Rumor Central

[THE SIX KINGS]

Patrick Surtain

Apr. 1 - Cornerback Patrick Surtain and the Chiefs have agreed in principle to a multiyear deal, reports The South Florida Sun-Sentinel, but a trade still must be worked out with the Dolphins before Surtain can switch teams.

 

The Chiefs reportedly are offering a fourth-round draft choice, but the Dolphins are believed to be demanding a selection in the first three rounds.

 

"If someone else wants to work a business deal for [surtain] to be on their team, fine," Dolphins coach Nick Saban told the newspaper. "But we will not compromise on our price. I'm not going to tell you what that is, but it's not to be compromised."

 

Surtain is entering the final year of a contract that pays him $6.15 million in 2005 and has a cap number of $8.383 million.

 

Trevor Pryce

Apr. 1 - If the Broncos can't find a suitable trade partner for DE Trevor Pryce soon, the team could release the four-time Pro Bowler, reports The Denver Post. The Broncos have been shopping Pryce for two months, but have yet to receive an offer that makes sense. Pryce could take a substaintial pay cut to remain in Denver, but that scenario seems unlikely.

 

"Trevor is not averse to playing his whole career in Denver, but if he's traded there'd be no hard feelings," agent Peter Schaffer told the newspaper. "If they release Trevor, we'd rather it be sooner than later."

 

Salary-cap concerns (Pryce has a cap number of $9.16 million for '05) and age (Pryce turns 30 in August) are among the leading factors in to Denver's decision. The team also plans to switch to the 3-4 defense in 2005, and Pryce is better suited for the 4-3 alignment.

 

Monty Beisel

 

 

Apr. 1 - In search of more speed at linebacker, the Packers are exploring the possibility of signing free agent Monty Beisel, reports the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Beisel has played all four of his NFL seasons with the Chiefs, with whom he has remained in contact during his free-agent tour. The Patriots and Steelers are also interested in Beisel.

 

Ty Law

Mar. 31 - Although he was not prepared to offer Ty Law a contract in mid-March, Chiefs GM Carl Peterson hasn't closed the door on signing the veteran cornerback. According to Pro Football Weekly, Peterson plans to meet with Law again down the road to further gauge the progress of his surgically repaired foot.

 

Law was impressed by the "family-type atmosphere" during his visit with Dick Vermeil and the organization and said he could see himself playing for the Chiefs. The Steelers, Colts and Jets have also expressed interest in Law.

 

Tom Brady

Mar. 31 - Pro Football Weekly is hearing that QB Tom Brady and the Patriots have come to terms on a six-year contract extension, but the team wants to wait until all of its free-agent moves are complete before announcing the deal.

 

The Providence Journal reported on March 25 that Brady's new contract is being held up over the structure of his signing bonus. The Patriots' proposed to pay the two-time Super Bowl MVP his $24 million signing bonus in four installments. Brady doesn't appear flexible when it comes to guaranteed money.

 

Travis Henry

Mar. 31 - The Cardinals remain the favorite to land disgruntled Bills running back Travis Henry, but the long-rumored trade is more complicated than a straight-up swap between Henry and Cardinals tackle L.J. Shelton.

 

The Bills are asking the Cardinals to switch spots in the second round of the draft, and the Cardinals now want for more than just Henry in return, reports The Arizona Republic.

 

Also complicating matters is status of Henry's contract. He has one year left on his deal, and the Cardinals would want to sign him to a long-term contract before make a trade.

 

Curtis Conway Mar. 31 - Looking to add another veteran wide receiver, the Buccaneers are interested in free agent Curtis Conway, reports The St. Petersburg Times. Conway, a 13-year veteran who played for the 49ers in 2004, is scheduled to visit One Buc Place today. As a member of the Jets in 2003, Conway played under new Bucs offensive coordinator Paul Hackett.

 

Charles Lee

Mar. 31 - The Dolphins are scheduled to host free-agent wide receiver Charles Lee on Monday, reports The South Florida Sun-Sentinel. The Florida native started eight games the past two seasons for the Buccaneers, catching 48 passes for 639 yards and two touchdowns. Lee has also drawn interest from Cleveland.

 

Anquan Boldin Mar. 31 - Pro Football Weekly is hearing that the Cardinals could dip into their remaining cap money to extend the contract of WR Anquan Boldin. It was reported in February that Boldin was considering a training-camp holdout if his contract wasn't reworked.

 

Boldin, who is represented by Drew Rosenhaus, was limited to just 10 games in 2004 (catching 56 passes) due to injury but caught 101 passes for 1,377 yards as a rookie in '03.

 

Philip Rivers

Mar. 30 - Both the Chargers and 49ers are denying that the teams are discussing a deal that would send the No. 1 pick in this year's draft to San Diego in exchange for second-year QB Philip Rivers.

 

"It's simply a rumor," 49ers coach Mike Nolan told The Sacramento Bee. "There is no truth to it."

 

According to San Diego GM A.J. Smith, the Chargers plan to keep both Rivers and franchise player Drew Brees until they make a decision on a long-term starter after the 2005 season.

 

The rumored deal, which was mentioned in The Washington Post on Monday, picked up momentum because it appears to make sense for both teams. The Chargers are believed to be interested in Michigan WR Braylon Edwards, whom they could select with the No. 1 pick. The 49ers would get a better quarterback prospect than they could find in this draft. Rivers grades out considerably higher than Cal's Aaron Rodgers and Utah's Alex Smith.

 

Bob Whitfield

Giants Mar. 29 - The Giants are on the verge of signing veteran offensive tackle Bob Whitfield, according to The Washington Post. Whitfield, an unrestricted free agent, played for the Jaguars last year.

 

T.J. Slaughter

Ravens Mar. 29 - Linebacker T.J. Slaughter will likely be the Ravens' last major addition before next month's draft, The Baltimore Sun reports. Slaughter appeared close to signing with the Ravens 10 days ago, but the contract could not be completed because of the NFL meetings in Kapalua, Hawaii.

 

"That's the thing that slowed us down," Michael Huyghue, Slaughter's agent, told The Sun. "We were exchanging phone calls with a six-hour time difference."

 

Dallas

 

Offensive line help Mar. 29 - Looking for a right tackle to bolster their offensive line, the Cowboys are expected to look at Chris Terry and Barry Stokes, reports The Washington Post. Terry was cut by Seattle; Stokes was let go by the Giants.

 

Carlos Hall

Titans Chiefs Mar. 26 - According to The Tennessean, Carlos Hall's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, recently called to ask if Tennessee would be interested in trading the defensive end.

 

Hall, a restricted free agent, has visited with Kansas City. If the Chiefs or another club sign Hall to an offer sheet, the Titans can match it and keep him, or decline to match it and receive draft pick compensation for losing him.

 

Because Hall was a seventh-round pick, the compensation would be a seventh-round pick.

 

Jerome Pathon

Mar. 25 - With the signing of Joe Jurevicius, the Seahawks will likely end their pursuit of veteran receiver Jerome Pathon, speculates ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli. The Seahawks hosted Pathon on Wednesday. The former University of Washington star has averaged 37 catches and 476 yards a season since 1998.

 

Anthony Simmons

 

Mar. 25 - The Bears are among the teams interested in free-agent linebacker Anthony Simmons, The Seattle Times reports. Simmons, released by the Seahawks for salary-cap reasons, met with the Packers on March 15. Simmons has also visited New Orleans.

 

Rod Gardner

 

 

Mar. 23 - The Washington Post indicates at least five teams are interested in trading for Gardner, whom the Redskins have been shopping in recent weeks. But the paper reports Gardner has been reluctant to agree to a long-term contract, which is becoming a deterrent to teams looking to acquire him.

 

Gardner has one season at $2.097 million left on his contract, and teams reportedly have been reluctant to part with a third-round draft pick – said to be the Redskins' asking price – for a player they could lose after one season.

 

The Seahawks appeared more willing to meet Washington's price after receiving a compensatory pick Tuesday, but that was before the signing of Joe Jurevicius. Seattle now has two third-round and two fourth-round picks.

 

Tony Dungy

Mar. 24 - The Colts intend to sign coach Tony Dungy to a contract extension before training camp, The Indianapolis Star reports. The 49-year-old Dungy, who's 37-17 with Indy, has two years remaining on the five-year, $13 million deal he signed in 2002.

 

Ricky Williams

Mar. 24 - If head coach Nick Saban can get Ricky Williams to return to the Dolphins, owner Wayne Huizenga wouldn't stand in the way, The Palm Beach Post reports. "I'll do what Nick wants to do," Huizenga told the newspaper.

 

An arbitrator has ruled that Williams owes the team $8.6 million. "There's interest on top of that," Huizenga quipped. "No, I don't know what will happen. But I'm sure there will be a lot of discussion about that."

 

Saban confirmed at the NFL's annual winter meetings that two weeks ago he had his first conversation with Williams since taking over as head coach in December, The Washington Post reports.

 

Saban told Williams: " 'It's your decision if you want to come back to play. If you make that choice, you'll have the opportunity to do that.' He's obviously a productive player. He has issues surrounding him, and we would have to work through those issues. Whether he wants to work through it is his decision."

 

Donovin Darius

Mar. 23 - It looks like Donovin Darius will remain with the Jaguars, The Florida Times-Union reports. Though it's still possible that a trade could be arranged, Donovin's agent, Tom Condon, said it will be more difficult to make a trade now that four teams that were interested in safeties -- the Vikings, Browns, Lions and Saints -- each signed one in the free-agent market.

 

If a trade cannot be worked out, Darius is ready to play for the Jaguars for the $4.97 million franchise tender.

 

Shaun Alexander

 

Mar. 23 - Pro Bowl running back Shaun Alexander, named the Seahawks' franchise player last month, has shown no indication that he is ready to sign the $6.32 million tender, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports. Alexander is not among the players participating in the Seahawks' offseason conditioning program, which started Monday.

 

Quincy Carter Mar. 23 - A week after meeting with Quincy Carter, the Buccaneers no longer appear interested in signing troubled QB Carter, The Tampa Tribune reports. Coach Jon Gruden said the team probably will look in another direction for quarterback depth.

 

"It was a good meeting, and we're going to keep looking at quarterbacks that are available," Gruden told the newspaper. "That goes for Arena [League], world league [NFL Europe], that process will continue. We're looking at [Carter's] situation and there will be a couple of other guys we'll bring in also."

 

Doug Flutie

Mar. 23 - The Bucs, hoping to add a veteran signal caller before coach Jon Gruden holds his annual quarterback orientation at the end of the month, may consider 42-year-old Doug Flutie, The Tampa Tribune reports. Flutie's agent, Kristen Kuliga, said Tuesday she expects to talk with the Bucs after the league meetings end this week.

 

"We had one initial cursory talk with them, but so far that's it," Kuliga told the newspaper. "We expect to talk with them again and I can definitely say that Doug has a strong interest in being there."

 

Tedy Bruschi

Mar. 23 - Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi is considering sitting out next season for health reasons, The Boston Globe reports. Bruschi's recently hired agent, Brad Blank, told the newspaper that the Pro Bowler is contemplating whether he can play next season after being treated for a mild stroke last month.

 

"I can relate to you only that Tedy is considering not playing next year," Blank told The Globe. "Beyond that, I cannot comment on anything."

 

Tony Williams

Mar. 23 - Defensive tackle Tony Williams met with the Jaguars on March 22. Like Courtney Brown, who visited on March 21, Williams met with defensive coordinator Mike Smith and defensive line coach Ray Hamilton. Head coach Jack Del Rio and James Harris are at the annual March league meetings in Hawaii this week.

 

Hines Ward

Mar. 22 - The Steelers' top priority next month will be signing wide receiver Hines Ward to a contract extension, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. "We'll probably start that discussion sometime after the draft," team president Art Rooney told the newspaper. Ward will earn $1,668,750 this season.

 

Edgerrin James

 

49ers? Mar. 21 - The trade market for RB James remains quiet a week after he signed the one-year, $8.081 million tender as the Colts' franchise player. Drew Rosenhaus, James' agent, told the Terre-Haute Tribune Star, "I'm working overtime to find a trade partner. They're [the Colts) trying to make it as easy as possible for me to get a fair trade. I think a team has a chance to get a steal."

 

Rosenhaus also said he has spoken with the Buccaneers, Cardinals, Dolphins and 49ers about trading for James. However, Colts coach Tony Dungy told the Indianapolis Star, "We've been planning all along to have [James] back. It's not a given, and anything can happen, but there was a combination of factors, so I was pretty confident we'd have him back."

 

Antowain Smith

Mar. 21 - Smith has visited the Saints and received an offer, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune. But the veteran RB's agent told the Nashville City Paper his client is in no rush to pick a team for next season.

 

"I think he enjoyed his visit there and there is mutual interest between the team and him," agent Kennard McGuire told the paper, "but I believe he is going to take his time and see what the right fit is for him."

 

Smith rushed for 509 yards on 127 carries and four touchdowns last season as Chris Brown's backup in Tennessee.

 

Charlie Batch

Mar. 19 - According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, three or four teams have expressed some degree of interest in Charlie Batch, a free agent who still is recovering from knee surgery (last August) that sidelined him the entire 2004 season.

 

Batch estimates he is 80 to 85 percent recovered. "I still have to get healthy. The surgery requires a year to recover fully," Batch told the newspaper. "Teams call, but I know they'd want me to go to their doctor and go to a workout and that's something I can't physically do right now."

 

Staying with the Steelers is a longshot. Before his injury, Batch was thought to be a potential cut last season because the Steelers had drafted Ben Roethlisberger in the first round, and had given Tommy Maddox a new deal with a $2 million signing bonus. Batch had an $800,000 base salary last year with a $200,000 roster bonus.

 

"The preference is to stay here, but I don't know if that can happen or not," said Batch. "A lot of it depends on what Tommy does. The timing is bad for me from a contract standpoint. The other guys are under contract. Besides, last year, coach only kept two quarterbacks, and the team went 16-2. He'll probably do that this year. Last year increased the chances of that."

 

John Abraham

Mar. 17 - Unhappy that he could not reach an agreement on a long-term deal with the Jets, John Abraham has yet to decide whether or when to sign the one-year offer given to him as a franchise player, The New York Times reports. Because they missed the NFL's deadline (March 16) to complete a long-term deal, the Jets and Abraham must wait until July 15 to resume contract talks.

 

Abraham is not officially under contract and therefore cannot work out at the team's complex. The Jets' offseason workout program begins April 4. The 26-year-old defensive end is scheduled to earn $6.7 million in 2005. He is believed to be seeking a deal that would top Jevon Kearse's eight-year, $66 million contract with the Eagles that included $16 million in guarantees, according to the New York Daily News.

 

Ken Dilger Mar. 17 - Tight end Ken Dilger is not contemplating retirement and is talking to "a bunch of teams," his agent, Mark Bartelstein, told The Tampa Tribune. If Dilger returns to the Buccaneers, it would be as Anthony Becht's backup.

 

"We're still talking with [the Buccaneers]," Bartelstein told the newspaper. "I wouldn't rule them out."

 

Darren Howard

Mar. 15 - The Saints continue to shop defensive end Darren Howard, and the Cowboys and Seahawks are the most likely trade partners, according to ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli. It is believed the Saints are seeking a high-round draft choice and a defensive player in return for Howard, the team's franchise player.

 

Jason Taylor

Mar. 10 - The Dolphins are not moving defensive end Jason Taylor to linebacker or trading him to the Colts for Edgerrin James, The Miami Herald reports. Coach Nick Saban on Wednesday ended any further speculation, saying in a statement, "We have no intention of moving or trading Jason Taylor."

 

Rumors of a position switch, according to The Herald, were fueled by Saban's vague responses on whether Miami's defense will use a 3-4, a 4-3, or perhaps both alignments in 2005. The team also recently added defensive linemen Vonnie Holliday and Kevin Carter.

 

"'Everything we have done is to build our defense around what Jason does best," Saban said. "He's an outstanding player and we want him to be a focal point or our defense. We will use him in schemes that best feature his talent."

 

Eddie George

Mar. 11 - Titans coach Jeff Fisher told The Tennessean he's open to the possibility of bringing back Eddie George, the franchise's all-time leading rusher.

 

"I am not ready to put a percentage on it right now, but there is a chance," Fisher said. "I always thought Eddie should finish his career here, but there are a lot of things we have to work through."

 

George said he would welcome the chance to return to Tennessee, and has already discussed it with his agents. George, who had a career-low 432 yards on just 132 carries for the Cowboys last season, was released by Tennessee following the 2003 season.

 

David Boston

Mar. 10 - David Boston, cut by the Dolphins because he failed a physical, could soon find a home in San Francisco, reports the Oakland Tribune. Boston's agent, Mitch Frankel, spoke with 49ers on March 9 and expects to reach a deal soon.

 

"I would imagine in the next seven days something will happen," Frankel said. "I don't see it stretching much more than that."

 

Boston, 26, missed the entire 2004 season after tearing his left patellar tendon during training camp. Boston had his best seasons in Arizona, where he was tutored by current 49ers receivers coach Jerry Sullivan.

 

Peter Boulware

Mar. 9 - The Ravens are quietly shopping Peter Boulware around the league, The Baltimore Sun, citing a league source, reports.

 

But GM Ozzie Newsome denied any trade talk. "At this point, Peter is rehabbing," Newsome told The Sun. Boulware is coming off toe surgery.

[Shotgun Messiahs]

David Boston

Mar. 10 - David Boston, cut by the Dolphins because he failed a physical, could soon find a home in San Francisco, reports the Oakland Tribune. Boston's agent, Mitch Frankel, spoke with 49ers on March 9 and expects to reach a deal soon.

 

"I would imagine in the next seven days something will happen," Frankel said. "I don't see it stretching much more than that."