---

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.

---

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.

---

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 on Friday night as he tries to make fans forget about guys like Charles Woodson and Dwight Smith.

The Patriots recently have hosted LB Chris Claiborne and LB Orlando Ruff.

Tampa opened Friday night's game in a four-receiver set, but a wideout didn't catch a pass until the third quarter.

Jags rookie Maurice Drew has been dropping more balls than a greasy-palmed urologist.  (We like to break that one out once a year, in contrast to Stu Scott, who breaks out his fave lines once a minute.)

Pats RB Corey Dillon scoffed at reports that he injured a shoulder on Friday night.

Falcons S Lawyer Milloy is judge, jury, and executioner on the practice field.

Tom Curran of the Providence Journal describes New England No. 2 QB Matt Cassel's play as "alarmingly ineffective."

The Hamburglar loses round one.

The Patriots' team plane was struck by lightning on the way to Atlanta.

Injuries at running back will give rookies Chris Taylor and Wali Lundy plenty of chances with the Texans.

Moisekapenda Bower of the Houston Chronicle reports that Texans CB Lewis Sanders is impressing teammates with his toughness.  (The story isn't very compelling -- we just wanted to see if we could type the name "Moisekapenda" correctly.  Twice.)

Lions TE Casey FitzSimmons might have a broken left wrist.

Lions QB Josh McCown and QB Dan Orlovsky are still battling for the No. 2 spot behind Jon Kitna.

Fins rookie OL Joe Toledo is climbing the ladder.

Rams rookie TE Joe Klopfenstein looks to be ahead of fellow rookie TE Dominique Byrd.

Colts president Bill Polian is bitching about blitzing in preseason.

Several injured Colts should be coming back soon.

Chiefs safeties Bernard Pollard and Jarrad Page are turning heads in training camp, and will get a chance to make a bigger impression in the team's first preseason game.

The Chiefs have cut the cord on former third-round CB Julian Battle, drafted by the team in 2003.

New Saints running backs coach George Henshaw has a Subway sandwich in his pocket for Reggie Bush.

Ravens LB Ray Lewis and CB Samari Rolle didn't play on Friday night.

If RB Mike Bell can't hold onto the ball, he'll likewise lose his grip on the starting job.

Paul Ernster handled the punts and kickoffs for the Broncos, who heed a four-game replacement in the regular season for Todd Sauerbrun.

Former Bills S Mark Kelso is the analyst for the team's radio broadcasts.

Ron Borges can't write an item about the Pats without shilling for Deion Branch.

12 Seahawks won't play against the Cowboys.

Another Smoker who won't quit (even though he knows that he should).

---

POSTED 5:20 a.m. EDT, August 12, 2006

PFT PRESEASON POWER RANKINGS:  NO. 6

We're down to a half-dozen teams.  And the flak we took for dropping the Dolphins at No. 7 would have been 1000 times worse if we'd made Nick Saban's unit any higher than our No. 6 team.

The New England Patriots.

Yes, the gap between these two franchises has gotten that thin that quickly.  The Fins have improved, the Pats have taken an inevitable dip toward the rest of a solid AFC field.

But the Pats will be within the top ten and hovering near the best five for as long as Tom Brady is playing.

If he's healthy.

And at a time when there is plenty of focus on the condition of quarterbacks like Donovan McNabb (hernia), Ben Roethlisberger (face), Carson Palmer (knee), and Daunte Culpepper (knee), it's been easy to forget that Brady had offseason surgery for a hernia of his own that was expertly concealed for most of the 2005 season.

If Brady can't play, the Pats don't have a veteran backup.  Instead, they'd be forced to turn to Matt Cassel, a second-year quarterback who has precious little game experience, and who wasn't even the starter on his college team.  (Then again, the Pats had a similar "problem" five years ago when an unproven second-year quarterback stepped in for Drew Bledsoe.)

Beyond Brady, the Pats are in transition.  There are whispers that running back Corey Dillon will be phased out this year in favor of rookie Laurence Maroney, and rookie receiver Chad Jackson needs to step up to help defray the absence of David Givens, who is in Tennessee, and Deion Branch, who is in his TV room.

On defense, the return of safety Rodney Harrison will help to shore up a backfield that was blown apart after Harrison's knee was blown up in September.  Linebacker Tedy Bruschi's busted wrist is a mosquito bite compared to the stroke that he suffered in early 2005.  And Richard Seymour anchors a solid line with improving nose tackle Vince Wilfork and defensive end Ty Warren.

The schedule is relatively soft, with games against the NFC North and the AFC South.    

Can the Pats get back to the Super Bowl?  Yes.  Even with all of the injuries the Patriots suffered in 2005, they easily could have gotten past the Broncos in the divisional round of the playoffs, and New England then would have hosted Pittsburgh for the AFC championship game.

With the tandem of coach Bill Belichick and V.P. of player personnel Scott Pioli still in place, and with Brady at the helm of the offense, the Pats will continue to be a Super Bowl threat in 2006, and in every other season in which those three guys are associated with the franchise.

Now, the fantasy grades.

Quarterback:  Tom Brady had the most passing yards of his career in 2005, even with a sports hernia bothering him for much of the season.  His 4,110 yards were enough to lead the league, and his 26 touchdown passes were third in the NFL, behind only Carson Palmer (32) and Peyton Manning (28).  Concerns regarding a receiving corps in flux, however, keep us from giving Brady a solid A; he gets an A-.

Running back:  The big question is who'll get the bulk of the touches, if anyone.  Corey Dillon will turn 32 in October.  In 2004, he had his best NFL season in his first stint with the Patriots; the next year, he had one of his worst.  With first-rounder Laurence Maroney in the fold, Dillon could slide into a Jerome Bettis-type role in New England for the next couple of years, with Maroney gradually getting more and more opportunities.  For now, then, drafting either guy is a risk.

Wide receiver:  Deion Branch is still listed as a starter on the team's online depth chart, even though his holdout is now into week three.  For now, the safest bet is to steer clear of Branch.  Beyond him, the top pass-catchers are Reche Caldwell and Chad Jackson.  Though Jackson has a chance to be very good, taking him any higher than a third receiver would be a risk.  Our advice?  Unless Branch shows up soon, look elsewhere.

Tight end:  This position simply isn't a key part of the passing game in New England, and hasn't been since Ben Coates was dominating the Madden franchise.  Avoid.

Defense:  25th statistically and 31st in takeaways last year, the return of Harrison and Bruschi (assuming his wrist injury is healed by September) should make a huge difference.  We give them a B.

Kicker:  The Pats lost one of the best kickers in league history and replaced him with a washed-up Hamburglar and a rookie who was off of Mel Kiper's radar screen on draft day.  If, as we assume, Stephen Gostkowski wins the job as a rookie, we'd be inclined to take a flier on him as a late-round pick.  The offense will put him in position to have opportunities, and that's all any kicker needs.  He gets a B-.

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POSTED 8:11 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 9:11 p.m. EDT, August 11, 2006

LEINART DEAL NOT IN THE CARDS

A league source tells us that recent bargaining sessions between the Arizona Cardinals and first-round draft pick Matt Leinart have resulted in no real progress, and that a deal is unlikely through the weekend.

As of Thursday, the possibility of a breakthrough existed.  Leinart is the lone remaining unsigned first-round pick.

The Cardinals launch their preseason schedule on Saturday, hosting the Steelers in the first game at the team's new stadium. 

Without Leinart, who is listed third on the team's official depth chart, the only understudies to starter Kurt Warner are John Navarre, Rohan Davey, and Jeff Otis.

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POSTED 2:43 p.m. EDT, August 11, 2006

LENDALE'S LOOGIE NOT A SURPRISE

Talk in league circles in the wake of Thursday's training camp brawl resulting from LenDale White's decision to spit at safety Donnie Nickey is that the only thing surprising about the situation is that it took so long for LenDale to show his ass.

On Thursday, coach Jeff Fisher blasted Nickey, who removed his helmet and swung it at White during the melee.  But once Fisher realized that the fight was caused by White's act of (in our view) ultimate disrespect, the head coach apologized for going after the recipient of the spittle.

"There are times when the head coach doesn’t know everything that happens," Fisher said, according to the Nashville City Paper.  "This was one of those examples, and I apologized to Donnie. They have to let me be wrong, and I was wrong, because I didn't know everything.  Donnie's fine and Donnie understands.  LenDale understands.  He crossed the line and he can't do that anymore.  It won't happen again.  I assure you it will not happen again."

But how does Fisher know it won't happen again?  Has he removed White's salivary glands?  Or has he determined that (as one reader suggested) it really wasn't spit but milk from one of White's man boobs?

Bottom line -- even if White is getting (as it appears) a free pass on this one from the coach, it doesn't mean that the guys in the locker room will forget about it.  And in an era where chemistry means more than it ever did for NFL teams, White's actions are the equivalent of dropping a two-ton turd in the test tube.     

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POSTED 9:00 a.m. EDT, August 11, 2006

CULPEPPER CLOSES DOOR ON LOVE BOAT

Greg Bedard of the Palm Beach Post reports that charges of disorderly conduct, indecent behavior, and lewdness won't be re-filed in Minnesota against Dolphins quarterback Daunte Culpepper.

The misdemeanor counts arose from allegations that Culpepper had improper public conduct with a stripper during the infamous Love Boat cruise in 2005.  In April, the charges were dismissed because the prosecutor failed to introduce sufficient evidence at a preliminary hearing, at which Culpepper took the witness stand and denied everything.

But the concept of "jeopardy" had not yet attached, so the prosecutor could have had a do-over.

"I have decided to let sleeping dogs lie and not reissue," said prosecutor Steve Tallen.  "I may not respect myself in the morning, but I'm not sure it's worth the battle."

Procedurally, the pursuit of charges would have been challenging.  Since Culpepper is not in Minnesota, extradition proceedings would have been required if he refused to return voluntarily to face the charges.  And Florida officials might not have been too thrilled about the imposition on their judicial system for misdemeanor charges that, even with a conviction, were highly unlikely to result in jail time.

The decision also means that Culpepper will not be subject to discipline pursuant to the league's Personal Conduct Policy, which applies only if there's a conviction or a plea of guilty or no contest.  Given that the other three players charged either pleaded guilty or were convicted, it doesn't seem fair that Culpepper (if he was actually guilty) avoided a fine from the league simply because the prosecutor screwed up.

A better approach for the league, then, might be to investigate every criminal allegation against a player on its own and make a decision as to whether the guy "did it" based on a standard lower than "proof beyond a reasonable doubt."  This would permit the league to take action even where, for whatever reason, the player may be factually guilty, but not legally guilty.

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POSTED 9:40 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 10:42 p.m. EDT, August 10, 2006

'SKINS DISPUTE HOLTZ'S CLAIM

Lou Holtz says in a new book that he turned down an opportunity to coach the Washington Redskins before the job was given to Steve Spurrier after the 2001 season.

In a Thursday webcast on Redskins.com, Redskins V.P. of football operations Vinny Cerrato said that Holtz's claim is wrong.

"That part's not true," Cerrato said.  "I know that Dan [Snyder] had a casual conversation with him -- it was before Marty [Schottenheimer] was hired. . . .  I think he was asking advice on other coaches." 

Incidentally, Cerrato was the recruiting coordinator at Notre Dame in 1988, when Holtz's Irish won the national championship.  The guy whom Snyder ultimately hired in 2001, Marty Schottenheimer, fired Cerrato.  Snyder re-hired Cerrato a year later, after Snyder fired Schottenheimer.

So if Cerrato's version is accurate, what the hell is Holtz thinking?  Though the crew on the Redskins' webcast sort of laughed the thing off as a typical fish story from Holtz, claiming that he was offered one of the 32 most coveted jobs in all of sports when in fact he wasn't crosses the line, in our view, between innocent exaggeration and pathological liar.

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FAREWELL, ABC SPORTS

The thrill of victory,  the agony of . . . listening to Stu Scott utter the same hackneyed catch phrases in the unlikely event that someone who has never heard them before is tuning in for the first time.

ESPN and ABC, both owned by Disney, have taken a huge-but-inevitable step in their relationship.

Gone is "ABC Sports."  Replacing it is "ESPN on ABC."

As explained by Richard Deitsch of SI.com, a significant motivation for the move was the attraction of the 18-to-34-year-old demographic to ABC via the ESPN brand.

The change also might have been intended to help drive more viewers to ESPN on ESPN on Monday nights from September through January, when ESPN on ESPN will be trying to earn back some of the $1.1 billion that will be paid for the right to broadcast weekly NFL games.

The further integration of ESPN and ABC makes us even more curious about the specific content of the contract between ESPN and the NFL.  If, as at least one reader has suggested, the numbers for MNF on ESPN on ESPN aren't very good, perhaps the games will be broadcast both on ESPN on ESPN and on ESPN on ABC.

The possibilities are, actually, intriguing.  There could be a set of announcers on ESPN on ESPN who call the game from the perspective of one of the two teams, and announcers on ESPN on ABC who call the game from the perspective of the other team. 

Different camera angles could be used on the two networks, with the standard sideline view on ESPN on ABC and the end-zone "Madden" view on ESPN on ESPN.

But we're getting ahead of ourselves.  For now, the only innovation is a no-brainer move that, in hindsight, was probably overdue.

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THURSDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

It's not football season if Cavity Sam's nose isn't glowing.

Please, FOX, we beg you -- don't let Terry Bradshaw host the pregame show.  (And if Joe Buck gets the job, please make him burn the tie he was wearing during the Colts-Rams game.)

Dick Vermeil will serve as game analyst on the NFL Network for the Insight and Senior Bowls.

T.O. is poking fun at his bike-riding gig.

Fins G Seth McKinney underwent surgery to repair a neck disk, and will miss 2-3 months.

The NFL and Nike have extended their footwear arrangement.

Mr. Laura Quinn talks about Mo-Clo.

The Chiefs have signed QB Jeff Smoker.

Wayne Weaver is sucking up to the new boss.

The Packers have signed G Michael "Mookie" Moore.

Pork Chop has a bad hamhock.

Titans RB Chris Brown might leave camp.

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POSTED 4:32 p.m. EDT, August 10, 2006

SABAN WON'T RELEASE WRIGHT

Dolphins coach Nick Saban addressed the request of defensive tackle Manny Wright to be released from the team, due to Wright's struggles with clinical depression.

And Wright might find Saban's position to be downright, well, disappointing.

"Our players do not determine what their outcome is relative to their future," Saban said, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.   "We don't have any of this stuff, 'When it doesn't work here, let me go someplace else.'  That's not how it is.  If you're not capable, we'll certainly support you and help you.  But if you're not interested in doing that, then we determine your fate.  You don't."

The irony in Saban's statement is that his team acquired the services of quarterback Daunte Culpepper for a bargain-basement second-round pick because Culpepper basically willed his way out of Minnesota.  Then again, if the Vikings had talked a little tougher about Culpepper in advance of doing a deal, the price tag might have been higher than a two.  

And that's really what Saban is doing, in our view.  He wants other teams who might be interested in trading for Wright to believe that Wright won't be cut.  That, in theory, drives up the trade value.

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POSTED 4:15 p.m. EDT, August 10, 2006

LENDALE GETS HIS LOOGIE ON

Jim Wyatt of the Nashville Tennessean reports that Titans rookie running back LenDale White sparked a brawl in practice on Thursday morning after spitting on safety Donnie Nickey.

Nickey and White, per the report, collided at the end of a play.  Nickey then said that White spit on him.  Several defensive players claimed that they witnessed the LenDale loogie.

Later, Nickey knocked White out of bounds after a play.  White threw an elbow at safety Vincent Fuller, and other defensive players jumped in.

Though coach Jeff Fisher accused Nickey of a "cheap shot," Fisher said nothing about White spitting on Nickey.  Fisher also told the team to leave the incident on the field.

Easier said than done, Jeff.  Once a guy is labeled as an asshole in the locker room -- whether it's because he's drinking vodka or spitting on teammates -- that label doesn't change.

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POSTED 4:00 p.m. EDT, August 10, 2006

BEN, DAUNTE CLEARED TO PLAY

The obvious implication of the announcement that Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and Dolphins quarterback Daunte Culpepper will play in their teams' respective preseason openers is that they both are on track to face off when the 2006 regular season launches on September 7 in Pittsburgh.

Culpepper tore three knee ligaments on October 30, 2005, and Roethlisberger hit a moving car with his face on June 12.  

The fact that both guys are able to suit up and play is nothing short of unbecredible.  (Yeah, we made a new word.  You'll know that it's caught on if/when Stu Scott is using it 2.6 times per broadcast.)  Our guess is that the folks at NBC are breathing a huge sigh of relief at the news that they won't likely have to suffer through Charlie Batch or Joey Harrington in the first "real" NFL game broadcast by the Peacock peeps since the 1998 season.  

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POSTED 1:08 p.m. EDT, August 10, 2006

BREAKTHROUGH COMING IN LEINART TALKS?

A league source tells us that talks will continue on Thursday regarding a contract for Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart.

Per the source, today's session is regarded as an important one with respect to whether there will be a breakthrough in the short term.

Though the specifics as to the respective bargaining positions are currently sketchy, it's a safe bet that Leinart and company still want more money than the Cardinals are willing to pay.  Complicating matters is the perception that the guy drafted in front of the 2004 Heisman winner, Ernie Sims, signed a bad deal and that the guy taken behind him, Jay Cutler, signed a mediocre one.

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POSTED 11:47 a.m. EDT, August 10, 2006

MO-CLO "GET OUT OF JAIL" CARD COSTS $6.1 MILLION

If former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett had played a full four seasons in college, he might have been cashing a multi-million-dollar check right now.

Instead, it'll take a multi-million-dollar payment to make him a free man.

On Thursday, a judge set Clarett's bond on weapons charges at $5 million.  On Wednesday, Clarett's bail as to unrelated charges of armed robbery was raised to $1.1 million.

"We feel he's a threat to the community," assistant Franklin County prosecutor Chris Brown said of Clarett, who was busted with multiple loaded guns and a hatchet, while wearing a bulletproof vest.

Clarett's attorney disagrees, presumably with a straight face.  "We're very confident that there was no intent to harm anyone," said Nick Mango.  (Surely, that isn't the dude's real name.)

(Mo-Clo's lawyer tries to put a spell on the judge.)    

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POSTED 9:22 a.m. EDT, August 10, 2006

LAVAR "WON'T BE 100 PERCENT" THIS YEAR

Amid reports that Giants linebacker LaVar Arrington's knee is still giving him trouble, there's a growing belief in league circles that Arrington "won't be 100 percent" in 2006.

And the words "degenerative knee condition" are now being mentioned in connection with Arrington, suggesting that he might never be much better than he is right now.

Arrington's knee, we've heard, raised flags in other cities in the offseason when he was looking for a new team.  Eventually, he signed a contract that, while impressive on paper, requires him to be able to perform well in order to unlock the truly big money. 

Subtracting the $4 million or so in earned but unpaid bonus money he waived with the Redskins in order to hit the free agent market early, Arrington doesn't stand to cash in with the Giants if he can't play at a high level.

For the Giants, the contract structure limited their risk, but they still took a chance on Arrington and, by all appearances, they lost.

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POSTED 9:11 a.m. EDT, August 10, 2006

MO-CLO CRACKS UP

There's a great item this morning on ESPN.com from Tom Friend regarding the unraveling of Maurice Clarett's football career and, by all appearances, his life.

Friend writes that he received a bizarre phone call from Clarett hours before the incident.  More compelling, in our view, is Friend's chronicle of Clarett's pre-draft training and his experiences with the Broncos in 2005.

After reading the full article, we're now officially amazed that the Broncos burned a third-round pick on Clarett, given the information that surely was available with only a modest investment of time and/or effort.  In late 2004, Clarett was living large (figuratively and, at 256 pounds, literally) in L.A. and then in Phoenix.  His training routine was a joke.  Friend reports that Clarett decided to pursue steroids to help get him into shape (although it's unclear whether Clarett ever used them).

Friend also reports on rumors that we'd heard last year regarding Clarett's brief time with the Broncos, which rumors we coincidentally mentioned on a PFT PodCast recorded from late Wednesday into early Thursday morning.  

Specifically, we'd heard that Clarett consistently had been swigging Grey Goose from a water bottle in the team's facility.  We wouldn't use it at the time without someone going on the record given the potentially explosive nature of the revelation, which would have been made at a time when Clarett had yet to implode.  (Eventually, Jason Cole -- then of the Miami Herald -- reported that Clarett had been found in the training room with alcohol.)

As Friend reports:  "He would take that water bottle everywhere, including the Bronco weight room, and the team started getting suspicious when, before minicamp practices, he'd grab the bottle and say, 'I gotta get my Goose on.'  It wasn't a joke; the Bronco players were convinced he was chugging Grey Goose."

We'd even heard that quote -- "I gotta get my Goose on."

Friend also reports on other facts from Clarett's cup of Irish coffee with the Broncos, including allegations of inappropriate sexual statements made at a hotel (we'd heard that one, too) and an effort to get the team's trainer fired (we hadn't heard that one).

At the time, we also heard that a veteran running back on the team had approached Clarett and offered to help him get acclimated to the NFL, and Clarett basically told him to f--k off.

The one issue that Friend's otherwise excellent piece doesn't address specifically is Clarett's objective in driving on Interstate 70 at 3:00 a.m. with loaded guns and a bulletproof vest.  Friend suggests that the rap industry folks who had bankrolled Mo-Clo's 2004-05 West Coast tour might have been coming after him for money.  But there are published reports that Clarett's arrest came near the home of a witness scheduled to testify against him next week in a trial resulting from charges that he robbed a guy at gunpoint on New Year's Day.         

Also, Clarett's bond on the new charges has been raised to $1.1 million.  And that means he won't be "getting his Goose on" anytime soon.

Then again, maybe he will.  But, in prison, that phrase has a slightly different meaning. 

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POSTED 1:10 a.m. EDT, August 10, 2006

PFT PRESEASON POWER RANKINGS:  NO. 7

As we continue our final descent (or is it ascent?) through the final seven-pack of NFL franchises, we're having a harder time drawing lines. 

But still we persist -- for you, the loyal PFT reader.  (Actually, we're doing it because Dante bet yours truly a case of Snapple that the things wouldn't get finished.) 

Of the seven teams left, only one of them didn't make it to the playoffs in 2005.  The other six made it at least as far as the divisional playoff round.

So on that basis that franchise falls out right now.

The Miami Dolphins.

We've already gotten plenty of e-mails deriding our decision to allow the Fins safe passage into the top ten.  Not long ago, the franchise was in shambles.  But that was before the keys were given to Nick Saban, who despite a knack for micromanagement has shown that he can get results. 

How about six wins to finish the 2005 season? 

Meanwhile, the Fins have beefed up the coaching staff for 2006 by adding former Texans coach Dom Capers and former Bills coach Mike Mularkey. 

The roster generally has improved.  On the offensive line, veteran L.J. Shelton takes over at left tackle.  The rest of the initial depth chart shows Jeno James at left guard, Rex Hadnot at center, Seth McKinney at right guard, and Vernon Carey at right tackle.  (McKinney, however, might end up out for the year if he needs surgery.)

Marty Booker and Chris Chambers return as the starting wideouts, with youngsters Derek Hagan and Wes Welker in line for time. 

Randy McMichael is back as the starting tight end, Ronnie Brown is the full-time tailback, and Fred Beasley is the fullback.

The biggest change is at the quarterback position, where Daunte Culpepper arrives from Minnesota with three surgically-repaired knee ligaments that apparently won't prevent him from playing, despite prior estimates that he might not be ready at all in 2006.

If Culpepper is back to form, the second-round pick that the team surrendered for his rights will more than balance out the second-rounder that was pissed away for A.J. Feeley in 2004.  With proper coaching and a system that suits his strengths (and de-emphasizes his weaknesses), Culpepper is capable of being one of the best quarterbacks in the league.

Mularkey was able to turn Kordell Stewart into a Pro Bowler.  Mularkey also rejuvenated the career of Tommy Maddox, albeit temporarily.  With Culpepper, Mularkey's job is suddenly a lot easier.

On defense, the Fins are aging but still effective.  Jason Taylor's recent back problems apparently aren't serious, and though the rest of the unit doesn't feature any superstars, defense is Nick Saban's specialty -- and it's a safe bet that he'll find a way to get the most out of that side of the ball, even if new Commissioner Roger Goodell were playing defensive back.

Sure, there are issues.  Running back Ricky Williams is gone, maybe for the year -- maybe forever.  Defensive tackle Manny Wright, a fifth-round flier in the 2005 supplemental draft, looks to be done, too.

All in all, though, the tide is rising faster than we thought it would for the Fins.  In 2005, we predicted a Super Bowl championship within the first three years of the Saban era.  We're sticking by that one, and wouldn't be surprised if it happens in year two.

Now for the fantasy rankings.

Quarterback:  If Daunte Culpepper is healthy, he will be tough to stop.  He is happy and, more importantly, motivated.  We give him an A-.

Running back:  Plenty of folks think that Ronnie Brown will bust out in 2006.  The fact that he has a guy like Culpepper drawing safeties away from the line of scrimmage will likely make it happen.  The fact that Ricky Williams isn't there to take touches away will push Brown's numbers even higher.  He gets a B+.

Wide receiver:  Chris Chambers put up great numbers even with Gus Frerotte and Sage Rosenfels throwing the ball.  With Culpepper, Chambers could finally have a chance to have a Moss-esque season.  We give Chambers a B+, maybe an A-.

Tight end:  Randy McMichael gets plenty of hype, but his numbers have never been stellar.  We'd go instead with a third receiver, if possible.

Defense:  Middle of the pack from a statistical standpoint in 2005, the Fins were in the top ten in turnovers forced, at nearly two per game.  We give them a B.

Kicker:  Olindo Mare was mid-level scorer in 2005, for a mid-level offense.  We expect this year's Fins to score a lot more points this time around, and so will Mare.  B.

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NEW PODCAST . . . ENJOY

We've got a full hour of scintillating discussion between Editor Boy Florio and Miserable Guy Dante regarding a whole host of football issues and other stuff.

Click here for the August 10 edition.  It can be downloaded to your iPod, or you can listen to as much or as little of it as you want via your computer.

Unfortunately, we've yet to figure out how to edit out Dante's voice.

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POSTED 11:16 p.m. EDT, August 9, 2006

MANNY WANTS OUT OF MIAMI

Jeff Darlington of the Palm Beach Post reports that Dolphins defensive tackle Manny Wright is battling depression, and wants out of South Florida.

Wright has asked the team to trade him or waive him so that he can get a fresh start elsewhere.

The second-year player from USC, who was acquired in the fifth round of the 2005 supplemental draft, also said that he is having financial problems.  Regarded as a project, Wright signed a four-year, $1.1 million contract with a $190,000 roster bonus last season.

Because the money was paid in the form of a roster bonus, it might be difficult for the team to attempt to recover any of it.  The language of his contract will ultimately control, as supplemented by the new CBA.

Wright gained national attention during the 2005 preseason when cameras caught him crying after getting chewed out by Saban.

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POSTED 7:41 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 7:59 p.m. EDT, August 9, 2006

TONY K. SPEAKS WITH FORKED TONGUE?

In response to our critique of Tony Kornheiser's recent oddball column in which he pulls the Lou Holtz/Woody Allen routine regarding his newest business venture (i.e., third man in the booth on Monday Night Football) an industry source tells us that Kornheiser's "woe is me" shtick is, in this instance, rooted in a lie.

Wrote Kornheiser on Tuesday:  "Inevitably over the last few months, when anybody has engaged me about 'Monday Night Football,' they have asked this question:  'So, are you busy getting prepared for the season?' and I always say, 'Yeah, I am.  Thanks for asking.'  But the truth is, I'm not."

Says the source, "His column is not funny.  And not true."

The source adds that Kornheiser has been "preparing like a madman," studying tape at NFL Films.

"He did this same act before PTI.  Said the show would bomb, and that it was a big mistake for him to do TV.  It's a self-effacing act from a guy who is anything but."

And we continue to receive e-mails from readers who think that the Kornheiser hire eventually will rival the misguided decision to put the master of obviously premeditated spontaneity, Dennis Miller, into the booth.

After years of complaining about the trio that used to handle ESPN's NFL coverage, we have a feeling that we'll be soon longing for the good ol' days of listening to Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann, and Paul Maguire nuzzle some Lord Favre crotch after hearing five minutes of the Tirico, Theismann, and Kornheiser clusterfudge.

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'SKINS WANTED HOLTZ?

Kudos to Joe Collegio of sister site (more like "red-headed, six-toed stepchild" site) Collegefootballtalk.com for tracking down a compelling article from a South Carolina newspaper regarding the fact that Lou Holtz reveals in his upcoming book that he turned down a chance to become the head coach of the Washington Redskins after the 2001 season.

Holtz at the time was the head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks.  Word of the NFL team's interest in Holtz never came to light.

The 'Skins job went to then-Florida coach Steve Spurrier, who signed a five-year $25 million contract -- and who ultimately coached the team for only two seasons.

Spurrier succeeded Holtz as coach of the Gamecocks in 2005.

Nice job, Joe.  Now go get your f--kin' shinebox.

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POSTED 6:25 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 6:55 a.m. EDT, August 9, 2006

MO-CLO BUSTED WITH "ARSENAL OF WEAPONS"

Former Broncos running back Maurice Clarett is working overtime to justify his recent inclusion in our All-Time All-Turd team.

Per NBC 4 in Columbus, Mo-Clo was busted at 3:00 a.m. Wednesday after a chase with the cops.  He was Tasered and maced during the incident, in which police found an "arsenal of weapons" in his SUV.

Police spotted the SUV driving erratically on Interstate 70, and began to follow it.  The vehicle eventually slammed into a cruiser outside of a restaurant before being stopped.

Clarett was wearing a bulletproof vest, and was Tasered after failing to cooperate with authorities.  Among the weapons found were a loaded assault rifle and handgun.  Police also recovered a hatchet and an open bottle of vodka.

Clarett is scheduled to stand trial next Monday on charges of aggravated robbery, which arose from allegations that he mugged a guy for his cell phone on New Year's Day.

The real question, in our view, is where in the hell was Clarett going and what the hell was he planning to do?  We hate to say it, but it sounds to us as if the police might have prevented Mo-Clo from showing up somewhere and firing one or more of those guns.

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POSTED 5:55 a.m. EDT, August 9, 2006

TUNA PRIVATELY SAYING "I TOLD YOU SO"

As Cowboys coach Bill Parcells publicly proclaims that there is no controversy regarding T.O.'s bad hamstring and/or his decision to bring his own training staff to camp to help get it healed, we're hearing that the Tuna privately is telling folks "I told you so" as to the decision to bring Owens to town.

Owens said during a June 11 interview on ESPN that he didn't talk to Parcells until early May, roughly six weeks after signing a three-year, $25 million contract with the Cowboys.  That revelation has fueled the belief that Owens was signed without the input of the veteran head coach.

Part of the current problem, we're told, is that Parcells "hates guys who don't play with pain."  Though hamstring injuries can be tricky, they also can be stretched and treated and otherwise managed in a manner that allows the guy to get some reps as the muscle heals.

But Parcells chose his words carefully on Tuesday, conscious of the controversy that would be stirred up if he were to rip Owens or (as he did a decade ago when Terry Glenn was slowed by a training camp hamstring injury) refer to him as "she."

"If the player is telling you that he has something bothering him, then you have to give the player the benefit of the doubt," Parcells told reporters on Tuesday.  "At some point in time it's going to be prohibitive.  But that's not now.  That shouldn't be the story today."

Read that one again and ask yourself, would Bill Parcells give any other player the "benefit of the doubt" regarding a phantom hamstring injury that showed no damage via an MRI scan? 

Unlikely.  However, Parcells is indeed keenly aware that his characteristic candor would then be used to stir up a response from Owens, sparking a potential escalation.  "I'm getting the sense that most of the media is just waiting for something to be controversial in that regard," Parcells said.  "And I'm here to tell you, it's not going to happen from me.  So you need to get that in your head.  OK?"

The real question, as we see it, is how much longer Parcells can continue to give Owens special treatment.  Sooner or later, the Tuna will put his foot down (and/or up T.O.'s ass).  In a weird way, then, the media's anticipation of a blowup is providing Owens cover.

For now.

Our view?  Unless Owens gets his butt back onto the practice field soon, Parcells eventually won't be able to ignore his own nature.

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LEINART, CARDS STILL TALKING

Multiple sources with knowledge of the status of the negotiations between first-round quarterback Matt Leinart and the Arizona Cardinals tell us that the two sides are making progress.

"The money is close," said one source, who predicted a deal by the end of the week.

Another source confirmed that talks continue, but cautions that there has been no breakthrough, and that a deal could still be "days" away.

How many "days" away remains to be seen.  John Clayton of ESPN suggested on Tuesday night's SportsCenter that the number is seven or less.

Leinart is the last of the unsigned first rounders.  The tenth overall pick, Leinart's agents surely are trying to get a slot-busting contract, especially in light of perceptions that the guy drafted in front of him, linebacker Ernie Sims, got a bad deal.  Also, the agents are likewise faced with making up lost ground in light of Leinart's unexpected slide on draft day.

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BROOKS SCREWED HIMSELF BY RUNNING FROM COPS

A league source tells us that the police in Pittsburgh have a reputation of going easy on players, and that if backup offensive lineman Barrett Brooks hadn't tried to get away from the law on Saturday night (while riding a motorcycle sans helmet), he probably would have gotten out of the situation without incident.

The source said that there have been instances in the past where Steelers players have been stopped by the cops and might have been on the line for a DUI, but the police have helped the players get home rather than arrest them.

Brooks blew that chance by allegedly speeding away.

The opinion of the source?  "That mofo is done [in Pittsburgh.]  He has been stealing there for three years anyway."

By "stealing," our source doesn't mean that Brooks is going Albert Connell in the locker room.  Instead, it's a reference to a belief by the source that Brooks hasn't been earning his keep. 

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POSTED 9:56 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 11:28 p.m. EDT, August 8, 2006

HALLEN NOT HURT, RETIRING TOMORROW

A source with knowledge as to the bizarre developments regarding Browns center Bob Hallen tells us that Hallen is not injured and is expected to retire.

Various published reports suggest that Hallen left the team for personal and medical reasons.

Per the source, Hallen has gone AWOL because he couldn't handle the stress and pressure of being a starter for his hometown team, with which he signed a two-year deal in March.  If/when he retires, Hallen most likely will be required to pay back whatever signing or roster bonus he received.

As legend has it, Hallen once pulled a similar move when he became the starter at Kent State University, leaving the team the day after he was named the starter.  The source says that he later was convinced to return by the coaching staff and his family.

Hallen became the starter after LeCharles Bentley suffered a torn patella tendon on July 26.  Hallen has eight years of experience, with 47 NFL starts.

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OH, THE IRONY

We received on Tuesday a staggering number of e-mails from readers who were amazed to the point of bewilderment by the decision of the Cincinnati Bengals to launch a program for reporting unruly fans at Paul Brown Stadium.

The measure conjures memories of the old "Don't Do As I Do, Do As I Say" mantra of Camel-smoking, whiskey-swigging fathers of suburbia circa 1974, in light of the fact that five Bengals have been arrested this offseason and another is facing a four-game suspension for violation of the substance abuse policy.

By dialing 381-JERK, fans at Paul Brown Stadium can alert authorities to any misbehavior that they witness.  The irony of the move is obvious from the placement of the article announcing the program on Tuesday's front page of the Cincinnati Enquirer web site, which is right next to the article announcing the latest Bengals player charged with a crime.

One of the potential offenses that could result in ejection and/or revocation of season tickets?  Making prank calls to 381-JERK. 

For future reference, we suggest this one:  "The JERK store called, they're running out of you."

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DOES TONY K. REGRET SAYING "YES"?

We made a quick comment on Tuesday morning regarding the latest column from Tony Kornheiser of the Washington Post.  We didn't say much about the item primarily because we have a ton of respect for Kornheiser, a witty, regular guy who seems to "get it."

Over the past 12 hours or so, we've started to change our minds in that regard.

Maybe the "my plan is to have no plan" article was merely the first in a coming string of "phone in" jobs from Kornheiser as he turns his attention to the angst and adulation that will flow from his new job on Monday Night Football.  Or maybe he was just trying to be funny.

But his effort at humor wasn't humorous.  It was odd.  It felt forced.  It was nearly as disconcerting as watching a sweat-soaked Rayfield Wright trying to make it through the last few words of his speech before getting yanked off of the stage by a big hook.

And if this is a glimpse of Tony's coming effort to "entertain" -- wethinks it won't be very entertaining.  And we'll actually be glad to hear the sound of Joe Theismann's voice.

So is Kornheiser suddenly realizing that the job is harder than it looks, and that he simply isn't in a position to offer any deeper insight than the pudding skinning format that his television program permits?  In his afternoon job, Kornheiser and co-hort Mike Wilbon bounce from topic to topic to topic with the grace and ease of a Tourette's patient.  For his coming endeavor, Kornheiser will need to focus on one sport and two teams that play it for more than three hours at a time.

Then there are the prep sessions.  You know, the part where you have to spend time before the game talking to players and coaches and generally acting and sounding like you know what the hell is going on?  And, more importantly, that you actually give a sh-t?

Don't get us wrong.  We like what Kornheiser can bring to the table.  But we think he's starting to realize that he might have bitten off much more than he's inclined to try to chew.

Bottom line -- Kornheiser received an offer that no one reasonably could refuse.  In hindsight, we think he's subconsciously wishing that he had.

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POSTED 7:00 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 7:16 p.m. EDT, August 8, 2006

GOODELL THE COMMISH

A league source tells us that Roger Goodell is the new NFL Commissioner.

The decision has since been announced by the league via a press release.

Though we're assuming that Goodell's resume has been proofread by someone other than Fran Foley or George O'Leary, there's an odd, gratuitous reference in the press release to Goodell's football career at the college level.  "Goodell was recruited," the release reads, "by several colleges to play football as a defensive back.  He attended Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania, and expected to play football there.  But after suffering a knee injury while running prior to his freshman year, he decided to forego playing football to focus on academics."

(We'd love to know the names of the "several colleges" that lost out to the pigskin powerhouse that is W&J football.)

Look, we fully intend to give Goodell the respect that his new office commands.  He's the Commish.  The Kahuna Grande.  The guy whose name is on the game ball.  But it takes more than a little insecurity, we think, to ensure that the press release announcing that he's just been awarded the most important position in all of pro sports contains reference to the fact that unnamed schools were competing for the services of a white defensive back who ultimately never strapped on a helmet at the college level.

Still, we're inclined to let Goodell enjoy his moment in the sun.  Hopefully, he won't be sweating like Rayfield Wright if/when someone starts asking him about this specific aspect of his bio.

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POSTED 6:49 p.m. EDT, August 8, 2006

COMMISH DECISION NOT NEAR?

It now appears that the NFL owners could be in the midst of a John Kerry moment, with some possibly voting for Roger Goodell before voting against Roger Goodell.

Though as of 5:00 p.m. EDT or so, limos were lined up to whisk the owners to the airport.  

We're now told that dinner has since been served both to the owners and the press corps, which could mean that the owners are digging in for a more protracted session.

We hope the limos aren't idling -- we don't want Al Gore's head to implode.  

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POSTED 5:57 p.m. EDT, August 8, 2006

COMMISH DECISION NEAR?

We're hearing of evidence that a decision could be coming in the search for a new NFL Commissioner.  Though there's no specific information in this regard, word is that, within the past hour, limos have assembled to take the owners to the O'Hare Airport, with the limos for Steelers owner Dan Rooney and Panthers owner Jerry Richardson -- the co-chairs of the search committee -- at the front of the line.

If a decision is made on Tuesday, it likely means that the next Commissioner will be current NFL Chief Operating Officer Roger Goodell, since he was the frontrunner entering the selection meetings on Monday.

Stay tuned.

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POSTED 6:28 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 8:15 a.m. EDT, August 8, 2006

YET ANOTHER BENGAL GETS BUSTED

It's happened again, folks.

Another Bengal on the wrong side of the law.

This time, it's guard Eric Steinbach, who was charged with boating under the influence.

Steinbach was busted on Saturday night on the Ohio River in Kentucky.  The Bengals were off on Sunday.

Steinbach is the fifth Bengal player to be arrested since the end of the 2005 season.  Another player, linebacker Odell Thurman, is facing a four-game suspension for violation of the league's substance abuse policy.

Meanwhile, coach Marvin Lewis passed out T-shirts on Monday with the team's catchy "No Pain, No Gain"-type slogan for 2006.

The front of the shirt says "Innocent Until Proven Guilty."

The back of it says "Chris Henry Went To Jail Five Times And All I Got Was This Stupid T-Shirt."

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TUESDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

The league is trying to downplay concerns regarding the process that has created the impression that Roger Goodell's elevation to Commissioner is a foregone conclusion:  "I think it's been a very balanced, thoughtful process, a businesslike process," said Paul Tagliabue, who coincidentally is thought to be the guy who has subtly orchestrated the Goodell hiring.

The Fins successfully crammed a six-year deal down S Jason Allen's throat, simply because they could.

Domino's Pizza CEO David Brandon is the guy who withdrew from the list of Commissioner finalists (if he couldn't get the job in 30 minutes or less, he didn't want it).

Five Pats players came off of the PUP list on Monday -- S Rodney Harrison, C Dan Koppen, DL Richard Seymour, DT Johnathan Sullivan, and CB Randall Gay. 

Jets third-round S Erik Coleman had his appendix removed.

Rookie WR Marcus Vick is somewhere between seventh and ninth in the pecking order.

After reading Tony Kornheiser's item on his coming MNF gig, we were overcome for the first time with a strong feeling that it's just not going to work.  (And, yes, we realize that he was being primarily sarcastic.)

An MRI on Jets CB Drew Coleman revealed no serious injury.

The home of Jags DT Marcus Stroud was burglarized recently, with thieves taking two handguns, jewelry, and $20,000 in cash.  ("Thank God they didn't take any of my food," Stroud said.)

After one day of meetings, Roger Goodell is reportedly within 2 or 3 votes of winning the Commissioner's job.

The Washington Post suggests that S Sean Taylor's fine will be based on his 2005 base salary of $305,000, costing him only $71,764.

The Washington Times reports that Taylor has the ability to earn back some of that money if he stays out of trouble -- or if he sprouts gills and swims to Australia.  (The gill thing is more likely.)

Steelers OL Barrett Brooks, arrested Saturday night after allegedly eluding police on his motorcycle, says he "didn't do anything."  (Hey, Barrett -- neither did any of the thousands of guys who are currently rotting in jail.)

The Steelers are still trying to figure out who will be their short-yardage back.

Pats coach Bill Belichick wouldn't talk (there's a shock) about former New England LB Willie McGinest's recent comment that not enough players on last year's team knew how to win.

Fins DE Jason Taylor has a back problem, which could be serious.

Steelers chairman Dan Rooney says he won't add a motorcycle clause to QB Ben Roethlisberger's contract.

Giants G Chris Snee has a knee injury, and he could miss a few weeks.

If anyone other than Bob Glauber was reporting it, we'd actually believe that West Virginia native Robert Reynolds is a viable alternative candidate to Roger Goodell for Commissioner.

Fins G Seth McKinney could need surgery, which could knock him out for the year.

Redskins TE Chris Cooley thinks that Al Saunders will help pump up his numbers.

Steelers LB Joey Porter is 2-3 days away from practicing.

Lions coach Rod Marinelli is going soft?

There's a rookie linebacker creating a buzz in Green Bay -- and it isn't Mr. Laura Quinn.

Bucs CB Brian Kelly wants more money.

The Titans recently had a surprise field trip to a military base -- and somehow CB Pacman Jones is now a roadside bomb detector in Iraq.

A recent print ad campaign aimed at getting the NFL Network on more cable systems suggests that fans won't see games involving their local home team without the league-owned channel, which would be extremely effective if it were, you know, true.

The New York Times has a great look at the ongoing battle between NFL Network and Time Warner (and there's an intriguing paragraph at the bottom of the piece chiding NBC for hyping an "exclusive" interview with Terrell Owens).

Redskins WR David Patten practiced Monday after spending three days last week in the hospital with viral meningitis.

Packers RB Ahman Green practiced for the first time since October 23.

The Packers are covering up cement at Lambeau Field on which S Nick Collins slipped and fell during a Saturday night scrimmage.

Dick Vermeil will serve as a game analyst for two NFL Network games that Cris Collinsworth will miss in December (Collinsworth might miss even more if he continues to get under John Madden's skin).

A reader pointed out to us this headline from a recent AP story:  "Falcons' Vick believes protection is key."  (He also thinks that better blocking will allow him to develop as a quarterback.)

Great -- another kicker who thinks he's actually a football player.

Giants RB Brandon Jacobs returned to practice despite an irregular heartbeat.

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POSTED 8:57 p.m. EDT, August 7, 2006

TAYLOR FINED FOUR GAME CHECKS

In what could be one of his final actions as NFL Commissioner, Paul Tagliabue has slapped Redskins safety Sean Taylor with a fine in the amount of four game checks for violation of the league's Personal Conduct Policy.

The Personal Conduct Policy gives the Commish broad discretion to penalize players who have been convicted of or who pleaded guilty or no contest to a wide range of criminal conduct.

In June 2006, Taylor pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and was placed on 18 months probation due to a June 2005 incident in which Taylor allegedly pointed a gun at three people.  Felony aggravated assault charges were dropped as part of the plea deal.

Taylor is scheduled to earn $425,000 in base salary this season.  The fine will cost Taylor 4/17ths of his base pay, or $100,000.

Other players currently awaiting discipline under the Personal Conduct Policy are Vikings tackle Bryant McKinnie, Vikings cornerback Fred Smoot, and former Vikings running back Moe Williams, who recently signed with the Rams.  McKinnie and Smoot pleaded guilty and Williams was convicted on misdemeanor charges arising from the Love Boat fiasco. 

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POSTED 4:11 p.m. EDT, August 7, 2006

MOVE AGAINST GOODELL COMING?

As the 32 owners meet in Chicago on a so-called "one per club" basis (i.e., the room will have only 32 chairs), we're hearing that there very well could be a move by owners against the installation of Roger Goodell as the successor to Paul Tagliabue.

While some teams, we're told, are opposed to Goodell on the merits of whether he's the best candidate, a larger number of teams are miffed about the process.  Andrea Kremer of NBC reported last night that one owner expressed concern regarding the "transparency" of the effort that, by all appearances, has set the table for Goodell.  

As we hear it, there's a growing perception that the process has not been "fair, open, or above board."

The thinking is that Tagliabue helped steer the eight-member selection committee toward a list of five finalists from which Goodell would be the obvious choice.  But even though Tagliabue has tried his best to put Goodell in position to get the job, we're also told that some league insiders believe that NFL outside counsel Gregg Levy was added to the list of five finalists in order to give Tagliabue a fallback candidate if Goodell can't win the support of 22 of 32 teams.  Under this scenario, if Goodell can't get the votes, then Levy would acquire Tags' support, since Tagliabue's primary objective (we hear) is to get a new Commissioner in place, so that he can then ride off into the sunset.

We're hearing that there has been "a lot of chatter" about Levy over the past couple of weeks, and that he could indeed emerge as a compromise candidate.

Whether a compromise candidate is even necessary depends on whether enough owners mount an open charge against Goodell.  Though there has been no overt lobbying for another candidate in the run up to the meeting, the undercurrent of frustration regarding the process, which as we hear it includes consternation as to the perception that the owners are limited by the list of hand-picked finalists, could bubble over.

If that happens, then the question becomes whether anyone can muster 22 votes in a three-day meeting.  The owners proved in March that they can reach a consensus when the chips are down; however, this time around they have the luxury of time.  Sure, Tagliabue might not like it if they can't git 'r done by Wednesday.  

But what's he gonna do, vacate the office?

We're also told that there's another candidate who opted out of placement on the list of finalists because he didn't want to publicly make it to the last cut and then fail.  We're trying to find out who the sixth finalist is, since there's a chance that he could end up right back in the mix if none of the five who are currently under consideration get the job.

Finally, we're told that the voting by the owners will occur on a "to be determined ad hoc basis" involving a combination of open voting and secret ballot.  To the extent that secret ballots will be used, one of the Big 4 accounting firms is on hand to verify the results.   

Stay tuned.

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POSTED 1:43 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 2:49 p.m. EDT, August 7, 2006

ANDERSON BEATS OUT CASSERLY FOR LEAGUE OFFICE GIG

A league source tells us that Falcons exec Ray Anderson has been hired as the new Senior V.P. of Football Operations at the NFL league office.

Former Texans G.M. Charley Casserly was working hard to get the position, which previously was held by Raiders coach Art Shell.  Casserly supposedly quit his job in Houston after the draft in order to focus on landing the league office gig.

Maybe, in hindsight, he should have quit after the 2005 season.

As our readers well know, however, we are of the opinion that Casserly was nudged out of Houston, and that the vacancy in the league office helped provide cover for the "resignation".

Meanwhile, we wonder how kindly the owners assembled for the selection of a new Commissioner will take to the news that a decision was made, and implemented, before a new Commish was hired.  Since the call presumably was made by current Poobah Paul Tagliabue, why wouldn't he instead give his successor -- whoever it may be -- the chance to make his own decision?  (Especially since the guy could be on the job as soon as Wednesday.)

Of course, there's no need for that if the owners anoint Tags' right-hand man, Roger Goodell, as the next Commissioner.  But coupled with Andrea Kremer's report that some owners are upset by the transparency of a process that seems to have been pointing at Goodell from day one, maybe this move will prompt a few of the Type-AA+ personalities convened in Chitown to finally stand up and call bullsh-t.

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BELL THE STARTING RUNNING BACK IN DENVER (BUT NOT THAT ONE)

The Broncos' starting tailback currently has the name "Bell" on his jersey.  But the first letter of his first name isn't "T" (as in "Tatum") but "M" (as in "Mike").

Specifically, rookie Mike Bell is at the top of the depth chart.  Tatum Bell, the presumed 2006 starter, isn't.  

Also in the mix is Ron Dayne, the 1999 Heisman Trophy winner who has shown at times flashes of ability during six NFL seasons.

At the quarterback position, the Broncos have put another rookie in a key position.  First-rounder Jay Cutler is now the primary backup to quarterback Jake Plummer, with Bradlee Van Pelt at No. 3.

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MONDAY PFT RADIO ROUNDUP

For your listening pleasure, PFT readers can catch Editor Boy Florio three times on the airwaves on Monday.

At 5:20 p.m. EDT (or so), listen in on Florio's weekly spot with Steve Duemig on 620 WDAE in Tampa.  An hour later, Florio stops by for a chat with Mike Felger of ESPN Radio 890 in Boston (don't tell Len).  Then, at 9:25 p.m. EDT, Florio will chew some fat with Glen Macnow of 610 WIP in Philly.

Len, thanks again for trying to get us blacklisted.  If anything, it has increased the number of radio requests that we receive. 

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POSTED 9:27 a.m. EDT, August 7, 2006

PFT TEN-PACK:  HALL OF FAME WEEKEND

We watched most of the Saturday ceremony.  We saw most of the Sunday night game.  It was enough of both to allow us to offer up our trademark ten observations regarding the two-day extravaganza, and regarding the first NFL game on NBC this century.

1.  The Raiders Are Doing Something Right.

Love them or hate them, there's something about the Oakland Raiders that no other professional sports franchise has ever been able to inspire among those who have been members of the organization.

It's an unflagging loyalty demonstrated by 99 percent of the former Raiders players, especially from the golden era of silver and black football -- the 1970s and early 1980s.

Though some might regard the organization as nothing more than a cult of personality for the guy with the parakeet pompadour, how can one relatively short, skinny man control the minds and hearts of so many large, imposing men?

Listening to John Madden's speech on Saturday, it was obvious to us that Al Davis, who might have done many things wrong over the years, has done one thing right.  He has built a "team" in the truest sense of the word, and it's an institution that will live on long after the man who got it started -- and the rest of us -- are gone. 

2.  Wow.

The "Moment" for the weekend was the unveiling of the Reggie White bust, especially for anyone who has lost a parent. 

Jeremy White's reaction to the sight of his father immortalized in bronze was a thing that we'll never forget. 

Ever.

3.  Madden Is Still A Goofball.

We like John Madden, who has several million reasons to fully embrace the quirky way he talks, thinks, and acts.

But Coach John took the whole "harmless doofis" thing to a new level this weekend by suggesting that the busts in the Hall of Fame come to life at night and talk.  At first, we thought he was offering up the idea as sort of a whimsical, tongue-in-cheek thing, but then during an interview aired on Sunday night with Bob Costas, we got the impression that Madden genuinely believes it.

And in making his case, we think that Madden actually suggested (perhaps unintentionally) that there's no afterlife for humans, but that the busts in Canton will be chewing the fat for eternity.

Maybe John is just getting old.  Or maybe he thought Toy Story was based on a true story.  Regardless, there's a fine line between lovable buffoon and village idiot, and we're suddenly not quite sure which side of it Madden inhabits.  

4.  Rayfield Wright's Moment In (Or Was It On?) The Sun.

Though we found many of Rayfield Wright's statements to be inspirational and genuine, he was sweating so much during his speech that we started sweating just watching it.

It was hot, that's for sure.  And those hideous jackets that the Hall of Famers receive look thick enough to keep a guy cozy in the South Pole. 

Still, the heat coupled with Wright's awareness that he was over his allotted time seemed to make the sweating even worse.  And it made his speech -- as good as it was -- flat-out discomforting to watch.

5.  The Preseason Games Still Suck.

No matter how much we pine for pro football after the Super Bowl ends, it's very hard for us to give a crap about the preseason.

It's awful primarily because it's not meaningful. 

That's the beauty of the NFL:  The intensity that drives nearly every regular-season game.  That intensity simply isn't there during the Pro Bowl or any part of the preseason, no matter how hard the TV foofs try to manufacture it.

So, please, new Commish.  Cut the preseason to two games and expand the regular season to 18.  Sure, the owners will have to pay more money to the players in the form of salaries, but the revenue pie that comes from two more weeks of real football will more than offset the expenses, and it will enable all of us to spend two less weeks watching guys with NFL uniforms and helmets engaged in glorified practices sessions.

6.  "A Scratch, Not A Pick."

During Norv Turner's presentation of Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman, ESPN showed an image of former Aikman teammate Michael Irvin, who sat stoically during the second Hall of Fame celebration in which he wasn't one of the inductees.

And after several seconds, Irvin jammed a finger into his right nostril.

The "pick" quickly became a "scratch" -- regardless, maybe the bust of Irvin (if/when he ever gets in) should include a knuckle in its nose.

7.    New Approach to Garbage Time?

Midway through the fourth quarter of the game between the Eagles and the Raiders, the one-on-one conversation between Al Michaels and John Madden was supplemented by comments from Bob Costas and Cris Collinsworth. 

And it worked.

We liked the give and take, especially since for the first time during his broadcasting career we saw some feistiness from Madden, specifically during his interplay with Collinsworth.  The beauty of it was that, while elsewhere the acrimony is often contrived, we got the sense that the Big Guy doesn't have much patience for the smarmy non-Raider who thinks he knows everything and who uses fancy words like "hygiene" and "triangle." 

We don't know whether the folks at NBC plan to use this same device if/when the weekly offerings get to the point of non-competitiveness -- but we hope they do.  Hearing Madden snipe at Collinsworth is a helluvalot more compelling than listening to Madden talk about talking busts.

8.  Great Info From Andrea Kremer.

For some reason, the nuggets offered up by sideline reporters often don't get the same attention that officially "published" items enjoy.  And for that reason, we tend to pay closer attention to these in-game reports, in the event that there's something that our readers might find interesting.

Andrea Kremer had a great one in her NBC debut, even though she arguably underplayed its significance.  During the second half, Kremer explained that she had spoken to an owner regarding the Commissioner selection process, and she said that there is an undercurrent of dissatisfaction with the manner in which the search committee has set the table for the presumed coronation of Roger Goodell.

If there is such a feeling among enough of the owners, things could get interesting in Chicago.

Indeed, Kremer says that Goodell has 15-to-17 of the 22 votes necessary to secure his promotion.  The question, then, is whether Goodell can get the remaining 5-to-7 "ayes" before 5-to-7 of the owners currently in the Goodell camp are successfully lobbied by another owner, for another candidate.

9.  Extreme Makeover:  Zebra Edition.

We're still not sure what to make of the new referee uniforms.  The jerseys are a little too flashy for our liking, but we think that the overriding goal of the NFL was to differentiate its officials from the zebras at the other levels of the sport.

The move also makes it easier for the trademark-obsessed league to prevent images of NFL officials to be used in television commercials or other for-profit ventures that don't enhance the profit for the 32 owners.

Case in point -- the Miller Lite commercials from a couple of years ago, in which officials blew the whistle on a variety of idiotic beer-related offenses.  If there's a new version of such commercials using the new NFL jerseys, our guess is that the folks at Covington & Burling will instantly pull the cord on the litigation lawn mower.

10.  Time To Consider Something Radical.

Okay, we're not quite venturing into "talking bronze busts" territory, but the concept we're about to float will likely be met with scoffs by many.

The Hall of Fame induction ceremony should be held somewhere other than Canton.

Yeah, there are plenty of the perfunctory "attaboys" and other accolades thrown in the direction of the town in Ohio where the Hall has been headquartered since its inception, but if the locals can't pack a full house into a relatively small stadium for the induction of greats like Aikman, Moon, White, Carson, Madden, and Wright, then someone else should host the thing.

Our suggestion?  Pick an NFL stadium every year for the induction ceremony and the game based on the class of new members.  This year, for example, there would have been a full house in Green Bay, or in Dallas. 

Alternatively, do it indoors, where the air conditioning will make the speeches more bearable and spotlights and other gimmicks can be used to spice up the happenings.  Also, the empty seats -- to the extent there are any -- would be less noticeable.

Another possibility in this regard would be to have separate ceremonies in different cities for each inductee, with the baton passed from place to place for the televised event.  Admission could be charged at each place, and the net proceeds could be donated to the United Way or some other charity. 

And while we're in the process of screwing with tradition, we're compelled to mention that we've been to the Hall of Fame and, frankly, it doesn't inspire the kind of awe that it should.  Apart from the room with the talking busts, the place simply doesn't do justice to the sport or to the people that it honors.  We think a new one should be built, possibly in a city other than Canton.

We got nothing against Canton.  But the sport that has become America's real pastime over the past 20 years deserves a Hall of Fame, and a Hall of Fame induction ceremony, that adequately reflects the value of the NFL and its players. 

Currently, neither the Hall nor the event meet that standard.

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POSTED 10:00 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 10:51 p.m. EDT, August 6, 2006

PFT POWER RANKINGS:  NO. 8

Up we go, deeper into the top ten.  Eight are left.  The Indianapolis Colts.  The Seattle Seahawks.  The Pittsburgh Steelers.  The Carolina Panthers.  The New England Patriots.  The Miami Dolphins.  The Denver Broncos.

The Washington Redskins.

We like what the Redskins have done in the offseason.  A lot.  We like the upgrades to the coaching staff, though they probably overpaid a bit.  We like the upgrades to the roster, though they probably overpaid a lot.

But we've got one big concern.  Quarterback.  Mark Brunell turns 36 in September, and two years ago he was thought to be on his way out of D.C.  Though he can still play, there's really no one with any quality experience behind him.  If Brunell goes down, the 'Skins are done.

Even if Brunell stays healthy, our concern is that the Redskins will emerge from a competitive NFC East field without enough wins to secure home field for the playoffs.  Complicating matters in this regard are games against the Colts, Jaguars, Panthers, and Bucs.

Are these Redskins capable of advancing to the Super Bowl?  For the first time in a long time, the answer is yes.  But we don't think that, when the postseason rolls around, they'll get any farther than they did in 2005.  This isn't a team that can win consistently on the road in January, and absent home field advantage they won't make it to the Super Bowl.

Newcomers are receiver Brandon Lloyd, receiver Antwaan Randle El, tight end Christian Fauria, defensive end Andre Carter, and safety Adam Archuleta.  Gone is linebacker LaVar Arrington.  On balance, the roster is better.

The 'Skins didn't have a first-round pick in the draft, due to the trade in 2005 that allowed them to land quarterback Jason Campbell at the bottom of round one.  The team had only one pick on the first day of the draft, no fourth-rounder, one fifth-rounder, two sixes, and two sevens.  Don't expect any rookies to contribute much this year.

We like what tailback Clinton Portis and receiver Santana Moss bring to the table, and the two of them -- if they can stay healthy -- can help take the team very, very far.

But not far enough.  Not this year.  Maybe next year.  Not this one.

Now for the fantasy grades.

Quarterback:  How good was Mark Brunell in 2005?  His 23 touchdown passes were the most in one season for his entire career.  But that's another reason why we think there will be a correction this year.  Our gut tells us he's at a C level at best for 2006.

Running back:  Clinton Portis is one of the best in the game -- a three-down back who gets plenty of touches per game.  He gets an A-.

Receiver:  Santana Moss had the best season of his career, with nearly 1,500 yards receiving.  He's got the speed to draw double coverage, and he'll likely be solid again in 2006.  We give him a B.  We'd hold off, however, on Brandon Lloyd or Antwaan Randle El.  Lloyd has been mediocre in three seasons, and Randle El will get drafted by another owner based on hype, not production.

Tight end:  Chris Cooley was a surprise player in 2005.  His numbers were very good for a tight end, but we're on the fence as to whether we'd use another receiver in lieu of Cooley, if in a league that permits the tight end to be bypassed.

Defense:  Solid and improving unit, which likely will be better even without Arrington on the team.  We give them a B-.

Kicker:  Injuries have marred Jon Hall's performance for the past two seasons, causing him to miss a total of 14 games.  We'd avoid him.

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SUNDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

It sounds like Roger Goodell is as much of a lock to be the Commissioner as Jim Finks was in 1989.

Charlie Weis will "be more demanding" of the Irish this year (as in he will "be demanding more" muffins and other pastries).

Aussie Sav Rocca won't be trying to catch on with an NFL team as a punter this year.

It ain't no Love Boat in Minnesota this training camp.

Giants TE Jeremy Shockey practiced for the first time since suffering a concussion on Monday.

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POSTED 10:51 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 11:56 a.m. EDT, August 6, 2006

BARRETT BROOKS BUSTED

WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh reports that Steelers offensive lineman Barrett Brooks was arrested early Sunday morning after running two red lights (or stop signs -- we can't remember that specific detail of the report) and then attempting to elude police officers.

Amazingly, there is no report of the incident on the Internet, yet. 

The arrest is the latest in a spate of offseason troubles by players on teams in the AFC North.  Several Bengals have been arrested, Steelers receiver Santurdio has been busted twice, and Browns running back Reuben Droughns was nailed for domestic abuse allegations only days after being acquitted on DUI charges.

Also, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger wrecked his face into a car in June, and Ravens linebacker Roderick Green recently was stabbed outside a bowling alley.

The Steelers are in training camp in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, but were given Sunday off.

Brooks has spent three season with the Steelers, and 11 overall in the NFL.  He appeared in 16 games last season, but had no starts.  Originally a second-round draft pick of the Eagles in 1995, Brooks is under contract through 2006 at a salary of $810,000.

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HOW ABOUT A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE POLICY?

After pondering the misbehavior of several of the members of our All-Time All-Turd team, we'd like to suggest to the new NFL Commish (whoever it may be) that as one of his first orders of business he should give serious consideration to creating a Domestic Violence Policy as a supplement to the existing Personal Conduct Policy.

The idea was suggested to us by former Jaguars linebacker Tom McManus during a Friday spot on ESPN Radio 1460 in Jacksonville.  McManus and Mike Dempsey host "The Rumble" on weekday afternoons, and they won our undying loyalty last week after ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli refused to go on the air with them because they associate with the likes of PFT.

Although the Personal Conduct Policy allows the Commish to impose discipline based on a wide range of criminal convictions and pleas of guilty or no contest, we think that the NFL needs to make a strong stand regarding the question of violence against women, since so many of the guys who get busted allegedly have busted a girlfriend, wife, and/or the mother of one of their children.

It's a great opportunity for the NFL to lead the charge against domestic abuse, and to show a growing legion of female fans that the NFL is serious about ensuring that the employees of its teams understand that hitting is permissible only between the white lines.

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MORE RADIO FUN WITH LEN

In response to Len Pasquarelli's refusal to appear on ESPN Radio 1460 in Jacksonville because hosts Mike Dempsey and Tom McManus have invited the PFT Grand Poobah to litter the waves there once a week, our good friend Steve Duemig of WDAE in Tampa has decided to ban Pasquarelli from any further appearances on Duemig's weekday show.

"After reading what Lenny boy did in Jax," Duemig told us the other day, "I hereby am placing a permanent ban on any future appearances by him on my show."

Duemig says that Pasquarelli has appeared "from time to time" on Duemig's show. 

But not anymore.

Thanks to all of our friends at the various radio stations across the country who have given and who continue to give us opportunities to introduce ourselves to their audiences.  With guys like Dempsey, McManus, and Duemig in our corner, we feel like Jimmy Stewart in the final scene of It's a Wonderful Life.  But without Zuzu's petals.  Or the war hero brother.  Or all of that money.

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FINAL POWER RANKINGS ON THE WAY

Last week, we made a reckless promise that all of the PFT Preseason Power Rankings would be done by the time the ball flew at the start of the Hall of Fame Game.  But due to some relatively serious technical issues and a very busy post-vacation week for the law practice, it ain't gonna happen.

We've got eight more to go, and we'll get there very, very soon.

Thanks for your patience.

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SUNDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

The move to sign S Dwight Smith might, in hindsight, turn out to be a huge one for the Vikings, given the potential loss of S Tank Williams for the season.

Eagles rookie WR Hank Baskett is starting tonight across from Reggie Brown.

Could Willie Parker end up being an every-down back for the Steelers?

Tony Fisher has the edge over Moe Williams for the right to back up Steven Jackson in St. Louis.

Lions OL Damien Woody might miss two weeks with a wrist injury.

The Fins and first-rounder Jason Allen are roughly $1.5 million apart on guaranteed money.

Ravens DT Haloti Ngata suffered a sprained MCL during a scrimmage against the Redskins.

Jets RB Curtis Martin, on the PUP list with a knee injury, curiously didn't make an appearance at an open practice at Giants Stadium.

Jets fifth-round TE Jason Pociask (shoulder) has been placed on IR.

There's a minor controversy in the 'Burgh as to how QB Charlie Batch and LB Larry Foote stopped being training camp roommates.

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POSTED 11:50 p.m. EDT, August 5, 2006

HAS BOB GRIESE LOST HIS MIND?

A reader has alerted us to video from the NFL Network, currently available on NFL.com, of an interview of Hall of Fame quarterback Bob Griese,  in which Griese talks about new Hall of Famer Warren Moon.

Says Griese regarding Moon:  "I remember playing against the Houston Oilers when he was there, and he was just lights out."

Moments later, Griese says:  "I played against Warren a lot.  He was more a contemporary of mine."

The only problem?  Moon was a contemporary not of Griese, but of Griese's son. 

Griese retired after the 1980 season.  Moon didn't take a snap in the NFL until 1984.

We've got three possible explanations for this.  First, Griese wasn't wearing those big-ass Clark Kent glasses when the Fins played the Oilers, and he thought Dan Pastorini was black. 

  

Second, Griese took one too many bumps to the noggin.   Third, by suggesting that Moon was a "contemporary" of his, Griese was trying to create the impression that he got into the Hall faster than Moon.  As it turns out, however, Moon gained induction on his first try.  For Griese, it took five attempts to get enough votes.

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SATURDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

The Bills and first-round S Donte Whitner finally have reached agreement on a contract.

Broncos DT Gerard Warren is out 2-4 weeks with a dislocated toe.

Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson practiced after injuring his neck on Thursday and sitting out on Friday.

Vikings S Tank Williams was carted off of the field on Saturday with a knee injury.

X-rays on Ced Ben's busted shoulder were negative.

While watching the Hall of Fame ceremony, we couldn't figure out whether more water flowed from Rayfield Wright's tear ducts . . . or his scalp.

An MRI on T.O.'s hamstring showed no damage (an MRI on his head showed that he's still an asshole).

Pats S Mel Mitchell is done for the year with a torn biceps tendon.

The Cowboys' offense scored touchdowns on seven of 10 possessions in a scrimmage on Saturday.

The Saints' defense outplayed the offense in an intra-squad scrimmage.

Big Ben's bodyguard won't be prosecuted for allegedly roughing up a fan that was trying to get Roethlisberger's autograph last month in Lake Tahoe.  (Meanwhile, Roethlisberger is still trying to figure out why they named a lake after an SUV.)

Cancel Jon Lovitz -- NFL Commish candidate Gregg Levy could have been played by the late Vincent Schiavelli.

Ravens QB Steve McNair was 5-for-6 for 30 yards in a scrimmage against the Redskins.

Bob Glauber reports that Roger Goodell will be the next NFL Commissioner.  (Way to go out on a limb, Bob.)

---

POSTED 10:05 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 7:08 p.m. EDT, August 5, 2006

INTRODUCING THE ALL-TIME, ALL-TURD TEAM

We commemorate the annual Hall of Fame induction ceremonies with the announcement of the PFT All-Time, All-Turd Team.

For a look at the list, click here.  (Editor's note:  The All-Time All-Turd team should not be confused with the 2006 All-Turd team.)

And in further honor of the Hall of Fame festivities, we introduce the first class for the PFT All-Turd Hall of Fame.

The "winners" are . . . O.J. Simpson, Lance Rentzel, Mossy Cade, Rafael Septien, and Rae Carruth.

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CHAYUT PULLING A POSTON?

In his ongoing quest to get the New England Patriots to overlook the fact that receiver Deion Branch is under contract for the 2006 season, agent Jason Chayut could be treading dangerously close to the edge of a potentially steep cliff.

Chayut insists that it wasn't proper for the Pats to present Branch with a five-year contract as a second-round rookie in 2002.  Ignoring the fact that his own firm later allowed a second-round pick to sign a five-year contract in 2003, 2004, and 2005, Chayut has claimed that Branch was "exploited" by the team.

More specifically, Chayut claims that there was an agreement in principle on a four-year deal, and that the team reneged.  Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe (who unlike his colleague Ron Borges isn't in the tank for Branch and Chayut) points out that Chayut didn't file a grievance after the Pats supposedly breached the agreement by yanking the deal.

Our guess?  There never was a deal in principle, and Chayut is throwing mud now in order to justify his position that Branch should be an unrestricted free agent.  But if the NFLPA considers these facts through in conjunction with the regulations regarding agents, the union might conclude that Chayut's failure to take action after the Pats failed to honor the agreement in principle could be something for which Chayut should be disciplined.

Indeed, it was Carl Poston's ridiculous suggestion that the Redskins had yanked a second $6.5 million roster bonus from the final draft of LaVar Arrington's December 2003 contract extension that resulted in Poston's bookended two-year suspensions.  In order to make the argument fly that the 'Skins had screwed Arrington, Poston had to admit that he didn't read the final draft of the contract.

Chayut faces a similar problem.  In arguing now that the Pats engaged in bad-faith conduct four-plus years ago, Chayut implicitly concedes that he did nothing at all about it.

Oops.

Meanwhile, the more we learn about the offer Chayut spurned, the more confused we are by Chayut's decision not to have Branch sign it.  The extension pays $6.25 million per year on the three new seasons, and $8 million in guaranteed money.  Plus, Branch would be on the open market come 2010, unlike Reggie Wayne, who is tied up until March 2012.  And he'd get paid without having to complete the 2006 season free from serious injury.

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SATURDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

Bears RB Cedric Benson is expected to miss two weeks with a left shoulder injury.

Cardinals DE Kenny King is happy that he "only" has a broken hand.

Ravens QB Steve McNair and TE Todd Heap are getting better acquainted.

340-pound Haloti Ngata likely is leaving a-load-a ca-ca in every bathroom he frequents.

Bengals QB Carson Palmer was 4-for-9 for 57 yards in a Friday night scrimmage before 9,400 fans.

We're impressed that Bengals WR Chris Henry apparently isn't slowed down by that clunky metal ankle bracelet.  (We're kidding; Henry doesn't have a monitoring device attached to his body . . . yet.)

The Panthers got Friday afternoon off after linemen successfully caught five of six kickoffs.

Browns QB Charlie Frye was 5-for-10 for 54 yards and an end-zone pick during one 15-play drive on Friday night before nearly 25,000 fans.

Great point from Bernie Lincicome of the Rocky Mountain News:  The induction of John Madden into the Hall of Fame based on only 112 wins and one Super Bowl win opens the door for guys like Coach Kevlar.  (And Coach Chin.  And the Big Show.)

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POSTED 10:47 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 11:38 p.m. EDT, August 4, 2006

ANOTHER STOUFFER TELLING THE CARDS TO STUFF IT?

The Cardinals draft a quarterback in the top ten.  Negotiations quickly result in an impasse. 

The events of 2006 between the Arizona Cardinals and USC quarterback Matt Leinart are similar, thus far, to the events of nearly 20 years ago, when the St. Louis Cardinals couldn't sign CSU quarterback Kelly Stouffer, the sixth overall pick in the draft.

How ugly did it get?  Stouffer sat our the entire 1987 season before being traded to the Seahawks, initially for safety Kenny Easley but then for draft picks after Easley failed a physical due to kidney problems that forced his retirement.

Along the way, Stouffer considered suing the Cardinals and the league in an attempt to have himself declared a free agent.  Earlier that year, No. 3 overall pick Alonzo Highsmith of the Oilers won a temporary injunction against the team and the league, permitting him to negotiate with other teams.  He signed with the Oilers while the litigation was pending.

Though Leinart likely won't mount a legal challenge to the system that makes him the exclusive property of the Cardinals, we're not ready to rule out a year-long holdout and a re-entry into the draft.

As we've always said, a guy should only re-enter if he thinks he'll be drafted in the next year in the same or better spot than he was picked in the current year.  Depending on the number of teams with needs at the position who are drafting in the top ten, Leinart has a good chance, in our view, of going in the top ten again, and possibly a spot or two higher.  Brady Quinn and Drew Stanton are the top quarterback prospects for now, and Leinart would most likely be no worse than the No. 3 quarterback come the 2007 draft.

In the interim, Leinart could work on his measurables, such as his time in the 40-yard dash, which he didn't perform at his Pro Day workout.

On the other hand, however, a decision not to sign a contract with the Cardinals could make teams even more concerned about his long-term commitment to and love of the game.

We think the chances of Leinart sitting out the full year are still very slim, especially since teams can't afford to get nothing for their first-round picks.  But Cards coach Dennis Green's head is just hard enough to allow him to dig in.  Besides, it isn't as if Green doesn't know a thing or two about wasting first-round draft picks.  He's the guy, after all, who drafted Dimitrius Underwood.

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CED BEN BUSTS ARM?

We're hearing scattered accounts of Internet and radio reports that Bears running back Cedric Benson has suffered an arm injury of some sort during a Friday night practice.

Reports are that Benson left the field with his arm in a sling.

If he has an injury that causes him to miss any significant playing time, it's a major blow to the running game, since Thomas Jones already is out with a hamstring problem.

And there are conspiracy theorists out there who think that the injury is the result of a Bears' defense that has been hitting Benson extra hard as a way to show support for Jones, who skipped all voluntary phases of the offseason program due to discontent regarding his contract.

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FRIDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

The Vikings and Fran Foley have resolved their differences regarding his claim for the balance of his contract.  (As part of the settlement, the team has agreed to never again refer to him as "that big Fred Flintstone-looking doofis who puffed up his bio.")

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution finally has stopped nuzzling Mike Vick's crotch long enough to realize that local TV cameras have been banned from the sidelines.  (They're also reporting that the moon landing was a success.)

If Gregg Levy becomes the next NFL Commissioner, Jon Lovitz could star in his biopic.  (If he gets a man perm.)

Giants TE Jeremy Shockey has missed another day of practice due to a concussion.

T.O. is still out with a bad hamstring.

Matt Millen, whose teams provide little competition for most of their opponents, has been added to the competition committee.

The Colts have inked RB Tony Hollings.

Here comes the Hamburglar.

The NFL Network is back on the systems that Time Warner recently acquired, but perhaps only temporarily.  (It's important to have space reserved on the dial for all of those channels that no one watches.)

With the new rules getting rolled out every year at this time, we wonder if the NFL will ever say, "You know, last season worked just fine."

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POSTED 2:32 p.m. EDT, August 4, 2006

TOLLNERS SAY "SEE YA" TO LEIGH

Multiple league sources tell us that agents Ryan and Bruce Tollner have parted ways with agent Leigh Steinberg.

One source says that the Tollners will set up their own shop, and call it "Rep One."

We're also told that Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be making the move with the Tollners.

Steinberg currently is in Canton, where he will introduce Warren Moon during Saturday's Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.  Moon also works with Steinberg's firm.

We'd previously heard rumors that the Tollners might be leaving.  In response, Steinberg would acknowledge only that there could be a change in the structure of the firm.

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POSTED 2:09 p.m. EDT, August 4, 2006

EAGLES BAG BUNKLEY

A league source tells us that the Philadelphia Eagles and defensive tackle finally have come to terms with defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley, the team's first-round draft pick.

We're told that the deal has a base value of more than $12.5 million, with nearly $10 million in guaranteed money.

The primary sticking point was whether the deal would be five years or six years in length.  We're told that the deal is indeed a six-year package, but that it contains an escalator that would push his final year salary to the franchise tender for defensive tackles in 2011.  Bunkley needs to make it to the Pro Bowl three times in five years to trigger the maximum number, with lower triggers resulting in a smaller escalators.

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POSTED 8:07 a.m. EDT, August 4, 2006

CHAYUT NEEDS TO SHAYUT UP

We'd thought that agent Jason Chayut finally had realized that he was doing more harm than good for his client, receiver Deion Branch, by running his mouth regarding Branch's contract.

But now Chayut is at it again, characterizing the Pats' pending offer as a four-year deal when in fact it's a three-year extension. 

Chayut's semantics arise from his belief that the Pats "took advantage" of Branch by "forcing" the second-round pick to sign a five-year deal as a rookie in 2002.  (Previously, Chayut suggested that Branch had been "exploited" by the team at the time.) 

Prior to 2006, however, in which the CBA placed a four-year limit on second-round deals, plenty of players were "exploited" by receiving significant bonus money in exchange for agreeing to play for the team for five years.

Indeed, we've learned based on a review of NFLPA data that three clients of Chayut's "Sportstars" firm have been "exploited" since Branch in 2002 by signing five-year deals as second-round picks.

In 2003, it was Eagles tight end L.J. Smith.  In 2004, it was Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson.  In 2005, Packers linebacker Nick Collins.

And as we've previously explained, no player is "forced" to sign any deal.  He can, if he so chooses, accept the one-year tender for the minimum salary, and if he gets through three years of one-year tenders without a career-ending injury, he'll be eligible for restricted free agency.

Alternatively, the player can accept the signing bonus that goes with a long-term deal, which he gets to keep even if he turns out to be a turd.  The downside?  If he becomes a great player, he can't hit the open market as soon as he'd like.

So unless Chayut is going to have his clients who didn't become "sportstars" pay back bonus money that they received on their rookie deals, Chayut can't complain when one of his guys isn't making as much money as he could due to the realities of the system.

That goes for any agent -- and we think that many of them "get it" in this regard.  It's unfair to bitch about "the system" as to the restrictions it places on one player when, from a broader perspective, it's helping plenty of players get paid regardless of whether they actually ever do anything to earn it. 

Meanwhile, Deion Branch is now facing up to $98,000 in fines due to his seven-day holdout.  Under the current system, the player pays that money, not the guy who told him to stay away.

If that's not "exploitation," we don't know what is.

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BRANCH OFFER REALLY NOT A BAD ONE

As agent Jason Chayut continues to chatter to the press regarding the specifics of the offer made by the New England Patriots to receiver Deion Branch, Chayut is providing more insight into the terms of the offer that the Patriots have made.

And, in our view, it's making Branch's decision to hold out seem even more curious.

The offer, as Chayut tells Tom Curran of the Providence Journal, would pay Branch $18 million in new money on a three-year extension.

That's an average, as to the three new years, of $6 million annually.  And it puts Branch on the open market after the 2009 season, when either the salary cap will bust through $150 million -- or when due to the potential for a scuttling of the CBA there will be no salary cap.

While Colts' receiver Reggie Wayne signed a six-year deal worth $40 million, Wayne is tied up through 2011.  Branch will either get another extension at least two years before that, or he'll sign a new deal elsewhere.

Still, Chayut's primary complaint is that, when viewed as a three-year deal, the offer does nothing to improve the $1 million salary that Branch will earn in the final year of his rookie deal.  But Wayne played out his five-year rookie deal before getting his new contract, making $1.7 million in 2005 -- and assuming the risk of an injury that could have kept him from getting paid handsomely.

In Branch's case, he's potentially getting a new three-year deal right now.  So if he tears an ACL in October, he still has his money.  Without a new deal, a torn ACL likely results in a one-year "prove you're healthy" contract in 2007.

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MOSS CAP NUMBERS PUSH HIGHER FOR '07, '08

A reader recently alerted us to the fact that Raiders receiver Randy Moss has restructured his contract, again.  We tracked down the details, and here's what we learned.

Unlike 2005, in which through two separate restructurings Moss received a guaranteed payment of $7.085 million in lieu of that amount in base salary and thus pushed his 2006-08 cap numbers much higher, this time around Moss got only $750,000 in guaranteed pay, increasing his cap number by another $250,000 in 2007 and 2008, respectively.

The end result?  A cap number of $12.02 million for 2007, and a cap number of $13.52 million for 2008.

That's more than 10 percent of the total cap for those years tied up in a non-quarterback, and it increases the likelihood that the team will make a decision whether to try to extend his contract -- or part ways with Moss -- after the 2006 season.

Moss, in turn, will need to make a decision as to whether he wants to stay, since he could force the issue by refusing to do a new deal.

The fact that Moss agreed to a restructuring in 2006 shows that he's still willing to help the team manage its cap, which in turn suggests that he's interested in sticking around.  What isn't known, however, is whether the team wanted to clear more than $500,000 in current cap room by guaranteeing even more of his base salary, which was $8.25 million before the most recent re-do.

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SANTURDIO CATCHES HIS FIRST PASS

Steelers receiver Santurdio got a break on Thursday when pending charges of disorderly conduct in Miami were dismissed.  In return, Santurdio made a $250 donation to the Police Officers Assistance Trust Fund.

(In some neighborhoods, that type of transaction is known as, you know, a bribe.)

"I'm happy that it's over with," Santurdio said. "Now I can look forward to just playing football."

Um, no.  There's still that matter of the ancient ritual of the Slapaho tribe that allegedly occurred three weeks after the Miami arrest.

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NFL MOBILE IS INCREDIBLE

So we were sitting in an auditorium at the Baltimore Aquarium on Sunday, waiting for the (snore) dolphin show to begin.  After prying the official PFT Sprint phone out of Florio Jr.'s ever-growing fingers (he was watching exclusive clips of the "Ricky Bobby" movie), yours truly browsed through some of the features on the phone's Internet connection.

Yours truly came across the new NFL Mobile offering, which was downloaded for the affordable price of, well, nothing.

The thing is stunning, especially in light of the fact that it's free.  It has a menu that scrolls along the left side of the screen, with links to news, scores, teams, schedules, alerts, stats, standings, and NFL Network clips.

The best feature?  The "fantasy" area, where the user can input his or her own team of players and the phone will track their performance.

Our call to any self-respecting football fan?  Get rid of whatever phone you currently have and get a Sprint phone with PCS Vision or Power Vision.  The fact that the NFL Mobile package is free will more than offset the cost of canceling your current contract.

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PASTABELLI POOPLIST EXPANDS

Undeterred by the decision of ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli to boycott ESPN Radio 1460 in Jacksonville because afternoon hosts Mike Dempsey and Tom McManus have sullied their airwaves with the likes of PFT, four other courageous stations invited us on for Thursday spots.

And they ensured in one fell swoop that Len will never talk to them again.

Kudos to SportsTalk 1570 WNST in Baltimore, ESPN Radio 1450 in Atlantic City, Biz Radio 990 in New Orleans, and a relatively small operation known as Sporting News Radio. 

If any other radio hosts out there want to join in the fun, let us know.

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POSTED 11:15 p.m. EDT, August 3, 2006

PFT POWER RANKINGS:  NO. 9

Okay, we're doing our gosh-darnedest to get the last nine of these done by Sunday without phoning any/many of them in.

Here's the newest.  Number 9. . . .  Number 9. . . .  Number 9. . . .  Number 9. . . . 

Who in the hell should we make . . . Number 9?

The Chicago Bears.

The Bears are the class of the NFC North, which is sort of like saying that Len Pasquarelli is the skinniest dude at the fat farm.  Yeah, they had a great year in 2005, but five of those 11 wins came against the other teams in their division.  The only loss within the NFC North was dropped on the Bears in a meaningless New Year's Day game at Minny, when most of the starters got a weekend off.

Then again, four of the wins came at the expense of the NFC South, which consists of three quality teams . . . and the Saints.

But facing an NFC South team when it really mattered -- at home in the playoffs -- the Bears couldn't hold serve. 

For the second time in their last two trips to the postseason.

This year, we don't see a much better team on paper.  Gone is cornerback Jerry Azumah.  Taking his place is cornerback Ricky Manning, Jr.  Brian Griese is in place to serve as the backup, in the unlikely event that Rex Grossman has a body part blown up at some point before Halloween.  (Of course, now that the Bears finally have a backup to Grossman who actually can throw the ball to open receivers, Grossman will be healthy from August until January.) 

And while the personnel is relatively the same (and perhaps a bit better), there's a sense of discontent hovering over several players on the team, most notably linebacker Lance Briggs, running back Thomas Jones, and cornerback Nathan Vasher.  All want more money, none are likely to get it.  And their discontent could pose a challenge in a locker room that to date has managed effectively some players with a relatively significant degree of turd potential.

The schedule's roughly the same this year from a difficulty standpoint, if not a little weaker.  The AFC North (against which the Bears were 1-3) is replaced by the AFC East (which probably is a 2-2 proposition).  The NFC South is swapped out with the NFC West (a/k/a Conference USA).

And then there are those six games against the other three squads in the NFC North.

We don't think that the Bears will have it as easy this year, primarily because they enter the season as the top dog in the division.  They start off with games at Green Bay, against the Lions, and at the Vikings. 

If they emerge from that three-pack with one win or fewer, the wheels could come off.

The defense is solid, as usual, and the offense could be suspect.  As usual.  Rex Grossman will be looking over his shoulder (if he can avoid dislocating it while doing so), and Thomas Jones' decision to stay away from offseason workouts likely has landed him in the doghouse.

 The receivers are still Muhsin Muhammad and a bunch of guys from the local flag football league.

They'll do well given their schedule, and likely will make the playoffs.  But this team isn't ready to make a run at the Super Bowl, and can't get past the best teams in the conference during the postseason.

Now for the fantasy grades.

Quarterback:  Rex Grossman has yet to show that he can be a consistent, productive starter.  We'd throw a late-round pick on Grossman, or on his backup Brian Griese, as a possible No. 2 for the fantasy team.

Running back:  Cedric Benson and Thomas Jones are likely going to swap roles this year, given Jones' dissatisfaction with his deal and a hamstring injury that is keeping him from getting reps in camp.  Ced-Ben gets a B-.

Wide receiver:  The presence of Rex Grossman and Brian Griese should help Muhsin Muhammad improve on a 750-yard debut in Chicago.  We expect him to rack up at least 1,100 yards, and at least eight scores.  He gets a B-.

Tight end:  The only way there will be a real tight end on the Bears' offensive line is if center Olin Kreutz has resumed his jazzercise routines.

Defense:  Great unit.  Without question.  A.  Maybe A+.

Kicker:  Here's a good general rule for kickers.  If after looking up the name of a team's kicker you think that NFL.com might have listed the wrong guy, it's time to look elsewhere.

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POSTED 12:35 p.m. EDT, August 3, 2006

COACH CHIN MORE POPULAR THAN JESUS?

A league source who attended Wednesday night's Steelers practice at Latrobe Stadium tells us that "grown women were crying" in the presence of head coach Bill Cowher, as if he were some kind of a rock star.

(And before we get a bunch of e-mails from people accusing us of dissing the Lord, the title to this piece is an homage to John Lennon's infamous observation regarding the popularity of the Beatles.)

Because admission was charged for the event, scouts from other teams were permitted to attend. 

The thinking is that the public (we almost had an unfortunate typo right there) adoration of Cowher will serve only to increase his already impressive opinion of his value and worth, making it far less likely that he'll be the head coach of the team after his contract expires following the 2007 season.

Negotiations on an extension of Cowher's contract have stalled.  Earlier this year, Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren received a big-money extension that drives the market for Coach Chin into the ballpark of $7 million per year, minimum.  Cowher also has floated the possibility of "retirement" (i.e., a year or two off before cashing in).

And with rumors that Joe Gibbs will head back to his NASCAR team after the 2007 season, our guess is that Redskins owner Dan Snyder already has Cowher's name on the short list of potential replacements.  We also think that, if Snyder decides to lock onto Cowher, he could be the first eight-figure-per-year coach in the NFL.

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GOODELL THE SURE THING . . . WE THINK

As NFL owners prepare to descend on Chicago for the meetings at which a new Commissioner presumably will emerge, the odds-on favorite for the job is the right-hand man of current Commish Paul Tagliabue, Roger Goodell.

But, as they say, that's why they play the games.

Okay, so they won't actually play any games, but you get the point.  In a room full of 32 very rich and influential people, anything can happen.  Although no owner is lobbying aggressively at this point for any of the other candidates, it's possible that a handful will make an effort to push one of the other candidates, once the owners are behind closed doors.

If it's not Goodell, one possibility is Gregg Levy, outside counsel to the league.  The thinking is that Levy is better equipped to deal with labor issues.  Given that the "new" CBA could be "old" news as soon as 2009, it will be critical to have in place a Commish who knows how to get such deals done in a manner that's favorable to the league.  

We've also heard scattered concerns regarding Goodell's perceived ability to "work a room."  (Of course, it's not as if Goodell would be replacing Johnny Charisma.)

Our own favorite for the gig is Robert Reynolds, the vice-chairman and COO of Fidelity Investments.  Reynolds is a native of Clarksburg, West Virginia, which also happens to be the location of PFT World Headquarters.  (We suppose this means that, if Reynolds gets the job, Len Pasquarelli won't talk to him.)

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POSTED 8:07 a.m. EDT, August 3, 2006

CAP TO HIT $165 MILLION BY 2011?

There's talk in league circles that, within five seasons, the salary cap could rocket from $102 million to a whopping $165 million.

(It's a long way from the $34.6 million per-team spending limit that first was implemented in 1994.)

Others believe that the cap will land between $145 million and $150 million by 2010.

Either way, the increase in the money that each franchise can spend on its players is going to be even more staggering, and it's a direct result of the continued growth and prosperity of the greatest professional sports league in the known universe.  It's also a product of the increase in the percentage of Total Football Revenue that will fund the cap, which gradually moves from 61.89 percent in 2006 to 62.95 percent in 2010.

As a practical matter, this means that younger players (especially rookies) need to get themselves in position to hit the market when the cap approaches and/or passes $150 million.  Why?  Because someone is gonna get a ton of money in those years, and if a player is already under contract at the time, the chances of joining in the feast decreases.

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TEAMS USING SIX-YEAR DEALS BECAUSE THEY CAN

We're told that the pending contract disputes between the Dolphins and the Eagles and their respective first-round picks is a direct result of the recent CBA negotiations.  As part of the deal, contracts are now limited in length, with six years being the longest term for the first 16 picks in round one, five years the maximum for the next 16 picks, and four years for the rest of the class.

So because teams now can't cram five-year deals down the throats of second-round picks, we're told that some of the teams with the ability to insist on six-year deals are doing so simply because they can.

That's the thinking regarding the current positions taken by the Eagles and the Dolphins, even though in 2005 most if not all of the first-rounders below the top two picks got five-year deals.

And the problem is that, for players taken beneath the top five spots, it's generally not a good thing to be saddled with a six-year deal.   But although past precedent suggests a five-year contract for the No. 14 and No. 16 picks, the Eagles and Fins are believed to be taking a hard line pursuant to a "you asked for it, you got it" attitude toward the NFLPA and the new CBA.

And if Brodrick Bunkley and Jason Allen ink six-year deals, they'll be tied up through 2011, missing out on free agency during the first two years in which the cap approaches and/or exceeds $150 million.

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TENDERS EXPECTED TO DOUBLE SOON

Here's another reason for players to do shorter deals -- folks in league circles expect the restricted free agent, transition, and franchise tenders to double within the next few years.

Players become eligible for restricted free agency after three years.  But if they are still working under the terms of a rookie contract after the third season, the player is bound by the terms of that deal, and can't qualify for restricted free agency.

Ditto for unrestricted free agency, which kicks in after four years.  Rookies who signed five-year or six-year contracts can't qualify for free agency until those contracts expire.  (And, in turn, they have less leverage at the bargaining table when negotiating an extension after three or four years, since the team still holds their rights through the first year or two in which the player would be eligible to hit the open market.)

With more second-day picks getting four-year deals under the new CBA, some players have dealt with this issue by negotiating escalators that will increase their fourth-year salary to one of the various levels of restricted free agent tenders.  The quandary remains whether to take the extra signing bonus money to cover the four-year term.  For many guys, however, it's not an option, since teams have been insisting on four-year deals for slots that used to get only three-year terms in most cities because, as described above, teams are reacting to the new CBA's limits on contract length.

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LURIE SAYS HE WOULDN'T HAVE SIGNED T.O.

In his annual state of the team address, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said on Wednesday that, if he had to do it over again, he would not have signed receiver Terrell Owens.

What he might have said if he were being candid is that, if he had to do it over again, he would have instructed team president Joe Banner to approach T.O. after Super Bowl XXXIX regarding a restructuring of his contract in order to get more of the money in his hands sooner rather than later.

It was, after all, Owens' fear that the team would opt not to pick up $7.5 million in bonus payments due in 2006, if he were injured or ineffective during the 2005 season, that prompted him to seek more money.  If the Eagles had been proactive (and they typically are with younger players whom they hope to lock up for the long haul), the problem could have been avoided.

Of course, this ignores the problems between Owens and quarterback Donovan McNabb, which apparently were festering before the Super Bowl.  We have a feeling, however, that if T.O. had gotten paid, he might not have launched into his public turd campaign, which likely was aimed at getting the team to get rid of him.

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SPEAKING OF TURDS . . . .

. . . we haven't forgotten about the All-Time All Turd team, on which we've persistently been laboring over the past month.  We'll roll it out on Friday, and on Saturday we'll induct the first class into our PFT Turd Hall of Fame.

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THURSDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Kudos to the various readers who pointed out to us that plenty of quarterbacks don't wear chin straps during training camp, making the absence of such a device on the helmet of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger no big deal.

In a story regarding Big Ben's decision not to switch to a Riddell Revolution helmet, Roethlisberger says, "My vision is a lot smaller," but it's unclear whether he's making a specific reference to his field of vision after hitting a car with his face.  (If he was, that's a potentially huge disclosure.)

We didn't know that Brian Dawkins was related to Dick Vermeil.  

With all due respect, it's time for Concrete Charlie to put a sock in it.

Now we know why Howard Hughes chose airplanes over football.

Tom Brady already knows how to talk like a politician.

Moonshine has a bad ankle.

Former Giants LB Nick Griesen doesn't miss playing for the Soup Nazi:  "Tom wears you out.  He's always screaming at you.''

Maybe a solid knock to the noggin is just what TE Jeremy Shockey needed.

The Rams have signed former Vikings RB Moe Williams, who announced that he was retiring after he was convicted of disorderly conduct for his role in the Love Boat fiasco.  (He's now subject to discipline under the Personal Conduct Policy.)

Cardinals RT Oliver Ross is gone for up to 10 weeks, prompting Edgerrin James to watch even more of Ricky Williams' CFL game films.

Did the Lord of the Ring Dings decline to play in Europe because he feared that he'd be tempted by the wienerschnitzel?

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POSTED 9:59 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 10:50 p.m. EDT, August 2, 2006

TUG-O-WAR CONTINUES BETWEEN CARDS, LEINART

The Arizona Cardinals are at an impasse, for now, with first-round quarterback Matt Leinart, the tenth overall pick in the draft who was expected to be drafted higher than that.

Some league insiders believe that Leinart is being screwed by the bad deal signed by linebacker Ernie Sims at No. 9 and the average contract given to quarterback Jay Cutler at No. 11.  Sims is represented by agent Todd France, who also represented last year's No. 9 pick, cornerback Carlos Rogers of the Redskins.  Because, as some league insiders believe, France did a bad deal in 2005 for Rogers, Sims and France were forced to work off of that same bad deal in the same slot in 2006, since the last thing France could do was bad-mouth the contract he negotiated for Rogers a year ago.

As a result, the Cardinals are offering (we're told) a six-year deal with relatively low guarantees and light backside payments.

Another factor that's emboldening the Leinart camp is that the Titans gave quarterback Vince Young a premium deal at No. 3.  The thinking is that Young got an "owner's deal" driven by Bud Adams' desire to get Young into camp -- and to stick it to Texans owner Bob McNair by taking care of the Houston native on whom McNair passed.  Adams still lives in Houston, and he moved the Oilers to Tennessee a decade ago.

We're also picking up indications that the situation could get ugly.  Agent Tom Condon's new partner at CAA, Ben Dogra, isn't afraid to stage a long holdout to get the deal he wants.  Dogra did it with Vikings tackle Bryant McKinnie in 2002, and we've heard rumblings that he would have done it with Raiders safety Michael Huff if the Raiders had insisted on a six-year deal for the seventh overall pick.  Our guess is that the developing symbiosis between Condon and Dogra could prompt Condon to take a hard line.

Another thing we're hearing is that Leinart believes that Cardinals coach Dennis Green told Leinart when he was drafted that he'd be paid like the star that he is -- that the Cards would "shock the world" with the package given to the No. 10 pick.

But that's not the package on the table, and it appears that the two sides could be digging in for a protracted holdout.

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LAST WORD ON BUSH AND STATE TAXES

A league source has given us some additional information regarding the manner in which NFL teams and players handle the issue of paying taxes for road games.

By way of background, we recently explained that the deal signed by No. 1 overall pick Mario Williams results in much greater take-home pay than the deal signed by No. 2 pick Reggie Bush, because Williams will pay no state or local taxes . . . and Bush will.

We then were reminded that players pay taxes on game checks earned for road games.  But it's not, as we've now learned, an issue of 1/17th of the player's base salary being subject to taxation in the estimated 60-70 percent of venues in which taxes are imposed.  Instead, the source tells us that the driving factor here is the so-called "duty day," and teams committed to helping players limit their tax burden will take the position that the two "duty days" in a visiting city should be compared to all of the "duty days" for regular season games and practices, preseason games and practices, training camp, and offseason minicamps.  (Since players receive per diem payments for participating in voluntary offseason workouts, it's also likely that those days count, too.)

So the larger the total number of duty days, the smaller the percentage of the base salary that is subject to the taxes imposed by the city and/or state that the player is visiting for the two duty days in that town.

The bottom line?  The impact of playing for a team in a jurisdiction with no state or local taxes is huge.  Even when considering the credit against federal taxes and the relative differences in the property taxes and sales taxes, a guy making millions of dollars who can avoid state income tax is saving a load of money.

So even though, in all fairness, Joel Segal got a good deal for Bush from the Saints, a lot more of that money would have landed in Bush's pockets if Segal had gotten a deal done with the Texans.    

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POSTED 4:51 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 5:23 p.m. EDT, August 2, 2006

ROY WILLIAMS GETS A NEW DEAL

The AP and Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com report that the Cowboys have signed safety Roy Williams to a contract extension.  Glazer reports that the deal contains $24 million in new money and more than $11 million in bonus money.  

The new contract is a four-year deal, which will be added to the final remaining season on Williams' rookie contract.  

In addition to the information reported by the AP and FOXSports.com, we've learned that the signing bonus is $11.1 million, the highest ever paid to a safety.  

Also, we're told that Williams will earn $16 million over the first three years of the deal.  Ed Reed of the Ravens will earn $16.75 million over three years.

Over four years, Williams get $20.4 million.  Reed will receive $20.385 million.  

The key here is that Reed is tied up for seven years, while Williams will be on the market in 2011.  Also, there's no state income tax in Texas, so Williams will take home a greater chunk of change.

The total value of the five-year deal is $25.2 million.

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LEN STILL HATES US

Our friends at ESPN Radio 1460 in Jacksonville advised us this afternoon that ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli refused to appear on the station on Wednesday because (get this) the PFT Grand Poobah does a weekly segment with Mike Dempsey and former Jaguars linebacker Tom McManus.

Unbelievable.

(To hear our Wednesday afternoon segment with Dempsey and McManus in response to Len's boycott, click here.)

Kudos to Dempsey and McManus for standing their ground on this one.  Really, who's Pasquarelli to try to dictate what guests any radio station is going to use?  

And it's obvious that, for Len to allow himself to come off looking like a complete and total weenie, his abject hatred for us must be as deep and profound as his buttocks.

So let that be a warning to any other station out there that has allowed us to infect its airwaves -- if you do business with PFT, you'll end up on the Pastabelli pooplist.

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HULA BOWL DANCES TO NEW NETWORK

As it turns out, not everyone with a connection to ESPN hates us.  In addition to the guys at ESPN 1460 in Jacksonville, the executive director of the Hula Bowl, Joe Don Rogers, has advised us that the game will move from ESPN2 to ESPN in 2007.  The Hula Bowl will be played at Aloha Stadium on January 14.

We ordinarily wouldn't publicize something like this, but Rogers has told us that if the change appears on PFT "everyone will get it faster than the wire."

Of course, if you ever tell anyone that you learned about the new broadcast home of the Hula Bowl on Profootballtalk.com, Len Pasquarelli will come over to your house and eat all of your pineapples.

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POSTED 9:22 a.m. EDT, August 2, 2006

DETAILS ON BUSH DEAL

We've finally gotten our eyeballs on the financial details of the Reggie Bush deal.  Here are the key numbers.

The amount of guaranteed money in the deal before exercise of a $12.5 million option bonus in 2007 is $20.25 million.  After the option is exercised, the amount of guaranteed money is $26.325 million.  (In comparison, these same numbers are $21.75 million and $26.5 million, respectively, for the No. 1 overall pick, Texans defensive end Mario Williams.)

Bush's base package is worth $52.5 million.  Williams' base package is worth $54 million.

The maximum value of Bush's deal is $62.05 million.  The maximum value of Williams' deal is $62.1 million. 

It's extremely unlikely that either guy will earn the maximum amount available under their respective deals.  The real question, then, is how much of the money above the base value either will realize. 

Much of it is out of their individual control, since there are specific incentives in both contracts based on annual playoff wins. 

As we've previously explained, however, the fact that Williams plays for a team with no state tax means that he'll take home significantly more of the money he'll be earning.  We continue to get e-mails regarding specific niceties of the tax laws in this regard, and we've decided not to help cure our readers' insomnia by an ongoing foray into the world of accounting.  The bottom line is that much more of Bush's money will go to the government (and not into his piggy bank) by playing for the Saints than it would have if he'd been drafted by the Texans -- and his agent should have taken that into account before refusing to do a pre-draft deal with a team that plays in a tax-free state. 

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DETAILS ON YOUNG DEAL

We were amazed last week by the inability of some members of the "real" media to discern that there was and is a significant difference between the base value of Mario Williams' contract and the maximum value of the deal signed by Titans quarterback Vince Young, the third overall pick in the 2006 draft.

Reports last week suggested that Young got a better deal than Williams, the No. 1 selection, by proclaiming that, while Williams' deal is worth $54 million, Young can earn up to $58 million.

Here's the truth.

Young's base package is $48.04 million, nearly $6 million less than the base value of Williams' contract.  (Or, in other words, roughly $1 million less per year.) 

The maximum value of Young's contract is $57.59 million, which is roughly $4.5 million less than the maximum value of Williams' deal.

Better deal?  No way.

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POSTED 8:44 a.m. EDT, August 2, 2006

BRADY HAD "MINOR INJURY"

A league source tells us that the recent absence of Pats quarterback Tom Brady resulted from a "minor injury," and that Brady did not miss two days of work for any other reason.

The "other reasons" being bandied about in league circles include speculation that Brady boycotted practice because he wants more money and/or that he was showing support for receiver Deion Branch, who is now in the sixth day of a holdout.

Neither theory is accurate, according to multiple league sources.  In fact, despite recent comments made by Brady to Michael Silver of SI.com regarding Brady's assessment of Branch's value to the team, we're told that Brady privately is unhappy with Deion's decision not to come to camp.

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BRUSCHI HAS "MAJOR INJURY"?

In contrast, Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi might have suffered a broken wrist on Monday, according to John Tomase of the Boston Herald. 

Bruschi will miss a week as the team evaluates the severity of the injury, which apparently happened as he was dishing out big hits in training camp.  He reportedly has blown up rookie running back Laurence Maroney with big hits.

If there is a break of the wrist, it's not believed to be a significant one.  In the interim, the absence of Bruschi might force the team to move linebacker Mike Vrabel back to the inside.

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WEDNESDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Falcons QB Mike Vick and CB DeAngelo Hall both have hamstring injuries.

Farewell, Priest Holmes.  (We're told that the Chiefs gave up a fourth-round pick for Priest's replacement, Michael Bennett.)

Thanks to the reader who pointed out to us that early photos from Steelers training camp show that QB Ben Roethlisberger isn't wearing a chin strap.

T.O. has been named as a witness to a June bar fight.

Saints WR Joe Horn says that RB Reggie Bush is "kind of a fly dude."  (In response, Bush has stapled a bar of soap to his right hand.)

Redskins WR David Patten has been hospitalized with viral meningitis.

There's still little progress between the Steelers and Coach Chin on talks regarding an extension to his contract.

Steelers LB Joey Porter is missing training camp practices due to knee surgery he had back in May.

Lions DT Shaun Rogers has a mild shoulder separation, and offensive lineman Rex Tucker suffered a knee injury on Tuesday.

Giants RB Tiki Barber says that QB Eli Manning needs to take control of the offense.

With five interceptions thrown in practice on Monday, Lord Favre seems to be ready to make a run at George Blanda's all-time record.

Packers DT Ryan Pickett is gonna get sued.

Lions QB Dan Orlovsky has been getting some snaps with the second team.

LB Terrell Suggs kicked FB Justin Green in the torso during the first scuffle at Ravens camp. 

Texans RB Domanick Davis left camp for a second opinion on his bum knee.

We need to check Deion Branch's SRA to see if the name "Ron Borges" has been added to it.

Redskins S Sean Taylor is still thinking about LaVar Arrington shoving a shaving cream pie in his face two years ago.

Eagles WR/KR Jeremy Bloom (hamstring) got some individual work during practice on Tuesday.

Eagles WR Todd Pinkston is sidelined with inflammation in both Achilles tendons.

Pats RB Corey Dillon is trying to help rookie Laurence Maroney learn the ropes.  (But Maroney has yet to implement Dillon's advice that he practice without shoes.  Or pads.  Or a helmet.) 

Lincoln Kennedy is trying to move from the NFL Network to the NFL.  

Said G Randy Thomas after practicing in the intense heat:  "This is not like sweat -- it's like grease coming off my head."

The Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man has shrunk a bit.

Memo to Packers WR Robert Ferguson:  Wideouts typically "break out" at some point before year six of their careers.

Time Warner has yanked the NFL Network out of 1.6 million homes in Los Angeles.

How competitive is the AFC North?  Says Ravens DE Trevor Pryce:  "If I had my druthers, we'd be playing in the NFC West."

Raiders coach Art Shell says that the "light bulb is going off" for QB Aaron Brooks (which previously happened for Brooks only when he opened his refrigerator).

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POSTED 3:51 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 5:23 p.m. EDT, August 1, 2006

VICK INJURY OVERBLOWN BY AJC

We're hearing from some of our industry connections that the supposed injury suffered by Falcons quarterback Mike Vick is being grossly exaggerated by A. Scott Walton of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Walton reported that Vick injured his knee in a collision with a reserve tight end who had fallen off of his blocking assignment, that Vick was on the ground for a "five-count," and that after Vick got up he shook his head in "momentary dejection."

Said the source:  "Vick got nudged, hit the ground, and sat there for maybe one second (five count my ass) and then got up.  And he was shaking his head because he was pissed that his own guy ran into him.  And the reason Matt [Schaub] took over was because they were rotating the quarterbacks."

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MORE PFT ON THE RADIO

Because Joe Collegio of CFT has been relentlessly pimping his radio appearances on 250-watt stations in Podunk and/or Bumf--k, U.S.A., we're going to do our best to keep folks apprised of spots featuring the PFT Grand Poobah on stations in cities with more than one operational traffic signal.

On Monday, the Poobah appeared for an extended segment on AOL's Sports Bloggers Live, talking pro football and some college ball.  Also, the Poobah visited with Scott Wetzel of Sporting News Radio.

Coming in the 5:00 p.m. EDT hour on Tuesday, we'll be checking in for our weekly chat with Steve Duemig of WDAE in Tampa.

We'll keep you posted as to any other spots coming up later in the week.

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TUESDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

Giants TE Jeremy Shockey suffered a concussion on Monday night.

Lord Favre apparently is back on the Vicodin.

It's $70,000 and counting in holdout fines for Pats receiver Deion Branch (do you think his agent will pay any of that amount?).

EA lost $81 million in the first quarter of 2006.

The Tazmanian Devil thinks that football players don't need sports drinks during practice.  (Apparently, he uses only water to chase his bubble gum chickens with a stick of dynamite in the middle.) 

The Bills have signed FB Alan Ricard.

The Falcons have already have dumped K Zac Derr, replacing him with another guy we've never heard of.

Broncos QB Jake Plummer says that the elevation of Jay Cutler to starter "ain't happening for a while."

There's nothing like a guy with a bullet in his ass to provide some comic relief at training camp.

The Fritz Pollard Alliance is praising the NFL for including an African-American among the final five candidates for the Commissioner job.

Rams rookie CB Tye Hill wants to make it to the Pro Bowl in his second season.  (Hey, Tye -- you should be able to afford the plane fare this year, too.)

Vikings DT Pat Williams has been put on the PUP list due to his inability to fit inside a pup tent.

The Chargers have cut WR Rashaun Woods.

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POSTED 1:05 p.m. EDT, August 1, 2006

BRADY BACK AT PRACTICE

That sound you can hear in the distance is every God-fearing man, woman, and child in the Boston area breathing a huge sigh of relief.  

(Alternatively, Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen had burritos for second breakfast.  Again.)

Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe reports that Pats quarterback Tom Brady returned to practice after a mysterious two-day absence, which was made even more mysterious by coach Bill Belichick's ambiguous comments to the media regarding Brady's absence.

As one reader has theorized, the Pats might merely be trying to keep Brady's arm fresh, and to give backup Matt Cassel more reps, since he's likely to be the primary backup this year. 

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POSTED 12:52 p.m. EDT, August 1, 2006

VICK INJURED IN PRACTICE

A. Scott Walton (not to be confused with "The" Scott Walton) of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Falcons quarterback Michael Vick suffered a minor knee injury in practice on Tuesday morning.

Vick reportedly tripped over a reserve tight end who had fallen off of a block during a simulated two-minute drill.  

Matt Schaub replaced Vick, who apparently returned to practice a bit later.

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POSTED 8:10 a.m. EDT, August 1, 2006

CHARGERS G.M. MIFFED AT THE MEDIA

With Chargers president Dean Spanos previously ordering G.M. A.J. Smith and coach Marty Schottenheimer to kiss and make up regarding their protracted feud, Smith apparently has directed his pent-up acrimony toward the local media.

An industry source tells us that Smith has been obsessing of late with the coverage of the team and, more specifically, of him.  Smith recently claimed, we're told, that some comments attributed to him by Nick Canepa of the San Diego Union-Tribune regarding the status of linebacker Donnie Edwards were off the record and/or were not uttered by Smith.

Among other things, Canepa wrote that Smith said, "I'm just tired of all his bull[sh-t] and innuendo [Edwards has] put out there. I don't want to talk about it anymore."

The next day, Scott Kaplan of the Mighty 1090 was contending that, in complaining to the media about Edwards' use of the media to spread his message, Smith was basically doing the same thing that he claimed that Edwards had been doing.

So then Smith, we're told, had one of the team's P.R. staff call the station to complain.

Earlier in the offseason, Smith abruptly decided to quit talking to Jay Paris of the North County Times, apparently because Smith didn't appreciate the "tone" of a Paris article regarding the 2003 draft, in which Paris pointed out the obvious fact that first-rounder Sammy Davis has played like Dean Martin after a few high balls.

So what's going on here?  We think Smith knows damn well that his plan to get Schottenheimer sch-tcanned has blown up in A.J.'s non-smiling face, and that there's a good chance that both of them will get run out of town if the team doesn't go deep into January. 

Thus, we think that Smith is trying to force the coverage to be more favorable as the team embarks on a season that will either secure his position for the next few years -- or secure his exit after the next few months.

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BARBER GETS HIS EXTENSION

As it turns out, Bucs veteran corner Ronde Barber won't go the way of Warren Sapp or John Lynch.  Instead, this mainstay of the Tampa 2 defense will remain in red and pewter for the next few years, thanks to a five-year extension that could be worth as much as $24 million.

Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com broke the news of the contract, and he reports that the deal is nearly done.  Under the terms, Barber will receive $12.2 million in bonus money over the first two years.

While the deal is a good one for a 31-year-old defensive back who has made the turn and is headed toward the homestretch of his career, the bonus numbers don't reflect the current market for free-agent cornerbacks.

Brian Williams, for example, got $10 million in bonuses with the Jaguars this year.  Anthony Henry received $11 million in bonus money from the Cowboys.  Fred Smoot snagged $10.8 million from the Vikings.

So why not play out the current contract and hit the free agent in March?  Sure, Barber would then be assuming the injury risk for 2006.  But the guy has been a model of durability, appearing in all 16 games in every season since 1998.

Our guess?  Barber truly wanted to retire in Tampa, and he was willing to accept a deal that would help the team sign and/or keep enough other talent to allow the franchise to continue to be competitive.

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SANTURDIO'S HAMSTRING INJURY FINALLY CONFIRMED

Plenty of Steelers fans scoffed when we reported in June that rookie receiver Santurdio had suffered a hamstring injury.

On Monday, coach Bill Cowher confirmed that the injury indeed occurred, after the wideout aggravated the injury during training camp workouts.

"It's the same one he hurt while training in Pittsburgh," Cowher said. "We don't think it's too bad; it's day to day."

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WHERE'S BRADY?

One of the basic realities of coach Bill Belichick's tight-lipped approach to player injuries is that the absence of information will invite, at times, speculation as to whether a perfectly healthy guy is having some type of an issue.

In the case of quarterback Tom Brady, who has missed several days of training camp practice, Belichick's refusal to give anything other than a vague non-answer regarding Brady's whereabouts undoubtedly will heighten tensions in New England until the fans see number 12 doing all of the things on the field that he has done over the past several years.

And although Brady participated in offseason workouts with no obvious complications from surgery to repair a sports hernia that Belichick successfully concealed for the bulk of the 2005 season, there can be issues that manifest themselves slowly, such as a torn labrum.  (See Birk, Matt.)

So, for now, we're assuming that Brady's absence isn't the result of anything good.

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POSTED 7:06 a.m. EDT, August 1, 2006

PFT PRESEASON POWER RANKINGS:  NO. 10

We return to the process of listing the 32 NFL franchises from bottom to top by realizing that . . . we've still got to do ten more of these damn things.

So here's the first step in the final ascent to the top of the heap.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Bucs were surprisingly strong in 2005, winning one of the toughest divisions in the league. 

But how?  The offensive line is average, at the absolute best.  The quarterback is average, at the absolute best.  Rookie running back Cadillac Williams was great out of the gates but then took a step back after missing two games due to injury.

Receiver Joey Galloway was an unexpected bright spot in the passing game, and the defense continues to be solid, if not the dominant unit that helped transform the franchise from chronic laughingstock into perennial contender.

The team doesn't look to be much better, or much worse, in 2006.  Chris Simms is the clear-cut starter, even if it's only for a year.  Williams is still young, and his legs are fresh.  The offensive line added a couple of bodies, but won't be confused with the Cowboys of the early 1990s.

The most intriguing newcomer is receiver David Boston.  Once one of the top receivers in the game, Boston has been trying for the past few years to recapture the form that landed him a huge contract with the Chargers.  Galloway is still fast enough to draw double coverage, so Boston could see plenty of balls this year.

Are we blown away by the roster?  No.  But coach Jon Gruden is one of the best in the business, and he'll routinely put the team in position to overachieve.

Still, even if they overachieve in 2006, they'll do about what they did in 2005 -- a berth in the playoffs, and a relatively quick exit.

Now for the fantasy grades.

Quarterback:  Chris Simms is another guy who'll be drafted higher in most leagues than he should, due to name recognition.  At best, he's a guy we'd pick up as a No. 2, in the event that his numbers take off.  He gets a C.

Running back:  Cadillac Williams was the hot rookie with the cool name in September.  The full season showed that he was solid, not spectacular.  He gets a B.

Receiver:  Joey Galloway is a name that many owners might overlook.  But he's still good for well over 1,000 yards and as many as 10 touchdowns.  He'd be a great No. 2 receiver on a fantasy team.

Tight end:  Alex Smith looked to be the darling of the rookie class with two touchdowns in the 2005 regular-season opener at Minnesota.  Over the next 15 games, he had . . . none.  The team's decision to move rookie wideout Maurice Stovall to tight end (as reported by our friends at PewterReport.com) could be the end of the line for Anthony Becht, who averaged 1.0 catches per game in his first year with Tampa.

Defense:  Still one of the elite units in the NFL.  They get an A-.

Kicker:  Ranked near the bottom in total points for kickers, Matt Bryant doesn't figure to get many more opportunities in 2006.  We give him a D.

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