Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid says running back Brian Westbrook will play Sunday at San Diego.
Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Reid was asked which NFL injury term best described Westbrook: probable, questionable, doubtful or out. Reid chose none of the above.
"Playing," Reid said.
Westbrook has been sidelined for the last two games after suffering a concussion against the Washington Redskins, but he's listed as probable and Reid says he looks good.
"He looked like he had a little bounce in his step here the last couple of days," Reid said.
Westbrook also indicated that he's ready to go, telling reporters, "I'm doing good."
Andy Reid: Westbrook is playing
Posted by Michael David Smith on November 14, 2009 11:46 AM ET
L.J. not meeting with the Cowboys, yet
Posted by Mike Florio on November 12, 2009 2:48 PM ET
Kent Babb of the Kansas City Star accurately has sniffed out that running back Larry Johnson is in Dallas.
But a league source tells us that Johnson is in Dallas for a social visit only, and not because he's meeting with the Cowboys.
Yet.
There are, per the source, no plans to meet with the Cowboys. And it's not known whether the Cowboys are or will be interested in Johnson.
Most likely, the Cowboys aren't currently interested. But they'll likely become interested fairly quickly if one of their top tailbacks becomes unavailable.
And it's not just an injury that might make the Cowboys or some other playoff contender instantly interested in Johnson. As we saw yesterday with the Joselio Hanson situation, player suspensions often come out of the blue.
So the right move for Johnson -- and the approach he'll apparently follow for now -- is to wait and see what happens.
It's not as if he needs the money; the Chiefs already are paying him $2.14 million over the rest of the regular season to not play for them.
But a league source tells us that Johnson is in Dallas for a social visit only, and not because he's meeting with the Cowboys.
Yet.
There are, per the source, no plans to meet with the Cowboys. And it's not known whether the Cowboys are or will be interested in Johnson.
Most likely, the Cowboys aren't currently interested. But they'll likely become interested fairly quickly if one of their top tailbacks becomes unavailable.
And it's not just an injury that might make the Cowboys or some other playoff contender instantly interested in Johnson. As we saw yesterday with the Joselio Hanson situation, player suspensions often come out of the blue.
So the right move for Johnson -- and the approach he'll apparently follow for now -- is to wait and see what happens.
It's not as if he needs the money; the Chiefs already are paying him $2.14 million over the rest of the regular season to not play for them.
Jamal Lewis: Mangini worked the Browns too hard
Posted by Michael David Smith on November 12, 2009 12:32 PM ET
Cleveland Browns running back Jamal Lewis has made no secret that he's upset about the way this season -- his last in the NFL -- is going.
But today he made some of his most pointed comments yet about the Browns, saying coach Eric Mangini pushed the team so hard in training camp that they had no gas left in the tank for the season.
"The way we work in two-a-days in training camp and the way we work every day on the field for two and a half, three hours, you want a 'W' on Sunday when you work like that," Lewis said Thursday morning in the Brown's locker room, per the News-Herald. "There's talent all over this locker room, young and old, but the talent has to be ready on Sunday and to be fresh for Sunday and be efficient on Sunday.
"You can work as hard as you want. You can work all day seven days a week all the way up until Sunday in practice. At the same time, if you're going to work like that, maybe on Sunday you're not going to get what you want out of your players."
The comments come a day after Lewis said he considers himself more a Raven than a Brown, and that he's retiring because he's "tired of it."
Today Lewis elaborated on what he is tired of. Still, when he was asked directly whether Mangini needs to make greater adjustments in his approach to the team, he declined to pile on, saying, "Next question."
But today he made some of his most pointed comments yet about the Browns, saying coach Eric Mangini pushed the team so hard in training camp that they had no gas left in the tank for the season.
"The way we work in two-a-days in training camp and the way we work every day on the field for two and a half, three hours, you want a 'W' on Sunday when you work like that," Lewis said Thursday morning in the Brown's locker room, per the News-Herald. "There's talent all over this locker room, young and old, but the talent has to be ready on Sunday and to be fresh for Sunday and be efficient on Sunday.
"You can work as hard as you want. You can work all day seven days a week all the way up until Sunday in practice. At the same time, if you're going to work like that, maybe on Sunday you're not going to get what you want out of your players."
The comments come a day after Lewis said he considers himself more a Raven than a Brown, and that he's retiring because he's "tired of it."
Today Lewis elaborated on what he is tired of. Still, when he was asked directly whether Mangini needs to make greater adjustments in his approach to the team, he declined to pile on, saying, "Next question."
Source: Keep an eye on the Pats and Larry Johnson
Posted by Mike Florio on November 10, 2009 10:05 AM ET
When the Chiefs cut Larry Johnson, we mentioned that a source had previously told us Patriots coach Bill Belichick wouldn't want a guy like Johnson around.
Now that Johnson is available (if he clears waivers), the same source now tells us to keep an eye on the Pats.
Of course, the Patriots will only have a shot at Johnson if none of the lower-tier teams submit a waiver claim.
And the only way one of the lower-tier teams will have any chance at Johnson will be to submit a waiver claim.
If Johnson hits the open market, he'll never choose to sign with a bad team. He wants to play and play well as he chases a contract on the open market in what likely will be an uncapped year.
The best recent example of this phenomenon comes from the team that cut Johnson. Last week, the Chargers released receiver Chris Chambers. And the Chiefs, who likely would have had no shot at signing him as a free agent, squatted on his contract via waivers.
With Chambers in the final year of his contract, he contributed two touchdowns in his first game, on a short week.
So if the Redskins or any other team on the wrong side of .500 wants Larry Johnson, the clock is ticking. Once 4:00 p.m. ET rolls around, Johnson will be aiming more for the penthouse -- and Bill Belichick's desire to win a fourth Super Bowl title could be strong enough to persuade him to put Johnson on a one-strike arrangement like the one under which Randy Moss was operating in 2007.
The possibility that Johnson will land with the Patriots now makes us wonder whether another team might make a waiver claim for Johnson in the hopes of blocking his path to New England.
Now that Johnson is available (if he clears waivers), the same source now tells us to keep an eye on the Pats.
Of course, the Patriots will only have a shot at Johnson if none of the lower-tier teams submit a waiver claim.
And the only way one of the lower-tier teams will have any chance at Johnson will be to submit a waiver claim.
If Johnson hits the open market, he'll never choose to sign with a bad team. He wants to play and play well as he chases a contract on the open market in what likely will be an uncapped year.
The best recent example of this phenomenon comes from the team that cut Johnson. Last week, the Chargers released receiver Chris Chambers. And the Chiefs, who likely would have had no shot at signing him as a free agent, squatted on his contract via waivers.
With Chambers in the final year of his contract, he contributed two touchdowns in his first game, on a short week.
So if the Redskins or any other team on the wrong side of .500 wants Larry Johnson, the clock is ticking. Once 4:00 p.m. ET rolls around, Johnson will be aiming more for the penthouse -- and Bill Belichick's desire to win a fourth Super Bowl title could be strong enough to persuade him to put Johnson on a one-strike arrangement like the one under which Randy Moss was operating in 2007.
The possibility that Johnson will land with the Patriots now makes us wonder whether another team might make a waiver claim for Johnson in the hopes of blocking his path to New England.
Adalius Thomas denies talk of playoff strike
Posted by Mike Florio on November 5, 2009 6:32 AM ET
On Tuesday night, we caught wind of rumors that frustrations regarding the NFL's apparent unwillingness to negotiate a new Collective Bargaining Agreement before the start of the uncapped year in March 2010 were giving rise to talk of a players strike for the playoffs.
When acknowledging the rumors, we also pointed out that it could never happen, due to a clear term in the CBA preventing a strike by the players or a lockout by the owners prior to the expiration of the contract that both sides signed.
On Wednesday, Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas denied, strongly, that there has been talk of a postseason strike.
"To be blunt, it's a flat-out, bald-faced, capital-letters lie," Thomas told Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports. "We're not the ones who are interested in not playing. We want to play. We're not going on strike. We signed this agreement and we're fine with it. We're happy. We don't want to stop playing football."
With all due respect, Adalius, it's not a "flat-out, bald-faced, capital-letters lie." Or any other type of lie. The rumor exists. We heard it from a league source who has connections with many players, teams, agents, and -- yes -- the union.
Speaking of the union, NFLPA spokesman George Atallah declined to respond to Cole's request for comment on the rumors of a playoff strike. And, frankly, that's disappointing. All Atallah had to say was, "We fully intend to honor our contractual commitments." [Editor's note: To make it clear, Atallah didn't actually say this. He just should have.] His reluctance to say anything about the situation makes us wonder whether he feared a follow-up question that might have forced him to admit that, yes, all options have been considered and that, indeed, the possibility of a postseason walkout was discussed, but ultimately rejected.
So, as we had hoped, this rumor will apparently die a quick death. But Thomas' words shed further light on the leverage that the owners possess in this situation.
"You play the entire season to get to the playoffs," Thomas told Cole. "That's when, as a player, you want to play the most. You want to go to the Super Bowl and you have four weeks to get there. You think we want to stop that? That's the dumbest thing I have ever heard."
In other words, the players want to play NFL football -- and the only way they can play NFL football is if the owners let them play NFL football. As of 2011, the only way that'll happen is if the players accept whatever deal the owners are willing to give them.
When acknowledging the rumors, we also pointed out that it could never happen, due to a clear term in the CBA preventing a strike by the players or a lockout by the owners prior to the expiration of the contract that both sides signed.
On Wednesday, Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas denied, strongly, that there has been talk of a postseason strike.
"To be blunt, it's a flat-out, bald-faced, capital-letters lie," Thomas told Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports. "We're not the ones who are interested in not playing. We want to play. We're not going on strike. We signed this agreement and we're fine with it. We're happy. We don't want to stop playing football."
With all due respect, Adalius, it's not a "flat-out, bald-faced, capital-letters lie." Or any other type of lie. The rumor exists. We heard it from a league source who has connections with many players, teams, agents, and -- yes -- the union.
Speaking of the union, NFLPA spokesman George Atallah declined to respond to Cole's request for comment on the rumors of a playoff strike. And, frankly, that's disappointing. All Atallah had to say was, "We fully intend to honor our contractual commitments." [Editor's note: To make it clear, Atallah didn't actually say this. He just should have.] His reluctance to say anything about the situation makes us wonder whether he feared a follow-up question that might have forced him to admit that, yes, all options have been considered and that, indeed, the possibility of a postseason walkout was discussed, but ultimately rejected.
So, as we had hoped, this rumor will apparently die a quick death. But Thomas' words shed further light on the leverage that the owners possess in this situation.
"You play the entire season to get to the playoffs," Thomas told Cole. "That's when, as a player, you want to play the most. You want to go to the Super Bowl and you have four weeks to get there. You think we want to stop that? That's the dumbest thing I have ever heard."
In other words, the players want to play NFL football -- and the only way they can play NFL football is if the owners let them play NFL football. As of 2011, the only way that'll happen is if the players accept whatever deal the owners are willing to give them.
Browns have had consultant "in the building" the past week
Posted by Mike Florio on November 2, 2009 6:59 PM ET
As we continue to hear from more and more folks that (possibly former) Browns G.M. George Kokinis was escorted out of the Browns' facility on Monday, we're told that the Browns have had a consultant "in the building" for the past week.
Though there's no specific evidence at this point that a connection exists between Kokinis' departure and the presence of a consultant, the leap of logic is slightly smaller than the Snake River Canyon.
Given the recent termination of director of football operations Erin O'Brien, it's also possible that the "consultant" was retained not only to help improve the franchise, but also to develop evidence to support the termination of one or more officials with cause, which would block their entitlement to ongoing salary for the duration of their contracts.
Owner Randy Lerner currently is paying the ongoing wages of former coach Romeo Crennel and former G.M. Phil Savage.
Lerner suggested Sunday that he would like to hire an upper-level executive. Lerner's words implied that he's interested in someone who would essentially run the football operations and supervise the head coach and the General Manager. It could be that the new hire will operate essentially as a G.M., possibly with some of the scouting duties deferred to a director of player personnel.
Though there's no specific evidence at this point that a connection exists between Kokinis' departure and the presence of a consultant, the leap of logic is slightly smaller than the Snake River Canyon.
Given the recent termination of director of football operations Erin O'Brien, it's also possible that the "consultant" was retained not only to help improve the franchise, but also to develop evidence to support the termination of one or more officials with cause, which would block their entitlement to ongoing salary for the duration of their contracts.
Owner Randy Lerner currently is paying the ongoing wages of former coach Romeo Crennel and former G.M. Phil Savage.
Lerner suggested Sunday that he would like to hire an upper-level executive. Lerner's words implied that he's interested in someone who would essentially run the football operations and supervise the head coach and the General Manager. It could be that the new hire will operate essentially as a G.M., possibly with some of the scouting duties deferred to a director of player personnel.
Bucs won't address rumor that team could be for sale
Posted by Mike Florio on October 29, 2009 1:39 PM ET
Dogged by persistent rumors and speculation that the organization consciously is attempting to reduce its overall expenses, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers now have a new one to deal with.
According to two different Tampa radio stations, there's a rumor that the Buccaneers could be for sale.
The reports from WDAE and WFLA are fairly sketchy for now. The rumor of a sale flows from the rumor that the Glazer family suffered steep losses in the Bernie Madoff investment scandal. There's talk of a note coming due in January 2010 and that, if the Glazers can't make the payment, they'll have to sell the team.
The Buccaneers have responded, by essentially declining to respond.
"We are not going to respond to every unsubstantiated rumor," public relations director Jeff Kamis said, per PewterReport.com.
WFLA has promised more information on Friday. So stay tuned.
UPDATE: Bucs co-chairman Joel Glazer has now denied the rumors. In very cleared and strong terms.
Don't tell LenDale the Titans have quit
Posted by Michael David Smith on October 29, 2009 12:49 PM ET
After the Tennessee Titans lost to the New England Patriots 59-0, it was reasonable to ask whether they simply quit.
But running back LenDale White doesn't want to hear it. White acknowledged that he's heard the talk that the Titans look like a team that has quit, and he said that's not the team he sees in practice or on game day.
"It pisses me off," White tells Terry McCormick of the Nashville Scene. "I know all the people on my team work hard. I know that everybody does when we go out there for game day. I know everybody out there was fighting to get a win. Everybody went out there and prepared to get a victory. Nobody quit on us. We gave effort. Believe me, we did what we could. We tried very hard, but it is what it is."
Other Titans backed up White's assessment. Tennessee linebacker Keith Bulluck said of the game in New England, "It was cold, it was snowing, we were down however many points. You can't quit. I didn't see anyone quit, and I watched the film."
Even if the Titans haven't quit, however, they already look, as they enter November, like a team that's just playing out the string. And they've tacitly acknowledged by benching Kerry Collins for Vince Young that this season has gone down the tubes. White may be right that the Titans haven't quit, but they have stopped playing competitive football.
But running back LenDale White doesn't want to hear it. White acknowledged that he's heard the talk that the Titans look like a team that has quit, and he said that's not the team he sees in practice or on game day.
"It pisses me off," White tells Terry McCormick of the Nashville Scene. "I know all the people on my team work hard. I know that everybody does when we go out there for game day. I know everybody out there was fighting to get a win. Everybody went out there and prepared to get a victory. Nobody quit on us. We gave effort. Believe me, we did what we could. We tried very hard, but it is what it is."
Other Titans backed up White's assessment. Tennessee linebacker Keith Bulluck said of the game in New England, "It was cold, it was snowing, we were down however many points. You can't quit. I didn't see anyone quit, and I watched the film."
Even if the Titans haven't quit, however, they already look, as they enter November, like a team that's just playing out the string. And they've tacitly acknowledged by benching Kerry Collins for Vince Young that this season has gone down the tubes. White may be right that the Titans haven't quit, but they have stopped playing competitive football.
Jets could partially fill Washington's shoes with Justin Miller
Posted by Mike Florio on October 27, 2009 11:49 AM ET
The New York Jets placed running back Leon Washington on injured reserve Monday, a day after he suffered a compound fracture of the fibula.
But the Jets have yet to replace Washington's roster spot. So what will they do?
"I think we've got a plan," coach Rex Ryan said Monday in comments distributed by the team. "We'll see what it is going forward. We've certainly looked at all those options. We're going to make the best decision for our team moving forward."
One option that could be coming to fruition involves bringing back Justin Miller, a cornerback and kick returner who spent three-plus years with the team.
Miller returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in 2006. Coupled with an average of 28.3 yards, he made it to the Pro Bowl.
The Jets cut Miller last November, after a dislocated toe limited him to only one regular-season appearance -- a stunning plummet for a guy who was poised to start at corner across from Darrelle Revis.
The Raiders claimed Miller on waivers, and he scored two kick-return touchdowns in only seven games.
In the offseason, Miller re-signed with the Raiders, but he has bounced on and off the roster. The Raiders brought him back earlier this month, but they cut him again, after only one game.
In New York, Miller would help fill one of the many functions that Washington performed, and it would confirm beliefs that the Jets will simply break Washington's various roles up among multiple players.
So if Washington fully recovers from his broken leg, maybe his absence will actually improve Washington's leverage in contract talks once the Jets realize how hard it will be to properly fill his shoes.
'Skins calling an audible on Zorn's role in sending plays to the field
Posted by Mike Florio on October 21, 2009 5:42 PM ET
In what appears to be another effort by the Redskins to wave in the face of coach Jim Zorn the pieces of his manhood that have been surgically removed, Zorn won't be relaying the play calls from Sherm Lewis to the quarterback during Monday night's game against the Eagles.
Earlier this week, Zorn said that Lewis will be in the booth, that Lewis will communicate the play to Zorn on the sideline, and that Zorn will send the information to the field. Wednesday, Zorn said that Sherman Smith will instead be the middleman.
It's possible that Zorn opted not to be involved in the chain of communication, since his only input would be to repeat the series of words, letters, and/or numbers. It's also possible that others decided that Zorn might be in position to "misunderstand" Lewis or to deliberately overrule him, defeating the purpose of removing the function from Zorn's plate.
Jim, if you have any pride whatsoever, turn off your computer, grab your keys, get up, and leave that place. You'll get another job next year when Mike Holmgren is back in the league.
Unless, of course, Holmgren is working for the Redskins.
Earlier this week, Zorn said that Lewis will be in the booth, that Lewis will communicate the play to Zorn on the sideline, and that Zorn will send the information to the field. Wednesday, Zorn said that Sherman Smith will instead be the middleman.
It's possible that Zorn opted not to be involved in the chain of communication, since his only input would be to repeat the series of words, letters, and/or numbers. It's also possible that others decided that Zorn might be in position to "misunderstand" Lewis or to deliberately overrule him, defeating the purpose of removing the function from Zorn's plate.
Jim, if you have any pride whatsoever, turn off your computer, grab your keys, get up, and leave that place. You'll get another job next year when Mike Holmgren is back in the league.
Unless, of course, Holmgren is working for the Redskins.
Patriots' moves spark speculation
Posted by Mike Florio on October 20, 2009 11:58 AM ET
So the New England Patriots have cut four players in less than 24 hours.
The moves have sparked all sorts of speculation.
The release of Tully Banta-Cain, Joey Galloway, Eric Alexander, and Michael Matthews opens up $2.87 million in nonprorated 2009 salary cap space, which in theory allows the Patriots to absorb a player with a full-season base salary of $2.85 million. (Because all players were signed through 2009 only, there's no cap acceleration arising from cutting them.)
Some are speculating that the Patriots are making a play for Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman.
Coincidentally, his full-season base salary for 2009 is $2.972 million.
Another possibility could be Rams running back Steven Jackson (WEEI radio apparently is throwing that one around), but Jackson's full-season base salary if $5.5 million. Also, the Rams reportedly aren't inclined to move him.
Many also are speculating that linebacker Adalius Thomas would be included in any trade, given his surprise scratch on Sunday. His $1.9 million full-season base salary would be offset by bonus acceleration from 2010 and 2011, the final two years of his contract.
Either way, stay tuned.
The moves have sparked all sorts of speculation.
The release of Tully Banta-Cain, Joey Galloway, Eric Alexander, and Michael Matthews opens up $2.87 million in nonprorated 2009 salary cap space, which in theory allows the Patriots to absorb a player with a full-season base salary of $2.85 million. (Because all players were signed through 2009 only, there's no cap acceleration arising from cutting them.)
Some are speculating that the Patriots are making a play for Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman.
Coincidentally, his full-season base salary for 2009 is $2.972 million.
Another possibility could be Rams running back Steven Jackson (WEEI radio apparently is throwing that one around), but Jackson's full-season base salary if $5.5 million. Also, the Rams reportedly aren't inclined to move him.
Many also are speculating that linebacker Adalius Thomas would be included in any trade, given his surprise scratch on Sunday. His $1.9 million full-season base salary would be offset by bonus acceleration from 2010 and 2011, the final two years of his contract.
Either way, stay tuned.
Banta-Cain might have some leverage
Posted by Mike Florio on October 20, 2009 11:00 AM ET
Though the Patriots apparently cut linebacker Tully Banta-Cain with the intent of bringing him back in short order, New England might have some competition for his services.
Per a league source, the Browns are sniffing around Banta-Cain, and they might make a serious run at swiping him.
Banta-Cain has played under Browns coach Eric Mangini and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, and Banta-Cain likely would instantly become a starter in the Browns' 3-4 defense.
Even if he's not interested, Banta-Cain could flirt with the Browns in order to get something more than a prorated one-year minimum deal from the Patriots.
Bottom line? He's got leverage. The question is whether he'll use it.
Per a league source, the Browns are sniffing around Banta-Cain, and they might make a serious run at swiping him.
Banta-Cain has played under Browns coach Eric Mangini and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, and Banta-Cain likely would instantly become a starter in the Browns' 3-4 defense.
Even if he's not interested, Banta-Cain could flirt with the Browns in order to get something more than a prorated one-year minimum deal from the Patriots.
Bottom line? He's got leverage. The question is whether he'll use it.
Trade threat turned the light on for Dwayne Bowe
Posted by Mike Florio on October 19, 2009 3:05 PM ET
As pointed out in the Chiefs-Redskins portion our Morning Aftermath, Kansas City receiver Dwayne Bowe caught six passes for 109 yards. It was his best output of the season.
Bowe's performance came at a time when rumors are rampant that he (and pretty much any other Chiefs player not named "Matt Cassel") is available as the trade deadline looms.
So was he motivated by the rumors? As it turns out, no.
Bowe was motivated by a specific threat, from coach Todd Haley.
Per a league source, Haley tore into Bowe early in Sunday's win over the Redskins, urging Bowe to pick up his game and threatening to trade Bowe if he didn't.
Though some might have seen it as a chance to get over the wall and head to a contending team, the exchange seemed to light a fire under Bowe.
So we suppose it would be fitting if the performance prompts a team like the Dolphins or Ravens to make the Chiefs an offer for Bowe that G.M. Scott Pioli accepts.
Bowe's performance came at a time when rumors are rampant that he (and pretty much any other Chiefs player not named "Matt Cassel") is available as the trade deadline looms.
So was he motivated by the rumors? As it turns out, no.
Bowe was motivated by a specific threat, from coach Todd Haley.
Per a league source, Haley tore into Bowe early in Sunday's win over the Redskins, urging Bowe to pick up his game and threatening to trade Bowe if he didn't.
Though some might have seen it as a chance to get over the wall and head to a contending team, the exchange seemed to light a fire under Bowe.
So we suppose it would be fitting if the performance prompts a team like the Dolphins or Ravens to make the Chiefs an offer for Bowe that G.M. Scott Pioli accepts.
All Raiders are available, except for Asomugha
Posted by Mike Florio on October 18, 2009 10:34 AM ET
Last Sunday, FOX's Jay Glazer reported that a fire sale could be coming in Oakland, with the Raiders willing to move any player except the young, talented ones.
So are there any?
The talk in league circles is that the only sacred cow is cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, who is incredibly talented but at 28 is hardly young by NFL standards.
The rest of them are fair game -- presumably even defensive end Richard Seymour, who arrived earlier this year for a 2011 first-round pick.
So are there any?
The talk in league circles is that the only sacred cow is cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, who is incredibly talented but at 28 is hardly young by NFL standards.
The rest of them are fair game -- presumably even defensive end Richard Seymour, who arrived earlier this year for a 2011 first-round pick.
Browns won't be trading Joe Thomas
Posted by Mike Florio on October 18, 2009 9:07 AM ET
There has been a surprising amount of fan speculation that the Browns are willing to trade left tackle Joe Thomas.
Possibly sparked by the fan speculation, some league insiders have been to take the possibility seriously.
Per multiple league sources, it's highly unlikely to happen.
For starters, we're told that coach Eric Mangini "loves" Thomas (not in that way -- but that possibility would have made for a compelling episode of Playmakers . . . not that there's anything wrong with it).
More importantly, there's typically only one way to get a 10-year left tackle: through the first round of the draft. Few teams that have one will be willing to give him up -- especially when he's only in the third year of his contract.
That said, any player could be had for the right offer. To get Thomas, however, someone would have to absolutely blow the Browns away, possibly with a Herschel Walker-type package of picks and/or players.
Possibly sparked by the fan speculation, some league insiders have been to take the possibility seriously.
Per multiple league sources, it's highly unlikely to happen.
For starters, we're told that coach Eric Mangini "loves" Thomas (not in that way -- but that possibility would have made for a compelling episode of Playmakers . . . not that there's anything wrong with it).
More importantly, there's typically only one way to get a 10-year left tackle: through the first round of the draft. Few teams that have one will be willing to give him up -- especially when he's only in the third year of his contract.
That said, any player could be had for the right offer. To get Thomas, however, someone would have to absolutely blow the Browns away, possibly with a Herschel Walker-type package of picks and/or players.
Fins, Browns almost swapped Brown, Edwards
Posted by Mike Florio on October 12, 2009 7:49 PM ET
As receiver Braylon Edwards prepares for his first game as a member of the New York Jets, Edwards could have been playing in this game as a member of the Miami Dolphins.
Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Browns and the Dolphins were talking in the offseason about a trade that would have sent Edwards to Miami for running back Ronnie Brown.
As Schefter points out, Brown was the second overall pick in the 2005 draft -- and Edwards was the third.
Making this even more interesting is that, on draft day 2005, some Dolphins employees were convinced that the team would be taking Edwards with the first draft pick of the Nick Saban regime. Folks were surprised to learn that the pick was Brown.
It's unknown whether Saban changed his mind, or whether he was intentionally sending out phony smoke signals within his own building in order to conceal his actual plan.
Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Browns and the Dolphins were talking in the offseason about a trade that would have sent Edwards to Miami for running back Ronnie Brown.
As Schefter points out, Brown was the second overall pick in the 2005 draft -- and Edwards was the third.
Making this even more interesting is that, on draft day 2005, some Dolphins employees were convinced that the team would be taking Edwards with the first draft pick of the Nick Saban regime. Folks were surprised to learn that the pick was Brown.
It's unknown whether Saban changed his mind, or whether he was intentionally sending out phony smoke signals within his own building in order to conceal his actual plan.
T.O. not on the block
Posted by Mike Florio on October 12, 2009 5:59 PM ET
With the Bills falling apart and receiver Terrell Owens generating barely 200 total receiving yards in five games, some have suggested that T.O. should be dangled for the benefit of a playoff contender, which could then yield for the Bills a draft pick or two for their trouble.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that it's not happening.
Still, Schefter believes that the Bills should ponder the possibility. "[A] team such as Chicago, which could use a play-making wide receiver to help unseat the first-place Minnesota Vikings, might find it worthwhile to part with a mid-round pick for an offensive playmaker that can help make a difference this season," Schefter writes.
We generally agree, but keep these three realities in mind.
First, when T.O. was available as an unrestricted free agent, only the Bills were willing to pay him at a rate of $382,000 per game. No one else wanted him at that amount -- few if any would have paid him the league minimum.
Second, though Owens was signed by the Bills before the Bears upgraded their quarterback position by trading for Jay Cutler, the Bears have resisted any and all opportunities to acquire other veteran receivers, either by signing them as free agents or trading for them.
Third, with Kraka-T.O. close to erupting at any given moment, the team needs to be sensitive to the perception that they're trying to dump him -- and he might use that whiff of an opening to try to force his way out.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that it's not happening.
Still, Schefter believes that the Bills should ponder the possibility. "[A] team such as Chicago, which could use a play-making wide receiver to help unseat the first-place Minnesota Vikings, might find it worthwhile to part with a mid-round pick for an offensive playmaker that can help make a difference this season," Schefter writes.
We generally agree, but keep these three realities in mind.
First, when T.O. was available as an unrestricted free agent, only the Bills were willing to pay him at a rate of $382,000 per game. No one else wanted him at that amount -- few if any would have paid him the league minimum.
Second, though Owens was signed by the Bills before the Bears upgraded their quarterback position by trading for Jay Cutler, the Bears have resisted any and all opportunities to acquire other veteran receivers, either by signing them as free agents or trading for them.
Third, with Kraka-T.O. close to erupting at any given moment, the team needs to be sensitive to the perception that they're trying to dump him -- and he might use that whiff of an opening to try to force his way out.
Second sport for LeBron?
Posted by Mike Florio on September 25, 2009 1:20 PM ET
We suppose one of the primary traits of folks who achieve true greatness in one arena is that they sometimes become tempted to find out whether they can do the same thing in another.
In athletics, it's the two-sport star.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, we saw several examples of it. One (Deion Sanders) was relatively successful. Another (Michael Jordan) was a failure at his other sport. A third (Bo Jackson) could have been a two-sport Hall of Famer but for a bad hip.
There's early talk of another. Though we don't buy it, we've got to mention it.
NBA star LeBron James recently mused about playing football.
"I've been thinking about transferring to the NFL," he told FOX 411 earlier this week. "I played a lot of football in my school days," he said, albeit while laughing. "I may make it happen one day -- you never know!"
LeBron once suited up as a member of the Browns for a television commercial, but he has never seriously been linked to the NFL.
Besides, why would the most dominant player in the NBA put his body at risk in his prime, especially as he approaches free agency?
Even with 2010 likely to be uncapped, allowing any team (the Cowboys) to break the bank for LeBron, there's no way it would make sense to pay James the kind of money he'd want to play tight end, and there's no way it would make sense for him to put his basketball career on the back burner.
In athletics, it's the two-sport star.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, we saw several examples of it. One (Deion Sanders) was relatively successful. Another (Michael Jordan) was a failure at his other sport. A third (Bo Jackson) could have been a two-sport Hall of Famer but for a bad hip.
There's early talk of another. Though we don't buy it, we've got to mention it.
NBA star LeBron James recently mused about playing football.
"I've been thinking about transferring to the NFL," he told FOX 411 earlier this week. "I played a lot of football in my school days," he said, albeit while laughing. "I may make it happen one day -- you never know!"
LeBron once suited up as a member of the Browns for a television commercial, but he has never seriously been linked to the NFL.
Besides, why would the most dominant player in the NBA put his body at risk in his prime, especially as he approaches free agency?
Even with 2010 likely to be uncapped, allowing any team (the Cowboys) to break the bank for LeBron, there's no way it would make sense to pay James the kind of money he'd want to play tight end, and there's no way it would make sense for him to put his basketball career on the back burner.
Eagles think Shawn Andrews doesn't want to play football
Posted by Mike Florio on September 20, 2009 12:18 PM ET
Last year, Eagles right guard Shawn Andrews suffered a back injury in Week Two. He remained on the active roster for the entire season.
This year, Andrews' back flared up again. And the Eagles didn't hesitate to shut him down and eat his full salary for the 2009 season.
Per a league source, the Eagles were influenced by the perception that Shawn Andrews doesn't want to play football. So they granted his perceived wish -- with pay.
The other concern, we're told, is that the Eagles didn't want someone with Andrews' mindset around the players who continue to have the desire to play.
The move actually isn't costing the Eagles much money. Per NFLPA records, Andrews' base salary is only $750,000.
In theory, Andrews probably could fight the designation, since it could be perceived as a roundabout effort to suspend Andrews with pay. As a result of the 2005 suspension without pay (and thereafter with pay) of Terrell Owens, the labor agreement wiped out the ability to shut a guy down for disciplinary reasons and still pay him.
This year, Andrews' back flared up again. And the Eagles didn't hesitate to shut him down and eat his full salary for the 2009 season.
Per a league source, the Eagles were influenced by the perception that Shawn Andrews doesn't want to play football. So they granted his perceived wish -- with pay.
The other concern, we're told, is that the Eagles didn't want someone with Andrews' mindset around the players who continue to have the desire to play.
The move actually isn't costing the Eagles much money. Per NFLPA records, Andrews' base salary is only $750,000.
In theory, Andrews probably could fight the designation, since it could be perceived as a roundabout effort to suspend Andrews with pay. As a result of the 2005 suspension without pay (and thereafter with pay) of Terrell Owens, the labor agreement wiped out the ability to shut a guy down for disciplinary reasons and still pay him.
Sources: Agents steering players away from Browns
Posted by Mike Florio on September 16, 2009 7:28 PM ET
Though the Cleveland Browns were able to lure to town today a couple of players with connections to coach Eric Mangini (safety Ray Ventrone and guard Billy Yates), multiple sources have told us that some agents plan to steer their clients away from the Browns.
Right or wrong, there's a sense of discontent regarding the new regime in Cleveland, where coach Eric Mangini and G.M. George Kokinis are running the show, with Mangini serving essentially as the man in charge.
A variety of issues have contributed to the situation, and we're in the process of tracking down specific details regarding some of the potential problem areas.
In the offseason, feathers were ruffled when Mangini took first-year players on a ten-hour bus ride to Hartford, Connecticut to work a youth football camp. Also, the lingering contractual impasse regarding receiver Josh Cribbs could be creating trust issues, given Cribbs' strong belief that owner Randy Lerner promised to re-work Cribbs' below-market deal, and the fact that Mangini/Kokinis have denied the allegation.
The Cribbs conundrum reminds many of the disputes that arose when Mangini coached the Jets, including guard Pete Kendall, receiver Laveranues Coles, and tight end Chris Baker. All claimed that promises had been made regarding their contracts, and that the promises had been broken.
As one source explained it, the Browns likely will be required to overpay free agents in the offseason. If the money that Cleveland is offering matches the money on the table from another team, the thinking is that the players will be far more inclined to sign with the team not named the Browns.
UPDATE: In response to this item, an agent who was not one of the sources for the original item contacted us, agreed with it wholeheartedly, and said, "I would put one of my players on another team's practice squad before putting him on the Browns."
Right or wrong, there's a sense of discontent regarding the new regime in Cleveland, where coach Eric Mangini and G.M. George Kokinis are running the show, with Mangini serving essentially as the man in charge.
A variety of issues have contributed to the situation, and we're in the process of tracking down specific details regarding some of the potential problem areas.
In the offseason, feathers were ruffled when Mangini took first-year players on a ten-hour bus ride to Hartford, Connecticut to work a youth football camp. Also, the lingering contractual impasse regarding receiver Josh Cribbs could be creating trust issues, given Cribbs' strong belief that owner Randy Lerner promised to re-work Cribbs' below-market deal, and the fact that Mangini/Kokinis have denied the allegation.
The Cribbs conundrum reminds many of the disputes that arose when Mangini coached the Jets, including guard Pete Kendall, receiver Laveranues Coles, and tight end Chris Baker. All claimed that promises had been made regarding their contracts, and that the promises had been broken.
As one source explained it, the Browns likely will be required to overpay free agents in the offseason. If the money that Cleveland is offering matches the money on the table from another team, the thinking is that the players will be far more inclined to sign with the team not named the Browns.
UPDATE: In response to this item, an agent who was not one of the sources for the original item contacted us, agreed with it wholeheartedly, and said, "I would put one of my players on another team's practice squad before putting him on the Browns."
| Next »