DD

I highlighted what I thought could be big news or top player news.




• A source close to the Ravens says the team will not trade LB Ray Lewis for anything less than a first-round pick, no matter how unhappy Lewis is. Lewis wants a new contract, but the Ravens, having given Lewis a lucrative seven-year deal (and a $19 million signing bonus) before the '02 season, aren't interested in revisiting the issue, especially when they had offered Lewis a shorter deal that would have given him a shot at free agency earlier.

• Why did the news that RB Ricky Williams reportedly had failed a drug test emanate from Denver? We hear it's because the Broncos had requested information on Williams' status in the NFL's substance-abuse program from the league as a prelude to a trade with the Dolphins. Word is Williams' appeal will be upheld because the substance he tested positive for was an herb, not a drug. However, the Dolphins are ticked off because the suspension scare likely lowers Williams' trade value. <OFFER>
• The way we hear it, the Bengals will look to add players of character in free agency. The team has gained a reputation in some circles for overlooking character, but a source close to the team says coach Marvin Lewis isn't overlooking the value of good citizens in the locker room.
<!--------------------------START PLAYER CARD------------------><TABLE class=tableheadFixWidth cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD class=whitelink colSpan=2>Nate Clements</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 20 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Cornerback
Buffalo Bills

Profile</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD align=middle><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1 width=190 bgColor=#ffffff border=0><TBODY><TR class=stathead align=middle><TD align=middle colSpan=6>2005 SEASON STATISTICS</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" align=right><TD width="17%">Tot</TD><TD width="17%">Solo</TD><TD width="17%">Ast</TD><TD width="17%">Sack</TD><TD width="17%">FF</TD><TD width="17%">INT</TD></TR><TR align=right bgColor=#999999><TD>102</TD><TD>81</TD><TD>21</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>2</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<!---------------------INLINE MINI-PLAYER CARD ENDS HERE--------------------->
• Word from Buffalo is that if the franchise number for cornerbacks hadn't been reduced so drastically (from $8.816 million in 2005 to $5.893 million in '06), the Bills would not have applied the tag to CB Nate Clements, and he likely would've hit the open market.


• Bills coach Dick Jauron said he is committed to giving QBs J.P. Losman and Kelly Holcomb an equal shot at the starting job for 2006: "I look at it as a competitive situation. I don't think there is anything to be gained at this point by naming a guy. You go in, offseason workouts, spring workouts and let them compete. We'll see what happens going into training camp. If we don't have a guy we can pencil in as a starter there, we'll go right through training camp."

• Word is a lot of Jets scouts are upset at the way ex-GM Terry Bradway was treated. We hear they believe he was made to be a scapegoat in the power play by coach Eric Mangini and new GM Mike Tannenbaum. There is also a lack of respect for Tannenbaum's ability as a personnel evaluator.

• Although general manager Ted Sundquist has said his priorities lie with getting things done with his own free-agent lot, Iword is that Terrell Owens is still in the picture in Denver. t was believed the Broncos would make a legitimate push for Owens or Ricky Williams this offseason, and with Williams' future for 2006 in some doubt after initial reports of a potential suspension, Owens might become more of a prime target, especially considering the limited WR options available in free agency. Given the Broncos' tight cap situation and Owens' volatile past, any potential offer certainly would have to be incentive-laden.

• The three-year deal Broncos DE John Engelberger signed recently to avoid hitting the free-agent market was considered significantly more rich than Denver needed to shell out, considering he's a situational player and the Broncos plan to try to add another pass-rusher in the draft. Engelberger reportedly will make $1.05 million and $1.365 million in base salary the next two years and landed a $750,000 signing bonus.

• Look for the Chiefs to target a defensive tackle and a defensive end in the draft, likely early. They would like to add a tackle who regularly can command double-teams and collapse the pocket to free up Jared Allen on the outside.

• Not surprisingly, the Raiders exercised a clause in SS Derrick Gibson's contract to void the remainder of the deal and avoid a cap-busting $10 million figure for '06. Injury issues helped prevent Gibson's career from ever really getting on track, but a lack of coverage skills and range also contributed. A solid, physical presence when in the box, Gibson isn't the most fluid covering deep and changing directions.

• Some work needs to be done on the Chiefs' salary-cap situation first, but you can expect them to show a strong interest in former Jets CB Ty Law, who was cut loose in a cost-cutting maneuver in February. Law visited Kansas City during last year's free-agency period and played for new Chiefs coach Herman Edwards last year in New York, where he snared 10 interceptions.

• Chiefs defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham on new coach Herman Edwards: "Herman is really animated and high-energy," Cunningham told The Kansas City Star. "Dick [Vermeil] was a high-energy guy for his age, but it was more about the offense. He was a good team guy; he talked to everybody. But here it's more about how we're going to play defense and the aggression. Everybody feeds off of that."

• The Giants made a subtle but interesting move by signing OG Rich Seubert to a two-year extension, locking him up through 2009, with the idea that he'll be groomed for the center position down the line. Two years after shattering his leg in a career-threatening injury, Seubert has impressed the coaching staff with his work ethic and intelligence.

• You can bet Cowboys coach Bill Parcells at least will take a look at free-agent OT Jason Fabini, formerly of the Jets. Parcells drafted Fabini, who might help patch up the Cowboys' OL problems.

• The Cowboys plan to invite Jacob Rogers to their late May mini-camp with the idea of him trying to make the team again. Rogers, who nearly won the ORT job last season before getting hurt and having his toughness questioned by many, including owner Jerry Jones, was released after undergoing season-ending microfracture surgery.

• It's looking more and more as though -- despite interest in WR Terrell Owens' services from AFC West rivals Kansas City and Denver -- the Eagles will have to release him before March 8, when he's due to receive a large roster bonus.

• Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow told PFW last month that the team lacks a true No. 1 receiver. "No, I don't [think we have a No. 1]. I guess in the NFL, there's one primary guy. … I think we have a good group of guys; we've just got to get better at it."

• The way we hear it, the Ravens are inclined to wait and see how the QB free-agent market develops before settling on a veteran to bring in and challenge Kyle Boller. The Ravens believe there's a chance Vikings QB Daunte Culpepper will be released in March, and a source close to the team says the Ravens have heard encouraging reports about Culpepper's rehabilitation from the major knee injuries he suffered Oct. 30 at Carolina. However, if Culpepper's price tag proves too expensive (even provided he's available), the Ravens are hopeful a glut of free quarterbacks will allow them to sign a capable veteran at a modest cost. Oakland's Kerry Collins, should he be released, also is believed to be a quarterback who could intrigue the Ravens.

• At the scouting combine, Browns general manager Phil Savage said that WR Braylon Edwards and TE Kellen Winslow are "progressing pretty well" as both try to recover from anterior cruciate ligament injuries. "They are both pushing each other, [and] I think they are trying to feed off one another in terms of the competitiveness of it," Savage said. "We're anxious to get both of them out there. We don't want to push the envelope too much. I think really a conservative time frame would be that 'K2' would be back sometime in June, maybe for training camp. I think Braylon is going to be more of a later training-camp, September time frame." Coach Romeo Crennel has said that getting Winslow and Edwards back on the field was one of the team's major offseason needs. <!--------------------------START PLAYER CARD------------------>

<TABLE class=tableheadFixWidth cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD class=whitelink colSpan=2>Charlie Frye</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 20 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Quarterback
Cleveland Browns

Profile</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD align=middle><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1 width=190 bgColor=#ffffff border=0><TBODY><TR class=stathead align=middle><TD align=middle colSpan=6>2005 SEASON STATISTICS</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" align=right><TD width="17%">Cmp</TD><TD width="17%">Att</TD><TD width="17%">Yds</TD><TD width="17%">Pct</TD><TD width="17%">TD</TD><TD width="17%">INT</TD></TR><TR align=right bgColor=#999999><TD>98</TD><TD>165</TD><TD>1002</TD><TD>59.4</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>6</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<!---------------------INLINE MINI-PLAYER CARD ENDS HERE--------------------->• Browns Romeo Crennel, speaking at the scouting combine, again declined to name young QB Charlie Frye his starter. So, it appears veteran Trent Dilfer will open training camp with a shot at the job, even though Frye still appears to be the odds-on favorite. "I'm not sure how long it will extend," Crennel said of the competition between Frye and veteran Dilfer. "Sometimes guys compete, cream rises to the top. If it rises quickly, we'll name him quickly. If it takes a little bit longer to rise, we'll take a little bit longer to name him."


• Word from Houston is Texans CB Phillip Buchanon will get a clean slate with the new coaching staff after struggling last season in Vic Fangio's defense.

• Our sources in Tampa indicate that the Bucs will entertain trade offers for QB Chris Simms. The Bucs are looking for a first- or second-round draft pick in return because they feel there's enough depth at the QB position with former starters Brian Griese and Tim Rattay as options.

• We hear that the longer Bucs FB Mike Alstott delays a retirement announcement, the better chance there is he will be on the field in 2006. It seemed inevitable during the season that Alstott would hang up his cleats after the season, but our sources tell us he got a second wind when he saw his workload increase late in the Bucs' playoff push.

• Although talk about the Falcons trading RB T.J. Duckett continues, one team he won't be going to is the Panthers. 'Though the Falcons don't want to complete an intradivision deal, we hear the Panthers are trying to get a Duckett of their own. Word out of Charlotte is that the Panthers envision second-round pick RB Eric Shelton, who spent all of 2005 on injured reserve, becoming the bruising change-of-pace back that Duckett has been in Atlanta.

• Falcons CB DeAngelo Hall told PFW at the combine that he thinks Chris Simms can be division rival Tampa's quarterback of the future: "I like him. We played him, and he got two wins out of it. He can definitely win games. He's a real good quarterback. I think he might be the answer down there in the future because he can definitely be the man."

• Falcons GM Rich McKay said at the combine that the team won't have to restructure QB Michael Vick's lucrative contract to get under the salary cap: "Michael's contract is not one that has to be restructured because Michael's contract has two different triggers in it. This is the second one that automatically restructures itself. That was the design of the contract, so there's nothing that we have to do to that contract. We've got some others that will be a challenge. In our case, we don't feel uncomfortable at all. … We're not a team that has to waive a lot of people or do a lot of unusual stuff to get under the cap."

• New Rams coach Scott Linehan said at the combine that he definitely is planning on the team continuing to reap the benefits of veterans RB Marshall Faulk, who he said probably will make a bigger contribution to the offense than he did last season, and WR Isaac Bruce, whose expensive contract was reportedly in the midst of being restructured at this writing. Said Linehan: "The veteran leadership they provide is critical and irreplaceable."

• Just because the Rams are looking at adding another tight end via the draft or free agency, don't automatically assume the team is unhappy with current starter Brandon Manumaleuna. "I've been pleased with what I've seen from Brandon," Rams coach Scott Linehan told PFW at the combine. "He just needs a little more balance between blocking and catching balls."

• Cardinals vice president of football operations Rod Graves told PFW at the combine that it's a very good bet Arizona will address the QB position -- through the draft or through free agency -- this offseason.

• Cardinals coach Dennis Green seems comfortable with the TE combination of Adam Bergen and Eric Edwards. "Neither of them were drafted, and both of them made their share of big plays," Green told PFW at the combine. "They're big, young guys with great work ethics."

• Niners coach Mike Nolan says he was quite pleased with RB Kevan Barlow's effort last year. "He fits in well," Nolan told PFW at the combine. "He had some knee issues late in the year that forced us to put him on injured reserve, but he did an outstanding job. There are some things in his game, like his pass protection, for example, that was pleasantly surprising. He had two very long runs called back because of penalties that would have given him 150 more yards. All the concerns I had heard about him when I first came on board, I never felt were a problem. He always tried to make sure he was doing the right thing."

• We're hearing that free-agent WR Joe Jurevicius, with a lengthy list of potential suitors, just might have a market value that ends up being too cost-prohibitive for the Seahawks after all is said and done.

• The Colts plan to offer first-round tenders -- or perhaps first- and third-round -- to restricted free-agent LBs Cato June and Gary Brackett, according to team president Bill Polian. RFA pass-rush specialist Robert Mathis will get one of the higher tender offers, as well. That should allow the Colts to concentrate on further building their defense. Coach Tony Dungy told PFW the team is considering moving Marlin Jackson from cornerback to free safety, citing that versatility as a key reason he was drafted in the first round last season. However, moving Jackson to the middle as a sidekick to Pro Bowl SS Bob Sanders would require additional help at cornerback. The Colts picked another cornerback, Kelvin Hayden, in the second round of the 2005 draft, but he did not prove he was ready to play a key role. <!--------------------------START PLAYER CARD------------------>

<TABLE class=tableheadFixWidth cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD class=whitelink colSpan=2>Dwight Freeney</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 20 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Defensive end
Indianapolis Colts
rofile</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD align=middle><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1 width=190 bgColor=#ffffff border=0><TBODY><TR class=stathead align=middle><TD align=middle colSpan=6>2005 SEASON STATISTICS</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND: #bcbcb4" align=right><TD width="17%">Tot</TD><TD width="17%">Solo</TD><TD width="17%">Ast</TD><TD width="17%">Sack</TD><TD width="17%">FF</TD><TD width="17%">INT</TD></TR><TR align=right bgColor=#999999><TD>35</TD><TD>30</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<!---------------------INLINE MINI-PLAYER CARD ENDS HERE--------------------->• DE Dwight Freeney's contract will be adjusted in May. Freeney is due a significant bonus, and the Colts want to ensure Freeney remains in the fold long term only after they completely "understand what the landscape will be," team president Bill Polian said.


• Colts coach Tony Dungy seems more realistic than other team officials about keeping RB Edgerrin James under the existing terms of the collective bargaining agreement. Dungy told PFW he is very intrigued by a deep draft at the position but understands that James does more than can be measured by statistics in the Colts' "check with me" offense.

• Injuries will have an impact on how the Bears address their secondary depth. SS Mike Brown returned after a torn Achilles tendon prematurely ended his 2004 season -- only to be dogged by lower-leg injuries over the last six weeks of the '05 season. Brown, a team captain, would be difficult to replace. "Mike Brown has been such a catalyst for us emotionally as a leader," Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said. "Anytime you take an emotional leader off the field, it impacts you." In hopes of remedying Brown's injury woes, the Bears, as they did with Brian Urlacher after the 2004 season, will change Brown's workout regimen and keep much closer tabs on his daily offseason routine.

• It was no upset to hear multiple running backs in the 2006 draft class mention the Vikings among the teams showing the most interest. Coach Brad Childress described his current lot as "talent-poor," before retracting the adjective and saying he didn't have the numbers he'd like with Minnesota. Mewelde Moore is the leading rusher under contract. Injuries have been a problem for Moore, and RBs Michael Bennett, Moe Williams and Onterrio Smith are free agents.

• Lions head coach Rod Marinelli told PFW at the scouting combine that hiring Mike Martz as offensive coordinator was extremely important to Marinelli personally and also to the Lions' organization. It might be most critical to QB Joey Harrington, who was informed the QB job is his to lose -- for now. Marinelli would like to attract a veteran, possibly Brian Griese from Tampa Bay, to compete for the No. 1 job. Detroit, according to team observers, hasn't completely ruled out the possibility of bringing in a proven starter such as Drew Brees, but cost could become the real hindrance for the club. Chad Pennington, if released by the Jets, apparently has been recommended to Detroit.

• The Packers have no timetable for Brett Favre to indicate whether he will play next season. Coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Ted Thompson have talked at length with Favre, agent Bus Cook and members of Favre's extended family. McCarthy remains "optimistic" that Favre will play in 2006. With or without him, the Packers will consider drafting another quarterback with the fifth overall pick, Thompson said, reinforcing a promise that he intends to stick to his own philosophy to draft the best athlete available, regardless of the position.

• Jacksonville doesn't want to get into bidding wars in free agency, but the Jaguars do have their eyes on a few players. Expect the team to host a few players right out of the gate, hoping to gauge the pace of signings around the league while entertaining defensive help.

• RB Ahman Green is talking with the Packers about returning to Green Bay, but he's likely to be given the opportunity to speak with other teams. The front office doesn't mind letting Green make visits, trusting that he'll give the Packers a chance to match any offer, a scenario that would show Green Bay exactly what the outside level of interest in Green will be.
• With an aging offensive line, Bears GM Jerry Angelo wants to find versatile youngsters to pad the depth up front. "We'd like to get one or two young offensive linemen, [regardless] if [unrestricted free agent] Terrence [Metcalf] comes back or not," Angelo said. "Just keep grooming and developing at that position, so we'll just have to wait and see."

espn insider

__________________