Chiefs to deal fourth-rounder for Jets' Edwards

The worst-kept secret during this NFL season will soon no longer be a secret.

FOXSports.com has learned that the Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets have agreed on compensation for Herm Edwards with the Chiefs surrendering a fourth-round pick in this year's draft. As a result, the Chiefs and Edwards' agents are right now hammering out a contract to make Edwards Kansas City's new head coach. Working out a contract appears to be the final hurdle in closing the book on this drama.

The entire fiasco became quite puzzling over the last week or so with Peterson playing his cards very smart in this deal. On Thursday, Edwards told his staff that he would not be returning to the Jets regardless of whether or not he got a deal worked out with the Chiefs. As a result of that, Peterson has known he wouldn't have to give up the farm to get a deal done. Because of how public Edwards' desire to leave had become, Jets GM Terry Bradway was actually lucky to get a fourth-rounder as compensation.

The Peterson-Edwards relationship is a deep one with Peterson having recruited Edwards out of high school, trying to get him to declare to UCLA. It was also Peterson who signed Edwards as an undrafted college free agent with the Eagles in 1977, one year before the Miracle of the Meadowlands when Edwards returned Giants QB Joe Pisarcik's fumble for a game-winning touchdown.

Their relationship continued in Kansas City when Peterson hired Edwards in 1989 as a Minority Fellowship coach and then Peterson hired Marvin Lewis in the same capacity in 1991. Both have since turned into successful head coaches in the league. Edwards was also mentored to coach by Tony Dungy, who the Chiefs DB coach his first three years in Kansas City. Edwards then took over as the Chiefs secondary coach from 1992-1994.

Edwards took the Jets to the playoffs in three of his first four years, but his family life never truly meshed with New York. Rumors that Edwards would end up with the Chiefs began swirling as early as training camp.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5225998

Why are the Lions never up on things like this? Give up a 2nd rder for Parcells and let's go. We would have boytched the deal and got another Keith Smith or some shit.

Packers choose 49ers' offensive coordinator

The Green Bay Packers have chosen their successor to Mike Sherman and are currently in negotiations to hire their new man.

The Packers have selected 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy as their head coach after a tremendous interview on Sunday afternoon. The team called the other candidates early Wednesday to inform them they had made their choice. McCarthy was the team's quarterbacks coach in 1999 where he coached Brett Favre under Ray Rhodes.

McCarthy was hired last year as Mike Nolan's offensive coordinator after serving in the same role under Jim Haslett in New Orleans. The two sides are scheduled to continue negotiations through the night in order to have a deal finalized by Thursday morning.

The team also interviewed coaches such as the Cowboys' Sean Payton, the Chargers' Wade Phillips, their current defensive coordinator Jim Bates, Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera among others.

McCarthy has coached a solid pedigree of quarterbacks including Favre, Rich Gannon, Aaron Brooks, Jake Delhomme and this past year No. 1 pick Alex Smith.


Vikings to name Eagles' Childress new coach


After all the coach firings in the NFL this week, we actually have a hiring.

FOXSports.com has learned that the Minnesota Vikings have agreed to a five-year deal with former Eagles offensive coordinator Brad Childress to become the team's new head coach. The team is expected to make it official Friday at an 11 a.m. press conference.

Childress flew into Minnesota on Monday night for his first interview, then had a second interview Wednesday evening after the Vikings brass returned from interviewing Colts assistant head coach Jim Caldwell.

Childress replaces Mike Tice, who was fired Sunday night following the team's season finale. Childress was scheduled to interview in Houston on Friday for the Texans opening, and then Green Bay on Tuesday and possibly the Saints.

Childress was one of the hottest candidates on the open market, and the Vikings like what he brings to their offense, particularly the quarterback position. In Philadelphia, Childress was credited with turning Donovan McNabb into the elite quarterback he is now and crafting a strong, ball-control philosophy.

He has been the Eagles' offensive coordinator the past four seasons and helped guide the Eagles to four consecutive NFC championships and last season's Super Bowl, a run that ended with a disappointing, injury-ravaged season in 2005.

The 49-year-old Childress joined the Eagles as the team's quarterback coach in 1999 and served as the offensive coordinator at the University of Wisconsin before that.


Vikings hire Virginia Tech quarterbacks coach

The Minnesota Vikings added Virginia Tech quarterbacks coach Kevin Rogers to their staff on Wednesday to serve in the same capacity for new head coach Brad Childress.

Rogers, who has been an assistant for 27 years at the college level, worked with quarterback Donovan McNabb during four of his eight seasons at Syracuse.

Rogers went to Notre Dame in 199 and has been with the Hokies since 2002.

Childress helped develop McNabb in the NFL with Philadelphia, where he was the offensive coordinator since 2001 before being hired by the Vikings to replace the fired Mike Tice.

After hiring Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive backs coach Mike Tomlin to be his defensive coordinator, Childress now has two spots on his staff filled.

Vikings hire Bevell as offensive coordinator

The Minnesota Vikings hired Green Bay quarterbacks coach Darrell Bevell as their offensive coordinator Thursday.

Minnesota also hired Darrell Wyatt to coach the receivers, the same position he has held since 2002 at Oklahoma. Wyatt has coached in the college ranks since 1989.

Bevell has been an assistant with the rival Packers since 2000, serving as quarterbacks coach since 2003. He was a 23-year-old sophomore quarterback for Wisconsin in the 1993 season, leading the Badgers to a Big Ten title and the Rose Bowl. Bevell, who left Madison with 19 school passing records, was a college assistant from 1996-99 until moving to the NFL.


Mularkey out as Bills coach

Mike Mularkey has resigned as coach of the Buffalo Bills.

Sources close to the situation indicate Mularkey actually made the decision Wednesday, and the team will make it official at an 11 a.m. ET press conference Friday.

The leading candidate to replace him is ex-Saints coach Jim Haslett.

The Bills become the 10th team who will have a new coach heading into next season.

Mularkey, who had three years left on his contract, was originally retained despite struggling in his second season in Buffalo. He went 5-11 this season after a 9-7 debut a season ago.

Mularkey's resignation announcement came a week after the Bills hired Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy to take over as general manager. Levy replaced team president and GM Tom Donahoe, who was fired last week.

Word is Mularkey saw what was going on with the 87 year-old owner and the "new" 80 year-old GM calling all the shots and decided to get the fuck outta Dodge.

I don't blame him, that team is going to be a mess for years to come.

Maybe the Lions can play them in the Toilet Bowl as a part of the Super Bowl pre-game?

On his first full day on the job, Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy faced the difficult task of releasing six assistant coaches and two staff members.

Missing from the list was the name of Jim Bates, possibly indicating the team's respected defensive coordinator will stick around under the new regime.

McCarthy said in an interview Friday evening that he didn't get to meet with Bates as he had hoped, but he still hopes they can work something out.

"I think it's just a matter of us sitting down," McCarthy said.

Bates did not return a telephone call from The Associated Press.

McCarthy said he also wasn't able to speak Friday with quarterback Brett Favre, who is considering whether to retire or return for another season. The two had traded phone messages Thursday, the day McCarthy was introduced as the new coach.

This is McCarthy's first head coaching job and he isn't used to firing people.

"That was tough," he said. "It was very hard, particularly for the gentlemen I've worked with before."

But, he added, "I have a plan and I'm going to do what's best for the Green Bay Packers."

Among those released: secondary/safeties coach Joe Baker, offensive line coach Larry Beightol, special teams coordinator John Bonamego, linebackers coach Mark Duffner, offensive coordinator Tom Rossley and strength and conditioning coach Barry Rubin.

The team also released director of football administration Bruce Warwick and weight room assistant Vince Workman.

First day on the job and he fires 8 coaches and staff members. Damn!

Jets offer coaching job to Mangini

The New York Jets have chosen their head coach and it's the man everyone believed it would be. Now, it's up to the two sides working through the night to get a deal done.

New England sources have told FOXSports.com that the Jets have chosen Patriots defensive coordinator Eric Mangini to be their new head coach and have begun negotiations on a deal. Magini has not yet signed but the two sides are expected to negotiate throughout the night to get a deal done.

If they can agree to a deal then he would be the replacement for Herm Edwards and an announcement would come Tuesday or Wednesday.

If, for some reason, the two sides cannot come to a financial agreement then the Jets would turn their attention toward Jim Haslett, Mike Tice and Tim Lewis. However, according to the sources Mangini is negotiating with the idea of getting a deal worked out.

Mangini went from the Patriots defensive backs coach last year to defensive coordinator this season after Romeo Crennel bolted for the Browns.

The Jets, in essence, traded Edwards to the Chiefs last week for a fourth-round pick. The Jets are unsure who their quarterback will be this year and have told several candidates of such. Thus, New York, if they can't trade for a QB may use their first round pick on a viable starter in case Chad Pennington cannot return to form.

I personally think Mangini will be a good coach in the League. He will struggle his first year but with the Jets rebuilding he should have an opportunity to grow with the job.

Solid hire for the Jets.

Jim Bates leaving the Packers on "mutual agreement"

New coach McCarthy needs new defensive coordinator

After being bypassed for the Packers' head coaching job, Green Bay defensive coordinator Jim Bates will not return to the team in 2006.

Bates, who interviewed for the job last week, and the team announced Monday that he was leaving by "mutual agreement" rather than remain as the coordinator for first-year coach Mike McCarthy. Bates and McCarthy spoke over the weekend about the possibility of Bates staying on the staff, but subsequently agreed to part ways.

Said Bates, one of seven candidates interviewed as the possible successor to Mike Sherman, and who was said to have been very disappointed when he didn't land it: "I felt like it was best for Mike."

Bates, 59, was 3-4 as interim coach of the Miami Dolphins in 2004 after Dave Wannstedt resigned. He joined Sherman's staff in Green Bay in 2005 and, despite a rash of injuries, enacted significant changes and progress.

A unit that statistically ranked 25th in total defense in 2004 finished No. 7 this season. Green Bay led the league in defense against the pass and, under Bates' stewardship, reduced its points surrendered by 5.0 per game. Some veteran Packers players solidly supported Bates' candidacy to replace Sherman, and at one point in the search process he was regarded as the frontrunner.

On the day he was introduced as Sherman's successor, McCarthy suggested that Bates might remain with the team. Bates was not among the coaches dismissed last week as McCarthy began to assemble his own staff.

"It's my job as head coach to find the best person who fits in the coaching staff," McCarthy told The Associated Press. "I was hopeful it would work [with Bates] but it's not there. It's not a negative -- it's two people being mature about the situation."

It is not known where McCarthy will turn for a defensive coordinator. On Sunday, he hired Atlanta Falcons offensive line coach Jeff Jagodzinski as offensive coordinator.

Bates has not been interviewed for any other current head coach openings. If Chargers offensive coordinator Cam Cameron is hired to coach the St. Louis Rams, there is a chance that Bates and recently dismissed Packers offensive line coach Larry Beightol could be a part of his staff.

A 15-year NFL veteran, Bates has served on staffs in Cleveland (1991-93, 1995), Atlanta (1994), Dallas (1996-99) and Miami (2000-2004), in addition to working in Green Bay. He has an extensive college background and also worked in the USFL, including a stint as head coach of the San Antonio Gunslingers.

Saints to name Cowboys' Payton new coach

Another coaching vacancy has been filled.

FOXSports.com has learned that the New Orleans Saints have agreed in principle to a deal to make Dallas offensive coordinator Sean Payton their new head coach. The two sides are trying to iron out a final contract, which has not yet been signed.

Payton interviewed twice with Saints general manager Mickey Loomis, as did Jets defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson. Other top candidates included Browns offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon and former Packers coach Mike Sherman.

Payton won out after strong recommendations from close coaching cronies inside the division, Carolina's John Fox and Tampa Bay's Jon Gruden, as well as from many others throughout the NFL. He was offered the Raiders' coaching job two years ago but turned it down.

The Saints were searching for a coach who would work well with a young quarterback. New Orleans has the second overall pick in April's draft and is expected to draft either Matt Leinart or Vince Young with that selection. Hiring Payton makes sense in that regard.

Payton is Bill Parcells' offensive coordinator after having served the same role with the New York Giants under Jim Fassel, where he worked with Fox. He also worked under Gruden in Philadelphia.

The team is expected to make an official announcement on Wednesday.

Bills interview Jauron

Interim Detroit Lions coach Dick Jauron interviewed for the Buffalo job Tuesday, the second candidate to talk to the Bills since coach Mike Mularkey's resignation last week.

Bills spokesman Scott Berchtold did not provide any details of Jauron's interview.

Jauron declined comment, referring questions to the Bills. Buffalo's WGRZ-TV filmed Jauron leaving the team's headquarters in a car driven by Bills owner Ralph Wilson.

Jauron is considered a strong candidate for the Buffalo job because he has previous NFL head coaching experience and is close to Marv Levy, the Hall of Fame coach hired by the Bills last week as general manager. Levy maintains a home in Chicago and broadcast Bears games while Jauron was the team's coach through 2003.

Jauron, a former Pro Bowl safety, also had a brief connection with Buffalo, beginning his professional coaching career as a Bills defensive backs assistant in 1985.

Buffalo's special teams coordinator Bobby April interviewed for the job on Friday.

Former Green Bay coach Mike Sherman is also expected to interview for the job this week. Sherman, fired by the Packers earlier this month, had also been a candidate for the New Orleans Saints' coaching vacancy, which reportedly will be filled by Dallas Cowboys assistant Sean Payton.

That means Payton is off the Bills' list of candidates. Buffalo had the Cowboys' permission to interview Payton but never got the opportunity to do so.

Other potential candidates for the Bills' opening include former Saints coach Jim Haslett; Chicago defensive coordinator Ron Rivera; and Baltimore offensive coordinator Jim Fassel.

Jauron went 35-46 in five seasons with the Bears and was the NFL Coach of the Year in 2001 following a 13-3 finish.

Fired after the 2003 season, Jauron spent the past two years as the Lions' defensive coordinator and took over as interim coach after Steve Mariucci was fired in late November.

Jauron also was an assistant coach with Jacksonville and Green Bay.

I see that Cam Cameron is a finalist for the Rams HC job.

^I thought they hired the Dolphins OC already.

Whoops.

Old news, I guess.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2304319


Haslett signs on as Rams defensive coordinator

By John Clayton
ESPN.com


The St. Louis Rams have hired former New Orleans Saints head coach Jim Haslett to be their defensive coordinator.


Haslett agreed to a three-year contract Tuesday morning. Haslett met with head coach Scott Linehan in Miami over the weekend and was offered the job. After thinking about it Monday night, Haslett decided to accept it Tuesday morning.

Haslett was the 2000 NFL Coach of the Year in his first season after leading the Saints to the only playoff victory in team history. But he never made it back to the postseason, finishing 45-51 in six seasons for the second-most victories in team history behind Jim Mora's 93. The Saints went 3-13 this season after being displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

New Orleans hasn't had a winning season since 2002, and this year was marred before it even began. Katrina hit New Orleans less than two weeks before the regular season, and the Saints ended up playing four home games in Baton Rouge, La., three in San Antonio and one "home" game against the New York Giants that irked the Saints players because it was played in New Jersey.

Regardless of whether the circumstances contributed, the Saints finished tied with Green Bay as the worst team in the league in turnover margin. The Saints had 24 more turnovers than their opponents.

They also allowed seven returns for touchdowns on turnovers or blocked kicks without getting one of their own.

Haslett broke in as an NFL coach working with linebackers with the Los Angeles Raiders in 1993 before his first stint with the Saints in 1995-96. He was the defensive coordinator his second year with the Saints and for three seasons with Pittsburgh from 1997-99.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Kubiak introduced as Texans' new coach

As a ball boy for the Houston Oilers more than 25 years ago, Gary Kubiak never thought he would eventually coach the team that replaced them.

But he long vowed that he would return to Houston. On Thursday he did, and was introduced as the second coach of the Houston Texans.
"I always told my mom and dad I would be home someday," he said. "I think they started not to believe me after a while. But I finally made it back."

Kubiak, who spent the last 11 years as Denver's offensive coordinator, inherits a team that had a league-worst 2-14 record last season, costing Dom Capers his job. Kubiak reportedly signed a five-year contract worth about $10 million.

"I won't let you down. I promise you that," he told team owner Bob McNair after being introduced as coach. "The No. 1 thing is to have expectations. My dream is to see this city win a championship, and I am confident that we can get that done."

The Texans formally interviewed six candidates, including four offensive coordinators, but Kubiak, who has never been a head coach at any level, emerged as the front-runner quickly.

"It became obvious during the interviews that there was one person that really fit our situation and that was Gary," McNair said.

Kubiak, who grew up in Houston and is a former Texas A&M quarterback, played for Texans consultant Dan Reeves and backed up John Elway from 1983-91.

He said he hasn't evaluated Southern California running back Reggie Bush or Texas quarterback Vince Young, but that he's excited about getting to work on deciding whom the Texans will pick with the No. 1 draft choice.

Though he didn't have much to say about possible draft decisions, he said plenty about Houston quarterback David Carr, the top pick in the 2002 draft.

"I'll find a way to make him successful because it's in him," Kubiak said. "I'm a David Carr fan. I like the skills he has. There is no reason that David shouldn't be a successful quarterback."

McNair agreed and said he thinks Carr can take the Texans to the Super Bowl, but that doesn't mean drafting Young is out of the question.

"We're going to look at any and all options," McNair said. "Whether it's keeping the pick or trading or whatever."

The Texans must decide by the Pro Bowl if they want to pick up the option on Carr's contract to keep him with the team.

Kubiak also must assemble a staff and meet the Texans players. He said he hasn't talked to any of the players so far.

Kubiak briefly coached at Texas A&M before joining Mike Shanahan on George Seifert's staff in San Francisco in 1994. With Shanahan as the offensive coordinator and Kubiak as the quarterbacks coach, the 49ers won the Super Bowl and Steve Young was named the MVP.

Shanahan became Broncos coach the following season and took Kubiak with him. Since then, the Broncos have had one of the league's top 10 offenses in 10 of 11 seasons and won two Super Bowls. The Broncos ranked fifth in total offense in 2005.

Kubiak was a candidate for the job the first time around and was interviewed in 2001 before the Texans picked Capers.

McNair said he felt Kubiak wasn't ready to be a head coach then, but this time he was exactly what the Texans wanted.

McNair, along with Reeves and general manager Charley Casserly, agreed that the team needed to make improving the passing game a priority and that the Texans wanted a coach with an "aggressive philosophy."

"Gary is the kind of person that can elevate the play of our players," McNair said.

Kubiak vividly remembers sitting in the old Astrodome, which now sits sadly in the shadow of the dazzling Reliant Stadium, and cheering for the Oilers.

But he said those memories will now be overshadowed by the thrill of becoming the Texans coach.

"That was exciting, but today is off the charts," he said with a smile. "It just really hit me that hey it's for real. This is very special."
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5281250

Bills hire Fairchild as offensive coordinator

Steve Fairchild is back with the Buffalo Bills, hired as the team's offensive coordinator Wednesday and given the task of improving one of the NFL's worst offenses.

Fairchild, who spent the past three seasons as the St. Louis Rams' offensive coordinator, broke into the NFL as the Bills' running backs coach in 2001-02.

He becomes the second assistant hired by Dick Jauron, named head coach Monday. The former Chicago Bears head coach replaced Mike Mularkey, who abruptly resigned two weeks ago.

Fairchild, a candidate for the coordinator's job before Mularkey's departure, replaces Tom Clements, one of five Bills assistants fired three weeks ago.

Neither Jauron nor Fairchild were available for comment.

The Bills offense finished 28th in the NFL in total yards last season. The offense especially struggled under first-year starting quarterback J.P. Losman, who eventually lost the job to journeyman backup Kelly Holcomb.

The sputtering offense contributed to the Bills' 5-11 finish. The team missed the playoffs for the sixth straight season.

With 19 years experience as a college assistant, Fairchild has enjoyed success during his brief NFL tenure.

With Buffalo, he was credited for helping develop running back Travis Henry, who had a career-high 1,438 yards rushing in 2002.

In St. Louis, Fairchild helped spur one of the league's best passing games. The Rams finished ninth in the NFL in total yards and fourth in passing last season.

It's unclear whether Jauron will keep the nine assistant coaches the Bills retained from last season. Defensive coordinator Jerry Gray already has said he doesn't expect to return.

Jauron's first hire was Bill Kollar as defensive line coach.

The Bills have yet to hire a defensive backs and linebackers coach.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2306208

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2307915


Raiders meet with former Rams coach Martz

By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com

Even as Oakland officials bide their time, waiting for an opportunity to meet with Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt after Super Bowl XL, the Raiders added to their list of head coach candidates.


Owner Al Davis and other Raiders officials spent much of Thursday interviewing former St. Louis Rams coach Mike Martz about the vacancy created by the Jan. 3 dismissal of Norv Turner following just two seasons and a 9-23 record. It is believed that Martz requested the session and that Davis, who loves to pick the brains of coaches around the league, was quick to arrange the interview.



Martz became the fifth known candidate for the job. The Raiders previously interviewed former Kansas City offensive coordinator Al Saunders, former Tampa Bay defensive line coach Rod Marinelli, current San Diego wide receivers coach James Lofton and current Oakland quarterbacks coach John Shoop, who is still under contract.


Marinelli was subsequently hired by the Detroit Lions last week as their new coach and Saunders joined the Washington Redskins staff as assistant head coach.


There has been some speculation that the Raiders will also interview former New York Giants coach Jim Fassel, who currently is the Baltimore Ravens' offensive coordinator, but such a meeting has not yet taken place.


Indications are that Davis will wait until after the Super Bowl on Feb. 5 to set up an interview with Whisenhunt, the Steelers' offensive coordinator the last two seasons, and an assistant whose stock is rising on the crest of a three-game playoff winning streak. Under league rules, the Raiders can have no contact with Whisenhunt, who seems to fit most of the qualifications Davis has historically sought, until after his season concludes.


In the meantime, Martz, who presided over one of the NFL's most explosive offenses during his Rams tenure, is an intriguing entry into the Oakland search. Given the depth of the Raiders' wide receiver corps, which includes Randy Moss, one would think that Martz could spend days drawing up plays and formations on a draw-erase board.


Martz, 54, compiled a 56-36 record with the Rams in six seasons (2000-2005), led the team to a pair of divisional titles and three playoff berths, and to a spot in Super Bowl XXXVI. He missed the final 11 games of the 2005 season while rehabilitating from a bout of endocarditis, an inflammation of a heart valve.


He was cleared by doctors to return to work Jan. 1, was dismissed by the Rams just after the season, and reached a settlement on the $3.25 million that remained on the final year of his contract in St. Louis. Martz interviewed for one head coaching vacancy, in New Orleans, but that job went to Sean Payton instead.

You faggots are probally getting martz [smilie=angryfire.g:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2310135

ass munchers (I took that from thekid)

YES!!! Fuck off suckas. You're both bitchmade.


(Raiders have always been my 2nd favorite - MO-LA)
That's just how it goes. I don't love you hoes.

Falcons hire Lombardi's grandson


Forty years after trying to hire his famous grandfather, the Atlanta Falcons on Monday named Joe Lombardi as a defensive assistant coach.

Lombardi, who comes to the Falcons from Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pa., will work with defensive coordinator Ed Donatell and possibly defensive line coach Bill Johnson.

Lombardi is the grandson of the late Vince Lombardi, the legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers.

When launching the franchise in 1966, Falcons founding owner Rankin Smith spoke with Vince Lombardi before naming one of Lombardi's assistants with Green Bay, Norb Hecker, as the team's first coach.

Joe Lombardi replaces Dennis Allen, who was recently hired as the defensive line coach for the New Orleans Saints.

Lombardi is a 1994 graduate of the Air Force Academy.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5331814


Leaf to coach QBs at West Texas A&M

NFL bust Ryan Leaf returned to football far from the spotlight Tuesday, joining Don Carthel's West Texas A&M staff as quarterbacks coach.

"I feel very honored to be a part of Coach Carthel's staff and a part of an up-and-coming successful program," Leaf said. "About a year after I retired from playing, I decided that I wanted to get back to college, where I had the greatest time of my life, and to get involved with college football."

Leaf, the former Washington State star drafted second overall by San Diego in 1998, spent five seasons in the NFL. His career was plagued by injuries and interceptions, along with numerous off-the-field problems.

After winning seven games in the four previous seasons, the Division II Buffaloes were 10-2 last season in Carthel's first year. Leaf takes over for Wes Phillips, who left along with offensive coordinator Lee Hays to take the same positions at Baylor.

"Ryan brings a great deal of football experience and knowledge to our quarterbacks. We're excited about him further developing our quarterbacks Dalton Bell and Keith Null," Carthel said Tuesday.
http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/5331858

Ryan Leaf as an QB coach? [smilie=rofl.gif]

Arizona re-signs quarterback Kurt Warner

The Arizona Cardinals signed Kurt Warner to a three-year contract on Tuesday, ending speculation about their quarterback plans. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The deal means the 34-year-old Warner, a two-time NFL Most Valuable Player who started 10 games for the Cardinals in an injury-shortened 2005 season, will enter training camp as the starter.

Though the club struggled to a 5-11 record in Warner's first season, the Cardinals offense finished among the NFL's top eight teams in total offense.

Warner moved to the Cardinals after a subpar 2004 season with the New York Giants. He had an immediate impact with Arizona in 2005, completing 242 of 375 passes for 2,713 yards. He threw 11 touchdown passes and nine interceptions. His 64.5- percent completion percentage set a team record, breaking the previous mark of 61.7 set by Steve Beuerlein in 1993. Warner's five 300-plus-yard passing games led the league.

A groin injury sidelined him for four games in October, and he missed the season's last two games with a knee injury.

Warner's impact went beyond the field, said Cardinals vice president for football operations Rod Graves

"I think more important, it was character," Graves said. "He did tremendously well with our young receivers. He set the tone for the attitude and the kind of effort and dedication that you have to have in order to be a winner.

Warner got his start in pro football in the Arena Football League and NFL Europe before blossoming into a star with the St. Louis Rams, with whom he played from 1998 to 2003.

Warner was the league's Most Valuable Player (1999 and 2001) and was selected to three Pro Bowls. He also was the MVP of the 2000 Super Bowl after leading the Rams to the championship against the Tennessee Titans.

In 73 appearances in eight NFL seasons, Warner has passed for 19,214 yards and 119 touchdowns. His career completion percentage of 65.7 (1,537-for-2,340) is the highest ever in the NFL, and his lifetime quarterback rating of 94.1 is second to Hall of Famer Steve Young (96.8) among quarterbacks who have thrown at least 1,500 passes.
http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/5332364

Sherman joins Texans staff

Mike Sherman wanted another head coaching job and was willing to sit out a year to wait for one.

But an aggressive owner, a former colleague and a little prodding from his wife made the ex-Green Bay coach abandon that plan and join the Houston Texans staff.

Sherman, who was fired by the Packers on Jan. 2 after posting the first losing record in his tenure there (4-12), was introduced Wednesday as Houston's assistant head coach for offense.

The 51-year-old Sherman had turned down offensive coordinator positions with Buffalo and the New York Jets when the Texans began wooing him.

He is a big fan of new Texans coach Gary Kubiak, once a fellow assistant at Texas A&M, and owner Bob McNair.

Sherman's wife, Karen, it turns out, is a big fan of him having a job.

"My wife was kind of kicking me out of the house saying you need to coach. This isn't going to work," he said, only half-joking. "She played a little part in that."

Then his tone turned serious.

"Gary's one of the very few people that I would have entertained doing this with," Sherman said. "Because I sincerely want him to be successful, and he will be, and hopefully I can be a part of it in some small way."

Kubiak became the second Texans coach after the team compiled an NFL-worst 2-14 record that led to the firing of Dom Capers.

The hiring of Sherman, who was 57-39 with four playoff trips in six seasons in Green Bay, all but completes Kubiak's new staff. Kubiak said he may add an assistant defensive line coach next week. His staff of 14 includes three holdovers from Capers' staff - Joe Marciano (special teams coordinator), Jon Hoke (defensive backs) and Chick Harris (running backs).

Sherman didn't address what his duties would be, instead preferring to characterize the position as a way to "help wherever they need me."

"Anywhere I can fit in there and maybe be someone he can bounce ideas off of because I've been through it," Sherman said. "You learn from the good things you did, but you learn a lot from the not-so-good things you did."

Kubiak, Denver's offensive coordinator the past 11 seasons, said he was thrilled when Sherman agreed to take the job.

"Here's a presence walking into your locker room and your meetings of success in this league, and that's what we're looking for," Kubiak said. "So it gives us another guy to show us how to do it."

Before last season, the Packers won more than 10 games the previous four seasons, including three straight NFC North division titles from 2002-04.

A former offensive line coach at Texas A&M and Green Bay, Sherman could also be a boost to Houston's porous offensive line. Quarterback David Carr has been sacked more than 200 times in his four NFL seasons.

Sherman said it took him a while to get over the firing in Green Bay.

"I felt like a big part of that from the ground up, and now to be disassociated with it, it's difficult," he said. "It's like getting divorced from something you've been very passionate about."

Now that he's taken a new challenge, Sherman said he has just one goal.

"My only agenda coming down here would be to win," he said. "I don't have an agenda that I'm looking for the next job. I just want to take care of business here and do everything I can while I'm here."
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5322348

Cashing in
Vanden Bosch agrees with Titans on multiyear deal

The Tennessee Titans reached an agreement Thursday with defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch on a multiyear deal that will keep him off the free-agent market.

The move comes a year after the team took a gamble by signing him to a one-year deal, and he responded with a career-high 12 1/2 sacks.

Vanden Bosch earned the veteran's minimum of $540,000 in a one-year deal for 2005 after four injury-plagued seasons in Arizona. Terms and the length of the deal weren't immediately available. The Titans scheduled a news conference for Friday.

The defensive end ranked fourth in the NFL in sacks in 2005, and his 12 1/2 sacks were the best in a season for the Titans since 1999, when Jevon Kearse set an NFL rookie record with 14 1/2.

"We're very pleased to have Kyle here for the next several years," general manager Floyd Reese said in a statement.

"Last season he exemplified himself as an important part of our defense through his work ethic and intensity on and off the field. It helps us to get something worked out with him before free agency, and I think both parties in this case were able to accomplish what they wanted with the deal."

Vanden Bosch didn't answer calls to his home. Messages for his agent, Tony Agnone, weren't immediately returned.

The defensive end played the run well, rarely coming off the field and finishing with 100 tackles, ranking second on the team. He was the first defensive lineman in the franchise to hit the mark since 1986, when Ray Childress and Richard Byrd did.

Vanden Bosch also had eight quarterback pressures, four forced fumbles and recovered one fumble.

As an injury replacement for Miami's Jason Taylor in the Pro Bowl, Vanden Bosch had a game-high two sacks with two pressures and three tackles for the AFC.

The 34th pick overall in 2001 by Arizona, Vanden Bosch tore the ACL in each knee in different seasons, limiting him to 35 games in four seasons and five career sacks. That attracted the attention of only three or four teams last spring, and Vanden Bosch signed with the Titans.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/football/nfl/02/16/bc.fbn.titans.vandenbos.ap/index.html

Bengals extend Lewis' contract

Coach Marvin Lewis got a two-year extension Thursday, leaving him under contract through 2010, for leading the Cincinnati Bengals to their first playoff appearance in 15 years.

The Bengals also announced that their coaching staff will return intact for next season.

Cincinnati went 11-5 -- its first winning record since 1990 -- and won the AFC North during Lewis' third season running the team. The Bengals lost to eventual Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh in the first round of the playoffs.

The breakthrough season ended one of the longest stretches of futility in NFL history.

"Marvin has done a wonderful job for the football club on the field and off, and we want to reward his efforts and continue the relationship well into the future," team owner Mike Brown said.

The club also said that all of Lewis' assistants have received contracts that run through at least 2007.

"The stability of our excellent staff will be a key as we continue building toward a world championship team," Lewis said.

Lewis and the Bengals declined comment beyond their statement.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/football/nfl/02/16/bc.fbn.bengals.lewis.ap/index.html

I started it's own thread but,....

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2336760

Bye, Bye, Ricky

Broncos sign Lynch to contract extension

Seven-time Pro Bowl safety John Lynch signed a two-year contract extension with the Denver Broncos on Tuesday through the 2008 season.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Lynch, who joined the Broncos in 2004 from Tampa Bay, is entering his 14th season in the NFL and third with Denver. He is 34.

In 195 regular-season games, Lynch has 1,118 tackles (677 solo), 26 interceptions and 12 sacks. He has 92 pass breakups, 14 forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries.

Lynch made five Pro Bowls (1997, 1999-02) with Tampa Bay and two more with Denver (2004-05). Last year, he started all 16 regular-season games for the Broncos.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5350222

Colts just signed Wayne to a 6 year/ $40 million deal with a 13 mil signing bonus.

This probably ensures the end of Edge there since they now have the highest and third highest paid WR's (Marvin and Wayne) in the NFL.

Wow, my personal feeling is that Wayne is a bit overrated and there are several guys the Colts could get cheaper that could produce in that offense, but Edge posing the constant fear of the run to offset the pass is a lot more valuable. Odd move. I think that team will fall apart rather quickly. Soon guys on the D will want big money, especially Freeney, and they simply won't be able to keep many impact guys at all. I'm sure with guys like Peyton and Harrison they'll always be at or above .500, but it's looking like their window - in spite of the relative youth of a lot of their guys - might only be their for a couple of years before they implode financially. But then who knows, maybe they'll hit the jackpot with some very good strategic draft choices. I've been wrong before.....a lot!

The only way Indi might be fine on this is if Marvin's deal isn't for much longer. I don't remember how long it was (he signed it a couple years ago), but if it expires/he retires before guys like Freeny want money they will be allright.

That said, they overpaid.

Walsh hired as Raiders' offensive coordinator

The Oakland Raiders reached deep into their past in choosing Art Shell as their new head coach. And now Shell has done the same in selecting his offensive coordinator.

In a move that has been rumored since he replaced Norv Turner as head coach, Shell has hired Tom Walsh to oversee an offense that, despite having plenty of potential playmakers, statistically ranked No. 21 in the league in 2005.

Walsh has not coached in the NFL since 1994, when he was fired, along with Shell, by the Raiders. Walsh hasn't worked at any level of the game since 1999, when he was director of operations and head coach of a minor-league franchise in Mobile, Ala., in 1999. Before that, he was head coach at Idaho State, where he compiled a 6-16 record in two seasons.

That recent idleness aside, Shell has great faith in Walsh, who worked for the Raiders from 1982 to '94, coaching quarterbacks and receivers before being elevated to coordinator. Walsh most recently has operated a bed-and-breakfast ranch and served as mayor of Swan Valley, Idaho.

Oakland's most recently hired coordinator, Jimmy Raye, is a close friend of Shell and the two have worked together in the past. But Raye departed the Raiders to become running backs coach with the New York Jets before Oakland hired Shell as head coach.

The Raiders did retain quarterbacks coach John Shoop, who actually interviewed for the head coach spot with the team, and he figures to have considerable input into the offensive design as well.

Also, as rumored, Shell has added Hall of Fame tackle Jackie Slater as offensive line coach. Slater played 20 seasons in the NFL, with the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001. He will work with another former NFL lineman, Irv Eatman, in tutoring the Raiders' blockers.

Former NFL defensive lineman Daryl Sims, who most recently was head coach of the Cologne franchise in the NFL Europe League, was hired as a defensive line assistant.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2341992

Raiders decline to use franchise tag on Woodson

February 23, 2006

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) -- The Oakland Raiders declined to use the franchise tag on cornerback Charles Woodson for a third straight season, making the Heisman Trophy winner an unrestricted free agent next month.

Woodson, who hasn't played a full season since 2001, was limited to six games last year before breaking his right leg Oct. 23 against Buffalo. He made $10.537 million last season and would have been guaranteed more than $12.6 million if he didn't sign a long-term contract.

Oakland could have matched any deal he signed or gotten compensation if he left with the franchise tag. Now Woodson will be an unrestricted free agent March 3.

Woodson was the fourth overall pick in the 1998 draft after winning the Heisman Trophy at Michigan. He made four Pro Bowls with the Raiders, intercepting 17 passes in 106 games.



http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AtPk2STajAiyTi7ZI2QUpfmR2bYF?slug=ap-raiders-woodson&prov=ap&type=lgns

All it takes is one team dumb enough to pay the Postons what they will demand for him. But if he doesnt want to take our long term deal offer, fuck him.

well, I would offer Peterson a deal. Even if he says it's not even close to what he wants. Might as well try.

I wouldn't offer a huge deal though, since we could find LB's like Schlagel, London, etc in the 4th or 5th rounds.

This would be a great year for players who played their college ball in the state (Peterson - State, Woodson, Cato June, Runyan, Griese - UM) to make an exodus to Michigan's pro team on the cheap. It would have been especially nice had Hutch not been tagged. Maybe Backus could join the celebration by resigning on the cheap.

It's nice to dream sometimes, isn't it?

This would be a great year for players who played their college ball in the state (Peterson - State, Woodson, Cato June, Runyan, Griese - UM) to make an exodus to Michigan's pro team on the cheap. It would have been especially nice had Hutch not been tagged. Maybe Backus could join the celebration by resigning on the cheap.

It's nice to dream sometimes, isn't it?

It would be nice to add just a couple of those. Griese and June or Peterson would be great. I can't see any shot at Woodson for us. If we hadn't paid Bryant all that money maybe, but the other ones would certainly be options if the money is right.

This would be a great year for players who played their college ball in the state (Peterson - State, Woodson, Cato June, Runyan, Griese - UM) to make an exodus to Michigan's pro team on the cheap. It would have been especially nice had Hutch not been tagged. Maybe Backus could join the celebration by resigning on the cheap.

It's nice to dream sometimes, isn't it?
woodson wouldnt play in detroit for cheap. that dream isnt even half happening. and thank goodness.

Raiders cut quarterback Collins in salary-cap move

By JANIE McCAULEY, AP Sports Writer
March 5, 2006

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) -- The Oakland Raiders parted ways with quarterback Kerry Collins in a move to get them below the salary cap by Sunday night's deadline.

By cutting Collins, the Raiders will save $9.2 million against the salary cap once bonuses are factored into the figures.

The Raiders were forced to cut Collins after the NFL and its players union broke off talks again, failing to agree upon an elevated cap number that would have allowed teams to keep certain high-priced veterans. The team had been waiting for word on negotiations before making a final decision on Collins' future with the organization.



http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AkYZkNV3369x5RLOMENftfpDubYF?slug=ap-raiders-collins&prov=ap&type=lgns


[smilie=funnyguy2.g: [smilie=hammertime.: [smilie=drunkdude.g: [smilie=jackson.gif]

^ Already posted in the FA thread.

http://wtfdetroit.com/viewtopic.php?t=1286

My bad. I'm just so happy, can you blame me for posting it twice!

Raiders cut quarterback Collins in salary-cap move

By JANIE McCAULEY, AP Sports Writer
March 5, 2006

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) -- The Oakland Raiders parted ways with quarterback Kerry Collins in a move to get them below the salary cap by Sunday night's deadline.

By cutting Collins, the Raiders will save $9.2 million against the salary cap once bonuses are factored into the figures.

The Raiders were forced to cut Collins after the NFL and its players union broke off talks again, failing to agree upon an elevated cap number that would have allowed teams to keep certain high-priced veterans. The team had been waiting for word on negotiations before making a final decision on Collins' future with the organization.



http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AkYZkNV3369x5RLOMENftfpDubYF?slug=ap-raiders-collins&prov=ap&type=lgns


[smilie=funnyguy2.g: [smilie=hammertime.: [smilie=drunkdude.g: [smilie=jackson.gif]

http://www.celebration-of-light.com/fireworks/images/fireworks_image.jpg

^Raiders are claiming they didn't cut him on ESPN today.

Raiders cut quarterback Collins in salary-cap move

By JANIE McCAULEY, AP Sports Writer
March 5, 2006

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) -- The Oakland Raiders parted ways with quarterback Kerry Collins in a move to get them below the salary cap by Sunday night's deadline.

By cutting Collins, the Raiders will save $9.2 million against the salary cap once bonuses are factored into the figures.

The Raiders were forced to cut Collins after the NFL and its players union broke off talks again, failing to agree upon an elevated cap number that would have allowed teams to keep certain high-priced veterans. The team had been waiting for word on negotiations before making a final decision on Collins' future with the organization.



http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AkYZkNV3369x5RLOMENftfpDubYF?slug=ap-raiders-collins&prov=ap&type=lgns


[smilie=funnyguy2.g: [smilie=hammertime.: [smilie=drunkdude.g: [smilie=jackson.gif]That means they will draft Jay Cutler from Vanderbilt. If he's gone before they get to draft, the Raiders will be screwed in the ass hole.



Then again the Raiders can get a good QB from FA, a lot of QB's would like to throw to Moss.

Maybe the Lions will trade them Shaun King?

Thats ok. I'll take Joey Harrington over Collins every single day.

If Collins is gone, and Cutler is gone in the draft, they'll have to sign McCown or something. Or pray they can get Omar Jacobs or someone in the 2nd.

Sources: Tagliabue comtemplating retirement

Paul Tagliabue is seriously contemplating ending his 17-year run as NFL commissioner, league sources told ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

The sources said Tagliabue is expected to exercise a clause in his contract with league owners in which he becomes a "senior executive" consultant with a significant compensation package.

There has been recent speculation that Tagliabue's reign was in its final year or two, but the sources pinpointed the commissioner's decision as possible during the next 60 days. Tagliabue's current contract has two years remaining on it and it is believed to pay him between $8 million and $10 million through May 2008.

Tagliabue was unavailable for comment and a league spokesman said he was unaware of the development.

One league owner believes Tagliabue will serve for at least one more year to oversee the transition to a new commissioner. But sources say Tagliabue can do that in his senior executive role, as well.

When Tagliabue does step down, the leading candidate to replace him is Roger Goodell, the league's executive vice president and chief operating officer. Goodell has worked side by side with Tagliabue on numerous issues, ranging from franchise stability, new stadium construction, TV contract negotiations and the most recent collective bargaining agreement, in which he was an active participant.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2361601

Walker wants Pack to let him explore trade options

Daunte Culpepper's misery in Minnesota has company in, of all places, Green Bay.

While the Packers await a decision from quarterback Brett Favre about whether he intends to retire or return, wide receiver Javon Walker, who is rehabilitating the right knee he injured in last year's season opener and yet whose relationship with the organization remains fractured following the team's refusal last summer to renegotiate his contract and Favre's public criticism of Walker's holdout threat, told ESPN.com on Thursday that he has already informed the Packers of his desire to play elsewhere.

Walker said he's expressed his feelings to new Packers coach Mike McCarthy, while his agent, CSMG Sports' Kennard McGuire, has asked general manager Ted Thompson, as did former Walker agent Drew Rosenhaus, to deal Walker or allow them to pursue a trade. Thompson on Wednesday denied the requests.

"I just don't feel like this is the best place for me to be right now," said Walker, 27, preparing to enter his sixth pro season. "I really have no interest in being in a Green Bay Packers uniform or playing for Green Bay again."

Citing recent contract squabbles with running back Ahman Green, tight end Bubba Franks, defensive lineman Grady Jackson and cornerback Mike McKenzie, as well as his own, Walker added, "I just don't like the way the organization runs itself. They want players to come up there and play hard and work hard, but when it comes time to be compensated, it's like, 'We forgot what you've done.'"

The source of Walker's bitterness is the team's refusal even to discuss his contract, which at the time had two years remaining, the penultimate year of which paid him $515,000 the season after he made the Pro Bowl by catching 89 passes for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns. But Walker says that at this point, money is not the issue.

Favre offended Walker when he spoke out against the receiver in his contract dispute, saying he should come to training camp and not hold out. (Walker heeded the advice.) Walker believes Favre's comments made living and working in Wisconsin difficult; Walker tells of one instance when he was in a hotel and an employee announced his presence on an Internet message board for "anyone who had something to say to Javon Walker." It also angered Walker that the team allowed its iconic quarterback to interfere publicly in a teammate's business with management. He held his tongue all year.

"There's an unwritten rule that players stick together," said Walker, still biting his tongue on Favre for the most part.

While Walker is quite adamant about not sticking around in Green Bay for the final year of his contract -- whether Favre returns or not -- he promises not to be a disruption next season, because he doesn't plan to show up at all for training camp.

"If I had to go back there, I'd retire," he said. "I don't have to play."

The rift is so deep and his animosity toward Favre so great that, Walker said, he is even willing if necessary to repay the Packers the prorated portion of his signing bonus, which amounts to around $850,000.

"Why should I risk another year of getting beat up playing for a team that I don't want to play for? That's stupid," Walker said.

Walker, who underwent surgery Oct. 7 in Houston, says his rehab at Florida State (his alma mater) is going as planned. He's sprinting and should be ready to go by training camp -- for some other team, he hopes.

"I love the game," Walker said. "But I'm not going to risk what I went through this year, tearing an ACL and taking pain pills. If I'm going to go out and take hits, it's going to be for a team that I love playing for."

Walker said he told McCarthy, "It's nothing against you or your staff, but it's unfair to you to have a player in your organization that doesn't want to be there."

"I'm not going to grandstand," Walker said. "I just want the Packers to give me peace of mind."

Reached in his office, McCarthy declined comment.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2361969

Football Hall names new president, executive director

The Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton has named Stephen Perry its new president and executive director.

Perry spent the past five years as head of the U.S. General Services Administration that acquires equipment and supplies for federal agencies.

Perry is a Canton native and a graduate of the University of Akron. He also holds a master's degree from Stanford.

NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue worked with Perry when both were on the hall's board of trustees in the 1990s. Tagliabue says Perry will bring "a passionate dedication to football and a focused leadership style" to the new role.

Perry is a former senior vice president with Canton-based Timken. He was also director of Ohio's Department of Administrative Services from 1991 to 1993.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2399757

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-0505dolphins,0,3358429.story?coll=sfla-sports-front


The Dolphins are giving 44 other players tryouts, including former Virgina Tech quarterback Marcus Vick and NFL veterans Kyle Turley and Barrett Green.

Turley, a starting tackle with New Orleans and St. Louis from 1998 to 2003, is trying to make a comeback as a tight end after missing the past two seasons with back problems. Green is a six-year NFL veteran who played in one game at linebacker last season for the New York Giants.

This is a bit surprising, to me at least.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2440274


Casserly officially resigns as GM of Texans

ESPN.com news services

Charley Casserly has officially resigned as general manager of the Houston Texans. He told the Texans staff as of 2:30 p.m. ET.

Casserly, who has one year on his contract, will be applying for the vice president of football operations vacancy in the NFL offices in New York.

Candidates for the opening in Houston are expected to include former Atlanta Falcons personnel chief Ron Hill and current Denver Broncos director of pro scouting Rick Smith.

The Texans have scheduled a news conference for 4 p.m. ET.

texans got owned. no bush and the guy responsible moves on to greener pastures to avoid any mario williams backlash if he busts.:cool:

Rumor has it Casserly wanted Bush, the owner didn't. So this does provide a scapegoat for the backlash but Casserly is more like a patsy.

WR Smith Retires After 11 Seasons With The Jags

Jimmy Smith cleared his throat, finished his sentence and then bowed his head and started to cry.

One of the most prolific receivers in NFL history, Smith found himself in another rough spot Thursday. But just as he has done so many times before in his career, he regrouped and moved on without hesitation.

No wonder he earned the nickname J-Smooth.

Smith, a five-time Pro Bowl selection who overcame several health problems and drug addiction during his 12 seasons, abruptly retired Thursday to "move on to the next phase of my life."

"It's hard because I know I can still go out there and do it," Smith said. "I just figure it's not in my heart to [continue]. If I'm going to play, it's got to be 100 percent. I won't get out there and not give it my all. If I can't give it my all to this organization and the fans, I'm just not going to do that. This is just not the type of person that I am.

"It's best for me to leave on a high note. I want to be able to enjoy my legacy."

The 37-year-old receiver led the Jags with 70 catches for 1,023 yards and six touchdowns last season. He ranks seventh in NFL history with 862 receptions and 11th with 12,287 yards receiving. He has more receptions than every receiver in the Hall of Fame, and only Marvin Harrison has had more catches and yards receiving than Smith since 1996.

Smith contemplated retirement earlier this offseason, but Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio asked him to take his time and be sure he was making the right choice. His announcement came a day before the team opened a three-day mini-camp.

"I thought I had another year in me," Smith said. "I've been struggling with whether I should play an extra year or leave while I can still walk away, while my knees are still intact.

"It's best to leave on top. Not many players in the NFL get a chance to do what I'm doing today and walk away from the game happy. I can live the rest of my life happy."

Smith's longevity was surprising -- even to him -- especially considering what he overcame.

In 2001, he had three operations to remove scar tissue from his abdomen. Some questioned whether he would play again, but he caught 112 passes for 1,373 yards -- despite being arrested in November that year for suspicion of drunken driving. Tests later revealed he had cocaine in his system. He vehemently denied using the drug.

He was suspended for the first four games of the 2003 season for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. He then publicly acknowledged an addiction and spent several weeks in rehab.

He had other issues early in his career, too.

The third receiver selected in the 1992 draft behind Desmond Howard and Carl Pickens, Smith broke his leg and missed most of his rookie season. In 1993, he needed an emergency appendectomy and suffered through infection and stomach problems. He missed the entire year. He didn't play in 1994, either, after getting cut by Dallas and Philadelphia.

In 1995, he caught on with the expansion Jaguars after his mother sent coach Tom Coughlin a binder of press clippings to help him earn a tryout.

He made the most of his chance, teaming with Keenan McCardell to help land the Jaguars in the playoffs in only their second season.

"He was one of the great Jaguars and certainly one of the great receivers in NFL history," said James Harris, the team's vice president of player personnel. "Jimmy is not one of the most acclaimed guys, but he's one of the most respected receivers in the game.

"Most people will say that he's one of the best pure route runners in the game, and we all hate to see Jimmy go."
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2441034

Flutie retires, to work as analyst for ABC, ESPN

Doug Flutie retired Monday, ending a 21-year career in which the undersized Heisman Trophy winner threw one of college football's most famous passes and played a dozen seasons in the NFL.

"It's just been a fun run for me," the 43-year-old Flutie said.

Flutie finished his career with one season with the New England Patriots, for whom he threw 10 passes in five games but was able to play near his home in Natick and close to Boston College, where he won the Heisman in 1984.

"To finish it up by getting back here is very special," he said at a news conference at Gillette Stadium, home of the Patriots.

Flutie's next job will be as a college football analyst with ABC and ESPN. He'll work in the ABC studio during Saturday's college football games and on ESPN studio shows, and might be an analyst at some games.

Flutie spent 12 seasons in the NFL and played in the U.S. Football League and the Canadian Football League. He won the CFL's Most Outstanding Player award six times and the league's Grey Cup championship three times.

The Patriots listed him at 5-feet-10, but he said Monday he actually was one-eighth of an inch shorter.

"Like some of us," said Robert Kraft, the Patriots diminutive owner, "he was vertically challenged and he never let it slow him down."

Flutie finishes with 14,715 passing yards and 86 touchdowns in the NFL, spending most of his time as a backup. Last season, he converted the league's first drop kick for an extra point since the 1941 NFL title game.

"If that ends up being my last play, it wouldn't be bad," Flutie said after the game, a mostly meaningless regular season-ending loss to the Miami Dolphins.

His college career was also punctuated by a play that endures as one of the most memorable in the sport. He won the 1984 Heisman after connecting with Gerard Phelan on a desperation 48-yard touchdown pass that beat Miami as time expired.

But Flutie started only six games in the last four seasons, the first three with San Diego.

"If he knew he was going out there to play and start, he would not retire. It would be an easy choice for him," Phelan said Monday, but "Sundays are frustrating."

Flutie left BC as the school's passing leader with 10,579 yards, and he remains a hero on campus; his Heisman is the centerpiece of the school's new Hall of Fame. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the 11th round in 1985 but chose to play for the USFL's New Jersey Generals, owned by Donald Trump.

He then joined the NFL, but his freewheeling style and short stature were a poor fit for its conservative schemes. He played five games for Chicago the next two seasons and 17 for New England from 1987-89.

Only in the CFL, with its wide-open game, did he truly find success, throwing for 41,355 yards and 270 touchdowns in eight seasons with British Columbia, Calgary and Toronto.

"His accomplishments up there are more than legendary," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Monday.

He joined Buffalo in 1998 and played more regularly -- 39 games over three years. He started all 16 games for San Diego in 2001 then spent the next three years as backup to Drew Brees.

Last April, Flutie signed with the Patriots for a second time.

He made his biggest splash with his drop kick.

"I think Doug deserves it,'' Belichick said after the game," sensing that the play would be Flutie's football finale. "He is a guy that adds a lot to this game of football, has added a lot through his great career -- running, passing and now kicking."
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2445409

I wonder if they'll make him trim his mullet?

WR Smith Retires After 11 Seasons With The Jags

Jimmy Smith cleared his throat, finished his sentence and then bowed his head and started to cry.

One of the most prolific receivers in NFL history, Smith found himself in another rough spot Thursday. But just as he has done so many times before in his career, he regrouped and moved on without hesitation.

No wonder he earned the nickname J-Smooth.

Smith, a five-time Pro Bowl selection who overcame several health problems and drug addiction during his 12 seasons, abruptly retired Thursday to "move on to the next phase of my life."

"It's hard because I know I can still go out there and do it," Smith said. "I just figure it's not in my heart to [continue]. If I'm going to play, it's got to be 100 percent. I won't get out there and not give it my all. If I can't give it my all to this organization and the fans, I'm just not going to do that. This is just not the type of person that I am.

"It's best for me to leave on a high note. I want to be able to enjoy my legacy."

The 37-year-old receiver led the Jags with 70 catches for 1,023 yards and six touchdowns last season. He ranks seventh in NFL history with 862 receptions and 11th with 12,287 yards receiving. He has more receptions than every receiver in the Hall of Fame, and only Marvin Harrison has had more catches and yards receiving than Smith since 1996.

Smith contemplated retirement earlier this offseason, but Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio asked him to take his time and be sure he was making the right choice. His announcement came a day before the team opened a three-day mini-camp.

"I thought I had another year in me," Smith said. "I've been struggling with whether I should play an extra year or leave while I can still walk away, while my knees are still intact.

"It's best to leave on top. Not many players in the NFL get a chance to do what I'm doing today and walk away from the game happy. I can live the rest of my life happy."

Smith's longevity was surprising -- even to him -- especially considering what he overcame.

In 2001, he had three operations to remove scar tissue from his abdomen. Some questioned whether he would play again, but he caught 112 passes for 1,373 yards -- despite being arrested in November that year for suspicion of drunken driving. Tests later revealed he had cocaine in his system. He vehemently denied using the drug.

He was suspended for the first four games of the 2003 season for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. He then publicly acknowledged an addiction and spent several weeks in rehab.

He had other issues early in his career, too.

The third receiver selected in the 1992 draft behind Desmond Howard and Carl Pickens, Smith broke his leg and missed most of his rookie season. In 1993, he needed an emergency appendectomy and suffered through infection and stomach problems. He missed the entire year. He didn't play in 1994, either, after getting cut by Dallas and Philadelphia.

In 1995, he caught on with the expansion Jaguars after his mother sent coach Tom Coughlin a binder of press clippings to help him earn a tryout.

He made the most of his chance, teaming with Keenan McCardell to help land the Jaguars in the playoffs in only their second season.

"He was one of the great Jaguars and certainly one of the great receivers in NFL history," said James Harris, the team's vice president of player personnel. "Jimmy is not one of the most acclaimed guys, but he's one of the most respected receivers in the game.

"Most people will say that he's one of the best pure route runners in the game, and we all hate to see Jimmy go."
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2441034


Beats Rod Smith for Most Productive Mediocre NFL Career. (Rod Smith actually had spectacular moments.)

I love how people want him as a HoFer. No way he makes it.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-49ersrelocation&prov=ap&type=lgns


Niners discuss move to Santa Clara

By MARCUS WOHLSEN, Associated Press Writer
July 18, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- The 49ers would consider moving to Santa Clara if plans for a new San Francisco stadium fall through, team and city officials said Tuesday.

"If for whatever reason things don't work out in San Francisco, we need to have a backup," said Lisa Lang, vice president of communications for the 49ers.

Team vice president and chief financial officer Larry MacNeil has met twice with Santa Clara city officials in the past month to discuss the option of building a stadium in the parking lot of the Great America amusement park, said Ron Garratt, Santa Clara's assistant city manager.

The 49ers on Monday unveiled an updated design plan for a new stadium at Candlestick Point.

Candlestick Point remains the 49ers "absolute top choice," Lang said. "We really do feel it's a spectacular site."

But the team has been "very up front" with the city of San Francisco that "it was very important we build a new stadium," she said.

Plans to replace the 46-year-old stadium at Candlestick Point have been under consideration since 1997, when city voters authorized a $100 million bond to help pay for the project.

The team hopes to finance the building of the new San Francisco stadium, estimated to cost between $600 million and $800 million, entirely through private funding.

But acquisition of that funding depends on city approval of a residential, entertainment, and retail complex on vacant land adjacent to the stadium, according to team officials.

St. Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk will have major reconstructive knee surgery and miss the 2006 season, a blow that could spell the end of his career.

Though coach Scott Linehan said at a news conference Friday that the 33-year-old Faulk wasn't ready to call it quits, retirement might be on the horizon.

"We were hoping for the best, but we've been planning for both scenarios," said Linehan, in his first year with the Rams. "I think reality is setting in for sure that potentially his career is winding down."

Faulk had been contemplating retirement during the offseason, before news of his latest surgery. He didn't attend the news conference, and his agent, Rocky Arceneaux, didn't return a phone call seeking comment.

The 2000 NFL MVP is expected to have the surgery on one of his knees next week. It was unclear which knee would be the focus of the operation. Faulk had lesser surgery on both knees earlier this year.

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The Rams will keep Faulk on the roster "because it's Marshall," Linehan said. "Some guys earn that. I believe he's one of them."

Faulk is ninth on the career rushing list with 12,279 yards, 34 yards behind Jim Brown. But he had a career-low 292 yards rushing last year and made only one start, in the season finale when Steven Jackson was out with a hip pointer.

Faulk hasn't participated in the team's minicamps this year.

The seven-time Pro Bowl selection has seven 1,000-yard rushing seasons and 38 100-yard games, and was the first player in NFL history to gain 2,000 yards from scrimmage in four consecutive seasons from 1998-2001.

But he hasn't had a 1,000-yard season since 2001 and lost his starting job in 2004 when the Rams drafted Jackson in the first round.

The loss of Faulk leaves St. Louis short at running back. Earlier this offseason, the Rams signed Tony Fisher, who had 173 yards and a 2.9-yard average for the Packers last season. For now, he is the No. 2 back.

Linehan said Fisher is best-suited as a third-down back and special teams player, and said the Rams might seek a deal to bring in someone to serve as Jackson's backup.

"You can't just play one running back and expect him to survive the season," Linehan said.

Faulk spent his first five seasons in Indianapolis before coming to St. Louis in a trade in 1999. He led the Rams to a 13-3 record and a 23-16 win over Tennessee in the 2000 Super Bowl in his first season in St. Louis.



Faulk to miss season[smilie=sad3.gif]

GUT CHECK

Jerry Porter is already testing coach Art Shell
- Nancy Gay
Wednesday, July 26, 2006



Suffice to say, this is not the best way to make an impression on the new boss.

Let's say the new guy in charge wants you to stick around after work. The company is in pretty bad shape and the boss needs everyone to put in some extra time, to help get the business pointed in the right direction.

Raiders coach Art Shell, who is demanding effort, commitment and discipline now that he's taking over a franchise that death-spiraled to 13-35 the past three seasons, expected 100 percent attendance at every minicamp, meeting and organized team activity this past offseason.

He also hoped star employees -- Randy Moss, Jerry Porter, for instance -- would work out religiously at the facility, to set a positive tone. To be the examples.

From the start, Porter was adamant that wasn't going to happen.

Yes, believe what you have heard. There is a huge rift between Porter, the Raiders' sometimes spectacular, often annoying and always baffling wide receiver, and Shell, the Hall of Fame tackle and coach who couldn't care less if Porter has a nice spread this month in "Dubs Magazine."

On Tuesday, Porter spelled it out succinctly. He and Shell aren't on the same page.

Porter wants to be traded.

"Yes. Absolutely. I've told them that," Porter said on the team's first day of practice at training camp in Napa. Which, coincidentally, did not include Porter during the afternoon workout because of what Shell described as a strained calf muscle.

That's right. Day 1.

What a slap in the face to Shell. To owner Al Davis -- who handed Porter a $13 million signing bonus in 2005 to re-sign with the team -- and everyone else in Silver and Black.

How did it get so bad?

Shortly after Shell was hired Feb. 13, a reprise by Davis in the hope his moribund franchise might regain some semblance of respectability, Porter was summoned into the new boss' office for a get-to-know-you meeting.

As Porter recalls it, the conclave -- with wide receivers coach Fred Biletnikoff present -- went something like this:

"They were asking me what I was going to do as far as the offseason program goes," said Porter, who apparently already was bristling at Shell's take-charge approach. "And I told them, 'I just bought a place in Florida, so I'm going to go down to Florida and work with a trainer.' "

Porter continued. "And this is Freddie B talking. He said, 'What's the matter, stud, you're not gonna stay here for the program?' And I'm saying, 'Nah, I've got to get away and charge my batteries.'

"And (Biletnikoff) says, 'Well, your battery's not charged?'

"And I'm like, 'No.' "

From here, as Porter remembers it, the dialogue grew more heated.

Biletnikoff: "Your batteries aren't already charged?"

Porter: "No, they're not."

Biletnikoff: "So, what's the problem?"

Porter: "Well, for one thing, I don't like the way things are going around here."

At that point, Porter recalls, the head coach intervened.

"And then Art chimes in, 'Who the f -- do you think you are?' " Porter recalled. "And then it starts from there. Art says, 'Who ... do you think you're talking to?'

"And that was that." Porter said.

Yup. That would do it.

Later Tuesday, Shell did not dispute Porter's recollection of their meeting, but he definitely had a response.

"The culture is changing," Shell said firmly, "and everybody has been on board and trying to get involved in the process of winning football games, and getting in here, working. You can't have inmates running the asylum.

"That's not gonna be. Not under me, and 99.9 percent of the players here feel that way. They want direction. We're going to give them direction. And I'm not going to back down off of that.

"A couple of the inmates have been trying to run the doggone culture around here. They've been running the program. And that's not gonna be anymore. I'm the head coach. I'm the guy in charge."

Porter, who tends to tease with his talent, and obliterate good will with his attitude, obviously has a problem with that.

But why in the heck would you say something so inflammatory -- "I don't like the way things are going around here" -- to a new head coach? What was he thinking?

"I just didn't. I'm not going to sit here and bring those issues up because I just don't like what (the issues) were about," said Porter, when asked to be more specific about why he's so unhappy. "But nothing can be done about it. I'm not the GM. So we had our little rift.

"Ever since then, (Shell) hasn't said anything to me, I haven't said anything to him."

Obviously, this can't continue.

Senior assistant Michael Lombardi, who essentially runs the football operation, would not comment. The Raiders really are stuck. Cutting Porter would be so satisfying to a lot of folks in the organization, but his salary-cap acceleration, $6.45 million toward the 2007 total, would be a killer.

Trading him also would cost the team plenty.

And really, where are the takers? It's not as if the Raiders haven't tried to move him before.

To his credit, Porter -- who relayed his message while showing off his perfect abs and wearing a faux gold-and-diamond-encrusted boxer's title belt adorned with 10-inch dollar signs -- did appear to work his butt off since the Raiders finished 4-12 in 2005. He attended the mandatory workouts and camps, dropped 23 pounds, and still has that size, speed and chiseled body that reminds you of Terrell Owens.

Porter doesn't have the cred, or the numbers, to be the royal pain Owens can be and force the issue with a stubborn owner.

In six NFL seasons, Porter has caught 239 passes for 24 touchdowns and 3,215 yards. He has led the Raiders in receiving yards only once, in 2004, with 998 yards.

A second-round pick out of West Virginia in 2000, he has not made a Pro Bowl team.

"They've asked for two No. 1's for me (in a trade)," Porter said his agent told him. "Why ... would you ask for a No. 1 for me, or ask for two No. 1s for me, when I wasn't even a No. 1?"

Maybe Porter answered his own question. And if he's watching from the Raiders' bench in September, he'll have plenty of time to ponder how all of this might have happened.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

E-mail Nancy Gay at ngay@sfchronicle.com.

Chiefs left tackle Willie Roaf retires

Eleven-time Pro Bowl performer Willie Roaf, one of the NFL's premier left tackles during his 13-year career, has apprised Kansas City Chiefs officials that he is retiring.

Roaf did not go to training camp with the rest of the Chiefs players, and Kansas City officials said his absence was for personal reasons, but that they expected him to report within a few days. But a team source said Friday afternoon that Roaf, who has flirted with retirement each of the last two offseasons, told Chiefs officials that he is ending his celebrated career.

"I guess they want me to reconsider," Roaf told The Kansas City Star. "[But] I'm solid on retiring and going back to school."

Team officials have been able in the past to dissuade Roaf from walking away from the game, but their efforts apparently were not persuasive enough this time.

"I'd say right now, because of who Willie Roaf is, what he has contributed to the Kansas City Chiefs and what he's contributed to the National Football League, we're going to keep the door open for a while," Carl Peterson, team president and general manager, said Friday, the first day of Chiefs training camp.

"Players do change their mind."

Earlier this offseason, amid what have become near-annual reports of his pending retirement, Roaf insisted that he would play another season. But Roaf, 36, has suffered through hamstring and knee problems the past few seasons, and that likely contributed to his decision.

Roaf missed six games in 2005 with a strained hamstring.

The departure of Roaf leaves the Chiefs without a proven left tackle and, with camps opening around the league, there are no quality replacements in the free agent pool. Third-year veteran Jordan Black, who played left tackle in Roaf's absence last season, will likely get the first shot at the starting job. Kansas City signed former New Orleans and St. Louis lineman Kyle Turley, who hasn't played in two seasons because of back problems, and he is expected to win the starting right tackle job.

A first-round draft pick of the Saints in 1993, Roaf was traded to Kansas City in 2002. He has played in 189 games, all starts, and went to the Pro Bowl in all but two seasons.

The former Louisiana Tech standout was one of the most dominant left tackles of his era, combining strength, quickness and technique to carve out a celebrated career.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2532615

The Raiders opened training camp this week and the big local story was that disappointing receiver Jerry Porter, who took some big bonus money from Al Davis more than a year ago, wants to be traded after totally rebuffing the new work standards of Art Shell, a Hall of Fame player now in his second stint with the Raiders as the team's head coach.

Porter, who was nursing a sore calf while missing two days of practice, returned to the field on Friday and then spent his post-practice time venting to NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw about the Raiders holding him hostage. Upshaw, who is making the rounds of training camps, played with Shell for over a decade. Upshaw's bottom line is that he's happy that he's not Shell these days.

Randy Moss, who doesn't speak with local reporters, looks fit. He has publicly supported Shell and outside of practicing, is pushing his new juice product. If Porter doesn't come around, Doug Gabriel will move into a starting role. The club also has high hopes that Johnnie Morant, a third-year player from Syracuse, can push for more playing time.
http://blogs.foxsports.com/NFL_Czar

New legal challenge filed over Redskins' name, logo

Six Native American activists have challenged the Washington Redskins' trademarks for the team's name and logo, according to a report in Saturday's editions of The Washington Post. The legal challenge says the team's nickname is a racial slur and should be changed.

The Redskins won an earlier legal challenge when a U.S. District Court judge determined that a previous group of plaintiffs waited too long under trademark law to challenge the name.

In the new challenge, the Native American group says the Redskins nickname breaks a federal law passed in 1946 that bars the registration of trademarks that disparages races, religions and other groups.

According to the complaint, "the term 'redskin' was and is a pejorative, derogatory, denigrating, offensive, scandalous, contemptuous, disreputable, disparaging and racist designation for a Native American person."

The Post quoted one of the six activists, Jillian Pappan, 19, of Sioux City, Iowa, as saying he found the term Redskin to be equal with the "N-word."

"You're not going to call me a redskin, and they shouldn't be allowed to have that as a copyright," she told the Post.

Robert L. Raskopf, the lawyer representing the team in the case, told the Post, "We're confident that we will prevail on the merits."

"The highest court that considered it on the merits, the claim that the name disparages Native Americans, found no evidence of that. I don't think it's going to matter who brings the claim. The bottom line is there is no evidence to support that claim."
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2547836

This could be good if the Lions are still looking to deal Pinner:




Suggs fails physical, headed back to ClevelandBy ANDREA ADELSON, AP Sports Writer
August 15, 2006

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (AP) -- Running back Lee Suggs (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6451/) failed his physical with the New York Jets (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/nyj/) on Tuesday, voiding his trade from Cleveland.
Suggs, who has had a myriad of injuries throughout his four-year career, was brought in to help bolster the group of backs struggling without the injured Curtis Martin. Now, he is headed back to the Browns. Cornerback Derrick Strait (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6835/), who was sent to Cleveland in the deal made Monday, returns to New York.
"We have a whole series of tests that we do, and we were very thorough with the process," Jets coach Eric Mangini said. "He just didn't pass those tests. ... Each team has a criteria they set up that they believe is what's important and what's needed to be competitive. I'm very comfortable with the tests we have set up."
With Martin unable to practice because of a lingering right knee injury, the Jets needed depth at the position. Derrick Blaylock (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5598/) and Cedric Houston (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7358/) are taking the majority of snaps, but are not the type of backs to shoulder the load.
The 33-year-old Martin, who is No. 4 on the all-time rushing list, continues to rehab and his future is in doubt. Though Martin wants to play this season, it is unclear whether he will be able to. It has been eight months since he had surgery on his knee.
Suggs hasn't been able to stay on the field for the Browns, who selected him in the fourth round of the 2003 draft. At various times in his pro career, Suggs has been sidelined by injuries to a shoulder, neck, toe, ankle and thumb.
Mangini declined to say what part of the physical Suggs failed.
"It's just standard operating procedure. You go through a trade, you have to go through the complete process," Mangini said. "This is part of the process. Lee has done a good job in Cleveland, he's a good person and that's part of the reason we pursued him. I really think the opportunity was good for both players and both teams. I wish Lee well, and I look forward to Derrick getting back here and getting to work."
Mangini also declined to give a timetable for Martin's return, and said the trade had no bearing on the future of the running back.
"We were looking at it as an opportunity to improve the competition at the position," Mangini said. "Our goal is to increase competition and to make our team that much more competitive and improve the team where we can."
He also didn't rule out future deals to bring in another running back.
"It's fair to assume that there could be a lot of moves," Mangini said. "The moves are going to be predicated on the opportunities, and the opportunities are going to based on whether that move can improve the team."
The speedy 6-foot, 213-pound Suggs appeared in only seven games as a rookie because of a shoulder injury he sustained at Virginia Tech. Suggs won a starting job in training camp in 2004, but hurt his neck in the final preseason game and was inactive for the first three games of the regular season. He returned to play in seven games before missing three straight with a toe injury.
Suggs hurt his ankle during the preseason last year and missed Cleveland's first two games. He dressed in Weeks 3 and 4, but injured his thumb and was inactive for six weeks. Suggs has rushed for 1,048 yards and four TDs as a pro.

http://www.keloland.com/Sports/NewsDetail4671.cfm?ID=0,50243


Vikings' Chad Greenway Out For Season With Knee Injury

Vikings rookie linebacker Chad Greenway will miss the entire 2006 season after injuring his left knee in Monday night's preseason game in Minneapolis.

Greenway had an MRI on the knee Tuesday, and the team says he won't play this season.

Greenway is the team's first-round draft pick from Iowa and has been playing second-string weakside linebacker behind E.J. Henderson. He was covering a kickoff in the first quarter against the Raiders, broke through the wedge and limped off the field.

Greenway got up and walked around the sideline after being examined.

Coach Brad Childress says he's disappointed and says Greenway was making steady improvement during training camp.

http://sports.mainetoday.com/pro/patriots/060818seau.shtml


'Retired' Seau may join Patriots

Associated Press

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Junior Seau is looking to join the New England Patriots, just three days after the San Diego Chargers threw him a lavish retirement party. "Junior left a message for Chargers President Dean Spanos today alerting him that he may sign a contract and play for the New England Patriots," the Chargers said Thursday in a statement.

"If, in fact, he chooses to continue his playing career, we wish him good health and the best of luck this season. Junior's place in the Chargers Hall of Fame awaits him when his career is over."

The San Diego Union-Tribune first reported on its Web site that Seau was heading to Boston for a tryout and could sign by the end of the week. Seau's agent, Marvin Demoff, didn't return several calls.

"He's always been a very energetic, high-energy type of player that has made a lot of big plays through his career," Patriots Coach Bill Belichick said. "He's had a good career, 16 years he's been playing, pretty good."

I can't stand it when people say that they are leaving and they just keep coming back. If you say that you are leaving, leave.



______________

Did you see any of his retirement speach? He pretty much said verbatim that he was retiring because no team wanted him. This isn't like MJ deciding to leave when he was on top.

LOL@ The Jets

http://www.buccaneers.com/news/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=5320


Bucs Trade for Jolley

Aug 31, 2006 -

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are making the most of the four days between this week’s two rounds of roster cuts, reshaping several spots on the depth chart before the final 53-man roster is determined on Saturday.

On Thursday, the Bucs shored up the tight end position, trading an undisclosed draft pick to the New York Jets for fifth-year veteran Doug Jolley. The move comes 20 months after the Jets shipped a first-round pick to the Oakland Raiders as part of a deal to acquire the productive tight end.

To make room for Jolley on the roster, which currently numbers 75 men, the team waived tackle Sam Lightbody. Lightbody, an undrafted free agent out of Washington State, has participated in the Bucs’ last two training camps.

Lightbody’s release was easier for the Bucs to execute because on Tuesday the team signed veteran tackle Cornell Green, a member of Tampa Bay’s 2002 Super Bowl team. The Bucs made this series of moves while preparing for Thursday night’s preseason finale in Houston. Both players have already joined the team in Texas.

Jolley (6-4, 250) is an accomplished receiver, with 119 receptions for 1,296 yards and six touchdowns through his first four seasons. His best single-season total came during his 2002 rookie season, in which he caught 32 passes for 409 yards and two touchdowns for the NFL’s top-ranked offense. He has been durable and consistent, appearing in all but one game through four seasons and catching between 27 and 32 passes in each campaign.

A fast and fluid route-runner, Jolley averaged 12.8 yards per reception in 2002 and has a 10.9-yard career mark. He played against the Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII and was the Raiders’ third-leading receiver with five catches for 59 yards.

Jolley was originally drafted by the Raiders in the second round in 2002. Shortly before the 2005 draft, the Jets acquired Jolley, along with a second and two sixth-round picks, from the Raiders in exchange for a first-round pick (#26 overall) and a seventh-round pick.

New York traded for Jolley after losing starter Anthony Becht to Tampa Bay as a free agent in 2005. Those two, along with 2005 rookie standout Alex Smith, give the Bucs a deep and flexible tight end corps, which will be important if the offense continues to use two-TE sets as frequently and effectively as it did last season. Prior to the acquisition of Jolley, the Bucs listed 15th-year veteran Dave Moore as their third tight end. However, Moore’s primary responsibility is long-snapping for punts and placekicks, and he had just one reception in 2005. Behind Moore the team has second-year man Mark Anelli and rookie seventh-rounder Tim Massaquoi.

Doug Jolley my worst Fanatasy Footbal pick, and it wasn't till the last round last year that is how bad he sucked. That guy was oil to the Jets' water, but hell at least it only cost them a first round pick in an Era where Dante Caulpepper was traded for a second round pick.

Volek waives his no-trade, says he won't be on the roster at the start of the year.

Titans are starting Vince Young in their last preseason game, and sure he needs the work (Mort says he's at least 3 years away from being starter material), but more likely they are looking to dodge the Volek/Collins questions.

So where does Volek go? Raiders? Buffalo? Chargers? Bengals? Browns? Vikings? Seahawks?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2567498


Deal helper: Volek would waive no-trade clause

By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com

Likely to soon be bumped from the top spot on the depth chart, probably by the Sept. 10 regular-season opener, Tennessee Titans quarterback Billy Volek will waive the no-trade clause in his contract to facilitate a move to another NFL team.

Expected to supplant the departed Steve McNair as the Tennessee starter, Volek has been rendered all but extraneous by the Monday signing of veteran quarterback Kerry Collins to a one-year deal. In what has been a cram course to get Collins practice time, and to accelerate his learning curve in a new offense, Volek has seen his snaps reduced this week.

There is a possibility that Volek won't accompany the Titans to Green Bay for the Friday preseason finale.

Volek and agent Drew Rosenhaus have declined to answer questions about whether they have requested that general manager Floyd Reese trade the six-year veteran. People close to Volek, however, said this week that he has acknowledged that he will not be on the roster for the start of the season.

Teams must reduce their rosters to the regular-season limit of 53 players by Saturday at 4 p.m. ET.

In discussing trade possibilities in general, Reese conceded that Volek's name has "come up." The no-trade clause was part of the four-year contract Volek signed in March 2004.

There figures to be a healthy market for Volek, who has been regarded as one of the NFL's top backups for the last several years, but who failed to secure the confidence of the Tennessee coaching staff in camp or in the preseason. Among the several teams which might be interested in adding Volek, whose resume includes 10 starts, are San Diego and Cleveland.

The Chargers don't have a quarterback on their current roster with even one regular-season start and the Browns' depth situation behind starter Charlie Frye is tenuous. Those clubs could be attractive to Volek as well, because he might have an opportunity to get some starts this year if either Frye or Philip Rivers of San Diego struggles during the season.

Some teams might balk at trading for Volek and gamble that the Titans will release him outright. But if that occurs, Volek will become a free agent, able to sign with anyone, and the number of franchises bidding for him figures to increase. Trading for him would allow a team to inherit his contract, which has two seasons remaining, at palatable prices.

Volek, 30, has completed 312 of 517 passes for 3,505 yards, with 26 touchdown passes, 13 interceptions and a career passer rating of 86.9 in 24 appearances.

The Chargers and Bills would be best served by his services, while I think the Raiders may like his arm their QB situation is already too big of a mess. Adding another body only complicates things and makes for panic. Aaron Brooks I think will get on track Walter is a solid back up and George will be George.

Cleveland is a QB grave yard second only to the Lions.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060911/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_patriots_branch


Patriots trade Deion Branch to Seahawks

Associated Press- 1 minute ago

The New England Patriots ended the holdout of receiver Deion Branch on Monday by trading him to the Seattle Seahawks for a high draft pick.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick would not reveal whether the pick was a first-rounder, but said there was "no question" Branch was a big contributor to the team.

"It's been a long process," Belichick said. "I think we tried hard to make it work out. I think Deion tried hard. We tried. It didn't work out and we've moved on."

Branch was entering the last season of the five-year contract he signed as a rookie. He held out of the mandatory minicamp in June and all of training camp. He has been subject to a $14,000 fine for each day he holds out from July 28, the start of training camp.

Branch was eligible for arbitration after this season, but Belichick said the prospect of a potentially contentious arbitration process was not "that big a factor" in the Patriots' decision to trade Branch.

Branch's agent, Jason Chayut, did not immediately return calls.

ESPN has reported that New England will get a first round pick in next year's draft.

In the 2005 Super Bowl, Branch had 11 catches for 133 yards against Philadelphia, helping the Patriots win their third championship in four years. Last season, he caught 78 passes for 998 yards and five touchdowns, all career highs. In four seasons, he has 213 receptions for 2,744 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Branch joins a team whose leading receiver, Darrell Jackson, missed the preseason. Jackson had not practiced until last week following his second knee surgery in four months, in February. Jackson played far more than expected in Sunday's 9-6 win over the Detroit Lions.

Seattle also has veteran Bobby Engram, former Minnesota Viking Nate Burleson and 2005 surprise D.J. Hackett in its receiving corps.

The last time the Seahawks traded their first-round pick for a veteran player was March 2, 2001, when then-general manager Holmgren traded for quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.

The Patriots are without their top two receivers from last season. David Givens signed with Tennessee as a free agent for five years and $24 million, including an $8 million signing bonus.

On Aug. 25, the Patriots gave Branch, who had been scheduled to make $1.045 million this year, permission to negotiate a contract with other teams and seek a trade until Sept. 1. The NFL Players Association filed a grievance on behalf of Branch after the Patriots did not trade him by the team-imposed deadline.

The grievance alleged that in allowing Branch to work out a contract with another team, the Patriots agreed they would trade him if Branch was comfortable with that contract and the draft choice compensation for him "was commensurate with what has been the value of similar players," union lawyer Richard Berthelsen said.

He said the New York Jets had offered a second-round draft pick for Branch, which Berthelsen said was of commensurate value.

I wondered when someone was going to pick him up, I was hoping it would be the Steelers.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2605007


Henson back in NFL, joins Vikes' practice squad
ESPN.com news services

The Vikings signed quarterback Drew Henson to their practice squad Wednesday, giving them a third quarterback after Tarvaris Jackson was lost for a month with a knee injury.

"My wife used to babysit Drew Henson in Salt Lake City," Vikings coach Brad Childress said, according to the Star Tribune. "Dan Henson was the offensive coordinator when I worked there at the University of Utah. I said [to Drew Henson] last night, 'How old would you have been then?' I think he told me the fifth grade. I've kind of known him for a while."

Henson was released by the Dallas Cowboys in August. He started only one game in Dallas, filling in for the injured Vinny Testaverde on Thanksgiving Day 2004 before Testaverde took over after halftime.

Henson spent three seasons playing baseball in the New York Yankees' organization when the Cowboys acquired him from the Houston Texans in March 2003 for a third-round pick. The Texans, already with David Carr at quarterback, had Henson's rights after drafting him in the sixth round in 2002.

The Cowboys gave Henson an eight-year deal with a guaranteed $3.5 million, the most ever for a sixth-round pick. The final four years of the contract were voidable.

Jackson, one of the team's three second-round picks in April's draft, was injured during practice last week in a non-contact drill.

Guard C.J. Brooks was cut from the practice squad to make room for Henson.

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers broke his foot, done for the season.

That sucks for him. Especially with Favre hurt. There goes his chance. Who's #3 there?

BTW, it's Ingle Martin, 5th round rookie from Furman. Good luck Packers.

Too bad the Pats signed Vinny already, I bet Jeff George would pick up the phone, lol.