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Ben Maller's NFL rumors
FOXSports.com, Updated 37 minutes ago
Chiefs RB Johnson refusing to report to camp?
Chiefs RB Larry Johnson is said to be dug in, entrenched, refusing to report to training camp until he has a new contract. The Chiefs believe Johnson already has a contract, which has one year remaining on it, scheduled to pay the running back over $1.9 million this season. Johnson is seeking somewhere in the vicinity of $28 million in guaranteed money, which is an easy enough number to trace. Three years ago, San Diego gave running back LaDainian Tomlinson a deal that included $21 million in bonuses. Since then, the salary cap has increased about 35 percent, which would make the guaranteed money in Tomlinson's deal worth about $28 million. At this time, Johnson is unwilling to take much less. ... Kansas City takes an opposite view. Johnson is scheduled to make more than $111,000 per game, wages he would lose if he has not reported. Plus, the Chiefs could opt to fine Johnson $14,000 each day he is not at training camp while also pursuing a pro-rated portion of his initial signing bonus that could amount to as much as $660,000. The potential lost wages could prove to be enough to bring back Johnson. -- NFL Network
Culpepper to Bucs, Jags or Rams?
The Bucs could have competition for Daunte Culpepper. Jacksonville has informed its quarterbacks of its interest, and former Vikings coach Mike Tice is on the Jags staff. St. Louis also could be another landing spot because quarterback Marc Bulger will be a free agent after this season and coach Scott Linehan was the Vikings and Dolphins offensive coordinator. -- St. Petersburg Times
Report: Strahan could holdout from Giants
A league source tells Pro Football Talk that Giants defensive end Michael Strahan is seriously considering refusing to report to training camp. In fact, we're hearing indications that the decision not to show up already has been made. -- Pro Football Talk
QB Couch looking for NFL comeback
Former Browns QB Tim Couch will try one more time to catch on with an NFL team. In an exclusive interview with WKYT, Couch said he's in the best shape of his life and has contacted every team in the NFL, looking for work. Couch, who will turn 30 this month, said he's up to 245 lbs., more than 20 lbs. over his playing weight when he was drafted by the Browns in 1999, and has lowered his body fat content from 13 percent to five percent. The former Leslie Co. and UK star says he will make one final attempt to play pro football, but he said, if no teams call, he will walk away from the game he loves. -- WKYT.com
Pats Samuel should set his sights on title run
It seems likely that Asante Samuel will sit out at least until near the end of training camp. If he's ready to go in the season opener Sept. 9 against the Jets — the Patriots' prime rival in the AFC East this season — he could establish from the get-go that he's every bit as good as his statistics last year indicate; that he's not just a one-season wonder. Which would, of course, set him up for a big contract in 2008, although it's possible the Patriots again would make him their "franchise" player. While it's understandable that Samuel is disappointed not to have cashed in on a lucrative, long-term contract, it certainly seems that earning nearly $8 million this season should go a long way toward soothing his feelings. Instead of being bitter, he should report to camp at the end of this month and dedicate himself to having an even better year than he did in 2007 — one that would establish him as clearly the best cornerback in the NFL. -- Providence Journal
Colts may revisit Freeney contract in '10
The Colts might revisit DE Dwight Freeney's deal after the 2010 season. His cap number mushrooms to $16.42 million in '11 and $19 million in '12. -- Indy Star
Horn: Falcons Vick is 'saddened' by events
Falcons wide receiver Joe Horn said he has spoken to Vick since in the indictment came down Tuesday and that Vick is remorseful and concerned. "Mike is saddened about the tension this is going to cause the team," Horn told the Journal-Constitution on Thursday night. "I assured him I support him, the rest of the guys support him and the team supports him. Whether he's guilty or innocent or whether you believe he is, time will tell. "No one, I don't care if you're wealthy or poor, no one is immune to the trials and tribulations of life. Everyone who's breathing is going to have to deal with issues in their life. Unfortunately, Mike is up at bat right now." -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Report: NFL to fine Dolphins Porter for Vegas fight
Sometime Friday, new NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is expected to hand down one of the biggest fines in NFL history to Miami Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter for his involvement in an offseason fight with Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Levi Jones. Porter is expected to be fined three game checks -- a total of $141,176 -- for his role in a Las Vegas fight with Jones. More important to Porter and the Dolphins, however, their prized free-agent acquisition will not be suspended. -- NFL Network
Irvin: NFL doing right thing with Vick
Michael Irvin on the Drive on FOX asked about Michael Vick's troubles: "I do think the rule, is a good rule (the conduct policy). I look at it with this perspective, I look at it as him trying to help these young guys make a decision not to do things because you know, you are like 21, 22, 23 you think that you have forever and no matter what you do you get over it, people forget about it, really people don't forget about it so I like how he is stepping up and helping it. The rule is what it is , it's for repeat offenders, I think he should not suspend Michael Vick right now, because he's doing the right thing, allow this do process, this is Michael's first run in with the law like this. " -- Fox Sports Radio
Virginia will seek indictment against Vick too
Commonwealth attorney Gerald Poindexter will seek an indictment against Falcons quarterback Michael Vick this year, possibly as soon as September. Poindexter told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Thursday that since Vick has been federally indicted, Poindexter expects to seek indictments for dogfighting and killing dogs, both state felonies. Poindexter said he will proceed now that county and federal investigators say they have located witnesses that can link Vick and his co-defendants to dogfighting. "My concern is that dogs were fought in Surry County," Poindexter said. "I'm interested in what is alleged to be the killing of dogs and dogfighting." -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution
PETA will protest Vick at NFL headquarters
Dan Shannon from PETA talking to the Drive on Fox Sports Radio about demonstrating: "We have joined the Human Society and calling on Michael Vick to be suspended and released from his contract if he is found guilty. We are going down to NFL headquarters tomorrow to organize a public demonstration of supporters and animal lovers, we will be out there at 10 am tomorrow (Thursday) morning letting the NFL know that the public does not support their action on this stance. Pac man and Tank Johnson have paid a penalty to the league without having charges against them and we do not feel that Vick should be treated any differently. We will have signs that say "sack Vick" we will be passing out information to aware people of dog violence, because obviously that is the most important part of us being out there, also to send a message to the league that we want to see some action taken place here, they want to see a dog fighter treated like any other violent defender." -- Fox Sports Radio
Pacman's lawyer questions treatment of Vick
Michael Vick's indictment on charges he was part of a dogfighting ring might lead to questions about the consistency of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's new conduct policy. The NFL statement after the Atlanta Falcons quarterback's federal indictment Tuesday cautioned that "Michael Vick's guilt has not yet been proven and we believe that all concerned should allow the legal process to determine the facts." -- Tennessean
Turley to sign with the Chiefs
Veteran offensive lineman Kyle Turley will hold off on his retirement from the NFL and sign a contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, according to a report on Hardcore Sports Radio. Turley announced on Sports Rage with Gabriel Morency that he will sign the contract with the Chiefs on Friday morning. Terms of the contract have yet to be announced. "This will be my tenth year in the league and I'm really looking forward to it," said Turley. "I'm back up to weight now, I'm back up to my strength." -- Hardcore Sports Radio
Should the Saints sign Daunte Culpepper?
Assuming that Daunte Culpepper doesn't ask for the world, now that he's healthy, the Saints could do a lot worse than to sign him as a backup quarterback. -- Canal Street Chronicles
Viking cornerback's 'saggy pants' case settled
Vikings cornerback Cedric Griffin, who was charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct after an April "saggy pants" incident at Spin nightclub in downtown Minneapolis, had his case resolved today at the Hennepin County Government Center. Griffin's lawyer, David Valentini, said his client did not enter a plea and that under terms of the agreement, there will be a continuance for dismissal in one year, meaning that if Griffin has no same or similar type violations during the next year the case will be automatically dismissed without any need for future appearances. ... It remains unclear if the NFL will take action against Griffin under the league's personal conduct policy. "We're hopeful the commissioner [Roger Goodell] will take no action based on this resolution," Valentini said. -- Star Tribune
Expert: Vick's public reputation will never be same
According to Chris Anderson, a Dallas-based crisis management expert and communications consultant for The Marketing Arm, consumers will forever associate Michael Vick, a quarterback for the NFL's Atlanta Falcons, with the cruelty and violence of dog-fighting, regardless of the level of Vick's actual involvement. "In terms of damage to his reputation, it's not about whether he's actually done anything criminal," said Anderson, who teaches a crisis management class at SMU. "It's the public's perception that he did something wrong or immoral. His simple association is enough to severely damage his reputation." -- PR Newswire
Tomlinson: Chargers coach worried about playoffs
Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson asked what will be different about San Diego with new coach Norv Turner. "Norv first came in and said "Guys, listen, I don't care about winning 14 games in the regular season or anything like that. We're gonna win games in the regular season. We all know that." He said "What I'm concerned [about] is the playoffs. We'll get to the playoffs and [get] over that hump. To me, it really doesn't matter about winning 14 games. That means nothing to me. It's all about the playoffs and what are you gonna do when you get there." -- Fox Sports Radio
Metrodome renovation is being studied for Vikings
A study on how to renovate the Metrodome is underway, although a Vikings official cautioned Thursday that there is little reason to believe a new plan to remodel the 25-year-old Dome will be any more economically viable than one the team rejected six years ago. The Vikings, who hope to build a $954 million stadium on the site of the Metrodome, are concerned with more than a price tag, which is now expected to far exceed the $269 million renovation plan rejected by the team in 2001 and by the governor's Stadium Task Force in 2002. The study, approved by the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission on Thursday, is expected to be completed by Aug. 1 by architectural firm Ellerbe Becket and is expected to cost between $100,000 and $110,000. -- Star Tribune
Texans sign 4th round pick Bennett?
The Texans have agreed to terms with fourth-round pick Fred Bennett, a cornerback from the University of South Carolina. Bennett (6-0, 197) is the second pick of the Texans to reach a deal. Zac Diles, the team's seventh-round selection, signed Wednesday. Five of the Texans' seven draft choices have not agreed to terms, including defensive tackle Amobi Okoye, their No. 1 pick. Rookies and veterans report to Reliant Stadium on Thursday. The first practice is Friday morning. -- Houston Chronicle
Tomlin will give Steelers a grueling camp
Mike Tomlin does not care much if his players do not like his plans for a toughened training camp that starts Monday in Latrobe. He's not trying to make friends. "I want to come out of training camp a unified, hardened group that's ready to do battle," the new Steelers coach said yesterday. Toward that end, he has planned a heavy dose of twice-daily practices, the dreaded two-a-days many NFL head coaches have virtually eliminated in training camps during the past decade. Tomlin has 15 scheduled, about twice what former Steelers coach Bill Cowher put his teams through. While seven of those practices are one-hour morning sessions that will deal mostly with special teams issues and light drills, all players must attend.-- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
LaDanian: NFL commish should wait on Vick
NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson asked what commissioner Roger Goodell should do with Falcons QB Michael Vick: "He's tried to send a message. The only thing you can do is wait and see what happens with Vick, and then you try to make another statement. But Vick is one of the most popular guys in our game, and so it's gonna be tough, that situation. But you have to wait on the facts first. -- Fox Sports Radio
Packers will speed up process to find CEO
John Jones, who had been groomed by Packers chairman Bob Harlan to succeed him, was in the midst of a three-year contract. The terms of a possible deal have not been disclosed, but it is anticipated that Jones would be paid in full. Assuming both sides sign off on an agreement, that would free Harlan to speed up his search for someone to replace him. Harlan said earlier this summer that at least five people had expressed interest in the job. -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Euro's don't want NFL
FOXSports.com, Updated 37 minutes ago
Chiefs RB Johnson refusing to report to camp?
Chiefs RB Larry Johnson is said to be dug in, entrenched, refusing to report to training camp until he has a new contract. The Chiefs believe Johnson already has a contract, which has one year remaining on it, scheduled to pay the running back over $1.9 million this season. Johnson is seeking somewhere in the vicinity of $28 million in guaranteed money, which is an easy enough number to trace. Three years ago, San Diego gave running back LaDainian Tomlinson a deal that included $21 million in bonuses. Since then, the salary cap has increased about 35 percent, which would make the guaranteed money in Tomlinson's deal worth about $28 million. At this time, Johnson is unwilling to take much less. ... Kansas City takes an opposite view. Johnson is scheduled to make more than $111,000 per game, wages he would lose if he has not reported. Plus, the Chiefs could opt to fine Johnson $14,000 each day he is not at training camp while also pursuing a pro-rated portion of his initial signing bonus that could amount to as much as $660,000. The potential lost wages could prove to be enough to bring back Johnson. -- NFL Network
Culpepper to Bucs, Jags or Rams?
The Bucs could have competition for Daunte Culpepper. Jacksonville has informed its quarterbacks of its interest, and former Vikings coach Mike Tice is on the Jags staff. St. Louis also could be another landing spot because quarterback Marc Bulger will be a free agent after this season and coach Scott Linehan was the Vikings and Dolphins offensive coordinator. -- St. Petersburg Times
Report: Strahan could holdout from Giants
A league source tells Pro Football Talk that Giants defensive end Michael Strahan is seriously considering refusing to report to training camp. In fact, we're hearing indications that the decision not to show up already has been made. -- Pro Football Talk
QB Couch looking for NFL comeback
Former Browns QB Tim Couch will try one more time to catch on with an NFL team. In an exclusive interview with WKYT, Couch said he's in the best shape of his life and has contacted every team in the NFL, looking for work. Couch, who will turn 30 this month, said he's up to 245 lbs., more than 20 lbs. over his playing weight when he was drafted by the Browns in 1999, and has lowered his body fat content from 13 percent to five percent. The former Leslie Co. and UK star says he will make one final attempt to play pro football, but he said, if no teams call, he will walk away from the game he loves. -- WKYT.com
Pats Samuel should set his sights on title run
It seems likely that Asante Samuel will sit out at least until near the end of training camp. If he's ready to go in the season opener Sept. 9 against the Jets — the Patriots' prime rival in the AFC East this season — he could establish from the get-go that he's every bit as good as his statistics last year indicate; that he's not just a one-season wonder. Which would, of course, set him up for a big contract in 2008, although it's possible the Patriots again would make him their "franchise" player. While it's understandable that Samuel is disappointed not to have cashed in on a lucrative, long-term contract, it certainly seems that earning nearly $8 million this season should go a long way toward soothing his feelings. Instead of being bitter, he should report to camp at the end of this month and dedicate himself to having an even better year than he did in 2007 — one that would establish him as clearly the best cornerback in the NFL. -- Providence Journal
Colts may revisit Freeney contract in '10
The Colts might revisit DE Dwight Freeney's deal after the 2010 season. His cap number mushrooms to $16.42 million in '11 and $19 million in '12. -- Indy Star
Horn: Falcons Vick is 'saddened' by events
Falcons wide receiver Joe Horn said he has spoken to Vick since in the indictment came down Tuesday and that Vick is remorseful and concerned. "Mike is saddened about the tension this is going to cause the team," Horn told the Journal-Constitution on Thursday night. "I assured him I support him, the rest of the guys support him and the team supports him. Whether he's guilty or innocent or whether you believe he is, time will tell. "No one, I don't care if you're wealthy or poor, no one is immune to the trials and tribulations of life. Everyone who's breathing is going to have to deal with issues in their life. Unfortunately, Mike is up at bat right now." -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Report: NFL to fine Dolphins Porter for Vegas fight
Sometime Friday, new NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is expected to hand down one of the biggest fines in NFL history to Miami Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter for his involvement in an offseason fight with Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Levi Jones. Porter is expected to be fined three game checks -- a total of $141,176 -- for his role in a Las Vegas fight with Jones. More important to Porter and the Dolphins, however, their prized free-agent acquisition will not be suspended. -- NFL Network
Irvin: NFL doing right thing with Vick
Michael Irvin on the Drive on FOX asked about Michael Vick's troubles: "I do think the rule, is a good rule (the conduct policy). I look at it with this perspective, I look at it as him trying to help these young guys make a decision not to do things because you know, you are like 21, 22, 23 you think that you have forever and no matter what you do you get over it, people forget about it, really people don't forget about it so I like how he is stepping up and helping it. The rule is what it is , it's for repeat offenders, I think he should not suspend Michael Vick right now, because he's doing the right thing, allow this do process, this is Michael's first run in with the law like this. " -- Fox Sports Radio
Virginia will seek indictment against Vick too
Commonwealth attorney Gerald Poindexter will seek an indictment against Falcons quarterback Michael Vick this year, possibly as soon as September. Poindexter told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Thursday that since Vick has been federally indicted, Poindexter expects to seek indictments for dogfighting and killing dogs, both state felonies. Poindexter said he will proceed now that county and federal investigators say they have located witnesses that can link Vick and his co-defendants to dogfighting. "My concern is that dogs were fought in Surry County," Poindexter said. "I'm interested in what is alleged to be the killing of dogs and dogfighting." -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution
PETA will protest Vick at NFL headquarters
Dan Shannon from PETA talking to the Drive on Fox Sports Radio about demonstrating: "We have joined the Human Society and calling on Michael Vick to be suspended and released from his contract if he is found guilty. We are going down to NFL headquarters tomorrow to organize a public demonstration of supporters and animal lovers, we will be out there at 10 am tomorrow (Thursday) morning letting the NFL know that the public does not support their action on this stance. Pac man and Tank Johnson have paid a penalty to the league without having charges against them and we do not feel that Vick should be treated any differently. We will have signs that say "sack Vick" we will be passing out information to aware people of dog violence, because obviously that is the most important part of us being out there, also to send a message to the league that we want to see some action taken place here, they want to see a dog fighter treated like any other violent defender." -- Fox Sports Radio
Pacman's lawyer questions treatment of Vick
Michael Vick's indictment on charges he was part of a dogfighting ring might lead to questions about the consistency of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's new conduct policy. The NFL statement after the Atlanta Falcons quarterback's federal indictment Tuesday cautioned that "Michael Vick's guilt has not yet been proven and we believe that all concerned should allow the legal process to determine the facts." -- Tennessean
Turley to sign with the Chiefs
Veteran offensive lineman Kyle Turley will hold off on his retirement from the NFL and sign a contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, according to a report on Hardcore Sports Radio. Turley announced on Sports Rage with Gabriel Morency that he will sign the contract with the Chiefs on Friday morning. Terms of the contract have yet to be announced. "This will be my tenth year in the league and I'm really looking forward to it," said Turley. "I'm back up to weight now, I'm back up to my strength." -- Hardcore Sports Radio
Should the Saints sign Daunte Culpepper?
Assuming that Daunte Culpepper doesn't ask for the world, now that he's healthy, the Saints could do a lot worse than to sign him as a backup quarterback. -- Canal Street Chronicles
Viking cornerback's 'saggy pants' case settled
Vikings cornerback Cedric Griffin, who was charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct after an April "saggy pants" incident at Spin nightclub in downtown Minneapolis, had his case resolved today at the Hennepin County Government Center. Griffin's lawyer, David Valentini, said his client did not enter a plea and that under terms of the agreement, there will be a continuance for dismissal in one year, meaning that if Griffin has no same or similar type violations during the next year the case will be automatically dismissed without any need for future appearances. ... It remains unclear if the NFL will take action against Griffin under the league's personal conduct policy. "We're hopeful the commissioner [Roger Goodell] will take no action based on this resolution," Valentini said. -- Star Tribune
Expert: Vick's public reputation will never be same
According to Chris Anderson, a Dallas-based crisis management expert and communications consultant for The Marketing Arm, consumers will forever associate Michael Vick, a quarterback for the NFL's Atlanta Falcons, with the cruelty and violence of dog-fighting, regardless of the level of Vick's actual involvement. "In terms of damage to his reputation, it's not about whether he's actually done anything criminal," said Anderson, who teaches a crisis management class at SMU. "It's the public's perception that he did something wrong or immoral. His simple association is enough to severely damage his reputation." -- PR Newswire
Tomlinson: Chargers coach worried about playoffs
Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson asked what will be different about San Diego with new coach Norv Turner. "Norv first came in and said "Guys, listen, I don't care about winning 14 games in the regular season or anything like that. We're gonna win games in the regular season. We all know that." He said "What I'm concerned [about] is the playoffs. We'll get to the playoffs and [get] over that hump. To me, it really doesn't matter about winning 14 games. That means nothing to me. It's all about the playoffs and what are you gonna do when you get there." -- Fox Sports Radio
Metrodome renovation is being studied for Vikings
A study on how to renovate the Metrodome is underway, although a Vikings official cautioned Thursday that there is little reason to believe a new plan to remodel the 25-year-old Dome will be any more economically viable than one the team rejected six years ago. The Vikings, who hope to build a $954 million stadium on the site of the Metrodome, are concerned with more than a price tag, which is now expected to far exceed the $269 million renovation plan rejected by the team in 2001 and by the governor's Stadium Task Force in 2002. The study, approved by the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission on Thursday, is expected to be completed by Aug. 1 by architectural firm Ellerbe Becket and is expected to cost between $100,000 and $110,000. -- Star Tribune
Texans sign 4th round pick Bennett?
The Texans have agreed to terms with fourth-round pick Fred Bennett, a cornerback from the University of South Carolina. Bennett (6-0, 197) is the second pick of the Texans to reach a deal. Zac Diles, the team's seventh-round selection, signed Wednesday. Five of the Texans' seven draft choices have not agreed to terms, including defensive tackle Amobi Okoye, their No. 1 pick. Rookies and veterans report to Reliant Stadium on Thursday. The first practice is Friday morning. -- Houston Chronicle
Tomlin will give Steelers a grueling camp
Mike Tomlin does not care much if his players do not like his plans for a toughened training camp that starts Monday in Latrobe. He's not trying to make friends. "I want to come out of training camp a unified, hardened group that's ready to do battle," the new Steelers coach said yesterday. Toward that end, he has planned a heavy dose of twice-daily practices, the dreaded two-a-days many NFL head coaches have virtually eliminated in training camps during the past decade. Tomlin has 15 scheduled, about twice what former Steelers coach Bill Cowher put his teams through. While seven of those practices are one-hour morning sessions that will deal mostly with special teams issues and light drills, all players must attend.-- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
LaDanian: NFL commish should wait on Vick
NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson asked what commissioner Roger Goodell should do with Falcons QB Michael Vick: "He's tried to send a message. The only thing you can do is wait and see what happens with Vick, and then you try to make another statement. But Vick is one of the most popular guys in our game, and so it's gonna be tough, that situation. But you have to wait on the facts first. -- Fox Sports Radio
Packers will speed up process to find CEO
John Jones, who had been groomed by Packers chairman Bob Harlan to succeed him, was in the midst of a three-year contract. The terms of a possible deal have not been disclosed, but it is anticipated that Jones would be paid in full. Assuming both sides sign off on an agreement, that would free Harlan to speed up his search for someone to replace him. Harlan said earlier this summer that at least five people had expressed interest in the job. -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Euro's don't want NFL
The overwhelming majority of Europeans don't want American football, which is why NFL Europe lost approximately $400 million since it began play as the World League of American Football in 1991. It's not enough for the NFL to control the Sundays of 300 million people and be the dominant form of sports entertainment in the United States; the NFL apparently won't be satisfied until it dominates the world . . . not that the league is alone in its thinking. -- Washington Post
All I can think of is "But Mr. Felix..." (in a falsetto voice). You younguns won't have a clue what I'm referring to of course. :laugh2:
