RUMOR MILL ARCHIVE

by Profootballtalk editor Mike Florio

As a follow-up to that scathing critique of the direction of the Browns' organization under new president John Collins, a reader has pointed out to us a recent quote from coach Butch Davis that is directly contradicted by Collins' approach to the Kellen Winslow negotiations.

As Davis said on July 28 in his pre-camp press conference, "First and foremost is is that we obviously don't negotiate in the media.  I mean, that's clearly not what we're going to do not only with Kellen but with any of the draft choices."

Two days later, the Browns went on the offensive, as Collins outlined for the media that the team had made its best offer to Winslow, that the money was equivalent to the package paid to the guy picked one spot ahead of Winslow, and that Winslow's agents had rejected the offer. 

The Cleveland press has failed to pick up on this discrepancy, which cries out for coverage by the media.  (Then again, maybe the local scribes are hoping to follow Pat McManamon's footsteps into a paid gig with the team; pissing off the team by doing things like pointing out obvious statements won't get their resumes onto Randy Lerner's desk, that's for sure.)  

As we see it, this is objective evidence to support the assertion that the wheels are coming off in Cleveland.  As the source who supplied the info for our earlier story observed, they might have to gut the entire operation and start over in order to fix this thing.  

A high-level league insider has shared with us (anonymously, of course) some biting observations regarding Friday's decision by the Cleveland Browns to offer the sixth overall draft pick, Kellen Winslow, the same deal signed by the guy taken at the No. 5 spot, Sean Taylor.

Per the source, this development confirms that the Browns "are the most f--cked up organization in the NFL."  

They "don't know or understand the ramifications of doing business this way," the source explained.  The Browns "aren't buying and selling widgets.  We're talking about human beings.  The entire business is based on human performance and psychology."

Translation -- by breaking from established procedures for determining the market value of draft picks (i.e., the slotting system), the Browns are inviting every agent to try the same routine in future negotiations.  

And if enough teams start doing this, the entire slotting system quickly will go to hell in a holy handkerchief. 

The efforts of newly-hired team president John Collins to justify the decision to offer Winslow as much as Taylor was paid reflect Collins' inexperience, the source said.  Specifically, the question of whether Winslow and Taylor have comparable market value or were teammates and friends is "irrelevant to Winslow's market value," the source said.

As a result, the source believes that "the hiring of Collins is going to be a disaster" for the Browns.  "Putting a guy like this in and around football operations is a mistake.  He's a bean counter who knows nothing about football, [but he's] talking about [player] talent."

The source also echoed an issue on which we reported when Collins was hired -- that there's a perception among league insiders that Collins was the "fall guy" for the Janet Jackson boob-drop at the Super Bowl, and that the Browns gig provided the Commissioner with an easy way to nudge Collins out of the league office.

Collins "will screw up the Browns," the source said.  "He'll set the franchise back for years."

As to the decision to go public with the offer made to Winslow, the source said that Collins committed "one of the biggest mistakes you can make. . . .  You don't negotiate through the media."

(Then again, perhaps the Postons bring out the worst in teams.  Earlier in the offseason, the 49ers pulled a similar move with franchised linebacker Julian Peterson.  The team made its best offer and went public with it.  Since then, there has been no further activity toward a long-term deal.)

Even more troubling, as the source explained, is the fact that the Browns apparently plan to continue to use their own in-house media machine for the purposes of generating a favorable public image.  Recently, the Browns quietly hired Akron Beacon Journal sportswriter Patrick McManamon, who cobbled together the "story" that appeared on the Browns' official site on Friday regarding the status of the Winslow negotiations.

So, under the guise of continuing his role as a beat writer covering all things Brown, McManamon is now literally bought-and-paid-for by the Browns -- and it shows in his work.  Consider this excerpt:

"Is the offer fair?

'Absolutely,' said one agent who has negotiated deals for several first-round picks.  'If Winslow is asking for more, it’s hard to justify.'

The same agent added, though, that the Postons may be pressured to get a big deal for Winslow because of an ongoing dispute between Postons client LaVar Arrington and the Redskins. Arrington and the Postons claim the Redskins left a $6.5 million bonus out of a contract that Arrington signed in December. The dispute is headed to arbitration.

An official from an NFC team who has negotiated many deals also said the Browns offer was fair.

'You wouldn’t think the team was being unreasonable by doing it, because (Winslow and Taylor) were teammates and all,' he said.  'That seems pretty reasonable.'

Noticeably absent from McManamon's piece is the kind of balance that is the hallmark of actual journalism; instead, he props up the team and bashes the Postons.  

Maybe he should change his last name to McMahon.  As in Ed.  As in "You are correct, sir!"

Hey-ooooo . . . I mean, 'Woof!  Woof!'

Here's a hint, Pat -- there are plenty of folks out there who think that what the Browns are doing is stoopid.  We suppose you won't be looking for any off-the-record quotes along those lines, however, if you want to keep getting a paycheck with Randy Lerner's name scrawled on it.

We're also hearing that the Browns have hired NFL.com scribe Vic Carucci to climb aboard the propaganda express.  Though Carucci's work still appears on NFL.com as of July 30, it'll be interesting to see what happens as of August 1 or September 1.

The fact that the Browns have formally announced neither move shows that the team is looking to take a low-key approach to an issue that could result in plenty of criticism for everyone involved.

And our source is perplexed by the team's obsession over its image.  "This proves that they're focusing on the wrong things.  Who gives a f--k about public image?  Go out and win games.  That's the best way to improve your image."

In our view, an obsession over public image also would include a commitment not to draft turds (e.g., William "Stick A Knife in Me, I'm Done" Green) or a decision not to sell beer in the Dawg Pound.  

In hindsight, we're glad that we re-posted a link to the "Going Postons" cartoon, a parody which the Browns (as reported in May by Mr. McManamon, then of the ABJ) did not find to be humorous.  It seems that, in this case, the truth might be even funnier than the fiction. 

POSTONS CATCH SOME FLAK, TOO

We had a moment of temporary insanity on Friday night, when we found ourselves giving the Postons credit for their commitment not to negotiate Kellen Winslow's contract through the media.

But, as it turns out, the Postons are negotiating through the media.  Said Kevin Poston, according to the Cleveland Plain-Dealer:  "[W]e won't settle for anything less that market value."

As one league source said in response, "Hey assholes . . . .   Negotiating [through the media] isn't just giving financial figures."

Winslow's father, Kellen, Sr., also got in on the not-negotiating-through-the-media routine.  Winslow told the Plain-Dealer that the offer of Sean Taylor money was rejected because Taylor's deal was less than it could have been.

"Teams wait for a bad deal to hang their hats on and fortunately for the Browns, that's what happened," he said.  "Just because Sean Taylor signed a bad deal doesn't mean we're going to.  Fans need to look at both sides of the equation."

Winslow Jr. left Cleveland for Houston on Friday, where he'll be working out with a growing stable of Postons clients who aren't in camp due to contract disputes.

Our guess is that he'll be there for a while, as the front office continues to negotiate through the media and the agents continue to not negotiate through the media -- and as Winslow's chances of hitting the ground running this season begin to subside.  

Jason Cole of the Miami Herald has had, in hindsight, a bit of a rough week.  On Thursday, he reported that the Dolphins had called the Chiefs about running back Larry Johnson at the same time he reported that the Chiefs denied that any such call was made (kind of like voting for the $87 billion before voting against it, huh?), and we reported later in the day that the latter half of the Cole report was the right half -- the Fins made no call to the Chiefs.

On Friday, Cole reported that the Dolphins were making progress toward a long-term deal with defensive end Adewale Ogunleye.  As Cole reported, "[a]gents Drew and Jason Rosenhaus and the Dolphins have gotten closer to agreeing to a basic value of a contract for Ogunleye."

Then Cole quoted Jason Rosenhaus, causing the reasonable reader to conclude that the Ogunleye camp truly believed that progress indeed was being made toward that elusive multi-year deal.  Not so, a league source with knowledge of the status of the discussions told us on Friday afternoon.

Though a deal is still possible before the regular season begins, any suggestion that a deal is coming soon is flat-out wrong.

EARLY SATURDAY ONE-LINERS

Jags first-rounder WR Reggie Williams agreed to terms on a multi-year deal (gee, wonder why the Postons didn't slip that scoop to us?).

Speaking of the Postons, Kevin's declaration that he does not negotiate in the media following the Browns' news release regarding the deal offered to TE Kellen Winslow is about the smartest thing we've ever heard ol' K-Dog say.

The Dolphins have reached an agreement with first-round pick OG Vernon Carey.

Panthers first-round CB Chris Gamble apparently won't be in camp when it opens on Saturday; talks were scheduled to continue on Friday night.

The Vikings reached a contract agreement with first-round DE Kenechi Udeze (who is a monster on that new ESPN NFL 2K5 game).

Giants owner Wellington Mara says he was happy to learn that some players complained about the intensity of offseason drills because "it proved to me that they needed some discipline."

WR Keenan McCardell was a no-show when the Bucs opened camp on Friday.

Broncos coach Mike Shanahan is unhappy that second-round RB Tatum Bell wasn't signed by the start of training camp; it's the first rookie in Shanny's decade with the team that a rookie wasn't signed and in camp on time.

Giants QB Jared "Lord of the Ring Dings" Lorenzen didn't show up for the start of camp; he says he was released but the team denies it.

The Giants have dumped incumbent K Matt Bryant.

Eagles DT Corey Simon reported for camp despite concerns that he'd hold out.

Want any more evidence that Giants QB Kurt Warner is suffering from chronic post-concussion syndrome (apart from the fact that he remains married to Yoko)?   Kurt and his $3.5 million, two-year deal thinks he can hold off QB Eli Manning and his $45 million, six-year package. 

The Titans have gotten all of their draft picks signed.

The Steelers opened camp with WR Hines Ward and WR Plaxico Burress, but without QB Ben Roethlisberger.

LB John Mobley received 365 days in jail for a DUI conviction, but 358 days of the sentence were suspended.

Broncos DB Lenny Walls will miss three weeks after surgery to repair torn cartilage in his foot.

The Giants signed second-round OL Chris Snee on Thursday night.

Our Chitown mole tells us that current estimates by the team that middle linebacker Brian Urlacher will miss 4-6 weeks with a hamstring injury are on the short side, and that there's concern within the front office that Urlacher could be out even longer.

Per the mole, optimism (you know, that quality that every politician now claims he/she has after the media crowed about Ronald Reagan's "glass-half-full" outlook) was running high in Chicago on Thursday afternoon/evening after the MRI on the hammy came back negative.  By Friday morning, however, it was learned that the muscle still has suffered more damage than a standard "pull" -- and the Bears became concerned that their 2-4 week estimate should be adjusted. 

The thinking is that the 4-6 week estimate was selected so that it would not dampen coach Lovie Smith's honeymoon period in Chicago, especially since any longer estimates would mean that Urlacher will miss at least one regular season game.  Bottom line is that the Bears really don't know at this point whether he'll be available for week one -- and they privately are concerned that he won't be. 

In a move that will shock no one who is even remotely acquainted with the growing legend of the brothers Poston, the Browns have announced that the most notorious agents in all of sport have rejected a contract offer that would have paid sixth overall pick Kellen Winslow as much as the guy drafted one spot higher than him, Redskins safety Sean Taylor.

The Browns' announcement of the rejection of a deal including a $13 million signing bonus and a potential value over six years of $40 million clearly is intended to make the Postons look like the bad guys for apparently trying to leapfrog Taylor, who was the fifth overall pick.

Still, league insiders question the wisdom of team president John Collins' reasoning for the offer -- and of his decision to share his reasoning with the free world.  Said Collins:

"Given the close personal and competitive relationship between Kellen and Sean Taylor, as well as their equal talent level on different sides of the football, we did not want to penalize Kellen for being picked one slot below his former teammate.  Faced with the opportunity to get Kellen in camp on time, we made our best offer."

(As one league insider asked, "Is Collins gay?")

Obviously, the Postons are trying to get for Winslow a lot more than Taylor got at No. 5 -- possibly based on the contention that the Browns were a whisker away from trading up to No. 4 with the Giants, before the Giants swung a deal with the Chargers.

(Of course, the Browns would have taken Taylor at the four hole, but good luck convincing the Postons of that.)

Still, the system is the system.  Two makes less than one, three makes less than two, four makes less than three, and on down the line.  As one league source opined, the Postons' efforts to step out of line on Winslow's behalf highlights the need for a structured pay scale for rookies, similar to the systems used by the NBA and the NHL.

The Postons also could be arguing that Taylor made a mistake by doing his deal early before the Giants signed Eli Manning (with the fourth slot in the rookie pool) to a deal including $20 million in guaranteed money, and that Taylor would have been in line for even more if he'd waited on Manning.  The Postons' argument in this regarding only will get stronger if (as we believe) Larry Fitzgerald snags a deal equal to or better than Manning's at the three hole and/or Philip Rivers does a deal significantly greater than Manning's.

The bottom line is that the Postons are taking full advantage of the fact that the top of the first round is a complete mess this year given the Manning-for-Rivers trade.  The Texans, by the way, are looking smarter and smarter by the day for locking up No. 10 pick Dunta Robinson before this mess unfolded and before another Postons client -- ninth overall pick Reggie Williams -- gets the last piece of a market suddenly gone haywire.  

POSTED 8:42 a.m. EDT, July 30, 2004

There are rumblings around the league that retired running back Ricky Williams might pull a Michael Jordan and re-emerge in the sport of baseball.

After a week where each news cycle seemed to spit out yet another bizarre and unlikely revelation regarding the man who has rocketed to No. 2 on the national weirdness barometer behind only Michael Jackson, nothing will surprise us at this point.

Perhaps Ricky is looking for something that can produce a cannaboid-inducing stupor without having to worry about the presence of T-H-C in his P-E-E.  If so, baseball and its plodding pace could be the best way for Ricky to lapse into semi-consciousness.

Or maybe Ricky realizes that his marijuana habit won't be a problem in baseball, which is just getting around to the issue of testing for performance enhancing drugs.

Earlier this week, Ricky's mom said that a shoulder injury likely would prevent Williams from returning to baseball.  Even so, we suppose that there's all sorts of other things he could ingest, inhale, and/or inject in order to help dull the pain, restore the range of motion, and/or grow enough additional muscle to enable him to pop the ball over the wall from the bunting stance.

GIANTS WON'T MIND SNEE HOLDOUT

A league source tells us that the New York Giants privately aren't disappointed by the possibility that second-round pick Chris Snee might miss the start of training camp due to the fact that he has yet to agree to terms.

Per the source, the Giants believe that a holdout will help defuse criticism of the decision to draft Snee, who happens to be the father of coach Tom Coughlin's grandchild.  Indeed, if Snee's teammates think he had an easier time getting paid at the bargaining table, then those inevitable locker-room whispers of favoritism will only increase.

Of course, our theory has been that Snee might be more willing than other draft picks to help the Giants offset the chunk of the rookie pool that Eli Manning's deal consumed, since he was paid as the No. 1 pick even though the team's rookie pool number was calculated based on the team having the No. 4 slot in the first round.  So, in our view, the favoritism that we envision at this stage of the game would favor the team, not the player.

Even after Snee's contract is signed, and regardless of whether he holds out, the perception that Snee is getting special treatment will be unavoidable.  Perhaps a short holdout will help to take some of the short-term steam out of the issue; the only way that the question will be rendered moot over the long haul is if Snee develops into a great player sooner rather than later.

LENNY SAYS "DON'T BLAME ME"

Rocker Lenny Kravitz has gone public to deny having any role in persuading Williams to quit football.

"I had nothing to do with it," Kravitz told the Toronto Sun on Thursday.

"I don't understand why the press is saying that.  They weren't there.  I had absolutely nothing to do with it.  It's up to him to decide what he wanted to do, and I applaud him for making the decision that he did, and having the heart and the spirit to do it."

Williams has been spending time on the road with Kravitz, joining him on an overseas tour in June.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Meanwhile, Williams' lawyer told the Palm Beach Post that Ricky was in a downward spiral that traced to a 12-0 late-season loss to the Patriots.  Three days after averaging less than 3 yards on 25 carries in a December 7 loss that dropped the Fins to 8-5 and put a major crimp their playoff chances, Williams tested positive for marijuana, triggering a $650,000 fine.

"He was so deflated emotionally, that was a setback for him," Gary Ostrow said.  "That loss was the beginning of the end, in my opinion.  Here you had a free-spirited individual stuck in the rigors of a drug intervention program that was really far more than he wanted to tolerate.

"He started talking crazy things about wanting to go to Jamaica and about how he hated having to go to the Dolphins' facility at 5 a.m.  All these signs make sense to me now."

Given that Williams now acknowledges yet another positive test, which would result a four-game suspension if he returns, he essentially would be playing 50 percent of the 2004 season for free -- and he'd be one more positive test away from a one-year suspension.

DEAL COMING FOR O-GUN?

The Williams retirement has prompted rampant speculation of a deal involving disgruntled defensive end Adewale Ogunleye, who is not under contract and who likely will sit out for all of training camp, the preseason, and seven regular-season games before signing his dramatically reduced tender offer.  

Though it now appears that a deal could be coming for O-gun, it apparently won't be a trade -- it'll be a new contract.

Jason Cole of the Miami Herald reports that talks on a long-term contract between Ogunleye and the Dolphins are progressing.  Agents Drew and Jason Rosenhaus told Cole that the two sides have "gotten closer" as to the value of the deal.   

Per Cole, the floor for the Ogunleye deal is the contract given a year ago to Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila by the Packers.  KGB got an $11 million bonus on a seven-year, $37.3 million deal.  But we think that the ridiculous money paid by the Seahawks to Grant Wistrom in March, which included a $14 million bonus, is the real target for the guys at Rosenhaus Sports.

Really, if Wistrom is worth $14 million up front, Ogunleye is worth $18 million.

FRIDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

The Steelers and QB Ben Roethlisberger are reportedly close to a deal.

The Dolphins are getting players in the lower rounds to take four-year deals by adding an escalator that pushes the year-four salary to the level of the RFA tender.

No. 2 overall pick Robert Gallery's contract might include only (only?) $14 million in guaranteed money, $4.5 million less than earlier estimates.

The director of the Ricky Williams Foundation is receiving threats against her and her children.

The Browns have given a fair contract to second-round S Sean Jones, who'll miss all of his rookie season with a torn ACL; his $1.35 million bonus is a 4-percent raise over last year's pick in the same spot

Three low-round picks in Cleveland have swallowed the requirement that they sign five-year deals.

Vikings RB Michael Bennett has a chip on his shoulder to match the wings on his heels.

The Lions blame the absence of a contract for WR Roy Williams on the fact that his agent has too many rookie clients.

Just as the Bengals are gaining some respectability, they're pissing off players, agents, and the NFLPA by insisting on a clause in rookie contracts the hinges the retention of signing bonus money upon 100 percent participation in "voluntary" offseason workouts.

Steelers WR Hines Ward decided not to hold out from training camp to protest the team's decision not to re-do a contract that he has grossly outplayed.

Raiders G Frank Middleton got in one last dig (for now) at Bill Callahan:  "The devil is gone and we've got a new coach." 

Bears G.M. Jerry Angelo expects to receive trade offers for RB Anthony Thomas.

Packers LB Hannibal Navies will be an unrestricted free agent in 2005 after easily surpassing the 15-percent play-time trigger necessary to void the third year of a contract signed in March 2003.

Redskins S Sean Taylor has appealed the $25,000 fine imposed upon him for skipping out early from the rookie symposium.

The Vikings have signed third-round DE Darrion Scott and fourth-round OL Nat Dorsey.

The Steelers have made an offer to free-agent LB Adrian Ross, who was waived recently by the Bengals.

Eagles DT Corey Simon is expected to report for training camp despite his unhappiness with his contractual status.

The Jags have signed three more draft picks.

Despite a one-year suspension of his driver's license, Texans S Marcus Coleman has a permit that allows him to drive to and from work -- as long as he (or, in theory, someone else) can blow a clean air sample into the device installed on the steering column.

Former NFL running back and Heisman winner Rashaan Salaam says that, like Ricky Williams, marijuana use brought his career to a premature end (but if Rashaan had protected the football as if it were his stash of M.J., he might still be playing).

E-MAIL OF THE DAY

In a feature that will appear whenever we receive an e-mail worthy of sharing with the readership at large, he's the first entry in this new category, which was triggered by our recent reference to Browns running back William Green, whose troubled 2004 season was punctuated by a puncture wound to his back:

We could take the time to explain that we used "fork" instead of "knife" because the saying as used commonly in the culture calls for the word "fork."  In order to avoid any further problems, however, we'll simply adjust the phrase moving forward.

As it turns out, the package received by Eagles first-round pick Shawn Andrews wasn't as fat as, well, Andrews himself.

A league source who double-checked our calculations regarding Troy Polamalu's deal at the No. 16 spot in 2003 pointed out that his contract also contains one of those $685,000 "falling off the log" incentives -- which drives up in Polamalu's deal the value of all of the various factors we're tracking for the purposes of comparing rookie deals from 2003 to rookie deals from 2004.

As a result, the total increase over the life of the two deals reflects a pedestrian 2.9 percent for Andrews.  Though he received a 10-percent raise over Polamalu on all of the other factors we've been tracking, it's a far cry from numbers that showed a raise in excess of 20 percent for Andrews as to bonus money, first-year pay, guaranteed money, and three-year value of the respective contracts.

We apologize to Polamalu and his agents for creating the impression that they got hosed last year -- and to the Eagles for creating the impression that they paid Andrews too much money.

The contract for No. 2 pick Robert Gallery contains $18.5 million in guaranteed money.

Ravens DB Dale Carter will miss the season due to a blood clot in his lungs that was at one point "life-threatening".

DT Jim Flanigan has announced his retirement.

Rams RB Marshall Faulk knows that the end of the line is coming (but thanks to that softball contract his agent negotiated for successor Steven Jackson, Faulk might have some more time than he thinks).

Adding to the appearance of impropriety regarding agent Rocky Arceneaux's representation of both Faulk and Jackson is the news that Faulk was present for the signing of Jackson's below-market deal -- and the event occurred at a St. Louis restaurant where Faulk often entertains.

The Packers have signed the first of their six draft picks -- seventh-round OL Scott Wells.

Vikings coach Mike Tice isn't worried about the fact that he's entering the last year of his contract.

Our official Chitown mole tells us that the MRI on middle linebacker Brian Urlacher's hamstring was negative, showing no evidence of a tear.

Still, look for Urlacher to miss 2-4 weeks.  We're told that the Bears will be very vague about the specific date for Urlacher's return, so that the team can continue for as long as it wishes to use Urlacher's absence as a tool for eyeballing the players who will be filling in the depth chart behind him.

Also, the mole tells us that Urlacher made the pull worse by continuing to practice after the initial injury occurred. 

A knowledgeable source tells us that the Miami Dolphins have not called the Kansas City Chiefs regarding the availability of running back Larry Johnson.

This contradicts reports by Jason Cole of the Miami Herald that the "Dolphins inquired" about Johnson.  In the same story, Cole reports that Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil denied any contact from the Dolphins.

Vermeil's denial didn't prompt Cole to back off of his statement that the inquiry had been made, and the information we're receiving is that the call wasn't made.

Dave Goldberg of the Associated Press reports that quarterback Eli Manning will receive $20 million in bonus money via his contract with the New York Giants.  The deal is worth at least $45 million over six years, and it can be worth up to $54 million. 

Coincidentally, we reported a day ago that league insiders were predicting that both Manning and quarterback Philip Rivers would receive bonus money in that amount.

Assuming that agent Tom Condon receives a three-percent fee for his services to the brothers Manning, Condon's take -- on the bonus money only -- from the two contracts will be $1.635 million dollars.

CLARIFICATION ON VILMA BONUS

We've received some questions regarding the decision of Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma to sign a contract that provides him with a total signing bonus of zero dollars, zero cents.

"What if Vilma suffers a career-ending injury this year?" we've been asked more than once today (and once is once more than we care to deal with the issue).

So for anyone out there who has been fretting over Vilma's financial security should his knees go snap, crackle, or crunch this year, you can sleep easily.  

A league source tells us that Vilma's contract contains guaranteed salaries in 2005, 2006, and 2007 that are equal to the $6.03 million bonus he'll receive next year if the team exercises its option to pay the money up front and wipe out the guaranteed salaries.

So in addition to his $1.22 million reporting bonus paid in 2004, Vilma is guaranteed to receive $7.5 million.  And if he's released because, for example, he suffers a career-ending injury this year, he'll be entitled to receive the full amount of the future guaranteed payments, per the collective bargaining agreement.  

THURSDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

The Browns continue to haggle with the Postons regarding Kellen Winslow's rookie contract (maybe they'll offer him a one-year deal).

Ray Buchanan takes over as the Raiders free safety following the release of Rod Woodson.

Raiders coach Norv Turner says the team hasn't been contacted by the Dolphins regarding whether one of their gaggle of running backs might be available in trade.

QB Steve Beuerlein, who played for six different teams (seven if you count both the Phoenix Cardinals and Arizona Cardinals . . . five if, more appropriately, you count neither of them as real NFL teams), has signed with the Panthers for the purposes of retiring.

Bears LT John Tait will likely get some reps on the left side in training camp, just as he did in the offseason.

The Titans struck deals with S Scott McGarrahan and three draft picks on Wednesday; McGarrahan gets a one-year deal for the veteran minimum.

The Cardinals have signed seventh-round QB John Navarre to a three-year deal.

ESPN.com reports that the Giants have reached an agreement with No. 1 overall pick Eli Manning on a deal that could include bonus money of up to $20 million.

As Len Pasquarelli observes, such a number would make Eli and big brother Peyton (who got $34.5 million earlier this year) the only two NFL players to land bonus money at or above the $20 million mark.

Manning's trade from the Chargers, who drafted him, to the Giants, who held the fourth overall pick, reduced the available cap space that the Giants had for their rookie salaries in 2004.  (We've previously predicted that second-round pick Chris Snee, who has fathered coach Tom Coughlin's grandchild, will allow his 2004 salary to be offset in order help ensure that Peyton's deal will get done.)

The question now becomes whether Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald will be able to persuade the Bidwills that he should get more than Manning, since Manning technically was in the No. 4 spot -- and whether the "real" fourth pick, Philip Rivers, will try to get more than either of them, since he now sits in the No. 1 hole.

The Miami Herald reports that the Dolphins have inquired about the availability of Kansas City second-year running back Larry Johnson.

But, as the Herald also reports, the information is news to Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil.

''They haven't talked to me or anybody else in the building,'' Vermeil said.

Johnson was drafted by Kansas City in the first round of the 2004 draft.  At the time, the availability of workhorse Priest Holmes was in doubt, given a hip injury and unhappiness with his contract.

Since then, Holmes' hip healed, he got paid (well), and he rushed for more than 1,400 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2003.

Larry who?

Since Johnson was a first-round pick, a trade of the former Penn State star straight up for unsigned defensive end Adewale Oguneleye makes some sense -- especially if the Dolphins are indeed initiating these discussions.

For the Chiefs, a Johnson-for-Ogunleye trade fits with Vermeil's effort to go for broke and win it all now, so that he can ride off into the sunset . . . again.  O-gun would help beef up a defense that couldn't stop the Colts in the playoffs last year, and losing Johnson would mean little to an already souped-up offense.

Look at it this way:  If the Chiefs knew in April 2003 that Holmes would be healthy and happy and productive and Ogunleye was on the board at No. 27, would they have taken him?  

Of course, the fact that the deal makes so much sense probably means it won't happen.  Stay tuned.

There's been a rash of cuts over the past few days as teams prepare for training camps.  And the decision to dump these guys now is prompting criticism in some league circles.

Why?  Because in most cases nothing has happened since the conclusion of offseason workouts to change a team's plans as to the player in question.  Holding the guy until late July essentially limits his chances of landing with another team -- either in the NFL or in Canada.

For guys who'll choose to get out of the game, their ability to make post-football plans (like going back to school or getting a job) also were put on hold and, again, for no good reason (in most cases).

We know, we know -- the teams have the right to cut guys whenever and however they want.  But at a time when teams are crying about the absence of any loyalty from players like Ricky Williams, perhaps the teams should think about their own conduct before claiming that they got screwed by players.  

Really, there's no good reason to put these guys' lives on hold from June until August.  Once a team knows a guy is gonna get cut, the team should cut him.  If the decision genuinely isn't made until July 28, so be it.  But if it's made on June 1, don't hold the guy on the roster for the same reason that a dog licks his own genitals (i.e., because he can).  Do the right thing and let the guy go.

BROWNS UNNECESSARILY MAKING ENEMIES

As the Cleveland Browns continue to insist on five-year contracts from every draft pick (with the option to take a one-year deal), there's a growing consensus in league circles that the team is unnecessarily alienating players and agents for a cause that doesn't have much of an upside.

In the end, this strategy protects the Browns against getting prematurely hijacked by a low-rounder who becomes a superstar, either as a restricted free agent after three seasons or an unrestricted free agent after four.

But, the last time we checked, the Browns haven't been growing superstars either from the low rounds or the high rounds of their draft classes, which has been headlined since the team's return to the league by guys like Tim Couch, Courtney Brown, Gerard Warren, and William "Stick a Fork in Me, I'm Done" Green.

So by obsessing over getting themselves into embarrassing situations such as those that the Jets experienced with Laveranues Coles and Chad Morton and the Bears experienced with D'Wayne Bates and Warrick Holdman, the Browns are instead pissing off everyone involved in the process from rounds three to round seven -- every year.

In our view, it's a serious mistake, and it will only grease the skids for Butch Davis's exit from the team.

For Browns fans, then, perhaps this is a good thing.

REACTION TO COWHER EXTENSION

We posted our analysis of the Bill Cowher extension in Pittsburgh after reports of the impending deal first broke on Saturday, and there really isn't much more to add.  First, we think that the front office realized that an implicit "win now or else" mandate for Cowher didn't mesh with the idea of grooming a first-year quarterback who might not place until after Cowher is gone.  Second, we think Cowher has his eye on Kansas City anyway -- and the Steelers will be immune from criticism that they ran him out the door if/when he chooses to succeed Dick Vermeil.

Far more entertaining, however, is an e-mail we received from a reader on this topic:

Is there any reason why the Steelers don't, oh, I dunno, sign The Chin to a HUNDRED YEAR EXTENSION?!?!?  Rooney, just come out and say you love the man so much, it doesn't matter if the Steelers are a perennial shoulder-shrug.  An annual who-gives-a-crap.  A yearly ho-hum.  I know they had a good season a few years back, when Greg Lloyd wore a garage door-sized
facemask and Larry Brown almost had to fend off the interceptions.  But Art, The Chin's most unpredictable move during a game in the last [10] years has been to stuff a field photo down the shirt of Red Cashion.  Otherwise, The Chin's game plans fall somewhere between Styrofoam cup and paper plate on the interesting scale.

Again, we're not sure that this extension should be interpreted as a sign that Cowher is still regarded as the long-term, 20-plus-year field general in the 'Burgh.  Sooner or later (preferably sooner), Cowher needs to add that long-elusive fifth Lombardi to the case before he gets that lifetime contract he otherwise has been piecing together in two-year and three-year increments. 

THURSDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

The MRI on S Sean Taylor's knee was negative (and that's positive); his availability for Redskins' training camp is day-to-day.

The Ravens have signed coach Brian Billick to a contract extension.

Broncos rookie WR Darius Watts already is lighting up training camp -- just like another former Marshall wideout did six years ago (Watts also spoke to his new NFL money:  "I still go to Wendy's and get 99-cent bacon cheeseburgers.  I don't go to Applebee's or something.  I guess once I get out and start knowing I have the money in the bank, it might be a little different.  But it still feels like I'm poor.")

One day before agreeing to terms with the Eagles, a doctor told Eagles rookie OT Shawn Andrews that his nasal polyps are "kind of coming back a bit" (we wonder whether Andrews shared this nugget with his employer before taking their money). 

The Cowboys have agreed to terms with second-round RB Julius Jones, the team's first overall pick in the draft.

The Packers don't expect CB Mike McKenzie to report for training camp.

RB Terry Kirby worked out for the Dolphins on Wednesday.

Chargers C Jason Ball might not sign his exclusive rights tender and report to camp even if the team offers a long-term deal.

Miami Herald columnist Dan Le Batard admits that he has a bias in favor of Ricky Williams.

Bears RB Anthony Thomas would like to stay with the team beyond 2004, but he's not interested in being the backup to Thomas Jones.

RB Duce Staley and RB Jerome Bettis will split time with the first-team offense in Steelers training camp.

Packers G.M./coach Mike Sherman spoke to the shareholders on Wednesday, and he said that the team is reluctant to ship RB Najeh "Dookie" Davenport to Miami.

The Chargers have signed WR Eric Parker to a two-year contract extension.

Steelers coach Bill Cowher talked to Rod Woodson about joining the coaching staff after the 2003 season, but Woodson said he wanted to try to rehab his knee and play again.

Former LB Kevin Greene will help coach the Steelers linebackers for the first two weeks of camp.

Newly-signed DL Brock Lesnar is explaining away recent negative comments regarding homosexuals:  "If you're gay, that's fine.  Go ahead and be gay.  But you don't have to tell me about it and approach me.''

The Pats have signed OT James "Big Cat" Williams.

New England CB Ty Law picks up a cool million for reporting to training camp on Thursday.

The 49ers still have to sign six of their ten draft picks.

Our Chitown mole, who beat everyone else to the punch by getting word to us that the Bears signed first-round pick Tommie Harris on Wednesday afternoon, tells us that the Bears privately expect middle linebacker Brian Urlacher to miss two weeks after suffering a hamstring pull in the first day of the team's training camp practices.

Urlacher worked hard in the latter stages to get in shape for the season amid rumors that the team could seek to restructure his $50-million-plus contract downward if he doesn't have a big season in 2004.  In the grand scheme of things, the injury is a minor setback.  Still, it will prompt Urlacher to fall behind as the team adjusts to the scheme of new head coach Lovie Smith.

Our mole described the pending MRI as a precaution, and that the front office is optimistic that the injury is a pull, not a tear.

As illustrated in our first-round contract analyzer, two of Monday's draft picks who agreed to terms got healthy raises in comparison to the players picked in the same spot a year ago.

At the twelfth overall position, linebacker Jonathan Vilma scored from the Jets a whopping 13.2 percent increase in bonus money and a 17.4 percent increase in total value over the deal signed a year ago by Rams defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy.

At the sixteen-hole, offensive tackle Shawn Andrews snared from the Eagles jaw-dropping raises of more than 20 percent on bonus money, first-year money, guaranteed money, and money earned over the first three years.  In total value, Andrews receives an 11.4 percent increase over the 2003 deal given to Troy Polamalu by the Steelers.

Vilma technically received no signing bonus.  His bonus money instead will be paid in the form of a $1.22 million reporting bonus this year and a $6.03 million roster bonus next year.  Also, $554,000 of his 2006 salary is guaranteed in the event of injury.

Our Chitown mole says that the Bears have struck a deal with first-round pick Tommie Harris.

More details to come.

SEAN TAYLOR SPRAINS KNEE

The Associated Press reports that Redskins safety Sean Taylor has sprained his knee in his first day of practice after signing his rookie contract.

Coach Joe Gibbs says that he doesn't believe the injury is serious.  But, as an "industry source" (we saw that term in the Houston Chronicle today and we think it sounds pretty cool) commented, "I've heard that before."

Stay tuned.

LIONS AGREE TO TERMS WITH JONES

WXYT-AM radio in Detroit is reporting that the Lions have agreed to terms with first-rounder Kevin Jones, the 30th overall pick in the 2004 draft.  It's a six-year deal (which we assume can be voided to five).

The Lions still have not signed their other first-round selection, receiver Roy Williams of Texas.  Williams was the seventh overall selection, whom the Lions acquired after trading down a spot with the Browns.

Jones was regarded by some personnel execs as the best back in the draft, based largely on his game tapes.  A disappointing pre-draft workout caused him to fall to the bottom of round one, and the Lions swung a trade with the Chiefs to get back in line and select Jones.

Though the NFL is in a flat-out case of denial regarding the existence of masking agents that are available in roughly, um, . . . everywhere, we've heard that plans already are in place behind the scenes to devise new strategies for spotting the presence of substances that hide the presence of marijuana metabolites in urine samples.

We're also hearing that the NFL will step up efforts to test hair samples, which likewise can contain evidence of marijuana use.  Word is that the NFLPA has resisted such adjustments to the testing protocol in the past, but the contention by Ricky Williams that many NFL players regularly smoke marijuana and use masking agents to avoid detection could prompt the union to relent.

(And Playmakers is still a gross exaggeration of real life in the NFL.)

Of course, testing hair samples won't solve the problem completely.  A special shampoo aimed at masking the presence of drug metabolites already is available, at $32 a bottle. 

ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli reports that the Raiders and No. 2 overall pick Robert Gallery have agreed to terms on a "monster" deal including guaranteed money of as much as $19 million.

John Czarnecki of Foxsports.com broke last night the news that Gallery and the Raiders have a verbal agreement in place.

Though some might question the decision of agent Rick Smith to push the deal through before the coming Eli Manning contract at No. 4 potentially raises the bar for the No. 2 pick even higher, Smith apparently got the Raiders to proceed under the assumption that Manning would indeed sign a jaw-dropper at No. 4 -- and that the money paid to Manning fairly should push the Gallery number even higher.

Of course, now that the No. 2 guy has signed, Tom Condon surely will use Gallery's numbers in support of his argument that Gallery's deal sets the floor for Manning's contract.  And the recent acknowledgement by Giants G.M. Ernie Accorsi that the team intends to pay Eli Manning like the No. 1 pick surely will be repeated at the bargaining table early and often by Condon.

In the end, then, the No. 4 pick could end up with a better deal than the No. 2 pick, which should make for interesting conversation between the No. 3 pick, Larry Fitzgerald, and the Cardinals.

Meanwhile, Jimmy Sexton surely will sit back and wait for all three of those contracts to be completed before he puts the full-court press on the Chargers to pay Philip Rivers more than any of them -- even though Rivers was the fourth name off of the board.   

A league source tells us that the contract between the Lions and second-rounder Teddy Lehman, the 36th overall pick in the draft, includes total bonus money of $1.91 million ($1.5 million signing bonus, $90,000 reporting bonus in 2004, $320,000 option bonus in 2005), and it has a four-year value of $3.29 million.

Now that the statute of limitations for a civil action against him has expired, former TE Mark Chmura is back in the public eye as a radio host.

The Texans have locked up sixth-round CB Vontez Duff and sixth-round LB Charlie Anderson to three-year deals.

The Colts have signed fourth-round LB Kendyll Pope.

Though we've got a lot of respect for ProJo writer Tom Curran, there's a good reason why agent Darrell Willis hasn't returned Curran's calls regarding the status of unsigned Pats first-rounder Ben Watson -- Wills has been decertified by the NFLPA.

The Giants have agreed to terms with fourth-round DE Reggie Torbor.

The Bears have agreed to terms with fifth-round QB Craig Krenzel on a four-year contract.

RB Stacey Mack will work out for the Dolphins on Wednesday.

The Saints have dumped FB Sam Gash, reports Pulitzer finalist Jeff Duncan of the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

There's talk around the league of the increasing possibility that both Eli Manning and Philip Rivers will break the bank via their rookie contracts -- if/when those contracts are eventually signed.

One league insider has predicted that the contracts will represent a significant increase over the money paid last year, estimating that both Manning and Rivers will get total bonus money of $20 million or more.

It remains to be seen whether such payments will be parlayed into equivalent deals for receiver Larry Fitzgerald and offensive tackle Robert Gallery, who might already have a deal in place with the Raiders as the No. 2 overall pick.

The other big question is whether any of this big money will flow through to No. 11 pick, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.  Though the high-low of his signing bonus arguably have been fixed via $8 million in bonus money to the No. 10 pick and $7.25 million in bonus money to the No. 12 pick, the fact that the trio of quarterbacks generally was deemed to be of equivalent talent in some circles (with Roethlisbeger higher than either or both Manning and Rivers on some draft boards), agent Leigh Steinberg probably will try hard to get a lot more than $8 million in bonus money.

In the end, we don't see it happening.  But our guess is that the Steelers and Steinberg won't be able to see eye-to-eye on this one until Roethlisberger ends up missing a week or two of camp.

Per a league source, Seattle second-rounder Michael Boulware is worth $3.225 million over five years, with a $1.3 million bonus.  

Memo to Coach Ditka:  We saw Barack Obama's keynote speech last night, and we think you made the right decision not to take this guy on.  

Ricky Williams isn't worried about the possibility of having to repay money to the Dolphins; "I'll cross that bridge when I get to it," Williams told the Miami Herald.  (And if all else fails, Ricky can roll a few doobs and inhale his worries away.)

The Bucs have informed WR Keenan McCardell that, if he fails to report for training camp, the team will try to collect half of the $2 million bonus he received when signing a four-year deal two years ago.

Colts G.M. Bill Polian says that Edgerrin James won't be traded to Miami; "We're trying to win," Polian said.

From the "Trying to Fill the Ricky Williams Niche":  Steelers WR Plax Burress is driving a mammoth Ford F-650 around Pittsburgh.

Texans S Marcus Coleman might want to get an apartment within walking distance of Reliant Stadium; in addition to a three-day visit to the hoosegow and a $2,000 fine for his Monday DUI conviction, his license was suspended for a year.

Jags coach Jack Del Rio anticipates that ninth overall pick Reggie Williams will be signed by Friday.

LB John Mobley will take 2004 off to get his neck healthy after being released by Denver.

Bears DT Tommie Harris says there's an 80 percent chance he'll be under contract by Wednesday afternoon.

David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune reports that Bears DT Bryan Robinson has brought a portable "hyperbolic chamber" to his dorm room for training camp (um, Dave, we think it's "hyperbaric" -- and we also think you should follow up on the whole Michael Jackson twist that Robinson has taken over the past year . . . remember those bizarre man-rape allegations of a year ago?).

The Chiefs will try to get WR Dante Hall more one-on-one coverage, so that he can bring some of those highlight reel return moves to the offense. 

Ricky Williams might want to think a bit more about the financial consequences of his decision to retire; he paid more than $72,000 last year in property taxes for his two homes, and he still owes more than $2.7 million to the bank on both properties.

Former Eagles RB Duce Staley threw a dart at his old team recently:  "In Philly we ran the West Coast offense," Staley said. "When you run the West Coast offense, you don't run the ball. You pass first down, you pass second down, you pass third down and if you go for it on fourth down, you pass."

Falcons G.M. Rich McKay recognizes that DT Ellis Johnson ain't showin' up for camp.

The Cowboys will take a $2.4 million cap hit if someone claims QB Chad Hutchinson off of waivers.

The Dolphins will hold Williams' rights indefinitely; "The contract is tolled," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told the Miami Herald.

The toe that Redskins WR Laveranues Coles broke last year is still bothering him, but he'll play through it.

Redskins CB Shawn Springs, who has been slowed by various injuries over the past few seasons, says he is fully healthy as he enters camp.

Vikings rookie DE Kenechi Udeze might flip from the right side to the left in order to replace Kenny Mixon during his two-game suspension for DUI.

Udeze's agents are coming to Minnesota in the hopes of getting the deal done.

The Browns are close to signing fourth-round QB Luke McCown.

Eagles DE Jerome McDougle will miss the start of training camp due to offseason shoulder injury.

A league source tells us that the Broncos agreed to terms on Tuesday night with first-round draft pick D.J. Williams, the seventeenth overall pick in the 2004 draft.

Per the source, Williams will receive $6.37 in total bonus money and a total value of $9.013 million after five years, with incentives and/or escalators that could push the total value of the contract to $12.113 million.  

We're also hearing that the contract for 16th overall pick Shawn Andrews of the Eagles is worth $9.260 million over five years. 

(Memo to the "real" media:  Of the nine first-round picks who have signed, we've broken two of them right here.  It's okay to start giving us credit -- everyone else recognizes that we're now a legitimate source for NFL news.)

On Monday, we suggested that a rookie first-rounder might be more likely to get signed to a deal that the team likes if the negotiations occur not in the offices of his agent, but in the team's headquarters.  Our comments flowed directly from the decision of the Redskins to send Eric Schaffer and Vinny Cerrato for a vacation, er, meeting in California with No. 5 pick Sean Taylor's agents, instead of flying them to D.C. to get the deal done.

Coincidentally, Taylor's agents arrived in Washington on Monday without advance notice to resume negotiations that had dragged over four days in California. 

After one day in D.C., the deal was done.

And our criticism of the deal must have struck a chord with both Cerrato and Jeff Moorad, who indirectly referred to our story at their Tuesday press conference, with Vinny specifically referring to our remark that he'd tagged along with Schaffer to "visit friends" in his old Cali stomping grounds.

Regardless, the fact is that the deal got done not in the Bay Area but at Redskins Park -- and this comports with our observation that the process tends to work more quickly (and, from the team's perspective, more favorably) when the negotiations occur at the team's offices.

As to the deal itself, published reports indicate that the deal contains a $7.2 million signing bonus, which increases to $13.2 million when taking into account option and roster bonuses.  We'll get the real numbers soon, and we'll break down whether or not Taylor got a good deal -- or whether he got Steven Jacksoned.  Stay tuned. 

Ravens CB Chris McAlister still hasn't decided whether he'll show up for training camp; since he's an unsigned franchise player, he's not required to report.

The Ravens have reached an agreement in principle with seventh-round WR Derek Abney.

If/when Ricky Williams files his retirement papers, he'll be eligible for $60,000 in severance pay.

Redskins S Sean Taylor refused at his Tuesday press conference to talk about his reasons for skipping out early on the NFL rookie symposium, chiding reporters for not asking him about it directly before going with the story.  

The Bengals have claimed P Eddie Johnson off of waivers from the Vikings.

Less than a week after expressing an interest in RB Eddie George, the Bucs have their noses back in the anal cleft of Charlie Garner.

We've gotten a look-see at the numbers from the contract agreed to between the Rams and first-round running back Steven Jackson, the 24th overall pick in the draft.

And, in comparison to the contract signed last year by the 24th overall selection, tight end Dallas Clark, Jackson got flat-out hosed.

As outlined in our updated first-round rookie contract analyzer, Jackson's $4 million bonus represents a whopping 8.2 percent decrease in comparison to the $4.358 million bonus paid by the Colts to Clark last year.  Jackson also is earning 2.2 percent less in total first-year compensation, 6.7 percent less in the first three years of the deal, and 1.1 percent less over the life of the five-year deal.

Sure, Clark's signing bonus technically was only $3.8 million a year ago.  But Clark's contract also included a "falling off of the log" incentive to the tune of $558,000, pushing the bonus money as a practical matter to $4.358 million.

In a system where it's a given that the player draft in a certain spot this year will do better than the player taken in the same spot a year before, it's virtually unheard for a player to take a step backwards.

So why the drop, you ask?  In our view, look no farther than the fact that Jackson is represented by the same guy who represents current Rams starting tailback Marshall Faulk.  By negotiating a very favorable deal for the team on behalf of Jackson, agent Rocky Arceneaux is helping to ensure that Faulk won't get the Eddie George treatment any time soon.

The Clark and Jackson deals also include escalators, but Clark's escalators generally are more favorable and easier to obtain than Jackson's.   

For example, Jackson's 2008 salary bumps by up to $1.5 million by rushing for 1,000 yards ($250K per season) and by rushing for 1,000 and making the Pro Bowl ($125K per season).  For as long as Marshall Faulk is around, the prospects of Jackson rushing for 1,000 yards are remote.

In contrast, Clark's escalators hinge up relatively modest reception numbers, both in individual seasons (41) and cumulative seasons (85 over three seasons and 125 over four).

Also, Jackson can earn $200,000 in incentives this year -- if he rushes for 800 yards.  Again, it's not an easy task with a guy named Marshall on the roster. 

Finally, Jackson's salaries in 2005 and 2006 are guaranteed, but the guarantee disappears if the Rams chose to pick up the $1.95 million option bonus (which, by the way, is included within the reported $4 million bonus).

Bottom line:  We told you so, Steven.  Hiring Arceneaux was a mistake.  The dude has a conflict of interest, and it looks like you got thrown under the bus so that Arceneaux could ensure that he'll continue to earn three percent of Marshall's big-money deal. 

FIGHT OVER WILLIAMS COIN LOOMING?

With diverging opinions as to whether running back Ricky Williams might owe money to the Miami Dolphins for backing out early on his contract with the team, only one thing is clear -- the issue eventually will be decided (if pressed by Miami) in an arbitration hearing.

A league source outlined for us on Tuesday afternoon the specific items that the Dolphins could seek:  $2.1 million for incentives paid in 2002; $2.1 million in a salary "rollover" in 2003 created by Williams' numbers in 2002; $1.1 million in 2003 incentives; a $100,000 workout bonus; and the remaining $3.3 million on the original bonus paid to Williams by the Saints.

If successful as to all items, Miami would recover $8.7 million, only 100 large less than the $8.8 million signing bonus paid to Williams by the Saints five years ago.

Other league sources has expressed pessimism regarding the Dolphins' ability to recapture money that Williams has earned.  That money already has been earned by Williams, unlike a signing bonus, which is paid with the understanding that it will be earned via future performance.

And our guess is that Williams would defend any such claim by arguing that the incentive money was earned, and that the bonus money wasn't paid by the Dolphins.  

As we see it, the bigger questions in this regard are, first, whether the Dolphins plan to chase Ricky for the money, when doing so could wipe out any chance of Ricky ever returning to the team (of course, this didn't stop the Lions from seeking money back from Barry Sanders . . . but maybe Sanders would have come back at some point if the team hadn't sued him).

Second, even if the Dolphins win an award against Williams, can they as a practical matter collect?  The process of tracking down a guy's assets, forcing him to sell his cars and put his Heisman on ebay (maybe O.J. will buy it), is a dirty business that, in the end,  typically yields pennies on the dollar. 

In the end, however, the decision won't be driven by money, but by principal.  Either the Fins will take the high road, allowing Ricky to walk away with no repercussion -- or they'll try to prove a point to any other player who might be inclined to quit football early.  

At a time when we're getting flooded with rumors regarding possible trade scenarios involving Miami defensive end Adewale Ogunleye (including a three-way trade that would send Ogunleye to D.C., Edgerrin James to Miami, and picks and Travis Minor to Indy), we're hearing rumblings regarding a possible deal between the Bengals and the Dolphins centering on running back Rudi Johnson.

Johnson, a restricted free agent operating under a one-year tender, probably won't be retained by the Bengals in 2005, given the presence of 2004 first-rounder Chris Perry.  But it would be very risky for the up-and-coming Bengals to dump 2003 workhorse Johnson. 

Nothing likely will come of this rumor either, especially in the short term.  But it's yet another possibility that should get thrown into the "what in the hell is going on?" hopper as we all wait and see whether the Fins will use a disgruntled defensive end as bait for filling the hole left by a departed running back. 

TUESDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

The Eagles have reached an agreement with first-round pick Shawn Andrews; the deal is worth $9.26 million over five years.

The Raiders have released 39-year-old DB Rod Woodson (and the move actually increased the average player age on the roster).

John Czarnecki of Fox Sports reports that the Raiders have a verbal agreement with No. 2 overall pick Robert Gallery.

All of the Rams' draft picks will be in camp; on Tuesday, third-round DE Anthony Hargrove and sixth-round QB Jeff Smoker agreed to terms.

The Rams are restricting media access to DE Leonard "Labatts" Little to one group interview session per week focusing on football issues only (and each reporter must bring a six-pack).

The Cowboys officially have released QB Chad Hutchinson.

The Lions have signed veteran OT Soloman Page and sixth-round OT Kelly Butler.

The Cowboys said that back surgery went well for S Darren Woodson.

The Ravens agreed to terms with second-round DE Dwan Edwards on a five-year deal.

The Postons will meet in Cleveland on Wednesday with the Browns regarding sixth overall pick Kellen Winslow.

The Broncos have released LB John Mobley.

Dallas signed two seventh-round draft picks, WR Patrick Crayton and CB Jacques Reeves.

The Vikings have signed former wrestler Brock Lesnar to play on the defensive line.

A source in Green Bay tells us that Packers V.P. of football operations Mark Hatley passed away on Tuesday.  Initial indications are that he died in his sleep.

Hatley, 54, had been with the Packers since May 2001.  He previously served as vice president of player personnel in Chicago from 1998.

Our deepest condolences go out to Mark's family and to the Packers organization.

No further information is available yet.  Stay tuned.

SEATTLE AGREES TO TERMS WITH BOULWARE

A league source tells us that the Seattle Seahawks have agreed to terms with second-round pick Michael Boulware.

Boulware, the 21st pick in round two, will receive a bonus of $1.3 million on a four-year deal.

A linebacker, he is the brother of Ravens linebacker Peter Boulware.  There's a chance that the younger Boulware eventually will be given a shot at playing safety. 

We're continuing to work the Ricky Williams story and its potential fallout, and we're committed to getting any new information on the biggest NFL story of the decade posted ASAP.

Here's what we've learned so far on Tuesday.

As to the question of whether the Dolphins can recover any money from Ricky due to his premature retirement, a credible league source eyeballed the paperwork and told us that the Dolphins have a "pretty strong argument" to support any efforts to recover incentives paid to Williams over the past two years by the Dolphins, under a contract that was renegotiated by the Fins in 2002.

Specifically, the contract states that Williams must repay the money if he leaves the club without its consent.  

As the source reminded us, the final decision on any controversy regarding this issue would be rendered by an arbitrator, pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and the NFLPA.  Still, it looks like Mr. Williams had better hold back $4.7 million or so from his weed-buying fund, just in case the arbitrator happens to interpret the contract according to its plain language.

Regarding the question of whether the Dolphins also can recapture the remainder of the signing bonus allocation that applies to the years left on Williams' rookie deal, we're still trying to nail down an answer.  As we reported on Monday, a league source tells us that the new contract from September 2002 supersedes the rookie deal, excusing Williams of any responsibility for refunding bonus money if he quits early.  We're still working on that wrinkle.

In summary, the Fins likely can squeeze $4.7 million out of Ricky if they so choose -- whether they can get another $3.3 million is an open question for now.

DOLPHINS WILL SET DEADLINE

The front office in Miami likely is keeping quiet (publicly, at least) about Ricky's possible repayment obligation, probably because they're still holding out hope that he'll change his mind and return to the team.  But a league source tells us that the Dolphins eventually will give Williams a hard deadline for returning, or they'll put him on the reserve-retired list (and presumably initiate efforts to collect any monies that he allegedly owes them).

Our guess is that the team is trying to take a low-key approach with this issue, in order to prevent burning the bridge (or, as the case may be, prompting Ricky to smoke it).  The Dolphins, we predict, will say nothing about any communications with Williams or his agent, Leigh Steinberg, until they know for sure that Ricky will not change his mind.

But if he does change his mind, Ricky might not get a warm reception in the locker room.  Some of his teammates, we're told, are extremely pissed off by the move, and they're saying that, if the prodigal son-of-a-bitch returns, they'll let him know how they feel about what he's done to the team.

The New York Jets have agreed to terms with linebacker Jonathan Vilma, the twelfth overall pick in the 2004 draft.

A press conference is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. EDT.

Terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed.

It's a concession that surely will cause the agents for picks No. 3, No. 2, and No. 1 to stop dead in their tracks and wait for the youngest member of the Manning brood to put an "X" on the bottom of his contract with the Giants.  

According to the New York Daily News, the Giants are committed to paying Eli as the No. 1 pick in the draft, even though the NFL has given the team No. 4 money to do it, due to the draft-day trade of Manning for fourth overall selection Philip Rivers.

"We've treated this guy like the No. 1 pick from the start," Giants G.M. Ernie Accorsi told the Daily News.  "We are given fourth slot money, but that doesn't mean you can't get him the money he deserves as the No. 1 pick.  That's not a problem. There's just a creative way you do it."

(This statement prompted one league insider to ask aloud, "Is Accorsi f--king nuts?")

Last year, No. 1 overall pick Carson Palmer's deal counted for $2.3 million under the salary cap.  The Giants have a total of $4.5 million to sign their seven draft picks.  To date, they have signed sixth-round receiver Jamar Taylor and seventh-round OL Drew Stojny.

The Giants need to move fast on this one.  Camp opens in two days.

RIVERS AGENTS' WANT NO. 1 MONEY, TOO

Even though the Giants recognize that they acquired the No. 1 overall pick from the fourth spot in round one, the guy who was traded from four to one thinks he should be paid as the first overall pick in the draft.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the agents of Philip Rivers believe that he should be paid as the No. 1 pick because the Chargers dealt that the No.1 pick to acquire Rivers, and because the team was awarded additional money under the rookie salary pool for exercising the first pick in the draft.

We agree with the latter point, but we're not so sure that we think Rivers deserves No. 1 money simply because the Chargers traded the No. 1 pick to get him.  Last time we checked, the Chargers got a lot of other consideration for making the swap, including the Giants' first-round pick in 2005 (should that guy be paid as the No. 1 overall pick, too?).

Regardless, this position from the Rivers camp means that they'll wait to see what Manning gets in the fourth spot before finalizing a deal in the first spot.

And you can take this to the bank -- Rivers in the end will want to take more money to the bank than Manning.

The incidental beneficiaries to this dynamic (if they remain patient) are the No. 2 and No. 3 picks (Robert Gallery and Larry Fitzgerald, respectively), who'll be able to argue that their contracts should fall somewhere between the deals given to Rivers and Manning.

TUESDAY MID-MORNING ONE LINERS

The Redskins have worked out a deal with S Sean Taylor, the team's fifth overall pick in the draft (it was a good move for the 'Skins, who didn't have to contend with Manning's huge deal at the No. 4 hole in reaching terms with Taylor).

The Giants inquired about RB Eddie George last week, but did not aggressively pursue him before he was signed by the Cowboys (we wonder what Tiki thinks about that).

Falcons DT Ellis Johnson reiterated Monday that he won't report for camp absent a new contract (good luck getting paid $1.5 million over the next six months doing something else, Ellis).

Steelers WR Plaxico Burress might have to work his way back into the starting lineup after dropping out of the offseason program in May.

Bears first-rounder Tommie Harris won't be in camp on time.

Eagles first-rounder Shawn Andrews will miss the start of training camp.

Falcons first-round CB DeAngelo Hall might not sign before camp opens.

Steelers LB Clark Haggans will miss four weeks with a broken hand suffered last week while lifting weights.

Leigh Steinberg wants a $9 million signing bonus for QB Ben Roethlisberger; the guy picked in front of him got only $8 million.

The Bears are expected to place OT Marc Colombo on the PUP list.

Though a league source told us on Monday that Ricky Williams apparently owes the Dolphins no refund under his contract, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that the team might force the issue, to the tune of $8 million.

In addition to the $3.3 million in remaining bonus proration from his rookie deal with the Saints, the Sun-Sentinel reports that the team can recover $4.7 million in incentive money paid to Williams over the past two years.

For now, we're sticking by our story that the Fins can't recover anything from Williams.  But we'll keep working this one until there's a definitive answer.  (Then again, there might not be a definitive answer until an arbitrator issues a ruling.)

The Sun-Sentinel also reports that Williams and agent Leigh Steinberg rejected overtures from the team in the offseason regarding a contract extension.  Steinberg, according to the Sun-Sentinel, thought that Ricky could get a better deal down the road.  

But if a contract had been worked out, Williams clearly would have owed back to the team any signing bonus money paid now.

Retired running back Ricky Williams spoke again on Monday with Dan LeBatard of the Miami Herald, and Williams tried to diminish the impact of his sudden retirement by 'splaining that he might have been doing the team a favor by leaving.

''Maybe it was perfect timing,'' Williams said. "You don't know. Travis [Minor] is cheaper, quicker, faster than me.  Maybe they'll be better off without me because now they can play real football.  What we were doing, handing the ball to me every time, wasn't real football.  And it wasn't successful, obviously. We didn't even get to the playoffs with me there.  Now they can do something different, and see if they're good at that."

Williams also told LeBatard that (as we reported last night) he is indeed back from Asia and that he's now "bouncing around" the U.S. with rocker Lenny Kravitz (not that there's anything wrong with that).  

He recognizes that his decision was motivated by his own self interests.  'This was selfish, but I don't think of 'selfish' as an insult,'' Williams said. "The only way to make others happy is to make yourself happy.  Your happiness depends on how you take care of yourself.  I'm taking care of myself now.  In the end, the only person who makes you happy is yourself."

Williams also gave insights as to the reactions of teammates as to his move.  In response to the criticisms of center Seth McKinney, who called Williams a quitter, Ricky said, "'I owe Seth an explanation?  That guy owes me.  I almost got my head taken off last year because of him.''

He got support, however, from defensive end Jason Taylor.  ''He was very, very cool," Williams said.  "He said, 'I respect you. You have the strength to walk away that the rest of us don't have.'"

Williams also found support from the first running back to send shock waves through the NFL with a premature retirement -- former Browns great Jim Brown.  ''I applaud him,'' Brown told the Herald.  "You can't be a free thinker if you only think the way everyone else does.  Ricky is going to other worlds to study other cultures.  Our own president doesn't even care about other cultures." 

TUESDAY RICKY ONE-LINERS

The NFL denies Ricky's contention that there's a magic liquid that lets players beat pee tests for marijuana (but we're hearing that such substances exist -- and that other NFL players do indeed use them).

The Dolphins are refusing to give refunds to fans who bought tickets on Saturday -- even though the team knew that Ricky was retiring when the transactions occurred (hey, Wayne, you might want to run that one by the lawyers).

Ricky's mom reveals that he nearly quit after his rookie year in New Orleans.

The Dolphins will work out James Stewart and Stacey Mack on Wednesday, and that also are interested in Trung Canidate.

WR Chris Chambers hopes that the absence of Ricky means that the team will pass more.

There's a buzz in league circles that the ever-unpredictable Ricky Williams has cut short a supposedly extended vacation in Asia, returning to California to meet with agent Leigh Steinberg.

What in the hell does this mean?  Who knows?  But it's yet another bizarre development in what has become one of the most bizarre NFL stories in years.

Meanwhile, Steinberg said on Monday that Ricky's decision resulted in large part from the fact that he was overused during his five-year career.

"There was a lot of frustration about the battering ram nature of it," Steinberg told the New York Times.  "In so many of his carries, he was running straight into the line.  It took a heavy physical toll. Maybe it took an emotional toll."

Even if Ricky isn't already having second thoughts, we're told that the Fins won't be making any quick moves to land a long-term replacement for Ricky.  Per a league source, the Dolphins don't want to respond to the shock of Williams' departure with a reaction that could be deemed desperate.

Only three days after one client of Lamont Smith and Peter Schaffer was signed by the Cowboys as the most attractive free agent of the late offseason, another Smith and Schaffer client has gotten another chance to stick around with the 'Boys despite having a confrontation with coach Bill Parcells last month.

ESPN.com reports that receiver Antonio Bryant met with Parcells and owner Jerry Jones on Monday, and that Parcells and Jones decided to give the third-year receiver another chance.

"He's getting another opportunity," Jones said. "I certainly believe if your heart is in the right place, you should have second chances."

Some folks around the league believe that it's no coincidence that Smith and Schaffer client Eddie George made a bee line to Dallas with Bryant's status still up in the air.  Others scoff at the notion that George was nudged in Dallas' direction in order to boost Bryant, but the fact remains that George made no other visits and, by all appearances, no other offers were fielded (at least not after George was released).

BARRY'S DAD CALLS BOBBY ROSS A RACIST

Our buddies at LionsFans.com report that the father of former Lions running back Barry Sanders dubbed former Lions coach Bobby Ross "a racist" during an interview on WQTX radio in Lansing, Michigan on Monday.

More specifically, Williams Sanders said that his son, Barry, believed that Ross was a racist.

In the five years since pulling a Ricky Williams (or did Williams pull a Barry Sanders?), Sanders never has attributed the decision to any personal conflict with Ross, who himself pulled a Sanders/Williams nine games into the 2000 season.

LAVAR PLANNING CLAIM AGAINST POSTONS?

Linebacker LaVar Arrington makes an interesting observation in his comments regarding the fact that the arbitration hearing of his grievance against the Redskins has been pushed back to November 2.

"I'm done with it. It's case closed," Arrington said Monday, according to the Washington Post.  "Win or lose, I win in the end.  There's no reason for me to keep going back and forth about it.  It's time to play ball."

Okay, this probably means that Lavar is taking the broader view of his life, and that he's keeping in mind the fact that he gets paid more than handsomely to play a game that he loves, with or without an extra $6.5 million in 2006.

But could Arrington be hinting at what we believe to be his ultimate plan.  Specifically, if he doesn't manage to obtain through the arbitration process the phantom roster bonus that the 'Skins allegedly had promised to include in his December 2003 contract extension, Arrington would have a slam-dunk malpractice claim against agents Carl and Kevin Poston, who already have admitted that they had LaVar sign the deal without reading it. 

The Redskins had hoped to get the issue resolved before the season starts, to ensure that it won't be a distraction for Arrington or the team.  With a November 2 hearing, the final decision might not come before the end of the regular season.

EARLY TUESDAY ONE-LINERS

Texans S Marcus Coleman was convicted on Monday of drunk driving; he faces up to six months in jail.

The NFL have suspended Vikings DE Kenny Mixon two games for violating the league's substance abuse policy in connection with his recent DUI conviction.

Lions first-round WR Roy Williams was a no-show at a voluntary rookie camp on Monday because he missed his flight to Michigan.

The Bears have signed fifth-round DE Claude Harriott to a four-year deal.

Free-agent OL Solomon Page is scheduled to make another visit to the Lions this week.

The Bills have reach an agreement with third-round DT Tim Anderson on a contract of yet-unspecified length.

The 49ers aren't budging from their offer of a six-year, $38 million contract to franchised LB Julian Peterson.

The NFL has suspended DT Darrell Russell indefinitely for yet another violation of the league's substance abuse policy, likely guaranteeing that the former All Pro's career is over.

The Chargers have signed seventh-round OT Carlos Joseph to a three-year deal.

Overachieving Vikings FS Brian Russell will have to hold off Willie Offord in order to keep the starting job.

The agents for Redskins first-round pick Sean Taylor made a surprise trip to D.C. in the hopes of getting a deal done ASAFP.

Cowboys S Darren Woodson will have surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back.

A league source with knowledge of the contents of Ricky Williams' contract tells us that the abruptly retired tailback owes the Dolphins zip, zero, and a bag full of nada for bailing with multiple years left on his contract.

Per the source, the Dolphins redid Williams' contract in September 2002 -- but merely by adding escalators and incentives aimed at making Williams feel better about the crappy deal negotiated on his behalf by rapper Master P.  

Williams' initial contract contained a hefty signing bonus, minimum salaries, and escalators and incentives that required him to have some of the best seasons in NFL history on a consistent basis in order to cash in.  Part of his unhappiness in New Orleans surely flowed from the fact that he realized he'd been taken.

So in an example of the axiom that no good deed goes unpunished, the Dolphins' decision to pump up Ricky's contract at a time when he had no leverage to insist upon a better package resulted in a contract that superseded Williams' rookie deal -- and that now prevents Miami from arguing that they should recoup from Williams the corresponding portion of the original bonus applicable to any of the remaining years under the original deal.

There's also a difference of opinion among league insiders as to whether a team can recoup bonus money paid by another team following a trade.  Some insiders think that the money can be recovered; some don't.

As to Williams, the issue became academic when the Dolphins gave him a new contract containing no bonus money.  In hindsight, it can be argued that they should have envisioned the possibility of Williams getting bored and moving on.  

We've got a few non-NFL sources on the ground in South Florida, and they've shared with us some of the local reaction to and insights regarding the surprise announcement that running back Ricky Williams will retire from pro football.

Part of the local speculation is that the Miami Herald knew about the decision prior to early Sunday, but that the newspaper held off on reporting the decision, either at the request of Williams, the team, or both.  Coincidentally (or not), the Dolphins had a meet-and-greet event with fans on Saturday in connection with the sale of single-game tickets.  It's possible, then, that the team wanted to keep this genie in the bottle in order to keep Saturday soiree from becoming a revolt.

On this point, the team is now explaining away its failure to disclose Williams' decision, which he shared with Dave Wannstedt on Friday, before the single-game tickets went on sale on Saturday. 

If the Herald sat on the story, it was wrong from a journalistic perspective.  The reality, however, is that this kind of stuff happens from time to time as local newspapers try to maintain good relations with the folks who are in position to give them info from inside the team's building.  (We used to get riled up about this kind of stuff, but if nobody else seems to care, why should we?)

There's also some gossip in South Florida that Williams kept his intentions quiet until after the Eddie George situation had been resolved in order to give teammate Travis Minor the best shot at the job as the team's go-to back.  It might seem a little far-fetched -- but it's not more implausible than the notion of a 27-year-old running back and team cornerstone announcing his retirement only days before training camp opens.  

MONDAY'S WILLIAMS COVERAGE

With a flood of articles and analysis regarding the aftermath of the Williams retirement, we've tracked down the most interesting of the stories for quick review.

First, Jason Cole of the Miami Herald reports that Colts running back Edgerrin James has already made known his interest in joining the Dolphins -- a potential link that we predicted Sunday morning.

James will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2004 season, and Peyton Manning's cap number most likely will require the team to choose between James and receiver Marvin Harrison.  As we've reported, the team feels that it got James' best years of his career under his rookie deal, and they're willing to let him walk if a better offer comes along next year.  

The real question is whether Miami's sudden need for a running back would make the Colts willing to let James go now for value, in lieu of keeping him for one more season while his eyes are fixed on the possibility of going home.

Cole also identifies various backs whom the Dolphins might acquire via a trade, including Tony Hollings of the Texans, Najeh "Dookie" Davenport of the Packers, and Lamar Gordon of the Rams.  Hollings is the most enticing of this trio; he was the Texans' second-round pick in last year's supplemental draft, and league sources have in the past verified that his ability justifies the lofty draft status.  Still, his future in Houston has been clouded by the unlikely emergence of fellow 2003 rookie Domanick Davis.  

Gordon likely will be the odd man out in St. Louis (assuming Marshall Faulk's knees hold up through camp), and Davenport has become a capable backup for a team that probably won't be able to afford him when he becomes a free agent.

Another possible trade partner is in Minnesota.  According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, coach Mike Tice is willing to talk about the possibility of trimming down a backfield that contains Onterrio Smith, Michael Bennett, Moe Williams, and rookie Mewelde Moore.

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't think about Miami calling after I heard about the retirement," Tice said.  "Let's put it this way:  We're not shopping anyone, but if the phone rings, we'll certainly listen." 

The most daring move for the Vikings would be to send speedster Bennett, a former first-round pick and 2002 Pro Bowler, to Miami straight up for defensive end Adewale Ogunleye.  Such a deal, which would hinge on the Vikes using a chunk of that remaining ginormous cap room on Ogunleye, would give the Vikings a modern-day version of the Purple People Eaters, with Ogunleye joining Chris Hovan, Kevin Williams, and Kenechi Udeze.  

For a team that hasn't been able to put together a solid defense to match it's jaw-dropping offensive attack, sacrificing some depth at running back might be the best way to get to the Promised Land.

(Did we mention that the Vikes started 6-0 last year while Bennett was hurt.)

The Chicago Sun-Times confirms that Bears running back Anthony Thomas can be removed from the list of potential replacements, for now.  Still, we think that if Thomas Jones shows he can carry the load in the early stages of training camp, a trade of Thomas to Miami could be a possibility down the road.  

And in suggesting on Sunday that Thomas could be dealt in exchange for Ogunleye, we would have to have been smoking almost as much weed (allegedly) as a formerly dreadlocked tailback to think that such a trade would have occurred on a straight-up basis.  Instead, our report was that the Bears would want to include some other players to alleviate the cap hit resulting from a new contract of O-gun.  Even then, the Dolphins might still want a draft pick or two in order to get such a deal done.

Meanwhile, agent Leigh Steinberg hinted that Ricky's retirement might not be permanent.  "Right now he seems at peace with his decision and intends to retire," Steinberg said, according to the Associated Press. "Whether it ends up being short term or long term, we'll have to see."

We're sticking with out prediction that he'll be back -- and we wouldn't be surprised to see him in uniform for the Fins on opening day.  Either way, look for the Dolphins to keep a close eye on the situation as they keep the other eye on the waiver wire and/or the trading block.

MONDAY ONE-LINERS

The Steelers have signed coach Bill Cowher to an extension through 2007 (scroll down for our analysis of why they've done it).

Unsigned Redskins rookie S Sean Taylor won't show up for the start of a three-day passing camp.

Eagles first-round pick is in town for his contract negotiations (and to eat a lot of cheesesteaks).

The Broncos are still close to signing first-round LB D.J. Willams.

The Saints are optimistic that they'll get all of their draft picks under contract before camp opens, reports New Orleans Times-Picayune staff writer Jeff Duncan, a solid journalist, upstanding American, and all around great guy.

Steelers backup QB Charlie Batch (who has made no contribution since his surprise arrival two years ago) senses that he could be the odd man out in the 'Burgh.

Here's the ultimate kiss of death for the Vikings -- ESPN's Sean "Pass Me Another Pork Chop" Salisbury and John "The Great Gazoo" Clayton think they can make it to the Super Bowl.

Bill Walsh is openly lobbying for the addition of former 49ers WR Billy Wilson to the Hall of Fame (Wilson likely has a better chance of getting in if Walsh keeps his mouth shut).

With running back Ricky Williams gone at least for the foreseeable future, a league source tells us that the team will adjust its offense accordingly, focusing on short, high-percentage passes.

This means that the influence of quarterbacks coach Marc Trestman will increase in Miami, since Trestman heavily was involved in the utilization of such an attack in Oakland.

Trestman was hired by the Dolphins in January after spending three seasons with the Raiders, where he worked with 2002 league MVP Rich Gannon.  His biggest challenge in adding this twist to the Miami offense will be to get Jay Fiedler and/or A.J. Feeley to play like Gannon has performed over the past several seasons.

"NEGOTIATIONS" OR "VACATIONS"?

A league insider has shared with us some pointed criticism of NFL teams who conduct negotiations with their first-round picks by sending a small group of representatives to the offices of the player's agent for "negotiations."

These "negotiations" can come off more like "vacations" when guys like Vinny Cerrato and Eric Schaffer of the Redskins hop a plane from D.C. to Cali for four days and counting in Newport Beach and San Francisco of face-to-face talks.  (Vinny recently headed back to Washington, leaving Schaffer to fend for himself against a three-man tag team of Eugene Mato, Jeff Moorad, and Scott Parker.)

Cerrato, who spent several years with the 49ers, likely went along so he could "visit some of his friends" in California, the source suggested.  

The deeper problem, as the source explained, is that conducting the negotiations on the agent's turf works to the advantage of the player.  It's far better for the team to fly the agents (and possibly the player) to conduct the talks in the team's headquarters.  That way, the team can put the squeeze on the agents through a variety of participants.  The coach, for example, can stop by and see how things are going.  The G.M. can be involved in the process.  Hell, the guy who signs the checks can pop his head in and express his desire to get the deal done.

Even a seasoned agent will recognize that human beings perform more effectively in familiar environments, and they likewise aren't as sharp in unfamiliar surroundings.  For that reason alone, no visits or negotiations with draft picks or their agents should occur anywhere other than the team's main offices.

OPINIONS DIFFER ON ONE-YEAR DEALS

Amid news that the Browns are willing to give out one-year deals to players who balk at the team's standard demand that all rookies sign contracts at least five years in length, a league insider has opined for us that, given the option, the agents should sign the longer-term deals and "take the coin now."

To protect against the money that would be lost if the guy turns into the kind of player who'll command big interest as a free agent after year three or year four, the agent should insist on escalators or voidable years or any other standard device to protect against a rookie outplaying his contract at some point between year one and year five.  

Regardless, and as the source said, "There's no f--king way you do a one-year deal.  This only takes guaranteed money away from a guy who's got no guarantee he'll even have a job a year from now."

The real issue here, as we see it, is the failure of agents to band together and stand up to the Browns' insistence on departing from the standard practice of giving three-year contracts to mid-to-low-round picks.  Right after the draft, the NFLPA should facilitate regular communications between the agents of all players picked by the Browns aimed at persuading them to take a common, united stand against the efforts to cram a five-year deal or a one-year deal down the throats of the incoming class.

Really, if a guy is willing to take a bonus based on one year of play, why not sit out of camp and the preseason until the Browns agree to alter their approach? 

Although teams wouldn't be allowed to collude in this manner, the players are permitted to do so, and the only way to get the Browns to alter their approach is for the players to come together and essentially go on strike against the team until it reverses its policy in this regard.

Then again, the problem could solve itself in the next couple of years, since Butch Davis has run off anyone who could be blamed for the team's misfortunes of late -- and since Butch is now on the hook for any ongoing failures of the organization.  Once Butch goes, the five-year mandate likely will go with him.

With a dearth of available free agent running backs, a league source told us on Sunday evening that the Miami Dolphins' initial prospects for replacing the suddenly retired Ricky Williams are James Allen and Robert Edwards.  

Allen, who unexpectedly retired from the Texans a year ago at this time, recently had a workout with the Dolphins, and we hear that he likely will be the first guy they call.  Edwards spent the 2002 season with Miami but was a late cut in 2003 and was out of football last season.

We're also hearing as of late Sunday that a trade of running back Anthony Thomas to Miami is unlikely at this point.  Though it's not out of the question, we're told it wouldn't happen for at least a few weeks.

Stay tuned.

RICKY COULD'VE HELPED TITANS

The timing of Ricky Williams' decision to retire couldn't have been any worse for the Miami Dolphins, who could have entered the Eddie George sweepstakes if they'd only known a few hours earlier in the day on Friday that Williams wouldn't be with the team in 2004.

But our guess is that, if Williams had announced his intentions on Wednesday or sooner, the biggest team to benefit from the advance notice would have been the Tennessee Titans, who surely would have plopped an extra $1 million or so in 2004 salary onto the table if they'd known that the Dolphins would be suddenly desperate to land a veteran running back.

The problem in Tennessee was that the Titans and George were playing poker.  George bet that he could get more than $1.5 million on the open market, the Titans bet that he couldn't.

So the Titans called what they thought was a bluff -- and lost.

But George's ability to do better than what the Titans were willing to pay would have been more obvious to G.M. Floyd Reese and company if they'd known that Miami had been left in a lurch by Williams' decision to walk away.

Sure, there's also a chance that George would have wanted more than $2.5 million to stay in Tennessee once the Dolphins hit the radar screen as a suitor for his services.  But even if the number were $3 million or higher, the Titans likely would have sensed more strongly that George would get a greater number from the Dolphins in the wake of Williams' departure.

It appears that, in hindsight, all the Titans needed was a swift kick in the butt in order to wake them up as to George's potential value on the open market.  Indeed, we hear that the

And you heard it here first -- we don't rule out a return by George to the Titans in 2005 for a career-ending contract.

Unless, of course, the Titans acquire Ricky.

SUNDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

On the same day that dreadlocks-wearing goofball RB Ricky Williams bolted from the NFL, his potential successor agreed to terms with the Rams.

The Pats have signed fifth-round WR P.K. Sam and seventh-round CB Christian Morton, while cutting DL Ryan Atoe and WR Ricky Bryant.

The Jets have signed seventh-round LB Darrell McLover.

Rams seventh-round TE Erik Jensen signed a three-year deal on Sunday.

RICKY HAD BEEN "ACTING ODD" LATELY

The Ricky Williams story continues to unfold.  (Scroll down for more.)

Multiple acquaintances of Williams' tell us that Ricky had been "acting odd" since returning from a trip to Australia earlier this year.  

Per the sources, Williams seemed to be more laid back and less interested in football following his time "down under."

With talk that Williams is making a power play in order to get more money from the Dolphins in order to stick around, the sources say that, in their view, it's not about money.  Regardless of whether Williams changes his mind at some point in the future, his decision to stop playing is legitimate, for now.  

While the media continues to get its beauty sleep, skips out on church in lieu of snarfing Homer Simpson's patented moon waffles, and/or continues to recite "we're stunned" by the announcement that running back Ricky Williams is retiring after only five NFL season, we're bringing you the details, the inside poop, and (as outlined below) the speculation from some league insiders as to what might be going on behind the scenes.

And we must preface the following remarks by emphasizing that this specific blurb is rooted in speculation only.  

In a conversation with one league insider this morning, we were reminded of the reported fine of up to $650,000 that the league was set to impose on Williams for violation of the league's "smoky, smoky" policy.  If, the insider surmised, Ricky feared arriving at camp and failing given yet another pee test, he would have next faced a four-game suspension and another $650,000 fine.  The next violation would have resulted in a one-year suspension.

By walking away voluntarily, Williams avoids a potential outcome that would have placed him on the sidelines for 25 percent of the year anyway, and one step closer to a full-season ban.

If this speculation is accurate, look for Ricky to come back in 2005, or possibly sooner.  In theory, he could clean out his system over the next month and show up for the start of the regular season.  (Could that reported trip to Asia be a 28-day visit to the Betty Ford-son Center?)

And by filing his retirement papers, Ricky can't be fined for missing camp or the preseason.  Instead, he can un-retire in September -- and the team can restore him if it so chooses (and so choose it likely would, given the dearth of other options presently available to it).

Again, this is all speculation.  We don't know whether or not Ricky has been puffing on the magic dragon.  But the insider who formulated this theory is the same person who told us on the day that the Bucs dumped Darrell Russell that the move likely was the result of yet another violation by Russell of the league's substance abuse policy.

A league source tells us that, if Ricky Williams' contract contains language conditioning his signing bonus upon his fulfillment of the deal (a provision found in most NFL deals), then Williams owes the Dolphins in 2004 the sum of $1,249,085, which represents this season's piece of the bonus money he previously received due to his premature retirement.

This specific issue first arose when Barry Sanders abruptly retired from the Lions prior to the 1999 season.  Sanders was required by an arbitrator to pay back to the team $1.83 million per year for the remainder of his contract, the prorated annual amount of his bonus.

More recently, the Broncos recovered bonus money from receiver Eddie Kennison, who quit on the team in the middle of the 2001 season.

Earlier in the offseason, the Ravens were prepared to force receiver Terrell Owens to repay bonus money if he refused to report to the team following a trade that ultimately was scuttled via the settlement of his grievance seeking free agency status.  Currently, the Packers could recover more than $3 million from cornerback Mike McKenzie if he makes good on threats to retire in lieu of continuing to play for Green Bay.

None of the published reports regarding Williams' retirement have addressed this no-brainer issue, which could give the Dolphins significant leverage in their efforts to get Williams to change his mind.  

POSTED 8:04 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 12:35 p.m. EDT, July 25, 2004

In the wake of running back Ricky Williams' stunning decision to retire after only five NFL seasons, our Chicago mole tells us that the Fins already have been in contact with the Bears regarding a possible trade of defensive end Adewale Ogunleye for a package of players including running back Anthony Thomas.

Per the mole, the other players traded could include receiver David Terrell and/or right tackle Aaron Gibson, in order to help the Bears clear enough cap room to sign Ogunleye to a long-term contract.

According to the mole, the Dolphins called the Bears on Saturday, which fits with the overall timeline, since Williams broke the news to coach Dave Wannstedt on Friday.

Another league source tells us that the Fins might be interested in Thomas, but not in exchange for Ogunleye.

At this point, a trade is probably the only strategy for the Dolphins to fill the gaping hole left by Williams' departure.  The only available backs with any name recognition are James Stewart and Trung Canidate (whom we're told will be back to 100 percent soon).

From the timing standpoint, the move couldn't have been any worse for the Fins.  Eddie George reached a deal with the Cowboys on Friday, and Antowain Smith agreed to terms last week with the Titans as a replacement for George.  

The question of whether their contracts have been signed could be a key factor in both of those examples.  If a contract has not yet been inked either by George or by Smith, they technically are free to renege.  It's happened before, but our guess is that something like that would be highly unlikely here.

The Dolphins also might be able to pry Onterrio Smith, Moe Williams, or Michael Bennett free from an unnecessarily deep backfield in Minnesota -- and the Vikings have sufficient cap room to sign Ogunleye to a long-term deal.

Another intriguing possibility is Colts running back Edgerrin James.  Rumors had linked James to the Dolphins before the team swung a trade with the Saints for Williams.  With Edgerrin entering the final year of his Indy contract and the Colts apparently intent on letting him play out the deal and test the market, the looming possibility of a 2005 free-agent signing by Miami could prompt G.M. Bill Polian to get something in return now for James -- in lieu of getting nothing later.

Yet another possibility would be a trade of Bills running back Travis Henry to Miami, since Henry is unhappy with the fact that Willis McGahee soon will be leap-frogging him.  (Sure, intradivisional trades are rare -- just as Drew Bledsoe.)

We're hearing that the Fins might be inclined to wait until the final cuts in September to pick up a guy who is released from another team.  The Raiders likely will shed either Tyrone Wheatly, Amos Zereoue, or Troy Hambrick, and the Broncos like won't take a backfield containing Garrison Hearst, Mike Anderson, and Quentin Griffin into the regular season. 

One factor that the Miami Herald and big-boys like ESPN.com have ignored thus far is whether and to what extent Williams will be required to refund signing bonus money to the Dolphins.  Depending on the specific language of his deal, Williams might owe the Dolphins the prorated portion of the bonus money applicable to 2004 and any future remaining years on his contract.  (We're tracking this info down right now.)

Finally, we'll be the first ones to go out on a limb and predict that, unlike Barry Sanders' surprising retirement five years ago, Ricky Williams will be back.  He's never been, to use fancy medical terms, "right in the head," and our guess is that the same forces that drove him to walk away from the game will drive him back into it in 2005 or beyond.  

SUNDAY ONE-LINERS

With DE Tyrone Rogers in the fold, the Packers still could be interested in Kenny Holmes or Chad Bratzke.

The underachieving Vikings have been assigned 6-1 odds of winning the Super Bowl, trailing only the Pats and the Eagles.

After 25 years, the 49ers will be moving away from the West Coast offense that Bill Walsh devised.

Giants QB Kurt Warner is concerned that the New York media might try to twist the words of his wife, Yoko (he should be more concerned about the stuff she says without unfair media manipulation).

Redskins V.P. Karl Swanson says that our recent report regarding efforts by owner Dan Snyder to pass messages through intermediaries to Miami defensive end Adewale Ogunleye is "bullsh-t."

"There has been no contact concerning Ogunleye with anyone," Swanson wrote in an e-mail sent to us on Saturday afternoon.  "If [your source] knew anything at all, they would know Snyder has been on vacation on a boat for the past two weeks and virtually incommunicado."

Swanson also expressed disdain for the report on the basis that the source opted not to alert the league office to a violation of the tampering rules.  

But, as a practical matter, no one reports tampering because tampering investigations go nowhere.  Last year, for example, Lawyer Milloy told CNNSI's Peter King that the Redskins had made him a contract offer before he was released by the Patriots.  When Milloy clammed up, the issue died.

In Ogunleye's case, the story isn't that Snyder is calling Ogunleye or his agent directly, but that Snyder has passed word through others to Ogunleye that the Redskins remain interested in acquiring him via a trade with the Dolphins.  And, obviously, it's possible that the source is getting bad information from one or more links in the alleged communication chain.    

Moreover, no one expects the Redskins to admit such conduct, especially after last year's near-miss with Milloy.  If anything, Swanson's vehement denial of any contact makes us wonder whether he doth protest too much.  

Chiefs CB Cliff Crosby has pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct following a July 3 "screaming match" with police officers.

Lousiana Governor Kathleen Blanco is floating the idea of a new stadium for the Saints.

The Jags have reached an agreement on a contract extension with RT Maurice Williams; it's a five-year deal worth $21 million and $8 million in guaranteed money.

Writer Tim Kawakami is boycotting ESPN (we are, too, except for the football page of the website and the NFL video game that bears its name).

As negotiations continue in earnest among most NFL teams and their first-round picks, folks are keeping a close eye on the negotiations between the Chargers, Raiders, Cardinals, and Giants and their top selections.

The problem arises from the trade of No. 1 pick Eli Manning from San Diego to New York for No. 4 pick Philip Rivers.  If the two teams had swapped spots before the picks were made, the Giants' rookie pool would reflect that they have the No. 1 slot in the first round, and that the Chargers have the fourth.

But since the trade came after the picks were made, the Giants have to sign the No. 1 overall pick with No. 4 money, and the Chargers hold No. 1 money to sign the No. 4 pick.

We're hearing that, despite rumors of progress being made between Rivers and the Chargers, agent Jimmy Sexton won't be agreeing to any deal in San Diego until he sees how much Eli Manning gets from the Giants.

As to Manning, the thinking is that agent Tom Condon will dig in for money reflecting that Manning was the overall pick -- since he was.

This process also could delay negotiations between Larry Fitzgerald and the Cardinals and/or Robert Gallery and the Raiders.  Regardless of whether Manning gets more than the No. 4 slot otherwise would justify given that he was the first overall pick (and get more he surely will), the fact is that the package given to the No. 4 pick sets the floor for No. 3, which sets the floor for No. 2, which sets the floor for No. 1.

Which brings us to Rivers.  He's got the chance to parlay being the fourth overall pick into getting paid four slots above the money given to the real first pick.

Moving forward, teams surely will try to paint this as a one-year aberration.  The agents, however, will be ready to use the money paid to picks one through four this year as the base line for the top four picks next year. 

This glitch also could influence the money paid to picks 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 under the slotting system.  That's why it's important for teams like the Redskins to get Sean Taylor, the fifth overall pick, under contract before the Manning-Rivers effect unfolds.

But with two Postons client in spots 6 (Kellen Winslow) and 9 (Reggie Williams), we can envision many of the top ten picks missing a big chunk of camp as this process continues to unfold.

In hindsight, then, it was smart for the Texans to get Dunta Robinson under contract on Thursday.  He'll be present for all of training camp and the preseason -- which is important since he'll be starting on opening day.  Likewise, the Texans did his deal without any of the contracts above him being negotiated.  There's good chance that, if the Texans had waited, they might have had to pay a lot more money -- and Dunta might have missed a lot of camp.

Finally, we know that there have been reports of a potential deal between the Raiders and Gallery, which could short circuit the possibility that picks one through four will be inflated artificially.  The concern in some circles, however, is that Gallery's contract will reflect the Manning-Rivers effect -- especially since doing so will make it harder for the Raiders' AFC West rivals to sign their quarterback of the future du jour. 

STEELERS TALKING EXTENSION WITH COWHER

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Steelers are engaged in serious discussions with coach Bill Cowher regarding an extension of his contract, which expires after the 2005 season.

Historically, Cowher has received an extension with more than two seasons left on his current deal.  In March, the thinking was that the Steelers were going to wait until after the 2004 season to decide whether to re-commit to Cowher -- or whether to cut him loose and pay his salary for 2005.

"We may change that up and not do it that way," chairman Dan Rooney said in March, referring to the team's habit of rolling out a new deal with two seasons left on the old one.

Surely, the Steelers don't feel as strongly about Cowher as they did in past years.  We've previously reported that his influence in personnel matters has diminished this year as the team shifted to a committee approach on evaluating players and budgeting money to getting and/or keeping them.

In our view, the front office probably wanted to take a wait-and-see approach with Cowher, who has delivered only one Super Bowl appearance and several home playoff losses, including three AFC title games ('94, '97, '01).  But they painted themselves into a corner by drafting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger with the eleventh overall pick in the April draft.

With Cowher understandably worried about winning this year in order to secure his future, he might be inclined to focus less on the development of Roethlisberger and more on enhancing the 2004 performance of Tommy Maddox.  In the modern NFL, the pairing of a first-round rookie signal-caller and a coach with a "win now or else" mandate simply doesn't work.

The Steelers also might be thinking about Cowher's potential interest in succeeding Dick Vermeil in Kansas City.  On the surface, locking up Cowher prevents him from leaving.  At a deeper level, however, having Cowher under a long-term deal and allowing him to go to the Chiefs if/when G.M. Carl Peterson provides the Steelers with a win-win exit strategy.

With Vermeil coaching either one or two more years, the Steelers can shed themselves of Cowher by letting him take the job, thereby avoiding any further financial responsibility to him.  The team also will avoid the inherently messy job of firing their head coach -- something they've only done once in the last 35 years.

Either way, no one can argue that the Rooneys don't know what they're getting.  Cowher has been in the 'Burgh since 1992, making him the longest-serving coach in the NFL, by a full three seasons.

BROWNS ROOKIE SIGNS ONE-YEAR DEAL

As the Browns try again to force their draft picks to sign five-years, one of their rookies has countered the strategy by signing a one-year contract.  Sixth-round offensive tackle Kirk Chambers will make $230,000 in salary this year, with a $25,000 signing bonus.

"We were not going to do a five-year deal," said Don Yee, Chambers' agent.

As a practical matter, the move leaves Chambers as a potential exclusive-rights free agent after 2004 and 2005.  He'll have no leverage at all, since he won't be able to hit the open market.  On the other hand, the team will be able to part ways with Chambers at no cost under the salary cap.

But if Chambers survives for three years and if he performs well, he'll be in position to cash in via free agency in year four, or he'll pocket the one-year tender paid to restricted free agents.

Since the salaries in future years aren't guaranteed, Chambers sacrificed only the higher signing bonus that would have been paid under a five-year contract.  For example, defensive tackle Antonio Garay -- the Browns' sixth-round pick in 2003 -- got a $100,000 bonus on a five-year deal. 

The Browns will offer the one-year option to any player that balks at a five-year deal, and our guess is that more of them will take it.  Though the ones who don't develop into good players after the seasons will have lost some money on the front end, those who can play and perform will make a lot more in the long run by not sacrificing their shots at restricted free agency after year three, and unrestricted free agency after year four. 

SATURDAY ONE-LINERS

Jets QB Chad Pennington says that all talks on a new contract will be suspended if a deal isn't struck before the end of August.

In a bit of karma, LB Clark Haggans (the replacement for LB Jason Gildon) has been lost indefinitely with a broken hand.

The NFL considered slapping Sean Taylor with the maximum fine of $50,000 for skipping out on the rookie symposium.

Though we really don't want to give this penis-envying wannabe any more exposure than she has managed to finagle on her own, the article on aspiring female NFL agent Kristine Rosendahl is good for a few laughs; "There is nobody like me in the NFL," she boasts, "I am the petite, Louis Vuitton-wearing, Jaguar-driving blonde who keeps herself in shape and is not bad to look at.  I am a novelty."  (We can think of a lot of words other than "novelty" -- one of which we definitely can't use here.)

Not bad to look at . . . after about 17 beers.

Vikings WR Randy Moss is fully recovered from a bout with plantar fasciitis.

The 49ers have reached an agreement with fourth-round DT Isaac Sopoaga.

The Steelers have signed third-round pick Max Starks to a three-year deal with a signing bonus of $530,000; their only unsigned pick is QB Ben Roethlisberger.

The Colts have reached an agreement in principle with fifth-round OT Jake Scott.

The Redskins are expected to announce that they've signed third-round TE Chris Cooley to a four-year deal.

The Dolphins plan to resume trying to get their rookies signed starting Monday; one of the problems is that they are insisting on four-year deals for low-round picks.

Broncos DL Trevor Pryce is hoping to get back to the form -- physical and mental -- that secured a $58 million contract three years ago.

The Chiefs have gotten all of their draft picks under contract.

The Rams are optimistic that RB Steven Jackson, the team's first-round pick, will be signed and in camp on time (has any team ever acknowledged that they expect a holdout?).

The Fins reportedly are negotiating long-term deals with WR Chris Chambers and DE Adewale Ogunleye simultaneously, "with the hopes that signing one will put more pressure on the other" (more accurately, we think that the Fins are telling each of them they've only got so much money to get a deal done this year, and only one of them will get paid).

Jets secondary coach Doug Graber, who took a leave of absence in May after being hired in January, won't be back; he'll be replaced by Corwin Brown.

The Bucs have signed seventh-round DB Lenny Williams, and they waived OL Mike Moroz. 

Wrestler Brock Lesnar will get a second workout with the Vikings, but it's still unlikely that he'll be signed (maybe they're still waiting for the decade or so of 'roids to work their way out of his system). 

Months after signing P Darren Bennett, the Vikings have cut 2003 sixth-rounder Eddie Johnson, who had a decent leg but had trouble getting the ball to it.

The Vikes have signed local product Ryan Hoag, a receiver who was the last player taken in the 2003 draft.

Carl Poston says there's a "negative ten percent" chance of unsigned franchise player Charles Woodson reporting to camp on time (does "negative ten percent" mean Woodson's gonna sneak in and steal stuff?).

Bears DT Tommie Harris likes to pull pranks on reporters.

'SKINS STILL ANGLING FOR O-GUN

A league source tells us that Redskins owner Dan Snyder is passing word through intermediaries to Miami defensive end Adewale Ogunleye that Snyder eventually will swing a trade for the unsigned free agent -- and then reward him with a healthy contract.

Snyder, we hear, is encouraging Ogunleye to be patient as Snyder prepares to make his move.

Ogunleye and the Dolphins have been at odds throughout the offseason.  The Fins slapped him with the highest possible RFA tender, requiring any team interested in signing him to an offer sheet to be ready to pony up a first-round and a third-round draft pick.

Ogunleye, meanwhile, has openly lobbied for a long-term deal or a trade, threatening not to sign his tender until after the seventh week of the regular season.  The team responded by cutting his tender dramatically on June 15.

Rumors of a trade to the Redskins (possibly involving offensive tackle Chris Samuels in return) have been swirling for weeks.  The thinking in some circles is that, as the Dolphins get closer to the start of the regular season, they'll be more willing to take a player or some draft picks in return for a disgruntled pass rusher who probably won't be in a position to make a difference for the Dolphins until November.

Stay tuned.

FRIDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

The Packers have signed free-agent DE Tyrone Rogers.

The Cowboys are poised to release QB Chad Hutchinson.

Dallas coach Bill Parcells will meet face-to-face next week with WR Antonio Bryant in an effort to get Bryant back in the team's good graces.

The NFL Monday night package could move to ESPN, and the Sunday night contests could land on NBC as a result of current contract negotiations.

The Bengals have released LB Adrian Ross.

The Raiders have cut C Barret Robbins after the veteran failed a physical.

Bears first-round DT Tommie Harris probably won't be in camp on time.

The Broncos are working on a deal with first-round LB D.J. Williams.

Cards V.P. of football operations Rod Graves doesn't anticipate any problems in getting No. 3 overall pick Larry Fitzgerald into camp on time (psst, Rod, maybe you should).

Cowboys S Darren Woodson might need surgery to repair a ruptured disk in his back, which would knock him out for 6-8 weeks.

From the "There's a Freaking Shocker" file:  The Panthers and the Postons aren't close on a deal for first-round CB Chris Gamble.

The Jags have signed fourth-round DT Anthony Maddox to a four-year deal.

The Vikings have signed a trio of late-round draft picks -- fifth-round LB Rod Davis, sixth-round DB Deandre' Eiland and seventh-round TE Jeff Dugan -- to standard rookie contracts.

Broncos LB John Mobley will be sentenced for DUI next Friday.

The Charges have signed fourth-round LB Shaun Phillips to a three-year deal.

In an effort to boost the chances of an actual sellout, the Jags are considering the possibility of covering up some seats (given the way the team has played over the past few years, the move actually might make those seats more attractive).

The Lions don't foresee any problems in connection with the signing of their rookies (as long as none of them act like devout cowards . . . or faggots).

The Texans have signed fifth-round LB Robert Reynolds and fifth-round OL Jacob Bell.

The Redskins are engaged in face-to-face meetings with the agents for S Sean Taylor, who needs another $25,000 to take care of the fine imposed upon him for skipping out of the rookie symposium.

The DUI case against Titans QB Steve McNair has been gutted by a judge's decision that the initial traffic stop was illegal.

A league source has confirmed for us that the Dallas Cowboys have reached an agreement with former Titans running back Eddie George.  The signing initially was reported on ESPN.com at 11:26 a.m.

As reported by ESPN.com, the deal is worth $660,000 in salary with a $1.54 million signing bonus and incentives that could push the deal to $3 million.  Our source tells us that those numbers are "pretty damn close."

Given the sudden fashion in which the talks have occurred, some folks in league circles are wondering whether George's agents have steered him straight to Dallas in an effort to acquire some goodwill for one of their other clients, receiver Antonio Bryant.  Last month, Bryant had a well-documents (and incredibly ill-advised) run-in with head coach Bill Parcells.  Both sides have been mum ever since, but a suspension, fine, or some other punishment (hand-washing Tuna's dirty jock straps?) still might be imposed.

But others in league circles believe that the deal got done quickly because George's agents had gauged the market for his services before he told the Titans "no, thanks" to a $1.5 million salary for 2004.  

We think the latter is more accurate.  As we recently speculated, Lamont Smith and Peter Schaffer wouldn't have advised George to walk away from $1.5 million if they knew he would have been stuck with a one-year deal for the veteran minimum -- and they likely did their homework (discreetly and hypothetically) in order to figure out who was in a position to do better than $1.5 million.

If that's what happened, then it's clear that the Cowboys had indicated a willingness to pay George much more than the Titans or anyone else were willing to spend.

Of course, no one would ever admit that something like this occurred, since the discussions would have happened while George was still the property of the Titans.  But anyone who follows the NFL knows that conversations that never officially took place take place all the time.

Our Chicago mole has resurfaced after a prolonged hiatus, and the mole tells us that the Bears have high expectations for middle linebacker Brian Urlacher -- or else.

Per the mole, G.M. Jerry Angelo will strongly consider asking Urlacher to restructure that nine-year, $55-plus million deal from June 2003 by giving back some of the money he's set to receive if he has a second straight lackluster season.

The concern in the front office is that the money might have made Urlacher soft a year ago.  His early-season fling with long-nosed skank Paris Hilton didn't do anything to undermine the perception that Urlacher wasn't as focused on football as he should have been.

At coach Lovie Smith's urging, Urlacher recently spent two weeks training in Colorado, in the hopes that Urlacher will be able to play 60 minutes of high-motor football.  The coaching staff, we're told, is ecstatic with the results, and there's a high degree of confidence that Urlacher will return to the form that prompted the team to reward him with that huge contract.

In our view, however, it's important not to forget that Urlacher's play dipped after Ted Washington wasn't around clog up blockers in front of him and Rosevelt Colvin wasn't wreaking havoc to the outside.  Sure, Urlacher has the potential to be dominant -- but he can't do it alone.

STEELERS OVERPAID FOR FARRIOR?

Immediate reaction in some league circles was that the Steelers overpaid linebacker James Farrior, who agreed to a five-year extension worth $16.4 million on Thursday.

Per one league source, the perception is that Farrior's high tackle numbers (he had 127 last year, leading the team) is the result of the failure of the team's defensive linemen to knock down the ball carrier.

Last year, nose tackle Casey Hamption had 27 tackles, defensive end Aaron Smith had 36 tackles, and defensive end Kimo von Oelhoffen had 27 tackles -- for a total of 90 tackles from the starting defensive line.

If we didn't have day jobs, we'd crunch the numbers for all of the other teams in order to determine whether those numbers are in line with the league average.  Regardless, the perception is that Farrior's numbers are artificially inflated by the lack of tackling support from the defensive line -- and perception in many cases is all that matter.

We also recognize the discrepancy between our observations that the lack of a solid defensive line hurt Bears' middle linebacker Brian Urlacher, but at the same time helped Farrior.  (We don't have an explanation for it, but at least we recognized it.)

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Farrior will receive a $4.5 million bonus and salaries of $660,000, $2.1 million, $2.9 million, $3 million and $3.24 million.  Those high salaries in years two through five could be more of a curse than a blessing for Farrior.  In year three, cutting him before June 1 results in a net gain of $200,000 under the salary cap.  It year four, the pre-June 1 net gain is $1.2 million.  In year five, it's $2.34 million.

Farrior will turn 30 in early January.  Jason Gildon was released as he approached his 32nd birthday.  As we see it, then, the chances of Farrior making all of that money are slim, and the deal is more properly described as a three-year, $10.16 million package or a two-year, $7.26 million contract.  Those numbers probably won't quiet the critics of the deal -- but at least those numbers better reflect what Farrior is likely to earn in his last big NFL contract. 

GEORGE SHOULDN'T RUSH TO DALLAS

After hearing reports that the Dallas Cowboys might be close to striking a deal with former Titans running back Eddie George, our immediate reaction was this:  

What's the big freakin' hurry?

The Dallas Morning News reports that George is close to agreeing to an incentive-laden deal that will pay him at least $1.5 million this year, and that could stretch into a second season.

Still, why should George rush into a contract with anyone at this point?  If, as we've heard, several teams are interested in George's services, surely he won't agree to terms with the Cowboys before testing the waters elsewhere.  

According to the Tampa Tribune, the Bucs plans to explore the possibility of signing George.

"He'll get what he's looking for [contract-wise],'' coach Jon Gruden said.  "We're going to look into this situation, but I don't want to speculate any further about what's going to happen."

In our view, George should gauge the Bucs' interest fully and get their best offer on the table before making any decisions.  If nothing else, the presence of another suitor will help him land a better contract in the end.

Meanwhile, the Lions officially can be removed from the list of potentially interested teams.  "We’re pretty comfortable with where we are," CEO Matt Millen told the Detroit News.

But other teams remain interested.  George and his agents need to hear out all of them before making any decisions, and we're confident that, in the end, George will take his time and wait for the best deal.

TITANS TRYING TO BLAME EDDIE'S AGENTS

Back in Tennessee, Titans owner Bud Adams is boo-hooing about the departure of a local icon -- and he's blaming agent Lamont Smith for blowing up the long-term relationship.

''We wanted to keep Eddie, but we do have a cap," Adams told the Nashville Tennessean.  "We really tried.  I just don't think [Smith] gave Eddie very good advice, that's what I think.  It's disappointing."

Then again, Adams might want to look in the mirror before throwing stones at Smith.  It was the Titans, after all, who agreed to the contract that was scheduled to pay George more than $4 million in salary this year, and it was the Titans who refused to budge off of their offer of $1.5 million in salary for 2004.  

George, as we've been told, was willing to reduce his salary, but the Titans refused to up their offer -- at all.

And it was the Titans who, in the end, gave George an ultimatum.  Either he'd take $1.5 million for the year, or he'd take a hike.  

The Tennessean also confirms that George, as first reported in this space earlier in the week, didn't ask to be released -- he just asked them to do it sooner rather than later if they were holding firn to their position that it was $1.5 or the highway.  

On this point, we don't buy G.M. Floyd Reese's feigned confusion regarding George's reaction to the news that the release was coming.  Describing a call he received from Lamont Smith when Smith caught wind of the press conference at which the release would be announced, Reese explained: 

"'I said, 'What am I going to do?  Eddie wants to be released, we are going to release Eddie.  [Smith] almost acted surprised."

But George's position should have been obvious, even if Reese didn't clearly understand the message.  Eddie wasn't going to accept $1.5 million in salary, and the team already had told him it was $1.5 million or else.  So when Eddie says he won't take the cut, he's not asking for a release -- he's making a decision based on the options that the Titans presented to him.

This whole exercise illustrates the extent to which teams will go to try to create the impression among its local media and fan base that the team isn't responsible for potentially unpopular moves.  Slicing through the fluff and the crap, however, it's clear to us that the Titans tried to play tough with George, he called their bluff, and they bumbled and bungled and blew a chance to keep him if they were sufficiently astute to realize that George was willing to continue the dialogue.

The bottom line is that the team really wanted to get rid of Eddie (and thus ignored the possibility of a compromise), or they were too stupid to see that there was a real chance to keep him for not much more money.  

Either way, the Titans should accept the fact that this was their decision, and move on.

EXCLUSIVE!!

Houston Texans G.M. Charley Casserly confirmed for us on Thursday afternoon that, as reported here and only here, the team has reached an agreement with cornerback Dunta Robinson.

Casserly acknowledges that the bonus money indeed reflects a significant increase over the bonus money paid in 2003 to No. 10 overall pick Terrell Suggs.  But Casserly explained that, from the Texans' perspective, it was more important to consider the difference between the total value of the two deals, which Casserly pegs at an increase of only 6 percent -- far less than the 28 percent increase in the bonus money.

Casserly referred us to Dan Ferens, the Texans' cap guy, who gave us the numbers on Robinson.

Robinson will receive a signing bonus of $4.070 million, a 2005 option bonus of $3.930 million, and a 2004 salary of $962,000, which equates to a first-year haul of $8.962 million.

In comparison, Suggs received a signing bonus of $2 million, a 2004 option bonus of $4.25 million, a first-year salary of $1.1 million and a "one-time guaranteed playing time bonus" of $1.05 million -- which some folks around the league call a "falling off the log" incentive, since it's virtually guaranteed to be earned.

As a result, the total first-year money paid to Robinson represents an increase of only 6.7 percent over Suggs' total year-one pay.  Comparing the bonus money (i.e., signing and option) only, however, Robinson's $8 million take represents a 28 percent raise -- as we reported earlier on Thursday.

The key, as Casserly told us, is that Robinson's representatives didn't consider the $1.05 million "log" incentive in their comparison of the Robinson deal to the Suggs deal.  The Texans, on the other hand, believe that the $1.05 million payment should be deemed part of the first-year haul.

Thus, the agents think they got a 28 percent raise in bonus money, and the team thinks the increase was less than a fourth of that.

Apart from payments made in year one, Casserly explained that, for a player like Robinson, it's more important to look at what will be paid over the life of the deal, since he's likely to be with the team for the full five years (actually, it's a six-year deal with voids to five pursuant to a "basic" trigger, as Ferens told us).

Comparing the amounts to be paid over five years under the two deals, the Robinson will get $10.7 million and Suggs will get $10.09 million.  The Robinson deal represents, then, a six percent raise, which the Texans believe is clearly in line with current NFL trends.

Finally, Robinson's deal includes up to $4.2 million in tiered escalators to be paid in 2008.  He gets the full amount if the Texans make the playoffs four years in a row, if Robinson makes the Pro Bowl four years in a row, and if he has at least eight picks in each of the next four seasons.

(Frankly, we've got as good of a chance as Robinson as earning the full value of the incentives.)

The lesson to be learned through all of this is that the comparison of contracts is a subjective, complex process.  Some league insiders look at certain factors in the contract, others seize on different provisions (and the media -- us included -- generally is clueless as to these niceties).  From Casserly's perspective, however, the deal is a good one that represents a modest increase over last year's contract for Suggs.

A league source tells us that the Houston Texans have reached an agreement on a contract with first-round pick Dunta Robinson.

We're told that Robinson, a cornerback, will receive a signing bonus that represents a 28 percent increase over the signing bonus given the last year's tenth overall pick, linebacker Terrell Suggs of the Ravens.

Suggs received $6.25 million in signing and option bonuses.  If this is the number on which our source based his calculations, Robinson received $8 million in total bonus money.

Those of you who (like us) have seen no word of this deal anywhere might wonder whether we're pulling one out of our rear ends.  

We're not. 

Our source says that that the two sides are working on the final language of the agreement, but that the numbers are in place.  Robinson's agents were miffed that the info on the deal was leaked before it was done, as one other agent has told us.

As we've been reporting over the past few weeks, the Texans signed their other first-round pick, linebacker Jason Babin, to a contract that, in the view of management-side league sources, represented a significant increase over the package given to last year's No. 27 overall pick, running back Larry Johnson of the Chiefs.

Per one league insider, the Dunta deal takes the free spending to a new level.  "They are robbing their owner blind," the source said, referring to the money being thrown about by G.M. Charley Casserly and his staff.

The contract also will have a ripple effect on picks No. 9 and above -- none of whom are under contract yet, and picks No. 11 to 14, who likewise are unsigned.  (A floor of sorts was established on Wednesday, when the Bucs signed WR Michael Clayton, the No. 15 overall pick.)

LOTS OF INTEREST IN EDDIE -- AT RIGHT PRICE

A league source tells us that "a lot of teams" would be interested in signing running back Eddie George, if he were willing to accept the minimum salary for a veteran with eight years of service.  Of course, such a deal would pay him less than half of the $1.5 million that the Titans would have given him, so don't look for it to happen any time soon.

Instead, we're hearing that George may wait until one or more established running backs are dinged up during training camp and/or the preseason, which could create an instant need for his services.

We're also hearing that two dark-horse contenders for Eddie's services are the Bengals and the Cardinals.  The Cards would have to nudge aside and/or outright dump last year's disrespected local legend, former Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith, who is slated to be the starter.  In 1996, however, then-Vikings coach Denny Green was frothing at the mouth as George fell on the draft board -- and he was poised to pounce until the then-Oilers leapfrogged him.

In Cincy, the team apparently is set with Rudi Johnson and first-round rookie Chris Perry.  So, to us, that one looks like a long shot.     

A league source tells us that, contrary to suggestions in media reports that the agreement reached between the Tampa Bay Bucs and first-round draft pick Michael Clayton resulted from direct talk between agent Tom Condon and G.M. Bruce Allen, the primary negotiator for the Bucs was former Browns exec Lal Heneghan.

Heneghan was abruptly fired by the Browns in May.  He had handled all contract negotiations in Cleveland, and the Bucs have hired him on a part-time basis we're told.

According to the Tampa Tribune, the Bucs have agreed to give Clayton, the 15th overall pick, an 8-10 percent raise over the $12.6 million contract with a $6.1 million bonus paid to defensive end Jerome McDougle a year ago.

Clayton could have an instant impact in Tampa, given the trade of Keyshawn Johnson and the looming holdout of Keenan McCardell, whose decision to skip all offseason workouts gave Clayton a chance to get quickly ensconced in the offense.

As we see it, the Bucs' decision to get the negotiations with Clayton out of the way quickly could be a sign that they plan to focus next on a certain bald-headed running back who suddenly has hit the free-agent market. 

LARRY'S LEVERAGE INCREASES

The Arizona Republic reports that Cardinals receiver Bryant Johnson, last year's first-round pick, is recovering from a stress fracture in his foot, which has left him questionable for the starting of training camp.

The news comes at a time when the Cards are bracing for potentially difficult negotiations with this year's first-round pick, receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

Fitz's father, Larry, Sr., suggested a few weeks back that his son should be paid more than first overall pick Eli Manning, which didn't bode well for the coming talks.  Given the uncertainties regarding Johnson's availability -- and the obvious conclusion that the value of Fitzgerald to the team has increased because of the injury -- it could be even harder to get Fitzgerald into camp.

Complicating matters is that the negotiations for Manning and Philip Rivers could also be delayed in light of the fact that the Giants have to sign the first overall pick with a fourth-pick rookie pool allocation, and that the Chargers have first-pick money for the guy who was taken fourth.  Without No. 1 and No. 4 under contract, it'll be hard for either side to know that the deal for Fitzgerald, taken at the No. 3 spot, is a good one.

One big factor working in the team's favor is that the Cards are coached by Dennis Green, a close friend of Larry Fitzgerald, Sr., and a mentor to Larry, Jr.  Still, we suspect that those relationships will be tested as the team and the player do the salary cap tug-o-war over the next couple of weeks . . . or longer. 

Even with Fitzgerald under contract, the injury to Johnson could affect Green's plans to use a three-receiver set as his base offensive package.  It's a formation he relied heavily upon with the arrival of Randy Moss in Minnesota six years ago -- and the team's 15-1 regular season record showed that, if you've got the horses to make it go, it's a pretty darn effective scheme.

The Tennessee Titans will release running back Eddie George on Wednesday, according to the Nashville City Paper.

More coming. 

There are whispers in league circles that Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis could be hiring Dave Dunn as his new agent.

We're hearing that Lewis and Dunn have met on at least one occasion recently, apparently sparking (or fueling) speculation that Dunn will be the successor to Roosevelt Barnes and Eugene Parker, whom Lewis recently fired.

We're also still trying to figure out exactly why Lewis made the move.  His new agent (whoever it may be) is entitled to no fee under the current contract, which runs for five more years.  And with Lewis utilizing the services of a separate entity for his marketing deals (meaning that the agent gets no money), there are only three reasons for the move:  (1) Lewis wants to try to renegotiate his deal with the Ravens; (2) Lewis wants an agent who can/will/wants to handle marketing opportunities; or (3) Lewis was simply pissed off at Barnes and Parker.

The latter wouldn't be a major shock to us, based on information we've picked up from various league sources.  Barnes and Parker have a reputation for taking a hands-off approach to player representation.  We're told that, when recently recruiting Pats D-lineman Richard Seymour, they were candid regarding their desire to do the contract only -- and not to become a friend/confidant/hand-holder.  (Seymour signed with them anyway.)   

Most players want more than that, however, and most agents are willing to give it.  Maybe Lewis simply wants someone who will be available and accessible as he enters the second half of his career.

Or maybe he'll be angling for a new deal (or some type of an adjustment to his contract intended to generate more cash now).  Maybe he's looking at the late-career experiences of guys like Eddie George and Jerome Bettis and wondering whether he should begin thinking about protecting himself against the cruel-but-inevitable day on which he's no longer worth as much to his team as it's scheduled to pay him.

Obviously, we're speculating.  We're hopeful that we'll soon be able to provide something a bit more concrete.  Stay tuned.  

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

From the "Be Careful What You Wish For, Eli" file, the Giants will have to sign the first overall pick with a rookie pool based upon the fact that they had the fourth overall selection, since the trade of Manning-for-Rivers came after both picks were made (maybe Tom Coughlin can ask future son-in-law/second-rounder Chris Snee to reduce his 2004 salary commensurately, with the difference flowing back to Snee, ahem, indirectly).

Former NFL receiver Andre Rison scored a legal victory in one of his many issues relating to child support obligations.

The Raiders are close to signing first-round pick OT Robert Gallery.

Former NFL DL Bill Maas has chimed in regarding the controversy surrounding baseballer Carlos Delgado's stance against the Iraq war, which is manifested via his refusal to stand outside the dugout during the singing on "God Bless America."

The Eagles are mum regarding the possibility of RB Eddie George becoming available.

With five quarterbacks on the roster entering camp, it's not clear who'll be the No. 2 guy behind Tom Brady in New England.

Barry Sanders' dad said he used to run the ball like his son, but that his coaches didn't like ad-libbing.

The Giants have signed seventh-round OL Drew Strojny to a three-year deal with a $43,500 bonus and minimum salaries.

One of the potential drawbacks to doing a first-round contract ahead of the feeding frenzy that will be unfolding over the next couple of weeks is that the terms of the deal naturally will receive extra scrutiny.

And that can be good for one side of the negotiation, and bad for the other.

In the case of the agreement reached between the Patriots and their 21st overall pick on Monday, the consensus around the league is that Vince got Wilforked at the bargaining table.

The biggest problem with the deal is that it has a six year term, with no provision voiding it to five years.  This will keep Wilfork off of the free agent market until he's 28 years old, meaning that he likely will have a shot at only one really big contract in his career -- and that he'll have to be healthy and effective after six years of football in order to land a big-money deal.

Exacerbating this flaw in the deal is that Wilfork's bonus money doesn't reflect a significant raise about the bonus money received by the 21st overall pick in 2003.  Jeff Faine, a center drafted by the Browns at the 21 hole a year ago, received $4.65 million in bonus money (signing, first-year roster, and second-year option) on a five-year deal, which averages out to $930,000 per year.  Wilfork's bonus ($3 million to sign, $400,000 roster bonus in 2004, and $2.5 million option bonus in 2005) averages to $975,000 per year over six years.

Basically, Wilfork got an extra $1.2 million in total bonus money in exchange for delaying his first eligibility for free agency from 2009 to 2010.  One league insider told us that, in light of the big money that defensive tackles can command on the open market (and assuming that the numbers will continue to rise as the salary cap pushes higher), the decision to agree to a non-voidable six-year deal for only $5.85 million in total bonus money is "stunning."

Just as various NFL teams quietly criticized the Houston Texans for overpaying 27th overall pick Jason Babin in comparison to the contract received by last year's No. 27, Larry Johnson, NFL agents are now taking aim at Michael Huyghue for the Wilfork deal.

As one agent told us, Huyghue had a reputation when he was with the Jaguars for cutting corners in getting deals done (which might have added to the team's salary cap problems of the late 1990s/early 2000s).  Huyghue is still relatively new to the agent side of the business, and the rumblings among the agent community are that Huyghue is again cutting corners and, in Wilfork's case, doing bad deals.

Defenders of the contract might point to the fact that Wilfork's base salaries in 2005 and 2006 are guaranteed.  As one league insider explained to us, however, the fact that Wilfork's second-year and third-year salaries are guaranteed is essentially meaningless, since it's highly unlikely that any team will dump a first-rounder prior to the completion of his third year in the NFL.

PEYTON ALMOST PULLED AN ELI?

For those of you who take issue with our willingness to publish in this here space information that might reflect negatively on the public image of Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, you might want to scroll down to the next story (or you can go back to surfing gay porn).  

On Sunday, the Journal News reported that Peyton nearly asked the Colts not to draft him, just as baby brother Eli did to the Chargers earlier this year.

And lest we be accused of taking statements out of context, here's the full quote from the article:

"Then Archie [Manning] told a story that, he believes, is a secret to everybody.  Peyton, he said, almost pulled the same stunt before the Colts took him first in 1998.  The irony there is that it was the Colts, then in Baltimore, who were stood up by John Elway a generation ago.  Peyton was going to tell the Colts to trade him, but, as has become his MO, he did all his due diligence.  He spoke with the owners and the new management team in Indy, was convinced the team was going in the right direction, was told he'd be the starting quarterback no matter what, and decided to go to the Colts."

To our knowledge, the possibility of Peyton stiffing the Colts had never been reported.  Ironically, if Peyton had asked the Colts not to draft him (and if the Colts had complied), he almost certainly would have been taken by the same team that Eli spurned -- the Chargers, who traded up a spot to No. 2 in order to ensure that they'd get either Peyton Manning or Ryan Leaf.   

It's reasonable to conclude that the Colts would have passed on Peyton if he'd asked them to do so.  Back in March and April of 1998, the Colts were going back and forth between Manning and Leaf, and there was no clear consensus that Peyton should be the first guy off of the board.  With Peyton declaring his lack of desire to play for the Colts, that factor might have been enough to push the folks in Indy toward Leaf.

NOT ALL ENAMORED WITH EDDIE

Although running back Eddie George is receiving plenty of support in his ongoing stare down with the Titans, not everyone thinks George is in the right to dig in his heels and ask for more money than the team is willing to pay him for 2004.

One management-side league source -- with no connection to the Titans -- has told us that, in his opinion, George is in the wrong.

"He has a chance to play for a Super Bowl champion . . . and [he] is complaining about an end of career contract offer that the Titans are giving him," said the source.  "Unless he has totally screwed up his money, he needs to accept the deal and play harder than he ever has to set a positive example for the future of his team."

In our view, this sentiment brings back into focus the realities of the current salary cap system that exists because the players wanted true free agency.  George has a contract that pays him more over the next two years than the team thinks he is worth at this stage of his career.  Just as the system does not require a team to redo the contract of a guy who has outplayed his current deal, the system permits a team to dump a guy who isn't in position to earn the money he's scheduled to be paid.

And just as the CBA was adjusted a couple of years ago to create an incentive to sign veteran players to one-year deals, we also think that the CBA should contain a "career service exemption" that gives teams the ability to pay money above the salary cap to players who have been with that team for 10 or more consecutive seasons.  

Such a wrinkle in the CBA would permit teams to reward players for loyal service and hard work at a time when their objective skills and abilities might not justify such a payment, especially under the salary cap.  It'd be a great way to take care of the guys who show the most longevity and durability -- and it's be an excellent tool for persuading young players to emulate the guys who have managed to stick around for 10 or more years.

Multiple league sources have informed us that All-Universe linebacker Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens has fired his agents, Roosevelt Barnes and Eugene Parker.

The reasons for the move are unclear.  Two years ago, Barnes and Parker negotiated on Lewis's behalf a seven-year deal worth $50 million, with a $19 million signing bonus.  

We initially assume upon posting this story on Tuesday night that Barnes and Parker also were instrumental in hooking up the curiously marketable former murder suspect with a deal to serve as the cover boy for EA Sports' Madden NFL 2005 video game, along with other endorsement deals.  Late Monday evening, however, we heard that Barnes and Parker had nothing to do with the EA deal, and that Lewis instead has a separate guy who handled that (and possibly other) marketing arrangements.

Earlier this year, Lewis reportedly plunked down a sum in excess of one million to settle one of the wrongful death lawsuits resulting from the January 2000 incident that left two guys dead following a brief encounter with Lewis and his crew or posse or whatever the right word is for marauding group of thugs.  With no immediate need for someone to negotiate a contract on his behalf, given that five years remain on the existing deal, perhaps Ray is hoping to redo his existing contract -- perhaps by converting future payments into a bonus.

Even if Lewis isn't looking for a new deal, his new agent (whoever it might be) has an incentive to work something out, since he won't earn any money under the deal negotiated by Barnes and Parker. 

More coming as we obtain it.

TAYLOR HIRES MATO AND MOORAD

We've confirmed that Redskins rookie Sean Taylor has hired Eugene Mato as his agent, after several weeks of flying solo.  The story initially was reported Tuesday afternoon by the Washington Post.

Per a league source, Jeff Moorad also will be involved in the representation.  The source also tells us that Mato and Moorad landed Taylor by agreeing to reduce their fee beneath 2 percent of his gross salary.  The NFLPA permits a maximum fee of three percent.

We're told that Taylor tried to get multiple other agents to give him a reduced fee agreement, but that his efforts were unsuccessful.  Moreover, word is that Taylor was looking for a steep marketing guarantee, which is not permitted pursuant to NFLPA rules -- but which happens all the time.

Maybe Mato and Moorad can get Taylor an endorsement deal for a shaving cream that doesn't burn your eyes when a teammate crams a fistful of it into your face.

We're getting a real kick out of the wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth currently taking place in Nashville as the Titans try to decide whether to cut running back Eddie George, who has refused the team's supposed ultimatum to reduce his 2004 salary to $1.5 million or be cut.

George, as we reported earlier on Tuesday, has not asked to be released.  He only wants to be released quickly if the team is going to make good on the "or else" portion of its most recent offer.

But we're wondering why the Titans aren't taking a look at a potentially viable "Plan B" -- up the offer to George in the hopes he'll take it.

As it now stands, George is set to earn $4.25 million in salary this year.  He offered to restructure his contract in March, and the team responded with its take-it-or-leave-it package of a $1.5 million base, plus incentives that will kick in if George cures cancer and/or squeezes flying monkeys out of his fudge can.

So why not offer George more money?  

Apparently, that light bulb has yet to flicker above owner Bud Adams' toupee-covered grill.  Instead, G.M. Floyd Reese is talking like the team is trying to decide whether to dump George or to give in to his demands.

"We want to take our time and make sure everyone involved understands the ramifications of this action," Reese said Tuesday in a statement. "I don't think taking a day or two of reflection for something of this magnitude is a bad thing."

Of course, Reese's comments tend to undermine the characterization of the Titans' prior offer as an ultimatum.  If it were, there would be no need for reflection.  

The problem here could be that neither Reese nor coach Jeff Fisher want to dump Eddie George, since they realize that their performance ultimately is judged not by cap room but by wins and losses.  If, indeed, Adams ultimately decides to go without George, Fisher and Reese hardly can blame any struggles the team might have this season (or next) on their stupid-ass boss who cut loose a guy who still has a lot to offer on the field.

If another million or so can get the deal done, why not pay it?  The alternative -- giving the ball to untested second-year tailback Chris Brown -- might cause a lot more than $1 million in overall harm to the team's chances this year.  

The idea ain't so far fetched.  Fox's John Czarnecki reported Tuesday afternoon that another million will keep George around.  

TUESDAY EVENING ONE-LINERS

What's the best way to address a roster that has too many underachieving turds?  Sign another one -- and the Browns did that on Tuesday by agreeing to terms with DE Jamal Reynolds on a two-year deal.

In a move that might be a sign that the Bucs are serious about moving forward without 34-year-old WR Keenan McCardell, they signed 33-year-old WR Bill Schroeder on Tuesday.

The Bucs are uncharacteristically mum regarding RB Eddie George's interest in joining the team if he's released.

With ESPN NFL Football 2K5 shipping Tuesday with a price of $19.99, it looks like Sega will apply the low price to its NBA and NHL games, too.

The Commish officially is under contract through 2007, to the tune of $8 million a year.

Vikings and former Marshall WR Randy Moss provided not only free autographs but carnival rides and food for more than 700 kids in Charleston, West Virginia on Monday -- Moss even brought Rams and former WVU QB Marc Bulger along to scratch out signatures.

Our moles in Titan Town tell us that Eddie George that, contrary to what every other media outlet is saying, The Dome Headed One hasn’t asked to be released – he has told Tennessee to release him quickly if the team already has decided to release him.  But in the land of the used car salesman, owner Bud Adams and his flunkee Floyd “I Will Only Talk To The Media When It Makes Me Look Good” have made it look like George is the bad guy. 

In reality, George has told our source that he'll still consider another offer from the Titans and wants to retire as a member of the team.  One catch though – George doesn't want to give up $3M in salary to do it.  (Isn’t that kind of a overpriced going away watch?)

Some Arizona players are still a bit fuzzy about Commissioner Paul’s penalty against the team's offseason training techniques, all of which centered around the fact that the players were having too much physical contact in drills. Several players have reiterated a fact that we first report several weeks ago – none of the physical contact in the OTAs was out of the ordinary and is commonplace throughout the NFL in the offseason.

In a related story, reports still to be confirmed indicate that California Governor Arnold Schwarzeneggar has included in his definition of “girly-men” the “pussies that oversee that NFL penalty thingee.”

Lavar Arrington’s arbitration case with The Little One won’t occur until November.

From the Who Gives A Sh-t Department: Plexiglass will report to the Steelers training camp.

A Clinton girl is now working with the Browns (did she bring some cigars?).

Today’s No Sh-t Award: Former Tampa WR is charged with DUI after crashing his car into another car and two trees.

The Vikes are nearing their seventh straight sellout season  -- Twins are asking if some of these fans could “maybe come over and buy a Coke or something.”

The New England Patriots have signed first-round draft pick Vince Wilfork to a six-year deal.  Wilfork, a defensive tackle, was the 21st overall pick in the draft.

He is the second first-round pick to sign a contract.

The deal includes $5.825 million in bonus money, with $3 million coming up front and the rest payable in the form of a $2.5 million option bonus in 2005 and a 2004 roster bonus of $325,000.

In a somewhat rare twist, the 2005 and 2006 base salaries are guaranteed, pushing the total amount of guaranteed money to $6.575 million.

The total value of the contract is $18.05 million.

Wilfork's stock fell as the draft approached over concerns regarding his girth.  If he gets in shape, he'll be yet another steal for the Patriots.

Kudos to Mike Reiss of the MetroWest Daily News for getting this scoop before the big boys sniffed it out.

A league source tells us that there's mounting concern in the 'Burgh that nose tackle Casey Hampton could be eating his way out of a big-money, long-term contract.

Hampton was the team's first-round draft pick in 2001.  After somewhat contentious negotiations that led to a short holdout, Hampton signed a five-year deal.  With two seasons left on his rookie contract, 2004 likely will be Hampton's best opportunity to prove to the team that he should get an extension before he enters the final year of his contract in 2005.

But Hampton, we're told, currently is overweight -- and the team isn't happy about it.  

Hampton, who is 6'1" and has a listed weight of 320, has appeared in all 48 career games with the Steelers.  His stats aren't overwhelming, but he's the kind of wide body who can clog the middle of the line (along with plenty of toilets), allowing linebackers to roam freely in the team's 3-4 alignment.

The problem is that his body's getting a bit too wide for the team's liking.  And his ability to earn the kind of money that will allow him to eat like a king for the rest of his life is tied directly to whether he can push himself away from the table with a bit more regularity. 

MCALISTER A GOOD "PAIN IN THE ASS"?

In response to our report that the Ravens are leery of giving cornerback Chris McAlister a long-term deal out of concern that he''l become an even bigger pain in the ass, one league source confirms that he's a pain in the ass -- for every team the Ravens face.

"He's one of the best in the league," the source said, "and that's the kind of pain in the ass a team can put up with."

Regardless, we imagine that any team will be skittish about transforming a problem child into a really, really rich problem child with the kind of signing bonus that makes him invincible.  So it's a bit of a conundrum for the Ravens, and perhaps the best way to deal with the situation is to keep slapping him with the franchise tag.

MONDAY ONE-LINERS

Cardinals DT Wendell Bryant has been arrested for DUI; the former first-rounder has been a disappointment and we suspect coach Denny Green won't be afraid to show him the door if need be.

Some of RB Eddie George's present and/or former teammates have told him to walk away from the Titans. 

The Tampa Tribune reports that former Bucs WR Marquise Walker was arrested for DUI; the story says that he identified his occupation as a player with the New England Patriots -- and according to Patriots.com, he is.

There's a growing sense in some league circles that running back Eddie George will tell the Titans to take their $1.5 million and shove it (sideways), opting instead for a new start with the team that has epitomized life after 30 (or, as the case may be, 40) in the new NFL -- the Oakland Raiders.

It was more than a decade ago that the Raiders first lured a pair of big-name late-career guys via free agency:  Roger Craig and Ronnie Lott.  Since then, guys like Jerry Rice, Rich Gannon, Warren Sapp, Ted Washington, Rod Woodson, Trace Armstrong, and Kerry Collins have made the jump to Oakland for one last shot at glory after their 30th birthdays.

Rumors linking George to the Raiders first began to swirl when it looked like the Titans might push the issue regarding Eddie's contract to a head soon after the June 1 trigger for spreading a cap hit over two seasons.  The talk died down quickly when folks around the league realized that the Titans didn't have to make a move in early June.  Waiting until late July potentially gives them greater leverage, since George's options could be even more limited now.

And with the Titans giving George an ultimatum (or, as they say on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh, "old tomato") regarding his 2004 salary (i.e., take $1.5 million or take a hike), we're hearing once again rumblings that George could call the Titans' bluff and head to Oakland.

The move will happen, of course, only if George can get more than $1.5 million from the Raiders for 2004.  Though no one involved ever will admit that any actual discussions have occurred on a potential contract between the Raiders and the 1995 Heisman Trophy winner (and we have no proof that they have)l, communications that technically constitute "tampering" occur all the time in the modern NFL.  George's agents (Lamont Smith and Peter Schaffer) would be stoopid not to try to gauge the market before giving a final answer to Bud Adams and the dead rat perched atop his head.

There's also a school of thought in league circles that the Titans really can't afford to let George go, and that they're taking a huge risk if they give the ball on a regular basis to untested second-year man Chris Brown.  (Of course, the Titans' first order of business if George leaves might be to pounce on Antowain Smith or James Stewart, two other over-the-hill tailbacks who have been waiting for a new gig for months.)  But now that all of their tickets for the 2004 regular season have been sold, the Titans have nothing to lose (financially) if they dump a guy who is the last link to the Houston Oilers, who left Texas after his rookie year.

It's no secret that the Raiders are anxious to upgrade their offensive backfield, given the offseason departure of Charlie Garner.  They'd added Amos Zereoue and Troy Hambrick to a stable that includes Justin Fargas and Tyrone Wheatley.  On paper, the unit still lacks a certain pizzazz.  George -- despite the thinning tread on his tires -- would bring a fire and intensity that could help this proud franchise forget all about a dismal 2003 season, especially with a defense that has been bolstered via the additions of Sapp and Washington.     

And if George is released, it'll be time to keep a close eye on Rich Gannon.  We predicted in early June that the Raiders would spring an "old tomato" of their own on Gannon after all other starting spots (especially the one in Tampa) were solidified, forcing him either to dramatically reduce his 2004 salary or hit the road.  Either way, the money saved by reducing Gannon's salary could be used to ink Eddie.

We'd also keep the other eye on the Broncos.  If the folks in Denver sense that Eddie might be headed to Oakland, they'll slap together a package package quicker than you can say "Al Davis still owes Mike Shanahan a bunch of money."  

Of course, this also raises the possibility that, while the Raiders and the Broncos wrestle over George, another team could slip in out of nowhere and steal him -- just like the Pats did as they two bitter rivals were trying to lure safety Rodney Harrison a year ago.

Stay tuned.  This one could get very interesting.

With franchised cornerback Chris McAlister pissing and/or moaning about the team's failure to sign him to a long-term deal, a league source tells us that the team fears the potential consequences of giving McAlister financial security.

The guy is "a major pain in the ass," the source told us.  The team is concerned that, if they give McAlister a long-term contract -- with the kind of eight-figure bonus that makes it difficult if not impossible to sever ties with him if he misbehaves or underachieves -- he'll become an even bigger pain in the ass.

And that's the primary benefit that any team will derive by using the franchise tag on a repeated basis with a given player.  Every season is his "contract year," so he continuously has to try to stay on his best behavior and play to the best of his ability.  Otherwise, he'll have no interest on the open market -- and the team won't need to use the franchise tag on him.

But that's the only benefit.  As we explained on Saturday, a guy who manages to wear the tag for three or more seasons likely ends up pocketing more than he would have earned in the first three years of a long-term deal.

DUNCAN SLAMS US FOR MANNING FLAP

In a scathing article that in at least one sentence pitches a tent in that burgeoning metropolis known as "Slanderville," Jeff Duncan of the New Orleans Times-Picayune tries to rip us a new one for our decision to copy in this here space one week ago words that Duncan had gotten directly from the mouth of Colts quarterback Peyton Manning.

In his most recent submission, Duncan initially provides the explanation that should have appeared in his story from last week regarding Manning's facially derogatory comments as to Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme.  Writes Duncan:

It was a joke. A boys-will-be-boys, bust of the chops from one local star quarterback to another.

It was intended to show readers a glimpse of Manning's sense of humor, to elicit a positive reaction, something like, "Hah! Did you see how Peyton cracked on Jake the other day?"

The problem is that it sure as hell didn't read that way.  But don't take our word for it.  Here's the entire text of the relevant segment from Duncan's July 11 column:

NOT JAKE: The Mannings weren't able to lure any current NFL quarterbacks to the Manning Passing Academy this year. Former Steelers and Broncos signal-caller Bubby Brister and University of Georgia standout David Greene, a projected 2005 first-round draft pick, was about as close as they could get.

In previous years, Cleveland's Kelly Holcomb, Washington's Patrick Ramsey and Jake Delhomme, then of the Saints, participated.

"We're kind of disappointed Jake couldn't come back," Peyton Manning said Friday. "He tried to charge us an appearance fee now that he's gotten so big-time."

Manning said he called Delhomme recently to congratulate him on the five-year, $38 million contract he signed in Carolina last month.

"We're real proud of Jake," Manning said. "Everybody that has been a part of this camp we keep up with those guys. It's no surprise that the team kind of rallied around him. We take a lot of pride in those guys."

Wow, that Peyton Manning sure is funny.  Yes sir, he really knows how to rip off a good one when it comes to the fact that, for some reason, NFL quarterbacks aren't coming to his family's passing camp.

Gee, we wonder why they're not coming.  Scheduling conflicts?  Leaves in the gutters?  Raging case of genital warts?  Well, since the only reason offered in the scintillating piece of journalism quoted above is that Delhomme "tried to charge . . . an appearance fee now that he's gotten so big-time," maybe that had something to do with Delhomme's failure to participate.

Even now, as he tries to cast blame on others for his own sloppiness, Duncan still doesn't answer these key questions:  (1)  why wasn't Delhomme at the Manning Passing Academy?; and (2) did he try to charge an appearance fee?

Is it so unheard of that a high-profile NFL player would try to get paid for devoting time to something that he isn't required by his NFL contract to do that it should have been obvious for a reader to conclude that Peyton was kidding?  Hardly.

And please don't give us the "read the second quote" routine.  In context, Peyton's "gosh, we're proud of Jake" remark can be interpreted either as evidence that Peyton really wasn't miffed at Delhomme for stiffing the family's football venture, or that Peyton was trying to cover his tracks after Peyton realized that he'd said something he knew he might later regret -- especially if Daddy saw the article and reacted unfavorably.

As to Duncan, our guess is that he initially took some heat from his superiors and/or the Mannings for writing a blurb that created the appearance that he was dissing Peyton.  So when the poop hit the fan, Duncan backtracked, explaining that it all was a joke.

In our view, however, Duncan knew what he was doing when he wrote the article, and he played the "he was kidding" card once the switchboard at the T-P began lighting up with calls from the Mannings and their legion of devotees.

Regarding the barbs Duncan threw our way, we're as perplexed as we are pissed off.  By describing us as a web site that "poaches NFL news stories," Duncan has lied about what we do.  We don't "poach" anything -- we give full attribution either in name or by a direct link to the sources of the news stories that we didn't originate.  

We also got a charge out of Duncan's efforts to get his nose back into Peyton Manning's anal cleft, explaining that Peyton "was forced to call [a local talk radio] to defend his good name."

Are we talking about the same Peyton Manning who dropped his naked butt and rectum onto trainer Jamie Ann Naughright's face when he was at the University of Tennessee?  The same Peyton Manning who was sued for defamation (and later paid money to settle the case -- without admitting liability of course) after he took shots at Naurhright in his autobiography?  

That Peyton Manning's "name" is hardly "good" in our book, and others agree with us on this point.

The presence of the "Peyton had to defend his good name" gratuity in Duncan's article speaks volumes.  Our conclusion is that Peyton figuratively (or perhaps literally) dropped his naked butt and rectum onto Duncan's face after Peyton and/or Archie read the article, and Duncan abruptly caved.  So now Duncan is in the process of making nice with the Mannings, lest he end up looking for a job covering women's high school basketball in Duluth, Minnesota.  

Given Duncan's cowardly, bush-league handling of this issue, he deserves to be.

(Editor's Note:  Any of our loyal readers who agree with our assessment of this issue should feel free to drop Mr. Duncan a line (or two) at jduncan@timespicayune.com.)  

JOHNSON RETIREMENT TALK IS TIRED

It's hard to give much credence to the suggestion that Falcons defensive tackle Ellis Johnson will retire from football if he doesn't get a new contract, since he's made that Chicken Little routine an annual ritual.

Johnson says he wants an increase over his $1.5 million salary to help defray the costs of hauling his family to Atlanta for every home game.  If we were calling the shots in Atlanta, we'd want to know exactly how and when the lifestyle choices of Johnson or any other player became our problem.

When Johnson signed with the Falcons, we presume he knew that the team wouldn't be moving to Indianapolis in the immediate future.  Thus, he was faced with a choice:  (1) move the family to Atlanta; (2) get enough money in the contract so that the costs of bringing the family to Atlanta eight times a year would be covered; or (3) do without bringing the family to Atlanta eight times a year.

We know that sounds harsh, but plenty of men and women sacrifice time with their families in the interests of earning a living, and most of those folks don't make 5 percent of $1.5 million.  Johnson already is flying his own plane from Atlanta to Indy on off days during the season.  Coupled with an offseason in which he hasn't shown his face in Atlanta for voluntary or mandatory workouts, our guess is that Ellis has had, in total, more quality time with his wife and kids than 99 percent of the working population.

Frankly, we're getting sick of these guys who want the money and the fame that go with being a pro athlete, but who don't want to make the sacrifices.  Though it pains us to say anything remotely positive about the sport of baseball, hardballers have it harder than anyone in sport -- living out of a suitcase for 81 games over a season that stretches from April to October, not including a month or so at training camp, which for most teams is a long way from home.

NFL franchises have ten business trips per year, not counting the playoffs.  One average, that's less than once per month when they leave their home city behind for a 36-hour (or so) trip to a different town.  If NFL players choose to exacerbate that problem by not moving their families to the city in which their teams are located -- that's the players' issue, not the teams'.

Then again, it's possible that Johnson is using the travel expenses as cover for the simple fact that he did a bad deal in Atlanta.  Indeed, our guess is that if Arthur Blank offered to provide curb-to-curb transportation for Johnson's family to all 16 games, Ellis still would be griping about getting only $1.5 million this year.

As we've previously reported, don't look for the Falcons to do either.  In the end, Johnson either will earn $1.5 million to play, or nothing at all.

The Steelers have agreed to terms with second-round CB Ricardo Colclough on a four-year, $3.27 million contract with a a signing bonus of $1,892,800.

The Washington Post has an in-depth look at whether the Redskins' recent spending sprees give them a narrow window of opportunity to win with the guys they now have.

The Bengals already have sold more than 1,000 of their new jerseys, which makes Mike Brown very, very happy.

The Titans have signed seventh-round DT Jared Clauss to a three-year deal with a $30,000 signing bonus and minimum salaries.

Giants RB Ron Dayne is looking forward to a fresh start in training camp after being deactivated for all 16 games last season.

Dolphins LT Wade Smith should be ready for camp as he continues to recover from a strained MCL.

Steve Serby of the New York Post has ten questions for the Jets (we have one -- will you suck again this year?)

Dolphins WR David Boston is using his down time before training camp to work on increasing his speed.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

From Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington, regarding his agents, Carl and Kevin Poston:  "If you don't like the Postons, maybe you should ask yourself why.  Look at the athletes they represent, the character we have and what we're doing on the field."  (Does that include blinding a teammate with a shaving cream pie?  Accusing team management of fraud?  Not being able to read this sentence?)  

After months of hand-wringing, the Tennessee Titans finally have given a pay-cut-or-get-cut ultimatum to running back Eddie George, according to the Nashville Tennessean.

The Titans want to trim Eddie's salary from $4.5 million to something in the neighborhood of $1.5 million.  George needs to decide whether to take a $3 million haircut, or to test the market for a better deal elsewhere.

A major factor in George's decision-making process surely will be whether he could jump to a new team in late July and emerge as the starter.  A quick scan of the list of NFL logos suggests that most teams have an incumbent starting running back firmly in place, with the exception of Cleveland, Denver, Dallas, Philly, Oakland, Chicago, Detroit, and Tampa.

And these eight teams already have spent months getting the guys who are on the roster ready to play.  George would be a late arrival to a new system, and he'd be hard pressed to get the same reps that he'd get in Tennessee.  

The other question is money.  Is anyone going to pay an aging runner with plenty of wear and tear more than $1.5 million for a season of football?  In this regard, you can take one thing to the bank -- George's agents, Lamont Smith and Peter Schaffer, will be (and/or have been) floating all sorts of "hypothetical" scenarios to potentially interested teams in an effort to gauge whether one or more of them will pay bigger money to George.

Perhaps they need look no farther than another of their clients, linebacker Jason Gildon, who mustered only a $1.25 million contract with $500,000 in incentives from Buffalo.  Though 31, Gildon is still a top defensive performer.  The problem is that he hit the market after the big money had flowed, and even a three-team contest for his services couldn't crack the $2 million mark for a single season.

The decision point for George will be whether he's willing to swallow hard and lose $3 million by stating with the Titans -- or whether he wants to make even less for the privilege of sticking it to Bud Adams and company, forcing them to rely on newbie Chris Brown.

Given that Smith and Schaffer have invited Steelers running back Jerome Bettis to fill out their Saturday morning golf foursome, our guess is that Smith and Schaffer hope Bettis (who took a deep cut last year to stay in the 'Burgh) will persuade George to take what he can get in Tennessee, because the agents surely know in their hearts they won't be able to get George as much or more elsewhere.

MCALISTER SKIPPING CAMP?

Players generally don't like wearing the franchise tag.  Sure, it guarantees them a very healthy one-year salary, but it prevents them from scoring an even healthier signing bonus via the forces of the open market.