---

POSTED 10:48 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 11:59 p.m. EDT, May 31, 2006

BUSHES TO FACE TAX EVASION CHARGES?

We've been racking our brains for the past several hours in an effort to discern the potential federal charges that could be pursued against Saints running back Reggie Bush and/or his family as a result of allegations that they received benefits in violation of NCAA rules at a time when Bush was otherwise eligible to play college football.

And then it hit us, like a big board with a rusty nail in it.

Tax evasion.

There's nothing illegal about a college football player getting paid by private citizens who might be interested in representing the player when the time comes to get paid by a pro football team -- as long as the kid getting the benefits declares the benefits as income and pays the corresponding tax.

In this case, rumors and reports have been rampant regarding the magnitude of the money that has been transferred to Reggie Bush and/or his family.  New Era Sports & Entertainment alleges that it paid to the Bushes $100,000, and that Reggie's parents lived in a house owned by New Era principal Michael Michaels without paying $54,000 in rent. 

There are also whispers of other payments to the Bushes that have come from other sources.

In the end, that might be one of the reasons for the FBI's desire to talk to Reggie and his parents, despite lawyer David Cornwell's suggestion to Bernie Wilson of the AP that the feds are interested in the conduct of New Era.

With that said, let's be clear on this.  We're not "reporting" that the feds are planning to claim that the Bushes received payments from prospective agents and failed to pay taxes on the income.  There's no evidence that the FBI is even targeting Reggie and/or his family at this point.

But given the reports that have surfaced to date, would anyone be surprised to eventually learn that:  (1) the Bushes got paid; and (2) it didn't occur to them that Uncle Sam should get a cut of it?

Indeed, Al Capone ultimately was brought down by tax evasion charges, as explained by the FBI on its own web site.

Though it's possible that the FBI's primary motivation in opening an investigation is to explore whether Michaels or anyone else connected to New Era committed extortion in connection with efforts to settle the agency's threatened legal claims against the Bush family, the feds aren't going to pick and choose.  Every potential violation of the law will be explored and, if justified, prosecuted.

As to the viability of an extortion charge against New Era and/or its representatives, we've previously explained that there's nothing wrong with a lawyer demanding payment of money in an attempt to resolve a dispute before filing suit.  In this case, however, we were troubled by one of the letters sent by New Era lawyer Brian Watkins, in which he raises the possible involvement of USC in the settlement discussions.  Since New Era has no apparent claim against USC, Watkins' efforts could be viewed as an attempt to extract hush money from the Trojans in order to avoid the negative publicity that would result (or, as the case may be, has resulted) if (or, as the case may be, when) the caa-caa hits the Cuisinart.

We don't know how all of this will turn out, but we're certain of one thing.  The FBI will get to the truth.  It's possible that the FBI already knows most if not all of the truth, and that the "investigation" is merely an effort to determine whether one or more of the relevant parties might be inclined to lie to a federal officer. 

Martha Stewart can explain the downside.

Moreover, the FBI's work will in turn make it far easier for the NCAA and the Pac-10 to continue their investigation into the matter, since the Bushes have to date stonewalled in order to minimize their potential liability to New Era.  Now, lawyer David Cornwell says that they'll gladly talk to the feds.

Dave, you'd better think this one through.  If your clients have gotten payments in the past and if they haven't declared the money as income, it's time to shift the limo into damage control mode -- which undoubtedly will require them to come clean and pay the back taxes, with interest and penalties.  (Unlike most folks charged with tax evasion, the Bushes can pay the bill without taking out seven mortgages.)

Sure, an admission that payments were received prior to December 2005 would cost Reggie his Heisman.  But giving up one piece of hardware is far better than banging out the number "5" on many more thin, rectangular metal plates for the next 12-to-36 months.

---

TAYLOR COPS A PLEA

In an outcome that might have been far different if prosecutor Michael Grieco a/k/a DJ Dirty Sanchez hadn't pimped his involvement in the case on his myspace.com profile, Redskins safety Sean Taylor has avoided a maximum sentence of 46 years in jail by pleading guilty to two misdemeanor charges.

Under the deal, he'll spend no time in jail.

Taylor's trial, which had been delayed several times, was schedule to commence on July 10.  Recent delays were due in part to the fact that Grieco had withdrawn from the case following the disclosure of his profane and borderline pornographic myspace page.

Earlier this year, Taylor rejected a plea deal that would have resulted in no jail time, but that would have required him to plead guilty to a felony.

The underlying incident occurred on June 1, 2005.  Taylor allegedly accosted persons whom he believed had stolen two of his ATVs, and he allegedly pulled a gun on them before starting a fight with one of the men.

The problem is that, in Florida, a conviction for pointing a gun at another person results in a mandatory minimum sentence of three years.  Taylor, the fifth overall pick in the 2004 draft, also would have been potentially required to reimburse the Redskins for millions in signing bonus money.

Taylor also has agreed to make 10 visits to inner city schools, and to donate $1,000 to each school that he visits.

He'll also likely be fined pursuant to the league's Personal Conduct Policy.  It'll be interesting to see whether his past fines for on-field transgressions drives his ultimate punishment from the league even higher.  In January, for example, Taylor was fined $17,000 for spitting in the face of Tampa running back Michael Pittman.

---

WEDNESDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

The Lions have signed OT Ross Verba, who paid back a roster bonus to the Browns in 2005 in the hopes of landing a huge payday from another team that . . . never . . .  came.

Panthers RB DeShaun Foster says that's he ready to be the team's starting running back (and then he tripped over a shoelace and broke his hip).

Panthers running backs coach Jim Skipper has been promoted to assistant head coach. 

The Lions have cut QB Shaun King.

The Cowboys have signed RB Demetris Summers.

Former NFL receiver Donald Hayes is joining the Argos.

Seahawks DE Bryce Fisher has been charged with fourth-degree assault.  (He must be trying to get traded to the Bengals.)

John Jones is now the president of the Packers.

The Titans might make a run at QB Kerry Collins.

---

POSTED 9:42 p.m. EDT, May 31, 2006

BENGALS CONSIDER RESCINDING RIGHTS TO NICHOLSON

There's talk in league circles that the Cincinnati Bengals are considering the possibility of rescinding their rights to linebacker A.J. Nicholson, the team's fifth-round pick in the 2006 draft.

Nicholson is wanted in Florida for felony burglary and other charges.  His former Florida State teammate, receiver Fred Rouse, has confessed to burgling the apartment of Seminole running back Lorenzo Booker.  Rouse has implicated Nicholson in the crime.

The Bengals are permitted to wash their hands of Nicholson, if they so choose.  Based on our analysis of Article XVI of the CBA and discussions with league insiders familiar with the relevant CBA terms, it appears that Nicholson would then enter the waiver system, with the team that is awarded his rights required only to tender the one-year rookie minimum salary of $275,000.  If no team makes a waiver claim, Nicholson would then be an unrestricted free agent.

And although Nicholson plunged to round five, he was regarded as one point as a first-round talent.  Thus, it's possible that someone will take a flier on him.

Another issue in this regard is whether the Bengals can get rid of Nicholson for non-football reasons without inviting a non-injury grievance.  The CBA contemplates that criminal behavior will be penalized with the Personal Conduct Policy only, and that teams shouldn't take the law into their own hands.

The smartest play for the Bengals, then, might be to keep Nicholson around until training camp and the preseason, regarding Nicholson as nothing more than a Rudy-type tackling dummy.  Then, they can cut him under circumstances that appear to be indistinguishable from the mere act of trimming the roster.

If they take this approach, however, they should insist on Nicholson signing only a deal with no signing bonus, and possibly with roster bonuses based on each week that he's on the active roster.

Still, we think it's time for the Bengals to make a strong statement against anti-social behavior.  There are far too many turds on the team, and cutting the cord on Nicholson would send the right kind of message to the rest of the roster that the franchise won't put up with certain types of behavior.

---

POSTED 8:22 p.m. EDT, May 31, 2006

FEDS ENTER BUSH FRAY

Bernie Wilson of the Associated Press reports that the FBI has opened an investigation regarding the events surrounding the recruitment of New Orleans Saints tailback Reggie Bush during his tenure at USC.

Bush's lawyer, David Cornwell, said that he was interviewed by the FBI last week regarding "potential federal crimes."  Cornwell also said that he plans to make Bush and his parents available for interview.

"They've asked now to interview Reggie and his parents," Cornwell told Wilson. "I intend to cooperate, yes."

The FBI would neither confirm nor deny the existence of the investigation, a response that often is interpreted as an implicit confirmation.

Meanwhile, attorney Brian Watkins, who represents New Era Sports & Entertainment, told Wilson that he has not been contacted by the FBI.

Though Cornwell predictably is spinning the FBI's interest in the matter as an investigation of New Era and its principals, we think it's premature at this point to make any conclusions regarding the actual targets of the investigation.  Heck, everyone connected to the situation could be a subject of scrutiny.

Especially if anyone tries to get cute with the feds and tell them anything other than the unvarnished truth.  In fact, Cornwell would be wise to retain an expert in criminal law with extensive experience in federal prosecutions.  Someone needs to give Bush sound advice at this juncture, and it's been obvious since the story of Bush's alleged receipt of premature benefits from New Era first broke that the one thing Bush hasn't received is wise and prudent counsel.

---

POSTED 5:51 p.m. EDT, May 31, 2006

McNAIR SECURES HOLLOW VICTORY OVER TITANS

Arbitrator John Feerinck ruled on Wednesday that the Tennessee Titans must permit quarterback Steve McNair to workout at the team's facility.

The ruling is a victory for McNair, who filed a grievance after the team sent him home at the outset of the offseason program in order to avoid potential liability for his full 2006 salary if he were to suffer a season-ending injury during the sessions.

But the victory is a hollow one, given that the offseason programs are winding down.  On May 25, the Titans pulled the plug on offseason workouts until June 13, at which time the team will reconvene for only six additional practice sessions.

And McNair has secured the right to attend.  Big deal.

He probably won't show up.  If he does, it's highly unlikely that he'll suffer an injury that will require the team to pay his entire $9 million salary for 2006.

Moreover, Article XXXV, Section 4 of the CBA states that a player is eligible to be paid his base salary only if he is working out at the club's facility "under the direction of a Club official."  So if McNair shows up at Baptist Park on Thursday to pump some iron, the Titans must allow him to do so -- but we can find no requirement in the CBA that they provide a club official to "direct" McNair's efforts.

As a result, the stare down between the Titans and Ravens will continue.  It's a foregone conclusion that McNair will sign with the Ravens once he's cut by the Titans.  At this point, with only a few weeks remaining in the offseason program, it makes no sense for Baltimore to send a draft pick to Tennessee.  Come July, when the cap-strapped Titans need to clear up space in order to sign draft picks, McNair will get the heave-ho, and the Ravens will be able to sign the 2003 MVP without giving anything to the Titans for his rights.

---

POSTED 3:04 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 4:25 p.m. EDT, May 31, 2006

BENGALS DRAFT PICK WANTED FOR BURGLARY

Joe Schad of ESPN.com reports that former Florida State linebacker A.J. Nicholson, selected by the Bengals in the fifth round of the 2006 draft, is wanted for two felonies and a misdemeanor after allegedly stealing $1,700 in electronics equipment from the home of a current Florida State player.

Said a league source in response to the news:  "A.J. Nicholson, off most teams' draft boards, a major league turd . . . .  Way to go, Marvin."

Both Nicholson and former Seminole receiver Fred Rouse, who was dismissed from the team at the end of the 2005 season, have been charged with burgling the home of running back Lorenzo Booker.

Rouse confessed to the crime on May 28 after a receiving glove with his jersey number stitched into it was found at the scene.  (Gee, and we thought he'd gone to FSU on an academic scholarship.)  Rouse has implicated Nicholson in the incident, which occurred on May 20.  

A warrant has been issued for Nicholson's arrest.  He faces charges of felony burglary of a dwelling, felony grand theft, and misdemeanor criminal mischief.

As one league source told us on April 29 after the Bengals drafted Nicholson and USC defensive end Frostee Rucker, "What the f--- are they doing?  Rucker and Nicholson?  Give me a break.  They are sabotaging the organization by picking bad players like [Odell] Thurman, [Chris] Henry, and those two."

Earlier this year, Henry was arrested in Florida for allegedly pointing a gun at a group of people, an offense that carries a three-year mandatory minimum sentence.

Our suggestion?  Bengals owner Mike Brown should move the team to Florida, and hope that enough of Marvin's misfits will qualify for work release.

---

WRONG AGAIN, LEN

Several readers, and at least one league source, have pointed out to us a pretty significant error in the article penned by ESPN.com's Len Pastabelli regarding the looming June 1 cap casualty trigger.

The article is generally thorough and substantively accurate regarding the decreased significance of the CBA quirk that allows teams to release players will multiple years remaining on their contracts after June 1 and spread the cap hit resulting from the unallocated portion of the signing bonus over two league years, thereby reducing the cap charge in the current season.  However, the item is marred by Pasquarelli's mistaken belief that Patriots safety Rodney Harrison was a post-June 1 cut of the San Diego Chargers.

Writes Len:  "Players such as standout strong safety Rodney Harrison -- released by San Diego in June 2003 and quickly snapped up by the New England Patriots, whom he helped lead to a Super Bowl title that season -- won't be available."

But Harrison wasn't available after June 1.  Instead, the Chargers terminated his contract as part of a $13 million cap purge on February 27, 2003.   

And that's one of the reasons not specifically mentioned in Pasquarelli's story regarding the decline of post-June 1 free agency.  Often, teams desperate to get in line with the salary cap at the outset of the new league year in March will take the full brunt of the hit resulting from the acceleration of the unallocated signing bonus money in order to realize the net savings due to the dumping of the guy's salary.

How does both Pasquarelli and his editor(s) make such an obvious factual blunder?

We're not suggesting that we're without our own flaws.  But this here operation is a guy with a computer and a phone, not the leading sports conglomerate in the world.

But this shouldn't be regarded as a general slam against ESPN.  Sure, the organization ultimately is responsible for the work product of its employees, but like any sizeable organization there are the good, the bad, and the Linda Cohn.

So at the risk of seeming even pettier than we really are, we think that someone in Bristol needs to keep this thing in mind when the time comes to fill out Len's annual performance evaluation. 

---

POSTED 9:10 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 11:59 a.m. EDT, May 31, 2006

OFFSEASON CONTACT A FACT OF LIFE?

We've gotten several e-mails from readers who take issue with our decision to take issue with the prevalence of contact in offseason workouts.  In lieu of responding to each message individually, here's our position.

First, we realize that it's football, and that guys hit each other in football.  We've generally got no problem with that (especially since we're not the ones being hit).

Second, the rules say -- albeit somewhat vaguely -- that there shall be no contact during offseason workouts.

Third, the players aren't allowed to wear pads during offseason workouts, which means that many of them (especially the linemen) get far more bruised and battered during minicamp drills than during practices in which their bodies are better protected against being struck with hands, elbows, knees, feet, and helmets.

Fourth, the players pay dues to the NFL Players Association in exchange (presumably) for protection against rules violations by their employers, the 32 NFL teams.  If the rules prohibit offseason contact and offseason contact is occurring and the NFLPA is doing nothing about it except in cases where complaints are filed, the players aren't getting their money's worth.

One league insider believes that the union definitely won't be doing anything about the issue in the short term because NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw still hopes to succeed Paul Tagliabue as NFL Commissioner.

Another league source tells us that, regardless of what the rules say, there will always be contact during offseason workouts.

"Truthfully," the source said, "the only way to eliminate contact is not allow players to line up across from each other.  The contact that happens in just a natural result of the way the game is played.  The league and the [NFLPA] know about it and have to condone it for that reason.  The degree of force with which the players attack each other is the hard thing to regulate."

So why have a rule if, due to human nature or otherwise, the rule is going to be ignored?  That's really our point here.  Give the teams a certain number of offseason practices in pads.  Heck, if the NCAA can let student-athletes get banged around for a full month of the semester that, in theory, shouldn't be disrupted by football activities, why shouldn't the guys who get paid (legally) to play put the pads on, too?

And the NFL had a great opportunity to secure permission for full-contact, full-pad offseason practices in conjunction with the most recent round of CBA negotiations, in which the NFLPA generally cleaned the NFL's clock when it came to non-economic terms and conditions.

Really, it's still not too late to fix this.  The new CBA, to our knowledge, has yet to be finalized.  Here's hoping that the powers-that-be stumble across a little common sense and realize that it's far better to acknowledge the fact that contact is occurring and to take steps to let the players stay healthy by putting them in pads during minicamps and OTAs.

---

SPIELMAN'S ROLE CLEARLY UNCLEAR

New Vikings V.P. of player personnel Rick Spielman provided few details during his introductory news conference as to whether he's the rock, the scissors, or the paper in the reconfigured Minnesota front office.

Spielman, a surprise hire which came at a time when it appeared that the position vacated by Fran Foley wouldn't be filled in 2006, said that he'll be in charge of the personnel department, that director of college scouting Scott Studwell will run the draft, and that coach Brad Childress "will be running the coaches side." 

The picture painted by Spielman is that decisions will be made by consensus.  

"All of the successful teams are able to interact and communicate to get on the same page when it comes time to make decisions that are best for the organizations," said Spielman, who signed a three-year contract with the team.  "I may want to do this, but Rob [Brzezinski] will come to me and say from a cap standpoint this is why you can't do that.  Oh, OK.  Or the coach may say from a schematic standpoint, this is why you can't do that.  Everyone has to work together."

Great idea, in theory.  But a little harder to apply when four different guys with four different personalities have genuinely held but diverging ideas about what's best for the team.  Someone has to have the ability to break the tie, and football front offices rarely resolve their disagreements with Chip 'n' Dale diplomacy.

Our guess?  Spielman will be the guy charged with building consensus by rubbing nuts.  And that's why his reputation as a "good guy" will serve him well in the job.

Said one league source:  "Rick was willing to work under any set of circumstances.  He couldn't get a sniff at any job.  Now [Childress and Brezeinski] know they have someone they can control, and they know Rick won't do anything as dumb as Foley and he won't rub people the wrong way, he's too good a person."

Still, Spielman's overall competence and effectiveness remain valid concerns.  His single season as an NFL G.M. was a nightmare.  Thrust into the Miami job in 2004 after Dan Marino backed away from a front-office gig less than a month after accepting it, the circumstances created an unhealthy sense of desperation within the organization as both Spielman and then-coach Dave Wannstedt knew that they needed to go deep into the playoffs or better in order to remain employed in South Florida.  Sure, it didn't help the cause when Ricky Williams abruptly retired.  But it was Wannstedt and Spielman who traded for the guy, and Ricky had a track record at the time he was acquired of oft-bizarre behavior.  Spielman and Wannstedt also sent a second-round pick to the Eagles for quarterback A.J. Feeley, who was a complete bust.  Shortly before the season started, they shipped defensive end Adewale Ogunleye to Chicago for receiver Marty Booker -- whose $3 million salary in 2006 could make him a former Dolphins before too long.

Opined another league source:  "Yes, he is a great guy, gets along with everyone, but he is average at evaluating and that is the most important part of the job.  If you look at the Miami drafts when he was running the scouting department you will see that they were below average at best."

Beyond raw ability, there are two other factors that, based on our discussions with multiple league insiders over the years, are crucial to the question of whether a guy is a good hire:  attention to detail and integrity.

As to the latter, we generally believe that Spielman passes the sniff test.  However, we're troubled by accounts from multiple readers of Spielman the ESPN football analyst crotch-nuzzling the Vikings in the days prior to the announcement of his hiring.  We don't have a problem with a guy pimping his moneymaker, as long as the connection is obvious.  Spielman's recent words of praise regarding the Vikings came at a time when no one knew that he was so close to getting hired by them, and it's a fact that should have been disclosed to the audience.

As to the former, Spielman said something during his introductory press conference that elicited from us a Krameresque head jerk.  Specifically, Spielman claimed that the term "Triangle of Authority" was label devised by the media, and not one that he believes is accurate in describing the Vikings' power structure.

Hoochiemama.  

Technically, the term "Triangle of Authority" originated in the media, since the media reported that it was a phrase coined by Vikings owner Zygi Wilf to describe the Vikings' power structure.  

The fact that Spielman didn't know this doesn't speak well of his overall preparation to pursue the job for which he has been hired, and it likewise doesn't reflect well on his ability to gather, process, and recall information that came his way as a member of the media.

Bottom line?  He's a nice guy with the skills to be a solid lieutenant, but never the captain.  As long as the Vikings know how to use him, and as long as he accepts the limits of his role, it shouldn't be a problem.

But if that title goes to his head (as it did with his predecessor), it's going to be yet another train wreck for a once-proud franchise that has had as bad a year outside the lines as any team in the history of professional sports.

---

WEDNESDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Jets QB Chad Pennington took snaps in 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 drills on Tuesday.

Former Dolphins RB John Avery isn't talking about having his Toronto touches chewed up by the arrival of Ricky Williams.

The Texans have interviewed Rick Mueller for their G.M. gig, and might not bring in anyone else.

There's a theory making the rounds in league circles that Packers director of pro personnel Reggie McKenzie's stellar interview for the Texans' job might have been aided by former Green Bay colleague Mike Sherman briefing him on the questions that were going to be asked, and regarding the manner in which those same questions had been answered by Broncos assistant G.M. Rick Smith.

A spokesman from the Miami Beach police department says that the charges against Steelers WR Santonio Holmes are "minor" and "nothing."

Cowboys seventh-round E.J. Whitley is out for the year after tearing an ACL during minicamp.

The Cowboys are taking another look-see at former South Carolina RB Demetris Summers, who was booted from the team in 2005 after failing a drug test.

C Jeremy Newberry is continuing his recovery from microfracture surgery.

Titans RB LenDale White (hamstring . . . . mmmm, ham) likely won't be able to participate in practice until training camp.

Cards RB Edgerrin James is skipping out on the team's voluntary workouts; it's not out of character for James to do it, but it'll be out of character for coach Denny Green to not be pissed about it.

The Browns have removed from an article on their official web site comments from G.M. Phil Savage regarding his belief that Christian football players are more successful.  (We suppose that this means he never said it.)

Good news for the Packers:  kicker and punter won't be the strongest two positions on the team this year.  Bad news for the Packers:  kicker and punter won't be the strongest two positions on the team this year.

Bucs RB Cadillac Williams dreams big (but, surprisingly, he craps small).

David Climer of the Nashville Tennessean wants Titans fans to have faith in the team's front office.  (Floyd sure as hell has earned it, hasn't he?)

Memo to Brad Rock of the Deseret Morning News -- don't poop on the wages earned by guys who give up their bodies for our amusement; even at their high salary levels, they're still generating millions in profit for the people who pay them. 

---

POSTED 10:38 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 10:55 p.m. EDT, May 30, 2006

MORE EVIDENCE OF OFFSEASON CONTACT?

Thanks to all of our readers who have forwarded to us more photographic evidence that tends to confirm the widespread nature of prohibited contact during offseason workouts.

Let's have a look-see, shall we?

For starters, here's a shot from Seahawks camp, courtesy of king5.com:

Next, the background of this picture of Dusty Dvoracek attempting to pinch one off while levitating seems to reveal a receiver and a defensive back preparing for a little bump-and-run.

Also, a little something from the Eagles' web site, with the caption "[t]wo linemen get physical as Coach Castillo looks on":

The Packers get in on the pugilism, too:

Finally, the Colts' official web site has a veritable cornucopia of potentially incriminating photos, including these:

Keep 'em coming, folks.

---

POSTED 6:59 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 7:45 p.m. EDT, May 30, 2006

LEAGUE OFFICE PEEVED AT SAVAGE "CHRISTIAN" COMMENTS

There's talk in league circles that the folks at Park Avenue aren't too happy with the recent remarks of Browns G.M. Phil Savage expressing a preference for Christian football players.

And some league insiders have opined that Savage "is out of his f--king mind for saying that stuff" to the media.

Said Savage, according to Tuesday's Canton Repository:  "I'm not an overly spiritual person.  If I was to go play golf with you guys, I'm sure I’d hit a few shots and probably say a couple cuss words.  We're all human.  But I have found through the years that having that relationship with Christ on a consistent basis helps you to remain calm in a storm.  That’s one thing I've learned over the last year and five months.

Expressing a preference for a certain religious group is a bad idea because it implies that other religious groups are disfavored.  So when, as we suggested earlier in the day, the Browns hire a Christian instead of a member of some other religions for a job with the team, Savage's words will be plastered all over the civil complaint and every other filing made in the ensuing lawsuit.

---

THANK YOU, SPRINT PHONE

Because we suspected that the Chiefs would alter the minicamp highlight clip on the team's official web site containing images of contact drills that apparently run afoul of the CBA provision regarding offseason workouts, we tried to freeze-frame the video and paste a copy of the image onto the web site.

But without getting into the technical niceties, the process of getting the picture loaded onto the page was beyond our Commodore 64 skill set.

Enter the Samsung A900, available only through Sprint.  We took a picture of the image with the phone, used its Bluetooth technology to upload the photo to the official PFT laptop, and here it is:

Trust us on this -- the image comes from a play that looked just as fast as a full-speed, in-game rep.  And it's grainy not because of the quality of the camera, but because it took a few tries to get a clear image when hitting the pause button (primary because the play occurred at full speed).

At a minimum, the NFLPA should be ringing up the Chiefs' front office and requesting a copy of all videos generated during the minicamp, including the tape containing the image that appears above.

---

TUESDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

The Jets have signed CB Ray Mickens, and have cut QB Kliff Kingsbury.

The front office is keeping quiet, but some Steelers are talking about WR Santonio Holmes' arrest.

The Bills have signed DB LaShaun Ward.

The Carson Palmer Cornhole Classic begins on June 17 -- the Chris Henry Cornhole Classic won't begin until August 21, at the earliest.

Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn is already interviewing agents.  (Don't jinx yourself, Brady -- you've got roughly a dozen more games to get through without tearing every ligament in both knees.)

TicketsNow has become the Ravens' official on-line scalping site.

Predictably, Ricky Williams is mellow in response to criticism from Joe Thiesmann.

---

POSTED 3:45 p.m. EDT, May 30, 2006

VIKES HIRE SPIELMAN

The Minnesota Vikings have hired former Dolphins G.M. Rick Spielman as the team's new vice president of player personnel.

On the surface, the move isn't surprising.  Spielman had been mentioned as a possible candidate to replace former V.P. of player personnel Fran Foley, who was abruptly fired in early May, due in part to the fact that he treated his resume like an exercise in creative writing.

What's surprising to us is that the Vikes somehow managed to fill the position quietly and discreetly, after a tumultuous year in which there has been nothing quiet nor discreet about the organization.

Heck, no one even knew that the Vikings were interviewing.  There were rumors of other potential candidates after Foley got flushed, but it eventually appeared that the Vikes would stand pat with coach Brad Childress and cap guy Rob Brzezinski running the show.

At this point, it's not known whether there were other interviews, or other candidates.  Jaguars director of pro personnel Charles Bailey was a finalist for the job when Foley was hired, but Bailey was at least No. 2 again (if not lower) when the job was re-filled.

Spielman generally has been an enigma during his stints with the Lions, Bears and Dolphins.  On one hand, he is generally respected and liked in league circles.  On the other hand, his results have been far from stellar.

And although fans and the local media might offer up some criticism of the move, Spielman's stint in Bristol likely will secure for him a certain degree of immunity from the ESPN scribes and talking heads, similar to the kid-gloves treatment that Vinny Cerrato, Tom Donahoe, and other grads of ESPNU have received. 

As long, of course, as they either take or return calls from the guys who get paid to gather the info.

---

POSTED 11:20 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 12:46 p.m. EDT, May 30, 2006

CHIEFS CLEAN UP MINICAMP VIDEO CLIP

Roughly two hours after we posted a story regarding the presence of seemingly "live" contact in video highlights of a recent Chiefs' minicamp, the highlights have curiously been edited to remove content that arguably violates the CBA rules regarding offseason workouts.

Specifically, the two segments near the end of the clip that looked like full-speed running plays have been replaced with other footage.  Also, a shot of what clearly appeared to be full-speed bump-and-run pass coverage is gone.

Though some might regard the move as an effort by the team to avoid any problems that might arise due to the vague and fuzzy language contained in Article XXXV of the CBA and Appendix L thereto, others might view it as an implicit admission that the footage proves that the Chiefs have gone too far with the intensity of their workouts.

Based on everything we've heard over the past few years, we are convinced that most if not all teams are breaking the rules prohibiting contact during the offseason.  As one league source said on Tuesday morning, "Because the rule is fairly vague, teams will always find a way to push the envelope."

It seems, however, that the NFLPA isn't nearly as aggressive in policing this practice as it should be.  Indeed, the only time that the union acts is when players complain -- or when the violation is so obvious that the union can't ignore it.

But every team videotapes every rep of every practice.  And since mandatory minicamps are fully open to the media, local television stations should have plenty of evidence of the degree of contact, too.

Really, why should players have to risk retaliation from the coaching staff and/or their teammates by complaining about things that easily could be detected if the NFLPA would institute an affirmative effort to review tapes from minicamp practices?  The mere existence of a mandatory, random film review protocol would go a long way toward getting every team to comply.

Otherwise, the rules aimed at protecting the rank-and-file in the offseason are worthless to the very dues-paying rank-and-file that the rules are supposed to be protecting.

Our suggestion, in light of the absence of meaningful enforcement?  Let 'em put the pads on during the offseason.  

It might actually keep the players safer.

---

THEISMANN RIPS RICKY

Former CFL and NFL quarterback and current ESPN Monday Night Football analyst Joe Theismann has ripped Ricky Williams a new bonghole.

Appearing on ESPN Radio's Colin Cowherd show, Theismann (who once played for the Toronto Argonauts) said, "I don't ever want to be mentioned in the same breath as Ricky Williams as a football player.  He's a disgrace to the game.  The man doesn't deserve to play football.  He should go on with his life and treat his drug addictions or go do whatever he wants to do.  He's been suspended from the NFL on multiple occasions.  Doesn't anybody have any class anywhere?  For gosh sakes, let the kid go do what he wants to do.  He doesn't want to play football."

There's more.

"Listen, we have rules in the National Football League," Thiesmann said.  "It's real simple.  Don't do drugs and you can play.  It's a privilege to be able to play professional football.  It's not a rite of passage.  He's insulted the Miami Dolphins after they took him back and gave him a chance to play.  Now he insults the intelligence of everybody that thinks that doing drugs is OK.  To me, it's the wrong message to send to kids.  It's the wrong thing to be doing, and the Toronto Argonauts have embarrassed themselves as an organization signing him."

We're surprised to actually be saying this, but we agree with Theismann, whose fire and brimstone routine is a stark contrast to the crotch nuzzling in which he and former Sunday night boothmates routinely engaged.  

The NFL and the CFL have both bent over backward for Williams.  Last year, the NFL gave Ricky a pass on what should have been a one-year suspension, opting instead to put him out for only four games.  Now, the CFL apparently has massaged and/or flat-out ignored its own rules so that Ricky can run roughshod over the Roughriders.

And one crucial fact that has been lost in this entire Williams episode is that he hasn't been suspended from the NFL for a year.  He has been banished from the league.

Banished.  As in, "Make like a tree and get the f--k out of here."

Sure, Williams can apply for reinstatement in a year.  But there's no guarantee that he'll be reinstated.

The Whizzinator, for example, was not reinstated on his first try after a one-year banishment, so he is still banished.

To get back in, Ricky needs to do for the next year that which he was unable to do during his short return to the NFL -- produce on a consistent basis urine specimens that do not contain evidence of the ingestion of banned substances.

Our gut feeling?  Williams will never play in the NFL again.

---

A CALL TO ARMS

In an effort to compel the NFL, its member teams, and the NFLPA to address what appears to be blatant disregard of CBA rules prohibiting contact during offseason workouts, we encourage all readers to look for and to send to us any photos, video clips, or other evidence that shows NFL teams engaged in contact drills during minicamps and OTAs.

As previously explained, Article XXXV, Section 5 of the CBA says that "[c]ontact work (e.g., 'live' blocking, tackling, pass rushing, bump-and-run) is expressly prohibited in all offseason workouts."  Section 5 also incorporates by reference Appendix L to the CBA, which states that there shall be no "live contact," and that "[t]he intensity and tempo of drills should be at a level conducive to learning, with player safety as the highest priority, and not at a level where one player is in a physical contest with another player."

Our first submission comes from our own TacoBill, who found still images from the Chiefs' most recent minicamp at wireimage.com.

We realize that still photos can be misleading, since they don't reveal speed or intensity.  But if the teams are required to conduct drills "with player safety as the highest priority" and to avoid situations "where one player is in a physical contest with another player," the game of "mercy" playing out in the picture on the right surely crosses the line.

And there's surely more evidence of other violations out there.  When you find them, let us know.  

---

POSTED 8:42 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 10:50 a.m. EDT, May 30, 2006

CHIEFS' SITE HAS VIDEO OF OFFSEASON CONTACT

For the second time in two years, video posted on the official site of an NFL team could lead to the imposition of penalties for the violation of rules regarding offseason workouts.

A reader has forwarded to us a link containing highlights from a recent Chiefs' offseason session.  Although much of the two-minute, forty-one second clip is innocuous, we saw and heard several things that, in our view, constitute potential violations of the CBA.

Article XXXV, Section 5 of the CBA states that "[c]ontact work (e.g., 'live' blocking, tackling, pass rushing, bump-and-run) is expressly prohibited in all offseason workouts."  Section 5 also incorporates by reference Appendix L to the CBA, which states that there shall be no "live contact," and that "[t]he intensity and tempo of drills should be at a level conducive to learning, with player safety as the highest priority, and not at a level where one player is in a physical contest with another player."

In fairness to the Chiefs, the language is a bit fuzzy.  The CBA seems to imply, for example, that contact that isn't "live" is okay.  With that said, what's the line between "live" and "non-live" contact?

The highlight package available on the Chiefs' site shows near the end of the reel excerpts from two plays that seem to pass the "I know it when I see it" test for "live" action.  

There are also a couple of instances of what looks to be full-speed bump-and-run coverage, along with this quote from coach Herm Edwards:

"I just wanna make sure what we're teaching them in the classroom, we teach them on the grass, at the tempo that they can learn it, and then we ask them to go fast.  I think if we can do those three repeatedly, we've got a chance to be successful."

Edwards later mentions "going fast," and in context it's obvious that he's referring not to training camp, but to offseason drills.

Since Edwards wants his players to "go fast" and since there's evidence of contact while guys are apparently "going fast," our guess is that the Chiefs have crossed the line -- and that the NFL and the NFLPA should be scrutinizing the video very carefully, and asking the team for all other video generated during the sessions.

In 2005, the Redskins were busted by the league and the players' union after posting on the team's official site video of contact drills between linemen.  

---

RICKY'S ARRIVAL CAUSING CANADIAN COMMOTION

Although the folks in Toronto are banging the drum (and lighting a bong) regarding the arrival of the last guy to help Mike Ditka get a stogie in his pocket without medical assistance, not everyone north of the border is feeling warm and fuzzy about the arrival of Ricky Williams.

Specifically, some of the other CFL teams are wondering how it is that the rules were bent to allow the Argos to land a blue-chip player from the NFL.

"I have no problems competing against him, that's not the issue," Montreal Alouettes G.M. Jim Popp told the Canadian Press.  "I'm still trying to figure out how he and other players have been able to sign contracts when they are under contract to another league.  It's in our standard contract.  That's not supposed to happen."

Popp also said that he has received no response to his multiple requests for clarification of the rules that prohibit CFL teams from signing players who are under contract with their NFL counterparts.  Although Williams has been suspended by the NFL for at least one year, the Miami Dolphins hold his rights for two more seasons.

"It isn't about Ricky Williams the person, I want to make that clear.  All teams in this league don't have a problem with competing against Ricky Williams with the Toronto Argonauts."

And at least one of the player's on Popp's team recognizes that Williams' arrival will help to raise the entire league.  "More people will watch the CFL and that's good for all of us as players," said defensive lineman Ed Philion.

We agree generally with Philion.  The CFL generally, and the Argos specifically, have benefited from the media coverage of the Williams saga, which has come at a time when the stream of NFL offseason news and rumors rivals that of an 85-year-old man with a prostate the size of a cantaloupe.  

But we also see Popp's point.  If the rules are clear, they should be applied pursuant to their clear terms.  If there's an ambiguity, the ambiguity should be clarified.  At a minimum, the G.M. of one of the few remaining teams in the league should be entitled at least to an explanation.  The fact that his inquiries have been ignored suggests strongly that the league knows full well that it's playing this one fast and loose.

Gee, is it any wonder that real football fans view the entire CFL as a slapd-ck operation?

---

TUESDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

We don't need to analyze Ricky's urine to know that he had to be high when he made this statement regarding the CFL:  "The talent here is comparable to the talent in the NFL."

Ricky Williams says that, after he retired from the NFL in 2004, he got a prescription for medicinal marijuana in California.

We wonder whether the folks at the Toronto Star appreciate the irony of this headline:  "Williams has Argos buzzing."

"Mistrust" is the key word when it comes to sorting out the various factions who have a stake in the NFL's potential return to the L.A. Coliseum.

Browns G.M. Phil Savage might want to check with the legal department before making statements that could come back to haunt the team when that Muslim or Hindu with the impeccable resume who's applying for a job in the front office gets rejected; "We want Christian players who can play football well," Savage recently said.  "We want guys who can play football in a good way.  If they happen to be a Christian, I think it's a positive." 

In a completely unrelated story, Browns' sixth-round draft pick Baba Oshinowo says that, in English, his name means "Good football player who also is Christian."

The Titans want their tight ends to do more blocking in the run game.

In 1988, former Pitt coach Mike Gottfried ripped then-agent Bruce Allen for signing underclassman RB Craig Heyward and "depriving [him] of a free college education"; what Gottfried didn't mention at the time was that Heyward hadn't been to class at all during his final semester.

Cowboys RB Julius Jones can't get out of his head the fact that he came up only seven yards short of 1,000 in 2005.  (And we can't get out of our heads the fact that Jones came up only 1,007 yards short of the total that many NFL observers thought he'd rack up last year.)

Roger Staubach thinks that Eagles backup QB Matt Nordgren is a diamond in the rough.

Here's another good tribute to Ironhead.

Former Chargers K Rolf Benirschke has beaten Hepatitis C.  (The only thing arguably more difficult is spelling Rolf's last name correctly on the first try.)

Chargers LB Shawne Merriman is using boxing to improve his football skills; said the guy with whom Merriman has been working out, "I haven't made him cry, because I don't want to be picked up and slammed to the ground."

---

POSTED 9:32 a.m. EDT, May 29, 2006

HOLMES CAUGHT UP IN SOUTH BEACH CRACKDOWN?

Though we're not making excuses for Steelers receiver Santonio Holmes, who might ultimately make the team regret passing on Chad Jackson in round one, it looks like Holmes' recent arrest might have been due in part to some overly zealous police officers in Miami.

According to the Associated Press, two members of the Washington Wizards also were arrested over the weekend in South Beach, as part of what the AP describes as a Memorial Day "crackdown on disorderly behavior."  In all 557, people were arrested from Thursday morning through Saturday night on Miami Beach.

Like Holmes, Awvee Story of the Wizards was in the street, blocking traffic.  When police told him to get out of the street, he failed to do so, and was busted.

Enter Gilbert Arenas, who emerged from a nearby vehicle and walked toward the scene.  Police told him to get back to his car, he failed to do so, and was busted.

Said Arenas in response:  "You can't arrest me.  I'm a basketball player.  I play for the Washington Wizards, and I'm not going to leave my teammate."

Hey, Gil -- you were on South Beach, not the beaches of Normandy.

The point here is that, in an area where folks presumably get liquored up in one or more of the local clubs and then take the party out to the sidewalk (and beyond), police are trying to reverse the trend by encouraging folks not to do things like stand in the street.  Earlier this offseason, Eagles linebacker Dhani Jones was busted in South Beach for refusing to quit dancing in the street.

And the work "crackdown" implies that part of the problem here is that police previously were too lax. 

Still, guys like Holmes and Story and Arenas need to understand that, when a guy with a badge tells you to do something, it's usually a pretty good idea to comply.

---

WILLIAMS GOT NO SIGNING BONUS (NO SH-T)

News flash -- Len Pasquarelli of ESPN.com reports that defensive end Mario Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in last month's draft, got no signing bonus.

Thanks, Len.  We didn't know that.  You've really contributed to the public discourse regarding all things NFL with that one.

Len also breaks down the contract, "confirming" the numbers that we reported on May 1.

But the usually verbose Len P. doesn't even try to get into the specifics as to why Williams didn't get a signing bonus, referring only generally to "collective bargaining agreement restrictions."

The primary reason, as we've previously explained, for the no-bonus maneuver is the rule that limits rookie deals from increasing in any subsequent year by more than 25 percent of the first-year value of the deal, excluding the signing bonus.   

Other contributing factors are quirks in the new CBA setting the maximum length of rookie deals at six, not seven, years; a five-year max on allocating the amount of the signing bonus; a 20 percent increase in the salary cap; and only a five-percent increase in the rookie pool.

Likewise, Len overlooks the reality that Williams' 2006 cap number of $2.9 million eats by $70,000 or so into the rookie pool space that will be available for the Texans' other draft picks.  If that specific dynamic spreads in 2006, some teams might not be able to sign their sixth-round and/or seventh-round draft picks.

How common was the no-bonus routine in 2005?  Although Pasquarelli mentions only that four of last year's top ten picks didn't get signing bonuses, none of the guys taken from No. 11 through No. 21 got a signing bonus, either.  But only one guy from pick No. 22 through No. 32 didn't get a signing bonus.  Of these, the players taken from No. 30 through No. 32 got the most up front, since the teams could get to the total values that the slot called for without minimizing the up-front money.

Finally, Len fails to mention that the trend could subside in 2007.  Come next year, signing bonuses can be spread over six years again.  And the NFLPA likely won't be pushing agents to get a 20 percent increase over the prior season's guaranteed money, since the salary cap most likely won't spike by 20 percent from 2006. 

---

MONDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

If Eddie DeBartolo gets back into the NFL, his players would surely be happy.  (Yeah, since Edwin Edwards likely wasn't the first guy to get a briefcase full of money from Eddie D.)

Bob Smizik of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette pens a very good tribute to Craig Heyward.

Ricky Williams will be wearing No. 27 for the Argos.  (He should have asked the league to change its rules so that he could wear No. 5.)

The Saints are still looking to trade S Dwight Smith -- and the Bucs could be interested in bringing him back to Tampa.

Former Jon Gruden disciple Rich Gannon might be trying to get Chris Simms' neck broken.

With incentives, Ricky Williams could make up to $500,000 in Canada.

---

POSTED 1:46 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 3:42 p.m. EDT, May 28, 2006

O CANNABIS:  RICKY HEADING TO ARGOS

Jason Coles of the Miami Herald reports that Dolphins running back Ricky Williams will sign a contract on Sunday with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.

Williams is serving a one-year suspension from the NFL due to a series of violations of the league's substance abuse policy.  He is eligible for reinstatement in April 2007.  Among other things, he must continue to submit to NFL-implemented drug tests in order to be eligible to return to the NFL.

The Argos and the Dolphins have been discussing the possibility of Williams playing north of the border in 2006.  Initially, the Fins' concern was that Williams might get injured.  Then, the fear was that Williams wouldn't be able to wriggle free from his CFL contract in order to leap back to the NFL.  Most recently, it was suggested that the Dolphins were worried that Williams might like it in Canada -- and choose to stay.

In the end, it was all worked out.

"We got permission," agent Leigh Steinberg told Cole.

Said Dolphins coach Nick Saban in a statement released by the team on Sunday afternoon: 

"We expressed to Ricky our concerns about playing in Toronto in 2006.  We are relying on assurances made by Ricky, his agent, the Toronto Argonauts, and the commissioner of the Canadian Football League that Ricky will return to the Dolphins in 2007.  Based on these assurances and despite our concerns for Ricky playing in the CFL in 2006, we will leave it up to him to decide whether or not he will negotiate a contract to play for the Argonauts this year."

Williams will be paid $240,000 for one year of play.  He is expected to begin practicing on Monday.

---

OFFSEASON CONTACT WORK PROLIFERATING

When NFL coaches are permitted to break a rule with impunity, they'll keep breaking it.

And, as a practical matter, they'll find new rules to violate.

It started several years ago, with coaches embarking on an effort to increase participation in voluntary offseason workouts by implying -- strongly -- that the workouts aren't optional.  No one ever did anything about it, so the practice still continues today.  Sure, some of the coaches periodically will pay lip service to the notion that the players technically aren't required to be there.  But since they're also not technically required to be put into the games come September, most of the players realize that it makes sense to show up.

The other rule that routine is violated is the prohibition against tampering.  Although contact with players who are under contract with another team is strictly prohibited, it happens every year in the days and weeks before the start of free agency. 

Now, it's becoming more and more obvious that teams are violating the rules regarding the specific content of offseason workouts.  We've recently noticed several news items hinting at the fact that these non-contact drills actually involve plenty of hitting, and we've heard for the past few years that some of the players would prefer to simply wear pads in order to reduce the pounding that they take while donning helmets and underwear on the practice field.

And thanks to a reader with a keen eye, we've now become aware of the closest thing to an outright admission that contact is a routine aspect of offseason drills.

Per the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas offered up the following gem in response to a question regarding the condition of his shoulder:  "It's always going to be an emphasis.  Right now, only over the head is a problem.  But you don't really play over the head playing football or even tackling.  I feel really good.  They're holding me out of contact drills right now, but it's not even September.  We've got a lot of time.  I'm going to take my time with it and be smart.  But I feel great."

The phrase "[t]hey're holding me out of contact drills right now" implies that contact drill are occurring.  Right now.  In May.

And just so we're clear, contact drills are forbidden in the offseason.  Indeed, all contact is prohibited in the offseason, with intensity and tempo to be only at a level conducive to learning.

In the past, the NFLPA has taken action where there have been player complaints (e.g., the Lions in 2006) or where the evidence of prohibited activity was obvious (e.g., video that appeared on the Redskins' web site in 2005).  It'll be interesting to see whether the NFLPA initiates any investigations based on an increasing string of media statements that indicate a more widespread violation of the rules.

If the NFLPA doesn't act, the violations will only continue.

And, eventually, the coaches will find more and more rules to break.

---

POSTED 11:22 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 1:31 p.m. EDT, May 28, 2006

McKAY COVETS COMMISH GIG

Although Falcons President and G.M. Rich McKay previously has said that he's not interested in becoming the next Commissioner of the NFL, we continue to hear that McKay secretly covets the job.

Most recently, McKay declined to comment on the NFL's search for a new poobah.

So why is he keeping his interest quiet?  He realizes it'll be far less embarrassing if he doesn't get it, if his official position is that he didn't want it anyway.

Meanwhile, McKay's boss plans to split McKay's gig into two jobs, if McKay ends up running the sport. 

"Rich would be a very difficult man to replace," owner Arthur Blank said. "He could not be replaced with a single person."  (Possible translation:  "I need to say something good about McKay.  Besides, I probably should have split his position into two jobs in the first place.  If he leaves, I can do it.") 

Blank also says that the list of potential candidates will grow to 40 to 60 before cuts are made.  With the NFL hoping to make a hire by the middle of August, and with each of the candidates likely juggling a calendar that already is full of commitments for the next couple of months, there's no way that the powers-that-be can sift through all of the information, conduct interviews, and come to a consensus as to the new choice -- especially during the summer.

And from the league's perspective there's really no hurry.  Current Commissioner Paul Tagliabue isn't going to leave before a replacement is hired, and every day that he stays on the job is one less day that the owners will have to deal with the inherent concerns of breaking in the new guy or gal.

---

HOLMES MERELY "PLAXICO-PLUS"?

In response to the news that Steelers receiver Santonio Holmes, the 25th overall pick in the 2006 draft, has been arrested for disorderly conduct, at least one league source isn't surprised.

"Santonio was one of the talented assholes in the draft," opined the source.  "This arrest is not a revelation, nor is it out of character."

Added the source:  "This guy is Plaxico, plus."

The reference, of course, is to receiver Plaxico Burress, another former Big Ten wideout taken by the Steelers in round one of the draft.  Burress was erratic during his years in Pittsburgh, and the team opted not to re-sign him after his rookie contract expired.

Meanwhile, the current charges against Plaxico-Plus don't seem to be extremely severe (unless, of course, the Pittsburgh media is spinning the thing in a way that makes P-P look less like caa-caa).

Per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Holmes was walking in the street in the South Beach area of Miami.  A police officer told Holmes "get out of the street," and Holmes allegedly "said several offensive words" to the cop.  (Does "have another donut" count as offensive?)

Per the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, Holmes contends that the police officer yelled at Holmes, and that he was arrested after merely asking the officer why he had yelled.

"I wasn't trying to cause a problem," Holmes said.  "I'm upset about this."

Holmes' bigger problem might be with his mother, who was under the impression that Holmes was attending classes in Columbus, Ohio.  "That's news to me," said Patricia Brown.  "I talked to him yesterday.  He's in Ohio."

---

ANOTHER LEN SLURP JOB

League insiders scouring the Len Pastabelli Tip Sheet have pointed out to us yet another perceived effort by Lenny to throw a bone to agent Jimmy Sexton by pimping unsigned defensive tackle James Reed.

Writes Len:

"Five-year veteran James Reed started all 16 games at defensive tackle for the New York Jets in 2005.  His 58 tackles were four more stops than teammate Dewayne Robertson, the fourth overall choice in the 2003 draft, registered for the season.  As a five-year veteran, Reed's minimum salary is a palatable $585,000.  Yet agent Jimmy Sexton barely can get personnel directors to acknowledge his client.  At the same time, in the two days following last month's draft, teams signed nearly two dozen college free agent tackles to minimum deals with salaries of $275,000.

"It's hard to believe that, with the salary cap set so high this year, the $310,000 savings between signing a rookie free agent and adding a veteran such as Reed would be very significant.  One would think that teams seeking help at defensive tackle, historically a difficult position to fill, would prefer a known commodity such as Reed to a callow free-agent rookie with little viable chance of making the roster.  But that's the reality for some veterans right now."

Len, here's why Sexton's boy isn't signed -- Reed is a "known commodity," and he's known to be a lazy and a locker room turd (in the opinion of two personnel execs with whom we spoke).

Really, why else wouldn't one of Sexton's coaching clients sign Reed?  For example, Dolphins coach Nick Saban drafted in round seven defensive tackle Rodruque Wright, who has a bum shoulder.  More recently, Fins defensive tackle Keith Traylor got into some trouble with the law, but Saban has yet to bring in Reed as a potential eventual replacement for Traylor.

---

SUNDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

Another guy named Jones will be taking the reins of an NFL franchise; this one is a funny man.

Former NFL RB Craig "Ironhead" Heyward is dead at 39, due to a recurring brain tumor (we'll best remember Ironhead for his TV commercials that made it acceptable for men to use body wash applied with one of those falafel things).

Former Cowboys running backs coach Joe Brodsky is dead at 71, due to prostate cancer.

Jim Trotter of the San Diego Union-Tribune sticks it to agent Joel Segal and marketing rep Mike Ornstein for screwing up the Reggie Bush situation.

So how did Broncos QB Jake Plummer get into a road rage thing recently?  "I was in a hurry," Plummer said.  "I was on the move to a function for my foundation to donate a large check to 'The Family Tree.'"

The only thing lamer than Plummer's excuse is that he was driving at a the time a Honda Element.  (Look for Jake to soon get dozens of marriage proposals . . . from dudes.)

It remains to be seen whether Bears RB Thomas Jones and/or LB Lance Briggs show up for the team's upcoming mandatory minicamp.

Paul Daugherty of the Cincinnati Enquirer is giving Bengals coach Marvin Lewis a pass for drafting ultraturd WR Chris Henry in 2005.  (Unfortunately for Lewis, not many other people are.)

The Browns are willing to go with Ken Dorsey as the primary backup to QB Charlie Frye.  (And that should work out well . . . as long as Frye doesn't, say, get hurt.)

---

POSTED 6:32 p.m. EDT, May 27, 2006

HOLMES BUSTED IN MIAMI

Steelers receiver Santonio Holmes, the team's first-round pick in the 2006 draft, was arrested Friday night for disorderly conduct in a Miami hotel.

Holmes was released after agreeing to return for an arraignment at a later date.

No details as to the arrest are available.  Yet.

For the Steelers, who pride themselves on avoiding turds, the arrest surely is a cause for concern.  Our guess?  Holmes is in for a long summer once he's able to rejoin the team after finals wrap up next month at Ohio State.

The Steelers traded up with the Giants to get the former Buckeye at the bottom of round one.  He was the first receiver taken in the draft.

---

POSTED 3:31 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 3:57 p.m. EDT, May 27, 2006

NFL GOING GLOBAL IN 2008?

The National Football League could play two games on foreign soil in 2008, according to the Associated Press.

The proposal to play in somewhere other than the U.S. of A. was presented to owners at recent meetings in Denver.

Potential sites are Mexico, Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom.  In 2005, the 49ers and the Cardinals played a regular-season game in Mexico City, in front of 103,000 fans.

But for Commissioner Paul Tagliabue's impending retirement, the NFL likely would have played a regular-season game at Wembley Stadium in 2006.  The issue was tabled, however, once Tags announced that he was packing it in.  Uncertainty regarding the status of ongoing renovations at Wembley also might have been a factor in the decision to wait.

The challenge, as we've written in the past, will be to persuade teams to give up home games.  It was one thing for the Cardinals to trade in an appearance in front of 35,000 or so paying customers in Arizona for the windfall resulting from a game in Mexico.  But the NFL can't continue to export crappy teams; at some point, the franchises that pack in the seats (and the suites) will have to forego 1/8th of their annual revenue streams in favor of whatever money can be generated by playing elsewhere.

So selling this thing to at least 24 of the owners will be a dicey proposition, even if only two out of 32 teams are expected each year to take one in the nuts all in the name of the greater good.

And how great is the greater good?  Who knows.  It's one thing for 103,000 to show up for what could have been a once-in-a-lifetime game in Mexico City.  If the NFL is coming to town every other year or so, it might not be such a big deal.

The real goal here, as we see it, is to pump up the TV money from broadcasting rights in other countries -- and to sell more officially licensed NFL stuff.  With constant pressure to increase profitability, there's only so much toothpaste that can be squeezed out of the red, white, and blue tube. 

And with billions of potential fans who live somewhere other than the nation that gave birth to the sport,  one of the primary objectives of the next Commish will be to get as many people from around the globe as possible to give up their hard-earned Euros, pesos, and/or Rands.

---

SATURDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

Agent Leigh Steinberg is confident that the Fins will allow RB Ricky Williams to play for the Toronto Argonauts.

The Frankfurt Galaxy are the champeens of NFL Europe.

More than two years after S Pat Tillman died in Afghanistan, and there are still no answers as to what really happened.

ESPN is doing a feature on the Whizzinator.

The 49ers' season ticket renewal rate is better than 90 percent.

---

POSTED 10:01 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 11:41 a.m. EDT, May 27, 2006

RODGERS' ARREST HURTS McKENZIE?

Packers' fourth-round draft pick Cory Rodgers was arrested Friday on gun charges, after police in Fort Worth, Texas broke up a brawl involving gang members and former TCU football players. 

Rodgers is charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and discharge of a firearm, which means in lay terms that he shot a freaking gun during the brouhaha.

Roughly 50 to 60 people were involved in the brawl, using pool cues and beer bottles as weapons.

As one league source remarked in response, "[I] can't imagine it helps Reggie McKenzie" that the team's fourth-rounder was arrested on these charges so soon after the draft.  McKenzie is Green Bay's pro personnel director, and he currently is a candidate to replace Charley Casserly as the G.M. of the Houston Texans.  Although McKenzie technically has no direct responsibility over the draft, his recent comments regarding No. 1 over all pick Mario Williams demonstrate that he had a role in the team's selection process.

Then again, when it comes to a tendency to acquire turds, Broncos assistant G.M. Rick Smith -- also a candidate for the Texans gig -- doesn't exactly have clean hands, either.

Said the source:  "I wonder if McNair has taken into account the number of scumbags that Denver has signed over the years that Rick smith has been at Denver?  Not saying that he is responsible, however, he is a part of the process." 

---

McKINNIE PLEADS OUT, TOO

The cheese stood alone.  But not for very long.

Within hours after Vikings cornerback Fred Smoot pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct charges arising from the Love Boat fiasco, the last remaining defendant -- Vikings offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie -- pleaded guilty as well.

Both men got the same deal:  $1,000 fine, 48 hours of community service, and 30-day jail sentences that were stayed for a year.

Both men also pleaded guilty to "being a public nuisance on a watercraft," but these specific charges will be expunged from their records if they stay on the right side of the law for a year.  (And that'll come in handy if either of them ever apply for a job on a watercraft.)

In a statement released on Friday afternoon, Vikings owner Zygi Wilf said:  "With today's resolution of the case, the matter will now be reviewed by the National Football League for potential fines of both players under the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy.  This policy is in place to address off-field conduct matters with league-wide consistency on behalf of the NFL clubs.  Both the Minnesota Vikings and the NFL will continue to hold our players, coaches and staff to a high standard both on and off the field.  Our organization has taken numerous steps to strengthen our franchise and will continue to do so as we look forward to the 2006 season and beyond."

As we explained on Friday afternoon after Smoot pleaded guilty, the Personal Conduct Policy also could result in a suspension without pay or banishment from the league.  But NFL spokesman Greg Aiello says that the duo won't be suspended.

Smoot was charged with using sex toys on strippers during a party cruise on Lake Minnetonka.  McKinnie was charged with performing oral sex on one of the strippers.

And thanks to the reader who reminded us that Smoot had vehemently denied any involvement in the sex romp in the days after word broke of the sordid story. 

At the time, Smoot threatened to sue anyone who "put my name in there."

"They're killing my name," Smoot said.  "Point blank.  Somebody's going to have to pay for it."

In the end, that "somebody" was Smoot, who'll cough up at least $1,000 and possibly a lot more before this is finally put to rest. 

---

GIANTS CUT PETERSON

The "Wills" are gone.

More than two months after 2001 first-round cornerback Will Allen left New York via free agency, the Giants cut 2001 third-round cornerback William Peterson, reportedly after he failed a physical due to a lingering back problem.

Peterson originally was known also as "Will" as well, but he later changed his official playing moniker to "William" -- presumably to avoid confusion between himself and Allen.

"This is a very disappointing development for our ballclub," G.M. Ernie Accorsi said.  "Will Peterson was a rising star cornerback and just ran into very tough luck last year with the back injury."

Though Allen was permitted to play out his rookie contract, Peterson received a five-year contract extension in 2004, which carried a $5 million bonus and was worth up to $28.5 million with incentives.  According to NFLPA records, his base salary would have spiked from $900,000 in 2005  to $2 million in 2006.  Peterson was scheduled to make $2.9 million in 2007, $3.4 million in 2008, and $3.768 million in 2009.

By cutting Peterson before June 1, the Giants apparently have opted to take the full cap acceleration resulting from the remainder of Peterson's signing bonus in 2006.  It's possible, however, that the Giants have utilized a tweak in the new CBA that allows teams to cut one guy before June 1, but to then treat the move as a post-June 1 transaction, allowing the cap hit to apply over two seasons.

---

RAG DOLL RETURNS

As the saying goes, you can't keep a good man down.  Or former NFL quarterback Rob "Rag Doll" Johnson.

Johnson, an overrated signal-caller best known for holding onto the ball longer than a guy walking through a room full of three-year-olds with those damn plastic hammers, has signed with the Giants after spending a year out of the NFL.

Johnson's return comes days after Doug Flutie announced his NFL retirement.  In one of the most bitter quarterback controversies in the free agency era, Johnson bounced Flutie out of Buffalo after the 2000 season, two years after Johnson signed a five-year, $25 million deal with the Bills. 

After the 2001 season, Johnson was a former Bill, too.

Since then, Johnson won a Super Bowl ring during a one-year sting with the Bucs, signed with the Redskins in March 2003, was cut by the 'Skins in October 2003, joined the Raiders, and remained with the team through the 2004 season.  He has been recovering from reconstructive elbow surgery.

Johnson was one of Giants coach Tom Coughlin's original draft picks with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1995.  The former USC quarterback was selected in round four as the 99th overall choice.

---

POSTED 4:45 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 5:15 p.m. EDT, May 26, 2006

SMOOT COPS A PLEA

Vikings cornerback Fred Smoot avoided a trial set for next week regarding his alleged antics on the Love Boat by pleading guilty to disorderly conduct, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

Under the deal, Smoot will pay a $1,000 fine and perform 48 hours of community service.

Smoot also received a 30-day jail sentence, which has been stayed for a year.  If he behaves for the next 365 days, the sentence disappears and the affair will be expunged from his record.

Based on the sordid allegations regarding Smoot, two strippers, and a sex toy, we wish that the whole thing could also be expunged from our memories.

With Smoot's case resolved, the only remaining defendant is offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie, who is accused of performing oral sex on one of the strippers.  (We've got a few smart-ass comments that we could make right now, but yours truly is unable type the sentiments without gagging.)  McKinnie has received a plea offer, but no agreement has been reached.

Previously, charges against former Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper were dismissed after the prosecution bungled a preliminary hearing by failing to put on evidence to support a probable cause finding.  Also, former Vikings running back Moe Williams was convicted of disorderly conduct one day after his lawyer proclaim that only a "complete idiot" could lose the case. 

---

FRED MUST NOW FACE THE COMMISH

Even though his criminal charges are resolved, Vikings cornerback Fred Smoot is still subject to punishment via the league's personal conduct policy.

As the policy states:  "It will be considered conduct detrimental for Covered Persons to engage in (or to aid, abet or conspire to engage in or to incite) violent and/or criminal activity.  Examples of such Prohibited Conduct include, without limitation: any crime involving the use or threat of physical violence to a person or persons; the use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a crime; possession or distribution of a weapon in violation of state or federal law; involvement in "hate crimes" or crimes of domestic violence; theft, larceny or other property crimes; sex offenses; racketeering; money laundering; obstruction of justice; resisting arrest; fraud; and violent or threatening conduct."

Although Smoot pleaded guilty to "disorderly conduct," the disorder arose from the allegation that he publicly engaged in a sexual act; thus, it's likely that the NFL will conclude that Smoot pleaded guilty to a "sex offense."

Smoot's potential discipline includes a fine, a suspension without pay, and/or banishment from the league.  Our guess is that he'll be fined, but we wouldn't be shocked if he gets a one-game suspension, given the significant embarrassment that the incident caused to the team and the league.

Under the policy, Smoot has the right to appeal the decision to the Commissioner or his designee.

---

POSTED 8:31 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 11:05 a.m. EDT, May 26, 2006

McKENZIE "BLEW AWAY" SMITH

A league source tells us that Texans' brass believes that Packers director of pro personnel "blew away" Broncos assistant G.M. Rick Smith in their respective interviews for the position of G.M. in Houston.

With that said, the Texans have yet to make a decision as to who will be hired.  As we mentioned on Thursday, it's possible that the Texans were turned off by the normally quiet and media-averse McKenzie's public comments after the interview, in which he campaigned for the job.  Soon-to-be-former G.M. Charley Casserly had a habit of talking too much to the press, and we've heard that owner Bob McNair didn't like it.

Meanwhile, the Texans have expanded the list of five candidates that we previously have identified by adding New Orleans director of player personnel Rick Mueller.  On Thursday, the Texans sought and received permission to interview Mueller, according to the team's P.R. department a/k/a the Houston Chronicle.

And more names could surface.  "I don't want to overlook anybody," McNair told the Chronicle.  "I've had some people call me — other coaches, other owners and what have you — who have suggested some names, and I want to give them consideration."

The other candidates we have identified via our sources are Lions assistant G.M. Martin Mayhew, Bears director of pro personnel Bobby DePaul, and Jaguars director of pro personnel Charles Bailey.  Word is that the Texans have spoken to the Bears about DePaul, but that DePaul has not yet been invited to interview.

McNair acknowledges that the front-runners are McKenzie and Smith.  "I think they are both real solid football guys," McNair said.   "They've both been players.  They've both had some coaching experience.  They have both been scouts, and they have both been with good organizations.  So everything you would like to see in a positive way is positive.  I think they are also both very good people. So I am very much impressed with both of them."

---

MRS. DROUGHNS WANTS CHARGES TO BE DROPPED

Kellie Droughns, the spouse of Browns running back Reuben Droughns, has made "repeated demands" that the charges pending against Drougns be dropped, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Droughns has been arrested and charged with assault and harassment after a domestic incident involving Mrs. Droughns on May 11.

"It's reflected in the police report that [Kellie] didn't want the charges to be filed and she's been insistent about that," lawyer Harvey Steinberg said.

How shocking.  Forgiveness, in our view, is a lot easier to muster when the failure to let bygones be bygones could ultimately impact the amount of disposable income available to Mrs. Droughns for necessities such as hiring a limo to go to the grocery store.

It's a common phenomenon when pro athletes are faced with allegations that they have roughed up or otherwise violated the rights of a supposed loved one.  A negotiated guilty plea, even with no jail time, subjects the breadwinner to the loss of some serious cake, due to the league's personal conduct policy.  And a conviction potentially pulls the plug, temporarily if not permanently, on the moneymaker's football career.

This creates a big problem for prosecutors, since it's virtually impossible to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Joe Blow beat the snot out of Mrs. Blow when she gets on the witness stand and says, "He never touched me, muther-f--ker."

So the prosecution in the Droughns case is now in a bind.  Droughns can't afford to plead guilty to anything, since it could cost him a game check.  Absent a deal that permits the charges to be dropped in exchange for Droughns entering, for example, an anger-management program, a trial is unavoidable -- even if the chances of a conviction are minimal. 

---

LITTLE-KNOWN RULES CHANGE OPENS NEW DOORS FOR NCAA PLAYERS

Kudos to our newest addition, Joe Collegio of sister site Collegefootballtalk.com, for unearthing a new NCAA rule that could unlock a strange new world for NCAA football programs.

On May 15, Collegio discovered an item from the Oregonian regarding local product Tyler Krieg, who is transferring from Duke to Cal.

The key, however, is that Krieg won't be required to sit out a year.

Under recently-enacted NCAA Proposal 2005-54: "A student-athlete who earned his or her undergraduate degree has achieved the primary goal of graduation and should be permitted to choose a graduate school that meets both his or her academic and athletics interests, regardless of his or her previous transfer history."

In other words, once a kid has his degree, he can high-tail it out of town to a new school, and play immediately.

Given the liberal use of redshirts, and with talk of giving players a flat five years of eligibility (another Collegio item), it's not uncommon for players to get their undergraduate degrees before exhausting their eligibility.  Under Proposal 2005-54, a player may load up the Hyundai and head to a new campus for his final season of eligibility -- without waiting a year to play.

It could end up being a great tool for players from small schools, whose draft status could be dramatically improved by a year of competition at a higher level.

And it also unlocks a new branch of recruiting efforts for college coaches, who now can employ the concept of the NFL-style one-year free-agency stints in an effort to get all the right pieces in place for the next season.

The rule applies to all NCAA sports, and it was bemoaned in the basketball context on May 24 by Gregg Doyel of CBSSportsline.com.  But it has yet to be addressed by the "real" football media.

We think it's a good rule, for no reason other than it can give a kid an extra incentive to get a degree.  And if he has finished his undergraduate work (which is why he went to college, supposedly, in the first place), why shouldn't he be allowed to go to a different grad school?  If he still has eligibility, he likewise should be able to play intercollegiate sports at his new school.

Sure, there will be abuses.  Programs looking for a quick hit will be tempted to funnel cash to a kid choosing between being a second-day draft pick and jumping to a "better" school for a chance to push his stock even higher.  But we'll leave that stuff to the folks in enforcement.  We think the rule makes sense, and we believe that it adds an extra layer of intrigue to a college game that, for the most part, can't hold our attention for very long.

---

FRIDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Bills RB Willis McGahee is skipping out on OTAs -- but he's at least indirectly helping owner Ralph Wilson's balance sheet by appearing this week on the network of which Wilson owns a 1/32nd interest.

Broncos QB Jake Plummer, on his recent legal troubles: "Image tarnished, whatever.  Role model, blah, blah -- I'm here to play football."  (He needs to add to that:  "For one more season, at most.")

Bucs WR David Boston, who seemingly has been around forever, is only 27 years old.

Here's the Reuben Droughns mug shot.  (Can anyone explain to us why his nickname isn't "Beldar"?)

("Please join me for the consumption of mass quantities.")

RB Ricky Williams is in Toronto, visiting with the Argonauts.

Gary Kubiak is trying to turn David Carr into a successful NFL quarterback.

In discussing the struggles of DT Travis Johnson, Texans defensive line coach Bob Karmelowicz comes dangerously close to admitting that the offseason helmets-and-underwear practices involve contact:  "A lot of times guys go, 'Hey, come on; it's May. We have no pads.  They give you a list of reasons why they shouldn't do anything hard.  But you must give yourself permission to do it.  That's what's got to click on with him right now.  That's what he's fighting.  As soon as he allows himself to do it, he'll pick it up in a New York minute."

It sounds like Dolphins WR Chris Chambers wants to give Daunte Culpepper a lap dance.

David Hughes of the Terre Haute (Ind.) Tribune-Star writes:  "If I shamelessly plug the popular profootballtalk.com national Web site in this column for a second straight year, will I get mentioned in its 'Rumor Mill' section again? (I'd prefer a more flattering mention than last year, though.)"  (Answer:  Yes, but only because your on-line columns no longer are published with a picture of a guy who looks like the geeky fraternal twin of former Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt.)

Jags OT Mike Williams is trying to get from 370 pounds to 340 pounds.

Eagles G Shawn Andrews is also looking to shave off some baby fat, even if it means that he won't be able to pick up any more sumo wrestlers.

(Guys, get a room. . . .  One that you both can fit in.)

Eagles WR Hank Baskett was expecting to be cut when he was called into the office of Vikings coach Brad Childress; instead, he was traded. 

---

POSTED 9:57 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 11:02 p.m. EDT, May 25, 2006

REGGIE TO WEAR NO. 25

Saints running back Reggie Bush will make his mark in the NFL with jersey No. 25.

All together now:  Whoop-de-freakin'-doo.

Yeah, it's slow right now in the NFL news and rumor bidness.  So, yeah, we keep talking about the question of the number that Bush will wear on his chest, back, and arms.  But only because we continue to be disturbed by the fact that, in our view, Bush hasn't been properly humbling himself in the infancy of his NFL career.

Per ESPN.com, Bush finagled No. 25 from running back Fred McAfee.  For nothing.

Well, not for nothing.  Instead, Bush's deal with McAfee is that half of the money that Bush had planned to devote to Katrina-related charities from the sale of his jersey will now be diverted to a charity of McAfee's choice.

So if McAfee decides to support the American Cancer Society or the United Way or the Barbaro Relief Fund, then the end result is that the Katrina relief efforts will get less money from Bush than previously expected.

And because Bsh's marketing agent, Mike Ornstein, won't give up his quixotic campaign to get the NFL to change its numbering system, our guess is that more than a few people who would have been inclined to buy Bush 25 will wait 'til next year, in the event that Ornstein and Bush get their way.

"Hopefully, they will change the rules next year so that Reggie can go back to wearing his old number," Ornstein told Darren Rovell of ESPN.com.

Here's an idea -- the league should offer for sale both the Bush game jersey and the Bush practice jersey.  And Bush should donate all of the proceeds of Bush No. 5 to the Katrina efforts. 

---

McKENZIE DISSES A. J.?

Earlier on Thursday, we noted that Packers director of pro personnel Reggie McKenzie might have shot himself in the foot by shooting off his mouth regarding his desire to become the next G.M. of the Texans.

An additional quote that a reader e-mailed to us on Thursday evening suggests that, if McKenzie ends up staying in Green Bay, he might have set himself up for an awkward moment or two with first-round selection A. J. Hawk, the large-skulled linebacker taken with the fifth overall pick in the draft.

Said McKenzie regarding the Texans' No. 1 overall pick in the draft, defensive end Mario Williams:  "If he would've landed at the No. 5 pick, I'd still be dancing in the streets of Green Bay.  He's the one guy that we think that could turn a defense around."

Implicit in this remark is the suggestion that McKenzie thinks that Hawk, well, isn't a guy who could turn a defense around.

Of course, not every team agreed with McKenzie's assessment.  In the days preceding the draft, the Saints decided to select Hawk at No. 2, if the Texans had opted for Reggie Bush at No. 1.  This would have prompted Williams to fall to No. 4.

So it looks to us that McKenzie is swinging for the fences in the efforts to get a promotion -- even if it means burning a bridge or two in his current place of employment.

---

DROUGHNS AVOIDS KIDNAPPING CHARGE, FOR NOW

On Wednesday night, we reported that Browns running back Reuben Droughns was in hot water with the law, again, after an incident involving his wife.  The rumor making the rounds was that Droughns might be charged with kidnapping after restraining his wife in their home during an altercation.

As it turns out, Droughns was indeed arrested Wednesday on charges of third-degree assault and harassment.  For now, however, he has not been charged with kidnapping.

Droughns has been released on bail after spending the night in jail, and he has been ordered to have no contact with his accuser.  Although authorities have declined to identify the accuser, we've heard from multiple sources that the accuser is Droughns' spouse.

Droughns faces up to 18 months behind bars on the assault charge, and up to six months on the harassment charge.

The incident occurred on May 12, three days after Droughns was acquitted of DUI charges.

---

THURSDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

With no chance at putting a retractable roof on Arrowhead Stadium, the Chiefs have officially given up on hosting the Super Bowl in 2015.

The Superdome will be "football ready" on September 27.  (Whether the Saints are is a different story.)

Attorney Jeff Kessler has agreed to put a sock in it regarding Fran Foley's arbitration claim against the Vikings.

The Toronto Argonauts denied on Thursday that they have been given permission by the Dolphins to negotiate a contract with RB Ricky Williams.

The doctor who admitted to giving steroids to several members of the Panthers has lost his license to practice medicine.

Says Bengals QB Carson Palmer regarding the support received after tearing his ACL:  "It was like I was dying of AIDS."  (How insensitive; he should have said, "It was like I'd changed my name to Barbaro.")

Coach Kevlar wants his quarterback to learn how to take the high road.

Central Florida has signed coach George O'Leary to a ten-year deal.  (And next week they're interviewing Fran Foley for the position of director of football operations.)

Giants RB Tiki Barber will host a weekly show on NFL Sirius Radio.

---

POSTED 9:31 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 10:35 a.m. EDT, May 25, 2006

PORTER DENIES CONTRACT SQUABBLE

Steelers linebacker Joey Porter claims that his recent absences from the team's voluntary offseason workouts are not the result of any dissatisfaction with his contract.

"None of it is right," Porter said, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "None of it."

Pressed for details on the matter, Porter said, "I'm not going to get in a war of words.  None of it is right."

Porter also suggested that he might stop talking to the media.  (We think he'd last about as long as Kramer in The Contest.)

Steelers coach Bill Cowher also has said that what the Tribune-Review calls "speculation" about Porter's status is off base.  "Last week, he went back to spend some time with his family," Cowher told WTAE-TV.  "Sometimes, I think a lot of things were getting blown up and taken out of context.  But that's his status."

Sorry, folks, but it's not "speculation."  It's fact, leaked anonymously to the media (including us) from folks with knowledge of the situation, but who prefer not to be identified in light of the obvious reality that the player and the team have agreed not to take their squabble public.

Meanwhile, Porter had on Wednesday "proactive" arthroscopic surgery to fix a knee problem that didn't prevent him from participating in a May 13-15 minicamp, or in ESPN's Battle of the Gridiron Stars during the offseason.

---

McKENZIE'S MOUTH MIGHT DISQUALIFY HIM

Packers director of pro personnel Reggie McKenzie might have harmed his chances of becoming the new G.M. of the Houston Texans by demonstrating to the media after his interview a degree of bravado that generally is regarded as unbecoming to folks who hold high offices with NFL teams.

"My message was that I'm the man for the job, and I can lead this team," McKenzie said, according to the Houston Chronicle.  "I can work with all the powers that be and try to put a championship team together.  If the route we want to go is to win, I'm their guy."

Hey, we've got no problem with McKenzie or any other candidate projecting enthusiasm behind closed doors while sitting for the job.  But his decision to proclaim his position to the press could be problematic, especially in Houston.

Soon-to-be-former G.M. Charley Casserly has a reputation for talking too much to the press.  Indeed, there's a direct relationship between Casserly's loquaciousness and the media tributes that have been offered up for a guy whose six-year plan culminated with a 2-14 season.  

We've heard on multiple occasions that Texans owner Bob McNair had instructed Casserly to zip it -- surely, McNair doesn't want to hire another G.M. with a tendency toward indiscretion. 

We're not suggesting that McNair should pass on McKenzie.  We're just connecting dots and peeling onions.  Regardless, we now think that McKenzie has about as good a chance of becoming the next G.M. of the Texans as Barbaro has of winning the Belmont.

---

THURSDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Soaring construction costs might force the Vikings to find a way to stay in the Metrodome.

Saints LB James Allen suffered a ruptured patella tendon during "non-contact" offseason workouts.  (Since all offseason workouts are supposed to be free of contact, the Saints' insertion of the term "non-contact" in the official statement regarding the injury is either an implicit admission that there are some "contact" workouts in the offseason -- or a superficial effort to get people to believe that teams actually adhere to the rules in this regard.) 

Broncos QB Jake Plummer says he didn't do it.  (Why do we even have a legal system?  They're all innocent -- let's just save the money and let them go about their business of, you know, not committing crimes.)

Really, we should believe Plummer when he says he didn't lose his temper during a heated interaction with a motorist.  I mean, it's not like Jake's ever gotten pissed off during a game and given the middle finger to a paying customer.

From an e-mail we received this morning:  "If the Jacksonville Jaguars are known as the 'Jags' and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are known as the 'Bucs,' what does that make the Tennessee Titans?"

T.O. is in Big D, boning up on the offense.

Miami QB Daunte Culpepper has received clearance to perform 3-, 5-, and 7-step drops, and to move laterally.  (However, he has not yet been cleared to receive a lap dance in a canoe.)

The Giants have signed DT Junior Ioane.

At age 7, Redskins S Adam Archuleta jumped off the roof of his house to see if he could do it without getting hurt.  (We take this opportunity to remind you that Archuleta's Freak of Training video is available by clicking on the ad at the top of this page.  Roof-jumping, as far as we know, is not one of the exercises.)

Florida governor Jeb Bush initially was interested in becoming the Commissioner of the NFL.

Another zinger from Raiders chief exec Amy Trask on the SI article suggesting the former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo is eyeing the team across the Bay:  "I generally enjoy a good work of fiction."

Titans G.M. Floyd Reese is still interested in working out a revised contract with QB Steve McNair.  (Reese also is hopeful that the team can resolve contract disputes with Eddie George, Derrick Mason, and Samari Rolle.)

Steelers LB Larry Foote had this to say in response to the notion that Bengals QB Carson Palmer hates the Steelers:  "Carson Palmer only beat us one time, so he should hate us.  I'd hate a team, too, if I only beat them one time and [lost] in the playoffs."

Fins coach Nick Saban says that Marcus Vick is a "natural" at receiver.  (Vick is also pretty good at waving a gun at people outside of a McDonald's.  Allegedly.) 

---

POSTED 9:39 p.m. EDT, May 24, 2006

TEXANS' LIST CURRENTLY STANDS AT FIVE

A league source with knowledge of the status of the search for a new General Manager in Houston tells us that the list of candidates currently stands at five.

Broncos assistant G.M. Rick Smith, Packers director of pro personnel Reggie McKenzie, Bears director of pro personnel Bobby DePaul, Jaguars director of pro personnel Charles Bailey, and Lions senior V.P. and assistant G.M. Martin Mayhew.

Smith, McKenzie, Bailey, and Mayhew are African-American. 

Per the source, the Texans are committed to exhausting the interview process before identifying a top candidate or making an offer.  Also, it's possible that more names will be added to the list.

---

POSTED 9:07 p.m. EDT, May 24, 2006

DROUGHNS IN HOT WATER, AGAIN

A league source tells us that Browns running back Reuben Droughns, fresh on the heels of an acquittal from DUI charges, potentially will be facing kidnapping charges after a domestic incident involving his wife.

The matter, we're told, is still being investigated, and Droughns has not yet formally been charged.  The kidnapping element arises from allegations that Droughns restrained his wife in their house, against her will, during their altercation.

The incident occurred earlier this month, in the days after a jury found Droughns not guilty of charges that he was driving drunk on November 1, 2005.  His blood alcohol content was 0.08, Ohio's legal limit.

After the verdict, Kellie Droughns expressed relief.  "This is such a relief.  It's been hard on us, hard on Reuben," she said.  "We're taking a limo everywhere, even to the grocery store."

---

POSTED 4:50 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 6:00 p.m. EDT, May 24, 2006

EDDIE LOOKING TO GET BACK IN?

Nancy Gay of the San Francisco Chronicle, citing among other things a forthcoming story from Michael Silver of Sports Illustrated, reports on rumors that former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo is contemplating the possibility of seizing control of an NFL team and moving it to Los Angeles.

DeBartolo told Silver in March that the Raiders are a potential target, given an ongoing problem with attendance and owner Al Davis' "declining" health.  (By the way, we've heard all sorts of rumors and speculation about the health condition of the guy who calls the shots in Oakland, but we've refrained from commenting on the subject out of respect for Davis. . . .  And because we don't want to get sued.)

Teaming with former 49ers president Carmen Policy, DeBartolo also has eyeballed the Saints.

Raiders president Amy Trask told Gay in response to the SI story:  "This is not a story about the Oakland Raiders being sold.  This is not a story about the team relocating.  This is a story about two gentlemen, Eddie DeBartolo and Carmen Policy, who clearly are drinking too much of Carmen's recently bottled wine.''

Zing!

"The only look those two are going to get at this team is if they want to watch it on television,'' Trask added.

Double zing!  (Hey, this girl could write copy for us if that whole "high-paying NFL front-office job" thing doesn't work out.)

Five years ago, there were rumors that DeBartolo was interested in joining with Outback Steakhouse owners Chris Sullivan and Bob Basham to buy the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from Malcolm Glazer.  Though DeBartolo denied any interest in buying the team in a story published on January 24, 2001, he indicated otherwise in an item dated January 27.

"Malcolm Glazer and his family are very astute business people," DeBartolo said, "and all they had to say was that team wasn't for sale.  And they did.  But if something were to happen, and the Holy Ghost came down and Malcolm said, 'I'd like to sell the team,' would I be interested?  Maybe."

But even if DeBartolo could find a team willing to let him buy it, the other members of the Billionaire Boys Club would have to approve the transaction. 

We'd be willing to bet the riverboat casino that they won't. 

DeBartolo pleaded guilty in 1998 to federal felony charges resulting from his failure to report an alleged extortion attempt by former Louisiana governor Edwin Edwards, in which DeBartolo supposedly handed $400,000 in cash to Edwards in order to help DeBartolo win a riverboat casino license.  In 1997, DeBartolo ceded control of the 49ers to his sister, Denise DeBartolo York, after DeBartolo was advised of his impending indictment. 

And when DeBartolo signed away his interest in the 49ers to York in March 2000, Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross of the Chronicle wrote that the move occurred after "NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue made it increasingly clear that -- despite DeBartolo's willingness to turn state's evidence against Edwards down in Louisiana -- the league would never let him back into football."

So there's no way, as a practical matter, that DeBartolo would ever get control of an NFL team.  There are simply too many other folks out there with the money and the interest.

And without the rap sheet.

---

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

The Buccaneers have signed WR David Boston.

Packers OL Kevin Barry is out for the season with a tord quad.

Ahh, the sweet smell of corroboration.  (Oh wait, I had asparagus for lunch.)

Here's a shock -- a Broncos player whose injury was reported by the team to be less severe than it really was.

Broncos TE Wesley Duke, who was the first player issued No. 84 after TE Shannon Sharpe, has given up the shirt for WR Javon Walker, without compensation.

Carson Palmer hates the Steelers.

Agent Joe Linta represents the Browns' head coach and the Browns' first-round draft pick.  And that's perfectly okay with the NFL and the NFLPA.

Now we know why the Cubs are so bad -- the company that owns them is stupid enough to cite slapd-ck web sites as the source of NFL news.

The Argos are done talking about Ricky Williams until a deal is place to ship him north.

Malcolm Glazer has made nearly $700 million in ten years on his investment in the Bucs.

Jason Babin is moving back to defensive end in Houston.

Texans CB Dunta Robinson could return some punts in 2006 (assuming that the Houston defense ever, you know, forces the other team to punt).

The writers in Jacksonville are noticing that the Mean Machine has moved to town.

---

POSTED 3:00 p.m. EDT, May 24, 2006

QUINCY CUT IN CANADA

Former NFL quarterback Quincy Carter can now add the phrase "former CFL quarterback" to his resume after being cut by the Montreal Alouettes.

Carter was cut late Tuesday night after roughly a week of training camp.  Team officials say that he was cut based on his performance.

The former Dallas Cowboys and New York Jet was competing with several others for an opportunity to serve as the backup to starter Anthony Calvillo.  

Obtained by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2001 draft, Carter started in eight games as a rookie, seven in 2002, and all 16 in 2003, leading the Cowboys to the playoffs in the first year of the Bill Parcells regime.

Prior to the 2004 season, however, Carter was cut after violating the league's substance abuse policy.  Carter signed with the Jets, and appeared in seven games in 2004.  He filed a non-injury grievance against the Cowboys, which is still pending.

Carter was out of the NFL in 2005.

The former Georgia Bulldog would have earned $75,000 (Canadian) if he had made the Alouettes' roster.  "I haven't played in about a year and a half," Carter recently told the Montreal Gazette.  "To get out and get the juices going is a great feeling.  To get on the field, back calling signals was good."   

Good, but temporary.

---

POSTED 10:09 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 11:01 a.m. EDT, May 24, 2006

BUSH SAYS NO TO NFL

The NFL is keeping a very tight lid on the list of candidates for the job of Commissioner, in order to save those who ultimately are rejected from any embarrassment.  However, the league can't control what the folks who tell the NFL "no, thanks" might say.

Per the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, one guy who has opted to pass on the opportunity to enter the screening process is Florida governor Jeb Bush.  

Bush says that he was contacted by Patrick Rooney, Sr., the brother of Steelers chairman Dan Rooney, regarding the looming vacancy.

"I met with Mr. Rooney and I said I'm doing my job until I'm finished and then I'm going to consider other things," Bush said.  "But I'm not going to do anything until I finish."  

Bush finishes his term in January 2007.  This means that Jeb Bush won't be the Commissioner, since the owners are committed to hiring a replacement for Paul Tagliabue by August 18.

The league's interest in Bush suggests that the owners will look broadly for a new poobah, and it opens the door for other figures who have made a mark in the world of politics to secure consideration.  Names that now come to mind include:  Steve Largent, a Hall of Fame receiver who was a Congressman (and a picket-line crosser in 1987); J.C. Watts, a former Oklahoma quarterback and Congressman whom a reader mentioned to us on Tuesday as a possible candidate, before the Bush story broke; and former New Jersey governor James McGreevey, whose personal experiences might encourage all gay players to come out of the closet.  (Um, we're kidding about the last one.)

Given the NFL's sensitivity to appearances, we wonder whether Jeb was asked to keep the league's interest in him confidential.  Such a request would make sense, since it's now likely that many casual observers will carry around in their heads the idea that Bush was the first choice for the job, even though the truth at this point is that the owners are still in the process of gathering candidates.

Even if Bush wasn't specifically asked to be discreet, why in the hell would he choose to blab?  It makes us think that, despite public denials, he's secretly toying with the possibility of running for President in 2008.

---

"WELCOME . . . YOU'VE GOT PFT"

So yours truly gets up this morning to check out the dozens of "How dare you make fun of Barbaro!" e-mails waiting to be savored, and yours truly notices on the AOL welcome screen that an NFL quarterback has been charged with road rage (which was right next to, coincidentally, an image of the most famous X-ray of a non-human in, well, the history of the world).  We clicked on the road rage story, because we hadn't heard about the incident.

A misdemeanor summons was issued for Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer based on an April 20 incident in which he allegedly kicked a car following a minor rear-end crash.

Fine.  Good.  Interesting story.  Here's the link.  

But then we notice that references to this here site -- and this here hack -- are strewn all over the page on which the story appeared.

Such as:

"Holy crap!" I exclaimed.

"Dad, that's not a picture of you," Florio Jr. astutely observed.

Yours truly has been making regular appearances on AOL Sports Bloggers Live over the past several weeks.  For the debut, yours truly was sangwiched between two real lightweights -- Mike Schmidt and James Worthy.  Since the draft, there has been a weekly invite to discuss the NFL rumors of the moment, and we've yet to find a way to screw up the relationship.  (But we'll keep trying.)

The show also has featured guests like Roger Clemens, Jim Brown, and Jerry Rice.  We think we've heard of them.  Somewhere.

So thanks to Jamie Mottram and the rest of the crew for including us in the production -- and for prompting us to spew our Morning Thunder all over the computer monitor by treating us like we actually know what we're talking about.  (Even if we don't.)

---

POSTED 9:16 a.m. EDT, May 24, 2006

COLLAPSE COMING FOR THE JAGUARS?

In response to a rash of recent acquisitions of players with character questions, some league insiders now believe that it's only a matter of time before the current power structure in Jacksonville collapses.

One league source attributes the trend to a lack of attention to detail on the part of V.P. of player personnel James "Shack" Harris.

"I knew it would be only a matter of time before it caught up with Shack," said the source.

"Give it a little time," the source added, "that thing will implode and unravel quickly."

Over the past few weeks, the Jaguars burned a second-round pick on UCLA running back Maurice Drew, despite allegations that he beat the hell out of a guy at a Denny's restaurant six days before the draft.  The Jags also selected in round seven defensive back Dee Webb, who happened to have four guns, including an AK-47, and whose Florida teammate fired said AK-47 into an adjacent apartment.

After the draft, the Jags signed Tennessee defensive tackle Tony McDaniel, who sucker-punched a guy while playing basketball and then let him lay there, apparently unconscious.  Most recently, the Jaguars claimed former Seahawks tackle Wayne Hunter on waivers after the 'Hawks flushed the commode on the former third-round pick.

There's also lingering criticism regarding Jacksonville's decision to pay an eight-figure signing bonus to cornerback Brian Williams, a chronic malcontent who wasn't even a regular starter in Minnesota.

So don't put much stock in the team's 12-4 record from 2005.  "They played a horse-shit schedule last year," said the source.

Another source agrees that trouble is on the horizon.  "I don't know about [coach] Jack [Del Rio].  I kind of liked him but he is going to have a tough group to control."

We then reminded the source that Del Rio now has the Meathead in town to help keep the inmates from overrunning the asylum.  "That's right, he's there too," the source remarked.  "How would you like to turn your billion dollar business over to those two guys?" 

Our guess?  Del Rio and Harris will be gone within two years, and owner Wayne Weaver again will be bemoaning the fact that he can't sell out the stadium -- making a sale of the team to L.A. interests look better and better.

---

LEN CONTINUES TO PIMP

We've gotten to the point where we're pretty much numb to Len Pasquarelli's kiss-agent-ass-in-order-to-make-my-job-easier routine, but that doesn't stop us from listening when a league insider contacts us with concerns regarding Len's gratuitous slurping on a guy in order to keep the inside information coming.

Most recently, our network of insiders has noticed two such examples.

The first one came when Len wrote a puff-piece on cornerback Dennis Weathersby, a client of agent Gary Uberstine, who is as suspected friend of Len.  

Weathersby has been out of the league since a serious automobile accident in April 2004.  But now Weathersby is looking to get back into the game, and Len does his best to beat the bushes (and not just in search of that fumbled fudgesicle):  "It will take a team with a lot of guts to gamble on him now, given his medical background, but word is that Weathersby is running well and is in excellent condition.  The search for cornerbacks in the NFL, especially cover guys with size, is a never-ending one.  Maybe it will lead some team to Weathersby, who is all but ready to work out and eager to try to restart his career."

Len ignores, however, that Weathersby's non-medical background remains an even bigger concern for plenty of teams, even before he was shot and lost half of the blood in his body prior to the 2003 draft.

"This guy was an absolute turd coming out [of Oregon State]," said one source.  "Everyone at the school killed the kid. . . .  He has no friends anywhere on the team.  Teammates disliked him, coaches, trainers.  [He] consistently quit on his teammates."

But after spending the first pick in the fourth round on Weathersby, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said he was satisfied that Weathersby is not a "character problem."

Still, Weathersby was charged with assault while at Oregon State, and there are accounts of Weathersby quitting on the team during a game.

"In the middle of a game against USC, he took himself out of the game, claiming he was dehydrated," said a league source.  "The trainers ran tests, iced him, and couldn't find anything.  Then he said he had to take a dump.  He went into the locker room and stayed there.  They had to send trainers in to get him . . . and found him pacing the locker room."

The source estimates that 75 percent of teams removed Weathersby from their draft boards.

Len also sticks his nose into the anal cleft of agent Joe Linta in his recent piece regarding the signing (drum roll, please) of a fourth-round draft pick, Hofstra offensive lineman Harry Colon.

"Have you ever seen so much detail in a piece about a f--king fourth-round pick?" said the source.  "Len's article gave everything but the kid's mother's maiden name.  I'm not looking to hit Joe at all.  I'm just making the point of how shameless we know Len is."

---

POSTED 7:32 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 8:29 p.m. EDT, May 23, 2006

NFL SAYS NO TO BUSH

The Associated Press reports that the NFL's competition committee has recommended against a rule change that would allow Saints running back Reggie Bush continue to wear No. 5, his jersey number since high school.

The decision was made based on two conference calls among the members of the committee.  The owners, 24 of whom would have to vote in favor of any changes to the rules, never considered the move.

Bush, the 2005* Heisman winner, and marketing agent Mike Ornstein had been pressing for a change to the numbering system that has been put in place more than 30 years ago.  Running backs can choose from No. 20 through No. 49.  The efforts to force a change in the rules alienated some "old school" league insiders, who believe that Bush should have adopted a more low key approach, especially after finding himself embroiled in a significant controversy regarding whether alleged payments made to his parents resulted in a forfeiture of his collegiate eligibility.

"Obviously, I am disappointed by today's decision but I respect the NFL Competition Committee's judgment," Bush said.

"We have not decided which number I will wear for this coming season, but that decision will come soon."

As we explained when this issue first came up, kids who hope to wear the same number from high school to college to the NFL should pick a number now that fits within the NFL's numbering system.

Or they shouldn't care about the number they wear.  Sure, it's a measure of individuality in an otherwise conformity-obsessed endeavor.  But it's what's inside the uniform that matters.  Great players will play great no matter what they're wearing.

With the exception of those old gay pirate uniforms that the Buccaneers sported for two decades.

---

DON'T BELIEVE THE SPIN ON PORTER

Despite rampant media reports that Steelers linebacker Joey Porter will miss the balance of offseason workouts due to arthroscopic knee surgery, we've confirmed and re-confirmed that the root of Porter's absence to date from voluntary workouts was his dissatisfaction with his contract.

We're not suggesting that he isn't really having surgery, or that he's only having surgery to provide himself with some cover.  But it's a coincidence, and we're certain that the root of the problem is his pay.  Or lack thereof.

Porter will make $3.85 million in 2006 and $5 million in 2007. 

---

TUESDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

August 18 is the target for hiring a new Commish.

Eagles DT Paul Grasmanis has called it a career.

The 49ers have signed FB Moran Norris.

A writer from Forbes magazine thinks Bills owner Ralph Wilson is full of poopie.

Golfer Phil Mickelson is a lifelong fan of the Chargers. 

Former Steelers LB Jason Gildon is wanted for assault.  (In an unrelated development, the Jaguars want to sign him.  So do the Bengals.)

Toyota and Lexus are sponsoring Monday Night Football.

World Bowl XIV will be shown on the NFL Network.  (We'd rather watch reruns of The Brady Bunch.)

We knew it was bound to happen, but we still find it hard to believe -- a Norman Chad column that simply isn't funny.

The Rams supposedly were interested in Vikings director of college scouting Scott Studwell, before Studwell signed a three-year deal to stay put.

With Barbaro improving, it looks like the only way we'll be able to get two sheets of paper to stay together is with a stapler.

---

POSTED 4:00 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 4:34 p.m. EDT, May 23, 2006

PORTER BOYCOTTING PRACTICE DUE TO CONTRACT

A league source tells us that, indeed, Steelers linebacker Joey Porter is staying away from the team's voluntary offseason program due to his dissatisfaction with his current contract.

Even though there are now efforts to paint Porter's absence as a consequence of upcoming knee surgery, the real reason (as we're told) is his contract.

Porter is signed through 2007.

The Steelers ordinarily don't renegotiate contracts with multiple years remaining.  Exceptions have been made in the past only for quarterbacks Kordell Stewart and Tommy Maddox.

Porter claims that he wants to be the leader of the team, given the retirement of Jerome Bettis.

"Some leader," said the source.     

Our suggestion to the Steelers?  Cut him after June 1, and break the news to him just as the team prepares to journey into the Rose Garden for the meeting with the President.  

---

TEXANS HAVE YET TO SEEK PERMISSION TO INTERVIEW DEPAUL

Although we've heard that the Texans plan to interview Bears pro personnel director Bobby DePaul for the G.M. position in Houston, a league source tells us that the Texans have yet to request permission from the Bears to interview DePaul.

Per the source, the Bears don't anticipate the receipt of such a request, but they also do not plan to deny permission, if the Texans eventually make the call or send the fax.

Because the Texans' G.M. job is not expected to entail "final say" over personnel, the draft, and/or the coach, teams are not required to grant permission to front office employees currently under contract.  

---

McCARTHY GOES WILDE

In too many cities, the local beat writers keep their noses in the hind quarters of the teams they cover.  In Green Bay, new Packers coach Mike McCarthy could be forcing it.

An industry source tells us that McCarthy recently -- and loudly -- dressed down Jason Wilde of the Wisconsin State Journal, in the presence of other writers.  Per the source, McCarthy wasn't happy with Wilde's story suggesting that cornerback Al Harris isn't happy with his contract.  

The thinking is that McCarthy was trying to send a message to the other beat writers by chewing on Wilde.  Here's hoping that it backfires, and that it makes the local media in and around Green Bay less likely to nuzzle crotch and more likely to kick ass when it comes to getting at the truth, and exposing it for the consumption of the football-following public.

---

POSTED 9:04 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 10:00 a.m. EDT, May 23, 2006

TEXANS SEARCH EXPANDS

With Broncos assistant G.M. Rick Smith and Packers director of pro personnel Reggie McKenzie the first two candidates on the list for the General Manager gig in Houston, a league source tells us that the field is soon going to grow.

By two.

Bears director of pro personnel Bobby DePaul and Jaguars director of pro personnel Charles Bailey are the next names to be added to the list, and there likely will be more candidates as the process continues to unfold.

Although we'd heard talk last week that the Texans might be using a search firm to assist with the process, the team has decided for now to go it alone.

And as to the suggestion in some circles that current G.M. Charley Casserly has spent his final few weeks on the job helping out with the current effort to find his replacement, one league insider has made the following observation:  "If Casserly is truly helping in this search, he trying to run the franchise into the ground."

---

LAWYER HAS THREE WITNESSES AGAINST DREW

As Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio asks that judgment against rookie running back Maurice Drew not be passed until the legal process has "a chance to run its course," there's apparently evidence that might result in an outcome Del Rio finds to be unacceptable.

According to the Florida Times-Union, the attorney for Soroush Sabzi says that he has three witnesses who have signed statements identifying Drew as one of the people who were "punching Sabzi in the face and stomping on his head."

In a case that likely will involve two drastically different versions of the events from the central figures, the information supplied by others can be critical -- assuming that they are neutral and unbiased.  If the three witnesses were bystanders with no connection to the incident or the people involved, their accounts become instantly persuasive.

Whether that leads to a finding of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt remains to be seen.  But in the civil proceedings against Drew, Bears cornerback Ricky Manning, Jr., and former UCLA player Tyler Ebell, a lower standard of proof applies, requiring Sabzi to prove only that his version of the events is more likely than not (i.e., 51-49) true.  In such a case, corroborating testimony from witnesses with no reason to embellish, exaggerate, or lie typically will push the balance in the plaintiff's favor.

And shame on the Jaguars for not knowing that there were three witnesses who would point a finger at Drew as the guy who put five fingers -- and a few toes -- onto Sabzi at a Westwood Denny's six days before the draft.  In our view, Del Rio isn't only requesting that folks delay passing judgment on Drew before the process has unfolded.  Del Rio also wants the football world not to pass judgment on the Jags generally (and on him specifically) for blowing a second-round pick on a guy who might be breaking rocks instead of tackles when it's all said and done.    

---

YET ANOTHER JAGUAR TURD

Jacksonville quickly is becoming a haven for antisocial behavior, rivaling at this point only the Bengals for the top spot on the official PFT turd collection watch.

In addition to Drew and recently-acquired offensive lineman Wayne Hunter, the Jags also have signed defensive tackle Tony McDaniel, who pleaded guilty to assault after cold-cocking a guy during a pickup basketball game in January 2005.

Why didn't he claim he didn't do it?  Because the incident was captured on video.

Here's the clip.  McDaniel does his dirty work at about the 20-second mark, and the kid is still laying on the wood more than six minutes later.

McDaniel received 11 months and 29 days of supervised probation.  He also was suspended for two games during the 2005 season.  

Now, McDaniel is being sued by the man whom he flattened, for $800,000.  The victim, Edward Goodrich, claims that he suffered four broken bones in his face as a result of the incident.

Nice job, Jags.  Maybe their new marketing slogan is "Buy tickets or we'll beat you with a shoe."

---

PORTER POSTURING FOR MORE PAY?

Steelers linebacker Joey Porter, who claims that he wants to become the team leader in the wake of the retirement of Jerome Bettis, is setting a bad example by skipping out on the team's voluntary workouts.

Porter's agent, Jeff Sperbeck, was tight-lipped as to the reasons for Porter's absence.  "The Steelers are aware of Joey's situation," Sperbeck told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Sperbeck's sound bite could be intended to imply that Porter has been trying to get a pay raise, and that the team has declined.  Porter is scheduled to earn salaries of $3.85 million in 2006 and $4 million in 2007.  He also is due to receive a $1 million roster bonus in 2007.

Steelers spokesman Dave Lockett told the Post-Gazette that coach Bill Cowher was aware that Porter would miss last week's sessions, and Lockett emphasized that the workouts are (wink, nod, fart) "voluntary."

Hey, Joey.  If you want to know whether the team is going to overpay for a linebacker from a 3-4, zone-blitzing scheme that has made plenty of players into stars, we suggest that you place a call to Greg Lloyd.  Or Kevin Greene.  Or Chad Brown.  Or Hardy Nickerson.  Or Jerrol Williams.  Or Levon Kirkland.

Bottom line for Porter -- he's fungible.  And his big mouth won't prompt the front office to make any exceptions for him when the time comes to decide whether to pay him, or to let him walk.  

---

TUESDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

From the "Definitive Proof That The NFL Finally Is Serious About Returning To L.A." file, the local college team whose ox could be gored by a pro team playing in the Coliseum is pissing and moaning and using hyperbole.

Texans defensive line coach Bob Karmelowicz has been hospitalized with dehydration and cellulitis.

Texans WR Jerome Mathis was back on the field after suffering injuries in April due to a motorcycle accident.

The Jags have signed P Toby Gowin.

We've gotten several e-mails from readers speculating that recently released Lions DT Dan Wilkinson was one of the guys who finked on coach Rod Marinelli and his minicamp workouts; however, Wilkinson had not attended any of the team's offseason sessions. 

Even when he gets a rare puff piece for doing something selfless (absent a community service order), Titans CB Pacman Jones still finds a way to come off as a jerk; he now suggests that there are other guys on the team who do bad things but that no one pays attention to them.

The Packers are waiting for more information as to the severity of OL Kevin Barry's leg injury.  (And we suggest that some of those "Get Well Barbaro" cards be sent instead to Barry, since Barry might be in a slightly better position to, you know, read them.)

The Lions have opted not to sign WR Az Hakim, choosing instead to go with the 27 receivers already on the roster.

Lions CEO Matt Millen says that no team was willing to trade for DT Dan Wilkinson.

Titans DT Albert Haynesworth has a June 14 preliminary hearing on reckless endangerment charges.

Steelers DE Brett Keisel is busting his ass.

The Glazers have a succession plan in place.

Jags RB Fred Taylor is still skipping the team's voluntary program.

The Ravens and Titans might be able to finally work out a trade for QB Steve McNair by using a conditional pick, which would upgrade based on McNair's performance.

A date for the Fran Foley arbitration will be picked within a week.

---

POSTED 11:38 p.m. EDT, May 22, 2006

COLON GETS LESS BONUS MONEY THAN GUY TAKEN ONE SPOT LOWER IN 2005

Len Pasquarelli of ESPN.com reports that the Steelers have signed offensive lineman Willie Colon, the team's fourth-round pick in the 2006 draft and the second pick this year to agree to terms.

The deal carries a signing bonus of $283,500 and minimum salaries for each of the three seasons.

The player taken at the same spot in 2005, running back Darren Sproles of the Chargers, received a $392,000 bonus on a four-year deal.  Though the additional $108,500 in bonus money that Sproles received might not justify losing a shot at restricted free agency as a result of making a four-year commitment.  Coupled with some escalator provisions that aren't in Colon's deal, it's impossible to make an apples-to-apples comparison between the two contracts.

The most curious aspect of the deal is that Colon will get less bonus money than the player drafted one spot lower a year ago.  In 2005, the 132nd pick in the draft received a bonus of $296,000 on a three-year deal, with minimum salaries for each season.

Coincidentally, the player -- Fred Gibson -- was also a draft pick of the Steelers.  And, like Colon, Gibson signed in May.

Sure, Colon will get roughly $50,000 more over the life of the deal than Gibson's contract paid, given the net effect of the increase in CBA salaries.  But even with the collectively negotiated benefit taken into account, Colon's deal is worth approximately three percent more than Gibson's contract.

---

MONDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

The Cardinals were awarded OL Deke Morris on waivers from the Chiefs, who signed him as an undrafted free agent in early May.

Indiana WR James Hardy is ready to be drafted by the Bengals.  Or claimed off of waivers by the Jaguars.  Or signed by the Dolphins.

From the "Whoever Will Be Retired By Christmas Take One Step Forward . . . Not So Fast, Big Tall Boring Guy" file, the search firm hired by the NFL to find a new Commish is still in the process of talking to the 32 owners to find out what they're looking for.

The Lions have re-signed LB James Davis.

Former Bengals QB Boomer Esiason doesn't want Carson Palmer to rush back too soon from his torn ACL.  (Because if he does, and if the team manages to win enough games to secure home field advantage in the playoffs and ultimately win the Super Bowl, Boomer will become roughly as relevant as David Shula in franchise history.)

The Jags are officially added to the revised list of turd collecting teams.

Maurice Drew has issued a statement regarding his alleged involvement in the Grand Slam Breakfast at the Westwood Denny's on April 23.  (Here's a shock -- he says he didn't do it.)

The Vikings are now in line to get their new stadium approved in 2007.  (Assuming that no one in the organization does anything really stupid or embarrassing, such as scalping Super Bowl tickets or cavorting with strippers in a semi-public place or planting multiple misrepresentations in his bio or getting caught in an airport with a fake penis or demanding a $10 million raise or sending a series of ill-advised e-mails to the media.)

---

POSTED 5:10 p.m. EDT, May 22, 2006

LIONS BOUNCE BIG DADDY

The Detroit Lions have released defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson, a three-year starter with the team.

Wilkinson was the first overall pick in the 1994 draft.  He spent four years with the Bengals and five with the Redskins.  He joined the Lions prior to the 2003 season.

In a blog with no byline on the team's official web site, the Lions explain that, "[a]fter extensive internal discussions regarding Wilkinson, [CEO Matt] Millen and [coach Rod] Marinelli decided it was best to focus on giving the younger players, like second-year defensive tackle Shaun Cody, more of an opportunity."

"We’re going to release Dan Wilkinson this afternoon and bring some closure to this and see exactly where we’re at," Millen said.  "I've been talking to Dan quite a bit. Dan's sorting through some things and we talked about before that he was talking about maybe retiring.  Coach [Marinelli] and I talked a bunch about it and in light of where we are with a couple of our young defensive lineman – Shaun Cody, Marcus Bell and also Damian Gregory – and where we're at with this scheme and given the fact that we're getting the program and putting it into place, I'll release Dan here today."

Marcus Bell recently has been fingered in various reports as the guy who blew the whistle on impermissible contact at a recent minicamp.  The Lions lost two OTA days because of the CBA violation.

Wilkinson was under contract through 2006, with a salary of $2.4 million.  Teams who might be interested in the 12-year veteran include the Dolphins and the Rams.  Miami had been interested in Sam Adams earlier in the offseason, and Keith Traylor recently has had a scrape with the law.  St. Louis recently has reiterated an interest in free agents Grady Jackson and Jason Fisk. 

The Lions' blog compares the move to the seemingly abrupt decision by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to dump defensive tackle Brad Culpepper in favor of Anthony "Booger" McFarland, a move which occurred while Marinelli was the team's defensive line coach.  

"The Bucs felt it was in their best interest to move on, go younger and improve their defense," write the unknown blogger.  "Since Culpepper’s release, the Bucs continued to dominate on defense, and eventually won a world championship."

The only difference in this case?  The Lions defense pretty much sucks.

---

POSTED 10:35 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 11:42 a.m. EDT, May 22, 2006

'HAWKS, NFL CLEAR THE AIR

The (Peter) King Of All Football Media (and we don't mean that in our usual smart-ass way, but as a high compliment to his burgeoning presence everywhere a football fan turns) reports in his MMQB column that the Seattle Seahawks and the National Football League have smooched and made up after one of the most hotly-disputed games in league history.

According to King, NFL director of officiating Mike Pereira ventured into the belly of the Big Show's beast last week for an annual offseason visit regarding 2006 rules changes.  And, yeah, there was also a little something on the agenda regarding Super Bowl XL, which threw the entire Pacific Northwest into a tizzy with the perception that the Seahawks got scuh-rewed.

King identifies three calls about which the team still believes it got the shaft, shoved sideways:  (1) the flag thrown against Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck for making a low block on an interception return, which was obviously wrong because Hasselbeck was actually hitting the guy who was returning the pick; (2) the momentum-turning holding call on tackle Sean Locklear, which erased one of the few times that tight end Jerramy Stevens didn't drop the ball; and (3) a holding penalty that wiped out a 46-yard punt return by Peter Warrick on the first play of the second quarter.  (The Seahawks also still think that Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's touchdown plunge was short of the goal line, but that call already had been debated at length between the team and the league office before last week's meeting.)

The most compelling aspect of the story, in our view, is that the Big Show a/k/a Mike Holmgren defused a potentially ugly session with Pereira by calling his assistant coaches together the prior evening and telling them to handle the league's emissary with respect.  After all, the Seahawks will play up to 20 games that count in the coming season, and each of them will be handled by a crew of guys who, contrary to popular belief, are human beings  -- and thus are subject to the same conscious and subconscious biases as the rest of us.  If there's any merit to the hypothesis that the bad calls in the Super Bowl had their roots in the public griping in which Holmgren engaged after narrowly defeating the Giants in November, then it made no sense to set a bad tone for 2006 by tearing Pereira a few new Pujols.

By all appearances, Holmgren's strategy worked.

"It was the longest coaches' meeting I've ever been a part of,'' Pereira told King.  "But they were a professional group of coaches.  We disagreed without hostility, and when it's all said and done, we got some closure.  I'm really glad I went.  Now we can finally look ahead to the 2006 season.'' 

And Holmgren won't have to worry about the zebras going out of their way to stick it to his team as he tries to take the franchise one level higher. 

Heck, the officials might even think subconsciously that they owe him a few close ones.

---

MONDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Colts WR Marvin Harrison will have elbow surgery to address a lingering problem from the 2005 season.  (Gee, why didn't he wait until August?)

Packers OL Kevin Barry was carted off of the field after suffering a thigh injury during minicamp.  (You'll have that when the guys are playing full contact football without, you know, pads.)

Hey, lacrosse dudes -- how about a drinking game based on Ron Wolf giving a quote to the media?

The Big Grease might be on his way to becoming the Big Cheese.

From the "Things That Make Us Feel Even More Selfish And Inadequate" file, Ravens president Dick Cass recently donated a kidney to a longtime friend from law school.

Packers RB Ahman Green might not be ready for the start of training camp.

Ravens president Dick Cass anticipates that the team's window of opportunity for winning another Super Bowl is two years.  (Hey, Dick -- if you plan to try to leap through that window, don't lead with your kidney.)

Pats WR Bethel Johnson, a second-round pick in 2003, knows that he's running out of chances to live up to his draft status.

Colts coach Tony Dungy chewed on the ear of DT Vincent Burns.

Although the Texans have received permission to interview Packers director of pro personnel Reggie McKenzie, McKenzie hadn't heard from Houston as of Sunday.

New digs for the Twins and Gophers, but not the Vikings.

---

POSTED 9:02 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 9:48 a.m. EDT, May 22, 2006

SEGAL SETTING REGGIE UP FOR A HOLDOUT?

Agent Joel Segal has a problem.  His highest-profile client, Reggie Bush, knows that he can't afford to come off of as greedy regarding the extent to which his guaranteed football money exceeds $20 million, since many of the Loozianans who'll be cheering from him come September are still pooping in plastic pots.  But Segal is at the same time notorious for not doing a first-round deal until his client is bracketed by the packages paid to the player in front of him, and behind him.

So with Bush recently declaring that he doesn't want to be a holdout, Segal is doing his best to foment a little resentment between Reggie and the Saints.

In a spoon-fed interview to ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli (who only beats the bushes after dropping a cheeseburger into them), Bush lays the foundation (perhaps unwittingly) for a contract rhubarb by proclaiming that, while he doesn't want to miss training camp, "we have to have a fair offer, one that meets our expectations."

So which is it, Reg?  Because whether the offer is "fair" and whether it "meets [your] expectations" are two very different propositions.

Also included in Pasquarelli's article is a suggestion that Bush wants to start the process of negotiating his contract now.  The only problem with this statement is that it isn't attributed to Reggie as a direct (or indirect) quote.

Our guess is that the concept of premature negotiation was planted by Segal, who knows full well that the Saints aren't inclined to sign Bush any time soon.  First of all, teams typically don't have the kind of cash flow in May or June that is necessary to support the issuance of big checks.  This reality applies even more forcefully to the Saints, who are run by one of the cheapest owners in all of sport.  Second, most teams prefer to push the process of signing draft picks into July, with work beginning in earnest after the annual celebration of an nation-building exercise that turned out far better than our current efforts in that regard.

What does Segal gain through this approach?  It makes it easier for him to argue to Bush that the team isn't participating fairly and adequately in the process.  "Reggie," Joel might say in the near future, "we made it clear to the Saints that we want to work something out now, and they're dragging their feet."

It also might make it easier for Reggie to win the looming P.R. battle if a holdout ultimately is required, since Reggie can then supply a stream of sound bites supporting the notion that it was the team, not Segal, that forced the holdout by delaying the commencement of the process by two months.

Our advice to the Saints?  Call Segal's bluff.  Send him a letter inviting him to the table right now, and say all the right things aimed at making Bush believe that the team is willing to work hard in the short term to get a deal done.  

In response, Segal will sputter.  He'll stall.  He'll freeze.  Because there's no way in hell that Segal will allow Bush to do a deal until Vince Young inks a contract at No. 3 with the Tennessee Titans.

Why, you aks?  Because Segal is sufficiently insecure about his ability to negotiate a solid deal that he'll be paralyzed by the fear that Young will end up getting a better contract than Bush despite being picked one spot lower.

The other intriguing dynamic at play here is that, while Segal is most likely willing to tolerate a holdout, Bush's marketing agent, Mike Ornstein, most likely isn't.  If Bush misses time and then loses the P.R. war, his potential for off-field earnings will take, at a minimum, a short-term hit.  And that, in turn, will affect Ornstein's booty.

Our guess is that, for now, Segal and Ornstein are on the same page as to the approach.  Things will get very interesting, however, if the Saints react by making objectively "fair" offers, since it most likely will prompt Segal to stick his head in the sand.    

---

AGENTS FOR LATE-ROUNDERS SHOULD GET CRACKING

Although we regard the efforts of agent Joel Segal to kick-start the contract negotiations for running back Reggie Bush to be hollow, agents representing players taken at the bottom portion of the NFL's April draft should consider attempting to get their guys signed sooner rather than later.

As we explained earlier this month, a combination of various factors will make it harder for teams to sign players taken high in round one, possibly forcing teams to renounce their rights to low-round picks.

The biggest problem is that, although the rookie salary pool has increased only by five percent, the minimum rookie salary has increased by 17 percent, from $235,000 to $275,000.  This means that, if teams are compelled to devote an excessive chunk of the 2006 rookie pool to their first-rounders in order to build enough money into the future years of the deals, there simply might not be enough money left over to extend a bare-bones contract to the guy acquired via a supplemental seventh-round selection.

So the smart move is to get those low-end contracts done.  Before there's no money left to do them. 

---

"I LOVE ME SOME . . . SPRINT PHONE"

Though T.O. has yet to revise his infamous "I love me some me" line to project his affections toward the Samsung A900 phone, available only through Sprint, we're ready to declare our devotion to the gadget that has made life a lot easier for yours truly over the past month.

It's been called a "promising and compelling alternative" to the Razr, which has lost much of its allure now that it seems to be available just about everywhere.

And did we mention that the Samsung A900 can be had only though Sprint.

(How thin is it?  Let's just say it's a very good idea to check the pockets of your jeans before putting them in the washing machine.)

Would we like the Samsung A900 if Sprint weren't one of our sponsors?  Hell yes.  It's a tremendous piece of technology, with a wide array of features too numerous to list in this space.  Recently, yours truly was unable to get to a computer to determine whether storm clouds might threaten Florio Jr.'s baseball game.  Enter the A900, and within seconds its 262,000-color display was projecting a clear and crisp image of the local weather radar.

And when the kids on the team asked, "Is that a Razr?", the response was, "No.  It's better than a Razr.  It's the Samsung A900.  Available only through Sprint. . . .  Now go boost your mom's credit card and get on line and buy one."

(We're kidding about the last part.  These kids need to learn how to manage their own money.  So we told them to get Grandpa's address and Social Security number and sign up for a credit card of their own.)

---

POSTED 11:30 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 1:08 p.m. EDT, May 21, 2006

DOUBLE STANDARD AT WORK IN FRONT OFFICE MOVES?

There's a growing concern in league circles regarding the manner in which some teams are using their ability to block movement of front officer personnel who aren't being offered "final say" over the roster, the draft, and/or the head coach.

Or, more accurately, regarding the manner in which some teams aren't using that ability.

Some league insiders believe that a double standard is in play, based on the race of the candidates.  Minority candidates for front-office vacancies, such as Broncos assistant G.M. Rick Smith and Packers director of pro personnel Reggie McKenzie, are being permitted to interview for jobs like G.M. of the Texans, even though the Texans' position undoubtedly will not nearly carry the same degree of authority that Charley Casserly wielded for six years.

But there's a concern that white front-office employees who might end up on the Texans' list won't receive permission to interview for the position, even though it technically is a promotion over their current gigs.

"You can deny [Ravens director of college scouting] Eric DeCosta or [Eagles director of player personnel] Jason Light or [Jaguars director of college scouting] Gene Smith permission to interview for the Houston G.M. job," said one league source, "but you can't deny Rick Smith or [Jaguars director of pro personnel] Charles Bailey or Reggie McKenzie or [Seahawks director of pro personnel] Will Lewis."

Why?  "The Fritz Pollard Alliance would rain down on your ass," said the source.  "John Wooten and Cyrus Mehri would be on the front page of the USA Today sports section calling the entire process an injustice."

We're  not sure it would come to that, but we do wonder whether minority employees are getting permission more freely in order to improve the total number of minority General Managers.

If it's happening, it's a great strategy.  The question of whether the minority candidate who ultimately gets the job is truly more qualified than the non-minority candidates who don't becomes significantly diluted if the number of non-minority candidates is kept artificially low by other teams who refuse to give them permission to interview.

Our suggested solution?  Let everyone interview for jobs with other teams -- or none of them.  Allowing the teams to decided on a case-by-bases basis whether "permission" will be granted invites decision-making based on factors that never should enter into the equation.

---

LORD FAVRE CATCHING MORE FLAK

There's plenty of chatter in league circles regarding the failure of Packers quarterback Brett Favre to appear at or participate in the team's weekend minicamp.

Sure, it's "voluntary."  But that word has been rendered meaningless over the past five years.  Voluntary minicamps are now "voluntary" only in the sense that a guy can't be fined for not attending.  The players who believe in the cause and who intend to do their best to contribute for the coming season are expected to be there.

And where else is full participation more important than in Green Bay, where the team is coming off of a disastrous 4-12 season and breaking in a new coaching staff? 

And why wouldn't Favre want to be there, especially if this very well could be his last season?  He has the rest of his life to ride his tractor and play golf.  (Maybe he can find a way to combine the two endeavors.)  If he doesn't have a burning desire to soak in the final weeks and months of his pro football experience, maybe he should have retired.

There are other reasons for Favre to be there.  Last season, he stayed away from much of the offseason workouts -- and look at the results.  A career-high 29 interceptions.

Even if there's no correlation between his lack of preseason reps and his poor performance when the games counted, we always thought that pro athletes looked for ways to make changes after suffering through a bad season, if for no reasons other than superstition.  This year, Favre really isn't doing anything much differently than a year ago.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the younger players need to see their on-field leader buying in to the new staff and the new zone blocking schemes and anything else that is different from a year ago.  It will make it easier for them to sign off on the system,  and it will make them less likely to view 2006 as the Favre farewell tour, where winning games is secondary to kissing Brett's butt.

As one league source opined to us, "The front office and coaching staff have no balls, and they are just feeding this guy's massive ego."

Based on the past four months, it's hard not to agree.

---

WE GET LOVE FROM AN UNLIKELY SOURCE

A few months back, yours truly got into an e-mail sparring match with Bill Emkow of mlive.com, who took a backhanded swipe at us in his "Highlight Reel" blog by suggesting that our news and information is unreliable.

It got a little heated, but then we somehow found a common ground.  Eventually, I encouraged Emkow to keep a closer eye on what we do, and to judge for himself whether we're simply embellishing and/or flat-out making stuff up.

The verdict is in.

"I've given grief to PFT in the past, and even debated the site's merits with PFT editor Mike Florio via email," writes Emkow. "He insisted I watch closer to what he's doing, and I would have a better appreciation for his work.  I have been, and he's right.

"Because of the nature of what he writes it can't always be waterproof, but he does label it rumor mill.  It's worth the read.  Plus, he's got quite an audience of Who's Who in the NFL.  It can't be too far off base."

Pay attention to that last part -- "he's got quite an audience of Who's Who in the NFL."  The thing that we've been trying to impress upon our readers over the past couple of years is that we're different from other web sites and blogs because virtually everyone connected to the NFL checks out our content.  Players, coaches, General Managers, owners, broadcasters, journalists, agents.

So thanks, Bill, for giving us a fair and honest assessment.  Please disregard that e-mail comment about that thing we suggested you do to your dog.  And all the other stuff we said.

---

SUNDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

The Browns decided to try to trade QB Trent Dilfer after they concluded that he might retire.

Even if the NFL finds a way to let Reggie Bush wear No. 5, the chances of Browns C LeCharles Bentley being permitted to do "00" are 0.0 percent.

Browns TE Kellen Winslow is running routes again (which means it's only a matter of time before he finds another way to injure himself).

Here's yet another reason to despise T.O.

Packers CB Al Harris supposedly isn't skipping the team's current minicamp due to his contract.

Mike Freeman of the Florida Times-Union takes a look at what he calls Pancakegate.

Packers RB Najeh "Dookie" Davenport will "sit" (that's s-i-t; no "h") until training camp.

The Pats might be interested in LB Donnie Edwards via post-June 1 free agency, or LB Ahmad Brooks via the supplemental draft.

Eagles DE Jevon Kearse wants to be more disruptive in 2006.  (We suggest farting loudly during team meetings.)

Titans DE Kyle Vanden Bosch hopes to improve upon his stellar Tennessee debut.

Colts WR Reggie Wayne isn't getting complacent.

Jets owner Woody Johnson is sticking his, um, nose a little deeper into the team's affairs.

Packers WR Donald Driver says he wouldn't have held out for a new deal.

The Bucs are expected to work out a contract extension with CB Ronde Barber.

As QB Chris Simms is learning, "laissez faire" actually means "hit that damn sled, Nancy."

QB Brock Huard is still looking for a job.  In the NFL.  Seriously.

Good news:  a running back drafted by the Saints in the first round is persuading an entire football league to change its rules to accommodate him.  Bad news:  it's not Reggie Bush.

Steelers WR Cedrick Wilson, recruited by Tennessee to play quarterback, could be the next pass-throwing pass-catcher in Picksburgh.

---

POSTED 5:51 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 9:13 p.m. EDT, May 20, 2006

SHERMAN HAS VOICE IN TEXANS' G.M. SEARCH

A league source tells us that one of the people who will be included in the process of selecting a new General Manager for the Houston Texans is former Green Bay head coach/G.M. Mike Sherman, who joined the Houston coaching staff after being dumped by the Packers earlier this year.

On one hand, Sherman's role is curious, since he was hired to be an assistant coach.  Sherman's involvement could create a strange dynamic if, in the end, owner Bob McNair chooses a guy that was higher on Sherman's list than on head coach Gary Kubiak's.  The new G.M. could have greater loyalty to Sherman -- and thus the two of them could, in theory, work together to undermine Kubiak over the long haul.

On the other hand, Sherman arguably has the most qualifications of anyone in the organization to hire a G.M. because he actually has been a G.M.  Sure, he was ultimately relived of his G.M. duties a year before losing his job as the head coach.  But he at least has an idea as to what a G.M. actually does, and the qualities necessary to do it.

And Sherman's involvement in the process could mean a boost for Packers director of pro personnel Reggie McKenzie, who has received the green light from Green Bay to interview for the Texans job.

---

SMITH'S QUALIFICATIONS QUESTIONED

The Rocky Mountain News reports that the Broncos are willing to allow assistant G.M. Rick Smith to accept the G.M. position with the Texans, even though the team has the ability to block the move if, as expected, Smith does not receive "final say" authority on personnel matters.

The development has prompted multiple league insiders to conclude that, if the Broncos are willing to let Smith leave, then he really doesn't bring enough to the table to justify keeping.  Otherwise, there's no way the team would let him walk.

Said one league insider, "All anyone is in the Broncos' front office is a puppet boy for [coach Mike] Shanahan."

Another source thinks that the Texans are looking at "the wrong Smith," and that Jaguars director of college scouting Gene Smith would be a better choice (notwithstanding the recent decision to draft UCLA running back Maurice Drew).

It's our understanding, however, that the process will still take time to unfold, and that Rick Smith merely was the first of many candidates. 

---

SATURDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

The fact that Barbaro broke his leg and might die would be a real shame if he were, you know, human.

P Ben Graham has signed a six-year, $7 million deal with the Jets.

Colts QB Peyton Manning says that he plans to play eight more years, which hopefully will spare us all from a year-in, year-out Lord Favre thing.

There's got to be a better way to describe the NFL experience for a rookie than "Eat or be eaten."

RB Ricky Williams might not be able to get out of Toronto after only one season.

Panthers LB/S Thomas Davis is in trouble for allowing his three pit bulls to roam his neighborhood.

The Whizzinator is carrying 20 extra pounds.  (And none of it is in the form of fake genitalia.)

Colts LB Kendyll Pope, suspended for 2005, has not yet been reinstated and his status for 2006 is up in the air.

K Adam Vinatieri has been "constantly" at the Colts' practice facility.

Green Bay FB William Henderson and WR Rod Gardner showed up for Saturday's minicamp practices after missing Friday's work.

QB Tim Couch worked out for the Colts this week, but wasn't signed.

---

POSTED 10:48 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 11:42 a.m. EDT, May 20, 2006

BUSH BLAMES LAWYER FOR SILENCE

Although he proclaimed nearly four weeks ago that he and his family have "nothing to hide," Reggie Bush now says that his lawyer has advised him not to talk to NCAA  and Pac-10 investigators who are exploring the question of whether the 2005 Heisman* winner and/or his family received benefits from New Era Sports & Entertainment (or anyone else) while still supposedly eligible to play college football.

The stated reason for the silence is a threatened lawsuit from New Era.  Anything Bush says now can be used against him in the civil proceedings, during which he'll be questioned under oath at a deposition and later at trial.  And skilled lawyers know how to develop and to demonstrate inconsistencies in the statements of key witnesses, which ultimately forces the jury to ask itself not whether the witness has lied, but when and how many times.

Another benefit of silence is  that Bush's silence will bog down the investigation, delaying further negative publicity regarding the New Era fiasco for weeks if not months.

So if New Era is going to file suit, New Era should do so sooner rather than later.  Hell, the paperwork should have been filed and the summons served on Bush this weekend, while back in L.A. for the rookie trading card photo shoot.

Along with formal notice that his deposition will be taken in early July, during the dead spot in the NFL calendar after offseason workouts and prior to the launch of training camp.

---

DREW GETS SUED

The Jacksonville Times-Union reports that the other well-known running back from a Southern California university, Maurice Drew of UCLA, already has been sued for an incident that occurred on the same day that the poop first hit the fan for USC's Reggie Bush.

Sabzi Soroush has sued Drew, former UCLA teammate Tyler Ebell, and Bears cornerback Ricky Manning, Jr.  Soroush is a 25-year-old UCLA student. 

The complaint, filed on May 16, does not make a specific monetary demand, but lawyer Aviv L. Tuchman tells the Times-Union that Soroush wants punitive damages -- and that "they will be huge."

Careful, Aviv.  Before making specific predictions about what will eventually happen in a court of law, perhaps you should speak with the guy who represented Moe Williams in his Love Boat trial.  During the proceedings, Williams' lawyer proclaimed that only a "complete idiot" could lose the case.  The next day, the jury's verdict proved that he is one.

And punitive damages are a tricky concept.  Sure, it's an opportunity to cash in against a wealthy defendant, since the award won't represent appropriate punishment unless it takes into consideration the financial position of the person being punished.

But the U.S. Supreme Court made clear three years ago that punitive damages hinge on compensatory damages, and that an award of punitives that exceeds by ten times the money paid to compensate the victim for his losses could be overturned.  So if someone does something really mean to someone else but the conduct causes only $10 in actual harm, punitive damages of more than $100 would be subject to reversal -- even if the defendant is Bill Gates.

The practical problem in this case is that Soroush is Muslim (or, at a minimum, Arabian).  Depending on the precise composition of the jury, he might not get a huge award of compensatory damages that would then support an even huger award of punitives.  Especially if/when it comes out that Soroush's own words and behavior prior to the incidednt didn't fit the mousy computer geek profile that was painted by previous media reports.

Assuming that Soroush didn't suffer any broken bones or scars or other extensive injuries, the damages for getting the crap beaten out of him might not be enormous, assuming that Soroush can even prove that Drew or Manning were responsible for his injuries.

The risk for Drew and Manning is that, if they flatly deny hitting or kicking Soroush and if the jury doesn't believe them, the jury's quantitative assessment of the qualitative pain and suffering that Soroush experienced could be driven higher -- ultimately supporting a bigger award of punitives.

In summary, Drew and Manning are in hot water on this one, and even if they win at trial they'll be spending a lot of money in legal fees to make it happen.

---

DREW WASN'T ARRESTED ON APRIL 23

Maurice Drew and Ricky Manning, Jr. also will be spending a nice chunk of money for legal fees related to the defense against criminal charges resulting from the alleged assault.  But even though it's been confirmed that both Drew and Manning have been charged with assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury, it now appears that Drew wasn't arrested on April 23.

The Los Angeles district attorney's office admits that it mistakenly said in a Thursday news release that Drew had been arrested with Manning on the day of the incident.

"It was our mistake, and it will be corrected," a spokesperson told the Florida Times-Union. "Drew was never arrested, but there was a warrant out for him."

Although this disclosure means that Drew didn't successfully dupe 32 NFL teams and NFL Security into thinking he wasn't arrested, the fact that no one in the league knew that a warrant had been issued for his arrest is still cause for embarrassment -- assuming the warrant was issued before the draft.

Drew and Manning face up to four years in jail if convicted.  If, as prior reports suggest, Manning is still on probation for an incident that occurred while he was still at UCLA, Manning could face incarceration for the new incident, based on a standard of proof that he "did it" lesser than proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

---

SATURDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Experts are amazed that the Saints have sold nearly 55,000 season tickets.  

The Packers have plenty of receivers . . . but how many of them can play?

A whopping 22 Packers are missing from their current minicamp.

The Steelers have pushed their Super Bowl ring ceremony back to June 4.

Colts coach Tony Dungy jokes that rookie RB Joseph Addai "probably will be in the Hall of Fame in six years."

Chiefs coach Herm Edwards thinks that CB Ty Law won't sign with anyone until training camp:  "Knowing him, he won't sign until July. That's what he always does.  He's going to wait until training camp.  That's what veteran guys do."

Rookie DE Tamba Hali already is running with the ones in K.C.

Titans QB Billy Volek thinks that WR Bobby Wade is a lot like former Titans WR Derrick Mason (without, you know, the statistics or the talent).

David Climer of the Nashville Tennessean thinks that Jay Cutler will be the best of the 2006 first-round quarterback class.

Warren Moon thinks QB Steve McNair can still play.

Cards CB Antrell Rolle underwent arthroscopic surgery on his knee, to remove scar tissue.

Former Pitt WR Greg Lee, who could have developed into a first-day pick if he'd stayed in school for another year, was forced to choose between two receiver-heavy teams -- the Cards and the Lions.

Packers OL Will Whitticker has been moved from guard to tackle -- and his next move could be through the door.

If there's no contact during offseason workouts, what in the world would be happening to make Packers CB Ahmad Carroll throw multiple punches at a receiver?  (Other than Carroll just being a general butthole.)

Packers S Mark Roman has removed the stick from his ass.

Legendary Steelers radio analyst Myron Cope is back in the hospital.

---

POSTED 9:19 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 9:49 p.m. EDT, May 19, 2006

BELL BLEW THE WHISTLE

Although Lions defensive lineman Marcus Bell denies that he filed the complaint with the NFLPA regarding impermissible contact during minicamps, we've confirmed that Bell is  the guy who blew the whistle on new coach Rod Marinelli.

Also, reports that defensive end James Hall and defensive tackle Shaun Rogers joined in the complaint aren't accurate.  Hall signed off on the complaint in his capacity as the Lions' union representative.  Rogers simply had nothing to do with the complaint.

The identity of the whistleblower is becoming more and more important because there are multiple Lions players who aren't happy about the fact that a complaint was made.  At least three members of the team privately have made strong comments regarding the filing of the complaint, and Bell should be far more worried about retaliation from his teammates than from the coaching staff.

We're not suggesting that Bell will be the victim of violence.  Instead, we suspect that he'll be ostracized by the the other guys on the roster, and that he'll eventually be begging to be cut.

Our guess is that the front office eventually will oblige.  

---

FRIDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

RB Dominic Rhodes get the first crack at replacing Edgerrin James.

L.A. City Council voted to plunk down $25 million for improvements to the Coliseum in order to put an NFL team back in there.

The 1951 University of San Francisco football team was honored for turning down an Orange Bowl berth because the bowl committee wanted them to leave the black players at home.

Bucs owner Malcolm Glazer has suffered a second stroke.

Ruston Webster has been officially named the V.P. of player personnel in Seattle.

With Lord Favre riding his tractor, QB Aaron Rodgers gets a shot at running the offense in minicamp.

Packers DT Donnell Washington practiced Friday after being sidelined in the team's last minicamp because he was too fat.

The Cards have signed a three-year agreement to conduct training camp at Northern Arizona University.

The Falcons have cut K Seth Marler.

The Jags have signed WR Troy Edwards and WR Randy Hymes.

---

POSTED 8:09 a.m. EDT, May 19, 2006

JAGS KNEW ABOUT DREW?

The agent for former UCLA running back Maurice Drew claims that the Jacksonville Jaguars knew about his alleged involvement in the assault of a man at a Denny's in Westwood.

Specifically, agent Adisa Bakari tells the Florida Times-Union that Drew was present when the incident occurred, but didn't take part.

But Drew's disclosure that he was present but not involved is one thing.  It remains to be seen whether Drew told the Jags -- or anyone -- that he'd actually been arrested following the incident.

As far as we can tell, no one within league circles knew that Drew had actually been arrested.  In fact, most of our regular contacts hadn't even heard about Drew's potential involvement in the days before the draft.

Per one league source, NFL Security sent a fax to teams on draft day discussing Drew's potential involvement, explaining that the league was cooperating with authorities, and advising that there would be a full investigation.  Given this significant unknown so close in time to the draft, the source was "shocked" that the Jaguars pulled the trigger on Drew in round two.  

And here's another curious factor that sets off our patent-pending bullpoopie detector.  Bakari claimed before the draft that Drew and Bears cornerback Ricky Manning, Jr. are not acquaintances.  However, Thursday's AP story says that Drew and Manning were in the same vehicle when they both were arrested.

Finally, here's one more tidbit regarding the incident that we've picked up from our discussions with league sources over the past few weeks. 

The alleged victim is Muslim.

Maybe now the "real" media will get to the bottom of this one.

---

SMITH GETS PERMISSION TO TAKE TEXANS JOB?

Lost in the Friday report from Houston Chronicle writer (a/k/a Texans Assistant Director of Media Relations) Megan Manfull that Broncos assistant G.M. Rick Smith will interview for the General Manager job with the NFL's newest franchise is that the Broncos presumably have given Smith permission to take the job, even though the position by all appearances does not entail "final say" authority over the draft, the roster, and the coach.

Front-office personnel without "final say" who are still under contract can be blocked from jumping to another team, unless the move provides them with said "final say."  If the Broncos have given Smith permission to interview for the job, the Broncos most likely have also given him permission to take it.

Manfull possibly didn't mention this tidbit because the notion that the Broncos won't stand in Smith's way could be interpreted as an indication that he's not A-list material.

Manfull also mentions that current G.M. Charley Casserly is staying on the job until June 1.  We assume that this disclosure was made in direct response to our suggestion from Thursday that the Texans are having trouble putting together a plan for finding a new G.M. with Casserly there to make the decisions.

Okay, so Casserly is still technically on the job.  But does anyone believe that anyone in the front office has asked Casserly to have any input in the search for his replacement?  The dude jumped before he got pushed.  So he's the last person that would be plotting the course to find his replacement. 

---

FRIDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

The Commish concedes that he doesn't expect to be able to retire by July 31, but he is hopeful that a new Commissioner will be in place by the start of the regular season. 

Fins QB Joey Harrington, on the "champagne and caviar" remarks from FOX's Tony Siragusa from 2004:  "More than anything, Siragusa was trying to call me soft."  (Actually, we thought he was trying to call you gay.)

The Dolphins will allow RB Ricky Williams to play for the Toronto Argonauts, if the Argos agree to release him when the 2006 season ends.

The Fins will still blitz "a lot" under Dom Capers.

Veteran WR David Boston had a tryout with the Bucs on Thursday.

Congrats to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, which is reporting on the termination of Rams scouts Tom Marino and Dave Razzano only two weeks after the moves occurred.  (We smell Pulitzer . . .  oh wait, it's just horsesh-t.)

---

POSTED 6:57 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 7:49 p.m. EDT, May 18, 2006

DREW'S ARREST KEPT UNDER WRAPS PRE-DRAFT

Kudos to everyone involved in keeping under wraps the arrest of UCLA running back Maurice Drew only six days before the April 29 draft.

Including, apparently, the relevant law enforcement authorities.

As it turns out, Drew was busted with Bears corner Ricky Manning, Jr. on April 23 after a man allegedly had the crap beat and/or kicked out of him at a Denny's restaurant in Westwood, the site of the UCLA campus.  Previous reports indicated that the incident was sparked after a group of men started to make fun of the alleged victim for working on a laptop.

We're also assuming that the media was in some way complicit in keeping Drew's pre-draft arrest under wraps, given that the AP story announcing the fact that Drew has been charged with assault grossly glosses over the fact that Drew was originally arrested at the same time that Manning got busted.

Word of Drew's potential involvement was churning through the NFL rumor mill in the days preceding the draft, but the prevailing school of thought was that Drew had nothing to do with the incident.

The end result?  Drew was drafted in round two, by the Jaguars.  He most likely would have gone later if the arrest had been disclosed.

The winners?  Drew, obviously.  But another guy who'll make out is the alleged victim, since he'll now likely be able to get even more money from Drew through the civil justice system for injuries sustained as a result of the incident.

---

THURSDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

The Commish spoke at the Georgetown senior class convocation.

Coach Kevlar is taking another chance on CB Willie Middlebrooks, a former first-round bust of the Broncos.

The Chiefs have chopped S Jerome Woods.

Former NFL CB Dennis Weathersby is hoping to make a comeback.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have signed former Packers WR Andrae Thurman.

The FBI has busted a hedge fund manager who allegedly bilked millions from victims including several current and former members of the Broncos.

The Fins are getting closer to permitting RB Ricky Williams to play in Canada.

---

POSTED 3:09 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 4:36 p.m. EDT, May 18, 2006

TEXANS G.M. SEARCH MOVING SLOWLY

A league source tells us the Houston Texans have made little or no progress in their search for the successor to former G.M. Charley Casserly, the only person who held the position in the history of the franchise.

Part of the problem, as we hear it, is that the front office relied on Casserly for everything, and without Casserly there to make the decisions as to the plan for proceeding, the team doesn't really know what to do.

There's talk that the Texans will hire a search firm to assist in the process.  On one hand, using an outside business to track down candidates -- and check backgrounds -- can help to avoid an outcome such as the Fran Foley fiasco in Minnesota.  On the other hand, such an approach can send a message that the team doesn't know what it's doing.

Sure, the NFL currently is using a search firm to help find a Commissioner.  But in this specific instance the league ends up with a convenient scapegoat if/when folks are pissed off that their candidates of choice are overlooked.

So look for the Texans' search to take a while.  A long while.

---

VIKES, EAGLES SWAP WIDEOUTS

Vikings coach Brad Childress has swung a deal with his old team, the Eagles, to land one of his former players.

Under the deal, the Eagles will send receiver Billy McMullen to the Vikings for receiver Hank Baskett.

The curious aspect of the transaction is that McMullen was a third-round draft choice in 2003, while Baskett was an undrafted free agent signed by the Vikings in 2006.

McMullen appeared in 16 games for the Eagles in 2005, catching 18 passes for 268 yards and one touchdown.  He is under contract through 2006, at a base salary of $500,000.

Baskett, who played last year at New Mexico, was expected to be a mid-round pick.  ESPN's Mel Kiper had him ranked as the 130th best player in the 2006 talent pool.  He specifically selected the Vikings after being snubbed.  Now, the Vikings have shipped him out of town based on only one minicamp. 

---

LEAGUE, UNION AGREE TO NEW PROCEDURES FOR DILUTE SPECIMENS

The NFL and the NFLPA have reached agreement on a new procedure for determining whether a urine sample is sufficiently dilute to be considered a positive result.

Previously, a specimen with a specific gravity of less than 1.003 and a creatinine concentration of less than 20 mg/dL was considered to be diluted -- and automatically regarded as a positive.  Prior to the 2003 draft, for example, there were reports that receiver Charles Rogers and cornerback Torrie Cox had generated dilute specimens at the scouting combine.

Said Cox's agent, Peter Schaffer, at the time:  "This is ridiculous.  I guess it means I'm representing a water abuser."

Although the NFL has not agreed to look the other way when it comes to dilute samples, the rules have been softened.  A dilute sample will now be tested to the so-called "limits of detection."  If positive, the result is then recorded as a positive.  If negative at the "limits of detection," the result is then handled somewhat differently.

Most notably, a player in Stage Two or Stage Three gets one "warning" for an dilute sample that generates an "LOD Negative" result.  Also, a player who is not in the substance abuse program enters based on behavior, not based on a positive test, if a dilute sample reveals no banned substances at the "limits of detection."

The NFL and the NFLPA also have reiterated the dress code for sample collection:  "BARE ABOVE THE KNEES."  The players may not wear shirts or other upper body garments, and all lower body garments must be pulled down to the knees.

This became an issue in 2005, when folks wondered how in the hell former Vikings running back Onterrio Smith was able to use a plastic pecker to funnel phony urine into the collection cup.  The reality is that the employees responsible for monitoring the, ahem, harvesting of sample don't really want to stand there and watch the guy make pee-pee. 

Well, not all of them.  At least one guy considers the duties a privilege . . . and a thrill.

---

POSTED 9:23 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 10:40 a.m. EDT, May 18, 2006

BENGALS COY ABOUT POLLACK INJURY

The Cincinnati Bengals curiously are keeping quiet about an injury recently suffered by linebacker David Pollack.

On May 16, we reported on rumors in league circles that Pollack broke his leg while playing basketball. 

Adam Schefter of the NFL Network added to the story on May 17, writing that the second-year pro "suffered a sprained ankle during a non-football activity the Bengals declined to identify."  One team official told Schefter that the injury is "minor" and that "if we had a game tomorrow, [Pollack] would play."

Sorry, but we don't buy it.  The team's official web site characterized Pollack's injury as a "foot" problem, and the Cincinnati Enquirer on May 17 identified Pollack's injury as "NA" (which either means "not available" or "nuts and anus").  The fact that the team can't get its story straight regarding a supposedly minor ankle sprain suggests that there's more to the story.  Much more.

Our take?  It's worse than a sprain, and the team is trying to keep it under wraps primarily in order to ensure that Pollack's sock won't have a bull's-eye on it once the games start in 2006.

---

REGGIE REALLY IS A SELFISH ASSHOLE

With apologies to everyone out there who has lined up to nuzzle the crotch of the 2005 Heisman* winner, we've decided after careful consideration that, in our opinion, Reggie Bush is a selfish asshole.

And our decision in this regard was not influenced significantly by the storm of controversy regarding whether and to what extent Bush and his family got paid while Bush was still playing for USC.  We believe that this sort of stuff happens, in varying degrees, at most major college football programs, and that if the Bushes are guilty of anything it's of being careless to the point of stoopid.

No, we reached our final opinion regarding Reggie only recently, when we were reminded by a reader that the number he so desperately wants to wear at the pro level, No. 5, is already spoken for on the team that drafted him.

Quarterback Adrian McPherson, drafted by the Saints in 2005 because (as we hear it) he reminded the organization of Vince Young, currently is assigned No. 5.  But there has been not a peep from the Bush camp reflecting a scintilla of respect for the fact that someone else holds the rights to the number that Reggie wants.

Hell, there's likewise been no comment from Team Bush regarding the fact that his fallback choice -- No. 25 -- is the property of Fred McAfee.

So if wearing No. 5 or (if that fails) No. 25 is such a big deal for Bush, why doesn't Bush think it might be a big deal for the guys who already wear those numbers?

Folks, whether you like or dislike Reggie Bush, his current mentality falls within the four corners of the textbook definition of selfish.

Per Webster.com, "selfish" means "seeking or concentrating on one's own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for others."

Without regard for others.

So it's a no-brainer.  By showing zero regard for the fact that McPherson owns No. 5 and McAfee owns No. 25, Bush is selfish.

Of course, Bush's handlers are smart enough to know that Reggie must pander to the Katrina victims by promising to donate 25 percent of the earnings from the sale of his jersey to ongoing relief efforts.  Whoop-de-doo.  It's an obvious P.R. move aimed at selling even more jerseys and, in the end, pocketing more money than if he'd kept 100 percent of the proceeds without making the commitment.

The other problem here is that the Saints are aiding and abetting Bush's selfish assholishness.  They allowed him to wear No. 5 at the team's recent minicamp, even though the number has been issued to McPherson.

And as to McPherson, we're making an open offer to negotiate on his behalf -- at no charge -- the transaction with Bush for the rights to No. 5, assuming that the NFL changes its rules regarding jersey numbering.  If, after all, Bush and his people are pushing the issue in order to enhance Reggie's earning potential, McPherson could end up holding an asset worth much more than a bowl of soup at Mendy's.  It's a seven-figure proposition, and hopefully McPherson realizes it.

So how much should McPherson request for No. 5?  Just enough to get Bush to accuse him of being selfish.

---

THURSDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

The Big Show will be making some big dough in 2007 and 2008.

CB Ty Law wants a $10 million signing bonus.  (So do we -- and we have about the same chance as Law of getting one.)

Steelers LB Joey Porter was the only starter absent from voluntary workouts on Wednesday.

Lions DL Marcus Bell denies that he blew the whistle on coach Rod Marinelli.

Days after being cut by the Rams, UConn hoopster Ed Nelson isn't giving up yet on the possibility of playing in the NFL.

Great job by John DeShazier of the New Orleans Times-Picayune in putting the Bush number thing in perspective.

Uncle Rico is back in Nashville.

Colts CB Nick Harper hasn't made good on threats to boycott offseason workouts (maybe he realized it was far better than staying home with Mrs. Harper and her collection of pointy objects).

Giants RB Ryan Grant will miss the 2006 season due to a non-football wrist and hand injury.

Great line from Tom Kowalski of mlive.com:  "The Detroit Lions held a media session on Wednesday to give themselves the opportunity to say nothing to those who attended."

Owners aren't expected to make a decision as to the stadium location of an eventual L.A. franchise next week in Denver.

Receivers can now wear No. 10, and Santonio Holmes will do it in Pittsburgh.  (Hmmm . . . . We thought that the Steelers had retired that one in honor of Kordell Stewart.)

Pats owner Bob Kraft refuses to disclose the length or the value of coach Bill Belichick's contract.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says that former first-round DE Greg Ellis will continue to have a key role in the team's defense, even if Ellis doesn't think he fits in the 3-4 system. 

Former Texas QB Matt Nordgren will be battling Timmy Chang for the bottom rung on the Eagles' depth chart. 

Don Shula has opened a steak house in New Orleans.

Former Bears and Vikings K Paul Edinger can't find a job.  (Wal-Mart is usually hiring, Paul.)

Broncos QB Bradlee Van Pelt thinks he'll be a starter "someday, somewhere."  (How about "next year" and "in Europe"?)

How does Broncos DE Kenard Lang plan on adding 10 pounds?  "I'll get back to being a fat boy a little bit, eating whatever I want and enjoying myself."  

There's nothing laissez faire about Chris Simms' offseason in Tampa.

Two of the Giants restricted free agents signed their one-year tenders.

It looks like the Vikings will have to wait another year before finalizing plans for a new stadium.

QB Joey Harrington's contract with Miami is essentially a two-year deal, which pays him $3.75 million in guaranteed money.

Jail time now appears unlikely for Fins DT Keith Traylor.

Steelers S Troy Polamalu is looking more like the Tazmanian Devil.

---

POSTED 4:28 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 10:53 p.m. EDT, May 17, 2006

FAMILY WITH "NOTHING TO HIDE" HAS NOTHING TO SAY

Less than four weeks after Reggie Bush declared that he and his family have "nothing to hide" regarding their dealings with New Era Sports & Entertainment, Bush and his family curiously have nothing to say to NCAA and Pac-10 investigators who are looking into the situation.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that Bush and his family have declined to be interviewed.  Because the NCAA and the Pac-10 have no subpoena power, there's nothing that can be done to force them to answer questions.

The Bushes undoubtedly are keeping quiet in order to prevent New Era lawyer Brian Watkins from picking up information that could be used against them in a looming lawsuit that will attempt to recover more than $54,000 in unpaid rent and $100,000 in payments allegedly made to the Bush family.

But if, as Reggie claimed on April 25, his family has done "absolutely nothing wrong," what's the problem with coming clean?  Indeed, the family's decision to say nothing serves only to fuel speculation that they do have something to hide and that Reggie did lose his eligibility via the actions of New Era and his parents.

And although we continue to be concerned that the NCAA and/or the Pac-10 will find a way to brush this matter under the rug, the investigation won't be abandoned simply because the Bushes choose not to speak.  If/when suit is filed by New Era, they'll have to talk.

---

LIONS WHO ROARED REVEALED

Tom Kowalski of mlive.com confirms reports from WXYT-AM that Marcus Bell and James Hall are two of the Lions who recently blew the whistle regarding CBA violations occurring at the first official minicamp under new coach Rod Marinelli.  WXYT also reports that Shaun Rogers was one of the players who complained, but Kowalski says that Rogers didn't.

All three players are defensive linemen.

Bell is under contract through 2007 and Hall is signed through 2008.  Whether either of them make it that long remains to be seen.

---

WEDNESDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

The felony charged filed against Dolphins DT Keith Traylor might be reduced to a misdemeanor.

Viking Underground has a picture of the new Vikings helmet, which actually looks pretty good to us.

Vikings CB Fred Smoot goes to trial on May 30 and OT Bryant McKinnie faces his day in court on July 7.

The Saints have sold nearly 55,000 season tickets.

Former NFL LB Hardy Nickerson is joining the Bucs' radio broadcasts.

The Chiefs have signed four players.

The roster of the Toronto Argonauts includes former NFL players Lee Woodall and Erik Flowers.

Former Florida State G Matt Meinrod is being treated like a nimrod.

Dick Butkus is fighting steroids.

The Packers will play their final preseason game on a Friday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. in deference to local high school football.

Both Jeff Fisher and Lovie Smith are twisting in the wind.

The Lions grievance thing won't go away.

The Fins have been awarded C Dominic Furio on waivers from the Eagles.

The Pats have cut undrafted rookie free agent S Sam Smith.

The Jets have waived LB Tearrius George.

DT Ted Washington is poised to become the biggest player in Browns history.

Giants WR Sinorice Moss and TE Matt Kranchick have switched jerseys, giving Moss No. 83.

Eagles WR Jeremy Bloom was at the White House on Wednesday.

---

POSTED 1:24 p.m. EDT, May 17, 2006

PORTER BACKTRACKS ON BUSH COMMENTS

Steelers linebacker Joey Porter has "clarified" his recent comments regarding his plans for the team's June 2 visit to the White House.  

On Sunday, Porter said, "Yeah, I got something to say to [George] Bush, I'm going to have a swagger when I walk in there, too.  I'm looking forward to it.  I have something to tell him, too.  I don't like the way things are running right now.  I feel like he has to give me some of my money back, so I got something to tell Bush."

Not surprisingly, Porter is now singing a different tune.

"I regret that my quotes about our team’s upcoming visit to the White House were taken out of context," Porter said in a prepared statement.  "I am very excited to have an opportunity to visit the White House and meet the president of the United States.  During a lighthearted session with the media, I did joke with them about meeting Uncle Sam and FICA.  I did not say that I disapproved of President Bush or the job he has done leading our country.  We will be guests of the president and I would never do anything to disrespect him.  I consider our upcoming trip an honor and a dream come true.  Our entire team is looking forward to visiting the White House and enjoying what promises to be the opportunity of a lifetime."

Said one league insider in response to the quotes attributed to Porter:  "He couldn't even read this statement much less write it."

Of course, it's easy for Porter to blame the media for (God forbid) repeating his words verbatim.  Though some accounts made sure to mention that Porter was laughing loudly when he made the remarks, we explained on Monday that the folks hired to protect the President won't see the humor.

Really, does it take a genius to figure that there are certain things that shouldn't be said, even in jest?  We don't have the time to compile the full list, but we have a feeling that "I'm going to talk shit at the President when I go to his crib" falls somewhere between "Stewardess, can I have a pillow to set this bomb on?" and "Honey, I've got the herpes" on the official ranking of statements uttered in jest that won't draw much laughter.   

Then again, should we expect anything else from Porter?  As one league source recently said:  "He is so f--king dumb and to have him as a mouthpiece for the team is unbelievable."  

---

POSTED 8:32 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 11:26 a.m. EDT, May 16, 2006

SPECULATION INTENSIFIES THAT SMITH WAS FACING A SUSPENSION

There is increasing talk in league circles that Jags receiver Jimmy Smith opted to retire from the NFL because he otherwise would have been slapped with a one-year suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

We're not officially reporting -- yet -- that Smith failed another drug test.  But plenty of league insiders are of the opinion that Smith's sudden decision to walk away was merely an effort to avoid a far less graceful exit from the game.

Since the league's testing policy and program is confidential (except when, you know, someone blabs), there's no hard evidence to either prove that Smith was in line for a one-year suspension, or to prove that he wasn't.  Under the circumstances, we think that Smith should authorize the league to comment on the matter.  Unless and until he does, folks will continue to believe that chose to walk the plank in lieu of having the plank shoved up his poop chute.  

---

MESSAGE TO TITANS, RAVENS -- "WORK IT OUT, BOYS"

To the keenly trained eye of a skilled and savvy NFL observer (and when we find one we'll let you know), the announcement by arbitrator John Feerick that a decision on the grievance filed by quarterback Steve McNair against the Titans won't be issued until early June is a clear message to both the Titans and the Ravens that they should work together to finalize a trade that would send the former co-MVP to Baltimore.

There's no other reason why Feerick would wait three weeks to issue a ruling.  T.O.'s grievance against the Eagles, which was far more complex and involved a lengthy background and a jambalaya of disputed facts, was resolved in five days.  

In this case, the issue is simple.  Should the Titans be required to allow Steve McNair to work out on a voluntary basis at the team's facility?

Per the Nashville Tennessean, the team's defense primarily focused on whether McNair had fully participated in voluntary workouts in the past.  Though technically irrelevant to whether he has the right to be present at the facility, the team's point is that McNair is seizing upon a technicality in order to force his release.

Even if McNair wins the grievance, the team will simply say, "Okay, Steve, you're allowed to work out here," knowing full well that he won't.  And with a decision expected in early June, the offseason program will be nearly over if McNair chooses to show up. 

But the Titans shouldn't get too cocky on this one.  We think that, if Feerick is forced to make a decision on this one, he might just find a way to declare that, given the Titans' actions, McNair is a free agent.  

Bottom line -- all parties to this unnecessarily ugly and protracted affair should clean up the mess before Feerick is forced to do it for them.  

---

SEAHAWKS STAND ON PRINCIPLE

Several league insiders with whom we have spoken are applauding the Seattle Seahawks for moving swiftly to cut the cord on offensive lineman Wayne Hunter, only days after he was arrested for assault and malicious mischief.  The team could have avoided a potential grievance from Hunter and the NFLPA by carrying him on the roster into training camp and then adding his name to the list of final cuts.  This strategy would have made it difficult if not impossible to tie Hunter's termination to his recent arrest.

As we explained on Tuesday night, teams have limited authority under the CBA to impose disciplines on players.  Only the Commissioner can mete out punishment to players who plead guilty to or who are convicted of criminal charges.  

But teams like the Seahawks, who we hear quietly have instituted a zero tolerance policy for players with behavioral problems, apparently are willing to face the financial consequences of sending a strong message to the locker room.

At a time when teams are required to spend more money than ever on player salary, who cares if the team ends up forking over $721,600 to a guy that they don't want infecting the rest of the roster?

Hunter is regarded in league circles as a Class A-1 turd, and we're amazed in hindsight that the 'Hawks opted to extend to him the restricted free agent tender offer.  Still, we're hearing that the team had essentially put him on final notice that any further issues would result in his release; perhaps, then, the team gave him a one-year offer under the express understanding that one false move would result in a pink slip.

The only remaining question is whether Hunter will challenge the decision via the filing of a non-injury grievance.  It looks like an open-and-shut case, but to the extent that he wants to play for another NFL team, now might be a good time for him to show the rest of the football world that he's ready to accept responsibility for his conduct.

---

MORE MEDIA MISBEHAVIOR IN WEBSTER AFFAIR

On Tuesday, we took a shot across the bow at Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune for failing to give due credit to this here site for a series of reports regarding the status of former Bucs director of player personnel Ruston Webster.  Cummings used the journalistic code word "confirmed" in order to bypass the obligation to mention the entity that first reported the story of Webster's possible departure for St. Louis.

On Wednesday, Cummings brazenly goes a step farther, penning a story that creates the false impression that Cummings is the person who broke the news that Webster has opted to take a job with the Seahawks.

For shame, Siegfried. 

Actually, John Czarnecki of FOXSports.com broke the Webster-to-Seattle story, and we confirmed it (while also crediting Czar).

Likewise, Cummings takes a gratuitous swipe at Webster in the first paragraph of his Wednesday article, describing Webster as a "castoff" of the Bucs.

Castoff?  The guy gives 18 years of his life to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the hack from the local rag calls him a "castoff" when Webster leaves for a better opportunity -- and presumably more money?

With this kind of arrogance permeating newsprint throughout the nation, it's no wonder that more and more consumers are relying on other sources for their daily dosage of information.

---

WEDNESDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Vikings FB Joey Goodspeed is the first unofficial ACL victim of the 2006 offseason.

The 'Hawks have signed CB Gerard Ross and have dumped OL Kyle Ralph.

Former Bengals TE Dan Ross is dead at 49.

We can't quit wondering why the Big Show has re-upped for only two years.

The Commish won't be handling the grievance filed by Fran Foley against the Vikings.

The Ravens have exchanged proposals with S Ed Reed on a new contract.

The Broncos have a saltlick in their pockets for Jay Cutler.

Denver WR Ashley Lelie is losing out on a $100,000 workout bonus by not attending voluntary sessions.

The Broncos had planned to draft Miami CB/KR Devin Hester, but the Bears beat them to him.

Bengals OT Levi Jones wants to stay with the team beyond 2006.  (Hey, Levi -- you'll increase your chances of getting a new contract if you pull a gun on someone.)

The Bears signed CB Carlos Hendricks and cut K Matt Fordyce.

John Branch of the New York Times says that the competition committee "probably" will recommend that owners change the numbering system to accommodate Reggie Bush.  (Branch "probably" pulled that one out of his ass crack, since the wind decidedly is blowing against a rule change.)

Texans coach Gary Kubiak has a wizard's hat in his pocket for LT Seth Wand.

Cards coach Dennis Green was in the house the night that Wilt Chamberlain bagged 100.  (Green is talking about scoring points in a basketball game.  We think.)

The Redskins plan to open up the offense in 2006.

Former Redskins S Ryan Clark is impressed by the camaraderie in the Pittsburgh locker room.  (Get back to us, Ryan, after the make you do the Elephant Walk.)  

Former NFL QB Rich Gannon says his presence at Bucs OTA workouts isn't a sign that he's coming out of retirement.

Pickings are slim for a backup quarterback in New England.

The T.O. Circus officially opens on July 27 in Oxnard.

At a time when former USC RB Reggie Bush is pissing and moaning about his inability to wear No. 5, it's nice to know that former USC teammate Matt Leinart is accepting silently the fact that he'll have to pick a jersey number other than 11 in Arizona.

Two-Ton Toniu Fonoti is hoping to get down to a svelte 370 pounds.

The Chiefs have fingered Denny Thum as their new COO.

Rutgers QB Ryan Hart did not get an offer from the Giants after a weekend tryout.

The Giants have waived TE Sean Berton.

The NFL might use a Super Bowl to entice the folks in Minnesota to fork over a new stadium.

The Ravens have signed former Raiders LB Tim Johnson.

---

POSTED 7:23 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 10:00 p.m. EDT, May 16, 2006

HAWKS COURTING GRIEVANCE BY CUTTING HUNTER

The Seattle Seahawks have released offensive tackle Wayne Hunter, only three days after he was arrested for fourth-degree assault and third-degree malicious mischief.

Hunter is a former third-round draft pick, who signed earlier in the offseason a one-year restricted free agent tender worth $721,600.

The move, however, is sure to be challenged by the NFLPA as a violation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.  Teams cannot cut players due to arrests and/or other alleged misconduct. 

And the nexus between the arrest and the release is fairly obvious.  If the Seahawks didn't think Hunter can play, they wouldn't have given him a tender offer for the 2006 season.

---

TRAYLOR BUSTED FOR BUSTING A BUILDING

Dolphins defensive tackle Keith Traylor recently has been arrested for DUI and possession of a controlled substance.

After Traylor was taken to jail, he tore a smoke detector off of the wall.  Under Oklahoma law, the offense constitutes injury to a public building, which is a felony.

"The type of behavior that allegedly took place is disappointing, out of character for Keith and something that we don't condone as an organization," said Dolphins coach Nick Saban. "It is important that our players understand the responsibility they have in representing themselves, their families, their teammates, this organization and our fans in a first class way."

Traylor, a wide-bodied run stuffer, signed with the Dolphins in 2005.  Earlier in the offseason, the team considered adding Sam Adams, which likely would have resulted in Traylor's release.

Grady Jackson is still on the market, if the Fins decide to phase out Traylor.  To do so without setting themselves up for a non-injury grievance, the Fins would need to make the thing look like a football decision.

---

TUESDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

The Big Show has signed a two-year extension with the Seahawks.

Reggie Bush is now going to wear No. 5 for the rookie photo card shoot.

Coach Kevlar is getting upset.

An arbitrator won't issue a ruling on Steve McNair's grievance until the beginning of June.

Mario Williams makes his debut.

The contract between Notre Dame and Charlie Weis contains a "Herculean" buyout.

Reggie Bush has a "mild strain" of his hamstring.

The NFL Network's new programming ideas include a competition of some sort among cheerleaders.  (But will the thing be filmed on location from a bathroom stall at Banana Joe's in Tampa?)

The Commish is stumping for a new stadium in Minnesota.

---

POSTED 6:22 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 6:59 p.m. EDT, May 16, 2006

POLLACK HAS BROKEN LEG?

There's scuttlebutt in league circles that Bengals linebacker David Pollack has suffered a broken leg this offseason while playing basketball.

The team isn't saying much about it.  Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com writes that Pollack missed a voluntary practice session on Tuesday due to a foot injury.

Pollack was the team's first-round pick in 2005.  He started in five games as a rookie, racking up 22 tackles, six assists, and 4.5 sacks.

---

PROPS FOR BLOOM

Although Vic Carucci of NFL.com chides Eagles receiver/kick returner Jeremy Bloom for his reluctance to give interviews in order to avoid being a distraction, at least one league insider applauds Bloom's effort to keep his head low.

"Good for Jeremy," said the source.  "Some of these other rookies should take heed."

Bloom was a fifth-round pick of the Eagles.  He played football for only two years at Colorado.  The NCAA stripped his remaining eligibility due to endorsement money received via his skiing career.

---

MORE CONFIRMATION OF WEBSTER TO SEATTLE

We've heard from another source that Buccaneers director of player personnel Ruston Webster has accepted a position with the Seattle Seahawks.

And we've picked up more info regarding the basis for Webster's decision to pass on the G.M. job in St. Louis.  It's an empty title, we've heard from multiple sources.  Webster would have had no real authority.

Meanwhile, folks around the league are flat-out amazed by the failure of the media to mention that the courting of Webster means that G.M. Charley Armey is out the door in St. Louis -- and by the media's general ignorance of the Rams' decision to fire senior scouts Tom Marino and Dan Razzano.

---

POSTED 3:28 p.m. EDT, May 16, 2006

REGGIE NOT WEARING NO. 5 FOR TRADING CARD SHOOT

Spurned to date in his efforts to change the NFL's numbering system to suit his desire to wear No. 5, Saints running back Reggie Bush will don No. 25 for the upcoming rookie trading cards photo shoot, according to Darren Rovell of ESPN.com.

Bush's marketing agent, Mike Ornstein, previously had said that Bush would wear No. 5 for the event.  Ornstein and Bush apparently were overruled.  It's a strong sign, in our view, that Bush ultimately will not secure the ability to wear No. 5 on the field.

And more and more league insider are hoping that, in the end, the NFL won't change its numbering system simply to accommodate Bush and Ornstein.

"Perhaps this scandal [involving alleged payments made to Bush and/or his family while Bush was still at USC] is more revealing than we realize," said one league source.  "Maybe [Bush] is a selfish jackass.  Maybe it's all about him.  Or maybe Ornstein is looking for headlines for himself."

Elsewhere in Bush World, the 2005 Heisman* winner now plans to donate 25 percent of his cut from the sale of his jersey to Hurricane Katrina charities regardless of whether he wears No. 5 or No. 25.  Ironically, sales of his jersey have fallen behind Uncle Rico of the Titans due to the lingering uncertainty regarding the number that Bush ultimately will wear.

Also, Bush surprisingly wore Nike shoes during the Saints' recent minicamp, despite signing an endorsement deal with adidas.  Ornstein told ESPN.com that Bush's adidas shoes had not yet arrived.

---

POSTED 2:59 p.m. EDT, May 16, 2006

WEBSTER SAYS "NO" TO RAMS

John Czarnecki of FOXSports.com reports, and we separately have confirmed, that Bucs director of player personnel Ruston Webster has turned down an offer to join the Rams' front office, opting instead to take a job with the Seahawks.

Per Czarnecki, the Rams would not give Webster control over football personnel.

Webster also was regarded as a candidate for the G.M. position in Houston, but opted in the end not to wait for the process of replacing Charley Casserly to play itself out.  As to Webster's long-time employer in Tampa, it's unclear whether there were ever any meaningful talks aimed at bringing him back for a 19th season.  Instead, it appears that Webster's agent, Jimmy Sexton, decided to shop Webster to a new city, hoping that the Bucs would step up with a big offer to keep him. 

They didn't.

So now Webster will re-join former Tampa colleague Tim Ruskell, who currently runs the show in Seattle.

---

POSTED 8:39 a.m. EDT, May 16, 2006

"REAL" MEDIA WAKES UP ON WEBSTER STORY

Finally, the folks who get paid to cover football for a living are starting to talk about the possibility that Bucs director of player personnel Ruston Webster will land in St. Louis as the team's new General Manager.

And, as usual, there's no mention of the only outlet that has been talking about the story.

In Tuesday's Tampa Tribune, Roy Cummings deftly avoids the obligation to give credit to (gasp) a web site by writing that he has "confirmed" the Rams' interest in Webster.  

"Confirmed" is journalist code for "I refuse to give credit to the person who reported this first, but I'd better not take the chance of getting fired by suggesting that I'm breaking this one."

Meanwhile, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch finally has acknowledged the team's interest in Webster, but has opted to bury the item at the very bottom of a column covering miscellaneous topics, beneath riveting items such as Marques Haggans taking a few snaps at quarterback and the dates for the team's next minicamp.  Bill Coats of the P-D also uses the "confirmed" device to avoid giving credit for the story.

In five years of covering the NFL on a daily basis, we've never seen a newspaper so deeply in the tank for the local team.  It's one thing to spin the news -- it's another thing to ignore it.  Indeed, the last time the Post-Dispatch even mentioned the possibility of the Rams retooling the front office, the paper tabbed "highly regarded" scouts Tom Marino and Dave Razzano as potential candidates for the position of pro personnel director.

Since then, the Rams have fired both Marino and Razzano.  And the P-D has said J-S about it.

Hey, newspaper guys.  Look at your paychecks.  They're not signed by the owner of the local NFL team.  Independence is one of the most basic qualities of journalism.  Without it, you're just part of the P.R. staff of the entity that you cover.

---

TUESDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Another day, another Arizona writer trying to dig his nose into Matt Leinart's butt.

The trade for QB Joey Harrington allows Miami to use in the supplemental draft the fifth-round or sixth-round pick that will go to Detroit, pushing the Lions' compensation for the failed No. 3 overall pick in the 2002 draft to 2008.

Steve McNair's grievance against the Titans will be decided by May 23.

Although CB Ty Law took a physical last week for the Pats, there have been no substantive contract talks.

The Steelers don't plan to tinker with QB Omar Jacobs' modified Uncle Rico motion.

Doug Flutie thinks that QB Matt Cassel is capable of being the No. 2 in New England.

WR Roddy White was the star of the Falcons' minicamp.

Eagles RB Brian Westbrook wants to earn his money in 2006.

Last year, the receivers were the Mike Vick scapegoats; this year it will be the coaches.

The Jets have signed four and dumped one.