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POSTED 9:08 p.m. EST, December 31, 2006

RAIDERS REEL IN NO. 1 PICK

A loss to the Jets coupled with a victory by the Lions over the Cowboys has cemented the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 draft for the Oakland Raiders.

Speculation immediately will center on Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn, especially since the current corps of signal-callers in Oakland leave much to be desired.

But what if Quinn pulls an Elway or an Eli and declares that he's not interested in playing for a struggling franchise?

Stay tuned.

POSTED 6:28 p.m. EST, December 31, 2006

TIDE OFFER ROLLING TO SABAN SOON

Gred Bedard of the Palm Beach Post reports that the University of Alabama is about to offer its vacant head coaching gig to Dolphins coach Nick Saban.

Saban reportedly rejected an offer from the Tide several weeks ago. After also being rejected by West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez, the Crimson Tide's coaching search has gone dark amid speculation and widespread rumors that another effort would be made to land Saban.

Bedard also reports that the package to be extended by Alabama will be "so overwhelming that university officials are confident he might take it."

The prior offer that Saban rejected reportedly was worth more than $50 million over 10 years, but those numbers were debunked by numerous other sources and reports. This time around, however, the offer could approach that original magnitude.

POSTED 8:29 a.m. EST; UPDATED 9:18 a.m. EST, December 31, 2006

ROONEYS EXPECT COACH CHIN TO PACK IT IN

Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the ownership of the Steelers expects long-time coach Bill Cowher to call it quits not long after the 2006 season ends with the team's Sunday afternoon game in Cincinnati.

This report essentially confirms that the announcement to which Cowher referred several days ago likely won't be that he's staying, since the only way that he would be staying for 2007, the final year of his contract, would be with a contract extension.

Bouchette also reports that the Rooneys have compiled a list of potential replacements. The candidates could include Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt, whom we first identified as a potential candidate (to much wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth from Steelers fans) on October 19. We initially had heard when Wannstedt took the Pitt job two years ago that part of the attraction was the possibility of replacing Cowher.

Other candidates include Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, a Pittsburgh native, and current offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt and offensive line coach Russ Grimm.

Though not mentioned by Bouchette, there is some buzz that former Steelers defensive coordinator and former Saints coach Jim Haslett will get serious consideration for the job, since he would be able to make good use of defensive personnel that were selected specifically for the 3-4, zone-blitzing scheme that the team has been using for years.

Another former Steelers assistant whose name is getting tossed around in his current locale is Bengals coach Marvin Lewis. Though Lewis is a Pittsburgh native and a member of Cowher's initial staff, we don't see Lewis returning to the 'Burgh, for two reasons. First, Lewis is under contract with one of the Steelers' arch-rivals for four more years. Second, Lewis has presided over a roster chock full of guys who have been on the wrong side of the law, something that will repel, not attract, the Rooneys or Steelers fans. Heck, when rookie receiver Santurdio was arrested twice in three weeks earlier this year, there was a strong outcry from the locals that the team should rescind their rights to the first-round pick.

SUNDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that money (as we've believed) is a factor in Coach Chin's decision to retire.

There's no way that Redskins owner Dan Snyder will respond to a 5-11 season with anything other than significant changes.

Bucs FB Mike Alstott could be wrapping up his career on Sunday.

DT Vince Wilfork and TE Ben Watson are out again for the Pats.

Says Sir Tiki: "I know when I get an opportunity to do my job, that I'm damn good."

POSTED 10:48 p.m. EST, December 30, 2006

NFL NETWORK BURP FEST

It's a good thing only 40 percent of the country has access to the NFL's in-house network. If the channel went to all of the USA, a lot more people would have heard the sock puppets BURPING on the air.

Not once, but twice.

The first one came late in the third quarter. It sounds like Cris Collinsworth.

The second one came in the fourth quarter. It's likely Bryant Gumbel, unless Collinsworth can conjure a burp while talking.

Meanwhile, Tiki Barber is now up to 227 yards and three touchdowns. He has not, to our knowledge, burped.

POSTED 10:25 p.m. EST; UPDATED 10:35 p.m. EST, December 30, 2006

TIKI NOT DONE YET

While the NFLN sock puppets are entertaining the viewing audience with an audible on-air burp (it came with 3:02 to play in third quarter, per a reader with TiVo), Giants running back Tiki Barber is pumping air into his team's postseason chances with 167 yards rushing (as of this posting) and two touchdowns.

The G-men lead the Redskins 27-14. A win likely wraps up the No. 6 seed for New York, making the rest of the NFC games to be played this weekend largely irrelevant.

If the Giants hold off the 'Skins and nail down a playoff berth, they'll be the No. 6 seed, and they'll most likely travel to Philly next weekend for a Wild Card matchup.

SATURDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

Lions coach Rod Marinelli is undergoing hip replacement surgery next week; he already has had the surgery on one of his hips.

The Cards have signed S Aaron Francisco (that's fun to say) to a contract extension.

The Eagles have signed another starter deep into the next decade.

POSTED 6:24 p.m. EST; UPDATED 6:32 p.m. EST, December 30, 2006

BUSH, ORNSTEIN STILL TOGETHER

As Liz Mullen of the SportsBusiness Journal reported earlier this month, Mike Ornstein is still the marketing representative for Saints running back Reggie Bush.

Though Ornstein told Mullen that he never was fired, we're learned that Ornstein and Bush were temporarily estranged. As we understand it, Bush had been growing frustrated with his inability to take the league by storm, and he was grousing about some of his marketing responsibilities. Ornstein had to give him a firm talking-to in order to get him to fulfill his obligations.

The relatively minor confrontation sparked a short separation, but Bush at no time formally terminated the relationship.

And now, as the recruiting season for incoming NFL players hits full speed, rival marketing reps are telling prospects that Ornstein no longer works with Bush. It's simply untrue; Ornstein and Bush are still together, and at most their rift was the kind of normal thing that happens from time to time in any long-term relationship.

GREETINGS FROM JACKSONVILLE

All PFT updates for the next few days will be coming to you live from Jacksonville, Florida, where the Florio clan will be watching the West Virginia Mountaineers in the Gator Bowl on New Year's Day.

The Jags are in Kansas City for Sunday's regular-season finale with the Chiefs, and we'll be at the airport tomorrow night to welcome the boys home.

Okay, actually we just want to throw eggs and tomatoes at Mike Tice.

POSTED 7:24 a.m. EST; UPDATED 7:42 a.m. EST, December 30, 2006

NAMES EMERGE FOR NEW STEELERS COACH

Since the hiring of a new head coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers happens roughly as frequently as the selection of a new pope, the process that apparently will be kick-started when (as everyone with a pulse believes) Bill Cowher announces his retirement in the coming days figures to be mysterious, compelling, and (in the end) full of potential surprises.

The obvious candidates for the job -- offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt and offensive line coach Russ Grimm -- arguably have been diminished by the team's 7-8 season. Though these guys haven't suddenly morphed into unworthy coaches, we think that the powers-that-be will be more inclined to go outside the organization in the hopes that a breath of fresh air will get the players who were on the Super Bowl-winning team to quit feeling so good about themselves for winning a Super Bowl, and to start focusing on getting another one.

Scott Brown of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review takes a decent stab at compiling a list of potential candidates not currently on the payroll. Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera is obvious, and one of the few "hot" coordinators this season. We're also intrigued by 49ers assistant Mike Singeltary, a high-intensity Hall-of-Famer who is still light on coaching experience but who could be exactly what a seemingly rudderless roster needs to get back on track.

Chargers offensive coordinator Cam Cameron gets a mention by Brown, primarily because his team is 13-2. (Under that same reasoning, San Diego defensive coordinator Wade Phillips also merits consideration, but then again he's not a spring chicken and, he has failed in to head-coaching stints.)

Brown also brings up the name of Rutgers coach Greg Schiano, a 40-year-old up-and-comer who recently declined an opportunity to be considered at the University of Miami.

The key factors, we believe, will be minority and youth. Since the rule that has encouraged consideration of minority hiring is named for Steelers chairman Dan Rooney, and given that the team's last two head-coaching hires were both under the age of 40, our guess is that the Rooneys will feel compelled to name the franchise's first African-American head coach, and that they also will want someone young enough to stick around for at least 15 years.

The best guy who fits those two criteria is, in our view, Vikings defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin.

Tomlin, at 35, has five years' experience as the defensive backs coach in Tampa and one year as a defensive coordinator. He likely would have had more time as a coordinator, but the Bucs are notorious for refusing to allow assistant coaches still under contract from accepting promotions short of head coach.

And in one year with the Vikings, Tomlin has put together an excellent run defense. The pass defense has been somewhat suspect, primarily because the team doesn't yet have ideal personnel to run the Cover 2 defense.

That would also be a problem in Pittsburgh, where the 3-4 attack has been the base package for years. But in an era where plenty of free agents are available every offseason, we think that Tomlin could within a year or two have the right people in place to make the Steelers the next great Cover 2 unit in the NFL.

SATURDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Live from Columbia, South Carolina, on our way to Jacksonville . . . .

Giants TE Jeremy Shockey (ankle) will miss Saturday night's looming loss to the Redskins.

Packers DE Cullen Jenkins, who'll be a restricted free agent in March, has yet to receive an offer from the team.

Vikings TE Jermaine Wiggins could be looking for a new job in the offseason.

Florida State linebacker Lawrence Timmons has hired Drew Rosenhaus, and will enter the 2007 draft.

The Fins could be cutting ties with QB Joey Harrington.

Since WR Mike Williams hasn't done sh-t in two seasons with the Lions, it's kind of odd that he's imposing conditions about his possible return in 2007.

POSTED 8:59 p.m. EST, December 29, 2006

HUIZENGA BACKING SABAN INTO A CORNER?

A newspaper headquartered somewhere in Florida (hey, if they'll only refer to our stuff as "Internet reports", then we'll return the favor) reports that Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga has said that he will not be selling the team.

Huizenga's statement is, we believe, an effort to seal off a potential face-saving escape route by coach Nick Saban, who otherwise could have claimed that rumors of a potential sale prompted him to accept the head coaching job at Alabama.

"Absolutely, positively, no way,'' Huizenga said regarding the rumored sale. "We are not selling, and there is no waffling on that. How's that for a definitive answer?"

Huizenga's statement contradicts our report that a sale to advertising billionaire Jordan Zimmerman is pending. Huizenga's unequivocal message also runs counter to conventional wisdom in media circles that Huizenga would cash out of the team and the stadium that goes with it for payment in the neighborhood of $1 billion.

Since Huizenga and Zimmerman both denied our report more than two weeks ago, why would Huizenga go out of his way to make such an unambiguous statement two days before his team's season finale? (And it's our understanding that Huizenga contacted said Florida newspaper, not vice-versa.) It can only be because he has heard the rampant rumors in league circles that Saban is hammering out an agreement with the Crimson Tide, and that he's going to jump to Alabama not long after the last game ends. By removing the "I left because I think the owner is selling" arrow from Saban's quiver, it suddenly becomes more difficult for the second-year NFL coach to extricate himself gingerly from his present job.

And even as Huizenga declares that the team won't be sold we continue to hear from more and more sources that Saban is expected to leave.

Let's be clear on this. We're not reporting that Saban is leaving. Our report is only that the rumor of his departure is as rampant and widespread as any rumor we've ever heard. Huizenga's most recent statement serves only to confirm, in our opinion, the breadth and intensity of the rumor.

POSTED 7:36 a.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 8:15 a.m. EST, December 29, 2006

BIG BEN NEEDS TO BUCKLE DOWN

Regardless of who the head coach of the Steelers will be in 2007 (and we don't think it will be anyone named Cowher or Grimm or Whisenhunt . . . or Joey Joe-Joe Junior Shabadoo), the guy leading the way starting next season needs to get quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to take his job more seriously.

Industry sources tell us that Roethlisberger's motto is "last in, first out" -- a reference to his substandard work ethic. He has developed a reputation for not working with his receivers, and for not studying film.

There's no room for complacency in the NFL, and we've got a feeling that other players in Pittsburgh are also guilty of cutting corners in the season after the long-coveted One for the Thumb. If the next coach can get Roethlisberger to bust his ass, it will go a long way toward getting others in the building to do the same.

FAREWELL, MR. MAAS

Though an official announcement has yet to emerge from FOX headquarters, we don't think that formal confirmation of the termination of analyst Bill Maas is necessary.

Maas, who is working a reduced schedule this year, almost certainly is done.

Why, you ask? Because in Week Seventeen, guys like Tony Boselli and Dale Hellestrae will be working games instead of Maas.

NEW YEAR'S TEN-PACK IS UP

Instead of watching the clock on the last work day of 2006, do something productive, like checking out our latest Ten-Pack.

This time around, we offer up ten resolutions for 2007 that we'd like to see.

FRIDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

ESPN pays $1.1 billion this season for a show that is watched in only 9 million homes per week, and that's considered a good investment of money? (Man, we're glad we don't own stock in Disney. Oh, sh-t . . . we actually do.)

And to the extent that MNF has been successful, let's keep in mind that it's not because of the broadcasting crew, but in spite of them.

Jack Del Rio could be fined for his recent statements advocating that his players should have "speared" Pats quarterback Tom Brady.

Sir Tiki's approval ratings seem to be falling faster than the footballs he used to fumble.

Pats P Todd Sauerbrun might be a turd, but at least he's not offering up some B.S. excuse for the fact that he tested positive for ephedra.

Hey, New York media, if/when Charley Casserly becomes the next G.M. of the G-men, we hope you remember how fervently you were pooh-poohing the possibility.

Jay Greenberg of the New York Post on Sir Tiki: "Barber's goodbye has been too long, too staged, too unsuccessful for the Giants, and too emotionless by him for us to much care."

DE Michael Strahan won't need surgery on the Lisfranc injury that has landed him on IR.

If Packers RB Ahman Green rushes for 162 yards against the Bears, he'll pocket $500,000.

Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan could be the next head coach to come from the side of the ball that has carried the franchise for most of the last decade.

POSTED 7:26 a.m. EST, December 29, 2006

BAILEY SAYS SHAWNE NOT WORTHY

Well, well, well. Jason Taylor isn't the only NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate to sound off about Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman's worthiness for that and other postseason awards.

Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey -- the guy whom ESPN's Len Pasquarelli believes is the best defensive player in football -- agrees with Taylor's assessment that Merriman's positive test for steroids should preclude him from consideration for any honors.

"I just don't like cheating in the game, there's no room for it," Bailey said Thursday, according to the Denver Post. "I don't think there is any place for steroids or performance enhancers in the NFL.

"After testing positive, I don't think he should be given anything this year," Bailey said. "I hope he didn't do it. I hope he took it unknowingly. I don't want to throw him under the bus any more than he already has been. I think he's a great player and I love talking to him. But I don't think guys who tested positive should win anything the year they test positive."

Wow. We didn't realize that Bailey's agent, Jack Reale, had once been fired by Merriman, too.

GIANTS TO MAKE RUN AT PIOLI?

Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News reports that ownership of the Giants has discussed contacting Patriots V.P. of player personnel Scott Pioli regarding the soon-to-be-vacant G.M. job in New York.

Pioli is widely regarded as being interested in the job, since he grew up not far from New York City. We've never seen, however, any news reports confirming that he actually wants the position.

Vacchiano also says that the Giants have not ruled out hiring an internal candidate. Many league observers, however, view last week's interview of former Texans and Redskins G.M. Charley Casserly as evidence that the next G.M. of the Giants won't be the product of an inside job. And while the knee-jerk reaction of many (including us) was that Casserly isn't a viable candidate for the gig, there is a school of thought in some circles that Casserly is actually the front runner, if Pioli isn't interested or can't be pried away.

In theory, the Giants can acquire Pioli if he is given finally say over personnel matters. The Patriots know that they are vulnerable in this regard, and owner Bob Kraft supposedly has pushed in the past a rule that would allow teams to block one front-office executive who doesn't possess final say.

Here's a possibility to keep in mind. What if the Patriots were to give Pioli final say? Sure, it could potentially create a conundrum between ownership and the guy who currently has final say -- but such a move likely would be enough to keep Pioli in place.

NEW SPRINT PHONE FOR ROMO?

Matt Mosley of the Dallas Morning News reports that Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo will be getting a new cell phone number after his current digits were posted in a fan forum on the Eagles' web site.

Romo received "several" messages from Eagles fans -- none of whom we suspect happened to mention any words with which Tony's last name rhymes.

Hey, Tony. Sprint and Nextel have plenty of great options. You should check out their products via the links on this site. (As should the rest of you.) We can't guarantee that Tony's number won't end up back on another message board, but we think he'll like the phone and the service it provides.

POSTED 7:31 p.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 8:26 p.m. EST, December 28, 2006

SABAN TALK CONTINUES

We're absolutely blown away by the extent to which league insiders and sources close to Dolphins coach Nick Saban are of the unequivocal belief that Saban will ditch the Fins to become the head coach at Alabama.

The talk of Saban's looming departure is widespread, even though it's not getting much play in the media.

There's really nothing new for us to add to this, and we're mentioning it again only because we continue to hear the talk from new and different sources.

So stay tuned. It figures to be a compelling week or so in NFL circles as coaching hot spots in Miami, New York, Atlanta, Arizona, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland heat up.

PASTABELLY'S SCREWED UP CONSPIRACY THEORY

In a Thursday appearance on ESPN Radio's Man-Girl and Meatball in the Morning, Len Pasquarelli suggested that Fins defensive end Jason Taylor ripped Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman on Wednesday because Taylor's agent, Gary Wichard, was fired by Merriman within days after the 2005 draft.

"I would add this caveat," Pasquarelli said while discussing the topic, "and I'm gonna write about this Friday. Jason Taylor is represented by Gary Wichard. Shawne Merriman when he was drafted last year was represented by Gary Wichard, and a week after the draft Shawne Merriman fired Gary Wichard. I'm not suggesting that Jason Taylor's remarks were directed at Shawne Merriman having dissed an agent or dumped an agent that Jason Taylor was loyal enough to stay with his entire career, [but] I think it would be negligent of me not to point that out."

Huh? What? Len, do you really believe that there's a connection? Or is it that, since Wichard is one of the NFL agents that you don't "like," you're willing to go out of your way to make him look bad?

(Full disclosure: Wichard is also the agent for Redskins safety Adam Archuleta, whose workout video is advertised on this here site.)

And if, Len, you're now going to point out all of the various conflicts of interest and other below-the-surface connections that influence what people say and why they say it, are you now going to tell us when you're nuzzling the crotch of a crappy player like Todd Stinkston that you're doing so because his agent is Joel Segal, who feeds you a bunch of information so you don't have to actually, you know, roll your sleeves up over those distended forearms and actually work?

If, Len, you're going to declare yourself to be the hall monitor for hidden agendas, we suggest that you identify in parentheses the name of the agent of every player who is ever mentioned in any of your stories, so that the readers will instantly know when you're being objective, and when you're simply scratching someone's back.

And if you're looking for a motivation for Taylor's remarks, why not argue that Taylor's attack on Merriman was intended to sway the folks who'll vote on the AP Defensive Player of the Year award? After all, a vote not for Merriman could end up being a vote for Taylor.

For that reason alone, the fact that Taylor stuck his neck out on the issue could actually hurt both Merriman and Taylor, pushing votes toward Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher.

Meanwhile, Taylor tried to take a little of the steam out of his Wednesday remarks on Thursday -- but at the same time Taylor reinforced his belief that guys like Merriman, who test positive for violation of the steroids policy, shouldn't be playing football.

"There's a way to end the whole steroid situation and that's if you get caught using steroids or performance-enhancing drugs, you can't play the game anymore," Taylor said, after explaining that his comments from Wednesday weren't intended to be an attack on Merriman. "It will go away. It's as simple as that. Be clean. We've got to be careful because we're looked at as role models, whether you like it or not. This league, this organization and us as players are looked at as role models. You've got youth in America that are already under a tremendous amount of pressure to make varsity teams or try to get scholarships to college. And if you're sending the wrong message that you can do illegal things and still end up on top and really don’t have to deal with the consequences because of it, it's the wrong message in sports and in general."

Asked whether he advocates a one-strike/zero-tolerance policy, Taylor said: "You would stop it. Wouldn't you? I guarantee you would stop it. I'm not the smartest man in the world, but I know if you did that it would stop."

To guys like Pasquarelli, however, the use of performance-enhancing drugs is an off-field issue, which has no relation to the question of whether on-field play merits awards and, ultimately, consideration for the Hall of Fame. Len, who loves to remind anyone who'll listen that he holds a vote for entry into Canton, explained that he had no reservations about putting Merriman on his 2006 All-Pro team: "I had no qualms. I'm a Hall of Fame elector, and the rules in the Hall of Fame are you vote based on what a player does on the field."

But, Len, taking performance-enhancing drugs while off the field tends to enhance performance on the field (ergo the name).

Under Len's reasoning, cheating is okay as long as the cheating occurs before you step onto the field.

And that's reason enough to never pay attention to anything that Pasquarelli ever has to say.

ARCHULETA SAYS 'SKINS "LIED" TO HIM

Redskins safety Adam Archuleta, a sponsor of this site, tells the Associated Press that he believes the coaching staff has "lied" to him.

"I'm a grown man. I don't like getting lied to," said Archuleta, who hasn't participated in a defensive snap in seven weeks. "All people want is for people to be straight up with them. I don't mind bad news. I don't mind negativity. I don't mind if somebody says to my face what my flaws are and what I'm doing wrong and what kind of person they think I am.

"I welcome those kind of things because an honest assessment is all anybody wants in this business. I don't need someone to sit here and tell me how great I am: 'I'm doing good, just keep working hard.' I don't need that. I need real stuff. That's the only way I can make an evaluation as to who I am as a player."

Though Archuleta doesn't cite the specific lie, it sounds to us like he believes that false promises were made about playing time.

The Redskins signed Archuleta to a seven-year, $35 million contract, with $10 million in bonuses. He received $5 million up front, and he's due in early 2007 a $5 million option bonus -- which as we understand it is fully guaranteed by future base salaries.

So if the 'Skins choose not to pay the option bonus, the team is still on the hook for $5 million in future wages. (It's also our understanding, however, that those amounts can be offset by salary paid to Archuleta by another team.)

Some league insiders also believe that Archuleta landed in the doghouse because the team concluded that he was the unnamed player who spoke negatively about the coaching staff to Tom Friend of ESPN: The Big Floppy Booklet That Doesn't Fit Very Well On The Stack Of Magazines Atop The Toilet Tank. The fact that Archuleta's agent, Gary Wichard, was quoted in the Friend article served only to increase suspicion that Archuleta was the player who blabbed.

Bottom line -- Archuleta is going to end up with $10 million for one year of part-time employment.

POSTED 7:17 p.m. EST, December 28, 2006

CASSERLY'S STRENGTH? SCHMOOZING THE MEDIA

As many league observers and Giants fans try to figure out why former Texans and Redskins G.M. Charley Casserly would have a realistic opportunity to steer a third franchise into the jagged rocks of mediocrity, the thinking in informed circles is that Casserly's value would come from his ability to work the media.

And despite any bad decisions that he has made or over which he has presided, Casserly is a viable candidate to succeed Ernie Accorsi because he knows how to make and keep members of the media happy.

In New York, that skill is arguably as important (and maybe more important) than the other aspects of the job.

We've talked to Casserly a couple of times, and we agree. He's very direct and logical, and he speaks in a decisive, authoritative manner. He also recognizes the importance of giving the guys who gather information for a living some information that is at once useful to the information gatherer but not harmful to the information disseminator.

So that's why Casserly could be the next G.M. of the Giants. And it raises questions as to whether he'd be merely a figurehead, or whether he'd have real juice when it comes to picking a roster and shaping a coaching staff.

POSTED 4:43 p.m. EST, December 28, 2006

SAVAGE GETTING CANNED NEXT WEEK?

Last year at this time, former Browns president John Collins was in the process of pushing G.M. Phil Savage out the door. Coach Romeo Crennel and owner Randy Lerner intervened, and Savage stayed.

Not long thereafter, Collins was out.

This time around, there are rumors that Savage could get the shoe next week from Lerner.

Peter King reports on HBO's Inside the NFL that Savage and Lerner will meet after the regular season ends to discuss the future of Crennel. King says he has a gut feeling that Crennel will be let go.

Our sources tell us that both Crennel and Savage are vulnerable.

And that would make sense. It was Savage, after all, who hired Crennel. Why should the G.M. be any less accountable than the head coach? We realize that, traditionally, the G.M. gets at least one mulligan (or, in the case of Matt Millen, two). But both guys should be in the same boat, in our not-so-humble opinion.

Another possibility is that Savage will transition into a scouting-only role, and that a G.M. will be hired to handle the bigger picture. There were reports along these lines earlier in the year, and such an outcome has worked well in New York, where former G.M. Terry Bradway took a step down in connection with the promotion of Mike Tannenbaum.

POSTED 11:43 a.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 12:07 p.m. EST, December 28, 2006

MAMA MCNABB FEARING THE WORST

The mother of Donovan McNabb, the self-described "America's Favorite Sports Mom," is offering up some insights regarding the temperature of the McNabb clan given the superb performance of the Philadelphia Eagles despite the latest significant injury suffered by her son.

In the wake of the Eagles' stirring 23-7 win over the Cowboys on Christmas Day, which puts them in position to secure the NFC East with a win over the Falcons on Sunday, Mama McNabb has this to say on the official D-Mac site:

"The win this week was great and I could actually say that's what I wanted for Christmas. Yes, now we have solidly beat the Cowboys with my son and without him. But I can hear you asking, mama McNabb what are you really thinking? Well here it is, the real deal. Its kind of bitter sweet for me as my son, the quarterback sits out on injured reserved watching the game during his rehab. I polled my family too and they feel the same. We want our team to win and even go to the Superbowl and win it in Miami especially if they continue to play as they have. But oh oh, if they win the Superbowl without my son, what would be the real outcome with the fans? Will they crucify him? Maybe, then the trade talks would begin. Off season madness, worse than last years fiasco. But guess what, I guess I'll have to take the beating if it comes. I would have to hope that scenario of the madness would not happen or be that bad. Well lets wait and see. Bitter sweet."

(A reader sent us the link to the McNabb site; Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News first disclosed the entry on Thursday morning.)

Mama M, we don't know what's gonna happen if the Eagles somehow find a way to win the Super Bowl without your baby boy puking all over the field in the second half. But to the extent that you're trying to avoid a situation in which the fans have decided that it's time to move on without a quarterback named McNabb, your comments will do nothing to help you achieve that goal.

DEL RIO STILL A DEL DUMBASS

In response to comments from Pats quarterback Tom Brady advocating a fine for Jags linebacker Clint Ingram for a hard hit delivered on Christmas Eve, Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio says that Brady deserved a second illegal hit for choosing not to slide at the end of a run earlier in the game.

"They should've speared him then," Del Rio said. "You go face-first and you're a runner."

Speared?

It looks to us like an NFL coach is advocating a deliberate violation of the rules by one of his players. And that's the kind of thing that could get Del Rio called to the principal's office.

Meanwhile, it still appears that Del Rio will save his job even if the Jags fail to make the playoffs after a 12-4 season in 2005. The Jags need to win on Sunday at Kansas City, and they need a loss from the Jets, a loss or tie from the Bengals, and a loss or tie from the Titans.

Come 2007, however, count on Del Rio's name to be at the top of the list of the guys on the hot seat.

POSTED 9:21 a.m. EST; UPDATED 10:01 a.m. EST, December 28, 2006

GIANTS' SHORT-TERM FUTURE FULL OF POSSIBLE SURPRISES

Okay, we know that we promised to share the "stunning" news that we've picked up regarding the future of the Giants last night, but we were putting up other stories and doing other holiday-related stuff and wanted to have the time to sit down and focus on this one.

Anyway, here's what we've picked up, all from our network of league and industry sources.

First, former Texans and Redskins G.M. Charley Casserly is regarded as the top prospect to replace Ernie Accorsi in New York. Casserly was interviewed for the job last week.

Second, New England V.P. of player personnel Scott Pioli wants the Giants G.M. job, but Bob and Jonathan Kraft (who own the Patriots) don't want to let him go -- and the Giants apparently are inclined to defer to them, which Cleveland owner Randy Lerner supposedly did a couple of years ago before Phil Savage was hired as the Browns G.M.

Third, the Patriots (as we hear it) are more inclined to let coach Bill Belichick leave than Pioli. Myra Kraft, the wife of Bob Kraft, is said to be very troubled by reports of Belichick's alleged "relationship" with a married woman in New Jersey, which information surfaced earlier this year in connection with the woman's divorce proceedings.

Fourth, the Giants aren't inclined to hire Belichick because of those same dynamics. "They don't need another P.R. nightmare," said one source. Just last week, Page Six of the New York Post disclosed that the divorce complaint has been amended by Vincent Shenocca to accuse his wife and Belichick of adultery.

Fifth, if Casserly gets the G.M. job, his first choice for head coach will be former Packers coach Mike Sherman, who was hired as an assistant with the Texans while Casserly's tenure was winding down.

Sixth, a dark horse candidate for the Giants job is Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Morningsomething. (Insert shudder here.)

Seventh, and finally, Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis wants the Giants job, but realizes that it could be a dead end in the short term. He likewise doesn't want to leave the Irish so soon after his arrival two seasons ago.

So there you have it. The current talk from folks in the know. Regardless of what actually happens, it's gonna be an interesting ride for the G-men over the next couple of weeks.

SABAN RUMORS CONTINUE TO TAKE ROOT

Although Fins coach Nick Saban now says that he won't make any further comment regarding the vacant gig with the same title at the University of Alabama, league circles continue to be buzzing regarding the possibility that Saban will take the job.

In fact, some folks in the know are no longer calling it a "possibility" -- they regard it as virtually a done deal.

Adding fuel to the fire are accounts that Saban is not liked by the staff (not a surprise) or by the owner (definitely a surprise).

And the consensus is that rumors of a sale of the team will be enough to provide Saban with a face-saving avenue out of Miami, since he'll say (as we and others believe) that he came to the NFL to work for Wayne Huizenga and that he's not comfortable working for another owner.

So we believe that, at this point, the only thing that will keep Saban from leaving is an extension to his contract, which currently has three seasons remaining on it.

POSTED 9:45 p.m. EST, December 27, 2006

ANOTHER TURD FOR THE BENGALS?

Undeterred (or is it undeturd?) by the arrests of eight players this year, the Cincinnati Bengals worked out on Wednesday former Iowa State defensive end Jason Berryman.

Berryman was not selected in the 2006 supplemental draft. He missed the entire 2004 season while serving 258 days in jail for theft and assault convictions.

Though Berryman has not yet been signed, why would the Bengals even sniff around someone with a history of incarceration, given the stream of embarrassments that the franchise has faced this season?

Clearly, coach Marvin Lewis has decided that talent trumps turdishness, and it looks like he'll continue to risk further tarnish to the team's reputation if, in the end, his troubled players might help to deliver a shining silver trophy.

POSTED 8:58 p.m. EST, December 27, 2006

TIKI'S FULL OF CACKEY

We're counting the days until we no longer have to deal with Tiki Barber the football player, and we're hoping that the "real" media outlets who are thinking about making an offer to Tiki the sock puppet will take a broader view of the man before merely jumping on the Barber bandwagon and paying him a lot of money to use big words and act smug on camera.

Put simply, he's a liar. And if an aspiring news anchor and/or morning show host doesn't have credibility with his audience, he has nothing.

But don't take our word for it. Look instead at the words that have come from Tiki's mouth.

On Wednesday, Barber was asked in a conference call with the Washington media whether he has lost his passion for the game of football.

"Absolutely not," he said, "because on Sunday afternoons I am as competitive and as passionate a person as there comes. During the week I am sitting in a meeting and instead of being solely focused on the Washington Redskins I will be thinking about other things."

But in the puff piece published by Sports Illustrated earlier this month regarding Sir Tiki, Barber openly admitted that he has lost that lovin' feeling.

"Quite honestly, I don't have the passion to do it anymore. I'll sit in meetings and I'm bored, or my mind is drifting or I'll go out on Sunday on the football field and the blood isn't flowing like it used to."

Tiki, there's a teensy problem with being infatuated by the sound of your own voice. Sometimes in your desire to keep speaking, you might say things that aren't, you know, true. Especially when you're apparently not smart enough to keep your various versions of reality straight.

In this case, we suspect that Tiki's words to SI were the truth, but that he couldn't bring himself to repeat them to the folks who cover the team he's about to play. But did he think no one would realize that he was contradicting himself?

And that's the biggest problem with guys who think they're the smartest people in the crowd -- they tend to underestimate the basic cognitive abilities of the rest of us.

POSTED 7:09 p.m. EST; UPDATED 7:18 p.m. EST, December 27, 2006

TAYLOR TAKES ISSUE WITH MERRIMAN

Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor, who has remained a force in the NFL despite weighing less than 240 pounds, has spoken out regarding the accolades that have been heaped on Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman, who was suspended for four games this season after testing positive for the steroid nandrolone.

"You really shouldn't be able to fail a test like that and play in this league, to begin with," Taylor said in a conference call with Indianapolis reporters. "To make the Pro Bowl and all the other awards, I think you're walking a fine line of sending the wrong message.

"A performance-enhancing drug is, obviously, what it is," Taylor said. "You enhance your performance by doing that. You fail that test, I think it's not right. It's against the rules and ultimately I think it's sending the wrong message to the youth in America and the people who look at this game not only as entertainment but also to learn lessons from it."

Amen, Jason. As we've said in the past, Merriman should be disqualified from any and all postseason awards. His dog-ate-my-homework excuse for the positive test (i.e., "I unknowingly took a tainted supplement") should be given no credence unless and until Merriman produces hard proof to support his claim.

Really, what cheater is ever going to admit that he was cheating? Even though the justification wasn't enough to avoid the suspension, we suspect that Merriman might not have made it to Honolulu if his response to the positive result had been, "Yep. You got me. I've been on steroids. Oh well."

And despite Merriman's claim that he accidentally ingested steroids, something has accounted for his weight gain of nearly 20 pounds in the two years since he emerged from the University of Maryland. As a prospect for the 2005 NFL draft, Merriman's weight was listed at 253 pounds. His published weight is now 272. And we've heard from league sources that the bulk of the gain occurred in the time between the completion of his college career and his Pro Day workout.

Maybe it was natural. Maybe it wasn't. But given the positive steroid test, it's hardly unfair to conclude that one or more banned substances had something to do with the transformation.

VIKINGS PLACE SMOOT ON NFI LIST

The Minnesota Vikings have placed cornerback Fred Smoot on the non-football injury list after he suffered a badly broken jaw in a single-car automobile accident in Mississippi over the weekend.

The move allows the Vikings to refuse to pay the balance of Smoot's $800,000 salary, which equates to $47,000. If the Vikings opt not to pay Smoot, it safely can be assumed that he won't be back with the team in 2007.

Smoot is scheduled to earn $2.7 million next season. Cutting Smoot would result in a limited cap hit, since the bulk of his guaranteed money came in the form of a roster bonus paid shortly after he signed with the team in 2005.

POSTED 5:26 p.m. EST; UPDATED 5:41 p.m. EST, December 27, 2006

SIMMS TO BE TRADED?

A league source tells us that the father of Bucs quarterback Chris Simms recently has been overheard saying that he expects his son to eventually be traded to the Dallas Cowboys.

Another league source, however, tells us that Simms won't be traded.

Simms' father, former Giants quarterback Phil, works as the No. 1 analyst for CBS.

The younger Simms has signed a two-year extension to remain with the Bucs. Our friends at WDAE radio in Tampa tell us that the deal is worth $10 million, with a $3 million signing bonus.

Per a league source, the $3 million will be prorated over 2006, 2007, and 2008. Thus, a pre-June 1 trade in 2007 would result in a cap charge of $2 million. The source says that the deal also includes a $2 million base salary for 2007, and a base salary of $2 million for 2008, plus incentives.

In Dallas, starter Tony Romo is signed through 2007. He's scheduled to earn $1 million next season.

If Simms isn't traded, then the move suggests (as we recently explained) that coach Jon Gruden and G.M. Bruce Allen are safe for another year. If Gruden and Allen were on the outs, we doubt that a decision on Simms would have been made before a new coach and/or G.M. had been hired.

ROBINSON CLEARS WAIVERS

Sean Jensen of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that former Vikings receiver Marcus Robinson has cleared waivers, making him a free agent. He is now eligible to sign with any team.

Look for Robinson to scope out a playoff team with a need for a tall, jump-ball, "all he does is catch touchdowns" type of a guy. His best bet at making a real contribution could be in New England, where the starters are Reche Caldwell and 54-year-old Troy Brown.

Meanwhile, Vikings coach Brad Childress has denied that Robinson's statements to the media about the offense and his role in it played a part in his late-season release.

Since Robinson is a vested veteran, the Vikings are on the hook for termination pay in the amount of $117,000, which represents his final game check for Week Seventeen. But because termination pay is available only one time in a player's career, Robinson might choose not to exercise his right to the remainder of his $2 million base salary, in the event that he gets cut in the future under circumstances that might pay him even more money over the balance of the season.

POSTED 5:09 p.m. EST, December 27, 2006

SOUP NAZI TO BE CANNED

A well-connected branch of our ever-growing network of league and industry sources tells us that Giants coach Tom Coughlin will be fired upon completion of the 2006 season, regardless of whether the Giants win their regular season finale.

A win most likely will translate into a spot in the playoffs as the No. 6 seed. And the Giants would most likely open the playoffs with a trip to Philly, where the Giants pulled off a dramatic come-from-behind win earlier this year.

But the team that rallied to beat the Eagles in overtime is long gone, physically and emotionally. The Giants are downtrodden, and the gale-force winds of change are blowing through the organization.

So what happens next in New York? We've picked up some stunning details in this regard, and we'll share them right here later tonight. Meanwhile . . . .

BUY SOME SPRINT STUFF

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And please don't forget why we're still a free site. It's because Sprint and Nextel recognize that our readers are smart enough to realize on their own that the decision of Sprint and Nextel to monitor a high-quality NFL news and information site means that Sprint and Nextel are committed to providing high quality products and services.

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POSTED 4:50 p.m. EST, December 27, 2006

MORE WEIRDNESS FROM MICHAEL VICK

Michael Vick continues to prove that, in reality, he's a glorified tailback with a strong throwing arm and marginal accuracy.

A quarterback he isn't, in any sense of the word. First and foremost, quarterbacks are leaders. We've presented in the past evidence to support our belief that Vick isn't. Most recently, he was wearing a groove in his back after setting the single-season quarterback rushing record in a defeat that dealt a crushing blow to his team's playoff prospects.

In a Wednesday conference call with Philadelphia reporters, Vick provided even more proof to support the conclusion that he's not a leader by taking steps to insulate himself from any blame for the team's 7-8 record.

"I rushed for [over] 1,000 yards this year," Vick said. "I threw a career-high 19 touchdowns, still one game to go. I've accomplished a lot of things. I think I've played consistently week in and week out. I can't say what more I could've done. What I can say is that I feel good about what I've accomplished this season."

So what went wrong for the team this year?

"I don't know. I can't really say," said Vick. "That's for you guys to go watch the film and see what really went wrong. Stat-wise, everything looks good. It looks gravy. I think we had a good year, but at the same time something didn't go right. That's the question that needs to be answered.

"Anytime you have over 3,000 yards of total offense in a season as a player, I think you should be in the winning bracket in the wins and loss column. You should have way more wins than you have losses."

Another account of the conference call includes an admission from Vick that he recalls little about the Falcons last visit to Philly, for the 2004 NFC Championship Game, other than the fact that it was cold and that he "wished he had taken it more seriously."

He also said that one of his priorities for the New Year's Eve game in Philly is to ensure that the Falcons get back to Atlanta before midnight.

Nice. Hey, Falcons fans, you and the "real" media created this monster. Now that he's crapping all over the furniture, what are you gonna do about it?

POSTED 9:50 a.m. EST; UPDATED 10:04 a.m. EST, December 27, 2006

MOSS BACK TO MINNY?

A December 24 item in the St. Paul Pioneer Press suggests that the Raiders would be willing to trade receiver Randy Moss back to the Vikings for as little as a third-round pick.

Though we've had a gut feeling ever since his departure in March 2005 that Moss is destined to return to Minnesota, we can't envision coach Brad Childress, who got all he could handle in Philly from a turdish receiver named Terrell Owens, wanting Moss on the roster. Given the manner in which receiver Marcus Robinson was unceremoniously ushered out the door this week, it's clear to us that Childress isn't inclined to put up with problem children at the one position that seems to breed them.

Indeed, when there was talk of a Moss trade before the October 17 deadline for doing deals, we looked into whether the Vikings might be interested. And we learned unequivocally that the Vikings had no desire to bring him back.

Still, the one thing that could make it happen is concern by ownership that ticket sales for 2007 could dry up, since a decade of explosive offense was replaced in 2006 by a horizontal passing attack that conjured memories of the 1970s. But back in the days of Tarkenton and Foreman and Gilliam, the rest of the league was strapped with rules that made it harder to stretch the field. Today, the yardage-challenged Vikings are the exception, not the rule.

A return of Randy Moss would energize the fans and, in turn, the offense. Sure, he'd have to learn the West Coast offense. And, yeah, he might have lost a step. But if the goal is to keep the locals interested in the on-field product at a time when the franchise is trying to get a new stadium built, bringing back Moss could be a wise move.

Even if the coaching staff doesn't want him.

HARRINGTON BENCHED TO AVOID INCENTIVES?

Our initial information gathering regarding the decision of the Miami Dolphins to go with quarterback Cleo Lemon for the final game-and-a-half of the 2006 season (scroll down for more) suggests that the move might have been driven by the reality that prior starter Joey Harrington was in line to cash in on some significant incentives if he had stayed on the field.

It's our understanding that there is a play-time incentive in the deal, and that Harrington's eligibility for it will depend on a play-by-play count of the team's total offensive snaps.

If the motivation is true (and we're not saying that it is), the situation would be ironic, to say the least. Rams backup Gus Frerotte recently claimed that Miami coach Nick Saban wanted to bench him at the end of the 2005 season in order to keep Frerotte from reaching incentive triggers in his deal, but that then-Fins offensive coordinator Scott Linehan intervened on the quarterback's behalf. Saban has since denied the allegations.

Stay tuned. We're trying to track down more details on this one.

RADIO STUFF

The Christmas holiday has thrown off our weekly radio schedule. Here's the abbreviated schedule for this week.

On Tuesday night, we visited with Todd Wright of Sporting News Radio at 10:25 p.m. EST. On Wednesday morning, we chatted with Howard Balzer of ESPN Radio in St. Louis at 9:30 a.m. EST.

Other firm spots on the schedule this week include WDAE in Tampa at 4:15 p.m. EST on Wednesday, and ESPN Radio in Jacksonville at 4:20 p.m. EST on Thursday. More to come.

POSTED 8:32 a.m. EST; UPDATED 9:03 a.m. EST, December 27, 2006

GIANTS WON'T PROMOTE FROM WITHIN?

More and more league insiders are reaching the conclusion that the decision of the New York Giants to interview former Redskins and Texans G.M. Charley Casserly is an indication that the Giants will look outside the organization for a successor to Ernie Accorsi.

As one league source opined, the failure of the franchise to automatically promote in-house favorite Jerry Reese suggests that Accorsi has lost his juice within the organization, since Reese was Accorsi's hand-picked choice to take the job.

"If [Accorsi's] opinion was that relevant or trusted, there would be no interviews," said the source. "It’d be Reese’s job all the way."

There's also talk that the Casserly interview was arranged in part by the league office, where some of the folks feel bad that Casserly didn't get Art Shell's old job. Casserly's "resignation" from the Texans was sold as an effort by Casserly to land Shell's old gig.

But there's likewise a school of thought that the Giants talked to Casserly because ownership is trying to determine the most appropriate structure of the front office moving forward.

Meanwhile, some are wondering about the current mood within the building, given that the scouting staff potentially will be hung out to dry, despite the reality that the team is still in the playoff hunt.

Our guess? Even if the Giants qualify for the postseason, and even if they manage to catch fire and win a game or two in the playoffs (a proposition which becomes more unlikely with defensive end Michael Strahan on injured reserve), big changes are coming. And it will get started in the front office.

MORE ON COWHER

Although most league observers (including us) believe that the Tuesday announcement from Steelers coach Bill Cowher that he'll announce his plans for 2007 soon after the end of the current season means he won't be back, one league insider thinks that maybe, just maybe, the Rooneys put a firm offer on the table before the 2006 season, and Cowher's announcement will be that he has decided to accept it.

It's an intriguing theory, but we continue to believe that the Rooneys won't pay Cowher his market value. On Tuesday night, we said that they can't afford to do so; one league insider explained to us early Wednesday that they surely can, and that the real question is whether they will.

Said the source, "Hey, there isn't one owner that 'can't afford it'. These guys have more money than they could spend in a lifetime. Unless you're Art Modell."

Cowher currently makes in the neighborhood of $4 million per year. Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren is somewhere in the $7.5 million to $8.5 million range. If Cowher takes a year or two off and accepts a market-value deal in 2008 or 2009, he'll quickly earn back the total money he would have made if he had continued to coach the Steelers.

And that's not counting the million or so he's sure to get from ESPN or one of the other television networks in 2007 for a couple of days of work per week.

MORE LEMON AID FOR THE FINS

Alex Marvez and Harvey Fialkov of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel report that quarterback Cleo Lemon will start for the Miami Dolphins in the team's final game of the 2006 season.

Lemon replaced Joey Harington during Monday night's game against the Jets.

The Fins acquired Lemon from the Chargers in 2005, in a trade that was swung by San Diego G.M. A.J. Smith without the input of coach Marty Schottenheimer. The move further alienated the two men, since Lemon was regarded as a Schottenheimer favorite. (Of course, Smith and Schottenheimer are getting along a lot better now, given that the team is 13-2 -- and that they were ordered by ownership to get along or get out.)

The move suggests on the surface that coach Nick Saban wants to see what he has with Lemon, so that he can decide whether to extend a tender offer to the soon-to-be restricted free agent. And this suggests that Saban might be back with the team in 2007.

If Lemon stays, our guess is that either Harrington or Daunte Culpepper could get the boot. More and more teams are carrying only two quarterbacks on the active roster, and those with three typically have a young project at the bottom of the depth chart. For the dollars that it likely will require to keep Lemon from heading to another team as the No. 2 option, we think it will be hard for the Fins to justify keeping the same three guys who have been on the roster this year.

The challenge for the Dolphins will be to select the right tender offer amount. Since Lemon was not drafted, the Fins would be entitled to no compensation if he is tendered at the lowest possible level. Under the revised CBA, there's a new level that would entail a second-round pick as compensation. Other available levels include a first-rounder as compensation, and a first and a third.

Given the rise of the "poison pill" device, any other team can cobble together an offer sheet that the Fins would not be able to match without having to guarantee the full amount of the contract. So maybe the Fins are trying to showcase Lemon in the hopes that, if they tender him at the second-round level, someone else will give up a first-day draft pick to get him.

To make that happen, Lemon would have to play pretty darn well against the Colts. A second-round pick is a big one to surrender, and someone else would have to want Lemon badly before parting with such a selection.

For more breaking NFL news and information, check out the PFT Fantasy Mill, powered by Fanball.com.

POSTED 10:06 p.m. EST, December 26, 2006

TEA LEAVES SUGGEST COWHER IS DONE

With Steelers coach Bill Cowher disclosing that he'll announce his plans for 2007 within a few days after the 2006 season ends on Sunday, we are now fully and completely convinced that Cowher will be "retiring."

Why, you ask? Because if he were staying for 2007, he'd be doing so with an extension to his contract, which is set to expire after next season. And if his contract were being extended, the deal almost certainly wouldn't be done with games left to play.

So farewell, Coach Chin. You've done a mostly great job, and we look forward to seeing whether you can restore the Redskins to glory, beginning in 2008 or 2009.

The rumors of Cowher's departure began not long after the Steelers won Super Bowl XL, when he purchased a multi-million dollar home in Raleigh. Rumors intensified when it was learned that his wife and youngest daughter would move there, and when he proclaimed that he was operating on a year-to-year basis.

Then, former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis, who now works for NBC, said on the air that he believes Cowher will retire after the 2006 season, based on discussions the two of them have had. Also, it was common knowledge among the local media in Pittsburgh that Cowher would pack it in, unless the team were to win a second straight Super Bowl.

The root of the issue, in our view, is money. Cowher's market value significantly exceeds his current salary, and there's no way that the Rooneys ever would be able to pay Cowher what he can get elsewhere. Indeed, Cowher arguably is worth twice his current $4 million annual pay. And we wouldn't be surprised at all if Redskins owner Dan Snyder eventually offers Cowher $10 million per year to come out of retirement.

Though the presumption is that the leading candidates to replace Cowher are offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt and offensive line coach Russ Grimm, we've got a feeling that the team will look outside the organization for an up-and-comer who is ready, willing, and able to succeed -- and to stick around for a long time. The next coach will be only the second hire made by the team since 1969, and our guess is that the Rooneys would like the next coach to be on the job for a decade, or longer.

POSTED 8:20 p.m. EST, December 26, 2006

RUMORS FLY OF BELICHICK TO GIANTS

A league source tells us that there are emerging rumors in NFL circles linking Patriots coach Bill Belichick to the New York Giants.

The move, per the rumors, would entail a package deal of Belichick and Pats V.P. of player personnel Scott Pioli.

We don't buy it. Though Pioli clearly is in play for the Giants G.M. job (although there could be an effort by New England ownership to block a move), Belichick won't be coaching the Giants without the blessing of Robert and Jonathan Kraft. And there's no way in hell that the Krafts will allow both Pioli and Belichick to escape from the organization.

Despite some speculation in media circles that Belichick's contract might expire after 2006 (including an oddball shot-in-the-dark by Ron Borges that Belichick could end up with the Texans in 2007), Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe recently reported that 2006 is not the final season of Belichick's contract.

Though the Krafts can't force Belichick to coach their team, the Krafts can stop him from coaching any other NFL team during years that are covered by his contract with the Pats.

So while we love to monger a good rumor as much as anyone, this one simply won't happen.

POSTED 7:52 p.m. EST; UPDATED 8:00 p.m. EST, December 26, 2006

SABAN RUMORS INTENSIFY

With Dolphins coach Nick Saban blowing off his day-after press conference, rumors are heating up in league circles that he will be the next coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Fueling the scuttlebutt in this regard is a Monday nugget from ESPN's Chris Mortensen, which (as we hear it) gave credence to our recent report that owner Wayne Huizenga soon will sell the team. Since Huizenga was instrumental in luring Saban from the college ranks, the potential absence of Huizenga from the organization could be the trigger that forces Saban to make the jump back to the NCAA version of the game.

If Saban isn't the next coach at Alabama, word is that the Tide will focus on someone with head coaching experience. There is a rumor that former Packers coach Mike Sherman has been interviewed for the job, but we have been unable to corroborate it. An NFL source tells us that there also are whispers about Bucs coach Jon Gruden landing in Tuscaloosa, where the opening line of his introductory press conference very well might be, "Can someone please tell me what in the f--k a grit is?"

Either way, things will likely heat up considerably after the NFL regular season concludes.

SPEND SOME OF THE CHRISTMAS CASH AT SPRINT.COM

As you might have noticed, we've had some technical difficulties over the past few days with the Sprint ads at the top of the page, and in the right margin.

Until we can get the situation resolved, do us a huge favor and click on the Sprint logo next to the PFT logo -- and spend some of that Christmas money on some Sprint stuff. Even if you have your service through a different carrier (and shame on you if you do), you can buy certain accessories for the phone through Sprint.

Meanwhile, stay tuned to the site for some intriguing changes, which likely will be implemented as soon as we get back from our upcoming trip to Jacksonville for the Gator Bowl.

POSTED 12:50 p.m. EST; UPDATED 1:18 p.m. EST, December 26, 2006

RAIDERS TO KEEP SHELL TO SPITE SCHEFTER?

One of the theories making the rounds in league circles of late is that, if Raiders owner Al Davis had intended to fire coach Art Shell after the season, Davis might ultimately choose to keep Shell around -- merely in order to spite Adam Schefter of NFL Network, who reported on Thursday that Shell will be dumped.

It would be stupid, illogical, and nonsensical. But it would be classic Al Davis.

The Raiders think that Schefter, a former Broncos beat writer, is getting his information and/or marching orders from the franchise he previously covered. Davis and company promptly issued a pointed and biting statement calling out Schefter's report.

On Sunday, FOX's Howie Long (a former Raider) and Joe Buck (a current weenie) took some shots at Schefter on the air. Long called the information "third-hand," and Buck said, "Who's Adam Schefter?" -- a comment that reveals more about Buck's attention to league-related details than Buck might want the hardcore NFL fan to know.

Our guess? Shell isn't going anywhere. If for no reason other than that Davis will want Schefter to look foolish for reporting that Shell was done.

TUESDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

Fins DE Jason Taylor got poked in the eye on Monday night.

The Dallas defense is coming apart at the seams.

The Bengals are only 3-5 against teams with winning records.

The Pats appear set to nail down the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs.

Matt Millen, back for 2007?

Former Fins LT Richmond Webb is in the team's Ring of Honor.

To make it to the playoffs, the Jags need to beat the Chiefs on Sunday -- and the Bengals, Jets, and Titans must all lose.

If the Rams give up 196 yards rushing on Sunday at Minnesota, it will be the worst single-season rush defense performance in team history.

Veterans who might not be back for the Vikings include QB Brad Johnson, TE Jermaine Wiggins, CB Fred Smoot, LB Napoleon Harris, and WR Travis Taylor.

T.O. is bitching again -- but we get the feeling that less people are listening.

POSTED 11:04 a.m. EST; UPDATED 11:50 a.m. EST, December 26, 2006

PRIMETIME FAREWELL FOR LORD FAVRE?

If Packers quarterback Brett Favre decides to call it a career after the 2006 season, what could be his final game will be broadcast on NBC in prime time.

After digesting the full impact of the Week Sixteen games on the playoff scenarios, the NFL has moved the December 31 game between Green Bay and Chicago to 8:15 p.m. EST.

For the Bears, the game technically is meaningless. But they still would love to beat their biggest rivals, especially since a loss would knock the Pack out of playoff contention.

Surprisingly, a win by the Pack at Soldier Field could very well trigger a playoff appearance, as the No. 6 seed. Though the Packers don't automatically enjoy a "win and in" scenario, they'll know whether a win secures a postseason berth when the game starts, and the odds aren't as long as you might think.

If the Giants lose or tie and the Rams lose or tie, the Packers are in with a win.

If the Giants lose or tie and the Falcons win, the Packers are in with a win.

If the Giants lose or tie and the Panthers win, the Packers are in with a win.

If the Giants lose, the Rams lose, the Panthers lose or tie, and the Falcons lose or tie, the Packers are in with a tie.

If the Giants win, the Packers need a win -- and they need to secure the convoluted "strength of victory" tiebreaker, since the Packers and Giants would have the same record against NFC teams, at 7-5, and the same record against common opponents, at 1-4. The Packers currently trail New York in the strength of victory category, but could swing the pendulum if a bunch of teams the Packers have beaten win on Sunday.

Whew.

This all means that the Packers are out if they lose, or if they win and the Giants lose or tie and the Falcons lose or tie and the Panthers lose or tie and the Rams win, of if they win and the Giants win and the strength of victory thing falls to the Giants.

A Packers win and only a Rams win would result in a two-way tie at 8-8, which the Rams would win by virtue of a 23-20 victory over the Packers in Week Five. If any of the other 7-8 teams also win, the head-to-head result between the Rams and Packers becomes irrelevant.

So, of the various possible candidates for the New Year's Eve prime time game, the Packers and Bears present the closest thing to a pre-playoff -- the Packers at Bears game will be meaningless. Still, there's a chance that the Packers will be out by the time Sunday night rolls around, making the game completely meaningless.

TUESDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Daunte Culpepper wants to kick Steve Young's ass.

The screw-job that the Chargers put on the Giants in April 2004 is almost enough to make San Diego G.M. A.J. Smith smile. (Almost.)

Alabama is expected to make a final run at the Nicktator after Sunday's game.

Agent Drew Rosenhaus was on the field after the Christmas Day game -- but with Eagles receiver Donte' Stallworth, not Cowboys receiver T.O.

Could Jeff Garcia be swiping Donovan McNabb's job?

Gary Myers of the New York Daily News wants to see Charlie Weis as the coach of the Giants.

Steve Serby of the New York Post calls for the G-men to be blown up.

Ditto for Paul Schwartz of the Post.

And Neil Best of Newsday.

The Soup Nazi's son-in-law is doing his part to maintain marital harmony.

Well, at least one of the New York teams appears to be headed for the playoffs.

Rookie QB Jay Cutler is finally lifting the Broncos.

Is it already over in Cleveland for Romeo Crennel?

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is getting upset.

POSTED 10:38 a.m. EST; UPDATED 11:09 a.m. EST, December 26, 2006

SIGNING SWEEPSTAKES HEAT UP

As NFL agents continue to swarm over college players who soon will be getting ready for the April draft, we're starting to hear some talk about who will sign with who. (Or is it whom?)

It previously has been reported that Michigan State quarterback Drew Stanton has signed with Drew Rosenhaus. We mentioned recently that Dave Dunn has inked UTEP quarterback Jordan Palmer and Fresno State center Kyle Young.

We're also hearing the following likely/potential/possible connections:

Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith and Neil Cornrich.

Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn and Don Yee.

Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson and Todd France.

Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson and Ben Dogra.

USC receiver Dwayne Jarrett and Chuck Price.

Michigan running back Mike Hart and Lamont Smith/Peter Schaffer.

Michigan cornerback Leon Hall and Octagon or Lamont Smith/Peter Schaffer or Davd Dunn.

Cal running back Marshawn Lynch and Joel Segal.

Michigan defensive lineman Alan Branch and Lamont Smith/Peter Schaffer.

Florida State linebacker Buster Davis and Todd France.

LSU safety LaRon Landry and Todd France.

That's all for now. More to come.

POSTED 7:56 p.m. EST, December 25, 2006

MANNING SHOULD LOOK IN THE MIRROR, AGAIN

With the Colts defense suddenly unable to stop a wagon with rusty wheels from rolling uphill against a stiff breeze, quarterback Peyton Manning is pulling his old "I'm trying to be a good teammate here" routine by throwing a not-so-subtle barb at the side of the ball charged with keeping the opponents from gaining yards and scoring points.

After the Colts fell to the Steelers in the playoffs in January, Manning blamed "protection problems" for the relentless pass rush that disrupted his timing and limited his time.

After the Colts' loss on Sunday, in which a ball-control, clock-chewing approach by the Texans kept the Indy offense to six possessions and 45 total plays, Manning bemoaned the fact that not enough of the team approached the game with a postseason mindset.

"Maybe you have to be in this league and be in these playoff scenarios a couple of times to really understand," Manning said. "But I thought the veterans, we talked about playing with a sense of urgency, like we needed this game to get into the playoffs. That's how we prepared for it offensively.'' And although Bob Kravtiz of the Colts' P.R. department a/k/a the Indianapolis Star insists that Manning wasn't throwing the defense under the bus, the application of common sense and objectivity suggests otherwise.

As one league insider responded, "Here we go again. Perhaps it's [Manning] being a pig and not allowing enough cap space for any defensive players , or perhaps it's the great Bill Polian not building it correctly, [spending] all the cash on offense. Great job of planning, Bill."

The "pig" line is a reference to the fact that Manning hijacked the team a couple of years back on a cap-busting contract, which as a practical matter makes it harder to surround him with talent. Compounding matters are big-money deals given both to receiver Marvin Harrison and receiver Reggie Wayne.

Though the Colts have tried to spend a little money on the other side of the ball, "squander" might be the more appropriate term, given the cash that was handed to defensive tackle Corey Simon, who has been a huge disappointment.

The reality for the Colts? With the No. 3 seed, at best, becoming a serious reality, it likely will be another January without an AFC title -- especially since to get to Miami for the Super Bowl the Colts will have to win on the road at Baltimore or San Diego.

Or both.

We wonder who Manning will blame when 2006 becomes the latest NFL season to end in disappointment for him. If he's smart, he'll start with the large-headed mammal whose reflection he sees when brushing his teeth.

POSTED 10:31 a.m. EST; UPDATED 12:30 p.m. EST, December 25, 2006

CHANGES COMING IN THE 'BURGH?

In the wake of a 31-7 thumping at home against the Baltimore Ravens, Steelers chairman Dan Rooney has hinted that there will be changes come 2007 in areas other than the roster of players.

"The players? Yeah," Rooney said, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "We need some players, obviously, but I think we're going to be able to get some."

What about the coaching staff?

Says Rooney: "I have nothing to say about that at this time."

Though it's highly unlikely that Rooney would terminate head coach Bill Cowher, Rooney's words could be interpreted as a reflection of exasperation with the distraction that Cowher's uncertain status for 2007 has created in 2006. And that could be, we believe, contributing to the reports that the Rooneys want Cowher to make a quick decision about 2007. In addition to the reality that a search for a new coach should start sooner rather than later, there clearly will be none of the Lord Favre nonsense in Pittsburgh, as the Steelers organization won't allow itself to be held hostage while Cowher ponders whether the franchise is worthy of another year of his services.

Rooney's comments also could be a hint that the presumptive favorites to replace Cowher -- offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt and offensive line coach Russ Grimm -- might not be the locks that many thought they would be, since they are part and parcel of the team's significant regression in 2006.

Our guess? Keep a close eye on Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, a minority candidate whose hiring by Rooney would breathe extra credibility in the rule that carries the family name. Moreover, Rivera is a guy who can bring the Cover 2 defense back to the place where it blossomed more than 30 years ago.

Of course, why hire Rivera when his boss, Lovie Smith, might be available? There's a belief in some circles that, unless Smith gets a quick and meaningful extension from the Bears after the 2006 season ends, he could try to force his way out of town.

TWO DIFFERENT TAKES ON TIKI

As Giants running back Tiki Barber continues his "I love me some me" media tour in advance of a retirement that is on track to come sooner than anyone had expected, we've had a chance to read two recent articles about the twin of a Ronde appearing in national publications that you might have heard of -- Sports Illustrated and ESPN: The Large Booklet With The Pretty Pictures.

Though the ESPN print offering is still a relatively young publication in comparison to the old-school SI, we firmly believe that ESPN's item on Tiki provides a far more accurate portrait of a man who is (in our view) a little too blatantly self-obsessed to ever connect with folks who want their news anchor to be polished, professional, and intelligent in the kind of understated way that doesn't make them feel that the person doing the talking is more polished, professional, and intelligent than they are -- and knows it.

The Sports Illustrated article, penned by Karl Taro Greenfeld and published a couple of weeks ago, is seriously (but deftly) out of balance. The item only pays lip service to the criticisms of Barber, but then shoots them down.

Most glaringly, Greenfeld calls Barber's recent public dissing of coach Tom Coughlin "strikingly out of character." Out of character? Um, Karl, Barber did the same damn thing after the Giants were shut out at home in the playoffs by the Panthers in January. 2006.

And Greenfield's justification for Tiki's most recent violation of the unwritten code of team sports reads as if someone else thought it up. Citing a source close to Barber, Greenfeld writes that Tiki's goal was to take some of the heat off of struggling quarterback Eli Manning.

"Yeah, that was part of it," Barber said, after Greenfeld fed him the idea. "When I do something, there is more than one reason. There is a philharmonic in my head." (Please.)

But aren't there ways to take pressure off of Eli that don't involve creating a potential problem with the boss? Michael Strahan found an external target for his recent rant after he was publicly criticized for publicly criticizing receiver Plaxico Burress.

We also would suggest that Tiki blame himself for the struggles of the offense, but we realize that he is unable to comprehend that possibility.

The rest of the SI article reads more like a press release, frankly, than an unbiased assessment of one of the more controversial figures of the 2006 football season.

Then there's the ESPN article, by Allison Glock. She takes a far more cynical -- but realistic -- view of Barber.

Where Greenfield paints Barber as a renaissance man, Glock sees Tiki as a modern-day mercenary, using every platform through which celebrity can be monetized for his own gain, regardless of how it is received by the end user.

"Tiki's true gift is for playing people," she writes. "Not in an ugly way. More in the same insatiably narcissistic vein as that of many, many other famous people who want you to love them, and like them, too. Really like them. And Tiki very much wants to be liked. By as many people as possible. Which explains why he is drawn to TV."

Glock also recognizes that talking out of school isn't out of character for Tiki. "[T]he most memorable instance of Tiki's candor occurred in 2002, when he criticized defensive end Michael Strahan's contract negotiations, arguing that Strahan was 'not thinking about the team; he's thinking about himself.' This is something, one could argue now, that Tiki knows a bit about."

A bit snarky. And dead-on accurate.

Glock closes her piece with prose so simple yet impressive that we filled out the subscription card wedged into the magazine. (And when we get around to it, we'll actually mail the thing in.)

"[I]f Tiki were playing anywhere but New York City," Glock writes, "his telegenic cockiness would be viewed with less tolerance and more eye-rolling. 'I have no regrets,' Tiki says. 'Football will serve me well.' The reverse is only mostly true."

Amen.

Tiki, you might be a smart guy, but you've got a lot to learn before you ever can begin to achieve the lofty goals that you've established for yourself, and shared with anyone who will listen.

POSTED 3:52 p.m. EST, December 24, 2006

TIME TO BLOW UP THE GIANTS

With the New York Giants trailing the Saints (the Saints!?!) by 20 points in the fourth quarter at home and with the Giants' postseason hopes fading, we think it's time for the folks who own the team to engage in a comprehensive analysis of the franchise.

And blow the thing up.

Sure, the salary cap limits what the team can do with the players, but it's time for new coaches -- and a G.M. from outside the organization.

The fact that the Giants recently interviewed former Redskins and Texans G.M. Charley Casserly tells us that the successor to Ernie Accorsi won't be someone who's already drawing a paycheck form the organization. Candidates with other NFL teams aren't available for interview until the season ends.

Regardless of how it happened, we think that the current collection of strong personalities in the locker room and on the coaching staff isn't working. The sooner that the guys who hold the keys realize it, the better off the team will be.

POSTED 3:28 p.m. EST, December 24, 2006

VIKES TO CUT ROBINSON

The Minnesota Vikings could be giving receiver Marcus Robinson an early Christmas present. According to Sean Jensen of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Robinson has been told that he will be released.

With only one week left in the season, and the Vikings on the hook for the final game check if Robinson elects to take his once-per-career termination pay, the move makes little sense to us, since it puts Robinson on the open market. Why not just finish the season and cut him loose then?

Since the release comes after the trading deadline, Robinson will be required to pass through the waiver system. If he clears waivers, he'll become a free agent. If he is claimed, the Vikings are off the hook for the final paycheck, and the new team picks up his contract.

And Robinson could draw interest from several playoff teams. He starred several years ago for the Bears, and the Eagles don't yet have a distinguished corps of pass-catchers. The Patriots definitely have needs at the position, and the Colts recently lost Brandon Stokley for the season.

The fact that Robinson is under contract through 2007 could make him an attractive target for a non-playoff team with needs at the position. The Packers are light at wideout, as are the Lions. The Rams might also be interested, since head coach Scott Linehan was the Vikings' offensive coordinator when Robinson arrived in 2004. By putting in a claim for Robinson, the new team gets a chance to eyeball him through the offseason. As long as he is released before the first regular season game next year, he'd be owed no salary for 2007.

POSTED 2:58 p.m. EST, December 24, 2006

CASSERLY INTERVIEWS FOR GIANTS GIG

Jay Glazer of FOX reports that former Redskins and Texans G.M. Charley Casserly interviewed this week for the soon-to-be-vacant General Manager gig with the Giants.

Casserly, who currently works for CBS, recently told the Washington Post that he is keeping his options open regarding a possible return to the NFL. He resigned from the Texans after the draft amid rampant rumors that the move was not voluntary, and he applied for but was not awarded the league office position formerly held by Raiders coach Art Shell.

Per Glazer, Casserly isn't regarded as a serious candidate for the Giants job. Still, the mere fact that he's on the interview list will put him in play for other openings.

Though the ill-fated (to date) decision of the Texans to select N.C. State defensive end Mario Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the April 2006 draft -- leaving Vince Young and Reggie Bush on the board -- could hurt Casserly's prospects, the truth (we believe) is that Casserly didn't make the decision, since it was already known within the building that Casserly was leaving. The blame, in our view, should fall to coach Gary Kubiak and/or owner Bob McNair.

Others who have interviewed for the Giants G.M. gig to date are in-house candidates Jerry Reese, Kevin Abrams, Chris Mara, and Dave Gettleman. Glazer reports that none of the candidates stood out.

We've previously heard that Reese is the favorite for the job, and that Chris Mara would end up with increased duties and responsibilities. But it's possible that the team will look beyond the current power structure. Although no one in the "real" media has criticized Accorsi or his staff for the current collection of misfit toys in the locker, it might be time for a breath of fresh air, both on the sidelines and in the front office.

POSTED 10:54 a.m. EST; UPDATED 11:24 a.m. EST, December 24, 2006

TANK CLEARED TO ROLL TO SUPER BOWL

Despite media reports suggesting that the restrictions on the ability of Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson to leave Illinois could affect his availability for the Super Bowl (which won't be played in Illinois), a league source tells us that Johnson already has been granted permission to make the trek to Miami, if the Bears don't choke at home in the playoffs.

And choking at home in the playoffs is something with which the Bears are familiar.

In 2005, the Bears followed a bye with a 29-21 loss to the Panthers at home. In 2001, it was the same result -- a 33-19 loss to the Eagles in the last game at the pre-renovated Soldier Field.

That playoff game at home for the Bears was the first one since 1991, when the Monsters of the Midway lost to the then-up-and-coming Cowboys.

So that's three straight home playoff losses for the Bears, and we've got a feeling that this year's NFC postseason field won't be quite the cakewalk for Chicago that most had assumed it would be.

ARCH NOT DRESSING TODAY?

A league source told us on Saturday that Redskins safety Adam Archuleta was expected to be deactivated in his return to St. Louis, where he was a first-round draft pick in 2001.

Archuleta is a sponsor of this here site, so anything we say about him naturally will be met with skepticism, and we're fine with that. But the reality is that Archuleta hasn't suddenly become a guy unworthy of dressing out on game day; like LaVar Arrington a year ago, we suspect that someone on the coaching staff (whose input when signing Archuleta likely either wasn't sought or was ignored) has a stick in his sphincter about Archuleta.

So look for the 'Skins to cut Archuleta before he triggers a $5 million option bonus in the offseason. And we have a feeling that he'll get a chance or two to show that the Redskins failed to use him properly.

SIMMS DEAL SUGGESTS GRUDEN, ALLEN SAFE

Reports that quarterback Chris Simms is close to signing a two-year deal to remain with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers strongly suggest to us that there won't be a change at head coach or G.M. after the 2006 season.

It's a matter of basic common sense. If ownership were thinking about firing coach Jon Gruden and G.M. Bruce Allen, any efforts to re-sign Simms would wait until after the new coach and G.M. are hired. The new guys, after all, might have their own ideas about who should play the position, and it would be beyond stoopid for the Glazer family to tie the hands of their new regime.

And if the new coach were in place by February 1, there still would be a month to ink Simms before he qualifies for the open market.

With that said, signing Simms (and thus keeping Gruden and Allen) could be the right move. Our friends at PewterReport.com apparently believe that the status quo should be maintained, via a thorough and detailed defense of the current coach and G.M., which debunks various myths regarding Gruden and Allen.

SUNDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

ESPN's Chris Mortensen says that Coach Chin could go either way on whether he'll be back with the Steelers in 2007; the Rooneys want a decision to be made sooner rather than later.

Mort says that the Giants could look outside the organization for a new G.M., and that there's a split among ownership regarding whether to do so.

Mort also says that Cowboys coach Bill Parcells is not a lock to return in 2007, and that if he leaves Louisville's Bobby Petrino could be pursued for the job.

Will someone please buy Ron Jaworski some new non-women's glasses for Christmas?

POSTED 5:04 a.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 6:50 a.m. EST, December 23, 2006

VIKES SET TO SIGN WILLIAMS

Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com reports that the Minnesota Vikings are poised to sign defensive tackle Kevin Williams to a new seven-year contract worth at least $46 million, including $16 million in guaranteed money.

Williams was a first-round draft choice of the Vikings in 2003, taken with the ninth overall selection. He was the player whom the Vikings picked after missing the 15-minute window to submit a card in the No. 7 spot, which happened as the team was attempting to swing a trade with the Ravens, who wanted to move up from the ten hole to select quarterback Byron Leftwich.

Instead, the Jags (who held the No. 8 spot) jumped on the opportunity to swipe Leftwich after the clock ran out on the Vikings. The Panthers then took tackle Jordan Gross before the Vikings could claim Williams, who was the guy they wanted all along.

The gaffe followed a similar blunder in 2002, when the Vikings missed an opportunity to pounce on defensive tackle Ryan Sims as the Cowboys and the Chiefs tried to work out a trade. The Chiefs successfully leapfrogged the Vikings and landed Sims. Minnesota settled for left tackle Bryant McKinnie.

The Vikings ended up better off for their blunders; McKinnie has become a solid offensive lineman, and Sims largely has been a disappointment. In 2006, Sims has zero starts and only three tackles and three assists.

McKinnie signed a long-term extension with the Vikings earlier this year.

Williams will be the second member of the class of 2003's first round to get a lucrative second contract. The Bengals inked quarterback Carson Palmer, the first overall pick, in 2005. Others in line to get paid handsomely in the not-too-distant future are Texans receiver Andre Johnson, Steelers safety Troy Polamalu (No. 16), and Bills running back Willis McGahee (No. 23).

Last week, Williams was named to the Pro Bowl team, even though many league observers believed that the honor should have gone to fellow Vikings defensive tackle Pat Williams, a line (and toilet) clogging run-stopper, who has been a huge part of the team's resurgence on defense.

TANK ON HOME CONFINEMENT (PRESUMABLY WITHOUT, YOU KNOW, THE GUNS)

A judge has placed Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson on house arrest pending resolution of the question of whether his recent arrest for possession, in said house, of unlicensed firearms violated the terms of probation arising from a prior run-in with The Law.

Johnson can leave his house only for work. He cannot leave Illinois without permission of the court, which presents a bit of a potential pickle if the Bears make it to the Super Bowl.

The judge denied a request by Johnson to travel to Arizona for the holidays. A trip to Tempe became possible because Johnson was suspended by the team earlier this week for Sunday's game at Detroit.

Hearings are set for January regarding the alleged probation violation. Such orders typically require the beneficiaries of probation to avoid breaking the law.

GANDY SAYS IT'S HARDER FOR BLACK QUARTERBACKS TO SUCCEED

In an interview with Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports! (We Get! The Point!), veteran offensive tackle Wayne Gandy says that, because black quarterbacks are presumed to be more athletic than their white counterparts, black quarterbacks are often put in situations where it is more difficult to succeed.

Gandy currently blocks for Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, so he might know a thing or two about the topic.

"When fans and coaches see a black quarterback, it's automatic that they expect to see a guy who is more athletic," Gandy said. "So what happens when you get around the goal line or you get in those situations where most quarterbacks are taught to throw it away or get rid of the ball for a short gain if the play breaks down? The black quarterback is told, 'Do something, make a big play.'

"That's where you see a lot of Michael's sacks come from," Gandy said. "He's supposed to make something happen in a situation where it's probably not going to work. You see where the coaches and fans are expecting that, but it's not really teaching him the right way to play.

"It's all about the tutelage they get from the time they're in college on. I saw that with Dameyune Craig. He was told, 'If your first read isn't there, take off and run.' Do you think that anyone ever told Peyton Manning or Tom Brady to do that? Again, it's about the tutelage they get."

Gandy also suggested that Vick struggles because he sets up in the pocket too quickly, before receivers are far enough into their patterns. Which makes no freaking sense to us, frankly. More time to look at the receivers, even if the quarterback sees them before they are open, is usually a good thing.

Back to Gandy's original point, we can't tell whether he's saying that coaches think less of black quarterbacks, or more of them. One one hand, guys like Vick have the mobility that the Manning's and Brady's of the world don't possess. And we've all seen the kind of yardage Vick can chew up when he opts to run with the ball. So why not use that weapon from time to time?

Is it a factor of race, or simply a reality that Vick has tremendous God-given skill when it comes to moving with the ball without throwing it? Steve Young (who is white, and whose ancestors presumably were, too) had similar abilities.

So if a quarterback can wreak havoc with his wheels, how many reads should he make before he runs? And how much of that quarterback's inability to make the third and fourth read is a product of the fact that he never got comfortable moving that deep into his progression because his legs always were there to bail him out?

No coach is going to tell a guy who can evade the rush with his feet to do it unless and until the guy has shown an ability to evade the rush with his feet. The real question, as we see it, is whether the quarterback's mobility first becomes a crutch for the player, or for his coaches.

In our view, the Falcons have struggled under Vick because the team has been trying to get him to unlearn a mindset that carried him through the lower levels of the sport. "First receiver isn't open? Fine. Where's the second . . . ? Ah, screw it, I'm gone."

So if Gandy is right, we think the problem has its roots in high school and in college, where the looming aging process doesn't compel the team to worry about what kind of a quarterback a guy like Michael Vick will be when he loses a step.

SATURDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Vikings coach Brad Childress seems to be saying that he doesn't have the right players to pull off the West Coast offense (which makes us wonder why in the hell he is using it).

Rookie S Anthony Smith is emerging for the Steelers.

Redskins S Adam Archuleta returns to play in St. Louis, but has been getting the LaVar Arrington treatment of late.

Texans offensive coordinator Troy Calhoun is heading to Air Force.

Is Jags WR Matt Jones tough enough for the NFL?

Fragile Fred is giving Mo Jo-Dro a chance to prove he can be the team's No. 1 tailback in 2007.

Giants DE Michael "Less Fat . . . More Meat" Strahan will make his return from a foot injury on Sunday.

Pats rookie WR Chad Jackson hasn't caught a pass in five weeks.

From the "It Could Be Safe For Three Hours on Monday Night For 15-Year-Old Girls To Roam Miami" file, Marcus Vick might make his NFL debut this week when the Fins host the Jets.

Seahawks S Michael Boulware is back in the starting lineup.

St. Louis citizens get a Christmas present from the NFL: The Rams game will be blacked out locally.

The Raiders took a shot at NFLN's Adam Schefter in denying the report that coach Art Shell will be fired.

POSTED 5:43 p.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 6:52 p.m. EST, December 22, 2006

NO ONE IS BUYING SABAN'S 'BAMA DENIALS

Despite the most unequivocal statement to date from Dolphins coach Nick Saban regarding his supposed lack of interest in the head coaching gig at Alabama, few people in league circles believe that Saban is truly out of the mix for the job.

As one league insider explained to us on Friday, the fact that Alabama is making no real effort to hire a new field boss suggests that athletic director Mal Moore is waiting for someone who, as a practical matter, won't be available until after the NFL season ends. (We previously said that high school recruiting currently is at a fever pitch; a league source has reminded us that there is no recruiting allowed from December 18 through January 4.)

And that someone could be Saban.

We're not saying that Saban will end up being the next coach of the Tide. We're only saying that his denials aren't being regarded as credible, even after he said on Thursday that he won't be taking the job.

Really, would it be the first time a football coach said one thing and later did something different?

Remember, the Tide didn't make a multi-year offer to Saban out of the blue. They had reason to think that he was interested in the job.

Whether the interest was/is genuine remains to be seen -- regardless of what Saban has said.

Of course, Saban's ultimate goal in this regard might be to use Alabama's interest to leverage a better deal with the Dolphins. With three years remaining on his contract and rumors swirling that the team will be sold, Saban is smart enough to know that he should try to parlay the possibility of leaving for Alabama into an extension and/or a raise -- just like the other guy who dissed Tuscaloosa did two weeks ago.

POSTED 4:58 p.m. EST, December 22, 2006

BRYANT SUSPENDED FOUR GAMES

Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com reports that 49ers receiver Antonio Bryant has been suspended four games by the NFL for violation of the league's substance abuse policy.

The suspension is the result of Bryant's November arrest for suspicion of drunk driving.

The suspension indicates that Bryant has had previous violations of the substance abuse policy, since the first strike is not a four-game sit.

Bryant was signed in the offseason by the 49ers after a rocky tenure with the Cowboys, and a stint with the Browns. He has 40 receptions for 733 yards and three touchdowns in 2006.

The suspension includes postseason games, and the financial consequences will actually be lower for Bryant if the Niners play a playoff game or two. At a salary of $1.25 million in 2006 and 2007, he'll lose $73,529 per regular-season game. The playoff check is significantly lower; a year ago, the share for a first-round game was $17,000.

POSTED 11:15 a.m. EST; UPDATED 11:28 a.m. EST, December 22, 2006

NICKTATOR FINALLY SAYS "NO" TO 'BAMA?

In response to persistent rumors that the University of Alabama is continuing to make offers to Dolphins coach Nick Saban, the second-year coach of the Fins finally has declared that he won't be the coach of the Crimson Tide in 2007.

"I guess I have to say it," Saban said Thursday. "I'm not going to be the Alabama coach.

"I don't control what people say. I don't control what people put on dot-com or anything else. So I'm just telling you there's no significance, in my opinion, about this, about me, about any interest that I have in anything other than being the coach here."

We still don't buy it. Common sense suggests that Alabama wouldn't have made an offer to Saban absent some indication that Saban was interested. And with new ownership of the Fins on the horizon (we ain't backing off of that one yet), Saban is smart to keep all options open.

So look for this one to heat up again after the Fins finish their season.

GRAVES SAFE IN 'ZONA?

A league source tells us that Cardinals V.P. of football operations Rod Graves is not expected to be swept out of town with head coach Dennis Green. Graves, per the source, has the ear of ownership, and is not catching the brunt of the blame for the current state of the franchise.

Green, on the other hand, is clearly and certainly done after three seasons with the team.

The list of potential successors includes USC coach Pete Carroll, Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, and Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera.

SAUERBRUN SIGNS WITH PATS

The New England Patriots have signed free-agent punter Todd Sauerbrun, according to Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe.

So much for avoiding turds.

But, really, the Pats had little choice. With Josh Miller and his replacement, Ken Walter, on injured reserve, the Pats needed to do something, especially with the playoffs looming.

And we think Sauerbrun won't be on a short leash in New England -- he'll be on no leash. One false move, and the guy who puts his shoe into a ball will have a boot in his ass.

POSTED 9:06 a.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 10:00 a.m. EST, December 22, 2006

TESTS NEGATIVE ON PALMER'S SHOULDER

A league source tells us that the recent tests on the shoulder of Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer were negative. Which is positive.

But the source also tells us that there's still a feeling that "something is amiss," and we're still trying to track down more information.

Meanwhile, Palmer himself said Thursday on The Dan Patrick Show that the shoulder is fine, and the host, Señor Patrick, mentioned this here site at least seven times in teasing the Palmer interview.

And, as it turns out, our report created quite a stir. When we arrived in Columbus on Thursday night we saw that the site was mentioned in the local paper (and several others this week), and wagering on Sunday's Bengals-Broncos game temporarily was suspended based on the news that Palmer might have a serious injury.

NFLPA TELLING RECRUITS ABOUT DUNN?

We recently reported that agent David Dunn, who is serving an 18-month suspension arising from the manner in which he carried clients when he parted ways several years ago with Leigh Steinberg, is actively involved in recruiting incoming rookies for the agency with which he is affiliated.

A league source tells us that the NFL Players Association is now calling recruits and telling them that Dunn is serving a suspension.

It hasn't stopped Dunn's firm from signing UTEP quarterback Jordan Palmer, younger brother of the aforementioned Carson Palmer. (Then again, the elder Palmer is still represented by Dunn's group, too.) Athletes First also has inked Fresno State center Kyle Young, regarded by some as the top prospect at the position.

LAST-MINUTE HOLIDAY SHOPPING, COURTESY OF SPRINT

With Christmas only three days away, why go out and fight the sweating crowds when you can buy phones and all sorts of accessories with a quick visit to Sprint.com?

Just click the links on this page (or the logo at the top) and follow your mouse. Sprint and Nextel, the official telecommunications sponsor of Profootballtalk.com, provide the best selection (in our opinion) of phones and the stuff that goes with them.

We also noticed during our four-hour drive from West Virginia to Ohio that we had service on the Samsung A900 for virtually the entire trip, with no drops and not a single "no service" warning.

So if you haven't switched to Sprint, do it right now. And if you're thinking about a last-minute gift for a friend, a loved one, or someone you don't really like but feel compelled to buy something for, get on Sprint.com right now, and get that credit card ready.

TURD ALERT IN FOXBOROUGH

With punters Josh Miller and Ken Walter on injured reserve, the Patriots are bringing in veteran Todd Sauerbrun for a workout on Friday, according to Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe.

Sauerbrun, the punter on both our 2006 All-Turd team and our All-Time All-Turd squad, was released by the Broncos after serving a four-game suspension for violating the league's policy on steroids and related substances. Sauerbrun reportedly tested positive for ephedra, a banned weight loss supplement.

The Pats also worked out Sean Landeta earlier this week.

Sauerbrun entered the league in 1995, and has kicked for the Bears, Chiefs, Panthers, and Broncos. More importantly, he hates the Gramatica brothers, which makes him fine by us.

BLIZZARD WON'T AFFECT BRONCOS-BENGALS GAME

Several readers have asked us whether the 57 inches of snow (okay, it was more like 26) in Denver will affect Sunday's playoff play-in game between the Broncos and Bengals.

League spokesman Greg Aiello tells us that the blizzard will not impact the game. The only change is that the Bengals will leave for Colorado on Friday night, one day earlier than they normally would for a road contest.

The forecast for Denver on Sunday is partly cloudy with a high of 43, and a 10 percent chance of precipitation.

POSTED 8:24 p.m. EST; UPDATED 8:43 p.m. EST, December 21, 2006

SHELL OUT IN OAKLAND?

Though we're in Columbus, Ohio for a couple of days and unable to watch NFLN (thanks for nothing, league and Time Warner), several readers tell us that there's a report on the league's in-house television joint that Raiders coach Art Shell will be fired after the season.

We're not sure we buy it. Although it's our understanding that significant changes are coming for the 2-12 Raiders, it's also our understanding that no decisions have been made -- and that the decisions will be made by owner Al Davis after the season.

Our guess? Raiders personnel executive Mike Lombardi could very well be putting out the word to the media that Shell is getting sh-t-canned, possibly in retaliation for Shell's recent complaints about a traitor among the Raiders, since most league observers believe that Shell was talking about Lombardi.

Lombardi also might be motivated by the fact that rumors are rampant that Lombardi will get the heave-ho, rumors which Lombardi might believe Shell is circulating.

And we're not sure that Shell deserves to be fired. Yeah, he never should have hired Tom Walsh to serve as offensive coordinator, but the Raiders' defense has been very good this season.

Stay tuned.

STUBHUB COUNTERSUES PATS

Ticket reseller StubHub has responded to the lawsuit filed against it by the Patriots with a countersuit, alleging that the Patriots have attempted monopolization, conspiracy to restrain trade, and unfair trade practices.

The Pats filed suit last month against StubHub, claiming that the company's practice of permitting the reselling of tickets at a markup in excess of the Massachusetts limit of $2 per seat violates the state's anti-scalping laws. The Patriots also alleged, as we reported, that StubHub tortiously interferes with the relationship between the team and its season-ticket holders by inducing them to violate the terms of their agreement with the team.

So, as we see it, the counterclaim will present a direct challenge to the team's restriction of the ability of the folks who have purchased tickets to exercise their rights to resell them.

POSTED 8:19 a.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 10:04 a.m. EST, December 21, 2006

BENGALS SEND MIXED SIGNALS ON PALMER

The Cincinnati Bengals initially responded to reports (originating right here) that quarterback Carson Palmer has a shoulder injury by claiming that everything is fine with the pass-thrower's pass thrower.

But then the team later acknowledged that he'd missed the 11-on-11 portion of practice, and that he officially is listed as probable for Sunday with a shoulder injury.

Hmmmmm.

For starters, we've never reported that Palmer has a torn rotator cuff. We only reported that he has a shoulder injury, and that it's possibly a torn rotator cuff. We also reported that he underwent tests on the shoulder on Wednesday.

The team hasn't acknowledged that Palmer underwent tests. But, surely, if Palmer's shoulder is bothering him enough to miss part of practice, the team has done something to either find out what the problem is, or rule out what it isn't.

And let's not forget the reality that teams routinely lie, cheat, and/or steal when it comes to injuries, especially to quarterbacks. Two years ago, we reported that Jets quarterback Chad Pennington had a torn rotator cuff. The team staunchly denied the report, and Pennington (after missing a couple of games) nearly played the team into the AFC Championship game.

After the season, the Jets admitted that Pennington had played with a torn rotator cuff.

Last year, Pats quarterback Tom Brady played with a sports hernia for most of the season. But it never was disclosed on the team's injury report. After the season, the truth came out.

Part of the problem is that the NFL rarely punishes teams who manage to successfully manipulate the injury report through the balance of the current season. It's a strange inconsistency. A team like the Vikings is potentially in deep doo-doo for failing to disclose a hip injury to receiver Marcus Robinson that knocked him out of last week's game against the Jets. But if the Vikes had managed to keep the injury under wraps until January, precedent suggests that no action would have been taken.

Anyway, our current point is that there's no reason to take at face value the inherently self-serving statements and omissions of any team that has a player (especially a quarterback) who might be injured, especially when said team is in the middle of a fight for the postseason.

KEENIST THE KEY FOR MILLEN?

A league source told us on Wednesday that the guy most responsible for the ongoing tenure of Lions President/CEO Matt Millen is senior V.P. of communications Bill Keenist.

Keenist, per the source, is very tight with Millen, and actually helped get Millen hired nearly six years ago. Though it's rarely mentioned, Keenist is considered the glue that helps to keep Millen in place, primarily by keeping Bill Ford Jr. (who isn't regarded as a huge Millen fan) in check.

The dynamic to watch in the coming offseason is whether and to what extent COO Tom Lewand gets tossed under the trailer for the team's recent string of ineptitude. The rumor that reached our ears is that Keenist has been trying to paint Lewand as the fall guy.

We've previously heard that Millen will survive to screw up another season, and we had presumed that Lewand would be along for the ride. But it could be that Millen stays, and Lewand goes.

Our opinion, however, is the same as it was -- fire them both. Hell, fire them all. The franchise is a train wreck, and the prospects for positive change are so poor that even the fan base has lost its will to stand up and demand action.

MORA PLAYS THE BOO-HOO CARD

We like Jim Mora. Both of them. But the failure of Junior to man up and take responsibility for his incredibly assbrained remarks from a week ago is starting to piss us off.

Faced with the looming reality that, barring something miraculous like the team making it to the Super Bowl, the third-year coach will get poop-canned in January, Mora is trying to generate as much sympathy as possible, courtesy of some softballs pitched his way by the AJC.

Asks Steve Wyche: "How has the fallout from the remarks affected [Editor's note: sniff] your home life?"

"As a husband and a father you feel a great responsibility to your wife and children to create a safe haven for them and create a great life for them and when you do something like I did — I can't emphasize enough my intent; I was talking with my college roommate, joking and we've talked about this before and laughed but it didn't come across that way — and realize my job is tied to 20 other men and their families and it's a bad deal. I couldn't feel worse in my life.

Jim, you're still missing the point. Even if you were joking (and we're still trying to find the punch line), there are certain things that one of the guys who hold 32 of the most coveted jobs in all of sports (okay, 31, because does anyone really covet the Arizona job?) should never do.

And "joking" in a public forum about ditching your current gig for another coaching job is pretty close to the top of the list.

We suspect that, when Mora was confronted by owner Arthur Blank about his statements, Jimbo might have responded in the same way that George Costanza did when the boss grilled him about having sex on his desk with the cleaning woman: "Was that wrong? Should I have not done that? I tell you I gotta plead ignorance on this thing because if anyone had said anything to me at all when I first started here that that sort of thing was frowned upon, you know, 'cause I've worked in a lot of offices and I tell you people do that all the time."

Mora also now says that he probably wouldn't want the Washington job. "The reason that would be hard for me, as much as I love the University of Washington, is I value my friendships more than anything besides my family. My best friends are Husky alumni now and when you are the head coach in college, the people that you are responsible to are, to a large extent, are the alumni. I don't want that conflict in my life. I want my friends to be my friends, not my critics."

(Psst, Jim. That would have sounded great if you'd mentioned it at some point during last week's radio interview.)

Mora's latest interview concludes with a sickeningly overt pitch for the Falcons coach to keep his job.

Says Wyche: "Look at the numbers. You finish the season with a winning record and that would be the best three-year run of any period in the Falcons' 41-year history. You have the best record in the NFC through three years. Chicago's Lovie Smith is the only coach hired with you in 2004 with a better record. When the proof is there, how much do you hope that tips the scales your way against [the radio] interview, which has put your job security in jeopardy?"

Says Mora in response: "This is obviously weighing on my mind, because I'm human but I am focused on getting this team in the playoffs. As hard as it is, when I'm in the office, on the field, with the players, I have to bring complete focus to that task. It's out of my hands from there. I've already done what I can do and, unfortunately, one of the things wasn't good. But you can't argue some things, like having the highest winning percentage in the NFC South, a trip to the NFC championship game, the things Mike Vick has accomplished in the offense this year. Those are facts. Hopefully, those stand for something this year and stand for something down the line. That's all I can hope for."

Our take on all of this? Blank is smart enough to see what's going on here, and he's not going to fall for it. If anything, Mora's effort to build sympathy (and in turn public support) is nearly as shameful as the words that initially got him in trouble.

The real issue is that Mora's decision to say the things he said last week indicate that he is prone to serious lapses in judgment. So even if he has now learned to never joke around about leaving his team, the same wiring problem in his brain will manifest itself in some other way, in some other context, at some other time.

That's why we're now convinced that Arthur Blank will decide that he can't afford to continue to entrust the franchise to Mora. And it's why we also fear that Mora will have a hard time finding another head-coaching job at the pro level. There's too much at stake with these positions, and hiring someone who has proven that his ability to know what to say (and, more importantly, what not to say) leaves much to be desired is a risk that few, if any, of the other owners will ever take.

POSTED 12:20 p.m. EST; UPDATED 12:29 p.m. EST, December 20, 2006

CARSON PALMER INJURED?

A reader tipped us off on Tuesday to the possibility that Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer emerged from Monday night's loss to the Colts with an injury. Per the tipster, Palmer has a shoulder injury, possibly a torn rotator cuff.

We've poked around a bit via our network of sources, and we've concluded that there's something to this one. It's our understanding that Palmer is undergoing tests on the shoulder today.

It's the last thing the 8-6 Bengals need as they prepare to face the 8-6 Broncos on Sunday in Denver. The winner will be in great shape for a playoff spot; the loser will be battling with the likes of the Jaguars and the Steelers and the Jets and the Chiefs and the Titans and the Bills (the Bills?) for the six seed.

POSTED 6:49 a.m. EST, December 20, 2006

PRINCIPLE CAN WAIT

Are we the only ones not surprised by the decision of the Chicago Bears to suspend defensive tackle Tank Johnson for only one game? Please pardon the (typical) cynicism, but the Bears need his services if they're going to stand a chance at winning the Super Bowl. Especially with Tommie Harris out for the year.

Our guess is that G.M. Jerry Angelo would have preferred to dump Tank, and we believe that Johnson will be released or traded in the offseason. For now, though, matters like principle need to take a back seat to the prize that the franchise is pursuing.

Frankly, we'd probably do the same thing. Though the whole thing might look less fishy if the Bears hadn't created the impression that they were thinking about pulling the plug on Johnson, we think that the Bears were trying to make Johnson think he was in real danger of getting cut, which was intended to get him to be so grateful about sticking around that he's unlikely to be a problem. And based on Jay Glazer's report that Johnson was telling people he believed he'd never play for the Bears again, the ploy worked.

So with two meaningless games left, Johnson will miss one -- and then have one more to get fresh for the playoffs.

T.O. SNUBBED

We're not going to put together a comprehensive article regarding the Pro Bowl snubs, primarily because Adam Schefter of NFL.com has already knocked that one out of the park.

But we can't help but revel in the fact that the NFC team omits receiver Terrell Owens, the most controversial and (bi)polarizing player in the league.

His catches and yardage stats are slightly worse than those of Pro Bowler Torry Holt, and slightly better than those of Pro Bowler Anquan Boldin. With eleven visits to the end zone, T.O. has one more touchdown reception than Holt, and seven more than Boldin.

So why was he left out? Because too many people don't like him.

And maybe those dropped passes had something to do with it.

Meanwhile, T.O. is still being T.O. On his official web site, the current poll question is how many touchdowns Owens will have on Christmas Day against the Eagles.

BRADY SNUB ACCURATE?

The omission in the AFC that immediately caught our attention was Pats quarterback Tom Brady. Many league insiders have expressed to us over the years that, as long as Brady is playing, New England will be in contention for the postseason and the Super Bowl.

But based solely on numbers, was Brady worthy of a trip to Hawaii ("I'm fine, how are you?") in February 2007?

As passer rating goes, Brady is fifth in the conference, behind the three guys who were named to the team (Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer, Philip Rivers), as well as Damon Huard and (gulp) J.P. Losman. Heck, Brady's not even in the top ten in the league in the standard formula based on completion percentage, average yards per attempt, touchdown percentage, and interception percentage.

And although any Pats toadies out there might claim that Brady was unfairly hamstrung by a corps of high-school caliber receivers, the Chargers don't exactly trot out household names at wideout on Sundays, either. (Yeah, San Diego has tight end Antonio Gates, but the Pats have Ben Watson, who is nearly as good.)

Actually, the Patriots are probably happy that they placed only one player on the AFC Pro Bowl team this season. Why, you ask? Because coach Bill Belichick is certain to use the perceived disrespect as motivation for the troops when the time comes to, perhaps, travel to San Diego and take on the Chargers, who put nine guys on the team.

ATTENTION, COMPETITION COMMITTEE

As we argued in last week's Ten-Pack, Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman should not be eligible for the Pro Bowl or any other postseason honor.

We don't have anything against Merriman per se. But the reality is that he broke the rules regarding the use of performance enhancing drugs, and thus (as our own Taco Bill explained to us last night) Merriman's performance most likely was enhanced for part of the season.

Even with the nandrolone out of his system, the reality is that the muscle mass that Merriman mustered while training with a banned substance has helped him to become the beast that he is.

So, please, Competition Committee, we beg you. Change the rules to make anyone who is suspended ineligible for any awards.

And if anyone can think of a reason not to make this change in the rules (other than the fact that it's not currently the rule -- and, yes, someone actually has made the argument to us), we'd love to hear it.

TEN-PACK (PART ONE) IS UP

For our the first half of our ten takes on the week that was in the NFL, click here.

This time around, we talk about the game-changing blocked punt call in the Chargers-Chiefs contest and the bizarre decision of the Giants video operator to rile up the Eagles. We also compare and contrast the Gumbel brothers, and we offer up definitive proof as to why Michael Vick is not a leader.

Enjoy. Or not. But, either way, please check it out.

POSTED 10:22 p.m. EST, December 19, 2006

LOMBARDI OUT IN OAKLAND?

There's plenty of talk in league circles that the Oakland Raiders soon will be parting ways with personnel executive Mike Lombardi.

Lombardi is widely believed to be the target of a recent rant from coach Art Shell, who claims that someone inside the organization is undermining him to the media.

Though it's entirely possible that Lombardi will get launched, it's our understanding that no decisions will be finalized and that no actions will be taken until after the season is completed.

Our guess, however, is that significant changes are coming. And perhaps the only guy in the football operations who is safe is the head coach, since we think it would be virtually impossible to find someone with real credentials who would take that job.

POSTED 4:30 p.m. EST, December 19, 2006

EARLY VERDICT: G-MEN GOT SCREWED ON MANNING DEAL

Based on the 2007 AFC Pro Bowl team, we're ready to declare that the Giants got the raw end of the trade that sent quarterback Eli Manning from San Diego to New York.

Why, you ask? Because the three of the players that the Chargers ended up with in return already have made it to Hawaii.

In order to get Manning, the No. 1 pick in the 2004 draft, the Giants sent the No. 4 pick (quarterback Philip Rivers), a first-rounder in 2005, a third-rounder in 2004, and a fifth-rounder in 2005. The Chargers managed to finagle all of those picks even though Manning had made it clear that he did not want to play in or for San Diego.

With the extra first-rounder, the Chargers selected linebacker Shawne Merriman. With the third-rounder, the Chargers took kicker Nate Kaeding.

Rivers, Merriman, and Kaeding have each been named to the AFC squad in the February Pro Bowl. The full list of AFC players is available right here.

Manning, meanwhile, is regressing faster than a five-year-old with twin newborn sisters. Making the Pro Bowl at the quarterback position in the NFC are Drew Brees, Marc Bulger, and Tony Romo. The rest of the roster is right here.

POSTED 12:25 p.m. EST, December 19, 2006

SOME OWNERS JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND REVENUE SHARING

We know that the business issues relating to the NFL are at times as interesting as hearing your Uncle Ralph talk about the time that he drove his car from Poughkeepsie to Pawtucket on a half tank of diesel fuel and a pack of stale HoHo's, but the manner in which the guys who make the millions can (or as the case may be, can't) work together regarding issues like revenue sharing will likely have a direct impact on the long term viability of the sport.

And the debate that currently is raging among 32 of the richest folks in the country is how the excess riches generated by the richest of the really, really, really rich teams will be distributed to the less rich of the teams that are only really, really rich.

Complicating the discussions is that guys like Bills owner Ralph Wilson are popping off in the media about the manner in which revenue sharing is (or as the case may be, isn't) occurring. Said Wilson on Sunday, "Hey, listen, don't talk to me about revenue sharing. The high-revenue clubs are not going to give teams like Buffalo any revenue sharing. They haven't done it. They stalled it for years. And I'm sick and tired of hearing about it."

But the truth is that the owners are ready to redistribute the wealth. Either $90 million or $100 million (the final number is still up in the air) will be funded by teams with the most revenue, and given to teams that need it the most.

The problem, however, is that revenue and profit are two very different concepts. There are plenty of teams that are making less revenues than other franchises. But because those teams have little or no stadium debt and/or little or no purchase debt and/or little or no operating expenses, they remain extremely profitable business enterprises.

The example we repeatedly have heard in this regard is the Bengals. They paid nothing for their stadium, they have no purchase debt, and they pocket the entire amount of their Personal Seat Licenses. So even though the Bengals were 27th in revenues in 2005, they were one of the most -- if not the most -- profitable franchise in the sport.

Indeed, low revenues aren't keeping teams from spending money. Per a league source, the Cardinals were last in the league in 2005 revenues, but to date have spent $115.3 million on player expenses in 2006. (Though the salary cap was only $102 million, teams routinely spend "cash over cap" via signing bonuses, etc.)

The Colts, at 29th in revenue in 2005, have spent a whopping $135.4 million in 2006 cash on players. The Vikings, 30th in revenue for 2005, have forked over $128.1 million in player pay.

Even the Bengals, with their No. 27 ranking in revenues, managed to scrape together the fifth highest total payout to players in 2006, at $113 million.

So the top three teams in 2006 player expenses (Colts, Vikings, Cardinals) were 29th, 30th, and 32nd in 2005 revenues, respectively.

We're told that, in conjunction with the recent vote on the league's loan to the Jets and Giants for their new stadium, Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver added an amendment that would have redistributed the supplemental revenue to teams that spend more than 65 percent of their revenue on players, regardless of any other factor. Under this plan, the so-called "qualifiers" for supplemental revenue sharing would have been wiped out of the equation -- meaning that profitable teams like the Bengals would have gotten free money, even though they don't really need it.

This plan would have reduced the amount of money available to teams who need it (like the Bills) by giving money to teams who don't (like the Bengals). Still, several of the seven votes in favor of the stripped-down revenue sharing proposal came from teams who, in the absence of qualifiers, would qualify for less money.

This dynamic raises concerns that the revenue-sharing debate is devolving into an us-against-them fight, with the low-revenue teams voting on any and all proposals in a block, regardless of whether the specific proposal in question helps or hurts on an individual basis. With the CBA possibly being reopened as early as November 2008, the league is dangerously close to losing the 24-vote minimum necessary to adopt a new labor agreement.

We think that this is an issue that won't be resolved unless and until each and every owner makes a commitment to fully understanding the issue, and uninformed rhetoric from guys like Ralph Wilson will do nothing to promote across-the-board enlightenment. In our view, revenue is a far too narrow basis on which to determine whether and to what extent financial inequities exist, and whether such disparities should be smoothed over.

We've got a proposal in this regard, and we'll post it after we wake up from the nap that proofreading this item has induc . . . . . .

POSTED 8:52 a.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 9:55 a.m. EST, December 19, 2006

OWENS NOW SAYS SPIT WASN'T INTENTIONAL

In a Monday night interview with Jim "I Once Devoured Pete Rose's Head" Gray, Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens claimed that he didn't intentionally spit on Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall.

In the portion of the Westwood One interview that is being played in the current SportsCenter loop, Owens tries to suggest that the spittle was accidental.

We don't buy it. Not for an instant.

Because there's no objective proof of the incident, Owens now realizes (presumably because someone else 'splained it to him) that he can make the whole issue into a pissing match with Hall by simply denying it.

The only problem, of course, is that Owens already has admitted to spitting on Hall. After Saturday night's game, Owens matter-of-factly apologized for the incident on NFLN. More significantly, he didn't attempt in any way to backpedal after Deion Sanders lectured him about the indignity connoted by the spraying of saliva from one person onto another.

Also, a reader tells us that Owens denied during the Monday interview that he ever has been the victim of a spit attack.

Apparently, Owens has again been misquoted. In the book about himself that he wrote.

Wrote T.O., on T.O.: "One afternoon while I was in high school, I was riding home on a school bus after a track event. I made the mistake of falling asleep on the bus. It was just my luck that the biggest and meanest kid in school was on that bus, too. I was physically exhausted and passed out in a deep sleep. I was breathing through my mouth and it was open as I slept. The jerk came over and hocked up a big wad from his throat and nasal passages. He dropped that huge, disgusting gob of spit right into my mouth."

So what might happen with the $35,000 fine? There are reports that Owens plans to appeal it, and he likely thinks that it'll be enough to show up and say he didn't do it. But inconsistent statements from a witness are a litigator's dream; the implication of Owens' contemporaneous admission and his recent denial is that he either was lying then, or he's lying now.

Either way, he's a liar. And a narcissist. And a cancer. And the sooner he's out of the NFL, the better off the NFL will be.

NEW YEAR'S EVE GAME ANNOUNCED ON CHRISTMAS?

The rules applicable to the new Flex Scheduling thing generally require at least 12 days' notice as to which of the Sunday games will be moved to prime time.

For Week 17, however, the window shrinks to six days.

And that means that the last game of the regular season, which will start at 8:15 p.m. EST and possibly won't end before 2007 on the East Coast, won't be known until Christmas Day, at the latest.

The published rules identify no specific time deadline on Monday for the announcement, and it's possible that the decision won't be finalized until after both the Eagles and Cowboys (starting at 5:00 p.m. EST) and the Jets and Dolphins (starting at 8:30 p.m. EST but not really "starting" until 8:40 or so) wrap things up. Said NFL spokesman Dan Masonson, "Week 17 is one where certain games will have greater implications on the playoffs, and that's why you need to wait until after the Week 16 games are completed."

Here are the most likely games to make the move, in our assessment:

1. Steelers at Bengals: Prior published reports indicated that this game was tentatively earmarked for the shift to Sunday night. This one has the best chance to be a playoff game for a playoff spot.

2. Falcons at Eagles: If Atlanta wins at home against the Panthers and the Eagles lose to the Cowboys, this one could be another "win and you're in, lose and you snooze" game.

3. 49ers at Broncos: The Niners can still steal the NFC West, and the Broncos are in the thick of the Wild Card race. The only problem with this one is that, if the Seahawks lose to San Diego on Sunday (and if the 49ers beat Arizona), Seattle can wrap up the division by beating the Bucs in a December 31 early game.

4. Packers at Bears: The Lord Favre farewell game (unless he comes back for 2007) could also have playoff implications for the Packers. However, the game also could be completely meaningless based on the outcome of the day's earlier matchups.

CULLEN SUSPENDED, FINED

Lions assistant coach Joe Cullen, who in the span of eight days in late August and early September was arrested for driving naked but sober and driving drunk but clothed, has been suspended by the NFL for one game, and fined $20,000.

Cullen got off lucky. In our view, he never would have been hired at all by the team if someone/anyone had conducted even a cursory, Google-only background check on the guy.

Don't get us wrong. We believe in second chances. But a coaching job with an NFL team is an extreme privilege. Cullen, based on past incidents that we chronicled on September 6, should have never elevated beyond the NCAA, in our view, even with every benefit of the doubt.

It's just another reason why the Lions are a bad organization, top to bottom. And it's another reason why those shirts that say "Fire Millen" on the front should say "And Lewand, Too" on the back.

POSTED 8:35 p.m. EST, December 18, 2006

TARVARIS ERA BEGINS

Kevin Seifert of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that rookie quarterback Tarvaris Jackson will start for the Vikings on Thursday night, as Minnesota heads to Lambeau Field for a date with the Packers on NFLN.

Per Seifert, Jackson took the majority of the snaps in practice on Monday.

Coach Brad Childress said on Monday that he's "mulling his options"; however, Seifert cites two unnamed sources in support of the conclusion that Jackson will get the nod.

So cue the "Jackson is the lowest paid starter in the NFL" crap from the "real" media.

POSTED 6:45 p.m. EST; UPDATED 7:06 p.m. EST, December 18, 2006

MORA'S FATE IS SEALED?

The talk in league circles is that Jim Mora Jr. will be fired by Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank after the team completes the current season, even if the Falcons make it to the playoffs.

Could a hot streak in January save Mora? Perhaps. But something short of a Super Bowl appearance might not be enough to save him.

Mora angered Blank with his comments from last week indicating a willingness to leave the Falcons in a minute if he could get the University of Washington job. And even if Blank accepts Mora's explanation that he was joking, the comments were, in our view, inexcusable.

Hell, even if Mora said he was drunk at the time there still would be concern, we think, from Blank (and not just due to the fact that, you know, Mora was sauced up while on the radio).

For those of you who don't think it's reasonable for Blank to be upset, think of it this way. What if you were talking in a public setting and your high school girlfriend's name just happened to come up? And what it you were to declare that, if she ever gets a divorce, you'd leave your wife in a heartbeat in order to rekindle that flame?

Even if you were joking, do you think Mrs. You would be happy about the development?

(If you disagree, we suggest that you give it a try. If you don't have access to radio, we recommend a classified ad. Or a billboard.)

We know the example is a tad extreme, but at the core there's no difference between that scenario and Mora's situation.

The bigger question is whether Mora will get a sniff in the short term for another head coaching job. First of all, there might not be many of such gigs available at the NFL level in 2007. Second, any owner would be justifiably concerned that Mora still has his eyes on Seattle. Third, there might be concerns that his total lapse in judgment will manifest itself in other ways.

We think his best bet would be to take a year off, cash some of Arthur Blank's checks, do some television work, and then look for a coaching gig in 2008.

JAGODZINSKI TO B.C.

Published reports indicate that Packers offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski will become the next coach at Boston College.

Jagodzinski will replace Tom O'Brien, who jumped to N.C. State.

The first-year member of the Green Bay staff is expected to finish the season with the Packers before heading to Massachusetts.

Other candidates were Steelers quarterbacks coach Mark Whipple and Giants quarterbacks coach Kevin Gilbride. Initial reports out of Boston indicated that Whipple had gotten the job.

POSTED 2:46 p.m. EST, December 18, 2006

OWENS FINED $35,000

A reader tells us that it was just announced on NFLN that Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens has been fined $35,000 for spitting on Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall.

Owens will not be suspended.

The fine is a huge increase over past penalties for spitting. Earlier this year, Redskins safety Sean Taylor was fined $17,000 for spitting at Bucs running back Michael Pittman in a playoff game.

POSTED 2:23 p.m. EST, December 18, 2006

McPHERSON SUES TITANS

Saints quarterback Adrian McPherson is suing the Tennessee Titans for injuries suffered when he was injured due to a golf cart driven by Titans mascot "T-Rac," a creature of some sort that is anything but a Titan.

The lawsuit claims that T-Rac was reckless in his operation of the golf cart, and that the collision resulted in McPherson's placement on the injured reserve list.

But McPherson isn't listed by the Saints as a member of the team's injured reserve list. He was waived by the team on September 2, and thereafter signed with no one. (We have a feeling that he won't be joining the Titans at any time in the near future.)

The complaint, which seeks $5 million in compensatory damages and $15 million in punitive damages, is available at thesmokinggun.com. [Editor's note: We despise the practice of inserting a gigantic demand for damages in a civil complaint. We realize that some states require an amount to be included. Still, the number is meaningless. A lawsuit is never worth what the plaintiff thinks it's worth -- it's only worth what a judge or a jury tells him it's worth, or what a defendant will pay to settle it. Exorbitant demands like McPherson's are unrealistic, and they open the civil justice system and those who utilize it to ridicule and contempt.]

Our first reaction to the lawsuit is that the incident should be covered by workers' compensation laws, not by the tort system. McPherson was hurt while working, due to the actions of an employee of another NFL team. We suppose, however, that his only legal employer is the Saints, and that the fact that he was hurt by an employee of the Titans puts the case beyond the scope of the workers' comp system.

If T-Rac had run over someone like Titans corner Pacman Jones, then a lawsuit for negligence likely would have been precluded.

We also would have sent T-Rac a ham.

POSTED 12:58 p.m. EST, December 18, 2006

CHOW, SCHWARTZ IN A SCRUM?

Word on the NFL grapevine is that Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz got into a shouting match after Sunday's win over the Jaguars.

(Guys, you won the game. Be happy.)

Apparently, Schwartz was miffed that quarterback Vince Young threw a pass late in the game, with the Titans clinging to a seven-point lead.

Specifically, the ill-advised attempt came with 72 seconds remaining and the Titans facing third down and 12 from the Jaguars 44. (The field position was the result of a failed onside kick attempt by the Jags.) Jacksonville had no timeouts remaining; thus, if the clock had not been stopped by the incompletion, there would have been less than thirty seconds remaining after the punt.

The rumor is that Young actually changed the play from a run to a pass (hello, single-digit Wonderlic score). Regardless, Schwartz was livid, and Chow supposedly got an earful in the locker room. Head coach Jeff Fisher had to separate the two.

Man, we wonder what would have happened if the Titans hadn't won five games in a row.

POSTED 9:04 a.m. EST; UPDATED 9:37 a.m. EST, December 18, 2006

COUGHLIN CALLS OUT ELI, AGAIN

Why do we have a feeling that Archie Manning will eventually drive to New York and kick Tom Coughlin's ass?

Maybe Archie is already on his way, given the Soup Nazi's postgame comments regarding son Eli's latest game-blowing blunder.

Late in the fourth quarter, with the Giants trailing by seven, Eli failed to throw to his "hot" read on a blitz from Philly cornerback Sheldon Brown, sticking instead with the called play -- and getting stuck while he was delivering the pass. The ball went straight up, and it was picked off and returned for a touchdown by Eagles defensive end Trent Cole. Game over.

"He should have seen [the blitz]," Coughlin said. "He's in the [shot]gun. He has a good chance to see it. I think his attention is drawn off to the left. He doesn't see it."

Manning claims that he saw the blitz, but that he thought he could make the throw before impact. "I saw the blitz coming but I thought I could hold long enough to get the ball to Plaxico [Burress]," he said. "Obviously I made the mistake. I should have just thrown it to [Jeremy] Shockey and got five yards."

Three weeks ago, Coughlin took a slap at Manning when the third-year quarterback threw an interception in his own end with the game tied late against the Titans.

"There's no way you can throw that interception at that stage of the game," Coughlin said at the time. "No way. If you don't like what you see, throw it out of bounds."

We generally think it's a bad idea for coaches to call out any of their players publicly, unless they really and truly deserve it. There's a way to answer the media's questions without taking a dig at any one guy. Then, the coach can dig his foot into the guy's ass behind closed doors.

In this specific case, we think Coughlin is playing with fire. Though we're joking about Archie kicking Coughlin's can, it was Archie who was instrumental in the effort to finagle Eli's avoidance of the Chargers on draft day. So the last thing Coughlin needs right now is Archie building support via his league contacts for a regime change in New York.

And, at this point, it wouldn't surprise us. With G.M. Ernie Accorsi retiring and the two co-owners who hired Coughlin deceased, it could be time for a fresh start. Since the salary cap consequences and notions of basic institutional ego won't allow the team to wash its hands of Manning, the path of least resistance is to fire Coughlin.

Meanwhile, the Chargers are the best team in football, and the Giants took a big step backward on Sunday in their hunt for the playoffs.

RADIO UPDATE

We got real busy with the whole "day job" thing last week so we didn't get a chance to give much of a head's up as to any upcoming radio spots. We also had to bump and/or cancel a few of the spots to accommodate the demands of that whole "day job" thing.

In all, we visited with AOL's Sports Bloggers Live, KFAN in Minneapolis, and the West Virginia Statewide Sportsline on Monday, Sporting News Radio on Tuesday, WFNZ in Charlotte on Wednesday, WIP in Philly on Thursday, WNST in Baltimore, The Dino Costa Show in Colorado, The Terry Bowden Show in Florida, Sportstalk 950 in Philly, and the Rumble on ESPN Radio in Jacksonville on Friday.

We're pretty sure we've forgotten to mention someone.

This week, we're planning to visit with the guys at AOL Sports Bloggers Live at 12:05 p.m. EST on Monday, Mike Gill of ESPN Radio in Atlantic City at 6:05 p.m. EST on Monday, Chris McClain of WFNZ in Charlotte at 2:25 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Todd Wright of Sporting News Radio at 10:25 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Glen Macnow of WIP in Philly (if we can get the damn 10-Pack done), Howard Balzer of ESPN Radio in St. Louis on Wednesday, and Mike Dempsey and Tom McManus of ESPN Radio in Jacksonville on Wednesday. If Terry Bowden and crew are working on Friday, we'll be on the air at 4:30 p.m. EST or so. Ditto for our pals at WNST in Baltimore, at 9:00 a.m. EST or so on Friday.

On Thursday, the Florio clan is loading up the 1974 AMC Pacer and heading to Ohio for a pre-Christmas visit with the Poobah's sister and her family. They are rabid Ohio State fans, but we like them anyway. But we'll continue to be updating the site through the weekend and, as always, we'll posting some stories on Christmas Day in the morning (and maybe in the afternoon and evening, too).

POSTED 8:37 a.m. EST, December 18, 2006

ANOTHER JONES-DREW MYSTERY

Several months back, there was a question of whether Jags running back Maurice Jones-Drew was involved in the assault of a man at a Westwood Denny's -- the same incident that prompted Bears cornerback Ricky Manning Jr. to plead no contest to felony assault charges.

There's now another brouhaha involving Jones-Drew. But this one carries somewhat lesser potential consequences.

The present issue is whether Jones-Drew did or didn't get an X-ray after Sunday's loss to the Titans.

He went into a room with a sign that reads "X-ray," but he denied that he actually had a picture of one or more of his bones taken.

The facts suggest otherwise. The first-year player from UCLA, a legitimate candidate for offensive rookie of the year, collapsed while limping to the sidelines late in Sunday's game. Said coach Jack Del Rio of the situation: "I think they want to make sure. I'm not even sure what they are X-raying. I don't have any information on that right now."

Drew also denied that he aggravated a strained calf, which had been disclosed on the injury report prior to Sunday's game.

Jones had 174 all-purpose yards on Sunday and a touchdown. He has 13 for the season, the most of any rookie and the fifth-highest total in the league. He trails LaDainian Tomlinson (31), Larry Johnson (15), Marion Barber (15), and Willie Parker (14).

POSTED 8:49 p.m. EST, December 17, 2006

TA-TA, TANK?

Jay Glazer of FOX reported earlier on Sunday that Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson is telling friends that he expects that he'll never play again for the team.

And he's got good reason to think that. After all, he was out clubbing with his "bodyguard" only a day after he and his bodyguard were arrested.

The second incident turned out a little bit worse for the bodyguard.

Glazer also reports that the team will meet on Monday to discuss its options regarding Johnson. Under the new CBA, the team can deactivate him with pay for up to four games. It's not clear whether postseason games would count in this regard. If they do, then Johnson arguably could be forced to sit only until the NFC Championship.

The Bears also could cut Johnson, and take the risk that he'll file a grievance. If Johnson is successful, they'd have to pay him at least through the end of the season.

Johnson currently is signed through 2008.

Per Glazer, the Bears also are re-checking psychological evaluations of Johnson in connection with the current decision-making process.

As we explained recently, Johnson was off of multiple draft boards due to character concerns. John Czarnecki of FOX reports that Johnson tested positive for marijuana before the draft.

POSTED 6:54 p.m. EST, December 17, 2006

THE IRONY OF THE T.O. SPIT SPAT

We haven't read T.O.'s much-ballyhooed book about himself, which came out earlier this year.

You might remember it. It got a little bit of attention. Especially after Owens claimed that he was misquoted in it.

A reader advised us that there's an anecdote (thanks, Tiki) in the tome (thanks again) regarding T.O.'s experience on the wrong side of a spitting incident. So we went poking around the 'Net and, lo and behold, we found the excerpt.

Here it is.

"One afternoon while I was in high school, I was riding home on a school bus after a track event. I made the mistake of falling asleep on the bus. It was just my luck that the biggest and meanest kid in school was on that bus, too. I was physically exhausted and passed out in a deep sleep. I was breathing through my mouth and it was open as I slept. The jerk came over and hocked up a big wad from his throat and nasal passages. He dropped that huge, disgusting gob of spit right into my mouth.

"I slept right through the whole thing while everybody laughed at me. I didn't find out about it until later. Can you imagine the shame, the humiliation I felt when I went home and told my family? For what seemed like an eternity, I was teased and tormented unmercifully by the kids at school. I had been a loner before that happened, and became even more isolated after.

"Everyone laughed at me. I tried to block out the image of his spit entering my mouth, but I felt nauseated every time I thought about it. Knowing that he disgraced me and got the best of me was more than I could handle. From that day on, I was done being a pushover. Yesterday's loser was determined to become tomorrow's winner."

In our view, T.O.'s trauma should have made him less likely to disrespect another human with the same indignity that hurt him so deeply.

But, then again, we're talking about T.O.

And we wonder whether the kid who spit in Owens' mouth might say that he had gotten tired of Owens constantly running his mouth, just like Owens did when justifying his actions against DeAngelo Hall.

Regardless, we suggest that Owens keep his mouth tightly shut the next time he falls asleep in a meeting.

POSTED 12:17 p.m. EST, December 17, 2006

HALL WANTS T.O. TO BE K.O.'ed

Jay Glazer of FOX reports that Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall wants the NFL to suspend Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens for spitting in Hall's face on Saturday night.

Such a move would be unprecedented for a spitting incident, but we frankly wouldn't be shocked about it, given the extent to which new Commissioner Roger Goodell has shown a willingness to crack down on misbehavior.

Though we'd love to see it (as would others), we doubt the league will go that far.

If it would happen, look for Owens to nevertheless be available for the Cowboys' next game, on Christmas Day. Owens would be certain to appeal any suspension, and the penalty likely wouldn't be enforced until the 2007 regular season.

POSTED 11:05 a.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 11:59 a.m. EST, December 17, 2006

DUNN WORKING HARD AT RECRUITING

A league source with knowledge of the dynamics of the recruiting trail tells us that David Dunn is working as hard as anyone at delivering college players to his agency, even though he has been suspended for 18 months from NFL representation.

How is Dunn getting away with it? Apparently, there's a difference between recruiting players and actually representing them.

But should there be? We believe that a suspension should be a, well, suspension. More than preventing the agent from negotiating directly with teams, the suspension should apply to all aspects of the business.

Enforcement of such a rule could be challenging, and that might be why the NFLPA doesn't sweep more broadly when it puts a guy on the sidelines.

And from a financial standpoint there will be no downside for Dunn, since he has transferred most if not all of his clients to the other certified agents in his firm. Though Dunn can't directly receive the money generated from representation fees, he is allowed to be paid out of the general revenues of the firm.

The message from this? For an agent who is suspended and who works with other agents, the best bet is to take the medicine and move on. There's still work that can be done, and there's still money that can be made. So instead of filing lawsuits and hauling the NFLPA before Congress, guys like Carl Poston would be wise to simply take a page from Dunn's playbook, and keep on doing the job.

COUNTDOWN CREW TEES OFF ON T.O.

At the top of the Sunday ESPN pregame show, the talking heads took plenty of shots at T.O. for his most recent transgression, spitting in the face of Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall.

Said Tom Jackson: "I personally would rather have someone sucker punch me in the face than spit on me. I can get over that bruise, I can fight you if you want to fight me man up. But in fact if you spit on me that's an insult that will last a lifetime. . . . I don't think that any of us who've ever played this game would allow someone to spit on us without that person having to fight us right now, on the spot. And T.O. needs to learn a lesson."

Added Ron Jaworski (from behind his Vanderbilts): "Every single day. Every single day. Every day it's something with T.O. . . . He just sucks the wind, the air out of your football team."

Even the Pipemaker (nod to Jason Whitlock) chided T.O.: "There is no time that it's okay to spit on anybody. Football, whatever you're doing . . . in life, there's no time, there is no right about it, there is no 'I was frustrated, I was upset, I was disturbed.' I don't care what you were. There is no time that it's right to spit on anybody. And that's that.

Mike Ditka was blunt, as usual: "I'm not big in the advice business. But, Coach, you gotta stop this before it's too late. If you don't stop it now, it's gonna cause a lot of repercussions before it's over. All I can say if I was DeAngelo Hall, I [would have gotten] dressed real quick and I would've gotten right in front of that locker room, and when he came out I would have hit him as hard as I could, regardless of the circumstances. You might think that's unfair; what he did is disgusting."

Chris Berman capped it off by acknowledging that the guy who needs to act isn't Bill Parcells, but Jerry Jones: "Well, the owner needs to step in here, too, 'cause apparently he's -- they have breakfast together, they talk -- maybe that's the one that maybe needs to say something."

Stay tuned.

NO MORA?

Though it hardly would be characterized as a surprise if the Falcons were to dump coach Jim Mora based on the poor performance of the team this year (and last), a big factor apparently will be Mora's recent musings about his desire to return to his alma mater and coach the Washington Huskies.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports that owner Arthur Blank was furious on Friday after listening to Mora's radio remarks, and that Blank regards the comments as "boneheaded." (Mora, per Mort, was so upset that he (sniff) didn't eat for 24 hours.)

"Boneheaded" is the key word. Even if we accept Mora's explanation that he was just joking (and accept it we don't), it's unthinkable for a guy who holds one of the 32 most coveted jobs in all of sports to run his mouth so recklessly. People criticize guys like Bill Belichick and Nick Saban and Bill Parcells for holding their cards too close to the vest. But can anyone ever envision any of them ever doing something as stupid as what Mora did?

Then again, it could be that Mora is merely stupid like Norman Einstein. He knows that there's no way he'll get the Washington gig for 2007, unless the powers-that-be pull a move akin to the Mooch-for-Morningsomething swap that the Lions accomplished a few years back. But if his goal is to get back to Seattle, there's another job that could be open after the season.

Mike Holmgren isn't in danger of getting fired by the Seahawks, but it's possible that he'll retire after the 2006 season. A year ago, rumors were rampant that the Big Show planned to drop the curtain, and it was only after the team made it to the Super Bowl -- and concluded that it could get back and win it -- that Holmgren decided to stick around. So there's a chance, in our view, that he packs it in this time around.

And that would create a spot for Mora, who could bring Greg Knapp and the West Coast offense back to the West Coast, where it belongs.

Otherwise, it could be that Mora ends up back in San Francisco as Mike Nolan's defensive coordinator.

And speaking of the Niners, we can't think of many guys other than San Fran assistant Mike Singletary who could clunk the heads of Arthur Blank and Mike Vick together and put that team on the right track.

POSTED 9:25 a.m. EST, December 17, 2006

FRICTION BETWEEN FISHER, YOUNG?

Word has reached PFT world headquarters that the Vince Young entourage is becoming increasingly annoyed with Titans coach Jeff Fisher.

There's a perception/belief that Fisher has been badmouthing Young to Fisher's friends in the media, pointing out the things that Young has been doing wrong instead of the things that the rookie from Texas has been doing right.

One of Young's harshest critics has been ESPN's Merril Hoge. Most recently, Hoge suggested on this weekend's NFL Matchup show that Young should have thrown the pass instead of run -- on the stirring 39-yard touchdown scamper that delivered a victory in Young's debut in his hometown of Houston.

So why would Fisher be dissing his new quarterback? Because Fisher didn't want him. Fisher and offensive coordinator Norm Chow wanted USC quarterback Matt Leinart. Now that Young is taking the league by storm (including an appearance on the cover of Sports Illustrated), Fisher possibly feels compelled to point out privately Young's flaws.

After all, if the team is winning games despite Young's mistakes and limitations, the conclusion could be that it's happening because the rest of the team is playing pretty darn well.

And being coached well, too.

POSTED 7:35 a.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 9:05 a.m. EST, December 17, 2006

T.O. SPITS IN HALL'S FACE

After Saturday night's Cowboys-Falcons game, Atlanta cornerback DeAngelo Hall claimed that Dallas receiver Terrell Owens spit in his face. "I lost all respect for the guy," Hall said (which means that, before the incident, Hall was the only person in the world not related to or employed by Owens who actually had respect for him).

Amazingly, Owens admitted that he did it during a postgame interview on NFLN. T.O. said that the move was made in response to constant verbal badgering from Hall during the game, and from Hall's boasting that he "shut down" Owens during a 2005 game in which Owens had more than 100 yards receiving.

Specifically, Owens had seven receptions for 112 yards during a September 12 Monday nighter between the Eagles and the Falcons.

Though there's apparently no video evidence of the spittle, Owens' admission should be more than enough to permit the league to impose a fine. In 1997, former Broncos linebacker Bill Romanowski was fined $7,500 for spitting in the face of former 49ers receiver J.J. Stokes.

But the arrival of new Commissioner Roger Goodell has pumped up the price tag for most transgressions. A blow to the ball bag used to cost only $7,500, too. When Raiders defensive end Tyler Brayton put a knee in the nuts of Seahawks tight end Jerramy Stevens earlier this season, the league slapped him with a $25,000 fine.

Also, don't forget that the NFL stripped Redskins safety Sean Taylor of an entire playoff game check ($17,000) for spitting in the face of Buccaneers running back Michael Pittman in January. (The amount of Taylor's fine, however, likely was influenced by his history of transgressions.)

Our guess? T.O.'s man purse will be at least $15,000 lighter, and we wouldn't be surprised if the eventual fine is $25,000.

JONES PROPS UP OWENS

At a time when Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens is being criticized both for recent contradictory and (in our view) bizarre statements made during an ESPN interview and for spitting in the face of Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall, T.O.'s real boss has thrown him a bone.

After Saturday night's game, Dallas owner Jerry Jones proclaimed that Owens severed a tendon in his right ring finger a few weeks back in practice and that he declined season-ending surgery, even though (sniff) he might never have full use of the ring finger for . . . the . . . rest . . . of . . . his . . . life.

"There's no question about what he's willing to do for his team," Jones said.

"I'm doing this for the team," Owens said. "I've done it before, where I've played through injuries and put all my selfish nature and my personal stuff to the side and put the team first."

In comments that were aired on ESPN, coach Bill Parcells indicated that he wasn't aware of the injury.

The oddest aspect of this, as we see it, is the failure of Owens to mention the injury at all during his rambling, self-indulgent remarks to Michael Irvin of ESPN, in which T.O. offered up any and all possible excuses for his inability to catch and secure the football on a regular basis. A severed tendon in a finger in his right hand is a lot more plausible to us than the notion that T.O. is distracted between the lines by a snitch who is feeding bad things about him to the media.

OUR ANTI-MERRIMAN STANCE TAKES ROOT

In this week's PFT Ten-Pack, we argued that Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman should be precluded from consideration for the Pro Bowl or Defensive Player of the Year honors due to the fact that the was suspended for 25 percent of the regular-season games for cheating.

Taking it more broadly, we've proposed that any player suspended for violating the steroids policy should be barred from consideration for any postseason awards.

We've received plenty of e-mails from readers who agree with us on this, and the proposal is now getting some play in the "real" media.

Writes Michael Felger of the Boston Herald:

"Our friends at Profootballtalk.com made a great point the other day regarding Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman and whether he should be considered for the Pro Bowl or any other postseason award. Merriman, of course, missed four games in November for a steroids suspension after failing a test in training camp. That means Merriman competed for more than half the year with performance-enhancing drugs in his blood. The 2005 defensive Rookie of the Year claims he took them inadvertently through supplements, but the fact is that he was still on them. Shouldn't that be taken into consideration when assessing his performance this season?

"We agree with the Web site: Any player who fails a performance-enhancing drug test should be barred from postseason award consideration."

WEEK 15 FANTASY PICKS AND PUNKS

As the fantasy playoffs move forward in some leagues and get started in others, we've got our usual list of guys to consider and guys to avoid, courtesy of our pal Charch of Fanball.com.

First, the guys to use.

Jon Kitna, quarterback, Lions: Lambeau Field has hardly been a house of horrors for opposing teams this year, with the Packers winning only one of six games there. Visiting quarterbacks have thrown 12 touchdown passes, and six in the last two. Also, when these two teams got together in Detroit earlier this year, Kitna had 342 yards passing and two scores.

Chad Pennington, quarterback, Jets: Pennington has been an overachiever this year, and the Vikings' pass defense has given up a bunch of yards.

Ahman Green, running back, Packers: Green has been pretty quiet lately, but the Lions have allowed six touchdowns on the ground in the last two games.

Ladell Betts, running back, Redskins: Betts has churned up the yardage in place of Clinton Portis. The only caveat? T.J. Duckett is getting the touches near the big thick stripe.

Mike Furrey, wide receiver, Lions: The reconverted safety has 18 catches in the last two games, and the Packers have struggled against the pass -- particularly against No. 2 receivers.

Joe Jurevicius,: Jurevicius has been the go-to guy for Browns quarterback Derek Anderson. We recognize it's a reach, what with the Browns at Baltimore on Sunday, but with not many receivers consistently putting up big numbers this year, Jurevicius could be a pleasant surprise.

Now, the guys to avoid:

Jeff Garcia, quarterback, Eagles: He has been great to date, which tells us that it's time for a correction. (This one is all on us, not Charch, in the event that Garcia throws for 500 yards and/or five touchdowns.)

Philip Rivers, quarterback, Chargers: A Chiefs team motivated by the passing of founder Lamar Hunt might not be good enough to stifle L.T., but they've got the horses to hold Rivers in check.

Deuce McAllister, running back, Saints: The Redskins are tough against the run, and Deuce hasn't been getting the touches near the goal line of late.

Edgerrin James, running back, Cardinals: We're not fooled by a couple of 100-yard efforts. James won't make a dent in the Denver defense.

Joey Galloway, wide receiver, Buccaneers: He has played pretty well this year, but the Bucs are playing the Bears.

Andre Johnson, wide receiver, Texans: Johnson hasn't topped 100 yards in seven weeks and has scored only once in six.

KORDOZA CLUB SHRINKS

It's been a few weeks since we've taken a look-see at the current membership in the Kordoza Club, named for the former Steelers, Bears, and Ravens quarterback with a career passer rating of 70.7.

We're re-compiling the list, and we're wondering where everybody went.

Currently, the group is down to four guys: Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell (68.8); Bucs quarterback Bruce Gradkowski (66.3); Titans quarterback Vince Young (65.7); and Raiders quarterback Aaron Brooks (64.2).

Of the group, all three are first-year starters, with the exception of Brooks.

POSTED 10:50 p.m. EST, December 16, 2006

TANK'S LAWYER SAYS HE DIDN'T DO IT

The lawyer for Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson says that Johnson isn't responsible for the shooting death of his self-described bodyguard, Willie B. Posey.

"Tank Johnson has absolutely no responsibility for this tragic shooting," attorney Thomas Briscoe said. "He lost a very close friend."

Likewise, a police spokesperson said that there is "no information to link [Johnson] to anything that occurred at the bar at this point in the investigation."

No arrest has been made, and the gun has not been recovered.

SATURDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis isn't happy about reports that LB David Pollack might never play again.

Bengals QB Carson Palmer voted for his brother, Jordan, to win the Heisman.

Panthers QB Jake Delhomme (thumb) could miss the rest of the season.

Steelers CB Ike Taylor continues to be out of the starting lineup.

Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau is LeBomb when it comes to reciting a classic Christmas poem.

Sounds like Bucs RB Michael Pittman would like to ram his Hummer into Devin Hester.

Pats RB Laurence Maroney has torn rib cartilage.

Seahawks WR Darrell Jackson (toe) won't play on December 24.

USC WR Dwayne Jarrett says he hasn't decided to forego his final year of college eligbility.

Maybe there are two guys named Pacman Jones in Nashville.

POSTED 2:36 p.m. EST, December 16, 2006

LEN LIBELS HAZ?

We did a double-take when reading the portion of Len Pasquarelli's weekly Sheep Tit, er, Tip Sheet regarding Rams defensive coordinator Jim Haslett.

Pasquarelli says that rumors and reports of Haslett to Alabama originate with Haslett. Not true, says us. We heard about the Tide's interest in Haslett separate and apart from Haslett or anyone connected to him.

More stunning to us was the gratuitous pot shot that Len took at Haslett's character. Consider this:

"Of course, the source for the rumors was Haslett or someone working on his behalf. And if it were the latter, say, an agent, that person might want to think twice about how much work they devote on their client's behalf. The NFL landscape is littered with agents discarded by Haslett, guys from whom he took free advice and then dumped before he officially accepted a job. And, most important, before he owed them a commission fee."

Yikes. Is Len saying that Haz has a habit of intentionally and deliberately screwing agents? The Fat Man had better be sure about his assertion, or he could find himself as the main course in a legal smorgasbord.

Meanwhile, our opinion/guess/uninformed belief on this one is that Len's strings likely are being pulled by agent Jimmy Sexton, who surely wants to preserve client Nick Saban as the first and only name on the Crimson Tide's target list.

Pasquarelli also has a history with Haslett's agent, Peter Schaffer. Len took a shot at Schaffer in the wake of the Ashley Lelie trade, and Schaffer went on the record to challenge Pasquarelli's proclamations.

Hey, at least we're not the only people whom Lenny the Hutt hates.

And, really, how can we close this one out without a listen to Len's anti-Stinkson rant on WFNZ in Charlotte?

POSTED 10:52 a.m. EST, December 16, 2006

NFL HOOKS UP GIANTS, EAGLES FOR COWBOYS GAME

Later today, the Dallas Cowboys and the Atlanta Falcons will play in a game televised only on the NFL's in-house network. With the Cowboys leading the NFC East at 8-5, the 7-6 Giants and 7-6 Eagles are keenly interested in the game.

But there's a problem. The Giants and Eagles, who play on Sunday at the Meadowlands, are staying at hotels in North Jersey that don't get the league's in-house network, since the league's in-house network generally isn't available on cable systems in North Jersey.

The hotels, we're told, are wiring banquet rooms with DirecTV so that the Eagles and Giants can watch the game.

And the NFL is footing the bill.

POSTED 10:28 a.m. EST, December 16, 2006

FINS SALE REPORT DENIED

On Wednesday night, we reported that the Miami Dolphins soon will be sold to advertising guru Jordan Zimmerman. Since then, the report has been denied by the team and by Zimmerman.

"I was told by people here that's not true," coach Nick Saban said, who also referred to our report as "rumor and innuendo."

"There's a lot of stuff out there that's not true,'' Saban said. "A lot of people just throw it on the wall to see what sticks. And you know what it is, don't you?''

Actually, we don't. Is it mud? Wet toilet paper? Partially melted Little Debbie snack cakes?

Oh, wait. He's talking about poo, isn't he? Duh.

Anyway, we stand by the story. Our guess is that no one wants the looming sale to be a distraction while the Dolphins make one final playoff push, or while the franchise prepares to host the Super Bowl. So, while it might appear that our glob of guano is gliding gradually to the ground, we're confident that it'll eventually find traction.

POSTED 10:04 a.m. EST, December 16, 2006

GRUDEN, ALLEN ON THIN ICE?

There's talk in league circles that Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden and G.M. Bruce Allen are in danger of being fired after a disastrous 2006 season.

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, ownership is frustrated with the team's regression, and there's a sense that Gruden has not done enough to keep and/or return the team to the elite level that it enjoyed in his first season with the team.

If Gruden goes, will he get another gig? Philly fans were intrigued by the possibility of bringing him on board when word circulated of Gruden's interest in other jobs a couple of weeks ago, but the Eagles have turned it around of late.

The book on Gruden is that he can energize an organization for a year or two, but that his "always pissed off at the world" act eventually wears thin.

Recently, Allen gave Gruden a "vote of confidence." To the trained eye, however, it was a meaningless gesture; despite the titles, Allen works for Gruden, not the other way around.

And here's an intriguing possibility. If the Colts go 0-1 in the playoffs (again), could Indy owner Jim Irsay be tempted to pull a Dungy-for-Gruden swap? Five years ago, the Bucs nudged our Dungy and replaced him with Gruden, who scored the team's first Super Bowl appearance and victory in his first season.

POSTED 9:54 a.m. EST, December 16, 2006

MORE TROUBLE FOR TANK

Less than two days after the home of Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson was raided, the man who was arrested for marijuana possession at Johnson's residence has been shot and killed.

William Posey, 26, was pronounced dead at Northwestern Memorial Hospital on Saturday morning. Although police have not confirmed that he is the same 26-year-old William Posey who was busted on Thursday, the Chicago media spotted Johnson exiting the same hospital on Saturday.

Posey was shot once in the back in a fight outside an establishment known as Ice Bar. WSCR radio in Chicago reports that Johnson was with Posey at the time. (It's good to see that Johnson decided to lay low after Thursday's events.)

On Friday, Posey said in court that he was Johnson's bodyguard. He later posted bond and was released.

Also on Friday, the Bears announced that Johnson would miss Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. Though coach Lovie Smith said that the move was not disciplinary in nature, it sure smells like a punishment to us. It remains to be seen whether Johnson's absence extends beyond this weekend in light of the more recent incident.

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