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POSTED 9:19 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 11:30 p.m. EDT, July 16, 2007

SURRY COUNTY "INVESTIGATION" COULD BE WRAPPING UP

The Virginian-Pilot reports that the Surry County, Virginia investigation regarding apparent dog fighting on the property owned by Falcons quarterback Mike Vick could be ending this week.

Doesn't something have to actually start before it can end?

And to the extent an investigation ever started, the investigation was by all appearances abandoned once the feds showed up unexpectedly at the property on June 7 and executed on a search warrant that reportedly resulted in the recovery of 10 dog carcasses.

Evidence could be presented next week to a Surry County grand jury. But if prosecutor Gerald Poindexter applies to the grand jury process the same degree of zeal that he has demonstrated to date, the end result could be a declaration by the grand jury that the corrupt kennel was in reality a petting zoo.

The status of the federal investigation is unknown. Authorities returned to the property and executed a second warrant earlier this month, but the investigators have otherwise been tight-lipped about their efforts.

PFT IS POP UP FREE

As you might have noticed over the past few weeks, we no longer use those ads that take over the site and require the reader to click a separate button to continue to our content. Though these ads were lucrative, we decided that we did not want to disrupt any longer the overall PFT experience -- even though the ads only appeared once per day per IP address.

In the place of these full-screen pitches are in-text search boxes that appear only upon scrolling over any of the words that are highlighted in green, with two lines beneath them. And the search boxes actually are useful, since they present the reader with an option to instantly obtain more information regarding topics relating to the words that are highlighted.

Scrolling over "San Francisco 49ers," for example, allowed us to access a Windows Live Search result with link after link relating to the San Francisco 49ers.

So it's not really an ad -- it's more like a tool to help enhance your visit to PFT. And we hope that you'll use it, a lot.

NO. 11 IS UP

We're now only one spot away from cracking the Top 10 in our list of the best 25 NFL players of the past 25 years.

For now, No. 11 is ready for your scrutiny.

And as to folks who complained about our placement of Marvin Harrison at No. 11 because, as several readers argued, Harrison is "too soft," any of us should wish to be as "soft" as Harrison, who weighs a mere 175 pounds, supposedly is.

MONDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

The Bears and franchise-tagged LB Lance Briggs did not work out a long-term deal.

Ditto for the Patriots and CB Asante Samuel.

Vikings DT Pat Williams is gonna get paid in March, if not sooner.

Mike Mayock of NFLN has been hired to work as the analyst for the Vikings' preseason games.

Madden 08 players who achieve certain goals will be able to purchase actual rings. (They can wear them in the spot where a wedding ring . . . will . . . never . . . go.)

The Jets have signed one Juan Wong.

"American Gladiators" could be making a comeback.

The Panthers have signed third-round DE Charles Johnson.

From the "Lo, How the Mighty Have Fallen" file, former Seahawks president Bob Whitsitt could be resurfacing as the owner of a pro lacrosse team.

The Redskins have signed most of the few draft picks that they had this year.

The case against Fins WR Chris Chambers has been continued until August 15.

Does the NFL's 45-second daily limitation apply to the web site that will be airing video of Nashville night court?

POSTED 5:09 p.m. EDT, July 16, 2007

NINERS NAB STALEY

Multiple league sources tell us that the San Francisco 49ers have struck a deal with first-round tackle Joe Staley, the 28th overall selection in the 2007 draft.

Though we don't yet have the numbers, we're told that the deal represents an 8.2 percent increase over the package given to the 28th overall pick in the 2006 draft, Jags tight end Marcedes Lewis.

Stay tuned for more.

POSTED 2:35 p.m. EDT, July 16, 2007

REDDING GETS PAID LIKE A GUARD

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that the Detroit Lions have signed defensive tackle Cory Redding to a seven-year, $49 million contract, including more than $16 million in guaranteed money. The contract will pay out more than $20 million over the first three years of the deal.

The seven year, $49 million maximum total is identical to the top value of deals given over the past 15 months to offensive linemen like Steve Hutchinson, Leonard Davis, Eric Steinbach, and the guy who signed with the Bills. You know, the guy who was so well known that we currently can't remember his name without looking it up? (We looked it up -- he's Derrick Dockery.)

The Lions had applied the franchise tag to Redding, and Monday at 4:00 p.m. EDT is the deadline for working out a long-term deal.

No offense to Redding, whose name is actually more recognizable than that of the guy who signed with the Bills, but that's a lot of money for a guy who has a total of zero Pro Bowls on his resume. And, in our view, the $16 million in guaranteed money and $7 million annual average will serve only to fan the flames that are likely raging now in the wake of the $72 million signed last week by Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney.

POSTED 12:55 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 1:11 p.m. EDT, July 16, 2007

BRIGGS DEAL NOT EXPECTED

Though there are some reports suggesting that the Patriots and cornerback Asante Samuel might work out a long-term deal before 4:00 p.m. EDT on Monday, there is no reason to believe that the Bears will work out a multi-year contract with linebacker Lance Briggs.

Both players have been limited by the franchise tag, and neither player will be permitted to sign a long-term deal with their current teams if such a contract isn't finished by 4:00 p.m. EDT on Monday.

Thus, Briggs' only option will be to sign, at some point the one-year franchise tender, which for linebackers carries a salary of $7.2 million. The amount becomes guaranteed as soon as the player signs the tender offer.

Until the tender is signed, the team has the right to rescind it. Doing so would make Briggs an unrestricted free agent, with no compensation of any kind flowing to the Bears if/when he signs elsewhere. Since the Bears turned down a trade offer from the Redskins in order to continue to hold the rights to Briggs, who plays weakside linebacker in Chicago's Tampa Two defense, it's highly unlikely that the Bears would let him walk away for nothing.

Briggs can wait until Week 10 of the regular season to sign the franchise tender. If he chooses to do so, however, he'll give up ten game checks at roughly $423,000 each. If he shows up after Week 10, the Bears would be able to franchise him again in 2008 at the same $7.2 million figure. If he arrives before Week 10, the cost of the franchise tag in 2008 would be $8.64 million.

HELLO, LOUISVILLE

Though we've got some misgivings about doing live radio in the town that houses one of the chiefs rivals of the West Virginia Mountaineers, we've reluctantly agreed to do a Tuesday morning spot with former Cardinals and NFL quarterback Dave Ragone on 1570 The Zone in Louisville, a Sporting News Radio affiliate station.

On Tuesday morning at 8:05 a.m. EDT, we'll chew the fat with Ragone and co-host Scott Clark.

On Tuesday night at 10:25 p.m. EDT, we'll make our weekly visit with Todd Wright of Sporting News Radio. The full list of our weekly radio spots is right here.

POSTED 8:57 a.m. EDT, July 16, 2007

CHAMBERS PASSED BREATHALYZER TEST

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that Dolphins receiver Chris Chambers passed a breathalyzer test after his Saturday arrest in North Carolina.

Chambers passed the test after being arrested and taken to the police station.

The report does not indicate the concentration of alcohol found in Chambers' blood. Technically, his BAC could be as high as 0.079 percent, since 0.080 percent is the legal limit.

In some states, however, drivers can be prosecuted (and convicted) without "failing" the breath test. Obviously, however, it's slightly more difficult to show that the driver was impaired without a BAC reading of 0.08 or higher.

For our Turd Watch scoring purposes, the passing of the breathalyzer test doesn't change the fact that Chambers was arrested on multiple charges, which (once we get a chance to tally the points) will put the Fins in the lead, again.

POSTED 7:47 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 8:39 a.m. EDT, July 16, 2007

NINERS COULD BE SECOND TEAM TO SIGN A FIRST-ROUNDER

There's talk in league circles that the San Francisco 49ers are closing in on a deal with offensive tackle Joe Staley, the 28th overall pick in the 2007 draft.

Only one first-round selection has signed a contract (tight end Greg Olsen of the Bears, at No. 31), even though training camps begin to open next week.

But we expect the pace to pick up quickly, as it does every year. Thus, we'll be tracking the signings in round one and comparing the deals to the contracts signed at the same spot in 2006.

MIXED SIGNALS FROM SAMUEL CAMP

We've heard that the Patriots and franchise-tagged cornerback Asante Samuel aren't close to reaching a long-term deal. The only thing that we know with certainty is that we'll all get a clear answer by 4:00 p.m. EDT on Monday, since it's the deadline for any franchise player to sign a multi-year contract. After 4:00 p.m. EDT on Monday, the player and the team can get together on a one-year arrangement only.

Regardless of what happens, there are mixed signals coming from the Samuel camp.

On Saturday, the Patriot-Ledger indicated that a deal was close, based on quotes from Glenn Toby, who holds himself out to be one of Samuel's agents despite not being certified by the NFLPA.

"We're a lot closer than we were before," Toby said, later adding, "There's been a great deal of progress."

But, on Sunday, one of Samuel's "real" agents painted a much different picture to the Boston Herald. "I wouldn't go as far as saying we've made progress," said Alonzo Shavers.

As as to any supposed "indications" that the two sides were on the verge of a deal, Shavers said, "I haven't said anything remotely close to that. You got it from the horse. The horse can’t speak no louder." (So, technically, the horse can speak louder?)

We tend to put more stock in what Shavers says, since he's the one who is permitted to talk directly to the team on Samuel's behalf. Also, the fact that Toby apparently handles marketing opportunities only for Samuel suggests to us that Toby would like to allow Samuel to avoid any public blame for the failure of a deal to get accomplished.

But overstating the chances of getting a deal done would be an effective P.R. strategy only if everyone on the representation team is saying so. In this case, the quotes from Toby and Shavers suggest that the right hand doesn't know where in the hell the left hand is.

VAN PELT GETS IN ON THE FUN

We haven't been troubled as much lately by the whole "Who's Now" thing on ESPN's SportsCenter, primarily because we think we've grown dry-ice-and-Novacaine numb to it.

(An article in Newsweek says that "[e]verything about the segment is so artificial, from concept to execution, that watching it is like chewing Styrofoam.")

But the thing manages to bring a smile to our face every time we hear an anchor mention the upcoming results of the "Who's Now" vote by saying "Who moves on? Who moves out?", or some variation thereof.

Previously, we'd heard it only from Steve Levy. On Monday, Scott Van Pelt got in on the act.

Though we prefer to underestimate the reach of this site within the sports journalism and broadcasting industry, we're going to assume for these purposes that Van Pelt and Levy know the internal significance of the phrase, even if in reality they don't.

POSTED 10:55 p.m. EDT, July 15, 2007

SAMUEL, PATS NOT CLOSE

A league source tells us that, despite a Saturday report suggesting that the New England Patriots are making progress toward a long-term deal with franchise-tagged cornerback Asante Samuel, the two sides are not close on a multi-year contract, and no talks are occurring.

Per the source, the Patriots made Samuel a bottom-line offer "months" ago, and there has been no substantive dialogue since then.

The source also said that the Patriots currently plan to use the franchise tag again on Samuel in 2008.

Stay tuned. The deadline for finalizing a long-term contract is 4:00 p.m. EDT on Monday.

POSTED 10:06 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 10:23 p.m. EDT, July 15, 2007

ALLEN SUSPENSION REDUCED

In a surprise move, the four-game suspension imposed on Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen has been chopped in half. Allen will now miss only the first two games of the season.

Frankly, we're confused by this development. Suspensions under the substance-abuse police begin at four games, minimum. However, the reduction could be due to the fact that discipline for DUI charges is now meted out pursuant to the personal conduct policy.

The timeline fits this theory. Allen's suspension was announced on April 27, after the personal conduct policy was revised to bring criminal offenses related to substances of abuse within its scope.

Thus, the rest of the story here apparently is that Allen appealed the four-game suspension handed down under the personal conduct policy, and the guy who issued the suspension -- Roger Goodell -- opted to cut the suspension on appeal by 50 percent.

Alternatively, perhaps the suspension was for two games, with an opportunity to reduce it to two games if Allen stays out of trouble through the first half of July. But if that's the case, Allen's quotes suggest that he wasn't aware of the potential reduction.

If it's true that the suspension was reduced on appeal, there are two items worth pointing out. First, it's not as useless as we previously believed to appeal suspensions under the personal conduct policy, even though a reduction is an implicit admission of wishy-washiness on the part of the Commissioner's office, since the same person makes the decision at both levels.

Second, the league's decision to reduce a suspension for a white player opens the door wide open for criticism of suspensions imposed on black players, if those suspensions also aren't reduced.

Really, why should Allen get only two games for not one but two DUI charges? Despite his various warts, Pacman Jones has never been charged with climbing behind the wheel of a car while under the influence of alcohol or any other substance.

Look, we're not saying that any type of racial bias is at play here. But absent a full explanation from the league as to how and why this happened, we suspect that more than a few folks will be pointing out the obvious superficial differences between Allen and other players who have been suspended of late.

NO. 12 IS UP

We've posted the guy who is, in our opinion, the twelfth best player of the past 25 years.

Some might be surprised by the selection. After reading our case for his spot at No. 12, some might believe he should be even higher.

Eventually, he will be. Eventually, he might be No. 1.

Intrigued? Click here for more.

POSTED 11:46 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 12:34 p.m. EDT, July 14, 2007

LIONS CLOSE TO DEAL WITH REDDING

With the deadline for signing franchise players to long-term deals a day away, the Lions reportedly are close to working out a multi-year contract with defensive tackle Cory Redding.

According to Mike O'Hara of the Detroit News, negotiations between the team and Redding are continuing, and there is optimism that a deal can be worked out before 4:00 p.m. on Monday, July 16.

When the Lions used the franchise tag on Redding, they were required to tender to him a one-year deal worth $6.77 million. By rule, the amount becomes fully guaranteed when the player signed the franchise tender.

Other franchise players who have not signed their one-year tenders are Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel and Bears linebacker Lance Briggs.

SCOUT DISSES OUR PLACEMENT OF DEION AT NO. 13

We've put cornerback Deion Sanders at No. 13 on our list of the top 25 players of the past 25 years, three spots higher than he landed on the USA Today list that inspired us to make a ranking of our own.

But we've received a complaint from an NFL personnel guy regarding our decision. Here's what the source had to say:

"I can't believe you guys put Deon Sanders as the No. 13 player of the past 25 years. Do you mean to tell me that you wouldn't draft Prime Time (in his prime) with one of the top 5 picks in a draft consisting of players from the 1981 through 2006 NFL drafts? The guy could take away an entire side of the field.

"He wasn't 'invisible' in run support. He would tackle when he had to, albeit only if he had to. If he didn't have to he would only 'get out of the way' as to assure himself of not getting hurt. Most of his coaches agreed with this technique because he was so valuable as a player. He was not only amazing as a returner, but he was also deadly as a third receiver when he wanted to be and was a hell of a decoy wideout."

SUNDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

Lenny Walls and Jonathan Wade could push Ron Bartell as the four-game replacement for to-be-suspended Rams CB Fakhir Brown.

Says Rams coach Scott Linehan regarding the recent arrest of DT Claude Wroten: "Some of the particulars are still a little gray with that whole situation. I think it'll all be worked out before camp starts."

The Titans sellout string has been extended to 93 games.

Fins coach Cam Cameron lives two doors down from his boss.

Is it a good thing or a bad thing that the Ravens drafted Maryland OT Jared Gaither last week?

Bucs coach Jon Gruden is looking for big things from WR Maurice Stovall.

The Texans are giving away free tickets to training camp.

Jake the Snake just wants to be left alone.

How did Scott O'Brien go from being the Nicktator's right-hand man to a highly-regarded special teams coach?

New Orleans wants to host the NFL Draft.

POSTED 11:02 p.m. EDT, July 14, 2007

OUR TOP 25 LIST PASSES HITS THE TURN

We're closing out a ssssslow football Saturday with the latest name in our list of the top 25 players over the past 25 years.

No. 13 is up.

We're continuing to knock them off, one day at a time, until we get them finished. No. 12 is coming on Sunday.

POSTED 5:01 p.m. EDT, July 14, 2007

A DOLPHINS DUI

Just as the "days without an arrest" counter was approaching an uncharacteristic return to double digits, a member of the Miami Dolphins has allowed us to re-set the meter to "00".

And as an added bonus (hooray?), he has allowed his team to re-take the Turd Watch lead.

Receiver Chris Chambers was arrested in North Carolina on Saturday, and charged with driving while impaired, reckless driving, and speeding. He was released on $1,750 bond.

The development will likely result in no internal discipline, given Chambers' overall importance to the team. If he was a scrub at the bottom of the roster (like former Dolphins defensive tackle Fred Evans, who was dumped after being arrested last month), Chambers might be in danger of getting cut. Instead, he's more likely to get the Joey Porter treatment, who suffered no consequence after being charged with battery and eventually pleading no contest to the charges.

POSTED 9:54 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 3:31 p.m. EDT, July 14, 2007

LONG-TERM DEAL COMING FOR SAMUEL?

Saturday's Boston Herald reports that Pats cornerback Asante Samuel could sign his one-year franchise tender and report to the team early in training camp. This report implies that Samuel and the team won't strike a long-term deal before Monday's deadline for doing so.

But Saturday's Patriot Ledger reports that a long-term deal could be coming soon.

"We're a lot closer than we were before," agent Glenn Toby told the Patriot Ledger. "We're not adversaries; we're not fighting [the Patriots]. We're fighting to get it done collectively.

‘"There's been a great deal of progress," Toby added. "We respect Coach [Bill] Belichick -- he's a visionary; he's got a great system. We don't want to disrespect the system by any means. We want to do something that works.

"I think we're going to get something done because I think this could be an amazing year."

In our view, Toby's words are nothing short of amazing, given that there previously has been no indication of any progress being made between the two sides. If anything, the indications were that a long-term deal would not get accomplished, primarily because Samuel wants to get the kind of money that he'd only get on the open market from another team.

Then again, we're not so sure that Toby is in a position to speak with confidence about the situation. Though there is evidence on the Intergoogle of a relationship between Toby and Infinite Sports Management, the firm that represents Samuel, Toby is not listed by the NFLPA as a registered contract advisor.

In fact, the only registered NFL agents at Infinite Sports Management are Alonzo Shavers, Marcus Ross, and Jay Bianco. Among them, they are listed as having negotiated a total of six active contracs.

But in a clip from the now-defunct ESPN offering Quite Frankly that appears on Toby's MySpace page, Toby is introduced as "a sports agent who represents more than 25 NFL players."

And in the "Clients" section of his personal web site, Toby says that "Terra Firma Sports Agency" represents "over 30 NFL Players," including Asante "Samuels." (In his online bio, Toby says that he represents more than 25 NFL players, including "Assante Samuels.")

Our goal here isn't to knock Toby. It's obvious that he is a successful figure in the world of sports and entertainment. But the fact remains that he is not authorized to negotiate a football contract on behalf of Samuel. Thus, it makes it hard for us to put a lot of stock in his characterizations of the progress of any talks, given that the Patriots are prohibited under the Collective Bargaining Agreement from talking to Toby or any other person not licensed by the NFLPA to negotiate contracts about what it will take to get the deal done.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

The Pats have signed fifth-round OL Clint Oldenburg to a four-year deal.

Here are 10 questions for the Cowboys.

Will the Raiders incorporate Donovin Darius into three-safety packages?

Maybe God prefers football without the hole in the roof.

Is former Alabama RB Kenneth Darby better than the seventh round, where he was drafted?

The Raiders have dumped RB Curtis Brown.

It's always good to hear from Myron Cope, even when you can't actually hear him.

So how does the role of RB Shaun Alexander as a spokesman for an organization aimed at getting kids not to quit on school mesh with Alexander's decision to quit on trying to convert that YMCA in Florence, Kentucky into something other than a complete eyesore?

So will Bud Selig be present when Brett Favre passes Dan Marino in touchdown passes?

The Texans have finally found a position at which DE Mario Williams can perform effectively.

POSTED 7:36 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 9:21 a.m. EDT, July 13, 2007

SAMUEL SHOWING UP EARLY IN CAMP?

Citing a source close to Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel, John Tomase of the Boston Herald reports that Samuel could end a coming holdout early in training camp, signing his one-year, $7.79 million tender and reporting for duty.

The thinking is that Samuel would be able to better showcase his abilities over a full season if he works his way into top shape through training camp and the preseason.

Tomase also reports that, if Samuel shows up during camp, he would try to persuade the Pats to agree not to use the franchise tag on him in 2008. Two years ago, the Seahawks and Shaun Alexander came to such an agreement. Last year, the Bills and Nate Clements did the same thing. In the former case, the move resulted in a long-term deal after the season in question ended; in the latter case, Clements walked away.

In our view, Samuel might ultimately sign the tender without a promise that the tag won't be used in 2008 if he fears that the Patriots will remove the franchise tag, making him an unrestricted free agent at a time when the kind of big-money deal he would get in March, when some NFL teams spend like drunken Snyders, isn't available.

Another possibility is for Samuel to sign the tender just before the start of the regular season, since this would entitle him to the full amount of the $7.79 million, without requiring him to participate in camp or the preseason. Regardless of whether practicing and playing with the team will better prepare him for the regular season, doing so creates more opportunities for the kind of injury that could destroy his marketability in 2008.

GONZO FINDS WEDDING LOOPHOLE

Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez is getting married on Friday, but without, you know, getting married.

Instead, Gonzalez and his girlfriend, October Russell, will conduct a "formal commitment ceremony" on July 20 in California.

"We're not signing any papers,” Gonzalez recently told the Kansas City Star, "but I wanted the world to know that I love her and want to spend my life with her. I did it the best way for me."

Possible translation: "Did you see how much money Mike Strahan had to pay to his ex-wife? I'm not playin' that game."

Presiding over the ceremony will be Vikings fullback Tony Richardson, who played with Gonzalez in Kansas City through 2005. We don't know whether Richardson has any power vested in him by the State of California to do so, but another benefit of a non-wedding wedding is that he doesn't need it.

VANDERJAGT BACK TO CANADA?

A year after he was exiled from the Colts and less than a year after he was unexpectedly dumped by the Cowboys, kicker Mike Vanderjagt is finding no takers in the NFL.

So he could be heading to Canada.

A reader who attended Thursday's game between the Calgary Stampeders and the Toronto Argonauts eyeballed Vanderjagt on the sidelines with Argonauts G.M. Adam Rita.

The Argonauts recently signed former NFL kicker Steve Christie to replace injured kicker Noel Prefontaine. So if there was interest in Vanderjagt, why didn't the Argonauts sign him instead of Christie?

It could be that Vaderjagt is still hoping to get a call from an NFL team, and thus doesn't want to commit to a CFL team for the balance of the 2007 season. At some point, however, Vanderjagt might have to decide to make the move north if he hopes to continue his football career at all.

Vanderjagt played for the Argonauts in 1996 and 1997, winning a Grey Cup with the team each season. He signed with the Colts in 1998.

SATURDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Here's further proof that jails aren't full of geniuses.

The Colts say that they didn't activate DT Corey Simon on Thursday.

Rams CB Ron Bartell is the most likely candidate to replace CB Fakhir Brown.

The Rams have signed some more draft picks.

Some Titans tickets will be available today.

The suspension of Broncos S Sam Brandon will cost him more than $76,400.

Who does Vinny Testaverde think he is? George Blanda?

We wonder what Coach Kevlar will do if the guy who passed the polygraph test is ultimately convicted?

The Raiders have signed third-round OL Mario Henderson, the 91st overall pick in the draft.

Are there any two words more oxymoronic than "celebrity" and "bowling"?

Former NFL QB Jim McMahon recently hit a golf ball 319 yards, which is eight yards more than the 1985 Bears surrendered in both games of the NFC Playoffs.

Though we've been trying to keep politics off of this page, we're having a hard time understanding how the White House could legitimately block an investigation of the cover up that followed the death of Pat Tillman.

POSTED 11:11 p.m. EDT; UPDATED; 11:39 p.m. EDT, July 13, 2007

WILL FREENEY FALLOUT BE A RASH OF HOLDOUTS?

Now that Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney has signed a six-year, $72 million contract with a whopping $30 million signing bonus, what will it mean to other teams with other sack specialists who regard themselves as equal to or better than Freeney?

The first name to consider in this regard is Julius Peppers of the Panthers. Signed through 2008, the achievement of escalators has put him in position to earn base salaries of $5.535 million in 2007 and $6.5 million in 2008. Not bad, but not what he'd get on the open market. At what point does Peppers take a stand?

In New York, defensive end Osi Umenyiora recently dumped the agent who snared for him a huge contract little more than 18 months ago and hired Tony Agnone, who represents Michael Strahan. (Amazingly, the ever-probing and relentless New York media has completely ignored this intriguing development, even though we reported it weeks ago and even though it can be readily confirmed in the media section of the NFLPA web site.)

Umenyiora wants more money, and Strahan wants more money. Strahan recently declared that he's still the best in the business. If so, then $4 million per year is a slap in the face in comparison to the average of more than $12 million per year on which Freeney will feast over the next three. At what point do Strahan or Umenyiora -- or both -- take a stand?

Then there's Terrell Suggs of the Ravens. He's scheduled to become a free agent in 2008, and the Ravens supposedly don't like to use the franchise tag. So he'll either get a $30 million signing bonus of his own from the Ravens, or from someone else, such as the Redskins. (If Suggs gets that kind of cash from Baltimore, the reaction of Ray Lewis, who has been lobbying for another $20 million signing bonus of his own for several years now, could be interesting.) At what point does Suggs take a stand?

And what about the 2006 NFL Defensive Player of the Year? In little more than four months, Fins defensive end Jason Taylor has seen Freeney get paid, and Taylor's own team hand over $20 million in guaranteed money to a loud-mouthed linebacker whom many regard as washed up. At what point does Taylor, who's represented by the same agent who represents Freeney and Suggs, take a stand?

Looking farther down the road, when will Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman start banging the drum for more money? He had more sacks than any of the above in 2006, despite missing four game dues to the one unfortunate drug test out of 20 that didn't turn out the way he had hoped.

We're not advocating holdouts by players who are under contract. But, as a practical matter, the money is getting too big not to expect one or more of these guys to withhold services in order to cash in.

NO. 14 IS UP

We've actually been pretty good about posting every day a new player on our list of the best 25 of the past 25 years.

We're cutting it close for Friday, but at least we got it in before the wire. Here it is.

No. 13 is coming Saturday.

POSTED 5:45 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 8:05 p.m. EDT, July 13, 2007

LEAGUE TELLS RAMS TO GET THE FAKHIR OUT

Rams cornerback Fakhir Brown has been suspended for four games by the NFL for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

He'll be eligible to participate in training camp and all preseason games. The suspension kicks in on August 31, and he can return to the roster on October 1.

Brown, a seven-year veteran, joined the Rams in 2006. He started 14 games for St. Louis last season.

UPDATE: We've got exclusive audio of Brown's meeting with the Commish!

POSTED 4:55 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 5:25 p.m. EDT, July 13, 2007

ROGERS WON'T FACE SEXUAL ASSAULT CHARGES

A prosecutor announced on Friday that Lions defensive tackle Shaun Rogers will not face charges arising from an exotic dancer's claim that Rogers touched her inappropriately last month.

When the story first broke, there was a suggestion that Rogers was trying to persuade the dancer, through an offer of cash money, to drop the whole thing. It's apparent, however, that the decision had nothing to do with a change of heart by the alleged victim.

"I'm very upset," she said. "They let this go on for over a month. I guess they gave them a chance to get their story straight. A lot of things don't add up."

Said the prosecutor: "We have taken the time to interview witnesses and review the evidence. In all cases, we must look at the evidence in a fair and consistent manner. The standard is whether we can prove a case beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. After an extensive investigation we have determined there is insufficient evidence to file any charges against Mr. Shaun Rogers."

If the alleged victim still desires to pursue justice, she can file a civil suit against Rogers. In such matters, the standard of proof is much lower.

In our view, this case could be an example of a new hesitation by prosecutors to pursue sexual assault charges absent smoking-gun proof of guilt, thanks to the misadventures of Mike Nifong, who handled the Duke lacrosse case.

THE REAL MEDIA WAS WR-WR-WR-INCORRECT ABOUT SUPPLEMENTAL ROOKIE POOL

Several readers have asked us to address the conflict between our Thursday night report that the teams who exercise picks in the supplemental draft will receive additional space in their rookie salary pools to account for the extra picks and reports from the "real" media indicating that any team that uses a supplemental pick must find a way to pay the guy from their current allocation.

Our response to the e-mails we received on this topic was simple: "We're right and they're wrong."

Tom Pelissero of the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports that, indeed, the others (including our pal Len Pasquarelli of ESPN.com) were mistaken to suggest that no extra rookie allocation would flow to teams adding more picks via the supplemental pool of players.

As NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told Pelissero (man, this business attracts a lot of Eye-talians), "The amount is equal to the formula allotment for the corresponding choice in that league year's college draft. In the subsequent league year, after formula allotments have been established for each selection position in the college draft, the amount of the formula allotment for the selection used in the prior year's supplemental draft is deducted from the club's rookie allocation."

The rule reflects basic common sense. Really, why in the hell would anyone think that any other rule applied? If you use a 2008 pick now, then you receive an extra rookie pool allocation in order to get the pick signed. Since you also lose the corresponding 2008 pick, the total allocation is necessarily lower in 2008.

The other rule (i.e., the incorrect one) would potentially force teams who intend to pick a guy in round one of the supplemental draft to relinquish the rights to one or more draft picks in order to get the supplemental first-rounder signed.

With all that said, the team that uses one or more supplemental picks still must comply with the overall salary cap; the availability of additional rookie pool space does not result in additional cap room.

POSTED 2:22 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 2:40 p.m. EDT, July 13, 2007

COLTS FINALLY SIGN FREENEY

John Clayton of ESPN.com reports that the Indianapolis Colts have signed defensive end Dwight Freeney to a six-year, $72 million contract, which includes a $30 million signing bonus.

The deal makes the Colts the first team in NFL history with two players who received signing bonuses of $30 million or more. The other Colt who broke the bank is quarterback Peyton Manning.

"It's great to see the Colts are paying a guy who stops a quarterback like a quarterback," Freeney said.

But Freeney didn't stop the quarterback as much in 2006 as he had in previous seasons. Last year, Freeney notched only 5.5 sacks, a career low.

Clayton reports that Freeney will be paid $37.72 million over the first three years of the contract, and that the Colts will create $3.68 million of 2007 salary-cap room, since Freeney previously counted for $9.43 million against the 2007 cap.

Freeney had been designated as the team's franchise player, and the Colts had used the "exclusive" version of the tag, which prevented him from negotiating with other teams. The deadline for franchise players to sign a multi-year deal is July 16.

Freeney's contract arguably sets the floor for Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers, the next high-profile lineman who in due course will be getting a new deal, either from his current team or from a new team. And don't forget about Ravens defensive end Terrell Suggs, who is due to become a free agent in March -- and who shares and agent with Freeney.

POSTED 12:42 p.m. EDT, July 13, 2007

BRANDON BUMPED FOR TWO GAMES

Bill Williamson of the Denver Post reports that the NFL has imposed a two-game suspension on Broncos safety Sam Brandon, for violation of the league's Personal Conduct Policy.

The suspension follows domestic violence arrests in 2004 and 2005. Though, as Williamson notes, the 2004 charges were dismissed, the 2005 charges resulted in a separate arrest in 2006 for violating a restraining order and violating bond restrictions. (We're currently trying to determine the specific incident or incidents that triggered the suspension.)

Brandon reportedly plans to appeal. Because, however, the union has granted the Commissioner the power both to make the decision and to review it on appeal, a reversal is unlikely.

Still pending is the question of whether and to what extent Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter will face discipline for pleading no contest to battery, which resulted from an altercation in March between Porter and Bengals tackle Levi Jones. Other players who recently have pleaded guilty or no contest to criminal charges, and thus who face discipline under the conduct policy, are Bengals defensive end Frostee Rucker and Jags tackle Khalif Barnes.

POSTED 11:42 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 12:09 p.m. EDT, July 13, 2007

AKILI SMITH STILL SUCKS

When quarterback Akili Smith, the third overall pick in the 1999 draft, ended up being a dud for the Cincinnati Bengals, some league observers speculated that Smith's struggles were not the result of his capabilities (or lack thereof) but of the overall ineptitude of the team that drafted him. Indeed, it was suggested at one point that, if the Eagles had selected Smith at No. 2 and the Bengals had picked Donovan McNabb at No. 3, Smith would have become a star and McNabb would have been a bust.

Well, if the Bengals are to blame for Smith's performance, then they gave him a full-body suck tattoo. Eight years after he was drafted, Smith still is playing poorly. And now he's doing it in Canada.

On Thursday night, Smith entered the game between his Calgary Stampeders and the Toronto Argonauts in relief of another one-time NFL prospect, Henry Burris. Smith threw 10 passes, completed six, . . . and was intercepted three times.

Smith was yanked at halftime, and Burris was re-inserted. The Stampeders nevertheless got stampeded, 48-15.

In our view, Smith's pro career further illustrates how inexact the NFL draft really is. No one knows how a player who excelled in college or who has impressive measurable physical attributes will perform when thrust into the pro game.

And this isn't an indictment of the Bengals' shoddy scouting resources (although shoddy they were, and are). Smith was widely regarded as a blue-chip prospect, and no one complained when the Bengals took him, passing over guys like Edgerrin James and Torry Holt and Champ Bailey.

Of the five quarterbacks selected in round one of the 1999 draft, only one (McNabb) is still a starter in the NFL. Tim Couch, the No. 1 overall pick, is long gone, as is Cade McNown. Daunte Culpepper still might have something left, if he can show that his blown-up knee has healed, and if he can find a team that is willing to give him a shot at winning the starting job in 2008.

JAGS, FINS IN A TURD WATCH TIE

The recent no contest plea entered by Jacksonville tackle Khalif Barnes on DUI charges gave the Jags one more point in Turd Watch, pushing them to 42 for the "season."

The additional point also puts them in a deadlock with the Miami Dolphins for first place in the Turd Watch standings.

Here are the leaders: Jaquars 42; Dolphins 42; Titans 31; Buccaneers 30; Steelers 24; Bengals 22; Broncos 20.

The AFC is crushing the NFC by the score of 234 to 86. The entire NFC East has zero points, and nine other NFC teams have six points or less.

POSTED 9:37 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 11:01 a.m. EDT, July 13, 2007

JETS ACTIVATE CURTIS MARTIN by Michael David Smith

Thanks to the Jets Blog for pointing out that the NFL's official transactions page now lists running back Curtis Martin as activated from the team's physically unable to perform list.

Much like the Colts' activation of defensive tackle Corey Simon, which happened on Thursday, it could be the first step toward officially ending Martin's career with the Jets.

Unlike Simon, of course, Martin has been a tremendous player for the Jets whose tenure with the team will be celebrated when his departure becomes official. Martin played eight seasons with the Jets, which followed three with the Patriots, who drafted him in 1995. With 14,101 career rushing yards, he has a good chance of being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Martin re-worked his contract with the Jets last month, which freed up some salary cap space for the team. Few people seriously expected him to return in 2007, as he turned 34 in May, had his least productive season in 2005, and missed all of 2006 with a knee injury.

SMART MOVE CLEARS SPACE FOR RESPONSIBLE CUSTOMERS

Much has been written and said over the past week or so regarding the decision of Sprint Nextel to part ways with roughly 1,200 customers who spent too much time clogging customer service phone lines. We initially had planned to steer clear of the controversy in our weekly entry regarding the official telecommunications sponsor of ProFootballTalk.com, but then we decided to read up on the issue. After doing so, we came to the conclusion that it was a great business move.

Since we don't expect anyone to expect that we'd come to any other conclusion, allow us to explain.

Companies like Sprint and Nextel put certain resources in place for the benefit of all customers. When a handful of said customers abuse these resources, by for example calling customer service 40 or 50 times per month (and some as many as 300 times per month), it reduces the ability of Sprint to respond promptly to folks who call far less frequently.

Sprint spokesperson Roni Singleton recently said that the customers in question often were calling over and over again about issues that Sprint believed had been resolved. Also, some of the callers were repeatedly seeking information about the accounts of other customers, even after being told that the information can't be disclosed.

"These accounts have been researched very carefully," Singleton said. "We feel strongly [about] the decisions we made, we stand by them. These decisions weren't made lightly."

So, as a result, Sprint has opted to end the relationships, at no financial cost of any kind to the customers. They will be permitted to simply walk away. As we see it, if the people in question were so dissatisfied with their wireless experience that they felt compelled to call 40 to 50 times per month, they should be happy about the development.

And the rest of the Sprint customers -- you know, the ones who don't tie up the customer service lines -- should be happy, too. The move means that, when we have to call customer service with a legitimate question or concern, it will be easier to get through because one or more of those 1,200 former customers won't be chewing on the ear of the employee who would otherwise be talking to us.

So keep that in mind when you're selecting a wireless service provider. If you choose someone other than Sprint, your ability to get through to customer service might be delayed because the employees are dealing with customers who for whatever reason see fit to call in on average more than once per day.

POSTED 8:49 a.m. EDT, July 13, 2007

BRIAN URLACHER ORDERED TO PARENTING CLASSES by Michael David Smith

Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher has such a bad memory that he's capable of forgetting something as seemingly memorable as whether or not he sent a series of profane text messages to the mother of his two-year-old son.

Now a judge in Will County, Illinois, is hoping that parenting classes can remind Urlacher that referring to your son as a "pussy" isn't the best way of earning a Father of the Year award to put on your mantel next to the Defensive Player of the Year trophy. The judge has ordered Urlacher and ex-girlfriend Tyna Robertson to attend a three-hour parenting class by Sept. 10

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Urlacher will likely learn not to ask his son questions like, "Was mom's boyfriend there?" and "Who do you love more? 'Mommy' or 'Daddy'?"

The boy lives in Joliet with Robertson and visits Urlacher at his home in Lake Forest. Both parents have accused the other of violating court orders about who gets to spend time with the son, where, and when.

"I'm glad she ordered parenting classes because Brian needs it," said Robertson, who currently faces a lawsuit in which "Lord of the Dance" Michael Flatley claims extortion, fraud, and defamation. "Based on his actions, he's not a good role model, and I pray that he changes."

POLICE STILL WAITING ON PACMAN by Michael David Smith

Titans cornerback Pacman Jones still hasn't talked to Georgia police who want to question him about an incident at a strip club on June 18 that led to a shooting nearby, Paul Kuharsky of the Tennessean is reporting.

"Adam Pacman Jones has not talked to DeKalb County Officers," Keisha R. Williams, deputy director of the communications office of the DeKalb County police, wrote in an e-mail to the paper on Wednesday. "He has refused to meet with us. And yes we are still trying to talk to Jones."

Jones is not a suspect in the shooting but might have information that would assist in the investigation, police have said.

Jones' attorney, Manny Arora, says Jones is willing to talk, but not to travel to DeKalb County to do so. Per Kuharsky, Arora says he told the DeKalb police they could come to Nashville to meet with Pacman, or they could talk to him when he is at his other home, in the Atlanta area. The police declined that offer, Arora said, and that means the issue is over, as far as Arora is concerned.

"It's highly inappropriate for the police to be commenting on whether somebody talks to them or not," Arora told the Tennessean. "All they are doing is fanning the flames in the press. This has more to do with publicly embarrassing him than talking to him for the investigation."

And we all know Pacman is perfectly capable of publicly embarrassing himself without any help.

FRIDAY MORNING ONE LINERS by Michael David Smith

Does Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell really deserve to make so much more money on his rookie contract than top NBA draft pick Greg Oden?

The Ravens, Buccaneers, and Falcons are looking for events to fill their stadiums during the 355 days a year when they're not hosting football games.

Pat Summerall plans to call a few NFL games for Fox this season.

Former Redskins WR Art Monk isn't particularly bothered that he's not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Steelers' offense may be mimicking the Chargers this season.

The Dolphins will start training camp practices earlier in the morning than they have in the past. (Maybe that means they won't stay out as late at night, and some other team can take a lead in the PFT Turd Watch.)

NFL Network is making gains in Kansas City, but still doesn't reach subscribers of the area's biggest cable outlet.

Ravens QB Steve McNair thinks Titans QB Vince Young needs a good running back behind him.

The Seahawks have signed their seventh-round pick, OL Steve Vallos.

The Manning Passing Academy is underway in Louisiana. (Eli demonstrates what young quarterbacks look like before proper instruction, and then Peyton shows the right way to do it.)

POSTED 7:33 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 7:54 a.m. EDT, July 13, 2007

BETTIS THINKS COWHER WILL COACH GIANTS IN '08 by Michael David Smith

Last year, former Steelers running back turned NBC commentator Jerome Bettis created a stir when he said his old coach, Bill Cowher, would leave the Steelers at the end of the 2007 season. Cowher said he was "very disappointed" by what Bettis said.

Bettis's report turned out to be true.

So Bettis has a little more credibility than most other players-turned-broadcasters when it comes to offering such predictions. And in an appearance on NFL Network's Total Access, Bettis offered another prediction: Cowher will coach the Giants in 2008.

"I really think he'll be coaching next year, and I think he'll be coaching in New York," Bettis said. "That's my take on it and just thinking about the type of team he fits in good with, the Giants are definitely one."

There's a widespread perception that Giants coach Tom Coughlin is heading into his last season with the team and that the Giants' front office wants a coach with proven credentials to replace him. Cowher would be the most obvious choice.

POSTSCRIPT: One possible complicating factor in all this is the relationship between the Rooney family, which owns the Steelers, and the Mara family, which owns the Giants. The families have been friends for almost as long as the NFL has existed, and Tim Rooney’s daughter Kathleen (Dan's niece) is married to Wellington Mara's son Chris (John's brother). Thus, the Maras likely wouldn't touch Cowher without approval from the Rooneys.

POSTED 7:03 a.m. EDT, July 13, 2007

COLTS ACTIVATE SIMON

The Indianapolis Colts have shifted defensive tackle Corey Simon from the physically unable to perform list to the roster of active players, according to the Indianapolis Star.

"This is the first I've heard of it," Simon said. "It's news to me."

The reason for the move is unclear. But, as Phil Richards of the Star suggests, it could be the first step toward terminating Simon's contract.

Simon was placed on the non-football injury/illness list last season following knee surgery, a controversial move that prompted a grievance from the player, since the move cut off his wages.

The Colts handed Simon a big-money deal in 2005 after the Eagles removed the franchise tag from him late in the offseason. He has received more than $14 million despite playing in only 13 regular-season games.

POSTED 9:56 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 11:22 p.m. EDT, July 12, 2007

DARIUS DEAL HAS LOW RISK FOR RAIDERS

A league source tells us that the contract given by the Raiders to safety Donovin Darius includes a signing bonus of (drum roll, please) nothing. Zero dollars, zero cents.

But the deal contains $600,000 in guaranteed base salary for 2007, which means that Darius has some protection against getting cut -- and the team has some protection in the event that it needs to cut him, since a decision that Darius no longer has it means that the team will have spent (wasted) only $600,000.

Also, the absence of a signing bonus means that there will be no cap consequences in 2008 or 2009 if the team decides to move on. (Sorry, but we're not in the mood tonight.)

In all, the deal has base salaries of $1.6 million in 2007, $2.5 million in 2008, and $3 million in 2009. And the fact that the 2007 and 2008 compensation is entirely in the form of base salary means that the team can squat on Darius until the eve of the regular season, and drop him with no consequence.

The better approach for Darius would have been for $1 million of the base salaries in 2008 and 2009 to have been pushed into roster bonuses, due on the first day of each league year. This would have forced the Raiders to make a quick decision each year as to his status. And if the decision would be to move on (still not in the mood), Darius would have had plenty of time to land elsewhere.

Then again, the deal Darius signed simply might be the best one he could get, and that the Raiders refused to move any of the base salaries in 2008 or 2009 into roster bonuses. It's not as if any other team was beating down the door to sign him.

RAVENS, CHARGERS WILL GET EXTRA ROOKIE POOL ROOM

Several readers have asked us to explain the procedure for getting players selected in the supplemental draft under contract.

Although the Ravens and Chargers will lose a fifth-round and fourth-round pick in 2008, respectively, for their selections of tackle Jared Gaither and Paul Oliver, respectively, the players will be paid out of 2007 cap dollars, and the rookie pool maximums for both teams will be adjusted to reflect the addition of these players.

And, as one league source explained it to us, the process of adjusting the Ravens' and Chargers' rookie pools will give agents a rare glimpse into the manner in which the NFL management council values individual picks. Usually, the rookie pool numbers are handed out in a lump sum, with no per-pick allocation.

Okay, everyone can wake up now.

NO. 15 IS UP

Another day, another guy identified on our list of the 25 best players of the past 25 years. No. 15 is now up.

The list is right here.

Check back Friday for No. 14.

THURSDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

The NFL could have franchises in Mexico, Toronto, and London within 10 years.

The Raiders have signed a linebacker whose name we're not even going to try to spell.

Lambeau Field is getting a European makeover.

L.T. won four ESPY Awards . . . he's so NOW!

Somebody swiped Frank Winters' Super Bowl ring.

NFLN and Comcast have worked out a deal to show regular-season games, but apparently on terms far less favorable than the league wanted. [Editor's note: This is a link to an old story that somehow ended up back in circulation.]

The Steelers have signed RB Larry Croom.

POSTED 9:39 p.m. EDT, July 12, 2007

TEAMS, AGENTS AFRAID TO MAKE FIRST-ROUND LEAP

With camps opening in two weeks, only one first-round pick has signed a contract with his team.

On July 3, the Bears reached an accord with tight end Greg Olsen, the 31st overall pick. Since then, nothing. Not a peep.

The problem, we're told, is that teams and agents alike are afraid to take the plunge, for fear of doing what turns out in hindsight to be a bad deal.

"It's like a junior-high dance," said one league insider. "The boys and the girls and standing on opposite sides of the room and staring at each other."

Even though the teams and agents can look to the contract given in the same slot last year and go from there, the spots in front of and behind each pick are of primary concern.

For example, if an agent does a deal for the No. 15 pick and then the agent for the No. 16 pick gets a better deal, the agent for the No. 15 pick looks bad. Indeed, Redskins safety Sean Taylor, the No. 5 overall pick in 2004, fired his agents because he believed (as legend has it) that "U" teammate Kellen Winslow got a better contract at No. 6.

With all that said, things will get rolling soon. We think.

POSTED 2:46 p.m. EDT, July 12, 2007

PACKERS EYEBALLING L.J.

A couple of weeks ago, former Packers linebacker George Koonce hinted on his way out of a front office job with the team that the Pack could be making a significant acquisition on offense.

The player in question could be Chiefs running back Larry Johnson.

WTMJ in Milwaukee reports that the Packers are "keeping a very close eye" on Johnson's situation. With one year remaining on his Kansas City contract, at a salary of $1.7 million, Johnson has made it clear that he wants a new contract before he endures another 400-carry season. The Chiefs discreetly dangled their Johnson (we couldn't resist) prior to the draft, but found no takers.

The problem is that anyone who wants L.J. will have to satisfy his contractual demands, and bow to the trade expectations of G.M. Carl Peterson. We think that, at a minimum, it'll take $25 million in guaranteed money to make Johnson happy, and a first-round pick and a third-round pick to get the Chiefs to bite.

If Johnson was worth that kind of a total investment, the Chiefs would be making it.

The reality here is that Johnson already has a lot of miles on the tires, and that it's still unclear whether Johnson is a truly great running back. Also, the fact that he carries the ball a lot puts him at greater risk of the kind of injury that would make the investment in his services look foolish in hindsight.

Absent a trade, there could be a nasty and protracted holdout. Johnson and Peterson have heads of solid rock, and we could envision both sides digging in, even if it's in no one's best interests to do so.

POSTED 2:30 p.m. EDT, July 12, 2007

POLLACK OUT FOR 2007

Despite optimism from several months ago that Bengals linebacker David Pollack might be able to return to the NFL after undergoing surgery to repair a broken neck, coach Marvin Lewis has acknowledged that Pollack won't play in 2007.

It's possible that Pollack will return in 2008.

Pollac's teammate in Cincinnati and Georgia, linebacker Odell Thurman, is still waiting to hear from the league about his application for reinstatement following a one-year suspension for multiple violations of the league's substance abuse policy. Prior reports indicated that a decision could come by Wednesday; a ruling isn't expected until next week at the earliest, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com.

POSTED 1:59 p.m. EDT, July 12, 2007

RAVENS GATHER GAITHER

A league source tell us that the Baltimore Ravens have selected former Maryland tackle Jared Gaither in round five of the supplemental draft.

No other players are expected to be selected.

POSTED 1:47 p.m. EDT, July 12, 2007

CHARGERS TAKE OLIVER

A league source tells us that the San Diego Chargers have selected cornerback Paul Oliver in round four of the supplemental draft.

The process is now in round five.

Stay tuned.

POSTED 1:45 p.m. EDT, July 12, 2007

BARNES GETS PROBATION

The Florida Times-Union reports that Jaguars tackle Khalif Barnes has received six months of probation after pleading no contest to DUI charges.

Barnes also must pay a $650 fine, perform 50 hours of community service, and participate in a drunken driving class and victim impact panel. A prosecutor told the Times-Union that this is a standard penalty for a first offense DUI.

The team's starting left tackle also wrote a letter of apology to the arresting officer, whom Barnes had called a "KKK Devil" during the arrest. Barnes likewise referred to Jacksonville as a "hick town."

"The stress of the situation led me to say things which I do not believe," Barnes wrote. "I want you to know that was out of character for me."

POSTED 1:34 p.m. EDT, July 12, 2007

NO PICKS THROUGH FIRST THREE ROUNDS

A league source tells us that, through three rounds of the supplemental draft, no players have been picked.

The process began at 1:00 p.m. EDT. Teams send in an e-mail each round indicating whether they intend to use a pick or pass. Priority was determined via a weighted lottery.

Stay tuned for more updates.

POSTED 10:56 a.m. EDT, July 12, 2007

GAITHER GOING IN ROUND FIVE?

A league source with knowledge of the evaluation of Maryland tackle Jared Gaither believes that Gaither will be selected in the fifth round.

The source says that, if Gaither were in the April draft pool, he possibly would be a first-day (i.e., round one, two, or three) selection.

The word on Gaither is that he's immature, and that he doesn't fully appreciate his physical gifts. He lost his academic eligibility because he hated school. And given that teams didn't have time to do their due diligence, teams will be less willing to take a chance on him.

Another source says that Georgia cornerback Paul Oliver likely will be drafted, but possibly as late as round seven. The source says that Oliver is believed to be too slow to be an effective corner and too small to be an effective safety. A couple of other eligible players are expected to be signed as free agent.

POSTED 10:40 a.m. EDT, July 12, 2007

URLACHER SHOULD HAVE USED THE CONCUSSION DEFENSE

This is a story that we fully intended to post on Wednesday, but we didn't get around to it. In such instances, we'll usually move on (or move out -- man, that never gets old, just like the "Helloooooo" voice) with the next wave of news.

The more we think about this one, however, the more perturbed we get.

On Tuesday, Bear linebacker Brian Urlacher testified in connection with an ongoing custody battle relating to the two-year-old son that he fathered with Tyna Robertson, a former exotic dancer who once claimed that Michael Flatley of "Lord of the Dance" fame had raped her.

In paperwork submitted in response to the petition, Robertson accused Urlacher of sending her numerous profane and abusive text messages, including one message in which he said that she is turning their child into a "pussy."

When asked about the messages on the witness stand, Urlacher said that he didn't remember sending them.

"I don't remember" is the classic safe harbor for folks who are under oath. It happens all the time. People who don't want to tell the truth in situations where the truth might be adverse to their interests but who know that if they deny doing or saying the thing that they are accused of doing or saying, they'll be walking right into a perjury trap.

The problem is that the folks who offer up this lame-ass excuse when testifying don't realize that the lawyers and the judges involved in the proceeding have heard the same bogus crap time and again. And the fact that folks like Urlacher choose to use "I don't remember" as a crutch make it harder for people who truly don't remember certain facts or details to be believed by folks who have become jaded by those who abuse it.

Brian, be a man. If you sent the messages, say so. In your specific case, "I don't remember" is for, well, pussies.

POSTED 7:57 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 8:25 a.m. EDT, July 12, 2007

ELI MANNING SHOWS SIGNS OF A PULSE

We get annoyed at times with the histrionics (thanks, ironically, Tiki) of Colts quarterback Peyton Manning when he's barking out an audible or demonstrating his dismay with the bad outcome of a play. But we have far greater concerns about the milquetoast demeanor of Peyton's little brother, Eli, who is the quarterback of one of the two teams in the media capital of the U.S.

There are signs, however, that Eli might be changing.

According to the New York Daily News, Eli has taken a couple of public shots at former teammate Tiki Barber, who provided an enormous in-season distraction last year by proclaiming his intention to leave the team for TiVi.

Asked how things would go without Barber, Manning said, "I don't think we're concerned. We're excited by the players that we have who wanted to return for this season, and who wanted to be a part of the Giants and play."

Though it's not quite catfight content, it's the kind of thing that will begin to help Manning become the leader that he hasn't been.

In his defense, however, it's not as if Eli has had a chance to lead. With loudmouths like Michael Strahan and Tiki and Jeremy Shockey on the team, Manning really hasn't had the opportunity to assert himself.

With Tiki gone, Manning can now step forward. And now that he's popped off about a guy who no longer is there, his next order of business should be to pull a Moe Howard and clunk together the heads of Shockey and Burress.

And while the Giants definitely will miss Barber's production, we think that his departure is a wash, given that his appetite for attention seemed to compel him to constantly run his mouth, whether by criticizing the coaching staff after a key loss or calling out Strahan for wanting more money than what the team was offering.

BEAMER SAYS VICK'S HEART IS TOO BIG

Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer thinks that the problems currently engulfing former Hokie and current Falcons quarterback Mike Vick arise from the fact that he cares too much about people.

"The thing I'll say about Michael, he's a very caring person, [with a] big heart," Beamer said, "I think he understands he's got to be very specific about who's around him, who he's involved with. I think he understands that more than ever.

"I told him, 'If you're around, you're involved,'" Beamer said. "People don't care about those other people. They're not going to write about them, but they'll write about you. I think that's just him. He's a very caring person about people, and he's got a big, big heart.

"I know Michael. If it's a negative, the negative is he cares too much about people and tries to help too many people around him."

Sure, Frank. Did Vick care so much about his girlfriend that he (allegedly) gave her herpes? And how can someone care so much about people but have no regard for his dogs (if, of course, he knew about or was involved in the kennel from hell that was housed on his property).

Then again, Mike says that he "love[s] [his] dogs" in this Nike spot from a couple of years ago:

So if Mike loves people as much as he really loves his dogs, maybe his ex should be glad that all she ever got from him was an STD.

PACMAN'S LAWYER SAYS POLICE PICK ON HIM

The attorney for Titans cornerback Pacman Jones says that police are picking on his client.

Ya think?

Look, if Pacman is a target for Cooter and his pals in Tennessee, it's Pacman's fault for making himself a target via more than two years of notoriety. And maybe the cops genuinely think that if Pacman knows they're watching and waiting for him to screw up again, then maybe Pacman will stay on the right side of the line.

Specifically, attorney Worrick Robinson told the Nashville Tennessean that the officer who arrested Jones last month "made claims in the past that he was going to pull over Adam Jones the first time he got occasion to, that's exactly what he had been bragging about around other people in Williamson County."

Sheriff Ricky Headley admitted that Jones wasn't pulled over for having the wrong license plate on his orange Lamborghini, but that the officer stopped Pacman because the officer had prior knowledge that Jones didn't have a valid driver's license. Robinson claims that this isn't enough to justify pulling a car over.

Again, this kind of stuff goes with the territory that Pacman has marked out for himself. And if Pacman doesn't like it, he should move out of Tennessee. (Or move on.)

POSTED 9:13 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 10:53 p.m. EDT, July 11, 2007

THE MEAN MACHINE BECOMES THE GUARDS?

Perhaps the most bizarre item we've seen in . . . in . . . hell, ever comes from the Southern, which is touted as "Southrn Illinois' Homepage."

In an item regarding a local controversy over a four-day concert by the group Insane Clown Posse, Captain Harry Masse of the Illinois State Police District 22 says that security will be provided at the event by "30 members of the Cincinnati Bengals football organization."

Hoo boy this could get interesting.

But we can't help but be skeptical. Extremely skeptical. The event is scheduled for August 9 through 12. However, the Bengals are scheduled to play a game at Detroit on August 9, and to practice on August 11 and 12.

NO. 16 IS UP

We're working our way up the list of the top 25 NFL players of the last 25 years.

The latest entry -- No. 16 -- is now up.

No. 15 is coming Thursday.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

Rams QB Marc Bulger won't rule out a holdout if he doesn't have a new contract by the start of camp.

Giants DE Michael Strahan has a new TV gig.

The AAFL won't allow players who don't have college degrees. (Before anyone directs "attaboys" to the new league, keep in mind that its chances of setting up a series of pro teams in college stadiums would have been somewhere between "none" and, well, "none" if the franchises were providing first-hand enticement for NCAA players who aren't getting paid.)

Boomer Esiason to replace Imus? Ugh.

Pacman is giving advice to kids on how to avoid trouble. (Why are we thinking of the Seinfeld episode where George does the opposite?)

Hey, did anyone catch the picture today of Mike Greenberg on ESPN.com's front page? (If you saw it, you know why we are mentioning it.)

The Ravens have signed third-round OL Marshall Yanda.

POSTED 8:22 p.m. EDT, July 11, 2007

WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH ORANGE LAMBORGHINIS?

As reported widely on Wednesday, Pacman Jones was pulled over last month for driving an orange Lamborghini with a mismatched license plate.

One of our astute readers recognized that this combination of words, which goes together about as naturally as "Brett Favre" and "disco," had been mentioned once before in connection with an NFL player.

Specifically, when former 49ers receiver Antonio Bryant was arrested last year for driving under the influence, he was driving (you guessed it) an orange Lamborghini.

Oh, and Texans defensive end Mario Williams has one, too.

POSTED 7:14 p.m. EDT, July 11, 2007

THOMAS JOINS ISLAND OF MISFIT TOYS

The Denver Broncos agreed to terms on Wednesday with fourth-round draft pick Marcus Thomas, formalizing the acquisition of a guy who had been kicked off of the Florida team that eventually won the national championship.

Thomas is the latest guy with questionable traits to join the team. Others from the past several years include Maurice Clarett, Todd Sauerbrun, Dale Carter, Daryl Gardener, Gerard Warren, and Travis Henry.

Still, Coach Kevlar has been quick to deal with guys who screw up (again) in Denver. Those two Super Bowl trophies have given him the ability to piss away draft picks and/or signing bonuses.

"We talked about taking an educated gamble," Shanahan said after selecting Thomas, who had been removed from many draft boards. "You have to sit down with the player, and that player has to understand what the rules and regulations are and what the organization's all about. If they do make a mistake, then you have to release that player. If he doesn't abide by those guidelines, he won't be with us, but I will be surprised if he doesn't."

POSTED 6:13 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 6:29 p.m. EDT, July 11, 2007

RAIDERS DUMP McNEAL

Following the lead of teams like the Bears, Jaguars, Saints, Bengals, and Steelers, all of which have dumped players who have gotten in trouble with the law, the Oakland Raiders have cut defensive end Bryant McNeal.

McNeal was arrested last week on outstanding warrants relating to charges of writing a bad check in South Carolina and defrauding a pawn broker in Florida.

The Raiders' official web site shows that McNeal was waived on July 11.

Although the Collective Bargaining Agreement states that players who engage in conduct detrimental to the team can be suspended without pay for a maximum of four weeks, the Standard Player Contract contemplates termination in the event that the player engages in off-field misbehavior.

MORE FUN WITH FALCONS' WEB SITE

As it turns out, Falcons quarterback Mike Vick hasn't been completely exiled from the team's new web site. There's a rotating Ford ad featuring Vick's image above the slogan "Bold Moves."

Hey, there's nothing bolder than letting your land be used as the staging area for an illegal dog-fighting operation.

With that said, we didn't see the Ford ad when we pulled up the site earlier. We regret the error.

There are other items of interest on the new Falcons' site. Under the list of community-related activities in which members of the team are engaged, there's a link to the web site for Mike Vick's charitable foundation.

The site carries the title "Vick Foundation" -- but otherwise is completely blank. (Thanks to the reader(s) who pointed that out to us.)

Also, the new site still has the item regarding the D.C. event for which Vick famously didn't show.

POSTED 5:59 p.m. EDT, July 11, 2007

NFL WEB SITES WALKING A FINE LINE?

So now that the National Football League is in the process of rolling out a new NFL.com and new team web sites, all of which will take full advantage of the burgeoning world of video delivered via the Internet, there will be some potentially delicate issues that arise.

As one reader has pointed out to us, the new Eagles site touts a feature called "Heavy Hitters." But at a time when the league is trying to take concussions seriously, does it make sense to glorify high-impact collisions via league-owned media?

It's one thing, in our view, for ESPN types to bluster about guys getting "jacked up!"; it's quite another for the league and its teams to make brain-busting hits the centerpiece of the tiny television screens that will eventually be plastered into every NFL-related Internet portal.

The new NFL.com will be unveiled on August 1. Teams that have re-designed their sites in the past several months include the Eagles, the Texans, the Bears, the Packers, the Rams, the Seahawks, and the 49ers. Others already utilize video clips as part of their content.

As part of the league's effort to make NFL-owned sites the primary source of Internet video, the league has placed stiff restrictions on the use of NFL video on other Internet sites, which as a practical matter will force fans interested in seeing NFL video clips to visit NFL sites.

POSTED 3:25 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 9:13 p.m. EDT, July 11, 2007

VIKES LOOKING FOR VETERAN QUARTERBACK

Although Tarvaris Jackson remains the clear favorite to win the starting quarterback job in Minnesota, there's talk in league circles that the Vikings are hoping to find a veteran backup before the start of training camp.

Our guess is that coach Brad Childress (and perhaps some folks in the front office who might be in jeopardy if owner Zygi Wilf decides to dump the coach) wants to have a solid Plan B in place in the event that Jackson can't cut it. Currently, the alternative is Brooks Bollinger, who might be a decent in-game injury replacement but not the guy on whose shoulders a coach should pin his career.

The only problem with this strategy is that there really aren't many/any veteran quarterbacks on the market. Drew Bledsoe opted for retirement. Daunte Culpepper is (or will be) available, but his bridge back to the land of Paul Bunyan was blown to smithereens in 2006. Chris Weinke, a local native, is available, but the only problem is that he's Chris Weinke.

Another possibility would be for the Vikes to swing a deal for the eventual odd man out in Jacksonville, if the Jags land Daunte Culpepper. But Quinn Gray or David Garrard might not have the level of experience that the Vikes might be looking for.

Perhaps the best bet is Kelly Holcomb, who's otherwise likely to get the short straw in Philly. Though his time with the Eagles has been short, he'd be able to continue to develop in an identical offense in Minnesota. Also, unless Donovan McNabb would have an unexpected setback in his ACL rehab that would land him on the PUP list, it's very likely that Holcomb will be cut, given the presence of A.J. Feely and the addition of Kevin Kolb. So the Vikes could likely snare him now for a seventh-round pick.

UPDATE: ProFootballWeekly recently reported in a "whispers" segment that Holcomb could be headed to the Vikings, and that the Vikings are believed to looking for a veteran quarterback. We didn't know this when we first posted our item on the subject.

LEMIEUX WANTS ICE BOWL IN PITTSBURGH

On Tuesday, WGR in Buffalo reported that Ralph Wilson Stadium is in line to host a January 1 hockey game between the Sabres and the Pittsburgh Penguins. (We erroneously characterized WGR's report as indicating that the "Ice Bowl" is a done deal for Buffalo. It isn't.)

A source tells us that Penguins owner Mario Lemieux doesn't just want to play in the game; he is lobbying to host it.

Presumably, the game would be played at Heinz Field. But it also could be played in the more intimate (and visually pleasing) confines of PNC Park.

Stay tuned. Although the official NHL schedule shows that the Penguins will play at Buffalo on January 1, it's possible that the schedule for the match between skating cement-heads isn't etched in cement.

So, in other words, there's still hope that the self-destructive NHL will still decide that it would be a great idea to play the "Ice Bowl" at the same time as the Super Bowl.

POSTED 10:02 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 10:51 a.m. EDT, July 11, 2007

VICK NO LONGER THE FACE OF THE FRANCHISE?

One thing that we noticed (and that a couple of readers have pointed out to us) regarding the brand new Atlanta Falcons web site is that not a single photo of or reference to Mike Vick appears on the front page.

Is it a coincidence? Or is it a subtle recognition by the team that, regardless of whether Vick gets indicted or remains the starting quarterback for the balance of the decade, it's no longer wise nor prudent to market the franchise by plastering his image on it?

One PFT reader who recently received an invitation by e-mail from the team to migrate from the waiting list to the ranks of the season-ticket holders offered up the following response:

"Thank you for the update. However, after receiving your email and talking it over with my family we are going to ask to be removed from this list. Given the current state of the Michael Vick dog fighting investigation, along with a preponderance of evidence pointing to knowledge of this horrific activity, we are going to decline to support or watch the Atlanta Falcons until he is off the team. While he may never actually be found guilty of these crimes, it is simply our opinion that he holds some level of responsibility for what happened on his property. And his continued 'play dumb' routine, and the inaction of the Atlanta Falcon organization is just too much for us to ignore.

"We are not so naive as to think that our opinion really matters in the grand scheme of things. And I'm sure that it is a very delicate matter and difficult time for the Atlanta Falcons family right now, but as parents of impressionable children we cannot support a team that would make such a man the face of its organization. That's all it really boils down to. So in the mean time we're just going to focus our fanfare and attention on the NCAA Football season."

We don't know how many similar messages the team has received, but we have a feeling that they've gotten more than a few. And that they'll get more, especially as more and more people read about the details of the dog fighting operation at Vick's property in Surry County, Virginia.

This morning, we received an e-mail from one of our regulars about the situation. Here's what he had to say:

"Thanks for the brief but effective paragraphs from the Federal investigation of that sorry son of a bitch, Michael Vick. I have written you several times over the years, but today I do with tears in my eyes. As you may remember, I'm a retired/disabled police officer with 27 yrs on the street experience and I am a pit bull owner of two of the prettiest, friendliest, red-nosed pits on the planet. These two dogs wouldn't bite a flea. And I'm appalled. To strangle, suffocate, drown an injured dog or any other animal is the cruelest, most sadistic way to finish an animal. As I've also written you that gambling is the only motive for dog fighting, I do hope the Feds get Vick for income tax evasion along with other felony charges. That son of a bitch should be sent to prison for many years attached to the rape stand."

Said another reader regarding the manner in which the dogs were killed: "My God, who are the animals here?"

We've also had a few readers call for us to organize a boycott of attending or viewing Falcons games, and a boycott of NFL sponsors, unless and until Vick is suspended or cut. However, we think that taking such a stand is premature. If/when Vick is indicted, the time will arise to monitor very closely the team's and the league's reaction, and to decide whether they have done enough. (But we guarantee that Len Pasquarelli will instantly be on the air reminder us all that a good and motivated prosecutor can get a grand jury to indict a ham sandwich, and then Len will drool all over himself after saying the word "ham").

If the investigation concludes without an indictment of Vick, the question becomes a bit more complex. So we'll wrestle with the issue of whether the lack of criminal liability completely excuses the fact that Vick owned the land where dogs were being fought and murdered if/when there's a need to do so.

NEW PODCAST IS UP

You want them, so we do them. Short, punchy, 15-minute podcasts that can be more efficiently crammed into a busy work day (especially when the boss is walking the halls).

Another new one is up.

Enjoy.

WEDNESDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

The police report regarding Tank Johnson's Arizona incident reveals that he failed the field sobriety test and lied about whether he had been drinking. (Hey, Carol Slezak -- do you have anything more to say?)

Bengals LB Odell Thurman, who has been doing construction work during his one-year suspension from the NFL, could be reinstated as soon as today.

Letting the least drunk guy drive the car should never be confused with the concept of doing "the right thing."

The league office will review the DUI by consent charge that was dismissed against Ravens QB Steve McNair, but it is unlikely that he will be disciplined.

Camp Tomlin will feature 15 days of two-a-days.

Was the decision of Coach Kevlar to cancel the final day of a three-day mandatory minicamp a reflection of the team's hard work? "It's probably a reflection that he's playing in the [Lake] Tahoe golf tournament and he's got a practice round," said S John Lynch.

Some retired NFL players are still healthy enough to chase down guys who like to give the thing some air.

A woman swiped 24 Steelers jerseys from a Pittsburgh-area mall. (Is Lou Holtz a suspect?)

Broncos TE Tony Scheffler (broken foot) should be ready for training camp.

The Raiders are holding a punt, pass, and kick competition on August 4 for kids age eight to 15. (The winner gets an iPod; second place is a contract with the team.)

The Lions' camp arm this year will be J.T. O'Sullivan.

The Giants have signed the 2006 version of Mr. Irrelvant.

The Titans have signed a couple of their draft picks.

Broncos WR Brandon Marshall reinjured his thigh on Tuesday.

POSTED 8:33 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 8:42 a.m. EDT, July 10, 2007

PACMAN GET PULLED OVER AGAIN

The AP reports that Titans cornerback Pacman Jones was pulled over last month because the license plate on the orange Lamborghini he was driving was for a different vehicle. A court appearance is scheduled for August 10.

The story was first reported by WKRN-TV in Nashville.

Jones had switched the plate from one of his other vehicles. Our guess? He never bothered to license the pricey ride in order to avoid having to pay personal property taxes on it. So on the rare occasions he takes it out for a spin, he grabs a different plate.

Jones was cited for a registration violation, for having a Georgia driver's license despite living in Tennessee, and for failing to show proof of insurance.

On a broader note, how in the hell does Jones have any money left? He apparently has no qualms about big spending, he likely has been financing the lifestyles of multiple family members and friends, and he surely will be asked by the Titans to repay the portion of his signing bonus that applies to the 2007 season for which he has been suspended.

At a minimum, shouldn't he be dumping some of the high-end toys that he owns in an effort to raise some cash for the next year or so, during which he won't be getting paid by any NFL team?

But, hey, at least when he got pulled over he didn't bite the cop.

LOU HOLTZ HAS ANOTHER FAMOUS TWIN

Plenty of readers got a laugh out of Tuesday's item about Lou Holtz's separated-at-birth sibling who was arrested recently in Utah. (Scroll down for more.)

And another reader has pointed out to us yet another Holtz look-a-like.

We haven't researched the relevant birth dates, but it's possible that Granny was Lou's mother.

POSTED 10:59 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 11:25 p.m. EDT, July 10, 2007

RALPH WILSON STADIUM TO HOST NEW YEAR'S DAY HOCKEY?

Our friends at WGR in Buffalo report that the NHL's Buffalo Sabres will be hosting a hockey game on New Year's Day at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo.

The expected opponent will be the Pittsburgh Penguins, and NBC will broadcast what is being called "The Ice Bowl" by the network.

But the fact that the game will be played on January 1 further confirms that the NHL still doesn't get it, given that there will be non-stop college football bowl games played that day.

What's the fallback plan, guys? To put it up against the Super Bowl?

NO. 17 IS UP

We've posted player No. 17 on our list of the best 25 players of the past 25 years.

And we feel even better about our decision to make a list of our own, given that the USA Today list has dropped running back Barry Sanders at No. 10.

Check back tomorrow for No. 16. It's safe to say that it won't be Barry Sanders.

POSTED 10:53 p.m. EDT, July 10, 2007

BILLS INK EDWARDS

The Buffalo Bills have agreed to terms with quarterback Trent Edwards, the team's third-round pick in the 2007 draft and the 92nd overall selection.

Edwards was the last of the second tier of quarterbacks to be picked, following Kevin Kolb, Drew Stanton, and John Beck. Though Edwards has a reputation for being a tad fragile, he didn't have much help while playing for a woeful Stanford team.

Only a few first-day picks have been signed so far. The pace will increase dramatically over the next couple of weeks.

POSTED 6:18 p.m. EDT, July 10, 2007

TROY RETURNS TO THE PATS

Veteran receiver Troy Brown is coming back for yet another tour of duty with the New England Patriots.

According to the Boston Herald, and as pointed out to us by Gregg Rosenthal of Rotoworld.com, Brown has signed a one-year contract with the Patriots.

This time around, however, Brown has added his name to a crowded depth chart. Other receivers on the roster are Randy Moss, Donte' Stallworth, Wes Welker, Kelley Washington, Jabar Gaffney, Reche Caldwell, Chad Jackson, Bam Childress, Jonathan Smith, Kelvin Kight, Chris Dunlap, and C.J. Jones.

That's 13 receivers, which means that seven likely will go. Given the talent that has been added to the team at the position since the end of the 2006 season, the 36-year-old Brown possibly could be one of them.

POSTED 4:13 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 5:29 p.m. EDT, July 10, 2007

RAIDERS SIGN DARIUS

The Oakland Raiders have announced the acquisition of free-agent safety Donovin Darius. A first round pick of the Jaguars in the 1998 draft, Darius was cut on June 14 by the team with which he spent nine seasons.

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that Darius signed a three-year deal worth $7.1 million.

"We are extremely excited about adding Donovin to the Raiders," Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said. "He will bring us immediate competition in our secondary. Donovin exemplifies hard work and dedication to the game. Working with Donovin at Jacksonville, I was able to see what a phenomenal competitor he is. He will fit great into our team philosophy."

Darius visited the Raiders last month. He likely will play strong safety, allowing the team to move current strong safety Michael Huff to free safety, and current free safety Stuart Schweigert to the bench.

TUESDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

Someone bought Pacman's appropriately-named "Crossfire."

Veteran LB Chad Brown might be returning to the Pats. (If they can't sign him, maybe Dick Butkus is available.)

Whoa, Nellie -- the Rams have signed another draft pick.

Tim Tucker of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution doesn't fully understand how the June 1 rule now works.

The Bills are increasing their parking fees.

The Eagles are adding some chili pepper to the cheesesteaks.

The Titans are adding some sauerkraut to the, um, Moon Pies?

There's nothing better than a couple of guys sitting around, chewing gum, and talking about the times they got the fruit knocked out of their Jello.

The Packers have signed fourth-round G Allen Barbre.

We've never seen a review call a book boring in such a pleasant way.

As to one specific portion of the book in question, we've never seen the co-owner of an NFL team called a bald-faced liar in such a pleasant way.

Broncos first-round DE Jarvis Moss expects to have his contract signed in time for training camp.

Do the Texans still need more help at receiver?

Broncos WR Javon Walker has a mohawk.

Shouldn't Coach Kevlar just give DE Kenny Peterson a lie-detector test regarding his claim that he didn't intentionally ingest a banned substance?

Broncos QB Jay Cutler isn't afraid of John Elway's shadow. (But Cutler peed in his pants the first time he saw Elway's lips.)

The Seahawks have signed sixth-round WR Courtney Taylor.

Though LB Brian Urlacher's public custody battle might harm his marketing potential, we can envision him becoming a pitchman for a PDA manufacturer. ("Whenever I want to send profane, demeaning, or abusive text messages to the mother of my child whom she is turning into a pussy, I reach for my Motorola Q.")

Based on his article regarding rookie CB Tarell Brown, Kevin Lynch of the San Francisco Chronicle apparently is auditioning for a spot on the 49ers' P.R. staff.

Giants DE Michael Strahan sounds like he could be pulling a Tiki.

POSTED 2:31 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 2:42 p.m. EDT, July 10, 2007

FALCONS CLAIM TO HAVE NO INTEREST IN SUPPLEMENTAL DRAFT

Steve Wyche of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the Falcons intend to pass on the upcoming supplemental draft.

The entire report is as follows (don't blink): "The Falcons have no plans to participate in Thursday's NFL supplemental draft, the team said Monday. If a team participates in the supplemental draft it must forfeit a corresponding pick from the 2008 NFL entry draft."

And since the team has said it, we should believe it, right? Um, no. The supplemental draft is the ultimate NFL poker game, in which a team must decide on a round-by-round basis whether to put one of their 2008 draft picks on the line in order to get a given player.

The order of the draft, which is set in advance, is the most critical aspect of this exercise. (The order is determined via a weighted lottery.) If there's a team that is believed to be very interested in a player and that team has a high spot in each round round, then another team will need to move a round early in order to get the guy. This specific dynamic contributed to the decision of the Texans to select running back Tony Hollings in round two of the 2003 supplemental draft, since the Cowboys were expected to pick Hollings in round three, and the Cowboys had a higher spot than the Texans.

The fact that every pick used in the supplemental draft is one less pick that can be used in the next common draft means that it's generally a good thing for the rest of the league for one of the teams uses a pick now, since it pushes the rest of the field down a spot in April when the pick used in July otherwise would have been exercised. So, strategically, there's no benefit for the Falcons to announce publicly that they're not interested -- unless the statement was merely a superficial effort to dissuade someone from grabbing a guy like tackle Jared Gaither before the Falcons can nab him.

Of course, there's a chance that the Falcons are thinking that if they say they're not interested in anyone then other teams will think that they are interested when in reality they really aren't. But the best course, in our view, is to remain vaguely non-committal, by saying something like, "We are happy with the composition of our roster, but we do not rule out exercising a selection."

LOU HOLTZ'S TWIN ARRESTED IN UTAH?

We received earlier today an e-mail from a reader with a subject line that read, "Lou Holtz arrested in Utah!!!"

Though Holtz hasn't had any connection to the NFL since he crashed and burned as the coach of the Jets in the 1970s, we clicked on the link fully prepared to give the item proper attention.

As it turned out, the reader was goofing around with us, given the fact that Holtz merely looks like the person who had been arrested.

The bad news for Holtz is that his look-a-like is a woman. (And if she talks like Sylvester the Cat, that would be really creepy.)

POSTED 11:05 a.m. EDT, July 10, 2007

McNAIR CHARGES DROPPED

The "DUI by consent" charges filed earlier this year against Ravens quarterback Steve McNair have been dropped, according to the Baltimore Sun.

The dismissal came a day after his brother-in-law's DUI charges were reduced to reckless driving. McNair's brother-in-law, Jamie Cartwright (Cartwright!), was driving McNair's vehicle at the time he was arrested. The charges against McNair were based on a Tennessee law that imposes liability on an owner of a car who allows an inebriated person to drive it.

"I'm glad it's over," said McNair. "That's all that matters."

POSTED 9:32 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 10:44 a.m. EDT, July 10, 2007

EAGLES SITE OFFERING UP GAMBLING ADVICE

One of the realities of the only truly slow two or three weeks on the NFL calendar is that a mistake will get magnified, simply because there isn't much else to talk about.

Bill Maas, for example, has gotten a lot more press for his Illinois arrest in early July than he ever would have seen if it had happened in November.

We mention this dynamic because a reader has pointed out to us an interesting comment from the Eagles' official web site that probably wouldn't have struck us an interesting if there was actually something football-related to talk about right now.

In a July 7 blog entry from Dave Sparado (who does a great job and has been very kind to us over the years . . . now that we've gotten that out of the way we'll proceed with kicking him in the nuts) seems to advocate gambling on NFL games.

Specifically, Spadaro writes: "I noticed in the newspaper the other day that the Eagles are three-point favorites for the opening game in Green Bay. Maybe I'm wrong for addressing this, but take the Eagles right now. I love the Eagles in that game against the Packers."

Dave, you should have listened to that little voice that was telling you that you might be "wrong for addressing this." That little voice is usually right, as we've learned the hard way too many times.

Gambling is the 6,000-pound elephant at the NFL's all-you-can-eat buffet. The league puts out bales of hay and baskets of peanuts for him, and then otherwise acts like he isn't there.

In our view, Spadaro's comment acknowledges the elephant in very un-NFL style. Though we don't think he should be punished for this, we have a feeling that the comment won't be on the Eagles' site for much longer.

SELECTED PASSAGES FROM THE VICK COMPLAINT

A copy of the federal complaint regarding the dog-fighting investigation at the Surry County, Virginia property owned by Falcons quarterback Mike Vick has been available for a few days, yet we haven't seen anyone weave many of the key passages from it into media reports regarding the issue.

We mention this because we received an e-mail from a member of the national media this morning who described some of the details as "frightening."

So here are some selected quotes from the document, which was filed by the feds in an effort to secure possession of the 54 dogs seized from the Vick property in April 2007.

Paragraph 9 of the document confirms that "[m]any of the [54] pit bulldogs recovered or observed in the search had scars and injuries consistent with injuries sustained in dog fighting." (Previously, there was a dispute -- fueled in part by Surry County prosecutor Gerald Poindexter -- regarding whether the dogs taken from the land were scarred or injured.)

Paragraph 10 lists the additional items recovered and observed in the initial search in April: "a blood-stained fighting area; animal training and breeding equipment, including a 'rape stand,' a 'break' or 'parting' stick, treadmills and 'slat mills;' assorted paperwork documenting involvement in animal fighting ventures; and performance enhancing pharmaceuticals commonly used to increase fighting potential in dogs trained for fighting, as well as to keep injured dogs fighting longer." We highlighted the reference to paperwork documenting involvement in animal fighting ventures because we hadn't previously seen this aspect of the seized property reported anywhere.

Paragraph 11 says that members and associates of "Bad Newz Kennels," which was operated out of the Vick property, sponsored and exhibited pit bull fights at the Vick property and in Blackstone, Virginia, in North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, New Jersey, and in other states.

Paragraph 12 says that dog fights have been sponsored on Vick's property since 2002, with dogs from South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, New York, Texas, and other states engaged in the "competition."

Paragraph 13 contains some of the details regarding the pre-fight preparations. "The two dogs participating in a particular fight had to be the same weight and sex. Before a fight would start, the participants would weigh and bathe the dogs. The fighting weight would be established before the fight, requiring the opponent dogs to measure within approximately one-half pound of the set weight. . . . The opposing dogs were washed before a fight to remove any poison or narcotic placed on the dog's coat -- if the opposing dog would bite the 'tainted' dog that was coated with poison or narcotic, this would affect the opposing dog's performance during the fight. The participants would sometimes stop feeding the fighting dog before the scheduled fights, in order to make it hungry for the other dog."

Paragraph 14 explains that the fights at the Vick property "generally occurred late at night or early in the morning, sometimes involving 2-3 separate matches, and would last several hours." The persons in attendance were "[g]enerally" limited to persons accompanying Bad Newz Kennels members and persons accompanying the members of opposing kennels. "For a particular dog fight, the opponents would establish a purse for the winning side, ranging from 100's up to 1,000's of dollars. Participants and spectators would also place side-bets on the fight, dependant on the ultimate outcome or certain events occurring during the course of the dog fight."

Paragraph 14 also contains some grisly details regarding the aftermath of the eventws. "The dog fight would last to the end, which would generally involve the death or surrender of the losing dog. At the end of the fight, the losing dog was sometimes put to death by drowning, strangulation, hanging, gun shot, electrocution, or some other method. The members of 'Bad Newz Kennels' would sometimes 'test' the pit bulls in their inventory, determining if a particular dog was 'game,' meaning that it would be a good fighter. Sometimes, the dogs deemed not to be good fighters would be put to death."

Though the media was quick to point out that Mike Vick's name appears nowhere in the complaint, no names are mentioned. Instead, the complaint refers in several places to the "members of 'Bad Newz Kennels,'" without identifying any of said members.

But we saw at least one hint in the complaint that suggests to us a belief by the feds that Vick is one of the members of Bad Newz Kennels. In paragraph 13, the complaint refers to the charging of admission fees for persons attending the fights. "If an admission fee was charged for a particular event," the complaint states, "the proceeds were generally used to supplement the funding of the 'Bad Newz Kennels' kennel operation."

The key word in that passage is "supplement." As we've previously noted, someone had to be paying for the care and feeding of 50-plus dogs. If, as has been reported elsewhere, none of the persons living in Vick's house were employed, where was the primary funding of the operation coming from?

POSTED 7:16 a.m. EDT, July 10, 2007

BERTHELSEN SAYS UPSHAW IS UNDERPAID

Last month, we reported that NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw made at least $6.6 million in the year ending February 28, 2007.

Daniel Kaplan of SportsBusiness Journal recently confirmed this report, and obtained a quote from NFLPA general counsel Richard Berthelesen defending the exorbitant salary and bonus package paid to Upshaw.

"If anything he is underpaid," Berthelsen said. "He is paid out of the revenues generated by active players."

As Kaplan notes, it's possible that Upshaw earned even more from Players, Inc., the licensing arm of the NFLPA that generates millions from the use of player names and likenesses for trading cards, video games, and related products.

In our view, Berthelsen's comment indicates that Upshaw's wages are tied directly to the financial package that the NFL has given to the players, and therefore that these windfalls will continue beyond February 28, 2007.

But should they? Is it fair and just for the head of a union to be paid based on the total revenue that the union is generating for its members, or should the head of the union be given a salary that reflects the dynamics of the market for persons with the abilities and skills that Upshaw is utilizing?

We think the latter is the more appropriate formula. If Upshaw won't do the job for less than $6.7 million per year, then the PLAYERS who comprise the union should search for a competent executive who'd be thrilled to have the position in return for a lot less money.

We also are curious as to whether the rank-and-file are given full information as to what Upshaw makes. Berthelsen says that the wages are determined by a 10-member committee. But who beyond that committee is asked their opinion on whether Upshaw is receiving more than his fair share?

Berthelsen says that the committee takes into account the salary paid to the NFL Commissioner. But why should the wages that the 32 billionaires who own NFL teams chose to pay to the guy who is managing their league have any relevance to the money paid to Upshaw?

If the formula used to pay Upshaw is going to continue to take into account the revenues generated by active players, and thus will continue to generate pay in excess of $6 million per year, how will the union go about replacing Upshaw? Will current NFLPA president Troy Vincent get the opportunity to make more per year on average than he ever earned on the field simply because he is in the right place at the right time? Or will the union conduct a nationwide search for the best and most competent person that $6.7 million per year can buy?

Regardless of any other issue that currently is dogging the union, we believe that the pay given to Upshaw is shameful, and that it confirms (in our opinion) the notion that the players are in many cases being manipulated by the power structure that Upshaw has put in place to agree with anything that the union's administration presents to them.

And the fact that the retired players who currently are flailing clumsily at Upshaw over disability benefits have yet to utter a peep about Upshaw's pay tells us that the cause being championed by folks like Mike Ditka and Joe DeLamielleure is going nowhere, fast.

It also tells us that real change will be effected only if and when current players display off of the field the same courage that they demonstrate every time they march onto it.

POSTED 10:29 p.m. EDT, July 9, 2007

NO. 18 ON OUR LIST IS THE FIRST RUNNING BACK

Since there isn't much going on around the NFL on a Monday night in early July, our end-of-day lead comes from our effort to identify the top 25 NFL players of the past 25 years.

We make no bones about the fact that we copied this idea from USA Today, primarily because we were incensed that the USA Today list includes Terry Bradshaw, who retired in 1983.

After sifting through plenty of worthy running backs, we've come up with the first one who'll show up on our list.

It wasn't easy, and we expect to be flooded with complaints. Accordingly, our pant legs are rolled up . . . higher than usual.

POSTED 5:59 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 6:10 p.m. EDT, July 9, 2007

FALCONS', JAGS' INTEREST IN GAITHER MAKES SENSE

The news that the Atlanta Falcons and the Jacksonville Jaguars sent multiple scouts to the workout of Maryland tackle Jared Gaither makes sense to us, given that both franchises have shown over the years an inability to set a high bar when it comes to the character of the players they acquire.

In the case of Gaither, the guy flunked out of school. Though it's not the kind of smoking gun (such as, say, evidence of smoking pot or owning a gun) that suggests a propensity to engage in activities that might get him suspended, it's a huge red flag, we believe.

Folks, Gaither flunked out of a state university. It is very hard to flunk out of a state university. Either the guy lacks the gray matter to succeed among grown-ups, or he's too lazy to care. Either way, it's not good.

The fact that no supplemental draft pick has done much of anything over the past several years should be factored into the equation as well (e.g., Tony Hollings, Manny Wright, Ahmad Brooks). The bottom line, in our view, is that there's always a reason why a guy is available to be drafted in July, and it's rarely a good one.

NEWS FLASH: MAAS OUT AT FOX

In a move that should surprise no one, Bill Maas won't be returning to FOX as a football analyst this season.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today reports that Maas is out. Dan Bell of FOX told Hiestand that Maas "wasn't expected" to work for the network in 2007, and that in the wake of his arrest on felony weapons and drug charges "will not be coming back to FOX in any capacity."

Maas joined FOX in 1996. He once was regarded as a rising star, but in recent years his performances took a turn for the worse.

INTRODUCING THE PFT 2007 ALL-TURD OFFENSE

So here it is -- our annual list of the best of the worst (or worst of the best) NFL players, the All-Turd Team.

The first installment is the offense. The defense is coming later in the week.

The 2006 version can be seen right here.

Later in the month, we'll update the All-Time All-Turd team.

POSTED 2:49 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 3:03 p.m. EDT, July 9, 2007

BETHEL GOES BACK TO TEXAS

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that free-agent receiver Bethel Johnson has signed a one-year deal with the Houston Texans.

Johnson, who played college football at Texas A&M, was a second-round draft pick of the Patriots in 2003. After three disappointing seasons in New England, he was traded last year to the Saints for another former draft-day bust, defensive tackle Johnathan Sullivan.

But Johnson was cut by the Saints, and later signed by the Vikings. He started two games in Minnesota, catching nine passes for 156 yards.

In March, he signed with the Eagles, but was cut in May.

With the Texans, he could possibly compete with Kevin Walter for the starting spot across from Pro Bowler Andre Johnson.

PFT INVADES INDY

With a certain degree of skittishness, we'll be making on Monday at 5:30 p.m. EDT our first appearance on the Indianapolis radio airwaves, with John Michael Vincent of WNDE 1260.

We mention the skittishness simply because we haven't exactly been unabashed Colts homers over the years. If anything, we've gone out of our way to poke fun at all things Manning. But we've got no reason to believe that JMV plans to ambush the Poobah . . . which, of course, is one of the key ingredients of a successful ambush.

The rest of our currently-scheduled radio spots for the week are right here. In addition to various regionals spots are our two weekly national gigs with Todd Wright of Sporting News Radio and Dan Moriarty and Denny Hocking of FOX Sports Radio.

POSTED 2:10 p.m. EDT, July 9, 2007

PATRICK LEAVING ESPN ON AUGUST 17

Dan Patrick says that he'll be leaving ESPN on August 17.

"We've talked about it, and it's time to move on," Patrick said on his self-named ESPN Radio program. (And move out.)

Patrick confirms that the delayed announcement was due to the fact that discussions occurred last week with an eye toward keeping him in place. Also, Patrick said nothing about leaving ESPN Radio and staying with ESPN.

He says that he'll be a "free agent." It's expected that he will attempt to launch a nationwide syndicated radio show.

POSTED 1:06 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 1:12 p.m. EDT, July 9, 2007

VICK HANDLERS USED TO BRAG ABOUT "SECLUDED" PROPERTY

A source with knowledge of certain statements made in the past by members of Mike Vick's entourage tells us that Vick's handlers used to brag that the Falcons quarterback would never get in any trouble at bars or other places where NFL players find trouble (and/or vice-versa) because Vick spends most of his time in the offseason at a secluded property in rural Virginia where, among other things, he "mess[es] around with his 50 pit bulls."

Unless Vick owned another secluded property in rural Virginia, this information further contradicts Vick's "I never go there" claim, which was made on the heels of the disclosure in late April that more than 50 dogs had been removed from his Surry County home.

It also runs contrary to the media's inexplicable softening of Vick's position from "never" to "rarely."

While we're back on the topic, we'd forgotten that pictures on Vick's now-defunct K-9 Kennels web site showed dog cages that looked a lot like the row of pens behind the Surry County property. (Thanks to the reader who reminded us of that specific wrinkle.)

As we see it, then, there are three possible explanations:

1. Vick was operating a dog breeding and dog fighting operation out of the Surry County property, and claimed that he never went there as a knee-jerk reaction to the news that the place had been raided.

2. Vick was operating a dog breeding operation out of the Surry County property, and his family members and/or friends were secretly fighting the dogs without his knowledge.

3. Vick was operating a dog breeding operation out of some other location, and his family members and/or friends independently decided to breed dogs for the purpose of fighting them in Surry County, confident that Mike Vick would never show up unannounced and inspect the contents of the land, which included three black buildings that (if Vick built them) were installed for reasons completely unrelated to dog fighting and/or breeding.

Under the scientific principle established in the Fourteenth Century by Franciscan Friar William of Ockham, the simplest explanation is usually the most accurate one. In this specific case, the fact that a man who breeds pit bulls and who owns property in rural Virginia where pit bulls are being bred (and apparently more) knows that the pit bulls are being bred (and apparently more) makes much more sense than the notion that his family members were engaged in an elaborate ruse that could have blown up at any moment if Mike popped in for a visit.

Indeed, if Vick had no knowledge of or involvement in dog fighting and merely bred pit bulls because he loves them, the family members would have been risking his wrath if he were to find out that they had transformed his passion into a pastime that results in pain, mutilation, and (often) death.

So, to anyone out there who thinks we simply have it in for Vick, we ask you to set aside your own biases and apply common sense to the objective evidence.

PATRICK'S ANNOUNCEMENT COMING AT 2:00 P.M.

Dan Patrick of ESPN Radio will be making a "big announcement" at 2:00 p.m. It's presumably the announcement that he was going to make on July 3, but when the time came he wasn't working that day. Monday is his first day back behind the microphone.

Our moles tell us that Patrick is expected to leave ESPN Radio but not ESPN. This will allow him to pursue a syndicated radio deal while still maintaining a television presence. Apparently, this middle-ground approach is the outcome of negotiations that unfolded behind the scenes last week, after Patrick told the powers-that-be that he wants out.

Stay tuned.

POSTED 10:22 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 12:30 p.m. EDT, July 9, 2007

FISHER LOOKING FOR LEVERAGE?

A league source with knowledge of the current dynamics of the Tennessee Titans front office tells us that coach Jeff Fisher is dragging his feet in order to build leverage. The source contacted us in response to our Sunday speculation regarding the lack of an extension for Fisher.

Specifically, the source says that Fisher realizes that G.M. Mike Reinfeldt could be bolting for Green Bay to become team president, possibly right after the 2007 season ends. And Fisher, the source believes, wants to be able to influence owner Bud Adams, if/when the team is looking for a new General Manager. We're told that Reinfeldt was an Adams hire, and that even though Fisher was involved in the interview process, he didn't have much say over the decision.

Another possible bit of evidence regarding the potentially tenuous status of Reinfeldt is that, despite conducting a search for a director of player personnel, no one was hired. If the team thinks Reinfeldt could be leaving, it makes sense that, in the end, the team would refrain from hiring a Reinfeldt guy to supervise the pro and college scouting functions.

Fisher also could be hoping to secure more authority over the football side of the business, even if he doesn't want to try to finagle the G.M. title.

Of course, Fisher is taking a risk, if his goal is to build leverage. If the team tanks in 2007, he could be S.O.L. Still, even when the team was struggling in 2006, his named was being linked strongly to the Cowboys job. And that $5.4 million salary he'll make this year would carry him through a season of unemployment or (more likely) the high six-figure salary that he'd command as a television analyst.

PORTER-JONES II ALMOST HAPPENS IN VEGAS

More than three months after Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter and others beat the jeans off of Levi Jones of the Bengals, the two men were back in Vegas early Sunday morning, for what could have been a rematch of their March 18 brouhaha.

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Porter and Jones entered the OPM night club at Caesars at 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, in separate parties. Per the report, security quickly was beefed up, and no violence broke out.

The report doesn't mention whether there was any type of verbal confrontation, but given that the loquacious Porter likely talks smack to his own poo we suspect that Joey was running his mouth. A bit.

MONDAY EARLY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

Thirty years after ditching our NFL sheets, we'll be able to buy an entire NFL bed.

QB Michael Bishop's Week One performance in Canada apparently has secured for him the starting job over Mike McMahon.

Topps is trying to fend off Upper Deck's attempt to buy the company.

From the "Um, Hasn't He Ever Perused His Company's Product Catalog?" file, the president of EA says that the video game industry relies too much on sequels.

The Falcons have a brand spanking new web site . . . but for some reason we can't find the link to purchase pit bulls.

Bob Ford of the Philadelphia Inquirer says that Mike Vick should be suspended one game for each dead dog found on his property.

Dan Marino is only No. 11 on the USA Today list of the top 25 NFL players over the past 25 years.

Bucs DE Kevin Carter feels the need to prove himself again. (Maybe the team will make it to the Super Bowl, and then during a potential game-tying drive in the fourth quarter he can tap out.)

For all of our stuff from July 8 and before, click here, and if you want to go even farther back in time, click here for five full years of archives. (Or you can continue to try to do a write-in vote for yourself in one of the "Who's Now" brackets.)

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