Ben Maller’s Sports Rumors & Notes

Rumors Archive for January 05, 2007

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NBA Rumors & Notes

Friday, January 5, 2007

According to one Western Conference executive, "The Nets are trying to do everything they can" to make a move that will jumpstart their season." The executive said that they would even deal Jason Kidd if the right trade came along, although his age and contract make him difficult to move. Vince Carter has the most appeal, although he can opt out of his contract after this season. Carter's name has been linked to the Clippers, who are trying to move Corey Maggette and Cuttino Mobley. But the Nets don't see them as a sufficient upgrade.

When the trade rumors surrounding Sacramento's Ron Artest started recently, the Lakers weren't one of the teams mentioned. The Lakers were interested in acquiring the controversial forward last year before Indiana sent him to the Kings. Jackson, known for speaking out on most things, declined to talk about Artest trade rumors.

Heat GM Randy Pfund was spotted Wednesday watching the pregame workout of Clippers forward Corey Maggette, who has been the subject of trade speculation.

Bulls management long has liked Richard Jefferson's game, and according to league sources, had exploratory talks with the Nets around last June's draft about acquiring him.

Giving the Sonics a chance to sign perhaps two players to 10-day contracts. One of those 10-day contracts could be offered to former All-Star Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway, who worked out for Sonics coach Bob Hill on Dec. 18 and impressed club officials with his conditioning and mobility. He is nearly five years removed from microfracture surgery on his right knee and has been impressive in workouts in Houston. Hill has been clamoring for a starting center while Hardaway could provide some scoring punch in limited minutes off the bench.

Heat assistant Erik Spoelstra, 36, is warming up in the bullpen to replace Pat Riley when the boss sees fit, and there's a full summer and a pre-season to sufficiently prepare.

InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner breaks the news that Milwaukee Bucks forward Charlie Villanueva is considering surgery on his shoulder. A reliable source of Lenchiner's says that the decision whether to have surgery or not should come shortly after the weekend. Villanueva is definitely considering surgery, reports Lenchiner's source. Also, the possibility exists that the surgery would put Charlie out 4-6 months, essentially ending his season. However, it's not definite that he'd be out that long.

Other general managers regard David Lee as one of the Knicks’ most marketable commodities (because he is young and relatively inexpensive).

Save for Hawks GM Billy Knight, no one has been more scrutinized, second-guessed or slammed than Mike Woodson. A year ago he was on shaky ground with his owners, who declined to make a change. "I think the biggest challenge when you have a young team is trying to be patient in mentoring those players so that they can get from point A to point B," said Hawks part owner and NBA governor Michael Gearon Jr. "When you look at the development of our young kids and how competitive they played at the beginning of the season when we were healthy, we got a taste of what this team is capable of doing. "I think it's very unfair to critique or judge the job Mike has done when all those pieces are hurt or have been out. We're in a situation where we've had more bizarre injuries than we've had in the 30 years I've followed this franchise. But when a guy communicates well with players, which he does, he's competitive and wants to win the way Mike does, you're in good hands." Maintaining consistency and structure amid this ongoing reclamation project is a must, especially with team ownership in dispute. Toss another coach into the mix now, with young talents like Johnson, Smith, Marvin Williams and Childress still evolving, would risk retarding further development of the team's most valuable assets.

Celts center Theo Ratliff revealed yesterday he has decided to opt for back surgery (minimally invasive, he said) "in the next week or so" and basically shut himself down for the rest of the season. Ratliff played in only two games: Nov. 8 against Charlotte and Nov. 10 against Utah. He has been bothered by back woes (bulging disk) and has basically been a nonfactor. Asked if the surgery would, in effect, end his season, Ratliff said, "It's pretty much inevitable. You could say that." He said he was not relieved to have made the decision, considering it, too, to be inevitable. "It won't be too bad. They're not going to go too deep." Left unsaid is what this means regarding any potential deal. Ratliff will earn roughly $11.7 million for his 44 minutes this season. He is on the books for the same amount next season. When the Allen Iverson trade talks reheated last month, Ratliff was part of the discussion, in part because of his hefty salary and in part because of the insurance should he retire because of an injury.

Gilbert Arenas's amazing shot Wednesday night was only the most recent proof that the Wizards have the franchise's first in-his-prime superstar since Wes Unseld dominated the lane for the Bullets in the 1970s. Not only is Arenas averaging a career-high 30.3 points, but he's also shooting a career-best 40.2 percent from three-point range, he's averaging a career-high 6.4 assists and he's making 82.6 percent of his free throw attempts. He's also carrying himself like an MVP, a player who knows he's the baddest man on the court -- as illustrated by the way he acknowledged his game-winning shot Wednesday night. As the ball fell through the net and the arena erupted, Arenas turned and strutted toward the bench as if the shot was no big deal. Arenas calls such confidence his "swag."

Cavs guard Larry Hughes basically has been playing on one leg since missing 10 games with the injury. He has been limited to mostly jump shots on offense but says the spring in his legs is starting to come back. ``Sometimes (the ankle) will stiffen up at the start of games,'' said Hughes, who has been using a foam wedge to extend and keep the ankle loose on the bench. ``It is getting better.''

The NBA will conduct its annual three-day sales and marketing meetings in New Orleans for the first time beginning Sunday. More than 175 league and team executives are scheduled to attend, including Commissioner David Stern. The meetings mostly will center on the business aspects of the league. "They get an opportunity to share their practices and see what's working in the different markets and see if they can steal some stuff and bring it back to their home cities," said Scott O'Neil, the NBA's senior vice president of team marketing and business operations.

Lindsey Hunter is traveling with the Pistons for the first time since sustaining the injury in early December. He and Chauncey Billups spent the shoot-around with a physical therapist. “You just don’t want to take chances,” coach Flip Saunders said. “He’s not a young player. When you are a little bit older, you’re always more cautious.” Billups won’t be back any earlier than the game next Tuesday at Philadelphia, though it is more likely he won’t return until Saturday against Boston. And there is no timetable on when Hunter will return.

Speaking later on WQAM (560-AM), Pat Riley said nine of the 13 returning players from last season initially failed to meet their conditioning standards and that he has allowed Shaquille O'Neal to exceed his targets because of the efforts made by the center. Of his frustration with his underachieving roster, Riley said, "They simply don't want to work. They don't want to work right now. To me, it's disgraceful. And from that standpoint, that's what I've been dealing with, and that's what I'm trying to eradicate."

Commissioner David Stern was incensed with Knicks guard Nate Robinson for inciting the brawl and purposely may have suspended him for 10 games to ensure the former Washington Huskies star would miss his Seattle homecoming. "It's very tough, he loves Seattle to death," said Jamal Crawford.

David Lee had 14 rebounds in the game, 6 on offense, and 4 assists — all solid numbers, yet still not as impressive as the actual plays that produced them. Lee’s rapid ascension, from semi-obscure 2005 draft pick to indispensable role player, has been one of the few highlights of the Knicks season. It has also put Coach Isiah Thomas in the awkward position of having to constantly justify Lee’s spot in the rotation. Lee can play all three frontcourt positions and has been far more productive than the starting forwards, Channing Frye and Jared Jeffries. But Thomas has used Lee off the bench in 23 of 35 games, starting him only when others are injured.

Pistons coach Flip Saunders is adamant that the NBA schedule has become more difficult for players than when he began in the league 12 years ago. "I think so," Saunders said. "A lot of times, I don't think we have a rhyme or a reason. We have a lot of back-to-backs, where we go away and then come home, or vice versa. Sometimes I don't think it always makes a lot of sense." Saunders has some suggestions. Why not play both L.A. teams when traveling to that city? Or do New Jersey-New York, or Boston-Philadelphia back-to-backs.

Charles Barkley headed toward Arco Arena early Thursday evening but was stopped by a heckling group of Kings fans on a concourse above the entrance. "Why do you hate Sacramento?" the fans asked in unison. As always, the Hall of Famer and TNT personality didn't back down, repeating in person the analysis he has said before on the air. "I love Sacramento," Barkley boomed. "Nice people. Nice city. But y'all's team stinks."

It's called the "one-dribble rule," and it could help Chris Kaman maximize his potential. The 7-foot center has a variety of low-post moves and possesses the ability to dribble effectively with either hand, but Kaman often does too much with the ball. Kaman's productivity could increase if he dribbled more efficiently, Coach Mike Dunleavy figured, so Dunleavy instituted the rule in practice recently. Dunleavy and assistant Kim Hughes, who works with the big men, have instructed Kaman to dribble only once before making his move toward the basket.

Former Kings center Vlade Divac was on hand for Thursday's matchup. He is working as an executive for the Real Madrid team in Spain.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson took some shots at Arco Arena: "It's a beautiful place," Jackson said of Arco. "It's just one of the very few places you have to walk across the court to get to a locker room that's a dungeon. (Lakers assistant) Frank (Hamblen) and I sit back there in the grandstands because there's no other place for us to sit as coaches." Jackson, who became infamous locally for calling Sacramentans "semi-civilized" in 2000, stopped short of throwing barbs this time but wasn't short on sarcasm. "I'm not going to throw any aspersions on Sacramento at all," Jackson said. "Look at our surroundings around us, and you can just feel the ambience in the town. I'm glad that they're supporting their Sacramento team, and hopefully, they'll stay in town. The fans deserve this team, even though they didn't vote for a new arena."

How About That? LeBron James' 83-foot shot at the end of the third quarter was the longest of his career and the third longest in NBA history, according to noted NBA statistical wizard Harvey Pollack. Although the NBA doesn't keep official records on such things, Pollack, the 76ers director of statistical information who publishes an annual NBA yearbook, said there were only two longer shots in NBA history. Charlotte's Baron Davis hit an 89-foot shot on Feb. 17, 2001 at Milwaukee, and Chicago's Norm Van Lier hit an 84-footer on Jan. 19, 1977 at San Antonio. Also, Indiana's Herb Williams hit an 81-footer on Jan. 8, 1996 at Sacramento.

Usually one of the best offensive centers in the NBA, Zydrunas Ilgauskas averaged 10 points a game in the season's first 20 games. His playing time -- and production elsewhere on the floor -- also were lagging. In the past 10 games, roughly the span since Brown's doctrinal shift, Ilgauskas again has been looking like a two-time All-Star. He has averaged 15.5 points and 8.9 rebounds during that span, including a season-high 27 points and 11 rebounds Wednesday in the Cavs' 107-104 victory over the Boston Celtics. Ilgauskas is the No. 2 scoring center in the league during the spurt and is hoping it will last. ``I'm getting more touches, especially early in the game, and I'm feeling more a part of things now,'' Ilgauskas said. ``I think it has really helped get me going. I couldn't find my way offensively at the beginning of the season.''

Timberwolves assistant general manager Fred Hoiberg said the Wolves were in the Allen Iverson trade sweepstakes until the end.

For seven consecutive seasons, Allen Iverson has found his name among the top two Eastern Conference guards on all-star ballots. Now, he's trying to make his first in the Western Conference. Iverson will be on the court with guard Kobe Bryant tonight when the Nuggets face the L.A. Lakers at the Staples Center. But Feb. 18, they could be teammates at the All-Star Game in Las Vegas. The NBA released its third returns in all-star voting Thursday, and Iverson trails Houston's Tracy McGrady by just 48,479 votes for the right to start alongside Bryant, who leads with 1,386,477 votes. The Nuggets are pushing fans to vote through promotions during games and on telecasts on Altitude. Paper balloting runs through Jan. 15, and online voting continues until Jan. 21. Iverson's totals from votes recorded while he was in Philadelphia have been transferred to the Western Conference. "It's something that I'm looking forward to, because it's something that I've never done," Iverson said Thursday. "It'll be different playing with those guys instead of playing with the guys on the East. Hopefully if I didn't get voted in, the coaches would pick me to play in it." Iverson and Kobe are more acquaintances than friends, but have mutual respect for one another.

The latest NBA all-star balloting was released Thursday. Hornets point guard Chris Paul remains fifth in Western Conference voting, but is losing ground — likely because he is out with a sprained right ankle. "I think any time you're not out there it kind of hurts your chances,” Hornets coach Byron Scott said. "With certain people, it doesn't matter. Shaq (O'Neal), it doesn't matter. He's been in the league so long, he's such an established all-star that it really doesn't matter. CP, as up-and-coming as he is and with all the exposure he got this summer, people are wondering, ‘Where is he? We haven't seen him.'” Coaches vote on reserves in their respective conferences. Scott said he would do what he could, perhaps send a letter to fellow coaches in support of Paul. "Of course I'm going to lobby for him. I think he deserves it,” Scott said of Paul, who was averaging 18.4 points, 9.0 assists and 4.4 rebounds before getting injured Dec. 26. Likeability also is a plus for Paul, who is not expected to return until late this month.

Even injured, Yao Ming continues to lead the fan balloting for the NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 18 in Las Vegas. Yao's 1,629,832 votes top all players, while teammate Tracy McGrady ranks third in the Western Conference with 1,205,510 votes. The Lakers' Kobe Bryant is second in the Western Conference voting with 1,336,477. Minnesota's Kevin Garnett leads all Western Conference forwards with 947,040 votes, followed by San Antonio's Tim Duncan with 852,827.

Despite his excellent play of late, Gilbert Arenas ranks third among Eastern Conference guards in the latest returns for all-star voting. Miami's Dwayne Wade and New Jersey's Vince Carter are ahead of Arenas. And despite his strong play, Caron Butler isn't ranked among the top 10 vote-getters at forward.

The Bucks have taken a liking to calling it a "free-flowing" offense. "In today's NBA, getting 90-plus shots is not an easy thing to do," Terry Stotts said. "I think we have confidence in being a team that's going to push it and score in transition or early offense. There are going to be nights where you don't necessarily score as well, but over the last month, we've settled into a style of play that we believe we can win." Said guard Michael Redd: "We're playing well. We're moving the basketball. That's the key for our team. Everybody's pretty much in a good rhythm right now. We're getting it from everybody." How potent has the Milwaukee offense become? In their last 10 games, the Bucks shot a league-high 49.4% and averaged 111.7 points per game, which was second to Washington (118.3). The Bucks scored 100 or more points in nine of those games.

Gilbert Arenas turns 25 tomorrow and his Washington Wizards teammates thought that buying him a hibachi would be appropriate, though perhaps not very useful. “Nah, Gil doesn’t cook,” his teammate Antawn Jamison said. “The only time Gil’s cooking is out there on the basketball court.” Which is precisely why Arenas shouts his signature “Hibachi!” after nearly every basket he makes, borrowing a phrase that his teammate Brendan Haywood first coined. Nobody in the N.B.A. was sizzling more than Arenas in December. He averaged 34 points a game, including a 60-point night against Kobe Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers, a feat that earned him player of the month recognition.

Who Knew? On a per-48-minute basis, Knicks forward David Lee averages 17 rebounds, tied for third in the league with Denver’s Marcus Camby. With 3.8 offensive rebounds per game, Lee ranks second in the N.B.A., behind Chicago’s Ben Wallace (3.9). Lee is the only reserve player among the league’s top 20 rebounders.

Former UConn star Khalid El-Amin is averaging 19.8 points and four assists for Azovmash Mariupol of the Ukrainian Superleague.

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MLB Rumors & Notes

Friday, January 5, 2007

A high-level source told me the Dodgers had inquired about Adrian Beltre last summer at the trading deadline and asked the Mariners again about his availability at the winter meetings. Both times they were rebuffed. Seattle, it seems, doesn't want to part with the third baseman, even though he hasn't hit nearly as well for them as he did for the Dodgers in 2004. I wouldn't be surprised if Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti makes another call to the Mariners before spring training. The Mariners need starting pitching and the Dodgers have a surplus. So it's possible Seattle could reconsider, especially if Sean Burroughs somehow develops into a decent major league third baseman.

A source close to Roger Clemens said this week that the Rocket is leaning toward not having a final re-launch, but it is only the first week of January. The Yankees want him in a big way. Clemens' agent, Randy Hendricks, wrote last night in an e-mail to the Post: "Nothing has changed on Roger. First, he has to decide whether he will play. If he decides to play, then he will have to decide upon the team, which would be either New York, Boston or Houston. If he does play, it will likely be for a shortened season. I do not expect anything to happen on this matter any time soon."

GM Mark Shapiro also said Thursday the Tribe is still in talks to acquire left-handed starter Mike Mulder.

If Jeff Weaver wants to take a second chance at New York, it would have to be on a short-term deal. And the Mets haven't even decided who they like best in a paltry free-agent market. The Mets are still trying to fill out their starting rotation, and right-hander Tomo Ohka isn't their only free agent option. The club also has interest in righties Tony Armas and Weaver, a source confirmed last night. The most intriguing (perplexing might be a better word) is Weaver.

Today marks the one-month anniversary of the Red Sox and agent Scott Boras revealing that free agent outfielder J.D. Drew had agreed to a five-year, $70 million contract. An official announcement of the deal has yet to be made, but Hoyer said he remains optimistic that the deal would be finalized soon.

Kevin Towers hopes to sit down with David Wells some time next week. “I talked to him three or four days ago,” the Padres' general manager said yesterday. “We have to determine where we go from here.” The “we” meaning both the Padres and Wells. Does Wells still want to pitch at age 43? Does he still want to pitch for the Padres? If the answer is “no” to either question, the Padres need to broaden their search for a No. 5 starter. And fast. “We have some options,” Towers said. Wells is not the only Padres free-agent pitcher still on the market. There's Chan Ho Park. And Jeff Weaver is still available.

If the price is right, the Mets are interested in the right-handers Tomo Ohka and Tony Armas, who know General Manager Omar Minaya from their time together in Montreal. They are not willing to offer a long-term deal, preferring that Ohka or Armas bridge the gap between the rotation’s 40-somethings (Tom Glavine and Orlando Hernández) and its potential younger members like John Maine, Oliver Pérez, Mike Pelfrey and Philip Humber.

Bernie Williams, 38, is probably on his way out. The Doug Mientkiewicz deal ensures that the Yankees will not have a roster spot for Williams. Manager Willie Randolph admires Williams, who could try to stay in New York by signing with the Mets as a bench player. But the Mets, who are close to signing the reserve David Newhan, seem to like their bench as it is.

The Rockies, attempting to improve their bench, offered a minor-league contract to outfielder Karim Garcia on Thursday while intensifying their pursuit of catcher Javy Lopez. Garcia would compete for a bench role as the team attempts to find a viable left-handed-hitting reserve, a glaring weakness last season. The club already has agreed in principle on a minor-league deal with Alexis Gomez. That general manager Dan O'Dowd continues to spend a lot of time on this issue makes it clear the Rockies want Cory Sullivan, in line for a big raise through arbitration, to earn a roster spot in spring training. Catchers Sal Fasano and Sandy Alomar Jr. also are possibilities.

Roger Clemens’ agent, Randy Hendricks, has advised him to wait until midseason to return, a strategy that worked well in Houston last summer. The Yankees will let Clemens make his own timetable, but they are determined not to be outbid for him. The Astros and the Red Sox also have interest in Clemens, but Clemens seems to have grown weary of the Astros’ lack of run support. It would be surprising if Clemens chose to sign with Boston for a lower salary instead of returning to the Yankees, where he could remain teammates with Pettitte, his close friend.

The Nationals have kept in touch with the agents for some of the 21 starting pitchers remaining on the market, including Tomo Ohka and Ryan Franklin. But it appears that the asking prices still haven't fallen in the Nationals' range. "It's a situation where they have a limited payroll to work with, and I'm not sure their limitations are going to allow it to happen," said Mike McCann, the agent for Franklin, who went 6-7 with a 4.54 ERA for Philadelphia and Cincinnati last season. "I think it would be a good fit, both for Washington and for Ryan, but I understand their position. We'll continue to talk, but I'm just not sure" a deal can be reached.

With Adam LaRoche's name floating in a few different trade rumors, some Braves officials have indicated that they may soon start preparing Jarrod Saltalamacchia to play first base. But for now, it appears he'll begin this season back in Mississippi as a catcher.

The Yankees hope they have something similar to Chien-Ming Wang in young Ross Ohlendorf, the pitcher they targeted in the Randy Johnson deal with the Diamondbacks. "This kid is special," explained a National League scout last night. The scout has closely watched the development of Ohlendorf, 24, a sinkerballer, like Wang. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound right-hander struck out 125 batters and walked only 29 last year in the minors as he posted a 10-8 record with a 3.29 ERA at Double-A Tennessee and a 0-0 mark with a 1.28 ERA at Triple-A Tucson. "He's a tough kid, a smart kid," the scout said of the former Princeton star. "He got over 1,500 on his SATs."

Mark Loretta is set for a second stint with the Astros, returning to Houston in a super-utility player role after signing a one-year deal worth $2.5 million plus incentives. Loretta, who had been seeking a job as a second baseman, gives the Astros a player who can back up or start at first, second, short and third. He earned a spot on the American League All-Star team last year with the Boston Red Sox. Astros manager Phil Garner shares a strong trust with Loretta dating back to their days together in Milwaukee. That bond was a selling point to Astros general manager Tim Purpura. The Astros' starting second baseman is Craig Biggio, who will continue march toward 3,000 hits in 2007.

Randy Johnson also needs to pass a physical exam, which is tentatively scheduled for Monday in Arizona, pending the agreement on a contract extension. And finally, the commissioner's office needs to approve the cash transaction that's part of the deal. The Yankees will send the Diamondbacks about $2 million in cash to help pay Johnson's $16 million 2007 salary. But in fact, the Yankees will pay a total of $5 million of Johnson's salary.

Padres pitcher Jake Peavy was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct early yesterday in Mobile, Ala., after not heeding instructions from an airport official to move his truck from where it was parked at Mobile Regional Airport. Peavy, on his way to the Dominican Republic as part of a Christian mission, parked near the front of the terminal and attempted to leave his vehicle unattended – a no-no where it was parked. “With everything that goes on with civil aviation in the country, you just can't leave vehicles unattended and that sort of thing, so that's really what caused it to come about,” Mobile Airport Police Chief James Kincaid said. Peavy, an Alabama native, was taken to Mobile County Metro Jail and released on a $350 bond. Kincaid said words were exchanged and Peavy didn't cooperate, leading to his arrest.

The Mets were close to reaching an agreement last night with David Newhan, according to a National League official who did not want to be named because the deal has not been announced. The utility player, who can play either the outfield or the infield, spent the past three seasons with the Baltimore Orioles who did not tender him a contract. Newhan, 33, was apparently ready to pass up an offer from the Chicago Cubs to sign with the NL East champs.

Former Royal Aaron Guiel, 34, has signed with Japan’s Yakult Swallows. Guiel received a $250,000 signing bonus (about 29.8 million yen) and will get a base salary of $650,000 (about 77.4 million yen). There’s a club option for a second year. Guiel finished last season with the Yankees.

How About That? When you add it all up, it will have cost the Yankees $43 million to have Randy Johnson win them 34 games over the past two seasons, none in the postseason.

One Nationals official said this week, after scanning a list of the starters who are off the market -- contracts totaling nearly $600 million industry-wide -- that not one of the contracts came close to fitting into Washington's plan.

The Yankees rotation currently looks like this: Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina, Andy Pettitte, Kei Igawa and Carl Pavano
with Ross Ohlendorf, 24, knocking on the door.

The Nationals are moving closer to signing three players they saw during a workout last month at their Dominican complex attended by Manager Manny Acta, scouting director Dana Brown and special assistant Jose Rijo -- two pitchers and a catcher, according to team officials.

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NFL Rumors & Notes

Friday, January 5, 2007

Early candidates to replace Art Shell are Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, former Giants coach and Raiders assistant Jim Fassel and Louisville coach Bobby Petrino, who turned down the job last January. Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera and Fresno State coach Pat Hill also were candidates last year and could resurface again.

On tonight's edition of Fox Sports Net's Pro Football Preview, which was taped Thursday, it was reported that former Dolphins offensive coordinator Chan Gailey and former Atlanta Falcons coach Jim Mora will interview for the position as early as today. Gailey is now the head coach at Georgia Tech. Fox Sports also reported the Dolphins have requested permission to interview Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin and Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner. Meetings are also slated with Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera and San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator Cam Cameron.

A source in Pittsburgh said the Steelers have scheduled interviews next week with their top two assistants, offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt and assistant head coach/offensive line coach Russ Grimm. ... NFL sources speculated the Steelers would interview a minority candidate during the weekend, possibly Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin, in accordance with NFL policy governing the hiring of head coaches. It is anticipated leaguewide that the Steelers will work quickly to secure Bill Cowher's replacement.

A rundown of the remaining coaching interviews for the Cardinals:
Today: Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt
Saturday: Chargers offensive coordinator Cam Cameron
Sunday: Colts assistant head coach Jim Caldwell
Monday: Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow
Tuesday: Steelers assistant head coach Russ Grimm

John Madden is betting on Bill Parcells in the Cowboys’ version of "Survivor." “I really don’t think (Terrell Owens) is going to be back in Dallas next year,” Madden said Thursday in a conference call to promote NBC’s telecast of Saturday’s Dallas-Seattle playoff game. “I think Bill will be back. But as everyone knows with Bill Parcells, you are never going to be sure. He’s 65 and he’s talking about if he has the energy and all this, but I still think one will be back and one won’t. "Bill will be back.”

The Bears are pushing to sign their head coach Lovie Smith to a lucrative, multi-year contract extension as soon as possible, one source close to the talks said. Talks have been ongoing, but have accelerated to the serious stage within the past week. The Bears clearly were the aggressors in the talks, kicking off the discussions after weeks of speculation about when they would. But Smith's camp was open to hearing what the Bears had to say.

Suspended running back Ricky Williams is anxious to return to the Dolphins no matter who the coach is, according to his agent Leigh Steinberg. Steinberg said that Williams, who played an injury-plagued season for the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL, has been passing all his drug tests and intends to apply for reinstatement into the league in April. ... "Ricky is back teaching yoga [in Northern California] and physically and emotionally ready, and looking forward to applying in April and play for the Dolphins. We're sure that [owner H. Wayne Huizenga] will hire an outstanding replacement."

The off-season fate of troubled Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson still may be an issue. Jerry Angelo acknowledged being incensed after learning Johnson had gone out with friend Willie Posey just hours after Angelo declared poor decisions and behavior had to stop in the wake of a police raid on Johnson's Gurnee home that resulted in Johnson's arrest for weapons violations. Posey was killed in a nightclub altercation while with Johnson. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to cut him and get rid of him right there," Angelo said. "I was hot."

Mike Sherman's quest to become a head coach in the NFL again began Thursday. Sherman, currently the Texans' assistant head coach/offense, interviewed with the Arizona Cardinals. "I've been on a number of interviews at different times in my career," Sherman said at a news conference after his interview in Tempe, Ariz. "This is probably the most in-depth, organized one that I think I've been on." "I enjoy winning, and I do believe there is a chance to win here. I do believe the organization is committed to that; Mr. Bidwill is committed to that. After having seen the stadium and obviously the revenue that will bring to this organization, there are some things that can happen here in the future, and the present, that maybe hasn't happened in the past. I think all the pieces are in place for success.''

The most attractive free-agent pass rushers are restricted, meaning the 49ers would have to give up a draft choice and the original team could match any offer. Cincinnati's Robert Geathers (10.5 sacks), Kansas City's Jared Allen (7.5 sacks, 22.5 in a three-year career) and Jacksonville's Bobby McCray (10 sacks) are restricted, which generally means they've just finished their third season of play. The 49ers could hook Allen, who went to Los Gatos High, with the allure of coming back home.

A likely candidate to replace Art Shell is Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. Ryan is popular among players and praised for his ability to keep all his players involved in schemes that highlight their strengths.

The Browns will interview former NFL backup quarterback Jason Garrett for the position of offensive coordinator, a Miami Dolphins source confirmed. It's the first real evidence they intend to replace Jeff Davidson, who replaced Maurice Carthon as offensive play-caller after six games. Davidson, however, will formally interview for the coordinator position today. He also could return to coach the offensive line and keep his title of assistant head coach.

Coach Bill Cowher and his wife, Kaye, are scheduled to fly to Pittsburgh this morning to attend a 1 p.m. news conference at the team's South Side facility and announce the decision that has been expected for several weeks, if not longer -- that he will resign, at age 49, to spend more time with his family. "You'll be hearing from me soon enough," Cowher said last night from his home in Raleigh, N.C., where he has spent the past three days. He declined any further comment. ... But those who know Cowher wonder how long he will stay in "retirement" because he is an intense competitor who loves to coach. When his contract with the Steelers expires after 2007, he will be free to sign with another team, without compensation to the Steelers, and likely will attract offers that make him the highest-paid coach in the NFL.

A Bears playoff disappointment may not undo a Lovie Smith contract, but neither is a playoff victory automatically going to trigger a new one for quarterback Rex Grossman. Jerry Angelo, as he has said in the past, will base judgments on bodies of work, and Grossman still is a work in progress, Angelo reiterated.

Cris Collinsworth thinks Nick Saban leaving the Dolphins is a good thing. His remarks on HBO's Inside The NFL this week: "I think it is the best thing to ever happen to the Miami Dolphins, to tell you the truth. I've watched their games; they're boring. Fans down there are used to seeing Dan Marino and company throw it all over the yard. At some point this is an entertainment business, and the Miami Dolphins have not been entertaining for some time now. "I personally would hire Mike Martz. Go down there, even if you lose you are going to be slinging it around a little bit, putting some points on the board. Because right now nobody is going to the Dolphins games and nobody wants to watch this football team."

As of Thursday, the Falcons had not contacted University of Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino.

The Falcons received permission to speak to San Diego offensive coordinator Cam Cameron about the position, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. Atlanta must interview Cameron by Sunday evening since the Chargers have a playoff game the following weekend. The interview will take place in San Diego. The Falcons will interview Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera Friday. Atlanta also plans to interview San Francisco assistant head coach Mike Singletary for the job, although there is no immediate timetable.

Bears President Ted Phillips and general manager Jerry Angelo said last month a contract extension for coach Lovie Smith was nearing completion. Indications are that a deal already may be in place and the team is waiting for the right time to unveil it. "The things that need to be announced at the proper time will be announced," Angelo said in an appearance Thursday on WSCR-AM, emphasizing a new deal was not contingent upon the Bears' playoff performance. "We can't operate based on emotion. It's over a period of time that you make your decisions. Yes, it's on the body of work so far," Angelo said. "We don't win a playoff game, should we shut it down?"

Former Raiders offensive coordinator Marc Trestman was the first person targeted by Davis this time around. It remains unclear whether Davis envisions Trestman as the successor to Shell or a suitable replacement for unsuccessful offensive coordinators Tom Walsh and John Shoop. Davis phoned Trestman on Wednesday night and asked him to fly to Oakland for a face-to-face meeting today, according to a person close to Trestman. Davis is interested in gauging Trestman's interest in rejoining the team he left after the 2003 season.

Mike Shula, who was fired as the Alabama coach after going 6-6 this year, will interview for one of the Jaguars' assistant coach job openings, team spokesman Dan Edwards said Thursday night.

The NFL will be strongly represented at the funeral of Denver cornerback Darrent Williams on Saturday. Among those expected to attend is commissioner Roger Goodell. NFL vice president of public relations Greg Aiello said Thursday that Goodell is planning to attend the services in Williams' hometown of Fort Worth, Texas. Vice president of player development Mike Haynes and Aiello are also expected to attend. Williams was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in downtown Denver early Monday morning. Representatives from other NFL teams and Oklahoma State, where Williams played college ball, as well as the NFL Players Association are expected to attend.

Robbie Tobeck, Mack Strong and Chris Gray boast 40 seasons of combined NFL experience, along with the clarity to explain the rarity of their playoff opportunity Saturday. They returned to the Seahawks this season for another playoff run. They endured injuries — a hip abscess that included a hospital stay (Tobeck), a sore ankle (Strong) and a thigh contusion (Gray) that ended a team record of consecutive regular-season starts. And because they account for 586 games played — only 22 of which were in the playoffs — they know this run could be their last. A possibility for Strong and Gray, and a certainty for Tobeck, who confirmed this week what most expected, telling The Times he will retire after this season.

No one is more eager than Aaron Rodgers to hear whether Brett Favre will return or retire. The second-year backup quarterback has big plans for the off-season in case Favre does walk away. Rodgers is going to get the boot removed from his broken left foot two weeks from today. He'll then start working with a personal trainer back home in Chico, Calif. And he's going to get serious about his nutrition. That way, if Favre does retire, Rodgers, who just turned 23 years old, will come back to Packers quarterback school in March in the best shape possible, prepared to assume his place under center for 2007. If Favre comes back, well, Rodgers has waited before. He can wait again. ... So, then, in the next 2½ months, the 6-foot-2, 223-pound Rodgers is going to try to cut out the sweets and get Coach Mike McCarthy off his back. The Packers have something called a BOD POD, this Austin Powers egg chair-looking type thing, and a "skinny machine," as Rodgers calls it, that measures a player's body fat. "Mike always hounds me about my weight, my body fat," Rodgers said. "All the quarterbacks he's ever been around have always been around 8% body fat, and I'm about 10. So I want to get down to about 8%. At least. "Remember (quarterback) Tom Arth? He was 5.6%, which is incredible. Al (Harris) is, like, 3, I think." A more fit Rodgers could outrun would-be tacklers. He could definitely take a page from Favre's book there; Favre avoids more than his share of sacks, and his 257-game starting streak is still alive.

Joe Horn will return to practice today, his partially torn groin nearly healed after missing the last four weeks of the regular season. The Saints' receiver labeled himself about 80 to 85 percent healthy Thursday, saying he was excited, optimistic and feeling better than he has in weeks. Even if that wasn't the case, Horn insisted he would make his way onto the field next weekend when the Saints host a divisional-round playoff game for the first time in team history.

Chargers QB Philip Rivers was out of his protective boot, walking without a limp and did some light throwing in individual drills yesterday. The quarterback sprained his right foot in Sunday's regular-season finale.

The Steelers are headed for a busy negotiating session this spring because many of their most important players enter the final season of their contracts. That's usually a time when the Steelers try to negotiate extensions for the players they want to retain. Among the players with one year left on their deals are offensive guard Alan Faneca, safety Troy Polamalu, defensive end Aaron Smith, linebackers Joey Porter and Clark Haggans, and fullback Dan Kreider.

The Steelers immediately will begin the search to find Bill Cowher's successor. Offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, one of the leading candidates to replace Cowher, interviewed yesterday with the Atlanta Falcons and owner Arthur Blank. Offensive line coach Russ Grimm, who is also the team's assistant head coach, is scheduled to interview with the Falcons next week.

The Creative Artists Agency team of Tom Condon and Ben Dogra proved it is one of the most -- if not the most -- powerful in college football again, signing three premier prospects. The headliner is the draft's potential No. 1 overall pick, Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn. Condon and crew were confident they had Quinn locked up and the quarterback made it official when he notified the other competing agents he had selected CAA. Quinn was the biggest prize for CAA, but far from the only one. It also landed Texas cornerback Aaron Ross, this season's Jim Thorpe Award winner as the nation's top defensive back, and Patrick Willis, this season's Butkus Award winner as the nation's top linebacker.

During the 2006 calendar year, Vikings owner Zygi Wilf approved more than a dozen new player contracts worth up to $230 million, including more than $75 million in guaranteed bonuses. The expenditures were especially significant considering the Vikings now rank last among NFL teams in locally derived revenue. After running a deficit in 2005, Wilf made a capital call to his investors for extra cash and another might be necessary for the 2006 fiscal year. Wilf, however, said this week that he is committed to building the team's personnel base no matter what the cost. "We feel it's very important," Wilf said, "that the players who we feel are the core of our organization be rewarded with the commitment of ownership to having them on our team. I understand that was not the way things were done in the past. ... We don't look to see whether paying a player is going to change any financial picture on our part. ... Beyond going into any details of how much money we might be losing, all I can say is that we will continue whenever possible to get free agents and get players that we feel are going to improve our team."

Did You Know? Bill Cowher's career regular-season winning percentage of .632 ranks third among NFL head coaches since 1992 (minimum 50 games), behind the Indianapolis Colts' Tony Dungy (.647) and former Dallas Cowboys' Jimmy Johnson (.635), Cowher is 13th on the NFL's all-time wins list overall at 161-99-1, one victory behind Washington's Joe Gibbs.

Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, the man responsible for containing the likes of Tiki Barber, Plaxico Burress and a hobbled Jeremy Shockey, is sure he'll see the main Giants offensive weapons on the field Sunday in the NFC wild card. "I cannot imagine that Shockey will not play," Johnson said. "Right now we are going into the game saying that Shockey is going to be there."

The Vikings are projected to have more than $20 million in salary cap money this offseason. Ziggy Wilf said the NFL's revenue-sharing system will help soften the team's losses, but a new stadium will be the only long-term cure for its deficit. "All I can say," Wilf said, "is that I look forward to the time when we're able to build a new home for our team, so that I would be able to be self-sufficient financially and I wouldn't have to depend on other teams to support me."

DeDe Dorsey, a backup running back and special teams player for the Indianapolis Colts, faces one misdemeanor count of carrying a handgun without a license after he was stopped for speeding by the Indiana State Police on Wednesday night. Dorsey also was ticketed for speeding. He was released after posting a $15,000 bond and is scheduled for a pretrial conference Wednesday. According to Sgt. Dave Bursten of the State Police, Dorsey was driving 76 mph in a 55-mph zone when he was stopped by a trooper on I-465 at Michigan Road. The trooper said he saw what looked like a gun case in the passenger compartment of Dorsey's 2007 Tahoe and asked him for a permit. Dorsey said he wasn't carrying the permit but had it at home, so the trooper followed Dorsey to his Carmel residence, where no permit surfaced. The trooper ran a check of state records and no permit was found under Dorsey's name, so he was arrested.

Cedric Benson may yet have the chance to find out, and the Bears bet more than a guaranteed $16 million via his rookie contract that he will. Coming off the bench in relief of Thomas Jones, Benson has averaged 4.9 yards per carry over the last seven games, highlighted by 109 yards on 13 carries and a 22-yard pass reception Sunday against the Packers. Of more note, Benson has done some of his best work against the best defenses. Besides Green Bay, which ranks 13th against the run, Benson has averaged 5.2 yards per carry against the three top-10 rushing defenses the Bears have faced (Minnesota No. 1, New England No. 5, Miami No. 8). But Benson's season has been about more than yardage and playing time—and the personal disappointment over not getting as much of either as he might have liked. "There have been a lot of growing pains and a lot of things learned," he said.

Jacksonville Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio, a former Vikings linebacker, this week fired five assistants, meaning ex-Vikings coach Mike Tice probably will end up calling plays for Del Rio next season.

Patriots QB Vinny Testaverde from Long Island, a Jet in his heart even when he was with the Bucs or the Browns or the Ravens or the Cowboys, would never wear one of those. The clothing of the hated AFC East rival? Never. Or would he? "One day when I do retire, it'll be as a Jet," he said. "But I still enjoy playing, and (Patriots coach) Bill (Belichick) has given me a chance to play. My loyalties are with them now. "I grew up a Jets fan, and that isn't going to change, but I would certainly love the experience of winning a championship." So, if this were baseball and he were headed into the Hall of Fame, even if he had won a championship with the Patriots, Testaverde would be wearing a Jets cap into Cooperstown? He smiled. "Well, I don't want to get into all that," he said. "I don't want to be a distraction." Translation: Tell the Jets I wear a size 7 1/2.