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POSTED 7:21 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 8:06 p.m. EDT, April 22, 2007

L.J. ON THE BLOCK?

In case you missed it (like we did), Adam Teicher of the Kansas City Star floated a potential bombshell on Friday by suggesting that Chiefs running back Larry Johnson could be traded, if the Chiefs were to get the right offer.

To be clear, Teicher isn't reporting that Johnson is on the trading block. But, given that Teicher works for the newspaper of record in Kansas City and has been covering the team for at least a few years (we're too lazy right now to look up the specific number), there's a chance that Teicher has been informally commissioned by the team to float the idea, in the event that someone will opt to make an offer. This gives the Chiefs a way to look for possible takers without taking the risk of pissing the player off by actively shopping him.

And the team also is sending out some curious smoke signals regarding the tailback position, bringing in California’s Marshawn Lynch, Ohio State’s Antonio Pittman, Florida State’s Lorenzo Booker and Louisville’s Kolby Smith for pre-draft visits.

Agents for each of the players said that the Chiefs told them that the team plans to draft a running back in an early round.

Johnson's rookie contract runs through 2009, and it's possible that the team has decided that it doesn't want to pay him big money.

Or it could be, in our view, that the team merely wants to lessen L.J.'s load. He touched the ball 457 times in 2006, and he won't last long in this league with that much use.

Still, if they keep him, they'll eventually have to pay him. In a league where more and more teams view tailbacks as interchangeable, 2007 could be a good time for the Chiefs to take a look-see at a rookie before making a decision on whether to keep Johnson.

PATS TARGETING HARRIS?

A league source who is preparing for the draft as aggressively as anyone tells us that the Patriots will select inside linebacker David Harris with the No. 28 pick in the draft.

"Write it down," said the source.

Okay. We have.

SAINTS' DRAFT NEEDS ARE UP

The New Orleans Saints' draft needs are up.

Enjoy.

More to come.

POSTED 6:44 p.m. EDT, April 22, 2007

JEAN STRAHAN HAS A YARD SALE

The ex-wife of Giants defensive end Michael Strahan made like one of Borat's gypsies on Saturday, selling off a bunch of stuff in a yard sale at her $3.6 million home.

Jamal Callaway bought two televisions -- one with a 32-inch screen and one with a 20-inch screen -- for only $100.

"I get to cheer for Mike on his TV," Callaway said.

Asked if the televisions were flat screens, Callaway said: "She's not that mad at him."

Jean Strahan already has received $8.8 million in connection with the couple's divorce. Payment of the remaining $6.5 million has been stayed pending appeal of the ruling that gave the former Mrs. Strahan a total award of $15.5 million.

Last month, the former Mrs. Strahan said in court papers that she can't afford to keep the 30-room mansion.

Included among the items for sale was a set of cassette tapes on how to make relationships survive.

POSTED 12:07 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 3:42 p.m. EDT, April 22, 2007

REESE SHOULD TREAD LIGHTLY ON WILSON COMMENTS

A league source has shared with us some words of wisdom regarding the recent comments of Giants G.M. Jerry Reese as to the possibility that the team will sign former Broncos linebacker Al Wilson.

"Nothing's over at this point," Reese said of Wilson during a Thursday press conference. "We'll see what happens with him in the future."

But the source says that it wasn't wise for Reese to suggest publicly a lingering interest in Wilson, given that the Giants nearly traded for Wilson before concluding that he couldn't pass a physical.

It's a subtle point; if, after all, Wilson couldn't pass a physical when the Broncos and Giants were trying to make a trade, it's possible that Wilson could pass a physical after rehab and rest.

But it also could raise concerns that the Giants fudged the physical in order to later get Wilson without having to give up any draft picks to Denver. Even if that wasn't Reese's motivation, the source thinks that, given the precise manner in which the Wilson deal fell apart, the more prudent course would be for Reese to say nothing at all about Wilson.

LEN MAKES A GOOD POINT ON TAMPA 2 CORNERS

Before we go any farther with this one, please understand that we are not drunk or high or suffering from amnesia. We fully realize that we have made a cottage industry over the past five years of twisting the tail of ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli, and this item should not be regarded as proof that we have decided to move on. (Must . . . resist . . . . Must . . . resist . . . .)

But we've got to give credit where it's due -- especially when one of the same league sources who like to point out flaws in the logic of scribes like Len lets us know that Len has written a spot-on item.

Specifically, Pasquarelli's piece regarding the Colts' disinclination to match the offer sheet that cornerback Jason David signed with the Saints is drawing nods of approval in league and media circles.

The reality, as Len explains, is that cornerbacks don't have the same value in the Tampa 2 system that they possess in other defensive schemes.

In the Tampa 2, cornerbacks don't run down the field in pass coverage; they primarily cover short zones and chase down running backs who receive handoffs and receivers who catch the short passes that the Tampa 2 tries to force. In the Tampa 2, safeties (who are responsible for the deep zones) and linebackers (who need to be able to cover a lot of ground in the middle of the field) are a much more important commodity.

And the defensive linemen are vital as well, since the four of them typically are required to clog running lanes without linebacker help and to beat five offensive linemen and any other blockers who are kept in for pass coverage.

So, in the Tampa 2, cornerback is arguably the least important position -- and this means that teams like the Colts won't overpay for players like David and Nick Harper, since they'll be able to fill those spots with guys already on the roster or players whom they draft next week.

SEVEN YEARS OF ARRESTS

Kudos to the San Diego Union-Tribune for compiling a seven-year list of NFL player arrests.

One thing that became obvious to us upon reviewing the list is that bad behavior is hardly a new phenomenon in the NFL.

If we get some free time (fat chance) we'll analyze the numbers and list the number of arrests per team, per year, etc. The Union-Tribune does some of that for the 308 total arrests over the seven-year period.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON ONE-LINERS

The Raiders are gonna make someone filthy rich.

Or will they?

Scouts went ga-ga over a move that CB Darrelle Revis performed during his Pro Day workout. (Did he stop short and make a grab?)

Steelers RB Willie Parker is speaking with the enemy.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin held a minicamp the week before the draft to help with the assessment of his team's needs.

Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau says that the team won't miss Joey Porter.

Sean Mahan has played guard only during the Steelers' initial minicamp, but he is still expected to compete for the starting center position.

In round one, will the Cowboys take the best available player -- or the best available defensive back?

The 49ers' draft needs are less obvious, for a change.

Cardinals V.P. Rod Graves says that he has always had the final say on draft day, even when Denny Green was the coach.

Thanks to their free-agency signings, the Cardinals can be more flexible in the draft.

Could the Bears be looking back to New Mexico for another linebacker?

If the Browns take RB Adrian Peterson, QB Brady Quinn could slide, and vice-versa. (And both guys are represented by the same agency.)

Mike Garafolo of the Newark Star-Ledger looks at this year's crop of future Bengals.

Hey, Lorenzo Booker -- bitching about the way you were used on your last team isn't the best way to sell yourself to your next team.

Greg Bedard of the Palm Beach Post has apparently developed a non-sexual man-crush on Fins G.M. Randy Mueller.

POSTED 6:43 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 7:32 p.m. EDT, April 21, 2007

MARCUS SPEARS TUNA

Cowboys defensive end Marcus Spears, a first-round draft pick in 2005, is glad that Bill Parcells is no longer the coach of the team.

"It's almost like a new career for me," Spears said of the departure of Parcells. "This is only going to be my third year, but it's been tough, man. There's no other way to say it."

Spears unloaded on the Tuna to Newy Scruggs of the Fort-Worth Star Telegram. Specifically, Spears doesn't think he was used properly in Parcells' defense.

"It's definitely been a humbling experience for me because I came in expecting to play well and be able to do what I do and play the game the way I played it in college," he said. "I thought that's what I was drafted for . . . to get here and be doing something different with a whole different mind-set."

The problem is that defensive ends in the 3-4 defense aren't expected to chase down the passer. Instead, the goal is for them to tie up blockers so that the linebackers can make plays.

And new coach coach Wade Phillips will still use the 3-4. But, as we now understand it, the Phillips version of the 3-4 uses a one-gap approach for defensive linemen instead of the Tuna's two-gap style. This means that the defensive end will usually be taking on one offensive lineman in the Phillips' 3-4, and two in the Tuna 3-4.

Apart from how he's used, Spears welcomes the more easy approach of Phillips. "Just sit back and watch," Spears said. "You're going to see a totally different atmosphere. Totally different sideline. From the equipment room, to the training room, to the locker room."

Scruggs adds that he has spoken to numerous players who are glad the Parcells won't be back. It's another sign that the old-school coaching style doesn't work like it used to.

SATURDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

Steelers G Kendall Simmons doesn't think he'll be playing center.

Bears coach Lovie Smith is talking up WR/KR Ted Ginn, in the apparent hopes that someone will draft him before the Bears pick at No. 31, which would then push one of the guys Smith wants farther down the board.

Here's a look at the Panthers' last five drafts.

The Fins wanted to trade up last year to get DT Haloti Ngata.

Chiefs QB Trent Green wants the Chiefs to move him on -- and move him out. (We couldn't resist.)

The Raiders have cut G Brad Badger and DE Lance Johnstone, creating $1.6 million in savings.

POSTED 8:00 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 12:36 p.m. EDT, April 21, 2007

TOMLIN PROTECTING HIMSELF?

According to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has decided to bar photographers from most of Friday's minicamp practice.

The move is a reversal of the franchise's long-standing habit of openness at practice.

Under Tomlin's new policy, photographers are allowed to work during the early part of practice, when the players are running and stretching. When the group portion of the practice begins, however, the photographers must stop.

"Sometimes, a picture's worth a thousand words, and some people are going to be in some compromising positions that maybe they don't want to see themselves in," Tomlin said.

Tomlin explains that he's trying to protect players who are competing for jobs, but we think Tomlin is trying to protect himself (and the franchise) against the generation of evidence that contact and/or other impermissible conduct is occurring during offseason workouts.

But why should Tomlin care? There have been plenty of examples of publicly-disseminated photos of contact, and nobody has ever said "boo" about it.

EAGLES' DRAFT NEEDS ARE UP

The Eagles' draft needs are up.

Six to go.

We'll get them done. We think.

RIGGO'S MISADVENTURES WITH AN OPEN MIKE?

A reader has told us that he heard former Redskins tailback John Riggins make some comments into an open microphone during a break in his Friday radio show on Triple X ESPN Radio.

We're not going to reprint what the reader claims to have heard until we hear from others who might have heard it.

Let us know if you know.

OUR VICK TAKE DRAWS STRONG REACTIONS

Well, we struck some nerves. Again. But this time one of our opinion items drew strong responses both in agreement with and in opposition to our position.

We're talking about our take from Friday night regarding the decision of Mike Vick to give a paltry $10,000 to the families of the victims of the Virginia Tech massacre. As we estimated, Vick's contribution is likely worth less than one week's worth of interest that he earns on the ever-growing stash (oops) of money that he has in the bank.

Said one reader: "I know you hate him but bashing him for not giving 'enough' money to people in need is really low. Sure, he's probably only doing it to get a little good publicity in light of his recent problems but at least he's doing something. Did you give up a week's pay for families of those hurt or killed in the Virginia Tech tragedy? I didn't. I don't know anyone else who did, either. Come on, give the guy a break for at least trying to do something for those who might need a little boost right now."

Said another: "Valtrex must be really expensive."

Here are more reactions:

"Mike Vick gave $10,000 to VT and you complain. How many other VT athletes gave nothing? Can I get a report on that. How much did you give?"

"You sure are being generous with Mike Vick! Read the story carefully . . . it's worse than you thought. It says Vick is 'teaming up with the United Way' to give $10,000. He may not be giving anything except his name to the story. Apparently he's so tight when he walks his ass squeaks!"

"I love how your whole 'pledge to decency' thing is going. This kind of thing is the main reason why I've been reading your site for the past four years so please don't change."

"There is a simple explanation for the 'small' amount -- it was all he could fit into his water bottle compartment."

"You've had some really bad takes before but criticizing Vick for his contribution takes the cake. What would make you happy? How much did Kevin Jones pony up? Jake Grove?"

"Thank you for mentioning Mike Vick's paltry contribution to the Virginia Tech families. I was telling a friend yesterday that it was like me giving 10 cents."

"Only someone with absolutely no soul or tact would bash a person for a charitable donation. There is no right or wrong amount when it comes to a donation. For you to write an article about it only shows your own lack of class and civility. By insulting Michael Vick, you insult every person that has ever donated time, money or other resources to any organization or individual in need. You owe every person that has given and will do so in the future an apology."

"You're not the only one who found Michael Vick's $10,000 (tax-deductible) donation to be measly and pathetic (adding another zero might have been a better start)."

We appreciate everyone's input. And we stand by what we said. We firmly believe that the gesture was little more than a photo-op aimed at polishing up a sagging reputation. If he really wanted to make a difference, the contribution would have been something more than the equivalent of an average person losing pocket change in a too-soft sofa.

SATURDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

The Army instantly went into full-bore CYA mode after Pat Tillman was killed.

LB Landon Johnson, a restricted free agent, re-signed with the Bengals.

Never heard of Todd Lowber? If he can truly run a 4.11, you will.

The Seahawks claim that they're happy to have WR Deion Branch instead of a 2007 first-round pick.

Ravens K Matt Stover, the team's NFLPA player rep, doesn't think that NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw is insensitive to the needs of retired players. (Apparently, Stover hasn't read much of the stuff that Upshaw has publicly said on the matter.)

The Browns plan to stay put at No. 3 and give one of the "Fab Five" players the chance to get a staph infection.

Giants G.M. Jerry Reese says that the team stayed out of free agency because the "money was out of control."

It sounds like 49ers TE Vernon Davis loves him some him.

LB Brian Urlacher told Dan Patrick that he supports LB Lance Briggs.

Could Devin Hester be switched to receiver?

Clemson coach Tommy Bowden compares Gaines Adams to Bill Clinton. (And any female interns working for the team that drafts Adams should take note.)

Steelers WR Hines Ward on his team's November 26 date with former Steelers LB Joey Porter and the Fins: "I want to see if he's really going to trash talk us. You can't trash talk your boys, Joey."

The 49ers will be diverting $10.3 million in rent payments to repairs at Monster Park; said the president of the 49ers' Santa Clara booster club: "Isn't that like putting a dress on a pig?"

Saints coach Sean Payton might have done a better job in the 2006 draft than he did during the 2006 season. (And, yeah, Payton gets the credit over their bean-counting G.M.)

The 49ers might deal G Justin Smiley on draft day.

The Browns are moving . . . from FSN Ohio to SportsTime Ohio.

Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan has a new two-year deal.

Eagles RB Correll Buckhalter has been ordered to pay more than $4,000 per month in child support. (Maybe the kid has a taste for caviar.)

POSTED 8:57 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 9:56 p.m. EDT, April 20, 2007

BIG BEN LIKES MIKE

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had good things to say about the first minicamp practices under new coach Mike Tomlin.

And, at the same time, Big Ben gave Coach Chin a shot to the, well, nuts. ("Chin" would have been too obvious.)

Said Ben of his new coach: "He's a great guy. He didn't try to do too much, which was one of the questions, is he going to come in and yell and scream at everybody? What is he going to do? He came in and was as calm, cool and collected as he seems.

"It will definitely be different because Coach [Bill] Cowher was here before I got here. Our relationship wasn't great because he was here before I got here and I was just a young kid. Coach Tomlin and I are rookies together in a sense so I think we will have a better relationship."

What makes the story even more stunning is that it appears on the team's official web site, which in our view only lends credence to notion that the team wasn't happy with Cowher's full-season flirtation with retirement.

SAUERBRUN HEADS BACK TO DENVER

Two days after securing his freedom via a Special Master ruling that invalidated his former team's right of first refusal on an offer sheet he signed with the Broncos, punter Todd Sauerbrun re-signed with the team that cut him last season.

And Sauerbrun vows to makes amends to the Broncos, who sent him packing after he served a four-game suspension for violation of the league's policy on steroids and related substances.

"I want to make amends," Sauerbrun said. He'll get a chance to do so with a one-year $1.4 million contract.

Sauerbrun also wants to do a good job for Coach Kevlar: "He has faith in me. I don't want to let him down. I don't want to let the team down. To hell with myself. I don't want to let the guys down."

Yeah, to hell with you, Todd. We agree.

HEY, BIG SPENDER

We hadn't said anything about the decision of Falcons quarterback Mike Vick to cough up $10,000 to the families of the victims of the Virginia Tech shootings because we didn't want to give him any more free press for his massive (eye roll) contribution.

But we've decided to speak out on this one because we aren't aware of anyone else who has raised the question of why in the world did he only give up $10,000?

Vick's current riches arose directly from his college career at Virginia Tech. Sure, he likely would be where he is right now if he had gone to any other college, but the reality is that he went to Tech -- and when it was time to give something back he gave the equivalent of mid-afternoon snack money for the rest of us.

"When tragic things like this happen," Vick said, "families have enough to deal with, and if I can help in some small way, that's the least I can do."

"Small" is the key word.

Let's break this down. Vick has a $100 million football contract. He received $30 million in signing bonuses. He makes additional money in off-field endorsements.

Assuming that Vick has managed to squirrel away $10 million in football and endorsement money during his career, $10,000 is less than one week of interest earned on the money.

Vick is a lot of good things, and more than a few bad things. It's now clear that "cheap" can be added to the list of negative attributes.

As one league insider told us on Thursday: "If I was Michael Vick, I wouldn't be telling anyone that I only gave $10,000."

But we're not really surprised. Remember when Vick got in trouble for flashing a double-fisted middle finger to the lingering fans at the Georgia Dome? He paid a $10,000 fine and contributed $10,000 to charity. And he thought it was a big deal.

So, yeah, he's cheap. By trying to show off his generosity this week, he has only proven it for anyone who might care to notice.

Amazingly, not many did.

LEN HAS A LEAK IN THE LEAGUE OFFICE?

A league source has pointed out to us a curious comment from a story from ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli regarding the three players who, while at the scouting combine, reportedly admitted to using marijuana.

Len says that none of the three players in question -- Calvin Johnson, Gaines Adams, or Amobi Okoye -- tested positive for marijuana at the combine.

But since the list of players who tested positive at the combine has not yet been sent to the teams, how does Len know this? The source surmises that Len either took a guess (and hopes to not be proven wrong), or that he got it from someone at the league office who has access to the information.

But the likelihood of a leak from the league office is low, especially since few people likely know about any positive results before the information is sent to the teams.

There's possibly another way that Len has learned that none of the trio tested positive. He might have called the agents for each of the three players (Bus Cook, Fletcher Smith, and Ian Greengross) and asked them if the player has gotten notification of a positive result. (Apparently, the players find out about their positive results at the combine before the teams.)

But would anyone expect the agents to admit to Pasquarelli that the players tested positive? To accept their denials at face value (if that's what happened) would have required a healthy dose of naivete.

In the interests of clarity, we're not saying that Len pulled this one out of his rear end. But we'd love to know how he got reliable access to information that has yet to be given to any of the 32 teams.

POSTED 5:33 p.m. EDT, April 20, 2007

FANECA BOYCOTTS MINICAMP

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Steelers guard Alan Faneca has blown off a voluntary minicamp, the first minicamp of the Mike Tomlin era.

The minicamp is not mandatory.

Faneca reportedly is upset with his contract. He also has said that he wanted former offensive line coach Russ Grimm to get the job that went to Tomlin.

The real motivation, we believe, is cash money. With guys like Derrick Dockery getting Steve Hutchinson money, Faneca surely wants to get what he thinks he deserves.

POSTED 4:07 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 5:21 p.m. EDT, April 20, 2007

FANECA TO SKIP MINICAMP?

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Steelers Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca might be skipping a voluntary minicamp that opens this weekend.

Neither Faneca nor his agent, Rick Smith, returned calls from the Post-Gazette. Faneca has not shown up for any of the voluntary workouts that the team has been conducting. The first mandatory minicamp of the offseason convenes on May 11.

Faneca is entering the final year of his contract. He received a $1 million roster bonus in March, and he is due to earn a salary of $3.375 million in 2007. He reportedly isn't happy with the deal -- or with the pace of talks aimed at extending it.

Also, Faneca wanted former Steelers offensive line coach Russ Grimm to be the successor to Coach Chin. The job instead went to Mike Tomlin.

Maybe Faneca would like to be shipped to Arizona, where Grimm is now working, with the same title. The head coach of the Cardinals is former Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt.

Hey, if we were running the show in the 'Burgh (and every Steelers fan on the planet should be glad we're not), we'd offer Faneca straight up for receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

Of course, the Cardinals probably would respond by telling us to shove it straight up our, well, you know.

NEW SITE COMING NEXT WEEK

We mentioned in the not-too-distant past that we'll soon be moving "Turd Watch" to a new site called Turdlist.com.

The site will make its debut next week. Possibly as soon as Monday.

The site will feature "standings" for tracking arrests and convictions in every pro sports league. (Well, for the four that matter.) There also will be a college division and an open division for athletes who play one of the team sports that we don't acknowledge (e.g., MLS and WNBA) or who are involved in individual sports like tennis or golf or auto racing or frolf.

The site will also feature the "Bad Behavior Blog," which will contain stories and links regarding criminal conduct and other boorish behavior in sports, and wherever else we happen to notice it.

We hope you like it. Actually, we hope you will go to it often and drive up the traffic and help us make more money off of this venture. Whether or not you like it really doesn't matter.

HELP IS COMING NEXT WEEK

As you might have noticed from time to time, the Poobah's day job (he operates a law practice) sometimes gets in the way of the PFT content. Though there is always new stuff every day, usually more than once a day, there are times when there is no new stuff between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern.

Starting Monday, that will happen with less frequency.

We're proud to announce that, starting Monday, Michael David Smith will be pitching in on most of the law practice days.

MDS is a contributing editor at FootballOutsiders.com and a lead blogger at AOL's FanHouse. His weekly feature, Every Play Counts, was described by the Wall Street Journal as "packing more game analysis into a single column than many beat writers display over a full season."

Smith has written about football for the New York Times, New York Sun, Orange County Register, FoxSports.com, Deadspin, The New Republic Online and ESPN the Magazine. He is a regular guest on WSCR sports radio in Chicago. He lives in Chicago with his wife, a lawyer.

So we know what you're asking yourselves: Why in the hell is he stooping so low? Because we make it rain, baby. We. Make. It. Rain.

POSTED 1:00 p.m. EDT, April 20, 2007

POMPEI'S BRANCH REPORT IS RIGHT?

A league source tells us that Dan Pompei's recent report regarding the presence of stress fractures in the lower legs of defensive tackle Alan Branch is on the money.

"Pompei is right," said the source. "There is no doubt he is right. I don't know where he got his info but he is dead right. That's all I can say."

A source with knowledge of Branch's condition disputed Pompei's report on Thursday, calling the problem shin splints, at worst.

The problem, as we understand it, is that different doctors view the medical evidence differently. In this case, there's an issue as to whether there's a "black line" in an MRI of Branch's legs and, if so, whether it is proof of a stress fracture.

Some teams/doctors believe it does. Others don't.

POSTED 12:12 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 12:46 p.m. EDT, April 20, 2007

FINS FIRE RUNNING BACKS COACH

Alex Marvez and Harvey Fialkov of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that the Miami Dolphins fired running backs coach Bobby Williams on Thursday.

Williams acknowledged the development on Friday. "I would say I was devastated,'' Williams said. "It's complicated. But the one thing I know is I'm a good coach. I appreciate everything [owner H. Wayne Huizenga and CEO Joe Bailey] did for me and my family.''

(Except for, you know, the "we don't mean to be rude, but get the hell out of here" thing.)

The team extended Williams' contract through the 2007 season before hiring head coach Cam Cameron in January. Williams said he had an opportunity to head to Alabama with the Nicktator, but that Williams opted to stay put.

"This is not the best time to be out of work,'' said Williams. "I'm just trying to pull things together, get a plan of attack and go from there.''

The Dolphins will pay Williams his salary for the 2007 season. If he finds other work, the Dolphins likely will be entitled to a dollar-for-dollar offset.

SCOTT RE-SIGNS WITH COLTS

Guard Jake Scott, a restricted free agent, has re-signed with the team, according to the Colts' official web site.

It was believed that he would be signing his one-year tender. But since the item on the Colts' official web site doesn't disclose the duration of the deal, it's unclear whether he signed the tender, a one-year deal worth more than the tender, or a long-term contract.

Scott has until midnight Friday to sign an offer sheet with another team. The deadline applies to all restricted free agents who have not signed their one-year tenders.

POSTED 11:39 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 11:54 a.m. EDT, April 20, 2007

PACMAN TAKES OUT A FULL-PAGE AD

Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones has taken out a full-page ad (at the low-low cost of $81,000, paid in ones) in the Nashville Tennessean to express (*sniff*) sorrow and (*honk*) regret for the actions (*fart*) that resulted in his one-season suspension from the NFL.

We'd be slightly more charitable in our assessment of this development if it wasn't obvious to us (and anyone with an ounce of common sense) that Pacman contributed as much to the drafting of his letter as he did to the writing of the Bible.

In our opinion, which is based on our knowledge of Mr. Jones and the content of the letter he "wrote," it's obvious that a lawyer or a P.R. specialist crafted the thing.

The giveaway is the semicolon in the last paragraph. Does Pacman Jones use a semicolon? Heck, he probably thinks the word refers to a medical condition.

In our opinion, this is a too little, too late effort by Jones to make amends with the citizens of Nashville -- and a too little, too late effort to reverse the damage to his interests that occurred a week ago, when he announced plans to appeal his suspension.

He now says that "my attorneys have advised me to appeal the suspension," so that he can "clarify some of the facts and address the unprecedented punishment that was imposed." Attention Pacman (and whoever it is that wrote the letter): Let it go. The Commish won't be changing his mind.

The letter, which is addressed to "My Family, My Coaches and Teammates and Our Fans" begins with an acknowledgement of his mistakes. He then speaks of reorganizing his priorities. He admits that the suspension was "due to my own actions."

He also explains that he plans to re-enroll at West Virginia University (my house is officially for sale) and finish his degree.

At WVU, Jones intends to establish a scholarship that will be awarded to a walk-on player chosen by the football staff. (We're not fluent in the specifics of the NCAA regulations, but we've got a feeling that the limit on scholarships can't be circumvented by a booster who chooses to finance the education of someone who doesn't get one of the available scholarships. But we appreciate the effort to help improve our Mountaineers.)

All sarcasm aside, we generally are encouraged by the letter. And if the person(s) who wrote it is/are in a position to influence his behavior over the next several months, there might be a glimmer of hope for a cause that otherwise seems lost.

UPDATE: A reader has pointed out to us the irony of the date of Jones' letter: April 20. As in 4/20. Apparently, the number "420" has significance in the marijuana culture. You can Google "420" or click here for more. We're not saying that Jones smokes marijuana. But, given some of his past incidents, 4/20 might not have been the ideal date for taking out the ad.

SECOND UPDATE: Several readers believe that Jones specifically picked "4/20" as an implicit "F/U" to the league and to anyone who has criticized him. Also, another reader points out that Jones never once apologizes for his actions in his letter. Good catch. We're glad that our readers can indeed read. At times, we sure as hell can't.

POSTED 8:31 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 8:58 a.m. EDT, April 20, 2007

TEAMS UNHAPPY ABOUT POT ADMISSION LEAK

We've heard from several league sources regarding the recent report that receiver Calvin Johnson, defensive end Gaines Adams, and defensive tackle Amobi Okoye admitted to smoking marijuana during a league-conducted combine interview.

And none of them are pleased that the information was leaked.

The primary complaint is that the NFL and the teams persuade these players to be honest and candid. Their reward for doing so? Someone blabbed.

One league source believes that the team or teams responsible for the disclosure reside near the bottom of and/or on the fringes of the top ten in the first-round draft order, and that the team or teams are hoping that the information will cause the players to slide . . . because the team or teams who leaked the information would love to draft them.

There also is suspicion that the story was stoked by agents with players in the top ten other than Johnson, Adams, and Okoye.

From the media's perspective, it's definitely newsworthy information. But we can see why the league, most of the NFL teams, and the NFLPA would be upset by such shenanigans -- especially since this will prompt most agents to tell their draft-eligible clients to never, ever, ever (did we say ever?) admit to marijuana usage. From the NFL's standpoint, all that matters is whether you pass the piss test; without a positive result, there's no way to prove that a guy is a smoker, a joker, and/or a midnight toker.

With all that said, teams generally don't care whether a guy has smoked weed in college. Who in the hell hasn't? The issue is whether the guy has a pot problem. Because if the guy has a problem, he's more likely to generate positive drug tests. And that eventually will force him to spend a season (or more) in Canada, instead of contributing to the NFL team that took a chance on him.

AFTER FURTHER REVIEW . . . .

We've decided to clear out the six Turd Points that were applied to Vikings cornerback Ronyell Whitaker as a result of his mistaken arrest on Thursday.

Our decision is unrelated to the 264 e-mails we received on the topic. (We didn't realize the Vikings had so many fans.) And we say this specifically because we don't want to get 264 e-mails whenever there is disagreement regarding one of our Turd Watch rulings.

With that said, we will not be re-setting the "days without an arrest counter" to April 15. Whitaker was arrested, even though it wasn't his fault.

Besides, we're still not sure what will happen if that meter ever hits double digits. So "01" looks a lot better to us than "05."

But, hey, the weekend is here. It'll be back to "00" by Monday.

SPRINT POWERS UP FOR THE DRAFT

For NFL fans who won't be able to sit in front of the television or computer on draft day, there's another way to know what's going down, in real-time.

If, of course, they have a Sprint phone.

For the entire weekend of April 28 and 29, Sprint will provide comprehensive coverage of the NFL draft. For starters, Sprint customers will have access to NFL Network's live broadcast feed of the draft coverage. Also, the NFL Mobile feature (available exclusively -- and for free -- on Sprint phones) will have real-time updates as the picks are made, and as teams are on the clock.

Also, Sprint customers will be able to view all selections that have been made, and there will be extensive on-demand access to NFL Network interviews with players, coaches, and General Managers. (They get capital letters because they are so special.)

Said Steve Gaffney, Sprint's director of sports marketing: "NFL fans no longer have to sit in front of a TV or computer to follow the draft. Whether you're at the supermarket or the park, Sprint's exclusive service will allow fans to know who their favorite team has drafted almost instantaneously.

"We have found that today's sports fan wants to be connected to the NFL 'round the clock, and Sprint's NFL sponsorship and powerful network give us the ability to deliver the latest news and information as it happens."

Sprint also has selected Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn and Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson to serve as Sprint spokesmen for the coming draft. Both players are widely expected to be taken in the first ten picks of the draft.

POSTED 10:18 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 10:29 p.m. EDT, April 19, 2007

STEINBACH GETS TICKET FOR STAPH SWEEPSTAKES

Browns guard Eric Steinbach has undergone an appendectomy. The surgery was performed on April 18 at the Cleveland Clinic. He was released from the facility on Thursday.

Steinbach is expected to be ready for the team's June minicamp.

If, of course, he doesn't develop a staph infection. Several Browns players over the past few years have caught the bug. Damage from a staph infection has put the career of center LeCharles Bentley in doubt. Bentley was the Browns' big-name free-agent prize a year ago.

Said a despondent Browns fan via e-mail: "For once I would love to hear 'Browns' new free agent did nothing exciting and is in perfect health.'"

DILLON DONE, FOR NOW

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that running back Corey Dillon plans to retire.

The 10-year veteran shopped himself on the free-agent market after being cut by the Patriots, but no offers came his way.

Dillon, the one-time holder of the single-game rushing record, spent seven years with the Bengals and three with the Patriots.

We've got a feeling, however, that he'll be back. Like other veterans have done in past years, he can skip all of the offseason workouts and field offers once camps open.

Once the inevitable ACL tears and other injuries begin to occur, Dillon's phone will ring.

POSTED 9:37 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 10:06 p.m. EDT, April 19, 2007

EVIDENCE DOESN'T SUPPORT RUMORS OF BRANCH BROKEN LEGS

Multiple readers have advised us that Dan Pompei of The Sporting News said on ESPN's Cold Pizza that Michigan defensive tackle Alan Branch has stress fractures in his legs.

As we've heard it, the rumor is that there is a stress fracture in each of his tibias.

But a source close to the situation has raised with us several pieces of evidence that tend to contradict the existence of the injuries.

"There was no combine re-check," said the source, in reference to the annual medical follow-up, in which players with injury problems return to Indy for another look-see.

Also, multiple teams (we're told) have listed Branch as medically fine. He has "shin splints maybe," said the source. "Virtually every big lineman has them. He never missed any time at Michigan and played in over 85 percent of the defensive plays."

Regardless, there's a perception that Branch is falling. Still, it only takes one team to stop a slide -- or to keep it from ever happening.

JETS' DRAFT NEEDS ARE UP

We're hitting the home stretch of our team-by-team draft needs analyses.

No. 25 is up. We've got seven left. The draft is nine days away.

We remain cautiously optimistic that we'll get them done.

POSTED 9:19 p.m. EDT, April 19, 2007

DRUG RESULTS NOT YET REPORTED TO TEAMS

A league source tells us that the NFL teams have not yet received the list of players who tested positive for drugs at the February scouting combine in Indianapolis.

The information is due to be disseminated next week.

Apparently, the goal is to minimize the chances of the information being leaked publicly before the draft. But given that each of the 32 teams will get the information, whether it gets leaked before the draft is irrelevant to a player's draft standing.

If anything, we think the delay makes the information more likely to be released after the draft, since a team that passes on a guy that the fans and media believe that the team should have taken will have an incentive to make it known publicly (via off the record leaks) why they went in another direction.

POSTED 9:06 p.m. EDT, April 19, 2007

WONDERLIC COMMITS A CLUSTERFRIC

Though the news is several weeks old, it's compelling and (as far as we can tell) unreported.

After last year's Wonderlic debacle regarding the scoring (and leaking) of the Vince Young test result, the NFL made sweeping changes to the procedure. The tests were graded off site, by the Wonderlic people. The scores were then reported directly to the teams, with only limited people having access to the information.

The new procedure still has a few kinks in it.

Multiple league sources tell us that more than 80 tests were initially graded too low, and that some scores were 20 points off.

There was widespread confusion regarding the erroneous scores, and it took roughly three weeks before the Wonderlic folks found the root of the problem. As it turned out, the computerized scoring system didn't pick up answer circles that were only partially completed.

So Wonderlic went back and re-graded the tests by hand, resulting in the issuance of new numbers for more than 80 of the tests.

POSTED 8:44 p.m. EDT, April 19, 2007

DAVID OFFER SHEET WORTH $15.6 MILLION

An industry source tells us that the offer sheet signed on Thursday by Colts cornerback Jason David with the Saints is worth $15.6 million over four years. (The numbers were previously reported by Adam Schefter of NFL Network.)

The kicker is that the deal pays out $6.5 million in year one with a cap charge of $5.25 million, making it virtually impossible for the cap-strapped Colts to match it.

But the deal contains no poison pill, which likely means that the device that the NFL tried to get the NFLPA to take out of the CBA was used by not one team in crafting a 2007 offer sheet.

Hey, why should the NFLPA care? They've got agent regulations that they're diligently enforcing on an inconsistent basis.

POSTED 8:31 p.m. EDT, April 19, 2007

WHITAKER ARREST A "TOTAL MISTAKE"

The lawyer for Vikings cornerback Roynell Whitaker says that the arrest of his client was a "total mistake," and that the matter has been dropped.

Apparently, Whitaker was stopped in September 2006 for suspicion of DUI and reckless driving. He passed a field sobriety test, and later paid a fine for reckless driving.

But when police spotted his car parked illegally on Thursday morning, the charges showed up as unresolved. And so he was arrested. Whitaker's agent, Brian Levy, claims that a valet service had parked the car in the illegal space.

As a result of this news, we are being lobbied by most of the free world's Vikings fans to drop the six Turd Watch points that were applied upon learning of the Whitaker arrest. In lieu of responding to more than 100 e-mails on this point, here's our reply:

Was he arrested?

The primary problem that we're trying to address with this feature is the phenomenon of player arrests. Whitaker was arrested. If he doesn't like it, he should take it up with the folks who arrested him.

POSTED 8:12 p.m. EDT, April 19, 2007

LINEHAN TAMPERS WITH RICKY?

Rams coach Scott Linehan apparently committed a blatant violation of the NFL's tampering policy by expressing interest in running back Ricky Williams.

Williams is currently on suspension but also is under contract with the Dolphins. By league rule, coaches from other teams are not permitted to publicly express a desire to acquire players under contract with other teams.

"He's proven himself with me," said Linehan, who previously worked with Williams in Miami. "I know there would be a certain amount of risk involved based on that, but I would just because he deserves that based on what he was able to do."

Uh-oh.

But Linehan shouldn't start puckering just yet. Tampering is one of those NFL rules on the books that rarely get enforced, even when the tamperer is telling the Associated Press: "Attention, league office. . . . I am tampering."

The first step, as we understand it, is that the Dolphins would have to file tampering charges against the Rams. Such low-brow griping, however, would constitute a breach of the unwritten bylaws of the Billionaire Boys' Club.

Then again, Rams owner Georgia Frontiere isn't a boy. So maybe Wayne Huizenga, owner of the Fins, will make an exception -- and make an example out of Linehan.

POSTED 4:39 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 4:52 p.m. EDT, April 19, 2007

BENGALS SIGN MYERS

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that the Cincinnati Bengals have signed defensive tackle Michael Myers to a two-year, $1.65 million contract.

Myers received a $100,000 signing bonus. He has been in the NFL for nine seasons, spending five with the Cowboys, two with the Browns, and two with the Broncos.

The former member of the Alabama Crimson Tide started 16 games for the Broncos in 2006.

JAGS OFF THE MARKET

The deadline for restricted free agents to shop their wares is Friday, April 20. As of Saturday morning, the restricted free agents become non-free agents, and their sole options for 2007 will be to sign the one-year tenders that have been offered to them, not sign them, or work out long-term deals with their current teams.

Three members of the Jaguars will become non-free agents on Friday -- quarterback Quinn Gray, receiver Ernest Wilford, and defensive end Bobby McCray.

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that Gray and Wilford will sign their one-year tenders, each of which are worth $1.3 million.

Schefter also reports that McCray won't sign his first-round tender of $1.85 million, and that he will "explore other options."

Good luck with that, Bobby. Unless the Jags are going to offer you a long-term deal of which you like the looks, your only other option is to miss paychecks in September and beyond.

POSTED 12:05 p.m. EDT, April 19, 2007

ANOTHER VIKINGS ARREST

After more than two months with no points in our Turd Watch "game," the Minnesota Vikings have definitely hit their midseason stride.

On Sunday, cornerback Cedric Griffin was arrested for disorderly conduct, stopping the "days without an arrest" counter from hitting the doomsday-inducing double digits.

Well, one of Cedric's teammates has enabled us to push the number from "4" back to "0."

Our friends at KFAN radio in Minneapolis tell us that cornerback Ronyell Whitaker was arrested for DUI and careless driving early Thursday morning. The Hennepin County jail roster confirms it. Whitaker posted $50 in bail money, and his initial court appearance will occur on May 2.

For the Vikings, it's six more points in Turd Watch -- three for each misdemeanor charge.

Whitaker appeared in all 16 games in 2006, starting twice.

POSTED 11:26 a.m. EDT, UPDATED 11:54 a.m. EDT, April 19, 2007

RAIDERS TALKING TO JOHNSON, RUSSELL

A league source tells us that the Oakland Raiders have begun preliminary contract negotiations with quarterback JaMarcus Russell and receiver Calvin Johnson.

Because the Raiders own the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, they are free to talk to any, some, or all of the potential draft picks about a contract, and are free to strike a deal.

Last year, the Texans negotiated with defensive end Mario Williams and running back Reggie Bush, reaching an agreement with Williams on the eve of the draft.

It is widely believed that the Raiders will pick either Russell or Johnson, unless they trade the selection. Some fear that the selection of Russell at No. 1 overall is a recipe for disaster, since the Raiders will be pressured to play Russell prematurely. If he is harassed in the pocket behind a bad line and loses confidence, he could end up in a funk from which he never recovers.

But it's also believed that Russell will be more likely to blink and do a bad deal, since if he's not picked No. 1 he might not be picked No. 2. Or No. 3. Or No. 4. Or No. 5. Or No. 6.

For Johnson, if he's not the No. 1 pick, he'll most likely be the No. 2.

NEW ROUND ONE MOCK IS UP

We've just posted our sixth version of our round-one mock draft.

And we've continued to add in a few trades, though we recognize that the exercise is about as effective as throwing darts in the dark.

Keep an eye on what happens with JaMarcus Russell. Word is that the team to whom we've assigned Russell really wants him.

Then again, it's pretty much impossible to believe anything that we hear this time of year. And that's part of the fun.

Round two is coming.

POSTED 10:26 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 10:58 a.m. EDT, April 19, 2007

SAINTS MAKE A PLAY FOR DAVID

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that the New Orleans Saints will sign Colts restricted free agent cornerback Jason David to an offer sheet.

The sheet will be signed on Thursday afternoon and presented to the Colts. Indy will have until next Thursday, April 26, to match the offer.

Schefter reports that the package is frontloaded, making it hard for the cap-heavy Colts to match (unless, say, Peyton Manning gives up some of his jack). Also, Schefter says it is expected to be the most lucrative offer sheet of the 2007 offseason.

If the Colts don't match, they'll get the Saints' fourth-round pick. New Orleans already has two others.

The Colts could have tendered David at a higher level to dissuade the Saints or anyone else from making an offer. If Indy doesn't match the offer, the Colts will have lost both starting cornerbacks since Super Bowl XLI. Nick Harper previously signed with the Titans. Harper started 15 regular season games in 2006, and David started in 16 of them.

Maybe Reggie Wayne can play both ways.

Finally, the deadline for signing restricted free agents is tomorrow, April 20.

A QUICK ASIDE

We weren't going to say anything further about the Virginia Tech shootings. We spoke our mind on the topic the other day.

But one of our friends in the real media sent us an e-mail this morning asking whether we think NBC should not have aired the videos and photos of Mr. Cho that had been mailed to the network before he died.

We hadn't really thought about it, primarily because we only watch MSNBC. And they'd never raised the question.

Imagine that.

In our view, the stuff should have been handed to the cops and never mentioned on the air. Cho is urinating on the graves of his 32 victims, and NBC is enabling it.

It was, we believe, the ever-present lure to be "first" or "exclusive" that prompted NBC to make such a big splash. Only a day after Keith Olbermann explained on ESPN Radio that his Tuesday night edition of Countdown would not be completely devoted to the Virginia Tech tragedy because there is other news to be discussed (or something like that), Olbermann's entire show on Wednesday night focused on the event that has allowed NBC to inject itself directly into the story.

But this isn't journalism, folks. It's called opening the mail.

NBC News president Steve Capus (who has had more air time in the past week than Brian Williams) made a rash decision, and a bad decision. Apart from the issue of creating copycats, NBC is rubbing the murders in the faces of the friends and family of the victims.

It is wrong. The more we think about it, the more we believe it.

Hopefully, some of the same forces that ran Don Imus off of the air last week will lobby Russell Dalrymple (or whoever it is that runs the show over there) to give Capus the heave-ho, too. (While we're thinking of it, has Capus or anyone else within the executive wing been held accountable for allowing/leaving Imus on the air in the first place? It's not as if the I-man said something out of character.)

We sense that, over time, there will be a backlash against NBC. Down the road, the powers-that-be might realize that, by wrapping their arms (and legs) around the disturbing images and words of Mr. Cho, the network has acquired a stain that can't be washed off by the 24-hour news cycle.

Along those same lines, that stark "NBC NEWS" logo/advertisement that has been plastered onto the pictures will make it even harder for the network to eventually distance itself from Cho.

POSTED 9:34 a.m. EDT; UPDATED 9:57 a.m. EDT, April 19, 2007

RAIDERS GETTING FLOODED WITH CALLS

Though the Detroit Lions are getting plenty of interest in the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, we're told that the Oakland Raiders are being absolutely flooded with interest in the No. 1 overall pick.

Most of the teams that are interested in moving to No. 2 hope to land receiver Calvin Johnson. The reality is that the Raiders could take Johnson (and we think they should), making the move up to No. 2 irrelevant.

So teams are going straight to the franchise that holds all the cards.

And, in our view, that will only make the price of a trade even higher. Despite speculation, for example, that the Bucs would send all of their first-day picks to Oakland for the No. 1 spot, the trade chart devised by Jimmy Johnson in the early 1990s (and used by most if not all teams today) shows that the Bucs would still be getting the better end of the bargain.

Al Davis is shrewd enough, in our view, to realize that the balance needs to tilt decidedly the other way. If Herschel Walker and Ricky Williams were worth mind-boggling trade packages, a guy who likely will be far better than either of those players ever were or could be is surely worth a lot more.

CHIEFS TRYING TO KEEP CULPEPPER FROM RAIDERS?

A reader has floated an interesting hypothesis regarding the delay in the trade of quarterback Trent Green from the Chiefs to the Dolphins.

Could it be that the Chiefs are trying to slow down the Fins' acquisition of Green so that the Raiders will have to continue to wait for a shot at Daunte Culpepper?

It's widely believed that if the Dolphins get Green they will cut Culpepper, who is due to earn $5.5 million in salary this season. The sooner Culpepper is cut, the sooner he can be signed by the Raiders. And that gives Oakland more time to get him ready for the 2007 season.

Maybe it's only a coincidence, but keep this fact in mind: When Green received permission to shop himself via trade, the sole limitation that Chiefs G.M. Carl Peterson placed on the discussions was that Green could not talk to AFC West teams. Since the Chargers and Broncos have their starting quarterbacks in place, the restriction surely was intended for the one other AFC West team that is still looking.

Meanwhile, another reader pointed out to us that perhaps Peterson is holding out for a second-round pick for Green because the Fins held out two years ago for a second-round pick from the Chiefs for cornerback Patrick Surtain.

POSTED 9:27 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 10:30 p.m. EDT, April 18, 2007

L.T. SAID NO TO MADDEN

Darren Rovell of CNBC.com reports that Titans quarterback Vince Young will be on the Madden 2008 cover because Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson, the NFL's MVP in 2006, turned it down.

Rovell's report contradicts EA's director of marketing Chris Erb, who told the San Diego Union-Tribune that "Vince was the guy all along."

Per Rovell, Tomlinson was presented with an offer, and rejected it.

"The deal usually pays the cover athlete $100,000 to $200,000 and requires multiple appearances to pump up the game," Rovell writes. "Since the Madden game sort of sells itself, the athlete on the cover doesn't really matter that much, but expect more NFL stars to turn down the cover in the future, not because of the curse, but because the price is just too low."

NEW MOCK DRAFT IS ON THE WAY

It's time for a sixth version of our mock draft. Two re-tooled rounds will be posted on Thursday.

Next week, we'll put up at least one more version before the draft.

And don't forget that next Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday will feature our first-ever Countdown to the Draft, with all-day and most-of-the-night updates. The action culminates in our first-ever, two-day Live Blog of the draft, presented by Sprint and Nextel.

SEAHAWKS' DRAFT NEEDS ARE UP

The draft needs of the Seattle Seahawks are up.

As evidenced by the headline.

Thank you. Come again.

MEANWHILE, WE HAVE ONE LESS THING TO MAKE FUN OF

With all of the stuff that has been going on this week, we've neglected to mention the fact that Keith Olbermann of MSNBC's Countdown (the only non-NFLN show we ever watch other than Seinfeld, The Office, and an occasional Raymond) will join the crowded house that is Football Night in America (And, For A Change, Keith Olbermann's Brain).

We're disappointed by the move because it means that the show is actually going to be better in 2007, which means that we'll have to find something else to bitch about. With Michael Irvin, Joey Sunshine, and Bill Maas out of work, we're running out of targets.

Oh, well -- at least there's TiVi Barber, who also has been added to the Football Night cast.

And that leads directly to our next point. As Michael David Smith of AOL's Fanhouse writes, Colin Cowturd of ESPN Radio claims that Olbermann won't succeed because he's too smart. In the comments to the item, a reader compares Cowturd's assault on K.O. to our habit of calling out TiVi Barber for using big words.

There's a difference. Olbermann is an intellectual, and that's fine with us. Barber is like Otto in A Fish Called Wanda, forcing big words and high concepts into conversation in an effort to make people say, "Wow, he's smart."

Olbermann, we predict, will see right through it. And there inevitably will be tension because of it. And we can't wait.

Our only concern about Olbermann is that he, like co-host Bob Costas, is a baseball-first guy who'll project the same implicit disdain for football that we'd project for baseball.

But we'd never accept an offer to do a baseball show. Hell, we wouldn't attend the World Series if they were playing all seven games in our backyard with whiffle balls and banana bats. So while we generally like the idea of Olbermann getting the job, we hope it means that he has acquired a genuine interest in the sport, and that his agreement to take the gig isn't the result of him repeatedly whispering "If you pay me, I will do it" into Dick Ebersol's ear when he wasn't looking.

POSTED 8:57 p.m. EDT, April 18, 2007

LEINART LIKES TO DRIVE FAST

Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart has been caught speeding four times by special cameras installed in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Once in June 2006 and three times in March 2007, Leinart was clocked going at least 11 miles per hour over the speed limit.

Leinart has not been arrested and no charges have been filed against him. If/when it happens, he'll rack up some Turd Watch points for the Turdinals.

POSTED 8:41 p.m. EDT, April 18, 2007

UNCLE RICO IS A VERY GOOD STUDENT

On Tuesday, we poked fun at Vince Young's agent, Major Adams, for claiming as to the existence of a Madden cover curse: "We don't believe in no jinx."

And we suggested that Vince Young's lllllow score on the Wonderlic test might have been the direct result of Adams' tutelage.

Apparently, we were right on the money.

Said Young on the same topic, per ESPN.com: "I don't worry about no jinx. . . . If I get hurt it was bound to happen. So I don't believe in none of that stuff."

POSTED 7:56 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 8:29 p.m. EDT, April 18, 2007

JOHNSON, ADAMS, OKOYE ADMIT TO MARIJUANA USE

Pro Football Weekly reports that three consensus top-ten draft picks -- receiver Calvin Johnson, defensive end Gaines Adams, and defensive tackle Amobi Okoye -- admitted during their scouting combine interviews that they have used marijuana.

Adam Schefter of NFL Network also reports on the Okoye admission. Schefter obtained confirmation from Okoye's agent, Ian Greengross.

We reported on Tuesday that there were multiple players in the top ten who had admitted to smoking pot. The player to whom we were referring in our initial story on the matter was Johnson. We don't have the sufficient legal defense fund, however, to break a story of that ilk.

The PFW story says that the players have admitted to using marijuana. As to Johnson, we heard only that he admitted to experimenting with it.

The reaction to the news is mixed. League sources who contacted us regarding the issue on Tuesday took a ho-hum approach.

Johnson is the most surprising of the trio, and it's the only cloud (pun intended) over an otherwise spotless background. But it's still not enough to make him, in our view, anything other than the No. 1 prospect in the draft.

An obvious question that arises regarding this issue is whether the admission is enough to qualify a guy for inclusion in the league's substance-abuse program. The answer is: It depends.

Behavior can be enough, as Randy Moss almost found out in 2005. After admitting to smoking marijuana "once in a blue moon," Randy's handlers had to do some fancy verbal dancing to keep him out of the program.

BUSH READY TO ROLL?

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that Dr. James Andrews has proclaimed Louisville running back Michael Bush "99 percent healed" from a broken leg that ended his 2006 season during the first game of the year.

"I reviewed an x-ray today and it looks like it is 99% healed," Andrews said in an e-mail to every team. "It certainly looks much better than it did some weeks ago. It is remarkable how quickly this has improved relative to recent re-rodding."

Bush underwent surgery last month to have a larger rod placed into his leg.

Our guess? Only a G.M. with a high degree of job security is going to take the risk, especially with a first-day pick.

URLACHER GETS SMACKED FOR HAT CHOICE

The NFL has imposed a whopping $100,000 fine on Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher for wearing an unauthorized hat during the Super Bowl media day.

The hat promoted a vitamin water company. Gatorade is the league's official drink.

It's the first time that a fine of that magnitude has been levied. Though on the surface it might seem harsh, the reality is that 60 cents of every sponsorship dollar goes to the players. So if Gatorade or any other sponsor walks away because the league is letting players endorse competitive products, the players lose out even more than the owners.

POSTED 6:20 p.m. EDT, April 18, 2007

PATS LOSE SAUERBRUN

It's bizarro week in the NFL.

Five days ago, news broke that the Eagles' front office -- an otherwise gleaming beacon of fiscal perfection in the NFL -- accidentally paid an extra $3 million in 2006 to running back Brian Westbrook.

Now, the New England Patriots, arguably the gold standard among football (and all sports) operations, have stubbed their toe on a contract formality.

On Wednesday, Special Master Stephen Burbank ruled that punter Todd Sauerbrun is the property of the Denver Broncos. The decision scuttled a right of first refusal that the Patriots negotiated with Sauerbrun in 2006. The right of first refusal was overturned because the team failed to properly fill out the contract.

Doh.

Apparently, a right of first refusal must be attached to the contract as a separate form. In this case, it apparently wasn't. And it apparently didn't take Burbank long to figure it out.

For those of you who, like us, have no life and thus find the niceties of the CBA to be interesting, Burbank was involved because certain issues of CBA interpretation fall within the jurisdiction of the Special Master. Other issues are subject to arbitration. At some point we understood the specific reason for the distinction, but the brain cells storing that information died off a while ago.

As a result of the ruling, Sauerbrun can rejoin the Broncos, who cut him after he served a four-game suspension in 2006 for violation of the league's policy on anabolic steroids and related substances. Specifically, he tested positive for ephedra.

The Pats have three other punters under contract, including Josh Miller.

POSTED 4:42 p.m. EDT, April 18, 2007

BUCS-LIONS DEAL DEAD, FOR NOW

A source with knowledge of the situation tells us that the trade talks between the Lions and Buccaneers for a flip-flop of the No. 2 overall pick and the No. 4 overall pick are dead. For now.

But the source says that the Lions also are talking to the Redskins and Falcons about a possible trade of first-round, top-ten picks. And the Cardinals (we're told) contacted the Lions for the first time on Wednesday to discuss the spot.

The Redskins hold the No. 6 pick, the Falcons hold the No. 8 pick, and the Cardinals hold the No. 5 pick.

The source also says that the Lions are confused by the Redskins' interest in moving up, since Washington doesn't have many other 2007 picks to offer. In addition to the sixth overall selection, the 'Skins have a fifth-round pick, two sixth-round picks, and a seventh-round selection.

We're also told that the Lions prefer to make the trade before the draft. We recently heard that if no trade is accomplished before noon on April 28 and if receiver Calvin Johnson is available at No. 2, the Lions would select him and then trade his rights to the highest bidder. Apparently, the Lions have figured out that actually drafting Johnson and then sending him to someone else would open the organization up to plenty of criticism if Johnson becomes a superstar (especially in light of the team's past misadventures with top-ten receivers). It would be far better to get out of the No. 2 spot before the picks start to fly.

POSTED 11:44 a.m. EDT, April 18, 2007

BUCS-LIONS WORKING ON A DEAL

Our friends at WDAE in Tampa have tipped us off to a rumor that we're in the process of confirming that the Lions have traded the No. 2 overall pick in the 2007 draft to the Buccaneers for the No. 4 overall pick and defensive end Simeon Rice.

A league source tells us that, while there is not a done deal, the talks are occurring regarding a flip-flop of No. 2 and No. 4. It's not presently clear whether Rice is part of the deal.

The Bucs presumably want to get in position to take receiver Calvin Johnson with the No. 2 selection, if the Raiders don't take Johnson with the No. 1.

The real intrigue on this one arises if the Raiders take Johnson. Would the Bucs then pick quarterback JaMarcus Russell or Brady Quinn? Or would they take left tackle Joe Thomas?

Recently, the Bucs conducted on-campus workouts with Johnson, Russell, and Quinn. They didn't include Thomas in the tour, and we've seen some evidence in the Tampa press of possible efforts by the t

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