Nfl Report Wed.

[HEAV]

WR Johnnie Morton was one of only a handful of Chiefs starters absent from the first day of offseason practice Tuesday. Morton’s absence was different because it was at the request of the team. He was excused from all the spring practices, indicating the Chiefs are serious in their intentions to release Morton in June if he doesn’t accept a restructured contract. President/general manager Carl Peterson and coach Dick Vermeil wouldn’t elaborate on Morton’s situation, but Peterson said, “Ask me about it on the second of June.” Morton wasn’t available to speak on the situation, and his agent, David Dunn, didn’t return a phone message. A source familiar with the situation said the Chiefs asked Morton for the second straight year to renegotiate his contract to a lower salary. Like last year, Morton has refused.


WR David Boston was in South Florida Tuesday night and is expected to sign a one-year contract with the Dolphins. Boston, 26, was acquired by Miami before last season but didn't play after tearing the patellar tendon in his left knee during a pre-season practice in Houston, his hometown. Boston completed his rehabilitation before the target date of April 21 and has been running at full speed.


Todd Steussie acknowledged he could be a June 1 salary-cap casualty for the cash-strapped Bucs. GM Bruce Allen didn't rule it out. ``We still have to clear room to sign our rookies,'' Allen said after the first of three days of organized team activities at One Buc Place. ``There's only two ways - restructuring contracts in some form or termination.'' Allen indicated Steussie's involvement in the ongoing investigations won't be a factor in the June 1 decision.


The Saints have reportedly shown interest in former Patriots receiver Troy Brown.


The Lions are in a holding pattern in determining whether to offer a contract to cornerback Ty Law, who met with team officials and took a physical last week. Law, 31, was released by the Patriots in February after 10 seasons with them. He is recovering from surgery to repair a broken left foot. Miami and the Jets also have expressed interest in him. "He's not full speed just yet," Mariucci said. "He can run straight ahead. That's going to progress as he gets closer to the season. He's doing his due diligence to find out who would be interested. We're doing ours to see what kind of health he's in.


CB R.W. McQuarters won't be there, sources said, presaging the end of his Bears career after five seasons. He is expected to be released if the Bears can't make a trade, unlikely given his salary. McQuarters is scheduled to make $3.05 million in 2005, a bit pricey for a punt returner and backup cornerback. Charles Tillman and Jerry Azumah are set as starters, and the Bears already have engaged in preliminary talks to re-sign Azumah, who is scheduled to be a free agent after the 2005 season. Tillman is signed through 2007, and the Bears like the potential of Nathan Vasher, a fourth-round pick last year who led the Bears with five interceptions.


Tommy Maddox, who could potentially become expendable if Charlie Batch elevates his play in training camp after suffering a season-ending knee injury last August, is not thinking about a trade. However, the Steelers have four quarterbacks in Roethlisberger, Maddox, Batch and Brian St. Pierre, and with teams like the Giants and Colts in need of a veteran backup, a deal is not out of the question. "That's not my option," Maddox said of a potential trade. "I work as hard as I can, and do the things that I can do, and if they decide to do something, that's in their court, not mine."


The Saints are expected to re-open talks with Deuce McAllister within the next week. McAllister's agent, Ben Dogra, said he spoke with Mickey Loomis earlier this month about resuming negotiations and hopes to submit a proposal for a multiyear deal to the Saints by next week. The sides conducted preliminary talks before and during last season. "It's our move to try to get something to the Saints," Dogra said. "Deuce wants to be in New Orleans. Hopefully, we can get something done that keeps Deuce there for the rest of his career." McAllister will earn a base salary of $2.3 million this season via an accelerator clause in his original deal that boosted his base pay by $1.75 million. His rookie contract was for six years at $6.25 million.


The Browns may know the full extent of damage to Kellen Winslow Jr.'s right knee today. A team source said that reduced swelling in the knee enabled Winslow to have another magnetic resonance imaging test on Tuesday. Doctors should consult today with the club and Winslow family to determined the next course of action. Winslow probably would opt to get a second opinion before major surgery is scheduled. Winslow injured the knee in a motorcycle accident on May 1. The team has feared Winslow suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament, which would keep him out for the 2005 season. Other undisclosed injuries suffered in the accident were not as serious as the knee.


Although several friends expect Ricky Williams to return to the Dolphins, coach Nick Saban said Tuesday, ''He hasn't given me any indication that he has had any change of mind . . . on coming back.'' Before making a final decision, Williams would like to know whether the NFL will require him to serve a suspension for marijuana use.


After ranking near the bottom of the NFL in sacks each of the past three seasons, the Texans are in desperate need of an outside pass rusher. After being released by the Baltimore Ravens last week, Peter Boulware is an outside linebacker in need of a team. Sounds like a good match. That is, if the Texans are satisfied with the health of Boulware's right knee and toe, which had injuries that contributed to him missing all of last season. There's also the matter of money, which played a part in the Ravens releasing their all-time sack leader. Several other teams are believed to be interested in Boulware, including Cleveland and Seattle.


The Chiefs had one veteran wide receiver, Baltimore’s Kevin Johnson, in for a free-agent visit before the draft, but he signed instead with Detroit. They have yet to make a move for Freddie Mitchell, recently released by Philadelphia. “We’ve discussed him, but we’re not interested at this point,” Carl Peterson said.


Donovin Darius says he will no longer complain about the Jaguars putting the franchise tag on him. The Jacksonville safety, who was critical of the team earlier in the offseason for putting the tag on him for a third consecutive year, made that promise Tuesday after finishing his first practice since rejoining the team last week. Darius, who will play for a guaranteed franchise-tag contract of $4.97 million this year, said he'd have no problem playing for the tag for a fourth consecutive year next season because the tag will rise to $6 million. "I'll be happy. I'll say, 'fine,' and sign it,'' Darius said after apologizing to owner Wayne Weaver and the fans for comments critical of the organization. Darius said he doesn't expect the Jaguars to tag him next year, but conceded he was surprised they did it again this year. Darius said the Vikings were willing to swap the seventh and 21st picks in the first round to get him. The Jaguars' version is that the Vikings also wanted a third-round pick. "Guys are going to say it didn't happen [that the Vikings were willing to take him for a swap of first-round picks]. This is what happened. You've got people [who] are going to put a spin,'' Darius said.





The Jets are out of the cornerback market because Donnie Abraham is back on the team. Not that he ever left. After mulling retirement for several weeks at his home in Tampa, Abraham has informed the Jets that he will report Monday to the offseason program and will participate in next week's on-the-field workouts, his agent, Jack Reale, said yesterday. Abraham intends to play this season, Reale said. The Jets confirmed that Abraham is expected back. Abraham's decision caught many in the organization by surprise. The nine-year veteran, excused from the offseason program while he contemplated his future, appeared to be leaning toward retirement, according to teammates and team officials.


Ravens coach Brian Billick seemed to grow weary answering questions about safety Ed Reed's contract situation. Reed has two years left on his rookie contract and wants a new deal before training camp. Reed is not attending this week's voluntary camp. "We've made it very clear, Ed Reed will have a contract," Billick said. "Ed Reed is going to be a Raven. End of report. Until I hear it different, until I hear it communicated to me differently from anybody, I don't know that it's not that. I have not had anybody tell me [Reed's contract] is an issue. Anybody."


Fakhir Brown became a holdout Tuesday when his agent, Ted Marchibroda Jr., confirmed that the Saints' starting right cornerback wants a new contract and plans to skip the team's coaching-session workouts until a new deal is done. Brown and linebacker Derrick Rodgers are the only veterans who missed the first two days of the practices. Rodgers is excused while rehabilitating his injured back.


The Redskins had interest in free agent linebacker Peter Boulware, but with the team just $1.5 million under the salary cap, his asking price is too steep. "I would say we probably got ruled out," Gibbs said.


Safety Sean Taylor was not present for the start of the Washington Redskins' offseason practices yesterday, but Coach Joe Gibbs said he expects the second-year player to be on hand next month for the mandatory minicamp. Taylor has not returned numerous calls from his coaches, and Gibbs said he is unsure why he is not here but that his absence is not related to his contract.


Bucs star Simeon Rice said he doesn't know why he was the subject of trade rumors before the draft. "I haven't learned anything. Nobody called me and told what's what, what's the standpoint of it, what were the rumors to be, who created it," Rice said. "So it's nothing, it's much to do about nothing. I'm in here to do it real big another year, real big, and that's the only real concern I have. "The game of loyalty, the game of football, all those things are split conversations. You can't really talk about them all in the same breath.


WR Rod Gardner was not expected to be here as the Redskins continue to try and trade him. Joe Gibbs said there is still hope for a trade -- although Gardner's prolonged stint on the trading block points to the contrary. Asked about the possibility of releasing Gardner and saving $2.1 million toward the salary cap, Gibbs said, "We've considered all options and we're going to try to do what we think is best for the team."


First-round draft pick Matt Jones missed the first of the Jaguars' 14 organized team activities (OTAs) Tuesday, and the team is giving no timetable for when he'll be able to return. Coach Jack Del Rio described Jones, who aggravated the strained hamstring last week that he suffered in minicamp on April 29, as "day-to-day.'' He's now missed four practice sessions. Jones was bothered with both groin and hamstring problems last year at Arkansas that limited his practice time, but he played in every game. Even though these practice sessions are only in helmets and shorts, they're valuable for Jones because he's making the transition from quarterback to wide receiver.


LB LaVar Arrington is again visiting with James Andrews in Birmingham with hopes of being ready for July training camp. Barrow is working with specialists in Arizona after missing all of last season with knee ailments. Gibbs said Barrow is likely to begin his rehabilitation at Redskins Park soon, although no date has been set for a return.


The Cowboys knew Chris Canty, a fourth-round draft pick, was going to have a second eye surgery to help repair a detached retina this week. But they were unaware fellow rookie Kevin Burnett would have hip surgery. Burnett, a linebacker, showed up for the team's off-season conditioning program on crutches Monday. According to sources, he had right hip surgery recently. Burnett will not take part in the on-field session scheduled for May 27-29, but he is expected to be ready for training camp in late July.


Listed as the Broncos' backup is veteran Danny Kanell, but the position is unlikely to be settled until well into training camp this summer. His main competition probably will be second- year pro Matt Mauck. Former Colorado State star Bradlee Van Pelt and Chad Friehauf, a 6-foot-6 rookie who starred at Division II Colorado Mines, are hoping to get enough practice reps to impress the Denver coaching staff. "What we are trying to do now is establish a pecking order," coach Mike Shanahan said. "Obviously Danny is the second-team quarterback. But he's got a lot of competition behind him, and we will find out as time goes on if he keeps that position." The Broncos would love for Plummer to take every snap again, but odds are against that. He missed four games in 2003 because of foot and shoulder injuries.


A contrite Todd Steussie said he was happy to be playing again with the Buccaneers but declined to speculate on his future with the team. Steussie spoke to reporters for the first time Tuesday since CBS's 60 Minutes reported March 30 that he and two former Carolina Panthers teammates had prescriptions filled for a banned steroid a week and a half before the Super Bowl in 2004. General manager Bruce Allen said the Bucs have been assured by the NFL that Steussie will not face a suspension or fine for his involvement with a Carolina doctor targeted in a probe by the Drug Enforcement Administration. "We've been assured he won't face any sanctions," Allen said. "I think it's still an ongoing investigation, but (Steussie's) not the target of anything."


The Bengals invested their third- and sixth-round draft picks last month on wide receivers Chris Henry and Tab Perry. Coach Marvin Lewis said Peter Warrick will be on the field when he's healthy. "I'm just going to do what the coaches want me to do," Warrick said. "Deep down, (playing now) is not the smartest thing."

The Jets won't completely rule out the idea of signing Ty Law, but his desire for a long-term contract with a substantial signing bonus appears to have substantially cooled their interest, especially in light of Abraham's return.


GM Phil Savage said the Browns would not make an offer to linebacker Peter Boulware, recently released by Baltimore, until he is examined medically. But no visit to Berea has been set by Boulware.


RB Ontario Smith missed Day 2 of the Vikings' four-day developmental camp Tuesday, but team officials said his absence had nothing to do with "the Original Whizzinator." Smith was stopped April 21 at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport with the device, designed to circumvent drug tests. Coach Mike Tice and Rob Brzezinski, vice president of football operations, said Smith was taking care of some personal NFL business. They declined to comment further, citing league confidentiality. Smith's agent, Doug Hendrickson, declined to discuss details of that business but said it wouldn't keep Smith, a third-year running back, off the practice field for long. "He'll be back (today)," Hendrickson said.

[HEAV]

Michael Bennett will be the Vikings' No. 1 running back entering training camp in Mankato, but that's not to say beleaguered Onterrio Smith couldn't end up No. 1 if he outplays Bennett during the exhibition season and stays out of trouble.


Pssst: At least a couple of NFL teams have expressed interest in Vikings vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski, who has one year remaining on his contract. When Reggie Fowler was the lead prospect to become general partner in an acquisition of the Vikings, his advisers were enamored of Brzezin-ski's work, and it's expected that incoming general partner Zygmunt Wilf also will be.


Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio repeated he still expects Fred Taylor to be ready for training camp and said, "We ask guys to suck it up and play through things and what-not during the season. This is not the time for that. Fred is being very diligent, being here working hard and doing all the things he needs to do.'' Del Rio, though, has tended to be optimistic about Taylor's condition in the past. The day after Taylor suffered the injury in Green Bay, he only said Taylor had "some soreness'' in the knee. After Taylor didn't play against Houston, Del Rio said he "anticipated'' Taylor would play in the season finale in Oakland, but he didn't.


Instead of bulking up during the offseason, Rams safety Adam Archuleta has been beefing up his frequent-flier miles. Archuleta has been making weekly commutes from Phoenix to Los Angeles for rehab work on the herniated disc in his back, an injury that shackled his run-and-hit style for much of the 2004 season. During a break Tuesday in organized team activities at Rams Park, Archuleta reported significant progress. "Let's put it this way: Compared to where I was during the season, I'm about 6,000 percent better," he said. Still, he's not ready for the rigors of the NFL. It remains uncertain when that day will come.


Ty Warren's list of offseason priorities is headed by one simple goal: Play more. While Warren established himself as a productive starting defensive end last year, the problem for the 2003 first-round pick (No. 13 overall) was that he was rarely on the field to close the deal. Warren took over Bobby Hamilton's role, which meant he came to the sideline in favor of a pass rusher (usually Jarvis Green) on third downs and passing situations. This spring, Warren is working on his quickness and pass rushing moves in hopes of convincing the coaches to let him join Richard Seymour as the only three-down player on the defensive line.


The realization hit Anthony Wright a month ago and is being confirmed during this week's inaugural passing camp. The injured right shoulder, which caused the Ravens quarterback so much physical and mental pain last season, is fully healed. The velocity on his throws is back, the soreness that hampered his arm is nowhere to be found and the opportunity for him to lead the team again - as he did in 2003 when starter Kyle Boller went down with an injury - may arise this fall. "My arm feels great," said Wright, who had his shoulder surgically repaired a year ago. "I'm not having any soreness or anything wrong with it. I'm just ready to start getting some contact. I'm excited about getting back with the team. If I'm called upon, I'll be able to come in and do whatever is needed of me."


While he says he loves Pittsburgh and playing for the Steelers, Tommy Maddox knows it's unlikely he will fulfill his wish of starting again here unless Ben Roethlisberger gets hurt. "I'm 33 years old and feel good and feel young, and guys are playing longer and longer, especially at this position," Maddox said. "We've seen in the past that in their mid-30s there have been guys at this position start playing pretty good. I'm excited about the future."


It turns out Tommy Maddox has more things in common with Ben Roethlisberger than playing quarterback for the Steelers. Maddox also rides a Harley-Davidson motorcycle without wearing a helmet. Maddox said while he does offer counsel to the quarterback who took his starting job from him, it would be difficult to recommend he wear a helmet when he rides. "I don't wear one either," Maddox said. "I've ridden one for four years, and it was no big deal until what's-his-face wrecked."




Surrounded by so much talent — receivers Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, tailback Rudi Johnson and a veteran offensive line — Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer feels like a kid with a wad of cash in a candy store. "I couldn't be happier," Palmer said Tuesday after the club's first voluntary on-field practice session with the coaching staff at Paul Brown Stadium. "We've got a powerful running game and a finesse, fast passing game. So it's going to be exciting. It's going to be explosive."


GM Ernie Accorsi, when asked if the Giants were taking a gamble by relying on the largely untested Tim Hasselbeck and Jesse Palmer, said, "Life is a gamble - and so is all of football." But entering the season with Hasselbeck and Palmer as the only backups may represent an even greater risk than usual. The Giants have had back-to-back years with at least 10 losses, and the coming season is a crucial one. And in a weak National Football Conference in which a .500 record was enough for two teams to secure a playoff berth last year, the Giants' fortunes may hinge on two or three games on their schedule. Should Eli Manning be lost for any significant time next season, the Giants would have to rely on two backups (Hasselbeck and Palmer) with a combined starting record of 1-7.


Is one reason why retired star tight end Shannon Sharpe seems to delight in ripping injured Browns TE Kellen Winslow Jr. because the notoriously vain Sharpe fears if Winslow lives up to his considerable promise, he may totally smash Sharpe's NFL records for tight ends? Hmmm. Well, more than a few football folks whisper the answer is, "Yes" - but we've had no luck getting one at all from Sharpe, a popular NFL analyst for CBS and Sirius Satellite Radio. Sharpe holds NFL records for most receptions (815), yards (10,060) and touchdowns (62) among tight ends. Since Winslow's recent motorcycle accident, which resulted in numerous injuries, Sharpe has criticized the second-year Browns player as someone who "doesn't think" - and openly questioned the hype about Winslow's talent.


Nick Saban believes giving a college free agent who is trying to overcome a troubled past the chance to play for the Dolphins is more important than any negative publicity the franchise may receive with Monday's signing of safety Abram Elam. A former standout at Cardinal Newman High, Elam was one of four Notre Dame football players charged with sexually assaulting a female student in March 2002. Elam was the only one of the four convicted of any charges, receiving an 18-month suspended sentence, two years probation and 200 hours of community service as the sentence for felony sexual battery. Elam was acquitted on charges of conspiracy to commit rape and criminal deviate conduct.


People who know rate cornerback Antoine Winfield the Vikings' best defensive player and nearly the equal of quarterback Daunte Culpepper as the team's most valuable player.


So apparently Peyton Manning is finally able to joke about the fact that Tom Brady and the New England Patriots are his daddies. Because the Colts QB told a self-deprecating Brady joke that's been making the rounds during a pre-graduation speech at Emory University, the Atlanta-Journal Constitution reports. In case you haven't heard it, the two-time MVP dies and goes to heaven where he's shown to a modest house with a faded Colts flag. Next door is a mansion all decked out in Patriots regalia. So Manning asks God why Brady gets a dreamhouse and he, once again, gets the shaft. God replies, ``That's not Tom Brady's house, that's my house.''
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The Green Bay Packers will sell tickets for "Family Night" starting at 10 a.m. June 4, the team announced Tuesday. The feature of "Family Night," scheduled for Aug. 5, will be a scrimmage between the Packers and the Buffalo Bills at Lambeau Field. Tickets will be priced at $8.

[SouthStndJunkie]

The Browns may know the full extent of damage to Kellen Winslow Jr.'s right knee today. A team source said that reduced swelling in the knee enabled Winslow to have another magnetic resonance imaging test on Tuesday. Doctors should consult today with the club and Winslow family to determined the next course of action. Winslow probably would opt to get a second opinion before major surgery is scheduled. Winslow injured the knee in a motorcycle accident on May 1. The team has feared Winslow suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament, which would keep him out for the 2005 season. Other undisclosed injuries suffered in the accident were not as serious as the knee.

If it took this long for the swelling to go down, then it is probably the ACL.

SSJ

[BroncoManCanuck]

IT would be nice to get Troy Brown.

[SoCalBronco]

good report, thanks heav.