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Points: 59,204, Level: 100 | | NFL Free agency - ESPN Insider - Match 10th.
| Saturday, March 11 | | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Daunte Culpepper
Vikings
| Lions?
Dolphins?
Jets?
Cardinals?
| Raiders, Titans out of Culpepper chase?
According to ESPN.com's John Clayton, the Vikings overplayed their hand at bit Friday by putting a deadline on three of the teams they were talking to in trade conversations for Culpepper.
All three had the perception from the Vikings that one of the teams was offering a second-round pick. The Raiders dropped out and were only considering a conditional third-round choice before they got too heavy into the bidding, while Titans GM Floyd Reese officially notified the Vikings that he is no longer interested. The Dolphins remain in the mix, but likely won't go any higher than a solid third.
Vikings owner Zygi Wilf finally acknowledged on Friday that Minnesota was holding discussions with other teams. Earlier this week, the 29-year-old challenged the Vikings to trade him or release him in an e-mail sent to various media outlets.
"Daunte Culpepper stated he would like to be traded or released, and right now we're addressing the situation," Wilf told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. "That's all I can say."
Another team distancing itself from Culpepper is the Ravens. According to the Baltimore Sun, the Ravens are not in the running for the Minnesota quarterback. Arizona, Detroit and the New York Jets have also been mentioned as potential landing spots.
| | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Drew Brees
Chargers
| Saints
Dolphins
Vikings?
| Saint Drew?
According to the Miami Herald, the Saints have emerged as the leaders in the Brees sweepstakes. The Dolphins and Lions were believed to have the inside track at Brees, the top quarterback on the free-agent market, but a source told the Herald that the Saints are poised to guarantee more money than anyone else. Brees has decided to visit New Orleans on Saturday and Miami on Sunday.
Brees appears to be done negotiating with the Chargers. According to ESPN.com, the Chargers have been offering him a contract for more than a month, and the contract is loaded with incentives the first year because of his offseason shoulder surgery. While it had been reported that San Diego pulled the incentives off the table, the Chargers say that the offer still remains With the Vikings reportedly close to trading Daunte Culpepper, Minnesota is also considered a possible destination for Brees.
| | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Terrell Owens
Eagles
| Cowboys?
Broncos
Chiefs
Dolphins?
Jets?
Buccaneers?
| Cowboys interested in Owens?
According to ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli, the Cowboys level of interest in Owens has increased a bit recently. With Bill Parcells looking for difference-makers on the offensive side of the ball, the Cowboys become a player once Owens i released, which is expected to occur this week.
Meanwhile, the Broncos won't deny they're interested in Owens. But reports that suggest Owens is almost a sure thing to end up in Denver are off the mark, according to team owner Pat Bowlen.
"But that's because it's written about all the time," Bowlen told the Rocky Mountain News. "It has been written about here, on the national level, talked about on ESPN and all the rest of it. It's taken on a life of it's own, so to speak. I think there is a hell of a lot more credibility given to that than there should be.
"I'm not saying we're not interested in T.O., but I think the level of interest attributed to us is way beyond where we are."
It was believed the Broncos would make a legitimate push for Owens or RB Ricky Williams this offseason, and with Williams' future for 2006 in doubt after reports of a potential suspension, Owens might become more of a prime target.
Kansas City is also considered a possible landing spot for Owens. Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards has said he's intrigued by the prospect of acquiring the former Pro Bowl wide receiver. Owens is still under contract with Philadelphia, and most teams believe the Eagles will release Owens before they must pay him bonuses totaling $7.5 million.
| | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
John Abraham
Jets
| Seahawks?
Broncos
Falcons
Lions?
Redskins?
| Abraham drawing attention
While the Broncos remain the frontrunners to land Abraham in a trade, Seattle will be one of his other stops, ESPN.com's John Clayton reports. Abraham plans to visit at least four teams. He could go for a first- or second-round choice.
The Jets designated Abraham a franchise player for the second year in a row, with the intention of dealing him. Abraham, who has wanted a long-term deal for some time, has told his friends and agents he doesn't want to play for the Jets anymore. The Redskins, Falcons and Lions have also been mentioned as potential destinations.
| | WHO | WHAT | THE SKINNY | 
Jamal Lewis
Ravens
| Return??
| Lewis waiting on suitors
The Ravens' first offer to Lewis on Friday wasn't a good one, but the two sides will continue to talk, ESPN.com's John Clayton reports. Lewis is waiting patiently for teams to call to set up visits, but the phones were quiet on Friday night. He didn?t receive any calls in the first hour after the start of free agency and doesn?t have any visits scheduled at this early date.
The Ravens opted against tagging Lewis, instead giving him a chance to test the market. While the the team has not given up hope of re-signing the former All-Pro, Lewis has indicated he is ready for a "fresh start".
"My gut feeling is I won't be back," Lewis told The Baltimore Sun.
Lewis previously said he would be interested in playing for the Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots or division rival Pittsburgh Steelers. "[Steelers coach] Bill Cowher has always complimented me whenever we played them," Lewis said. "Any team that wants a running back to carry 25 to 30 times a game, I'm here. I'm a horse. They just need to run me."
| | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Edgerrin James
Colts
| Cardinals?
| James in the Cards?
James and agent Drew Rosenhaus are scheduled to visit the Cardinals on Saturday, the opening day of free agency, the Arizona Republic reports. James has been allowed to test the market and determine his value.
While the new labor agreement will at least give the Colts a shot at re-signing James, the team is still not optimistic about retaining the services of its star running back.
The Colts will be between $8 million-$10 million under the cap, but Team president Bill Polian insisted the team's current budget does not include offering James, or any of its free agents, long-term contracts. At least not soon.
"My gut reaction is to tell you I want to see the way the market goes before we would even entertain any major expenditures beyond those which we've already made,'' Polian said. James, who will be 28 at the start of the '06 season, is arguably the top running back on the free agent market after league MVP and rushing champion Shaun Alexander re-signed with the Seattle Seahawks earlier this week.
| | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Kevin Mawae
Jets
| Patriots?
Eagles
Dolphins
Cardinals
| Center of attention
Recently released by the Jets, Mawae has attracted plenty of attention. One league source said Mawae already has made a secret visit to Foxboro to meet with the Patriots, the New York Daily News reports.
Mawae visited the Dolphins on Wednesday and is expected to make more stops early next week. According to the Arizona Republic, the Cardinals are pursuing the six-time Pro Bowl center.
"We've talked about it," Mawae's agent, Mark Bartelstein, said. "There is some mutual interest." The Eagles are also keeping close tabs on Mawae, the Philadelphia Daily News reports. Bartelstein told the paper he's spoken to the Eagles about his client.
| | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
LaVar Arrington
Redskins
| Dolphins?
Browns
Eagles?
Giants
| Dolphins enter mix
Arrington met with the Dolphins on Friday, the Palm Beach Post reports. The 27-year-old would be a good fit to replace recently waived outside linebacker Junior Seau.
Arrington has said he would prefer to remain in the NFC East, and the Giants appear to be a likely destination for the free-agent linebacker.
"I know they're interested," Carl Poston, Arrington's agent, told The New York Post.
The Giants, thanks to the new collective bargaining agreement, should have enough cap room to make Arrington a legitimate offer. The Browns are also pursuing Arrington and the Eagles, on the market for playmakers to fortify their front seven, might also come up with an offer. Arrington recently agreed to a $4.4 million buyout of his contract with the Redskins. Although he hasn't played up to his draft status (second overall pick in 2000), he's a three-time Pro Bowler and believed to be healthy after a couple of knee surgeries.
| | WHO | WHAT | THE SKINNY | 
Javon Walker
Packers
| Trade??
| Walker wants out
Walker has made it clear that he has no desire to ever play another game for Green Bay. Even if the Packers were to offer Walker a lucrative contract, he would not consider returning.
"If I had to go back there, I'd retire," Walker told ESPN.com's Michael Smith. "I don't have to play. I really have no interest in being in a Green Bay Packers uniform or playing for Green Bay again."
The Packers have expressed disappointment with Walker's stance and have thus far denied his request for a trade. The club issued a statement that read, in part:
"During his time as a Green Bay Packer, Javon Walker has been well thought of by everyone here. I like Javon, certainly as a person and as a player. That said, Javon is under contract ... and we expect him to honor it ... I don't anticipate us making any concessions in this matter."
Walker is entering the final year of a five-year, $6.7 million contract. He underwent reconstructive knee surgery Oct. 7 in Houston to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament and torn meniscus cartilage. Because Walker is damaged goods, the Packers might be fortunate to get even a mid- to late-round pick in return. However, his base salary of $650,000 would be attractive for any team.
| | WHO | WHAT | THE SKINNY | 
Brian Griese
Buccaneers
| Return?
| Griese not gone for long?
The Bucs finally opted to release Griese, who lost his job to Chris Simms in 2005 when he suffered a season-ending knee injury after leading the club to a 5-1 start, ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli reports.
Griese was due a $2.6 million roster bonus on Saturday that would have pushed his salary cap charge to $7.08 million. By cutting him, the Bucs saved not only the $2.6 million roster bonus, but also shaved $4.549 million from their 2006 salary cap.
Tampa Bay officials have been discussing a restructured contract with Griese's agent, Ralph Cindrich, and there is still a decent chance the Bucs will quickly re-sign the veteran passer to a more palatable deal. Cindrich acknowledged Friday night there is a proposal on the table and the two sides likely will resume negotiations on Saturday, with the aim of having Griese re-join the team. It?s believed that Griese and Cindrich are seeking a contract that would protect the veteran quarterback in the event he regains the starting job. That would probably mean a deal with plenty of incentives based on playing time and performance.
| | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Will Witherspoon
Panthers
| Jaguars?
Saints?
Vikings?
Rams?
| Rams eyeing Witherspoon
According to ESPN.com's John Clayton, the Rams will look to make a quick move on Witherspoon, one of the top players at the linebacker position. The Panthers already know Witherspoon will get more than $10 million in a signing bonus, but they are trying their best to re-sign him. The Saints, Jaguars and Vikings are among the other possibilities.
| | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Patrick Ramsey
Redskins
| Jets
Lions?
Dolphins
| Dolphins, Jets eyeing Ramsey
Ramsey, who has permission from the Redskins to speak with other teams, is drawing interest around the league and he's expected to visit the Dolphins next week, the New York Daily News reports. Ramsey, 27, met with Jets officials three days ago at Weeb Ewbank Hall. The Jets have made an offer, believed to be a seventh-round pick in next month's draft, but the Redskins are holding out for a fourth-rounder or better. Detroit has also been mentioned as a potential destination.
| | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Antwaan Randle El
Steelers
| Bears
Redskins
Eagles
Cowboys
| Redskins eyeing Randle El
The Redskins became the first team to contact Randle El, ESPN.com's John Clayton reports. Randle El flew to Washington on Saturday on the Redskins team charter and is expected to attend a Wizards game on Saturday night with owner Daniel Snyder.
Randle El remains a top free-agent target of the Bears, who have an estimated $25 million of salary-cap space, according to The Chicago Tribune.
Dallas and Philadelphia are also believed to be interested in Randle El, an unrestricted free agent who is highly regarded because of his versatility. Randle El has said he has not ruled out re-signing with the Steelers, provided their offer isn't substantially lower than what he could receive on the open market. "If [the Steelers] are a million dollars off, that's not enough to make me leave," Randle El told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "If I'm the No. 2 receiver and the punt returner, and, certainly, I have the opportunity to play, then a million-dollar difference won't make me leave here. Why would I want to move my family if I didn't have to?"
| | WHO | WHAT | THE SKINNY | 
Priest Holmes
Chiefs
| Retirement??
| Chiefs will wait for Holmes
Holmes restructured his contract by taking his 2006 salary from $3.75 million to $710,000, giving the chiefs some cap relief, ESPN.com's John Clayton reports. While such a deal is often done by a player who is going to be a June 1st cap casualty, the Chiefs have no plans to cut him.
Holmes is undergoing tests to determine if he can play. He won?t know for months and odds are starting to build up that he might have to retire, but the Chiefs plan to keep him on the roster through the season at the $710,000 number, and possibly keep him on the physically unable to return list until he's healthy. If he's not healthy, the Chiefs don't mind paying him the $710,000 for his past work. If he does comeback, the team can rework the contract later.
| | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
David Givens
Patriots
| Texans?
Dolphins?
| Givens still available
While Cleveland's team website reported last night the Browns had reached an agreement with Givens, the wide receiver is actually headed to Miami on Saturday to visit with the Dolphins, ESPN.com's John Clayton reports. Givens was scheduled to visit the Browns on Sunday, but has changed his mind and will go to Houston to meet with the Texans on Sunday. The price tag for Givens went up above where the Browns wanted to pay.
| | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Will Allen
Giants
| Seahawks?
Cardinals?
| Seahawks interested in Allen
The Seahawks contacted Allen and will have him in for a visit this week, ESPN.com's John Clayton reports. After cutting Andre Dyson, the Seahawks were in the market for a starting cornerback. Allen lost his job in New York to Sam Madison, who signed with the Giants Friday. According to Newsday, Allen is also being pursued by the Cardinals.
| | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Kerry Collins
Raiders
| Ravens
| Collins on the move?
Collins was finally released by the Raiders on Friday, freeing up much-needed salary-cap room, the Contra Costa Times reports. The 33-year-old was slated to earn $6 million in base salary next season, in addition to a $2.5 million roster bonus due him Wednesday. The Raiders pared almost $9.2 million from their 2006 salary cap by cutting him.
Still, it remains a possibility that the Raiders will re-sign Collins between now and the start of the season. They have agreed to speak in the coming days. At the same time, Collins is now free to negotiate a contract with any of the league's 32 teams Baltimore is reportedly interested in Collins. The Ravens are looking to sign a quarterback to challenge incumbent Kyle Boller, and Collins is considered their top option, according to The Baltimore Sun.
| | Friday, March 10 | | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Brad Hopkins
Titans
| Falcons
Jets
Buccaneers
| Hopkins on the move
Hopkins, released by the Titans last week, is generating plenty of interest around the league. The veteran tackle is in Atlanta today after visiting the Jets and Bucs earlier in the week.
"I think [Brad] just wants to get into where he is going to be. We are certainly going to keep the Titans abreast to what is going on, and we'll see what happens," agent Mark Bartelstein said. "It is hard to find great left tackles, so [the interest] doesn't really surprise me." The Titans have said they're interested in re-signing Hopkins at a cheaper price if he's still available later in free agency.
| | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Maake Kemoeatu
Ravens
| Dolphins?
Browns?
| Kemoeatu drawing interest
The Miami Herald is reporting that the Dolphins plan to make a strong run at Kemoeatu, considered a prototype nose tackle for a 3-4 defense. According to the Canton Repository, the Browns will also be in hot pursuit.
Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome claims he wants to keep Kemoeatu, but the team did not make an offer to Kemoeatu in an attempt to keep the nose tackle off the market. The Repository reports that Browns GM Phil Savage has been chomping at the bit to open negotiations with Kemoeatu's agent, Ken Vierra. "Any rational human being would say that?s a possibility," Vierra, said, "and not just in a theoretical sense. [The Browns] have the right scheme, and they?re a division rival."
| | Thursday, March 9 | | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Adam Vinatieri
Patriots
| Cowboys?
| Pats want to keep Vinatieri
After releasing Willie McGinest in a cost-cutting move, the Patriots will turn their attention to re-signing Vinatieri, the Boston Globe reports.
Negotiations have been slow, as the Patriots have been reluctant to make any long-term deals because of the labor uncertainty. Vinatieri was paid a little more than $2.5 million last season, and it might take a ridiculous offer for the Patriots not to bring him back.
Vinatieri said he would have been open to receiving the franchise tag for the second straight year, but the Patriots elected not use use the marker on their Pro Bowl place-kicker. Even though this year's free-agent market will be rich with kickers, Vinatieri will have plenty of suitors. Dallas will be among several teams that would try to sign the game's top clutch kicker.
| | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Az-Zahir Hakim
Saints
| Bears?
| Bears' backup plan?
If they're unable to land Antwaan Randle El, the Bears might consider Az-Zahir Hakim, according to The Chicago Tribune. Hakim, a proven punt returner who played for St. Louis while current Bears head coach Lovie Smith was an assistant there, caught no fewer than 31 passes each of the last seven seasons.
| | Wednesday, March 8 | | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Sam Adams
Bills
| Dolphins
| Dolphins courting Adams
Adams, released by the Bills last week in a salary-cap move, visited with the Dolphins on Tuesday, the Miami Herald reports.
The Dolphins appear to have a good chance at landing Adams, although the defensive tackle said he won't sign a deal before Thursday -- the expected start of free agency and the deadline for teams to get under the cap. "I give the Dolphins credit, they're working this hard to make sure they're ready to go when the bell chimes," Adams' agent, Angelo Wright, told the Herald. "There are a lot of teams sitting out there saying, 'We'll wait a day or two to see how things shake out.' By that time, a lot of players might be gone."
| | Tuesday, March 7 | | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Jon Kitna
Bengals
| Lions?
Jets?
Ravens?
| Kitna generating interest
Kitna has drawn the interest of several teams, including the Jets and Lions. The 33-year-old is set to become an unrestricted free agent and has said he wants a chance to start.
"There's been quite a bit of interest. More than I expected," Kitna told The Cincinnati Enquirer.
Even though the Jets decided to retain Chad Pennington, they're still be in the market for a veteran quarterback. According to The Newark Star-Ledger, Kitna appears to be their first choice. Although he hasn't ruled out re-signing with Cincinnati, Kitna has said he plans to test the market once he becomes a free agent. The Ravens are also believed to be interested in Kitna, who threw for more than 3,000 yards each season from 2001 to 2003 before accepting a backup role the past two seasons.
| | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Ron Dayne
Broncos
| | Broncos, Dayne close
According to The Denver Post, the Broncos are close to re-signing Dayne, a leading candidate for the team's starting running back job in 2006.
A free-agent pickup after four years with the Giants, Dayne was productive in spot duty last season, rushing for 270 yards on 53 carries (5.1 average). Dayne and Tatum Bell are the top two candidates for the Broncos' starting job. Mike Anderson, last year's leading rusher, has been released. The Broncos also are working to keep Gerard Warren, but the defensive tackle wants to test the market before re-signing with Denver.
| | Monday, March 6 | | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Jeff Garcia
Lions
| Eagles
| Eagles after Garcia
According to Comcast SportsNet and the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Eagles plan to sign Garcia to back up starting QB Donovan McNabb. Before one-year stints in Cleveland and Detroit, Garcia spent five years as a starter for the 49ers. The 36-year-old Garcia would replace Mike McMahon as the Eagles' No. 2 QB.
| | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Deshea Townsend
Steelers
| Giants?
| Giants' No. 2 option?
In addition to Sam Madison, the Giants could consider Townsend as an option for their thin secondary, The Star-Ledger reports. Townsend, 30, had 11 INTs and 35 passes defensed in the past three seasons in Pittsburgh.
| | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Jay Fiedler
Jets
| Giants?
| Same city, different team?
The Giants' search for a backup to Eli Manning might lead to Fiedler, The Star-Ledger reports. The Giants pursued Fiedler last offseason before the veteran quarterback decided to sign with the Jets. Pressed into duty early last season when Chad Pennington hurt his shoulder, Fielder suffered a shoulder injury of his own and was placed on injured reserve.
| | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Gus Frerotte
Dolphins
| | Frerotte finished in Miami?
According to the Miami Herald, Frerotte might be the Dolphins' next cost-cutting victim. Miami remains $4.2 million over the projected salary cap of $94.5 million for 2006, and if the cap is not extended, the team will need to make some cuts.
Frerotte, who earned $3 million in play-time incentives, is the most likely target, as he is scheduled to earn $4.38 million in 2006 because of rollover clauses that increased his base salary.
In addition to the monetary concerns, Miami head coach Nick Saban has made it clear to Frerotte that the team wants an upgrade at quarterback. "Everything is somewhat dependent on whether there is a CBA agreement," Frerotte's agent, Marvin Demoff, told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "If there is, Gus' contract issue could easily be revisited after the Dolphins look at other quarterbacks. But the issue still needs to be dealt with one way or the other."
| | Saturday, March 4 | | WHO | WHAT | THE SKINNY | 
Russell Davis
Cardinals
| Return??
| Davis' return not in the Cards
Davis appears set to enter the free-agent market, as negotiations with the Cardinals have not gone well. The two sides have exchanged offers, but there is a wide gulf to bridge to consummate a deal.
"They have been very, very vocal in the desire and interest in having Russell back," Davis' agent, Pat Dye said. "Unfortunately at the end of the day, you have to measure desire and interest in dollars." Davis, the team's starting nose tackle, missed most of last season with torn biceps.
| | WHO | WHAT | THE SKINNY | 
Dan Campbell
Cowboys
| Return??
| Campbell on his way out
The Cowboys have not made an offer to Campbell, their offensive captain last season, and it appears likely that he has played his last game in Dallas, the Dallas Morning News reports.
"It looks like a done deal he won't be back," Campbell's agent, Leonard Roth said. New Orleans could be Campbell's most ardent suitor because of his previous relationship with Saints coach Sean Payton with the Cowboys and New York Giants.
| | WHO | WHAT | THE SKINNY | 
Antonio Chatman
Packers
| Free agent ?
| Chatman sent Packing
The Packers appear set to part with Chatman, as the team opted against making a tender to the diminutive wide receiver, the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports. The lowest restricted free-agent tender for Chatman would have cost $712,000 and given the Packers the right to match any offer he signed in free agency.
While Chatman caught 49 passes last season, at 5-foot-8, 183 pounds, he doesn't fit new coach Mike McCarthy's plan, which is to load up on the big receivers more traditionally seen in the West Coast offense.
Chatman's agent, Mark Mersel, said several teams called him Friday morning expressing interest in signing Chatman, who also is a punt returner. "We were kind of excited about his prospects (Thursday), and are even more so now," Mersel said.
| | Friday, March 3 | | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Jerry Azumah
Bears
| | Azumah calling it quits?
After undergoing hip surgery, Azumah's future remains unclear. The cornerback is set to become an unrestricted free agent, but might be forced into retirement, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. In addition to his hip problems, Azumah also re-injured his neck in the playoff loss to Carolina. "Maybe he'll be brand new; we don't know yet," Bears GM Jerry Angelo said. "The No. 1 thing is we want to make sure, as he does, that he's healthy and can go on leading a normal life after football. That is first and foremost with his agent, with Jerry and obviously with us."
| | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Eric Moulds
Bills
| | Moulds done in Buffalo?
Moulds' future in Buffalo became more uncertain Thursday after he rejected the Bills' second request this week to take a pay cut.
"This thing is going nowhere," Moulds' personal adviser, Greg Johnson, told The Associated Press after he and the player's agent, Harry Henderson, held talks with the Bills. "The dollars they're presenting at this particular time are much too low. We're way too far apart to have an intelligent conversation anymore." Moulds, who has a 2006 base salary of $6.089 million and a salary-cap figure of $10.85 million, has said he is unwilling to take a substantial pay cut. The Bills are expected to cut Moulds, a move that would save the team $5.5 million in cap room, but Johnson said he is unsure when that will happen.
| | Thursday, March 2 | | WHO | WHAT | THE SKINNY | 
Brett Favre
Packers
| Retirement
| Favre will wait and see
Favre doesn't plan to make a decision regarding his future until he sees what personnel moves the Packers make this offseason.
"In some ways, I'm kind of waiting to see what we do free agent-wise and in the draft and those things," Favre told ESPN Tuesday. "And they're probably kind of waiting on me, too. So it's a little bit of a waiting game. Right now, I'm just trying to get away from it as much as I can and clear my mind, as hard as that may be."
New Packers coach Mike McCarthy recently told the Green Bay Press-Gazette he is "optimistic" Favre will return in 2006.
"I just go by the visit we had and the conversations we've had. They're all positive," McCarthy said. "I have a good feeling about it. I could be wrong, but my personality is that I am an optimistic individual."
The Packers haven't imposed a deadline on Favre, and McCarthy has not placed any pressure on the quarterback to make a decision.
In an ESPN interview on Jan. 29, Favre said he was leaning toward retirement, although he hadn't made up his mind.
"I wish I knew where I stood," Favre told Chris Mortensen. "If I had to pick right now and make a decision, I would say I'm not coming back." Favre has a $10 million salary cap number for 2006, and his retirement would accelerate $2.4 million of unamortized signing bonus into the cap. But his departure would create a net gain of $7.6 million in cap room because his $7 million base salary and $3 million roster bonus would be wiped off the books.
| | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Charles Woodson
Raiders
| | Woodson on his way out
Woodson's days in a Raiders uniform appear to be over. The cost of placing the franchise tag on Woodson for a third straight year would be $12.6 million, and the Raiders are not prepared to dole out that kind of money to the oft-injured cornerback. In fact, the San Francisco Chronicle reports that the team will not use the franchise tag on anyone this year.
Woodson, who hasn't played a full 16-game season since 2001, made $10.529 million in 2005, more than one-eighth of the team's entire payroll. The Raiders have no interest in negotiating a long-trem deal with Woodson, who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. "He's finally gone. There is no value in bringing him back, period," a source told the Chronicle.
| | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Derek Smith
49ers
| Packers?
| Packers after LB Smith
Looking to upgrade their linebacker corps, the Packers are expected to pursue Smith, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. The 31-year-old Smith led the 49ers in tackles last season for the fifth consecutive year. The nine-year veteran made $2.5 million in 2005 and will likely command a similar salary on the free-agent market.
| | Wednesday, March 1 | | WHO | WHAT | THE SKINNY | 
Will Shields
Chiefs
| Released?
| Chiefs to cut Shields?
Thirteen-year veteran Will Shields, one of the most celebrated offensive linemen in recent NFL history, could be a salary cap casualty if his contract for 2006 is not readjusted, ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli reports. Chiefs officials have been discussing with Shields and his representative various scenarios to reduce his cap figure for 2006, the final season of his current deal. Shields is scheduled to earn a $5.1 million base salary, and is due a $400,000 roster bonus, and he carries a 2006 cap charge of $6.67 million.
| | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Kevin Shaffer
Falcons
| | Falcons losing Shaffer?
Shaffer's agent, Alan Herman, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the free-agent left tackle most likely will not be returning to the Falcons.
"My expectation is that he will not be back," Herman told the paper. "He will explore free agency to the fullest. He'll probably be playing for another team." The Falcons have said they would like to re-sign Shaffer, but they feel second-year tackle Frank Omiyale is ready to take over the spot if necessary.
| | Tuesday, February 28 | | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Ty Law
Jets
| Dolphins?
Chiefs?
Jaguars?
Patriots?
| Law review in K.C.?
Once the Chiefs clear some cap space, look for them to show a strong interest in Law, writes Pro Football Weekly. 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.
Due to salary-cap concerns, the Jets recently parted with Law, who would have been owed an $11 million option bonus on March 3.
Law, a five-time Pro Bowler, says he wants to play for a contender and has identified Miami has an appealing destination. However, the odds are against Law winding up in a Dolphins uniform, the Palm Beach Post reports.
After playing for the discounted price of $2.5 million after foot surgery, the 32-year-old is looking for his final big payday in guaranteed money.
"I'd say around $10 million," Law said. The Dolphins likely will balk at giving a big contract to an aging cornerback who at one point last season had nearly twice as many pass interference penalties (nine) as interceptions (five).
| | WHO | WHAT | THE SKINNY | 
Ray Lewis
Ravens
| Trade?
| Status quo for Ray Lewis
A source close to the Ravens says the team will not trade Lewis for anything less than a first-round pick, no matter how unhappy the linebacker is, writes Pro Football Weekly.
According to ESPN.com's John Clayton, Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome has no intention of trading his defensive star and fully expects Lewis to be in Baltimore's lineup this fall. As his career winds down, Lewis has been seeking one more big contract, but Baltimore gave Lewis a lucrative seven-year deal before the 2002 season and has no interest in revisiting the issue.
| | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
L.J. Shelton
Browns
| Dolphins?
| Shelton, Browns talking
The Browns and Shelton's agent remain focused on getting deal done before the start of free agency, according to The Plain Dealer. Shelton, who turns 30 next month, would be the second- or third-best left tackle available in what figures to be a weak market. The Dolphins are believed to be among the teams expected to pursue Shelton if he becomes a free agent.
| | Monday, February 27 | | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Chris Hope
Steelers
| | Clinging to Hope?
The Steelers have made verbal overtures aimed at retaining Hope, and will try to keep their starting free safety off the unrestricted market, ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli reports.
"They've told us that Chris is one of their top targets [to re-sign]," agent Braylon Bennett told ESPN.com, "and we're taking them at their word. The thing is, without an extension [to the collective bargaining agreement], doing business will be hard. So we'll see what happens. No matter what, our feeling is that Chris will be the top free agent safety." Hope is one of 11 Steelers who are eligible to become unrestricted free agents. The 25-year-old led Pittsburgh with three interceptions and ranked fifth on the team with 70 solo tackles last season.
| | Sunday, February 26 | | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Mike Vanderjagt
Colts
| | Kicked to the curb?
Mike Vanderjagt's 46-yard playoff miss in the final seconds against the Steelers might have been his last field-goal attempt with the Colts.
Vanderjagt will become an unrestricted free agent on March 3 and Indianapolis seems ready to move on.
"In our minds, we are looking," Colts president Bill Polian said from the NFL scouting combine, the Indianapolis Star reported. "Mike will be free and he'll probably elect to go somewhere else. We figure it will be an area we have to fill."
| | Saturday, February 25 | | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Michael Haynes
Bears
| | Haynes on his way out?
After a hugely disappointing third season, Haynes is unlikely to return, the Daily Southtown reports. The former first-round pick was a game-day inactive six times last year and general manager Jerry Angelo admitted the youngster might need a change of scenery.
"We made an investment in a player, and I believe you play your investments out," Angelo said. "Is that 100 percent sure he's gonna be on our team's Opening Day roster? I can't guarantee that, either. But he's on our team and he has talent. If he continues to work, that's a big part of it. Hopefully, he's motivated.
"I can't speak for Mike, but he has talent, he is here and we're always looking out for the best interest of this team." Asked if Haynes even wanted to return, Angelo said, "He probably doesn't. It hasn't worked out real well for him. I understand that. But we'll just see how things unfold."
| | Friday, February 24 | | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Joe Jurevicius
Seahawks
| Browns?
Patriots?
| Homecoming for Jurevicius?
Jurevicius told The Plain Dealer he would consider heading home to Cleveland if the Browns made an attempt to sign him as a free agent.
"But everything is out of my hands. It's a matter of do the teams want me and am I the type of player that fits into their system?" he told the paper.
The Seahawks are believed to be interested in re-sign Jurevicius, and the Patriots are also considered a possible suitor. A "character" player with size (6-foot-5, 240 pounds) and sure hands, Jurevicius fits the Patriots mold. In fact, the Patriots considered signing Jurevicius as a free agent in 2002 before settling on Donald Hayes. The 31-year-old Jurevicius, who will become an unrestricted free agent on March 3, enjoyed a career season in 2005 (55 catches, 10 touchdowns). Every team he's played for (Giants, Tampa Bay and Seattle) has reached the Super Bowl.
| | Wednesday, February 22 | | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Julian Peterson
49ers
| | Peterson finished in S.F.?
According to multiple reports, the 49ers do not plan to use the franchise designation this year, meaning Peterson is likely done in San Francisco. A franchise player in 2005, Peterson can command a 20 percent raise over last year's salary, thanks to a stipulation in the soon-to-expire collective bargaining agreement.
The 49ers, a team with many pressing needs, are unlikely to pay Peterson the kind of money he would command as a free agent. Coming off a torn Achilles' tendon, Peterson was slow to round into form in 2005. His productuion was also hampered by a hamstring injury. "No player will be bigger than the team," 49ers head coach Mike Nolan told the San Francisco Chronicle. "I don't think there's someone on the roster right now who I think is bigger than the team."
| | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Joey Harrington
Lions
| | Harrington in the fold
Lions GM Matt Millen confirmed that he plans on keeping Harrington, and believes the beleaguered quarterback will be Detroit's starter in 2006.
"We do like him and I do think he'll be our guy and that's how we're going to approach it," Millen said on Tuesday at the team's suburban practice facility. "We're going to approach it that Harrington's our starter and we move forward and coach the heck out of him and we get him into the system and we start the process." Harrington has two years left on his original six-year deal, which pays him base salaries of $4.45 million in '06 and '07. He's scheduled to receive a $4 million bonus if he is on the roster June 15.
| | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Michael Bennett
Vikings
| Packers?
Cardinals?
| Bennett moving on
Bennett's days with the Vikings have apparently come to an end.
"They told my agent they're going in another direction, so I won't be coming back," Bennett said in a phone interview with the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "It's disappointing, because you felt you established yourself there and you wanted to be one of those guys who stayed with a team throughout his whole career. But it didn't work out for me."
Slowed by an preseason injury, Bennett played sparingly in 2005, rushing for only 473 yards and three touchdowns. The Cardinals -- whose head coach, Dennis Green, selected Bennett in the first round of the 2001 draft, are expected to pursue Bennett. The Packers are also considered a possibility for the Milwaukee native.
"I don't know where I could end up; anywhere, really," Bennett said. "But those would be two great places." The Vikings have also informed cornerback Ralph Brown, center Cory Withrow and quarterback Shaun Hill they won't be re-signed, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
| | Monday, February 20 | | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Ricky Williams
Dolphins
| Broncos?
Texans?
| Williams trade on hold
With Williams facing a one-year suspension for allegedly violating the NFL's substance abuse policy for a fourth time, trade talk involving the Dolphins' running back is on hold. Miami head coach Nick Saban has admitted he is willing to move Williams if the right deal presents itself.
The Broncos have had at least two internal discussions about acquiring Williams, but have not spoken to the Dolphins about a deal. The Denver Post reported that coach Mike Shanahan might consider trading for Williams but likely only if the team does not trade for receiver Terrell Owens.
The Texans have also been mentioned as a potential suitor.
| | Thursday, February 16 | | WHO | WHAT | THE SKINNY | 
Deion Sanders
Ravens
| Retirement
| Sanders set to retire?
Although Sanders announced on Sporting News Radio that he plans to retire, he has yet to inform the Ravens of his intentions, according to The Baltimore Sun. Sanders has spent the last two seasons in Baltimore. It's believed the future Hall of Fame cornerback will return to television, where he made his mark as an analyst for CBS after his initial retirement in 2000.
| | Wednesday, February 15 | | WHO | WHAT | THE SKINNY | 
La'Roi Glover
Rams
| Return?
| Glover doesn't fit in Dallas
Glover wants to return to the Cowboys, but his future remains unclear. The 31-year old lost his starting job to Jason Ferguson in the last month of the season and is due a $1.5 million roster bonus in March. Glover told the Forth Worth Star-Telegram he want to play.
"That would be true. I want to play. I do want to be a full-time guy," Glover said. "I'd like to have a bigger role." In his first season in the Cowboys' new 3-4 defensive scheme and playing nose tackle, Glover finished with 28 tackles and three sacks. He had been starting most of the season, until Ferguson, whom they signed as a free agent in the off-season, took over.
| | Tuesday, February 14 | | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
T.J. Duckett
Falcons
| Panthers?
| Falcons' shopping Duckett?
One rumor making the rounds at the Pro Bowl had the Falcons willing to part with RB T.J. Duckett in trade, and the Carolina Panthers have been mentioned as a potential suitor. Carolina starter DeShaun Foster becomes a free agent in March and is coming off surgery for a broken leg.
| | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Tim Couch
Packers
| Texans
Dolphins?
Bengals?
Seahawks?
Titans?
| Couch drawing interest
Former Browns QB Tim Couch has worked out for the Texans and is also on the Dolphins' and Seahawks' radar.
Previously, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported that the Bengals are considering Couch as a backup to Carson Palmer for next season. Current backup Jon Kitna is expected to leave via free agency.
One other possible destination for Couch is Tennessee. Couch recently worked out for the Titans. Couch, the No. 1 pick of the 1999 draft, missed all of last season recovering from shoulder surgery.
| | Sunday, February 12 | | WHO | INTERESTED | THE SKINNY | 
Antonio Bryant
Browns
| | Brown out?
The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that Antonio Bryant, who is the fifth player in franchise history to post a 1,000-yard receiving season, likely won't return to the team. The Browns are saying the the wideout wants to test free agency, and although it isn't saying so publicly, the team won't make an big effort to bring him back, the newspaper reports.
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03-11-2006, 11:12 PM
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