PFT PIC OF THE DAY

POSTED 9:06 a.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 11:58 a.m. EST, March 18, 2006

COWBOYS, OWENS HAVE "AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE"

Jean-Jacques Taylor of the Dallas Morning News reports that receiver Terrell Owens has an "agreement in principle" to join the Cowboys.

This really isn't a new development, since Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com and a television station in Lubbock reported Thursday night that there is a deal.     

But the term "agreement in principle" doesn't mean that there will be an agreement, especially if the player has no principles.  It's a deal based on the player's word, and we've seen multiple examples over the past few years of a player's word being meaningless.

If anything, the developments of the past two days work to Owens' benefit, since the message to any other team that might be thinking about making a move is that the time has come to call Drew Rosenhaus and try to match or beat the offer made by Dallas owner Jerry Jones.

Assuming Owens ends up signing a contract in Dallas, the move could be a good one -- if Owens receives a payday with which he is and will remain happy.  Only a handful of receivers command double coverage, and having one of those guys on the field means that there will be only seven guys in the box to stop the run, and single coverage for everyone else in the passing game.

But the bigger issue is whether Owens and coach Bill Parcells will be able to get along.  Not initially.  Not during training camp.  But over the long haul of a season.  And into a second season.  Then maybe into a third.

In fact, there's no guarantee that Jones and the Tuna are even on the same page regarding the acquisition of Owens.  Jones is the owner and the G.M., and there have been examples in the past of these two men disagreeing about personnel.

Even if Parcells has given his approval to the transaction, we're convinced that he won't put up with any of the stuff that Owens pulled in Philly and in San Fran.  The first time Owens yells "I love me some me," Parcells likely will respond by proclaiming, "I love me some foot in your ass."

Because the new CBA greatly restricts the ability of teams to deal effectively and decisively with problem children, Parcells will have limited option if T.O. goes turdy, again.

So if Owens can't be sent home, the only alternative would be for Parcells to walk away.

We're not saying that it will come to that.  But, based on past history, it sure as hell could.

Beyond the Tuna, there's a question as to whether the locals will embrace the guy who desecrated the star six years ago, when he was playing for the 49ers.  But our guess is that a couple of long touchdowns will be enough to make the fans forgive and forget, especially since it's been 11 years and counting since the Cowboys got their hands on a Lombardi.

In the end, it looks like the Playmaker has gotten his wish.  And Michael Irvin will be even less bearable on Sundays this season when he's thumping his chest and flapping his arms on air regarding his boy and his 'Boys.

ABRAHAM CAUGHT IN A LOVE TRIANGLE

John Abraham wants out of New York.  The Jets want to accommodate him. 

But there's a little problem.

The team that is willing to pay the most money to Abraham, the Falcons, is willing to give up only a second-round draft pick.  The Seahawks, on the other hand, are ready to send a first-round pick to New York, but haven't matched the financial package that the Falcons have put on the table.

Abraham is the Jets' franchise player, and no trade will work unless both the Jets are happy with the compensation and Abraham is happy with the pay package.

So either the Seahawks will have to put up more money or the Falcons will have to cough up more juice.

In this regard, we've had a few readers ask whether the Jets could send quarterback Patrick Ramsey to the Falcons in order to entice the Falcons to throw quarterback Matt Schaub into the mix.  In theory, the Jets are allowed to trade the guy for whom they just traded.  As a practical matter, the Falcons won't buy it.

Ramsey is no Schaub.  And Schaub, we believe, is more than just an insurance policy for those 3-4 games per year in which starter Michael Vick is hurt. 

We've got a feeling that 2006 could be Vick's last year in Atlanta, and that Schaub is the team's quarterback of the future.

So Schaub is and will remain off of the table.  And Vick's slowly growing distaste for the organization will continue to expand as he begins to realize that Schaub is untouchable not because of his present skills off of the bench, but because of his potential abilities in the starting lineup. 

WHY NOT JUST REDUCE JONES' DEAL?

Several readers have asked us why the Seahawks haven't dealt with the Steve Hutchinson offer sheet by simply reducing the compensation paid to left tackle Walter Jones, whose high salary might eventually require the 'Hawks to guarantee the full extent of Hutchinson's seven-year, $49 million deal.

Here's the problem.  If Jones restructures his deal to help his team, he's doing so at the expense of his teammate.

As evidenced by the magnitude and structure of the offer sheet, Hutchinson clearly wants out of Seattle.  So if Jones gets in the middle of the matter and allows the team to engineer his contract in order to keep Hutchinson from getting his wish, the Seahawks will have a nasty locker room problem.

We've heard of this precise dynamic playing out between two players on the same team in the 1990s, and the player who ended up being required to return to his former team because his teammate re-worked his contract despises the teammate to this very day.

In that case, the two guys played on different sides of the ball.  In this case, Jones and Hutchinson line up next to each other on every snap.

So that's why the Seahawks are initially trying to get the guarantee tossed out.  If the arbitrator or Special Master finds that the Seahawks are required to match the guarantee in order to keep Hutchinson, then the question becomes whether they're willing to put Jones in a position that could make Hutchinson hate Jones for the rest of their lives.

REDSKINS DEALS OVERBLOWN

Ever since the Redskins began breaking the bank on guys like Antwaan Randle El, Adam Archuleta, and Andre Carter, we've received numerous e-mails from readers questioning how the team managed to fit these big deals under their salary cap, especially when the roster was on the verge of cap implosion before the CBA was extended.

In a nugget buried deep within an article in Saturday's Washington Post, we know have a little more info as to what went on.

The initial reports of the magnitude of the deals were wrong.

It should be no surprise.  The numbers usually come from the agents, and the teams usually don't attempt to clarify the information, since the team wants the players to think they got good deals.  (In the Redskins' case, we also think that the organization enjoys the widespread consternation that their spending sprees create.)

Although the three contracts are all worth roughly $30 million over three years, the deals carry signing bonuses of $5 million and roster bonuses due in 2007 in the range of $4 million to $5 million.  With minimum base salaries in 2006, the cap figures for each are roughly $1.5 million.

Come 2007, those roster bonuses will be converted to guarantees, reducing the cap hits for next year so that the 'Skins can embark on another splurge.

Down the road, before the big salaries kick in, the deals will be extended, pay cuts will be taken, or the players will be cut.

So now we know how the 'Skins were able to pull it off this year.  They've heavily backloaded the deals, allowing the team to spend less than five percent against the 2006 cap in signing these three players.

PETERSON OR ARRINGTON NEED A NEW AGENT

Several league insiders have asked over the past couple of weeks how the Postons can continue in good conscience to simultaneously represent the two biggest free-agency prospects at linebacker, Julian Peterson and LaVar Arrington.

The problem is that both guys want to get paid significantly, and any team that might be interested in one possibly is interested in the other.

That creates a problem for the agents, since their job is to look out for the best interests of both players.  But looking out for the best interests of Peterson isn't in the best interests of Arrington, and vice-versa.

Indeed, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that the Dolphins are interested in both.  So how can the Postons negotiate with the Dolphins the best deal possible for either of them when, in the end, only one of them would be signed?

It's the same issue that would have arisen if Tom Condon represented both Drew Brees and Daunte Culpepper in the game of quarterback chicken that unfolded last week with the Dolphins.  Or if Bus Cook represented both Jay Cutler and Vince Young in the upcoming draft.

Said Cook on Friday, regarding Cutler's pro day workout:  "He was almost perfect, I thought. . . .  I think he put on one heck of a performance today. He threw the ball great.  I just think he keeps showing people that he's the real deal."

If Cook had Young, too, Bus would have been required to slightly amend his words:   "He was almost perfect, I thought, just like Vince will be next week.  I think he put on one heck of a performance today, just like Vince will next week.  He threw the ball great, just like Vince will next week.  I just think he keeps showing people that he's the real deal, just like Vince."

You see, the job of an agent isn't only to talk up their guy, but to also talk down any other players who might be angling for some of their clients' money.  In this case, the Postons can't pimp one Peterson or Arrington by dissing the other.

Because the Postons represent both players, here's the best they can offer:  "Both are dynamic," said Carl Poston, who learned this week that the NFLPA is imposing a two-year suspension on him, subject to his right to challenge the decision.  "It's like comparing a blue Bentley to a black Bentley."

But a good agent should be trying to convince a team to buy the blue Bentley instead of the black Bentley.

That's why, in our view, one or both of these guys should get a new agent.

Of course, when you primarily represent players who score on the low end of the Wonderlic scale, the question isn't whether they ever figure out the problem -- it's whether they even can.

SATURDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo is throwing a reunion party in Las Vegas for his five Super Bowl winning teams, and Joe Montana is attending (as soon as he receives a briefcase containing $100,000 in small bills).

The Bills have signed Cards G Reggie Wells, a restricted free agent, to an offer sheet.

POSTED 7:51 p.m. EST; UPDATED 8:38 p.m. EST, March 17, 2006

'HAWKS MAKE SHREWD MOVE ON HUTCH

In lieu of matching the offer sheet signed by guard Steve Hutchinson with the Vikings and then taking their chances in an arbitration, the Seattle Seahawks have opted instead to seek a ruling from a Special Master on the propriety of a poison pill provision before deciding whether to match the deal.

According to The Associated Press, the NFLPA said on Friday that the league has filed a claim on the Seahawk's behalf alleging that a term making the entire contract guaranteed if Hutchinson is not the highest paid member of the offensive line circumvents the CBA.

So, in essence, it's the NFL and the Seahawks against the NFLPA and the Vikings.

"They say the clause circumvents our collective bargaining agreement.  It is our belief that it does not," NFLPA general counsel Richard Berthelsen said.

The first question is whether the issue will be resolved by a Special Master or by an arbitrator.  The jurisdiction of the Special Master isn't entirely clear.  In the grievance regarding whether the Jets properly had matched the offer sheet signed in 2003 by Chad Morton, an arbitrator presided.  In the grievance regarding whether the Cowboys improperly cut quarterback Quincy Carter as discipline for a drug issue, a Special Master was used.

The primary difference is that an arbitration ruling cannot be appealed, but a Special Master decision can thereafter be appealed to the federal court system.

On Saturday, a hearing will be held to determine whether the Special Master has jurisdiction over the matter.  The fact that the league believes the Special Master should resolve the issue suggests that the league thinks its chances of prevailing are worse in arbitration.

Per the report, the last time this issue arose was in 1993, the first year of free agency.  The Colts signed tackle Will Wolford to an offer sheet that required him to be the highest paid player on offense.  If the Bills had matched, they would have been required to increase Wolford's salary above the wages paid to quarterback Jim Kelly.

The league thereafter amended the CBA to preclude offer sheets containing terms that would require the team matching the offer to pay more than the team that made the offer.

But this one is different.  Matching the offer sheet won't require the Seahawks to pay Hutchinson more money than the Vikings would pay.  Matching would merely require the Seahawks to guarantee the contract.

Stay tuned.  The Seahawks apparently will match the offer sheet if they win, and they won't match it if they lose.

Until then, both the Seahawks and the Vikings are caught in limbo with their remaining cap dollars.

FRIDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

The Seahawks could be emerging as the favorites to land DE John Abraham.

The Bills have re-signed WR Josh Reed and LB Mario Haggan.

The announcing teams for NFL Europe have been, um, announced, with Morten Andersen, Cris Carter, Jon Ritchie, Darren Sharper, and Rod Woodson serving as color commentators.

The Bills met on Friday with RB Anthony Thomas, LB Paris Lenon, QB Craig Nall, OG Steve Neal, and DL Israel Idonije.

The Dolphins have signed CB Renaldo Hill.

The Fins have re-signed RB Travis Minor and TE Alex Holmes.

The Ravens have re-signed RB Musa Smith.

The Bengals aren't likely to make a play for LB LaVar Arrington until his price comes down.

The Browns released LS Jody Littleton, OL Lewis Dawson, and DL Amon Gordon.

The Chiefs have re-signed LS Kendall Gammon to a one-year deal.

The Chargers have signed TE Aaron Shea.

The Cowboys have cut OT Jacob Rogers.

The 'Skins have re-signed DT Cedric Killings.

The Bucs have signed G Toniu Fonoti, who recently failed a physical in Oakland.

QB Aaron Brooks was spotted having lunch with Bucs exec Doug Williams on Friday.

Happy 92nd birthday, Sammy Baugh; he's the only living member of the charter class of the Hall of Fame.

The Packers signed LB Tracy White and released LB John Leake.

POSTED 4:10 p.m. EST, March 17, 2006

JETS, 'SKINS DO SOME MORE BIDNESS

Three years after the Washington Redskins scalped the Jets' roster with a spate of free-agency signings and an arbitration that resulted in Chad Morton being awarded to the 'Skins, the two teams continue to do offseason business.

In 2005, the Redskins sent receiver Laveranues Coles back to New York for receiver Santana Moss.  To date, the 'Skins have gotten the better of that deal.

Now, the 'Skins have shipped quarterback Patrick Ramsey to the Jets for a measly sixth-round draft pick.  Ramsey was the 'Skins first-round draft pick in 2002.

Ramsey gives the Jets a guy who can push Chad Pennington and, if/when something else on Pennington snaps, Ramsey would be the starter.

Despite the presence of Pennington and Ramsey, we think the Jets will still take a long look at drafting a quarterback, possibly by moving up to No. 2 in a trade with the Saints.  The Jets currently hold the No. 4 overall selection in the draft, and might be able to package whatever they get for defensive John Abraham in an effort to entice the Saints to slide back two spots.  Such a move would enable the Jets to draft quarterback Matt Leinart, who reportedly is "dying" to slip into something green.

The development means that 66 percent of the round one quarterback class of 2002 are officially busts.

LANG HEADING TO DENVER?

There's talk in league circles that former Browns defensive end Kenard Lang very soon could be signing a contract with the Denver Broncos.

Lang was released by the Browns after one season in the 3-4 defense. 

In the Broncos' base 4-3, Lang would have a crack at replacing Trevor Pryce.  The move also suggests that perhaps the Broncos have cooled their interest in Jets defensive end John Abraham.

Lang has spent five years with the Redskins, and four with the Browns.  He has 44 career sacks and 325 career tackles.

FRIDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

Vikings coach Brad Childress speaks his mind regarding Daunte Culpepper.

The Steelers have re-signed CB DeShea Townsend to a four-year, $8 million deal.

The Saints have signed RB Michael Bennett to a two-year, $3 million contract (on Thursday, we asked a league source why Bennett hadn't drawn any interest -- the response was "[b]ecause he sucks").

The Pats have signed WR Reche Caldwell.

The NFLPA apparently needs to remind Jerome Stanley that he's on suspension.

Seahawks K Josh Brown has been contacted by the Cowboys; Brown is a restricted free agent.

LB Julian Peterson is wrapping up on Friday a visit with the Seahawks.

WR Tim Dwight is visiting the Seahawks next week.

K Adam Vinatieri is in Green Bay, where his former agent now is employed.

QB Brian Griese will be visiting the Bears soon; he's visiting the Bengals on Friday, who need a capable backup in the event Carson Palmer isn't ready to start the season.

The Bears have signed CB Dante Wesley, and have re-signed TE John Gilmore.

The Bucs officially have announced their 2006 coaching staff.

OT Jason Fabini met with the Bills on Thursday.

The Jets are interested in WR Troy Brown.

WR Keyshawn Johnson is interested in joining the Giants, Seahawks, Chiefs, Dolphins, or Eagles -- but he won't play for $2.5 million per season.

POSTED 1:51 p.m. EST, March 17, 2006

A NEW LAWYER FOR RON MEXICO

Larry Lage of The Associated Press (while covering, we hear, NCAA basketball action) reports that the Atlanta Falcons have signed safety Lawyer Milloy to a three-year deal worth in excess of $6 million, with a $2.5 million signing bonus.

Milloy was cut by the Patriots shortly before the 2003 season, prompting an outcry from the national media -- especially after Milloy's new team, the Bills, thumped the Pats to the tune of 31-0 on opening day.  

Two years later, the Pats had two more Lombardis.

The Bills kept Milloy for a total of three seasons, cutting him two weeks ago in order to create $3.75 million in 2006 cap space.

In Atlanta, Milloy rejoins his former agent, Ray Anderson.  When Milloy's replacement agents, the Postons, recommended that Lawyer tell the Pats to stick a proposed pay cut in an orifice from which matter typically exits, some league insiders hypothesized that the Postons wanted Milloy to hit the open market and sign a new deal so that they could earn a fee.  Since they hadn't negotiated his prior deal, they weren't getting paid.

Now they are, but we think Milloy would have gotten even more money if he'd been part of the land rush that unfolded on the first weekend of free agency.

POSTED 12:34 p.m. EST, March 17, 2006

OWENS AND 'BOYS TALKING, BUT NO DEAL DONE

In an effort to clarify the cloud of confusion that has arisen in connection with reports and denials of reports regarding the existence of an agreement between the Cowboys and receiver Terrell Owens, we've tried to round up enough information to provide an accurate snapshot as to what is really happening.

Here's what we know.

No deal is officially done.  But that doesn't mean a deal won't be done.  There very well could be an agreement in principle, which as we've all learned (i.e., LeCharles Bentley) isn't binding on anyone until it is signed.  

The Cowboys are talking to Owens, and apparently are the favorites to land him.  With that said, the Owens camp is still talking to other teams, too.

So no official deal is done.  No contract has been signed.  No press conference has been scheduled.

But we sure get the feeling that it's just a matter of time until a pen starts spitting out the ink.

THE STRAIGHT SCOOP FAVRE'S ROSTER BONUS 

A league source with knowledge of the contents of Brett Favre's contract tells us that the original due date for his $3 million roster bonus was the sixth day of the 2006 league year, and that on March 14 the parties agreed to a modification that pushes the bonus to a new date.

At this point, we don't know the new deadline for the $3 million payment.

The trigger for the roster bonus is important because the team has said that it won't pay the money until Favre decides that he's going to return for the 2006 season.  Arguably, then, the new date for payment of the roster bonus could be interpreted as the deadline that the Packers have imposed on Favre for making a final decision.

POSTED 11:35 a.m. EST, March 17, 2006

LEAGUE INSIDERS BELIEVE OWENS DEAL IS DONE

We've confirmed through our own network of sources that there is a very strong belief in league circles that the Dallas Cowboys do indeed have an agreement in place with receiver Terrell Owens, who was cut by the Eagles on Tuesday.

We're also hearing that the Eagles are unlikely to make a fuss about the obvious likelihood that an agreement in principle was reached long before Owens hit the open market.  After all, they allowed him permission to talk to other teams regarding a trade.  It would be, as a practical matter, impossible to prove that the conversations transformed at some point into negotiations toward a contract after Owens was ultimately released.

The Eagles also might not want to start throwing around the "T" word in light of multiple reports that they had a deal in place with former Saints center LeCharles Bentley prior to the start of free agency.  Bentley later jilted the Eagles and signed with the Browns.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys deny that a deal has been reached, as does Owens' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, who told FOX's Jay Glazer Thursday night that the reports are erroneous.     

POSTED 5:54 a.m. EST; UPDATED 6:16 a.m. EST, March 17, 2006

DENIALS OF T.O. SIGNING ARE BOGUS?

Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com reports that receiver Terrell Owens indeed has a deal in place with the Dallas Cowboys, even as agent Drew Rosenhaus denies that any arrangement with the Cowboys is in place.

Glazer reports that it's a three-year deal.  If so, that tells us that T.O. didn't get a signing bonus in excess of $15 million.  Otherwise, the contract undoubtedly would have had a longer term, if for no reason other than to reduce the cap charge in 2006.

The broader questions are these.  First, if no deal is in place, why are there multiple reports to the contrary?  Second, if a contract has been reached, why wouldn't the Cowboys announce it now -- and why would Rosenhaus deny its existence?

Here's our interpretation. 

There is a deal in place, and Rosenhaus is saying that there isn't because he agreed to allow the Cowboys to announce the deal on Monday.  So when asked about reports of a deal, what else can he say?

But why would the Cowboys wait until Monday to announce the deal?  On the surface, the answer is easy -- owner Jerry Jones is on vacation and he wants to be the one who gets in front of the media and crows about the team's biggest free agent signing in a decade (see Deion Sanders).

And let's take this a level deeper.  Owens was released on Tuesday.  Could it be that the Cowboys and Rosenhaus worked out the contract before Tuesday -- and that both sides thereafter decided to defer announcing it for a week after the official termination of his contract?

Owens had permission to seek a trade before his release, which would have included working out a contract with a new team and then working out compensation with the Eagles.  But Owens didn't have permission to strike a deal with a new team and then sit back and wait to be released. 

If that happened, it would explain the information that we caught wind of on Tuesday night regarding Owens' supposed plan to wait as long as it takes for the deal that he wants.  It's possible that this was all part of the ruse and that, in reality, he didn't have to wait at all, because the deal with the Cowboys already was in the bag.

Here's one thing of which we're relatively certain.  The Eagles are paying close attention to this one, and there will be plenty of discussions among the upper reaches of the organization regarding whether to pursue tampering charges against the Cowboys. 

As Glazer reported in November, the Eagles already have asked the NFL once to punish Jones for comments he made regarding a possible interest in Owens.  If there's any fire (and there's already smoke) regarding the possibility that Owens had a deal in place with Dallas before Tuesday, we expect the Eagles to be knocking on the Commish's door again.

MORE CONFUSION REGARDING LORD FAVRE'S BONUS

On March 6, The Wisconsin State Journal reported that Packers quarterback Brett Favre was due to receive a $3 million roster bonus on the fifth day of the 2006 league year.  Day five of the league year, due to the CBA-relayed delays, was March 15.

Now, after we posted an article questioning the status of Lord Favre's roster bonus, Tom Silverstein of The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel writes that the deadline is Monday, March 20:

"According to a National Football League source with knowledge of the deal, the payment is due 10 days after the start of the new salary cap year, which began Saturday.  It is unclear whether that was the date originally placed in the contract or an adjustment made later."

And although Silverstein reports that "all indications are that the deadline" will be bumped, there's still nothing definitive in this regard.

The Packers, per Silverstein, have said they won't pay the bonus until Favre commits to coming back.  Favre's agent has said that moving the deadline would not be a problem.

But, you see, the thing is due to be paid on Monday if Favre is still on the roster as of 4:00 p.m. EST Sunday.  So if the deadline is going to be adjusted, it needs to happen soon.

It's also possible that the original deadline was the fifth day of the league year, and that at some point it was moved by the team only to the tenth day in an effort to get Lord Favre to poop or get off the pot. 

Keep an eye on this one over the weekend.  There's a chance (maybe slim, maybe not) that, at some point before Sunday, Favre's drawn-out decision as to the continuation of his career in Green Bay will be made for him by the team. 

POSTED 10:08 p.m. EST, March 16, 2006

REPORT OF T.O. SIGNING IS "BOGUS"

Reports originating from a Lubbock, Texas television station that receiver Terrell Owens has signed with the Cowboys are "bogus," a league source with knowledge of the situation tells us.

KLBK 13 says that sources with the Cowboys have told the station that Owens already has been signed, and that the move will be announced on Monday.

On one hand, we could envision the Cowboys intentionally leaking misinformation in order to scare off other potential suitors while owner Jerry Jones wraps up a vacation.  On the other hand, why in the hell would the leak be made to a television station in Lubbock?

Bottom line -- there's no deal, and the reports are erroneous.

POSTED 7:59 p.m. EST, March 16, 2006

DID FAVRE GET ROSTER BONUS?

One of the key issues that has been lost in the shuffle during one of the busiest weeks in any NFL offseason is the $3 million roster bonus that was, or wasn't, paid to Lord Favre on Wednesday.

Favre's contract calls for Him to receive the bonus on the fifth day of the league year.  That was Wednesday.

A few weeks back, Packers brass feigned ignorance as to the precise due date of the bonus.  Favre's agent, Bus Cook, suggested at one point that Favre might postpone the thing as He ponders what He'll do in 2006.

Since then, there's been nothing said about it.  Nothing.

So what happened?  If the thing wasn't moved, then Favre got $3 million in what could end up being free money, if He decides to retire.

And Favre still hasn't decided whether to retire.  Earlier this week, He said that He's monitoring the team's activity in free agency in conjunction with the question of whether He'll be back.

We know that the front office fears the wrath of the Cheeseheads if it creates the appearance that Lord Favre isn't receiving the respect He deserves, but this is getting ridiculous.  Favre ain't the coach, and He ain't the G.M.  The organization needs to know whether He'll be back, sooner before later, so that the team can decide what to do.

If, in the end, the team handed Favre $3 million with no guarantee that He's going to play this year, that should anger the Packers faithful far more than cutting Favre ever would.

THURSDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

The Dolphins aren't interested in WR Keyshawn Johnson or WR Terrell Owens.

The Ravens have released OT Orlando Brown.

Another day, another e-mail from Daunte Culpepper.

It sounds like Jackie Chiles has a new client, and his name is Carl Poston:  "The suspension is wrong, irresponsible, and in violation of the NFLPA rules.  We intend to vigorously contest this using all appropriate legal remedies. These charges are utterly without merit."

The Steelers have re-worked the contract of C Jeff Hartings, creating $2.1 million in cap space.

PewterReport.com says that the Bucs will meet on Friday with WR Kevin (not Keyshawn, but Kevin) Johnson and WR Marc Boerigter on Friday.

Broncos LB Patrick Chukwurah will visit with the Bucs next week.

The Chiefs have signed QB Damon Huard.

The Pats have spit in the face of CB Tyrone Poole.

The Falcons have "virtually no interest" in trading QB Matt Schaub.

The Broncos have signed LB Nate Webster to a two-year deal with a $200,000 signing bonus.

The Broncos have contacted QB Gus Frerotte regarding a possible return stint.

Meshawn wants to play for the Panthers.

Buh-bye, Aaron Brooks.

CB Walt Harris has signed with the 49ers.

Kevin Poston says that 12 teams are interested in LB Julian Peterson (and three of them actually play in the NFL).

Fins K Olindo Mare isn't happy with the team's request that he cut his pay.

The Fins are interested in WR Kelly Campbell, who was out of football in 2005.

The Dolphins might take a run at CB Ty Law.

LB Peter Sirmon wants out of Tennessee.

The Raiders have signed LB Henri Crockett, who hasn't played since 2003.

Miami might be interested in re-signing the recently released QB Gus Frerotte.

POSTED 2:58 p.m. EST; UPDATED 3:12 p.m. EST, March 16, 2006

'HAWKS WILL MATCH MOST OF OFFER SHEET

A league source tells us that the Seattle Seahawks plan to match the seven-year, $49 million offer sheet signed by guard Steve Hutchinson.  On Sunday, the Vikings and Hutchinson reached agreement on the deal, which includes a cap number of more than $13 million in 2006 and a poison pill provision that will make the full contract guaranteed if Hutchinson is not the highest paid member of the team's offensive line.

The Seahawks, however, will not match this provision, which would result automatically in a full guarantee of the Hutchinson deal, due to the long-term contract signed a year ago by left tackle Walter Jones.  Instead, the Seahawks will take the position that the guarantee is not a "Principal Term" of the offer, and that the term need not be matched in order to permit the Seahawks to retain their 2006 transition player.

Under the relevant provisions of the CBA, a provision guaranteeing the contract appears to be a "Principal Term."  The Seahawks, however, might be able to argue that, as a procedural matter, a guarantee provision only is a "Principal Term" if the guarantee is reflected by a modification or addition to the offer sheet made by the player.  Indeed, Article XIX, Section 3(e)(ii) seems to indicate that a guarantee becomes a "Principal Term" only if the player asks for the guarantee, and if the new team agrees.

The battle could, in the end, elevate form over substance, with the Seahawks arguing that the Vikings proposed the guarantee in order to defeat Seattle's ability to match the offer, and the Vikings arguing that it wasn't their idea and that Hutchinson and his agent asked for the guarantee.

Regardless, there most likely will be a battle, similar to the legal brouhaha that unfolded three years ago between the Redskins and the Jets regarding the rights to Chad Morton.  In that case, the Jets failed to match one of the provisions of the offer sheet.  Arbitrator Richard Bloch found that the unmatched provision was a "Principal Term," which meant that the Jets had not matched the offer, which meant that the Redskins received the rights to Morton.

This time around, the Seahawks are willing to take their chances as to the question of whether the guarantee is a "Principal Term."  If they prevail, the Seahawks keep Hutchinson, without the guarantee.  If the Seahawks lose, the Vikings will be awarded Hutchinson, with the potential guarantee in place (but with the guarantee meaningless since Hutchinson will be the highest paid offensive lineman on the team).  Per Article XIX, Section 4 of the CBA, the arbitrator will be required to resolve the dispute within 10 days after the grievance is filed.

The Seahawks will receive no compensation for Hutchinson, if they fail to match the offer sheet.

Our initial impression?  If the terms of the CBA are applied literally, and if there is sufficient evidence that Hutchinson asked for the guarantee, the Seahawks will lose.  But if the arbitrator looks beneath the surface, he or she will realize that the guarantee has little or no chance of being activated if Hutchinson lands in Minnesota, especially if the reports that it applies only in 2006 are accurate.  Under that scenario, the arbitrator could be inclined to find that the Seahawks had matched all of the "Principal Terms" that had any realistic bearing on his status with the Vikings.  

NOTHING FOR JOEY

We reported earlier on Thursday that the Lions would trade or release quarterback Joey Harrington within the next four days.  By signing quarterback Josh McCown, the Lions virtually have guaranteed that they will get nothing for the No. 3 overall pick in the 2002 draft.

Even if someone were inclined to throw a second-day pick to the Lions for a chance to get Harrington before someone else signs him on the open market, too much needs to happen too soon.  Though many league insiders suspected that Harrington might not be on the Lions' opening day roster in 2006, few expected the end to come in March.  Thus, any team that might have had an interest in Harrington likely hasn't had a chance to do a full evaluation of him, and won't have the time to do it now.

His contract also will need to be renegotiated.  In addition to a $4 million roster bonus due in June, his salary for 2006 is $4.45 million.  

That's a cap number of $8.45 million.

The cap charge easily can be reduced by covering most of the bonus and salary into a guarantee, as the Fins did on Wednesday with Daunte Culpepper.  But that's a lot of money to decide in a day or two to pay up front to a guy who hasn't done much of anything in four NFL seasons.

So in the end the Lions will simply have to close the book on one of the biggest draft-day busts in recent history, with absolutely nothing in return.    

POSTED 10:16 a.m. EST, March 16, 2006

HARRINGTON WILL BE GONE BY MONDAY

We've learned that the Detroit Lions will part ways with quarterback Joey Harrington by the end of the coming weekend.

On Monday, the Lions launch their offseason program.  And the organization has decided that Harrington should not and will not be part of the equation at that time.

The Lions, we're told, will try to trade Harrington before cutting the cord.  But it's highly unlikely that anyone will offer anything of value for the guy who was selected behind only David Carr and Julius Peppers in the 2002 draft, especially since Harrington is due under his current contract to receive a hefty roster bonus in June.

So look for Harrington to hit the market very soon.  And don't be shocked if he ends up visiting with the Lions' NFC North rivals in Minnesota, given that the Vikes are now looking for a quarterback of the not-too-distant future.

POSTED 10:54 p.m. EST, March 15, 2006; UPDATED 8:29 a.m. EST, March 16, 2006

PFT TEN-PACK:  FREE AGENCY WINNERS, LOSERS

Now that the first wave of free agency has thrown millions of new money into the pockets of plenty of players, let's take a time out and look at the biggest winners and biggest losers after five full days of activity.

First, the winners:

1.  Antwaan Randle El:  35 catches in 2005.  $11.5 million in bonus money in 2006.  Should anyone be surprised when T.O. wants $18 million to sign? 

2.  Arizona Cardinals:  Finally, the Bidwills realize that sometimes you've gotta spend money to make money. 

3.  Edgerrin James:  He learned everything he knows about grabbing the most coin from Peyton Manning.

4.  Miami Dolphins:  Daunte Culpepper for a second-round pick?  In 17 states, that constitutes rape.

5.  Adam Archuleta:  No offense intended, but if this guy can get $10 million in guaranteed coin, we've still got a chance to catch on somewhere for the league minimum.

6.  Cleveland Browns:  With John Collins counting beans somewhere other than in the team's front office, Phil Savage finally can put his imprint on the frnachise.

7.  Uncle Sam:  Perhaps the biggest winner in this process, the Internal Revenue Service scored millions in tax dollars after the CBA extension pushed the salary cap above nine figures.

8.  Drew Brees:  Though his contract is only a one-year arrangement, $10 million for a guy with a bad shoulder and a mixed track record ain't too shabby.

9.  Jon Kitna:  The former Bengals starter who was bumped out of a job by the No. 1 overall pick in 2003 gets a chance to start again after bumping out the No. 3 overall pick in 2002.

10:  Steve Hutchinson:  An interior offensive lineman gets a $49 million contract?  What's next?  $45 million for a kicker?

Now for the losers:

1.  Indianapolis Colts:  Edgerrin James, Larry Tripplett, and David Thornton are gone for good.  Do you think Bill Polian might be having second thoughts about his decision to tie up so much money in his second and third receivers?

2.  The Postons:  They overpriced their clients who were hitting the market, and as a result none of them got a sniff when the money was flowing like liquid from an elephant with IBS.  To add insult to ignorance, Carl is now facing a two-year unpaid vacation.

3.  Washington Redskins:  We suggest that Dan Snyder satisfy his insatiable hunger for collecting NFL players at an unjustifiable premium by searching for McFarlane figures on eBay.

4.  Jamal Lewis:  The guy who pouted for a couple of years regarding the lack of a long-term, blockbuster deal stays in Baltimore for what amounts to a one-year, $6 million contract.

5.  Oakland Raiders:  To address the various holes in its roster, the Raiders have done . . . absolutely freakin' nothing.

6.  Kris Jenkins:  With Damione Lewis and Maake Kemoeatu added to the rotation at defensive tackle, Jenkins' days as a Panther could be numbered.

7.  Green Bay Packers:  All that cap space, and no significant additions.  To make matters worse, Lord Favre is now trying to play G.M.

8.  Eric Moulds:  By sitting on his rights when everyone knows they'll eventually cut him, the Bills blocked Moulds' shot at getting one last solid payday.

9.  New York Giants:  First they let Kendrick Clancy slip away.  Then they sign every washed up defensive back that's on the market.

10.  Jon Runyan:  The guy decides to take a vacation to the Caymans at a time when NFL teams are working overtime to give money away.  Who's he getting advice from, Ross Verba?

THURSDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

The Vikings apparently aren't going to try to restructure the contract of C Matt Birk, who is scheduled to make $3.9 million in 2006.

New Dolphins QB Daunte Culpepper is changing his jersey from 11 to 8.

Vikings owner Zygi Wilf thinks that Culpepper wanted out of Minnesota due in part to a "mid-football life crisis."

More details on the arrest of agent Dante DiTrapano.

A couple of news cycles have passed now since S Chris Hope signed with the Titans, and still no information regarding the value of his six-year deal.

To reduce Daunte Culpepper's 2006 cap number, which would have been $8 million, the Dolphins converted his $6 million roster bonus and $2 million salary into a $7 million signing bonus and a $1 million base salary (gee, why didn't Daunte ask for a $10 million raise, like he'd reportedly done in Minnesota?).

To the trained eye, it's obvious that the source for the latest story on Lions QB Joey Harrington in The Detroit Free Press is Harrington's agent.

Reading between the lines, we think that new Chargers starter Philip Rivers is scared to death that his surname eventually will be synonymous with the word "Leaf."

WR Keyshawn Johnson reportedly is interested in the Seahawks.

The Seahawks are sniffing around guys like John Abraham, Julian Peterson, Lawyer Milloy, Jamie Winborn, and Nate Burleson.

Seattle TE Ryan Hannam will visit the Dolphins and the Cowboys.

The Bengals are visiting with WR Antonio Chatman on Friday.

The contract signed by DT Ryan Pickett in Green Bay is believed to be worth roughly $3.75 million a year.

Packers FB William Henderson thinks he can make a "huge impact" on the Vikings offense (yeah, all it takes is a 35-year-old fullback to make the locals to forget about Randy Moss and Daunte Culpepper).

Packers QB Craig Nall is visiting the Bills; he's more interested in joining the Vikings now that Daunte Culpepper is gone.

QB Josh McCown is visiting the Raiders.

G Toniu Fonoti failed a physical in Oakland a day after signing a contract, making him a free agent again.

Another gem from Jim Souhan of The Minneapolis Star Tribune,regarding the Culpepper saga:  "Isn't it strange that a quarterback derided for his decision-making abilities by a certain faction of Vikings fans just outsmarted the braintrust of an NFL franchise?"

Do you think Jerome Stanley bothered to tell John Tomase of The Boston Herald that Stanley probably shouldn't be answering questions about Keyshawn Johnson in the capacity of his "agent" because Stanley is currently serving a two-year NFLPA-imposed suspension?

OT Jason Fabini will be visiting the Pats.

TE Jerame Tuman signed a three-year, $4.25 million contract with the Steelers, which included a $900,000 signing bonus.

The Steelers are expected to sign DE Rodney Bailey this week, who will back up Brett Keisel.

Steelers RB Duce Staley can make back a lot of the money he gave up when he restructured his contract (but to do so he needs to be wearing something other than street clothes on game days).

The Steelers have no interest in Keyshawn Johnson or Terrell Owens.

The agent for RB Verron Haynes disputes a report that the Patriots are interested in his client (dude, we're not saying you should lie about who's interested in your guy, but you're not required to clarify a mistake that might help create a market for him).

The Redskins have signed DT Cedric Killings.

Maryland TE Vernon Davis reinforced his standing as a top ten pick at a Wednesday pro day workout.

The Packers have re-signed WR Rod Gardner.

Titans LB Rocky Boiman has been contacted by the Packers.

QB Brian Griese is still looking for a place to land.

The Eagles have signed WR Darnerian McCants to a one-year deal.

A day after dumping WR Terrell Owens, a Drew Rosenhaus client, the Eagles signed WR Jabar Gaffney, a Drew Rosenhaus client.

The Pats could be interested in OT Jon Runyan.

The Seahawks aren't likely to pursue tampering charges against the Packers regarding the acquisition of S Marquand Manuel.

We weren't able to read the thing word for word (because we didn't have a spare 75 minutes to burn), but we have a funny feeling that the lengthy-ass article written by Ron Borges of The Boston Globe regarding the efforts of agent Brad Blank to get WR David Givens a new contract fails to mention that Blank is Borges's agent, too.

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