POSTED 8:38 a.m. EDT, June 8, 2005

JAGS DENY ALEXANDER RUMORS

The Jacksonville Jaguars deny that the team has talked to the Seattle Seahawks about a possible trade for running back Shaun Alexander.

Alexander, the Seattle franchise player, has yet to sign his one-year tender and wants a long-term deal.  Multi-year contracts, however, cannot be signed with franchise players from March 15 through July 15.

Thus, a trade would be unlikely until after July 15, when (in theory) Alexander would sign his $6.32 million one-year offer, the 'Hawks would ink Alexander to a long-term deal with (to avoid a cap hit) a big roster bonus payable a week or so later and an option bonus due in 2006, and then Seattle would ship him to his new destination.

Of course, the precursor for such a move would be the negotiation of an acceptable long-term deal between Alexander and the new team, along with compensation for the Seahawks.

Adam Schefter of The NFL Network reported earlier this week that there have indeed been discussions, but the Jags aren't willing to send a third-round pick to Seattle or to pay Alexander what he wants.

Frankly, we don't put much credence in the Jaguars' denial of such discussions.  It was the Jags, after all, who vehemently denied that Byron Leftwich was injured last season when, in fact, he was.

In fact, based on rumors we're hearing regarding the health of Jacksonville running back Fred Taylor, we think the team has every reason to at least explore the possibility of acquiring Alexander.  Though the team insists that Taylor is on schedule to play in 2005, we're hearing that the knee is in worse shape than advertised.

So it's all about leverage.  If people know that Taylor might not be able to go in 2005, the price tag for a trade (and for Alexander's services) goes up.  Thus, the Jags will downplay any interest in Alexander in the hopes of driving down the demands and getting the best deal possible.

This doesn't mean, however, that the three circles in this Venn diagram will ever touch.  Alexander likely would have to reduce his demands significantly, given the current reluctance of teams to pay big money to running backs in their late 20s who, given relatively high mileage in their careers to date, are one big hit away from becoming just another guy.

WEDNESDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren missed practice on Tuesday due to chest pain; doctors concluded that his heart is fine (and when he asked for a second opinion, the doctor said, "You're a big jerk, too").

With the Jets' hopes for a Manhattan stadium floating in the East River like the outcome of a mob hit, the Giants have invited them to play in the new stadium that will be built in Jersey.

Packers coach Mike Sherman jumped on CB Ahmad Carroll for roughing up Donald Driver in practice (Mike, you should be just glad that your D-backs know how to hit).

Rams coach Mike Martz canceled a recent practice because, as he claims, he was pleased with the team's progress.  (We're more inclined to conclude that he was merely accepting reality.)

Packers C Mike Flanagan says that DT Cletidus "Delores" Hunt isn't present for involuntary voluntary workouts because he's unhappy with the team.

The Packers might take three punters to training camp (and two of them might end up playing defensive back).

Jags WR Matt "Moonshine" Jones is finally back to full strength.

More political B.S. regarding the failure of the Jets stadium, and plenty of boo-hooing from the mayor.

CB Deion Sanders sounds worried that he might not get medical clearance to play football; "Man, I don't know," Sanders said.  "I wish I did know.  Pray for me."  (You've been in our prayers, D, but it's more along the lines of praying that your vocal cords, you know, quit working.)

Colts QB Peyton Manning thinks he could have had as many as 66 touchdown passes in 2004 (but he still would have lost in the playoffs).

On Sunday, Pats owner Bob Kraft will host a dinner to distribute the team's Super Bowl rings (and the folks at Burger King plan to push a few tables together so they'll have enough room to eat their burgers).

Redskins S Sean Taylor likely will play in 2005 while his criminal case works its way through the court system.

As expected, Colts coach Tony Dungy is trying in a roundabout way to make excuses for his Playmakers by 'splaining that he was once arrested, too.

The Redskins expect CB R.W. McQuarters to make a decision about his next destination within the next few days.

The Colts will suspend S Mike Doss for at least one game for his recent arrest and conviction on gun charges (and he'll likely spend that afternoon at the shooting range).

Broncos CB Jeremy LeSueur has spent much of the offseason working at safety.

Pats LB Tedy Bruschi still might play football in 2005.

The Redskins aren't expected to lose any of their OTA sessions as a result of last week's NFLPA investigation, but they might be required to keep players out of the team facility for a couple of days (given some of the players on the roster, this might not exactly be a punishment).

The Packers paid OL Steve Morley a $100,000 bonus a year ago; this time around, he might not even make the roster (another great move for former G.M. Sherman).

Panthers DT Brentson Bucker plans to keep kissing cleats for the foreseeable future.

POSTED 9:09 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 9:28 p.m. EDT, June 7, 2005

WEAVER TOUTS NEW REVENUE PLAN

Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver has gone public with a revenue sharing plan that would require teams to divvy up a chunk -- but not all -- of the currently unshared revenues.

Under the so-called "Jacksonville-Pittsburgh" plan, which reflects the fact that Weaver devised the idea in concert with Steelers chairman Dan Rooney, 34 percent of the unshared revenues would be pooled and split among all 32 teams.

"Does it have a chance?  Absolutely it has a chance," Weaver said of the proposal. “It's the only rational long-term commitment, or we become baseball or the other sports leagues."

We like the idea a lot, since it permits the high-end teams like Dallas and Washington to keep roughly two-thirds of the currently unshared money, with the remainder reduced to reflect the average unshared revenues of all teams.

So the big-money teams will still have an incentive to make as much money as possible, since they'll get to keep the bulk of what they earn.  Likewise, the league generally will have a common purpose, possibly prompting teams to nudge low-end franchises like the Cardinals and Bengals to try to make as much money as possible.

TUESDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

The Browns have added veteran OL Marcus Spears, in further anticipation of telling Ross Verba to vamoose.

The Ravens are still waiting for CB Deion Sanders to pass his physical (and we're still waiting from him to go away).

For those of you who have absolutely no friggin' life, the Dolphins' 2005 kickoff banquet can be viewed on the team's official web site.

Ravens LB Terrell Suggs stands trial in six days on 2003 assault charges (and if he gets convicted, Jamal Lewis and Ray Lewis will teach him the convict secret handshake, which finishes with the chant, "If you drop a quarter, kick it back to the cell!").

The Ravens have promoted capologist Pat Moriarty to V.P. of football operations.

Bengals WR Chris Henry is keeping his mouth shut (and his middle fingers in their proper place).

The Broncos are trying to move WR Nate Jackson to tight end (and then they can sign Koren Robinson).

The 'Skins are still keeping their eyes on CB R.W. McQuarters.

Rams WR Isaac Bruce has been cleared to practice following a heart abnormality that kept him on the sidelines.

The Niners have inked two of their seventh-round draft picks.

Former Steelers OT Terry Long, indicted earlier this year for arson after a fire destroyed his chicken processing plant, has died at the age of 45.

POSTED 3:20 p.m. EDT, June 7, 2005

OHALETE HAD ABILITY TO SELL NUMBER

In response to several e-mails we've received from readers who ripped us for suggesting that Ifeanyi Ohalete's case against Clinton Portis was "open and shut," it's time for y'all to "open" your mouths and then "shut" them on your feet.

Some folks out there believe that Ohalete was wrong to sue Portis, since the team -- not Ohalete -- owns the number.  Under this theory, any contract between one player and another for sale of a jersey number would be legally invalid, since there is nothing that the player to whom the number was issued could sell.

The argument, frankly, caused us to stop and think for a second (a personal record for yours truly, by the way) about whether Ife's case might have been iffy, after all.

And then it occurred to us to go straight to the source.

So we aksed Redskins V.P. Karl Swanson whether the team was involved in any way with the dispute.  For example, Portis' lawyers could have argued that Ohalete never owned the number, and they could have been poised to introduce evidence corroborating this fact from the organization.

According to Swanson, however, the team's involvement ends upon the initial assignment of the number.  "If a player desires a number held by someone else, we have left it up to them to work out an arrangement." 

Moreover, Swanson advised us that the Redskins "were not involved in the Portis-Ohalete transaction, or its resolution, in any way."

Thus, Portis really had no way out of the legal document that he signed with Ohalete last year, promising to pay $40,000 to the former Redskins' safety in two installments.  Portis paid the first $20,000, but then refused to make any further payments after Ohalete was cut.  Portis apparently believed that, since Ohalete wouldn't have been on the roster at that point, Portis would have had the number automatically.

In hindsight, Portis should have included a clause of that nature into the contract, which as written contained no language relieving him of paying the remaining $20,000 if Ohalete were no longer on the team.

And Ohalete should have gotten all of his money up front.

TUESDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

The Whizzinator officially is suspended for the 2005 season.

The Browns have given LT Ross Verba permission to seek a trade, and Verba has been excused from all remaining offseason workouts.

Akron prosecutors are trying hard to justify their decision to drop felony charges against Colts S Mike Doss, allowing him to instead plead to multiple misdemeanors (maybe the "I was firing a gun into the air merely to celebrate the Iraqi elections" defense worked, after all).

Bengals LB Nate Webster saved his roster spot in Cincy by agreeing to reduce his 2005 salary by nearly a million bucks (and by promising to wax Mike Brown's moped once a month).

The Bills and Titans are still tiptoeing around a possible trade of RB Travis Henry.

Eagles special teams coach John Harbaugh avoided throwing more pee in the punch regarding the T.O. situation by playing The Match Game with this sound bite:  "I think we will miss Ike [Reese] as a leader," Harbaugh said.  "But we can win without Ike.  Just like we can win without . . . ."  (Santa Claus?  Harold Carmichael?  Robert Goulet?)

Regarding the intensity of offseason workouts, the Big Show says that some teams are "playing football without pads on" (the Seahawks, in contrast, sometimes don't play football with pads on during the regular season).

We still can't figure out why guys are trying so hard to deny using steroids in an era where steroid use was rampant -- and generally accepted.

Former Bills tackle Kent Hull strongly denies that he used steroids, but freely admits that he started smoking at age 9.

Ahmad Carroll and Joey Thomas will square off for the privilege of getting burned twice a year by guys like Roy Williams, Nate Burleson, and Muhsin Muhammad.

POSTED 7:48 a.m. EDT, June 7, 2005

DARRELL DOESN'T SHOW FOR SEAHAWKS

Less than a week after the Seattle Seahawks dumped one of their starting receivers, the other starter at the position has boycotted involuntary voluntary practice, due apparently to a contract dispute.

According to The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Darrell Jackson decided not to participate in Monday's drills, even though he signed a new six-year, $25 million contract a year ago.

"I'm disappointed he's not here," said coach Mike Holmgren.  "He and I have talked about his reasons for not being here, a lot.  With Darrell, in his mind, it's a matter of principle."

Jackson reportedly believes that former Seahawks president Bob Whitsitt made a promise to him that has not been honored.  Apart from the fact that such "promises" potentially violate the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the fact remains that these players need to get all promises reduced to writing in their contracts, or the promises are worthless.

The reality, however, is that Jackson now has even greater leverage, thanks to the misadventures of Koren Robinson that led to his June 2 release.  With Holmgren under increased pressure to win -- especially since new team president Tim Ruskell might want to hire his own guy to coach the team -- look for Holmgren to lobby hard to get Jackson placated quickly.   

DUNGY HAS "NO CONTROL" OVER PLAYERS

In the wake of arrests of safety Mike Doss and cornerback Nick Harper, a league source tells us that the incidents confirm that Colts coach Tony Dungy has "no control" over his players.

Folks around the league often bristle when Dungy chimes in on issues that don't directly affect his team.  And those who believe that Dungy has a habit of sticking his nose where it doesn't belong are now saying that he should get his own house in order before worrying about anything else related to the NFL.

We know that in the post-salary cap era a hard-nosed coach can be a detriment, but we'd like to see something/anything out of Dungy that reflects the fact that he's a, you know, football coach, not a guidance counselor.  

Give us Tuna, not tapioca.  Lombardi, not limp noodle.

The reality is that some guys will only reach their maximum performance (and their best behavior) if their head coach puts the fear of the football gods into them.  Dungy simply can't/won't do it -- and for the same reasons that his team can't punch it through to the next level in January, his players won't think twice before punching, kicking, and/or shooting in the offseason.

Currently, Dungy has a chance to send a message to his guys loudly and clearly via the Mike Doss and Nick Harper situations.  

But we still have a feeling that, in the end, the punishment will be coated with some lame-ass excuse that Dungy tries to offer up on their behalf.

SHOTS WERE FIRED AT, NOT BY TAYLOR

Jody Foldesy of The Washington Times reports that Florida police do not contend that Redskins safety Sean Taylor fired his gun during an incident that resulted in a charge of aggravated assault, and that shots apparently were fired at Taylor during the second phase of the altercation, when Taylor alleged threw punches.

This development is significant for Taylor, since under Florida's "10-20-Life" gun law the mandatory minimum sentence for aggravated assault with a gun shoots from three years to 20 if a shot is fired.

Redskins defensive lineman Phillip Daniels looks to have some tough love ready for Taylor, who has ignored phone calls all offseason from Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs, when Taylor reports for training camp on July 31.  "What better way can you embarrass the Redskins than by not returning calls from a guy who has been there and done good things for this team and this organization?" Daniels told The Washington Post.  "But we've got to support [Taylor].  He needs us, and we need him on the field.  We don't need him out there doing crazy stuff like this over an ATV.

"Sean's got to be smarter. Right now it's not about the fact that we need him, it's the fact of how he is as a person, and right now he's destroying his career.  He's destroying it real fast.  The worst thing you can do in this league is for someone to look at you and say, 'Oh, he's a knucklehead, he's always in trouble.'"

Added guard Randy Thomas:  "He needs to get himself motivated.  With guns and all of that, I don't get into all of that; it's so childish.  Personally, I just try to stay away from things like that.  The guy is a great player, but as a man, he's got to take some steps decision-wise."

TUESDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

The Rams finally have released Crazy Joe Davola after he failed a physical; the move triggers a $1.82 million cap hit in 2005, $5.47 million in 2006 dead money, and yet another black mark on Mike Martz's permanent record.

The Fritz Pollard Alliance is up in arms over the failure of the Dolphins to consider minority candidates for the G.M. job filled by Randy Mueller; the team claims -- with a straight face, we assume -- that it relied on its 2004 search, which included two minority candidates.  

As it turns out, former Redskins S Ifeanyi Ohalete had an open and shut case against RB Clinton Portis, given the language of the contract:  "The document is being drawn on June 4, 2004, to verify the agreement between Clinton Portis and Ifeanyi Ohalete for the sale of Ifeanyi's jersey number in exchange for monetary compensation.  The agreement is for $40,000, to be paid in three different installments.  The first of $20,000 is to be paid upon signing of this document.  Furthermore, the second of $10,000 is to be paid by the 8th week of the 2004 NFL Football season. The final installment of $10,000 is to be paid by December 25, 2004."  (Portis' refusal to honor that slam-dunk language absent a lawsuit that was one freaking day away from trial puts him permanently and completely in the "turd" category in our book, which fully explains the decision of the Broncos to draft him and the 'Skins to trade for him.)

Packers S Mark Roman missed practice on Monday after bruising his knee during Brett Favre's charity softball game, but Roman is on the road to a Tuesday return.

Giants quarterbacks coach Kevin Gilbride had this to say about QB Eli Manning:  "He is never gonna stand up and be Jim Kelly.  But little by little within the parameters of his personality you see him beginning to assert himself, in a very Eli Manning way."

["Hey, guys, this is Eli.  Let's play some foot-ball and drink some Yoo-hoo."]

Ravens coach Brian Billick has sounded off about the decision not to allow RB Jamal Lewis out of his halfway house assignment to participate in minicamp:  "It's disappointing, especially since every time I turn on the TV, Martha Stewart is all over the country doing something.  Evidently, she has a different furlough guy than Jamal."  (Brian, your boy pled guilty to a freakin' drug crime and he'll still be available for most of training camp -- so quit your bitching, please.)

The Big Show on former Seahawks WR Koren Robinson:  "I prayed for him every day.  It became to me much more than a football issue, it became a life issue.  Somehow I couldn't communicate well enough.  I kind of failed on that one, and that bothers me."  (Don't be so hard on yourself, Mike; after all, you've pretty much failed at everything since coming to Seattle.)

Seahawks RB Shaun Alexander won't practice until he signs his one-year tender or his contract situation is resolved; per the rules, the team and Alexander can't negotiate a new deal until after July 15, or they'll lose the franchise tag for the life of the resulting contract.

From the "Yeah, But Can They Make a Wiener Out Of A Finger?" file, Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil had skin from behind his ear plastered to his nose with 34 stitches after a basal cell carcinoma was removed last week.

Packers DT Cletidus "Dolores" Hunt is still absent from involuntary voluntary practices.

Seahawks S Michael Boulware wants his big brother Peter to sign with the team.

The Giants are trying to grant TE Jeremy Shockey's wish to get down the field more often.

The guy responsible for the "Music City Miracle" is now a member of the "Capital City Craphole."

From the "If We Dig Our Nose Deep Enough Into Brett's Ass, Do You Think He'll Play Until 2015 File?", Packers rookie QB Aaron Rodgers was picked off three times in practice on Monday.

Pasadena appears to be poised to pull the plug on its NFL dreams for the Rose Bowl.

Colts DT Montae Reagor's trial on criminal harassment charges was continued from Monday to October 17.

Lions quarterbacks Joey Harrington and Jeff Garcia will be fondling some balls this week.  (Bocce balls, that is.)  

The Redskins have promoted salary cap manager Eric Schaffer to director of football administration (still, the team's fortunes won't improve appreciably until the words "the Redskins have" are followed by "fired Vinny Cerrato").

Cardinals RB Troy Hambrick has yet to surface for involuntary voluntary workouts.

POSTED 9:40 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 10:00 p.m. EDT, June 6, 2005

DOSS PLEADS NO CONTEST

Colts safety Mike Doss has pleaded no contest to misdemeanor gun charges resulting from a recent arrest for firing shots into the air within 300 yards of a group of roughly 500 people.

Doss received a suspended sentence of 180 days, along with 40 hours of community service and a fine of $1,000.  He also was ordered to "destroy the gun."

He had been facing a felony weapons charge and three misdemeanor charges.

The Colts have said that they will punish Doss for the incident.

We sure as hell hope that someone does, since 40 hours of pooper-scooping hardly fits the reckless act in which Doss engaged, and it does little to send a message to others who might be inclined to carry a gun illegally and/or to fire it.

MONDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

The 'Skins have excused S Sean Taylor from all remaining offseason workouts in the wake of his recent felony arrest (it's a helluva way for Taylor to get his wish to stay in Florida until July).

The Pats have signed S Antuan Edwards, a first-round pick of the Pack in its infamous "we're afraid of Randy Moss so let's select a bunch of D-backs" draft of 1999.

To avoid a Tuesday trial, Redskins RB Clinton Portis has paid $18,000 of the $20,000 that former teammate Ifeanyi Ohalete claimed Portis owed him for turning over No. 26 last year (and Portis surely paid much, much more than the $2,000 balance to his lawyers in an effort to beat back Ohalete's lawsuit).

Jets president Jay Cross is, well, pretty pissed about a decision to withhold $300 million of public funding from the team's proposed $2 billion stadium. 

OT Lance Nimmo has found his way back to Tampa.

Ravens LB Ray Lewis and S Ed Reed showed up for involuntary voluntary drills on Monday, despite their desire for new contracts.

Bucs S John Howell finally has jumped to Seattle, signing a one-year deal for the veteran minimum and a $25,000 signing bonus.

The Cowboys have settled a copyright suit by paying a photographer $275,000 for use of his snapshot of RB Emmitt Smith kneeling over the star in the middle of the Texas Stadium field (hell, couldn't they have just hired Nate Newton to kill the guy for half of that?).

From the "Yeah, He's Got Issues, But Our Receivers Really Suck" file, Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil wouldn't rule out a possible courtship of WR Koren Robinson.

The official return of Ravens CB Deion Sanders has been delayed until he passes his physical.

Ravens RB Jamal Lewis won't be released from his stint in a halfway house to attend the team's upcoming mandatory minicamp.

Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau says that, despite a shift in the rules that makes physical corners less effective, he's not impressed by the notion that it's the era of the so-called "cover corner"; said LeBeau, "[I]t’s also the era of the fired defensive coordinator if your 'cover guy' won’t tackle anyone."

Another day, another washed-up former first rounder signed by the 'Skins, Bucs, and/or Broncos.

Veteran WR Antonio Freeman worked out for the Redskins on Monday (what, was Cris Carter busy?).

Bears G.M. Jerry Angelo is poised to put his turban back on and play Carnac with the fans.

Vikings owner "Triple Word Score" Wilf's first order of business should be to fire the guy who thought it would be a good idea to put the periodic ramblings of TE Jermaine Wiggins on the team's official web site.

Cards coach Denny Green has added another of his former Vikings players.

The Cards have hired Malik Boyd and Don Corzine as college scouts, and Jim Carmody and Bob Mazie has "retired."

The 49ers have scheduled a visit with free-agent OL Tony Wragge.

POSTED 2:14 p.m. EDT, June 6, 2005

TAYLOR COULD BE OUT $9 MILLION

Kellen Winslow and Sean Taylor have a lot in common.  Both are former standouts at the University of Miami.  Both were selected in the upper reaches of the 2004 draft, with Taylor going fifth and Winslow going sixth.  Both have been controversial, to say the least, during their short stays in the NFL.

And it now appears that both could end up losing, in theory, more than $9 million in bonus money.

Winslow's well-documented motorcycle accident has put him in clear breach of his contract, and essentially at the mercy of the Cleveland Browns.  Now, Taylor's arrest for aggravated assault with a firearm, which could entail a mandatory minimum sentence of three years in jail, could cause Taylor to lose $9.02 million, if Taylor is incarcerated in 2006.

We've obtained a copy of Taylor's contract.  He received an initial signing bonus of $7.2 million, all of which has been paid.  He also pocketed an option bonus earlier this year in the amount of $4.475 million, $1.0925 million of which was paid on April 1, 2005, and the balance of which is due on April 1, 2006.  Finally, the contract contains a second option bonus due in April 2006, with a value of $640,000.

Per the contract, Taylor is required to refund a portion of each of these three payments if "he fails or refuses to practice or play with Club at any time for any reason whatsoever (including, but not limited to, voluntary retirement and incarceration)."  (Emphasis added.)  For a default occurring in 2006, which as a practical matter looks to be the earliest year in which Taylor would be locked up due to these charges, Taylor would lose a total of $9.02 million.  If Taylor is able to stretch the proceedings (and the commencement of his incarceration) into 2007, he would forfeit up to $7.965 million.  

The difference between Winslow and Taylor is that Winslow's default occurred pursuant to arguably sympathetic circumstances, since he almost, you know, died.  In contrast, there's nothing sympathetic about Taylor's predicament, and the team probably will be far less inclined to cut a break for a guy who has been dissing its Hall of Fame head coach for the balance of the offseason.

Taylor's best bet, then, will be to try to negotiate some type of a plea deal that allows him to spend the next offseason or two (or three) in prison while he still is allowed to leave for mandatory minicamps, training camp, and the season.  If he instead takes a chance on a trial, he puts not only at least three years of his liberty in liberty in jeopardy, but also more than $9 million in earned money.

POSTED 10:29 a.m. EDT, June 6, 2005

FINS CONFIRM MUELLER HIRE

The Miami Dolphins have confirmed that Randy Mueller is the team's new General Manager.

In a release sent out by the team after the hiring of Mueller was reported right here, the team acknowledges that the former Saints G.M. is the new G.M. in South Florida.

"We want to welcome Randy Mueller to the Dolphins organization," said coach Nick Saban.  "He is respected throughout the league and has a strong background in player personnel.  He will help us in our continuing efforts to build a team that will not only achieve success, but sustain it on a long-term basis."

"I am looking forward to my responsibilities with the Dolphins," said Mueller.  "This is one of the great franchises in the NFL with an unmatched tradition of success, and it's going to be special for me to be a part of that legacy.  Beginning with Wayne Huizenga, the organization is well-known for being first class in every respect, and I know everyone here is committed to working together for the long-term success of the franchise."

Reaction to the news was met with surprise in at least one NFL city.  "Mueller is a mistake," said a league source in response to the news.  "Saban will never be able to trust him."

POSTED 9:52 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 10:21 a.m. EDT, June 6, 2005

MUELLER HEADING TO MIAMI

Word out of South Florida as of Monday morning is that the Dolphins already have hired a replacement for G.M. Rick Spielman, and that the successor could be named as early as Monday.

The winner, we've confirmed, is Randy Mueller.

Fired abruptly by Saints owner Tom Benson in 2002, Mueller has been out of the NFL ever since.  He often lands on the short list for G.M. vacancies, but he has gotten no offers in three-plus years.

Until now.

Adding further intrigue to the hire is that Mueller's former partner in New Orleans, coach Jim Haslett, recently took a swipe at Mueller's new boss, Miami head coach Nick Saban for signing safety Tebucky Jones, for whom the Saints traded a couple of years ago, after Mueller was gone.

Haslett chided Jones for a lack of ball skills and an inability to play in space -- defects which should have been obvious to the Saints before sending three picks to the Pats.

In the end, this is a great way for Mueller to get back into the game.  He was rotting as a third-tier contributor at ESPN.com, and he now will be in position to parlay the likely return by the Dolphins to prominence into a G.M. job.  Because Mueller won't have "final say" authority in Miami, he'll be permitted to leave for a promotion entailing full control over personnel, regardless of the amount of time left on his contract. 

POSTED 8:46 a.m. EDT, June 6, 2005

VERBA BLASTED IN LEAGUE CIRCLES

Though he has not yet commanded the same degree of media attention as T.O. on his demands for a new deal, Browns offensive lineman Ross Verba is getting blasted repeatedly by league insiders for his current contract.

As one league insider told us over the weekend, "Verba is one of the biggest assholes in the league. . . .  [H]e is just about hated in the Cleveland locker room.  He is a huge cancer."  

Breaking it down simply and clearly, the source said, "He wants to get released because he thinks someone else will give him money.  They will.  The veteran's minimum."

Tell us, source, what you really think . . . .

"[Verba] ain't that good.  He was an average player on one of the poorest teams in the league and a chronic complainer.  Do you think anyone wants to pay for that?  Especially at this late date?  Just another case of an over inflated ego that has no clue what his real value is.  If I was Cleveland, I would let him sit and fine the sh-t out of him.  I would also try and get back some of his [$465,000] roster bonus they just paid him."

Speaking of bonus money, other league sources have 'splained to us that the real problem here is that Verba and his agent, Tom Condon, mishandled the situation a year ago when the team approached the veteran tackle regarding a restructuring of his contract.  He was in the final year of a four-year, $16 million deal, and he was set to earn $4 million in 2004.

As we've previously argued, if Verba wanted to get paid big money, he should have refused to re-do his deal.  Then, he either would have been cut last year and hit the open market, or he would have finished out his contract at $4 million in '04 and become eligible for free agency in 2005.

Instead, Verba and Condon agreed to add years to the deal, with none of the devices typically used to give the player freedom from the contract prematurely -- which can set the stage for a new contract either from the team he's already on or as an unrestricted free agent.

And to the extent that Verba believes former Browns coach Butch Davis "promised" him a new, more lucrative contract, the lesson for every player is that, if it ain't in writing, it don't mean squat.  Also, these "side deals" are more officially known by a different name -- "salary cap violations."

Maybe that's why the Browns have been treading somewhat lightly on this situation thus far.  If, after all, Verba decides to make a big stink about allegations that Davis made guarantees of future pay days that were not reduced to writing -- and if Davis admits that this indeed occurred -- the Browns could be in a little trouble with the league for cheating on the cap (but without the two late-'90s Super Bowl trophies to show for it).  

TAYLOR FACES MINIMUM OF THREE YEARS

Kudos to Jody Foldesy of The Washington Times for tracking down the full details regarding the potential application of Florida's so-called "10-20-Life" gun law.

Although we gave the question relatively superficial treatment on Sunday afternoon, Foldesy located the specific provisions of Florida law that identify the potential penalty for pointing a gun at someone.

The key, as it turns out, is whether the trigger is pulled.

As Foldesy wrote:  "According to the Florida state code chapter 775.087, aggravated assault is one of 18 crimes to which the mandatory minimum sentences apply but also one of three in which the sentence is just three years at the '10' level.  However, the loophole closes at the '20' level, when a gun is fired."

When the incident first surfaced over the weekend, reports indicated that shots were fired.  Now that Taylor has been charged with aggravated assault, it appears that he did not pull the trigger.

So if he pointed but didn't shoot, it's a minimum of three years.  If he did, it's 20.

Even with only three years behind bars, it remains to be seen whether Taylor's NFL career would continue.  He'd still be young, but he's already becoming a pariah in league circles, posturing for a new contract after only one year in the game and refusing to communicate with Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs throughout the offseason.

So who would want the kid at that point?  (Okay, besides the Broncos and the Buccaneers.)

It's a shocking turn of events over the past 12 months for two former Miami teammates who went back-to-back in round one of the 2004 draft.  The Redskins supposedly wanted Kellen Winslow at No. 5 but backed off when he hired the Postons to be his agents.  So they took Taylor at five and the Browns jumped up a spot for Winslow at six.  Although Taylor, unlike Winslow, probably will play in 2005 as the legal system runs its course, both have very dark clouds hanging over their long-term NFL prospects.

And no one who isn't related to them is shedding many tears. 

MONDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Tom Curran of The Providence Journal describes yours truly as "[i]rreverent and well-connected" in his most recent Pats notebook.  (We'll now receive 50-plus "Take that!" e-mails from the 0.3 percent of our readership who stills think that the term "irreverent" is an insult.) 

The Ravens have signed CB Deion Sanders to a one-year, $1.5 million contract (and they're now negotiating deals with Lawrence Taylor, Eric Dickerson, and Artie Donovan).

Packers QB Brett Favre refused to retreat from comments critical of holdout WR Javon Walker.

The Pasadena City Council is expected to determine on Monday whether to continue to lure an NFL team to the Rose Bowl or to face reality.

Cowboys perennial Pro Bowler Larry Allen worked out last week at right tackle, a position he hasn't played since 2002.

Three months removed from cancer treatment, Deanna Favre ripped two base hits and caught a deep fly ball in center field during her hubby's charity softball game on Sunday (our guess is that Deanna perfected her skills with a bat in Brett's Vicodin-and-Pabst Blue Ribbon days).

Rams LB Pino Tinoisamoa has pee-peed on a possible move to safety.

The annual Favre charity softball game might draw scrutiny from the team if the knee injury suffered by S Mark Roman in a collision with DL Kenny Peterson's ham hock ends up being serious.

Some Rams players are mistaking newcomer OL Rex Tucker for big brother Ryan, who was a St. Louis draft pick in 1997.

Rams DT Jimmy Kennedy is running with the No. 1 defense (after a couple of years of playing like No. 2).

POSTED 2:09 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 7:01 p.m. EDT, June 5, 2005

TAYLOR'S CAREER COULD BE OVER

The fact that Redskins safety Sean Taylor has been arrested for aggravated assault in connection with an alleged shooting in Dade County, Florida raises obvious questions regarding whether he'll be convicted, incarcerated, etc.

But given that NFL players charged with seemingly serious crimes generally have escaped significant consequences (with the exception of former Panthers receiver Rae "Father of the Year" Carruth, who is rotting in a Carolina cell after having his baby's momma killed), most folks who have heard about Taylor's arrest assume that the downside for him will be relatively minimal.  After all, it's not like he actually shot someone.

Guess again.

Not about actually shooting someone.  He didn't.  In fact, it appears that the trigger never was pulled.  But the end result for Taylor could end up being worse in Florida than it would have been in another state if he'd actually planted the slug in someone's ass.

Why, you aks?  In 1998, Florida passed a law imposing strict prison terms on certain gun crimes.

Pulling a gun in connection with an aggravated assault results in a 10-year sentence.  MANDATORY.

Regardless of whether Taylor can find a way out of this one, there's no doubt that he's in some serious doo-doo.

Nice knowin' ya, Sean. . . .  Actually, it wasn't.

POSTED 7:36 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 12:18 p.m. EDT, June 5, 2005

TAYLOR IN BIG TROUBLE

For anyone who had June 4 in the "When Will Sean Taylor Be Arrested For The First Time This Offseason?" pool, it's time to collect your booty.

After a day of being incommunicado as a "person of interest" in connection with a Dade County, Florida shooting -- during which time we're told Taylor consulted with a criminal lawyer -- the fifth overall pick in the 2004 draft turned himself in and was charged with aggravated assault with a firearm and simple battery.

The shooting occurred on Wednesday, and was part of a "dispute in a residential area," according to police.

We don't see this one wrapping up well for Taylor, unless he's willing to listen (finally) to people who are trying to advise him as to his best interests.  He also needs to be ready and willing to submit fully to the criminal process, or he'll get no breaks at all.  

As to his NFL career, a conviction will subject him to a suspension.  More importantly, the arrest likely has wiped out any chance of the contract extension that Taylor has wanted since signing his deal last summer and then concluding that former "U" teammate Kellen Winslow got a better package one spot behind him.

In hindsight, Winslow lost much of his money due to stupidity.

And, in the end, the same thing could happen to Taylor.  If, after all, Taylor ultimately is subject to a lengthy incarceration for these charges, our guess is that there's language in his contract that will permit the team to recover a nice chunk of the money.

WRIGHT TO WORK OUT ON JULY 8

With the supplemental draft now set for July 14, USC defensive tackle Manuel Wright is scheduled to work out for scouts on July 8 in Los Angeles.

As of June 3, Wright was scheduled to visit the Eagles, pending league permission.  The Miami Dolphins are believed to be studying Wright closely, and The Miami Herald suggests that Wright will be taken in the third or the fourth round.  

Then again, it only takes two or three interested teams to result in a player going higher than believed in the supplemental draft.  Two years ago, the Texans ended up using a second rounder for Georgia Tech running back Tony Hollings, in what was believed to be an effort to get him before the Cowboys could do so.

SUNDAY ONE-LINERS

The Cardinals realize that Denny Green's depth chart never is written in ink.

From the "Oxymoron From An Ox Who Doesn't Know That He's A Moron" file, Browns LB Kenard Lang says:  "I feel like a very educated man.  [I'm a] University of Miami guy.''

It looks like the Browns aren't ready to break the bank for LB Peter Boulware, if this quote from G.M. Phil Savage means anything:  "Pete Boulware in 1996 was the fourth player in the draft.  Peter Boulware in 2005 still has the same name, but he is a different player."

The lawsuit arising from RB Clinton Portis' failure to pay the full $40,000 promised to Ifeanyi Ohalete last year when Ohalete gave No. 26 to Portis upon his arrival in D.C. goes to trial on Tuesday.

Rich Cimini of The New York Daily News reports that QB Vinny Testaverde still intends to play this year.  (Yeah, Vinny, so do I -- and the one thing that we have in common is that no NFL team is interested in either of us.)

Ah, the offseason in the post-salary cap NFL . . . when even the crappy teams like the Bucs can make their fans think they've got a chance to win the Super Bowl.

New Orleans coach Jim Haslett recently showed even more of his ass by taking this public shot at former Saints safety Tebucky Jones:  "He doesn't have very good ball skills.  He struggles in space.  I don't know why he can't catch a ball.  It's the oddest thing I've seen.  I think [the Dolphins] took him because they didn't really have anybody else.''  (Hey, Jim, your comments don't say much for "G.M." Mickey Loomis and his staff, given that they coughed up three draft picks -- including a third-rounder -- for Jones, who had generated five seasons of game film before Loomis and company made the trade for him.)

Fins DE Jason Taylor says that there's been talk of him lining up at tight end periodically, but he's in no hurry to go both ways (or play offense and defense in the same game) as the Fins install the 3-4; "I've got to learn what the hell I'm doing on defense before I learn about playing offense.''

Five questions with Rams coach Mike Martz simply aren't complete without the words "Crazy," "Joe", and "Davola."

The Panthers aren't interested in WR Koren Robinson.

WR Az Kahim is visiting the Chiefs on Sunday.

POSTED 8:18 p.m. EDT, June 4, 2005

SABAN LOOKING TO BELICHICK, ANGELO TREES?

Word around the league is that Dolphins coach Nick Saban most likely will pluck the replacement for G.M. Rick Spielman from either the Bill Belichick or the Jerry Angelo personnel trees.

Belichick and Angelo are both close friends of the Nicktator.  Saban coached with Belichick in Cleveland, and Saban nearly accepted the Chicago Bears' coaching job a year ago.

The primary candidates for the gig in Miami, the title of which most likely will not be "General Manager" since Saban has all of the personnel juice, are Patriots director of college scouting Thomas Dimitroff, Eagles assistant director of player personnel Jason Licht, Ravens director of pro personnel George Kokinis, and Bears director of pro personnel Bobby DePaul.

Though not yet mandated by the so-called "Rooney Rule," which requires teams to interview minority candidates for head coaching jobs, the Fins are expected to comply with the spirit of the rule by interviewing Panthers director of college scouting Tony Softli and Jaguars director of pro personnel Charles Bailey.

On Friday, G.M. Rick Spielman left the team.  Though described as a resignation, we were told he was fired.  The move surprised no one, especially since Saban already had interviewed two candidates for Spielman's job.

COLTS HAVE ANOTHER PLAYMAKER ON D

For years, the Indianapolis Colts have had a glut of playmakers on offense.

Now, they're finally getting some Playmakers on the other side of the ball.

The fictional show that ESPN dropped last year after the NFL hinted that the relationship between the league and the network from which it will make $1.1 billion a year starting in 2006 could be jeopardized was criticized by the Commish as presenting an unrealistic view of pro football.

Since then, players throughout the league have proved Paul Tagliabue wrong.  Repeatedly.

In the past week or so, three members of the Indy secondary have added to that tally.  Rookie corner Marlin Jackson has been sued for assault, safety Mike Doss was arrested last Sunday morning for firing shots into the air roughly 300 feet from a crowd of 500 people, and now cornerback Nick Harper is in the hoosegow after beating up his wife.

Harper was charged Saturday with misdemeanor domestic battery, and he is being held Saturday at the Hamilton County Jail in Noblesville on $2,500 bond.  By law, he'll be unable to make bail until Monday.

Said team spokesman Craig Kelly:  "We are aware of the matter."   

From the organization's perspective, it's a very good thing that the guys didn't start going wild until after funding was secured for a new stadium.  Still, it's a disturbing trend for an organization whose brushes with the law previously were confined to ownership, and we're starting to wonder whether Playmakers was indeed unrealistic . . . because we think that it might have been too tame regarding the character problems that plague the league's players.

POSTED 7:30 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 9:19 a.m. EDT, June 4, 2005

BEN TOO BIG FOR HIS BRITCHES?

A league source tells us that the Steelers are becoming concerned that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's ego is "out of control" in the wake of his unexpectedly solid rookie season.

Roethlisberger, the eleventh overall pick in the 2004 draft, took over the offense when Tommy Maddox was injured in Week Two against the Ravens.  Roethlisberger didn't lose a start until the AFC championship game against New England and Bill Belichick, when Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher and offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt inexplicably (in our opinion) abandoned the running game and put the game in the rookie's hands -- against one of the greatest defensive masterminds of all time.

And it was in the wake of Roethlisberger's only loss of the season that concerns began to develop.  Ben and Cowher traded dueling sound bites regarding whether Roethlisberger played the game with broken toes.  Roethlisberger claimed the toes were busted; Cowher said Ben's toes were fine.

More recently, the team has expressed concern regarding Roethlisberger's habit of riding a motorcycle sans helmet.  But Ben has ignored requests that he either stop riding the bike -- or that he start putting a protective device on his closely-shaven grill.

Folks inside the building have taken notice of Roethlisberger's conduct.  "He's shown up his head coach several times," said the source.

Roethlisberger's attitude, we're told, is something that arose after he became the hottest young quarterback in the league.  "The kid was okay when he came out [of college]," said the source, "but now after one year he acts he's like Terry Bradshaw around everybody -- the media, the staff, team doctors, et cetera."

The source's advice for Roethlisberger?

"Stop acting like Joe Gilliam if you want to be one tenth the quarterback Bradshaw was."

PATS CLEARLY BEHIND PIOLI RULE

In response to Friday's report from Tom Curran of The Providence Journal denying that the New England Patriots are behind the so-called "Pioli Rule" and our analysis of it in this space, we've heard from a league source that the Patriots definitely are responsible for the proposed measure that would give NFL teams the ability to restrict the movement of one high-ranking football official without "final say" authority over personnel.

"WITHOUT a doubt," the source said in an e-mail message, "the Pats, specifically [owner] Bob and [son] Jonathan, are behind the Pioli Rule."

The source told us that the elder Kraft made the appeal directly to the Competition Committee, and that folks around the league were aware of the efforts weeks before its existence was first disclosed by Len Pasquarelli on May 27.

"Kraft is so tight with his money, it's unbelievable," the source said.  "And he hates to lose.  He refuses to pay Pioli top dollar for his services and he's not going to let him walk away with another year left [on his contract]."

K1 MEDIA VENOM IS MISGUIDED

One month and one day after his son nearly died while practicing motorcycle stunts, Hall of Fame tight end Kellen Winslow ripped the media for its coverage of the incident.

"I'm disappointed in the way you guys have handled it," Winslow said, according to The Associated Press.  "Twenty-one-year-old people make mistakes.  He made a mistake. You made it a circus.  Remember when you were 21?  A human being at 21 makes mistakes.  He's not a piece of property.

"You guys look at it as a moment in time and you blow it out of proportion.  This Jerry Springer mentality of journalism, you guys are better than that.  You should be ashamed of yourselves.  Presidents make mistakes.  Senators make mistakes.  Journalists, if you still call yourselves that, make mistakes."

What K1 is ignoring here is that his son isn't any other 21-year-old.  He's the self-proclaimed "Chosen One," a high-profile, look-at-me football player who was paid millions of dollars under the express premise that he not ride a motorcycle.

But he ignored his obligations.  Brazenly.  

Frankly, we wonder whether K1 is feeling more than a little guilty for his son's current predicament.  If, after all, K1 had been paying more attention to the lifestyle of his child at an age when, according to Winslow, mistakes happen, K1 would have been in position to 'splain to his son that he shouldn't be purchasing and/or riding a "crotch rocket" bike, since his contract expressly prohibits such activities.

Last year, we took issue with the decision of the entire family of Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers to move from the East Coast to San Diego after Rivers was drafted, since NFL teams often worry about whether a kid's family will exert too much influence over him.

But our guess is that if Rivers had become suddenly infatuated with high-powered cycles and performing rear-wheel wheelies in the down time of the offseason, his parents would have coerced some sense into him.  

Quickly, decisively.

So where was K1 when K2 was playing backyard paintball on a tender right leg and he heard the nearby  roar of a rocket bike?  Where was K1 when K2 germinated the idea to buy one of his own?

And where was K1 in the month or so that K2 was spending a good many of his waking moments flying up and down a suburban street on the back of the thing?

Maybe the real story here isn't the fact that the media ran with the inherently compelling story of a 21-year-old who jeopardized his life and more than $9 million of income through impulsive, reckless behavior.

Maybe the real story is that the father of this youngster, who stuck his nose deep in the middle of his son's affairs when it was time to for K2 to get paid, was nowhere to be found as K2 was facing the temptations that come with being a stupid kid in a strange town with lots of money -- and even more free time.

TAYLOR IN TROUBLE?

Redskins safety Sean Taylor, who has insisted on staying in Miami throughout the 2005 offseason, is a "person of interest" in a South Florida criminal investigation involving a stolen car and shots being fired.

As of Friday night, police had been unable to reach Taylor.

"We understand he was there," detective Nelda Fonticella said, according to The Washington Times.  "We have been in touch with his family, friends and team, but we haven't been able to locate him."

Fonticella said that police are not close to issuing a warrant for Taylor's arrest and that there is "not a set deadline" for Taylor to turn himself in.  She said that the search for Taylor wasn't supposed to be made public and must have "leaked out." 

Regardless of whether Taylor ends up being charged with a crime, this is just the latest chapter in a string of problems that have dogged Taylor since he was drafted in 2004, one spot ahead of his former "U" teammate Kellen Winslow.  The kid is, quite simply, a colossal turd -- and if he's still playing professional football four years from now we'll be surprised. 

SATURDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

With L.J. Shelton signed to a one-year deal in Cleveland, Browns LT Ross Verba is making like Sly Stallone in Rocky I.

T.O. says he only wants "what I deserve."  (Okay, then, the only question is whether he prefers his swift kick in the ass or in the teeth.)

Alex Marvez of The South Florida Sun-Sentinel says coach Nick Saban and former G.M. Rick Spielman had a "significant falling out" two weeks ago (what -- did Rick eat a pack of the Nicktator's Nutty Bars?).

WR Freddie Mitchell has refused to confirm or deny that he'll work out for the Chiefs next week.  (Fred, you're not on some secret-ass mission -- you're just trying to get paid.)

Panthers first-round Thomas Davis will play a hybrid linebacker-safety position in the team's nickel difference.

Underachieving Steelers LB Alonzo Jackson knows that it's time for him to step up or step off.

Denny Green and the Arizona Cardinals are still trying to find their groove on offense.

The Washington Post reports that the 'Skins might be interested in signing the brother of the guy they just cut on Friday.

Converted WR Mike Furrey has put on more than 20 pounds as he tries to shift from wideout to free safety.  (And for you Rams fans who think that the move isn't a sign of desperation given the success of Pats WR Troy Brown on the other side of the ball a year ago, please remember that your head coach is named "Martz" not "Belichick.")

Texans QB Dave Ragone could be the next rags-to-riches NFL Europe success story (or he could just be another Ron Powlus).

The Rams have demoted first-round RT Alex Barron to the second team.

Crazy Joe Davola still is a member of the Rams.

Packers coaches were displeased with the performance of the offense in minicamp practice on Friday.

The Packers have no interest in WR Koren Robinson or WR Johnnie Morton, but they might consider CB Bobby Taylor down the road.

Jason Cole of The Miami Herald calls the departure of G.M. Rick Spielman an "amicable split" (yeah, and World War II was a neighborhood property line misunderstanding).

Broncos WR Rod Smith rejects the suggestion that he should give up No. 80 to Jerry Rice; says Smith, "That's like somebody coming up and saying, 'You know what -- this guy over here is a better husband and father than you, why don't you give him your wife?'"

Giants WR Plaxico Burress is pissing and moaning about the perception that he's a pisser and a moaner.

LB Peter Boulware visited the Seahawks on Friday, but left without signing a contract.

Click here for the update du jour regarding the political B.S. that is holding up approval of the Jets' new stadium.

The Cowboys have signed Izell Reese to compete for the starting job at free safety.

Labor problems slowed down work on Friday at the Cardinals new stadium (Bill Bidwill apparently got a cramp in his shovel-liftin' arm).

Add Panthers LB Dan Morgan to the ever-growing Rosenhaus roster; Morgan's contract expires after the 2005 season.

Vikings S Darren Sharper, a former Packer, initially was worried about reports that new owner "Triple Word Score" Wilf wants to build an outdoor stadium, until he realized that it won't happen any time soon; "I'll probably be retired by then and I won't have to worry about it," he said.  "No, I like the dome.  I've had enough of cold, cold, winter games."

The arrest warrant issued a week ago for WR Plaxico Burress has been dropped.

CB R.W. McQuarters left Minnesota without a contract, and his agent says that it will be next week at the earliest before he makes a decision as to where he'll play in 2005.

POSTED 3:58 p.m. EDT, June 3, 2005

FRIDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

Ravens RB Jamal Lewis has this advice for the youth of America: "Be careful who you hang around with -- it can come back to haunt you.  Pick your friends wisely."  (Kid, you should only associate with upstanding, law-abiding citizens like Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, and Samari Rolle.)

Thanks to Jody Foldesy of The Washington Times for acknowledging that the Redskins OTA investigation story was first reported right here. 

CB R.W. McQuarters could end up being the replacement for S Corey Chavous or CB Brian Williams in Minnesota.

A day after his brother was chopped by one team with a racially insensitive nickname, RB Chad Morton was scalped by another.

From the "He Who Lives In A Glass Crack House Should Not Throw Pipes" file, former Cowboys WR Michael Irvin calls Rams coach Mike Martz "a nut" and says that WR Koren Robinson has a "confidence problem." 

The Bills will unveil a third jersey on Saturday (easy, guys -- we don't want to get J.P. confused).

Andrew Perloff of SI.com unveils the NFL's all-time shark jumping team.

Rams WR Isaac Bruce was held out of minicamp practice due to a heart abnormality (yeah -- unlike most of his teammates, a physical revealed that Bruce actually has one).

POSTED 10:51 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 11:45 a.m. EDT, June 3, 2005

SPIELMAN OUT IN MIAMI

The Dolphins have announced that G.M. Rick Spielman has decided to leave the organization.  A league source tells us that Spielman was terminated by the team.

"I want to thank [owner] Wayne Huizenga, [coacj] Nick Saban, the Dolphin players, coaches, and staff, along with the South Florida community," said Spielman.  "I have a lot of fond memories of my time here and made a lot of friends, and I hope the team goes on to have a great season."

Kudos to Rick for taking the high road.  Saban has been interviewing replacements of late.  Spielman has every right to do a little pissing and/or moaning -- and it's big of him to bite his tongue.  

As we've previously written, some folks around the league wonder why a change was necessary.  Spielman did good work with the team until the roof fell in via a series of unfortunate events that began when Dan Marino backed out of an agreement to serve as team president.

We never figured that the obsessive-to-the-point-of-paranoid Nicktator would keep Spielman around, given Spielman's ties to the prior regime.  Saban doesn't like to look over this shoulder, even when he objectively has no reason to.  Thus, it was a no brainer (in our view) that Spielman would go eventually.

Heck, we're surprised he lasted as long as he did.    

Spielman, we're told, has two years left on his contract.  But don't look for him to stay at home and collect Huizenga's money.  Early speculation is that he could end up back in Detroit, or that he could land at the University of Pittsburgh with former Dolphns coach Dave Wannstedt.

POSTED 8:02 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 10:38 a.m. EDT, June 3, 2005

WINSLOW'S ACL STILL TORN

A second opinion on Browns tight end Kellen Winslow's injured knee resulted in the same diagnosis.

His ACL is torn.

The mere fact that Winslow would even want a second opinion as to whether a ligament in his knee is or isn't there conjures images of Boobie Myles in Friday Night Lights.  

Maybe the first doctor who noted the absence of the ACL was a Bengals fan.

Winslow will have surgery within two weeks to repair the ACL, and he most likely will not play at all in 2005.

So with Winslow clearly in breach of his contract due to a motorcycling injury that will keep him from reporting to training camp in 2005, let's take a look at the total cost of his right-leg injuries.

First, the specific language of the deal caused his Winslow to miss out on a $2 million roster bonus in 2005, based on his 2004 broken leg.  The busted leg also prevented him from becoming eligible for a one-time roster bonus of $3.3675 million that would have been paid in 2006 through 2009.

Second, Evel Kellnievel's limited play in 2004 and his absence in 2005 will prevent him from triggering up to $1.6 million in 2006 salary escalators.

Third, his maximum salary in 2007 will be $2.5 million lower than it could have been.  For 2008, his max salary will be $2 million lower than it could have been.  In 2009, his max salary will be $1 million lower than it could have been.

Fourth, Winslow's injuries will leave him ineligible for a $150,000 workout bonus in 2005 and a $150,000 workout bonus in 2006.

Fifth, the Browns have the ability to retain $5.362 million in unpaid bonus money and to attempt to recover $4.05 million of the $5.05 million in bonus money already paid to Winslow.

Thus, the minimum cost to Winslow of his injuries will be $11.1675 million.  If the Browns offer to resolve the bonus issue by simply not paying Winslow any more of the money he's owed, the cost rises to $16.5295 million.

And if the Browns opt to attempt to recover all of the bonus money that the contract permits them to pursue, the price tag would hit $20.5795 million.

Finally, if the Browns choose not to pay Winslow his 2005 salary due to his non-football injury, he loses another $305,000, driving the maximum cost of his misadventures to $20.8845 million.

Assuming that the Browns resolve the bonus issue by keeping the unpaid money and permitting Winslow to retain the $4.05 million that could be pursued, the minimum value of his contract would be $9.595 million over six years without his 2005 salary; $9.9 million over six years with his 2005 salary.

Remaining escalators and incentives could push the total value over $20 million, but to get there Winslow will need to be able to perform at a relatively significant level in 2006 through 2008.

Given his first two years in the league, that's not a sure thing.

BREAKING DOWN RICKY'S SALARY DISPUTE

In response to recent media reports illustrating a sharp difference of opinion as to the amount of running back Ricky Williams' 2005 salary, we've tried to make sense of the basis for each side's position.

Williams thinks that he's entitled to a salary of $3.7 million.

The Dolphins think that his salary should be $540,000, the veteran minimum.

In Williams' original contract with the Saints, which the Fins acquired in a 2002 trade, Williams was due to earn the minimum in 2005.  But Miami threw Ricky a life preserver for his poorly-negotiated Master P deal, giving him significant escalators and incentives.

In 2002, Williams' performance triggered a $2.1 million escalator for 2005.  Ricky's 2003 performance resulted in another $1.1 million escalator, pushing his 2005 salary to $3.740 million. 

The key, here, though is that the escalator and incentive clauses contained forfeiture provisions -- and the payments of this nature that Williams' received prior to quitting last July are a big part of the $8.6 million judgment that he still owes to the team.

Thus, it's entirely possible that Williams lost those escalators when he chose not to play in 2004, thereby dropping his salary back to $540,000.

We've yet to eyeball the actual contract language, which may or may not be sufficiently clear on this point.  In the end, the matter could end up in arbitration.

As we see it, however, the Fins hold all the cards here.  If, after all, they are going to forgive an $8.6 million debt if/when Ricky returns, Williams needs to be willing to compromise as well, accepting the lower salary.

Another possibility would be for the Dolphins to convert some of the $3.2 million in escalators into incentives, which Ricky could earn back based on his performance in 2005.  

RICE CAME BACK FOR THE COIN?

We've heard whispers that Broncos receiver Jerry Rice didn't necessarily return for a 21st NFL season because of his love for the game, but because of his desire for one final payday.

When Rice calls it quits, we doubt that anyone will pay him $800,000 or so per year to do something other than play football.  He's never been mentioned as a guy who might have a future in broadcasting, and we can't imagine Rice as a coach or a scout.

Indeed, we're very curious to see what, if anything, Rice will do after his NFL career ends.  Given his name, someone will offer him a job doing something that doesn't involve real work on a regular basis.  The real question is whether the job will be a long-term thing -- and whether Rice will be able to climb the ladder and/or stick around.

PATS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR "PIOLI RULE"?

Per Tom Curran of The Providence Journal, a league source has denied that the New England Patriots are responsible for a proposal to prevent movement of the No. 2 man in an organization.

The measure, first reported last Friday by ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli, is known as the "Pioli rule" -- a reference to New England V.P. of player personnel Scott Pioli, who lacks the last word over personnel with the Pats and who therefore could leave the team for a "final say" gig prior to the expiration of his contract.

Curran says that, per his source, the Pats weren't the "prime proponents" of the proposal.  Curran then identifies three facts that support this contention:  (1) Pioli's contract expires in April 2006, after the draft; (2) Pioli has said that he will honor his contract; and (3) such a rule would limit the Pats' ability to find a replacement, if Pioli leaves in April 2006.

We've got a lot of respect for Tom, but we've got a funny feeling that his "source" is someone who's trying to deflect criticism of New England owner Bob Kraft for unfairly trying to handcuff Pioli.  Indeed, Curran's story isn't coming out on the heels of Pasquarelli's report, but a full seven days after the powers-that-be in Patriotland have had a chance to fully gauge the reaction in league and local circles to this revelation.

So here are the problems we perceive with Curran's piece:

First, Pasquarelli reported unequivocally that Kraft has been lobbying for the rule, not that the Pats put pen to paper on the thing.  So the team's role in the formal presentation of the proposal is irrelevant -- and only someone trying to kick dirt on the Pats' tracks would point to technicalities such as the contention that the team couldn't be responsible for it because it was introduced by a committee on which the team does not have a seat.

Second, the fact that Pioli's contract expires in April 2006 necessarily takes him out of the mix for any G.M. jobs that become available in January 2006 -- if the rule were to be passed before then.  Rarely are General Managers fired or hired after the draft, especially with the months of February, March, and April now so critical to the development of the roster for the coming season.  (In fact, the only example that we can recall of this phenomenon since we've been in this here bidness came in 2001, when the Bears parted ways with the late Mark Hatley on a "mutual" basis in May and hired then-Tampa director of player personnel Jerry Angelo the following month following a protracted dog-and-pony show from which guys like Phil Savage and Tom Modrak pulled their names due to protracted delays.)

Third, if Pioli's contract is extended by Kraft, then the rule would hold Pioli in place for the duration of his new deal.

Fourth, Pioli's intention to "honor his contract" doesn't necessarily mean that he'll stay.  Under the current rules, he can take a promotion and still be "honoring his contract."  Although we believe that Pioli truly had no intention of leaving after the 2004 season, we've also heard through the grapevine that the Browns ultimately were scared away by Kraft from interviewing Pioli for the G.M. job in Cleveland.  

Really, if January 2006 rolls around and Pioli's contract hasn't been extended, does it make sense for either side to continue the relationship through the draft and then part ways?  At some point, Pioli or the team will emotionally disconnect -- and if/when that happens, it'll be time for Pioli to move on.

Finally, the notion that this rule would make it hard for the Pats to find a replacement for Pioli is a real stretch, since the rule would apply to every team.  Does anyone really think that a director of college scouting would pass on the chance to become a V.P. of player personnel simply because he's instead holding out for the chance to jump directly into the G.M. chair with another team?  

In our view, this whole thing seems to be the result of one simple reality -- Kraft wants Pioli to forego both the ability to run a team on his own and the money that would go along with it.  Instead, Kraft hopes that Pioli will choose to stay in the role of second banana.  

And Kraft likewise hopes to have the tools to force Pioli to stick around, if Pioli should choose otherwise.

FRIDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

The potential replacement for Browns OT Ross Verba visited the team on Wednesday.

LB Peter Boulware left Cleveland without a contract, and will visit Seattle.

Dolphins FB Heath Evans is suffering from a kidney stone, but the condition is "not considered serious" (and anyone who would describe a kidney stone as "not serious" has never tried to pass a coconut through his cucumber). 

CB R.W. McQuarters has met with the Lions, and will next visit the Vikings (who said last week that they aren't interested).

Pack DT Cletidus Hunt is still exercising his prerogative not to attend Green Bay's voluntary minicamp.

Cards coach Denny Green pulled the plug on a minicamp pass-rushing drill that potentially violates the CBA.

Panthers RB Stephen Davis doesn't know when he'll be cleared to practice again (we have a feeling it'll be at some point between January 2006 and when Todd Sauerbrun is making yellow snow in Hell). 

Giants TE Jeremy Shockey wants to see some changes on offense this year:  "We have to do what other teams in the NFL do, like the play-action pass and hitting the tight end in the seam. . . .  We need to do more on offense than catching little-bitty 5- and 6-yard passes."

The Packers are still looking for a few good men . . . who can hold the ball for field goals and extra points.  (Guys, you're professional athletes -- act like it, for cryin' out loud.)

Crazy Joe Davola inexplicably is still a member of the Rams (apparently, they can't find anyone with the sack to tell him that he's fired).

Giants CB Will Allen, a former first-rounder, doesn't see the connection between the fact that he's entering the final year of his contract and the team's decision to draft a cornerback in round two.  (Psst, Will, you're the only one who doesn't.)

Titans S Tank Williams has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor reckless endangerment charges, avoiding a potential DUI conviction.  

Broncos CB Champ Bailey apparently has discovered a Kool-Aid fountain on the Island of Misfit Toys.

Seahawks DE Grant Wistrom is a first-time father (and he should name the kid "Bob Whitsitt").

POSTED 10:43 p.m. EDT, June 2, 2005

THURSDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

Former Bears great Doug Plank is the coach of the year in a league that thinks the "46" defense is a scheme aimed at holding the other team to 45 or less points. 

Packers QB Brett Favre made a cameo appearance at minicamp on Thursday (and his line was "these pretzels are making me thirsty").

The Chiefs have chopped WR Johnnie Morton after he refused to cut his $3 million salary.

The Jets have extended the contract of defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson, who has been with the team only one season.

Eagles QB Donovan McNabb says he doesn't know what the term "company man" means (but he explained that he'll accept whatever definition Andy Reid, Joe Banner, and/or Jeff Lurie give to it).

The Mean Machine needs a new tailback.

And a receiver, too.

The 49ers have dumped OL Scott Gragg, and signed OL Eric Heitmann to a four-year extension.

Colts S Mike Doss has apologized for taking target practice at the moon.

A Manhattan judge ruled on Thursday that the bidding procedure that resulted in the West Side rail yards being awarded to the Jets contained no irregularities.  (Does this mean that any corruption that might have tainted the process was merely typical?)

World Anti-Doping Agency Chairman Dick Pound supports the efforts of Congress to impose a standard steroid testing policy on U.S. pro sports.  (We really didn't think that this story was a big deal -- we just wanted to use the words "Dick Pound" in a sentence.)

POSTED 6:01 p.m. EDT, June 2, 2005

JENKINS YAPS ABOUT SAPP

In the wake of reports originating right here regarding the Panthers' disappointment in their big money defensive tackle, Kris Jenkins, the former Pro Bowler spoke to the media on Thursday.

And the result was hardly disappointing.

Among other things, Jenkins took on Warren Sapp, his former nemesis at Tampa.

"I hate him," Jenkins said.  "Everybody says I'm supposed to be polite when I talk to you all.  But I hate him.  He talks too much.  He doesn't make any sense.  He's fat.  He's sloppy.  He acts like he's the best thing since sliced bread.  He's ugly.  He stinks.  His mouth stinks.  His breath stinks and basically, his soul stinks, too."

The animosity between the two runs so deep that, as Jenkins admits, a loss to Sapp's Raiders last November drove Jenkins to alcohol.

From our perspective, Jenkins' words do little to contradict the notion that his character has more question marks than the Riddler's suit.  As he tries to get back from season-ending shoulder surgery, the last thing he needs to worry about is Warren Sapp, whom the Panthers won't play until 2008.

We've got a feeling that, by then, both Sapp and Jenkins will be out of the league.  

KOREN GETS FLUSHED

As expected in the wake of his May arrest for DUI and reckless driving, the Seahawks have released receiver Koren Robinson, their first-round draft pick in 2001.

Before his May 6 arrest, Robinson already was down to his last chance in Seattle.  A confirmed turd whom several teams kept off of their first-round draft boards in 2001, Robinson never lived up to the potential that he displayed at North Carolina State.

The Seahawks also released veteran cornerback Bobby Taylor.  Signed in 2004 at a time when then-president Bob Whitsitt was throwing his weight (and money) around, Taylor never panned out for the Seahawks, and his best days clearly are behind him.

The moves create roughly $3 million in 2005 cap room.

Look for Robinson to draw interest from one or more of the three current turd refuges -- Washington, Tampa, and Denver. 

MORE MERRIMENT FROM MERRIMAN

A reader in San Diego tells us that Chargers first-rounder Shawne Merriman was scheduled to make a Thursday morning appearance on the Scott Kaplan and Billy Ray Smith radio show on the Mighty 1090.

After roughly a one-hour delay, the call came.  But it wasn't from Merriman.  Instead, his "business manager" K.J. Hughes made the call.

Per the reader, Hughes explained that he advised Merriman not to make the call due to the possibility of being asked "tough questions."  Hughes also repeatedly used the word "we" when referring to Merriman. 

This news confirms concerns we've heard from around the league that Hughes is too close to Merriman, and that Hughes has too much control over him.  Many believe, for example, that Hughes was responsible for Merriman's decision to fire agent Gary Wichard and hire the Postons.  

Look for Merriman to continue to be a problem for the Chargers for as long as Hughes has his hooks into him.  We anticipate a lengthy holdout, with Merriman signing a contract only after it's too late for him to be of any benefit to the organization as it tries to defend the AFC West crown.

POSTED 10:29 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 1:48 p.m. EDT, June 2, 2005

LEAGUE TO PULL PLUG ON PRACTICE SQUADS?

A league source tells us that the NFL management council is threatening to do away with the 8-man practice squads for 2005, in an apparent -- and not-so-subtle -- effort to exert pressure on the NFLPA to consummate an extension to the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Practice squads, we're told, are not guaranteed for the duration of the CBA, but are a year-to-year proposition, which the league can abandon if it so chooses.

Doing so now would bounce up to 256 guys out of the league, and out of the union.

We're also hearing that, although teams prefer to keep practice squads in place, they generally aren't happy with some of the rules that apply.  Most significantly, a player becomes ineligible for placement on the practice squad after he has suited up for nine regular-season games.  

Some want the limit to be tied into the amount of snaps taken either on offense or defense, since the purpose of the practice squad is to get players ready to become every-down players, not special teams contributors.  The problem is that, by suiting these guys up to help out where, for example, a special-teamer is hurt and the squad needs a warm body for punt-coverage duty, the kid incurs one game against his nine-game maximum.

Such changes will help both the players and the teams, and the union would be wise to address this specific glitch in the rules if/when the parties get to the bargaining table.

Of course, it's possible that teams won't have the luxury of practice squads at all, until the CBA is extended.  And if the NFL makes such a move for the 2005 season, it would be the most overt act of hostility between the league and the union since the 1987 strike -- and this could grease the skids toward a work stoppage in 2008.

THURSDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

From the "I Got Me Three Rings, Now It's Time To Get Paid" file, Pats DL Richard Seymour seems to be getting a little testy about his contract.

Despite concerns regarding injuries and effectiveness, the Bengals are expected to keep WR Peter Warrick for at least one more season.

Ravens RB Jamal Lewis is looking for a little special treatment during his two-month stay in a halfway house.

From the "Things That A Middle-Aged White Man Could Never Say In Public" File, Eagles DT Hollis Thomas 'splains his decision to participate in involuntary voluntary workouts despite dissatisfaction as follows:  "One monkey don't stop no show."

Eagles OT Tra Thomas is still out of action with a blood clot in his leg.

Colts S Mike Doss surprised the team by not showing up for Wednesday's involuntary voluntary practice, one day after a court appearance on weapons charges.

Vikings C Matt Birk vows to be on the field for the regular-season opener after having his man area surgically invaded for the fourth time in a year.

POSTED 10:01 a.m. EDT, June 2, 2005

'SKINS CONFIRM OTA INVESTIGATION

The Washington Redskins have issued a press release confirming that the NFL Players Association is investigating the team for suspected violations of the rules regarding offseason Organized Team Activities.

For the full text of the release, click here.

The statement, apparently made in response to our Wednesday night report regarding the pending investigation, acknowledges that an investigation was commenced based on video posted on the team's official web site.

The statement characterizes the investigation as a "concern that the O-line vs D-line work was too physical."  

"These drills go on at every team in the league, during all portions of the practice year," said Assistant Head Coach Joe Bugel.  "We have no problem with the review.  Anyone who has ever played on the O- or D-line at this level knows that the physical contact bears no resemblance to that experienced in a regular-season practice or game day."

The team says that its three NFLPA player representatives, Reynaldo Wynn, James Thrash, and Ray Brown, "have been in touch with the league and the NFLPA to represent the player's view that nothing in the OTA workouts is outside the rules."  

The balance of the team's press release reads more like an advertisement of the video access provided on the Redskins' web site than a defense of its offseason practices.

POSTED 7:48 a.m. EDT, June 2, 2005

NINERS PLAYERS DEFEND REYNOLDS

As the owners of the San Francisco 49ers express disdain for a risque' training video prepared by director of public relations Kirk Reynolds, players are defending Reynolds' creation of what they consider to be a humorous effort to send a message to players.

"Is the video insensitive? Yes,'' said safety Tony Parrish, according to The San Francisco Chronicle.  "But what type of video is it?  It's a public-relations video. 'How-not-to' type of video.  It's the same type of sarcasm and satire that has Dave Chappelle as the No. 1 show.  Knowing the context in which it was done, I don't think it was as bad as everyone is making.''

POSTED 9:20 p.m. EDT; UPDATED, 9:57 p.m., June 1, 2005

'SKINS INVESTIGATED FOR OTA VIOLATIONS

The Washington Redskins are in hot water with the NFL Players Association for alleged offseason workout violations.

We've heard from multiple league sources that the NFLPA is looking into whether the 'Skins have been engaging in 1-on-1 drills, which are a no-no for so-called Organized Team Activities.

And the evidence of the alleged violation hasn't come from an anonymous tip to the union.  Instead, the investigation has been fueled by video of practices posted on the team's official web site. 

More to come.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

Packers DT Cletidus Hunt was a no-show for the team's involuntary voluntary workouts; said coach Mike Sherman, "It's not a mandatory camp, but we expect him to be here.  He should have been here, and he wasn't here. So that's disappointing."  (Hello?  Gene Upshaw?  You paying attention to any of this?)

The Seahawks won't say whether WR Koren Robinson will be released based on his arrest for suspicion of DUI and reckless driving.

Best wishes for a full and fast recovery to Giants co-owner Wellington Mara, who recently underwent cancer surgery.

WR Jerry Rice wore No. 19 in his first practice with the Broncos, which is one digit less than the number of seasons he has played in the NFL (and five digits less than number of tantrums he threw last year).

The Bills have signed RB Lionel Gates, the team's seventh-round choice in the 2005 draft.

MiamiDolphins.com is pawning off a six-day-old AP story as June 1 "breaking news."

The Pats have waived OT Lance Nimmo and QB Chris Redman.

Ravens RB Jamal Lewis will conduct a press conference on June 3, one day after he gets out of jail (unless, of course, they try to pin Caretaker's murder on him).

The Bengals apparently are taking a wait-and-see approach with LB Nate Webster, who could be cut.

Texans offensive coordinator Chris Palmer probably could have picked a better way to describe the relationship between QB David Carr and WR Andre Johnson:  "It's like going into a bar and the girl across the bar looks at you and it's just unspoken."

The biggest camp battle on defense in Jacksonville will be at the position of right cornerback, where at least three guys will compete for the right to be burned on a regular basis by guys like Marvin Harrison and Andre Johnson.

New York newcomers Plaxico Burress (No. 17), Kareem McKenzie (No. 67), and Antonio Pierce (No. 58) have triggered a flurry of number changes.

Eagles RB Brian Westbrook hopes that his decision to sign his tender and participate in involuntary voluntary drills will lead to a long-term deal.

From the "I've Reached The Point In My Career Where I'll Do Anything I Can For An Easy Buck" file, Mike Ditka will be speaking at "the most prestigious gathering of water professionals in the world."

POSTED 11:25 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 2:08 p.m. EDT, June 1, 2005

KOREN TO BE FLUSHED?

Already on a short leash based on four years of average performance and below-average character, Seahawks receiver Koren Robinson might have sealed his Seattle fate last month.

Per Mike Sando of The Tacoma News Tribune, Robinson was arrested on suspicion of DUI and reckless driving on May 6.  He pleaded not guilty to the charges on May 31.

"I know what I’ve got to do and they’re expecting me to do that," Robinson said roughly a week prior to the arrest.  "If not, I know the consequences. . . .  Either you want to be in the NFL or you don’t.  And I do.  So, I have to do everything I gotta do to stay 

here."

Our guess is that the 'Hawks will move quickly this time, making a strong statement to the rest of the team by parting ways with the former first-round pick, a top-ten selection in 2001.

But before they do, look for the team to perhaps make a run at trading him to the 49ers for a low-round pick.  After all, new San Fran V.P. of player personnel Scot McCloughan was the Seattle director of college scouting when Robinson was drafted, and the Niners need help at wideout, due to the recent torn ACL suffered by No. 3 receiver Derrick Hamilton.

Then again, 49ers coach Mike Nolan might not be inclined to acquire Robinson through trade or otherwise, given his history of bad behavior.  Nolan rebuffed the overtures of receiver David Boston earlier in the offseason.  

Robinson is scheduled to earn $1.35 million in 2005.  His cap number is slightly more than $2.5 million.

JUNE 1 CUTS NOT DUE TO BETTER MANAGEMENT

We've noticed in multiple articles published over the past few days a suggestion that there are now less post-June 1 salary cap cuts because teams are doing a better job of managing the salary cap.

Not so, as several league sources have told us.

As an initial matter, there is no specific cap savings that occurs when a player is cut after June 1.  Instead, the move allows the "dead money" resulting from the unallocated portion of the signing bonus to be spread over two years instead of one.

If, for example, a player has three years remaining on a five-year deal that included a $5 million bonus, cutting the player before June 1 will result in a $3 million cap charge in the current year.  By delaying the move until after June 1, the cap charge is limited to the current year's amount ($1 million under the present example), with the rest hitting the cap in the next year ($2 million, in this case).

Note, however, that a trade always triggers full acceleration of the remaining bonus money, even if the trade occurs after June 1.

In the early years of the salary cap system, many teams needed cap room in the current year, and they therefore were happy to push as much dead money as possible into the next season.  After a few years of realizing that the cap hit is an inevitable as death, taxes, and the loss of hair in places where you want it and the growth of hair in places where you don't, more and more teams have opted to take the full cap hit in the current year.

Another major factor in this regard is that more and more agents have added March roster boni to player contracts, forcing teams in many cases to cut the player loose early in free agency, when the money is flowing like Pinot Grigio into pop cans at Neverland.  

Not all players get cut early, however, even with a roster bonus due early in the offseason.  For example, Eddie George got a $1 million roster bonus before getting cut by the Titans after June 1 in 2004.  This time around, the Titans likely will cut safety Lance Schulters after June 1, even though they gave him a $200,000 roster bonus in March.

Our guess is that most teams would prefer to take all of the dead money in the current year, but that some teams simply can't break the cycle of pushing dead money into the next season.  After all, pushing the dead money off limits cap room for the next year, thereby limiting the ability to cut players prior to June 1 the following offseason.

Absent an extension of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, however, the cycle ends this year.  In 2006, June 1 will be irrelevant, since 2007 is an uncapped year.  As a result, any cuts made in the next offseason will result in the full cap hit being taken in 2006.

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

The Canton Repository reports that the Browns have not yet contacted free-agent LT L.J. Shelton.

WR Az Hakim (bless you) has visited the Saints.

The Saints plan to throw LB Orlando Ruff into the high grass.

49ers director of media relations Kirk Reynolds is resigning, and he claims that it has nothing to do with a racy training video.

The Niners have signed WR Jason McAddley.

The warrant for the arrest of Plaxico Burress is still open and valid as his lawyer tries to gather sufficient paperwork to clean up a mess that should have been cleaned up long before it became a mess. 

Pats S Rodney Harrison denies that he's unhappy with his contract.

Titans CB Tony Beckham bristles at suggestions that he's merely "in the mix" to earn a spot in the starting lineup:  "I am the mix.  I'm like the flour in the cake.  That's it man."

S Lance Schulters realizes that he's soon to be booted out of Tennessee.

Dallas secondary coach Todd Bowles is fining his players $10 for blown assignments and dropped interceptions.

The Jets are in the process of confirming that their proposed stadium in Manhattan does not present any security risks (but is it sufficient to rely on the opinions of Fireman Ed?).

"This place is S-A-F-E, SAFE, SAFE, SAFE!"

49ers CB Mike Rumph wants to stay at corner, but would be willing to move to safety, if necessary (perhaps Rumph should compare what corners are getting on the open market to what safeties are paid before taking a final position on this one).

Folks in Indy want a 30-year lease in place with the Colts before construction starts on a new stadium for the team.

POSTED 11:12 a.m. EDT, June 1, 2005

WESTBROOK SIGNS ONE-YEAR TENDER

Dave Spadaro of PhiladelphiaEagles.com reports that restricted free agent running back Brian Westbrook has signed his one-year tender offer and will participate in the team's involuntary voluntary passing camp.

Westbrook's status has been unclear of late.  Reports that he fired agent Tony Agnone in favor of Fletcher Smith caused many to conclude that Westbrook would indeed sign his tender before June 15, the date on which it could be withdrawn.  Recently, however, Smith denied that he has been retained by Westbrook, and there have been conflicting reports as to whether Westbrook parted ways with Agnone.

Westbrook will make $1.43 million this year, and he will be eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2006.  

POSTED 9:38 a.m. EDT, June 1, 2005

BUCS TO GO ON A TURD PURGE?

With June 1 finally here, the Tampa Bay Bucs can create some short-term cap room -- while at the same time loading up some 2006 dead money -- by getting rid of several washed-up veterans for whom the team overpaid in past offseasons.

Per The Tampa Tribune, the team is expected to release tackle Todd Steussie, running back Charlie Garner, and guard Matt Stinchcomb.

In order to create even more cap room, the team might consider dumping tackles Kenyatta Walker and Derrick Deese.  

And to the extent that one or more of these members of the 2002 NFL championship team refuses to restructure his contract, he could end up looking for new work:  cornerbacks Ronde Barber and Brian Kelly, defensive tackle Anthony McFarland, fullback Mike Alstott, and defensive end Simeon Rice.

Rice has a $10 million cap number for 2005, and he was the subject of pre-draft trade rumors.  McFarland's 2005 cap number is $4 million.

Hell, we won't even rule out the possibility of linebacker Derrick Brooks getting a pink slip from the pewter patrol.  He has a $9 million cap number, and he already has spurned one request to restructure his deal.

The reality in Tampa is that the team clearly is transitioning away from the aging nucleus of players who led the franchise to its only Super Bowl victory three years ago.  During a six-year run of generally above-average performance, many of those guys ended up getting oversized contracts.  And now that coach Jon Gruden needs cap room to sign rookies and to further improve the offense, we wouldn't be surprised to see one or more of those heroes of days gone by go bye-bye between June 1 and September 11, when the regular season opens and their full 2005 salaries become guaranteed.

PANTHERS DENY OUR JENKINS REPORT

Darin Gannt of The Rock Hill (S.C.) Herald writes that the Carolina Panthers dispute our report that the team is unhappy with defensive tackle Kris Jenkins.

"There's nothing to it," G.M. Marty Hurney said.

(Gee, Marty, we'll take you at face value on that one, since NFL teams never bear false witness.)

Gannt, likely at the behest of Hurney but with a specific direction not to attribute the information to the former beat writer who rode Bobby Beathard's surfboard to a career in the NFL, explains that Jenkins "generally gains weight each offseason and loses it before training camp."  Gannt also states that "some in the organization are amazed at the ease with which [Jenkins] loses weight each July before he reports to camp."

Jenkins, per Gannt, has a "quiet, detached personality" that some view as "apathy."

Finally, Gannt states without specific attribution (i.e., it came from Hurney, too):  "If Jenkins is beyond his normal June weight this year, it's likely because of an extended absence from the weight room which stemmed from last year's shoulder problems which landed him on injured reserve."

We're not faulting Gannt for his story.  Hell, we appreciate the fact that he actually mentioned our site -- unlike many (but increasingly less) of his colleagues in the bidness.  Besides, if a team's G.M. were willing to give us limited on-the-record material but loads of off-the-record input, we'd also be tempted to spin the piece in a manner that creates a favorable impression for the franchise, and for the man in whom the organization has invested $31 million.

WEDNESDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

From the "Beggars Can At Least Try To Be Choosers, Before Resorting To A Life Of Smoking Weed Full Time" file, RB Ricky Williams might not be willing to return to the Fins if his salary will be the minimum of $540,000, instead of the $3.7 million wage set forth in the contract that he walked out on last year.

Packers president Bob Harlan told DE Reggie White last September that White's number would eventually become the fifth jersey retired by the team (and easily the largest).

CB R.W. McQuarters will meet with the Lions on Wednesday; he's previously met with the 'Skins, Giants, and Fins (and we anticipate an eventual trip for R-Dub to the Island of Misfit Toys).

Eagles RB Brian Westbrook currently does not have an agent; in two weeks, he might not have a contract offer, either.

As it turns out, Eagles QB Donovan McNabb and T.O. didn't see each other in Hollywood at the May 19 premiere of The Longest Yard (which is probably a good thing, since McNabb might have broke-ed T.O.'s nose).

Eagles DT Hollis Thomas plans to attend the team's involuntary voluntary passing camp notwithstanding the fact that he's pissed off with his contract; said Thomas regarding his decision, "Braak, braak, bra-kaak."

S Corey Chavous and CB Brian Williams will be absent again when the Vikings convene their second involuntary voluntary minicamp -- and given the presence of Darren Sharper and Fred Smoot, we're wondering how much they'll be missed.

With interest now added, the disability award to the family of C Mike Webster has grown from $1.142 million to $1.495 million, and the number will go higher when attorneys' fees are added.

The 'Skins are expected to scalp RB/KR Chad Morton soon, WR Rod Gardner eventually, and LB Mike Barrow possibly.

From the "Wake Up And Smell The BioFreeze" file, Paul Schwartz of The New York Post writes that there will be "no live hitting" during the Giants mandatory minicamp (yeah, and there will be no live farting in Mike Strahan's bathroom tonight).

Lions WR Charles Nelson Rogers is wearing a red jersey in minicamp (but does it match his pink dress?).

Charles Nelson Rogers braces for his next broken bone.

The Seahawks are trying to decide whether to give the boot to CB Bobby Taylor, who signed a four-year, $11.3 million contract in 2004 (another shrewd move, Bob Whitsitt).

LB Peter Boulware is expected to visit the Seahawks and possibly the 49ers after heading to Cleveland.

The Colts plan to smack S Mike Doss significantly and swiftly based on his recent arrest for firing a gun into the air (the "I was merely celebrating the recent Iraqi elections" defense isn't expected to hold much water).

Another day, another NFL player arrested for allegedly breaking one or more of the laws that 99.4 percent of the population somehow manages to respect on a regular basis.

Jean-Jacques Taylor of The Dallas Morning News points out that defensive linemen La'Roi Glover and Greg Ellis simply don't fit well in the Cowboys' new 3-4 scheme -- and we have a feeling that either or both of them won't be fitting on the roster before the first game of the regular season. 

Former Bills coach Marv Levy is raving about the decision of the Bears to hire former Buffalo strength and conditioning coach Rusty Jones.  (For what it's worth, the aging Levy also believes that the government has kidnapped Robert Goulet.) 

The Steelers plan to make no June 1 cap cuts.

The Steelers have inked fourth-round WR Fred Gibson to a three-year, $1.221 million deal; the Steelers have now agreed to terms with three draft picks -- the other 31 teams have signed a total of two.

Tampa S John Howell says that he has agreed to terms with the Seahawks, and that he plans to sign the contract in the near future.