Ben Maller’s Sports Rumors & Notes

Rumors Archive for August 18, 2006

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NBA Rumors & Notes

Friday, August 18, 2006

Will the Cavaliers make more moves this offseason? "I don't think we're done," Danny Ferry said. "We have some moves and additions that will enhance what we're trying to get done. "We'd like to get tougher and we'd like to continue to become a better shooting team." Two veterans who fit that criteria are free agent guard David Wesley and veteran big man Scot Pollard.

Ron Artest is not a bad guy, he insisted. But he has been attached to a hideous incident. And when the community service initially was discussed, Artest said he wanted to return to Detroit "to show that there's a lot of good in me." "I'm glad I'm here, really," he said. "The people here have been really great, very cool. I must have passed 1,000 people already -- and the Tigers' fans are real." This was one day after Artest's comments to a group of Detroit-area children included him defending his role in the brawl. He said he knew the national media criticized him for his quote, "Someone started trouble, and I ended it." "I don't expect everyone to like me," he said Thursday. "Some people, like fans here, they're open-minded. Some media, I think they'll stay one-sided forever. It's old. They're not letting it go. But not the fans. They've been great."

The Pioneer Press reports... Pssst: Don't be surprised if an agreement is reached soon with a California investor to buy 30 percent of the Timberwolves.

The Las Vegas Review Journal... Michael Jordan, dropping a bundle Wednesday at the Mansion at MGM Grand.

A Marin County judge has issued two arrest warrants for former NBA star Isaiah J.R. Rider after he failed to show for sentencing in a couple of misdemeanor cases. Marin Superior Court Judge Verna Adams waited about an hour after his scheduled 9:06 a.m. hearing Wednesday before issuing the warrants. Bail was set at $10,000 for each of the warrants in two misdemeanor cases against the basketball player, who retired in 2002. Rider pleaded guilty to six misdemeanors and three infractions in the two cases in Marin. One involves false imprisonment and battery, and the second is for driving with a suspended license and related charges. He also is wanted in Alameda County, where a bench warrant was issued July 26 when he failed to appear in court on drug charges.

Eddie House is perhaps the only bench guy the Nets have had in the Jason Kidd era who can drop in 15 points in a quarter when his pilot light is on. "We just need him to make open shots," team president Rod Thorn said in a conference call yesterday. "If he can make open shots and bring energy to the game, he will help us."

The traditionally buttoned down Boston Celtics are jumping on the NBA’s entertainment bandwagon, with plans for celebrity-style courtside seats and dancing girls. High-rolling fans will have 16 perches - retailing from $1,250 to $1,500 per game - next to the players’ benches and along the court. It is a class of seats that has become popular with stars like Jack Nicholson in Los Angeles and Spike Lee in New York, and Rich Gotham, the Celtics chief operating officer, says he believes that Boston will be no exception. But Celtics fans may have more than celebrity watching to keep themselves occupied. The team’ first dance squad - featuring 21 women from across the country - will take the floor this season. It’s part of an effort to rev up the entertainment at games. “If there is a little more of a Hollywood, celebrity, VIP feel, they (fans) may feed off that,” Gotham said.

The 14ers will be an affiliate team of the Nuggets, New Jersey Nets and Toronto Raptors. George Karl said he wasn't sure how many players under contract with the Nuggets would see time in Broomfield. Denver did not have a pick in the 2006 NBA draft. Karl hopes eventually the 14ers become a feeder team for the Nuggets, similar to a Triple-A franchise in baseball.

The Kings forward, in Detroit as part of his community service assignment from his role in the Nov. 19, 2004, NBA brawl, said he gladly donned the Tigers' colors as a goodwill gesture.

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MLB Rumors & Notes

Friday, August 18, 2006

The Phillies brushed off suggestions that it might be time to consider locking up Ryan Howard and Chase Utley with long-term contracts. Now, from the team's point of view, there is certainly no pressure to rush into anything. Utley can't sign with another team as a free agent until 2010. Howard can't leave until 2 years after that. These are the guys the franchise says it wants to build around. You can bet they will be the faces of the offseason marketing campaign. Those are the words. The action that would speak loud and clear would be to back it up with multiyear deals.

St. Louis, looking for a veteran presence in its lineup, is set to pick up outfielder Preston Wilson once he clears waivers in Houston. Wilson had nine home runs and 94 strikeouts in 390 at-bats with the Astros, who had concerns about his defense.

The notion of the Rockies trading Ian Stewart for an impact center fielder is a question a handful of readers have raised. The idea is intriguing for two reasons: it would take someone of Stewart's ilk to get a Carl Crawford, and the Rockies don't really have a need at third base with the way that Garrett Atkins has developed.

Atlanta third base coach Fredi Gonzalez is getting strong consideration for the Cubs managerial job if a move is made with Dusty Baker. Gonzalez managed in the Florida system when Cubs GM Jim Hendry scouted for the Marlins.

The Mariners' recent skid might have put manager Mike Hargrove and GM Bill Bavasi's jobs in jeopardy.

Major League Baseball hasn't placed the Paul LoDuca gambling investigation in the cold-case file just yet. MLB sent two investigators from its security office to Philadelphia during the Mets' series against the Phillies this week to interview the All-Star catcher about gambling issues, the New York Daily News has learned. "Our security people are looking into it," said one MLB official who asked not to be identified. The Mets have characterized the interview as a helpful gesture on MLB's part, not an official investigation.

Bench coach Ernie Whitt is going to be the fall guy in Toronto. Whitt never quite fit into plans of general manager J.P. Ricciardi, who isn't comfortable with longtime Blue Jays personnel. Whitt was an expansion draft pick of the Blue Jays in November 1976.

Next spring Tigers OF Magglio Ordonez is looking at life as a designated hitter. Granted, $15 million a year is about $10 million more than any team should pay for a DH. But remember another element in this relationship: This was a Mike Ilitch deal all the way. In February 2005, the owner wasn't happy that his team essentially was unchanged from 2004. The boss decided to make an 11th-hour desperation pitch to Ordonez, which was music to the ears of agent Scott Boras. The Tigers vastly overpaid for Ordonez. They're stuck with him. Making this arrangement productive the next three seasons is going to be no small trick.

As the Mets continue to discuss a potential trade for the Diamondbacks' Shawn Green, the agent for Preston Wilson contacted general manager Omar Minaya yesterday to let him know of the outfielder's interest in coming to New York. Wilson, who was released by the Astros on Tuesday, is now free to sign with other teams and his agent, Bob Bry, said yesterday that he was looking for the best fit.

The Tigers likely would be interested in veterans with postseason experience. That would describe Arizona's Craig Counsell, who was at Triple-A when Dombrowski, then the Florida GM, acquired him at the 1997 trade deadline. Counsell (rib injury) is set to begin his rehabilitation assignment, but as of Wednesday had not been placed on waivers.
Even if the Diamondbacks decided to deal him, the NL/AL order would make it difficult for the Tigers to obtain him. San Diego infielder Mark Bellhorn was the everyday second baseman -- and a postseason hero -- for the Red Sox two years ago. Still, he is not a likely trade candidate, because the contending Padres like his versatility. Jose Vizcaino is available after the Giants designated him for assignment this week. Vizcaino, 38, had a game-winning hit for the Yankees during the 2000 World Series, and hit a game-tying, two-run single for the Astros in Game 2 of last year's World Series.

Eric Gagne probably has played his last game in a Dodgers uniform. The club isn't going to pick up his $12 million contract option, and Gagne's agent, Scott Boras, isn't going to let him sign on the cheap.

It was after Wednesday night's game and the newest occupant of the Cincinnati Reds' bullpen, Scott Schoeneweis, walked to his locker wearing an ice bag on his left knee big enough to sink the Bismarck to the bottom of the sea. Schoeneweis says it is nothing.
"A freakish thing," he said. "Did it about 10 days ago running in the outfield in Toronto. I lost my footing and slipped. I blew some stuff out in the back of my knee, but it is a non-issue as to whether I can pitch."

Kris Benson will have to give the Orioles written notice within 15 days after the World Series if he plans to exercise that right. If he didn't rescind his request for a trade, the Orioles would have until March 15 to trade him, or he'd become a free agent at that time. Benson will make $7.5 million next season and he has a $7.5 million option for the 2008 season. The pitcher says that he has enjoyed his first year in Baltimore.

The Marlins figured having guys like Joe Borowski, Matt Herges and Wes Helms through season's end would be more valuable than anything they could get in return for them. In all three cases they were right. Borowski has 26 saves and, with 42 games remaining, should become the sixth Marlin to convert 30 in a season. What the Marlins' front office soon will have to weigh is whether the 2007 squad would equally benefit with Borowski.

The day before the Bobby Abreu deal, the Phillies proposed a trade to the Red Sox in which Boston would have acquired Cory Lidle for a couple of mid-level prospects. The Sox were agreeable and told the Phillies they hoped they had a deal. At the same time, the Sox were talking about Abreu. They said they'd be willing to trade prospects for the outfielder as long as the Phillies agreed to pay in the neighborhood of $6 million toward Abreu's salary. At the time, Nixon was healthy. The Mets were also taking a run at Abreu, but they wanted the Phillies to eat some salary, too. There was, however, a team willing to take on all of Abreu's salary. That team, of course, was the Yankees, but they added an important stipulation: They'd pay Abreu's salary, but only if the Phillies gave them Lidle, too.

Sources say one issue that MLB security may be interested in discussing with Paul LoDuca is his abrupt change of agents earlier this year. The catcher dumped respected agents Seth and Sam Levinson for little-known Andrew Mongelluzzi, whose only client is LoDuca. LoDuca is still reaping the benefits of the three-year, $17.85 million contract the Levinsons negotiated for him in January 2005, and a move to an agent without a track record has raised concerns.

The gamble now for the Royals is whether Mark Grudzielanek, 36, will retain sufficient skills to justify an expenditure of $4 million to $4.5 million for 2008 if he picks up a new player option. “I wouldn’t worry too much about that,” one opposing scout said. “In some ways, Grudzielanek is better now than ever. He’s a smart player who knows how far to push his body. Unless he has some major injury, there’s no reason to expect a major drop-off in the next two years.”

There's a chance Placido Polanco could be back playing for the Detroit Tigers by the middle of September. "That would be wonderful," manager Jim Leyland said Thursday. "That would be wonderful. And it actually could be quicker than that." Polanco, who was hurt Tuesday night in Boston, was examined Thursday in Detroit by Dr. Stephen Lemos. Lemos confirmed the original diagnosis of something between a second- and third-degree separation, but he gave Leyland a 4-6 week estimate on Polanco's return. Four weeks from Tuesday would be Sept. 12, which would mean the Tigers would have Polanco back for the final 18 games of the season. Six weeks would be Sept. 26, the start of the final week of the regular season.

B.J. Upton wanted to make sure the slate was clean, the page was turned and the air cleared. He also wanted to lift a weight off his shoulders. So on Aug. 1, the day the Devil Rays third baseman arrived at the Trop after his promotion from Triple-A Durham, he gathered his teammates in the clubhouse and apologized. "I told them," Upton said Thursday, "how it went down." The problem was an article last month in USA Today in which Upton, Delmon Young and Elijah Dukes discussed their apparent dissatisfaction with being in the minors.

You can make a strong argument that - at-bat for at-bat - the Reds' 23-year-old third baseman, Edwin Encarnacion, is having a better year then Mets 3B David Wright. Encarnacion's counting stats - home runs and RBI - are well behind Wright's because Encarnacion has only 266 at-bats to 448 for Wright. Encarnacion is hitting .297 with 13 home runs and 59 RBI. But his on-base percentage (.384 to .378) is higher than Wright's. So is his slugging percentage (.541 to .531). Encarnacion has driven in a run every 4.5 at-bats. Wright has driven in a run every 5.2 at-bats. Their home run rates are dead even - one per 20.4 at-bats.

Giants LF Barry Bonds said that the irritation in his left elbow has subsided, pointing out that the swelling had decreased. Bonds, who has bone chips in that elbow, said that he began feeling discomfort during Wednesday's game, which he left in the sixth inning. "It got progressively more sore," said Bonds, who hit his 724th career homer in the second inning.

Mike Maroth said Thursday that he's still hopeful of returning to the Tiger rotation next week. Maroth will make his third minor-league rehab start Saturday night at Triple-A Toledo. The Tigers have suggested that he'll need at least one more after that, but Maroth said: "Let's get through Saturday, see how I feel, and go from there."

Who Knew? From July 13 to July 26, the Dodgers were last in the National League in wins (one), runs per game (2.1), batting average (.222) and home runs (six) and were third-to-last in team earned-run average (5.41), according to STATS, LLC. Beginning July 28 and ending Wednesday, they ranked first in wins (17), batting average (.297) and ERA (2.26), second in runs a game (5.5) and sixth in home runs (20).

Red Sox GM Theo Epstein said the deal would not have been made had the Blue Jays not “heavily subsidized” Eric Hinske’s 2007 salary of $5.6 million. It is believed the clubs will split next year’s salary, with the Red Sox picking up the remaining $1.4 million on Hinske’s salary this year. The Red Sox will send a minor league prospect to the Blue Jays at a later date.

He might not agree with retaliation on the field, but manager Mike Scioscia came out firing Thursday against Major League Baseball. The MLB office, led by vice president of on-field operations Bob Watson, was quick to hand out fines and suspensions stemming from Wednesday's fight at Texas and the Angels were hit hard. ... "I cannot begin to express my displeasure over the course of these events," said Scioscia, who watched Thursday's game from his office since his suspension started immediately. "I think Major League Baseball in New York has certainly dropped the ball on this one. They can't have it both ways. You can't ask a team to not retaliate, which is our philosophy, but yet not back us up when it's obvious players are throwing at us."

Who Knew? In five starts against Boston, New York and Chicago, Tigers ace Justin Verlander is 0-4 with a 7.66 ERA. In his other 18 starts this year, he's 14-2 with a 2.22 ERA.

Twins pitcher Francisco Liriano, who is on the disabled list, said he plans to resume throwing next week and that he intends to return to the active roster as soon as he's allowed. "Right now I'm lifting weights and stretching every day," he said. "My arm feels fine, but I have to throw first to see how it is then. I've just got to be patient, but it's hard not being able to pitch."

Joe Mauer admits his bat speed has slowed since last month's all-star break, when he was hitting .378. But he's still leading the major leagues with a .359 average. "It's tough to keep it up. My bat's a little slower and my body's a little sore, but that's the way it is for everybody this time of the season," the Twins catcher said Thursday. "We've played a lot of games. I'm getting a little tired." In order to finish the season strong, Mauer is budgeting the number of batting practice swings he takes.

Did You Know? Jose Reyes reached the 50-steal mark for the second consecutive season. Mookie Wilson is the only other Met to steal 50 or more bases in consecutive seasons, doing it in 1981-82. Reyes, who stole 60 bases in 2005, has 142 steals in his 3 1/2-year career. The team record, which belongs to Wilson and took him 10 seasons to set, is 281.

If the Rockies don't think they can get Matt Holliday secured long-term - and they have certainly sent out those smoke signals since the slugger switched to agent Scott Boras - then they may end up moving Ian Stewart to the outfield.

Carlos Pena was in the PawSox’ starting lineup last night, batting fifth and playing first base a day after he signed as a free agent. Pena opted out of his contract with the Yankees’ Triple-A Columbus squad and reportedly has received assurances that he will be a September call-up with the Red Sox.

Fausto Carmona's week of misery in Bob Wickman's job tells the front office that signing a closer is a top offseason priority. The Indians must handle Carmona carefully, even if the plan is for him to return to being a starter as he was in the minors (13-9, 3.68 ERA in 2005).

Did You Know? According to club researchers, the last time the Red Sox and Yankees played a five-game series in Fenway Park was in 1959. The Olde Towne Team couldn't have had a better time of it, sweeping the Bombers by a combined score of 50-18. The first game was a blowout (14-3) and so was the last (13-3), the Sox scoring nine runs in the sixth inning of the finale, with Vern Stephens hitting a grand slam. That was one of two slams the Sox hit in the series: Don Buddin hit a walkoff in the 10th inning of an 8-4 victory.

The Royals now have $30.95 million committed in guaranteed salaries next season to seven players: Mike Sweeney, Reggie Sanders, Scott Elarton, Grudzielanek, Angel Berroa, David DeJesus and Odalis Perez.

Astros general manager Tim Purpura said there's a 50-50 chance Roy Oswalt, who's suffering from a bruised wrist, will make his next scheduled start Saturday in Milwaukee. "While I'd like him to (start), the prudent thing would be to wait," Purpura said. Oswalt, who was hit on the right wrist by a line drive Monday and is listed as day-to-day, threw about 60 pitches off flat ground prior to Thursday's game to test the wrist.

Astros manager Phil Garner still plans on using a closer-by-committee approach now that Brad Lidge is out as closer, but he said Thursday that Dan Wheeler could find himself closing more games.

Who Knew? 0: Major league players who have recorded 40 homers, 30 steals and 20 outfield assists in a single season. Alfonso Soriano needs two homers, one stolen base and one assist to become the first

Did You Know? Third baseman Freddy Sanchez is six weeks away from becoming the Pirates' 25th batting champion. Only 13 batting champions in history have come from a last-place team.

Joe Maddon said about six to 10 players will be called up from the minors when rosters expand in September, but the player many Rays fans want to see - RF prospect Delmon Young - isn't being guaranteed one of those spots. "I'd love to see him out there. There's no doubt he's going to be a very good major-league player. He's all of that," Maddon said. "We just want to make sure, like we've said before, that everybody understands the right way of doing things and contributes to the group and wants to be part of the group. That's my biggest concern."

On Wednesday night, O's closer Chris Ray became only the second pitcher in Yankee Stadium history to earn a save of two innings or more after allowing the first two runners to reach base, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Milwaukee's Bob McClure also did it in 1980.

Brian Daubach of Belleville, who was hitting .279 at Memphis after not making the Cards out of spring training, had wrist surgery Thursday and is done for the season. “I’ll probably go play some winter ball,’’ he said. “See if I can get healthy and get teams interested by showing I’m healthy.”

Baltimore Orioles outfielder David Newhan likely will begin a rehabilitation assignment at Class AAA Ottawa by the end of the weekend. The Orioles said that Newhan -- on the disabled list since April because of a fractured right fibula -- needs a couple more days of practice with the team before being sent north.

After the Twins lost to Cleveland 3-2 on Thursday, Twins center fielder Torii Hunter said this is the most beat up he has felt in his 14 years in the major leagues. If this weren't a pennant race, Hunter said he definitely would not be playing in a day game following a night game. "I'm at least 90 percent [healthy], but this is tough," he said. "These games are crucial. You have to go out and try and perform and help the team out. It isn't going as planned right now, but we'll get it done. "I broke my ankle last year and had a stress fracture in my foot this year. It's a little bit of both." Hunter said this is the best Twins team he has played on, and he said he believes they can get the American League wild-card berth.

The Washington Nationals have been working for the last week without a left-hander in the bullpen, ever since Micah Bowie strained a muscle in his upper back -- a strain that has left a nasty bruise on his upper arm.

A small piece of what was called insulation fell from the roof and to the field at Miller Park Thursday night during the Milwaukee Brewers' game against the Houston Astros. The piece fell in the top of the fifth inning with two outs and Houston's Craig Biggio at the plate. It landed between the pitcher's mound and second base.

The Mets were still undecided as to who would start Saturday against Colorado, but Willie Randolph called Dave Williams the front-runner. Randolph said Williams had been pitching better at Class AAA Norfolk than the other candidate, Oliver Pérez.

Going into Thursday’s game, the Mets had scored 12 runs in their past six games, and Carlos Delgado was batting .133 in August (6 for 45) with one extra-base hit, a double. His production has dropped noticeably since a dynamic April, when he slammed nine home runs, and aside from a surge in mid-June (.441, 4 home runs, 15 R.B.I.), Delgado has been electrifying for a few games at a time but not consistently.

Braves LF Matt Diaz had two more hits Thursday to go 7-for-16 in the four-game series and raise his August average to .463 (19-for-41), with 10 extra-base hits, three home runs and eight RBIs. Now he'll face his favorite opponent: In 11 games against the Marlins, the Florida resident has hit .581 (18-for-31) with two doubles, two triples and six RBIs. In six games at Dolphins Stadium, he's 11-for-16 (.688).

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NFL Rumors & Notes

Friday, August 18, 2006

A person close to WR Jerry Porter's situation said the Raiders have been presented several trade proposals and have nixed every one. The Raiders simply are "making it difficult" to trade Porter, the person said. It is unknown what the Raiders want in compensation for Porter. They spent a second-round selection in the 2000 NFL draft to get him. Raiders personnel executive Michael Lombardi said earlier in camp that the Raiders haven't had any inquiries from teams about Porter. Therefore, unless the Raiders lower their asking price or a team that loses a front-line receiver feels compelled to up the ante, it appears Porter is here for the next two seasons. Porter can opt out of the five-year contract extension he signed before last season after the 2007 season. Until then, he runs the risk of being kept on ice by the Raiders.

Super Bowl XXXIX MVP Deion Branch, the disgruntled holdout in search of a new contract, is preparing to sit out up until the 10th week of the regular season, when he would have to report to be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent after this season, according to those who know the Patriots wide receiver. ... Those who know Branch insist that the wide receiver is resolute in his beliefs and he will not be reporting to New England without a new long-term contract or the promise that the Patriots won't slap him with the franchise tag that would prevent him from getting one.

Team spokesman Bill Johnston acknowledged yesterday that the Chargers would make no counteroffer to Junior Seau after learning of New England's initiative. Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer, asked Monday whether Seau might still be of use to his team, said he would have to lose more than one linebacker to injury before the idea would start to make sense. “You don't know how he's feeling physically,” Schottenheimer said, “and (about) his pride. I can't speak for him. I don't know.” This was a nice way of saying Junior Seau was no longer wanted or needed by the Chargers.

Free agent DT Grady Jackson did not sign a contract yesterday but will reportedly meet again with Giants officials today. Jackson, 33, did not pass a physical with the Falcons in the spring and has been unsigned since. The Giants are scheduled to meet with 34-year-old DT Brentson Buckner today

The Saints would like to reunite QB Drew Brees with his former San Diego teammate LB Donnie Edwards. The Saints have approached the Chargers about trading for Edwards, only to find out that it would take a first-day draft pick to pry him away. However, the Saints also have a surplus at a position the Chargers have a weakness. Earlier this week, the Chargers lost return man Darren Sproles to a season-ending broken left leg. The Saints have wide receiver/return men Michael Lewis and Bethel Johnson. The two teams should continue trade talks that already have commenced to see if it can satisfy the demands of each other. To date, the Saints haven't been able to do it.

49ers coach Mike Nolan confirmed talks with the Jets about the availability of RB Kevan Barlow, but he said the discussions weren't serious and he assured Barlow he wasn't going to be traded. Another player on the Jets' radar, Falcons backup RB T.J. Duckett, sounded as if he's lobbying for a trade. "I'm looking for a big year with some breakout runs," Duckett told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I want to get it out there that I want to be a feature back.

Each time the Saints' punt return unit lines up in practice, the first player up on the returning end is always tailback Reggie Bush. That's customarily a clear indication that the player who is first to field the kick could be considered the No. 1 return man. And while the rookie said Thursday he sees himself filling that role, it's unlikely Saints fans, and Monday night's national television audience, will get to see Bush returning punts against the Dallas Cowboys.

Vikings coach Brad Childress downplayed the possibility of trading for a receiver -- Denver's Ashley Lelie and Oakland's Jerry Porter are available -- and said he will not sign a free-agent receiver just to add a body. "I supposed everything is possible," Childress said. "There are costs involved. You have to decide whether that player is worth that cost. I know the names out there. But you've got to decide if that person is a fit."

Steelers linebacker Joey Porter told the NFL Network last night that he almost did not show up at camp this summer, and the main reason he did was because of his close relationship with coach Bill Cowher. "He's one of the main reasons why I'm back here at camp," Porter said. "Contract-wise I wasn't too happy with the situation that we [had] going into the season. But I talked to coach Cowher, and after me and him had our words ... he said he's going to be here, so he had a big impact on me being here in camp this year." Co-host Marshall Faulk then asked a follow-up question about holding out of camp and whether Porter felt like he was underpaid. "Definitely," Porter said.

Denver could entertain offers for other backups. There has been speculation the Jets are interested in running back Cedric Cobbs.

Much like Keyshawn Johnson has said repeatedly, Steve Smith said they should be a non-story. Countless newspapers and radio and television shows have focused on their relationship when talking about the Panthers. Smith said he's baffled by the amount of attention focused on him and Johnson. "You've got guys coming here and you want to have fun and you want it to be light and have less anxiety amongst each other," Smith said. "So why press the issue that's not even there? We're here to win the Super Bowl. We're here to win championships."

The Panthers will likely decide in a few days what to do with linebacker Sean Tufts, who has a knee injury believed to be serious. He is seeking a second opinion. The team is likely to release him with an injury settlement or put him on injured reserve.

After six seasons as head coach in New Orleans, Jim Haslett said he has adjusted to no longer being the man in charge. That he has three former Saints assistants on his defensive staff in St. Louis -- Rick Venturi, Willy Robinson and Joe Baker -- has made the transition easier. "I'm not an egotistical guy in any sense," he said. "You know how that is in this business -- I think everybody has (an ego). But I enjoy the game. I enjoy the X's and O's. To be honest with you, it's something I've done my whole life. I played and went right into coaching. So I really know nothing else. "Some day, if that (head-coaching) opportunity ever comes again, if it's the right situation and you have a chance to win, then I may do it. If not, I'm fine doing what I'm doing right now."

The Steelers continue to negotiate with cornerback Ike Taylor and running back Willie Parker on contract extensions. The team remains hopeful of extending their deals, but it is not close to signing either one.

Cincinnati's most impressive receiver so far has been Chris Henry. His off-field problems have baffled the Bengals. "There is a lesson to be learned from all that," Henry said this week. "But I just kind of want to put all that stuff behind me and move forward." It's not that easy. Henry has a DUI case pending in Clermont County. He pleaded guilty to marijuana possession in Covington, stemming from a December arrest, and avoided jail time by completing a treatment program required by the NFL's substance abuse policy. Once the DUI case in Clermont County in completed, Henry faces a likely four-game suspension for his second violation of league policy.

The Bucs worked out former Cowboys offensive tackle Jacob Rogers before Thursday's walk-through, with line coaches Bill Muir and Aaron Kromer and trainer Todd Toriscelli in attendance. Rogers, 6 feet 5, 305 pounds, was a second-round draft pick in 2004 out of Southern Cal. He played in two games as a rookie, then decided to have season-ending microfracture surgery on his right knee before the 2005 season. He was released in March. Another tackle, Todd Wade, formerly of the Texans and Dolphins, was in for a physical.

One problem facing the Browns as they survey the NFL for potential backup quarterbacks: the market is pretty bare. A quality backup such as Matt Schaub of Atlanta will cost a high-round pick, while lower-tier guys like John Navarre of Arizona likely aren't much better than the Browns' current reserve QBs.

Jets wide receiver Justin McCareins insists he's happy. He says there's no place else he'd rather be. He claims he loves New York. But things haven't turned out quite the way anyone expected when the Jets obtained him before the 2004 season from the Tennessee Titans for a second-round pick. And the situation hit rock bottom when he failed his conditioning test at the start of training camp and was the first high-profile resident of coach Eric Mangini's doghouse. ... Mangini has been lukewarm in his praise of McCareins and appears to be making an example out of the veteran. Mangini called McCareins out when he failed the conditioning test, something most coaches wouldn't do to a player of McCareins' veteran stature.

Coach Mike McCarthy said the Packers were not in the market to bring anybody else in right now at the kicker position. They worked out veteran Paul Edinger earlier in camp but have no interest in signing him.

The Broncos continue to work on trading receiver Ashley Lelie. The team is likely to accept a third-round pick for him. Vikings coach Brad Childress said Thursday that the team is exploring possibilities at the position and considering the price tags of available receivers. Philadelphia and Chicago are also among the teams that may bite at giving up a No. 3 for Lelie.

Starter Willie Parker will open the show at running back, but Duce Staley also will play behind the first offensive line, Steelers coach Bill Cowher said. Cowher said he wants a clearer picture of where the 31-year-old, 242-pound Staley fits into a running attack in need of a short-yardage replacement for Jerome Bettis. "We've got to give him a chance to run behind the good offensive line, just to get a sense of where he's at," Cowher said Thursday at training camp at St. Vincent College.

Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells dismissed an SI.com report Thursday that suggested he ordered the team's head trainer to have receiver Terrell Owens ready for practice Wednesday. "Why would I ever do that?" Parcells said, referring to his alleged conversation with trainer Jim Maurer. "Demanded?" The story, written by Michael Silver, said Parcells told Maurer on Tuesday, "Look, you tell Terrell that tomorrow I want him out here for practice. Tomorrow's the day. I don't care. Tomorrow's the day."

Brett Favre Did You Know? Favre ranks third as a starting quarterback with 139 career wins. John Elway has 148 and Dan Marino has 147. ... Favre needs four touchdown passes to become the second player in NFL history with 400 touchdown passes. Marino is No. 1 on the list with 420. ... Since Sept. 27, 1992, when he made his first start against Pittsburgh, Green Bay has won 139 games -- the most of any team during that time. Pittsburgh is second with 138. ... Favre has thrown a touchdown pass in an NFL-record 16 consecutive playoff games (1995-2004).

Those who think Kyle Turley is too light to man the left tackle position, the spot suddenly left open by the unexpected retirement of future Hall of Famer Willie Roaf, have not heard Turley argue his case. Here are some of his thoughts on why he can replace the venerated Roaf, a friend whose left tackle position Turley inherited in New Orleans after Roaf joined the Chiefs in 2002. On playing at a lighter weight: “Some of the greatest guys to ever play this position were smaller guys. The Conrad Doblers and Punch Ilkins of the NFL have proven that you can play at a lighter weight. The misconception kids need to throw out the window is that the offensive line position is for big fat guys. Actually, it’s for guys who really love football. “This is a game about technique and leverage. If you take pride in doing those things, you’ll compete on the football field. I don’t care who you are, if you get under a guy’s chin, you’re going to knock him back.’’

Vikings receiver Koren Robinson's troubles with law enforcement actually began last week. A spokesperson at the Mankato police department said Robinson received a ticket for not having a valid Minnesota driver's license when he was pulled over Aug. 10 at Riverfront and Stoltzman Road near the Minnesota State, Mankato campus where the Vikings hold training camp. Robinson was pulled over at midnight.

Backup quarterback Adrian McPherson, who was run over by a golf cart driven by Tennessee's raccoon-costumed mascot last Saturday, returned to New Orleans for additional tests on his badly bruised right knee. "He's getting a second opinion done in New Orleans today," Payton said. "I don't know. I think he wants to have a second opinion. Maybe he gets more information and we get more information. We'll wait to hear." McPherson, hit head-on by the golf cart, has been walking around camp the past four days rather stiff-legged.

On Saturday night, rookie running back LenDale White returns to his hometown when the Titans play the Broncos in a preseason game. It will be White's NFL debut. He was held out of Tennessee's preseason opener against New Orleans last week as punishment for spitting on a teammate. "The way I was raised, I am not going to back down,'' White said. "I am going to fight and keep going, and no one is going to walk over me or think they're going to get the best of me. If you allow that, you'll never make it. I'm not going to allow it.''

At a minimum, Junior Seau exercised poor judgment in participating in a ceremony that would turn out to be a sham less than 72 hours later. Worst case, he duped the Chargers and all of those who extended themselves in his honor after learning of the Patriots' interest. Probably, the cover story that is eventually disseminated will be more flattering than it is forthright. ... Perhaps he simply didn't know how to postpone the party after the Chargers had gone to the trouble to print commemorative programs and T-shirts, issue invitations and arrange for catering. Or perhaps Seau simply craves attention too much to allow the details to divert him. “I was researching for the 'need' team and there wasn't a 'need' team,” Seau said Monday. “The commitment wasn't a 'need' commitment. I've been around long enough to know whether you need me or want me.

The Detroit Lions, who have a recent history of failure away from home, will play at Cleveland tonight, marking the first road trip for new head coach Rod Marinelli. "I'm very aware of that," Marinelli said of the team's past road woes. "The way I've put it is that we're just going to keep chopping wood. We're just going to go do what we do, we're just going to go pound. I don't care if we go to Alaska, I don't care where we go. I just want to get the mentality that when we get to where we're supposed to go, we start doing what we do here (on the practice field). Habits, I'm trying to create habits.

Cowboys QB Tony Romo said he was duped into wearing No. 4 in Thursday afternoon's practice by veteran guard Marco Rivera. Romo, who grew up idolizing Packers quarterback Brett Favre, said Rivera switched out the jerseys before practice, and that he didn't realize it until someone said something to him on the practice field. "I caught a lot of flak," said Romo, "but I'll get Marco back." Rivera and Favre played together in Green Bay for years, and he knows about Romo's devotion to Favre.

Cardinals coach Dennis Green remains frustrated with the absence of outside linebacker Karlos Dansby, who missed training camp due to thumb and toe injuries. "Hopefully when we get down there to Phoenix and we've got our hands on him every day, hopefully he'll be able to play some preseason games," Green said. "But not a good deal to not play in preseason games and play regular-season games. Not very smart at all."

The Patriots' interest in Junior Seau apparently grew after their exhibition opener in Atlanta last Friday, when the Falcons rushed for 196 yards on 33 carries (5.9 average). Run defense has been a cornerstone of the Patriots' success the last three years, with the team ranking in the NFL's top eight each season. The Patriots' personnel at inside linebacker has been thinned considerably since the start of training camp. The team planned to pair Tedy Bruschi and Monty Beisel on the inside, and the two spoke early in camp about how they were excited to work together. But Bruschi broke his wrist July 31 and has since had surgery, while Beisel has struggled to stay on the field because of an unknown physical ailment.

Tom Brady said Branch's absence isn't a big enough deal that it affects the Patriots preparation. ``We've kind of been dealing with it now for a few weeks," Brady said. ``Since there hasn't been any change, all the feelings that we've had have kind of washed over. We'll all be excited when Deion shows up and hopefully it gets resolved. When Deion's here, obviously, he'll slide right in and I'm sure he'll be back to his old self."

LB Junior Seau could play inside with the Patriots, or allow the Pats to shift Mike Vrabel to the middle. Starter Tedy Bruschi currently is out with a broken right wrist. Patriots coach Bill Belichick was asked earlier this week for his impressions of Seau, whom he coached in the 1998 Pro Bowl. “He’s always been a very energetic, high-energy player that has made a lot of big plays through his career,” Belichick said. Belichick then was asked if he believed Seau was overrated. He laughed and said he’d need to see the list that labeled him.

Cards QB Matt Leinart said he has been ready for some mild rookie hazing. “I’m supposed to be taking people out to dinner now,” Leinart said. “I have the new money, that’s what they call it. That’s being a rookie, so I have to ride it.” Like all rookies, Leinart did some singing for the veterans Thursday at lunch, attempting the older rap song “Ice, Ice, Baby.” “We will have a little fun,” Kurt Warner said. “We will push his buttons a little bit.”

The Eagles had an unexpected starter at wide receiver in last night's preseason game against the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Darnerien McCants, who enjoyed a solid training camp, started opposite Reggie Brown. The Eagles added Hank Baskett on the second play, going with a three-wide-receiver set.

Devard Darling may have cemented his position as the Ravens' No. 3 wide receiver. Darling, who is competing with Clarence Moore and Williams for that role, had five receptions for a game-high 121 yards, including a 27-yard touchdown catch from Boller in the fourth quarter. At least two of Darling's catches were acrobatic, as he had to stop and leap high to grab an alley-oop pass and dived to catch another with just his right hand.

There were times last night when Ravens No. 1 draft pick and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata looked slow coming off the ball. Meanwhile, defensive end Trevor Pryce hasn't been a force in practice or preseason games.

Folks say don't be surprised if former Browns president John Collins, pushed out in January, lands some role with Aston Villa, the English Premier League soccer club purchased by Browns owner Randy Lerner.

So far no player has been more impressive in Packers training camp practices than rookie wide receiver Greg Jennings. But in live action, Jennings has stumbled a bit, including a key fourth-down drop in the exhibition opener Saturday against San Diego. "He has shown a tendency through live environments, throughout Family Night (intrasquad game) and the game, to be lax with the ball,"McCarthy said.

Jets quarterback Chad Pennington missed practice yesterday because of a "family illness" and his status for tomorrow night's preseason game at Washington is uncertain. Yesterday's practice was the last full practice before the game. The Jets will have only a walk-through practice today. If Pennington is unavailable, former Redskins quarterback Patrick Ramsey may get the start. Ramsey spent four seasons with the Redskins before the Jets acquired him for a sixth-round pick in March.