NFL Report Sunday. - The Orange Mane

HEAV · 03-27-2005, 11:21 AM

According to Colts owner Jimmy Irsay, this will very likely be running back Edgerrin James's last season in Indianapolis. James has been named the team's franchise player and will receive $8.1 million this season, but Irsay said he did not believe he would sign James to a long-term deal because he wants to spend more money on the defensive side of the ball.

Pats VP Scott Pioli won his second straight executive of the year award. Prediction: When his contract expires after the '06 draft, the Giants will hire him to replace GM Ernie Accorsi, who is likely to retire after this season.

The Vikings expressed interest in ex-Giant Ike Hilliard, but signed Travis Taylor instead. If the Dolphins don't bring back David Boston, then Miami could be the place Hilliard ends up. He lives there in the offseason.

Look for Chargers star tight end Antonio Gates to sit out training camp if he doesn't get a new contract before then. Several of Gates' teammates told The Post he's not going to show if he doesn't get a new pact. Gates, who burst onto the scene last season with 81 catches for 964 yards and 13 touchdowns, is scheduled to make a mere $380,000 this season, the last of his deal. Gates is looking to be paid commensurate with his production, and isn't expected to show up at camp until he is. Several messages left by The Post with Gates' agent, Roosevelt Barnes, went unreturned.

The Carolina Panthers strongly defended their medical staff Saturday and said it has no connection to a federal investigation of a West Columbia, S.C., doctor for illegal steroids distribution. Team General Manager Marty Hurney said in a prepared statement to the Observer that "there has been no inappropriate behavior on the part of our medical staff."

No doubt, the Chiefs were happy to land free agent linebacker Kendrell Bell. But sources within the organization stated they're "holding their breath" regarding Bell's injured shoulder and are fearful that it could hamper and even end his career in the near future. The former defensive rookie of the year scared some teams off with his high salary demands, others with his questionable attitude. Kansas City did sign Bell, but split his signing bonus up so it'd be covered in case his shoulder turns out to be a problem.

One player who gets no sympathy here is John Abraham, whose Jets bosses stood by him while he stood around. Now Abraham is annoyed to be paid $6.7 million on a franchise-tag deal and says he won't participate in practices if he doesn't get a multiyear deal (it's believed he seeks $7 million a year for four years). So he'll be in a familiar position - sitting out. Beyond Abraham owing the Jets after missing three of five playoff games, he's the last guy anyone should sign long-term.

The Seattle Seahawks face a similar situation with the league's No. 2 rusher last season, Shaun Alexander. He, too, has been "franchised" and is not happy about it, which was difficult for coach Mike Holmgren to fathom, considering the price tag. "By signing [Pro Bowl left tackle] Walter Jones, it allowed us to use the tag on Shaun," Holmgren said. "Unfortunately, you tag somebody and it's like you put him in prison. It never was [intended] that way. It was an honor. You are paying them, in my opinion, a compliment. Unfortunately, the players don't look at it that way."

Do the Eagles had any interest in free agent tight end Freddie Jones? That does not appear to be the case, according to Jones' agents. The veteran would be a good fit in the Eagles' offense, but maybe Andy Reid just doesn't want anyone around named Freddie.

Denver coach Mike Shanahan said this week at the NFL owners meetings the team plans to work closely with Champ Bailey on offense during the offseason camps. "That will be a big part of what Champ does in the offseason," Shanahan said. "We're going to see what he can do ... to work some as a receiver." The All-Pro cornerback worked some on offense in the early offseason last year. Bailey played about 20 offensive snaps and said he has to become a more consistent route runner. Shanahan said the idea of having Bailey on offense is well worth whatever extra time it takes. "That speed of his makes it really appealing," Shanahan said.

In trying to create salary cap space, the Falcons have approached some highly paid players -- including running back Warrick Dunn -- about restructuring their contracts.

Who Knew? New Browns quarterback Trent Dilfer has won 55.2 percent of the games he's started as an NFL quarterback. In contrast, Jeff Garcia had won 49.3 percent when he began the 2004 season as the Browns' starting QB.

Legendary offensive line coach Alex Gibbs has gone back to being a consultant for the Falcons. Gibbs will live in Arizona after training camp is over, and work in Atlanta on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday during the season. "I'd rather have him in this capacity than not have him at all," said Falcons head coach Jim Mora.

According to several head coaches who were in the room last week at the NFL meetings in Hawaii, Bill Belichick made a prolonged and profane defense of his listing Richard Seymour as "probable" on the injury report in a week when Seymour did not travel with the team for the game. The league fined Belichick for that and is now mandating that if a player doesn't travel, he'd better not be listed as "probable" on the final injury report. According to people in the room, Belichick said he had been unfairly fined because he didn't violate league rules, and it was team business anyway. Many of his colleagues disagreed.

New York Jets coach Herman Edwards says he's confused over the apparent lack of understanding about what the Patriots have at quarterback in Tom Brady. "You know going into a game that there is not a lot of room for error," Edwards said. "The key is, their quarterback is a very underrated quarterback in my estimation. The guy is the best quarterback in the playoffs. "When he has to make a throw, he makes the throw. They've got a quarterback who's going to the Hall of Fame and a coach who's going to the Hall. They've got the best quarterback in the playoffs. Just watch him. They play in a close game, they don't flinch. They know in their minds if they play 10 games close, they'll win nine.

Representative Anthony D. Weiner, a Democratic candidate for mayor of New York, accused the Bloomberg administration yesterday of engaging in a "classic, old-fashioned back-room deal" to get a Jets stadium built on the West Side of Manhattan, and called on the city and state comptrollers to investigate the bidding process.

New England Patriots personnel poohbah Scott Pioli will be inducted into the Central Connectict State University's Alumni Hall of Fame on May 13 in Farmington, Conn. Pioli, who graduated in 1988, played defensive tackle for the Blue Devils

Sodak · 03-27-2005, 11:42 AM

I thought one of the more interesting notes is about Alex Gibbs. It looks like he's gone back to "semi-reitrement" mode after he told Shanny before he left he wanted to work full time again. Hmmmm. I wonder what happened. Maybe he realized once again that he really is burning out. Now it looks like Denver's Dennison promotion is making more sense.

Thanks for the post Heav.

HEAV · 03-27-2005, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sodak

I thought one of the more interesting notes is about Alex Gibbs. It looks like he's gone back to "semi-reitrement" mode after he told Shanny before he left he wanted to work full time again. Hmmmm. I wonder what happened. Maybe he realized once again that he really is burning out. Now it looks like Denver's Dennison promotion is making more sense.

Thanks for the post Heav.

He suffers from depression. So it's a daily battle for him. Still I would have prefferd an O-line coach that actually played on the O-line and not linebacker. Also glad Mike got rid of Gibbs kid. He was nutty also.

-Slap- · 03-27-2005, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HEAV07

One player who gets no sympathy here is John Abraham, whose Jets bosses stood by him while he stood around. Now Abraham is annoyed to be paid $6.7 million on a franchise-tag deal and says he won't participate in practices if he doesn't get a multiyear deal (it's believed he seeks $7 million a year for four years). So he'll be in a familiar position - sitting out. Beyond Abraham owing the Jets after missing three of five playoff games, he's the last guy anyone should sign long-term.

Amen, brother!

SoCalBronco · 03-27-2005, 12:02 PM

thanks for that report heav.

Clockwork Orange · 03-27-2005, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HEAV07

No doubt, the Chiefs were happy to land free agent linebacker Kendrell Bell. But sources within the organization stated they're "holding their breath" regarding Bell's injured shoulder and are fearful that it could hamper and even end his career in the near future. The former defensive rookie of the year scared some teams off with his high salary demands, others with his questionable attitude. Kansas City did sign Bell, but split his signing bonus up so it'd be covered in case his shoulder turns out to be a problem.

Yikes. Attitude concerns on top of a bad shoulder and two sports hernia surgeries. Buyer beware.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HEAV07

One player who gets no sympathy here is John Abraham, whose Jets bosses stood by him while he stood around. Now Abraham is annoyed to be paid $6.7 million on a franchise-tag deal and says he won't participate in practices if he doesn't get a multiyear deal (it's believed he seeks $7 million a year for four years). So he'll be in a familiar position - sitting out. Beyond Abraham owing the Jets after missing three of five playoff games, he's the last guy anyone should sign long-term.

Annoyed to be paid $6.7 million after not sucking it up and playing in the postseason? What a ****ing clown.

-Slap- · 03-27-2005, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sodak

I thought one of the more interesting notes is about Alex Gibbs. It looks like he's gone back to "semi-reitrement" mode after he told Shanny before he left he wanted to work full time again. Hmmmm. I wonder what happened. Maybe he realized once again that he really is burning out. Now it looks like Denver's Dennison promotion is making more sense.

Thanks for the post Heav.

I was happy to see Gibbs leave. I was tired of the high maintenance personality. I also wanted to see us move away from the blocking schemes that have drawn so much League scrutiny.

Play2win · 03-27-2005, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -Slap-

I was happy to see Gibbs leave. I was tired of the high maintenance personality. I also wanted to see us move away from the blocking schemes that have drawn so much League scrutiny.

So true, now I wonder with Kennedy gone, will we get less of these incendious fines and suspension. I know Lynch is here, but he never really had Trouble until he came here. I think the league just had a target on Kennedy's back.

baja · 03-27-2005, 12:34 PM

Legendary offensive line coach Alex Gibbs has gone back to being a consultant for the Falcons. Gibbs will live in Arizona after training camp is over, and work in Atlanta on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday during the season. "I'd rather have him in this capacity than not have him at all," said Falcons head coach Jim Mora.

Ha ha ha - Just pay me Baby and Monday is yours!

baja · 03-27-2005, 12:36 PM

Or as Willie Nelson says, "If you got the money honey I got the part time"

03-27-2005, 11:21 AM	#1
HEAV Ring of Famer It's about the Team Join Date: May 2003 Location: The Ville Posts: 12,077 Adopt-a-Bronco: Brian Dawkins	NFL Report Sunday. According to Colts owner Jimmy Irsay, this will very likely be running back Edgerrin James's last season in Indianapolis. James has been named the team's franchise player and will receive $8.1 million this season, but Irsay said he did not believe he would sign James to a long-term deal because he wants to spend more money on the defensive side of the ball. Pats VP Scott Pioli won his second straight executive of the year award. Prediction: When his contract expires after the '06 draft, the Giants will hire him to replace GM Ernie Accorsi, who is likely to retire after this season. The Vikings expressed interest in ex-Giant Ike Hilliard, but signed Travis Taylor instead. If the Dolphins don't bring back David Boston, then Miami could be the place Hilliard ends up. He lives there in the offseason. Look for Chargers star tight end Antonio Gates to sit out training camp if he doesn't get a new contract before then. Several of Gates' teammates told The Post he's not going to show if he doesn't get a new pact. Gates, who burst onto the scene last season with 81 catches for 964 yards and 13 touchdowns, is scheduled to make a mere $380,000 this season, the last of his deal. Gates is looking to be paid commensurate with his production, and isn't expected to show up at camp until he is. Several messages left by The Post with Gates' agent, Roosevelt Barnes, went unreturned. The Carolina Panthers strongly defended their medical staff Saturday and said it has no connection to a federal investigation of a West Columbia, S.C., doctor for illegal steroids distribution. Team General Manager Marty Hurney said in a prepared statement to the Observer that "there has been no inappropriate behavior on the part of our medical staff." No doubt, the Chiefs were happy to land free agent linebacker Kendrell Bell. But sources within the organization stated they're "holding their breath" regarding Bell's injured shoulder and are fearful that it could hamper and even end his career in the near future. The former defensive rookie of the year scared some teams off with his high salary demands, others with his questionable attitude. Kansas City did sign Bell, but split his signing bonus up so it'd be covered in case his shoulder turns out to be a problem. One player who gets no sympathy here is John Abraham, whose Jets bosses stood by him while he stood around. Now Abraham is annoyed to be paid $6.7 million on a franchise-tag deal and says he won't participate in practices if he doesn't get a multiyear deal (it's believed he seeks $7 million a year for four years). So he'll be in a familiar position - sitting out. Beyond Abraham owing the Jets after missing three of five playoff games, he's the last guy anyone should sign long-term. The Seattle Seahawks face a similar situation with the league's No. 2 rusher last season, Shaun Alexander. He, too, has been "franchised" and is not happy about it, which was difficult for coach Mike Holmgren to fathom, considering the price tag. "By signing [Pro Bowl left tackle] Walter Jones, it allowed us to use the tag on Shaun," Holmgren said. "Unfortunately, you tag somebody and it's like you put him in prison. It never was [intended] that way. It was an honor. You are paying them, in my opinion, a compliment. Unfortunately, the players don't look at it that way." Do the Eagles had any interest in free agent tight end Freddie Jones? That does not appear to be the case, according to Jones' agents. The veteran would be a good fit in the Eagles' offense, but maybe Andy Reid just doesn't want anyone around named Freddie. Denver coach Mike Shanahan said this week at the NFL owners meetings the team plans to work closely with Champ Bailey on offense during the offseason camps. "That will be a big part of what Champ does in the offseason," Shanahan said. "We're going to see what he can do ... to work some as a receiver." The All-Pro cornerback worked some on offense in the early offseason last year. Bailey played about 20 offensive snaps and said he has to become a more consistent route runner. Shanahan said the idea of having Bailey on offense is well worth whatever extra time it takes. "That speed of his makes it really appealing," Shanahan said. In trying to create salary cap space, the Falcons have approached some highly paid players -- including running back Warrick Dunn -- about restructuring their contracts. Who Knew? New Browns quarterback Trent Dilfer has won 55.2 percent of the games he's started as an NFL quarterback. In contrast, Jeff Garcia had won 49.3 percent when he began the 2004 season as the Browns' starting QB. Legendary offensive line coach Alex Gibbs has gone back to being a consultant for the Falcons. Gibbs will live in Arizona after training camp is over, and work in Atlanta on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday during the season. "I'd rather have him in this capacity than not have him at all," said Falcons head coach Jim Mora. According to several head coaches who were in the room last week at the NFL meetings in Hawaii, Bill Belichick made a prolonged and profane defense of his listing Richard Seymour as "probable" on the injury report in a week when Seymour did not travel with the team for the game. The league fined Belichick for that and is now mandating that if a player doesn't travel, he'd better not be listed as "probable" on the final injury report. According to people in the room, Belichick said he had been unfairly fined because he didn't violate league rules, and it was team business anyway. Many of his colleagues disagreed. New York Jets coach Herman Edwards says he's confused over the apparent lack of understanding about what the Patriots have at quarterback in Tom Brady. "You know going into a game that there is not a lot of room for error," Edwards said. "The key is, their quarterback is a very underrated quarterback in my estimation. The guy is the best quarterback in the playoffs. "When he has to make a throw, he makes the throw. They've got a quarterback who's going to the Hall of Fame and a coach who's going to the Hall. They've got the best quarterback in the playoffs. Just watch him. They play in a close game, they don't flinch. They know in their minds if they play 10 games close, they'll win nine. Representative Anthony D. Weiner, a Democratic candidate for mayor of New York, accused the Bloomberg administration yesterday of engaging in a "classic, old-fashioned back-room deal" to get a Jets stadium built on the West Side of Manhattan, and called on the city and state comptrollers to investigate the bidding process. New England Patriots personnel poohbah Scott Pioli will be inducted into the Central Connectict State University's Alumni Hall of Fame on May 13 in Farmington, Conn. Pioli, who graduated in 1988, played defensive tackle for the Blue Devils

03-27-2005, 12:02 PM	#5
SoCalBronco Nixonite Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Arcadia, CA Posts: 33,298 Adopt-a-Bronco: D.J. Williams	thanks for that report heav. __________________ ITS A PLAYOFF HOCKEY NIGHT IN PITTSBURGH!

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03-27-2005, 11:42 AM	#2
Sodak Clueless... Who stole my avatar? Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Black Hills of Dakota Posts: 3,080	I thought one of the more interesting notes is about Alex Gibbs. It looks like he's gone back to "semi-reitrement" mode after he told Shanny before he left he wanted to work full time again. Hmmmm. I wonder what happened. Maybe he realized once again that he really is burning out. Now it looks like Denver's Dennison promotion is making more sense. Thanks for the post Heav.

03-27-2005, 12:34 PM	#9
baja It is what it Is. Pay attention. Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 53,869 Adopt-a-Bronco: Buy My Book	Legendary offensive line coach Alex Gibbs has gone back to being a consultant for the Falcons. Gibbs will live in Arizona after training camp is over, and work in Atlanta on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday during the season. "I'd rather have him in this capacity than not have him at all," said Falcons head coach Jim Mora. Ha ha ha - Just pay me Baby and Monday is yours!

03-27-2005, 12:36 PM	#10
baja It is what it Is. Pay attention. Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 53,869 Adopt-a-Bronco: Buy My Book	Or as Willie Nelson says, "If you got the money honey I got the part time"