Denver_Bronco
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« on: March 20, 2006, 09:38:43 am » |
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Defensive end John Abraham is intent on playing for the Falcons, his agent, Tony Agnone, confirmed Sunday. The contract agreement he reached Friday with Atlanta and his word are his bond. But Abraham might not have the final say. The New York Jets, who own the three-time Pro Bowl selection's rights, have thwarted Abraham's relocation by treating the Falcons' trade offer of a second-round draft pick as insufficient. Instead, the Jets have agreed to trade him to the Seattle Seahawks for a first-round draft choice, and that decision has left Abraham "not happy," according to Agnone.
San Francisco linebacker Julian Peterson is scheduled to visit the Dolphins' facility in Davie this afternoon. The Dolphins also have expressed strong interest in linebacker LaVar Arrington. Both players are represented by agent Kevin Poston.
The Bears entertained Brian Griese over the weekend and are sending offensive coordinator Ron Turner to Florida to meet with the free-agent quarterback. Griese spent his 31st birthday Saturday dining downtown with general manager Jerry Angelo and quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson, then spent Sunday at Halas Hall in what was described as a very positive meeting, leading multiple sources to suggest something could happen soon.
The Dolphins will bring in former Pittsburgh Steelers backup quarterback Tommy Maddox for a visit Tuesday as they try to find someone to fill the same role after losing Gus Frerotte to the St. Louis Rams. Agent Vann McElroy said Maddox has received interest from the Oakland Raiders and Cincinnati Bengals, but the Dolphins' situation might be the most intriguing because of Maddox's relationship with new offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey.
The Bears on Monday will have further internal discussions on whether to match the four-year, $8.2 million offer sheet that defensive end Israel Idonije signed with Buffalo. The Bears are leaning toward doing so.
Tampa Bay receiver Ike Hilliard, a 10-year veteran who turns 30 next month, visited with Texans coach Gary Kubiak and his offensive coaches on Sunday. Denver tight end Jeb Putzier, Minnesota middle linebacker Sam Cowart and Detroit fullback Paul Smith will be in town today meeting with the coaches. The Texans canceled a visit with Minnesota receiver Nate Burleson, a restricted free agent who could be involved in an expensive tug of war with the Vikings and Seattle Seahawks.
Pat Kirwan of NFL Network said Vikings coach Brad Childress hinted about the possibility of moving up in the draft. "He already told me, 'We're looking at that trade chart, we're seeing if we have enough firepower to move up,' " Kirwan quoted Childress as saying on NFL Total Access. "I asked him if it was for a quarterback, and he said, 'We're intrigued with those three quarterbacks,' " referring to Matt Leinart, Vince Young and Jay Cutler.
That leaves Adam Vinatieri and Mike Vanderjagt, neither of whom will come cheap. The Dolphins might release Olindo Mare, whom the Cowboys might find more affordable.
A report that New England Patriots offensive lineman Tom Ashworth would be visiting the Titans is apparently inaccurate. “I talked with Floyd Thursday, but we don’t have any visits planned,” agent Tom Mills said. “I think he wants to let his young guys [David Stewart, Daniel Loper] have a chance at right tackle.” Ashworth has visited Tampa Bay, the New York Jets and Miami, with trips to Seattle and Houston upcoming.
The Tennessee Titans already know Vanderbilt’s Jay Cutler quite well. Today, they will get to know the quarterback even a little bit better. Cutler, whom the Titans coached at the Senior Bowl in January, watched at the NFL Combine in February and assessed Friday at his Pro Day workout, will spend today with the Titans coaches and staff in a get-to-know interview where the sides can get together and talk football and further evaluate the Commodore star. “He’s going to come over to the facility on Monday, and we’re going to spend the entire day with him Monday,” said Titans General Manager Floyd Reese, whose responsibility it is to decide what direction the team goes with the No. 3 overall pick.
Expected to arrive today in Miami for a free-agent visit is 49ers linebacker Julian Peterson.
The Dolphins are receiving lots of interest from agents of kickers who are waiting to see whether the team and Olindo Mare can resolve their contractual differences. Last week Colts free-agent kicker Mike Vanderjagt, the NFL's most accurate kicker, stopped in to team headquarters for a meeting. Ken Harris, agent for free-agent Vikings kicker Paul Edinger, also called the Dolphins to gauge their interest.
New Miami quarterback Daunte Culpepper's former teammate, Cris Carter, now an analyst on HBO's Inside the NFL, believes the Vikings made a drastic mistake in trading a Pro Bowl quarterback in his prime. "You don't trade franchise quarterbacks," Carter said during an interview on Sirius NFL radio. "The reason we have jobs is because guys in executive positions make decisions on quarterbacks. Because every week, what do we talk about on Monday? "Man, they can't win because they don't have a quarterback.' And you have one. You have a proven commodity, and now you're going to give up your proven commodity for a second-round pick? I don't know what these people are thinking about.
Green Bay Packers backup Craig Nall, who visited Winter Park last Monday, agreed to a contract with the Buffalo Bills, his agent Robb Nelson said Sunday evening. Although the Vikings were interested in Nall, they apparently didn't want to meet his financial asking price. "Minnesota made a run at Craig (on Sunday) but Craig couldn't turn down the deal from Buffalo," Nelson said.
Brian Griese continued his free-agency tour Sunday, visiting a Bears team eager to conduct a thorough medical evaluation on the veteran quarterback's left knee. Griese severed the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments Oct. 16 against Miami, ending his season after leading Tampa Bay to a 5-1 record. Griese, who turned 31 on Saturday, has maintained he will be healthy by training camp. The Bears were comfortable enough with Griese's medical condition to schedule the visit, which is likely to spill into Monday. Griese visited Cincinnati on Friday and Saturday and left without an offer. But a source said the Bengals intend to contact Ralph Cindrich, Griese's agent, on Monday morning, indicating they're not conceding he will be a Bear.
NFL rules prevent the Cowboys conditioning program from being mandatory, but in many ways it is a must. Players are (ahem) asked to get 40 workouts in between now and July. They get paid for working out, around $500, and some have workout bonuses in their contracts. Overseeing the program is strength and conditioning coach Joe Juraszek, who is entering his 10th season with the Cowboys. "Here's what I tell them: Each day you're making a deposit. The more deposits you make, the bigger checks you can write," Juraszek said.
RB Julius Jones: His injuries have not been a result of poor conditioning, but Jones needs to be as strong and as flexible as possible heading into his third season. He has shown he can be a dynamic player, and the Cowboys need him in a big way.
Cowboys OLB DeMarcus Ware: He has been told to get up to 260 pounds, about 10 pounds heavier than he finished last season. He does not believe it will sap him of quickness, and the bulk will help him stand up to the run.
LT Flozell Adams: Much of Jerry Jones' optimism comes from having a healthy Adams back on the field. His rehab from a torn anterior cruciate ligament is on schedule. With Adams, the Cowboys can be a top offense. Without him, they struggle.
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