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| Williams |
We hear the chances of the Dolphins trading for Jaguars running back Fred Taylor are
better than the chances of them trading for Saints running back Ricky Williams,
because the price for Taylor is expected to be much lower than for Williams.
Don't be surprised if the Dolphins get Taylor for a third-round pick this
year and a second-rounder next year.
The Dolphins and defensive tackle Tim Bowens are reportedly far apart in their quest to
restructure his contract, and it seems likely that he'll be let go. We hear
head coach Dave Wannstedt feels good about defensive tackle Daryl Gardener's back, which
kept him out of the final eight games of the season, as well as the progress
of defensive tackles Jermaine Haley and Ernest Grant.
Vikings free-agent wide receiver Cris Carter has listed the Colts, Dolphins, Eagles
and Rams as potential suitors.
After originally contemplating retirement, 33-year-old tight end Shannon Sharpe
said he will be playing somewhere next season, and the prospects of him
returning to Denver are believed to be quite real.
We hear 49ers head coach Steve Mariucci was never really very enthusiastic
about the offer to become head coach of the Buccaneers. In addition to not
wanting to uproot his family -- his primary concern -- we hear he was
definitely turned off by the inability to take any of his coaches with him,
as well as the probable loss of so many high draft picks.
The prospect of being closer to his 6-year-old daughter, who lives in
Denver, and playing for head coach Mike Shanahan and on grass for the rest
of his career has Saints left tackle Willie Roaf pushing hard for a trade to the
Broncos. Roaf, who has said he would retire rather than return to the Saints
next season, believes his agents have the type of relationship with the
Broncos' front office that could get a deal done. If the Saints' asking
price is too much, expect the Broncos to wait for him to be released to make
an offer.
Jets head coach Herman Edwards is in line for a new contract that could
earn him $1.5 million to $2 million a year, based on the fact that he got
the team into the playoffs in 2001. Edwards currently is ranked near the
bottom of the league in terms of head-coaching salary.
An interesting story line out of Browns camp regards the future of linebacker Brant
Boyer. Boyer was made available in the expansion draft but was pulled back
by the Browns after the Texans selected guard Jeremy McKinney. Boyer was the
Browns' special-teams captain last season and will be due a $250,000 roster
bonus on March 1. Rumors have emerged that the Texans really like Boyer and
may have some interest in acquiring him.
Now that Steelers quarterbacks coach Tom Clements has turned down an offer to become
the Jaguars' offensive coordinator, it looks like head coach Tom Coughlin
will be calling all of the plays again. Clements said the job in
Jacksonville was not the right fit for him. Meanwhile, the Jaguars have
added John Hufnagel as their new quarterbacks coach.
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| Wycheck |
The Titans are working on a contract extension for tight end Frank Wycheck, which
would essentially keep him in Tennessee through the end of his career. The
extension, which could be done by the time you read this, will keep Wycheck
under contract through 2006.
Redskins head coach Steve Spurrier was pleased that wide receiver Kevin Lockett was
not selected by the Texans in the expansion draft. The head coach believes
that Lockett, a quick, shifty receiver, will have success in Washington's
new style of offense.
A rumor that has been circulating around Texas for quite some time now is
that the Cowboys will open the 2002 regular season with a game in Houston
against the expansion Texans.
Ever the entrepreneur, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has set his sights on
NASCAR. Look for Jones to buy a controlling interest in a race team before
the start of the 2003 NASCAR season, which opens in February. Jones sees
this as a good business opportunity and an excellent marketing tool. Look
for there to be a big Cowboys star located prominently on the race car.
The Bengals are trying to re-sign both cornerback Artrell Hawkins as well as defensive end
Reinard Wilson, but the team is prepared to look at alternatives if they
test the open market as unrestricted free agents. The names of the Ravens'
Duane Starks and the Bears' Walt Harris have surfaced as possible candidates
should Hawkins depart. The fact that Wilson is more of a specialized pass
rusher could keep his asking price low enough for the Bengals to retain his
services.
While putting the franchise tag on tight end Tony Gonzalez bought some time that
will allow them to spread money out elsewhere, the Chiefs still probably
won't be able to re-sign both offensive lineman Victor Riley and Marcus Spears.
The Chargers have been moving slowly in negotiations with valuable defensive tackle John Parrella, who is concerned because he would like to end his career in San
Diego.
Though it's still going to be a tough signing, the Bears are beginning to
think they might not want to let free-agent center Olin Kreutz leave. The Pro
Bowl starter has played such an important role in the Bears' locker room
that the team might have to bring him back.
After being criticized for letting his weight get away from him last
season, Packers middle linebacker Bernardo Harris has vowed to work out harder this
offseason than he ever has.
After previously leading the Niners to believe he might be happier playing
on the East Coast, closer to his family, we hear free-agent strong safety Lance
Schulters has had a change of heart, provided the Niners are willing to pay
market value.
We hear the Rams expect wide receiver Torry Holt to step it up next season and cut
down on the mental errors and loss of focus that tended to offset all his
receiving yards in 2001. The Rams believe Holt needs to improve his
concentration and show more maturity.
Considering how he was victimized in the playoffs, don't be shocked if Rams
cornerback Dexter McCleon is replaced in the starting lineup next season by Dré Bly,
who performed well the entire 2001 season.
If the Saints are successful in trading Willie Roaf, look for Kyle Turley
to switch to left tackle, with the team either using a high draft pick or
finding a free agent to play right tackle.
Should the Saints pick up right away next season where they left off last
season, when they looked flat-out awful losing their final four games, head
Material from Pro Football Weekly.
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