HEAV
02-11-2006, 01:14 PM
Associates and friends close to Ray Lewis have said that he doesn't want to play in Baltimore for the 2006 season, but Ozzie Newsome said the linebacker hasn't informed the team of any such intention. Newsome, though, did admit that Lewis had a recent meeting with team owner Steve Bisciotti in Florida, and said Lewis asked to be traded before the start of the 2005 season. Lewis, a seven-time Pro Bowl performer, went into a self-imposed isolation from the team last season after the Ravens declined to restructure his contract, which still has three years left. League sources have said the Ravens were sending out "feelers" in a possible trade for Lewis, but they haven't gotten more than a second- round draft pick in exchange (note to Ravens: Take it and run).
Could Mike Martz and Kurt Warner have a reunion in Motown? Don't rule it out. Martz, the Detroit Lions' new offensive coordinator, patched up his relationship with Warner after their falling out in St. Louis. Martz has confided to associates that if he ever needed a quarterback in his new destination - and he needs one in Detroit - he wouldn't hesitate to bring Warner in. Warner, who spent the 2005 season with Arizona, is a free agent.
The Steelers two biggest unrestricted free agents will be receiver Antwaan Randle El and free safety Chris Hope, and both will attract many suitors. Patriots coach Bill Belichick, for example, loves Randle El and his versatility, and his team likely will make him a nice offer.
It remains to be seen what happens with Carolina's running back situation, but one rumor making the rounds at the Pro Bowl is that Atlanta will try to trade T.J. Duckett. Duckett's career hasn't progressed and Warrick Dunn is the Falcons' starter. But Duckett has good size and is the kind of power runner that could fit Carolina's offense.
The Ravens have had a discussion with the agents for Pro Bowl safety Ed Reed but have failed to reach common ground to produce a new multiyear contract for one of the NFL's best defensive players. Reed has one year remaining on a contract that will pay him $2.15 million this season.
Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson provided a definitive answer to a hypothetical question while visiting the Pro Bowl this week. Richardson was asked what he would do if coach John Fox and general manager Marty Hurney wanted to make a move for receiver Terrell Owens. "Well, first off, I don't think they'd ask," Richardson said. When asked again if Hurney and Fox pushed to acquire Owens, Richardson laughed and officially closed the door on any speculation about Owens and the Panthers. "Well, I just don't think they're going to ask me that," Richardson said.
Tackle Steve Hutchinson, 28, is the leading candidate for the Seahawks' franchise tag, as Shaun Alexander's expiring contract stipulates that he cannot be franchised by the team. The designation means Hutchinson, who just finished his fifth season, would next season be paid the average of the top five salaries in the NFL for offensive linemen from 2005. That is, if he signs the one-year franchise tender.
The Steelers first move is to convince center Jeff Hartings to take less than the $4,750,000 he is due in 2006, much the way Jerome Bettis took a pay cut over the past two seasons. Of that amount, Hartings is due a $750,000 roster bonus March 2. If they cannot agree on a lower salary, they will release him and save the $4.75 million under their cap and backup Chukky Okobi will become their new center. If they can come to an agreement with Hartings, Okobi likely will be released because he has a $2 million salary this season, up from $540,000 last year.
Denver Broncos Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway believes at least two things about the current state of his former team. He believes the Broncos are poised to compete for the Super Bowl in '06. And he believes they don't need controversial receiver Terrell Owens to clear the championship hurdle. "They are not that far off, they're not," Elway said. "I know (Broncos coach) Mike (Shanahan) is going to talk to everybody, cover all the bases and make the move he thinks is best; that's what makes him as good as he is. "The question is Terrell, Terrell Owens, in a position now where he says, 'OK, I'm finally going to conform, be a team guy?' I personally don't think it's a good fit. But listen, it's easy for me to draw that conclusion, since I'm not making the call. But personally, it's just not something I would do. I think there is potential there to poison some things."
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Heav: Shut up John. Don't gum up the works. You got two rings.
Another rumor: The Carolina Panthers will make a play for Baltimore free agent running back Chester Taylor if DeShaun Foster signs elsewhere.
It sure looks like the positions at which the Jaguars most need to upgrade -- cornerback, guard, outside linebacker -- will have plenty of young, talented candidates in free agency. Take the market for a cornerback opposite Rashean Mathis. There's affordable guys like the Pittsburgh Steelers' DeShea Townsend and the New York Giants' Will Allen. Or if you want to risk big dollars, then join the chase for the Buffalo Bills' Nate Clements, 26. With linebacker Akin Ayodele also a free agent, it's hard to imagine Jacksonville not looking seriously at Carolina Panther Will Witherspoon. It'll be a huge upset if New Orleans Saints center LeCharles Bentley isn't a prime free-agent target, allowing Brad Meester to move and replace struggling left guard Vince Manuwai.
In an interview with Mike Grimm on KMOX (1120 AM), Rams head coach Scott Linehan sounded upbeat about the return of running back Marshall Faulk in 2006. "I've had a couple of really good conversations with Marshall and I think he's very positive about having a couple of good years left in him," Linehan said. "And that's very positive. The veteran leadership is critical. In this day and age, because of the salary cap, it's hard to have that. There aren't many people like Marshall in this business who can affect a team positively. Not just as a player but as a leader that can teach everyone else."
Chiefs coach Herm Edwards said running back Priest Holmes is probably 50-50 on returning in 2006. Holmes will undergo tests this month to determine whether he
Could Mike Martz and Kurt Warner have a reunion in Motown? Don't rule it out. Martz, the Detroit Lions' new offensive coordinator, patched up his relationship with Warner after their falling out in St. Louis. Martz has confided to associates that if he ever needed a quarterback in his new destination - and he needs one in Detroit - he wouldn't hesitate to bring Warner in. Warner, who spent the 2005 season with Arizona, is a free agent.
The Steelers two biggest unrestricted free agents will be receiver Antwaan Randle El and free safety Chris Hope, and both will attract many suitors. Patriots coach Bill Belichick, for example, loves Randle El and his versatility, and his team likely will make him a nice offer.
It remains to be seen what happens with Carolina's running back situation, but one rumor making the rounds at the Pro Bowl is that Atlanta will try to trade T.J. Duckett. Duckett's career hasn't progressed and Warrick Dunn is the Falcons' starter. But Duckett has good size and is the kind of power runner that could fit Carolina's offense.
The Ravens have had a discussion with the agents for Pro Bowl safety Ed Reed but have failed to reach common ground to produce a new multiyear contract for one of the NFL's best defensive players. Reed has one year remaining on a contract that will pay him $2.15 million this season.
Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson provided a definitive answer to a hypothetical question while visiting the Pro Bowl this week. Richardson was asked what he would do if coach John Fox and general manager Marty Hurney wanted to make a move for receiver Terrell Owens. "Well, first off, I don't think they'd ask," Richardson said. When asked again if Hurney and Fox pushed to acquire Owens, Richardson laughed and officially closed the door on any speculation about Owens and the Panthers. "Well, I just don't think they're going to ask me that," Richardson said.
Tackle Steve Hutchinson, 28, is the leading candidate for the Seahawks' franchise tag, as Shaun Alexander's expiring contract stipulates that he cannot be franchised by the team. The designation means Hutchinson, who just finished his fifth season, would next season be paid the average of the top five salaries in the NFL for offensive linemen from 2005. That is, if he signs the one-year franchise tender.
The Steelers first move is to convince center Jeff Hartings to take less than the $4,750,000 he is due in 2006, much the way Jerome Bettis took a pay cut over the past two seasons. Of that amount, Hartings is due a $750,000 roster bonus March 2. If they cannot agree on a lower salary, they will release him and save the $4.75 million under their cap and backup Chukky Okobi will become their new center. If they can come to an agreement with Hartings, Okobi likely will be released because he has a $2 million salary this season, up from $540,000 last year.
Denver Broncos Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway believes at least two things about the current state of his former team. He believes the Broncos are poised to compete for the Super Bowl in '06. And he believes they don't need controversial receiver Terrell Owens to clear the championship hurdle. "They are not that far off, they're not," Elway said. "I know (Broncos coach) Mike (Shanahan) is going to talk to everybody, cover all the bases and make the move he thinks is best; that's what makes him as good as he is. "The question is Terrell, Terrell Owens, in a position now where he says, 'OK, I'm finally going to conform, be a team guy?' I personally don't think it's a good fit. But listen, it's easy for me to draw that conclusion, since I'm not making the call. But personally, it's just not something I would do. I think there is potential there to poison some things."
------
Heav: Shut up John. Don't gum up the works. You got two rings.
Another rumor: The Carolina Panthers will make a play for Baltimore free agent running back Chester Taylor if DeShaun Foster signs elsewhere.
It sure looks like the positions at which the Jaguars most need to upgrade -- cornerback, guard, outside linebacker -- will have plenty of young, talented candidates in free agency. Take the market for a cornerback opposite Rashean Mathis. There's affordable guys like the Pittsburgh Steelers' DeShea Townsend and the New York Giants' Will Allen. Or if you want to risk big dollars, then join the chase for the Buffalo Bills' Nate Clements, 26. With linebacker Akin Ayodele also a free agent, it's hard to imagine Jacksonville not looking seriously at Carolina Panther Will Witherspoon. It'll be a huge upset if New Orleans Saints center LeCharles Bentley isn't a prime free-agent target, allowing Brad Meester to move and replace struggling left guard Vince Manuwai.
In an interview with Mike Grimm on KMOX (1120 AM), Rams head coach Scott Linehan sounded upbeat about the return of running back Marshall Faulk in 2006. "I've had a couple of really good conversations with Marshall and I think he's very positive about having a couple of good years left in him," Linehan said. "And that's very positive. The veteran leadership is critical. In this day and age, because of the salary cap, it's hard to have that. There aren't many people like Marshall in this business who can affect a team positively. Not just as a player but as a leader that can teach everyone else."
Chiefs coach Herm Edwards said running back Priest Holmes is probably 50-50 on returning in 2006. Holmes will undergo tests this month to determine whether he