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POSTED 9:09 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 10:55 p.m. EDT, March 31, 2007

NINERS TO HONOR TRYOUT PROMISE

One of the contestants in a reality show that debuted on March 27 was hoping to get a tryout with an NFL team. Even though the program, titled The Great American Dream Vote, was cancelled by ABC after two sub-2.0 ratings performances, a league source tells us that the 49ers, who were lined up to give the guy a tryout if he had won the contest, will give him a tryout anyway.

Per the source, 43-year-old Jim Davis, who has said he can bench-press more than 500 pounds and run the 40 in 4.5 seconds, will get a look-see from the Niners on April 20, in conjunction with the team's assessment of local players who are not expected to be drafted on April 28 and 29.

The premise of the show was to let ordinary people make the case for the fulfillment of their dreams, with the studio audience and viewers whittling down the contestants, in American Idol style. The show was hosted by Donny Osmond.

Hey, maybe one of the contestants had a dream that he would witness the most public of Donny Osmond's many humiliations. If so, the dream has been realized.

RAMS' DRAFT NEEDS ARE UP

Our assessment of the St. Louis Rams' 2007 draft needs is now posted.

As if the fans of the other 31 NFL teams care.

But, hey, every true NFL fan should care, because any other team can be the one team that your team has to beat in order to make the playoffs, advance in the postseason, or win the Super Bowl.

The full list is right here.

SATURDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

Bears G.M. Jerry Angelo says he still wants LB Lance Briggs to return, but isn't ready to give him a multi-year deal.

OL Rick DeMulling is returning to the Colts after a stint in Detroit.

The guy that the Fins draft at No. 9 overall had better sign a contract before the start of training camp; says owner Wayne Huizenga: "If you don't report, you're sitting out, baby." (It's nice to see that Huizenga is a Seinfeld fan.)

From the "More Creative Ways to Make It Rain" file, a former NFL player is charged with murder after hurling a 66-year-old neighbor over a third-floor balcony.

Former NFL OL Lincoln Kennedy has been traded from the Dallas Desperados to the Tampa Bay Storm.

They're playing flag football in China.

The Falcons' front-office continues to keep their faces stapled to Mike Vick's hind end.

POSTED 8:43 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 8:49 p.m. EDT, March 31, 2007

BRONCOS VOID BIG DADDY TRADE

The Denver Broncos have announced that they have declared the March 2 trade for defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson null and void.

The problem? Wilkinson never showed up to take a physical.

The deadline was extended to give Wilkinson another chance to show up. But Big Daddy never made it to Denver.

As we heard it several weeks ago, Wilkinson is willing to continue to play in the NFL, if he can get a dispensation from participating in the offseason program.

He remains under contract with the Dolphins for two more seasons, who likely will be able to recover a prorated portion of his signing bonus if he fails to report for mandatory offseason minicamps, or if he retires.

Due to Saturday's development, the Broncos retain the sixth-round pick that would have been sent to Miami as part of the deal.

DILLON TO BE A TITAN?

Adam Caplan of Scout.com reports that free-agent running back Corey Dillon soon will be visiting the Tennessee Titans.

Dillon, a one-time holder of the single-game rushing record, was cut by the Patriots on March 2. He has not drawn significant interest in free agency.

But the Titans released Travis Henry, and Chris Brown remains a free agent. With LenWhale White (thanks to the reader who handed us that one) eating away his chance at becoming the No. 1 tailback in Tennessee, the Titans are considering other options.

.POSTED 9:34 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 11:59 a.m. EDT, March 31, 2007

WHIS TO MAKE A PLAY FOR MAX?

There's talk in league circles of a possible trade between the Cardinals and the Steelers for tackle Max Starks. The rumor is that, if the deal would go down, the Steelers and the Cardinals would flip-flop first-round picks.

The Cardinals hold the No. 5 overall pick, and the Steelers draft at No. 15.

But, as far as we can tell, the talk hasn't originated in Pittsburgh. Instead, the thinking is that the Cardinals are floating this one in an effort to bring in a former Pittsburgh pupil of offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt and offensive line coach Russ Grimm.

It makes sense. The offensive line is the only weakness on the Cardinals' offense. And it is a glaring one.

Starks has played right tackle and left tackle for the Steelers. He currently is a restricted free agent, with a first-round tender offer. The Cardinals or any other team could sign him to an offer sheet, and if the Steelers choose not to match it the Steelers would be entitled to a first-round draft pick as compensation.

AGENTS TO START STIRRING UP TROUBLE?

Now that most if not all of the big money has been paid out during the first four weeks of free agency, some teams are bracing for an attempt by veteran players to "adjust" their own contracts to reflect the surge in the salary cap, and the increase in deals given to players who aren't as accomplished and able.

Make no mistake about it -- agents already are putting bugs in the ears of their clients who would have gotten huge money on the open market in 2007, and it's human nature for those guys to resent the fact that a lesser player was in the right place at the right time to catch a lottery prize.

One league source has come up with a, um, colorful way to describe the situation.

Said the source: "Everyone wants to have the biggest [thing] in the locker room but 8 inches isn't too bad either. These agents make this thing so f--ked up just trying to get the next client, and every player in the league is making good money."

The source is referring to the all-too-common phenomenon of agents using their ability to get a new contract for a player as a way to expand the agent's pool of clients. Ideally, a snowball effect emerges, because as the agent gets each player a new deal, he can use that accomplishment as a tool for landing the next guy on the agent's radar screen.

And the mere fact that so many guys with so few Pro Bowls have gotten so much money this month will surely result in an effort by agents to up the ante for other clients, all in the hopes of using success with those other clients as a magnet for new clients.

CARROLL MIGHT WANT TO THINK TWICE IF/WHEN HE COMES BACK

In light of a claim by Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh that USC coach Pete Carroll will leave the Trojans after 2007, we can only assume that Carroll will at that time head back to the NFL in an effort to climb the mountain that he has twice failed to ascend in the past.

And folks around the NFL have long presumed that Carroll's first call would be to Pat Kirwan of NFL.com and Sirius NFL Radio. Kirwan is a former Jets executive, and he and Carroll are close friends. For example, Kirwan was with Carroll in Costa Rica earlier this year, when Carroll met with Fins owner Wayne Huizenga to address the coaching vacancy in Miami.

But Carroll might want to think twice about making Kirwan his personnel guy if/when Carroll returns to the pro game.

Recently, we've been pointing out some flaws in Kirwan's mock drafts, which have been posted on NFL.com. We did so only after multiple readers pointed out these errors to us, since we frankly find the whole mock draft process to be akin to the lame-ass commercials that they play at the theater before they start rolling the trailers for the coming attractions.

But, of course, we do our own mock draft because plenty of NFL fans are happy to chew on a steak-flavored wad of paper until the real thing shows up on April 28.

Anyway, our posts regarding Kirwan's mock draft has prompted other readers -- including a few NFL sources -- to scrutinize Kirwan's mock drafts a bit more carefully.

One of the biggest complaints relates to Kirwan's projected pick by the Pats at No. 28, center Ryan Kalil from Carroll's current school, USC: "With two first-round picks and a very aggressive offseason in the free-agency market," Kirwan writes, "the Patriots can afford to take the highest-rated center and not worry about the position for a very long time."

The only problem? The Pats already aren't worried about the position. They locked up starter Dan Koppen in October 2006 with a five-year contract extension. The Boston College product is currently under contract through 2011.

Said one league source in response: "This is exactly why Kirwan doesn't work for a team. This is his job. This is all he has to do. Write about football and talk about it on the radio."

Ouch.

Memo to Pete Carroll: Caveat emptor.

MORE MEDIA MISINFORMATION

We often wonder how it is that so many NFL fans are confused about the league's free agency rules and procedures.

As we've learned over the years, part of the problem arises from the reality that the "real" media isn't always a reliable source of information about the in's and out's of acquiring players from other teams.

For example, the Nashville Tennessean addresses the possibility that the Titans will make a play for Chargers running back Michael Turner by explaining: "For the Titans to get Turner, they'd have to sign him to a new contract. If the Chargers don't match it, the Titans would potentially have to compensate San Diego with at least one early draft pick."

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

Did we mention that this is wrong?

Turner is a restricted free agent, tendered at the highest possible level. If the Titans sign him to an offer sheet and the Chargers choose not to match it, the Chargers get a first-round pick and a third-round pick as compensation.

It's automatic.

And San Diego G.M. A.J. Smith has made it clear that he'd gladly take a one and a three for L.T.'s backup, who'll otherwise walk away in 2008 as an unrestricted free agent with no compensation to the Chargers.

So, if the Titans or anyone else were to sign Turner to an offer sheet, the Chargers undoubtedly would shout, "Thank you, come again."

The other option is for the Titans to work out a trade with the Chargers for something less than a first-round pick and a third-round pick. This is precisely what the Texans and the Falcons recently did regarding quarterback Matt Schaub. And as the trade components are being discussed, the Titans would also be talking to Turner about a long-term contract. If a satisfactory deal could be worked out with the teams and the player, then the transaction would go through.

SATURDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Bucs RB Lionel Gates has been released from jail on a $34,500 bond.

Lions at Raiders on opening weekend? (Hey, to a starving man a pack of stale crackers is a gourmet meal.)

LB D.D. Lewis has visited the Texans.

Eagles WR Kevin Curtis talks about getting 48 out of 50 questions right on the Wonderlic.

Are the Steelers sniffing around LB Lawrence Timmons?

CB Jamar Fletcher is still an option for the Titans.

Howard DB Geoff Pope has been clocked at 4.27 seconds in the 40.

Tennessee WR Robert Meachem will make pre-draft visits to the Titans, Bill, Patriots, Rams, Vikings, Chargers, Chiefs, and 49ers.

Cowboys S Roy Williams doesn't think that he is overrated. (Do any of us?)

Is LB Lance Briggs successful in Chicago because of the position he plays in the Tampa 2, the presence of Brian Urlacher, or both?

Coach Lovie Smith says that LB Lance Briggs is a Bear. (Technically, he isn't; though the Bears have the ability to restrict his movement, he's under contract with no one.)

Raiders coach Lane Kiffin says that he never received a formal job offer from Al Davis.

A few of the Bears players have gone to visit Tank Johnson in jail.

New Browns DT Shaun Smith says that he's not afraid of Ted Washington. (We'll see how Smith feels when Washington is gnawing on his leg likes it's a turkey bone.)

Panthers LB Dan Morgan is back, but only after getting a closer inspection than pet food. (Actually, maybe they looked at Morgan a bit more carefully.)

POSTED 10:19 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 10:50 p.m. EDT, March 30, 2007

RICKY TO BE REINSTATED?

KFFL reports that Dolphins running back Ricky Williams expects to be reinstated following a banishment from the league for repeated violations of the substance abuse policy.

There's currently no further information as to when the reinstatement is expected to occur. It previously has been reported that Williams would be eligible for reinstatement at some point in April 2007.

Reinstatement would mean that Williams has passed any and all random drug tests imposed upon him by the league during his time away from the NFL.

Whether the Dolphins will want him on the team remains to be seen. Coach Cam Cameron has indicated that he'll take up the issue after Williams is formally back in the business. At a low salary and with some gas still in the tank, there's no reason for the Fins not to keep him around, unless they're simply fed up with the distractions he has caused and want a fresh start.

Given his affordable salary, he could generate some interest in the trade market from one of the teams that currently needs a tailback.

"ALMOST HEAVEN, WEST VIRGINA"

Though this story goes beyond our normal jurisdiction, we couldn't resist this item, which we first saw on Deadspin and thereafter on AOL's Fanhouse and ultimately on Keith Olbermann's MSNBC show, which we watch pretty much every night between doses of Seinfeld.

After Thursday night's NIT championship game, the T-shirts that were distributed to the members of the men's basketball team at yours truly's law school alma mater contained an extremely unfortunate typographical error.

Ah, yes. West VIRGINA.

(We suppose it's an accurate statement whenever a woman watches a sunset. . . . Rim shot!)

Though plenty of readers already have sent e-mails chiding my fellow West Virginans for creating this mistake, the shirts weren't made in West Virgina. Or in West Virginia.

BILLS' DRAFT NEEDS ARE UP

Okay, so we missed a day on Thursday. We were watching West Virgina win the NIT title game, and after the game we focused on the Rumor Mill and some other site-related stuff.

But we intentionally started the team-by-team draft needs early, in order to build in a few days off, as needed.

So the Bills' draft needs are up, a day late but better late than a dollar short. Or something.

FRIDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

The Pat Tillman story continues to twist and turn.

Indianapolis might host a Super Bowl. (What's next? Detroit?)

Chargers RB Michael Turner is creating a buzz (but without any help from Terrence Kiel).

A 43-year-old guy who can bench 500 pounds and runs a 4.5 in the 40 is trying to win an NFL tryout through a television show. (Where in the hell has this guy been the last 20 years? Searching for the remnants of his home planet of Krypton?)

The Broncos apparently will be voiding the trade for DT Dan Wikinson.

POSTED 4:27 p.m. EDT, March 30, 2007

BROWNS SNIFFING AROUND RUSSELL, QUINN, PETERSON

Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that the Cleveland Brown's pre-draft guests will include quarterbacks JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn, and running back Adrian Peterson.

As we explained earlier in the day, the fact that teams can bring in up to 30 draft-eligible players for pre-draft visits means that too much shouldn't be read into any of the sessions.

If the Raiders select Russell with the No. 1 overall pick, the Browns might end up choosing between Quinn and Peterson. And, as we've pointed out in the past, that dynamic should create some tightened collars for the football agents at CAA, since one of them (Tom Condon) represents Quinn and another (Ben Dogra) handles Peterson.

The No. 3 spot is particularly lucrative due to deals done in that slot over the past couple of years for Braylon Edwards and Vince Young.

POSTED 3:59 p.m. EDT, March 30, 2007

GATES IS IN JAIL WITHOUT BOND

Per the Hillsborough County Sheriff Office's web site, Bucs running back Lionel Gates is still being held without bond following his Friday morning arrest for aggravated battery on a pregnant female (as opposed to a pregnant male), burglary of an occupied dwelling, and criminal mischief.

Per the AP, Gates allegedly "kicked in the front door of Peggie Lavender's apartment Thursday night, destroyed two televisions and two doors, put a hole in the bedroom wall and assaulted her."

He was arrested later that night at his apartment. In the same complex.

The Buccaneers have released a statement regarding the arrest: "Charges such as those facing Lionel Gates are taken seriously by the Buccaneers organization. We plan to meet with Lionel as soon as possible after which we will deal with this matter appropriately."

POSTED 3:40 p.m. EDT, March 30, 2007

SUNSHINE SAYS NO TO NCAA GIG

It's ironic that a guy who once changed the pronunciation of his surname so that it would better rhyme with the highest individual honor in college football has refused the opportunity to work college football games.

Per the Miami Herald, Joe Theismann has told ESPN that he will not accept an offer to continue his career with the company by working NCAA contests.

''Joe feels he's an NFL guy and wants to stay focused on the NFL,'' said Sandy Montag, who represents Theismann.

The Herald reports that Theismann probably will do NFL work for ESPN Radio and ESPN.com. The Herald presumably was told this by Montag.

Our take? Theismann and Montag are playing chicken with Bristol in the hopes of getting a buyout of the remaining four years on his deal.

Really, why would ESPN pay him primetime television money to muse about football on the radio or on the Internet? ESPN won't do it, and the resolution comes down to which side blinks first.

We began to suspect that Theismann would posture for a buyout once we read this gem, from a recent AP story: "I've been an NFL guy since 1974, so for 33 years now that's been my life. Now you are faced with the prospect of that not being in your future. It would be like training to be a doctor or a lawyer and having them say, 'we would like you to change to another profession.'"

Yeah, Joe. Sitting in a booth at a stadium talking about pro football. Sitting in a booth at a stadium talking about college football. That's some real Venus and Mars sh-t.

If you don't think Theismann is bitter, have a listen to his recent interview with Howard Eskin of WIP. (And if you listen closely, you'll hear Theismann mention LSU quarterback "Jamari" Russell. Twice.)

Theismann, in our view, doesn't want to take the college gig because he views it as a step down. He hasn't seen what a step down really is until he spends time in the Internet and radio reality where schmoes like us reside.

POSTED 3:16 p.m. EDT, March 30, 2007

MORE TROUBLE FOR HENRY

Though it wasn't anything that puts him in any real jeopardy, it's being reported that Bengals receiver Chris Henry was cited for not having proof of insurance after being pulled over on February 27.

With Henry set to sit down with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on April 3, it's not the best closing argument for lenience.

Undoubtedly, Henry is stupid and irresponsible. Though plenty of people (including yours truly) don't always dot every "i" and cross every "t" when it comes to all of the paperwork necessary to operate a vehicle in full and complete compliance with the law, Henry is already a target. Plus, unlike the rest of us he's got three months of down time after the football season ends.

By the way, we're not going to slap Henry or the Bengals for Turd Watch points on this one. Consider it a judgment call.

POSTED 8:56 a.m. EDT, March 30, 2007

BUCS PLAYER (ALLEGEDLY) ASSAULTS PREGNANT WOMAN

Running back Lionel Gates of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers allegedly has committed three separate crimes, all of which appear to be felonies under Florida law.

Per the Tampa Tribune, Gates has been charged with assault of a pregnant woman, burglary of an occupied dwelling, and criminal mischief of $1,000 or more.

The incident means that Gates has propelled the Bucs onto the Turd Watch standings and, with 21 points, has single-handedly propelled them into second place.

Hooray?

It also means that we can re-set the "days without an arrest clock" back to zero. Since it debuted several weeks ago, the highest it has climbed is "06".

Maybe we shouldn't have built in a second digit, after all.

POSTED 6:03 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 7:47 a.m. EDT, March 30, 2007

'SKINS MEETING WITH RUSSELL MEANS NOTHING

Len Pasquarelli of ESPN.com, who used to have Redskins exec Vinny Cerrato on speed dial until Len (as legend goes) went bonkos on Cerrato after he didn't spoon feed the scoop regarding the return of coach Joe Gibbs to ESPN.com, has periodically been taking gratuitous shots at the 'Skins ever since.

This time around, Len is using a standard pre-draft visit with quarterback JaMarcus Russell to suggest that it might be more than mere due diligence. "[I]t could represent legitimate interest in Russell -- whose recent campus workout was impressive -- and possible unrest with Campbell," Pasquarelli says.

It isn't. NFL teams are permitted by rule to bring in up to 30 members of the draft class. They'll also be bringing in running back Adrian Peterson, and others. So Len (or anyone else) could proclaim: "It could represent legitimate interest in Peterson -- whose recent campus workout was impressive -- and possible unrest with Clinton Portis."

And does the visit of Joe Thomas mean that they've grown dissatisfied with Chris Samuels? And could the arrival of Brady Quinn mean that they're bracing for a Manning-versus-Leaf debate in their effort to replace Campbell?

The Redskins are simply doing their homework, in the unlikely event that Russell slides into their laps. Since they have no selections from rounds two through four, the 'Skins don't have the draft-pick ammo to make a move north. And they likely couldn't take the cap hit that would result from trading multiple players.

Two years ago, quarterback Aaron Rodgers unexpectedly slid from the potential No. 1 overall selection to the Packers, at No. 24. We've heard on multiple occasions over the past two years that the Packers pounced on the potential replacement for Brett Favre, but that they simply hadn't done a full pre-draft workup on him because they never dreamed that he'd be available.

The better approach is to be ready for anything. So why not take full advantage of the rule that lets a team bring in up to 30 guys? The fact that the 'Skins tend to spare no expense also could help to make that first impression a very good one, making the player inclined to consider Washington when he hits free agency.

And, after all, free agency is the "real" draft for the Redskins.

SPRINT UPSTAGES THE COMPETITION

There's a new Sprint phone that will be available in April, and it's one of the most stunning products of its kind that we've seen.

The phone is the Samsung UpStage, a first-of-its-kind dual-sided device. On one side, it's a phone. On the other side, it's an MP3 player.

And it's only available through Sprint, which as you might have noticed is the official telecommunications sponsor of ProFootballTalk.com.

So, you know, you can keep waiting for that other phone/MP3 thing. Or you can get the UpStage, exclusively from Sprint, next month. Which starts in two days.

ROMO RULE PASSES

One of the tweaks to the rules that became the law of the land for the NFL this week was the proposed change to the "K" ball protocol.

In the past, the 12 "K" balls were given to a home team's designated ball boy/girl/man/woman, and the ball boy/girl/man/woman could produce any of the 12 balls for any of the various kicking plays in the game.

This approach gave the ball boys/girls/men/women the ability, if they were so inclined, to squirrel away a particularly slick "K" ball for insertion into the game at the worst possible moment for the visiting team.

Now, the "K" balls will be numbered, K1 through K12. However, instead of using K1 for the opening kickoff and K2 for the next kicking play, and so on, K1 will be used until it's "not available" -- whatever in the hell that means.

If the goal is to reduce the perception that something untoward might occur, the far better approach is to simply use a rotation.

It's not yet clear whether the league also decided to give the officials more time to remove the "K" balls from their hermetically-sealed containers and rub them down before the start of the game.

FRIDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Northwestern CB Marquice Cole ran a 4.35 on Thursday.

QB Steve McNair agrees with the efforts of the Commish to clean things up.

Nebraska CB Zack Bowman, projected as a second-round pick before deciding to stay in school, tore a patellar tendon in spring practice.

Boomer Esiason of CBS will be the featured speaker at the Kentucky Derby Festival, which also will recognize the efforts of the doctors who worked on Barbaro. (Esiason would be wise not to bring on-air partner Shannon Sharpe with him, or some attendees might conclude that Barbaro has pulled a Lazarus.)

Browns G.M. Phil Savage confirmed that he spoke with Chiefs G.M. Carl Peterson about QB Trent Green, but we still think that King Carl has been puffing about Cleveland's interest in order to squeeze the Dolphins.

The Packers have re-signed DT Colin Cole, an exclusive rights free agent.

The Bears will take through the weekend, if not longer, to respond to the Redskins' trade offer for LB Lance Briggs.

The Giants signed LB Kawika Mitchell.

The Soup Nazi won't be disciplined for comparing himself to Hitler.

The squabble that resulted in the arrest of Broncos WR Brandon Marshall might have started five hours earlier, at Denver International Airport.

QB David Carr will visit the Seahawks.

The Saints and Niners are interested in Seahawks WR Darrell Jackson. (Proving that there always will be a demand for a pass-catcher who can't always catch passes.)

Could Marshall Faulk be heading for a G.M. gig?

Rams CB Jerametrius Butler has been a no-show for the team's offseason program.

POSTED 9:54 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 10:43 p.m. EDT, March 29, 2007

LYNCH HAS CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH

Several league insiders have contacted us in response to our item from earlier in the day regarding vague questions regarding tailback Marshawn Lynch, to which NFL.com's Pat Kirwan recently referred in his latest mock draft. Apparently, there is talk that Lynch has back problems.

But a league source tells us that multiple teams have given Lynch a clean bill of health, and the suspicion is that one or more teams are putting out negative information about Lynch in the hopes that he will slide, presumably into their laps.

It's a common dynamic this time of year. A team who really likes a guy is inclined to bad mouth him so that the team has a better chance of getting him, and a team who doesn't like a guy will talk him up so that he'll be drafted sooner, pushing more of the guys that the team likes down the board.

But another league source tells us that folks from Lynch's school, Cal, have been privately "brutalizing" Lynch, which is not a good sign. It means that Lynch pissed someone off during his time at Berkeley, which in turn means that he might piss people off in his next location.

SOME TEAMS REALLY LIKE JARRETT

Despite a relatively ssssslow time in the 40, we've privately heard from some teams that they really like USC receiver Dwayne Jarrett.

Then again, for the reasons mentioned above, maybe they really don't like him, and are hoping that someone will burn a pick on him.

He ran the 40 in more than 4.6 seconds, making him slower than Mike Williams. But also putting him on par with the number generated by Jerry Rice in 1985.

It's further evidence of the meaninglessness of the 40-yard dash. As we've heard time and again, a football player is running 40 yards in a straight line only when something very good has happened. Or something very bad.

And some guys run better than others in football gear. We've long believed that the 40 should be run in full pads, since it's a far more realistic assessment of a guy's football speed.

We also think that players should run the 40 in a competitive setting, like a track meet. It would make the event even more meaningful, since it would be man-against-man and not man-against-clock.

So all we really know for now is that Jarrett will play like Mike Williams. Or Jerry Rice. Or somewhere in between.

MORE ON PATS' RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL

We received several e-mail messages from readers and league insiders regarding a recent statement from Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe that the Patriots hold a right of first refusal as to punter Todd Sauerbrun.

Some presumed that Reiss was implying that the Pats have applied the transition tag to Sauerbrun. Others presumed that Reiss was just wrong.

He wasn't. Teams and players can enter into contracts that provide upon expiration a right of first refusal. The Vikings did it in 2005 when they signed receiver Koren Robinson, and the Pats did it with Sauerbrun in 2006.

For proof, click here.

HELLO, 10 MILLION PAGE VIEWS

Earlier tonight, we surpassed 10 million page views for the month of March. It's the first time we've ever cracked eight figures in monthly page views, and we've nearly doubled our previous high-water mark of 5.5 million.

Thanks to all members of PFT Planet for spending so much time with us this month. We're hoping to build on the momentum of the past month, and to continue to provide more and more of the best and most thorough NFL coverage on the Internet, or anywhere.

We think we'll celebrate by writing more stuff about pro football.

SCHEDULE WILL BE RELEASED NEXT WEEK

The online schedule for NFL Network shows that the 2007 regular-season schedule will be released on April 5, in a special edition of Total Access that begins at 4:00 p.m. EDT.

The league already has announced the nationally-televised games for the first weekend of the season, and the three Thanksgiving games.

The most attention undoubtedly will be paid to the ESPN Monday night games, the NBC Sunday night games, and the late-season NFLN package.

The slate of games have been known since the regular-season ended, and 14 of each team's 16 games for 2007 have been known since the new eight-division format was established in 2002.

Some of the more compelling non-divisional games include: Patriots at Colts, Dolphins at Steelers (Joey Porter returns to Pittsburgh), Chiefs at Jets (Herm Edwards returns to New York), Ravens at Bills (Willis McGahee returns to Buffalo), Eagles at Patriots (rematch of a recent Super Bowl), Raiders at Vikings (Randy Moss returns to Minnesota, unless he gets traded), Oakland at Green Bay (Randy Moss returns to Lambeau, unless he gets traded . . . to someone other than the Packers), and Saints at Bears (rematch of NFC title game).

The full list of 2007 matchups is right here.

POSTED 6:51 p.m. EDT, March 29, 2007

ONE MORE TRY FOR TROY?

Tom Curran of NBCSports.com reports that the Patriots and receiver Troy Brown apparently will get together one more time.

Despite offseason surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon and the addition of Wes Welker, Donte' Stallworth, and Kelley Washington, coach Bill Belichick says that there's still a seat at the table for the long-time veteran from Marshall.

"I expect Troy to have a role with us this year as far as I'm concerned," Belichick told Curran. "He is part of the plan for next season."

Brown currently is an unrestricted free agent.

We were at Heinz Field in January 2002 when Brown's performance in the AFC title game helped spark the team's run of three Super Bowls in four years. Despite his age (35), Brown brings a quality to the team that everyone else on the roster would benefit from being around.

POSTED 5:30 p.m. EDT, March 29, 2007

MARSHAWN STILL A FIRST-ROUNDER

A reader has pointed out to us that Pat Kirwan of NFL.com, who recently had defensive end Jamaal Anderson completely out of his first-round mock draft, also has taken running back Marshawn Lynch off of the board.

So what gives? Kirwan says that "[q]uestions are emerging" about Lynch, but doesn't delve into said questions. We've done some poking around, and the only questions we're aware of relate to allegations that were made and promptly disregarded by a female acquaintance several months ago.

For Kirwan, however, something apparently has bubbled up in the past week to cause Lynch to fall from No. 16 to the Packers all the way out of the round.

In fact, the thinking is that Lynch won't get past the Titans at No. 19. We're told that he has visits lined up with Cleveland, Baltimore, Tennessee, Green Bay, Detroit, and Buffalo, and private workouts with the Packers and the Titans.

The Bills, Packers, and Titans all need a clear-cut No. 1 tailback. We can't see all three saying no to Lynch.

Even if they do, we envision someone trading into the bottom of round one to snare him, just like the Lions did a few years back in landing Kevin Jones.

And, though we've got no real beef with Kirwan, it's hard to ponder his slate of picks without recalling the side deal he allegedly had several years back in connection with the rookie contract of quarterback Carson Palmer, who coincidentally happened to be the No. 1 guy on Kirwan's mock draft. One league insider who eyeballed Kirwan's mock spotted several CAA clients positioned far higher than many think they will be taken.

We're not suggesting that Kirwan is pimping for Tom Condon or Ben Dogra. But the reality of the mock draft process is that agent relationships often can color the manner in which certain players are regarded.

POSTED 4:55 p.m. EDT, March 29, 2007

BROWNS IN MIX FOR GREEN?

The Cleveland Browns have emerged as a potential candidate for the services of Chiefs quarterback Trent Green.

Per Chiefs G.M. Carl Peterson, the Dolphins are no longer the only potential trade partner.

"We agreed to talk some more later this week or the first of next week," Peterson said. "[G.M. Phil Savage] said he wants to talk some more with his head coach and offensive coordinator. But he did ask whether this thing was over with. I said, 'No, not at all.' Cleveland would make sense to me because Trent played very well against them last year."

Look, Peterson might have a lot of people snowed, but not us. We think this is all about squeezing the highest possible pick out of the Dolphins. At best, then, we think that Browns G.M. Phil Savage is doing Peterson a favor. At worst, Peterson is flat-out puffing.

The reality is that the Chiefs can't do a deal with the Browns unless the Browns are willing to pay $7.2 million in base salary to Green, or unless Green is willing to take less money to play there. And Green has already made it clear that he wants to play for the Dolphins.

So all Green needs to do is dig in his heels, show up for all offseason workouts (a la Steve McNair a year ago) and wait for King Carl to flinch.

POSTED 4:14 p.m. EDT, March 29, 2007

JOE GETS BUCKED FROM FOX PREGAME

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that FOX's Joe Buck will not return as host of the network's pregame show in 2007. Instead, Buck will continue to serve as the network's No. 1 play-by-play voice.

No offense to Joe, but it's a great move.

He didn't add enough to justify carting Terry and Jimmy and Howie and Curt Menefee (who stepped in for the halftime reports) all over the country. And then there was the ever-present risk of the fans at the site of the road show barking out profane words or showing profane signs or wearing profane T-shirts.

The official reason for the change is that the network supposedly incurred higher-than-expected costs. (Apparently, they hadn't properly estimated Terry Bradshaw's appetite for in-room adult movies.) But we think that's just a smarmy way of admitting that they weren't getting the bang for the buck (pun not really intended but noticed) by doing the show anywhere other than at the FOX studio in L.A.

Menefee is, as it turned out, very good, and we believe that he's sufficiently non-Theismannesque to allow the other guys to poke fun at him (e.g., his resemblance to "Rerun" from What's Happening!). With Buck, there simply isn't a sense that jokes about his pedicures or pinky rings would be appreciated.

Generally speaking, we're glad to see that the networks are so willing to make changes. Even if no one is willing to admit that the changes were badly needed.

POSTED 8:13 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 9:43 a.m. EDT, March 29, 2007

WHIS LOOKING TO WEED OUT WEAKLINGS

Since we've basically ignored the Arizona Cardinals for most of the five-plus years that we've been in business, we don't quite understand why we're suddenly paying attention to them.

On Wednesday, we wrote of talk that the Cardinals are plotting a switch to the Steeler-style 3-4, even though they don't have anyone on the coaching staff with extensive experience in the Coach Chin system.

We're now told that new coach Ken Whisenhunt plans to implement an up-tempo offseason workout program in the hopes of spotting the guys who are serious about raising the team's overall level of performance, and those who aren't.

Though some league insiders think that the Whis has bitten off far more than he can chew by taking the Cardinals job, we think that if positive change will ever come, it's going to take a conscious effort to finally turn this team into a consistent winner.

"HE REALLY IS A SOUP NAZI"

The headline of this item is a quote from the classic Seinfeld episode in which Jerry and the gang interact with a guy who sells soup, with a side of extreme impatience. As anyone who has followed this site for a while knows, we've often referred to Giants coach Tom Coughlin with the nickname that Seinfeld slapped on the soup slinger.

Coincidentally (or not), Coughlin compared himself on Tuesday to the most notorious nazi of them all.

Adolph Q. Hitler. (We don't know whether his middle initial was Q. We just like the sound of it.)

Gary Myers of the New York Daily News reports that, at an NFC coaches breakfast held in conjunction with the league's 2007 Annual Meeting, Coughlin was asked by "a football Web site reporter" (a gratuitous mention that oozes contempt for anyone whose work isn't printed on fish wrap) whether Coughlin paid attention to the things that were said about him last year.

Said Coughlin: "I hear some of it and I see it. You know [VP of communications Pat] Hanlon tells me about it, what's going on.

"Hitler and then me, in that order. Unfortunate, but it is."

Myers describes Coughlin's self-comparison to Hitler as "politically incorrect," but we think it's more accurately described as "delusional" and/or "goofy" and/or "bizarre" and/or "f--kin' stupid."

Tom, part of being a hardass is that you will be perceived (duh) as a hardass, and that some of the people who have to deal with you (e.g., Tivi Barber) will complain about the fact that you are a hardass.

It goes with the hardass territory. If you don't like it, don't complain about it. Just quit being a hardass.

And make sure you give us bread with our soup.

ESPN OMBUDSMAN GETS A FEW LICKS IN

In his final item as the official ESPN ombudsman, former Washington Post editor George Solomon takes on a few of our favorite Bristol-related topics.

And before we go any farther, we need to point out that we do not dislike ESPN. Some of my fondest memories of spending time with my dad (who died nearly a decade ago) came from the new world of television sports that ESPN brought into our house in the early 1980s, and I can still hear him belly laughing at (with) guys like Chris Berman and Mike Lupica.

Okay, enough of the sappy stuff.

Anyway, the point is that ESPN's success has made it a target for criticism. And, since ESPN's P.R. machine refuses to ever concede that anything on any of the various Bristol properties is ever anything less than excellent and great and really cool, it's for others to point out the toilet paper that periodically is sticking to the bottom of the network's shoe. Though some in the company might react negatively to any criticism from the outside, the Emperor would still be rubbing his bare butt on the backside of a horse if no one had the nerve or the inclination to point out that the Emperor Jr. was making an unexpected public appearance.

To their credit, ESPN has employed Solomon to help point these things out. Here's what we noticed in his last entry.

Writes Solomon: "ESPN should be proud of reporters such as Bob Ley, Jeremy Schaap, Andy Katz, Tim Kurkjian, Rachel Nichols, Michele Tafoya, Sal Paolantonio, George Smith, Tom Rinaldi, Mike Fish, Shaun Assael, Chris Mortensen, Jim Gray, Shelley Smith, John Clayton, John Barr, Bob Holtzman, Ric Bucher, Pedro Gomez, Ed Werder and others who subjugate their egos working and breaking news stories."

Curiously, there's no mention at all of a Mr. Leonard Q. Pasquarelli.

Solomon also mentions something that we've been meaning to address regarding the network's newfound interest in arena football: "I also have problems with ESPN having a stake in the AFL that seems to have resulted in increased coverage of the league."

More importantly, Solomon points out a troubling phenomenon that has many in the industry up in arms. ESPN has a bad (and worsening) habit of creating the false impression that its reporters have broken stories, when in reality they haven't. Just last night, ESPN's scroll started crediting Michael Smith with news of the Dre' Bly deal several hours (we're told) after Adam Schefter of NFLN reported it. Says Solomon in this regard: "ESPN editors should be more careful of their staffers claiming exclusive stories when these stories are not always exclusive."

Finally, Solomon takes a swipe at one of our few remaining on-air targets at ESPN: Sean Salisbury. Solomon includes Sean in a description of tasks that ended up being a waste of the ombudsman's time: "[G]etting [Around the Horn] panelists to tone down the volume and trying to stop [Tony] Kornheiser from referring to Queen Elizabeth II as a 'babe' and [Michael] Wilbon from calling his viewers 'knuckleheads' proved fruitless. So did having a conversation with Sean Salisbury on how some viewers might misinterpret his inane ramblings."

Solomon is making vague reference to the whole "Jew or Chew" debate from earlier this year. Salisbury uttered the word "Jew" on the air (unintentionally, we believe) and then he strenuously argued that he said nothing even close to the term. Apparently, Solomon tried to get Sean to understand that, even if he didn't mean to say "Jew," the fact that Sean often talks ten times faster than machine gun fire could have caused the sound that was spat from his blow hole to be received by the objective ear as the word "Jew."

So bravo, Mr. Solomon. We only hope that your successor is equally willing to tell it like it be.

POSTED 10:31 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 11:19 p.m. EDT, March 28, 2007

LEAGUE EXECS TUTORED ON SIGNS OF GANG ACTIVITY

Among the topics that were presented to front-office types during the recently-concluded NFL Annual Meeting in Phoenix was a session on how to spot potential gang activity in the locker room.

Seriously.

Per a league source, NFL execs received specific information on the signs of gang activity, apparently so that action can be taken before any criminal conduct results.

To date, there has been little or no evidence to suggest that the recent rash of arrests has been tied in any way to gangs. But since NFL players come from a somewhat broad range of backgrounds and experiences, the presence of actual or former gang members on a team shouldn't come as a shock.

Meanwhile, if the league wants to discourage that kind of stuff it might be a good idea to keep guys like Snoop Dogg off of NFL Network. Mr. Dogg is a former member of the Crips. (And a devoted fan of at least 37 NFL franchises.)

49ERS' DRAFT NEEDS ARE UP

We're getting the hang of this draft needs thing. Every night, right about this time, we coordinate with Matt Miller of NewEraScouting.com and hammer out the draft needs for another NFL team.

Tonight, we're up to the eleventh team -- the San Francisco 49ers.

All of the draft need postings can be seen right here.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

Pacman's lawyer has a raging case of diarrhea of the mouth.

The guy who wanted to change his name to Peyton Manning wasn't permitted to do so. (But he was allowed to choose from one of these three: Seymour Butts, Peter Gosinya, and Len Pasquarelli.)

Former Titans G.M. Floyd Reese is getting paid by ESPN.com to explain away some of the things that made him the former G.M. of the Titans. (Next up, Reese will discuss how to manage the salary cap.)

While criminal charges against him are pending, Broncos WR Brandon Marshall will be allowed to leave Colorado. (As long as he never comes back.)

The Commish will discipline Pacman Jones and Chris Henry within ten days of their April 3 hearings. (Is it really a good idea to have both of them in New York at the same time?)

The proposal to move the kickoff in overtime from the 30 to the 35 has been moved to May.

DT Pat Williams and CB Antoine Winfield have been absent from the Vikings' offseason program.

Vikings C Matt Birk won't be getting an extension to his contract, which expires after the 2008 season, but he's optimistic about the chances in 2007 of a team that most are writing off.

LB Takeo Spikes is hoping to finally get to the playoffs.

The guys drafted just before and just after Julius Peppers will visit the Panthers.

POSTED 9:30 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 9:48 p.m. EDT, March 28, 2007

LOOMIS WINS EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR AWARD

Saints G.M. Mickey Loomis has it pretty good. Since he's more bean counter than football guy, it's easy for him to avoid scrutiny when the team sucks, as it did in pretty much every year under his watch before 2006.

But when things go unexpectedly well, and when he's carrying the title of General Manager, he gets the credit.

Case in point -- Loomis has been named Executive of the Year by The Sporting News.

Loomis got the job when Randy Mueller was abruptly fired in early 2002. And the best moves made by the team in the past year, regardless of who gets the credit, were the result of other teams letting opportunities slip through their grasp. The Texans passed on Reggie Bush, and the Dolphins passed on Drew Brees.

Though Brees is now Mr. Bayou, it was no secret that he wanted to play for the Fins. But Miami's doctors were more concerned about Drew's shoulder than they were about Daunte Culpepper's knee.

We're not knocking the Saints. Still, we think Loomis is getting too much credit for their success.

Our vote would have gone to Bears G.M. Jerry Angelo, who has built a consistent winner despite skinflint ownership. But nobody asked what we thought.

We have a funny feeling that they never will.

WE WERE RIGHT ABOUT JARRETT, AFTER ALL

Since we were expecting USC receiver Dwayne Jarrett to run the 40 in 4.7 or slower, we forgot that we initially justified keeping him out of round one because we expected him to run a 4.6 or slower.

And he did.

The final numbers were a hand-timed 4.62 and 4.67.

As we said on February 12 regarding the omission of Jarrett from our initial mock draft: "Though we've been guilty of such stoopidity in the past, this time around the omission was intentional. Why? Because the network of scouts and league insiders with whom we collaborated in preparing the first crack at the first round believe that Jarrett will run a 4.6 or slower in his Pro Day workout, which will cause him to fall out of the first round."

So that's the end of the story. Jarrett stays on the wrong side of pick No. 32. Ignore our prior story.

POSTED 7:31 p.m. EDT, March 28, 2007

'SKINS WILLING TO PAY $20 MILLION GUARANTEED TO BRIGGS

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that, if the Bears and Redskins work out a deal for linebacker Lance Briggs, the 'Skins will pay the franchise-tagged free agent $20 million in guaranteed money as part of a deal that averages $7.5 million per year.

The Redskins have offered to swap first-round picks with the Bears for Briggs. Chicago would get the No. 6 overall pick, and Washington would take the No. 31 selection.

Under the trade chart, the move results in a net gain of 1,000 points for the Bears, which is equivalent to the No. 16 overall pick.

Multiple league insiders expect the Bears to balk. The No. 6 pick lands in the high-rent district, and the Bears might not be inclined to pay a rookie a ton of money. If we were calling the shots in Chitown (and Bears fans everywhere should rejoice in the fact that we don't), we'd ask for the No. 6 pick straight up, and then we'd slap the two picks together in an effort to make a play for one of the few guys that Rex Grossman can't overthrow -- receiver Calvin Johnson.

POSTED 6:58 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 7:09 p.m. EDT, March 28, 2007

THOMAS RUMORS UNFOUNDED?

We've received several e-mails over the past couple of days regarding rumors of a possible trade of Dolphins middle linebacker Zach Thomas to the Denver Broncos.

We've looked into these rumors, and we've learned through our discussions with league sources that neither the player nor his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, are aware of any such possibilities.

And such a move would make no sense. The Broncos currently are looking to move middle linebacker Al Wilson due in part to the fact that they want to keep D.J. Williams on the field for the nickel package. So why pay $5.65 million in base salary in 2007 and in 2008 for a two-down linebacker?

Besides, Thomas is one of the most popular members of the Dolphins, and it would be difficult if not impossible for the team to justify getting rid of him.

JARRETT RUNS INTO THE FIRST ROUND

We'd previously left USC receiver Dwayne Jarrett out of the first round of our mock draft because our sources believed that he would run a 4.7 or slower in the 40-yard dash.

A league source tells us that Jarrett ran a 4.62 on grass, which teams generally regard as equivalent to the FieldTurf on which recruits run at scouting combine.

NFL.com lists Jarrett's times as 4.62 and 4.67.

It's good enough to vault Jarrett back into the first round of our yanked-from-our-rear-ends projection of picks.

MORE MOCK DRAFT MOCKERY

We're not the only ones who screw up our mock drafts from time to time. We've received several e-mails recently advising us that Pat Kirwan's round-one mock draft on NFL.com did not include Arkansas defensive end Jamaal Anderson.

Suddenly, Anderson has made an appearance. All the way at No. 5. To his credit, Kirwan hasn't pulled a Tribune-Review with the prior version of his draft, which excluded Anderson. (However, Kirwan has erased any reference to the fact that he at one point had tight end Greg Olsen going to the Panthers at No. 14 . . . and to the Pats at No. 24.)

With that said, Jamie Dukes of NFL.com needs to update his mock draft, too. As of this posting, Dukes' mock omits Anderson.

POSTED 3:10 p.m. EDT, March 28, 2007

BLY GETS IN BED WITH BRONCOS

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that the Denver Broncos have signed cornerback Dre' Bly to a five-year, $33 million contract. The deal includes $16 million in guaranteed money.

After Bly was traded from the Lions to the Broncos, he indicated a preference to play for the Redskins. His agent thereafter tried to take the sting out of those remarks. At the time, we thought that the agent realized that such lip-flapping from Bly could make another trade unlikely.

Since then, however, player and team have gotten on the same page.

Bly was traded by the Lions because he did not fit within the team's Tampa 2 defense, which primarily requires cornerbacks to cover short zones and provide strong support against the run. The Broncos had a clear need for another starting-caliber cornerback after the death of Darrent Williams on January 1.

The contract that the Broncos acquired via the trade had one year remaining, at $4.2 million. Thus, Bly ends up with $28.8 million in "new money" in a package that is worth a total average of $6.6 million per year.

With Bly's deal and the seven-year, $64 million contract signed by Nate Clements earlier this month, the Broncos might want to give some thought to adjusting the paycheck of Champ Bailey, who is signed through 2010 at salaries of $720,000, $7.5 million, $6.5 million, and $9.5 million. He received an $18 million signing bonus in 2004, and he is widely regarded as one of the premier defensive players in the game.

POSTED 12:31 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 1:32 p.m. EDT, March 28, 2007

LENDALE IS A CLYDESDALE

Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports reports that Titans running back LenDale White weighed in at a Titanic 260 pounds when he reported for the team's offseason workout program.

He reportedly has gained 30 pounds in the past three months.

Concerns regarding White's conditioning plagued him last year at this time, resulting in a slide from the top half of round one all the way to round two in the 2006 draft. Complicating matters was a hamstring ("Did someone say ham?" LenDale asks) injury that kept him from running a pre-draft 40-yard-dash.

The stakes ("Did someone say steaks?") are higher this year, with Travis Henry gone and Chris Brown unsigned.

We've encouraged him to take advantage of [the offseason program] and he has," said coach Jeff Fisher, who would not comment on White's waistline. "He's been there every day thus far. He's stayed in Nashville. He's a very competitive, tough, talented young running back. I think he's got a chance to be very good."

But at least one unnamed Titans official acknowledged to Robinson that there are concerns. "At some point," the source told Robinson, "the light is going to have to go on."

But first the light in the refrigerator is going to have to go off.

REPLAY IS HERE TO STAY

Tuesday's ownership meeting in Phoenix resulted in the permanent establishment of the use of instant replay. Moving forward, then, 24 votes won't be required to keep it; instead, 24 votes will be necessary to scuttle it.

We think it's the right move, but we'd like to see the league get rid of the "coaches' challenge" system, which arbitrarily limits the number of chances to correct potentially bad calls. We've previously advocated a system that subjects all scoring plays, turnovers, and plays that would result in a first down to automatic booth review, with all plays eligible for review with less than two minutes (we'd make it five) remaining in the half or in the game, and in overtime.

The Cardinals and the Bengals voted against the measure.

The league also will install HD equipment for the replay reviews, at a cost of $300,000 per stadium.

Per Mark Maske of the Washington Post, the owners voted against a proposal that would have allowed a defensive player to have a two-way radio in his helmet, like the quarterback on offense. Also, the 49ers withdrew a proposal to install two levels of defensive pass interference, and the owners voted to allow assistant coaches on a Super Bowl team to interview for head-coaching vacancies during the bye week prior to the big game.

More votes will be taken on other measures on Wednesday, including a proposal to move the kickoff spot during overtime from the 30 to the 35.

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

Pat Tillman's family got tough with bureaucrats. (And we applaud them for it.)

The Jets have signed DE David Bowens to a three-year, $6.1 million deal.

Pats coach Bill Belichick isn't at the league meetings.

Though some guy is crying about getting screwed over on a car lease by Gabe Watson, we think the dude really has only one person to blame.

Pacman's lawyer keeps on talking. (But he shouldn't.)

So does Titans coach Jeff Fisher. (And he should.)

Offseason knee surgery is hampering WR Troy Brown's market value.

P Todd Sauerbrun is still a free agent, and the Pats hold a right of first refusal on any contract he signs.

Coach Kelvar is confused by LB Al Wilson's failed physical in New York.

The Vikings presently intend to keep TE Jim Kleinsasser.

The Glazers won't accept mediocrity. (They apparently have no problem with general suckiness.)

POSTED 10:55 a.m. EDT, March 28, 2007

JONES CALLS PORTER A "COWARD"

In his first comments on a casino cold-cocking that he absorbed earlier this month, Bengals left tackle Levi Jones tells Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com about the incident that resulted in Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter being cited for misdemeanor battery.

"A cowardly assault by a coward," Jones said. "One versus seven, six from behind. The police report came out and told the truth. Joey Porter did not kick Levi Jones' ass. Basically what he did was walk up to me, get my attention talking trash while his boys jumped me from behind. They plotted the thing. He was shooting craps. I was playing blackjack. He saw me, there was no exchange before he just came up on me.

"[W]hen there are six and seven guys with him, he's brave now," Jones said. "Strength in numbers. I guess he felt like the numbers were with him. He's been doing this for years, telling everyone he’s going to do this to me and do that to me."

Still, Jones won't be focused on Porter when the numbers are 11-on-11 during the 2007 season. “[T]rust me," Jones said, "when we play Miami I have a lot bigger problems to worry about than Joey Porter. I'm going against probably the best defensive end in the league in Jason Taylor. I'm not going to be worried about Joey."

POSTED 10:37 a.m. EDT, March 28, 2007

PACMAN, HENRY HEADING TO PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE

It was widely reported on Tuesday that Titans cornerback Pacman Jones has been summoned to the league office for an April 3 meeting with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

It has been less widely reported that Bengals receiver Chris Henry, a teammate of Jones at West Virginia, also will be sitting down with Goodell. According to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com, Henry's meet-and-greet will occur next week, too.

Henry and Jones left WVU after the 2004 season. While in Morgantown, both caused problems. As one league source previously observed, "I'm surprised no one was killed while they were there." Jones hit a student with a pool cue at a bar, and Henry was (at times) volatile on the field. He was famously ejected from a game at Rutgers and proceeded to shoot a one-fingered salute to the Scarlet Knights fans as he was leaving the field. (To his credit, Mountaineers coach Rich Rodriguez has since cleaned up the program; quarterback Pat White and running back Steve Slaton are not only two of the best players at the college level, but they also have been in no trouble and are perceived to be true gentlemen. Then again, WVU recently signed Pat Lazear.)

At the pro level, the duo of Pacman and Pukeman have become two of the most notorious players in the game, due to a string of arrests and allegations and an apparent nonchalance about the obvious connection between their own misbehavior and the problems that it causes.

Jones is expected to be suspended for up to a year due to his failure to report two arrests from early 2006 to the Titans, which constitutes a clear violation of the Personal Conduct Policy. Henry likely will be getting suspended for his guilty plea to providing alcohol to a minor.

POSTED 10:10 a.m. EDT, March 28, 2007

GOOD-GOOBLY-GOO: GRADY SUES FALCONS

Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jackson has sued the team for invasion of privacy and defamation.

The claims arise from allegations that, when Jackson was an unrestricted free agent in 2006, the team leaked information that he has heart issues and had flunked a physical examination. Apparently, Jackson will argue that these disclosures damaged his ability to obtain a more lucrative contract, thereby reducing the demand for his services. He eventually signed a three-year contract with the Falcons in August.

The lawsuit both attacks the release of medical information and asserts that the Falcons were making untrue statements about Jackson's condition. The claims most likely will allow Jackson to seek compensation for lost earnings, damage to his reputation, and punitive damages.

If the allegations are true (and if the action is not preempted by the Collective Bargaining Agreement), Jackson most likely has a viable claim. Proving that the allegations are true is a different issue; the NFL is a closely-knit brotherhood, and we doubt that officials from other teams will testify under oath that the Falcons were putting out bad information about Jackson.

Another possible source of evidence regarding the things that Falcons officials might have been saying would be other agents, since it is very common for agents to have discussions with scouts and other front-office personnel regarding the merits (or lack thereof) of available players. But any agent who would swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth (which might be a physical impossibility for 95 percent of the industry) would be asking for trouble, both from the Falcons and any other team that decides to shun someone who has aided and abetted the unprecedented (as far as we can tell) assertion of intentional tort claims against an NFL team by one of the members of its 22-man starting lineup.

Win or lose, the relationship between the Falcons and Jackson might be irreparably fractured. Already, the two sides are sniping at each other in the press.

"We are disappointed that Grady Jackson's agent has taken this action," Falcons vice president of football communications Reggie Roberts told the Atltanta Journal-Constitution, reading from a prepared statement. "We believe that this is a continuing attempt by the agent to gain a new contract for his client."

Said Jackson's agent, Angelo Wright, in response: "They continue to insult Grady Jackson and that he can think as a grown man with a brain. They have fostered a climate of personal disrespect to Grady Jackson both as a football player and a man."

Frankly, we don't think that Jackson and Wright are trying to get a new contract. We think they're trying to finagle his release, so that Jackson then can go sign a bigger deal with a team that, based on his ability to start 16 games in 2007, might be more willing to pay him the kind of money that he couldn't get in 2006, amid rumors of health problems. (Currently, he is scheduled to earn base salaries of $1.5 million in 2007 and in 2008.)

Then again, by flicking his finger in the franchise's eye, Jackson might have applied the kiss of death to his playing career, in Atlanta or elsewhere. It could be, then, that he simply doesn't want to play anymore, and that he's hoping to finance his post-football career with the fruits of his lawsuit and/or the $1.5 million salary that he would pursue via a non-injury grievance if the team cuts him for signing the lawsuit.

POSTED 8:59 a.m. EDT, LAST UPDATED: 9:27 a.m. EDT, March 28, 2007

SWITCH TO 3-4 IN THE CARDS?

A league source tells us that the Arizona Cardinals are quietly plotting a switch from a 4-3 base defense to the 3-4 alignment used by the Steelers for more than a decade.

The only problem? Despite hiring former Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt and former Steelers offensive line coach Russ Grimm, there's no one from Coach Chin's former staff who can teach the Blitzburgh package to the assistant coaches or to the players.

The only guy on the defensive side of the ball with a link to Bill Cowher is linebackers coach Billy Davis, who was on the Steelers' staff for the first three years of Cowher's tenure -- 1992 through 1994. Most recently, Davis was the defensive coordinator in San Francisco. He was fired after the 2006 season.

FANECA ABSENCE NOT OUT OF CHARACTER

The decision of Steelers Pro Bowl offensive lineman Alan Faneca to stay away from the early stages of the team's offseason program should not be regarded as a cause for alarm, because it is not a new development.

Per a league source, Faneca has missed the early stages of the program over the past several years.

This doesn't mean that Faneca isn't pissed about, for example, the hiring of coach Mike Tomlin or the release of Joey Porter or Faneca's own contract in an era where non-Pro Bowlers are being made into multi-multi-millionaires. But it should not be viewed as evidence that Faneca is upset.

FALCONS' DRAFT NEEDS ARE UP

Due to technical problems that shut down our ability to update the site for most of Tuesday night, we were unable to upload our take on the Falcons' 2007 draft needs.

The assessment of the team's roster needs on draft weekend is now available, along with those of the other nine teams picking in the top ten.

POSTED 7:02 a.m. EDT, March 28, 2007

[Editor's note: The program that we use to update the site crashed last night at 8:50 p.m. EDT, just as we were getting word of the Frank Gore deal. The program remained crashed until just after midnight. So the story appearing below has been reported elsewhere by now.]

NINERS EXTEND GORE

A league source tells us that the San Francisco 49ers have signed running back Frank Gore to a long-term extension.

Per the deal, the third and final year of his rookie contract (which would have paid him $435,000) has been torn up and replaced with a five-year, $28.012 million contract.

The contract will pay a signing bonus of $6.5 million and a 2007 base salary of $435,000, which is fully guaranteed. In 2008, Gore is due to receive a fully-guaranteed option bonus of $4.165 million and a guaranteed salary of $2.562 million.

In 2009, Gore is scheduled to receive a base salary of $2.5 million and a prorated per-game roster bonus with a total maximum value of $1.75 million. In 2010, the base salary increases to $2.85 million, with a prorated per-game roster bonus worth up to $1.85 million. In 2011, the salary increases to $2.9 million with a per-game active roster bonus of up to $2.0 million.

There's also a yearly workout bonus of $100,000.

Gore was a third-round draft choice in 2005, and he has started for only one season. And he's had two torn ACLs while in college.

POSTED 8:25 p.m. EDT, March 27, 2007

AGENT CLAIMS HENRY FACES NO JAIL TIME

Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com reports that receiver Chris Henry's agent believes that the player's most recent brush with the law will not result in a potential revocation of his probation in Kentucky.

"It's nothing. It was a fine. He thought it was taken care of," Marvin Frazier told Hobson on Tuesday afternoon. "To me, it seems like there is a witch hunt for Chris Henry. He's been doing everything that he's been asked to do."

Prosecutors in Kenton County, Kentucky disagree. And so do we. Folks on probation must walk the line. For many, otherwise legal activities -- such as drinking alcohol -- become illegal.

Besides, this wasn't a speeding ticket or a parking citation. Per a reader who pointed us in the right direction, driving on a suspended license is a misdemeanor that triggers a mandatory three-day jail term.

So if the condition for getting probation is a requirement to stay out of trouble, doing something that can land a guy in jail for a minimum of three days constitutes trouble.

And Chris Henry is in it. Again.

POSTED 7:35 p.m. EDT, March 27, 2007

HENRY TO BE JAILED FOR PROBATION VIOLATION?

On the surface, the news is that Bengals receiver Chris Henry has been arrested. Again.

Even though he was busted merely for driving on a suspended license, a bust is a bust. And it's three points for the Bengals.

Henry also was busted for not wearing a seat belt and not using a turn signal. Though some folks disagree with our approach in this regard, each charge results in more points. So that's nine total points for the Bengals.

But the bigger issue, as astutely pointed out by the Cincinnati Enquirer, is that Henry could be in violation of his probation. Which could land him in jail for up to 88 days.

In January, Henry was sentenced to 90 days for providing alcohol to a minor. He served two. To avoid the other 88, he was required to stay out of trouble.

Currently, Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson is in the clink for violation of probation.

The judge who'll be deciding whether and to what extent Henry will go to jail for violating his probation is most likely the same judge who called Henry a "cancer" when sending him to prison for two days.

POSTED 7:19 p.m. EDT, March 27, 2007

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER ARREST

Per various media reports, Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall has been arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment and domestic violence.

Marshall was arrested on Monday, so the counter in the corner stays at one. He allegedly blocked his girlfriend's taxi with his vehicle as she tried to leave his home. She sustained no injuries.

"We are aware of the situation involving Brandon Marshall," the Broncos said in a prepared statement. "The organization takes matters of this type very seriously, and we will continue to gather information before offering further comment."

It's our understanding that the charges are misdemeanors; thus, the incident results in six points for the Broncos in Turd Watch.

POSTED 9:34 a.m. EDT, March 27, 2007

HOT SEATS IN THE NFC SOUTH

In the past 15 months, two of the NFC South's teams have gotten new head coaches. Within the next year, the other two could end up with new coaches and new General Managers.

A league source tells us that, for the Panthers and the Buccaneers, it's widely believed to be playoffs or else in 2007.

The "or else" is that the coach and G.M. will be cut loose. In Tampa, that means Jon Gruden and Bruce Allen will be out of work. In Carolina, John Fox and Marty Hurney could be headed for unemployment.

The extra pressure makes the NFC South one of the most compelling divisions in the entire NFL for the coming season. The Saints currently rule the roost, and the Falcons are expected to be better than their record from last year indicated. The Bucs have added plenty of players in the offseason, and haven't really overpaid for any of them. The Panthers return 21 of 22 starters to a team that has the talent to go far -- but for some reason didn't in 2006.

If the Glazers clean house in Tampa, we think the Tuna might toss his hat into the ring for the G.M. job. And if the Panthers make a change, don't be surprised to see Coach Chin come calling.

POSTED 5:58 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 6:25 a.m. EDT, March 27, 2007

BRIGGS-TO-'SKINS MAKES NO SENSE

Apart from the fact that Bears linebacker Lance Briggs became a star in a pure Tampa 2 scheme that the Redskins don't run, there's another reason why it makes no sense, in our view, for the 'Skins to add Briggs to the team.

With two big-money free agent linebackers -- Marcus Washington and London Fletcher-Baker -- already in the starting lineup, the 'Skins wouldn't be getting the best return on their investment in Washington, Fletcher-Baker, and Briggs.

Why? Because a defense has three linebackers on the field roughly half of the time.

In the nickel and dime defenses, linebackers are replaced by defensive backs. Teams use the nickel whenever the opponent brings in a third receiver. Typically, that happens in second and long or third and more than three or four yards.

At a time when the 'Skins are still thought to be interested in adding Dre' Bly to a corps of cornerbacks that includes Carlos Rogers and Fred Smoot, it's simply not a good investment of cap dollars to write a big bonus check to Briggs, unless the team is thinking about parting ways with Washington and his base salary of $4 million in 2007.

Meanwhile, ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli is once again creating the impression that he broke the story of a possible trade of Briggs to the 'Skins, even though Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com and Adam Schefter of NFL Network had the story well in advance.

(Free advice to Len: With the departure of Michael Irvin and the "reassignment" of Joe Theismann, the folks in Bristol are demonstrating a willingness to heed and to respond to accurate and reasonable external criticism of their employees.)

THEISMANN "SHOCKED" BY MOVE

Neil Best of Newsday reports that ESPN's Joe Theismann was caught flat-footed by the decision to bump him off of the Monday Night Football broadcast and replace him with Ron Jaworski.

"I was shocked," Theismann told Newsday on Monday. "It was completely unexpected, especially when the meeting is started with, 'Boy, you had a great year. You did everything we asked you to do and more, and we appreciate it.'"

Previously, Theismann had said that he would not be commenting on the situation until he fully understood what had occurred. It now sounds like he fully understood it from the outset.

A guy who understood what had happened even before Theismann is Ron Jaworski, who reportedly was offered the job on Thursday night.

But the reason for the decision is still unclear. Per Newsday, ESPN exec Norby Williamson said that the network was not "unhappy" with Theismann and that "he is a phenomenal game analyst." Williamson claims that ESPN was merely hoping to improve the production. Presumably from "phenomenal" to "super-terrific."

Theismann's version? He says he was told that "in reviewing the tapes they noticed when the conversation from Mike [Tirico] and Tony [Kornhesier] got back to me, I talked about football." (As opposed to . . . wrestling?)

Kornheiser told Newsday that, in his view, there was "talking in parallel lines without enough intersection," and Kornheiser accepted blame for that. But he welcomes the arrival of Jaworski. "I think Jaws laughs a lot," Kornheiser said. "God, I love the sound of laughter in a booth."

Which always sounds much better than laughter at a booth.

Theismann, per Newsday, is still under contract for four more years. ESPN will offer him another role, possibly (per Newsday) on ESPN/ABC Saturday night college football.

As we see it, why not reunite Theismann with Mike Patrick and Paul Maguire? Though the trio drove many a viewer batty while working Sunday night NFL games, there seems to be a greater tolerance for huff, puff, and fluff in the coverage of the collegiate version of the sport, possibly because the sheer volume of NCAA contests aired on television has caused the collective audience to become numb to the crappy commentating to which we are regularly subjected.

The question, however, is whether Theismann will be willing to accept this demotion in order to continue to cash in.

"I've swallowed my pride on many occasions before," Theismann told Newsday. "I imagine people think they know me and that I have an ego that can't do that. But I love football. Yes, this hurts. It's a shock. It's disappointing. But it doesn't change my appreciation and admiration for the people I work with at ESPN."

JAGS, BENGALS CONTINUE ODD ALLIANCE

The NFL's owners passed on Monday a new plan for so-called supplemental revenue sharing, a device that will make certain teams eligible under certain circumstances for a bigger piece of the shared pie.

The clamor for supplemental revenue sharing is the result of an ongoing -- and growing -- disparity in the gross earnings of some franchises, and a Collective Bargaining Agreement that now determines each team's salary cap and salary floor based on a calculation of gross revenues that takes virtually all revenues into account.

The end result? Player salaries cut deeper into the profit margin of the teams generating lower total revenues.

The situation has resulted in an alignment between two teams who, as a practical matter, have no business hitching their wagons together.

The Jaguars and the Bengals.

Both voted against the proposed plan for the establishment of qualifiers for the receipt of supplemental revenue. But while the Jaguars surely need supplemental revenue, the Bengals surely do not. They remain one of the most profitable teams in the sport.

In December, we reported that Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver proposed that supplemental revenue be given to teams that spend more than 65 percent of their revenue on players, regardless of any other factor. Under this plan, the 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, as we explained it, would have reduced the amount of money available to teams who need it (like the Jaguars) by giving more money to teams who don't (like the Bengals).

As we see it, the key vote in favor of the move came from the Buffalo Bills. Owner Ralph Wilson has been periodically spouting off about the plight of his franchise, and accusing the league of failing to put together a real plan for supplemental revenue sharing. The fact that Wilson said "yes" to the plan tells us all we need to know about whether the plan is fair to all franchises. If Wilson thought his team was getting a raw deal, he clearly would have said so.

LELIE RULING UPHELD ON APPEAL

The owners got a bit of bad news on Monday when the ruling that option bonuses are not subject to forfeiture was affirmed on appeal.

The case arose from the efforts of the Denver Broncos to collect a portion of receiver Ashley Lelie's option bonus due to his 2006 holdout.

The end result? It will be harder for teams to apply leverage to malcontented players by threatening them with the possible recovery of millions of dollars in "guaranteed" payments that they have received. It appears that the only moneys at risk are pure signing bonus payments.

Coincidentally, salary cap dynamics driven by the CBA have resulted over the past few years in low (or no) signing bonuses paid to most first-round draft picks. If/when any of those players get unhappy about their contracts, the teams' arsenal for getting the players to honor their deals will be greatly diminished.

With the ever-increasing salary cap driving free-agent deals to unprecedented heights, such disputes are not a matter of if but when.

POSTED 9:57 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 11:09 p.m. EDT, March 26, 2007

'SKINS MAKING A PLAY FOR BRIGGS?

Adam Schefter of NFL Network and Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com report that the Redskins and Bears are contemplating a trade that would send the No. 6 overall pick to Chicago for linebacker Lance Briggs and the No. 31 overall pick in the draft.

But didn't the 'Skins learn last year the folly of trying to force a Tampa 2 specialist into Gregg Williams' defense? Though we can't fault Adam Archuleta (one of our sponsors) for taking $10 million guaranteed, the Redskins should have considered more carefully the question of whether the player would fit within the system.

Briggs' success possibly is a product of his role as the weakside linebacker in the Tampa 2 defense, which gives him a lot of freedom to roam in open space and make tackles. As the "will" in a traditional 4-3, will he be as effective?

It's a big risk for the Redskins to take, in our view. But we have a feeling that owner Dan Snyder (who has been uncharacteristically quiet in free agency) is itching to make a big deal, especially at a time when he's rubbing elbows with his 31 partners/competitors at the NFL's 2007 Annual Meeting.

DOLPHINS' DRAFT NEEDS ARE UP

We've hammered out our assessment of Miami's needs in the 2007 draft. Our primary assessment? It's high time for the team to try to find the next Dan Marino, via round one.

They can do it in one of two ways -- by using the No. 9 pick on Brady Quinn (if he's still on the board) or perhaps by using their two second round picks as fuel for trading back into the bottom of the round for Drew Stanton or Trent Edwards.

The Fins' needs, along with those of eight other franchises, are right here.

E-MAILS WE LIKE FINALLY UPDATED!

We know it's been a long time since we posted new e-mails from PFT Planet. And we've made up for it (to an extent) by posting a dozen of the best notes we've gotten in the past few days.

Topics include Joey Sunshine, Willis McGahee, and Gene Upshaw's refusal to engage in a steroids "witch hunt."

Click here for the full list.

POSTED 9:12 p.m. EDT, March 26, 2007

LEAGUE HANDS OUT COMPENSATORY PICKS

The NFL's compensatory picks for the 2007 draft have been released. The picks are determined based on free-agent departures versus free-agent signings in 2006.

The Chargers, 49ers, Colts, and Raiders each will receive an extra third-round pick. Six teams, including the Colts and 49ers again, get a fourth rounder.

The full list is right here.

POSTED 8:53 p.m. EDT, March 26, 2007

SPIKES TO EAGLES

The Philadelphia Eagles have announced the acquisition of linebacker Takeo Spikes and quarterback Kelly Holcomb from the Bills, for defensive tackle Darwin Walker and a 2008 late-round draft pick.

Spikes is signed through 2008, at base salaries of $4.5 million and $5 million this year and next. Holcomb also is inked through 2008, at $1.485 million and $1.535 million.

And Walker is signed through 2008, at base salaries of $1.3 million and $1.4 million.

Though the arrival of Spikes had been the subject of rumors throughout the day, the inclusion of Holcomb in the deal makes us wonder whether the Eagles really think that A.J. Feeley is ready to serve as the primary backup to Donovan McNabb. Which raises (again) the question of whether the Eagles should have tried to keep Jeff Garcia.

POSTED 8:10 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 8:18 p.m. EDT, March 26, 2007

BEARS, BRIGGS TALKING

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that Bears linebacker Lance Briggs will meet with G.M. Jerry Angelo at the Biltmore Hotel in Arizona, where the league's 2007 Annual Meeting is taking place.

Briggs has been slapped with the franchise tag, which limits his ability to sign with another team. He has asked the team to trade him or to rescind the tag.

Meanwhile, Angelo has said that the team has no intention of signing Briggs to a long-term deal.

If everyone means what they have said, there would be no reason for these two guys to talk. The fact that they're talking suggests that something could be happening.

Our guess? Angelo will re-break the ice with Briggs, in the hopes that the team can thereafter work out a long-term deal with Briggs' agent, Drew Rosenhaus.

AFC OFFSEASON MOVES TRACKER IS UP

We know we promised to post a comprehensive team-by-team offseason move tracker by Monday. And Monday's not over yet, so there's still a chance we'll get it done.

The more likely outcome is that the NFC will be posted on Tuesday. For now, the AFC team-by-team moves are up and running.

We'll try to keep them updated. If we miss one, drop us a line.

POSTED 5:54 p.m. EDT, March 26, 2007

PACMAN TO BE CHARGED IN VEGAS INCIDENT?

Las Vegas police have recommended multiple charges against Titans cornerback Pacman Jones in connection with last month's shooting at a strip club.

Specifically, the law enforcement authorities have asked the district attorney to charge Jones with a misdemeanor count of battery, a misdemeanor count of threat to life, and a felony count of coercion.

"It took approximately five weeks to investigate this and it's not something we took lightly," Las Vegas Metro police lieutenant George Castro said at a Monday press conference, according to ESPN.com. "We had to look at a lot of video and it came from five sources.

"You can only imagine what it was like that night, very violent, very chaotic, so some of the information we had was very sketchy," Castro said. (Though we're not inclined to defend Jones, that statement has "reasonable doubt" written all over it.)

And we know what you're all asking yourselves. Does Pacman get Turd Watch points based on the mere recommendation of charges from police? Yes, he does.

In our view, it's no different than a situation in which a cop arrests a guy and then the prosecutor decides not to pursue charges.

So it's 13 more points to the Titans, and it's time to re-set the arrest clock to zero. Again.

POSTED 5:32 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 5:40 p.m. EDT, March 26, 2007

CHIEFS DON'T RETAIN TURKEY NIGHT TILT

When the NFL created a third Thanksgiving game in 2006, the contest went to Kansas City, a team which long had lobbied for the Lions and the Cowboys to lose their hammerlock on the Thanksgiving doubleheader.

After the game, there was talk that the Chiefs might host the nightcap every year.

Apparently, it won't be the case. This year, the Falcons will host the Colts in the November 22 evening game, to be televised on NFLN.

Earlier in the day, the Packers will play at Detroit on FOX, and the Jets will visit Dallas on CBS. The other AFC team scheduled to visit Irving this year is the Patriots, and we're somewhat surprised that they didn't get the invite.

Then again, it's basically a captive audience on Turkey Day. So it makes sense to save the inherently sexier Pats-'Boys matchup for another day.

JETS DUST ONE OFF

Adam Schefter of NFLN reports that the New York Jets have signed defensive end Andre Wadsworth, who was the No. 3 overall pick in the 1998 draft.

Wadsworth last played in the 2000 season.

That's six years out of football, folks. Six years. If he can make it all the way back, it's time for another Disney movie.

POSTED 4:39 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 5:09 p.m. EDT, March 26, 2007

BATISTE IS BUSTED

Panthers guard D'Anthony Batiste was arrested on Sunday and charged with carrying a concealed weapon, according to the Charlotte Observer.

Batiste also was cited for a window tint violation.

We'll count both as misdemeanors for now in our Turd Watch standings. But there's a chance that the weapons charge was/is a felony. We'll look into it.

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FELONIES?

Ron Jaworski a/k/a Gloria Vanderbilt will make his regular-season Monday night debut in Cincinnati, as the Bengals host the Ravens.

It's a strange choice, in our view, given that the Bengals and Ravens are two of the teams linked to the growing problem of player misconduct. If the league is serious about cleaning up the sport, why give a such a big cookie to Cincy?

The Bengals had nine players arrested in little more than a year. While the Ravens generally have been clean of late, the ongoing presence of a guy like Ray Lewis, who once was charged with murder, continues to mar the overall perception of the franchise, in our view.

The rest of the opening weekend national slate is (courtesy of Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe): Colts at Saints (NBC, Thursday); Bears at Chargers (FOX, Sunday afternoon); Giants at Cowboys (NBC, Sunday night).

And, by the way, there's another season-opening Monday night doubleheader. The second game? Cardinals at 49ers.

Maybe Joey Sunshine will get the analyst assignment.

CARTER SIGNS WITH STEELERS

On Sunday, ESPN.com reported that safety Tyrone Carter had signed a three-year deal with the Bears.

He didn't. Earlier on Monday, we reported that the Bears had no plans to sign him.

On Monday, Carter signed a three-year deal with the Steelers, according to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Hey, we're just glad to know that we're not the only ones who screw the occasional pooch.

POSTED 1:50 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 2:25 p.m. EDT, March 26, 2007

BEARS HAVE NO PLANS TO SIGN CARTER

Despite reports from ESPN, the Chicago Tribune, and WSCR to the contrary, a league source tells us that the Chicago Bears have not signed free-agent safety Tyrone Carter.

Per the source, there are no plans to sign Carter, either.

So what in the heck is going on here? The error seems to have originated with ESPN, which posted the information on Sunday night and then quietly pulled a Tribune-Review, wiping it off the electronic blackboard without comment. Apparently, the Chicago Tribune and/or WSCR haven't realized that ESPN has tried to put the toothpaste back in the tube.

MONDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

Here's a great look at the biggest problem currently facing the NFL. (Other than the steroids thing which really isn't a problem because no one is paying any attention to it.)

Finally, someone in the NFL realizes that matters of life-and-death trump losing a Super Bowl.

Revenue sharing has re-entered the NFL lexicon, at least for a couple of days.

From the "Headlines that Make Us Cringe" file, the story from the Boston Herald about which we wrote earlier on Monday begins with the declaration: "'Significant Damage' to Maroney's Joint."

The Falcons might be pursuing QB Tim Rattay.

Broncos LB Al Wilson might want to change his name to Enron.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin wants to minimize distractions.

POSTED 12:00 p.m. EDT, March 26, 2007

ESPN ACKNOWLEDGES SUNSHINE-FOR-VANDERBILT SWAP

It's now official. ESPN has announced that Joe Theismann is out and Ron Jaworski is in as the primary former-football-playing presence in the Monday Night Football booth.

ESPN cites no reason for the move.

The network also states that Theismann has been offered "a prominent football analyst job" with the network. As we suggested on Saturday night, this offer is likely motivated by the reality that Theismann remains under contract, and that if they don't use him they'll still likely have to pay him.

But if Theismann feels emasculated by the change and the manner in which it was handled, he might opt to resign. And ESPN would then owe him nothing.

Since Jaworski will be joining MNF, he needs to have his own nickname. From this point forward, he will be referred to by us as "Gloria Vanderbilt," in reference to his habit of wearing glasses reminded us of the frames George Costanza once purchased from the collection of that same name.

POSTED 8:32 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 9:58 a.m. EDT, March 26, 2007

FINS SPLIT ON CARR, GREEN

A league source tells us that the Miami Dolphins front office currently is split on the question of whether to sign free-agent quarterback David Carr, or to continue to pursue a trade with the Chiefs for quarterback Trent Green.

The source also says that Carr's first choice for his first post-Texan team is the Dolphins.

And Carr could end up being the guy, given that the Miami Herald reports that the Chiefs now want a second-round pick plus another pick as compensation for the guy whom they undoubtedly will be cutting if they can't trade him.

"Trent is a Pro Bowl quarterback, he's thrown for 30,000 yards, he's a quality individual,'' Chiefs president Carl Peterson said, according to the Herald. "He's worth more than a seventh-round pick.''

But, apparently, he's not worth the $7.2 million salary that the Chiefs are scheduled to pay him this year. Thus, absent a trade, Green will be on the open market.

Our take? The pro-Carr crowd likely will win out. However, we wouldn't be surprised to see Green added to the roster when the Chiefs finally cut him loose. Green could start for a season or so while Carr learns the position better from the No. 2 spot -- a luxury he never had in Houston.

The wild card in all of this is the Lions. Though it's unlikely that they would give up a second-round pick, Green could become intrigued by the possibility of finally getting a chance to start for Mike Martz, since it was a blown out ACL (thanks to Rodney Harrison) that knocked Green out of the lineup with the Rams in 1999, and opened the door for the ascension of Kurt Warner.

CHANCES ARE THAT CULPEPPER IS DONE

As of right now, the chances (we're told) of quarterback Daunte Culpepper returning to the Dolphins in 2007 are 60-40 against.

If the Fins were somehow able to finagle both David Carr and Trent Green, the number would shoot to, in our view 99.9-0.1.

The team's only concern is that, if Culpepper is still showing ill effects of a knee problem that was exacerbated by being rushed into the lineup at the start of the 2006 season, an injury settlement would likely be owed to him. And with a $5.5 million salary due to Daunte in 2007, cutting him and stiffing him could prompt a strenuous legal challenge from Culpepper's camp.

PFT SULLIES THE PAGES OF THE USA TODAY

Given that so many publications will post an online version of a story that differs in some way from the print version, we weren't quite sure when we saw Michael Hiestand's item on the USA Today web site whether the story appearing in the Monday morning edition of the national newspaper would likely mention PFT.

It does.

Though we always welcome that kind of exposure, since it will hopefully get people who previously didn't know about the site to check it out, our first-ever mention in USA Today has extra significance for us, since it was an item in USA Today from nearly seven years ago that, in a roundabout way, was responsible for the creation of this site.

On or about April 13, 2000, there was a short feature in the Sports section about NFLtalk.com, which was at the time an increasingly popular independent site for NFL news and rumor. I punched in the address -- and instantly was hooked. A couple of months later, they put out an open call for new columnists, and I decided to give it a shot.

Apparently, not many others applied.

Within a year, NFLtalk.com and the various other Sportstalk.com domains were sold to ESPN, and became part of the Insider service. After six months of working for a major corporation, and with a new one-year contract perched beneath my ball-point pen, I decided that it made more sense to create something that did justice to the attitude and the spirit of NFLtalk.com.

More than five years later, here we are. So thanks, USA Today, for giving a mention to the site that you indirectly spawned.

STRAHAN HOLDOUT COMING?

A league source tells us that the New York Giants are bracing for a possible training camp holdout from defensive end Michael Strahan.

Per the source, Strahan wants more money from the team, or a chance to be traded to another team who will give it to him.

Strahan is due to earn $4 million this year and $4 million in 2008, the final two seasons of his deal. He'll be 37 when he becomes a free agent in 2009.

Earlier this year, Strahan was ordered to pay $15 million in after-tax dollars to his ex-wife pursuant to the terms of a prenuptial agreement. He has paid $8.5 million of it, and recently was permitted to hold the remaining $6.5 million while an appellate court considers the judge's ruling.

MARONEY HAD "FAIRLY SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE" IN SHOULDER

John Tomase of the Boston Herald reports that Patriots running back Laurence Maroney's shoulder revealed "fairly significant damage" during offseason surgery.

There presently are no details regarding the specific nature of the injury, and the long-term prognosis is unclear.

With that said, we doubt that the Pats would have released Corey Dillon if they feared that Mauroney, a first-round pick in 2006, would not be available this year.

The Pats signed Sammy Morris from the Fins earlier this month, and they also have veteran Kevin Faulk on the roster.

COPPER STICKING WITH SAINTS

After drawing some interest on the restricted free agent market, receiver Terrance Copper has decided to stay with the Saints.

Per a league source, Copper will sign a one-year deal. The contract is expected to be worth more than his one-year tender offer of $850,000.

Copper signed with the Saints in 2006 after being released by the Cowboys. With Joe Horn no longer in New Orleans, Copper will likely be a bigger part of the offense in 2007.

POSTED 10:25 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 11:00 p.m. EDT, March 25, 2007

REID BUSTED ON GUN, POT CHARGES

Free-agent cornerback Dexter Reid, who played for the Colts in Super Bowl XLI, was arrested Sunday on charges of gun possession and marijuana possession, according to the Virginian-Pilot and other media outlets. The weapons charge is a misdemeanor, and the drug charge is a felony.

Reid was stopped Sunday on suspicion of DUI. Police then found a handgun and marijuana in his vehicle.

He told police that he is unemployed, which technically is true. The Colts cut him after the 2006 season ended. And as soon as he is employed again by an NFL team, said franchise will earn 10 points in Turd Watch -- if the charges are still pending at the time he inks a contract.

The former North Carolina product spent 2004 with the Patriots and 2005 with the Colts. He was cut by Indy during the 2006 season, but later re-signed with the team.

PFT IS Y2K COMPLIANT

As the "days without an arrest" counter nudged closer to double digits, a loyal member of PFT Planet expressed concern on Sunday for the ongoing viability of the site in the event that our number generator were to implode.

Said the reader: "Is it going to continue working after it changes from 9 to 10? I mean, when Y2K came, we were prepared, but this time nobody expects 10 days without an arrest. Let's not risk it and call for some Bengal help."

As it turns out, we didn't need the Bengals. Thanks to Dexter Reid, the clock is back to zero, and crisis has been averted.

For at least ten more days.

BEARS HAVEN'T SIGNED CARTER

In an item posted earlier on Sunday night, ESPN.com reported that the Bears had signed former Steelers safety Tyrone Carter to a three-year deal.

But the folks in Bristol have since pulled a Tribune-Review, expunging from the story any reference to Carter.

A league source tells us that the Bears have not signed Carter, and that nothing is imminent.

THANK YOU, USA TODAY

We knew that the newspaper we've been reading every weekday for more than 20 years wouldn't screw us.

At a time when news of ESPN's decision to dump Joe Theismann a/k/a Joey Sunshine is popping up on several major web sites, only Michael Hiestand of USA Today has done the right thing and acknowledged that the story first appeared in this space.

None of them would have been chasing this one but for our Saturday night item, which reported it not as rumor or speculation but as hard news.

So thanks, USA Today. We figure we'll keep reading you for another 20 years, and hopefully longer.

TEXANS' DRAFT NEEDS ARE UP

We've posted our assessment of the Houston Texans' 2007 draft needs.

Ideally, they'd draft a time machine, and return to 2002 and/or 2006 in order to clear up past blunders.

For the Texans and the seven other team-by-team write ups we've written up to date, click here.

POSTED 8:36 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 9:14 p.m. EDT, March 25, 2007

NEWSDAY CONFIRMS THEISMANN REPORT

Neil Best of Newsday confirms that Joe Theismann is out as an analyst on ESPN's Monday Night Football, citing an unnamed person familiar with the decision.

Newsday also reports that Theismann declined comment "until I fully understand what has taken place," but Newsday says that he did not deny the news and hinted that it came as a shock.

An ESPN spokesman told Newsday and Michael David Smith of AOL Fanhouse that the network has "nothing to announce."

Hey, we're grateful that someone has corroborated our report, which was posted on Saturday night. But we're disappointed that Newsday pulled a Pasquarelli on this one, creating the impression that it broke the story when, in reality, Newsday did not.

As an industry source said via e-mail in the wake of the Newsday report: "You need to rip Neil Best for stealing your sh-t. I mean, he just completely ripped you off. . . . You need to pull out a little of that old school PFT whoop ass. Maybe a PFT pic featuring Newsday and Neil Best. I'm serious. This is just wrong stealing this. Neil had NO F--KING CLUE until you broke it."

Thanks, source. We couldn't have said it better ourselves.

Note to Taco Bill -- you have your marching orders.

SUNDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

The Bears have signed former 49ers DT Anthony Adams.

The Bears have signed former Steelers S Tyrone Carter to a three-year deal.

The Bears also have re-signed G Ruben Brown to a one-year deal.

In the 2006 season, the NFL had paid attendance of more than 22 million for the first time ever.

The Rams have signed CB Lenny Walls.

Former Oilers QB Warren Moon says that Houston fans deserve a winner.

The Lions have signed G Edwin Mulitalo and G Zach Piller.

The Lions reportedly are interested in Chiefs QB Trent Green.

Chiefs owner Clark Hunt is emulating his father.

David Climer of the Tennessean doesn't seem to realize that the league can throw the book at Titans CB Pacman Jones even without amending the Personal Conduct Policy, due to his failure to report multiple arrests in early 2006.

The Cowboys' offseason program begins on Monday.

The coin flip for determining draft order could go bye bye.

POSTED 8:10 p.m. EDT, March 25, 2007

McGAHEE MIGHT NOT WANT TO GO BACK TO BUFFALO

The Buffalo Bills traded running back Willis McGahee to the Baltimore Ravens. In 2007, the Buffalo Bills play the Baltimore Ravens.

And the game is scheduled to be played in Buffalo.

On the surface, the notion of McGahee heading back to Western New York doesn't have the same sex appeal as T.O.'s return to the Linc. But, by the time the game is played, the venom flowing from the local fans to their former star could eclipse the hatred that folks in Philly felt for Terrell Owens.

If, of course, McGahee continues to run his mouth.

"I couldn't wait to get out of there," McGahee told the Baltimore Sun regarding his former home. He fled after the season ended, and had no intention of returning.

When the trade to Baltimore went through, McGahee got his wish. "I was yelling and [stuff], running through the whole house, screaming, 'Yes! Yes!'" McGahee said. "It was such a relief."

So what was the problem with Buffalo?

"Coming from Miami, I was used to partying, going out, just having something to do every night. Restaurants, whatever. Going to Buffalo, it was like hitting a brick wall. Like, 'Damn!' Can't go out, can't do nothing. There's an Applebee's, a TGI Friday's, and they just got a Dave & Busters. They got that, and I'm like, 'What the?' And, you know, the women . . . ."

What about the women, Willis? Please, elaborate. Because we can't wait to see the welcome that those women will provide when you come back, hopefully for a prime time game.

"You see, when I was in college that's what I used to thrive off of," McGahee said of his status in Miami. "The better you do, the more fame you get. So you know, it was like, I was used to that. And then you get to Buffalo and no matter how you do, it's the same. It's no big city. You know what I did every day? I came home and played video games."

Frankly, there are far worse things McGahee could have been doing. We realize that most NFL players are young men who crave the adoration and all that that implies. But life is a lot more than hanging out in clubs and being surrounded by people who would never tell you anything you don't want to hear. The sooner that every NFL player understands this, the sooner we'll be able to quit tracking so many player arrests.

POSTED 3:41 p.m. EDT, March 25, 2007

UPSHAW TREADING ON THIN ICE WITH STEROIDS

NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw, who has held a hammerlock on the job for decades, is a wise man. How else could he have managed to survive for so many years in a job that plenty of others surely covet, and that at any given moment could be disrupted by a band of rogue players cajoled by Upshaw's enemies into demanding change for the mere sake of it?

Upshaw should direct some of the wisdom that he has parlayed into a prolonged tenure as union chief to the current conundrum regarding steroids. For now, the media and the general public are overlooking the apparent reality that plenty of NFL players are using banned substances and, due likely to sophisticated strategies for beating the piss man, aren't getting caught.

So, in our view, the very last thing that Upshaw should do is offer up defiant sound bites that could jar to life the giant that recently awoke from its slumber to swallow the reputations of many a baseball player.

Regarding the question of whether NFL players tied to an ongoing investigation into the purchase of steroids via an online pharmacy, Upshaw declared that suspensions should be meted out only if players test positive. "We are not going to get into a witch hunt," Upshaw told the Charlotte Observer.

In other words, Upshaw is saying that, as long as guys can cheat and get away with it, it's okay by him to cheat.

Upshaw was reacting to the opinions of World Anti-Doping Agency chairman Dick Pound [insert adolescent snicker here], who thinks that the NFL "absolutely" should discipline players tied to 'roids, regardless of whether they can beat the testing protocol.

"WADA can say whatever they like," Upshaw said, "the players in the NFL have both a union and a collective bargaining agreement."

Said Pound in response: "If [Upshaw] wanted his sport and the NFL to be drug-free, he would not say that. It's an either-or situation: Either he wants drug-free football or he does not."

Pound is right. And by engaging Pound in a public debate on the issue, Upshaw will only get more people thinking and talking about the worst-kept secret that no one seems to care about. And as more people think and talk about the worst-kept secret that no one seems to care about, more people will start to care about it.

Especially if Upshaw is perceived to be splitting hairs in an effort to protect cheaters.

So our advice, Gene, would be to continue to ignore that pile of poo that has been perched on the NFL's living room floor. By pointing it out to everyone else who has grown numb to it, someone might eventually decide that it's time to clean it up.

And to punish those who left it laying there for so long.

COMPREHENSIVE OFFSEASON MOVES TRACKER COMING

Over the first couple of weeks of free agency, we were tracking all of the free-agent signings. But plenty of readers wanted more -- specifically, we've been asked repeatedly to post a full and complete, team-by-team list of player movement, retention, etc.

So we're working on such a chart, and we plan to take it live on Monday.

For each division, we'll show the full offseason activity for each team: new free agents, retained free agents, trades, departed free agents, and players who were released.

It hasn't been the easiest chart to compile, which tells us that no one has put together a list that presents all of the moves in one easy-to-use format.

We're sure that we'll miss one or two (or ten) of the moves, and we invite e-mails correcting our mistakes. We only ask that you refrain from calling us idiots when doing so.

POSTED 9:05 a.m. EDT, March 25, 2007

TOUGH CONDUCT POLICY TO BE UNVEILED

Nancy Gay of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will unveil on Tuesday a "serious, no-loopholes, get-tough personal-conduct policy" in conjunction with the league's 2007 Annual Meeting in Arizona.

Gay writes that the policy may include one-year suspensions for multiple offenders.

Generally, we're pleased with the development. But we continue to be curious as to how a violation of the policy will be determined. It's too easy to get a guy arrested, too hard to get him convicted. The challenge the NFL faces is to come up with a simple but effective procedure for determining whether the guy is factually guilty but not necessarily legally guilty of the conduct with which he is charged.

We also think that the policy should include the possibility of a violation even without the filing of criminal charges.

But, at this point, any improvement is better than none at all. When the most commonly used adverb in articles regarding the NFL is "allegedly," it's clearly time for change.

POSTED 8:44 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 8:55 a.m. EDT, March 25, 2007

PEYTON WAS PRETTY GOOD

Yeah, we stayed up late and watched Peyton Manning's appearance on Saturday Night Live. And, yeah, he was actually pretty good.

The highlight for us was a phony post-monolgue United Way commercial, in which Manning was playing football with a bunch of kids, drilling their bodies with passes and verbally berating them. As one member of PFT Planet pointed out, "Most of that parody wasn't a parody."

The spot also made fun not specifically of Peyton's on-field demeanor, but of the growing perception that football players are thugs. He was trying to break into an Escalade, claiming it was his vehicle until cops arrived and he took off running. And he was drinking beer with the kids, explaining to them that he would "kill a snitch."

We can't imagine that the tone and content of the segment was well received by Park Avenue. But it was very funny.

There were other moments that caught our eye. In one skit, reference was made to the birthing process of a child with Peyton's ample cranium. In another, Peyton played a Persian from the film 300, wearing a skull cap that made him look like a floor lamp sans shade. He also was shirtless at the time, and his physique conjured images not of the NFL, but of the PBA. As one member of PFT Planet observed: "Tell Manning to do some push-ups. My girlfriend just said he has the boobs of an 8-year-old boy."

There was a cheesy basketball locker room segment, featuring a perfunctory "look at the popular guy try to dance" routine that made the skit come off like a substandard high school play.

The monologue was uneventful and largely unfunny, except for the line about the old man who told Peyton that the thing that the circus and Tom Brady have in common is that they each have two more rings than him. Peyton also introduced his mom, dad, and brother Eli, making a stupid crack about the fact that his mom didn't play in the NFL. The family's eldest child, Cooper, wasn't introduced, but walked onto the fringe of the set during the closing scene with the entire cast, proving that, unlike Richie Cunningham's big brother Chuck, Cooper still exists.

There also was an unintentionally hilarious moment in one of the final sketches, in which Manning and a female cast member (we can't remember which one it was) played a married couple sitting on a porch swing and taking simultaneous swigs of coffee after each made increasingly bizarre observations. At one point, Manning said that he saw a male friend of theirs in short running shorts. Said Manning, "I think I saw his butthole."

To the trained eye, this immediately conjured memories of Manning's legal travails with former Tennessee trainer Jamie Naughright, who claimed that Manning dropped his "naked butt and rectum" on her face while he was in school.

So, in all, we were entertained. But, like most athletes who have hosted the show, we're pretty sure that Manning's appearance was a one-shot deal.

AJC COLUMNIST SAYS VICK SHOULD HAVE GONE

Not all that long ago, the folks at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution generally had their collective noses in the collective behinds of the hometown Falcons.

Not anymore.

We've noticed over the past year or so, and particularly after running back Mike Vick showed his middle finger to some lingering fans in November 2006, that the AJC is calling it like it is when it comes to Vick.

The most recent example? Columnist Furman Bisher opines that the team traded the wrong guy this week.

It's not the most eloquent column we've ever perused, but it pulls no punches on a matter as to which many Falcons fans remain deeply in denial.

Vick simply is not a good overall quarterback, and we're relieved that some folks in Atlanta are starting to figure it out. Sure, the kids who blindly worship him have yet to realize that Vick, and not anyone else, has been holding the team back. Or that Vick, and not anyone else, is responsible for the off-field distractions that seem to be constantly surrounding him.

Still, Bisher recognizes that the Falcons couldn't have traded Vick, and that Schaub would have been able to walk away without any compensation in a year. So the Falcons have opted to stay in bed with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 draft, even though it appears less and less likely that he'll ever take the team as far as the Vick apologists still presume it will go.

As we've said before, and likely will say again, Atlanta owner Arthur Blank is opting to make money over winning championships. For now. We think that Vick has two more seasons as the starter, and that one of coach Bobby Petrino's jobs will be to prepare the team for life without Vick. Without Vick realizing that Petrino is doing so.

TAKEO TRADE CLOSE?

The Buffalo News reports that the Bills are close to trading linebacker Takeo Spikes for a draft pick. Though the News says that a deal could come soon, the team likely to win his services has not been named.

One possibility is the New York Giants, who were close to acquiring Al Wilson from the Broncos on Friday before the deal fell through, presumably because of medical concerns raised during a physical.

Under his current contract, Spikes is scheduled to earn base salaries of $4.5 million in 2007, and $5 million in 2008.

POSTED 9:35 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 11:00 p.m. EDT, March 24, 2007

SUNSHINE OUT AT MNF

A source with knowledge of the situation tells us that ESPN is yanking analyst Joe Theismann from Monday Night Football. Earlier this year, the network said that the lineup for the weekly NFL broadcast would return unchanged in 2007.

Per the source, the likely replacement for Theismann is Ron Jaworski, who performed well (despite wearing ladies' glasses) during the back half of a season-opening Monday night doubleheader and who currently is handling booth duties for the ESPN/ABC coverage of the Arena Football League.

It's unknown whether Theismann will be reassigned to other ESPN NFL-related shows, or possibly to ESPN's college football coverage. After Mike Patrick and Paul Maguire weren't shifted with Theismann from Sunday night to Monday night, Patrick and Maguire landed with the network's NCAA broadcasts.

The problem, as we understand it, is that Theismann received a lucrative contract in the waning days of Mark Shapiro's tenure, and the network is unlikely to eat the balance of it. We're told that there are at least two years remaining on the deal.

Per a source with knowledge of the in-house dynamics at ESPN, Theismann and Tony Kornheiser didn't mix well, and there's a school of thought that Kornheiser would be better without having to worry about tiptoeing on eggshells with Theismann. (And we agree with that. Completely.)

The information came to us in response to an item we posted earlier on Saturday indicating that ESPN had offered a spot on Monday Night Football to former Cowboys coach Bill Parcells.

Stay tuned.

NO SNL LIVE BLOG

Though the vast majority of folks who sent in e-mails regarding the possibility of doing a Live Blog of Peyton Manning's stint on Saturday Night Live responded favorably, we were scared straight by one specific e-mail that made the case against the idea:

"Do that and you've jumped the shark farther than Coach Chin. I swear on the Bible, Koran and Torah all wrapped up in the same goat skin from the same publisher, I'll read you less if you do. He's still an ugly, pouting idiot. No matter what Chesney thinks."

Meanwhile, our moles at the rehearsal session believe that Manning will actually pull this thing off.

VIKINGS' DRAFT NEEDS ARE UP

Not long ago, the Minnesota Vikings were one of the elite teams in the NFL. But times have changed, and the Vikes are as consistently bad as they've ever been in franchise history.

Even in a diminished NFC, the Vikings have been to the postseason only once since making it to the conference title game twice in three years.

Their next chance to improve comes in the draft, and they've got to use their top-ten pick wisely.

For a look at their needs and those of the other six teams that draft before them, click here.

POSTED 7:23 p.m. EDT, March 24, 2007

ELI TO MAKE AN SNL CAMEO?

We've gotten a tip from a source with knowledge of the situation that the monologue portion of Saturday Night Live featuring host Peyton Manning will include a cameo of some sort from little brother Eli.

Eli Manning is the starting quarterback of the New York Giants, and the show is performed in New York, so we suspect that there will some type of a connection made along those lines.

We'd also love to see a segment in which Peyton and Eli's dad, Archie, confronts SNL producer Lorne Michaels with a bunch of goofy complaints, such as the number of skits in which Peyton will be appearing. Such a spot would work on two levels -- it would poke fun at the stereotypical youth sports parent, who is always bitching to the coach about something, and it would be a jab at Archie's own role in forcing the 2004 draft-day trade of Eli from the Chargers to the Giants.

POSTED 4:37 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 5:36 p.m. EDT, March 24, 2007

TURD POINTS TIED TO TEXAS CORNER

The Dallas Morning News reports that Texas cornerback Tarrell Brown has been arrested and charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession.

It's the second arrest of Brown since September 2006, when he was charged with misdemeanor marijuana and gun possession charges after being found asleep in the back seat of a car with a pistol in his lap. (Insert cringe here.) The marijuana charges were dropped after someone else accepted possession of the pot, which seems to be the norm whenever weed is in the vicinity of a football player.

Friday's arrest was the result of the discovery of a baggie containing marijuana residue during a routine traffic stop. Brown has yet to claim that the baggie was for his jewelry, but it's a strategy he might want to consider.

With the pending gun charge and the fresh marijuana charge, any team that drafts or signs Brown will be strapped with six points on Turd Watch (soon to be known as Turd List) come late April.

Per NFLPA records, Brown is represented by agent Brian Overstreet.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

QB David Carr won't be talking to the media until he's on a new team. (And that means there's an outside chance we'll never hear from him again.)

The Cardinals have re-signed DL Chris Cooper.

After sending out a press release on Friday indicating that they will match the offer sheet signed by FB Vonta Leach with the Giants, the Texans P.R. department admitted that the team had jumped the gun.

The Giants were poised to send a mid-round pick to the Broncos for LB Al Wilson, before the Giants pulled out of the discussions.

Despite the arrival of S Ken Hamlin, the Cowboys are expected to keep Patrick Watkins and Keith Davis on the roster.

It's weird to see picks from our first-round mock draft cited by the "real" media. (Maybe we should come up with another way of projecting the selections than using a bingo machine and/or a bottle of booze.)

The Falcons are negotiating with free-agent DL Ian Scott, who most recently played for the Bears.

The Packers are one-for-six in getting visiting free agents signed.

Says WR Wes Welker on his arrival in New England: "They're glad they don't have to play against me and that I'm on their side now. And I was tired of losing to them, so it's nice to join the team that was winning the games."

Eagles coach Andy Reid was on vacation in California when his kids got in trouble in Philly.

The Dolphins quarterback job won't be handed to anyone.

Fins coach Cam Cameron has yet to speak to RB Ricky Williams, who is eligible for reinstatement next month.

The Matt Schaub trade apparently prompted the Chiefs to expect more in return for Trent Green.

Dolphins K Olindo Mare is participating in the team's offseason program.

POSTED 2:10 p.m. EDT, March 24, 2007

WAS ESPN PLANNING A TUNA SURPRISE FOR JOEY SUNSHINE?

There's an interesting item in the Detroit News regarding Bill Parcells' job duties with ESPN. It appears that the Tuna is telling people that he initially was asked to join the Monday Night Football crew.

Parcells has been spending time at baseball's spring training (though we could think of better ways to cure his apparent insomnia). And Parcells apparently told Detroit Tigers pitcher Nate Robertson of the initial offer that ESPN extended.

"He was asked to do 'Monday Night Football'," Robertson said, "but he's not going to -- although maybe he should tell you that."

Uh-oh. Robertson has said too much, and he knows it.

We can only assume that this means that one of the current sock puppets on MNF would have gotten the shoe. And the prime candidate for termination would have been, in our view, the analyst whom we lovingly call Joey Sunshine.

If Parcells had taken the job, the irony would have been that the guy who coached the guy who killed Sunshine's playing career would have then killed his broadcasting career.

And thanks to the member of PFT Planet who pointed this one out to us.

POSTED 10:03 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 10:27 a.m. EDT, March 24, 2007

BUZZ BUILDING FOR EDWARDS

Multiple league insiders are talking about Stanford quarterback Trent Edwards, who could challenge Michigan State quarterback Drew Stanton to be the third signal-caller whose name is called out on draft day.

Though it's hard to sift through the smoke this time of year, some teams privately claim that Edwards won't make it to round two.

At least one offensive coordinator, we're told, prefers Edwards to Brady Quinn.

The problem is that Edwards, like Jay Cutler a year before, played for a college team that wasn't very good. Edwards' stock also has been limited by a foot injury that knocked him out of the back end of the 2006 season, and that kept him from participating in any postseason all-star games.

Edwards' situation also reminds us of Matt Schaub's entry into the league. Limited as a senior at Virginia by a shoulder injury, Schaub was the fourth quarterback taken in 2004 -- at pick No. 90.

Last week, Schaub signed a $48 million contract to become the starter in Houston.

Says one scout of Edwards: "Talented but fragile. Has been hurt a lot. When he does play he shows a lot of talent. Has not had a good supporting cast, yet is still productive. Good mechanics, good arm."

So he's a guy to keep an eye on as April approaches and unfolds. We wouldn't be surprised at all if a team that covets Edwards trades into the bottom of round one in order to snag him.

STRAHAN KEEPS SOME MONEY, FOR NOW

Giants defensive end Michael Strahan won a rare, albeit potentially temporary, victory in court on Friday in his divorce proceedings with former wife, Jean.

Per the New York Post, an appeals court has ruled that Strahan may keep a $6.5 million payment that he was required to make to his ex by March 30.

The player with a big gap in his teeth and an even bigger gap in his wallet already has written a check for $8.5 million to the mother of his children, pursuant to a January order that he pay a total of $15 million under the terms of a prenuptial agreement that, by all appearances, was negotiated for Strahan by Lionel Hutz and/or Jackie Chiles.

Recently, the judge who made the decision that Strahan should pay $15 million chided the player for his failure to surrender the remaining $6.5 million, and the judge ruled that Strahan could not hold the money while the case was being appealed.

The decision by the appellate court doesn't mean that Strahan will never have to pay the money. If the appeals court ultimately upholds the lower court's decision, it'll be time for Strahan to cough it up -- likely with interest.

POLICE REPORT SAYS PORTER ATTACKED JONES

Mark Curnutte of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that a police report sent to the Las Vegas district attorney's office on Friday states that video evidence of the Sunday night incident between Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter and Bengals tackle Levi Jones shows that Porter approached Jones at a gaming table and punched him.

Specifically, Porter punched Jones above the eye with a closed fist. Then, several unidentified men joined in and punched Jones.

The police report contradicts prior published reports indicating that the fight occurred outside of the Palms Casino. The police report also contradicts a supposed eyewitness account that the tussle resembled a Rocky movie, featuring Jones hurling Porter through the air before Porter kicked Jones in the head.

It's still not clear why Porter and the other men punched Jones. As one league source told us on Saturday: "Seven people would be a short line to stand in to get the chance to kick Levi Jones' ass."

POSTED 9:11 p.m. EDT, March 23, 2007

BAN ON UNDERCLASSMEN CONTACT BARELY PASSED

A league source tells us that the NFLPA's recent ban on agent contact with players who are not eligible for the draft passed by the razor-thin margin of 17-15 in a vote of all 32 team player representatives.

One of the primary concerns regarding the rule is that it bars adults over the age of 18 from gathering information about the persons with whom they will possibly be doing business in the future. (So much for this being a free country.)

We're also told that some of the player reps who voted for the proposal were some of the loudest voices against it during the meeting that preceded the vote.

Meanwhile, the change in the rule has been largely unnoticed by the "real" media. Maybe Len Pasquarelli of ESPN.com hasn't learned about it yet.

POSTED 7:51 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 8:43 p.m. EDT, March 23, 2007

STEVENS WAS DEEE-RUNK

The Arizona Republic reports that former Seahawks tight end Jerramy Stevens had a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.204 percent when he was arrested earlier this month on charges of driving under the influence.

Under Arizona law, the result constitutes an "extreme DUI," which can result in a 30-day jail term.

Stevens is scheduled to appear in court on April 2.

CARDS, 'SKINS DRAFT NEEDS ARE UP

We're an uncanny six for six since we started posting our 2007 team-by-team draft needs. Last night, we posted the Cardinals' needs. Moments ago, a summary of the Redskins' need was electronically shifted from the hard drive on the official PFT Commodore 64 to the Intergoogle.

Vikings tomorrow and Texans on Sunday. Enjoy.

POSTED 7:13 p.m. EDT, March 23, 2007

RUMORS FLY OF TURNER TO PACKERS

We continue to hear rumors from media sources of a possible trade of Chargers running back Michael Turner to the Green Bay Packers.

Turner, a restricted free agent, has been tendered at the highest possible level. Signing him to an offer sheet would require a team to sacrifice of a first-round pick and a third-round pick in next month's draft. Earlier this week, Falcons quarterback Matt Schaub, who had carried the same restriction as Turner, was traded to the Texans.

The Packers definitely have a need at the tailback position, given the departure of Ahman Green, who like Schaub will play in 2007 for Houston. The only other running backs with experience on the roster are Vernand Morency and Noah Herron.

Turner is a highly-regarded backup to NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson. But the reality for the Chargers is that, if he plays for the team in 2007, he'll be completely unrestricted in 2008.

POSTED 5:52 p.m. EDT, March 23, 2007

VIDEO COMING OF PORTER-JONES?

Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com reports that police are expected to release videotape of the Las Vegas fight between Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter and Bengals left tackle Levi Jones. The video could corroborate reports that Jones was attacked by as many as seven men.

Hobson also reports that two chains taken from Jones during the incident were anonymously returned to the Palms Casino.

Porter was charged with misdemeanor battery. No charges were filed against Jones.

POSTED 4:29 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 4:53 p.m. EDT, March 23, 2007

TEXANS SHOULD SEND GIANTS A HAM

The Houston Texans have announced that they will match the offer sheet that fullback Vonta Leach, a restricted free agent, recently signed with the New York Giants.

The Texans were able to match because the Giants did not include a poison-pill provision in the offer, which would have made the base deal plus a bunch of phony back-end years fully guaranteed if, for example, Leach played five games in the State of Texas during any year of the deal.

So, at the end of the day, the Giants merely provided free contract negotiation services to the Texans.

CARDS SIGN SMITH

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that the Arizona Cardinals have agreed to terms with fullback Terrelle Smith to a two-year deal.

A league source tells us that the contract is essentially a one-year "prove-it" deal, and that if Smith shows he can fill the lead-blocker role in coach Ken Whisenhunt's system, the contract will be extended. If not, it will end up being a one-season relationship.

Smith was recently cut by the Browns, and several other teams were interested, including the Packers.

POSTED 4:17 p.m. EDT, March 23, 2007

COWBOYS SIGN HAMLIN

Multiple media outlets report that the Cowboys have signed safety Ken Hamlin. Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that the contract is a one-year deal that will pay Hamlin $2.5 million.

Hamlin spent the first four years of his career with the Seahawks. He missed ten games in 2005 after being struck in the head with a pipe during a street fight.

He was named the NFC defensive player of the month for September 2006.

POSTED 4:04 p.m. EDT, March 23, 2007

NO DEAL FOR WILSON

Arthur Staple of Newsday reports that the Giants will not be trading for Broncos linebacker Al Wilson.

Writes Staple: "Broncos LB Al Wilson is, or was, in Giants Stadium today to take a physical, which seemed to be the last hurdle to closing the deal. The person did not offer details, only to say the deal was dead -- it was believed to be for a mid-round draft pick."

Common sense suggests that something happened with the physical, but obviously we've got no specific information to support that the doctors put the kibosh on the move. Wilson had neck and thumb injuries in 2006.

A year ago, the Giants signed LaVar Arrington at a time when many league insiders thought that he would not be able to pass a physical.

POSTED 3:56 p.m. EDT, March 23, 2007

TEXANS CUT DAVE AND DOMANICK

A year ago, the Houston Texans passed on quarterback Vince Young and running back Reggie Bush with the first overall pick in the draft because quarterback David Carr and running back Domanick Davis were the franchise's choices at those positions for 2006 and, presumably, beyond.

A year later, none of the four players in question are under contract with the Texans.

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that the Texans have cut Carr and Davis (who is now known as Domanick Williams).

It is, in our view, a stunning turn of events. Carr was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 draft, and Williams/Davis was regarded not long ago as a rising star after rushing for more than 1,000 in each of his first two NFL seasons.

Williams/Davis missed all of the 2006 season due to a knee injury, and Carr was generally ineffective in 2006, despite leading the league for a while in passer rating.

Carr's fate was sealed when the team traded for quarterback Matt Schaub and named him the starter. But the Texans were expected to at least trade him for a low-round draft pick.

The team paid an $8 million option bonus not long after the 2005 season ended to secure the rights to Carr for three more seasons. The decision to keep Carr took them out of the running for Young, a Houston native who won the NFL offensive rookie of the year award and who became the first rookie quarterback to play in a Pro Bowl.

POSTED 2:26 p.m. EDT, March 23, 2007

WILSON TO GIANTS A DONE DEAL?

Mike Garafolo of the Newark Star-Ledger and Mike Klis and Bill Williamson of the Denver Post report that Broncos linebacker Al Wilson is in New York on Friday, taking a physical with the Giants.

The Post reports that a trade will happen if Wilson passes the physical.

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reported on Thursday night that the deal was imminent. Wilson's agent, Peter Schaffer, thereafter told the AP that other teams were in the hunt for the five-time Pro Bowler's services.

POSTED 1:16 p.m. EDT, March 23, 2007

TRADE FOR GREEN GETTING CLOSER

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that a trade between the Dolphins and the Chiefs for quarterback Trent Green is getting closer to becoming a reality.

Per Schefter, the Dolphins and Green have nearly reached an agreement on a new contract, which surely would reduce significantly Green's base salary of $7.2 million.

The only remaining hurdle is the striking of a deal between Miami and Kansas City. Published reports indicate that the Fins are willing to send the seventh-round pick (one of the last in the draft) that was obtained from the Patriots as part of the Wes Welker trade. The Chiefs, apparently, want more.

And it's becoming increasingly clear that Green wants the deal to get done. "Trent would like to be there," agent Jim Steiner tells the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "He has a relationship with [Dolphins coach] Cam Cameron that goes back 10 years ago when both were with the Washington Redskins together. It's an offense he's familiar with and there would be an excellent working relationship."

If the trade goes through, the deal would make Damon Huard the starting quarterback in Kansas City. But we've got a feeling that the Chiefs won't stand pat with Huard, and that they might try to find a way to upgrade.

Another option for the future is second-year signal-caller Brodie Croyle.

The deal also would raise questions about the future of Daunte Culpepper in Miami.

POSTED 7:18 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 9:15 a.m. EDT, March 23, 2007

BRONCOS ALMOST TRADED UP TO NO. 2

We mentioned several days ago that a team that we did not name nearly pulled off a trade with the Lions for the No. 2 overall pick in the draft.

We can now report that the team was the Broncos.

The package would have included linebacker Al Wilson, who was linked on Thursday night to a potential trade to the Giants by Adam Schefter of NFL Network. But Wilson's agent, Peter Schaffer, tells the Associated Press that a deal that would send Wilson to New York is not imminent.

"It's a little premature," Schaffer said. "There are a number of teams that are interested in Al -- Al is a player who is definitely in high demand -- but no decision has been made even whether Al will be traded. There's a number of moving parts. We're just going to take it one move at a time."

Schaffer was hired recently by Wilson because his former agent, Norm Nixon, is no longer certified by the NFLPA to represent players.

Wilson, a five-time Pro Bowler, apparently is on the trading block because the team has overspent in free agency.

If the Broncos were to snag the No. 2 overall pick, they likely would be targeting left tackle Joe Thomas, another Schaffer client. They clearly aren't in the market for a first-round quarterback or running back, given the addition of Jay Cutler and Travis Henry in the past 12 months. The other possible pick for the Broncos at No. 2 would be receiver Calvin Johnson.

PACMAN WAS ROBBED?

Terry McCormick of the Nashville City Paper reports that a home shared by Titans cornerback Pacman Jones and his business manager was burglarized in January, with more than $209,000 worth of stuff taken.

Among the items that supposedly were stolen is a watch worth $80,000, a necklace and chain worth $75,000, and $25,000 in cash.

"We have nothing to go on in this incident," detective Jonathan Couey told McCormick. "We feel like there is the possibility that it could be someone who was acquainted with Mr. Jones, because they were able to get into the gate, which has a code, and they knew how to get into his house. If anyone has any information, we need them to contact us."

Says a member of PFT Planet: "I can't help but feel that if Pacman had some sort of trick water bottle to hide his jewelry in, this incident could have somehow been avoided."

PEYTON NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME?

We haven't decided whether or not to watch Saturday Night Live this weekend. Sure, Peyton Manning is the host. But the reality is that most of the show isn't very good any more, with the exception of Weekend Update and the all-time classic music video from the 2006 Christmas season, which has become the official bumper music for PFT radio appearances in Jacksonville.

Reading the pre-show puff piece regarding Peyton's appearance hasn't done much to convince us to tune in.

"I think they have a pretty good idea of what makes sense for me and what doesn't," Manning said, according to the Associated Press. "I'm a guy who doesn't take himself too seriously, so I'm wide open to anything that makes as big a fool out of myself as I possibly can."

Anyone who believes that Manning doesn't take himself seriously has never seen Manning's gesticulations and facial expressions whenever anything happens during a game that he doesn't like.

But if Manning is serious about not taking himself too seriously, we suggest a skit in which Peyton Manning takes Kenny Chesney to dinner at the house of Colts coach Tony Dungy.

And then announces that he and Chesney are getting married.

SPRINT SHOWS THE WAY, LITERALLY

One of the things that gives some folks concerns about the digital age is that there's a risk that there will be too many gadgets to carry around. So, as we see it, the goal should be find one gadget that can do as many things as possible.

Lately, we've been thinking about getting a GPS system, so that we never have to ask for directions and/or pretend that we know where we're going even when we don't.

But why buy another piece of hardware when, as of April, Sprint Navigation will bring all of those features directly to our Sprint phone?

The brand-new Sprint Navigation service has the following features: Voice-guided and on-screen turn-by-turn GPS-enabled driving directions, which speaks street names for each turn; 3-D moving maps, similar to an in-car navigation system or personal navigation device; real-time intelligent traffic alerts and one-click re-routing; local search with more than 10 million points of interest; lowest price gas finder; interactive voice response for destination entry by speech instead of text or phone number; pedestrian mode; a Spanish-language option; and pre-trip planning services.

Unlimited access to Sprint Navigation will be available in three Sprint data packs: the Sprint Power Vision Navigation Pack, the Sprint Power Vision Ultimate Pack, and the Sprint Power Vision Business Pack.

So if you're got a Sprint phone, get Sprint Navigation.

And if you don't have a Sprint phone, you're no longer welcome on this site. (You can come back when you get one.)

FRIDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Michael Irvin wants Jerry Jones to present him for induction into the Hall of Fame.

Pats TE Benjamin Watson visited troops in Iraq.

S Adam Archuleta could end up starting in Chicago, especially if Danieal Manning is moved to corner.

Says Archuleta of his former team: "There's a lot more going on [at Redskin Park] than people understand."

Farewell, David Patten.

The Jags have signed TE Jermaine Wiggins to a one-year, $1 million deal.

Should the Cowboys take a receiver in round one?

The Steelers support efforts to beef up the Personal Conduct Policy; "In this last collective bargaining agreement, we gave up some things that, let's say, were helpful in terms of enforcing discipline," said team president Art Rooney II.

Chuck Bausman of the Philadelphia Daily News has another suggestion for this week's SNL: "Hey, maybe they'll bring back the Coneheads skit. Peyton will be perfect for it."

Eagles DT Brodrick Bunkley vows to step it up in 2007.

Should we do a Live Blog of Peyton Manning's appearance on SNL? Let us know.

Steelers DE Aaron Smith says that he will be talking more in 2007.

The Falcons are throwing water (perhaps from a trick bottle) on speculation that they'll move up to get WR Calvin Johnson.

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