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Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker
At least two NFL head coaches are impressed with today's rule change that will allow a defensive player to wear a communication system inside their helmet.
Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis and coach Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints were both for the ruling at the league meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla.
"It kind of gives a degree of equity to the defense,'' Lewis said. "I think that there's still going to be an opportunity where you have to signal and be prepared. But I do think it will enable some communication and even enhance some young players earlier.''
One player, most likely a linebacker, will wear a specially made helmet equipped with a communication device. A backup player also will be designated with a communication helmet, in addition to his regular helmet, in case the starter is injured.
"I think it is good,'' Payton said of the new system. "I'm sure they'll be little glitches we have to work through, but I'm glad it passed.''
Head set, NFL meeting, Marvin Lewis, Sean Payton, defense
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Savage extension near
April 1, 2008 11:18 AM
Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker
Cleveland Browns general manager Phil Savage said today at the league meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla., that he expects to receive a multiyear contract extension with the team "over the next few weeks.''
Savage, who helped spearhead the Browns to a 10-6 record in 2007, is under contract for two more years. He would join head coach Romeo Crennel and offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski as recent decision-makers to earn contract extensions with Cleveland.
"I think it will be taken care of and I'm not really concerned about it,'' Savage said. "[Owner Randy Lerner] has his Premier [soccer] team going and we have this going, so it's kind of hard to carve out a time. But I think we will over the next few weeks, I would say.''
Phil Savage, Cleveland Browns, NFL meeting, Romeo Crennel, Rob Chudzinski
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Why the Colts don't spend big on corners
April 1, 2008 10:21 AM
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
Colts coach Tony Dungy played defensive back in the NFL, but he would put his money on pass-rushers over cornerbacks every time. "Bill [Polian] and I talk about that," Dungy said from the league meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla. "If you had that choice, you've got to go with the front people because they are harder to find and they have more of an impact on the game."
The Colts are not lavish spenders in free agency. When they do spend big on veteran players, cornerbacks aren't a high priority. Their scheme requires the front four to get pressure, while placing fewer demands on corners in coverage. Oakland, Denver, San Francisco and Green Bay are among the teams that have spent heavily on cornerbacks, with mixed results.
The Packers have great depth on their defensive line, a key to their success on that side of the ball.
NFL meeting, Tony Dungy, cornerbacks
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Mangini sees another Mo Lewis in Pace
April 1, 2008 10:10 AM
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando Jets coach Eric Mangini, holding court at the league meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla., explained why his team invested so much in Calvin Pace, a player who cashed in after a productive 2007 season for Arizona.
"He reminded me a lot of Mo Lewis on tape: big, strong, fast, fluid guy," Mangini said at the league meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla. "For a guy that size, not just height but weight, as fluid as he was, that was the player comparison that came to mind right away."
Lewis is best known for delivering the 2001 hit that knocked out Drew Bledsoe and cleared the way for Tom Brady to take over as Patriots quarterback. The Jets held Brady to season lows in passing yards (140), touchdowns (0), completions (14), completion percentage (51.9), yards per attempt (5.2) and passer rating (51.5) when the teams played in December. They still lost the game, 20-10, on their way to a 4-12 season. They were aggressive this offseason, and their investment in Pace was significant
"He played outside, he put his hand down on third down and he played sub-end, which is consistent with what we do, " Mangini said. "He played in the middle in some of their substitute defenses, like a buck rover type position. To see him in all those different spots [was important]. The other thing that was impressive was to watch him on punt coverage. To see a guy like that run down and make plays in the open field and get the punt returner, for that size, is pretty impressive.
Then to get to know him, talk to him, smart guy. It was really important to him as to what his roles would be, what type of game planning we did each week. That stuff excites him."
NFL meeting, Calvin Pace, Mo Lewis, Eric Mangini, Jets, Tom Brady, Patriots
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Kiffin covers ground on draft, QB
April 1, 2008 10:04 AM
Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson
In addition to talking extensively about his own situation for the first time this offseason, Raiders coach Lane Kiffin riffed about several topics this morning during his media breakfast session at the league meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla.:
NFL meeting, Raiders, Lane Kiffin, Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden, JaMarcus Russell, Javon Walker, Broncos, Chris Long, Glenn Dorsey, Sedrick Ellis
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Bills plan to quicken pace, trust Edwards more
April 1, 2008 9:49 AM
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
Bills coach Dick Jauron envisions an offense with a faster tempo and more three-step drops. He thinks such an approach will help out his offensive line while playing to the strengths of his quarterbacks. "It makes sense for a lot of reasons," Jauron said. "Trent [Edwards] does get the ball out quickly. J.P. [Losman] can get it out quickly and be accurate. It will help our offensive line. It will change the tempo of the game."
The Bills value intelligence as much as any team. Recently retired GM and former coach Marv Levy was as erudite as any executive in the league. Jauron is another Ivy Leaguer. Offensive coordinator Turk Schonert is a Stanford guy. Edwards, also from Stanford, appeals to Jauron on that level.
"To make the decisions that we've made about him, to insert him as our No. 1, was a big step for us and for him," Jauron said. "We've put a lot of faith in him."
More from Jauron on Edwards: "He is a very bright guy. I think he is a quick learner. He can take another step forward once you've told him something. He has a good feel for the game. He's got a sense of what he wants to have happen on the field. I'm not talking about play-calling. I feel like if you ask him, he'll probably have an idea. Sometimes when a player comes to the sideline, you might say, 'What do you want?' And they are all different. Even the really good ones. I've heard guys say, 'Whatever you want,' and you feel pretty good about that. Sometimes they'll look at you like they don't want to be part of it. ... He's got confidence.
He's got a good demeanor. He's had it since Day One. It's not anything we've taught him. He has grown with the system and the changes will accommodate him, too. We'll have more options to get us into right plays at the right time."
NFL meeting, Dick Jauron, Trent Edwards
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Turner still has L.T.'s back
April 1, 2008 9:37 AM
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
Chargers coach Norv Turner, speaking from the league meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla., was again quick to defend LaDainian Tomlinson after the MVP running back made only a brief appearance in the AFC title game before sitting out with an injury.
"Anyone who knows L.T. and what he has accomplished knows if he could have played, he would have played," Turner said. "If that injury would have happened in Week 2, he probably would have missed six weeks. He tried to come back and play in a week. He gets hurt again on the second play (of the AFC title game). The disappointment L.T. showed was real. You play as many years he has, you've done all the individual things he has done, here you have a chance to go to the Super Bowl and you can't be a part of it. It's hard."
NFL meeting, LaDainian Tomlinson, Norv Turner
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Fisher confident in proposed system's integrity
April 1, 2008 9:31 AM
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
As a defensive-minded head coach and co-chair of the competition committee, Jeff Fisher is a leading figure in the move to arm defenses with the technology offenses use to communicate with quarterbacks during games.
Amid league-wide concerns over spying, Fisher said he is "very confident" in the integrity of these communications. Motorola provides headset technology through Control Dynamics Corporation, and teams can choose from 268 million encryption codes each week, the league said.
"We've got scanning devices to determine whether or not there are any irregularities or anything like that," Fisher said. "We spot-check systems and we don't anticipate any problems."
The league oversees unannounced equipment checks at stadiums. "I know they have increased over the last couple years, significantly, and we have not had any problems in the last few years," Fisher said.
Even if the defensive communications system is implemented, teams will continue to use hand signals some of the time, Fisher said.
NFL meeting, Jeff Fisher, Control Dynamics Corporation
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Belichick, Sparano part of balanced breakfast
April 1, 2008 8:53 AM
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
New England's Bill Belichick and Miami's Tony Sparano drew the most reporters over breakfast at the NFL's annual spring meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla., this morning. The league made AFC coaches available to media over breakfast this morning, with each coach holding court at his own table. NFC coaches are available over breakfast tomorrow.
Our own Pat Yasinskas will have a full report from Belichick's session after camping out at his table this morning. I dropped by Sparano's session for a while, but mostly he drew local reporters eager for a rare interview opportunity. We'll provide a few highlights from the various coaches as the morning progresses.
NFL meeting, Bill Belichick, Tony Sparano
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Hair apparently not a huge priority
March 31, 2008 5:49 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson
The Kansas City Chiefs' proposal to ban hair past players' helmets might be headed toward being tabled at the NFL owners meeting this week in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Competition committee member Rick McKay, president of the Atlanta Falcons, reiterated what NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said earlier in the day about needing more information about the issue. Like Goodell, McKay said the competition committee would like to poll players about the Chiefs' proposal before proceeding. Although McKay said the issue will be discussed Tuesday, he hinted that, because more fact finding needs to be done, there is potential for the proposal to be tabled until the May meeting or even until next year.
McKay also made it clear that the hairy situation is not the competition committee's idea but the Chiefs'. McKay said the proposal reads as though it is a uniform issue, not a safety concern.
McKay said the idea of curbing flowing hair was talked about among competition committee members about five years ago, but it didn't build up steam because the committee ruled that opponents may tackle players by the hair if it is hanging past the helmet. Proponents of the Chiefs' proposal like it because they think hair shouldn't block the view of a player's name on the back of his jersey.
However, unless there is a major momentum change, it appears the Chiefs might have to live with their pet peeve for a while longer.
NFL meeting
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Complete draft order finally available
March 31, 2008 5:21 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
The announcement of compensatory picks at the NFL meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla., allowed the league to release its full 2008 draft order.
I've placed the information in an Excel file that allows picks to be sorted by round, overall pick, team, how acquired and whether a pick was compensatory. This makes the information usable instead of just viewable, always a bonus. The file also shows where teams would have picked had they not forfeited selections or used them in the supplemental draft.
NFL meeting, NFL draft
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Roster expansion not likely
March 31, 2008 5:04 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas
Don't look for long-snappers to be singled out more than they already are.
Although there's a proposal by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to expand game-day rosters from 46 to 47 players, including a designated long-snapper, it probably won't happen. The proposal might be discussed more here at the owners meeting, but the competition committee, which usually is the first hurdle before any rules change, has not endorsed the idea.
NFL meeting
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Ravens at home with compensatory picks
March 31, 2008 4:18 PM
By ESPN.com's James Walker
The Baltimore Ravens today became an even larger player in next month's NFL draft.
At the league meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla., the Ravens were awarded the league maximum of four compensatory picks, which have become a staple in Baltimore.
No NFL team has earned more compensatory draft picks since 1994 than the Ravens, who have reaped 29, and general manager Ozzie Newsome is known around the league to be one of the best at scouting talent.
By rule, a team that loses "more or better compensatory free agents than it acquires in a year" is eligible. Last year, Baltimore lost Adalius Thomas, Aubrayo Franklin, Ovie Mughelli and Tony Pashos without adding any qualifying free agents.
The Ravens' highest compensatory pick will be No. 99 overall, toward the end of the third round. They also have an additional pick in the fourth, sixth and seventh rounds.
NFL meeting, Ravens, Ozzie Newsome, NFL draft, compensatory picks
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Bengals get into compensatory game
March 31, 2008 4:14 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
After picking up only seven compensatory draft choices since the NFL began handing them out in 1994, the Bengals landed four today at the league meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla., matching Baltimore for the league high.
The Bengals could be in line for additional compensatory picks in 2009 after watching Alex Stepanovich, Landon Johnson, Justin Smith and Madieu Williams leave as unrestricted free agents this month. The league awards compensatory picks to teams that suffer net losses in free agency. The Bengals have signed only one UFA from another team this offseason: Antwan Odom.
The Bengals picked up the 97th, 207th, 244th and 246th choices as compensatory picks in the 2008 draft after losing Kevin Kaesviharn, Eric Steinbach, Tony Stewart, Kelley Washington and Anthony Wright (Michael Myers was their only signing)
The Bengals last used the 97th choice when they drafted running back Curtis Keaton from James Madison in 2000. Keaton played in 19 games for the Bengals and six for the Saints during a three-year NFL career. The last five players taken 97th: Florida defensive lineman Ray McDonald (49ers), Michigan State defensive back Eric Smith (Jets), Maryland cornerback Domonique Foxworth (Broncos), Auburn linebacker Reggie Torbor (Giants) and Texas quarterback Chris Simms (Bucs).
Teams cannot trade compensatory picks.
NFL meeting, Bengals, NFL draft, compensatory picks
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Fins' sale approved, but Huizenga around for now
March 31, 2008 3:11 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando Stephen Ross can eventually take a 95 percent ownership stake in the Miami Dolphins after NFL owners unanimously approved the team's sale today.
Longtime owner Wayne Huizenga will remain in charge as managing general partner during a transition period that could take one or more years, Ross and Huizenga said today. The sale, approved at the league meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla., is based on a $1.1 billion valuation of the franchise. Ninety-five percent of $1.1 billion would be $1.045 billion.
If Huizenga passes away -- a subject he joked about today -- the agreement gives Huizenga's family one year to decide whether to hold on to the 5 percent stake in the team. A reporter asked Huizenga whether the sale's timing was designed to beat expected changes to the estate tax, which could go into effect in 2010. "I'm not going to die in 2010, believe me," 70-year-old Huizenga quipped.
Huizenga was in a kidding mood even though he described the sale as bittersweet. Standing at a podium with Ross, Huizenga joked that he was the only NFL owner to vote against the sale. On a more serious note, he said the sale had nothing to do with potential changes in capital gains taxes, or anything else along those lines.
"I'm proud to be an American and I'm proud to pay my taxes, so that doesn't bother me a bit," Huizenga said.
Why sell? The Dolphins' 1-15 record last season presumably made ownership a little less enjoyable, but Huizenga talked more about the longer term. "My kids like being part of the Dolphins, but not enough where anyone wants to run it," he said. "I think it's the right thing for our family to do at this stage of our lives."
Ross isn't much younger than Huizenga, but clearly he's more excited about ownership than Huizenga is. That is natural because Huizenga has been an NFL owner for nearly two decades but Ross is just getting started, both said. Ross said his ownership style will be similar to Huizenga's, meaning he won't be meddling with executive vice president Bill Parcells.
NFL meeting, Dolphins, Wayne Huizinga, Stephen Ross
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Thompson: 'We will move on together'
March 31, 2008 2:42 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson
Green Bay general manager Ted Thompson, speaking at the NFL meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla., said he believes the state of Wisconsin is recovering from the hangover created by Brett Favre's sudden retirement, which he floored Packer Nation with earlier this month.
"We have the greatest fans I've ever been around," Thompson said Monday. "They will stick with the Packers. Yes, it is going to be strange for them not to see No. 4 there anymore, but we are all going to get through it."
Thompson, whose team has been assembled in still-chilly Green Bay for the past two weeks for offseason conditioning, said he believes the team will show the fans that the post-Favre life will be manageable.
"It'll be up to everyone, not just Aaron Rodgers," Thomson said. "This team will be fine. We will move on together."
Packers, Brett Favre, Ted Thompson, NFL meeting
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Packers still a prime-time attraction
March 31, 2008 2:13 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas
Green Bay's first game without Brett Favre is just as marketable as the last 200-plus the quarterback played with the Packers.
The debut of new quarterback Aaron Rodgers will be one of the showcase games the first week of the NFL season. The league just announced its national television schedule for opening week, and the Packers drew a prime slot.
Green Bay will host Minnesota on Sept. 8 in a Monday night game on ESPN. That game will start at 7 ET and will be followed by Denver at Oakland at 10:15.
The Super Bowl champion Giants will host the Commanders in the opening game of the season Thursday, Sept. 4, on NBC. The Colts will host the Bears in a Sunday night (Sept. 7) game on NBC.
Green Bay's first game since Favre's retirement will mark the first time another quarterback has started for the team since 1992. Rodgers has been with the Packers since he was drafted in the first round in 2005, but has attempted only 59 passes.
"The rivalry between the Packers and Vikings is obviously a big deal, as are all our other games with the other teams in our division,'' Packers general manager Ted Thompson said. "Throw in the fact it's the season opener and a Monday night game, and that makes it even bigger. We're excited about opening the season that way.''
NFL schedule, Packers, Aaron Rodgers, NFL meeting
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Gruden bristles at tampering talk
March 31, 2008 1:01 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
Bucs coach Jon Gruden strongly denied the implication that his team tampered with prospective free agents, an issue Chiefs coach Herm Edwards raised recently. "Who said what, I don't know," Gruden said moments ago.
"But we didn't tamper with anybody." Asked what Edwards said here at the NFL meetings, Gruden said, "I'm not getting into it. There is no issue. I like Herm a lot. There is no issue at all." At this point, it became clear that Gruden, speaking to a small group of reporters at the league meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla., was finished with the subject.
NFL meeting, tampering, Bucs, Jon Gruden, Herm Edwards, Chiefs
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Giants' top 'fireman' expects Umenyiora in camp
March 31, 2008 12:48 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
Giants general manager Jerry Reese, here in West Palm Beach, Fla., for the league meetings, said he expects Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora to be in camp, counter to rumblings about a potential holdout. A couple of New York's free agents commanded large paydays coming off the team's Super Bowl victory. The Giants let them go instead of paying inflated prices.
Umenyiora might fall into a different category as a core player. "I expect Osi to be fine," Reese said. "I don't expect a holdout from Osi."
Reese equated his job to that of a fireman. "Situations arise," he said. "That is part of the job. My office is kind of like the fire department. You put out fires every day. That's what we do. That's what I do. You have to make some tough decisions sometimes." Reese was not referring specifically to Umenyiora's situation when making that characterization.
As for defensive end Michael Strahan, who may or may not retire, Reese said, "My gut feeling is that he will come back."
NFL meeting, Giants, Jerry Reese, Osi Umenyiora, Michael Strahan
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Broncos revive pursuit of Jets' Robertson
March 31, 2008 12:31 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson
As the NFL meetings get going, the Broncos are starting to revive their interest in Jets defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson.
The Broncos were close to dealing for Robertson in mid-March, but the talks stalled when the team suddenly fired general manager Ted Sundquist on March 12. Sundquist was the point man in the talks with the Jets.
With Sundquist out of the picture and Denver still needing a force in the middle of its young front four, the team again is considering making a deal for Robertson, sources told ESPN.com. Robertson is a talented player who doesn't fit in the Jets' scheme.
Still, finalizing a deal will be difficult for Denver. Robertson's contract will have to be restructured, and the team has been in on-again, off-again talks with his agent, Hadley Engelhard, for several weeks. Robertson is due a $3 million bonus in June and has a salary-cap number of about $11 million for this season.
Denver would have to redo the deal to make it worthwhile financially, especially with the team in a cost-conscious mode this offseason.
The Broncos are said not to be overly concerned about Robertson's knee problem. The issue was serious enough, however, to negatively affect a potential trade early in March that would have sent Robertson to Cincinnati for two middle-round picks.
At this point, it seems, the only hurdle standing in the way of Denver's making its biggest splash of the offseason is needing to come to an agreement with Robertson financially.
At least two NFL head coaches are impressed with today's rule change that will allow a defensive player to wear a communication system inside their helmet.
Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis and coach Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints were both for the ruling at the league meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla.
"It kind of gives a degree of equity to the defense,'' Lewis said. "I think that there's still going to be an opportunity where you have to signal and be prepared. But I do think it will enable some communication and even enhance some young players earlier.''
One player, most likely a linebacker, will wear a specially made helmet equipped with a communication device. A backup player also will be designated with a communication helmet, in addition to his regular helmet, in case the starter is injured.
"I think it is good,'' Payton said of the new system. "I'm sure they'll be little glitches we have to work through, but I'm glad it passed.''
Head set, NFL meeting, Marvin Lewis, Sean Payton, defense
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Savage extension near
April 1, 2008 11:18 AM
Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker
Cleveland Browns general manager Phil Savage said today at the league meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla., that he expects to receive a multiyear contract extension with the team "over the next few weeks.''
Savage, who helped spearhead the Browns to a 10-6 record in 2007, is under contract for two more years. He would join head coach Romeo Crennel and offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski as recent decision-makers to earn contract extensions with Cleveland.
"I think it will be taken care of and I'm not really concerned about it,'' Savage said. "[Owner Randy Lerner] has his Premier [soccer] team going and we have this going, so it's kind of hard to carve out a time. But I think we will over the next few weeks, I would say.''
Phil Savage, Cleveland Browns, NFL meeting, Romeo Crennel, Rob Chudzinski
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Why the Colts don't spend big on corners
April 1, 2008 10:21 AM
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
Colts coach Tony Dungy played defensive back in the NFL, but he would put his money on pass-rushers over cornerbacks every time. "Bill [Polian] and I talk about that," Dungy said from the league meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla. "If you had that choice, you've got to go with the front people because they are harder to find and they have more of an impact on the game."
The Colts are not lavish spenders in free agency. When they do spend big on veteran players, cornerbacks aren't a high priority. Their scheme requires the front four to get pressure, while placing fewer demands on corners in coverage. Oakland, Denver, San Francisco and Green Bay are among the teams that have spent heavily on cornerbacks, with mixed results.
The Packers have great depth on their defensive line, a key to their success on that side of the ball.
NFL meeting, Tony Dungy, cornerbacks
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Mangini sees another Mo Lewis in Pace
April 1, 2008 10:10 AM
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando Jets coach Eric Mangini, holding court at the league meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla., explained why his team invested so much in Calvin Pace, a player who cashed in after a productive 2007 season for Arizona.
"He reminded me a lot of Mo Lewis on tape: big, strong, fast, fluid guy," Mangini said at the league meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla. "For a guy that size, not just height but weight, as fluid as he was, that was the player comparison that came to mind right away."
Lewis is best known for delivering the 2001 hit that knocked out Drew Bledsoe and cleared the way for Tom Brady to take over as Patriots quarterback. The Jets held Brady to season lows in passing yards (140), touchdowns (0), completions (14), completion percentage (51.9), yards per attempt (5.2) and passer rating (51.5) when the teams played in December. They still lost the game, 20-10, on their way to a 4-12 season. They were aggressive this offseason, and their investment in Pace was significant
"He played outside, he put his hand down on third down and he played sub-end, which is consistent with what we do, " Mangini said. "He played in the middle in some of their substitute defenses, like a buck rover type position. To see him in all those different spots [was important]. The other thing that was impressive was to watch him on punt coverage. To see a guy like that run down and make plays in the open field and get the punt returner, for that size, is pretty impressive.
Then to get to know him, talk to him, smart guy. It was really important to him as to what his roles would be, what type of game planning we did each week. That stuff excites him."
NFL meeting, Calvin Pace, Mo Lewis, Eric Mangini, Jets, Tom Brady, Patriots
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Kiffin covers ground on draft, QB
April 1, 2008 10:04 AM
Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson
In addition to talking extensively about his own situation for the first time this offseason, Raiders coach Lane Kiffin riffed about several topics this morning during his media breakfast session at the league meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla.:
- No go on McFadden? Because of a surplus of running backs, including the newly re-signed Justin Fargas, Kiffin said the team likely won't pursue Arkansas star running back Darren McFadden with the No. 4 pick. Kiffin said the team's biggest need is at the defensive line, where Virginia defensive end Chris Long (the son of Raiders Hall of Famer Howie Long) and defensive tackles Glenn Dorsey of LSU and Sedrick Ellis of USC are possibilities.
"[McFadden] is a phenomenal player .... But we really don't have a big need at running back," Kiffin said.
- Trade down? The Raiders don't have any second-, third- or fifth-round picks so Kiffin made it clear the team, which is still very much in the rebuilding phase, will look at the possibility of trading out of the No. 4 pick.
Teams such as Carolina, at No. 13, or Chicago, at No. 14, or Dallas, which has the No. 22 and No. 28 picks, could be attracted by Oakland's top pick.
"[Trading down] is something we're looking at," Kiffin said.
- JaMarcus' weight: It had been reported that second-year quarterback JaMarcus Russell, whom Kiffin believes in the future of the franchise, has tipped the scales at 300-plus pounds this offseason. Not so, says Kiffin.
The coach wouldn't say how much his prized player weighs, but emphasized that Russell is in good shape. Kiffin said he is fine with Russell playing in the 275-pound range and if Russell trimmed down to 260 or so he wouldn't be as effective because of his body frame.
- Revenge is on tap: When it was announced Monday that the Raiders will open the season by hosting Denver on Monday night, Kiffin went straight to the motivation well.
He said he text messaged new receiver Javon Walker, who of course, was signed by the Raiders last month to a lucrative deal days afar being dumped by Denver. Walker quickly texted his coach back.
"I'm not going to say what he [wrote]... but let's just say he is ready," Kiffin said.
We'll have more from Kiffin a bit later.NFL meeting, Raiders, Lane Kiffin, Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden, JaMarcus Russell, Javon Walker, Broncos, Chris Long, Glenn Dorsey, Sedrick Ellis
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Bills plan to quicken pace, trust Edwards more
April 1, 2008 9:49 AM
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
Bills coach Dick Jauron envisions an offense with a faster tempo and more three-step drops. He thinks such an approach will help out his offensive line while playing to the strengths of his quarterbacks. "It makes sense for a lot of reasons," Jauron said. "Trent [Edwards] does get the ball out quickly. J.P. [Losman] can get it out quickly and be accurate. It will help our offensive line. It will change the tempo of the game."
The Bills value intelligence as much as any team. Recently retired GM and former coach Marv Levy was as erudite as any executive in the league. Jauron is another Ivy Leaguer. Offensive coordinator Turk Schonert is a Stanford guy. Edwards, also from Stanford, appeals to Jauron on that level.
"To make the decisions that we've made about him, to insert him as our No. 1, was a big step for us and for him," Jauron said. "We've put a lot of faith in him."
More from Jauron on Edwards: "He is a very bright guy. I think he is a quick learner. He can take another step forward once you've told him something. He has a good feel for the game. He's got a sense of what he wants to have happen on the field. I'm not talking about play-calling. I feel like if you ask him, he'll probably have an idea. Sometimes when a player comes to the sideline, you might say, 'What do you want?' And they are all different. Even the really good ones. I've heard guys say, 'Whatever you want,' and you feel pretty good about that. Sometimes they'll look at you like they don't want to be part of it. ... He's got confidence.
He's got a good demeanor. He's had it since Day One. It's not anything we've taught him. He has grown with the system and the changes will accommodate him, too. We'll have more options to get us into right plays at the right time."
NFL meeting, Dick Jauron, Trent Edwards
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Turner still has L.T.'s back
April 1, 2008 9:37 AM
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
Chargers coach Norv Turner, speaking from the league meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla., was again quick to defend LaDainian Tomlinson after the MVP running back made only a brief appearance in the AFC title game before sitting out with an injury.
"Anyone who knows L.T. and what he has accomplished knows if he could have played, he would have played," Turner said. "If that injury would have happened in Week 2, he probably would have missed six weeks. He tried to come back and play in a week. He gets hurt again on the second play (of the AFC title game). The disappointment L.T. showed was real. You play as many years he has, you've done all the individual things he has done, here you have a chance to go to the Super Bowl and you can't be a part of it. It's hard."
NFL meeting, LaDainian Tomlinson, Norv Turner
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Fisher confident in proposed system's integrity
April 1, 2008 9:31 AM
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
As a defensive-minded head coach and co-chair of the competition committee, Jeff Fisher is a leading figure in the move to arm defenses with the technology offenses use to communicate with quarterbacks during games.
Amid league-wide concerns over spying, Fisher said he is "very confident" in the integrity of these communications. Motorola provides headset technology through Control Dynamics Corporation, and teams can choose from 268 million encryption codes each week, the league said.
"We've got scanning devices to determine whether or not there are any irregularities or anything like that," Fisher said. "We spot-check systems and we don't anticipate any problems."
The league oversees unannounced equipment checks at stadiums. "I know they have increased over the last couple years, significantly, and we have not had any problems in the last few years," Fisher said.
Even if the defensive communications system is implemented, teams will continue to use hand signals some of the time, Fisher said.
NFL meeting, Jeff Fisher, Control Dynamics Corporation
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Belichick, Sparano part of balanced breakfast
April 1, 2008 8:53 AM
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
New England's Bill Belichick and Miami's Tony Sparano drew the most reporters over breakfast at the NFL's annual spring meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla., this morning. The league made AFC coaches available to media over breakfast this morning, with each coach holding court at his own table. NFC coaches are available over breakfast tomorrow.
Our own Pat Yasinskas will have a full report from Belichick's session after camping out at his table this morning. I dropped by Sparano's session for a while, but mostly he drew local reporters eager for a rare interview opportunity. We'll provide a few highlights from the various coaches as the morning progresses.
NFL meeting, Bill Belichick, Tony Sparano
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Hair apparently not a huge priority
March 31, 2008 5:49 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson
The Kansas City Chiefs' proposal to ban hair past players' helmets might be headed toward being tabled at the NFL owners meeting this week in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Competition committee member Rick McKay, president of the Atlanta Falcons, reiterated what NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said earlier in the day about needing more information about the issue. Like Goodell, McKay said the competition committee would like to poll players about the Chiefs' proposal before proceeding. Although McKay said the issue will be discussed Tuesday, he hinted that, because more fact finding needs to be done, there is potential for the proposal to be tabled until the May meeting or even until next year.
McKay also made it clear that the hairy situation is not the competition committee's idea but the Chiefs'. McKay said the proposal reads as though it is a uniform issue, not a safety concern.
McKay said the idea of curbing flowing hair was talked about among competition committee members about five years ago, but it didn't build up steam because the committee ruled that opponents may tackle players by the hair if it is hanging past the helmet. Proponents of the Chiefs' proposal like it because they think hair shouldn't block the view of a player's name on the back of his jersey.
However, unless there is a major momentum change, it appears the Chiefs might have to live with their pet peeve for a while longer.
NFL meeting
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Complete draft order finally available
March 31, 2008 5:21 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
The announcement of compensatory picks at the NFL meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla., allowed the league to release its full 2008 draft order.
I've placed the information in an Excel file that allows picks to be sorted by round, overall pick, team, how acquired and whether a pick was compensatory. This makes the information usable instead of just viewable, always a bonus. The file also shows where teams would have picked had they not forfeited selections or used them in the supplemental draft.
NFL meeting, NFL draft
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Roster expansion not likely
March 31, 2008 5:04 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas
Don't look for long-snappers to be singled out more than they already are.
Although there's a proposal by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to expand game-day rosters from 46 to 47 players, including a designated long-snapper, it probably won't happen. The proposal might be discussed more here at the owners meeting, but the competition committee, which usually is the first hurdle before any rules change, has not endorsed the idea.
NFL meeting
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Ravens at home with compensatory picks
March 31, 2008 4:18 PM
By ESPN.com's James Walker
The Baltimore Ravens today became an even larger player in next month's NFL draft.
At the league meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla., the Ravens were awarded the league maximum of four compensatory picks, which have become a staple in Baltimore.
No NFL team has earned more compensatory draft picks since 1994 than the Ravens, who have reaped 29, and general manager Ozzie Newsome is known around the league to be one of the best at scouting talent.
By rule, a team that loses "more or better compensatory free agents than it acquires in a year" is eligible. Last year, Baltimore lost Adalius Thomas, Aubrayo Franklin, Ovie Mughelli and Tony Pashos without adding any qualifying free agents.
The Ravens' highest compensatory pick will be No. 99 overall, toward the end of the third round. They also have an additional pick in the fourth, sixth and seventh rounds.
NFL meeting, Ravens, Ozzie Newsome, NFL draft, compensatory picks
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Bengals get into compensatory game
March 31, 2008 4:14 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
After picking up only seven compensatory draft choices since the NFL began handing them out in 1994, the Bengals landed four today at the league meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla., matching Baltimore for the league high.
The Bengals could be in line for additional compensatory picks in 2009 after watching Alex Stepanovich, Landon Johnson, Justin Smith and Madieu Williams leave as unrestricted free agents this month. The league awards compensatory picks to teams that suffer net losses in free agency. The Bengals have signed only one UFA from another team this offseason: Antwan Odom.
The Bengals picked up the 97th, 207th, 244th and 246th choices as compensatory picks in the 2008 draft after losing Kevin Kaesviharn, Eric Steinbach, Tony Stewart, Kelley Washington and Anthony Wright (Michael Myers was their only signing)
The Bengals last used the 97th choice when they drafted running back Curtis Keaton from James Madison in 2000. Keaton played in 19 games for the Bengals and six for the Saints during a three-year NFL career. The last five players taken 97th: Florida defensive lineman Ray McDonald (49ers), Michigan State defensive back Eric Smith (Jets), Maryland cornerback Domonique Foxworth (Broncos), Auburn linebacker Reggie Torbor (Giants) and Texas quarterback Chris Simms (Bucs).
Teams cannot trade compensatory picks.
NFL meeting, Bengals, NFL draft, compensatory picks
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Fins' sale approved, but Huizenga around for now
March 31, 2008 3:11 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando Stephen Ross can eventually take a 95 percent ownership stake in the Miami Dolphins after NFL owners unanimously approved the team's sale today.
Longtime owner Wayne Huizenga will remain in charge as managing general partner during a transition period that could take one or more years, Ross and Huizenga said today. The sale, approved at the league meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla., is based on a $1.1 billion valuation of the franchise. Ninety-five percent of $1.1 billion would be $1.045 billion.
If Huizenga passes away -- a subject he joked about today -- the agreement gives Huizenga's family one year to decide whether to hold on to the 5 percent stake in the team. A reporter asked Huizenga whether the sale's timing was designed to beat expected changes to the estate tax, which could go into effect in 2010. "I'm not going to die in 2010, believe me," 70-year-old Huizenga quipped.
Huizenga was in a kidding mood even though he described the sale as bittersweet. Standing at a podium with Ross, Huizenga joked that he was the only NFL owner to vote against the sale. On a more serious note, he said the sale had nothing to do with potential changes in capital gains taxes, or anything else along those lines.
"I'm proud to be an American and I'm proud to pay my taxes, so that doesn't bother me a bit," Huizenga said.
Why sell? The Dolphins' 1-15 record last season presumably made ownership a little less enjoyable, but Huizenga talked more about the longer term. "My kids like being part of the Dolphins, but not enough where anyone wants to run it," he said. "I think it's the right thing for our family to do at this stage of our lives."
Ross isn't much younger than Huizenga, but clearly he's more excited about ownership than Huizenga is. That is natural because Huizenga has been an NFL owner for nearly two decades but Ross is just getting started, both said. Ross said his ownership style will be similar to Huizenga's, meaning he won't be meddling with executive vice president Bill Parcells.
NFL meeting, Dolphins, Wayne Huizinga, Stephen Ross
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Thompson: 'We will move on together'
March 31, 2008 2:42 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson
Green Bay general manager Ted Thompson, speaking at the NFL meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla., said he believes the state of Wisconsin is recovering from the hangover created by Brett Favre's sudden retirement, which he floored Packer Nation with earlier this month.
"We have the greatest fans I've ever been around," Thompson said Monday. "They will stick with the Packers. Yes, it is going to be strange for them not to see No. 4 there anymore, but we are all going to get through it."
Thompson, whose team has been assembled in still-chilly Green Bay for the past two weeks for offseason conditioning, said he believes the team will show the fans that the post-Favre life will be manageable.
"It'll be up to everyone, not just Aaron Rodgers," Thomson said. "This team will be fine. We will move on together."
Packers, Brett Favre, Ted Thompson, NFL meeting
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Packers still a prime-time attraction
March 31, 2008 2:13 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas
Green Bay's first game without Brett Favre is just as marketable as the last 200-plus the quarterback played with the Packers.
The debut of new quarterback Aaron Rodgers will be one of the showcase games the first week of the NFL season. The league just announced its national television schedule for opening week, and the Packers drew a prime slot.
Green Bay will host Minnesota on Sept. 8 in a Monday night game on ESPN. That game will start at 7 ET and will be followed by Denver at Oakland at 10:15.
The Super Bowl champion Giants will host the Commanders in the opening game of the season Thursday, Sept. 4, on NBC. The Colts will host the Bears in a Sunday night (Sept. 7) game on NBC.
Green Bay's first game since Favre's retirement will mark the first time another quarterback has started for the team since 1992. Rodgers has been with the Packers since he was drafted in the first round in 2005, but has attempted only 59 passes.
"The rivalry between the Packers and Vikings is obviously a big deal, as are all our other games with the other teams in our division,'' Packers general manager Ted Thompson said. "Throw in the fact it's the season opener and a Monday night game, and that makes it even bigger. We're excited about opening the season that way.''
NFL schedule, Packers, Aaron Rodgers, NFL meeting
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Gruden bristles at tampering talk
March 31, 2008 1:01 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
Bucs coach Jon Gruden strongly denied the implication that his team tampered with prospective free agents, an issue Chiefs coach Herm Edwards raised recently. "Who said what, I don't know," Gruden said moments ago.
"But we didn't tamper with anybody." Asked what Edwards said here at the NFL meetings, Gruden said, "I'm not getting into it. There is no issue. I like Herm a lot. There is no issue at all." At this point, it became clear that Gruden, speaking to a small group of reporters at the league meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla., was finished with the subject.
NFL meeting, tampering, Bucs, Jon Gruden, Herm Edwards, Chiefs
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Giants' top 'fireman' expects Umenyiora in camp
March 31, 2008 12:48 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
Giants general manager Jerry Reese, here in West Palm Beach, Fla., for the league meetings, said he expects Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora to be in camp, counter to rumblings about a potential holdout. A couple of New York's free agents commanded large paydays coming off the team's Super Bowl victory. The Giants let them go instead of paying inflated prices.
Umenyiora might fall into a different category as a core player. "I expect Osi to be fine," Reese said. "I don't expect a holdout from Osi."
Reese equated his job to that of a fireman. "Situations arise," he said. "That is part of the job. My office is kind of like the fire department. You put out fires every day. That's what we do. That's what I do. You have to make some tough decisions sometimes." Reese was not referring specifically to Umenyiora's situation when making that characterization.
As for defensive end Michael Strahan, who may or may not retire, Reese said, "My gut feeling is that he will come back."
NFL meeting, Giants, Jerry Reese, Osi Umenyiora, Michael Strahan
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Broncos revive pursuit of Jets' Robertson
March 31, 2008 12:31 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson
As the NFL meetings get going, the Broncos are starting to revive their interest in Jets defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson.
The Broncos were close to dealing for Robertson in mid-March, but the talks stalled when the team suddenly fired general manager Ted Sundquist on March 12. Sundquist was the point man in the talks with the Jets.
With Sundquist out of the picture and Denver still needing a force in the middle of its young front four, the team again is considering making a deal for Robertson, sources told ESPN.com. Robertson is a talented player who doesn't fit in the Jets' scheme.
Still, finalizing a deal will be difficult for Denver. Robertson's contract will have to be restructured, and the team has been in on-again, off-again talks with his agent, Hadley Engelhard, for several weeks. Robertson is due a $3 million bonus in June and has a salary-cap number of about $11 million for this season.
Denver would have to redo the deal to make it worthwhile financially, especially with the team in a cost-conscious mode this offseason.
The Broncos are said not to be overly concerned about Robertson's knee problem. The issue was serious enough, however, to negatively affect a potential trade early in March that would have sent Robertson to Cincinnati for two middle-round picks.
At this point, it seems, the only hurdle standing in the way of Denver's making its biggest splash of the offseason is needing to come to an agreement with Robertson financially.
GIGGIGTY GIGGITY ALRIGHT!
