Do we need more geriatrics? Tim Browm may be released... - Dallas Cowboys Forum

Cajuncowboy · 08-03-2004

Maybe he and Vinny can get the aarp rates on road trips if they room together.

http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports...11155821c.html

Tim Brown, working out Monday at the Raiders' training camp in Napa, turned out to be a real catch for the team as a No. 1 pick in 1988.

Sacramento Bee/Michael A. Jones

Brown's status is up in the air
A source says the Raiders might waive the probable Hall of Fame receiver soon.
By Gregg Bell -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Tuesday, August 3, 2004
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NAPA - Raiders owner/uber authority Al Davis made his first appearance at the team's four-day-old training camp Monday morning.
As the 75-year-old patriarch watched practice, none of the 90-plus Raiders in camp was more eager to see "The Man" than wide receiver Tim Brown.

A certain Hall of Famer - third all-time in NFL receptions (1,070) and second all-time in receiving yards (14,734) behind teammate Jerry Rice - Brown has been on the Raiders' first team this week, just as he has for the previous 13 years.

But Brown's starting status - and perhaps his Silver-and-Black career - is in limbo. And the lifetime Raider would rather be in his hometown of Dallas, maybe even in Cowboys blue, than in limbo.

Brown said he was scheduled to meet with Davis on Monday night. Concerning what he would ask Davis, Brown said, "I'm not asking anything. I didn't call the meeting."

A source within the organization said the Raiders are considering waiving Brown before the end of the preseason.

Brown turned 38 last month and is coming off a 52-catch season, his lowest output since 1992. His 567 receiving yards were his fewest since 1991. He scored just two touchdowns for the second consecutive season, his fewest since missing all but one game of 1989 with a injury.

Since Friday, the team's No. 1 draft choice in 1988 has waited for Davis to arrive for a rare summit meeting at the highest elevation of Raider Nation, a power powwow between final decision-maker and his 17-year, record-setting, franchise cornerstone.

Brown has refused to speak to the media so far, unusual given that for years, he has articulately and insightfully talked about an array of team and league issues. He originally said he would talk after last weekend. Then Sunday night, as he walked off the practice field and signed autographs in the parking lot on his way into the Napa Valley Marriott, Brown said the reason he hadn't spoken publicly was he needed to talk to the "higher-ups."

Brown added he hoped to speak with Davis on Sunday night or Monday.

Davis appeared Monday morning. Then Brown said, when asked after practice if he would speak as originally promised: "No, no, not today. Definitely tomorrow, though."

The Raiders gave Brown a six-year contract extension worth about $30 million before the 2003 season, but that was done for salary-cap purposes, to restructure his signing bonus money further into the future. His $760,000 base salary for 2004 isn't guaranteed, per the NFL norm. Brown has said he has renegotiated his contract at least 12 times in his 17 seasons, to help the Raiders create money used to sign other players.

The elephant in the corner of this Raiders camp has been Brown's on-field appearance. He appears to have gained some girth in his torso over the offseason. He also has taken himself out of drills for a play, or three. Once Saturday, during a drill between receivers and defensive backs, Brown waved off a more experienced cornerback in exchange for running a route against undrafted free agent James Bethea.

Brown appears to be running with a somewhat plodding gait and with considerably more effort than he has in the past. Still, first-year Raiders coach Norv Turner said last weekend that "Tim's weight is good, and I think Tim's running well."

Indeed, Brown looked as fluid as he has all camp during Monday's second practice, and Davis watched every play from about 10 yards away.

Brown has watched a stable of young receivers receive more practice time, though, with starting quarterback Rich Gannon and second-string passer Kerry Collins. Turner said that is by design, that Brown and Rice don't need the work the younger receivers do.

This is the season heir apparent Jerry Porter, healed from a 2003 torn groin, will seek maximum production - for maximum profit. He can become an unrestricted free agent after 2004.

Plus, Turner has spent the last three months talking up the progress of second-year wideout Doug Gabriel, who has seen increased time with the top offense. Alvis Whitted and converted quarterback Ronald Curry are still developing. Add to that the Raiders drafting receivers Carlos Francis (who had the rookie combine's fastest 40-yard dash time at 4.3 seconds in February) in the fourth round and lanky Johnnie Morant in the fifth, and the word "change" might as well be posted on the mirror in Brown's bathroom.

Turner maintained Monday that "Tim is doing a lot of good things."

"First of all, he's a great role model for the young receivers - not only a role model in terms of how to approach this game but the techniques of playing. I think he's off to a good start in camp. And experience is good."

Turner said Brown hasn't asked him about his role on this team.

"Obviously, the more things you do real well, the more opportunities you're going to have," Turner said. "Again, it's real early I think to be having these conversations."

When asked if Brown's mentoring of the younger receivers weighs in to any decision on his role, Turner said, "There's a lot of things that weigh in. But again, I think that's premature in terms of where we are."

dbair1967 · 08-03-2004

Tim Brown, man he was really good....10-15 years ago

David

chargrove · 08-03-2004

No way even w/ our current cast of WR's. No. No.

**BrAinPaiNt** · 08-03-2004

The guy was one of the greats....but at this time what we have is better.

Oh a few years ago I was really hoping he would have came to dallas....not interested now.

Hostile · 08-03-2004

This too shall pass.

LaTunaNostra · 08-03-2004

No thanks. Even in still photos Brown and Rice are starting to look like the Stones ancient guitarists Keith Richard and Ron Woods. They have that mummified look about them, and probably also need transfusions.

joseephuss · 08-03-2004

Bring him on to be an assistant coach.

Hostile · 08-03-2004

I just saw what was I thought a still photo of Tim Brown in a football stance. Turns out it was normal speed video. At 80 it is hard to run fast.

joseephuss · 08-03-2004

How would his social security benefits count against the salary cap?

Wulfman · 08-03-2004

Okay, since everyone else is unanimous against the possibility, I'll play devil's advocate and throw out a possible positive.

Parcells wants a punt returner that can get the job done play after play, and who can also contribute from time to time as a receiver. And a veteran may be able to do that with more consistency--and more reliability--than a rookie.

That's why Dedric Ward is here, after all. No one expects him to even challenge for playing time against any of the top three receivers, and his hope is to make the roster as a fourth WR who returns punts. Given those two choices, Ward or Brown, it's a tough call. Ward is younger, and will have more to give. But if Brown is only given a limited number of plays, I think the wear and tear would be minimal. And, from a receiving perspective, Brown is still hands down a better receiver than Ward. And, as a locker room presence, the balance between the volatile Keyshawn and the high-class reserve of Brown could be something special...not to mention what AB may be able to learn from him.

The one thing you sacrifice by bringing in another veteran is playing time and/or a roster spot for a young guy who can develop. Patrick Crayton seems to be a guy who is catching some eyes as a punt returner, and who also shows he might be able to contribute as a reciever. But there are also guys like Randal "I'm a reciever but don't catch" Williams and special teams hopefuls like S Tom Crowder and CB Nathan Jones who might get squeezed out by such a move.

I don't think Parcells will make a move to get him, but if he's willing to come home to Dallas for the veteran minimum, it will be a tough call. And really, nothing should surprise us with Parcells anymore. A guy who's not afraid to sign a 40-year old QB liekly wouldn't hesitate to sign a 38-year old receiver if he can help the team.

**BrAinPaiNt** · 08-03-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wulfman

Okay, since everyone else is unanimous against the possibility, I'll play devil's advocate and throw out a possible positive.

Parcells wants a punt returner that can get the job done play after play, and who can also contribute from time to time as a receiver. And a veteran may be able to do that with more consistency--and more reliability--than a rookie.

[View Full Quote]

One other thing that would be a factor...the amount of money Brown would have to get as a veteran who has been in the league for so long...compared to the money of a Ward or Crayton.

Wulfman · 08-03-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrAinPaiNt

One other thing that would be a factor...the amount of money Brown would have to get as a veteran who has been in the league for so long...compared to the money of a Ward or Crayton.

Two things make this less of an issue, BP. One, the league rule that was put in last year allows a team to pay a veteran more than the minimum, but only count the minimum against the cap. Two, Mike Ditka said that Parcells just told him yesterday that the Cowboys still have about $6 mil in cap space, and that's why they were able to go out and get a guy like Eddie George. He also said Parcells told him that they wouldn't hesitate to go get someone else if they would help the team.

Hostile · 08-03-2004

Dale said Dedric Ward is impressive returning punts.

Nors · 08-03-2004

That we do not need

Yeagermeister · 08-03-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hostile

Dale said Dedric Ward is impressive returning punts.

YEAH!!!!! Let's get another one of those. We don't have enough

I wouldn't be against bringing him in to replace Ward.