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POSTED 9:59 p.m. EST, January 31, 2008

TITANS TO TRADE PACMAN?

For months, we've suspected that the Titans have resisted cutting cornerback Pacman Jones because they ultimately hope to get something in return for him once he's reinstated after a one-year suspension for a smattering of arrests. After all, he brings two important skills to the table -- he can play cornerback, and he can return kicks.

And ESPN reports that the Titans indeed plan to try to trade Jones. But the team says that no final decision has been made.

"We have had internal discussions and a meeting with Jones' representatives since the season concluded," the team said in a statement. "Assuming he is reinstated at some point, which we have received no indication when or if that will occur, we face various decisions. At this point, no decisions have been reached, but in order to have the best information available to us, we did inform his representation that, at some point, we would investigate all of our options. We will not comment otherwise until the suspension has ended and we have reached conclusions about his future with the club."

We wouldn't expect the Titans to describe it any other way. If potential trade partners know that the team has decided that he won't be part of the organization, the price tag to obtain his rights could go down.

While Jones has not formally been reinstated, he has been working out at the team's facility.

POSTED 9:38 p.m. EST, January 31, 2008

NINERS PROMOTE BAALKE

A league source tells us that the San Francisco 49ers have promoted area scout Trent Baalke to the position of director of player personnel.

It's a new position, created in the wake of the promotion of former V.P. of player personnel Scot McCloughan to General Manager.

Baalke has spent three years with the 49ers, and 10 years in the NFL.

POSTED 8:55 p.m. EST, January 31, 2008

HASSELBECK SAYS GIANTS DON'T NEED SHOCKEY

Former Giants quarterback Timm Hasselbeck has commented on the absence of tight end Jeremy Shockey from the team.

"People there are relieved he's not around. There's this big stink about he's on injured reserve," he said. "How come he's not on the sideline supporting his team? Let me tell you something, they don't want him there.

"They're going to say all the right things, 'Oh yeah, we'd love to have him around' and all that stuff because he's their teammate, he's under contract next year and you can't do that," he said. "But when they're talking to people and it's not necessarily being reported they don't want him around. He's a distraction.

"Eli [Manning] is playing better without him because he doesn't feel like he has to force the ball to him," said Hasselbeck. "I was in the offensive meetings where they said 'Listen, we need to get the ball to Jeremy early to keep him involved so he doesn't start going crazy.' Any time you have to start forcing the football to somebody to keep them happy it's not good and bad things happen."

POSTED 3:58 p.m. EST, January 31, 2008

TIKI SAVED COUGHLIN?

The scintillating subplot created by the one-year-too-early decision of Giants running back Tiki Barber to retire has created plenty of ammunition for debate and conjecture.

For Ian O'Connor, one conversation on the matter had enough substance to generate two columns -- one for the Bergen Record and one for FOXSports.com.

Tiki recognizes that the timing of his retirement and his habit for speaking his mind has given him an unwanted role in the still-unfolding drama. "I'm Public Enemy No. 1 if you're with the Giants," Barber said. "With every heroic story there has to be a foil, and I'm convenient for that. I am the f---k ing foil in a Shakespearean play."

Tiki also claims partial credit for saving Tom Coughlin's job. Of course, if Coughlin had been fired Tiki necessarily would have had less insight into the team for which he played, and thus less value to his current employer. So we doubt that it was a completely altruistic (thanks, Tiki) gesture on his part to want Coughlin to stick around.

On a separate note, why in the hell is O'Conner suddenly the president of the "Forgive Tiki" club? Barber screwed things up in 2006 by letting it be known in midseason that he would retire, and then he tried to screw things up in 2007 by calling out quarterback Eli Manning. It's far too late for Tiki to try to erase those realities.

It's not surprising, however. It's classic behavior of a narcissist. The only thing that shocks us at this point is that Tiki hasn't also claimed that his preseason attack on Manning caused the quarterback to toughen up, laying the foundation for his stellar postseason performances.

BERMAN BLOWS A FUSE

There's only one word to describe the following clip.

Holy crap. [Editor's note: Boomer uses more than a few bad words. Make sure the kids aren't in the room.]

UPDATE: Several readers have pointed out that Berman takes a swig at one point from a Diet Coke. The general consensus is that it isn't working.

SECOND UPDATE: We appreciate all of the e-mail messages pointing out to us the obvious fact that the clip is several years old. We're not sure that the age of the clip diminishes its impact. Also, at least one reader now looks forward to the day that Berman says, "He could . . . go . . . all . . . the . . . #@%!&* . . . way!"

POSTED 3:25 p.m. EST, January 31, 2008

"LOYALTY CLAUSE" NOT HAMPERING JOHNSON

Several readers have asked whether the ongoing antics of Chad Johnson, featuring a radio row effort to get himself traded without coming out and demanding a trade, runs afoul of the Bengals' notorious "loyalty clause," also known as the "Carl Pickens clause."

The easy answer is no, but only because the Pickens clause was rendered null and void by the 2006 revisions to the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The amendment specifically prohibits an attack on a signing bonus based on adverse public statements. Thus, the bonus money Johnson received as part of his April 2006 contract extension is safe.

However, the CBA does not prevent the imposition of discipline for conduct detrimental to the team. And how can it not be detrimental for a player who is under contract to attempt, city by city, to generate buzz for a possible trade?

Whether the Bengals try to impose discipline on Johnson for his antics remains to be seen. But given the lengths to which team president Mike Brown went to justify the loyalty clause, including but not limited to writing a column for the Cincinnati Enquirer, it's clear that the Bengals understand the connection between a player "blurting off at the mouth" (thanks, Emmitt) and team performance.

As Brown wrote more than seven years ago: "For as long as team sports have been played, it has been demonstrated that teams that bond well perform well on the field. Players who openly criticize their teammates and coaches undermine the team's ability to win games."

So while the team's options are limited, discipline can be imposed. And a league source with knowledge of the dynamics of the Bengals front office predicts that the current situation could eventually result in a T.O.-style feud.

"Mike Brown won't trade him under any circumstances," the source said. "They will let him sit and rot."

Stay tuned, folks. Once Ocho Stinko watches someone hoisting the Lombardi on Sunday night, the desire to get his own fingerprints on it will only increase. And his campaign to land with a team that he regards as a contender will continue to intensify.

POSTED 12:52 p.m. EST, January 31, 2008

ANDERSON, BROWNS AT ODDS OVER CONTRACT LENGTH

Last week, it was reported that the Browns had offered quarterback Derek Anderson a three-year contract. Our immediate reaction was that Anderson would balk at the duration of the deal.

Per James Walker of the Columbus Dispatch, the balking has begun. Anderson wants a five-year deal.

The duration raises a variety of issues. First, a three-year deal necessarily will entail less guaranteed money, since there are fewer seasons for proration. Second, the absence of a long-term commitment to Anderson would create a greater sense of an ongoing competition etween himself and Brady Quinn.

Though the presence of two potential starting quarterbacks on an NFL roster might be regarded as a good problem to have, the situation can quickly become thorny. Quinn won't be happy if Anderson signs a deal that makes him the clear-cut starter well into the future, especially since Quinn needs to play in order to unlock the high-end incentives in his contract.

Anderson, in turn, surely doesn't want to have to look over his shoulder at Quinn.

The smart move for the Browns, in our view, would be to extend the highest restricted free agency tender to Anderson, gladly accept a first-round pick and a third-round pick if someone signs him to an offer sheet, entertain trade offers of less than a one and a three, keep him for 2008 if no offer sheet is signed or if no acceptable offer is made, and then trade him out from under the franchise tag in 2009.

Quinn is the quarterback of the future in Cleveland; why else would the Browns have vaulted back into the first round of the 2007 draft to get him? Anderson's success arguably was fueled by an improving offensive line, the high-end pass-catching tandem of Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow, and an aging tailback who had more in the tank than anyone realized. And Anderson failed to deliver with a playoff berth on the line in Cincinnati.

So why not get what they can for Anderson, and see what Quinn can do? If Anderson gets extended for five years, Quinn might never get a chance to be the starter in Cleveland.

POSTED 11:15 a.m. EST, January 31, 2008

BOUDREAU LANDS IN ATLANTA

We've been advised that veteran offensive line coach Paul Boudreau, fired earlier this month by the Rams, has been hired by the Falcons.

Boudreau worked from 2003 to 2005 with Falcons head coach Mike Smith in Jacksonville.

The challenge in Atlanta is to continue to acquire offensive lineman who can carry out the man-blocking scheme that the team re-installed in 2007. Prior to that, the Falcons had been using the oft-controversial zone-blocking techniques, under the tutelage of Alex Gibbs.

Boudreau arguably was the scapegoat for the poor performance of an offensive line in St. Louis that was decimated by injuries.

POSTED 10:21 a.m. EST, January 31, 2008

L.T.'S KNEE GOT WORSE AGAINST PATS?

An MRI performed on the knee of Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson reportedly has revealed that his four snaps in the AFC title game did further damage to a previously-injured MCL.

Tomlinson says that he'll now need six more weeks to heal. He won't be playing in the Pro Bowl.

"The Pro Bowl is not a concern," he said. "After not playing in the championship game, the Pro Bowl is the least of my concerns.”

Tomlinson also addressed the criticism he received for leaving the January 20 game against the Patriots after only two series.

"That's part of being in my position,” he said. "That's what the world does. It builds you up. T hen when things don't go like people think they should, the criticism starts. This was clearly the worst I've been through. But it just confirms what I already knew. I've seen other guys go through it."

The problem is that, during the game, there was no report that Tomlinson wouldn't be able to return due to his knee. During the CBS broadcast of the game, his absence was described as a "coach's decision." In the press box, an announcement was made that he "can return." In the absence of a clear explanation for these communications, reasonable people reasonably concluded that L.T. chose not to return.

POSTED 10:04 a.m. EST, January 31, 2008

LEAGUE GIVES BILLS GREEN LIGHT FOR TORONTO

TSN in Canada reports that the Buffalo Bills have reached an agreement with the National Football League to play eight games over the next five years in Toronto.

Last year, Bills owner Ralph Wilson sought permission to export some of his team's home games to Toronto, in an apparent effort to regionalize the fan base -- and to attract folks from Toronto to Buffalo for the purposes of buying tickets and luxury suites for Bills home games.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will reportedly announce the agreement on Friday, during his annual "state of the league" news conference.

POSTED 9:33 a.m. EST, January 31, 2008

LOFTON HIRED WITHOUT KIFFIN'S INVOLVEMENT

The Raiders have hired Hall of Fame receiver James Lofton as an assistant coach. The head coach, Lane Kiffin, reportedly wasn't in on the decision.

Jerry McDonald of the Contra Costa Times reports that Kiffin received word of the Lofton hire from a "third party not affiliated with the club."

Apparently, it's the latest move in the effort by owner Al Davis to get Kiffin to quit.

Though Lofton's specific role has not yet been decided, it could be that Lofton will be the head coach, if/when Kiffin goes. Lofton previously has interviewed twice for the head-coaching job.

And it's becoming more and more obvious that Kiffin eventually will be gone. He hasn't resigned because, presumably, he doesn't want to forfeit his right to the next two years of salary. At some point, however, he might be able to claim that he has been constructively discharged, which would then allow him to resign while at the same time pursuing the balance of his salary. Or, eventually, he'll say or do something that will provide the team with a good-faith argument that Kiffin was fired for cause, which would block him from receiving any further pay.

POSTED 9:03 a.m. EST, January 31, 2008

CHAD'S CHATTER CONTINUES

Bengals receiver Chad Johnson is doing everything he can to get out of Cincinnati, without saying that he wants out of Cincinnati.

Instead, he's openly flirting with various teams via appearances on their cities' radio stations, and he's likewise using national platforms to refrain from expressing a clear commitment to his current team.

Here's the clip from WFNZ in Charlotte, during which he said that "85 plus 89 equals a Super Bowl, period."

Johnson also was on WSCR in Chicago, during which he said he'd make quarterbacks Rex Grossman or Kyle Orton into superstars. Johnson also said, "I've worked myself to a point to where I make the quarterback look good regardless of what he does or where he puts the ball."

Before the interview, Johnson wrote on a note pad to Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, "Can I play in Seattle?"

According to the Boston Globe, Johnson approached a Boston reporter and said, "I'm going to be playing for your team next year.

In an appearance on NFL Network, Johnson was more restrained. He even tried to deny -- perhaps jokingly -- his comments that recently were shown on NFLN during which he suggested that he wants to play in Miami. Here's the "call me Parcells" clip.

Johnson later admitted that he is frustrated in Cincinnati. "Stuff is just not right," he said. Near the end, he hinted that he might retire. "I might have to hang it up," he said. "You never know."

Here's the full spot, courtesy of a member of PFT Planet.

The team has yet to comment on Chad's borderline bizarre campaign to get out of town. But his NFLN clip is posted on the team's official web site. Sooner or later, the fans in Cincinnati are going to turn their backs on him. And at that point it'll be easy for the team to justify shipping him out of town.

And, sure, trading him would result in a cap hit. But we're talking about the Bengals here. Taking a big cap hit will reduce the amount of money that the team has to otherwise spend in 2008. How is that a bad thing?

POSTED 11:31 p.m. EST, January 30, 2008

FITZ WOULD BE FINE WITH PHILLY

Though Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald wants to stay in Arizona, he told WIP radio on Wednesday that the Philadelphia Eagles are one of four other teams for which he'd be happy to play, if he is traded.

The audio is right here.

It remains to be seen whether the Cardinals will try to trade Fitzgerald. Due to escalators in his contract, he's scheduled to earn salaries of $14.59 million in 2008 and $17.355 million in 2009. That's nearly $32 million over two years, and then he'll hit the open market at only 26 years of age.

The Cardinals could, if they so choose, pay him the money for the next two seasons. But it would then cost more than $20 million to retain his rights via the franchise tag for the 2010 season.

There's no good way out of this for the Cardinals. Even if they want to extend his deal, the price to do so would have to be enormous. He's already in position to earn $30 million between now and September 2009, at which time his full salary for that season would become guaranteed. Thus, anything less than $30 million in guaranteed money as part of a new long-term contract makes no sense.

That same line of thinking applies to any other team, however. If he's traded, he still has a contract that pays him huge money over the next two years. What team would want to give up draft picks for the privilege of having their nuts promptly dropped into a vise?

So it could be that Fitzgerald finishes out the deal, pockets the $30 million, and then lets the market dictate his worth for 2010 and beyond.

Meanwhile, whoever authorized the Cardinals to sign Fitzgerald to a contract with escalators like that needs to be fired. Then again, maybe he already was, after the 2006 season.

POSTED 10:35 p.m. EST, January 30, 2008

PER OFFICIAL INJURY REPORT, BRADY'S ANKLE NOT INJURED

The first injury report for the Super Bowl is out, and Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is officially not injured.

Well, he's still got that right shoulder thing, which was disclosed by the team as a condition that nevertheless allowed him to fully participate in practice. But there was no mention of any ankle or foot problem.

For both teams, the report was fairly light. New England receiver Jabar Gaffney was a limited participant in practice due to a shoulder problem of his own. No other Patriot was named.

For the Giants, receiver Plaxico Burress missed practice due to a torn ankle ligament that has plagued him all year. Cornerback Kevin Dockery (hip flexor) and guard Rich Seubert (knee) were limited participants.

The teams will issue updated reports on Thursday and Friday. On Friday, the various labels are applied. The only certainty is that Brady will be probable due to his right shoulder.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

TE Teyo Johnson, who didn't play in 2007, has signed with the Bills.

Pats V.P. of player personnel Scott Pioli is pleased with how the Randy Moss trade worked out.

LB Adalius Thomas was one of the big winners in 2007 free agency; at media day, he didn't even get his own podium.

Browns DT Ethan Kelly had microfracture surgery.

Tony Dungy is turning into a regular Dr. Seuss.

Former Cowboys head coach Dave Campo is officially back with the team.

The Raiders have re-signed LB Sam Williams to a one-year deal.

The possible arrival of Dom Capers in Dallas as an assistant might be the first step toward having a defensive coordinator in place once Wade Phillips is gone, and when Jason Garrett is the coach.

A couple of relatively influential guys with the Giants realize that all the chirping about beating the Pats is only inviting a beat-down of epic proportions.

Redskins quarterbacks coach Bill Lazor doesn't know whether he'll be with the team in 2008.

With free agency less than a month away, Bears LB Lance Briggs found a way to weasel out of the Pro Bowl.

Does Randy Moss think he's better than Jerry Rice?

The Falcons are keeping Bill Musgrave as quarterbacks coach.

When it comes to the topic of getting cut by the Rams, Giants FB Madison Hedgecock should change his last name to Stickass.

POSTED 9:35 p.m. EST, January 30, 2008

MOSS ADDRESSES NEAR-MISS WITH PACKERS

Last year, at about this time, rumors began to surface that Packers quarterback Brett Favre wanted the team to acquire Randy Moss. Though Favre never said anything publicly to pressure the team to pursue Moss, it was believed that Favre was working behind the scenes to make it happen -- and that Favre at one point was convinced that Moss was coming to Green Bay.

On Wednesday, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel asked Moss about the situation. And Moss explained that, indeed, there was a chance that the man who once pretended to moon the fans at Lambeau Field would return wearing green and gold.

"Green Bay was in the picture, but the things told to me about maneuvering money around and making it a good fit -- the Packers were really talking a lot about the wrong things, not the right things.

"When they started talking about the wrong things I hung the phone up and didn't want to talk to them anymore. I thought about it. It was something that could work out just for the fact Brett Favre was there, but I think as the conversation continued throughout the day and the next day, I really didn't want to go to Green Bay."

Moss apparently didn't like the fact that the Packers were applying conditions to his possible tenure with the team.

"It was like they were telling me that they're going to take a chance on me, but if you do come here these are the things you have to work out, 'Be on your best behavior. Donald Driver is the top receiver here so don't come in there trying to step on his toes,' things like that. I didn't think that was right because my whole career things have been taken out of [context] at times, but at the end of the day all I wanted to do was win games. It's hard to win games. . . . I don't feel they really wanted me. Brett wanted me, but I don't thing [sic] the Packers' organization wanted me."

The Packers probably didn't want Moss. Sure, Favre did. But it isn't G.M. Ted Thompson's style to pursue a guy like Moss. Though the front office had to remove the stick from Favre's fanny after Moss went to New England, both teams had solid seasons. Besides, the Packers are solid at the receiver position -- they wouldn't have been that much better with Moss, and they'll be better off without him moving forward given the development of guys like Greg Jennings and James Jones.

POSTED 8:14 p.m. EST, January 30, 2008

REPORT OF MOOCH INTERVIEW PREMATURE?

Contrary to a report that Steve Mariucci has interviewed for the vacant head-coaching position in Washington, Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that there has not yet been an interview.

Per Schefter, an interview will likely happen at some point this week, but it has not yet occurred. He says that he told ABC 7 in Washington only that the interview could happen today.

Mariucci, who was fired by the Lions in late 2005, has made it known that he is ready to return to coaching.

POSTED 7:16 p.m. EST, January 30, 2008

RAMS GET SAUNDERS

The St. Louis Rams have hired Al Saunders to serve as offensive coordinator. Per media reports, he signed a three-year deal.

The move could prompt Rams fans to ponder a possible return of the "Greatest Show on Turf," since Saunders was receivers coach in St. Louis in 1999 and 2000.

He became the Chiefs' offensive coordinator in 2001 when former Rams coach Dick Vermeil emerged from a one-year retirement to take over the job in Kansas City.

After Vermeil retired, Saunders accepted the position of "associate head coach-offense" with the Redskins. His performance there, however, didn't have the same impact as in Kansas City.

POSTED 7:01 p.m. EST, January 30, 2008

CHAD FLIRTS WITH CHARLOTTE

Bengals receiver Chad Johnson continued to back-door campaign to get out of Cincinnati on Wednesday with a comment to Mark Packer of WFNZ in Charlotte.

Per multiple readers, Johnson addressed on "Primtime with the Packman" the possibility of teaming up with receiver Steve Smith.

"85 plus 89 equals Super Bowl," Johnson supposedly said.

POSTED 4:54 p.m. EST, January 30, 2008

CHAD'S PLAYING IT COY

Though Bengals receiver Chad Johnson didn't come out and say that he wants out of Cincinnati during a Wednesday visit to ESPN's NFL Live, he didn't say that he wants to return -- and he was given every opportunity to do so.

Instead, he said that he wants to play for a contender, and he pulled out the "next question" card when pressed on whether the Bengals fall into that category.

Johnson will try his damnedest not to come off as the bad guy in this. In the end, however, he won't pull it off. If he wants out, he needs to be a man and say so. Otherwise, he needs to say that he wants to stay, and he needs to shut up and get about the business of being a good teammate.

POSTED 4:48 p.m. EST, January 30, 2008

MOOCH INTERVIEWING WITH 'SKINS

ABC 7 in Washington reports that Redskins owner Dan Snyder and Executive V.P. of Football Operations Vinny Cerrato are interviewing former Niners and Lions coach Steve Mariucci for the head-coaching gig in D.C.

Adam Schefter of NFL Network confirmed for ABC 7 that Mariucci, his NFLN colleague, is sitting for the job.

Talk of Mooch to the Redskins heated up earlier this week, when Jason La Canfora looked at the evidence suggesting that the 'Skins could be getting ready for Mariucci to take over.

The ultimate requirement for coaching job is an ability to get along with Cerrato, and the status of their relationship is unclear. As a league source told us recently, Cerrato didn't hire Mooch in San Fran.

POSTED 4:16 p.m. EST, January 30, 2008

WILLIAMS INTERVIEWS WITH JAGS

Former Redskins defensive coordinator Gregg Williams became a head coach in Buffalo based on his performance as defensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans.

Now, Williams could be taking that same position with one of the Titans' biggest rivals.

According to the Florida Times-Union, Williams interviewed with the Jaguars on Tuesday for the position created when defensive coordinator Mike Smith was hired to become the new head coach of the Falcons.

"Gregg was here," Del Rio said. "I will provide more info once the staff is completed."

The Times-Union points out that Jacksonville linebackers coach Mark Duffner could be promoted. If not, Williams could get the job.

Williams recently was fired by the Redskins after multiple interviews for the head-coaching job there resulted in no offer to replace Joe Gibbs.

POSTED 3:59 p.m. EST, January 30, 2008

BRADY RESPONDS TO PLAX PREDICTION

Earlier this week, Giants receiver Plaxico Burress predicted that his team will beat the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII by the score of 23-17.

On Wednesday, Pats quarterback Tom Brady responded.

"We're only going to score 17 points?" Brady said, laughing. "OK. Is Plax playing defense? I wish he had said 45-42 and gave us a little credit for more points."

But Brady didn't respond with any guarantees or predictions of his own. "I learned a lesson early in my career: No matter what you say during the week -- and God knows we say a lot this week -- we're going to be focused on going out and winning this game. We're confident, but I don't think we share our thoughts with everybody."

Exactly. Nothing is gained by possibly getting the other team riled up. And we know the Pats are capable of getting riled up. Remember how Brady jawed at Steelers safety Anthony Smith during their December 9 game, which was preceded by a stupid-ass guarantee from Smith that Pittsburgh would win?

Brady knows to be low key for now. Come Sunday, he and the rest of the Pats will be anything but.

POSTED 2:52 p.m. EST, January 30, 2008

STINKO FORCING HIS WAY OUT?

Several readers tell us that Bengals receiver Chad Johnson is making the rounds in Arizona, and that he's creating the distinct impression that he wants out of Cincinnati.

One reader said that Ocho Stinko appeared on The Jim Rome Show on Wednesday, and made it clear that he's looking to get out. Lance McAlister of 1530 The Homer in Cincy has an entry about the comments of Señor Stinko on McAlister's blog.

"This isn't cute....it isn't fun...and it's not an act," McAlister writes. "This is calculated and orchestrated. He and agent Drew Rosenhaus have put the wheels in motion to get out of town. They believe he's best served leaving Cincinnati."

Recently, Johnson joked on camera about hoping to be traded to Miami, and he has given disturbingly candid interviews to Sirius NFL Radio and to ESPN Radio regarding his status in Bengals.

But coach Marvin Lewis has said that Johnson won't be traded. Of course, the Eagles have said the same thing about quarterback Donovan McNabb, and plenty of people aren't buying that one, either.

Stay tuned. Three years after T.O. forced his way out of Philly, there could be another NFL soap opera playing itself out in Cincy.

POSTED 1:58 p.m. EST; UPDATED 3:45 p.m. EST, January 30, 2008

FUN WITH EMMITT, SUPER BOWL STYLE

So we were watching the endless loop of SportsCenter on Wednesday, and there was Emmitt Smith and his shoe-polish beard talking about covering Randy Moss with Sean Salisbury and his body that by all appearances has rejected the NutriSystem products. Salisbury made a reference at one point to LL Cool J and his song based on the early career of receiver Steve Smith, Mama Said Knock You Out.

Later in the spot, Emmitt tries to make an LL Cool J reference of his own. The only problem is that, as usual, it didn't quite come out the way he wanted.

Here's the clip, courtesy of our friends at Awful Announcing. Pay particular attention at the 70-second mark.

By the way, Emmitt coined another new phrase earlier in the show regarding the boastings of receiver Plaxico Burress. Emmitt referred to the situation as having a guy who "blurted off at the mouth."

UPDATE: Peter King of SI.com had this to say about Emmitt's analytical skills: "I think this was about the dumbest thing I've heard this week so far. When ESPN's Emmitt Smith was asked on TV about Plaxico Burress' prediction of a 23-17 Giants victory, Smith said: 'His prediction will get him double-coverage.' I can only hope Smith either misspoke or was somehow exaggerating, because to imagine that the Patriots would be moved to change their defensive plan against Burress because of something he said prior to the game is ridiculous."

POSTED 1:46 p.m. EST, January 30, 2008

BENGALS SIGN ANOTHER PALMER

The Cincinnati Bengals are led on offense by a quarterback named Palmer. The depth chart just added another quarterback of the same name.

It's Jordan Palmer, younger brother of Carson Palmer.

The younger Palmer was a quarterback at UTEP in 2006, and a sixth-round draft choice of the Redskins in 2007.

Palmer was cut by the Redskins on September 1, and did not land with another team.

POSTED 11:16 a.m. EST, January 30, 2008

BROOKS NOT HIRED, YET

Contrary to a report from Len Pasquarelli of ESPN.com that Larry Brooks has been hired to coach the defensive line in Washington, a league source tells us that Brooks has not been hired -- and might never be.

Per Pasquarelli, there is an "agreement in principle." Though the explanation might now be that there was an agreement in principle that later fell apart, it's our understanding that there wasn't even a tentative arrangement.

The move raised eyebrows because Brooks spent two seasons on Steve Mariucci's staff in Detroit, and was out of football in 2007.

POSTED 10:59 a.m. EST, January 30, 2008

TIME TO SHED SHOCKEY?

Lost amid the hype and the preparations for Super Bowl XLII is Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey. And his apparent lack of interest in what his team is trying to accomplish might be reason enough for the Giants to sever ties with him.

Shockey broke a leg late in the regular season. As we recently heard, Shockey is pissed that the team has done so well without him. Some league observers believe that the sudden maturity of quarterback Eli Manning has resulted at least in part from the absence of the loud-mouthed tight end.

According to the Denver Post, the Giants have invited Shockey to attend the Super Bowl. But Shockey has yet to decide whether to accept the invitation.

Let's repeat that one. Jeremy Shockey, a member of the New York Giants football club, has not yet decided whether he'll attend the Super Bowl as a member of the team.

Of course, Shockey is slated to attend Terrell Owens' Super Bowl party on Thursday night as a "confirmed guest," along with the likes of Tony Romo and Chad Johnson and JaMarcus Russell.

If Shockey attends the T.O. party but isn't with his team for the Super Bowl, then the Giants should trade him or cut him. Sure, he's under contract through 2011. Yeah, there would be cap consequences. But we can envision no greater act of selfishness or betrayal than for a supposed member of a team to fail to provide support and respect as the organization tries to pull off one of the all-time great underdog stories in league history.

It truly would be a case of addition by subtraction. Heck, it already has been.

POSTED 10:26 a.m. EST, January 30, 2008

'SKINS SEARCH HEADS WEST, AGAIN

After meeting for a second time with Colts defensive coordinator Ron Meeks on Tuesday, Redskins owner Daniel Snyder and Executive V.P. of Football Operations Vinny Cerrato are believed to be heading to Arizona for possible meetings with Steve Mariucci and/or Jim Fassel, according to David Elfin of the Washington Times.

After the Super Bowl, Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and/or Pats offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels could be in play.

Some are speculating that the Redskins might be considering a run at Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who could be inclined to move on if his team secures its fourth Super Bowl win in seven years via a perfect 19-0 season.

But such speculation overlooks the fact that Belichick would want to run the show anywhere that he goes. In Washington, no coach is going to run the show -- as evidenced by the fact that the Redskins are already hiring the guys who'll be working for the coach who eventually is hired. This approach necessarily runs off any potential head coach who is inclined to call all of the shots.

POSTED 8:27 a.m. EST, January 30, 2008

T.O. SLAMS UNION

Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens addressed on Tuesday the recent decision by an arbitrator that he'll have to cough up another $769,000 as part of the $2.49 million consequences of his misbehavior with the Eagles in 2005.

And, true to form, it wasn't T.O.'s fault. Instead, he's blaming the union, which presented his case on his behalf.

"I'm disappointed in the union," Owens said on Tuesday. "The second time that we've kind of used their services, I've been very, very disappointed in that.''

Owens also hinted that he'll be paying his new debt to the Eagles, even though he didn't really say so.

"I'm not going to really worry about the money, money doesn't really make me,'' Owens said. "I'm very fortunate to be where I am, and I'll leave that in the past.''

Ironically, it was Owens' desire for more money that prompted him to act like an ass in Philly, resulting in fines, a suspension without pay, and the loss of signing bonus money.

And don't be surprised if it happens again. With Owens entering the last year of his contract with the Cowboys and getting closer and closer to the back end of his prime, he's going to want an extension . . . especially after Randy Moss gets his new contract, and if the Cardinals resolve their self-created cap mess with Larry Fitzgerald by giving him a big-money long-term deal.

POSTED 10:00 p.m. EST, January 29, 2008

MORE DETAILS ON CRENNEL'S DEAL

The two-year extension that coach Romeo Crennel has received from the Browns is, we're told, worth "just under" $4 million per year, which is consistent with published reports of a $4 million per year salary.

Per a league source, the deal also contains incentive payments based on winning the AFC North, winning playoff games, and winning the Super Bowl.

And those kinds of things should be the next goals for the Browns. The franchise hasn't won a playoff game since 1994, when then-coach Bill Belichick defeated, ironically, the Patriots.

Though we don't play favorites (instead, we hate all teams equally), we think that folks in Cleveland deserve to have a successful football team. They've been through a lot and, finally, the future is bright.

TUESDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

Greg Olson might be replacing Bucs quarterbacks coach Paul Hackett.

Paul Hackett's son, Nathaniel, has jumped from the Bucs to the Bills.

Indianapolis plans to make a pitch for the 2012 Super Bowl.

The Fins officially have added five coaches.

One of them apparently won't be Saints quarterbacks coach Pete Carmichael.

With anger, denial, bargaining, and depression in their rear-view mirror, the '72 Dolphins apparently are settling down with a nice big cup of acceptance.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh is keeping defensive assistant coaches Clarence Brooks and Mike Pettine.

Bengals quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese isn't leaving.

RB Jamal Lewis wants to stay in Cleveland.

Steelers WR Cedrick Wilson is a brave man.

The Steelers haven't decided whether to stick with their crappy grass surface in 2008.

Broncos S John Lynch might retire.

Former NFL DE Alonzo Spellman is his generation's Jerramy Stevens.

The Broncos have to decide whether to pay RB Travis Henry $6 million.

When Lane Kiffin returned to work on Monday, we wonder whether he still had exclusive access to his handicapped bathroom.

Giants CB Aaron Ross lost his lunch on the team plane.

Lions RB Kevin Jones is happy that offensive coordinator Mike Martz is gone.

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson says he'll "definitely" be at the Super Bowl as a player.

POSTED 8:50 p.m. EST, January 29, 2008

OGDEN CALLING IT QUITS?

When the Ravens were searching for a new head coach, left tackle Jonathan Ogden said that he wouldn't want to play for Marty Schottenheimer. Ogden might not play for John Harbaugh, either.

Ogden told the Baltimore Sun that he might not be back in 2008.

"I'm still in the same place; I'm still leaning toward not coming back," Ogden said. "If I do, I have to feel healthy. I can't go through what I did last season. I can't be getting treatment every day. And with a new regime, it's going to be more work."

Ogden seriously considered retirement in the 2007 offseason.

POSTED 8:33 p.m. EST, January 29, 2008

MOOCH ADDRESSES REDSKINS RUMORS

Former 49ers and Lions coach Steve Mariucci addressed on NFL Network rumors that he might be the next coach of the Redskins.

Mooch was noncommittal -- he clearly is open to the possibility, but he calls it a "family decision." (Insert whip crack sound here.)

A couple of readers have pointed out that the recent hiring of defensive line coach Larry Brooks by the Redskins could evidence that Mariucci will get the job, given that Brooks was Mooch's defensive line coach in Detroit in 2004 and 2005.

POSTED 5:20 p.m. EST, January 29, 2008

'SKINS ADD ANOTHER COACH, BUT NOT A HEAD COACH

The Washington Redskins have hired and fired several coaches of late. They're still waiting, however, to name the guy who'll run the show.

According to ESPN.com, the 'Skins secured the services of Larry Brooks, 57, on Tuesday. Brooks will serve as the team's defensive line coach.

Brooks didn't coach in 2007; he most recently worked for the Cardinals as a member of Dennis Green's staff.

The addition of Brooks means that the eventual head coach, whoever it might, will have one less position to fill. But coaches typically like to have a say in who'll be coaching with them, and plenty of coaches wouldn't be interested in the Redskins' job simply by virtue of the fact that the front office has tied their hands by hiring guys whom the eventual head coach, whoever it might be, doesn't like.

Some league observers think that Jim Fassel is destined to get the job, but that owner Dan Snyder and Executive V.P. of Football Operations Vinny Cerrato are going through the motions of interviewing other candidates so that they can claim that they did their due diligence once the fans and the local media criticize the decision to hire Fassel. (Pssst . . . they already are.)

At this point, that's the only explanation that makes any sense. And while former Lions and 49ers coach Steve Mariucci could be lurking, there's no reason for Snyder to dilly-dally in courting Mooch. Like Fassel, Mariucci can load up the van and head to D.C. at any time. We think that the sole reason for the delay is to allow Snyder and Cerrato to be able to say that Fassel is the best candidate, and that they know this because they interviewed enough other guys before making their decision.

POSTED 2:24 p.m. EST, January 29, 2008

McDANIELS WON'T RULE OUT POST-SUPER BOWL INTERVIEW

David Elfin, via John Taylor, of the Washington Times reports that Patriots offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Josh McDaniels won't rule out interviewing for the vacant head-coaching position with the Redskins after the Super Bowl.

McDaniels has been with the Patriots since 2001, and he won't be 32 until April.

He previously withdrew his name from consideration for all 2008 vacancies.

POSTED 12:55 p.m. EST, January 29, 2008

STEVENS STORY PROVOKES PFT PLANET

We posted on Monday night an item that linked to a lengthy story regarding the history of criminal investigations, allegations, arrests, and convictions of Buccaneers tight end Jerramy Stevens.

The reaction from our readers has been overwhelming. Some have renounced their loyalty to the Bucs. Others have turned their backs on the Seahawks, who drafted him out of the University of Washington, and who should have known about his exploits in Seattle better than anyone else.

The most common reaction has been a belief that the story needs to be heard -- and that it must be read and understood by every owner, every coach, every scout, every player.

It is, indeed, a sickening account of a system gone haywire, all in the apparent name of making sure that a football team will have its most talented players available to play.

Special mention should be made at this time that one of Stevens' early enablers was current Rams head coach Scott Linehan, who went to bat for Stevens back in 1998. Linehan was going to be Stevens' position coach at Washington, and Linehan described the decision of Stevens to stomp on the face of a guy who had been hit in the head by a baseball bat face as an "isolated incident," based on a University background check that showed "nothing but high marks." Linehan vowed that Stevens would should "growth and maturity," and that under the University of Washington's supervision "this type of incident [will] not occur again."

Technically, Linehan was right. To our knowledge, Stevens hasn't since stomped on the face of anyone who has been hit by a baseball bat.

But Stevens has done other things. As one reader points out, the brother of Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes is serving 27 years for a non-violent crime; Stevens has only ever gone away for 12 days.

This story needs to continue to be developed. Hopefully, someone from 60 Minutes has a condo on PFT Planet (and not in the building where Stevens lived in Seattle). Tough questions need to be posed to Mike Holmgren and Rick Neuheisel and Scott Linehan and Bruce Allen and Jon Gruden and anyone else who granted to Stevens the privilege of playing football for their team.

When Stevens hits the market on February 29, it'll be interesting to see who gives him his next "second chance." Maybe it will be Linehan.

Then again, he's already got more than his share of tight ends with rap sheets in Randy McMichael and Dominique Byrd.

POSTED 11:50 a.m. EST, January 29, 2008

GLOBE SELLING 19-0 PATRIOTS BOOK

Many readers have forwarded to us this link from Amazon.com, which offers for pre-order a book that memorializes the New England Patriots' perfect 2007 season.

The book is titled "19-0: The Historic Championship Season of New England's Unbeatable Patriots." And the listed author is the Boston Globe.

Our first reaction was that the thing might be a fake, reflecting an effort by someone who wants the Giants to win Super Bowl XLII to get them pissed off by the perceived indignity.

But since so many readers are responding to our item about the Giants and their ill-advised smack-talking by pointing out the existence of the presumptuously titled book, we need to be clear on one thing.

The Patriots aren't the ones who are writing or selling it.

There's a slight difference between various members of the Giants organization crowing about a coming win and a company with no connection to the Patriots lining up advance orders for a book that will be available if the Pats finish the deal on Sunday.

Besides, the Boston Globe is owned not by Robert or Jonathan Kraft, but by the New York Times.

UPDATE: Someone is taking pre-orders on a book that presumes the Giants win, too. So it's a wash.

POSTED 10:10 a.m. EST, January 29, 2008

FITZGERALD WANTS TO STAY IN ARIZONA

Due to his performance during the first four years of a very good but not stellar NFL career, the Cardinals owe Larry Fitzgerald a base salary in 2008 of $14.592 million.

For one year. $14.592 million.

Factoring in the prorations arising from his signing bonus and option bonus, Fitzgerald's cap number for 2008 will be a whopping $16.485 million.

The technical term for Fitzgerald's current posture is "leverage out the ying-yang." The only way to reduce his cap number is to sign him to a long-term extension, which will require roughly $25 million or so in guaranteed money. Then again, with $14.592 million in money that becomes guaranteed as of Week One of the 2008 regular season, Fitzgerald might be able to get even more than $25 million on his next contract.

Then again, these are the Cardinals. The poster children for "pay as you go." They don't like to use big signing bonuses, because they prefer to take their cap lumps in the current year. So while that 2008 base salary might make other teams scramble to extend the player, the Cardinals might simply shrug.

After all, $16 million in cap room to Fitzgerald is $16 million less in cap room that they'll have to give to someone else.

But if the Cardinals decide that a receiver doesn't merit that kind of a one-year salary and if they choose not to pay to him the kind of a long-term deal that he's in a position to command, trading him becomes an option.

For Fitzgerald's part, however, he doesn't want to leave. "I want to be a Cardinal," he said on Monday. "I enjoy it here. I love my teammates."

If that's the case, then he might have to give up some of that leverage, work out a reasonable deal, and essentially take less money than he could get elsewhere to stay put.

It'll be interesting to see how the Cards play this one. They created this mess by signing Fitzgerald to a contract that resulted in such a gigantic jump in his salary. How they clean it up could be one of the more intriguing stories of the offseason.

Especially since a new deal for Fitzgerald likely will cause Anquan Boldin to ask about an "adjustment" to his own contract, which runs through 2010.

NO RADIO ROW? NO PROBLEM

Even though the PFT Yugo was unable to make the trek to Arizona (MDS is there, however, through his primary gig at AOL), we'll still be talking with a few of the radio hosts who took their shows on the road for the days leading up to the Big Game.

At 11:08 a.m. EST, I'll spend a few minutes with Dan Patrick, in my ongoing quest to keep his "quality of guest average" in a reasonable range, since others on his show today include Lynn Swann and Doug Williams.

You can listen to it right here.

POSTED 9:38 a.m. EST, January 29, 2008

GIANTS CONTINUE TO BUCK TRADITION

One of the oldest (and thus most accurate) notions in football is that, before a game, you either say nothing about your opponent, or you praise them.

Or you make them, and everyone else, nauseous with a Lou Holtz routine about how they're the best organized sports team in the history of the country, if not the world.

So, as Super Bowl XLII approaches, the New York Giants are either playing with fire -- or blazing a new trail.

Ignoring the potential motivational effect that their words might have on the 18-0 Patriots, the Giants are pulling a collective Joe Namath, announcing to all who will listen that they plan to win.

And as the game approaches, the Giants are only getting more brash.

On Monday, receiver Plaxico Burress predicted a 23-17 win. Defensive end Michael Strahan declared, "History will be ours."

Maybe they're simply taking a cue from upstairs. After all, co-owner Steve Tisch claimed on Friday night that the Giants will win.

In a way, it all makes sense. Between the lines, trash talking now pervades all of sport. Why should the chatter not begin before the players take the field?

Still, the risk is great. The Patriots surely say nothing publicly, but coach Bill Belichick will paste together these various comments, predictions, and guarantees to work his guys into an absolute frenzy as 6:20 p.m. EST approaches on Sunday.

And when you can sprinkle that kind of emotion over an 18-0 team that is one of the best to ever play the game, it's a dangerous combination.

After all, David didn't drop smack on Goliath before he planted a stone into his skull. If the New York Giants can find a way to knock off the NFL's giants after chirping for a couple of weeks about how they plan to do so, the outcome of this one really will be on par with Jets-Colts in Super Bowl III.

POSTED 9:12 a.m. EST, January 29, 2008

MOOCH IS READY TO RETURN

Though it's not clear whether the Washington Redskins are interested in hiring former 49ers and Lions coach Steve Mariucci, Mooch apparently is ready to get back in.

According to Adam Schefter of NFLN, Mariucci is interested in returning to coaching. "He feels a stronger itch to coach then he did last year," Schefter said on Monday.

Coincidentally (or not), Mariucci's contract with the Lions ran through the 2007 season. So if Mooch had gotten the itch a year ago to coach, scratching it would have meant working for free, since any money he would have earned would have reduced the Lions' obligation to him under the five-year, $25 million contract he signed in 2003. Typicall, income derived from broadcasting work does not count against any remaining salary owed to a coach who is fired.

As to whether he might end up coaching the Redskins, Mooch was mum. Indications remain that Jim Fassel is the favorite, and that the Redskins hope to speak with Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo after the Super Bowl.

POSTED 8:22 a.m. EST, January 29, 2008

T.O.'S FINAL PHILLY BILL? $2.49 MILLION

In 2005, receiver Terrell Owens wanted more money from the Eagles. (Arguably, he deserved it after a heroic performance in the Super Bowl. But Owens opted to go public, and the team dug in. The situation deteriorated, and Owens ultimately settled on a strategy of becoming a complete pain in the ass in the hopes that the Eagles would cut him or trade him.

It worked, but it came with a price.

The final tally? $2.49 million, per the Philadelphia Inquirer.

A four-game suspension without pay, which was upheld by an arbitrator, cost Owens $764,000 and change. The team then took the position that Owens had defaulted on his signing bonus, claiming that he owed $1.725 million of the $2.3 million that the team paid upon inking Owens in 2004.

The team collected $955,000 and change by not paying him any of the game checks for his five-game suspension with pay, which means that, in the end, it wasn't. The rest of the cash comes in the wake of an arbitrator's ruling that T. owes the balance of the $1.725 million, which comes out to more than $769,000.

The Owens situation prompted the NFLPA to slip significant changes into the most recent revisions to the CBA, which now prevents teams from sending players home with pay.

As a result of the ruling, the Eagles will receive a $769,000 salary cap credit for 2008.

Before we're flooded with e-mails asking how the Eagles can go about getting their money if Owens opts not to pay, here's the procedure -- if he tells them to cram it sideways, the team can file suit against him to enforce the arbitration award. It's a fairly simple procedure, and Owens won't have any meaningful defenses, given that the Eagles followed the procedure created by the union representing Owens' rights. Once a judgment is entered against him, he can either write the check (with interest) or the Eagles can begin attempting to seize some of his assets and sell them off.

Regardless of whether Owens opts for the easy way or the hard way, there's no way that the Eagles will let this go.

POSTED 7:07 a.m. EST; UPDATED 7:21 a.m. EST, January 29, 2008

CRENNEL GETS EXTENSION

At a time when the team was privately pretending that it was inclined to extend the contract of coach Romeo Crennel, the Browns gave their three-year head coach a two-year extension, putting him under contract through the 2011 season.

Per Todd Porter of the Canton Repository, there's an "agreement in principle" on a two-year extension.

The extension is for one less year than Crennel's agent, Joe Linta, initially wanted. Linta also wanted $5 million per year; per Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the contract pays Crennel in the range of $4 million per year.

We're still not sure why the Browns felt compelled to get the deal done, especially when they were putting the word out that they didn't intend to do so. Crennel had no leverage. Maybe, in the end, they decided that they merely want to keep him happy as the critical phases of the offseason approach.

And maybe it was, in the end, an effort by G.M. Phil Savage to create the same kind of partnership that Pats coach Bill Belichick and V.P. of player personnel Scott Pioli enjoy.

"Scott will always watch Bill’s back and that’s their greatest strength," Savage told Porter. "They're on the same page. . . . That’s what we're trying to get with Romeo and myself. We're trying to build a partnership."

POSTED 10:08 p.m. EST, January 28, 2008

NEW LAWYER FOR MOSS ADVERSARY

The woman who claims that Pats receiver Randy Moss battered her has changed lawyers, dumping David McGill of Miami and hiring Darrell Thompson, who is based in California.

The move comes in the wake of allegations that McGill tried to extort money from Moss.

"It appears that her old quarterback was sacked, penalized and ejected,'' said Richard Sharpstein, who represents Moss. "We have to believe that the new quarterback is more sensible.'"

The hearing to convert the temporary restraining order against Moss to a permanent injunction has been moved to March 28, with a commitment that Moss will honor the TRO until then.

MONDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

The Ravens hope to get back to the Super Bowl, without having to buy tickets.

The Steelers reportedly plan to sign former Boise State QB Jared Zabransky.

Who is Jim Caldwell?

Do the Hall of Fame voters discriminate on the basis of geography?

Should the Chiefs draft a franchise quarterback?

Will Andre Reed make it to the Hall of Fame?

How many of these can I write in a row in the form of a question?

Can I do more than six?

No, I can't.

The Texans have hired former Eagles and Packers head coach Ray Rhodes to serve as an assistant defensive backs coach.

Tom Ciskowski could be replacing Jeff Ireland in Dallas.

The brother of Giants K Lawrence Tynes is serving a 324-month prison term.

RB T.J. Duckett has yet to receive a contract offer from the Lions.

In December, the Panthers carried over $7 million in cap space to 2008, presumably through the use of NLTBEs.

Bucs CB Brian Kelly plans to become a free agent, but he apparently won't hit the market until the middle of March, after the crazy-ass-insane spending has died down.

To replace secondary coach John Harbaugh, the Eagles are shifting linebackers coach Sean McDermott back a level.

The Rams are negotiating with Al Saunders.

POSTED 9:01 p.m. EST, January 28, 2008

BRADY PRACTICES

Pats quarterback Tom Brady participated in practice on Monday, six days before Super Bowl Sunday.

According to pool reporter Dan Pompeii of the Chicago Tribune, Brady appeared to have a "slight limp" but he participated in all phases of practice.

His right ankle was taped for the session. The team practiced in shorts and shells.

POSTED 8:51 p.m. EST, January 28, 2008

PACKERS FANS STILL RILED UP OVER FAVRE THROW

We've received several e-mails over the past eight days from Packers fans who are complaining openly about the performance of quarterback Brett Favre in the NFC Championship.

Some are even taking the position that he should walk away now so that a young and improving team can continue to do so with a young and improving quarterback.

And their argument is driven by a photo that has been making the rounds over the past few days. It's an image of the interception thrown by Favre in overtime against the Giants. You know, the interception that set the table for the game-winning field goal by New York.

Here it is.

With no real pressure and plenty of time to deliver the ball, Favre opted to throw the out route to the player who was covered more closely than any of the four receivers.

Look, we're not saying that the Packers would have won the game if Favre had thrown the ball to another guy. But a time when some Packers are beginning to look for reasons to argue against another season for Favre, it's providing plenty of them with all the ammo they need.

And, despite the fact that we've needled Favre plenty over the years, we think it would be a mistake for him to walk away. He's still got another year in him, and it would be great to see him ride off into the sunset with another Super Bowl trophy tucked under his arm.

POSTED 8:17 p.m. EST, January 28, 2008

STEVENS' CASE IS GRAPHIC PROOF OF ATHLETES' DOUBLE STANDARD

If you've got about 15 minutes to kill and if there's nothing sharp under your chin that might result in a flesh wound when your jaw drops onto it, read this story about Buccaneers tight end Jerramy Stevens.

We're not even going to try to summarize the article. It speaks for itself. Stevens apparently has been the chronic recipient of second-chances from football programs that have plenty to gain from his talent, if they can manage to look the other way.

We're not saying that folks who are accused or convicted of crimes shouldn't be allowed to work. But playing professional football is a privilege, and even though a guy like Stevens might be able to help a team win (if he doesn't eat popcorn before the game -- yeah, I watched The Longest Yard three times this weekend on TBS), he has no place in the NFL.

His deal with the Buccaneers, who signed him while he faced DUI charges, was for only one year. Given his history, which is extremely well detailed by Ken Armstrong and Nick Perry of the Seattle Times, we think it's time for each of the 32 NFL teams to ignore a man who has ignored the rights of those around him for far too long.

POSTED 7:40 p.m. EST, January 28, 2008

BRANDT SAYS HE'S LOOKING FOR A NEW CHALLENGE

Former Packers cap guy and general counsel Andrew Brandt saws that he's leaving the Packers simply because he's hungry for a "new challenge."

"Life is short and you have to embrace new challenges at the appropriate time," Brandt said on Monday. "I feel that I have a lot to offer."

Brandt quit his Green Bay gig without having any other job lined up. It's unknown whether he was (or is) contractually obligated to the Packers, or whether he could jump to another NFL team without the permission of the Packers.

"Maybe I'm too honorable, but I didn't feel right looking for other opportunities while I was still working for the Packers," Brandt said. "Maybe I take my time with this. Maybe no one calls [with an offer]. We'll see."

("Honorable" might not be the best word to describe Brandt's actions; given that he has a wife and two young sons, quitting a job without having another one lined up simply because he wants a -- sniff -- new challenge arguably could be called "reckless" or "irresponsible" or "downright selfish.")

Time will tell whether Brandt is really taking a shot in the dark (not to be confused with former Packer Najeh Davenport, who once took a sh-t in the dark), or whether he secretly has something else lined up with another team. At this point, it's unclear whether the "new challenge" for which he's looking is a new line of work in a new industry, a new type of work in the same industry, or simply a new team in the same 32-company business where he has spent the last nine years. Prior to that, he was the G.M. of the Barcelona Dragons in the now-defunct World League, and he has worked as an agent and a law professor.

POSTED 5:04 p.m. EST, January 28, 2008

EAGLES ADD WHIPPLE

To many of the folks of the same generation as yours truly (i.e., old enough to be considered old by the young people but young enough to be considered young by the old people), the name "Whipple" still conjures images of the dude who admonished his customers for fondling packages of toilet paper.

In the NFL, the name "Whipple" was missing in 2007; after not being hired for the Boston College job and not receiving an invitation to remain with the Steelers' staff after Bill Cowher left, Whipple couldn't find a landing spot last year at this time.

But former Steelers quarterbacks coach Mark Whipple is now back in the game, hired as an "offensive assistant" with the Eagles.

"I've kind of followed Mark's career," head coach Andy Reid said. "He started off at New Haven, went to Brown University where he kind of brought football back to Brown and then went to the University of Massachusetts and goes in there and wins a National Championship. Bill Cowher and I talked about him last year when I thought maybe I would lose [quarterbacks coach] Pat [Shurmur] about maybe coming in and working with the quarterbacks and Bill told me that, when he came back [to the NFL to be a head coach], that would be the first guy that he would hire.

"I said, 'Wow, I've got to really look at this guy.'"

Before we go any farther, we supposed the headline of this item could have been "Coach Chin definitely coming back, some day."

It'd be interesting to know more about Whipple's contract with the Eagles. If he signed only a one-year deal, it could be that Whipple wants to be available when the Chin Man comes calling. If Whipple has signed a multi-year deal, would Reid let Whipple walk for a job on Cowher's staff?

POSTED 4:47 p.m. EST, January 28, 2008

BRANDT LEAVES PACKERS

The casual football fan likely has never heard of Andrew Brandt. But Brandt has been a key component of the success of the Green Bay Packers over the past several years.

Brandt, the V.P. of player finance and general counsel in Green Bay, is leaving immediately. He spent six years in that role, and nine overall with the team.

He won't discuss his reasons for leaving until after the announcement is formally made. But the fact that he's leaving without another job raises questions about whether it's an amicable parting.

Brandt was one of four finalists for the position of team president, which is the closest thing to an owner in Green Bay. It's odd to think that it was an up-or-out proposition for Brandt, but it very well might have been.

Though not a "football guy" in the industry sense of the term, which means that he doesn't scout players, one look at his online bio reveals that he was a key component in managing a successful NFL team during the salary-cap era.

Brandt likely will be in high demand, and the Packers' rivals in the NFC North would be wise to be the first ones to chase him.

POSTED 3:08 p.m. EST, January 28, 2008

COULD OCHO CINCO JOIN HUE IN MIAMI?

Our report that former Falcons offensive coordinator Hue Jackson will interview for a job with the Dolphins is sparking speculation among Fins fans that the hiring of Jackson could be a precursor to the swinging of a deal for Bengals receiver Chad Johnson.

Jackson was Johnson's position coach in Cincinnati through 2006, and coincidentally Johnson was never regarded as a malcontent or a trouble-maker until his first season without Jackson (with the exception, of course, of Johnson's halftime meltdown during a 2005 Wild-Card playoff game against the Steelers).

Adding fuel to the theory are undated comments from Chad Johnson on NFL Network, in which he strongly hints that he'd like to play for the Dolphins -- and then closes by saying, "Parcells call me, man."

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis has said that Johnson won't be traded, but in shockingly candid interviews on Sirius NFL Radio and ESPN Radio Johnson has created the distinct impression that he wants out.

POSTED 1:5

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