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| Pickens |
Don't be surprised if the Colts go after a big wide receiver like Sean
Dawkins or Carl Pickens to take some of the pressure off Marvin Harrison.
According to Vikings observers, running back Doug Chapman might surprise people with
his running ability. His biggest shortcoming is his blocking.
Outside of Buffalo, there were few people more disappointed about the
Bills' decision to retain quarterback Rob Johnson than Buccaneers wide receiver Keyshawn
Johnson. The Bucs' wideout
played with Rob at USC and was interested in the possibility of being
reunited with him.
Word out of New England is that Patriots defensive tackle Chad Eaton has cleaned out his
condo – not a good sign for Patriots fans who were hoping he'd re-sign with
the team.
The Seahawks could get lucky with free-agent offensive guard Pete Kendall. He is coming
off shoulder surgery and could be affected by it in workouts with other
teams, which could keep his price tag in Seattle's range.
Browns quarterback Tim Couch, who missed half of last season after breaking his
right thumb, reports that he is feeling well and that if there were a game
this week, he could play. As for how he has accepted the new coaching staff,
we hear he is very excited about the change on offense, which will now
resemble the Colts' attack. Couch has talked to his buddy Peyton Manning for
more insight on the offense.
The Bengals are working on re-signing free-agent quarterback Scott Mitchell, who
went 2-3 at the helm after taking over for Akili Smith. New Bengals
offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski also apparently has expressed interest
in Jon Kitna, with whom he worked in Seattle.
Cincinnati is very interested in free-agent defensive tackle Ted Washington, who visited
the Bengals' headquarters in late February. Washington apparently likes the
talent level of the linebacking corps in Cincinnati. He also visited with the
Seahawks in early March.
It would be a surprise if the Chiefs don't select a running back in the
first round of this year's draft. Kansas City has the 12th pick in the first
round but does not have a second-round choice because of the compensation
package sent to the Rams for head coach Dick Vermeil.
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| Carter |
Broncos OT Tony Jones and cornerback Dale Carter are expected to play next season
but probably not with Denver. The team was caught off-guard with Jones'
decision not to retire and had planned their approach to the salary cap
based on his retirement. The possible return of Carter, who has applied for
reinstatement after a one-year suspension that reportedly was for
not cooperating with the league's substance-abuse policy, is not in the cards
for the Broncos because of a substantial salary-cap hit they would take.
Raiders head coach Jon Gruden wants to re-sign unrestricted free-agent running back Terry Kirby since he fit into the offense so well last season. Fullback Zack
Crockett, however, probably will only be brought back if he agrees to take a
pay cut.
Browns head coach Butch Davis reports his team is in good cap shape to make
some moves in the free-agent market. "I think we're pretty cap-friendly, but
we've got to make sure we go after the right guys," said Davis. "You have to
find out not only how talented and good they are, but also how long they can
be a productive player for you. We're not interested in players with one- or
two-year life spans. We'd like to get three to five players out of the
free-agent market, maybe six. We won't put a limit on the top or bottom
end." One player we hear the Browns may take a long look at is cornerback Eric
Davis, who was recently cut by the Panthers because of his high cap figure.
Even though Davis is an 11-year veteran, if the Browns believe he can help
them out for a couple of years, they may bring him aboard.
At press time, the Jaguars and Mark Brunell were still about $6-$7 million
apart on the amount of signing bonus the quarterback would receive in a
long-term contract extension. That's quite a canyon, so it could be awhile
before the two sides reach an agreement.
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| Sanders |
While cornerback Deion Sanders attends spring training with the Cincinnati Reds, he
refuses to discuss his football plans. Word has it that he was a little
miffed that the team didn't let him know that former defensive coordinator
Ray Rhodes would be leaving, and therefore he is holding back on the
communication with his football bosses. Meanwhile, Redskins head coach Marty
Schottenheimer says he expects Sanders to be present for training camp.
Will the Eagles make a run at center Dermontti Dawson, recently cut by the
Steelers? Eagles director of football operations Tom Modrak usually likes to
take a long look at former Steelers, players he is familiar with from his
days in Pittsburgh's front office.
The Lions are looking for a backup quarterback familiar with the West Coast
offense. Hence, they have had conversations with the Browns about trading
for backup quarterback Ty Detmer.
There is a better than 50-50 chance of offensive right tackle Earl Dotson re-signing with the
Packers, even though, according to Dotson's agent, five teams have expressed
an interest in signing him.
Though the Buccaneers signed middle linebacker Jamie Duncan to a one-year contract, some
in Tampa see 2000 third-round pick Nate Webster as the team's "Mike" of the
future.
Don't be stunned if the Saints switch either speedy second-year cornerback Michael
Hawthorne or cornerback Fred Weary to free safety this offseason.
While most experts agree cornerback Ray Buchanan probably would have been able to
snare a much bigger signing bonus on the open market than the $8 million he
received by re-signing with Atlanta, we hear any unhappiness on Buchanan's
part was offset by the fact he will receive a "guaranteed" $4.2 million in
the third year of his new six-year deal, which is a real rarity.
We hear there are some people in the Panthers' organization who like Texas
Christian running back LaDainian Tomlinson so much they're pushing for the team to
trade up in order to make sure it
can get him.
Material from Pro Football Weekly.
Visit PFW's web site at http://www.profootballweekly.com
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