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The Chargers and representatives for quarterback Drew Brees got together at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis in recent days, though it is not believed anything significant came of that meeting. But even as the deadline nears for the two sides to reach an agreement or have Brees become a free agent, there may be extra time. The players' union and owners are reportedly close to an extension of the collective bargaining agreement. An imminent accord would mean the new league year (and, thus, free agency) would be pushed back from its scheduled Friday start. That would not only give the Chargers and Brees another week or two to find common ground but give other teams a chance to assess their interest in Brees. While teams are not officially allowed to speak to free agents until the new league year begins, it is believed the Raiders, Packers, Lions and Dolphins have interest in Brees.
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The Jets, however, are actively shopping defensive end John Abraham, with Washington, Denver, Houston and Cleveland among the teams believed to be interested. Abraham and his representatives, Tony Agnone and Rich Rosa, have made no secret of their desire to be traded and the Jets seem willing to accommodate them.
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Veteran safety Rodney Harrison said free agent Pro Bowl CB Ty Law won't be re-joining the Patriots, according to FOX SPORTS RADIO. Harrison, on with Chris Myers & Ben Maller on the Drive, was asked about the chances of Law returning to New England. "Man are you kidding me, we don't have enough money for Ty Law. They won't pay for Ty Law, I understand, he's up there in age, but he's a great player."
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Ravens RB Jamal Lewis' agent, Mitch Frankel, said Monday that he has no indication the Vikings will go after his client. "They have not expressed any interest," Frankel said. "Usually teams in general call to say, 'We're interested and when free agency starts we'll call.' I have to assume they are not interested at this point."
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Several Dolphins players have either talked or plan to talk to Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair about possibly playing in Miami if he is released by the Titans this offseason. The latest was receiver Chris Chambers who saw McNair when both played for the AFC in the Pro Bowl this month. ''I talked to McNair, and the subject of him coming down here came up,'' Chambers said. ``I saw him there, and he looked strong, and he looked healthy, and he said he wanted to play a couple of more years. So I told him to think about coming to down.''
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Arizona has over $20 million in salary-cap space, and it has needs along the offensive line and at running back. Yet the one offensive free agent that the Cardinals intend to pursue is Pittsburgh's free-agent wide receiver Antwaan Randle El. The Cardinals think he could provide more depth to a position that already includes Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, and Randle El could bolster their return game.
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A person with knowledge of a potential draft-day deal said last night that the Texans might be interested in the Jets' No. 4 overall pick if the right package were presented. Such a trade almost certainly would include defensive end John Abraham. If it were made, the Jets would be interested in drafting quarterback Matt Leinart, the 2004 Heisman Trophy winner who led USC to back-to-back national titles. "The Giants traded up from No. 4 to No. 1 to get Eli Manning," the person said. "So why not the Jets? This could be their chance to make the same kind of splash as the Giants. Leinart has that star quality that would play well in New York."
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Ozzie Newsome was unsure whether the Ravens will pursue former first-round pick Duane Starks, 31, an injury-prone cornerback who was cut by the New England Patriots on Saturday. Starks could fill the Ravens' void at nickel back. "Obviously, we'll have to do some work when we get back," Newsome said.
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Bills general manager Marv Levy and coach Dick Jauron, who know their team's receiving corps is suspect once getting past Lee Evans, have said repeatedly that they want Eric Moulds back. However, they acknowledged the financial numbers have to fit for a team with a lot of holes to fill after a 5-11 season. Younger and more affordable free agents that will be available include Pittsburgh's Antwaan Randle El, Cleveland's Antonio Bryant and New England's David Givens.
___________________________________________
NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue and NFL Players Association executive director Gene Upshaw met Monday in Washington to hold further talks and are expected to meet today in New York. On Wednesday and Thursday, the executive committee of the NFL Management Council, which includes eight owners, will meet in New York. If an agreement is completed, the current cap rules would stay in place and would be extended through the 2013 season.
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The Washington Commanders are trying to trade quarterback Patrick Ramsey. He might be worth a fourth-round pick if the Bills are interested and that's all it would take.
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The Jets have blinked in their stare down with Tom Condon, the agent for Chad Pennington, and there's "optimism" a compromise can be reached on the restructuring of the quarterback's contract, according to someone with knowledge of the discussions. Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum and Condon met late Saturday afternoon at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. "They made a little bit of progress (on Saturday)," said the person, who requested anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the talks. "The Jets have moved. There's more optimism that a deal can get done."
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Even though he is scheduled to be a restricted free agent, Chris Simms will be in Tampa next season. The Buccaneers have decided to tender Simms with the highest offer possible, meaning that any team that tries to sign him to an offer sheet would have to compensate Tampa Bay with first- and third-round draft picks. No team will be willing to do that, which means Simms isn't going anywhere this offseason. Question is, will Brian Griese also return? If there is an extension of the CBA, chances are Griese will be back. Without an extension, Griese has very little chance of returning to Tampa.
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All things being equal, Willie McGinest hopes to rejoin the Patriots in 2006. He said as much after the season ended in Denver. But that doesn’t mean he’ll play for nothing. And the next week could prove pivotal in deciding whether McGinest returns for a 13th season in New England. He’s due to make $8.3 million and will likely be released before a $3.5 million roster bonus comes due in early March, saving the team $6.8 million against the salary cap.
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Right now, the Cowboys own the 18th pick in the first round of the April NFL Draft. The key phrase is right now. Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones is open to trading down to acquire more picks.
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The Vikings held discussions with the agent for receiver Koren Robinson last week at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. "We talked; that's about it though," Alvin Keels said, adding he's optimistic something will get done. "We'll continue to talk throughout the week." The Vikings have the right to match any offer Robinson receives from another team.
___________________________________________
Tony Dungy readily acknowledges that the Colts’ offensive line — annually one of the NFL’s best — had its worst game in recent memory in the divisional playoff loss to Pittsburgh. Quarterback Peyton Manning was sacked five times and Manning’s post-game comments about the team’s pass blocking drew league-wide criticism. Despite the problems in the playoffs and over the final three home games, the Colts coach doesn’t think that offensive line will be a priority in the draft.
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The NFL's competition committee is considering reviving a proposal that would enable game officials to use instant replay to correct calls involving fumbles. Committee members discussed the measure last week in Indianapolis and might propose it to the NFL's team owners in late March at the league meeting in Orlando. Last year, the proposal fell four votes shy of receiving the 24 votes among the 32 teams needed to be enacted.
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The Bucs re-signed cornerback Juran Bolden on Monday, four days before the start of the free-agency signing period. The signing came as the Bucs worked to keep several other potential free agents from hitting the market, including nose tackle Chris Hovan, quarterback Chris Simms, guard Sean Mahan and fullback Mike Alstott.
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The contract binding National Football Scouting, which runs the combine, and the Indiana Convention and Visitors Association, which lures groups to the city, has expired. Negotiations over the next few weeks will determine whether the combine returns under a multi-year agreement or, perhaps, enters into a rotation system with other cities. "Our intent is to keep the combine here on a long-term basis,'' ICVA president Bob Bedell said. The feeling is mutual. "We're looking for the combine to continue here in Indy,'' said Jeff Foster, in his first year as director of National Football Scouting. "It works out well.''
___________________________________________
The Ravens could make some more salary-cap room by releasing offensive tackle Orlando Brown ($900,000 savings) and pass rusher Peter Boulware ($1.3 million), but there is no deadline to do so. Although Brown is not expected to return, Boulware might have an outside chance to come back if he agrees to a stricter offseason workout regimen. Asked if the Ravens will make any salary-cap cuts this week, Newsome said, "We don't have to release any players to get under the cap."
___________________________________________
The Browns negotiations with offensive left tackle L.J. Shelton heated up as the club sought to lock him up before Friday's anticipated free-agent deadline. The Browns and Vance Larimer, Shelton's agent, met at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis at least three times. They are supposed to resume talks via telephone today. Shelton, who turns 30 next month, would be an attractive player if he hit the open market. Larimer said Shelton would be agreeable to returning to the Browns even if he is not re-signed by Friday. But all it would take to lose Shelton in free agency would be one interested team, and the Miami Dolphins could be it.
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The Browns avoided losing one of their best players on defense Monday when they reached an agreement on a new deal for defensive end Orpheus Roye. A formal announcement will come after the contract is finalized today. Roye, 33, could have been an unrestricted free agent on Friday. He consistently has said he wanted to finish his career with the Browns. The new deal is for three years. "Orpheus likes the direction of the team and everybody there," said Phil Williams, Roye's agent.
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A fallback plan for the Jets may be to acquire Commanders' quarterback Patrick Ramsey for a mid-round pick. Cincinnati's Jon Kitna, who will become an unrestricted free agent Friday, also is a possibility.
___________________________________________
If the Detroit Lions are going to have a shot at one of the most interesting players available in April's NFL draft, they will most likely have to trade up or trade down to get him. Tamba Hali, the undersized defensive end from Penn State, is expected to go anywhere from 12th to 28th in the first round. That would make him a reach with the Lions' ninth overall pick in the first round and a long shot to still be around when the Lions pick in the second round (40th overall).
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Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper, responding via e-mail Monday, declined to comment on the remarks made by owner Zygi Wilf on Saturday. Wilf said the Vikings are planning to pay Culpepper his $6 million roster bonus on March 17 and downplayed potential trade talks involving the quarterback.
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The Vikings are interested in San Diego left guard Kris Dielman, but the Chargers probably will put a first-round qualifying offer on the restricted free agent.
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While family and friends say they are unsure whether Kansas City Chiefs running back Priest Holmes will retire, they acknowledge his actions of late aren't in keeping with what he usually does to prepare for the season. "He hasn't been carrying on as if he was going to play," Holmes' stepfather, Herman Morris, said. "Normally, he would be in the gym working out and have a routine going on. Right now, he seems to be laid back and relaxed and not wanting to think about it." ast week, he met with physician Robert Watkins, a Los Angeles-based spine surgeon. A spokesperson for Holmes' agent, Todd France, said Monday that France and the Chiefs are awaiting a report from Watkins. Holmes could not be reached for comment. Morris said he's been getting "mixed signals" from Holmes regarding his future.
___________________________________________
The Patriots appear in very fine shape. Their current cap number is roughly $90 million. If the cap expands beyond $100 million, they’d be in much better position to work out a long-term extension with All-Pro defensive end Richard Seymour and a new deal for Adam Vinatieri, the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, who is set to become a free agent Friday.
___________________________________________
Browns coach Romeo Crennel was drooling over A.J. Hawk. "(Ohio State) coach (Jim) Tressel was telling me he has a center, a wide receiver, some DBs and a lot of good players," Crennel said. "But this guy's a playmaker. He runs all over the place, and he runs to the ball. He's got some size, some speed, some production. I like all of those things."
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The Jets, however, are actively shopping defensive end John Abraham, with Washington, Denver, Houston and Cleveland among the teams believed to be interested. Abraham and his representatives, Tony Agnone and Rich Rosa, have made no secret of their desire to be traded and the Jets seem willing to accommodate them.
___________________________________________
Veteran safety Rodney Harrison said free agent Pro Bowl CB Ty Law won't be re-joining the Patriots, according to FOX SPORTS RADIO. Harrison, on with Chris Myers & Ben Maller on the Drive, was asked about the chances of Law returning to New England. "Man are you kidding me, we don't have enough money for Ty Law. They won't pay for Ty Law, I understand, he's up there in age, but he's a great player."
___________________________________________
Ravens RB Jamal Lewis' agent, Mitch Frankel, said Monday that he has no indication the Vikings will go after his client. "They have not expressed any interest," Frankel said. "Usually teams in general call to say, 'We're interested and when free agency starts we'll call.' I have to assume they are not interested at this point."
___________________________________________
Several Dolphins players have either talked or plan to talk to Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair about possibly playing in Miami if he is released by the Titans this offseason. The latest was receiver Chris Chambers who saw McNair when both played for the AFC in the Pro Bowl this month. ''I talked to McNair, and the subject of him coming down here came up,'' Chambers said. ``I saw him there, and he looked strong, and he looked healthy, and he said he wanted to play a couple of more years. So I told him to think about coming to down.''
___________________________________________
Arizona has over $20 million in salary-cap space, and it has needs along the offensive line and at running back. Yet the one offensive free agent that the Cardinals intend to pursue is Pittsburgh's free-agent wide receiver Antwaan Randle El. The Cardinals think he could provide more depth to a position that already includes Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, and Randle El could bolster their return game.
___________________________________________
A person with knowledge of a potential draft-day deal said last night that the Texans might be interested in the Jets' No. 4 overall pick if the right package were presented. Such a trade almost certainly would include defensive end John Abraham. If it were made, the Jets would be interested in drafting quarterback Matt Leinart, the 2004 Heisman Trophy winner who led USC to back-to-back national titles. "The Giants traded up from No. 4 to No. 1 to get Eli Manning," the person said. "So why not the Jets? This could be their chance to make the same kind of splash as the Giants. Leinart has that star quality that would play well in New York."
___________________________________________
Ozzie Newsome was unsure whether the Ravens will pursue former first-round pick Duane Starks, 31, an injury-prone cornerback who was cut by the New England Patriots on Saturday. Starks could fill the Ravens' void at nickel back. "Obviously, we'll have to do some work when we get back," Newsome said.
___________________________________________
Bills general manager Marv Levy and coach Dick Jauron, who know their team's receiving corps is suspect once getting past Lee Evans, have said repeatedly that they want Eric Moulds back. However, they acknowledged the financial numbers have to fit for a team with a lot of holes to fill after a 5-11 season. Younger and more affordable free agents that will be available include Pittsburgh's Antwaan Randle El, Cleveland's Antonio Bryant and New England's David Givens.
___________________________________________
NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue and NFL Players Association executive director Gene Upshaw met Monday in Washington to hold further talks and are expected to meet today in New York. On Wednesday and Thursday, the executive committee of the NFL Management Council, which includes eight owners, will meet in New York. If an agreement is completed, the current cap rules would stay in place and would be extended through the 2013 season.
___________________________________________
The Washington Commanders are trying to trade quarterback Patrick Ramsey. He might be worth a fourth-round pick if the Bills are interested and that's all it would take.
___________________________________________
The Jets have blinked in their stare down with Tom Condon, the agent for Chad Pennington, and there's "optimism" a compromise can be reached on the restructuring of the quarterback's contract, according to someone with knowledge of the discussions. Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum and Condon met late Saturday afternoon at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. "They made a little bit of progress (on Saturday)," said the person, who requested anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the talks. "The Jets have moved. There's more optimism that a deal can get done."
___________________________________________
Even though he is scheduled to be a restricted free agent, Chris Simms will be in Tampa next season. The Buccaneers have decided to tender Simms with the highest offer possible, meaning that any team that tries to sign him to an offer sheet would have to compensate Tampa Bay with first- and third-round draft picks. No team will be willing to do that, which means Simms isn't going anywhere this offseason. Question is, will Brian Griese also return? If there is an extension of the CBA, chances are Griese will be back. Without an extension, Griese has very little chance of returning to Tampa.
___________________________________________
All things being equal, Willie McGinest hopes to rejoin the Patriots in 2006. He said as much after the season ended in Denver. But that doesn’t mean he’ll play for nothing. And the next week could prove pivotal in deciding whether McGinest returns for a 13th season in New England. He’s due to make $8.3 million and will likely be released before a $3.5 million roster bonus comes due in early March, saving the team $6.8 million against the salary cap.
___________________________________________
Right now, the Cowboys own the 18th pick in the first round of the April NFL Draft. The key phrase is right now. Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones is open to trading down to acquire more picks.
___________________________________________
The Vikings held discussions with the agent for receiver Koren Robinson last week at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. "We talked; that's about it though," Alvin Keels said, adding he's optimistic something will get done. "We'll continue to talk throughout the week." The Vikings have the right to match any offer Robinson receives from another team.
___________________________________________
Tony Dungy readily acknowledges that the Colts’ offensive line — annually one of the NFL’s best — had its worst game in recent memory in the divisional playoff loss to Pittsburgh. Quarterback Peyton Manning was sacked five times and Manning’s post-game comments about the team’s pass blocking drew league-wide criticism. Despite the problems in the playoffs and over the final three home games, the Colts coach doesn’t think that offensive line will be a priority in the draft.
___________________________________________
The NFL's competition committee is considering reviving a proposal that would enable game officials to use instant replay to correct calls involving fumbles. Committee members discussed the measure last week in Indianapolis and might propose it to the NFL's team owners in late March at the league meeting in Orlando. Last year, the proposal fell four votes shy of receiving the 24 votes among the 32 teams needed to be enacted.
___________________________________________
The Bucs re-signed cornerback Juran Bolden on Monday, four days before the start of the free-agency signing period. The signing came as the Bucs worked to keep several other potential free agents from hitting the market, including nose tackle Chris Hovan, quarterback Chris Simms, guard Sean Mahan and fullback Mike Alstott.
___________________________________________
The contract binding National Football Scouting, which runs the combine, and the Indiana Convention and Visitors Association, which lures groups to the city, has expired. Negotiations over the next few weeks will determine whether the combine returns under a multi-year agreement or, perhaps, enters into a rotation system with other cities. "Our intent is to keep the combine here on a long-term basis,'' ICVA president Bob Bedell said. The feeling is mutual. "We're looking for the combine to continue here in Indy,'' said Jeff Foster, in his first year as director of National Football Scouting. "It works out well.''
___________________________________________
The Ravens could make some more salary-cap room by releasing offensive tackle Orlando Brown ($900,000 savings) and pass rusher Peter Boulware ($1.3 million), but there is no deadline to do so. Although Brown is not expected to return, Boulware might have an outside chance to come back if he agrees to a stricter offseason workout regimen. Asked if the Ravens will make any salary-cap cuts this week, Newsome said, "We don't have to release any players to get under the cap."
___________________________________________
The Browns negotiations with offensive left tackle L.J. Shelton heated up as the club sought to lock him up before Friday's anticipated free-agent deadline. The Browns and Vance Larimer, Shelton's agent, met at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis at least three times. They are supposed to resume talks via telephone today. Shelton, who turns 30 next month, would be an attractive player if he hit the open market. Larimer said Shelton would be agreeable to returning to the Browns even if he is not re-signed by Friday. But all it would take to lose Shelton in free agency would be one interested team, and the Miami Dolphins could be it.
___________________________________________
The Browns avoided losing one of their best players on defense Monday when they reached an agreement on a new deal for defensive end Orpheus Roye. A formal announcement will come after the contract is finalized today. Roye, 33, could have been an unrestricted free agent on Friday. He consistently has said he wanted to finish his career with the Browns. The new deal is for three years. "Orpheus likes the direction of the team and everybody there," said Phil Williams, Roye's agent.
___________________________________________
A fallback plan for the Jets may be to acquire Commanders' quarterback Patrick Ramsey for a mid-round pick. Cincinnati's Jon Kitna, who will become an unrestricted free agent Friday, also is a possibility.
___________________________________________
If the Detroit Lions are going to have a shot at one of the most interesting players available in April's NFL draft, they will most likely have to trade up or trade down to get him. Tamba Hali, the undersized defensive end from Penn State, is expected to go anywhere from 12th to 28th in the first round. That would make him a reach with the Lions' ninth overall pick in the first round and a long shot to still be around when the Lions pick in the second round (40th overall).
___________________________________________
Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper, responding via e-mail Monday, declined to comment on the remarks made by owner Zygi Wilf on Saturday. Wilf said the Vikings are planning to pay Culpepper his $6 million roster bonus on March 17 and downplayed potential trade talks involving the quarterback.
___________________________________________
The Vikings are interested in San Diego left guard Kris Dielman, but the Chargers probably will put a first-round qualifying offer on the restricted free agent.
___________________________________________
While family and friends say they are unsure whether Kansas City Chiefs running back Priest Holmes will retire, they acknowledge his actions of late aren't in keeping with what he usually does to prepare for the season. "He hasn't been carrying on as if he was going to play," Holmes' stepfather, Herman Morris, said. "Normally, he would be in the gym working out and have a routine going on. Right now, he seems to be laid back and relaxed and not wanting to think about it." ast week, he met with physician Robert Watkins, a Los Angeles-based spine surgeon. A spokesperson for Holmes' agent, Todd France, said Monday that France and the Chiefs are awaiting a report from Watkins. Holmes could not be reached for comment. Morris said he's been getting "mixed signals" from Holmes regarding his future.
___________________________________________
The Patriots appear in very fine shape. Their current cap number is roughly $90 million. If the cap expands beyond $100 million, they’d be in much better position to work out a long-term extension with All-Pro defensive end Richard Seymour and a new deal for Adam Vinatieri, the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, who is set to become a free agent Friday.
___________________________________________
Browns coach Romeo Crennel was drooling over A.J. Hawk. "(Ohio State) coach (Jim) Tressel was telling me he has a center, a wide receiver, some DBs and a lot of good players," Crennel said. "But this guy's a playmaker. He runs all over the place, and he runs to the ball. He's got some size, some speed, some production. I like all of those things."
___________________________________________
