RUMOR MILL ARCHIVES

By Profootballtalk Editor Mike Florio

POSTED 9:00 a.m. EDT, UPDATED 9:40 a.m. EDT, June 30, 2003

FAVRE WAS "DEAD SET" ON '02 RETIREMENT

Packers quarterback Brett Favre recently said that, at this time last year, he was "dead set" on retiring after the 2002 season.

According to the Biloxi (Miss.) Sun-Herald, Favre says that he changed his mind at the conclusion of the season, which ended with a stunning home playoff loss to the Falcons.

"In some ways, I have thought about retirement," he said. "I know I can play three more years, but I don't now if that's what I want.

"My wife, Deanna, and I talk about retirement and she tells me to walk away when I am ready.  I think retirement will be a lot like the off-season for me.  In the off-season, I don't like to travel:  I would rather stay home in Hattiesburg and cut my grass."

Favre says that he wouldn't mind getting into coaching after his playing days end.  "After so long, we are all has-beens.  Coaching and helping kids would be nice when I've become a has-been."

COWBOYS SAFETY INJURED IN SHOOTOUT

Dallas Cowboys safety Keith Davis, 24, was injured in a shootout outside a Dallas-area topless bar.

According to the Dallas Morning News, Davis was struck in the right hip and left hand.  The injuries, however, weren't serious, and Davis was treated and released.

A worker at the club also was shot twice in the incident.

Davis's availability for training camp is unclear, as is the penalty that will be visited upon him by coach Bill Parcells, who has told players to stay out of trouble -- and away from strip clubs.

Davis bounced back and forth between the practice squad and the active roster in 2002.  Our guess is that the Tuna will bounce his ass right out of Texas within the next month.

MONDAY ONE-LINERS

Jags QB Byron Leftwich sounds like a guy who plans to get on the field sooner rather than later.

Rams QB Kurt Warner blames the team's 0-5 start in 2002 on high expectations resulting from the team's loss to the Pats in Super Bowl XXXVI.

From the ever-popular "no sh-t, Sherlock" file, Bucs DT Anthony Booger McFarland admits that the dueling efforts of himself and Warren Sapp to land long-term contract extensions "could be awkward."

Giants TE Jeremy Shockey says he was motivated in 2002 by fear of failure (and we thought he was only afraid of soap-dropping shower partners).

POSTED 9:35 a.m. EDT, June 28, 2003

INTEREST IN HOLLINGS UNCERTAIN

A league source tells us that it's presently unclear as to whether any NFL team will be burning a 2004 draft pick early, by selecting Georgia Tech running back Tony Hollings in the July 10 supplemental draft.

Per the source, Hollings generally is regarded as a very good athlete who may or may not have the instincts to play running back in the NFL.  He played the position at Tech for only four games before tearing up his knee. 

Sure, he was leading the nation in rushing average at the time, but two of those games came against early-season cannon fodder like UConn and Vanderbilt.

There are other potential problems.  Because Hollings declared himself eligible for the supplemental draft only recently, teams won't have the same kind of opportunity to poke and prod his knee as they would've had if Hollings were part of the "normal" draft pool.  As it stands, any team who wants to take a look at Hollings must send a delegation to Atlanta.

Also, word is that Hollings isn't ready to run the 40, which has prompted some folks within league circles to question whether Hollings has been sufficiently diligent in his rehab efforts and/or in his workout habits.

Finally, the fact that Hollings managed to flunk out of a cash-driven collegiate educational system that found a way to churn out the likes of Dexter Manley suggests that, when it comes to the books, Hollings is even more worthless than the typical athlete-student.

These facts likely indicate that teams won't be inclined to take a flyer on Hollings.  Every April a fresh crop of running back prospects hits the market, and NFL teams always have a full and fair chance to investigate the potential draft picks before pulling the trigger.

Still, we wonder whether a team with a clear need in 2003 for an extra tailback might throw a seventh-rounder at Hollings.  The Bucs, for example, are facing the loss of Michael Pittman to the Mean Machine -- and they're likely to get a supplemental pick or two in 2004 based on the departure of Dexter Jackson and Al Singleton.

So why not use the current seventh rounder on Hollings?

The problem, of course, is that if the Bucs send a couple of guys to Atlanta to check out Hollings, someone else might become interested in drafting him.  And as the buzz grows, more and more teams might think about burning a low-round pick on Hollings.

We expect, then, to hear nothing at all about a team being specifically interested in Hollings.  And, in the end, we peg his chance at being taken after round five at 50-50, at best.

KORDELL "LOOKS LOST"

One of our Chicago moles has confirmed for us that folks high within the Bears' organization are beginning to recognize that the acquisition of quarterback Kordell Stewart was a mistake.

Very recently, a senior member of the front office was overheard conceding that Kordell "looks lost" on the practice field.

In contrast, rookie Rex Grossman quietly is impressing the coaching staff and the front office.  Word is that, next to Kordell, Rex looks like a seasoned vet.

The thinking is that Grossman could end up giving Kordell a run for the starting job in 2003.

POSTED 4:12 p.m. EDT, June 27, 2003

EVANS RESPONDS TO INDEFINITE SUSPENSION

In response to his "lifetime" ban for multiple violations of the NFL's substance abuse policy, Jets defensive tackle Josh Evans has issued the following statement, which the folks at Impact Sports have sent to us.

"I cannot believe I am in this situation again my appeal has failed even though I passed a lie detector test confirming that I never smoked or used marijuana," Evans said.  "I have embraced the NFL Program for Substances of Abuse, followed its guidelines precisely and have become a better person for it.

"I would never jeopardize my family and compromise the integrity of the Jets organization, my teammates and its fans by violating the Program.  Everybody will ultimately believe what they want, but to accept punishment for something I did not do is one of the most difficult things I have ever had to endure."

Though his agents can't comment on the specifics of the positive result, all signs point to a failure to submit to a test, not an actual positive test.  Alas, a failure to test is given the same treatment under the substance abuse policy as a positive. 

As a result, Evans has been suspended indefinitely by the league.  He already has missed a full year, while he was with the Titans.

POSTED 8:12 a.m. EDT, June 27, 2003

BULGER'S BOOTY:  $375,000

Rams quarterback Marc Bulger finally has received his financial reward for helping the Rams rebound from a pitiful 0-5 start in 2003.

And for his unexpectedly stellar efforts, Bulger will get a whopping $375,000 salary for the entire 2003 season.

Though Bulger hired agent Tom Condon several months back in anticipation of a larger payday, Marc was caught in one of the cruel realities of the collective bargaining agreement -- his options as an exclusive rights free agent were to accept $375,000, or to not play at all.

Bulger will be a restricted free agent after the 2003 season.  But unless he hits the field again this year, interest in Bulger could be faded by 2004.

Then again, it's not out of the question that Bulger will play.  Rams coach Mike Martz at one point threw the quarterback job up for grabs entering 2003, but he later backed off of that statement, handing the job back to two-time MVP Kurt Warner.  Warner looked like a shell of his former self in 2002, and unless he steps it up dramatically this season, Bulger could be the guy.

GUERRERO HIRE DRAWS CRITICISM

We've been pondering for the past couple of days the wisdom of ABC's decision to hire Lisa Guerrero as Monday Night Football's new sideline reporter. 

At first, we shrugged our shoulders at the move.  After all, it wasn't the first time that the boys at MNF have added to the sideline mix a member of the fairer sex who wasn't "KKK" (i.e., Kremer, Kolber, Kohn) ugly.  (We know it's "Cohn," but "KKC" didn't sound as good.)

But when we saw MNF producer Fred Gaudelli's explanation for the decision to hire Guerrero in Thursday's USA Today, our opinion changed.  Dramatically.

Said Gaudelli, "[S]ince 40% of our Monday Night Football audience is women, our preference was to select a woman."

Apart from the fact that Gaudelli's admission gives the man who got rejected for the gig all he would need for a viable claim of reverse gender discrimination, Gaudelli's straight-faced suggestion that the Guerrero hire wasn't for the 60 percent of the audience who'd be ogling her makes the whole thing, in our view, a joke.

Of course Guerrero was hired because Gaudelli and others believe that the men will like to look at her.  And the fact that Gaudelli feels compelled to justify the move by saying that it was for the women who watch the show suggests to us that, deep down, Gaudelli recognizes that the decision to go with Guerrero cheapens and demeans ABC's broadcasts of the greatest game in the world.

We're not alone in our views.  Per the New York Times, MSNBC's Keith Olbermann suggested that Al Michaels and John Madden "resign in protest" over the Guerrero hire.

Gaudelli's response:  "Keith Olbermann's history speaks for itself.  Any opinion rendered by him is the opinion of a troubled man."

C'mon, Fred.  Everyone knows that Keith is a childish malcontent.  But stupid and unskilled he isn't, and Olbermann is hitting the nail squarely on the head here.  The sideline reporting job should be reserved for a real journalist, not for an aspiring actress who didn't make it so she searched for any way she could to get herself on camera.

FRIDAY ONE-LINERS

Contract discussions between the Rams and WR Torry Holt have gone nowhere since May.

Titans coach Jeff Fisher has received a six-year contract extension, less than a year after being dissed by owner Bud Adams following a 1-4 start.

Raiders owner Al Davis has taken the stand in the team's trial du jour -- this time, they're suing Oakland for alleged false promises of sellouts.

The Falcons are giving Georgia Tech RB Tony Hollings a physical on Friday, and the tailback-heavy Dirty Birds have promised to share the information on Hollings surgically-repaired ACL with other teams.  (Hmmm.)

Former Steelers LB John Fiala opted for retirement over a contract with the Texans; Fiala spent only six seasons in the NFL.

Lions backup QB Mike McMahon still hopes to be a starting quarterback, win a Super Bowl, and make the Pro Bowl.

Chargers scout Mike McCarthy will run with the bulls next month in Pamplona, Spain.

POSTED 1:12 a.m. EDT, June 26, 2003

KORDELL CAPTION CONTEST WINNERS

We know, we know.  It's been nearly a week since the Kordell-Jauron caption contest ended.  But with nearly 300 entries to sift through, it's taken time to whittle the field down to a list of finalists.

The top ten are listed below.  Honorable mention goes out to the many entries suggesting that Jauron is attempting to perform the Vulcan nerve pinch on Kordell.

We likewise received many entries based on coach Jauron's first name.  Some were funny as hell, but we're trying hard to keep our PG-13 rating.

No. 10:  "If I would have seen this hand growing out of his back, I may have thought twice about signing him."

No. 10 (tie):  "Kordell, I'm just so excited about you coming to Chicago, but what is the deal with the giant neck bumps?"

No. 9:  "I dub thee the Sleestack King of Chicago."

No. 8:  "We can rebuild him. We can make him bigger, stronger, and faster.  Unfortunately, he's still dumb as a brick."

No. 7:  Kordell sprouts a third hand to battle fumblitis.

No. 6:  "I know my coach is behind me.  I'd like to get the whole team behind me too."

No. 5:  "Ever been to a Turkish prison, Kordell?"

No. 4:  "I would've sworn Brian Griese was white."

No. 3:  "I sure hope this is only dandruff."

No. 2:  "Gentlemen, please welcome Mr. Charlie Batch."

AND THE WINNER:  "Doug Flutie waves to the crowd after being named the Bears starting quarterback."

POSTED 9:30 a.m. EDT, UPDATED 9:55 a.m. EDT, June 25, 2003

STEELERS EXTEND SMITH

In yet another development that likely was met by the regular readers of this here site with a "ho" and a "hum," the Steelers officially have signed offensive tackle Marvel Smith to a five-year, $25.5 million contract extension, including a $6 million signing bonus.

The fact that the Steelers were working on an extension for Smith was first reported in this space on June 13.  At that time, the Steelers had offered Smith $22 million over five years, with $5 million up front.  Smith wanted $32 million, with $8 million to $10 million paid now.

As the final numbers indicate, both sides moved toward the middle.  Even though the final number was closer to the Steelers' initial position than to Marvel's, the fact that Smith never has played left tackle in the NFL likely helped the team squeezed Smith south of the midpoint.

The package doesn't differ significantly from the five-year, $30 million deal that former left tackle Wayne Gandy signed in New Orleans.  Sure, Smith is younger.  But he's nevertheless unproven at the position -- and he has a history of flirtations with a Mexican girl named Mary Jane.

O'DONNELL PULLED A GADSDEN

Folks around the league are questioning Neil O'Donnell's decision to wait around for the Titans to re-sign him, given that he'll now receive only $1.51 million in salary over the next two seasons in Tennessee (plus a $90,000 bonus).

O'Donnell had a lot more cash on the table shortly after the Titans dumped him in February in order to avoiding paying him a $250,000 roster bonus.  The Vikings pursued him aggressively, and the Dolphins and Saints also joined the pursuit before O'Donnell decided to wait for the Titans to create enough cap room to bring him back.

As one league insider told us, "O'Donnell has never been known to be a risk taker, and that's one of the reasons why, in reality, he always has been a backup caliber player, even when he played in Pittsburgh."

In our view, O'Donnell should've gotten the best possible deal while there was a market for his services.  In the end, he had no leverage when he negotiated his new deal with the Titans.

And the final numbers prove it.

Heck, he would've been better off waiting for the inevitable injury bug to take someone out during training camp and/or the preseason. 

And please don't give us that post hoc spin baloney about O'Donnell always wanting to stay with the Titans program.  For anyone who is still earning an NFL paycheck at age 37, the best move is to get the most money possible -- 'cause it won't be long before Neil is 9-to-5-ing like the rest of us.

McCASKEYS LOOKING TO CASH OUT?

One of our Chitown moles tells us folks within the Bears' organization believe that the 12-year, $30 million sponsorship agreement with a Financial Institution for Which We'll Do No Free Advertising is part of the McCaskey family's overall plan to reap as much money as possible from the franchise before selling the team in approximately three years.

As we reported on April 9 in the wake of the passing of Ed McCaskey, the next generation of George Halas's progeny aren't inclined to keep the team that Papa Bear founded all those years ago.

Word is that the coming sale of the team is making G.M. Jerry Angelo even more determined to get rid of coach Dick Jauron ASAFP, so that Angelo then will have at least two seasons with a coach of his choosing to show that he truly is capable of running an NFL team into something other than the cold, hard ground.  Though we're told that Angelo doesn't expect to be a part of the post-McCaskey Bears, he'll need to land somewhere, and he'll be hoping that his new job won't be a step back.

BOOGER HOPES TO PICK A NEW DEAL

While Bucs defensive tackle Warren Sapp has chosen to voice his displeasure with the lack of a new contract privately, linemate Anthony "Booger" McFarland is taking his own quest for the coin public.

According to the Tampa Tribune, McFarland wants to have a contract extension in place before reporting to training camp next month.

"I'd like to get this behind me before we go to Orlando,'' McFarland said Tuesday.  "I think we can work things out in the next few weeks."

The sound bite from Booger's agent, Karl Bernard, was more ominous.  "We have to determine if the contract offered by the Bucs is enough . . . for Anthony to forego potential free agency.  For Anthony, it's important to get this done before camp.  Having this uncertainty loom over your head as you begin practicing to defend a championship is something Anthony would like to avoid.''

The Bucs likely can't afford to keep both Sapp and McFarland, and speculation throughout the league is that the Bucs ultimately will not retain Sapp -- unless he drops his contract demands significantly.

POSTED 9:10 a.m. EDT, June 24, 2003

NFL EUROPE TO GO ON PERMANENT VACATION

A league source tells us that NFL owners are virtually certain to scuttle NFL Europe at their next round of meetings in September.

The European version of the game was launched in 1991 as the "World League of American Football," with teams on both sides of the Atlantic.  The initial television broadcasts included gimmicks such as the "helmet cam."

In time, the league was pared down to a handful of Europe-only teams, and it primarily became a tool for increasing interest in the game of pro football in an area where a different kind of football has been, and likely always will be, the dominant sport.

More recently, NFL owners have begun to question the wisdom of a developmental league with inherently high operating costs -- and stagnant-to-shrinking revenues.  

Several months back, we proposed a true developmental league, which would operate in a manner similar to the baseball farm system, placing franchises in cities with no NFL or major college presence and playing games during the traditional football months.

With more NFL owners picking up Arena League teams, however, we suspect that there would be some opposition to an NFL farm system, since that would render the AFL even more irrelevant.  Regardless, NFL coaches are always looking for ways to put younger players into game situations, in order to speed their adaptation to the pro game.

And the best way to do it is through a minor league system that gives players who otherwise would be parked on the practice squad live reps on a 100-yard field without badminton nets at the back of each end zone.

TEAMS STALLING NEGOTIATIONS?

There's mounting dissatisfaction among players and agents regarding the perception that teams are waiting longer and longer each year to sign their draft picks.  

As one league source told us, "Whether it's a negotiating tactic or  just plain laziness, it's getting more and more frustrating trying to get some of these deals done."

In the later rounds of the draft, players are slotted based on the prior year's position.  "Most of these deals can be done by a guy with a lobotomy," one source said.

So why the delay?  One possibility is that the rookie doesn't count against the team's roster limit until he is signed.  Thus, whenever a rookie inks a deal, the team has to cut loose someone else.  By pushing back the date on which the rookie is signed, the team gets to have more warm bodies during offseason workouts.

Still, the players want to get their signing bonuses, especially since most (if not all) of them already are essentially at work, learning the schemes and participating in practice without pads.

Though the NFLPA generally has done nothing while the word "voluntary" has evaporated from the new practice of subjecting players to 10-plus weeks of offseason drills, the union probably should take a look at the question of whether some teams are unfairly slowing down the rookie signing process in order to keep more guys around for these March-to-June practice sessions.  

WHY L.A.?

One of our readers raised an excellent question on Monday.

"Why does the NFL want to return to L.A.?"

On the surface, the answer seems easy.  The networks are taking a bath on the current TV deal (which was negotiated while companies actually had money to spend on advertising), and the NFL has declined to give the networks any relief.  Thus, in order to keep/preserve the billions that the league is receiving when the contracts expire after the 2005 season, the NFL needs to have at least one team in the nation's No. 2 market.

But here's the catch -- if there's a local team, SoCal butts have to be in all of the seats before the home games will make it to the local airwaves.

The L.A. Times recently reported that NFL games in 2002 drew a 9.5 rating in Los Angeles -- higher than the combined ratings generated by the Lakers (6.0), the Dodgers (3.3), and the Kings (1.1).  Heck, the NFL ratings in L.A. were higher even than the NFL ratings in New York (9.3).

Apparently, the NFL is banking on its ability to place in Los Angeles a team and a stadium that will draw consistent sellouts -- and on the fact that the presence of a local team to root for will make the current 9.5 ratings go even higher.

As we see it, however, it's by no means a sure thing.  The 9.5 rating likely is due to the fact that the local Fox and CBS affiliates are putting the best games on the air.  If the home team sucks, the interest likely won't be there.

POSTED 8:57 a.m. EDT, LAST UPDATED 5:20 p.m. EDT, June 23, 2003

SHANNY ON THIN ICE?

A league source tells us that a somewhat unexpected name should be added to this year's version of the NFL hot seat dance card.

Per the source, Broncos owner Pat Bowlen could part ways with coach Mike Shanahan after this season if the team doesn't advance deep into the playoffs.  Shanahan is entering the sixth season of a seven-year deal that was signed prior to the 1998 season.

The Broncos generally have underachieved since winning back-to-back Super Bowls in 1998 and 1999.  Still, Shanahan's job security never had been seriously questioned.

But now the word is that lots of pressure rests on Shanny to get the team back to a position of prominence in the AFC.

To make it there, Shanahan will need a solid performance from new quarterback Jake Plummer.  General scuttlebutt around the league, however, is that Plummer hasn't looked like the star that Shanny needs to be in the Broncos' offseason minicamps.  And as we reported not long after Plummer signed, there are real concerns regarding Plummer's ability to fit within Shanahan's highly structured scheme, since Jake has enjoyed most of his success in college and in the NFL when he freelances.

SAPP PISSED AT BRAD DEAL

A league source tells us that Bucs defensive tackle Warren Sapp is pissed at the team for its decision to extend the contract of quarterback Brad Johnson before addressing Sapp's deal, which expires after the coming season.

Though an argument could be made that Johnson's extension, which creates some cap room for other signings, had to happen before Sapp could get re-signed, Warren doesn't see it that way.  Instead, word is that he feels further disrespected by the team, which has ignored his contract status throughout the offseason, while at the same time dishing out big-dollar deals to Johnson and Simeon Rice.

As we see it, the Bucs need to do something about Sapp before training camp.  He still has loads of influence in the locker room, and if he's disgruntled, his attitude likely will infect other players.

So if we were the Bucs, we'd trade him -- having no Sapp on the team is much better than having an angry one.

NFL SQUEEZING INDY ABOUT IRSAY?

Word around the league is that the NFL might be using the Colts' continued presence in Indianapolis as leverage to secure favorable treatment of owner Jim Irsay, who is mired in an ongoing prescription drug controversy.

If it's occurring, it's not surprising.  The N.F.L. is known to have a touch of the O.C.D. when it comes to the league's image, and any owner would expect the league to help shield him/her from public embarrassment and/or criminal sanction, if there was a way to pull it off.

And, in the Colts, the league has the ultimate leverage.

The logic is simple.  The league needs to put a team in L.A. in order to keep its network cash cow nestled snug in the barn.  The Colts are one of the candidates to mollify the folks at Fox, CBS, and ABC.  If the locals provide sufficient funding for an appropriate new venue for the team -- and if they look the other way regarding any potential violations of the law that Irsay might have committed -- the Colts would stay put.

The problem, of course, is that the feds have been involved in the investigation, and they're probably less likely to exercise their discretion in a manner that benefits Irsay in order to likewise benefit Indianapolis.

Still, Indy might be able to keep the Colts via a lower financial investment.  If keeping Irsay out of hot water really is important to the NFL (and we're convinced that it is), then the NFL and the Colts should be willing to stick around for a lower cash investment by the locals than otherwise would have been required.  

MONDAY ONE-LINERS

The Patriots have signed RB Mike Cloud to a one-year deal.

The Steelers have signed former Cardinals/Texans DT Jabari Issa, who just finished a season in NFL Europe.

Bucs coach Jon Gruden has scored more than $1 million in business deals since the team won Super Bowl XXXVII.

Could it be irritable bowel syndrome?  Packers RB Najeh "Dookie" Davenport recently spent a week in L.A. working on his first feature film, Blood Money.

The Falcons spent Monday morning with 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 work in the red zone 

QUOTE OF THE DAY

From former Bears and new Bucs QB Jim Miller:  "I loved Chicago and [coach] Dick Jauron, but the organization didn't think I could come back from this [arm injury] in time.  Obviously, they have the right to do that, but now I have the opportunity to stick it up their [expletive]."

POSTED 7:15 p.m. EDT, June 22, 2003

WEEKEND ONE-LINERS

The sale of the Dodgers to Malcolm Glazer could be derailed as baseball owners are getting "a little leery" about the Glazer family's lack of baseball credentials (hey, Steinbrenner -- Glazer's got no football credentials either, but that didn't stop the Bucs from winning the Big Prize).

Saints G.M. Mickey Loomis says he has no regrets about his bush-league (but fun to read) response to OT Kyle Turley in a recent SI.com article; Howard Balzer made a good point in the current USA Today Sportsweekly -- if the 'Aints think Kyle is such a Tur[d]ley, why'd they at one point offer him an $8 million bonus to sign an extension?

Rams partial season-ticket packages go on sale Monday via the Internet.

Former Titans LB Randall Godfrey visits the Seahawks on Monday.

For the first time in 26 years, the Pats won't be holding training camp at Bryant College in Smithfield, Rhode Island.

From the "very troubling images" file, Bills G.M. Tom Donahoe says that the AFC East teams are so closely matched that you can "throw a blanket" over all four of them.

Bucs coach Jon Gruden sidestepped questions regarding whether the team will be released RB Michael Pittman, explaining that "[w]e are still gathering facts."  (Hey, Jon-Boy, how many "facts" are there to gather?  The guy played rock-scissors-paper with the car carrying his 2-year-old.  Dump his worthless ass.)

The Colts have released two undrafted free agents:  RB Montrell Lowe and C Rodney Michael.

Former Broncos DB Mike Harden is heading back to jail after violating the rules of a halfway house.

Falcons QB Mike Vick is poised to sign a new contract with Nike worth "tens of millions."

Former Buccaneers WR Reidel Anthony is back in Tampa (but not with the Bucs) after a stint with the CFL's Edmonton Eskimos went south.

Packers DE Joe Johnson has pleaded not guilty to marijuana possession charges; a pretrial hearing is set for July 17.

Got an extra $60,000 in disposable income?  If so, you can be the proud owner of "The Receiver," a statue marking Green Bay as the birthplace of the forward pass in the NFL.

Bucs RB Thomas Jones is sticking with his story that he broke his hand last year while answering the phone.

The Saints bogarted AFL RB Will Pettis from the Cowboys pursuant to a 10-day recallable waiver rule, which prevents NFL teams that own Arena franchises from cherry-picking the best players on the JV squad.

Georgia Tech RB Tony Hollings is trying to gain entry to the NFL supplemental draft, which by the way is now conducted by e-mail.

Only three players remain on the Falcons roster from the 1998 NFC championship team.

Jacksonville has come up with a novel approach for recruiting more than 8,000 volunteers to work at hotels, cruise ships, and other events in connection with hosting of the 2005 Super Bowl; they're charging potential volunteers $49.95 for the opportunity to be considered.

The Packers have signed NFL Europe RB Adam Tate.

POSTED 10:55 a.m. EDT, June 20, 2003

NFLPA CAUTIONS AGAINST FOUR-YEAR DEALS

A league source tells us that the NFL Players Association has issued a memo to agents regarding the potential problems that arise if players selected after the second round agree to four-year deals, instead of the standard three-year contract.

As we previously have reported, teams are hoping to use four-year contracts for mid-to-low-round picks in order to avoid what we'll call the "Laveraneus Coles Conundrum."

After the three-year deal expires, the player becomes a restricted free agent.  To retain the right to match any offers and the right to compensation if he leaves, the team must make a tender offer. 

The challenge for most teams is the level of the tender.  The "low" tender (which was $605,000 in 2003) guarantees only a pick in the round in which the player originally was selected.  The "medium" tender (approximately $1.3 million) guarantees a first-round selection as compensation.  The "high" tender (roughly $1.8 million) results in a first-rounder and a third-rounder.

Earlier this year, the Jets tendered Coles at the first-round level.  The Redskins swiped him with a $35-million contract.  Redskins owner Dan Snyderbrenner has said that, if the Jets had given Coles the highest tender, the Redskins would not have tried to sign him.

So now teams want to avoid the potential embarrassment altogether, by locking the player up through his fourth year of league service.

But the NFLPA has warned agents that a player who signs a contract with a fourth-year salary equal to the $460,000 minimum could lose more than $300,000, since the estimated 2006 low tender is $762,126.

The challenge for the agent is to obtain sufficient additional compensation for the player (via, for example, the signing bonus) in order to account for the potential difference between the tender offer and the fourth year salary.  The problem, in our view, is that most rookies could be bought off with an additional signing bonus that doesn't properly reflect the value of the opportunity that they are sacrificing.

If, for example, Laveraneus Coles had taken an extra $80,000 three years back in exchange for adding a fourth-year to his rookie deal, he wouldn't have cashed a $13 million bonus check from the Redskins in March.

With that said, most of the deals reported to date have a length of only three years.  The only exception of note is Broncos receiver Adrian Madise, a fifth-rounder who signed a five-year deal.

GADSDEN GETS ANOTHER CHANCE

The Miami Herald reports that Dolphins receiver Oronde Gadsden likely will sign a one-year contract with the team on Friday.

The Herald reports that the Fins were "about to pull" their offer.  As we reported on Thursday, the offer was in fact pulled -- and we suspect that Gadsden's agent, Michael Todd, asked the Fins to re-characterize their actions as an "almost" in order to allow Oronde to save a little face.

Gadsden rejects a long-term offer in September that would have paid him $750,000 to sign.  He likewise walked from a three-year package in Minnesota worth nearly $3 million.

Instead, he wanted a three-year, $4.5 million deal, with $1.7 million to sign.

Now, Gadsden is instead getting peanuts -- and he has only himself (and his agent) to blame.

FRIDAY ONE-LINERS

The Jags were impressed with former Titans LB Randall Godfrey, who'll visit the Packers and Seahawks next week.

The Redskins will spend more than $86 million on salaries and bonuses in 2003.

Bucs RB Michael Pittman was arraigned Thursday on two counts of aggravated assault.

Bucs coach Jon Gruden is the new pitchman for the Florida citrus industry (which makes sense, given his perpetual lemon-sucking scowl).

Wanna be the next Ben "He's Giving Him the Business" Dreith? The NFL is holding an officials clinic in Pittsburgh.

The Jaguars released S Ainsley Battles and four others on Thursday.

Pats offensive coordinator Charlie Weis is interested in the head-coaching job at the University of Washington.

The Lions expect WR Az Hakim (dislocated hip) to be ready for contact by training camp.

41-year-old K Kevin Butler, out of the NFL for six years, is trying to make a comeback.

The Bears promised LB Brian Urlacher that his brother, Casey, would get an "extended look" with the team -- and he got one; after two weeks at a level where he didn't belong, the Bears said "see ya" to C.U.

The legal mess between current Broncos owner Pat Bowlen and former Broncos owner Edgar Kaiser is heading toward a trial.

The Jags have signed veteran OL Sammy Williams to a one-year, minimum-salary deal.

The Bears signed RB Brock Forsey, a sixth-round draft choice, to a three-year deal.

The Seahawks have signed Nebraska K Josh Brown, a seventh-rounder.

The Chargers signed FB Andrew Pinnock, a seventh-rounder from South Carolina.

The Bills signed OL Ben Sobieski, a fifth-round pick.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

From Redskins coach Steve Spurrier, on the propensity of football coaches to see the the Gatorade jug as half-full:  "Every coach thinks they have a better team at this time of the year.  No one says, 'We think we're worse.'" 

POSTED 9:55 a.m. EDT, June 19, 2003

BEARS FEAR KORDELL IMPLOSION

Apparently in response to a growing torrent of reports regarding the physical and mental struggles of quarterback Kordell Stewart, coach Dick Jauron is making like a certain former President when it comes to describing Stewart's progress, in order to prevent him from lapsing into a funk from which he might never emerge.

("It depends on what the meaning of the word 'sucks' is . . . .")

Jauron, presumably with a straight face, told the team's official web site that Kordell "understands our offense.  He's got a good grasp of it.  He's really in tune with what we're trying to do."

And if the term "really in tune" means "has no freaking clue," we agree.

Jauron's comments conflict sharply with reports that we've been running for the past month or so regarding Stewart's inability to grasp the complex offense created by John Shoop -- and the Bears' failure to dumb it down to Crayola-and-Play-Doh proportions.

Even Len Pastabelli, who apparently was in a ziti-induced stupor over the past several weeks as to this specific story, recently has reported on Kordell's confusion.

So why the bearing of false witness from Jauron? 

Per a league source, the Bears don't want to look stoopid for signing Kordell (too late for that) and they're concerned that all the negative talk will prevent Stewart from playing well when the season starts.

In our view, the bigger concern should be the fans.  Because once Kordell sends a comatose duck over the head of Marty Booker, and into the hands of Darren Sharper, the Superfans will be hurling plenty of boos (and Kielbasa) in Stewart's direction.

GADSDEN OFFER PULLED

A league source tells us that the Miami Dolphins have yanked their one-year, $530,000 contract offer to receiver Oronde Gadsden

The move leaves the veteran receiver with (um, let's see) zero prospects for 2003.

Gadsden previously flirted with the Vikings and the Patriots as he waited for someone/anyone to offer him something/anything close to the multi-year package he rejected from Miami in September, which included a $750,000 signing bonus.

As we've previously reported, Gadsden was embarrassed by his failure to cash in when he had the chance, and he desperately was hoping for something more.

We wouldn't be surprised to see Gadsden's name resurface in Minnesota.  The Vikes recently were spurned by Matthew Hatchette, and they have a clear need at the receiver position.  Former Viking Cris Carter endorsed Gadsden a few months back, but talks broke down when Gadsden and his agent, Michael Todd, continued to hold out for the one that got away.

Now, with no leverage at all, Gadsden likely will take a one-year deal in a situation that gives him the best chance to get in line for a bigger contract next season.

And what better way to do it than by drawing single coverage across from Randy Moss?

POSTED 7:45 a.m. EDT, June 18, 2003

WEDNESDAY ONE-LINERS

The probation violation hearing for Bucs RB Michael Pittman has been moved from today to July 2.

Texans exec Steve Patterson, who was the Houston Rockets G.M. for five years, will become the new president of the Portland Bail Razers.

Texans CB Aaron Glenn made it back to practice Tuesday afternoon following treatment for a spider bite.

Even if WR Oronde Gadsden re-signs with the Dolphins, he might have trouble making the team.

The Falcons have been running plays with RB Warrick Dunn and RB T.J. Duckett in the backfield at the same time.

Jags DE Tony Brackens had surgery to remove his appendix.

Titans coach Jeff Fisher called out OT Brad Hopkins for his spotty attendance in the team's offseason workouts; Fisher previously has made similar remarks regarding RB Eddie George, CB Samari Rolle, and DE Jevon Kearse.

Jags QB David Garrard and CB Fernando Bryant returned to practice after missing last week's passing camp with injuries.

Former S Henry Jones is working with the Falcons as an assistant to DB coach Emmitt Thomas.

WR Matthew Hatchette will sign with the Jaguars instead of the Vikings.

Titans LB Randall Godfrey still could be released, in order to give the team some much-needed cap room.

The Eagles signed NFL Europe CB Daryon Brutley to a two-year contract.

It's looking more likely that the NFL will be back in L.A. within four years.

POSTED 9:48 p.m. EDT, June 17, 2003

DICK LIKES KORDELL (AND VICE-VERSA)

Okay, folks.  We couldn't resist this one.  We copied the AP photo of Bears quarterback Kordell Stewart and coach Dick Jauron from ESPN.com's NFL page, and we invite you to supply the caption.  The entry that we deem to be the best gets a free copy of Quarterback of the Future (and second prize is two of them).

So e-mail your ideas to us.  Contest ends Friday.

TUESDAY EVENING ONE-LINERS

Titans DE Jevon Kearse ran outside for the first time since getting a bone graft in his foot in February.

The Packers waived QB Zak Kustok, getting them down to only (only?) five signal-callers on the roster.

The 49ers signed CB Antuan Simmons and waived DE Kai Ellis and C Ty Wise.

NFL.com has the training camp schedules for every team.

The Bucs have re-signed P Tom Tupa and WR Reggie Barlow.

More than 80 Hall of Famers will be in Canton for induction festivities this year, the 40th Anniversary of the HOF.

The Jets have waived OL David Viger.

POSTED 8:56 a.m. EDT, June 17, 2003

NEUHEISEL HAS NO SHOT IN SEATTLE

We're always up for a juicy rumor involving a reduction and/or an elimination of Mike Holmgren's authority in Seattle.  However, we're informed that the latest potential Holmgren replacement rumor that's making the rounds in some NFL circles has absolutely no merit.

With University of Washington coach Rick Neuheisel soon to be out, there's scattered speculation that he could replace Holmgren as Seahawks coach, if the 'Hawks don't take it to the next level in 2003.  Our sources tell us, however, that Neuheisel never would be seriously considered for the gig, if it for some reason comes open.

Word is that Neuheisel is fishing for anything he can get at this point, but that Neuheisel has zero respect among NFL and NCAA decision-makers.

Neuheisel's only shot would be to latch on as a position coach in the NFL, and to work his way up.  As the Seattle Post-Intelligencer recently reported, however, Neuheisel presently lacks the contacts or the reputation to nail down such a position. 

Neuheisel didn't help himself with his interview-that-didn't-happen in San Fran earlier this year.  Per the P-I, the 'Niners knew after only five minutes that Neuheisel doesn't understand the NFL game.

CLARIFYING KEIM'S ROLE

The recent announcement that the Cardinals' scouting staff has been reorganized threw some water on our recent story that scout Steve Keim has been given the reins of the department.

The team announced late last week a pyramid structure, with George Boone serving as nationwide scouting supervisor.  On the next level down, Keim will be responsible for the East and Jim Carmody will oversee the West.  Keim and Carmody, in turn, will oversee five scouts who are assigned to specific regions of the country.

Word is, however, that Keim wasn't promoted all the way to the top of the department because G.M. Rod Graves felt compelled to defer to Boone, who is more senior to Keim.  Still, we're hearing that Keim is "the guy" in the Arizona scouting department, notwithstanding the Cardinals' recent announcement that he's technically one rung from the top of the ladder.

MORE ON WASHINGTON

We mentioned at the bottom of Monday's story regarding our e-mail exchange with (we think) Ted Washington's mother that we also have heard (we think) from Ted's agent, Angelo Wright.

Though we asked for (but haven't received) further information from Wright, the agent (if it's him) agrees with Ted's mom (if it's her) that Ted did not meet last week with the Bears to request his release.

"If Mr. Washington did want out," the person whom we think is Wright said, "[y]ou and everyone else would know."

The person whom we think is Wright also said that Washington would be pursued by the Falcons, Chargers, Bengals, Titans, Jets, Seahawks, Ravens, and Cowboys, if Ted eventually is dumped by the Bears.

As we reported on Saturday, the Bears are reluctant to cut Washington loose unless/until it's clear that the Vikings and/or the Packers have no spot for him.

TAYLOR SHOULD SHUT UP

Browns linebacker Ben Taylor recently said that this year's scrape-and-paste version of the team's linebacking corps actually could be better than the former group of Dwayne Rudd, Earl Holmes, and Darren Hambrick.

One NFL player suggests that Taylor "should keep his mouth shut until he gets playing time as something more than a slap d-ck mop-up guy."

TUESDAY ONE-LINERS

WR J.J. Stokes signed a one-year deal with the Jags; he'll get $150,000 to sign, $665,000 in salary, and up to $300,000 in incentives.

Before signing Stokes, the Jags canceled the planned workout of WR Oronde Gadsden, and they told Antonio Freeman they weren't interested.

K Owen Pochman is now a Pack-man; Green Bay claimed him off of waivers from the Giants, and he could serve as the team's kickoff specialist.

The only sure thing on the Texans' offensive line is proven veteran Steve McKinney at center.

The NFL reportedly knew about Colts owner Jim Irsay's issues with prescription medications as early as 1995.

The Broncos have signed WR Adrian Madise, a fifth-round pick, to a rare five-year deal, which could be worth as much as $2.655 million.

The new NFL network on DirecTV is scheduled to launch in late October or early November.

San Diego City Council will meet on Tuesday to discuss possible offers for the Chargers on a new stadium.

Texans CB Aaron Glenn was held out of minicamp practices due to swelling in his leg caused by a spider bite.

The Texans have signed free-agent LB Antonio Rodriguez, who played most recently for Barcelona of NFL Europe.

The Jags are now $3.5 million under the salary cap, but they plan to make no additional free-agent acquisitions.

Titans G.M. Floyd Reese hopes to re-sign very soon three free agents -- QB Neil O'Donnell, C Gennaro DiNapoli, and P Craig Hentrich.

Seahawks strength coach Bill Gillespie once could bench press 500 pounds -- 37 times.

The Ravens won't open contract negotiations with their draft picks until after the Fourth of July holiday.

Falcons WR LaTarence Dunbar, a sixth-round pick, signed a three-year deal worth about $950,000.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

From former Tennessee-Chattanooga football coach Donnie Kirkpatrick, who once revoked the scholarship of Chargers' second-round draft pick, CB Drayton Florence, based on charges of aggravated assault and consorting with underage girls:  "He never killed anybody or anything like that."  (Kirkpatrick should get that one trademarked -- it'd be a great line for the tombstones of many former pro athletes.)

POSTED 7:55 a.m. EDT, June 16, 2003

SAINTS WERE STUPID TO RESPOND TO TURLEY

Reaction has been pouring in from various league insiders regarding the decision of Saints G.M. Mickey Loomis and coach Jim Haslett to engage former tackle Kyle Turley in a tit-for-tat insult exchange, which resulted in a feature article on SI.com that was quoted extensively in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

One league source opined that the decision of Loomis and Haslett to respond to Turley via e-mails sent to SI.com writer Michael Silver "makes them look like a couple of amateurs."

(By the way, Mike, nice glasses.  We wouldn't recommend wearing those around Garrison Hearst or Jeremy Shockey.)

Another insider was more pointed in his criticism -- "They'd better get their quotes in now, because if the Saints choke like they did the past two years Loomis and Haslett will be out after this season."

The decision of disgruntled players to call out their former team is nothing new.  But other coaches, such as Dave Wannstedt and Bill Cowher, typically bite their tongues when faced with such attacks.  Loomis and Haslett, in our opinion, should have done the same thing.

Then again, the Turley story made for interesting reading -- maybe we like it when coaches and G.M.'s decide to rumble verbally with former players.

Here's a sample of the exchange.

Said Turley, regarding Loomis:  "Two guys, [former G.M.] Randy Mueller and [coach] Jim Haslett, were coming up on the end of their contracts, and Mr. Benson wasn't going to pay both of them, because that's not how he works.  So he fired Randy Mueller, and he had a very, very valuable in-house candidate to replace him in Charles Bailey, who knows football. With all the racial things going on right now, and the push to hire minorities, which I agree with, how could this guy get passed over in favor of a guy like [Mickey] Loomis?"

Responded Loomis:  "To be honest with you, I don't really give a damn about Kyle Turley.  He's the Rams' problem now."

Said Turley:  Loomis "knows nothing about football.  The guy spent 14 years in a back room, and now all of a sudden he's a GM?  He has no clue about a 40-yard dash, a pass set, a tackle or a throw."

Responded Loomis:  "Kyle believes he can coach and manage the team better than the head coach and GM, but in reality he has trouble managing himself," Loomis added, via electronic mail to Silver. "We determined that he was a cancer on our team and we simply got rid of him. It was a unanimous decision of our coaches, personnel department and administration."

Said Turley, regarding Haslett:  "A lot of players stood up for Jim Haslett when he was negotiating his contract.  We told management, 'We're not gonna sign here until he gets taken care of, because we want him to be the coach.'  But when it came time for him to stand up for the players who had his back, he stayed out of it.  His answer was, 'I don't get involved with contract negotiations.'  But that's weak. 

Responded Haslett:  "They tell me that 10 percent of the population is miserable and unhappy all the time and Kyle definitely falls in that 10 percent.  Following last season, and after meeting with the entire team one-on-one, the vast majority of our players wanted to see him gone."

WASHINGTON RESPONDS (WE THINK)

Speaking of e-mail exchanges, we received several messages on Sunday from a person who claims to be close to Bears defensive tackle Ted Washington.  Based on the AOL screen name of the sender of the messages, our guess is that the writer is Washington's mother.  (And if our guess on this point is wrong, we invite Ted, his agent, or his mom to set us straight.)

By way of background, we reported on Saturday that Washington requested to be released from the Bears in a meeting that occurred last Wednesday.  We also reported that the Bears are reluctant to let him go right now, because management is concerned that the Vikings or the Packers would sign him promptly.

Here's the first message we received:

the story by mike flori[o] is a complete lie about a meeting that never took place.  i hope a retraction is coming or there will be a lawsuit.  you should let the bears do there own dirty work instead of joining their smear campaign. ask the bears how they almost caused ted washington t[o] loose [sic] his foot.

In response, we asked the writer to let us know who he/she is and why he/she knows that our story is incorrect.  The reply, in part:

who i am is someone very close to ted.  i prefer to remain in the background.  i don't know that you can respect that, regardless i know the meeting never took place, i know ted never made those statements, i know i am one of the people closest to him encouraging him to request a retraction or sue.  i don't read reports on any support for him from the bears, i only see where the bears are doing everything in their power to minimize his impact.  if lies are what you choose to print i can't stop you, but this time ted's camp is going to fight back.

It's the first time we've ever been accused (and likely the last) of being shills for the Bears.  But even if the boys in Chitown had somehow planted the "Ted Wants Out" story on our site, we're having a real hard time figuring out how Washington would have any legal recourse.

If the e-mails we received threatening litigation are indeed from a source close to Washington, it's clear that the former Pro Bowler does want of Chitown.  So even if his communication of that sentiment to the Bears didn't occur in the format of a traditional sit-down, the import of the story is true -- Ted and his family are angry with the Bears, and they know (or at least sense) that he'll be released in the short term.

The story might not be over.  On Monday morning, we found in our inbox an e-mail message, which apparently is from his agent, Angelo Wright.  Stay tuned.

MONDAY ONE-LINERS

WR Oronde Gadsden is visiting the Jaguars on Monday.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette columnist Bob Smizik thinks TE Mark Bruener should take the proposed pay cut from $2,050,000 to $750,000 (and we agree).

The newly-renovated Soldier Field is drawing boos -- and, again, we agree.  (The photo below is from the New York Times.) 

WR Matthew Hatchette, who might have reignited his career with a stint in NFL Europe, says that seven teams are interested in him (and we assume that at least one of them is a member of the NFL).

QB Brian Griese will get his first taste of the Dolphins offense in a minicamp that opens on Monday.

POSTED 7:48 a.m. EDT, June 15, 2003

ANGELO TRIES TO CLEAR AIR ON GRIESE

Faced with mounting speculation that quarterback Kordell Stewart is flummoxed by offensive coordinator John Shoop's protractor-and-compass offense, Bears G.M. Jerry Angelo apparently is attempting to clarify his recent flirtation with quarterback Brian Griese.

Per Don Pierson of the Chicago Tribune, Angelo says he merely "listened" to Griese's agent, Ralph Cindrich, when Cindrich was looking for leverage in his discussions with the Dolphins. 

Pierson accepts Angelo's version without scrutiny of any kind, explaining that Griese would have provided a "younger version of Chris Chandler" as the veteran backup.

Sorry, guys, but we know better. 

The Bears actually were interested in prying Griese from the Broncos in early March, but the Broncos wouldn't take the pre-June 1 cap hit unless they could snare real value in return for their deposed starter (they wanted a second-rounder).  And when talks with Kordell stalled, the Bears considered waiting for Griese to become available after June 1.

This tells us that Angelo considers Griese and Kordell to have roughly equivalent talent, which means that Griese most likely would have been competing with Stewart, if he'd signed.

Also, we hear that Angelo did more than "listen" to Cindrich.  When Angelo learned that Griese could be had for $1 million to sign, $530,000 in year one, and a big number in year two, the Bears actually made an offer to Cindrich.

The other interesting point about Pierson's non-critical piece on the Griese affair is that the Tribune largely (if not completely) has ignored the connection between the interest in Griese and the status of Stewart.  Just about a year ago, we called out the Philadelphia Inquirer for its all-too-cozy relationship with the Eagles; we now suspect that someone at the Trib is playing pin-the-nose-on-the-butt with the Bears.

SUNDAY ONE-LINERS

The Packers' income was up last year by more than $21 million.

The Bucs got their Super Bowl rings at a black-tie event on Saturday night, which was attended even by former Bucs Dexter Jackson (Cardinals) and Al Singleton (Cowboys), and soon-to-be former Buc Michael Pittman (if he takes a ride in his Hummer -- up the river).

QB Drew Bledsoe has big expectations for the 2003 Bills:  "We’ve got the players to be a playoff team and that’s what we expect. Anything less than a good, solid playoff berth would be a great disappointment."

The Browns are trying to restructure the contract of DE Courtney Brown, who has a $7.9 million cap number for 2003.

Approximately 45,000 fans showed up for Tampa Bay's annual Fan-Fest, which included visits with players, a peek at the Lombardi, and interactive games (no word as to whether fans got to play "Bash the Bitch's Benz").

Vikings LB Chris Claiborne is happy to be in Minnesota, and he's motivated to make plays.

Pats CB Tyrone Poole sacrificed $125,000 for the ability to work out at home this offseason, and he's confident that coach Bill Belichick will be pleased with the results.

Bears LB Brian Urlacher's new contract includes the use of a luxury suite by his family for all of his nine coming years with the team (we wonder whether Urlacher's agent took into account the potential tax consequences).

Steelers backup QB Charlie Batch plans on playing at some point in 2003, and he'd prefer that it occur as the No. 1 man on the depth chart.

POSTED 9:05 a.m. EDT, UPDATED 10:20 a.m. EDT, June 14, 2003

WASHINGTON WANTS OUT

We reported not long ago that the Chicago Bears are leaning toward keeping defensive tackle Keith Traylor (for now) and releasing his partner, Ted Washington.

It appears that Ted is trying to force the issue.

Word is that Washington met with team management on Wednesday to request his release.  However, the Bears are reluctant to let him go, because the Bears believe that the Vikings and/or the Packers are waiting to scoop him up.

Washington joined the Bears prior to the 2001 season, after stints with the 49ers and Bills.  He was dominant in his first year in Chitown, but injury knocked him out of nearly all of the 2002 season. 

CANDID THOUGHTS ON AKILI

As quarterback Akili Smith heads to Green Bay (per the Great Gazoo), not everyone around the league is convinced that he was a bust based solely upon the fact that he cut his teeth in football purgatory.

In a recent piece authored by our good, close friend Len Pasquarelli (whom we discuss in more detail below), Akili is quoted as saying, "If there is one thing the [Cincinnati] experience taught me, it's that this is a process."

In direct response, one league insider said, "If there is one thing that the Cincinnati experience taught the team, it's that he sucks."

CARDS GET VALUE FOR JONES

Faced with the looming possibility of releasing running back Thomas Jones, the seventh overall pick in the 2000 draft, the Arizona Cardinals pulled off the blind-squirrel-and-acorn routine, thanks to the gross misconduct of former Cards running back Michael Pittman.

The Cardinals snared second-year receiver Marquise Walker from Tampa in exchange for Jones. 

Walker was a third-round pick from Michigan in 2002, and he didn't play at all as a rookie.

Predictably, the Bucs downplay the loss of Walker.  "Marquise was caught in a situation where playing time would have been limited," said G.M. Rich McKay.  "Therefore, this trade will give him a chance to go and compete for more playing time."

But Walker, the first draft choice of the Gruden era, represents something that the Bucs don't have at the receiver position -- yo