Hostile
The Duke
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Commanders safety Sean Taylor met with team officials five to six weeks ago and was expected to attend. However, numerous players suggested that Taylor likely would not be in attendance, a byproduct of his possible displeasure with his contract. Sources said that team officials were hoping Taylor was merely taking personal time and preparing to join the workouts. Sources added that Director of Player Personnel Vinny Cerrato and Taylor's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, had been in discussions in recent weeks regarding a contract extension for Taylor, whose contract expires after the 2008 season.
Donovan McNabb is due to make $5.5 million this season, $6.3 million in 2008, $9.2 million in 2009 and then a balloon payment of $10 million during the final year of his contract in 2010. Unless the Eagles make it back to the Super Bowl over the next two years, it is unlikely McNabb will see the final two years of that deal. Agent Fletcher Smith unsuccessfully attempted to renegotiate a new contract with the Eagles' front office prior to his client's season-ending injury Nov. 19 against the Tennessee Titans. Pressed by host Howard Eskin regarding his desire for a new pact, McNabb said: "I am the Philadelphia quarterback. I've been for the last eight years and I look forward to being the Philadelphia quarterback for eight to 10 more years. Whatever happens, happens."
Despite the relatively rough ride he has experienced during his four-year tenure, Byron Leftwich says he would like to remain in Jacksonville and doesn't plan on staging a contract holdout during training camp. Leftwich held out for 19 days after saying he didn't plan to do so heading into his rookie year. But entering the final year of his contract, Leftwich said he won't worry about his contract. Instead, he's focused on staying healthy and gaining the respect of fans who have written him off.
Carolina can turn its attention to re-signing other players. At the top of its list are defensive end Julius Peppers and offensive tackle Jordan Gross. Each is a standout young performer, but whereas Peppers has two years remaining on his contract, Gross has only one.
Though Ricky Williams is eligible for immediate reinstatement, the NFL is proceeding slowly on the matter while still regularly drug-testing him. The Williams camp doesn't expect a ruling until closer to June.
WR Keyshawn Johnson made it clear Tuesday that before he ventures into television, he wants to play at least two more NFL seasons, though he recognizes it might be only one more. He has talked with the Oakland Raiders, Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks, but was quick to admit that none have talked contract -- yet.
DT Grady Jackson, who has filed a lawsuit against the Falcons, is planning to attend the team's mandatory minicamp, which starts on Friday. "Yeah, I'm planning on it, but you never know," Jackson said Tuesday night via telephone. "I think I just might end up going there for my teammates."
The Broncos should sign Keyshawn Johnson this week. Last year Johnson caught more passes than the Broncos' leading receiver, Javon Walker, 70 to 69, and had only six fewer yards than the combined totals of the Broncos' No. 2 and No. 3 receivers, Rod Smith and Brandon Marshall, 821 to 815. He started 16 games, which is 12 more than new Broncos wide receiver Brandon Stokley played (because of injuries) during 2006. Johnson, who will be 35 in July, has 35 fewer catches and 818 fewer yards in his career than Smith, who will be 37 on May 15.
Former special teams standout Don Davis, who retired at age 34 following a knee injury last year, has been added to the Patriots staff as an assistant strength and conditioning coach. Davis has spent the spring working with Mike Woicik and Co. as the Pats run through their offseason conditioning program. Davis brings an interesting approach to the job. Just as the 49ers did during their glory days, he’s been boxing with players such as Tom Brady and Matt Cassel to improve their hand speed, holding small pads like trainer Teddy Atlas.
There’s a possibility Ellis Hobbs will enter the season as the Patriots No. 1 corner. Asante Samuel has yet to sign his franchise tender and if training camp started tomorrow would likely be a holdout. “Asante is doing his thing in Florida,” Hobbs said. “That’s what he always does and he’s the better for it. Last year about the only thing he didn’t get was the Pro Bowl, and he got hosed on that. He’s working hard. Hopefully we’ll see him again.” If Samuel holds out or is traded, the Pats may turn to Hobbs as their No. 1 cornerback. He’s ready for anything.
Dolphins GM Randy Mueller last week again declined to say if the team wants Ricky Williams back, and he hasn't informed Williams, either. The Dolphins say not to read into the fact his locker was given to Lorenzo Booker, though that raised eyebrows.
Donovan McNabb said he would attend the Eagles minicamp, but he will not be an active participant. "I'll be out there as the kind of skinnier coach," he said. "I'll be out there with the red jersey on and going over plays. I'll be talking to the guys and working with Kevin just so he'll see different things happening and the defensive schemes that we'll face. Everyone wants to know about Kevin Kolb. I'm excited to have him."
The Indianapolis Colts signed veteran tight end Mike Seidman, who spent his first four years in the NFL with Carolina. The 6-4, 261-pounder appeared in 43 games, 15 as a starter, for the Panthers. He missed the final 13 games of last season with a knee injury.
So why did Donovan McNabb choose yesterday to speak? And why did he do so independently of the Eagles? The media sessions were set up by Rich Burg, a former member of the Eagles' media relations staff who handled McNabb's business during his time with the organization. McNabb said he was not happy that Burg had been dismissed from the Eagles' staff earlier this off-season. "It bothered me, yes," McNabb said. "It bothered a lot of us. When you've been working with a guy for eight years of your career - and that's all of my career so far - you build a bond and you build a trust. When you hear something like that happened, the first thing you ask is: Why? You hate to see somebody you've trusted and has worked wonders for you go. That's why I'm working with him now, and we're hoping to change some of the things around that have happened."
Panthers WR Steve Smith agreed to this deal knowing he isn’t going to get his contract restructured any time soon, no matter what he numbers he puts up. At some point, as contracts continue to increase, a player like Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald or New Orleans’ Marques Colston will cash in via free agency and bump Smith from the top five. And that’s just fine with him. “I understand that in the next couple of years there is going to be another guy that puts up a big (contract) number,” Smith said. “But my wife, my agent and I discussed that. It’s not about what the other guys are doing. It’s really about what we are comfortable with. With this contract, we are very comfortable with it. This is something that is not really for me, it’s more to be smart and take care of my kids’ kids, and that’s my main goal.”
The Seahawks' offensive coaches heaved a collective sigh of relief Tuesday. After Chris Spencer was examined by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., it was determined the team's starting center will not need another procedure at this time on his surgically repaired shoulder. Spencer went to see Andrews, a specialist, because he was experiencing soreness in the shoulder. If Spencer had needed a second operation, coach Mike Holmgren feared the team's first-round draft choice in 2005 could have missed the entire 2007 season. Instead, Spencer is scheduled to remain in Birmingham the rest of the week to rehab the shoulder.
Giants newly converted LB Mathias Kiwanuka said he's "happy" about the switch from DE, but he doesn't believe it's permanent. He expects to go back to DE if injuries make it necessary, or when DE Michael Strahan eventually retires.
Jags QB Byron Leftwich declined to characterize his relationship with Jack Del Rio, saying that it wasn't particularly good or bad. "When you look at the big picture here and winning football games, it really doesn't matter," Leftwich said. "It's just not relevant to what we're trying to do here. I don't call Jack and say, 'Meet me at the bar, and we'll have a drink.' I don't do that because we're not that close, but at the same time, I respect him as a coach, and I'm sure he respects me as a player."
While the majority of the Washington Commanders' regular players were in attendance at the team's first organized activities of the offseason yesterday, two absences were noteworthy: Neither safety Sean Taylor nor cornerback Shawn Springs was at Commanders Park.
Former University of Wisconsin quarterback John Stocco won't be attending the Green Bay Packers' minicamp next week. Stocco's three-day tryout last weekend during the team's rookie orientation camp did not lead to a contract offer and Stocco is now on his way to New York for a similar tryout with the Giants, agent John Drana said.
Jags coach Jack Del Rio renamed Byron Leftwich the team's starter at the February NFL Combine, but the quarterback had been mysteriously silent about regaining his job until now. "I always thought there was really no reason for me to react because I always felt that way. It wasn't news to me," Leftwich said. "I felt when I was healthy that I would be the quarterback for this team. "What happened this offseason with everybody having a chance to evaluate [the quarterback position], [the coaches] think I'm the best option for this team to win. If not, I wouldn't be here."
Turns out Bob Griese wasn't the only Dolphins Hall of Famer who called to congratulate John Beck after the draft. Larry Csonka reached out, too. ''I was so pumped,'' Beck said. 'We talked about football, hunting and fishing. I called my friend and said, `You won't believe who called me.' We always watch his outdoor show.''
The Vikings hired Derek Mason as assistant defensive backs coach Tuesday, raising their total of assistant coaches to 23. Mason most recently served as the receivers coach at Ohio University. He played defensive back for Northern Arizona when Vikings coach Brad Childress was an assistant there in 1989. Mason will assist defensive backs coach Joe Woods.
Donovan McNabb is due to make $5.5 million this season, $6.3 million in 2008, $9.2 million in 2009 and then a balloon payment of $10 million during the final year of his contract in 2010. Unless the Eagles make it back to the Super Bowl over the next two years, it is unlikely McNabb will see the final two years of that deal. Agent Fletcher Smith unsuccessfully attempted to renegotiate a new contract with the Eagles' front office prior to his client's season-ending injury Nov. 19 against the Tennessee Titans. Pressed by host Howard Eskin regarding his desire for a new pact, McNabb said: "I am the Philadelphia quarterback. I've been for the last eight years and I look forward to being the Philadelphia quarterback for eight to 10 more years. Whatever happens, happens."
Despite the relatively rough ride he has experienced during his four-year tenure, Byron Leftwich says he would like to remain in Jacksonville and doesn't plan on staging a contract holdout during training camp. Leftwich held out for 19 days after saying he didn't plan to do so heading into his rookie year. But entering the final year of his contract, Leftwich said he won't worry about his contract. Instead, he's focused on staying healthy and gaining the respect of fans who have written him off.
Carolina can turn its attention to re-signing other players. At the top of its list are defensive end Julius Peppers and offensive tackle Jordan Gross. Each is a standout young performer, but whereas Peppers has two years remaining on his contract, Gross has only one.
Though Ricky Williams is eligible for immediate reinstatement, the NFL is proceeding slowly on the matter while still regularly drug-testing him. The Williams camp doesn't expect a ruling until closer to June.
WR Keyshawn Johnson made it clear Tuesday that before he ventures into television, he wants to play at least two more NFL seasons, though he recognizes it might be only one more. He has talked with the Oakland Raiders, Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks, but was quick to admit that none have talked contract -- yet.
DT Grady Jackson, who has filed a lawsuit against the Falcons, is planning to attend the team's mandatory minicamp, which starts on Friday. "Yeah, I'm planning on it, but you never know," Jackson said Tuesday night via telephone. "I think I just might end up going there for my teammates."
The Broncos should sign Keyshawn Johnson this week. Last year Johnson caught more passes than the Broncos' leading receiver, Javon Walker, 70 to 69, and had only six fewer yards than the combined totals of the Broncos' No. 2 and No. 3 receivers, Rod Smith and Brandon Marshall, 821 to 815. He started 16 games, which is 12 more than new Broncos wide receiver Brandon Stokley played (because of injuries) during 2006. Johnson, who will be 35 in July, has 35 fewer catches and 818 fewer yards in his career than Smith, who will be 37 on May 15.
Former special teams standout Don Davis, who retired at age 34 following a knee injury last year, has been added to the Patriots staff as an assistant strength and conditioning coach. Davis has spent the spring working with Mike Woicik and Co. as the Pats run through their offseason conditioning program. Davis brings an interesting approach to the job. Just as the 49ers did during their glory days, he’s been boxing with players such as Tom Brady and Matt Cassel to improve their hand speed, holding small pads like trainer Teddy Atlas.
There’s a possibility Ellis Hobbs will enter the season as the Patriots No. 1 corner. Asante Samuel has yet to sign his franchise tender and if training camp started tomorrow would likely be a holdout. “Asante is doing his thing in Florida,” Hobbs said. “That’s what he always does and he’s the better for it. Last year about the only thing he didn’t get was the Pro Bowl, and he got hosed on that. He’s working hard. Hopefully we’ll see him again.” If Samuel holds out or is traded, the Pats may turn to Hobbs as their No. 1 cornerback. He’s ready for anything.
Dolphins GM Randy Mueller last week again declined to say if the team wants Ricky Williams back, and he hasn't informed Williams, either. The Dolphins say not to read into the fact his locker was given to Lorenzo Booker, though that raised eyebrows.
Donovan McNabb said he would attend the Eagles minicamp, but he will not be an active participant. "I'll be out there as the kind of skinnier coach," he said. "I'll be out there with the red jersey on and going over plays. I'll be talking to the guys and working with Kevin just so he'll see different things happening and the defensive schemes that we'll face. Everyone wants to know about Kevin Kolb. I'm excited to have him."
The Indianapolis Colts signed veteran tight end Mike Seidman, who spent his first four years in the NFL with Carolina. The 6-4, 261-pounder appeared in 43 games, 15 as a starter, for the Panthers. He missed the final 13 games of last season with a knee injury.
So why did Donovan McNabb choose yesterday to speak? And why did he do so independently of the Eagles? The media sessions were set up by Rich Burg, a former member of the Eagles' media relations staff who handled McNabb's business during his time with the organization. McNabb said he was not happy that Burg had been dismissed from the Eagles' staff earlier this off-season. "It bothered me, yes," McNabb said. "It bothered a lot of us. When you've been working with a guy for eight years of your career - and that's all of my career so far - you build a bond and you build a trust. When you hear something like that happened, the first thing you ask is: Why? You hate to see somebody you've trusted and has worked wonders for you go. That's why I'm working with him now, and we're hoping to change some of the things around that have happened."
Panthers WR Steve Smith agreed to this deal knowing he isn’t going to get his contract restructured any time soon, no matter what he numbers he puts up. At some point, as contracts continue to increase, a player like Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald or New Orleans’ Marques Colston will cash in via free agency and bump Smith from the top five. And that’s just fine with him. “I understand that in the next couple of years there is going to be another guy that puts up a big (contract) number,” Smith said. “But my wife, my agent and I discussed that. It’s not about what the other guys are doing. It’s really about what we are comfortable with. With this contract, we are very comfortable with it. This is something that is not really for me, it’s more to be smart and take care of my kids’ kids, and that’s my main goal.”
The Seahawks' offensive coaches heaved a collective sigh of relief Tuesday. After Chris Spencer was examined by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., it was determined the team's starting center will not need another procedure at this time on his surgically repaired shoulder. Spencer went to see Andrews, a specialist, because he was experiencing soreness in the shoulder. If Spencer had needed a second operation, coach Mike Holmgren feared the team's first-round draft choice in 2005 could have missed the entire 2007 season. Instead, Spencer is scheduled to remain in Birmingham the rest of the week to rehab the shoulder.
Giants newly converted LB Mathias Kiwanuka said he's "happy" about the switch from DE, but he doesn't believe it's permanent. He expects to go back to DE if injuries make it necessary, or when DE Michael Strahan eventually retires.
Jags QB Byron Leftwich declined to characterize his relationship with Jack Del Rio, saying that it wasn't particularly good or bad. "When you look at the big picture here and winning football games, it really doesn't matter," Leftwich said. "It's just not relevant to what we're trying to do here. I don't call Jack and say, 'Meet me at the bar, and we'll have a drink.' I don't do that because we're not that close, but at the same time, I respect him as a coach, and I'm sure he respects me as a player."
While the majority of the Washington Commanders' regular players were in attendance at the team's first organized activities of the offseason yesterday, two absences were noteworthy: Neither safety Sean Taylor nor cornerback Shawn Springs was at Commanders Park.
Former University of Wisconsin quarterback John Stocco won't be attending the Green Bay Packers' minicamp next week. Stocco's three-day tryout last weekend during the team's rookie orientation camp did not lead to a contract offer and Stocco is now on his way to New York for a similar tryout with the Giants, agent John Drana said.
Jags coach Jack Del Rio renamed Byron Leftwich the team's starter at the February NFL Combine, but the quarterback had been mysteriously silent about regaining his job until now. "I always thought there was really no reason for me to react because I always felt that way. It wasn't news to me," Leftwich said. "I felt when I was healthy that I would be the quarterback for this team. "What happened this offseason with everybody having a chance to evaluate [the quarterback position], [the coaches] think I'm the best option for this team to win. If not, I wouldn't be here."
Turns out Bob Griese wasn't the only Dolphins Hall of Famer who called to congratulate John Beck after the draft. Larry Csonka reached out, too. ''I was so pumped,'' Beck said. 'We talked about football, hunting and fishing. I called my friend and said, `You won't believe who called me.' We always watch his outdoor show.''
The Vikings hired Derek Mason as assistant defensive backs coach Tuesday, raising their total of assistant coaches to 23. Mason most recently served as the receivers coach at Ohio University. He played defensive back for Northern Arizona when Vikings coach Brad Childress was an assistant there in 1989. Mason will assist defensive backs coach Joe Woods.
