---

POSTED 9:30 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 9:55 p.m. EDT, August 15, 2006

WHISPERS CIRCULATE REGARDING WHETHER TUNA HAS GONE SOFT

As Cowboys coach Bill Parcells apparently tries his damnedest not to create headlines by subjecting receiver Terrell Owens to the same treatment that any other player on one of his teams would experience if they missed 13 straight practices with a hamstring injury that showed up on an MRI as a bruised vagina, Parcells is the target of scuttlebutt in league circles that the Tuna has lost his teeth.

Parcells' strategy, it seems, is to give Owens plenty of room to recover from the hamstring "injury," if for no reason other than to avoid giving 99 percent of the media and all non-Cowboys fans the satisfaction of seeing the T.O. era end even before it begins. 

The consequences?  League insiders can't believe what they're seeing and hearing.

Here's a prime example.  On Monday, Owens said, "It's just a situation where we all have to be patient with one another." 

Said one league source in response:  "That is a f--king joke.  The coach has the final word."

On Tuesday, Owens missed practice again.  And Parcells seems to be sick of talking about it.  "I really don't have much to say," Parcells said. "This subject's getting a little redundant."

It is getting a little redundant, Coach.  And though we freely admit that we're one of the many who'd love to see this thing blow sky high, there are only two men who push the calendar beyond February 2nd -- Owens, and you. 

With each passing day in which Owens gets his way and the head coach doesn't, Parcells' authority within the locker room is undermined, and his stature around the league is diminished.

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STEINBERG NOT RETIRING

Agent Leigh Steinberg called us on Tuesday to make it clear that, despite his reduced role in representing NFL players, he is not retiring.

Steinberg plans to continue to work with Ryan and Bruce Tollner in a consulting role on contracts for first-round picks and high-profile veterans.  As reported Monday by the Sports Business Journal, Steinberg's name will still appear on the Standard Representation Agreements for the clients whom the Tollers will now service via their new venture, Rep 1 Sports Group.

And look for Steinberg to help the Tollners in the recruitment of players.  Steinberg estimates that he received more than 50 calls from potential clients or their families after the Hall of Fame weekend in which he presented client Warren Moon for induction and on which another client, Troy Aikman entered Canton.  

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OWNERSHIP OF REEBOK BY ADIDAS IRRELEVANT TO BUSH SHOE ISSUE

We've received plenty of e-mails from readers who ask why the NFL wouldn't let Saints tailback Reggie Bush wear his adidas cleats without tape masking the logo, given that adidas has purchased Reebok.

On the surface, the argument makes sense.  Reebok owns an NFL shoe and apparel license.   Adidas bought Reebok.  Thus, adidas owns the NFL license.

Unfortunately, it's not that simple.  The contract between the NFL and its shoe-selling partners undoubtedly limits the arrangement to the specific brands of the named company.  Otherwise, adidas could not put its logo right next to the Reebok logo on every shoe, shirt, hat, etc.

If this were allowed, adidas and Reebok would be getting more than they bargained for under the Reebok contract with the NFL.  Likewise, other shoe licensees (Nike and Under Armour) might not be too thrilled about going from a one-in-three branding presence to one out of four.

And let's be clear on this.  Bush can wear any shoe that he wants.  He just can't display the logo of any company other than Reebok, Nike, or Under Armour. 

This issue isn't another example of the fashion police cracking down on sock length or white tape on face masks.  This is about the NFL ensuring that its sponsors get full value for their financial investments in the sport.  That's why Bush was fined -- and that's why the league will be making sure that he understands the consequences of further violations. 

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MEAN MACHINE "PAROLES" ASKEW

The latest member of the Mean Machine to be arrested has become the first to be released from the team.

The Bengals cut on Tuesday defensive tackle Mathias Askew because, according to coach Marvin Lewis, he was being outperformed.

The next guy with questions swirling around him to be dumped could be linebacker Odell Thurman.  Though Thurman is with the team and practicing, a reader alerted us to the fact that the team has slashed the prices on Thurman-related merchandise.  A replica jersey can be had for $40, and an 8"X10" photo was cut in price by 80 percent, to $1.00.  Whether this means that Thurman soon will be joining Askew on the "outside" remains to be seen.

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POSTED 2:53 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 3:04 p.m. EDT, August 15, 2006

REGGIE ASKING FOR TROUBLE 

The AP reports that Saints running back Reggie Bush has been fined for wearing unauthorized cleats in his pro debut on Saturday night against the Titans.  The AP suggests that the fine is likely to be $10,000, and based on our assessment of the NFL's 2006 schedule of fines the AP is correct.

But the bigger story here, in our view, is Bush's nonchalant response to the news.

"Adidas took care of it," Bush said Monday.

The only problem?  Adidas isn't allowed to take care of it.  

We asked NFL spokesman Greg Aiello whether it would be permissible for a sponsor to pay the fine, and Aiello's response was unequivocal:  "No, it is not permissible."

Though most folks might regard this is a minor issue, it's got the potential to be a big deal, if Bush continues to defy NFL uniform policies.  For the next offense, Bush will be hit with a $20,000 fine.  Beyond that, Bush risks "higher fines, suspension and banishment."

Also, the Saints and/or the coaching staff can be fined for condoning or permitting repeated violations.

The bottom line here is that Reggie Bush can't dictate to the NFL the shoes that he'll wear merely by lining up adidas to write a weekly check.  This isn't the same thing as trashing a hotel room and then paying for the damage; official NFL sponsors pay good money for the right to exhibit their products on the feet and bodies of NFL players.  These companies lose the benefit of their investment if one of the highest-profile guys in the league decides that he's going to be different.

And from the perspective of adidas, writing a weekly check is a no-brainer.  It's a helluvalot cheaper than securing the sponsorship rights, and the company gets plenty of exposure for its investment.

Our guess?  Reggie will be told in no uncertain terms that he has to comply with the uniform policies and that, if he doesn't, he eventually will be suspended. 

And we think that the NFL needs to do it right now.  Otherwise, adidas will continue to get plenty of free advertising and, more importantly, the companies that have paid millions for the right to outfit the players will see their investment continue to be undermined.     

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SPROLES OUT MORE THAN "SEVERAL WEEKS"

Though published reports indicated that Chargers running back/kick returner Darren Sproles will miss "several weeks" with a broken leg, a league source tells us that Sproles is expected to miss the entire 2006 season.

The team's official position is that Sproles is out "indefinitely."  

Without Sproles, the Chargers apparently will look in-house for a replacement in the return game.  Rookie cornerback Antonio Cromartie is not under consideration for the job, according to the team.

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POSTED 1:39 p.m. EDT, August 15, 2006

COWHER CONTRACT TALKS ON HOLD

In an apparent effort to throw water on a potential brush fire, the Pittsburgh Steelers have announced that talks regarding a potential contract extension between the team and coach Bill Cowher will be on hold until after the 2006 season.

The statement from team president Art Rooney II reads as follows:  "Over the past several months we have had a continuing and positive dialogue with Coach Cowher's representative, Octagon President Phil de Picciotto, concerning Bill's contract and the future.  I remain optimistic and hopeful that we will be able to conclude a contract extension which will keep Bill coaching the Pittsburgh Steelers for many more years.  However, we have all agreed that at this time we will continue those conversations after this season so that Bill's focus, and the focus of the entire organization can be on the excitement and challenge of defending the Super Bowl Championship."

Cowher currently is under contract through 2007.  Previously, his contract had always been extended before the next-to-last year of the deal.

But this time around there is evidence that Cowher might be contemplating retirement, either after 2006 or after 2007.  During our Monday visit to Steelers training camp, the talk around the members of the local media was that Cowher will return for 2007 only if the team wins the Super Bowl again in 2006.  Cowher has said that he is taking the matter one year at a time.

On the job since 1992, Cowher has been with the same franchise longer than any other current coach.  He achieved in his 14th season the team's first Super Bowl since 1979, after many years of getting close to the ultimate prize.  The Steelers have advanced to the AFC championship game six times under Cowher, and have gone to the Super Bowl twice.

So with the biggest mountain in the NFL now climbed, what next?  That's surely a question that the Type-A, goal-oriented Cowher has asked himself at least once or twice over the past six months.  

In the offseason, Cowher and his wife purchased a multi-million-dollar home in North Carolina, and his wife and high-school-age daughter have moved there.  On Sunday, Jerome Bettis of NBC's Sunday Night Football suggested that, in his belief, Cowher would not return after 2006.  On Monday, Cowher addressed those comments, denying that he told his former star tailback anything about his plans.

The one thing we still can't figure out is why he'd leave after this year if they don't win the Super Bowl, and why he'd come back if they do.  On one hand, maybe he'd then be interested in going for an unprecedented three in a row.  Alternatively, maybe he prefers not to "retire" with back-to-back championships, since there could then be those requisite questions about a "tarnished legacy" if he returns to coaching a few years later and doesn't excel.

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POSTED 1:00 p.m. EDT, August 15, 2006

SUGGS FLUNKS PHYSICAL

Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com reports that running back Lee Suggs has failed his physical, voiding the trade that sent him from the Browns to the Jets.

The move puts the Jets back in the market for a running back, given the condition of Curtis Martin's knee.  Currently, Derrick Blaylock and Cedric Houston are at the top of the depth chart.

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POSTED 7:38 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 8:34 a.m. EDT, August 15, 2006

COWHER RETURNING ONLY IF THERE'S ANOTHER SUPER BOWL WIN?

During our day in Latrobe at Steelers camp, one of the things that caught our attention was that fact that, among the local media, it's a foregone conclusion that coach Bill Cowher won't be returning in 2007 unless the team wins a second straight Super Bowl.

Cowher has two years remaining on his contract.  He's never started the next-to-last year of his deal without an extension.

It's not clear why he'd come back only if there's another Super Bowl win, but that's the word that is making its way through the press corps. 

If the Steelers fall short of repeating as NFL champs, the expectation is that Cowher would "retire," take a couple of years off, and return to coaching at some point down the road.

With the market value for high-end coaches already north of $7.5 million per year, Cowher eventually could command a salary in the range of eight figures.

The only thing that's certain as of right now is that Cowher is done talking about the situation.  "This will be the last time that I discuss this whole matter," Cowher said before addressing the televised Sunday night musings from former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis, who believes based on an offseason conversation with Cowher that 2006 will be his last year with the team.

Cowher said twice that no "confidential information" was given to Bettis when they talked in March, roughly a month after the Super Bowl.  Since Bettis was hired to work on the Sunday Night Football crew in February, Cowher surely knew that anything he said to Bettis could surface later on NBC.  

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RANDY IS GETTING UPSET?

After roughly a year of being, for the most part, a good soldier in a crappy army, Raiders receiver Randy Moss is sounding off.  The question, as we see it, is whether it's a one-time thing or whether he'll continue to make his feelings known, especially if (as it appears) the Raiders struggle again in 2006.

The reason?  Moss was unhappy that he didn't get more of a chance to delight the crowd at the Metrodome in his exhibition return to Minnesota.

"I was just more ticked because I've never in my career been taken out of a game, preseason, during a drive," Moss said.  "It's funny to me.  I don't call the shots.  I guess I just go back to the drawing board."

At this point, however, it's not clear what the "drawing board" will reveal.  In a Monday night interview with ESPN's Suzy Kolber, Raiders quarterback Aaron Brooks hinted that:  (1) Moss is already running his mouth about getting the ball; and (2) Brooks isn't inclined to listen to it.

"I don't pay any attention to him," Brooks said.  "I just wanna give him the ball, so he can make some plays out on the field when we need him to.  He can talk all he wants, do his thing, I'm not gonna get in his way, [I] just want him to make some plays, too.

"You can't overdo it.  You can't look for him every single snap.  That'll get a quarterback in trouble.  .  .  .   Randy, he wants the ball pretty much every time, but at the same time I'm gonna run the offense as expected and he'll get his touches at the end of the night."

Moss reportedly stewed after making his only reception and then being pulled out of the game.

"I just wanted to come in and see the fans and give them something really to scream about because I've had my fun here in this Metrodome and they've had theirs, too," Moss said.  "That's one thing I really just wanted to come back and just give back to the fans.  The organization?  To hell with them."

So even though Moss's long-term future with the Raiders is as up in the air as one of those Brad Johnson/Randall Cunningham/Jeff George/Daunte Culpepper/Gus Frerotte bombs under which he used to run, it's looking more and more clear that, even if he leaves Oakland, he won't be coming back to Minnesota.

"I think that they, the people in the stands with the 84s on and whatnot, I think they understand now that I'm a Raider and there's no coming back, and I don't really want to come back."

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PARCELLS RUNNING OUT OF PATIENCE

As receiver Terrell Owens continues to nurse his hamstring like a doting mother coddling a 16-year-old with a raging case of the sniffles, it's becoming clearer and clearer that coach Bill Parcells is getting closer and closer to the boiling point.

"I don't know the player very well. I just have to give him the benefit of the doubt right now," Parcells said Monday, before Owens missed yet another practice due to a hamstring injury that showed no damage in an MRI.  "I don't want to jeopardize him for the season.  So right now I am erring on the side of caution."

Parcells isn't erring on the side of caution with receiver Terry Glenn, to whom the Tuna referred a decade ago as "she" when Glenn was missing practice time for a similar condition.  This time around, Glenn is out due to blisters on his feet.  When Glenn came to the practice field without pads on Monday, Parcells and Glenn reportedly engaged in an "animated" conversation.

Meanwhile, Parcells is giving Owens plenty of room.  For now.

"We need to see something here pretty soon.  That is the truth," Parcells said. "We need to get him into the offense.  Right now, he has missed a lot of work."

Sounding less like the "player" in the player-coach relationship and more like an equal, Owens addressed the situation on Monday.  "I know he wants me out there on the football field," Owens said.  "And I told him, 'Bill, I want to be out there just as bad as you want me out there.  It's just a situation where we all have to be patient with one another."

The problem, as we see it, is that Parcells' decision not to jump all over Owens is sending a strong message to the other guys in camp that there are two sets of rules, possibly for the first time in the Tuna's long-term coaching career.  Sure, Lawrence Taylor probably got some special consideration from Parcells during his days with the Giants, but there never was an issue (that we can recall) regarding Taylor not practicing due to a seemingly mild injury that didn't affect his mobility.

And now that we've been to a couple of training camp practices, it's obvious to us that the sessions aren't always strenuous and/or demanding.  At times, it seems to be more about learning the systems, not demonstrating physical superiority.  Based on some of the things we've seen at camp, we're convinced that, if Owens (as he did on Monday) can run routes at full speed after practice, he can participate in the stuff that goes on during the session, too.

So what's happening here?  It might just be an effort by Owens to show that he's in charge of the situation -- and we suspect that he's fully enjoying the fact that his past actions in San Fran and Philly have this era's Vince Lombardi walking on eggshells for the first time since . . . since . . . well, ever.

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POSTCARDS FROM LATROBE

We interrupt this words-driven coverage of the NFL for a collection of the photos snapped with our Samsung A900 phone, available only through our exclusive telecommunications partner, Sprint. 

Please take a look-see at the A900 and other Sprint products by visiting the ads on this page.

And check back later for a full PFT Ten-Pack of observations regarding Steelers camp.   

(Taz washes down that bubble-gum chicken with a stick of dynamite in it.)

(Duce Staley reacts after we say, "Hey, is that a diamond earring on the ground over there?")

(Good thing Walter Young pulled up, or we would have gotten our blood all over his shirt.) 

(Take it easy, guys -- what do you think this is, minicamp?)

(This is the closest we've gotten to a Super Bowl MVP since Larry Brown waxed our car.)

(James Farrior wonders what smells -- before realizing that, well, it's him.)

(Amazingly, OSHA has not yet required the local media to keep their employees out of Coach Chin's spittle zone.)

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POSTED 8:52 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 9:03 p.m. EDT, August 14, 2006

LEINART DEAL DONE

A league source tells us that Cardinals first-round pick Matt Leinart has agreed to terms.

POSTED 1:49 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 2:17 p.m. EDT, August 14, 2006

GREETINGS FROM LATROBE

We've ventured once again out of the official PFT headquarters (i.e., the basement at grandma's house) for a visit to a real NFL training camp.  Today, we're in Latrobe at St. Vincent College for Steelers practice that begins at 3:00 p.m. EDT.

In the interim, the PFT Poobah has been hanging out with Peter King of Sports Illustrated, meeting several members of the local media, and otherwise enjoying the hospitality of the Steelers organization and Communications Coordinator Dave Lockett.

Amazing realization No. 1 of the day -- they give you food.  Food, Jerry.  Food.

So in lieu of taking a nap after scarfing down a turkey burger and some pepperoni pizza, we've opted instead to set up the official PFT laptop in the media room and act like we're supposed to be here before they kick us out.  We also took a quick detour to chat with our good friends at AOL Sports Bloggers Live with a preview of the AFC South.

Finally, and as promised on Friday, the Sprint phone made the trip.  Here's a shot of two of the four football fields that reside on the impressive St. Vincent campus.

More to come.

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TOLLNER, STEINBERG SPLIT CONFIRMED

Liz Mullen of the Sports Business Journal confirms that agents Ryan and Bruce Tollner have parted ways with Leigh Steinberg.  By all appearances, the move is amicable -- and it appears to represent a retirement of sorts by Steinberg from the agent business.

Steinberg, however, will continue to serve as an adviser to the Tollners, and Steinberg's name will continue to appear on the representation agreements with current clients, all of whom will now be serviced by the Tollners.

"The Tollners have effectively been running our day-to-day operations for some time, and this is a mutually agreed-upon strategy," Steinberg told Mullen.

"I continue to have a passion for athletic representation and will remain involved," he said. "However, I am excited about the opportunity to continue to develop projects in marketing, content supply, entertainment and corporate consulting."

Steinberg hinted to us that a change in the structure of the business could be coming when we first posted rumors that the Tollners might be departing several weeks ago.  On August 4, we reported that the move was a done deal.

The new agency is known as "Rep 1 Sports Group," and the highest-profile client out of the gates is Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.  There are roughly 40 other players whom the Tollners will represent.

Steinberg widely is regarded as a pioneer in the NFL agent business.  He has represented the No. 1 pick in the draft eight times, tracing all the way back to quarterback Steve Bartkowski of the Falcons in the 1970s.  In 2005 and 2006, three of Steinberg's clients -- Steve Young, Warren Moon, and Troy Aikman -- have been inducted into the Hall of Fame in their first years of eligibility.  Steinberg presented Moon for induction on August 5.

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POSTED 8:30 a.m. EDT, August 14, 2006

ROMO BOUNCING BLEDSOE?

In the wake of the unusual decision of Cowboys coach Bill Parcells to use quarterback Tony Romo for the entire preseason game on Saturday night at Seattle, the league is buzzing with positive comments regarding the fourth-year signal-caller from Eastern Illinois.

Some are saying that Romo reminds them of a young Brett Favre.  The players in Dallas, we're told, love Romo, who is far more mobile than starter Drew Bledsoe.

One scout has predicted that Bledsoe will be on a short leash this year, and that if/when Bledsoe struggles Romo will get the job and Bledsoe will be done.

A little fantasy advice?  Grab this guy with a late-round pick, just in case.

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G-MEN TROLLING FOR TACKLE?

In the wake of statements from Giants coach Tom Coughlin regarding the team's substandard run defense, there's talk that the G-men could be interested in trading for a starting-caliber defensive tackle.

One name that has been popping up?  Kendrick Clancy, who left the team via free agency for the Arizona Cardinals.

Whether the Cards would be willing to part so quickly with Clancy remains to be seen.  And what Arizona would want for him is  unknown.  The Giants don't have the kind of depth that would allow them to give up, for example, an offensive lineman, which is one of the Cardinals' areas of need.

Beyond Clancy, there simply aren't a surplus of big bodies.  The Giants, in the end, might have to wait for the final roster cuts to get some help.

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PORTIS INJURY SAME AS BENSON'S

A league source tells us that the shoulder injury suffered by Redskins running back Clinton Portis is identical to the injury recently sustained by Bears running back Cedric Benson.

The question, as the source explained, is the amount of damage done to the shoulder during the time that the shoulder popped out of and back into joint.

"It's going to be a while before he'll play," coach Joe Gibbs said of Portis, according to the Washington Times.  It will be a couple of days before the team can predict the full duration of Portis' absence.

For Benson, a return is closer than it was over the weekend.  On Sunday, he took off the sling he'd been wearing since suffering the injury on August 4.  "I'm doing good.  I'm out of the sling and lifting weights, but I can't go too heavy," Benson said.  "I couldn't play a game or anything like that.  It's still a little loose."

Portis lays blame for his injury on something other than the unnecessarily hard hit he applied to Bengals corner Keiwan Ratliff after Ratliff intercepted a pass on the first drive of the game.  "Let's get rid of some of these preseason games," said Portis after the game.  "Even the young guys don't need four games.  It's ridiculous to play four preseason games and then 16 games and then the playoffs."

Though we agree with Clinton's points, he's ignoring two key points.  First, the fact that he got hurt on the first drive of the Redskins' first preseason game makes his injury necessarily irrelevant to the length of the preseason.  Second, if the preseason were shorter, he'd have less time to recover from the injury before the start of the regular season.

Other Redskins suffering significant injuries on Sunday night were linebacker Chris Clemons (Grade 3 MCL sprain) and running back Kerry Carter (torn ACL and MCL).  Clemons will miss several weeks; Carter is done for the season.

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MONDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Rookie S Tyrone Culver is a starter for the Packers until Marquand Manuel emerges from the PUP list.

Rams coach Scott Linehan is gushing about S Oshiomogho Atogwe (gesundheit).

Eagles DE Jerome McDougle is battling a rib injury.

Eagles LB Jeremiah Trotter tried to bury the hatchet with C Hank Fraley after a practice field skirmish.

Eagles C Hank Fraley is willing to consider a trade to a town in which he would start.

The Titans have refined their "insert name here" statement for whenever a player gets arrested:  "This is a reflection of the organization, but it is Randy Starks' choices, it is not the organization. This organization places a value on character, places a value on moral character and responsibility and respect and trust.  We can't control what each and every player does on and off the field.  We can encourage them to no end, but they are still going to be responsible for their choices.  Randy Starks is going to be responsible.'' 

The Lions might be looking for help at tight end. 

Marcus Vick apparently is calling his pro debut a success because he didn't stomp on any legs.

Browns coach Romeo Crennel made his defense run on Sunday after some practice field screw-ups.

Former NFL lineman Kevin Donnalley recently resigned from a high school coaching job after reportedly tackling one of his players.

Jags rookie TE Marcedes Lewis suffered a high ankle sprain on Saturday night.

The second half of the ESPN MNF season-opening doubleheader will be called by Brad Nessler, Ron Jaworski, and Dick Vermeil.

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POSTED 1:05 a.m. EDT, August 14, 2006

POSTED 9:56 p.m. EDT, August 13, 2006

UNCLE RICO PLAYING WEEK ONE?

Peter King of NBC reports that the Tennessee Titans are exploring the possibility of giving rookie quarterback Vince Young one series per half, as early as the first game of the regular season.  The purpose of the move would be to confound opposing defensive coordinators, who'll have to prepare each week both for pocket-passer Billy Volek and field-rambler Young.

Young's injury from Saturday night isn't expected to slow his progress.  King says that Young's sprained ankle is fine, and that he'll practice this week.

Though Young looked great against backups on Saturday night, we'd like to see him get a series or two during the preseason against a starting defense.  Our guess?  The guy is going to be able to get it done.

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POSTED 9:48 p.m. EDT, August 13, 2006

PORTIS HAS SEPARATED SHOULDER

Andrea Kremer of NBC reports that Redskins running back Clinton Portis has a separated shoulder.  Describing the injury as a "sublux," Kremer reported that the shoulder popped out of joint and then popped back in.

Technically, the condition is known as a shoulder subluxation, and it means a temporary, partial dislocation.  Though, in this case, the joint is back in place, the process of the ball going in and out of the socket could have done damage to the structures inside the joint.  For now, whether Portis has suffered such damage is unclear.

Stay tuned.

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POSTED 8:19 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 9:15 p.m. EDT, August 13, 2006

PORTIS HURT ON FIRST DRIVE

Redskins running back Clinton Portis was shaken up on Sunday night following a hard tackle that he put on Bengals cornerback Keiwan Ratliff after Ratliff intercepted a Mark Brunell pass and returned it to the Washington 30.

Portis lunged into Ratliff, wrapped him up, and took him down hard.  Per Andrea Kremer of NBC, Portis sustained a left shoulder injury.  He walked to the locker room for x-rays, which were negative.  An MRI is also being conducted.  Kremer reported that Portis was "very, very frustrated" as he was being examined behind the Redskins' bench. 

We like the hustle that Portis showed, but it's the preseason.  The tackle occurred near the sideline -- all Portis had to do was push him out.  Instead, Portis tried to apply the "Hit Stick," and as a result he might have plenty of time to play Madden as he heals.

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SUNDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

Broncos WR Brandon Marshall will miss a few weeks with a torn PCL.

Next stop, Canton for 12-time Pro Bowler Junior Seau.

Titans DT Randy Starks has been arrested for allegedly assaulting his fiancee.  (If true, we hope she tells him to stick that ring up his bunghole.)

Mo-Clo's lawyer says that Clarett was beat up by police after already in handcuffs.

The Titans have some 'splaining to do regarding T-Rac's rendezvous with A-Mac.

Giants WR Sinorice Moss has missed two weeks with a quad injury.

Prime Time was back in Atlanta, working with the team's defensive backs; he said that he'll return to TV in the fall, but gave no details.

Lions WR Roy Williams (ribs) missed practice on Sunday.

Packers S Marviel Underwood is out for the season with a torn ACL and MCL.

Says ESPN play-by-play man Mike Tirico on his role for MNF:  "You'll know I'm there, but you won't really notice me."  ("Unless", he added, "I'm standing on a car battery.")

Minnesota's starters will play all of the first quarter on Monday.

The late Thomas Herrion's locker has been untouched for a year, and the 49ers soon will cover it with glass.

Falcons QB Mike Vick concedes that one of the problems with his pocket passing is that he's too short:  "Every now and then, it's tough for me to see over the line."  (Which gives the Vick apologists another excuse for his struggles -- "The linemen are too damn tall!")

Saints RB Reggie Bush will likely be fined by the NFL for not covering his gold-toed cleats with black tape.

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POSTED 11:38 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 1:09 p.m. EDT, August 13, 2006

JONES TRYING TO AVERT T.O-TUNA MELTDOWN?

There's an odd item in Sunday's Fort Worth Star-Telegram regarding the potential volcano that currently is rumbling beneath the Cowboys' training camp in Oxnard.

Per Mac Engel, Cowboys owner/G.M. Jerry Jones says that he has sent a message to receiver Terrell Owens that the star receiver needs to get used to practicing at "75 percent."

It's not clear whether Owens actually got the message, since Jones communicated it to "some of Owens' trainers," an apparent reference to T.O.'s personal rehab crew that has been brought to camp to help him recover from a hamstring problem so severe that an MRI showed, well, no damage at all.

"Terrell only knows one way:  that's at 100 percent," Jones said.  "As he goes on into his career, if he can consistently practice at that 75 to 80 percent [level], that will help.  It's not a criticism."

If it's not a criticism, what is it?  It's not like Owens is a rookie who's trying to find his way in the mystical world of the NFL.  He has shown in the past that, whatever happens in the preseason, he's ready to roll come September.

So why wouldn't Jones have the discussion directly with Owens?  Does Jerry fear that, given T.O.'s reputation, there's no way to speak to him about the situation on a face-to-face basis without Owens presuming that he's being attacked or challenged?

And would Owens be wrong to view the "message" in such terms?  The root of the situation is that Owens genuinely believes that he can't practice, and the team genuinely disagrees.  Thus, the team essentially is challenging the player's assessment of his own health and condition.

Regardless, we think that the message here didn't originate with Jones, but with coach Bill Parcells.  As we've recently explained, Parcells is privately telling folks "I told you so" about the decision to sign Owens, and that Parcells hates guys who won't practice or play in pain.  Given, however, the intense media scrutiny of the Owens situation, and the consequences of a premature eruption of Mount Receiver-ass, the Tuna realizes that he can't handle the situation in the way that he has handled similar circumstances in the past.

In that regard, Owens already has won, by forcing Parcells to alter his nature.  We assumed that Parcells would be knee-deep into T.O.'s rear end come training camp, in an effort to force him to snap, if at all, before the regular season starts.

Instead, Parcells is tiptoeing around Prince Terrell, likely because the veteran coach knows in his heart that, if he unloads on Owens, the Cowboys will be right in the middle of the same problem that the Eagles experienced a year ago.

Regardless of whether the ultimate motivation is to enhance the environment for winning or to avoid giving the media and/or the Eagles the satisfaction of seeing the situation in Dallas explode, our guess in light of Jones' remarks is that Parcells is getting closer to the end of his rope, and that he's giving the guy who writes the checks one chance to get Owens onto the practice field before the Tuna takes matters into his own hands. 

Thus, with the first real game only four weeks away, we stand by our belief that there's a distinct chance that, come September 10, either Owens or Parcells will not be with the team.

In this regard, keep in mind that the Cowboys will avoid any responsibility for Owens' $5 million salary if he is not on the roster when the season opens.  Because the move would be happening after June 1, the net hit would actually be a gain of $5 million in 2006 space, if Parcells ultimately insists that Owens be released -- and if Jones agrees.  The remaining $3.33 million would then hit the cap in 2007.

We're not suggesting that such an outcome is likely or even probable at this point.  But it's definitely possible, and it's significantly more possible than it was when camp in Dallas opened.

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SUNDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

ESPN's Chris Mortensen suggests that Jets QB Chad Pennington might have re-injured his shoulder on Friday night.

The writers in Arizona need to keep in mind that the $10 million to $12 million in 2006 cap space available to the Cardinals is irrelevant to the Matt Leinart contract, since his first-year compensation is limited by the remaining allocation under the rookie pool.

Meanwhile, even though Leinart wasn't at the Cardinals' swanky new crib on Saturday, his jersey was hanging out in the gift shop.

49ers RB Kevan Barlow thinks that he can be every bit as good as Larry Johnson and Clinton Portis.  (We didn't know that Barlow suffered a concussion on Friday night.)

Should NFL players be permitted to have fantasy teams?

49ers C Jeremy Newberry has no cartilage in his left knee; he had microfracture surgery in December 2005 due to a similar condition in his right knee.

Saints QB Adrian McPherson is okay after his run-in with a golf cart on Saturday night.

Browns CB Gary Baxter (torn pectoral muscle) says he'll be back for the start of the season.

The more we read about Tony Kornheiser's coming stint on MNF, the more convinced we are that it's not going to work.

Giants offensive coordinator John Hufnagel has moved from the field to the box, and quarterbacks coach Kevin Gilbride has moved from the box to the field.

The Soup Nazi is concerned about his run defense.

Seahawks QB Seneca Wallace wants to play.

Packers S Marviel Underwood might have a serious knee injury.

Vikings CB Fred Smoot could miss Monday night's game with a mild neck injury.

Bucs OT Kenyatta Walker says that he stayed in Tampa out of loyalty.  (Since when does "loyalty" mean "they're the only team that wanted me"?)

Cowboys QB Tony Romo played the entire game on Saturday night at Seattle.

Jags rookie RB Maurice Jones-Drew scored on a 55-yard catch-and-run in his preseason debut.

The Bears insist that there's no quarterback controversy between Rex Grossman and Brian Griese.  (Maybe the team realizes that there's still a good chance that Grossman will suffer yet another broken leg or torn ligament, which would make the issue moot.)

Moonshine has a knack for making the opposing defenders look drunk.

Raiders rookie S Michael Huff lined up at cornerback for a few plays on Saturday.

Dookie earned a start on Saturday night.  (But he looked a little puffy, like he needed to take a healthy, um, walk.)

Though former Rams G.M. Charley Armey plans to retire after the 2006 season, he isn't closing the door on working for another team.

Mike Felger of the Boston Herald ranks the NFL's coaches -- Mike, how in the hell is Coach Chin No. 7?

Psts RB Corey Dillon found a loophole in the orders that veterans not comment on the performance of rookie RB Laurence Maroney:  "I'm forbidden to speak on that," Dillon said.  "If I could, I'd say he looked great."

Cardinals fans are realizing a new phenomenon from which they'd been previously immune -- other cars on the road to and from the football stadium.

Eagles RB Brian Westbrook (foot) is unlikely to play on Thursday night.

Raiders Jerry Porter (calf/stick up the ass) is expected to play on Monday night.

Fins QB Cleo Lemon was 11-for-15 on Saturday.

Browns G.M. Phil Savage is cracking up.

The coach of the team with plenty of off-field penalties hopes that there will be minimal on-field flags in the preseason debut.

Miami rookie DT Frederick Evans had a sack and a tackle for a loss on Saturday night.

Would the Eagles be unlikely to trade C Hank Fraley to the Browns, given that C LeCharles Bentley reneged on a reported verbal deal with Philly before signing with Cleveland?

The Steelers rookie receivers caught four passes each.

Eagles WR Todd Pinkston (Achilles) practiced for the first time since July 29.

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POSTED 11:06 a.m. EDT, August 13, 2006

SAVAGE SLAMMED FOR "WOE IS ME" ROUTINE

The Peter Principle, first coined nearly 40 years ago, stands for the notion that, in a given hierarchy, every employee tends to rise to the level of his own incompetence. 

In other words, the worker enters the organization, performs above the requirements of his entry position, and thus is promoted.  The process continues until the employee rises precisely one level higher than that for which his skills, abilities, and temperament are suited.

So what in the heck does that have to do with football?  A lot, in the hierarchy that is the NFL.

Case in point -- Browns G.M. Phil Savage.  Regarded as a great college scout, it's possible that the limit of his competence is great scouting.

We say this because the reaction in league circles to Savage's recent comments in the wake of the retirement of center Bob Hallen has been strongly negative, and it has called into question whether Savage has the stuff to be the ultimate leader of a football organization.

On Friday, Savage publicly teed off on Hallen, who left the team earlier in the week and later announced his retirement.  "I have to admit, I'm upset that he walked out on us two days before the first [preseason] game without any warning, especially in light of us losing LeCharles Bentley," Savage said.  "It was totally unexpected.  It really put us in a vise."

Savage then characterized his team as being in "dire straits" at the center position, and that the Browns "have gone from having the best center situation in the NFL to one of the worst."  He also said, as we quoted on Saturday, that "we're playing with people that are names of players who were not even in our minds six months ago, much less two weeks ago."

The kicker?  Savage admitted that the team lied about the condition of Hallen's back.  In the wake of his departure, the team's comments indicated that the veteran had a real injury.  Now, Savage makes it clear that nothing was wrong with Hallen, and that the franchise was trying to help Hallen put a good face on the situation.

"To keep it from being an embarrassing situation, we basically said he's being looked at,'' Savage said.  "But our people never saw him again.''

So what changed between Monday and Friday?  Was the team willing to help Hallen avoid embarrassment, or was the team hoping to downplay the situation until they had an opportunity to try to persuade him to change his mind?

The only other possible explanation is that the desire to throw Hallen a bone became a desire to throw him under the bus once he opted not to return.

Regardless, a league source with whom we spoke on Saturday afternoon was amazed by Savage's words.  First, although every NFL team at times conceals the truth and/or blatantly distorts it, it's never a good idea to admit to doing so. 

Second, the source explained that Savage's musings to the media about the team's struggles at the center position send a horrible message to the locker room.

"He's already giving the team an excuse for failing," said the source.  "Leaders don't do that."

Added the source:  "If the leader shows that excuses are acceptable and and will be used, the players will follow suit. . . .  Cut out the 'woe is me' bullsh-t.  They're not going to push the season back.  What you're saying to the guys that you're plugging into the roster is that they have an excuse, because they weren't good enough to be considered months ago."

Speaking of months ago, the source thinks that Savage's separate problem is that the team's big splash in free agency created unreasonably high expectations, and that the team is now forced to get the message out that competing for the AFC North might not be a realistic objective this year.

"When they signed all of those free agent players in the spring," the source said, "they had press conference after press conference. They were selling hope and marketing how great their offseason was.  They spent boatloads of money and told everyone how much they upgraded the team.  Every day was a celebration.   Now they are stuck trying to manage false expectations."

And this raises a great point, one that we'd never considered before.  If, as we've heard, teams jump into the free agency pool by overpaying for big-name guys in order to energize the fan base and placate the local press, how does the team reel in the resulting expectations if the results once the season starts don't justify the excitement?

The message could be that it's not always a great idea to round up a bunch of guys early in free agency.  Though a team should want its fans to be focused on the possibilities of a new season, there's a point at which the money spent in March could cause angst in August -- especially when one of the big-name additions goes down for the year and when his hand-picked backup decides to walk away from the game.

But in such situations, the team shouldn't announce to the world, "Oh well, now we'll suck."  Instead, the front office and the coaching staff need to continue to focus on the getting guys who are able and willing to play ready for a 16-game grind, without giving them any built-in excuses for failure.

With all that said, Savage remains regarded as a great scout.  But, based on his words, it could be that he's the latest example of the Peter Principle as played out in pro football.

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POSTED 11:07 p.m. EDT, August 12, 2006

YOUNG HAS SPRAINED ANKLE

According to the NFL Network, an ugly tackle of Titans rookie quarterback Vince Young resulted in only a sprained ankle.

The injury looked to be a lot worse upon review of the video.

The team says that Young is fine.  Thus, that sound you hear is the entire state of Tennessee letting out a sigh of relief.  Or Albert Haynesworth had bean soup for supper.  

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POSTED 10:50 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 11:02 p.m. EDT, August 12, 2006

FAVRE GETTING FLATTENED

In his first football action since an offseason in which he toyed seriously with retirement, Packers quarterback Brett Favre is getting a rude re-introduction to the game of football from the Chargers, who have sacked and hit Favre multiple times less than seven full minutes into the game between Green Bay and San Diego.

With a young offensive line breaking in a new zone blocking scheme, Favre could spent plenty of time in 2006 in a horizontal position.

Meanwhile, Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers looks good so far in his time with the starting offense, leading the team to a touchdown.

One drawback for San Diego?  Promising young running back/returner Darren Sproles was carted off with an apparent left knee injury.

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WHEN MASCOTS ATTACK

The AP reports that Saints backup quarterback Adrian McPherson was injured on Saturday night when struck by a golf cart driven by the Titans' mascot.

The mascot was driving off of the field at the end of halftime, and the Saints were coming back onto the field.  McPherson left under his own power after several minutes on the ground.

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POSTED 10:37 p.m. EDT, August 12, 2006

VINCE YOUNG INJURES LEG

Maybe all that scrambling isn't a good thing.

Moments after an impressive maneuvering with the ball in the backfield, Titans rookie quarterback Vince Young suffered what looks to be a lower leg/ankle injury during an awkward tackle as he was (you guessed it) running away from pressure and trying to make a throw.

Young grabbed the foot and reportedly is limping on the sidelines.

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POSTED 10:35 p.m. EDT, August 12, 2006

UNCLE RICO CONJURES MEMORIES OF TARKENTON

As the incredible NFL Network coverage of multiple Saturday night preseason games continues, the fellas just showed video of a Vince Young scramble and throw that reminded us of another guy who wore No. 10 in the 1960s and 1970s.

Though Uncle Rico is a lot bigger, faster, and stronger than Fran Tarkenton ever was, Young's scramble to the left sideline and then stumbling scramble back to the right side of the field before finding an open man down the field for a completion was vintage Tarkenton -- even though the play was called back for holding.

The early verdict?  Reggie Bush and Vince Young look to be every bit as good as advertised.

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POSTED 10:20 p.m. EDT, August 12, 2006

POSTED 8:42 p.m. EDT, August 12, 2006

BUSH BUSTS ONE

On the Saints' second drive of his first preseason game, running back Reggie Bush got loose for a 44-yard run.

The play started to the left, but Bush quickly realized that there was no opening.  So he looped to the right and caught the corner, moving down the sideline before being tackled.

Through two full drives, Bush has three carries for 52 yards.

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POSTED 8:36 p.m. EDT, August 12, 2006

LENDALE LOOGIE RESULTS IN LOSS OF GAME

As part of Saturday night's pinball coverage of multiple NFL preseason games on the NFL Network, the crew covering the Titans-Saints contest reports that Tennessee running back LenDale White is not in uniform for disciplinary reasons.

White spit in the face of safety Donnie Nickey earlier this week, sparking a couple of training camp brawls.

We like the idea of White getting punished, but is sitting out of a preseason game really a penalty?  How about suspending him for a regular season game?  Or fining him a game check?  Though the NFLPA has restricted a team's option for disciplining players, suspensions can still be imposed for conduct detrimental to the team -- and we suspect that an arbitrator would agree that spitting in a teammate's face is indeed detrimental to the squad as a whole.

Even more detrimental to the team is White's appearance on the Titans sideline, where he's wearing around his neck what best can be described as a pepperoni pizza dipped in gold paint.

Meanwhile, we urge any football fan who doesn't have the NFL Network to do whatever is necessary to get it.

And to any cable system out there that has yet to add the channel to its lineup -- what in the f--k are you guys thinking?

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POSTED 5:49 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 6:59 p.m. EDT, August 12, 2006

BEN IS BACK

Looking like a slightly leaner version of the guy that he was a season ago, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was effective in one drive as the starting quarterback in his team's first game since Super Bowl XL.

Though the Steelers didn't score, Roethlisberger drove them into position for a long field goal try.  He showed trademark mobility and elusiveness in keeping the chains moving, before the drive ended with a sack.

In hindsight, it's a remarkable outcome for a guy who two months ago to the day nearly died on a Pittsburgh street after wrecking his motorcycle into a car.

After kicker Jeff Reed missed a 54-yard try, the Cardinals drove 56 yards for a touchdown.  Quarterback Kurt Warner looked like his old self, but big-money free agent running back Edgerrin James was bottled up in a handful of attempts.

Warner stayed in the game deep into the first half before yielding to John Navarre, who has a chance to secure the No. 2 job while Matt Leinart is holding out.

The game marks the debut of the Cardinals new stadium, and it looks to be a great one. 

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SATURDAY EARLY EVENING ONE-LINERS

Jerry Rice will retire as a 49er (but we wonder whether Rice will allow himself to resurrect No. 80).

49ers coach Mike Nolan says that neither of the team's first-round picks caught his eye in the first preseason game.  ("But I wore a really short skirt," tight end Vernon Davis said.)

Unsigned Cards QB Matt Leinart has been working out with free agent WR Az-Zahir Hakim.

Broncos rookie RB Mike Bell thought that he was being cut when he was called to Coach Kevlar's office to hear the news that he was the No. 1 tailback.

Fins DE Jason Taylor (back) skipped the Friday walkthrough and won't be playing on Saturday night.

Michael Koenen of the Falcons might end up punting, kicking off, and placekicking.

Sean Jensen of the St. Paul Pioneer Press looks at the arguments for and against giving Vikings QB Brad Johnson a raise.

Bears QB Brian Griese outperformed presumed starter Rex Grossman on Friday.

The Raiders are decreasing practice time and increasing classroom time.

The presence of QB Steve McNair could open up the running lanes for RB Jamal Lewis.

John Madden visited with the Mean Machine on Friday.

The Bus likes the fact that his TV career will debut in Cincinnati:  "Hey, I have always had success there," he said.

Seahawks RB Shaun Alexander believes he will play every season of his eight-year, $64 million deal.  (Hey, Shaun -- we'll bet you $64 million that you don't.)

Raiders S Michael Huff looks to have won a starting job.

QB D.J. Shockley accomplished on an August night in the Georgia Dome that which he couldn't on a January night in the same venue.

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POSTED 1:30 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 3:05 p.m. EDT, August 12, 2006

CHAD FINALLY CONCEDES THAT SOMETHING HAPPENED

After our January report regarding the locker room brouhaha sparked by receiver Chad Johnson during halftime of the Mean Machine's playoff loss to the Steelers, Johnson called a press conference to reiterate his position that "nothing happened."

Now, he's singing a different tune.

Here's a quick refresher as to the story we broke on January 10:  Johnson, upset regarding the scarcity of passes thrown his way in the first half, got into an altercation with receivers coach Hue Jackson moments before the team was due to go back to the field for the third quarter.  At one point, Johnson had Jackson in a headlock.  Coach Marvin Lewis intervened, and Johnson took a swing at him.  (There's a difference of opinion as to whether Johnson was swinging specifically at Lewis, or whether he was flailing wildly as Lewis approached.)

Johnson's initial response to the report was as follows:  "That sounds like drama.  At halftime, I was getting an IV.  Nothing happened.  Why don't you talk to the coaches, they're all down there today."

Johnson also denied that he had any type of an altercation with a coach.

But in a recent item penned by our good pal (eye roll) Len Pasquarelli of ESPN.com, Johnson changes his tune.

"There are just times, and that was one of the unfortunate ones, where my emotions definitely can get the better of me," Johnson told Pasquarelli.  "One of the things I worked hard on conditioning in the offseason was my temper.  I think I've gotten better.  I know I'm a better player and, hopefully, a better person, too, in some areas I had to get better at."

Though Johnson reiterates his denial that the incident turned physical, why would he be speaking with such contrition is there was nothing about which to be contrite?  Surely, he didn't conclude that he needed to control his temper merely because he was running his mouth.  Moreover, his more recent words have a far darker tone than his "I was getting an IV" crap from January.

And it's obvious Johnson's anger management has had no impact on his me-first mindset.  This year, he's taking aim at the single-season receiving touchdown record of 22.

"I've got to do something," Johnson said, "that is really extraordinary, that burns up the record books."

How about focusing less on yourself and more on your team, Chad?  Indeed, there are still folks in the locker room who believe that, if you'd kept yourself under control during halftime of that loss to the Steelers, the Lombardi Trophy might be residing in another city that sits on the banks of the Ohio River.     

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MADDEN GIVES LORD FAVRE THE KID GLOVE TREATMENT

We've had a chance to take a closer look at the ratings for the 2007 edition of the EA Sports Madden franchise.  And it appears to us that a certain Packers quarterback got a certain benefit of the doubt from a certain big fella who thinks that certain bronze busts come to life when no one is looking.

Specifically, Lord Favre gets an 88 in the game, even though his passer rating for 2005 wasn't among the top 30 quarterbacks in the NFL.  It's further evidence, in our view, of the lifetime free pass that Favre has secured from certain segments of the football universe.

Then again, some Cheeseheads likely will be livid about the "low" rating in the Madden game, given that an 88 puts him squarely in the middle of the pack, at a three-way tie for 15th -- with Eli Manning and Steve McNair -- among the 32 NFL starting quarterbacks.

Given Favre's performance in 2005, however, we think that 15 is about 15 spots too high.

Other ratings of note?  Peyton Manning is the only 99 among quarterbacks, with Tom Brady at 98.  Pittsburgh's Ben Roethsliberger is only a 92, the same as Drew Brees.

Though those four and 10 others are ranked higher than Favre, the grizzled veteran trumps each of the golden boys of the 2006 draft class:  Mario Williams is an 87, Reggie Bush is an 87, Vince Young is an 82, and Matt Leinart is an 81.

Does any of this matter?  Sort of, to the extent that any of these guys use actual or perceived slights as motivation for the 2006 season.  Eli Manning an 88?  Steve McNair an 88?  Chris Simms an 84?  Jon Kitna an 83?  Kelly Holcomb a 79?  (Okay, maybe Holcomb deserves a 79.  Or lower.)

And, trust us, these guys pay attention to the numbers.  Some have groused about it in the past, others would never admit it.  But they notice -- surely some of them use it to get themselves worked up in an effort to perform at a higher level than the NFL video game of record projects. 

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POSTED 8:58 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 9:17 a.m. EDT, August 12, 2006

BROWNS CONFIRM HALLEN WASN'T HURT

Pat McManamon of the Akron Beacon Journal reports that former Browns center Bob Hallen wasn't injured when he abruptly left camp earlier this week. 

Though the official story was that Hallen hit the road for personal and medical reasons, we were told that there was no injury, and that Hallen had merely buckled under the stress of being thrust into a starting job for his hometown team.

"To keep it from being an embarrassing situation, we basically said he's being looked at,'' G.M. Phil Savage said Friday.

"It's his decision,'' Savage said regarding Hallen's retirement. "Obviously, he's got to do what's best for him.  But I can tell you that he passed every medical check that we ever administered.  And he rarely, if ever, spent any time in the training room with the Browns."

The end result?  The Browns already are at option C in their plan to protect second-year quarterback Charlie Frye. 

POSTED 8:30 a.m. EDT, August 12, 2006

SATURDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Packers G.M. Ted Thompson is hearing the whispers about Mr. Laura Quinn.

Vikings QB Brad Johnson expects to play the first quarter of Monday night's game against the Raiders.

Chad Pennington got the start at quarterback on Friday night against the Bucs.

Giants DE Mathias Kiwanuka recorded 2.5 sacks on three consecutive plays against the Ravens.

Santurdio's trial has been postponed again, this time to August 30.

QB Mark Brunell will start for the Redskins on Sunday against the Mean Machine, with Jason Campbell getting most of the work.

Redskins CB Shawn Springs had a precautionary MRI on his left groin.

WR Taylor Jacobs could be out of chances in D.C.

QB Steve McNair led the Ravens to a touchdown on his first drive with the team.  (Remarked Ravens fans in attendance at the game, "Oh, so that's a touchdown.")

Ravens WR Derrick Mason suffered a mild concussion during Friday night's game against the Giants.

Jags coach Jack Del Rio has traded wood chopping for mountain climbing (just don't let Chris Hanson play with the crampons).

DT Dan Wilkinson is still talking with the Dolphins.

Are Charles Rogers and Mike Williams competing for the same roster spot?

Uncle Rico finally makes it to the pros; he's expected to enter in the second quarter of the Titans' game on Saturday night, and to stay through quarter three.

Fins TE Randy McMichael is raving about WR Marcus Vick.

Jake Plummer might be packing up his Honda Element sooner than he thinks.

The Seahawks will induct DT Cortez Kennedy into their Ring of Honor.

With Jets RB Curtis Marin on the shelf, the team needs something more than Derrick Blaylock and Cedric Houston.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy is trying to "change the culture" in Green Bay.

With C Mike Bartrum out, DE Darren Howard had to handle long snapping on Thursday night for the Eagles.

Bears G.M. Jerry Angelo no longer feels like a guy in a turban.

Redskins G Randy Thomas is making great strides in his comeback from a broken leg.

Bucs S Kalvin Pearson forced a fumble o