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| Wednesday, July 9 WR likely won't pick team until right before camp ESPN.com news services |
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Despite the persistence of his suitors, veteran wide receiver Antonio Freeman continues to exercise deliberation in deciding his future, and likely won't determine where he will play for the coming season until just before training camps open leaguewide "He's still looking at the options out there," agent Joel Segal told ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli. "He's in shape and is ready to go to camp. It's just a question of which camp." Unlike many veteran players still in the unrestricted market and without jobs, Freeman continues to draw interest from at least three teams. The eight-year veteran played in Philadelphia last year (after spending his first seven seasons with Green Bay) and proved to be an effective No. 3 wideout. Only five No. 3 wide receivers in the league had more than Freeman's 46 catches. Although the Eagles want to develop younger wideouts like third-year veteran Freddie Mitchell and rookie Billy McMullen, the team has stayed in contact with Freeman and has a standing offer to him. Carolina and San Francisco also remain in the picture. Freeman, 31, has closely scrutinized the rosters of all the teams interested in him, Segal said, and his priority remains to be a contributing member of a playoff franchise.
Attorney Joel Thompson said he will waive Pittman's presence for what could be a fairly crucial hearing. He already has filed a motion to have the hearing delayed until after the coming season, although prosecutors have said they don't think the request will be granted. "I'm asking that the (probation) hearing be set for February or March because of my client's unavailability," Thompson told The Tampa Tribune. Also, [July 21] presents a problem for people who are paying him a lot of money to do a job for them." The Bucs are scheduled to report to training camp July 18 and begin on-field sessions the following morning. A five-year veteran, Pittman is serving a three-year probation for two domestic violence incidents against his wife in a two-month period during summer 2001. Prosecutors contend he breached the terms of his probation with a May 31 incident in which he allegedly rammed his Hummer into a vehicle being driven by his wife and in which their 3-year-old son and a babysitter were passengers. Pittman faces two felony counts of aggravated assault in that incident. He also faces league sanctions, including a possible suspension, but NFL and team officials likely will not make any determination of his status until his legal situation is resolved. Pittman was suspended for the 2001 opener after the two incidents that summer. His wife, Melissa, is expected to testify for the defense if the upcoming hearing is held. She has refused to press charges and prosecutors have moved forward with the probation revocation case without her assistance. Pittman also faces a July 30 pre-trial conference on the most recent aggravated assault charges. Thompson also likely will waive his client's presence for that session so that Pittman can accompany the Bucs to Tokyo for the annual American Bowl game on Aug. 2.
ESPN.com reported last Friday in its "Tip Sheet" that Pruce would sign with the Texans if he passed a physical exam. The Texans' medical staff determined Monday that Pruce had recovered from an ankle injury sustained this spring and the deal was struck. The former University of Buffalo player, who was in camp with the Bills as an undrafted free agent last summer, signed a two-year contract that included a $20,000 signing bonus. The deal also includes a roster bonus of $10,000 if Pruce is active for five games and playing time incentives of up to $100,000 per year. It is, by far, among the top deals signed by an NFLE player. NFL scouts like his size (6 feet 8, 295 pounds) and potential, and believe Pruce could be a late bloomer. Calgary Stampeders: Journeyman quarterback Scott Milanovich, who had a stint with Tampa Bay and was in training camps with two other NFL teams, has signed a contract with the CFL's Stampeders. The former Maryland standout served as an assistant coach for the Rhein Fire of NFL Europe this spring. He had retired and planned to pursue a career in coaching until the Stampeders, struggling at the quarterback position, phoned him. He is expected to vie for the starting job immediately.
The contract includes the standard rookie minimum base salaries of $225,000 (2003), $305,000 ('04) and $380,000 ('05). The signing bonus is not yet confirmed, but it is expected to be about $26,000 to $27,000. Johnson is the fourth of the Packers' nine draft choices to come to contract terms. One of the fastest prospects in the '03 draft, with a 40-yard clocking in the low 4.2s, the former Louisville star is expected to contribute primarily on special teams as a rookie.
The first of the Vikings' seven choices to come to contract terms, Nattiel will receive a signing bonus of $65,500 and the standard rookie minimum base salaries of $225,000 (2003), $305,000 (2004) and $380,000 (2005). He will have a 2003 salary cap value of $246,833. Nattiel was the 190th prospect selected overall in April and he was the latter of Minnesota's two picks in the sixth round. For whatever reason, he lasted far later into the draft than most scouts anticipated he would. In four seasons with the Gators, he appeared in 48 games and started 29 of them, earning a regular spot in the lineup midway through his sophomore year. Nattiel, 22, completed his career with 310 tackles, two sacks, 15 quarterback pressures, three interceptions, nine passes defensed and three fumble recoveries. Nattiel is the nephew of former Florida wide receiver Ricky Nattiel, a first-round choice of the Denver Broncos in the 1986 draft. Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.
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