POSTED 9:04 p.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 10:08 p.m. EDT, April 6, 2006

RETURN OF THE HAMBURGLAR

After more than a year out of the game, kicker Martin Gramatica is back in the NFL, signing with the New England Patriots.

In our view, it's less a stroke of genius than it is a measure of desperation.  The move shows how bare the current kicking cupboard really is, and it makes the potential consequences of the loss of Adam Vinatieri to the Colts even more glaring.

And we're not yet ready to declare Gramatica the answer to the Pats' kicking woes, even if he still can bang the ball.  Instead, it's likely a "nothin' to lose" transaction.  Gramatica was, after all, one of the best kickers in the NFL earlier this decade.  But he fell out of favor in Tampa not long after coach Jon Gruden arrived.  Gramatica spent some time in Indy, with former Bucs coach Tony Dungy, in 2004.

The biggest question mark regarding Gramatica is whether he'll be able to kick consistently in cold weather.  Indeed, yours truly dubbed Gramatica the Hamburglar after he donned a ridiculous ski mask for a November 2000 game at Chicago when the temperature was a relatively balmy 37 degrees Fahrenheit.

The move also adds another layer of intrigue to the burgeoning Patriots-Broncos rivalry.  Denver punter Todd Sauerbrun is the arch-enemy of the entire Gramatica spawn.  Said Sauerbrun in 2002, after the youngest of the three Gramatica brothers taunted Sauerbrun after a game between the Panthers and the Bucs:  "I don't know who this kid thinks he's playing with but I'm not the most mild-tempered guy.  If he would have said the wrong thing to me there's no telling what I might have done . . . that kid is as big of an idiot as his brother, and I'm sure his other brother is, too. It goes right down the line.''

The Patriots also re-signed on Thursday safety Tebucky Jones.  He had been acquired by New England in the first round of the 1998 draft.  The Pats traded him to the Saints in 2003, who then traded him to the Dolphins in 2005.

SAINTS SHIP GANDY TO FALCONS

The New Orleans Saints have traded tackle Wayne Gandy to the Atlanta Falcons for Bryan Scott and a conditional future draft pick.

By our calculations, the move results in a net cap savings to the Saints of $2.33 million, based on Gandy's salary of $4 million and bonus acceleration of $1.67 million.  In 2003, Gandy signed a six-year deal with a $5 million signing bonus.

The Falcons pick up Gandy's salaries of $4 million in 2006, $3.5 million in 2007, and $3.5 million in 2008.  Via a simple restructuring, the Falcons can lower Gandy's cap number by reducing his salary to the veteran minimum and paid the difference as a bonus.

Scott is under contract through 2007, at salaries of $500,000 in 2006 and $545,000 in 2007.

The trade will increase speculation that the Saints could select tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson in the first round of the April 29 draft.  All indications, however, are that the Saints are targeting defensive end Mario Williams.

MORE PROOF THAT LORD FAVRE IS RETURNING

With Green Bay getting two Monday night games on ESPN and a Thursday night contest on the NFL Network, it looks to us that the league office fully anticipates that quarterback Brett Favre will be playing for the Packers in 2006.

And we doubt that the league would have given two Favre-less Packer games to the official Favre crotch-nuzzling network, which happens to be paying $64.7 million per game for the rights to broadcast Monday Night football, if the Packers hadn't assured the powers-that-be that Brett is coming back.

We've reported on several occasions that Favre has told the team that he'll be back in 2006, and that the team is delaying the announcement until Favre approves it.  

THURSDAY NIGHT ONE-LINERS

The 49ers could be interested in signing Bengals FB Jeremi Johnson, a restricted free agent, to an offer sheet.

Chargers WR Eric Parker has signed a five-year contract.

The Steelers have signed WR Eugene Baker to a one-year deal.

DT Ed Jasper has signed a one-year deal with the Eagles.

POSTED 3:59 p.m. EDT, April 6, 2006

PFT TEN-PACK:  THE 2006 SCHEDULE

Though we've all known since January 1 the identity of all opponents for each of the 32 NFL teams in 2006, there's still something special about getting a look-see at when the 256 games specifically will be played.

And since we missed writing the weekly Ten-Pack feature that became a staple of our 2005 in-season coverage, we couldn't think of a better way to drone on and on about this year's version of the full slate of games.

1.  Reggie Bush Could Be Dead By Halloween.  

One of the first things we noticed upon perusing the schedule is that it might be a good idea for USC tailback Reggie Bush to kick Gary Kubiak in the crotch or make fun of Bob McNair's bald head during his current visit to Houston.  Because if the Texans end up taking Bush with the first overall selection in the 2006 draft, Bush might be six feet under before he plays his seventh game.

There is no Arizona State or Fresno State on any NFL team's schedule.  But, for Bush, he'll get a taste of some of the hardest-hitting units in the league right out of the gates.  

If chosen by the Texans, the 2005 Heisman winner will see the Eagles, Colts, Redskins, Dolphins, Cowboys, and Jaguars to launch his career.  

So if the guy's for real, we'll know it by Halloween.  If he isn't for real, he'll know it.   

2.  Young, Leinart Renew Acquaintances.

They ended their college careers with opposing teams at the center of the biggest stage in college football.  They very well could start their pro careers with opposing teams at the sidelines of a forgettable opening day contest.

If the Titans draft quarterback former Texas Vince Young and if the Jets land former USC quarterback Matt Leinart, they'll meet up again in Week One, with the Jets traveling to Nashville.

Neither guy will likely be playing that day, since the Jets still have Chad Pennington and Patrick Ramsey and the Titans have Billy Volek.  

3.  Tags Gets Revenge For Playmakers.

Let's get this straight.  ESPN is paying $1.1 billion per year for the rights to broadcast games on Monday nights.  In return, the NFL gives ESPN a schedule that includes ho-hummers like the Falcons at the Saints, the Packers at the Eagles, the Ravens at the Broncos, the Bears at the Cardinals, the Raiders at the Seahawks, the Packers at the Seahawks, and the Bears at the Rams.

Those seven yawn-inducers cost ESPN more than $450 million.

So it appears to us that the Commish finally got even with the Boys from Bristol for embarrassing the league by, you know, telling the truth regarding the realities of pro football in the Playmakers series. 

4.  NBC Has A Peacock In Their Pockets.

In contrast, the folks at NBC should be feeling pretty good about themselves right now.  Not only will NBC have the ability to cherry pick desirable contests on the back end of the season (more on that later), but NBC also gets plenty of compelling matchups on the front end:

Fins at Steelers, Colts at Giants, Redskins at Cowboys in T.O.'s home opener, Broncos at Patriots, Seahawks at Bears, Steelers at Chargers, Raiders at Broncos, Redskins at Colts, Cowboys at Panthers, and Colts at Patriots.

Bottom line -- Sunday night is now the place to be when it comes to prime time NFL games, and Disney chairman George Mitchell might want to take a detour from his baseball steroids investigation to figure out who in the hell negotiated on ESPN's behalf a 17-week slate that wouldn't draw solid ratings even if they exhume Howard Cosell.

5.  NFL Network Bogarts Lord Favre's Farewell.

Assuming that quarterback Brett Favre plays one more season with the Green Bay Packers (safe bet), and assuming that the Packers don't host a playoff game (even safer bet), one of the crown jewels in the NFL Network's maiden schedule comes on December 21, when the Vikings travel to Lambeau for Lord Favre's final home game.

It will be a big deal.  A very big deal.  And the only way to see it in the comfort of your own home will be to get the NFL Network.

6.  Flex Scheduling Is A Great Thing.

The concept of flexible scheduling of the Sunday night games carries multiple benefits for the NFL.  Apart from pumping up the ratings for the NFL's return to NBC, the whole question of which game will be "the" game to move to Sunday night will generate plenty of interest among NFL observers.

How do we know that?  When we saw the list of games for Week 10, the first week of flexible scheduling, we immediately tried to guess which of those games ultimately would land at 8:15 p.m. EDT.

Although both FOX and CBS have the ability to hold back one game each per week and a total of five each for the season, flexible scheduling will create extra buzz on a weekly basis for a league that already has cornered the market on it.

7.  Bills Do The Two-Fer.

As the Buffalo Bills break in a brand new coaching staff and a new-old G.M., they'll be confronted with a bizarre schedule composed almost entirely of back-to-back games at home and on the road.

The Bills open at New England and at Miami.  Then the Bills come home to face the Jets and Vikings in consecutive weeks.

Next up -- two more on the road, at Chicago and at Detroit.  Then two more at home, against the Pats and the Packers.

The pattern continues into December, with a total of 14 Bills games played as part of a back-to-back package either at home or on the road.

8.  We Dey! . . . Maybe.

Steelers coach Bill Cowher stoked the rivalry with the Cincinnati Bengals by mocking Cincy's "Who Dey?" chant both after the Steelers beat the Bengals in the first round of the playoffs, and after the Steelers won the Super Bowl.

The Bengals will get a chance to shut Cowher up on the final game of the 2006 regular season, when the Steelers return to the Queen City.  Hopefully, the outcome of that one will determine the AFC North champion.  

9.  NFL Steals Dolphins Thunder, Too.

We've mentioned a couple of times over the past few days that the company the Miami Dolphins hired to install new video displays prematurely let the cat out of the bag regarding the team's plan to announce on Saturday the new name and logo of its stadium.

The NFL has now pooped on the dog-and-pony show, too.  The tail end of the official 2006 schedule on NFL.com announces that Super Bowl XLI will be played on February 4 at . . . Dolphin Stadium. 

10.  No Snowballs For T.O.

As it turns out, those reports that the Cowboys will travel to Philly for a Christmas Day game were wr-wr-wr-wrong.

Or were they?

In the official schedule, the Cowboys and Eagles indeed play on Christmas.  The game, however, will be played at Dallas, giving the Cowboys two nationally televised games on major holidays in 2006.  The Cowboys travel to Philadelphia on October 8.

Could it be that the league decided to flip-flop the home-and-home series after realizing that, come Christmas, there could be an ugly scene at Lincoln Financial Field if there's any snow in the stands?  We wouldn't be surprised to learn that, once the Commish caught wind of the plan to create a potential Christmas riot in Philly, he told the schedule makers to reverse the locations of the two games.

POSTED 2:04 p.m. EDT, April 6, 2006

2006 SCHEDULE RELEASED

The NFL has announced its full 2006 schedule.

Click here to check it out.

We're analyzing it now and will post a Ten-Pack feature on it later on Thursday afternoon.

POSTED 12:32 p.m. EDT, April 6, 2006

SAINTS RETURN TO DOME ON SEPTEMBER 25

NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue announced on Thursday that the New Orleans Saints will return to the Superdome for their first regular season game since 2004 on September 25, 2006.

On that evening, the Saints will host the Atlanta Falcons face a Monday night contest.

Other games on the Saints' home slate include Tampa on October 8, Philly on October 15, and Carolina on December 31.

The full 2006 schedule will be announced at 2:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday.  

POSTED 10:26 a.m. EDT, April 6, 2006

REVENUE SHARING NOT FULLY RESOLVED YET

Although the NFL owners reached in early March a general agreement regarding the terms of a new revenue sharing plan aimed at balancing the concerns of the high-revenue and low-revenue franchises, a league source tells us that there are still many details to be ironed out.

Per the source, the biggest remaining hurdle is the identification of the specific qualifications that low-revenue teams must meet in order to be eligible for an additional piece of the revenue pie beyond the amounts that the 32 teams already share (e.g., broadcast rights money).

This meshes with information we picked up as the negotiations were coming to a head.  The high-revenue teams believe that supplemental sharing is appropriate, in certain circumstances.  However, the high-revenue teams want to see a genuine commitment from the low-revenue teams to make more money on their own before handing to them money that the high-revenue teams have generated through their own expenditure and risk.  

The source says that the next step in the process will be for Commissioner Paul Tagliabue to appoint yet another committee, which will be asked to define the precise qualifications for supplemental revenue sharing.  We're told that, at the ownership meeting that culminated in the passage of a new CBA/revenue plan, some of the high-revenue franchises were pushing for the implementation of "onerous" qualifications.  Tagliabue, we hear, has assured the low-revenue teams that, in the end, the qualifications will be reasonable.

In our estimation, the final analysis will include consideration of the extent to which the team seeking supplemental revenue is maximizing its local earning potential.  Has the team sold the naming rights to its stadium?  Does the team make a sufficient financial commitment to its marketing budget and staff?  Is the team hampered by local issues and dynamics beyond its control?

We don't expect this final step to crater in any way the deal that already has been reached.  But whether and to what extent the teams are pleased with the final list of qualifications could have a significant influence on whether a new revenue deal can be reached the next time CBA talks are opened up.

Based on the term sheet between the NFL and the union, that process could commence as soon as November 2008.

MORE THURSDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

Former Packers great Willie Davis apparently thinks it's time for Lord Favre to retire.

Schedule preview:  the Vikings get a chance to mess up Daunte Culpepper's other knee on November 19.

The Steelers are talking with CB Ike Taylor regarding a long-term deal.

Nine of 11 starters on the Steelers' defense are under contract through at least 2007.

Eagles QB Donovan McNabb was fined $256 for parking his car in a handicapped spot, and he probably spent ten times that amount or more on legal fees in an effort to beat the rap.  

The Chiefs are trying to figure out who will play cornerback.

Supporters of the L.A. Coliseum as a site for an NFL team are undeterred by recent stabbings at a nearby concert (and they'll put a knife in anyone who disagrees with them).

CB Ty Law is visiting the Seahawks, but based on this comment from team president Tim Ruskell he shouldn't get his hopes up about getting paid:  "The big blowout deals are probably a thing of the past for this period." 

The Vikings could go a lot of different ways in the first round.

The Browns have signed DE Simon Fraser to a one-year deal.

Dolphins QB Daunte Culpepper is throwing in offseason drills while recovering from three torn knee ligaments suffered in late October.

As soon as the Packers' 2006 schedule is announced, local hotels will be inundated with phone calls.

The Commish will hold a press briefing at the Superdome on Thursday to provide details regarding the New Orleans Saints' 2006 schedule.

Former Georgia Tech CB Reuben Houston received only nine months probation on charges that he was involved in a marijuana distribution ring.

The plan for a new Vikings stadium is making its way through the Minnesota Legislature.

Another day, another lame-ass excuse from the NFL regarding the decision to ban local TV cameras from the sidelines; this time around, the league says the move is intended to prevent unauthorized footage from appearing on the Internet.

POSTED 8:07 a.m. EDT, April 6, 2006

STEINBERG, PRICE BRACING FOR POSSIBLE LOSS OF LEINART

With former IMG football agent Tom Condon heading to Creative Artists Agency, we're hearing indications that the current football representatives of USC quarterback and CAA client Matt Leinart fear that Leinart will eventually make a bee-line to Condon.

Leinart currently is represented by Leigh Steinberg and Chuck Price.  At the time Steinberg and Price were hired, the scuttlebutt was that Price had some type of a pre-existing connection with Leinart, and that Price had horned his way into the mix in the hopes of learning the agent business.  So, on the surface, it seems odd that Price would get the boot. 

Then again, it's possible that Leinart is blaming the fallout of his failure to run the 40-yard dash at his pro day workout on both of his agents.  We've heard that Leinart initially wasn't going to run, and that in the wake of Vince Young's impromptu decision to rip off the sweats and show what he can do, Team Leinart tried to get Matt ready to run.  The fact that Leinart in the end didn't run suggests that the efforts were too little and too late.

If a change is made, look for it to happen after the draft, since the general thinking is that a pre-draft agent change could be viewed as a negative by NFL scouts.

STEINBERG HAVING A BAD WEEK

Although USC quarterback Matt Leinart has not yet terminated agent Leigh Steinberg, there is a report that one of Leinart's former teammates already has.  According to KFFL.com, USC offensive tackle Winston Justice has parted ways with Steinberg.

We've heard that Justice is making the change because Justice thought Steinberg was spending too much time on Leinart.

KFFL reports that Justice will land with Gary Uberstine.  In our view, this could be another example of the fruits of Uberstine's partnership with Willie McGinest and Snoop Doog, since Justice is a member of the Long Beach Poly high school cabal, which fellow alumni McGinest and Dogg are trying to tap.

THURSDAY MORNING ONE-LINERS

A hearing will take place on Friday regarding the lawsuit filed by agent Carl Poston against the NFLPA. 

S Sean Taylor's trial was pushed back by a week due to the looming Passover and Good Friday holidays (which apparently weren't on the calendar when the date initially was picked). 

CB Charles Woodson might be leaning toward joining the Bucs, even though he'd likely be switched to safety.

Reggie Bush has a bull horn in his pocket for Houston.

George Mason hoopster Jai Lewis continues to draw NFL interest.

Paul Schwartz of the New York Post writes that reports of an impending deal between the Giants and LB LaVar Arrington are wrong.

Former Rams WR/S Mike Furrey has signed with Detroit, and will play receiver exclusively (which pushes the total number of wideouts on the Lions' roster to 27).

The Rams will host QB Jay Cutler before the draft.

Cutler also will visit with the Jets, Lions, and Vikings.

The Dolphins are looking at QB Jamie Martin in the event that efforts to secure QB Joey Harrington peter out.

The Lions are getting greedy.

The Titans have hosted Maryland LB D'Qwell Jackson, Clemson CB Tye Hill, and San Diego State WR Jeff Webb.

Titans G.M. Floyd Reese plans to send a new contract proposal to LB Nick Griesen in the next few days.