POSTED 7:51 p.m. EST; UPDATED 8:38 p.m. EST, March 17, 2006

 

'HAWKS MAKE SHREWD MOVE ON HUTCH

 

In lieu of matching the offer sheet signed by guard Steve Hutchinson with the Vikings and then taking their chances in an arbitration, the Seattle Seahawks have opted instead to seek a ruling from a Special Master on the propriety of a poison pill provision before deciding whether to match the deal.

 

According to The Associated Press, the NFLPA said on Friday that the league has filed a claim on the Seahawk's behalf alleging that a term making the entire contract guaranteed if Hutchinson is not the highest paid member of the offensive line circumvents the CBA.

 

So, in essence, it's the NFL and the Seahawks against the NFLPA and the Vikings.

 

"They say the clause circumvents our collective bargaining agreement.  It is our belief that it does not," NFLPA general counsel Richard Berthelsen said.

 

The first question is whether the issue will be resolved by a Special Master or by an arbitrator.  The jurisdiction of the Special Master isn't entirely clear.  In the grievance regarding whether the Jets properly had matched the offer sheet signed in 2003 by Chad Morton, an arbitrator presided.  In the grievance regarding whether the Cowboys improperly cut quarterback Quincy Carter as discipline for a drug issue, a Special Master was used.

 

The primary difference is that an arbitration ruling cannot be appealed, but a Special Master decision can thereafter be appealed to the federal court system.

 

On Saturday, a hearing will be held to determine whether the Special Master has jurisdiction over the matter.  The fact that the league believes the Special Master should resolve the issue suggests that the league thinks its chances of prevailing are worse in arbitration.

 

Per the report, the last time this issue arose was in 1993, the first year of free agency.  The Colts signed tackle Will Wolford to an offer sheet that required him to be the highest paid player on offense.  If the Bills had matched, they would have been required to increase Wolford's salary above the wages paid to quarterback Jim Kelly.

 

The league thereafter amended the CBA to preclude offer sheets containing terms that would require the team matching the offer to pay more than the team that made the offer.

 

But this one is different.  Matching the offer sheet won't require the Seahawks to pay Hutchinson more money than the Vikings would pay.  Matching would merely require the Seahawks to guarantee the contract.

 

Stay tuned.  The Seahawks apparently will match the offer sheet if they win, and they won't match it if they lose.

 

Until then, both the Seahawks and the Vikings are caught in limbo with their remaining cap dollars.

 

FRIDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

 

The Seahawks could be emerging as the favorites to land DE John Abraham.

 

The Bills have re-signed WR Josh Reed and LB Mario Haggan.

 

The announcing teams for NFL Europe have been, um, announced, with Morten Andersen, Cris Carter, Jon Ritchie, Darren Sharper, and Rod Woodson serving as color commentators.

 

The Bills met on Friday with RB Anthony Thomas, LB Paris Lenon, QB Craig Nall, OG Steve Neal, and DL Israel Idonije.

 

The Dolphins have signed CB Renaldo Hill.

 

The Fins have re-signed RB Travis Minor and TE Alex Holmes.

 

The Ravens have re-signed RB Musa Smith.

 

The Bengals aren't likely to make a play for LB LaVar Arrington until his price comes down.

 

The Browns released LS Jody Littleton, OL Lewis Dawson, and DL Amon Gordon.

 

The Chiefs have re-signed LS Kendall Gammon to a one-year deal.

 

The Chargers have signed TE Aaron Shea.

 

The Cowboys have cut OT Jacob Rogers.

 

The 'Skins have re-signed DT Cedric Killings.

 

The Bucs have signed G Toniu Fonoti, who recently failed a physical in Oakland.

 

QB Aaron Brooks was spotted having lunch with Bucs exec Doug Williams on Friday.

 

Happy 92nd birthday, Sammy Baugh; he's the only living member of the charter class of the Hall of Fame.

 

The Packers signed LB Tracy White and released LB John Leake.

 

POSTED 4:10 p.m. EST, March 17, 2006

 

JETS, 'SKINS DO SOME MORE BIDNESS

 

Three years after the Washington Redskins scalped the Jets' roster with a spate of free-agency signings and an arbitration that resulted in Chad Morton being awarded to the 'Skins, the two teams continue to do offseason business.

 

In 2005, the Redskins sent receiver Laveranues Coles back to New York for receiver Santana Moss.  To date, the 'Skins have gotten the better of that deal.

 

Now, the 'Skins have shipped quarterback Patrick Ramsey to the Jets for a measly sixth-round draft pick.  Ramsey was the 'Skins first-round draft pick in 2002.

 

Ramsey gives the Jets a guy who can push Chad Pennington and, if/when something else on Pennington snaps, Ramsey would be the starter.

 

Despite the presence of Pennington and Ramsey, we think the Jets will still take a long look at drafting a quarterback, possibly by moving up to No. 2 in a trade with the Saints.  The Jets currently hold the No. 4 overall selection in the draft, and might be able to package whatever they get for defensive John Abraham in an effort to entice the Saints to slide back two spots.  Such a move would enable the Jets to draft quarterback Matt Leinart, who reportedly is "dying" to slip into something green.

 

The development means that 66 percent of the round one quarterback class of 2002 are officially busts.

 

LANG HEADING TO DENVER?

 

There's talk in league circles that former Browns defensive end Kenard Lang very soon could be signing a contract with the Denver Broncos.

 

Lang was released by the Browns after one season in the 3-4 defense. 

 

In the Broncos' base 4-3, Lang would have a crack at replacing Trevor Pryce.  The move also suggests that perhaps the Broncos have cooled their interest in Jets defensive end John Abraham.

 

Lang has spent five years with the Redskins, and four with the Browns.  He has 44 career sacks and 325 career tackles.

 

FRIDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

 

Vikings coach Brad Childress speaks his mind regarding Daunte Culpepper.

 

The Steelers have re-signed CB DeShea Townsend to a four-year, $8 million deal.

 

The Saints have signed RB Michael Bennett to a two-year, $3 million contract (on Thursday, we asked a league source why Bennett hadn't drawn any interest -- the response was "[b]ecause he sucks").

 

The Pats have signed WR Reche Caldwell.

 

The NFLPA apparently needs to remind Jerome Stanley that he's on suspension.

 

Seahawks K Josh Brown has been contacted by the Cowboys; Brown is a restricted free agent.

 

LB Julian Peterson is wrapping up on Friday a visit with the Seahawks.

 

WR Tim Dwight is visiting the Seahawks next week.

 

K Adam Vinatieri is in Green Bay, where his former agent now is employed.

 

QB Brian Griese will be visiting the Bears soon; he's visiting the Bengals on Friday, who need a capable backup in the event Carson Palmer isn't ready to start the season.

 

The Bears have signed CB Dante Wesley, and have re-signed TE John Gilmore.

 

The Bucs officially have announced their 2006 coaching staff.

 

OT Jason Fabini met with the Bills on Thursday.

 

The Jets are interested in WR Troy Brown.

 

WR Keyshawn Johnson is interested in joining the Giants, Seahawks, Chiefs, Dolphins, or Eagles -- but he won't play for $2.5 million per season.

 

POSTED 1:51 p.m. EST, March 17, 2006

 

A NEW LAWYER FOR RON MEXICO

 

Larry Lage of the Associated Press (while covering, we hear, NCAA basketball action) reports that the Atlanta Falcons have signed safety Lawyer Milloy to a three-year deal worth in excess of $6 million, with a $2.5 million signing bonus.

 

Milloy was cut by the Patriots shortly before the 2003 season, prompting an outcry from the national media -- especially after Milloy's new team, the Bills, thumped the Pats to the tune of 31-0 on opening day.  

 

Two years later, the Pats had two more Lombardis.

 

The Bills kept Milloy for a total of three seasons, cutting him two weeks ago in order to create $3.75 million in 2006 cap space.

 

In Atlanta, Milloy rejoins his former agent, Ray Anderson.  When Milloy's replacement agents, the Postons, recommended that Lawyer tell the Pats to stick a proposed pay cut in an orifice from which matter typically exits, some league insiders hypothesized that the Postons wanted Milloy to hit the open market and sign a new deal so that they could earn a fee.  Since they hadn't negotiated his prior deal, they weren't getting paid.

 

Now they are, but we think Milloy would have gotten even more money if he'd been part of the land rush that unfolded on the first weekend of free agency.

 

POSTED 12:34 p.m. EST, March 17, 2006

 

OWENS AND 'BOYS TALKING, BUT NO DEAL DONE

 

In an effort to clarify the cloud of confusion that has arisen in connection with reports and denials of reports regarding the existence of an agreement between the Cowboys and receiver Terrell Owens, we've tried to round up enough information to provide an accurate snapshot as to what is really happening.

 

Here's what we know.

 

No deal is officially done.  But that doesn't mean a deal won't be done.  There very well could be an agreement in principle, which as we've all learned (i.e., LeCharles Bentley) isn't binding on anyone until it is signed.  

 

The Cowboys are talking to Owens, and apparently are the favorites to land him.  With that said, the Owens camp is still talking to other teams, too.

 

So no official deal is done.  No contract has been signed.  No press conference has been scheduled.

 

But we sure get the feeling that it's just a matter of time until a pen starts spitting out the ink.

 

THE STRAIGHT SCOOP FAVRE'S ROSTER BONUS 

 

A league source with knowledge of the contents of Brett Favre's contract tells us that the original due date for his $3 million roster bonus was the sixth day of the 2006 league year, and that on March 14 the parties agreed to a modification that pushes the bonus to a new date.

 

At this point, we don't know the new deadline for the $3 million payment.

 

The trigger for the roster bonus is important because the team has said that it won't pay the money until Favre decides that he's going to return for the 2006 season.  Arguably, then, the new date for payment of the roster bonus could be interpreted as the deadline that the Packers have imposed on Favre for making a final decision.

 

POSTED 11:35 a.m. EST, March 17, 2006

 

LEAGUE INSIDERS BELIEVE OWENS DEAL IS DONE

 

We've confirmed through our own network of sources that there is a very strong belief in league circles that the Dallas Cowboys do indeed have an agreement in place with receiver Terrell Owens, who was cut by the Eagles on Tuesday.

 

We're also hearing that the Eagles are unlikely to make a fuss about the obvious likelihood that an agreement in principle was reached long before Owens hit the open market.  After all, they allowed him permission to talk to other teams regarding a trade.  It would be, as a practical matter, impossible to prove that the conversations transformed at some point into negotiations toward a contract after Owens was ultimately released.

 

The Eagles also might not want to start throwing around the "T" word in light of multiple reports that they had a deal in place with former Saints center LeCharles Bentley prior to the start of free agency.  Bentley later jilted the Eagles and signed with the Browns.

 

Meanwhile, the Cowboys deny that a deal has been reached, as does Owens' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, who told FOX's Jay Glazer Thursday night that the reports are erroneous.     

 

POSTED 5:54 a.m. EST; UPDATED 6:16 a.m. EST, March 17, 2006

 

DENIALS OF T.O. SIGNING ARE BOGUS?

 

Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com reports that receiver Terrell Owens indeed has a deal in place with the Dallas Cowboys, even as agent Drew Rosenhaus denies that any arrangement with the Cowboys is in place.

 

Glazer reports that it's a three-year deal.  If so, that tells us that T.O. didn't get a signing bonus in excess of $15 million.  Otherwise, the contract undoubtedly would have had a longer term, if for no reason other than to reduce the cap charge in 2006.

 

The broader questions are these.  First, if no deal is in place, why are there multiple reports to the contrary?  Second, if a contract has been reached, why wouldn't the Cowboys announce it now -- and why would Rosenhaus deny its existence?

 

Here's our interpretation. 

 

There is a deal in place, and Rosenhaus is saying that there isn't because he agreed to allow the Cowboys to announce the deal on Monday.  So when asked about reports of a deal, what else can he say?

 

But why would the Cowboys wait until Monday to announce the deal?  On the surface, the answer is easy -- owner Jerry Jones is on vacation and he wants to be the one who gets in front of the media and crows about the team's biggest free agent signing in a decade (see Deion Sanders).

 

And let's take this a level deeper.  Owens was released on Tuesday.  Could it be that the Cowboys and Rosenhaus worked out the contract before Tuesday -- and that both sides thereafter decided to defer announcing it for a week after the official termination of his contract?

 

Owens had permission to seek a trade before his release, which would have included working out a contract with a new team and then working out compensation with the Eagles.  But Owens didn't have permission to strike a deal with a new team and then sit back and wait to be released. 

 

If that happened, it would explain the information that we caught wind of on Tuesday night regarding Owens' supposed plan to wait as long as it takes for the deal that he wants.  It's possible that this was all part of the ruse and that, in reality, he didn't have to wait at all, because the deal with the Cowboys already was in the bag.

 

Here's one thing of which we're relatively certain.  The Eagles are paying close attention to this one, and there will be plenty of discussions among the upper reaches of the organization regarding whether to pursue tampering charges against the Cowboys. 

 

As Glazer reported in November, the Eagles already have asked the NFL once to punish Jones for comments he made regarding a possible interest in Owens.  If there's any fire (and there's already smoke) regarding the possibility that Owens had a deal in place with Dallas before Tuesday, we expect the Eagles to be knocking on the Commish's door again.

 

MORE CONFUSION REGARDING LORD FAVRE'S BONUS

 

On March 6, the Wisconsin State Journal reported that Packers quarterback Brett Favre was due to receive a $3 million roster bonus on the fifth day of the 2006 league year.  Day five of the league year, due to the CBA-relayed delays, was March 15.

 

Now, after we posted an article questioning the status of Lord Favre's roster bonus, Tom Silverstein of The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel writes that the deadline is Monday, March 20:

 

"According to a National Football League source with knowledge of the deal, the payment is due 10 days after the start of the new salary cap year, which began Saturday.  It is unclear whether that was the date originally placed in the contract or an adjustment made later."

 

And although Silverstein reports that "all indications are that the deadline" will be bumped, there's still nothing definitive in this regard.

 

The Packers, per Silverstein, have said they won't pay the bonus until Favre commits to coming back.  Favre's agent has said that moving the deadline would not be a problem.

 

But, you see, the thing is due to be paid on Monday if Favre is still on the roster as of 4:00 p.m. EST Sunday.  So if the deadline is going to be adjusted, it needs to happen soon.

 

It's also possible that the original deadline was the fifth day of the league year, and that at some point it was moved by the team only to the tenth day in an effort to get Lord Favre to poop or get off the pot. 

 

Keep an eye on this one over the weekend.  There's a chance (maybe slim, maybe not) that, at some point before Sunday, Favre's drawn-out decision as to the continuation of his career in Green Bay will be made for him by the team.

 

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