Ben Maller’s Sports Rumors & Notes

Rumors Archive for September 26, 2006

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NBA Rumors & Notes

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Former Knicks coach Larry Brown has already bolted town - and has moved his family from Greenwich, Conn., to Philadelphia, The Post has learned. Brown, who is set to face Knicks owner James Dolan in high-stakes arbitration Friday in Manhattan, wanted his two children to return to their former school, the prestigious Episcopal Academy in Lower Merion, Pa. But Brown's departure for his old haunt, Philly, where he coached a career-high six seasons, raises speculation he could soon join the Sixers' front office in an advisory capacity after he settles his contract with the Knicks.

Seattle has considered signing Walter McCarty, Ron Mercer, Milt Palacio and former University of Washington standout Will Conroy, who played in the National Basketball Development League last season and had surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right leg in July. McCarty and Conroy, who signed a one-year non-guaranteed contract with Charlotte, are no longer options. A league source said the team is nearing a deal with Palacio. Sund, however, declined to comment.

After fairly significant talks with the Charlotte Bobcats about a sign-and-trade deal involving 6-foot-10 power forward/center Melvin Ely, the Suns have cooled on the idea. With both Kurt Thomas (foot stress fracture) and Stoudemire (two knee surgeries) returning, Ely would have served as an athletic insurance policy inside.

Free agent Kareem Rush is expected to be given a Seattle training camp invitation along with rookie guard Denham Brown, who was drafted in the second round. The Sonics' other second-rounder, guard Yotem Halperin, signed a three-year contract with Isreal's Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Despite Doug Christie's popularity, a team source confirmed Monday that Christie will not return to the team that drafted him 17th overall in 1992. The Sonics also entertained the idea of bringing back Shawn Kemp, their No. 17 draft choice in 1989 who starred eight years in Seattle. However, the flirtation was mostly one-sided on Kemp's end as the 36-year-old power forward had hoped to complete his two-year comeback with his former team.

Shawn Marion, Steve Nash and Amaré Stoudemire were in Los Angeles Monday to film commercials for Nike — including one Suns-themed spot featuring all three players. The spots will be seen beginning in November.

The first steps for Mavericks coach Avery Johnson were overseas. His trip began in late July in Senegal, home of DeSagana Diop and his family. With his cellphone quiet -- no signal -- he left the U.S. behind, decompressed and absorbed Africa. Diop, an always jovial 7-footer, played tour guide, and Johnson, despite the depressing conditions that plague the West African country, found joy. "Everybody in his family is in great shape," Johnson said of the Diop clan. "They walk everywhere. His dad isn't used to getting on buses and cars. He walks everywhere. "They are people that live in a place that can be very depressing to live in, but they're so happy. They just are fun people." The spirit of the Senegalese people moved Johnson. "They do more with a little than we do with a lot," he said. Johnson's trip to Goree Island, an isle off the coast of Senegal that served as a depot for slaves before their transfer to North America, and his visit to the site of Nelson Mandela's imprisonment on Robben Island in South Africa further touched the New Orleans native before his return to Texas on Aug. 8.

Congrats to Sixers president Billy King and wife Melanie, who welcomed their first child Friday, reports the People Paper's Phil Jasner. The baby girl, Natane Alexandra King, was 21 inches long, and weighed 6 pounds, 12 ounces.

Alan Henderson, a free-agent forward and center who signed with the Sixers earlier this month, will be inducted into the Indiana University Hall of Fame Nov. 10, along with golfer Erika Wicoff and sportscaster Dick Enberg. Henderson, a former All-America, ranks sixth on the Hoosiers' career scoring list with 1,970 points, holds the career record for rebounds (1,091) and helped Indiana reach the Final Four in 1992 and the regional semifinals in 1993.

Assists being a major component of an NBA guard's repertoire, Willie Green handed one out before reporting for training camp. The 76ers backcourt player made what the University of Detroit Mercy termed a "significant donation" to renovate the Titans' men's basketball locker room. In turn, the university is naming the locker room in Green's honor. To avoid any conflict with the Sixers' schedule, the Titans will hold a special recognition ceremony Feb. 10, in conjunction with the school's homecoming game.

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MLB Rumors & Notes

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Tampa intends to dangle Carl Crawford in attempts to land a pitcher with top-of-the-rotation abilities. Rays officials have come to believe the only way to rise to consistent challengers in an AL East that houses the Yankees and Red Sox is to form a dynamic rotation that has a chance to stay together for a few years (think the A's with Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder and Barry Zito). ... The Mets could use a left fielder, Minaya's dream is to fill his everyday lineup with great athletes and, as one club official said in citing Minaya's credo to pursue the best players on the market, "if he is available, you have to be interested." ... The Angels have previously considered dealing Ervin Santana for Crawford. The Rockies and Dodgers have been interested, and the Astros would love to bring home a Houston native. Actually, the Yankees would be among the small group of teams who would not inquire about Crawford because their outfield is overstocked.

Giants free agent Jason Schmidt still should coax a multiyear contract worth more than $10 million per season, particularly since quality starting pitching is a scarce commodity. Arizona, where Schmidt lives, and Seattle, close to where he grew up, are expected to be leading suitors for his services.

For two years, the rumor mill has churned up Miguel Tejada at the White Sox’ doorstep. And for two years, the Sox have stuck by Juan Uribe. But no more. Everything you hear is that the Sox will be shopping for a new shortstop this winter, and spending a ton on a replacement doesn’t seem to be what they have in mind. But with Tejada out there and most likely available, Sox GM Kenny Williams is going to have to listen to what the Orioles want in return.

With talk that manager Frank Robinson won't be brought back next season by the Nationals, Yankees first base coach Tony Peña has surfaced as a possible replacement. According to several industry sources, Washington general manager Jim Bowden is a big fan of Peña, who managed the Royals for three-plus seasons (2002-2005) and is in his first year on Joe Torre's staff. "I haven't heard anything," Peña said. "The only thing I am concerned with is getting a World Series ring. I have a lot of rings [but] I don't have one of them." Yankees GM Brian Cashman said the Nationals haven't called to request permission to talk to Peña.

Cubs CF Juan Pierre would love to play in Chicago next season -- but he's a safer bet to sign with the White Sox than stay with the Cubs. ''Yeah, I love Ozzie,'' Pierre said of Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, his former third-base coach during the Florida Marlins' World Series championship season in 2003. ''I know how he is as a person. He talks, but you go out there and play hard with no excuses, and you get along with him. Just knowing him and being around him for so long, and winning the World Series with him, yeah, I definitely wouldn't mind playing for Ozzie.'' General manager Jim Hendry confirmed he wants to keep the National League's hits leader, and the Cubs have begun preliminary talks about re-signing Pierre. But it's clear the speedy leadoff hitter is determined to test the market. The Cubs' best chance of keeping Pierre, 29, is retaining manager Dusty Baker -- and that's simply not going to happen.

The likelihood is strong that the Red Sox will not go into next season with Matt Clement as part of their starting rotation. General manager Theo Epstein may find teams reluctant to trade for Clement until they are satisfied his right shoulder is healthy, but indications are that the Sox are committed to moving the 32-year-old righthander by the start of the 2007 season, even if it means having to absorb part of the $9.5 million salary due him next season.

The Blue Jays want a clear indication from Vernon Wells whether he wanted to sign a multiyear extension, but there have been signs lately that the Blue Jays are now more inclined to hang on to him, even if he doesn't sign an extension, especially now that owner Ted Rogers has indicated the payroll will increase. Wells, whose final at-bat of the game elicited nothing in the way of a response from the crowd, said this month that the Blue Jays were his first choice and that "every place else is second." "I hope to be back," Wells reiterated yesterday. "My family comes first, but the decision's based on several factors. It would have to be a situation where I think the team isn't getting better." Wells later added that: "This team is already getting better, adding more money to the payroll is just a bonus."

So, what really went wrong with the Cubs this season? Former Cubs first baseman/outfielder Phil Nevin, now a member of the Minnesota Twins, says there were mitigating off-the-field issues that the media and the public don't know about. "That team has been through more than anyone knows this year," Nevin said before the Twins-Royals game Monday night at the Metrodome. "Some of it has been publicized, some of it hasn't, as far as the stuff that has gone on in the personal lives of some people that has affected that [clubhouse]. This just wasn't the right year for it to be done in Chicago."

What Rangers utility player Mark DeRosa has done is put himself in an appealing position with free agency looming this off-season. There will be many factors to consider when selecting his next team, which could be the same one he is on now if things fall right. Among those considerations will be contract value (money) and length, his role with a team and what position he would play and the chance to win. ... Barring an off-season trade, however, the Rangers do not have a regular infield position to offer DeRosa. His return would most likely be in a similar utility role. Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said that has not been brought up as a hindrance to a deal in conversations with DeRosa or his agent, Lonnie Cooper.

Is Adam Kennedy almost resigned to the prospect of playing elsewhere in 2007? "I definitely would hope not, but if it is, it's reality, it's been nice and I have nothing bad to say about the situation at all," Kennedy said. "It's part of sports. Even though guys do their jobs, it's time for them to move on. I'm not the first person it's happened to or the last." The Angels appear intent on making room at second base for rookie Howie Kendrick and adding Kennedy to the list of aging contributors from their 2002 World Series team who have been cast aside in favor of younger and sleeker models.

All Dodgers closer Takashi Saito wanted was one pitch - to say he competed at the highest level in his profession. Now that he has done that, he might not be back for a second season. Colletti understands the feelings that could lead Saito to make his time in the U.S. a one-year wander. "We'll have to wait and see," Colletti said. "I can understand it, to some point. At the same time, he's had a pretty good experience here. Once may not be enough."

White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper didn't rule out the possibility of reliever Dustin Hermanson returning in 2007 after missing nearly all of 2006 with back problems. Hermanson pitched his first two-inning outing Sunday. The Sox are likely to buy him out for $500,000, of which $250,000 is deferred without interest. "My opinion would be this: sign him to a reasonable base with lots of incentives," Cooper said. "Let's face it, I'm concerned about [whether he] can stay healthy."

They would explore dealing Rocco Baldelli or Delmon Young. But the Rays recognize the need to stand out in a trade market where clubs looking for elite pitching potentially could trade established stars such as Mark Teixeira (Texas), Miguel Tejada (Baltimore) and Vernon Wells (Toronto).

There is one major difference between Tim Wakefield's situation and the others. The Red Sox have control over Wakefield because of the "lifetime" contract he signed last year. It contains a $4 million option for 2007 and subsequent years. In essence, Wakefield will pitch for the Red Sox as long as the team wants him.

The Twins have decided, for now, that lefthander Francisco Liriano will not have surgery on his left elbow, opting for rehabilitation that hopefully will get him ready for the 2007 season. General Manager Terry Ryan said the decision was made recently after conferring with the team's medical staff. Noted Alabama surgeon Dr. James Andrews also had input. Liriano, 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA, will be put on a six-week rehab program. But no one believes surgery is needed right now. "We are going to put him through rehab and get him ready for next season," Ryan said.

Washington Nationals pitching coach Randy St. Claire checked out of a local hospital Monday after being treated for pneumonia, but the club's pitchers remained without their mentor for a third straight game. ... The coaching staff is in a state of flux, and -- like Manager Frank Robinson -- each member is wondering whether he will be retained. St. Claire, however, would seem to be more secure than most. General Manager Jim Bowden consistently praises his work, most recently in helping reliever Ryan Wagner regain the form that made him a first-round draft pick in 2003.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona said he and general manager Theo Epstein plan to meet with the club’s impending free agents this week. The list includes outfielders Trot Nixon and Gabe Kapler, infielders Alex Gonzalez and Mark Loretta, and reliever Mike Timlin. “We’ll end up talking to four or five guys,” Francona said. “Even if it isn’t clear-cut or definitive, we’ll show that respect to them.”

Jerry Colangelo said he still owns 12 seats at the ballpark behind home plate and he plans to use eight of them with associates and friends to catch Arizona's final game of the season against San Diego. "I want to be there," he said. "It's Gonzo's last game. And it's probably the last one for Craig Counsell, too, right? So yes, I'm going. A lot of the family wants to go." ... Colangelo hasn't set foot in the stadium since he was ousted from power more than two years ago.

If Derrick Turnbow does return to his all-star form, there's no guarantee he'll get his old job back with the Brewers. Francisco Cordero has earned the right to be the closer entering spring training, based on his near-flawless work thus far. Turnbow only hopes to make it a difficult decision for Yost and his staff. "If I'm pitching well next year and ready to go, I'd like to be the closer," said Turnbow, an affable, fun-loving sort who has the entire clubhouse pulling for him. "I hope I've done enough up here to get another chance. We'll see what happens."

With six games left in the regular season, Joe Girardi has "zero" chance of returning in 2007, according to a source who has spoken with the Marlins front office. Relations between Girardi and his bosses have been deteriorating for quite some time, placing the Marlins in the odd position of running off a leading candidate for Manager of the Year. "Sometimes you've got to swallow a little pride," says Don Zimmer, 75. "We all do. I know this, if the fans love Joe Girardi and the players played their rear ends off for him and they have played better than expected throughout the season, how bad is it going to look if he is Manager of the Year [and gets fired]?" He shakes his head. "All I know -- the world knows -- he did a great job," Zimmer says. "And if that ain't good enough, I'd say they're going in the wrong direction."

Conventional wisdom suggests all the Cubs coaches Dusty Baker brought in with him will be gone if Baker isn't retained. But pitching coach Larry Rothschild, who was on the staff when Baker was hired, is another story. Rothschild turned down a three-year offer from Detroit in October to return to the Cubs, but his contract also ends next week as the Tigers enter the postseason. Rothschild declined to elaborate on his status before Monday's 5-4 loss to the Reds. "That will be determined after the season," he said. "I'm concerned about the next six games, just getting through that. Keep helping the young guys get better, and that's it."

Sandy Alomar Jr. has stayed fresh at 40, partly because he has adapted well to a backup catching role for the last three seasons. That transition has allowed Alomar to consider returning to the White Sox in 2007 if he's wanted. "I'd love to come back," Alomar said before Monday night's 14-1 loss to the Indians. "I don't know if they'll give me the chance. They haven't talked to me about it yet." Alomar is batting .200 in 17 games with the Sox, but he hit .323 in 27 games with the Los Angeles Dodgers before he was dealt July 23. Alomar, sixth among active catchers with 1,315 games caught, said the only challenge is maintaining his timing while sitting for long stretches.

The Rockies are interested in bringing back left-handed reliever Tom Martin, a free agent at season's end. "Well, I want to be here. This team is only going to get better," Martin said.

Red Sox pitcher Matt Clement has traveled to Alabama to see noted orthopedist James Andrews, with the hope that he may finally find answers to why he has not been able to pitch since mid-June, a mystery that has made him a target of innuendo both in and out of the Sox clubhouse. Clement was scheduled to undergo an MRI yesterday, according to his agent, Barry Axelrod, with the expectation that he will undergo exploratory surgery today to determine the cause of discomfort in his right shoulder.

Oakland's center fielder Mark Kotsay was dismayed not to be in the lineup. "It's disappointing because I love being out there and I felt I've grinded as hard as I could," said Kotsay, who has fought his way through back problems much of the year. "I've taken injections (recently, an epidural for his bad back), I've tried to be out there as much as possible. To not be given the opportunity to play in a big game is somewhat disappointing." Manager Ken Macha repeatedly has said that Kotsay is not in a platoon, and he said Monday night was a chance to take it easy on Kotsay's troublesome back, as well as to get Bobby Kielty's bat into the lineup.

Khalil Greene's finger has taken a turn for the better. GM Kevin Towers had feared that Greene would be unable to bat again this season and would be unavailable for the divisional playoffs, should the Padres qualify. But it now appears Greene can work his way back into the lineup. “It's encouraging,” Towers said. “I really didn't think there was any chance at all he'd be ready, just because he's had so many setbacks.”

Brad Radke, who hasn't pitched in a game since Aug. 25, is gearing up for a return to the rotation. If he doesn't feel more soreness than usual today, he will be given a start this week. Thursday against Kansas City is possible, but the Twins weren't ready to go that far until they evaluate him today. "He threw really good," pitching coach Rick Anderson said. "Great arm action." Radke, 12-9 with a 4.46 ERA, is not viewing this week as a chance to get a couple of curtain calls before he retires after the season. He wants a spot in the postseason rotation. "Of course, man," Radke said. "That's what I'm trying to get to."

It will be announced that Twins Johan Santana, Joe Mauer and Joe Nathan have been selected to play for a major league all-star team that will tour Japan in November. Each player is expected to receive $50,000 for a week of games.

Did You Know? The latest revelation is courtesy of Elias Sports Bureau, which has discovered that Grady Sizemore, the Indians' leadoff batter is the fourth player in baseball history to accumulate 50 doubles, 10 triples and 25 home runs in the same season. Preceding Sizemore in this feat were Joe Medwick (1937), Chuck Klein (1932) and Lou Gehrig (1927), all of whom are in the Hall of Fame.

It was rookie Andrew Miller who was on the mound for the final out. Not bad for someone who was in college four months ago. But to the Tigers, it could have been a glimpse of the future. "We want to be in a position where we can be good for a lot of years," Dombrowski said. "For something symbolic, look at who finished the game for us. You could see not only the present, but the future. "We're not done this year. We have a long way to go this season. But I think we can be good for a lot of years." One more thing about Miller: Why didn't catcher Vance Wilson pick him up after the last out? "You pick Miller up, and someone might say, 'What are you doing?' Wilson said. "You don't want to give a rookie too much credit."

Padres manager Bruce Bochy said that pitcher David Wells, scratched last night because of a gout-swollen right foot, is expected to make a quick recovery and likely will start Saturday in Phoenix, as scheduled. Bochy said that Wells limped off the team flight early yesterday morning and reported a swollen foot late in the morning, before being scratched mid-afternoon. Anti-inflammatory medicine should clear up the condition within a few days.

Cardinals rookie Chris Duncan drove his 21st home of the season in his first at-bat Monday, a solo shot to center field that put him on a pace that surpasses last year's rookie-of-the-year slugger. Duncan's 21st homer came in his 259th at-bat of this season, or a rate of one homer every 12.3 at-bats. That would rank fifth in the league if Duncan had enough at-bats to qualify.

Phillies star Ryan Howard on trying to hit 60 HR's: "All the time I'm hearing about it - 60, 60, 60," Howard said. "But the only time I really think about it is when I come to the field and I have to answer questions about it." "If it happens, it'd be great," said Howard, who went into last night's game with 58 homers and just two in his last 14 games - after hitting 12 in his previous 14 games. "If he can keep it out of his mind, and he keeps hitting the ball hard," manager Charlie Manuel said, "then I think he can get to 60 or more."

Did You Know? The Red Sox, who dropped to 30-41 since the All-Star break, have finished second to the New York Yankees in the AL East for eight straight years. They last finished lower than second in 1997 (fourth) and haven’t been in third place this late in the season since Sept. 24, 2000.

Pedro Martinez is no longer a lock to be the Mets' Game 1 starter when their National League Division Series begins next week. Until last night, manager Willie Randolph had generally agreed with the obvious assumption that Martinez, the ace of the rotation, would start the first game of the playoffs. But Randolph backed off just a bit on that before the Mets lost to Washington, 7-3, in their final home game of the regular season. Martinez is still getting back to form after a month on the disabled list with a strained right calf, and is scheduled to make his final regular-season start tomorrow night in Atlanta. What happens during that start, and in the days after, will determine whether Martinez is ready for Game 1.

Who Knew? Jose Reyes stole two bases and became the first National League player to have back-to-back seasons with 60 or more stolen bases since Marquis Grissom did it with the Expos in 1991 and 1992, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Did You Know? Forty-five years ago today (Sept. 26, 1961), Roger Maris tied Babe Ruth's 34-year-old record with his 60th home run of the season.

Randy Johnson will miss his final start because of back spasms he experienced in Saturday’s loss here. Johnson has dealt with back tightness all season, and it nearly cost him a start in early September. Now, with the American League East title secured, he needs a break. “My back’s locked up right now,” Johnson said. “So I’m getting treatment from the trainers, and the rest will hopefully do it well.” Johnson, who normally declines to elaborate on injuries, said his back had become progressively worse. Manager Joe Torre said Johnson could have kept pitching, but Johnson believed rest would be better. “Obviously the regular-season start doesn’t mean much, so we’re going to get ready for the postseason,” Johnson said. “That’s why I chose to not make my next start.”

Torii Hunter is certain the Twins will hear from the White Sox in 2007, and he anticipates a continued rivalry between the Twins and Sox, which has featured brush-back pitches, hitters such as Pierzynski being plunked and hard slides. "It might look like we're feuding, but we're not," Hunter said. "A guy might strike out somebody and get pumped up. But maybe he did the same thing last week against Kansas City or somebody. It's just magnified when we play the White Sox, and it seems bigger than what it is."

Phil Nevin on his time in Chicago. "I had a great time [with the Cubs]," Nevin said. "It is just an unbelievable place to play; it was a great experience. And the people there ... Dusty [Baker] is one of my favorites up to this point, and [GM] Jim Hendry. They were all honest with me. Good people. I think they would be making a mistake if Dusty wasn't back [as manager]. "Whether he is in Chicago or not, he is going to land on his feet somewhere. I'm going to be a free agent [at the end of] this year, and that might be one of the first calls that I make, wherever he is at. Without getting too far ahead of myself, I mean, I like playing for him and I know he's a winner. And I wouldn't mind playing for him again." Nevin said he realizes it is likely Baker will take the fall for the Cubs' disappointing 2006 season. "It is the way any business is, really," he said. "It is not his fault. Plain and simple."

In the age of the Internet, nothing stays under wraps for too long. Not even major league fashion. Take the Diamondbacks' new color scheme and logos, for example. Over the weekend somebody posted the Arizona page from Major League Baseball's Official 2007 Style Guide for Uniforms on a message board. Diamondbacks President Derrick Hall said it was a "bummer" that the information, due for a November release, was leaked.

Pittsburgh's Freddy Sanchez on the NL batting race: "Look, I'd be lying if I said my parents, family, friends weren't all really into it. And, you know, my teammates are, too. I appreciate that. I know they care. But I sometimes think that they want it for me more than I do."

Did You Know? Omar Minaya and Willie Randolph had a combined total of 23 unsuccessful job interviews before they got their jobs with the Mets.

Though he had to dress up in silly basketball attire a year ago with the rest of the Diamondbacks rookies on the team's final leg of its last road trip, Conor Jackson didn't try to weasel out of having to wear skintight wrestling outfits on Arizona's visit to San Francisco. "I think it's unnecessary cruelty, that's how I describe it," Jackson said. "Technically, I'm still a rookie, I guess." Chad Tracy chimed in and reminded Jackson he can help pick out the garb to haze the rookies with next year. "Yeah," Jackson said, "and there's gonna be payback."

White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen plans to place a congratulatory telephone call to Detroit manager Jim Leyland for the Tigers' first playoff berth since 1987. "He deserves it and earns it, and he works hard for that, and I wish him the best of luck," Guillen said.

The Devil Rays drew 1,372,193 fans this season, 236,101 more than last year, an increase of 20.8 percent. The Rays also drew 115,304 for the four-game series against the Yankees, the first time they have drawn more than 100,000 for a single home series since 2000. Throughout the season, Maddon has expressed his interest in changing the atmosphere at Tropicana Field, which he deemed "The Pit" early this year. With the Rays posting their highest attendance year since 2000, he's happy with the progress that's been made. "I think we're off to a great start," Maddon said.

Because baseball players clearly can't afford to buy themselves nice things, a baseball corporate partner gives each American League player of the week a "luxury Swiss timepiece." Raul Ibanez is about to get his second watch, and he's not sure where the first one is. "That sounds familiar, but I don't remember really (getting one)," the Mariners left fielder said Monday after learning he had won the award for last week's performance. "I think that did happen, though."

A raffle to give away the three plastic foam cup player portraits - of ex-Rays Julio Lugo, Toby Hall and Mark Hendrickson - that Rocco Baldelli etched when he was injured raised $1,100 for the St. Petersburg Arts Center.

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NFL Rumors & Notes

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

The Bucs are actively searching for an emergency third quarterback. The list of available free agents includes former Steelers veteran Tommy Maddox, whom the team is expected to work out today. Others the Bucs are believed to have interest in include Drew Henson, who spent two seasons with the Cowboys, and Kliff Kingsbury, released in August by the Bills. Also available are ex-Buc Shaun King, former Saint Todd Bouman and former Louisville quarterback Stefan LeFors, a lefty like Simms. Bucs general manager Bruce Allen could delay signing someone until later in the week in hopes of trading for Raiders third-stringer Marques Tuiasosopo.

Raiders star Randy Moss, appearing as a guest on "The Drive with Chris Myers on Fox Sports Radio," was asked about spending time with his kids over the bye week: “They just wanted daddy at home, ‘daddy we want you just to stay at home, do not go back to Oakland stay here with us’ and I was tempted too.”

Vikings rookie quarterback Tarvaris Jackson underwent arthroscopic surgery Monday to repair damage to the meniscus in his right knee. "Everything turned out fine," Childress said. "It was just about as the doctors had expected." ... Among the candidates could be former Vikings quarterback Todd Bouman. As of late Monday afternoon, the Vikings had not contacted Bouman's representatives.

Cowboys receiver Terry Glenn cut his hand on Monday and his status for practice today and Sunday's game against the Titans is unknown, according to a source. The cut is not believed to be serious.

On Monday, coach Dennis Green left open the possibility of benching Kurt Warner and starting rookie Matt Leinart on Sunday against the Falcons in Atlanta. When asked if he remained committed to Warner, Green said: "I've not thought about who the starting players are right now. Normally, personnel is something we do on Tuesday." Asked later if he had not ruled out changing quarterbacks, Green said: "I'm not talking about it is what I'm not doing right now." Will he make a decision today? "I don't talk personnel on Monday," Green said. "We'll start looking at things. We'll have a staff meeting, and we'll take it from there." That hardly is a ringing endorsement of Warner.

Former Denver tight end and offensive lineman Dwayne Carswell was not signed by Houston after his workout Monday. Carswell, cut by Denver on Sept. 2, will work out for the New York Giants today. Former Denver quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt also is expected to work out for the Giants today.

The Seahawks also have to consider a roster move by the end of this week. Without Shaun Alexander, they will need a backup running back. Marquis Weeks, currently on the practice squad, is an option. The Seahawks would have to release a player to make room for Weeks or another running back on the 53-man roster.

Texans coach Gary Kubiak defended first-year defensive coordinator Richard Smith. "I believe in Richard and the (assistants) who are doing it," Kubiak said. "Nobody's working harder. Has it been good? No, it has not been good, but that's the group that has to get it turned and going the other way. I believe in them. "I don't anticipate any personnel changes, but we're going to have to make some changes in what we do and how we do it. They have to step up to the plate and just do it better."

Tampa Bay also is looking for reinforcements. Last week, Tampa Bay worked out veteran Todd Bouman, and will do the same this week with former Buccaneer Shaun King, former Steeler Tommy Maddox and a host of other potential signal callers.

Dolphins second-year defensive tackle Manny Wright, who is ineligible to play this season, has returned to college in California, agent Peter Schaffer said Monday. Schaffer said Wright wants to play football in the future but felt it was best to leave South Florida because he "did not want to be a distraction to the team."

Already serving a four-game suspension for a second violation of the NFL substance abuse policy, Odell Thurman now likely faces a yearlong suspension for a third strike, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said Monday. "I am not pleased. It's not right; it's not what we stand for," Lewis said "It's not what the National Football League should represent. We've brought the young people back here to be Bengal fans, and I want it to be for the right reasons." Chris Henry was not cited, but Thurman told a Cincinnati police officer that Henry and McNeal - the owner of the 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe driven by Thurman - had both consumed more alcohol than he. Henry, who a witness said vomited on the side of the vehicle, appeared to be on his way toward overcoming a series of four arrests in seven months and establishing himself as a key player.

Rams coach Scott Linehan confirmed that Anthony Hargrove, 23, would be fined a "substantial" amount. Under the NFL collective bargaining agreement, the maximum is $40,000, $20,000 per day. Hargrove also will apologize to his teammates, Linehan said. Hargrove won't necessarily be benched for Sunday's contest vs. the Lions. The decision on what 45 players will suit up will be made later in the week.

The more significant issue involves Chris Simms and his future with the Bucs. His contract is up after this season and, with the way he played this season, he didn't help his value any. Now it might be a case where, instead of cashing in as it once seemed he would, Simms might have to sign another one-year contract and prove he is a better quarterback than the way he played in the first three games this season.

Vince Young, who did not play at all, was mentioned in an Internet report that he would start for the Titans as soon as this week if Kerry Collins did not play well Sunday. Jeff Fisher dismissed that notion. “That’s not the case,” Fisher said. “That is not what has been discussed in any meetings with anyone, so I don’t know where that came from. As far as how it affects the team, it doesn’t affect the team. If these guys are affected by what they read and what they hear, they might as well just not show up for work. It does not affect them.”

The Washington Redskins' athletic trainers tended to the cut on quarterback Mark Brunell's left elbow yesterday, giving him pills to take, cleaning the wound and trying to prevent infection. Coach Joe Gibbs said the cut was "not a big deal," but the team is taking precautions to keep fluid from accumulating in the elbow joint.

Nate Kaeding, off to a perfect start in his first six field goal tries this season, is now set for some time. Just beginning his third NFL season, Kaeding yesterday signed a five-year, $12.2 million contract extension that will guarantee him approximately $3.5 million. Kaeding is one of 17 core players the Chargers have signed through at least 2009.

Tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. said Monday his taunting penalty against the Ravens was unwarranted. He said he's an easy target for the officials. Winslow was flagged 12 yards for taunting linebacker Bart Scott after an 11-yard catch in the first quarter. The Browns later punted. "I didn't even say anything to the guy," said Winslow. "We were jawing before the game, and I just stood over him, and I didn't really say anything. But the refs threw the flag. I can't taunt, but you see those [Ravens] after the play jumping all over each other." Winslow said the officials are targeting him based on his reputation at Miami. "Of course, it probably carried on from college," he said. "[They say] 'This guy likes to jaw, he likes to taunt players.' I can't do anything. It's just tough, man." He said the Browns were at home, and "we've got to have fun. We have to talk a little bit."

The exact reason why Fred Smoot spent the Vikings' first defensive series standing on the sideline Sunday remains unclear. But coach Brad Childress did everything but say it was a disciplinary move Monday when he admitted the cornerback's absence wasn't because of a helmet problem. "[The matter] is between Fred and I," Childress said. "I'm not going to put it off as a helmet issue." An initial report on the Vikings radio broadcast Sunday said rookie Cedric Griffin was starting in place of Smoot because something was wrong with the veteran's helmet. However, longtime Vikings equipment manager Dennis Ryan is considered one of the best in the business, so for Smoot to miss an entire nine-play drive because of an equipment malfunction was seen as a long shot. Asked about Smoot on his KFAN Radio show Monday night, Childress said, "We've just got some mandates that we follow around here and really are not negotiable."

When the Texans play the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at Reliant Stadium, Ron Dayne will start his second game at running back. "I want to see him and Samkon ( Gado) play," coach Gary Kubiak said. "The problem with some of these games we've been in is that it's been hard to evaluate both of them. "We had 18 carries (Sunday). That's not many plays to evaluate two backs. "Hopefully, we can come out of a game with 30 or 35 carries where they're splitting time, and we can evaluate both of them."

Raiders star Randy Moss, appearing as a guest on "The Drive with Chris Myers on Fox Sports Radio," was asked if Jeremy Shockey's comments about the Giants being out coached were inappropriate for a player to say about his head coach?” “No, because the coaches say that about the players. You know, well we didn’t play good today, or you know we didn’t communicate on the field. So that’s basically throwing your players out there in the fire. I mean if we are going win together, we’re going to loose together, then we should be able to take the criticism together; positive or negative. By him saying that ‘we were out coached’ I mean, I think he’s cool by saying that you know? Hopefully his coach didn’t take that too harsh, but there are some teams that are going to get out coached. I mean he’s just speaking his mind, speaking the truth and he’s frustrated. I mean it’s like a coach telling the media that they got outplayed today. That’s basically what he’s saying, is their team outplayed my team.”

Patriots coach Bill Belichick is very much a task-at-hand kind of guy, which made his brush-off of a question about playing in China next year amusing. “Right now, I really couldn’t care less about China, or anyplace else,” Belichick said yesterday of the team’s preseason game in Beijing next Aug. 8. “Cincinnati, that’s the only destination I’m really concerned with right now. That stuff is so far in the future I don’t know if China will be there a year from now. I don’t know if I’ll be there a year from now. Right now, all I care about is Cincinnati and that’s plenty.” After a pause a reporter piped up, “So you’re predicting the end of China?” Belichick cracked his only smile. “Believe me, all I care about is Cincinnati,” he said. “That’s more than enough.”

The Dallas Cowboys are leaving Texas Stadium, but they're taking the hole with them. It will likely be the one feature familiar to Cowboys fans waiting for word on what the new home for America's Team will look like. Several sources who have seen the plans told the Star-Telegram that the Cowboys will be moving into a contemporary stadium made of steel and glass that looks "like a spaceship."

Tim Brown also criticized Raiders offensive coordinator Tom Walsh, who worked in that capacity toward the end of Shell's first tenure. "You just can't run that offense in the NFL anymore," Brown said. "They're calling timeouts, spending most of their timeouts before 10 minutes is up in the second quarter. They're getting delay penalties, getting to the line of scrimmage late, because those plays are 20 words long. "I know that it was a horrible offense way back when. We just had to make plays and make things happen way back when. Being that the 40-second clock has come into play, and a lot of other rules have come into play since he was (last) in the league, I knew that would be a tough adjustment for him. Even zone blitzes and things of that nature. That makes that offense very tough. It was very one-dimensional, trying to audible was very difficult."

Jon Gruden said Monday the injury will likely end the season for Chris Simms, who is expected to remain in the hospital until the end of the week. While it might never be known what went on inside Simms' chest during Sunday's three-hour game, Gruden said Monday the Bucs medical staff examined Simms after every series. A day later, Gruden believed he identified the critical blow. "I believe he got hit late in the game in the red zone, fourth quarter," Gruden said. "I believe it was a situation where he was hurt on that occasion. But it's a credit to this guy. He is extremely tough, mentally and physically. And again, I'm just very pleased that our medical staff was able to handle his situation after the game, immediately, and that he's going to be okay. It's a credit to him, it really is, for being a tough human being." The Bucs originally thought Simms suffered bruised ribs after a hit early in the game and he complained of difficulty breathing.

Running back Reuben Droughns and defensive end Orpheus Roye sound optimistic about returning from injuries for the Browns to face the Raiders on Sunday in Oakland. Both missed the Baltimore Ravens game with shoulder injuries. Roye said there's a good chance he will play. Droughns was more definitive. ``Count me in,'' Droughns said.

The Bucs will turn to rookie Bruce Gradkowski, who has thrown just six passes. Veteran Tim Rattay will back up the sixth-round pick from Toledo. Gruden said the Bucs may sign another quarterback until Luke McCown is ready to come off the physically unable to perform list.

Who Knew? The Broncos head into the bye with a winning record for the fifth straight year and for the eighth time in Mike Shanahan's 12 years as their coach. Shanhan's Broncos have a .663 winning percentage after the bye (55-28) and a .634 winning percentage before the bye (59-34).

Bengals WR T.J. Housmandzadeh, appearing as a guest on Fox Sports Radio with Chris Myers on "The Drive on FOX," asked about his love for the Madden video game. “Yeah you know what, I don’t like to admit this, from year’s 2001 up until 2005, I might have been the best Madden player in the history, just in the world.” Chris Myers: “I heard Chad Johnson….” Housmandzadeh: “Oh Chad is a lie, man, everything, y’all in the media, what Chad says never take him serious. Take 15% of what he says is actually the truth, 15%.”

Former NFL receiver Cris Carter came down hard on Jeremy Shockey for his "We were out-played and out-coached" remark. "Even if they were out-coached, it doesn't make sense to say it," Carter said yesterday on SIRIUS NFL Radio. "To say that they weren't prepared, I don't necessarily believe that. How many different looks can they give you that you've never seen? And you played them last year. At the end of the day you still have to be a player."

RB T.J. Duckett said he was surprised to be inactive Sunday. The Redskins gave up the equivalent of a high third-round pick to get Duckett, a former first-round pick in the preseason, but he failed to get on the field in Week 1 and carried just five times in Week 2. He didn't even dress for Houston. "Of course, it eats at me," said Duckett, who is in the final year of his contract. "Athletes are competitors. You always want to play. You want to get on the field and perform, but at the same time it's a team sport, and you have to be a team player."

Who Knew? According to Rich Burg, the Eagles assistant director of football media services, Brian Dawkins picked up his 85th win as an Eagle, tying Chuck Bednarik. Dawkins has been part of 78 regular-season and seven postseason victories.

Bruce Gradkowski will become the sixth quarterback to start a game for the Bucs under Jon Gruden and the second in as many years to take the reins going into the bye week. With the Bucs off this Sunday, Gradkowski has an extra week to prepare for his first start, which will come Oct. 8 at New Orleans. He's not sure if the extra week is good or bad for him. "I think [the extra week] will help a little bit, but I really kind of wish we didn't have a bye week this week," Gradkowski said. "I wish we could just get on with the season. "But it will be good to get some practices in, and it will give the guys a chance to get used to hearing my tempo and the way I sound, because it's definitely a change from Chris."

Who Knew? As a result of the Dolphins' 37 carries Sunday, the Dolphins are now 8-0 since the start of last season when they have run the ball at least 30 times. Nick Saban has won just two of his other 11 games when the number of carries fell below 30.

Raiders star Randy Moss, appearing as a guest on "The Drive with Chris Myers on Fox Sports Radio," was asked what he would say if he was in Jeremy Shockey's situation: “I’d probably put a couple extra words and phrases and sentences, and I don’t know what I’d put together. I’d probably put a little bit of extra then what Shockey did. I mean, like I said in the heat of the moment and the heat of the battle, I mean there’s a lot of things, I mean that’s why our talk show is on Monday and not Sunday, because I would not want to come on national radio and say something stupid that I would regret. So by this being Monday now I have a chance to get my thoughts together to calm down a little bit. So that’s what thing I lucked out by having this show on Monday.”