POSTED 9:25 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 11:01 p.m. EDT, August 29, 2007

STRAHAN STILL THINKING

The AP reports that Giants defensive end Michael Strahan is still pondering the question of whether he will retire, or whether he will play.

Agent Tony Agnone said via e-mail to the AP that Strahan recently talked with Giants officials about "his role with the team, needs, and 'do they really want him, etc. etc."

The "do they really want him" thing is the key, in our view.  We believe that if/when Strahan ever concludes that the team doesn't really want him, he'll show up in a heartbeat in the hopes of being traded or cut.  We also believe that, for as long as Strahan thinks that the team would plug him right in, he'll continue to contemplate whether or not to play.

Our theory is that Giants coach Tom Coughlin prefers to have Strahan, since trading him for a 2008 draft pick does nothing to help Coughlin avoid getting fired based on the outcome of 2007.  If the team would tank early, then maybe they would be willing to trade Strahan. 

Strahan, we believe, wants no part of that approach, and will return to play only if/when he thinks it will be somewhere other than with the Giants.

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FREENEY, SAMUEL, BRIGGS CASES PROVIDE INTERESTING LOOK AT FRANCHISE PLAYERS

Now that the last of the remaining 2007 franchise players is under contract, in light of cornerback Asante Samuel's decision to sign his one-year, $7.79 million tender with the Pats, let's take a look at the outcome of the three highest-profile 2007 games of tag.

Bears linebacker Lance(borghini) Briggs demanded a long-term deal or a trade, and he made the usual noise about staying away until Week Ten.  But after the team dangled an opportunity not to be tagged in 2008 if he participates in enough plays on defense and also provided him $1 million of his $7.2 million salary up front, Briggs caved.  Though he has a good chance of hitting the market in 2008, he bears the risk of injury in 2007 -- and also will have to tap dance around his late-night smash-and-sprint before a team gives him more than $20 million guaranteed.

Samuel likewise groused about the lack of a big-money offer as part of a long-term deal, failing to recognize the fact that those jaw-dropping numbers only get paid to guys who hit the open market in early March.  Samuel made noise about a trade and about staying away until Week Ten.  But, as Adam Schefter of NFLN first reported on Tuesday night, the Pats included a provision that will prevent the team from using the franchise tag again in 2008, if certain conditions are met.  But, again, Samuel has to carry the injury risk in 2007.

In contrast, Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney kept a low profile.  He never complained.  He attended minicamp meetings despite not being under contract.  And he got a ridiculous six-year, $72 million contract with $30 million guaranteed despite only registering 5.5 sacks in 2006.

The possible lesson?  Huffing and puffing won't blow the bank vault open.  It's far better to persuade the guy who holds the keys to invite you inside on his own.

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NO. 9 IS UP

Finally, our look at the 32 teams in the NFL enters single digits.

The No. 9 team is up. 

The full list is right here.

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FIRST FANTASY TEN-PACK IS UP

We are very pleased to introduce our latest feature -- the Fantasy Ten-Pack, by Matt Pitzer.

Each week, Pitzer will be sharing his observations from the week that was in the NFL.  He's getting the thing rolling with ten observations based on the preseason games played to date. 

It's a must-read for anyone who plays fantasy football.

And you can read it right here.  (We're paying good money for this thing; the least you can do is check it out, assuming you're not afraid of getting a cramp in your index finger.)

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POSTED 9:16 a.m. EDT, August 29, 2007

FALCONS FORMALLY ASK VICK FOR $20 MILLION

Len Pasquarelli of ESPN.com reports that the Atlanta Falcons have demanded a $20 million refund from Mike Vick.

Prior media reports indicated that the Falcons would pursue $22 million.  We believe that the Vick contract entitles the Falcons to seek more than $28 million. 

The key here is the extent to which $29.5 million paid to Vick as roster bonuses that were converted at the team's option to guaranteed payments are subject to forfeiture.  Vick and the NFLPA will argue that it the roster bonuses are exempt; the NFL and the Falcons will argue that they are not.

If the converted roster bonus money is not included, and if the 2006 CBA is applied retroactively, the most the Falcons can get is the remaining three years' proration of his $7.5 million signing bonus, which equates to $3.75 million.  If the prior CBA applies, the Falcons will be entitled to apply their formula that multiplies the bonus by the total remaining regular-season games under the deal (here, the number is 112), and then divides it by the total regular-season games covered by the contract (in this case, the number is 146).  Under that equation, the Falcons can recover $5.75 million.

It's unknown how the Falcons came up with the $20 million.  It could be that the Falcons believe that they can get more than that, but that they have made an opener of $20 million in an effort to negotiate a compromise between $3.75 million and $28 million.

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POSTED 3:32 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 4:30 p.m. EDT, August 29, 2007

FROSTEE FROZEN OUT OF OPENER

Alex Marvez of FOXSports.com reports that the NFL will suspend Bengals defensive end Frostee Rucker for the team's regular-season opener on September 10.

In May 2007, Rucker pleaded guilty to one count of false imprisonment and one count of vandalism arising from an incident that occurred during his time at the University of Southern California.  Concerns regarding Rucker's character caused him to drop to round three of the 2006 draft.

Though Marvez writes that the incident occurred in June 2006, Rucker was charged then.  The incident occurred in August 2005, months before Rucker was even drafted.

We've got no problem with Rucker being suspended for one game in light of his conduct.  But how is it that Rucker gets suspended for one game based on something he did two years ago, before even entering the NFL, and Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter doesn't get suspended for admitting to punching Bengals left tackle Levi Jones in a Las Vegas casino in March 2007?

We realize that the NFL needs to apply a high degree of confidentiality to matters of this nature.  But, at the same time, the lack of details could prompt Bengals fans to become irate regarding the perceived disparity in treatment. 

With that said, we suspect that the NFL has a good reason for the decisions reached in both cases.  Unless and until that reason is disclosed, however, there likely will be loud complaints from Cincinnati about this one.

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FORMER NFL QUARTERBACK ARRESTED WITH METH

Todd Marinovich, the one-time first-round pick of the Raiders, reportedly has been arrested on charges that he had a gram of methamphetamine, a syringe, and a spoon in his guitar case.

Marinovich, who is 38 years old, was skateboarding near the Newport Pier in Orange County, California -- making him the oldest known person to ride a skateboard.  When police approached him (since skateboarding is not permitted in that area), Marinovich ran away.

The authorities found him hiding in a carport six blocks away.

Marinovich has nine prior drug incidents in Orange County, and currently is on probation for a prior conviction.  He will remain in custody until a September 6 hearing.

He spent two years with the L.A. Raiders -- 1991 and 1992 -- and he completed 104 of 205 passes for 1,345 yards, eight touchdowns, and nine interceptions.  He actually started a playoff game (a 10-6 loss to the Chiefs) as a rookie.  He threw four interceptions that day, and yet somehow his team only lost by four points.

By the way, the next quarterback selected after Marinovich in the 1991 draft was a guy named Brett Favre.  You might have heard of him.

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POSTED 2:45 p.m. EDT, August 29, 2007

COACH CHIN IS PLAYING THE LEVERAGE GAME

USA Today reports that former Steelers coach Bill Cowher said at a CBS preseason meeting that he won't coach in the NFL in 2007 or 2008.

It's not clear whether Cowher also said that he's not going to be the Alabama coach, but he should have thrown that one in for good measure.  And it's good that he specifically mentioned 2007, since the NFL regular season starts in eight days.

"Bill came in to have a few words with our group and said, 'I'm not coaching this year, or in 2008,' " CBS analyst Solomon Wilcots told USA Today.  "It surprised me, only because you know he's going to be in demand, despite saying that.  There's still going to be owners who believe they can woo him and will come after him."

Why in the hell do people take this stuff at face value?  Coaches lie.  It's part of the job description.  Hell, it eventually becomes part of their DNA.

Just as there was no reason a year ago for Cowher to admit that he was leaving the Steelers after the 2006 season even though folks in the know knew it was coming, there's no reason for Cowher to admit that he's planning to ditch the job he hasn't even really started yet, even though there are indications that he has already begun the process of making his desired terms known to potentially interested teams.  One of the strong rumors regarding Cowher's plans is that, either directly or indirectly, he has been scoping out key front-office employees that he'd want to hire, if he were to gain full control over someone's football operations.

So just as the teams who might be interested in Cowher come January 2008 won't acknowledge that interest because they currently have head coaches, Cowher won't acknowledge his potential availability in January 2008 because he already has a job.

More importantly, there's no better way for Cowher to get the power and money he'd want than to spread the word that he can't be had.  Like parents searching prior to Christmas for the latest G.I. Joe with the kung fu grip, owners will want that which they can't have even more.

And, if the money and power are right, we believe Cowher will jump.  When asked about his words to the contrary from August 2007, Cowher will come up with a good explanation.  Or he'll wear an ugly sweater that causes the reporters to lose their train of thought.  Or maybe he'll just spit all over the microphones so that the answer will be undecipherable.

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POSTED 2:19 p.m. EDT, August 29, 2007

GRADKOWSKI'S NAME COMES UP IN TOLEDO POINT-SHAVING PROBE

ESPN reports that the name of Bucs quarterback Bruce Gradkowski has arisen in connection with an ongoing probe into point-shaving by the University of Toledo football team.

Gradkowski is a former Toledo quarterback, and in football the quarterback would be an obvious target of any gambler hoping to control the outcomes of the team's games.  And ESPN reports that authorities are examining Gradkowski's playing times in a number of games currently under federal scrutiny.

"I don't know what to say about that," Gradkowski recently told ESPN after a Buccaneers' practice.

Wow.  That's the kind of passionate denial that will cause folks to conclude that Gradkowski had nothing to do with this.  (Eye roll.)

On the surface, it's easy to conclude that the NFL shouldn't worry about point-shaving at the college level, since it's the NCAA's problem.  But to the extent that relationships between players and gamblers commence during college, they can easily continue when the player makes it to the NFL.

And given that Falcons' security apparently had no clue that the face of the franchise was either fighting dogs at his Virginia property or preparing for a remake of 101 Dalmatians with a slightly different breed, is it far-fetched to conclude that the security staffs with other teams don't really know as much about the habits of the players as they could or should?

Our advice to Gradkowski would be to lawyer up right now, and to be prepared to come clean at the first opportunity to do so.  If, of course, he has anything about which to come clean.

And our advice to NFL teams would be to start dumping a lot more money into knowing what your helmet-wearing employees are up to when not wearing helmets.

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POSTED 1:47 p.m. EDT, August 29, 2007

VIKES TO SAIL WEST?

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that the Vikings are "backing away" from an agreement to purchase four blocks near the Metrodome from the Star Tribune.

The team cited a "turbulent credit market" for the decision.

If a legally a binding agreement existed, the Star-Tribune could have legal rights to relief.  The broader question, however, is whether the move is the first step toward an eventual move by the Vikings to Los Angeles.  At least one industry source has suggested to us that it could be.

To the extent that the Vikings don't presently enjoy high revenues in their current home, a move to L.A. could change all of that, quickly.  The fact that the Vikings are facing their first local blackout in ten years (including a string of 96 straight sellouts) doesn't make the situation any better.  The challenges arising from the I-35 bridge tragedy complicate the situation further, because it will be even harder now to marshal public support for taxpayer dollars.

And let's be realistic here.  Absent expansion, one -- or maybe two -- current franchises will move to Los Angeles, eventually.  Though owner Zygi Wilf, who has no ties to Minnesota other than his football team, has said that relocating the team isn't an option, his desire to get a new stadium isn't leaving him with many options.  Sooner or later, the potential for earning multiple millions of new money per year is going to operate like one of those big-ass magnets that the coyote purchased from Acme. 

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POSTED 11:40 a.m. EDT, August 29, 2007

JONES MIGHT HAVE TO WAIT SIX WEEKS

There was much offseason optimism from the Lions regarding the 2007 availability of running back Kevin Jones, who suffered a serious foot injury last season.

On Thursday, the team will decide whether he'll be available for the first six weeks of it.  Jones could be placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list, which would render him ineligible to return for at least six weeks.

Jones will be examined by the doctor who surgically repaired his foot.  "He's going to evaluate me and give the doctors here more information and give the coaches more information so they can make a decision on what they want to do," Jones said, according to the Detroit Free Press.  "I want to play.  I definitely want to play.  I don't want to sit out for six weeks.  The coach is going to do what's best for the overall team, and what's best for the whole situation."

If Jones lands on IR, Tatum Bell will be the guy who gets to take advantage of the fact that the safeties will be standing on the goal line every play in an effort to keep quarterback Jon Kitna from notching 50 touchdown passes.

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POSTED 10:44 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 11:29 a.m. EDT, August 29, 2007

FINS SAY CHAMBERS NOT ON THE BLOCK

On Tuesday, Adam Schefter of NFL Network reported that the Miami Dolphins are trying to trade receiver Chris Chambers.

Not so, says the Dolphins.

According to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald, a highly-placed Dolphins source responded to the report by saying, "Who would we play?"

Salguero also reports that Chambers could be traded after the 2007, and that receiver Marty Booker was on the block earlier in the offseason, but no longer is available.

Our take?  The Fins likely want Chambers to restructure a contract that will pay him a $5.4 million salary in 2007.  It's a $3.8 million jump from his base pay in 2006, and Chambers arguably hasn't generated the kind of performance that merits that kind of money.

So by floating rumors of a trade, Chambers might be thinking twice about whether he'd take less cash to stay in Miami.  By denying the rumors, the team can avoid pissing Chambers off if a deal isn't done.

And though we all make mistakes from time to time, it's hard to imagine that Schefter's report that Chambers and Michael Clayton of the Bucs and Reggie Williams of the Jags are available for trade is only 33 percent accurate.

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WEDNESDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

The Cardinals might get an indoor practice facility.  (If they can find a company that makes a 53-man tent.)

Cards P Scott Player might not be for much longer.

Cincy coach Marvin Lewis won't say whether the team will sign a kicker to replace Shayne Graham, who suffered a hip pointer on Monday night.

New Cards coach Ken Whisenhunt apparently couldn't fit a Steel Curtain into the moving truck.

The Commish will meet with Mike Vick at some point in the future.  (But does a prison visit count as a "meeting"?)

The Falcons aren't feeling anxious to bring in another quarterback.

The Ravens have dumped G Keydrick Vincent.

Ravens LT Jonathan Ogden (toe) practiced on Tuesday for the first time this season.

Bills veterans will play in only two series at the most in the preseason finale.

The Panthers' cuts to 75 didn't contain any surprises.

LB Lance Briggs should be glad he's still alive.

Though Bears coach Lovie Smith seems to go too easy on guys who run afoul of the law, the fact that Tank Johnson isn't on the team tells us that there's a line out there.  Somewhere.

Bears DT Tommie Harris is expected to play in the preseason finale.

The Bengals' team captains are QB Carson Palmer and DT John Thornton.

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POSTED 8:22 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 9:05 a.m. EDT, August 29, 2007

BUCS NOT SHOPPING CLAYTON?

In response to a Tuesday report indicating that the Buccaneers have 2004 first-rounder Michael Clayton on the trading block, an industry source tells us that the team is denying that Clayton is being dangled.

We were initially inclined to conclude that the team is saying this merely to drive up the price that it would want for Clayton.  Or, possibly, the team already has concluded that there is no market for Clayton, and that they don't want him to think that they were trying to trade him.

Regardless, the fact that it was reported by Adam Schefter of NFLN that Clayton is on the block is enough to prompt any potential takers to make a call to the Bucs.  If the Bucs aren't interested in trading Clayton, they can politely (or otherwise) say so, and then hang up.

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MONEY FOR NOTHING, CHECKS FOR FREE

Our good friends at Rotoworld.com and NBCSports.com have a new contest.  (It's not "the contest," so all of you Kramer types out there at least have a fighting chance.)

Instead, it's a free fantasy football game -- with a grand prize of $100,000.

We repeat:  The grand prize is $100,000. 

Check it out at this link.  We'll be talking about it more over the next few days, for a fee of slightly less than $100,000.

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POSTED 11:47 p.m. EDT, August 28, 2007

STRAHAN DECISION COMING SOON?

There are indications that Giants defensive end Michael Strahan might soon be deciding whether to play in 2007, or whether to retire. 

Given that the Giants' regular season begins in, you know, 12 days, it might be a good idea for Strahan to pinch or get off the pinching chair.

The AP reports that the Giants and Strahan have been talking, and that Strahan told G.M. Jerry Reese on Tuesday that Strahan expects to make up his mind within the next two days.

Strahan currently owes the Giants well over $450,000 in fines, and the number continues to grow by more than $14,000 per day.

We continue to believe that Strahan is hoping to be traded to a contender, or released so that he can sign with a contender.  And we think that Strahan was hoping that a late arrival would prompt the Giants to decide not to keep him around.

But our guess is that the Giants would welcome Strahan back for now, and might trade him before the October 16 deadline if the season appears to be lost -- or if another team that believes it is an aging-but-effective defensive end away from being a serious contender decides to make a move.

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NO. 10 IS UP

Whew.  We almost didn't get it posted in time.

But there it is.  The No. 10 team on our 2007 preseason power rankings.

The full list?  Right here. 

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POSTED 8:32 p.m. EDT, August 28, 2007

PASS-CATCHERS AVAILABLE FOR PEANUTS

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that a trio of Florida receivers are available to any interested takers.

Specifically Reggie Williams of the Jaguars, Michael Clayton of the Bucs, and Chris Chambers of the Dolphins are on the block.

But Schefter says that no serious talks have occurred regarding any of the three, which means that all three of them are in danger of being released on or before Saturday.  Chambers, a second-round pick in 2001, has been the best of the three.  Clayton and Williams were first-round picks in 2004.  Williams was the No. 9 overall pick; Clayton was No. 15.

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POSTED 8:13 p.m. EDT, August 28, 2007

KIRCUS CAUGHT WATCHING MELROSE PLACE?

Earlier this year, Broncos receiver David Kircus was busting for busting up a guy's face.  Coach Kevlar initially said that, if Kircus would be convicted, he would be released.

But then, out of nowhere, it was announced that Kircus had passed a polygraph test, and that his position on the team was secure.

Fast forward to August 28, and Kircus can't even claim one of the final 75 spots on the roster.  The Broncos announced on Tuesday that Kircus was released.

Others released Broncos include receiver David Terrell, defensive end Kenard Lang, and punter Paul Enrster.

Back to Kircus, he had no catches in the preseason.  And that's the truth.

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POSTED 5:37 p.m. EDT, August 28, 2007

BRIGGS REPORTED CAR STOLEN by Michael David Smith

Bears linebacker Lance Briggs now admits that not only did he crash and abandon his $350,000 Lamborghini at 3 a.m. Monday, but he initially reported the car stolen.

''When it happened, the first thing I did was, obviously, I panicked,'' Briggs said, per the Associated Press. ''I didn't want there to be a big scene there. And so I left the scene. When I left, I called the tow truck. I also was startled, and I called to report that my car was stolen.

''Within probably 10 minutes, I called back and accepted responsibility for what I did because it was ridiculous in the first place.''

Illinois Police charged Briggs with leaving the scene of an accident. They have apparently not charged him with any crime related to filing a false police report.

This is all, to say the least, suspicious behavior on Briggs' part. It's strange that at a time when NFL teams are saying they have learned the importance of checking up on the off-field lives of their players, the Bears -- especially head coach Lovie Smith -- are acting as though there's nothing suspicious at all about crashing your car, abandoning it and reporting it stolen.

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POSTED 4:47 p.m. EDT, August 28, 2007

GARDNER GONE FROM K.C.

On Monday, a first-round pick from the 2001 draft saw his career suffer a major blow after pleading guilty to federal conspiracy charges relating to dog fighting.  On Tuesday, another first-round pick from that same draft encountered a similar fate when he was cut by the Chiefs.

Receiver Rod Gardner, the No. 15 overall pick in 2001, was among the team's initial wave of roster cuts.  Given the overall quality of the K.C. receiving corps, Gardner's inability to make it there suggests that he won't be able to make it anywhere.

Gardner was drafted by the Redskins, with whom he played from 2001 through 2004.  He spent 2005 with the Panthers and the Packers, and signed with the Chiefs in September 2006.

Gardner was widely compared to Cris Carter in the run up to the 2001 draft.  In the end, all that can be said about Gardner is that all he does is doesn't catch touchdowns. 

Other players dumped by the Chiefs on Tuesday include tackle George Batiste, cornerback Michael Bragg, defensive end Chris Harris, receiver Brent Little, cornerback Marcus Maxey, tight end Mike Pinkard, tackle Ramiro Pruneda, receiver Titus Ryan, and tackle Kevin Sampson.  The Chiefs placed guard Chris Bober, fullback Greg Hanoian, linebacker David Hicks, and receiver Maurice Price on injured reserve.

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POSTED 2:55 p.m. EDT, August 28, 2007

DRUG ALLEGATIONS AGAINST TIM COUCH  by Michael David Smith

Tim Couch, the former No. 1 overall pick of the Cleveland Browns, had a brief and unsuccessful comeback attempt with the Jaguars this year, but he hasn't played in an NFL game since 2003 and appears unlikely ever to play again.

And now Josh Peter of Yahoo! Sports alleges that Couch fueled his most recent comeback attempt with illegal performance-enhancing drugs.

Peter reports that Yahoo! Sports has obtained documents that outline Couch's drug regimens, which called for the use of anabolic steroids and human growth hormone.

Couch acknowledged in an interview with Yahoo! Sports that he took HGH (which is banned by the NFL but not tested for) under a doctor's care as he tried to recover from shoulder surgery.  But he denied using steroids and said he had never seen the documents that Yahoo! Sports obtained.

A Jaguars spokesman said the team was unaware of allegations that Couch had used steroids and HGH and that the decision to release Couch was based only on the fact that he wasn't good enough to make the team.

Couch said he passed a drug test during his brief comeback attempt.

"If I took that much steroids I wouldn't have passed the steroid test in Jacksonville," Couch said. "There's no way in hell.  It doesn't matter what that (steroid regimen) says.  It matters what I took.  I know what I took and what I didn't take."

Peter reports that the steroids listed on the regimen include Stanozolol, Oaxndrolone and Testosterone Cypionate, as well as estrogen suppressant Nolvadex and the antidepressant Fluox.

Even if he never failed a drug test, Couch could face league discipline solely based on the evidence turned up by Yahoo! Sports, if the league considers that evidence to be credible. But considering that the chances of Couch catching on with another team were approximately zero even before this report came out, an NFL suspension probably isn't something Couch needs to worry about.

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POSTED 2:05 p.m. EDT, August 28, 2007

BROWNS PLACE BENTLEY ON PUP  by Michael David Smith

The Browns have placed center LeCharles Bentley on the Physically Unable to Perform list, meaning he'll miss at least the first six weeks of the regular season.

Bentley signed a free-agent contract with the Browns in 2006 but suffered a torn patellar tendon during the first practice of training camp last year and still hasn't played a down in Cleveland.

As Jeff Walcoff writes on the Browns' official web site, Bentley can, by rule, attend team meetings and continue to rehab his knee at the Browns' facilities, but he can't practice or play for the Browns until at least Week 7.

After Week Six, the Browns a three-week window within which to allow Bentley to start practicing.  Once Bentley has taken the practice field, the Browns have three more weeks to let him practice before they have to decide his roster status for the rest of the season.

"At any point following the sixth week of the regular season through the expiration of the player's three-week practice window, the club can add the player to the 53-man roster or place the player on Reserve-Injured," Walcoff writes. "Additionally, at the expiration of the practice window, the club can allow the player to remain on Reserve/PUP for the remainder of the season."

Bentley has participated in team meetings throughout this year's training camp and has watched some practices from the sidelines, but he still has not participated in any practice since that first one in 2006.

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POSTED 11:45 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 12:44 p.m. EDT, August 28, 2007

REPORT: BRIGGS AT NIGHTCLUBS BEFORE CRASH  by Michael David Smith

NBC 5 in Chicago is reporting that Bears linebacker Lance Briggs went to at least two Chicago nightclubs Sunday night before crashing and abandoning his Lamborghini early Monday morning.  The station does not report whether Briggs was seen drinking alcohol.

The TV station also reports that yesterday was far from the first time Briggs got a blemish on his driving record.  Briggs' California driver's license was suspended for a year in 2005 for speeding and negligence, and he had three speeding tickets in Illinois in 2004.

For crashing his Lamborghini Murcielago and leaving it on the expressway at around 3:00 a.m. on Monday, Briggs has been charged with one count of leaving the scene of an accident and given two traffic citations, for improper lane usage and failure to give immediate notice of an accident.

Bears coach Lovie Smith got mad yesterday when reporters asked him if alcohol was involved in the crash.

"How did we get to that?" Smith asked.  "We have a one-car accident, and now alcohol is involved?  I think that's stretching it a little bit."

It's still not known, and may never be, whether alcohol was involved in the crash, but it's ridiculous for Smith to act as though the question isn't reasonable.  If Smith thinks defending his players when they screw up is part of his job, fine.  But don't get mad at reporters for doing their job. 

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ASANTE SAMUEL FINALLY SIGNED  by Michael David Smith

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that the Patriots' deal with Asante Samuel is finally, officially, done.

After refusing to sign the franchise player tender and missing all of training camp, Samuel showed up yesterday and appeared ready to play. But there was a late sticking point, as Samuel was apparently still pressing the Patriots to promise not to put the franchise tag on him next year.

John Tomase of the Boston Herald reports that the Patriots did not make any concessions.  Per Tomase, the Patriots have retained the right to franchise Samuel again next year and didn't offer anything on top of the one-year, $7.79 million franchise tender.

Realistically, there's not much more a player can ever expect when he gets the franchise tender.  Although some franchise players have been able to get a little more than just the franchise tender (Bears linebacker Lance Briggs got a $1 million salary advance, which he presumably spent on the car he left by the side of the road Monday morning), for the most part, the day a player gets the franchise tag is the day he loses his leverage.
 

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TITANS SIGN COREY SIMON  by Michael David Smith

The Tennessean is reporting that the Titans have agreed to terms with defensive tackle Corey Simon.

Terms of Simon's contract with the Titans were not immediately available, but Simon could be on the practice field as early as today.

Suffice to say that Simon's contract with the Titans is nothing close to the five-year, $30 million contract he signed with the Colts in 2005.  Simon didn't play at all last year, sitting out with a knee injury and an undisclosed illness, and the Colts terminated his contract on August 4.

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POSTED 10:15 a.m. EDT, August 28, 2007

JONATHAN OGDEN MAY NOT BE READY FOR WEEK ONE  by Michael David Smith

When the Ravens took offensive tackle Jared Gaither in this year's supplemental draft, they thought they were taking a guy who would spend a couple years learning from the sidelines.

Instead, they may have taken their Week One starting left tackle.

Jamison Hensley of the Baltimore Sun reports that left tackle Jonathan Ogden, who is on the Physically Unable to Perform list with a toe injury, still isn't sure he'll be ready to play when the regular season starts.

"My goal is to get out there for Week One," Ogden said.  "It's still too soon to really say with any certainty that it's going to happen."

Gaither has been a pleasant surprise in the preseason, but losing Ogden would be a huge problem for the Ravens and quarterback Steve McNair.  Although the 33-year-old Ogden is a bit past his prime, he'd still give McNair a lot more comfort than Gaither.

Ravens coach Brian Billick notes that Ogden missed much of last year's training camp and preseason because of the death of his father, and that he was still ready to play when the games counted for real.  Billick says this year Ogden's mental preparation  is ahead of last year.  But if he's not fully healthy, it won't much matter how mentally prepared he is.

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JOEY PORTER PLANNING TO PLAY WEEK ONE by Michael David Smith

Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter participated in drills at practice Monday for the first time since having  arthroscopic surgery on his right knee August 7, and he says he plans to play in the regular-season opener.

"It feels good for my first day out there trying to do some football work," Porter said, per Edgar Thompson of the Palm Beach Post.  "I'm ahead of the game plan.  I like where I am right now and have enough time to get ready to where I want to be when opening day starts."

Dolphins coach Cam Cameron didn't come across as quite as optimistic about Porter's availability, saying he wanted to see how Porter's knee feels this morning, but Porter appears to have at least a fair chance of playing 11 days from now.

The 30-year-old Porter has had two arthroscopic surgeries on his right knee in the last 16 months, and he also had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee two years ago.

Given those knee issues, it was surprising that the Dolphins gave Porter a $20 million guarantee as a free agent this off-season.

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TUESDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS by Michael David Smith

Buffalo released six players, including QB Kevin Eakin.

RB Patrick Cobbs was happy to learn that he was not among the Dolphins' nine cuts.

Patriots RT Nick Kaczur will start Week 1 against the Jets.

Jets LB Andre Wadsworth won't be disappointed if (when) he gets cut, saying just getting the chance to play again was worth the effort.

The Ravens' veterans speak highly of second-year CB David Pittman.

Bengals RB Rudi Johnson expects to catch more passes this year.

The Browns' 11 cuts included WR Kendrick Mosley, who had formed a bond with QB Brady Quinn.

Pittsburgh's decision to cut Kevan Barlow means Dan Kreider, Verron Haynes, and John Kuhn are fighting for the final running back spot.

The Texans' starting center job is still up for grabs.

WR Craphonso Thorpe is hoping to make the Colts' roster.  (And hoping people will stop snickering about the first four letters of his name.)

The Jaguars' opener might be blacked out on local television. 

Titans coach Jeff Fisher says he'd like to add DT Corey Simon but adds, "things are in Corey's hands right now."  (And in his mouth.)

Broncos LT Matt Lepsis has made a full recovery from last year's torn ACL.

Chiefs QB Damon Huard received congratulatory calls from former teammates Dan Marino and Tom Brady after he was named the starter. 

Andrew Walter is out of the running for the Raiders' starting quarterback job, meaning Josh McCown and Daunte Culpepper will battle it out, and Walter will be gone when (if) JaMarcus Russell signs. 

Chargers WR Eric Parker was initially expected to miss the first six games of the season with a toe injury, but he says he expects to be back sooner.

Rookie S C.J. Wallace made it past the first round of cuts in Seattle. 

There's still no clear winner of the 49ers' right tackle battle, between Kwame Harris and Joe Staley.

Brett Romberg beat out Andy McCollum for the Rams' starting center job.

Calvin Pace beat out Darryl Blackstock for the Cardinals' starting outside linebacker job.

Bucs rookie DE Gaines Adams looks better in preseason games than he does in practice.

Rookie RB Pierre Thomas still has a chance to make the Saints' roster.

Panthers QB Jake Delhomme missed Monday's practice with an injury described as "a side twitch."

QBs Joey Harrington and Chris Redman are looking more comfortable in Falcons coach Bobby Petrino's offense.

Vikings coach Brad Childress says offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell will call the plays.

Packers LB Abdul Hodge may need season-ending knee surgery.

Lions S Daniel Bullocks is out for the season with a torn ACL.

Bears receivers coach Darryl Drake says Devin Hester needs to work on his blocking technique.

Redskins QB Jason Campbell expects to play in the Redskins' preseason finale Thursday.

Eagles coach Andy Reid describes punt returner Jeremy Bloom as "just OK."

Giants WR David Tyree will miss four to six weeks with a broken wrist.

Cowboys K Martin Gramatica will miss Thursday's preseason game with a hamstring injury suffered during pregame warmups Saturday.  (He was running from a bee.)

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POSTED 8:18 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 8:50 a.m. EDT, August 28, 2007

HOLD THE PHONE ON HOLT

Before any fantasy owners out there install Rams receiver Torry Holt as a No. 1 wideout, listen to this.  (Okay, wait, read this.)

Holt says that his right knee, from which cartilage was removed in the offseason, is at "about 70, 80 percent."

"It's just one of those deals where I'm not recovering as quick as I used to," Holt said.  "I have to get used to that and stay patient. . . .  I don't know if it'll ever heal all the way, but I think it will heal enough where it will allow me to go out and play."

Going out and playing and going out and dominating are two very different things; if Holt can't run as fast or make cuts as sharply as he used to, he might not longer be regarded as an upper-echelon pass-catcher.

Holt is experiencing swelling and soreness in the knee, and did not play in the team's third preseason game, against the Raiders.

The injury not only renders Holt less attractive as a fantasy acquisition, but also potentially throws a wrench into his ability to finish his career with numbers worthy of Canton. 

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FANTASY RANKINGS UPDATES BEGIN

With the news that Holts knee is still mess up, we've juggled (a bit), the PFT receiver fantasy rankings, knocking Holt down several pegs and putting teammate Isaac Bruce in the top 40.

The other positions will be updated as the season approaches.

Except for kicker, since we have no kicker rankings.  Just pick one.

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COMING SOON:  THE PFT MEDIA FANTASY CHALLENGE

We've been gradually rounding up a throng of NFL media types for the first-ever PFT Media Fantasy Challenge, a fantasy league (duh) that will pit the folks who cover the sport for a living against each other.

We're finalize the roster of owners right now, and we'll be introducing them soon.  (At lease one more potential participant is waiting to get approval from his employer -- and from his mommy.)

It's currently unknown whether one of the participants will be Michael Silver, formerly of Sports Illustrated and now of Yahoo! Sports.  Silver actually mentioned the ongoing efforts of yours truly to cajole him into joining in Silver's most recent Morning Rush column.  In response to an e-mail from a reader urging Silver to embrace fantasy football, Silver said, "A more persuasive way of getting me to join up is to threaten me with insults, a strategy that profootballtalk.com's Mike Florio is adeptly employing."

Actually, I haven't been hurling insults at Silver; I've merely been relaying the insults from other participants, who have referred to Silver with words that can't be printed, even in this space.

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POSTED 6:09 a.m. EDT, August 28, 2007

PFT PLANET UP IN ARMS OVER MNF VICK-FEST

We were flooded with e-mails on Monday night regarding the decision of ESPN to interrupt football action on the field with separate interviews of Chris Mortsensen and some lady from the AJC regarding the Mike Vick situation.

In the key third preseason game, where starters play most if not all of the first half before disappearing (for the most part) until Week One, the decision of the producers to conduct these interviews while the game was being played in the second quarter was questionable at best, downright stoopid at worst.  We felt bad for Mort, who was in the awkward position of having to focus on what he was trying to say while the Atlanta fans were cheering the two plays that resulted in a touchdown after a long kick return by Allen Rossum.

The interview of Cynthia Tucker (who? . . . exactly) was a train wreck, in our view.  We felt bad for a newspaper person trying to speak coherently while a football game was going on around her.  Why not interview her at halftime?  Or for SportsCenter?  Or for Outside the Lines?  Or for ESPN Radio?  It made absolutely no sense to have Tucker talk about the Vick case during a football game.

We also felt bad for Falcons fans, who are trying to get past the epic collapse of their star player and find something positive on which to focus, only have have the word "Vick" uttered nearly as much as the word "the" during the Monday night broadcast. 

And for a network that is devoting so much time and attention to the case, we're amazed by the lack of discussion regarding the strong possibility that Vick will face further charges, and incarcerations, in Virginia, North Carolina, and/or South Carolina.  Instead of interviewing folks about water that has long since floated under the bridge, why not advance the story by sending Kelly Naqi or someone else to Gerald Poindexter's office to find out when he might take the bow off of the gift-wrapped trio of quick indictments and easy convictions on Virginia charges of gambling, dog fighting, and animal cruelty?

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EMMITT A LITTLE BETTER (BUT NOT MUCH)

So we recorded Monday Night Countdown to study the performance of one Emmitt Smith, who has been horrible to date.

He was better this week, but not by much.  Some of Emmitt's butcherings of the King's English included the following:  (1) "there wasn't no written notes"; (2) "even if he get back to the football arena"; (3) "Michael gonna have to deal with this the rest of his life"; and (4) "when he have the time."

And Emmitt might be rubbing off a bit on Keyshawn Johnson, who let fly the term "supposably" on Monday night, and at one point nearly said "makesh-t" instead of "makeshift."  (It actually came out "makeship" in the end.)

The substance from the two newcomers wasn't much better.  They both took Mike Vick's statement from Monday at face value, assuming that he was telling the truth simply because he was speaking without notes.

But Vick likewise was speaking without notes when he lied to Roger Goodell and to Arthur Blank, and when Vick proclaimed to the world:  "I'm never there.  I'm never at the house.  I left the house with my family members and my cousin.  They just haven't been doing the right thing.  The issue will get resolved." 

We tend to agree with Tom Jackson of Countdown, who is one of the most solid and underrated NFL analysts of our time.  Jackson essentially said that a four-minute speech doesn't wipe away a lifestyle of six years or longer that is now being pawned off as a brain fart.  Then again, Jackson is sufficiently secure in his position with ESPN to not have to kiss Vick's butt in order to nail down the first on-camera sit-down with the fallen quarterback.  Keyshawn and Emmitt are likely vying to fill Michael Irvin's niche of scoring the "gets" with the troubled NFL player du jour. 

After Monday night, Johnson and Smith both have even more tape that might be used to get the Vick team to conclude that they are sufficiently friendly to the cause to be the ones to ask him "tough questions" like:  (1) "What have you learned about yourself, Mike?"; (2) "What do you want to say to all of your fans, Mike?"; and/or (3) "When you say you found Jesus, was it a potato chip that looked like Him, or was it a cheese doodle?"

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POSTED 8:42 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 10:06 p.m. EDT, August 27, 2007

GABRIEL A SURPRISE CUT IN OAKLAND

The roster moves in advance of Tuesday's deadline for trimming the teams to 75 players included a few surprises.

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that the Raiders have cut veteran receiver Doug Gabriel.

Other cuts occurring throughout the day included Jets receiver Tim Dwight, Jags tight end Jermaine Wiggins, Steelers running back Kevan Barlow, and Redskins receiver Todd Pinkston.

Avoiding the Turk, for now, was Ravens quarterback Troy Smith, the 2006 Heisman Trophy winner who was selected by Baltimore in round five of the draft.

On Saturday, teams must get down to 53 players.

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NO. 11 IS UP

On Tuesday, we begin with the top ten.  For now, it's the last team that isn't in it.

The full list of our preseason power rankings is right here.

Read it, or continue to watch ESPN's Monday Night Football, also known as Non-Stop Michael Vick Discussion With A Football Game Playing In The Background.

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POSTED 8:06 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 8:42 p.m. EDT, August 27, 2007

BLANK HINTS THAT McKAY'S GOOSE IS COOKED?

An astute member of PFT Planet pointed out to us on Monday that Falcons owner Arthur Blank might have dropped a significant hint regarding the status of G.M. Rick McKay on Monday.

In reading from notes, Blank described McKay as "our present General Manager."

"Present"?  Why would the word "present" be in there if McKay were going to be the "future" guy for the job?

Maybe we're reading too much into it.  Or maybe we aren't.  Either way, McKay clearly is in hot water right now, and that one word added to his speech by Blank could be a clue to the trained ear that McKay's days are numbered.

UPDATE:  Apparently, Blank was saying "our President and General Manager."  Or maybe that's what Blank intended to say and committed a Freudian slip.

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POSTED 7:35 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 7:42 p.m. EDT, August 27, 2007

SAMUEL TRYING TO GET PATS TO AGREE NOT TO FRANCHISE HIM IN 2008

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel did not sign his franchise tender on Monday, because the Samuel camp is trying to get the team to agree not to use the franchise tag on him again, apparently if he meets a specific playing-time threshold.

Schefter says that, absent a deal, Samuel will sign the tender on Tuesday as currently drafted.

Our guess?  The Pats won't budge.  Why should they?  The Patriots can franchise him again in 2008 and then get something of value in exchange for his rights next March.

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HUYGHUE AN INTERESTING CHOICE FOR NFLN LEGAL ANALYST

Several league insiders have raised with us the fact that eyebrows are raised regarding the presence of Michael Huyghue as NFL Network's new legal analyst.

Huyghue is best known of late for being the agent for suspended Titans cornerback Pacman Jones, and many have privately criticized Huyghue's handling of Jones' career. 

During a Monday appearance on NFLN's Total Access, Huyghue was asked to explain the advice he'd give to Mike Vick during this period of time between Vick's August 27 guilty plea and his December 10 sentencing. 

We're surprised that Huyghue didn't say that he'd advise Vick to spend the next three months as a pro wrestler.

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POSTED 7:27 p.m. EDT, August 27, 2007

BRIGGS CHARGED IN LAMBORGHINI CRASH

Bears linebacker Lance Briggs has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident following Monday morning's smash-and-sprint involving his brand-new (formerly) Lamborghini.

It's a misdemeanor charge, and it will result in three points for Chicago, once we get around to updating Turd Watch.

Other teams that have picked up points lately include the Bucs, Falcons, and Vikings. 

The Briggs charge also allows us to re-set the "days without an arrest" meter, which only made it back to four after nearly hitting 20 last week.

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POSTED 7:23 p.m. EDT, August 27, 2007

VICK'S LAWYERS SHOULD MUZZLE HIM

Falcons quarterback (hey, until they cut him, he's a member of the team) Mike Vick spoke to the media for more than four minutes on Monday.  He spoke without emotion and, more importantly, without notes.  He reiterated his admission to dog fighting, and acknowledged that he had done wrong.

But Vick is still facing possible criminal prosecutions in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina for dog fighting.  Though the statement of facts that Vick signed on Thursday likely gives competent prosecutors enough ammo to put him away, anything else Vick says can and will be used against him, and could make getting multiple convictions easier.

The fact that Vick's legal team allowed him to speak extemporaneously (thanks, Tiki) without a single note or quote is amazing to us.  The man is in dire legal jeopardy in a total of four jurisdictions; nothing good can come out of saying anything publicly for now.

Meanwhile, we have to take serious issue with Vick's contention that his behavior was "immature."  My kid is "immature," but he's not about to hang or drown dogs.  The only "immature" folks who engage in such behaviors are persons who "mature" into serial killers.

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POSTED 7:14 p.m. EDT, August 27, 2007

RAMS DANGLING FITZPATRICK

A league source tells us that the St. Louis Rams are trying to trade quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick, who played college football at Harvard, is the No. 3 quarterback on the Rams' depth chart.

It's believed that the Rams offered Fitzpatrick to the Vikings, who ended up acquiring Kelly Holcomb from the Eagles.  If Fitzpatrick had gone to the Vikings, and if he were to play on the field with the team's No. 1 offense, it might have been the first time ever that a Harvard center was snapping the ball to a Harvard quarterback in the NFL.  Matt Birk, a Harvard grad, is the long-time starter snapper in Minnesota.

Fitzpatrick has appeared in five regular-season games in two years with the Rams, starting three in 2005 due to injuries.  His career passer rating in 2005 is 58.3.

Another team that could be interested in Fitzpatrick is the Lions, since Detroit offensive coordinator Mike Martz selected Fitzpatrick in the seventh round of the 2005 draft when Martz was the head coach of the Rams. 

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POSTED 3:36 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 6:45 p.m. EDT, August 27, 2007

VIKINGS LAND KELLY HOLCOMB by Michael David Smith

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that the Eagles and Vikings have agreed to a trade that will send quarterback Kelly Holcomb to Minnesota in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick.

Holcomb's days were obviously numbered in Philadelphia, as Donovan McNabb is the clear starter, A.J. Feeley has the No. 2 job locked up, and rookie Kevin Kolb is the team's quarterback of the future.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported today that as many as four teams were interested in Holcomb, and that the Vikings and the Falcons were two of them.

PFT has learned that Seattle was also a potential destination for Holcomb, and that the Eagles' final decision came down to whether to accept the Vikings' offer or the Seahawks'.  That Seattle was considering adding another veteran quarterback could be an indication that Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren would like to give backup quarterback Seneca Wallace more time at wide receiver, and that Holmgren isn't pleased with the progress of third-year pro David Greene, the Seahawks' 2005 third-round pick.

Holcomb has started 21 games in his NFL career, and his numbers, while not spectacular, are respectable:  A 64.6% career completion percentage and a 79.9 passer rating.  He'll likely be the No. 2 quarterback in Minnesota, behind starter Tarvaris Jackson.  Brooks Bollinger had been slated to serve as Jackson's backup, but his play in the preseason led the Vikings' coaches to conclude that they needed another veteran passer on the team.

There are conflicting reports about whether the sixth-round pick the Vikings gave up was for 2008 or 2009.  The Vikings also released eight players today, including quarterback Drew Henson.

UPDATE:  We've confirmed that the sixth-round pick is a 2009 selection.

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POSTED 1:51 p.m. EDT, August 27, 2007

FORMER TEAMMATE MORTEN ANDERSEN "DISAPPOINTED IN VICK" by Michael David Smith

Former Saints, Falcons, Giants, Chiefs, Vikings, and Falcons (again) kicker Morten Andersen isn't just the NFL's all-time leading scorer.  He's also a blogger in his native Denmark.

And PFT just happens to have a reader who was kind enough to translate the blog post that Andersen wrote yesterday about Michael Vick. Under the headline, "I am so disappointed in Vick," Andersen, who played with Vick in Atlanta last year and isn't expected to sign with any team this year, writes the following (which, after being translated by our reader, was edited for clarity by yours truly):

I chose for a long time to shut up, when the media would ask me about religion, politics and sexual orientation.  With animal cruelty it is different.

I am so disappointed and shocked by the lifestyle of my former teammate Michael Vick.

He was quiet and polite in the locker room and always addressed me with respect.  I had a good relationship with Michael and felt I had a decent notion of who he was and what he stood for.

What makes this so shocking is that most of the team didn't have any idea what was going on with Michael outside of football.

He was also reserved and difficult to get close to, but that was probably caused by his popular status on the team, and that he simply had to keep distance to be allowed to breathe.

That's completely OK.  We all need to have our private lives outside the limelight and away from the public eye.

But when your actions outside the football field involves organized dog fighting followed by execution of dogs, then you lose that right.

Michael Vick has had a different upbringing than I, no doubt about that.  It hasn't always been easy for him.  Because of his amazing abilities on the football field, he has managed to create a privileged life for himself and his family.  It is all crumbling now, and for what?  Because he chose to stay truthful to his old friends and involve himself in something as sick as animal cruelty.

Get yourself together, Michael, and to all your so-called friends, who now have thrown you under the bus, what were you thinking and how are you guys sleeping at night?

I hope that Michael will look deep into his soul and find a way out of this dark hole he currently is located in.

Best Kicks

Morten

Most NFL players who have spoken publicly about Vick have tried to minimize the crimes he committed, so it's nice that there's finally an NFL player who is willing to speak frankly about Vick.  It would be even nicer if we could hear that message again, from more NFL players, including some who aren't retired, kickers, 20 years older than Vick, and/or writing in a foreign-language blog.

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POSTED 1:12 p.m. EDT, August 27, 2007

FALCONS SEE THE BRIGHT SIDE IN VICK'S IMPACT ON SALARY CAP by Michael David Smith

Falcons General Manager Rich McKay spoke to the press Monday afternoon and confirmed that the Falcons will do everything in their power to recover as much bonus money as they can that they have already paid to Michael Vick.

And McKay went a bit further than that, even looking on the bright side of the situation, noting that money the Falcons recover from Vick is money they can use to sign other players.

"We will pursue it aggressively.  Any dollar that we were to recoup would, the next season, become a salary cap credit, so it affects our team and our ability to field our team," McKay said.  "We don't do this in any way that's spiteful at all, we do it as a way to help our franchise."

McKay said the Falcons will see some immediate salary cap relief, as Vick's $6 million salary won't be charged to the Falcons' 2007 salary cap.  While McKay said he didn't expect that to affect the 2007 roster because the free agency period is over, it could help the Falcons going forward because it might permit them to restructure certain deals with current players, using some of that $6 million in cap space this year and freeing it up to be used in future years.

For McKay and Falcons owner Arthur Blank, who also spoke, it was an attempt to put the best possible light on an embarrassing day for the franchise, a day when the man to whom they gave a $130 million contract officially became a felon.

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BRIGGS NOT HURT, AT BEARS PRACTICE  by Michael David Smith

Bears linebacker Lance Briggs was at the Bears' practice facility hours after his Lamborghini was found crashed and abandoned on the side of a Chicago highway.

"It was his car, he's OK and he's here [at Halas Hall]," Bears spokesman Scott Hagel told WBBM in Chicago.

However, it's still not clear whether Briggs was driving and, if so, why he would abandon a $350,000 vehicle on the side of the road.  Police say an investigation is ongoing and that they don't know who was driving, but they have no indication that the car was reported as stolen.

Police found the car, which had temporary Texas plates, at 3:14 a.m. and found that it had hit a guardrail.  No other vehicles were involved.

Per WBBM, police said it doesn't appear that anyone was injured in the crash.  When and if police determine who was driving, the driver could face misdemeanor charges for improper lane usage and leaving the scene of the accident.

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POSTED 12:29 p.m. EDT, August 27, 2007

JETS CUT TIM DWIGHT  by Michael David Smith

The Jets announced today that they are releasing several players, including wide receiver/kick returner Tim Dwight, who had been on the Physically Unable to Perform list.

Even if he were fully healthy, Dwight, who joined the Jets last year, may have been expendable because the Jets have an abundance of guys who can play the slot receiver and return kicks.  Dwight is 32 years old and heading in his 10th NFL season, and it's possible that his career is over.

"This is tough no matter who it is.  It's hard to tell someone they're not making the team," Jets coach Eric Mangini said.  "Tim, having a relationship and knowing him for a while, knowing the type of person he is, the character he has, it's always that much more difficult."

The Jets also released defensive end Darrell Adams, defensive tackle Zarnell Fitch, running back Tony Hollings, cornerback Rayshaun Kizer, wide receiver Dante Ridgeway, offensive lineman Nick Smith, and wide receiver Juan Wong. The Jets have now reached tomorrow's mandatory limit of 75 active roster players.

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POSTED 11:59 a.m. EDT, August 27, 2007

MICHAEL VICK SPEAKS  by Michael David Smith

Michael Vick made a public statement this morning, an hour after he officially became a felon when he entered his guilty plea to federal conspiracy charges.

Vick's statement was much more contrite than anything he had said previously, but that's not saying much.  Vick spoke without any notes and began by apologizing to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Falcons owner Arthur Blank, Falcons coach Bobby Petrino, and his Falcons teammates.  He also described himself as "ashamed" and "totally disappointed in myself."

Although he didn't make any specific references to his own role in dog fighting, he did say, "dog fighting is a terrible thing." Starting off by apologizing and denouncing dog fighting was the right thing to do.

But then Vick moved on, and it's hard not to be extremely cynical of his next statement:  "Through this situation, I've found Jesus and asked him for forgiveness and turned my life over to God, and that's the right thing to do right now." 

If Vick thinks he's going to buy sympathy with a jailhouse conversion, he must think everyone watching is an idiot.

And then the statement took an odd turn, when Vick said, "In this entire situation, I never pointed the finger at anybody else."  What?  Does Vick think we've all forgotten that the first thing he did when the cops showed up at his Virginia property was point the finger at his cousin?  

Overall, it was not a performance that is likely to do much to change Vick's image.  He's got a long, long way to go for that.

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POSTED 10:51 a.m. EDT, August 27, 2007

VICK CAMP MUST BE REALLY WORRIED  by Michael David Smith

ESPN's Len Pasquarelli has been criticized, here and elsewhere, for providing the pro-Michael Vick spin whenever he has reported on the dog-fighting investigation that began four months ago.

So after what Pasquarelli said when he appeared on ESPN First Take this morning, there can only be one possible conclusion:  The Vick camp is really, really worried.

Pasquarelli began his appearance by saying that he "spoke with the people in the Vick camp" last night.

He was then asked about a report from Steve Wyche of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, who wrote this weekend that the Falcons will attempt to recover $22 million in previously paid bonus money. Pasquarelli responded, "I've actually got the contract sitting right next to me" and then added, "I believe they could probably go after closer to $28 or $29 million."

It might not be that grim, in the view of Vick's representatives, as Pasquarelli later said, "They might not technically be able to go after much more than the initial $7.5 million signing bonus." But whatever the dollar amount, if even Pasquarelli believes that Vick is going to be on the hook for millions of dollars, there must not be any way to reasonably spin it otherwise.

[Editor's note:  Thanks, Len, for confirming our belief that the worst-case scenario for Vick is having to repay more than $28 million.  We're glad we're not the only ones who think that, even if the only other one is you.]

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POSTED 9:20 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 10:13 a.m. EDT, August 27, 2007

JAGUARS CUT WIGGINS, SORENSEN by Michael David Smith

PFT has learned that the Jacksonville Jaguars have cut tight end Jermaine Wiggins, safety Nick Sorensen, and linebacker/defensive end Jorge Cordova.

Wiggins was a free agent signing who played for the Vikings last year. S orensen was heading into his fourth season with the Jaguars.  Cordova was the Jags' third-round pick in 2004.

Jaguars assistant head coach Mike Tice had previously coached Wiggins when Tice was the head coach in Minnesota, and Tice was said to have pushed for the signing of Wiggins to a one-year, $1 million contract this off-season.

Wiggins was shaken up after a big hit in the Packers' preseason game at Green Bay last week and was reported to have suffered a concussion.  He also had a key drop in the game.

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MONDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS by Michael David Smith

Falcons coach Bobby Petrino likes the way rookie CB David Irons is contributing on special teams.

Panthers backup QB Brett Basanez will miss the season with a wrist injury.

Saints QB Drew Brees says WR Lance Moore should win the training camp MVP award.

The Bucs know their first-team defense needs some work.

The Rams have two defensive ends, Trevor Johnson and Eric Moore, competing for one roster spot.

Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt isn't concerned about preseason miscues.   

Coach Mike Nolan says of the first quarter of the 49ers' preseason loss to the Bears, "By the time the quarter was over, there were 35 plays.  I had written down 23 plays where we messed up."

The Seahawks will keep six linebackers on the roster, meaning backups Kevin Bentley, Niko Koutouvides, Lance Laury, and Will Herring all need to be worried.

Aussie punter Sav Rocca appears to have solidified his spot on the Eagles' roster.

A foot injury to Cowboys CB Terence Newman is causing concern.

As the Giants play without DE Michael Strahan, his replacement, Justin Tuck, is playing well.

Although he'll be demoted out of the starting lineup once the newly acquired Pete Kendall is ready to go, the Redskins' coaching staff loves G Mike Pucillo.

Bears C Olin Kreutz is tired of being asked about QB Rex Grossman.

The Lions still aren't sure what to do with injured RB Kevin Jones.

Packers RB Brandon Jackson suffered a blow to the head in Sunday's practice and was in a fog as he went from his locker to the training room.

The Vikings may be interested in trading for Eagles backup QB Kelly Holcomb.

Third-year WR Vincent Jackson is looking like a legitimate No. 1 receiver in San Diego.

Raiders rookie RB Michael Bush, still recovering from a leg injury suffered at Louisville last year, says "I have no idea at all" what's next for him.

Chiefs RB Larry Johnson will play in the final preseason game.

WR David Terrell is among the Broncos getting cut.

Titans CB Reynaldo Hill is likely to lose his starting spot.

Jaguars QB Byron Leftwich says of his shaky play in the preseason, "It don't matter until Week 1."  (Then why do fans pay full price for tickets?)

Colts coach Tony Dungy says his defense is tackling better.

The Texans are trying to decide whether to put OT Charles Spencer on the physically unable to perform list, which would ensure that he's out for the first six regular-season games. 

The Steelers' offense appeared to be heading in the right direction in the preseason game against the Eagles.

Browns WR Joe Jurevicius says QB Brady Quinn is as good as advertised.

Bengals CB Keiwan Ratliff is worried he's about to get cut.

Ravens rookie OT Jared Gaither had a bad night in Baltimore's preseason loss Saturday.

Now that Pete Kendall is gone, the Jets need to find a starting left guard, and fast.

Patriots FB Heath Evans is making an impact, both on offense and on special teams.

Rookie QB John Beck is looking good in Miami.

Bills RB Fred Jackson is getting closer to earning a roster spot as he continues to impress in the preseason.

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POSTED 8:15 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 8:40 a.m. EDT, August 27, 2007

BRIGGS' LAMBORGHINI FOUND CRASHED, ABANDONED

WSCR radio in Chicago reports that a black Lamborghini owned by Bears linebacker Lance Briggs has been found crashed and abandoned. 

Briggs reportedly was seen running from the scene of the one-car accident.

Though we don't know whether Illinois law imposes hit-and-run liability for a one-car crash (and we invite any members of the Illinois bar to let us know what the rule is there), Briggs' motivation to leave the scene was greater than was his desire to remain with a car that costs slightly more than the average horseless carriage.

Video of the wrecked car, which Briggs supposedly bought right before the start of training camp, is right here.

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POSTED 1:02 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 1:22 a.m. EDT, August 27, 2007

SAMUEL EXPECTED TO REPORT ON MONDAY

Shalize Manza Young of the Providence Journal reports that Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel is expected to report for duty on Monday, signing his one-year, $7.79 million franchise tender and joining the team.