POSTED 7:10 p.m. EST, March 15, 2006

 

FREE AGENCY ENTERS PHASE TWO

 

On the fifth day of the 2006 league year, the big money is drying up.

 

Sure, guys are still getting paid.  But the market has softened.  Considerably.

 

On Wednesday, Cleveland signed Willie McGinest to a three-year, $12 million contract with $6 million in "bonuses and guarantees."  That term is a bit misleading, since there are several kinds of "bonuses" -- not all of which will definitely be paid.

 

In Seattle, defensive tackle Rocky Bernard re-signed with the Seahawks, inking a three-year, $13 million deal with a $5.4 million signing bonus.

 

In Green Bay, the Packers signed defensive tackle Ryan Pickett.  In Tennessee, the Titans signed safety Chris Hope.  Terms of neither deal have been disclosed, which could mean that the agents involved don't have much reason to brag.

 

Elsewhere, safety Will Demps signed with the Giants, receiver Peter Warrick re-signed with the Seahawks, and quarterback Jeff Garcia signed with the Eagles.

 

These are all second-tier transactions, of interest only to the fans of the teams involved and general football nerds (like us).  And even though some big names remain on the market (LaVar Arrington, Charles Woodson, Julian Peterson, Terrell Owens, Keyshawn Johnson), the monster deals are generally done for this year.

 

MOSS STANDING BY AGENT

 

Raiders receiver Randy Moss, by whom agent Dante DiTrapano has stood firmly for most the past decade, is returning the favor in the wake of news that DiTrapano was arrested in Florida on felony charges of crack cocaine possession.

 

Said Moss in a statement released on Wednesday, "Virtually everyone has a loved one, a family member or close friend, who finds himself or herself in trouble and needs help.  You've got to support a friend who needs help and so I'm sticking by my friend and I'll support him and his family as he gets help battling his problem."

 

DiTrapano's law firm also expressed support for him:  "We were saddened to learn today that our colleague, Dante DiTrapano, was arrested for possession of an illegal substance.  Dante has been battling depression over two tragedies that occurred this past year.  We don't know the facts of his arrest at this point, but we hope and pray that Dante will now get the help he needs."

 

Police found 73 pieces of crack cocaine and 21 grams of powder cocaine in the St. Petersburg hotel room where DiTrapano, his wife, and three others were arrested.  (Scroll down for more.)  

 

"He said he was in the area for drug rehab," said George Kajtsa, a public information officer with the St. Petersburg Police Department.  "He said they were having one last party before he went into rehab."

 

Even if that's true (and based on the mugshots we really don't think that the five defendants usually run in the same circles), the "Fat Tuesday" defense probably won't hold much water.

 

Still, if it really was a party, it was one hell of a shindig.

 

"The room was full of paraphernalia and crack cocaine," Kajtsa said. "On the bed, on the bureau, on the table.  They must have walked on some of it because it was crushed on the floor."

  
POSTED 6:26 p.m. EST, March 15, 2006

 

NFLPA SUSPENDS CARL POSTON

 

Liz Mullen of SportsBusiness Journal reports that the NFLPA Committee on Agent Regulation and Discipline has voted to suspend agent Carl Poston for two years.

 

The suspension arises from Poston's negotiation of LaVar Arrington's December 2003 contract extension with the Redskins.  After the deal was done, Poston claimed that the Redskins had failed to include in the final version of the contract a $6.5 million roster bonus payable in 2006, which would have resulted in two 2006 $6.5 million roster bonuses in the contract.  In support of the allegation that the 'Skins had hoodwinked Arrington and his agent, Poston admitted that the didn't read the contract before it was signed.  The grievance filed on Arrington's behalf later was resolved in a manner that resulted in no payment or promise of payment to Arrington.

 

Poston can appeal the suspension to an arbitrator.

 

The irony is that Arrington was cut before either bonus would have come due.  And the far bigger disservice, in our opinion, to Arrington was the failure of Poston to determine the market value of Arrington before allowing him to waive $4.4 million in deferred signing bonus money in order to secure his freedom, and in permitting him to turn down the opportunity to convert the $6.5 million roster bonus into a guaranteed payment.  In more than a week since Arrington bought his release from the 'Skins by giving up the deferred bonus money, Arrington has made two visits and has received no offers.

 

FEE REDUCTION APPROVED IN LIMITED CASES

 

Although, as we reported earlier on Wednesday, the NFLPA did not vote on a controversial measure that would have reduced the maximum agent fees from three percent to two percent, the union has implemented reduced fees in certain specific situations, according to Liz Mullen of SportsBusiness Journal.

 

For players operating under the franchise tender or transition tender, the maximum fee is two percent.  The fee drops to 1.5 percent in the second year of a one-year franchise or transition tender, and to 1.0 percent in the third year.

 

This means, as a practical matter, that some agents will be tempted to push players who are tagged to work out long-term contracts.  Absent a long-term deal, the agent will realize a lower fee.

 

POSTED 3:00 p.m. EST, March 15, 2006

 

HARRINGTON OUT OF MOTOWN BY JUNE 15

 

In a Wednesday column from Tom Kowalski of Mlive.com, Kowalski predicted that Lions quarterback Joey Harrington "might be ready to move on." 

 

As it turns out, he already is.

 

We've heard this afternoon that Harrington has asked the team to either trade him or release him, and that the team will accommodate his request before a significant roster bonus comes due on June 15.

 

Not long ago, new coach Rod Marinelli and new offensive coordinator Mike Martz publicly embraced Harrington, with Martz promising to strip Harrington down and build him back up.  We're told that Martz and Marinelli weren't too pleased with what they saw from Harrington during recent workouts with Martz, which prompted the team to sign Jon Kitna, who specifically was told that he'd have a shot to compete for the starting job in Detroit.

 

Though it's not clear whether Harrington specifically was informed of the promise made to Kitna, Harrington is surely smart enough to realize that if Kitna wanted to be a backup he could have stayed in Cincinnati.

 

Bottom line -- Harrington has made it known he wants out, and the team is ready to make it happen.

 

The development likely will be viewed as a positive thing in the locker room.  We're told that one of the Lions offensive lineman recently assessed the situation by saying, "We want the f---ker out."   

 

POSTED 2:07 p.m. EST, March 15, 2006

 

MOSS AGENT BUSTED FOR CRACK POSSESSION

 

NFL agent Dante DiTrapano, whose one and only client is Raiders receiver Randy Moss, was arrested in St. Petersburg, Florida on Tuesday for possession of crack cocaine.

 

Both DiTrapano and his wife face the charges.  Three other persons were arrested at the same time, and are charged with possession of crack cocaine and a variety of other offenses.

 

DiTrapano had rented three rooms at the St. Petersburg Hilton for a one-night stay.  Per the police department's web site, he "created a disturbance at his room, prompting the management to call the police, and officers located the illegal drugs when they arrived at the rooms to investigate the call."

 

The mugshots of the five defendants are available on line (I love this freakin' country):

 

    

[Clockwise from upper left corner:  Louis Dante DiTrapano, Teri A. DiTrapano, James A. Lockett, Glinder Cecil, James D. Harper.]

 

We don't know what the hell to make of this one.  DiTrapano is a lawyer in Charleston, West Virginia, and we've spoken to him a couple of times in the past.  A year ago, we told him that the Vikings were close to trading Moss to the Raiders, and he basically said we were nuts.

 

In hindsight, maybe he just thought we were on crack. 

 

POSTED 11:27 a.m. EST, March 15, 2006

 

DAUNTE DEAL DONE

 

The Miami Dolphins have formally announced the acquisition of quarterback Daunte Culpepper for a second round pick in the 2006 draft.

 

Given the team's stance on Tuesday, which included a brief statement regarding the fact that the deal hinges on Culpepper passing a physical, the announcement means that the doctors were satisfied with the condition of Culpepper's surgically repaired basket of shredded wheat, and that he's now officially a member of the team.  (The press release and the posting on the team's official site say nothing about the physical.)

 

Coach Nick Saban will speak to the media regarding the move at 2:00 p.m. EST.

 

POSTED 11:22 a.m. EST, March 15, 2006

 

RUMORS FLY OF WALKER TO PHILLY

 

Talk radio in Philadelphia is abuzz with reports that disgruntled Packers receiver Javon Walker is on his way to town to meet with Eagles officials regarding a possible trade that would make him the new No. 1 wideout, a spot that used to be filled by a disgruntled receiver who was released on Tuesday.

 

Although we prefer mongering rumors to shooting them down, we can report with a high degree of confidence that this one ain't happening.

 

How do we know?  First, a source with knowledge of the situation tells us that it's not happening.  Second, Walker is still under contract with the Packers.  Before he could talk to another team, the Packers would have to give him permission to attempt to work out a trade.  Typically when such permission is given, the dude's agent crows about it in order to shake as many interested parties as possible out of the bushes (or, as they say in some parts, the "booshes").

 

So the rumors are wrong.  (Gosh, it genuinely pains us to say that.)

 

POSTED 11:15 a.m. EST, March 15, 2006

 

LEINART WANTS TO BE A JET

 

Hollywood Matt, as it turns out, is hoping to become the next Broadway Joe.

 

According to Rich Cimini of The New York Daily News, USC quarterback Matt Leinart "has told people in his inner circle that he's dying to play for the Jets."

 

The problem, however, is that the Jets might not by dying for this Matt, but for another one.  Per Cimini, the Two Utes are now looking at shipping defensive end John Abraham to Atlanta for a package that would include quarterback Matt Schaub, the understudy to Mike Vick.

 

Not surprisingly, the Falcons aren't willing to deal Schaub.  We don't blame them.  Vick has begun to saunter down Turd Lane, as evidenced by recent shots at the team for its failure to maximize his talents.  We've heard on the grapevine that Vick eventually could ask for his ticket out of town, which would make it important for the team to retain Schaub.

 

Stay tuned.

 

POSTED 10:56 a.m. EST, March 15, 2006

 

BREES BLOWS SMOKE ON SIGNING DECISION

 

We read with great interest the comments of quarterback Drew Brees regarding his decision to sign with the Saints.

 

"Really, what it came down to was who I felt like believed in me the most," Brees told the Times-Picayune on Tuesday.

 

Bullcrap, we say.

 

The Fins, as we've heard it, yanked the offer to Brees and pulled the trigger on a trade for Daunte Culpepper because Drew and his agent were dragging their feet regarding the money that the Fins were willing to pay for a dude with a busted shoulder.  

 

Technically, Brees is telling the truth.  The decision did come down to who believed in him the most because the Dolphins made clear that they no longer believed in him by, you know, pulling the offer.

 

Here's another gem:  "The Saints have made it clear from the beginning that I'm their guy they want to build this thing with, and that's really exciting."

 

Drew, if you're "their guy to build this thing with," your contract wouldn't contain a $12 million option bonus due in 2007.  For now, they view you as a rental property.  A trial run.  And you get $10 million bucks to be the guinea pig.

 

Not a bad deal, but let's not call this a long-term arrangement because anyone with any sense knows that it isn't.  It could end up working out if, for example, you don't go Chad Pennington when the season starts.  For now, though, it's a one-year experiment.

 

POSTED 6:31 a.m. EST, March 15, 2006

 

VINCENT CHANGES POSITION ON AGENT FEES

 

Word out of Hawaii is that NFLPA president Troy Vincent has reversed course regarding the issue of reducing agent fees from three percent to two percent, and that Vincent is now opposed to the possible move.

 

As a result, the issue wasn't even put to a vote at a meeting of player representatives.

 

The issue had been a strong point of contention for agents, sparking a heated and lengthy debate during the February agent meeting in Indianapolis.  In the end, Vincent explained to the player reps that he fully examined the issue, and that he agreed with concerns that an across-the-board cut in maximum agent fees would chase good agents out of the business.

 

We think it's the right call.  The absence of guaranteed contracts makes the role of an NFL agent even more important than in other sports, and the annual frenzy of free agency and restructured contracts makes it even more important that good, competent agents be available to assist players.

 

Of course, not all of the agents are good and/or competent, but the percentage of bad ones would have increased significantly if the cap on what agents can earn had been pushed lower and the good ones had pursued other ways to get paid for their time and effort.

 

KEYSHAWN ON HIS OWN?

 

Speaking of agents, the guy who represents receiver Keyshawn Johnson currently is on suspension.  And this means that Johnson might negotiate his next deal by himself (wink).

 

The NFLPA suspended Jerome Stanley in 2005 for his role in bungling the 2004 free agency of Browns receiver Dennis Northcutt by failing to file the paperwork necessary to void the remainder of Northcutt's contract.

 

We're told that, for now, it appears that Johnson won't be firing Stanley.  But since Stanley can't work on Johnson's behalf, the suspicion is that Johnson will go it alone, with Stanley advising on an unofficial basis.

 

WEDNESDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

 

In 2005, the Pats paid less for their entire receiver rotation than what David Givens will average per year in Tennessee.

 

Absent an upgrade, Reggie Brown will likely be the No. 1 wideout in Philly in 2006, with Todd Pinkston at No. 2.

 

The Steelers have re-signed DE Brett Keisel.

 

The Redskins are close to trading former first-round QB Patrick Ramsey to the Jets for a sixth-round pick.

 

The Redskins are showing interest in LB Sam Cowart; Cowart has visits scheduled elsewhere for next week.

 

The 'Skins are believed to be interested in CB Jamar Fletcher.

 

During his one-year stint in Miami as offensive coordinator, former Vikings offensive coordinator Scott Linehan recommended Daunte Culpepper to Dolphins coach Nick Saban on at least three occasions.  (And the fact that the Rams were never in the running for Culpepper shows how little juice Linehan really has as the head coach in St. Louis.)

 

Pats K Adam Vinatieri will visit the Packers on Friday.

 

DT Russell Davis and DE John Abraham visited the Seahawks on Tuesday.

 

Vikings WR Nate Burleson, a restricted free agent, will visit the Seahawks on Thursday and Friday.

 

RB Sammy Morris visited the Seahawks on Tuesday.

 

LB Kevin Bentley met with the Titans on Tuesday and then headed to Cincy.

 

The Seahawks have expressed "some interest" in Panthers P Jason Baker.

 

Fins DL Kevin Carter restructured his deal, creating $1.25 million in cap room.

 

DT Rocky Bernard was still in K.C. on Tuesday evening.

 

OT Stockar McDougle has signed a two-year deal with the Jags.

 

Pats WR Troy Brown hasn't decided whether he plans to return for another season.

 

QB Tommy Maddox could be the backup in Miami.

 

Steelers DE Kim von Oelhoffen bolted for the Jets, receiving a $3.2 million signing bonus.

 

The Steelers hosted Browns TE Aaron Shea on Tuesday, but could be close to re-signing Jerame Tuman.

 

QB Jeff Garcia is arriving in Philly for a visit one day after the official release by the Eagles of a former teammate who once called him gay.

 

WR David Patten doesn't plan to concede anything to Brandon Lloyd or Antwaan Randle El.

 

S Will Demps continues to make the rounds, visiting the Giants on Wednesday.

 

Click here for more of the best NFL news and information (or you can go get 73 rocks of crack, 21 grams of cocaine, check into a hotel room with your wife and three friends, create a disturbance, and see what happens next).