Boller

Rams coach Mike Martz surprised reporters at the owners' meetings by saying he might use his first-round choice on quarterback Kyle Boller of Cal. The problem is Martz says Boller probably won't be available when the Rams pick 12th. Ravens officials, who draft 10th, spent last Thursday with Boller and came away raving, and Bears officials, who pick fourth, spent Tuesday with Boller. Impressive workouts and a solid grasp of NFL passing offenses put Boller on the rise. If Boller is gone, the Rams won't use that pick on a quarterback.

In 1999, Ravens coach Brian Billick and general manager Ozzie Newsome debated whether to draft cornerback Chris McAlister or quarterback Daunte Culpepper. They went with McAlister because they felt they were too close to a playoff run to develop a young quarterback. Now, entering their third season since winning the Super Bowl, the Ravens believe the time is right to draft Boller or Byron Leftwich. Besides, Chris Redman, entering his fourth year, hasn't proven he's the long-term answer.

Looking elsewhere
In the next few days, Saints coach Jim Haslett will drop plans to acquire Tebucky Jones if the Patriots don't come off their demand for a second-round pick. Haslett has scheduled visits for safeties Lethon Flowers, Kwamie Lassiter, Anthony Dorsett and Arturo Freeman. The Saints could sign two of those safeties for the $3.5 million a year they would have to pay Jones.

Bleak futures
Jeff Christy, Jerry Fontenot, Todd McClure, Andy McCollum, Gennaro DiNapoli and Rich Braham, all starting centers last season, are out of work and maybe out of luck. With so many good centers in this year's draft and plenty of offensive-line shuffling, they likely will have to settle for backup jobs after the draft.

Support system
Dave Wannstedt is answering concerns about the Dolphins' late season fade that left them out of the playoffs by acquiring veteran leadership. He's signed defensive tackle Jeff Zgonina and cornerback Terrell Buckley and would love to add linebacker Junior Seau and quarterback Brian Griese.

John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com.