiate around. “We’re still talking, but they’re going to have to make some sort of decision,” Cook said. “I know they want Steve back for another year, but it’s going to have to be a new contract with some guaranteed money for him.” According to Cook, even if the Titans exercise the $1 million buyout rather than the $50 million option bonus, there is so much old prorated bonus and acceleration in the contract (about $13 million) that it would push his cap number somewhere around $23 million for 2006.
Former Raiders coach Art Shell visited briefly with Davis on Thursday, but the discussion was primarily a courtesy interview, an NFL source said. Ken Whisenhunt remains the clear front-runner for the Raiders' head-coaching position.
Mike Reinfeldt, the Seahawks' vice president of football administration and lead contract negotiator, could be offered the job of president of the San Francisco 49ers, if it hasn't happened already. Reinfeldt interviewed for the position last month. The Seahawks seem intent on keeping Reinfeldt and matching any financial offer for his services but wouldn't stand in the way of his chance to be the top decision-maker for a team.
Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer believes he'll be ready for the start of training camp, but others believe there are questions surrounding his knee injury that put the start of his season, if not a significant portion of it, in serious question. Houston doctors issued a positive report about Palmer's progress last week, yet certain members of the Bengals organization are concerned about when their quarterback will be ready.
Ron Wolf, once the Jets' assistant GM who went on to build Super Bowl teams in Green Bay, would have been perfect to guide Mike Tannenbaum and Eric Mangini through the transition period as a consultant. Five years out of the league, Wolf, 67, said yesterday he's not interested in being a GM or a consultant.
Don Davis, who led the Patriots with 25 special teams tackles last season, has signed a one-year, $795,000 contract extension to return to the team. The deal includes a $25,000 signing bonus. Davis, who is entering his 11th NFL season, was one of 17 Patriots scheduled to become unrestricted free agents on March 3. Negotiating his extension without an agent, the 33-year-old said the deal came together shortly after the team's playoff loss to the Broncos Jan. 14.
According to published reports, the Patriots have inquired about former Vikings defensive assistant Chuck Knox Jr. and current University of Michigan quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler as possible additions to their staff.
Super Bowl Champion Steelers LB Joey Porter, appearing as a guest on the "Best Damn Sports Show Period," on the best thing about winning the Super Bowl: "Hey, I'm going to tell you what I was happy about when this happened. You know when you're playing a football game and you're talking trash with guys and they always hit you with, 'Where's your ring?' They can't tell me that anymore."
Here's more proof that baseball players have the strongest union in baseball history: A winner's share for Super Bowl XL was worth $73,000 for each Pittsburgh Steeler and a full winner's share for the 2005 World Series was $324,532.72 for the Chicago White Sox.
Far-out conspiracy theorists are off base. If the "mob" or big-money Las Vegas interests wanted to try to "fix" Super Bowl XL, the Seahawks would've won because the vast majority of bets — legal and illegal — were on the Steelers.
Among the 40 Super Bowl-winning teams, I put the 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers in the bottom five in terms of talent and overall performance for the season. But no Super Bowl champion accomplished more in the playoffs to get to the championship game and that's why they'll be fondly remembered by NFL fans.
Vikings quarterback Brad Johnson, 37, intends to play at least three more seasons, the remaining length of his contract.
The signing gives the Bengals more offensive Johnsons than any team in the league -- Chad the wide receiver, Rudi the running back and Doug the quarterback, not to mention Landon the linebacker.
Nobody saw Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren and Steelers coach Bill Cowher shake hands after Super Bowl X-tra L-arge, but nobody should interpret it as a rift. It was more a miscommunication. The two coaches were supposed to meet at the 25-yard line. Holmgren went to one 25-yard line, Cowher to the other, and they never got to engage in the traditional hand-shaking act that most coaches do after every game. While they each waited and looked for the other, the madness and grandiosity of the game swallowed them. Nobody was going to find anybody at that time. Finally, Holmgren opted to head to the locker room. Later, in the Seahawks locker room, the two coaches caught up with other, with Holmgren congratulating Cowher on joining the fraternity of Super Bowl winning coaches. With nobody watching, the two shook hands and spoke.
The Dolphins have given indications to No. 3 QB Cleo Lemon that they would like to keep him around this offseason, though he's not a serious contender for the backup job. But free agent Sage Rosenfels has taken a hint and will look elsewhere.
The Jets are roughly $25 million over the projected $95 million salary cap but have several big-ticket players who they can ask to rework their deals, including QB Chad Pennington ($15 million), CB Ty Law ($11 million), WR Laveranues Coles ($10 million) and RB Curtis Martin ($8.1 million). Law, however, will certainly not return, freeing up his $11 million.
Critics are saying new Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum is a salary-cap guy and isn't qualified to evaluate players. Tannenbaum said he'll have the final say on draft day in April.
Privately, the Jets weren't thrilled that Terry Bradway did some work away from the office, at his home near Atlantic City. Bradway said he has two years left on his deal. But it wouldn't be a shock if he leaves after the April draft.
Shaun Alexander said contract talks might start as soon as today between his agents and the Seahawks' front office. He believes the team has the financial means within the salary cap to get a long-term deal done. He also indicated that he doesn't have to be the highest-paid running back nor have the highest signing bonus among other NFL backs and his well-paid teammates, like quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and left tackle Walter Jones. Alexander is confident he will remain a Seahawk. His agents and the Seahawks had earlier agreed to table contract discussions until the end of the season. Multi-year offers have been discussed, but the two sides don't seem that close to an agreement.
The reality of the situation is that Shaun Alexander might have played his last game as a Seahawk. He's not alone; the team roster has 14 other players who are on track to become unrestricted free agents if not re-signed before March 3. They include wide receiver Joe Jurevicius, who is rumored already to be drawing interest from the New England Patriots; safety Marquand Manuel, who played very well in relief of Ken Hamlin; defensive tackle Rocky Bernard, who had 8 1/2 sacks in 2005; left guard Steve Hutchinson, who made the Pro Bowl for the third straight season; and fullback Mack Strong, a Pro Bowler for the first time.
The Cowboys have a similar decision to make with Larry Allen, who also could be playing his last game in a Cowboys uniform.. The 12-year veteran is to count $7.55 million on the cap next year, and the Cowboys can save about $3.5 million if he is released before his scheduled $2 million roster bonus is paid in early March.
Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt will interview today for the head coaching position with the Oakland Raiders, a day after celebrating the Steelers' Super Bowl XL victory at a downtown parade Tuesday. There is a chance Whisenhunt will bypass the opportunity with the Raiders and wait until more jobs are available next season. The Raiders are expected to pay in the $1.5 million range, while other franchise's pay upwards of $5 million. Oakland hasn't had a winning season since 2002, the longest stretch of futility for Davis since he took over in '63, and has won just nine games the past two seasons.
Steelers safety Troy Polamalu jumped from the back of a truck and body surfed on a sea of black and gold. Steeler Nation knows no boundaries. Some of its denizens came from as far away as Mexico to join in the celebration with the players, coaches and just about every politician -- except maybe one. Gov. Ed Rendell -- a Philadelphia Eagles fan -- sought refuge inside the Highmark Building, far from the roiling throngs below, lest he be upstaged by Hall of Famer Lynn Swann, yesterday's master of ceremonies and his likely opponent in November's general election.
The attorney for LaVar Arrington 's agent filed a response to the NFL Players Association denying the union's claims that Arrington's representatives were negligent in dealing with the linebacker's 2003 contract extension with the Washington Redskins and asking that the union's top attorney be removed from the case. Carl Poston, who could face a suspension or even be barred from practicing as a player agent, represents Arrington and a host of high-profile NFL stars, including perennial Pro Bowl cornerback Ty Law and linebacker Julian Peterson.. He is being accused by the players' union of failing to ensure that a $6.5 million bonus clause was part of the eight-year, $68 million contract extension Arrington signed with the Redskins in December 2003.
Eric Mangini, 35, and Mike Tannenbaum, neither of whom has experience in their current positions, are in charge. The Jets have the youngest head coach and youngest GM in the NFL. They also have a 32-year-old offensive coordinator, Brian Schottenheimer. In the span of a month, they've gone from Men to Boyz.
New general manager Mike Tannenbaum extended an olive branch to three-time Pro Bowl DE John Abraham yesterday, but Abraham's future with the club remains in doubt. People close to Abraham say he wants out because the Jets continue to drag their feet regarding a long-term deal and there are several teams reportedly interested in the unrestricted free agent, including the Chargers, Redskins, Browns and Texans. The Jets are expected to place the franchise tag ($8.3 million) on Abraham this month (they have from tomorrow until Feb. 23) and then try to trade him, according to someone with knowledge of the situation.
So, Shaun Alexander, the National Football League's MVP wants to know, what will the Seahawks do to keep him in blue and green? "The most important thing to me is just fair. When everybody is fair, no one holds anything back," Alexander said just hours before departing to Honolulu for the Pro Bowl. His status for the game is uncertain because of a sprained foot.
La'Roi Glover's career, which has included Pro Bowl seasons with Dallas and New Orleans, could continue elsewhere next season. Glover still has one year remaining on his current contract and is scheduled to count $7.2 million against the Cowboys' salary cap in 2006, including a $1.5 million roster bonus due in March. If the Cowboys decide not to pay the roster bonus and release Glover, they would save about $6 million on the cap.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady should expect a recovery period of 6-8 weeks following his impending hernia surgery. “There are two procedures that can be done to alleviate the pain in the crease between Brady’s leg and body,” said L. Douglas Dolgov, sports medicine physician at MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham. One involves a three-inch incision in which a mesh is inserted that protects content from pushing through the abdomen. “It’s like patching a hole in the wall,” Dolgov said. The other procedure involves less cutting, with three small holes made in the groin area.
Jon Kitna, a former Bengals starter and Carson Palmer's backup the past two seasons, will be an unrestricted free agent March 3. "No," Kitna, 33, said Tuesday night when asked if he and the Bengals have talked in the past month on a new contract. "Free agency is four weeks away."
Although it's long been expected the Ravens will use the franchise tag on Jamal Lewis, general manager Ozzie Newsome suggested yesterday that is not a certainty. The Ravens have 15 days before an NFL-mandated deadline that will force them to either place the tag on their all-time leading rusher or let him become an unrestricted free agent. If the Ravens use the tag on Lewis, they can stop him from becoming a free agent with a one-year tender worth $6 million. If they decide against it, Lewis would enter a loaded running back market, which is expected to include Seattle's Shaun Alexander, Indianapolis' Edgerrin James and Carolina's DeShaun Foster. Asked if a decision has been made on Lewis, Newsome said, "Not really." Asked if the Ravens would let Lewis become a free agent, Newsome said, "It could possibly be that."
Steve McNair and Kyle Vanden Bosch are the two Titans players who are front and center as the team decides which direction it will go during the off-season. Vanden Bosch is an unrestricted free agent who totaled 12.5 sacks this season playing on a one-year veteran minimum deal. McNair, meanwhile, is due a $50 million roster bonus in March, which the Titans and McNair agent James “Bus” Cook are trying to negotiate around. “We’re still talking, but they’re going to have to make some sort of decision,” Cook said. “I know they want Steve back for another year, but it’s going to have to be a new contract with some guaranteed money for him.” According to Cook, even if the Titans exercise the $1 million buyout rather than the $50 million option bonus, there is so much old prorated bonus and acceleration in the contract (about $13 million) that it would push his cap number somewhere around $23 million for 2006.
Former Raiders coach Art Shell visited briefly with Davis on Thursday, but the discussion was primarily a courtesy interview, an NFL source said. Ken Whisenhunt remains the clear front-runner for the Raiders' head-coaching position.
Mike Reinfeldt, the Seahawks' vice president of football administration and lead contract negotiator, could be offered the job of president of the San Francisco 49ers, if it hasn't happened already. Reinfeldt interviewed for the position last month. The Seahawks seem intent on keeping Reinfeldt and matching any financial offer for his services but wouldn't stand in the way of his chance to be the top decision-maker for a team.
Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer believes he'll be ready for the start of training camp, but others believe there are questions surrounding his knee injury that put the start of his season, if not a significant portion of it, in serious question. Houston doctors issued a positive report about Palmer's progress last week, yet certain members of the Bengals organization are concerned about when their quarterback will be ready.
Ron Wolf, once the Jets' assistant GM who went on to build Super Bowl teams in Green Bay, would have been perfect to guide Mike Tannenbaum and Eric Mangini through the transition period as a consultant. Five years out of the league, Wolf, 67, said yesterday he's not interested in being a GM or a consultant.
Don Davis, who led the Patriots with 25 special teams tackles last season, has signed a one-year, $795,000 contract extension to return to the team. The deal includes a $25,000 signing bonus. Davis, who is entering his 11th NFL season, was one of 17 Patriots scheduled to become unrestricted free agents on March 3. Negotiating his extension without an agent, the 33-year-old said the deal came together shortly after the team's playoff loss to the Broncos Jan. 14.
According to published reports, the Patriots have inquired about former Vikings defensive assistant Chuck Knox Jr. and current University of Michigan quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler as possible additions to their staff.
Super Bowl Champion Steelers LB Joey Porter, appearing as a guest on the "Best Damn Sports Show Period," on the best thing about winning the Super Bowl: "Hey, I'm going to tell you what I was happy about when this happened. You know when you're playing a football game and you're talking trash with guys and they always hit you with, 'Where's your ring?' They can't tell me that anymore."
Here's more proof that baseball players have the strongest union in baseball history: A winner's share for Super Bowl XL was worth $73,000 for each Pittsburgh Steeler and a full winner's share for the 2005 World Series was $324,532.72 for the Chicago White Sox.
Far-out conspiracy theorists are off base. If the "mob" or big-money Las Vegas interests wanted to try to "fix" Super Bowl XL, the Seahawks would've won because the vast majority of bets — legal and illegal — were on the Steelers.
Among the 40 Super Bowl-winning teams, I put the 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers in the bottom five in terms of talent and overall performance for the season. But no Super Bowl champion accomplished more in the playoffs to get to the championship game and that's why they'll be fondly remembered by NFL fans.
Vikings quarterback Brad Johnson, 37, intends to play at least three more seasons, the remaining length of his contract.
The signing gives the Bengals more offensive Johnsons than any team in the league -- Chad the wide receiver, Rudi the running back and Doug the quarterback, not to mention Landon the linebacker.
Nobody saw Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren and Steelers coach Bill Cowher shake hands after Super Bowl X-tra L-arge, but nobody should interpret it as a rift. It was more a miscommunication. The two coaches were supposed to meet at the 25-yard line. Holmgren went to one 25-yard line, Cowher to the other, and they never got to engage in the traditional hand-shaking act that most coaches do after every game. While they each waited and looked for the other, the madness and grandiosity of the game swallowed them. Nobody was going to find anybody at that time. Finally, Holmgren opted to head to the locker room. Later, in the Seahawks locker room, the two coaches caught up with other, with Holmgren congratulating Cowher on joining the fraternity of Super Bowl winning coaches. With nobody watching, the two shook hands and spoke.
The Dolphins have given indications to No. 3 QB Cleo Lemon that they would like to keep him around this offseason, though he's not a serious contender for the backup job. But free agent Sage Rosenfels has taken a hint and will look elsewhere.
The Jets are roughly $25 million over the projected $95 million salary cap but have several big-ticket players who they can ask to rework their deals, including QB Chad Pennington ($15 million), CB Ty Law ($11 million), WR Laveranues Coles ($10 million) and RB Curtis Martin ($8.1 million). Law, however, will certainly not return, freeing up his $11 million.
Critics are saying new Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum is a salary-cap guy and isn't qualified to evaluate players. Tannenbaum said he'll have the final say on draft day in April.
Privately, the Jets weren't thrilled that Terry Bradway did some work away from the office, at his home near Atlantic City. Bradway said he has two years left on his deal. But it wouldn't be a shock if he leaves after the April draft.
Shaun Alexander said contract talks might start as soon as today between his agents and the Seahawks' front office. He believes the team has the financial means within the salary cap to get a long-term deal done. He also indicated that he doesn't have to be the highest-paid running back nor have the highest signing bonus among other NFL backs and his well-paid teammates, like quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and left tackle Walter Jones. Alexander is confident he will remain a Seahawk. His agents and the Seahawks had earlier agreed to table contract discussions until the end of the season. Multi-year offers have been discussed, but the two sides don't seem that close to an agreement.
The reality of the situation is that Shaun Alexander might have played his last game as a Seahawk. He's not alone; the team roster has 14 other players who are on track to become unrestricted free agents if not re-signed before March 3. They include wide receiver Joe Jurevicius, who is rumored already to be drawing interest from the New England Patriots; safety Marquand Manuel, who played very well in relief of Ken Hamlin; defensive tackle Rocky Bernard, who had 8 1/2 sacks in 2005; left guard Steve Hutchinson, who made the Pro Bowl for the third straight season; and fullback Mack Strong, a Pro Bowler for the first time.
The Cowboys have a similar decision to make with Larry Allen, who also could be playing his last game in a Cowboys uniform.. The 12-year veteran is to count $7.55 million on the cap next year, and the Cowboys can save about $3.5 million if he is released before his scheduled $2 million roster bonus is paid in early March.
Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt will interview today for the head coaching position with the Oakland Raiders, a day after celebrating the Steelers' Super Bowl XL victory at a downtown parade Tuesday. There is a chance Whisenhunt will bypass the opportunity with the Raiders and wait until more jobs are available next season. The Raiders are expected to pay in the $1.5 million range, while other franchise's pay upwards of $5 million. Oakland hasn't had a winning season since 2002, the longest stretch of futility for Davis since he took over in '63, and has won just nine games the past two seasons.
Steelers safety Troy Polamalu jumped from the back of a truck and body surfed on a sea of black and gold. Steeler Nation knows no boundaries. Some of its denizens came from as far away as Mexico to join in the celebration with the players, coaches and just about every politician -- except maybe one. Gov. Ed Rendell -- a Philadelphia Eagles fan -- sought refuge inside the Highmark Building, far from the roiling throngs below, lest he be upstaged by Hall of Famer Lynn Swann, yesterday's master of ceremonies and his likely opponent in November's general election.
The attorney for LaVar Arrington 's agent filed a response to the NFL Players Association denying the union's claims that Arrington's representatives were negligent in dealing with the linebacker's 2003 contract extension with the Washington Redskins and asking that the union's top attorney be removed from the case. Carl Poston, who could face a suspension or even be barred from practicing as a player agent, represents Arrington and a host of high-profile NFL stars, including perennial Pro Bowl cornerback Ty Law and linebacker Julian Peterson.. He is being accused by the players' union of failing to ensure that a $6.5 million bonus clause was part of the eight-year, $68 million contract extension Arrington signed with the Redskins in December 2003.
Eric Mangini, 35, and Mike Tannenbaum, neither of whom has experience in their current positions, are in charge. The Jets have the youngest head coach and youngest GM in the NFL. They also have a 32-year-old offensive coordinator, Brian Schottenheimer. In the span of a month, they've gone from Men to Boyz.