Category: NFL (Page 1243 of 1282)

At the NFL team meetings, new Green Bay HC Mike McCarthy said that the team would like Brett Favre to give them a decision on whether or not the quarterback will play this season.

McCarthy said the Packers do want Favre to make his decision by Saturday, which is the latest deadline for the $3 million roster bonus they owe him.

But the deadline is an artificial one, because Favre’s contract stipulates the team doesn’t have to pay the bonus until September if he returns and doesn’t have to pay it at all if he retires.

Still, McCarthy said he’d like to see the issue resolved ASAP.

“I feel like it’s Groundhog Day. I’ve been answering the question the same way for two months,” McCarthy said. “The bonus, that’s pretty much the goal we’re trying to set (for a decision). Obviously, you keep moving back the date, (but) there’s a reason behind the date. So, we would definitely like to know as soon as possible.”

This has been a case of the tail chasing the dog. Favre wants to see offseason improvement before he decides to play another season and the team can’t have a truly effective offseason plan if they are unsure about Favre’s desire to play. It sounds as if McCarthy is going to hold Favre more accountable for his interception count, but that has a lot to do with other facets of the game – talent at the WR position, an effective running game and a good defense.

If the Packers are able to draft DE Mario Williams or LB A.J. Hawk with the #5 overall pick, it would certainly help the defense. The team is also looking at Charles Woodson.

Woodson, the fourth pick in the 1998 draft, is one of the highest-profile free agents remaining on the market, though his contract requests have kept him from being a highly sought-after player.

The Packers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers appear to be the only teams making a strong run at Woodson, who turns 30 in October.

The Packers have been frugal thus far in the offseason and the question is – how much money does he want? I don’t think it’s a good idea to commit a lot of money to a 30-year old defensive back, but if Woodson is willing to come down in his asking price, then he might be a nice addition to the defense.

For fans of the touchdown celebrations made famous by the likes of Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson, you might be disappointed this season. Apparently, the NFL’s competition committee might crackdown on such festivities.

“Individual celebration was getting out of hand,” [Tennessee coach Jeff] Fisher said Monday at the NFL meetings. “The players’ association was unanimous in wanting to get this under control.”

So spiking the ball in the end zone will be OK. And spinning it on the ground, or dunking it over the goalpost. Dancing in the end zone is fine, too, as long as it’s not prolonged or a group effort.

Almost all other celebrations will be out if the committee’s recommendation to clamp down further on the frivolities is passed by the owners.

It’s not too clear why the competition committee wants to limit these celebrations. If it’s because they feel that they hold up the game, they should take a look at the number of commercials shown per game. A few years ago, the NFL instituted a running clock for most of the game, even when a player went out of bounds. But games are taking as long as ever, and that’s due to the extra commercial breaks. It’s getting to the point where it can be excruciating to watch a live game. I know I’m fooling myself – the league will never curb commercials because advertising is paying their bills (and their salaries).

Free agency started off at a frenetic pace. With the extra salary cap created by the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, several teams snatched up valuable players while others are waiting for the market to come down. Jeremy Green of Scouts Inc. breaks down a few of the early winners and losers [Insider subscription required].

Winners – Cleveland, Minnesota, Arizona, Miami, Tennessee

The Tennessee Titans got things started by restructuring the contract of quarterback Steve McNair. From that point on, the Titans have been on a roll. In acquiring wide receiver David Givens, free safety Chris Hope and outside linebacker David Thornton, Tennessee has added three players in the top 36 on the Scouts Inc. free agency board.

All three players will add a lot of veteran leadership and athleticism to a team that showed a lot of youth in too many key areas last season.

Losers – Colts, Patriots (for sitting on their hands while the Dolphins have been active)

For a team that was on the verge of greatness last season, the Indianapolis Colts have left me scratching my head in bewilderment this offseason.

Sure they have re-signed wide receiver Reggie Wayne, defensive end Raheem Brock and often-injured running back Dominic Rhodes, but they have received nothing from outside the organization. The Wayne deal appears to have hamstrung this organization. Don’t get me wrong, Wayne is an excellent No. 2 receiver, but was he worth losing James, Thornton (now with the Titans) and defensive tackle Larry Tripplett? I would say no. Now Colts fans are left to wonder what will come of this season.

Green also thinks that Edgerrin James will have a positive economic and on the field impact for the Cardinals. Arizona has been looking for a good running back for years now and James gives them that. Green warns about Drew Brees’ potential in New Orleans, questioning why the quarterback chose “money” over “winning.” The Dolphins seemed like the perfect fit for Brees, but we’ll never know.