POSTED 9:27 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 10:57 p.m. EDT, April 10, 2006

PRICE IS WRONG FOR BUFFALO

The immediate reaction around the league to the decision of the Bills to give a four-year contract worth more than $10 million to receiver Peerless Price is negative.

How negative?  Well, maybe "negative" isn't the right word.  We say that because it seems that the move is providing plenty of entertainment.

"People are laughing their asses off," said one league source.

Sure, Price had his best seasons with the Bills.  But the only real similarities between the team that Price last played for in Buffalo and the organization that plays there now are the colors of the helmets, shirts, and pants. 

Everything else is different.

Different coaching staff.  Different quarterback.  Different running back.  Different receivers.

The biggest difference is that Price no longer will be operating across from Eric Moulds, a guy who constantly drew double coverage during Price's prior time with the team.  And this means that Price more likely will be the guy that he was in Atlanta and Dallas.

Which means that he's not worth a contract averaging in excess of $2.5 million a year.

The move seems ever more curious in light of owner Ralph Wilson's ongoing gloom-and-doom routine regarding the financial viability of the franchise.  On one hand, Wilson is concerned that the team might not be profitable.  On the other hand, his front office gives an eight-figure contract to a guy no one else wanted.

So maybe the current monetary woes facing the Bills have a little less to do with the size of the market in which the team plays, and more to do with the quality of the folks who are calling the shots there.

MONDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

Cowboys S Keith Davis is expected to sign an offer sheet with the Saints by Tuesday.

The grievance filed by the NFLPA against the Titans isn't just an issue of the union catching a wild hair -- QB Steve McNair's agent is firmly behind the effort.

CB Fred Smoot, who once upon a time struggled with one or two reps in the 225-pound bench press, has bulked up from 178 to 200 pounds.

The return of Bills TE Kevin Everett from a serious knee injury has been delayed by a groin injury.

Bills RB Willis McGahee was a complete no-show for the team's recent non-mandatory minicamp.

WR Koren Robinson is the new No. 1 wideout in Minnesota.

Bears coach Lovie Smith was a "central figure" in the decision of Lions coach Rod Marinelli to hire Mike Martz as offensive coordinator.  (Are we the only ones who are troubled by Smith doing anything to assist a division rival?)

Peyton Manning needs to mind his own damn business.

The Seahawks have signed K Josh Brown.

The Jets have signed free-agent LB Brad Kassell.

QB Daunte Culpepper was permitted to speak to the media on Monday.

Cowboys owner Jerrry Jones says that the team will sign more veteran free agents after the draft.

Has Bears coach Lovie Smith put the team's 2005 playoff loss behind him?  "What playoff loss?" Smith says.  (Okay, so he's either gotten past it or he'a suffered a head injury since January.)

The Hamburglar speaks (and he actually says something other than "rabble, rabble, rabble").

The Bengals reached a one-year deal with RB Kenny Watson.

QB Jamie Martin is visiting the Seahawks.

Jags WR Jimmy Smith considered retirement after the 2005 season ended.

The Lions launch the first minicamp of the Rod Marinelli era on Tuesday.

The Bucs have re-signed OT Anthony Davis, an exclusive rights free agent.

Miami WR Sinorice Moss will visit the Bears.

Could congressional hearings on the NFL's new CBA be on the horizon?  (Surely the folks in D.C. have more pressing issues to address.  We'd be happy to give them a list.  After we buy a case of paper.)

POSTED 9:02 p.m. EDT, April 10, 2006

ARRINGTON SHOULD HIRE FAVRE

With quarterback Brett Favre exhorting the Packers' front office to make an impact free-agent signing but with no real impact players left, the Pack could be sniffing around the biggest remaining name in the 2006 market -- linebacker LaVar Arrington.

WBAY-TV in Green Bay cites unconfirmed reports of a visit by Arrington to the Packers.  Along these same lines, we've received a tip that other Packer visits previously scheduled for Monday were scuttled to accommodate Arrington.

This suggests that Favre's recent criticism of the team's failure to make a splash in free agency successfully has painted the front office into a corner.  All to the potential financial advantage, of course, of Arrington.

Indeed, the original list of 20 teams that supposedly were interested in Arrington had been whittled to four -- the Bengals, Jags, Fins, and Giants.  After Favre's  Saturday press conference about nothing, agent Kevin Poston has now added the Packers to the list.

It's the first wise move that Kevin or Carl Poston has made regarding Arrington in a long time.  By seizing on Favre's effort to blame the possible 2006 train wreck on G.M. Ted Thompson's reluctance to spend big money on veteran players who might not be worth the investment, the Postons have put Arrington in position to recoup the $4.4 million in earned bonus money that he sacrificed in order to hit the free agency market in March instead of July, when the Redskins would have released him in lieu of forking over a $6.5 million roster bonus.

So maybe Favre should get a piece of the action, assuming a deal gets done.  If, after all, Favre hadn't gone on the offensive about the team's inactivity during free agency, there's no way the Packers would have jumped into the bidding.

The only drawback, of course, is that Arrington doesn't play offensive line.

POSTED 2:51 p.m. EDT, April 10, 2006

McNABB SOUNDING A LITTLE LIKE LORD FAVRE

An industry source pointed out to us on Monday morning recent comments from Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, which suggest that the leader of the franchise isn't thrilled with the team's lack of activity free agency.

"Well, I mean, it's somewhat frustrating at times, when you're seeing other players that possibly could help you out joining other teams," McNabb told Bob Grotz of the Daily Times of Delaware County, "especially in your division."

McNabb, in our view, sounds a little like Packers quarterback Brett Favre, who openly has been bemoaning the team's failure to improve itself through free agency as he supposedly wrestles with the decision as to whether he'll return for 2006.  And words like that are a bit out of character for McNabb, who typically is the consummate company man.

The source who tipped us off to the story surmises that McNabb's comments are aimed at least in part at the failure of the Eagles to make a play for receiver Antwaan Randle El, who signed with the Redskins in the early days of free agency.  McNabb, we're told, lobbied hard for the team to sign Randle El.  Both players coincidentally are represented by agent Fletcher Smith.

McNabb's words also make us wonder about a few wild (we had assumed) rumors we'd heard earlier in the offseason that McNabb might want out of Philly.  We could never develop anything concrete in this regard, but his most recent statements at least warrant careful watch of the entire situation, since this could be something that will escalate as time passes.

And as we've seen on various occasions over the past few years, a Pro Bowl player who sours on his team can find a way out of town no matter how many years are left on his deal.

McNabb is signed through 2013, with salaries that jump to $5.5 million in 2006, $6.3 million in 2008, $9.2 million in 2009, and $10 million in 2010.  In the final year of his contract, McNabb is scheduled to make $16.21 million.

How set in stone is it that McNabb will play out that deal?  Just ask the Vikings, who also had Daunte Culpepper signed through 2013.

POSTED 12:52 p.m. EDT, April 10, 2006

NEW OWNERS WON'T BE BARRED FROM REVENUE SHARING

A league source with knowledge of the discussions regarding the potential factors that will influence a team's eligibility for supplemental revenue sharing, but who has asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the information (sorry, we were just reading Newsweek) has told us that there are no current plans to disqualify new owners of NFL teams from getting an extra piece of the pie.

Per the source, the only discussions that have occurred to date regarding supplemental revenue sharing and changes in ownership relate to the extent to which the league would be entitled to recoup past payments made to a low-revenue team whose balance sheet has been artificially enhanced by the subsidies from the pool of traditionally unshared monies into which the teams with the highest revenues will be paying.

In other words, if after Ralph Wilson passes his estate attempts to sell the team for, say, $800 million, someone (whether it's Wilson's estate or the buyer) could be required to make a payment back to the league as a reflection of the reality that supplemental revenue sharing has inflated the book value of the team.

And this isn't a new concept, we're told.  The notion of the league potentially being reimbursed has been part of the G-3 program, through which the NFL provides money for the construction of stadiums.  If an owner is going to sell the team and the stadium, it's only fair for the league to get back some of the money, since league money has put the owner in position to finagle the final price to be paid.

"Fair" is the key word here.  If Ralph Wilson gets extra money for the next five years due to his franchise's financial woes in Western New York, Wilson's estate shouldn't be permitted to keep the additional profit, from the sale of a team that Wilson bought for $25,000, that traces directly to the extra money he has gotten from the supplemental revenue sharing program.

It's not clear whether Wilson's claims regarding the disqualification of a new owner from supplement revenue sharing is the result of misinformation, or misrepresentation.  Either way, Wilson's contention is way off base.

QUALIFIER COMMITTEE TO BE APPOINTED THIS WEEK

We reported last week that NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue soon will appoint the committee that will be charged with determining the qualifying factors for supplemental revenue sharing.  We're now told that Tagliabue is expected to name the group this week, and that it is expected to consist of eight members.

As one league source has opined to us, the qualifier committee and the newly-formed commissioner search committee are the two most important committees that Tagliabue has formed in the past 12 to 14 years.

The newest committee faces the daunting task of forging objective factors that will determine whether and to what extent the low-revenue teams are entitled to participate in the pool of money that the high-revenue teams will finance via unshared streams such as luxury suites.  

The big-market teams undoubtedly will want the bar to be high, the small-market teams will want it to be low.

And that's why, we believe, Bills owner Ralph Wilson has been Magooing it over the past week or so regarding his franchise's plight in Buffalo.  Wilson's overriding goal, misguided as his means might be, is to pressure the committee to craft qualifiers favorable to the low-end clubs.  Heck, Wilson might also be angling for a seat at the table when the committee does its work.

The problem, however, is that Wilson surely isn't currying favor with his 31 brethren by airing the league's dirty laundry, or by inviting politicians to stick their noses into the NFL's business.  Our guess, however, is that the other team that voted with the Bills against the new CBA/revenue sharing plan (the Bengals) very well could be represented on the committee.  While Bengals team president Mike Brown's extreme views might impede the work of the committee, the NFL now faces a problem that might only be solved if one of the dissenters is part of the key process for deciding the specific steps that a low-end team must take in order to get extra money from the big boys on the block.

POSTED 8:14 a.m. EDT, April 10, 2006

TEXANS PLAN TO START THE BIDDING

With the draft less than three weeks away, and with the Texans seemingly determined to throw a bone to Houston product Vince Young in order to avoid a backlash from the locals, the team plans to take their interest in Young to the next level by commencing contract negotiations with Young, USC tailback Reggie Bush, and N.C. State defensive end Mario Williams.

Bush visited with the team on Thursday, Young dropped by for a workout on Friday, and Williams will meet with the organization on Monday.

Because the Texans hold the first overall selection in the April 29 draft, they are permitted to negotiate with multiple players.  If the Texans were to sign a player prior to the draft, then the Saints (or whoever at the time holds the No. 2 pick) would have the ability to do the same.

A year ago, the 49ers opened contract negotiations prior to the draft with Utah quarterback Alex Smith, Cal quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and Michigan receiver Braylon Edwards.  Although the talks didn't generate an early contract, Rodgers got a first-hand look at the down side of failing to strike a deal by falling to No. 24.

This time around, Young is the most likely of the three candidates to slide past No. 3.  Also, Young is represented by an inexperienced agent -- and Young might be willing to take less money in order to stay in Houston.

In turn, if Young is willing to take less money, the Texans could try to squeeze Bush lower. 

It's a dangerous game for the Texans, if they aren't genuinely interested in Young.  Assuming that Young is willing to take less coin in order to play for his hometown team -- and that Young is willing to go public with what he would have accepted -- the Texans could end up looking like they were merely pandering to the fan base (as we think they are) by talking to the former Texas Longhorn.

As to Williams, the fact that the Texans will use a 4-3 makes him a realistic option.  Under a 3-4 system, it makes no sense to spend a bunch of money on a defensive end, unless the guy will be playing outside linebacker.  But even if Williams is the next Julius Peppers, the chance that Bush is the next Gale Sayers likely puts Bush higher on the pecking order than Williams.

The real question will be Bush or Young.  And our guess is that the Texans will take great pains to ensure that the discussions with Young remain sufficiently vague to permit the team to avoid accusations that they could have had the star of the 2006 Rose Bowl for a lot less money than the guy who didn't bother to show up for the game. 

CLARIFYING THE PRE-DRAFT VISITS RULE

We've gotten questions as to how the Redskins could bring in more than 50 draft prospects with local ties, given that the limit for pre-draft visits is 30.

Here's how the 'Skins were permitted to do it. 

Under NFL rules, the limit is 30.  For players with local ties (either through high school or college), there's no limit.

We posted this item because we've learned that there is some confusion about the rule, both among the media and among some of the teams.

VIKINGS LOSING MONEY, AND SPENDING IT

Kevin Seifert of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that the Vikings lost $10 million in 2005, following three straight years of profit under former owner Red McCombs.

New owner Zygi Wilf, who ponied up $600 million for the franchise, has put out a cash call to his partners in order to cover expenses due to contracts signed in the waning months of the McComb era, a renovation project at team headquarters, and increases in player and coaching payrolls.

Wilf expects to lose money again in 2006.

"I bought this team with the intent of enjoying football," he said.  (If that's the case, Zyg, we would have sold you our DirecTV hookup for only $595 million.)

"Revenue sharing will buffer us from further losses," Wilf said.  "We're hoping that building a new stadium will allow us to become profitable.  But right now, you really have to love your football.  You have to love your football, because on the financial side it will become more and more difficult.

"We've felt we've needed to spend the money to be competitive, and we did that," Wilf said.  "We will continue to do that.  We know it will continue to eat away at our profitability until we're able to get into a new stadium."

And because the question of whether the team will get a new stadium in Minnesota is still up in the air, the fact that the organization is spending more money than it is earning will make the team a candidate to be the franchise that gets into a new stadium . . .  in Los Angeles.

MONDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

The Texans have agreed to terms with S Michael Stone.

RB Ricky Williams apparently tested positive in December 2005, before his offseason trek to India.

Fins WR/KR Wes Welker's foot is in a cast after having surgery two weeks ago to clean out "loose bodies" in his ankle.

Four teams remain in the running for LB LaVar Arrington -- Dolphins, Bengals, Jaguars, Giants.

Cowboys QB Drew Henson is putting up pretty good numbers in Europe.

Says Vikings S Darren Sharper after the first minicamp under coach Brad Childress:  "I'm more sore than I've ever been at this time in April."  (Apparently, the guy hasn't been paying taxes.)

The Jags have brought in 12 local draft-eligible prospects.

Vikings coach Brad Childress says that they're bringing in QB Jay Cutler but not QB Vince Young.

Alex Marvez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel chronicles the disintegration of QB Daunte Culpepper's image in Minnesota.

POSTED 12:56 a.m. EDT, April 10, 2006

EARLY MONDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Bills owner Ralph Wilson might revisit his succession plan in light of fears that a sale would prevent a new owner from getting supplemental revenue sharing.

Steelers WR Hines Ward talks about the reality of growing up as a bi-racial child.

Bills coach Dick Jauron talks about the team's first minicamp (the best news is that they're still 0-0).

The Saints have re-signed WR/KR Michael Lewis to a three-year contract.

Vikings QB Brad Johnson was excused from Sunday's minicamp practice for a "personal matter."

UCLA RB Maurice Drew is making the rounds.

The Vikings have no plans to renegotiate QB Brad Johnson's $1.2 million salary.

In contrast, the Vikes won't try to reduce C Matt Birk's $4 million pay.

The Saints are sticking with the 4-3.

Former Panthers DT Brentson Buckner is drawing interest from the Falcons and Giants.

Pats owner Bob Kraft hopes to keep the identity of the candidates for commissioner quiet.

Wow -- Saints coach Sean Payton actually has time to race cars.

The Fins are interested in yet another quarterback.

A man who claimed he was T.O.'s lawyer kidnapped an Atlanta real estate agent.

Panthers WR Steve Smith is skipping the team's voluntary offseason conditioning program, forfeiting a $100,000 workout bonus.

Jason Whitlock thinks the Chiefs will win 11 games, if they sign CB Ty Law.  (We think they'll win 12 if they don't.)

New Bills WR Andre Davis is hoping to win the starting job vacated by Eric Moulds.

Before the Buffalo media, or anyone else, starts bitching about the potential harm that the"new breed of owner" is causing to teams like the Bills, don't forget that it's the old guard that let the new guys in, one vote at a time.

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis is happy that his team didn't get tapped to open the season in Pittsburgh:  "Why would I want our game in Pittsburgh to be there on a Thursday night to open the season?  [It favors the home team], particularly coming off a world-championship season.''

The Vikings might be inclined to give RB Onterrio Smith another chance, if he is reinstated after completing his Whizzinator-related one-year suspension.

Vikings TE Richard Owens has moved to fullback, and S Dustin Fox is now a cornerback.