pakowitz

Griese's agent sets record straight
The Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel reports that Brian Griese's agent denied a report that the quarterback would sign with the Dolphins after he is released June 1. The Sun-Sentinel reports that the Packers are entering the fray for Griese. The Pack envisions Griese as a successor to Brett Favre, who could retire after this upcoming season. (4/7)


Team by Team
Arizona Cardinals
Updated: 4/4/2003

According to San Diego Union-Tribune sources, Junior Seau will not play for the Cardinals and would block a trade. He has made it clear all along that he wants to play for a team that has a chance to get to the playoffs. The Dolphins are reportedly the frontrunner for his services. Green Bay and Detroit have contacted the Chargers, but have not yet spoken with Seau. (4/4) ... The East Valley Tribune reports that the Cardinals are the only team that have extended free-agent Vonnie Holliday an offer sheet. Holliday has most recently visited with the Chiefs, who are determining whether they want to make an offer on the Green Bay defensive lineman. (4/3) ... The Tribune reports that the Cardinals are looking to upgrade their pass-rush defense and will likely use the No. 6 overall pick to select Terrell Suggs, if he is still available. The prospect made an official visit to Arizona on March 31. The Cardinals hold Suggs in high regard even after his poor 40-yard times last week that had been described as unimpressive. (4/1)

Baltimore Ravens
Updated: 4/3/2003

The Akron Beacon Journal reports that the Ravens were very impressed with Jamir Miller following his visit on Wednesday and want to sign him quick. Miller was waived by the Browns in a cost-cutting move prior to the free-agent signing period. Kansas City and Tampa Bay are also interested in his services, according to the Baltimore Sun. (4/3)

Chicago Bears
Updated: 4/7/2003

Teams will have a chance to look at Byron Leftwich, who intends to conduct a workout for NFL teams near Tampa Bay. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that if Leftwich has a good workout, he could vault past Carson Palmer as the top quarterback prospect. The Bears, meanwhile, are also interested in defensive end Terrell Suggs, defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson, cornerback Terrence Newman, quarterbacks Kyle Boller and QB Chris Simms on Thursday and Friday. Chicago holds the No. 4 pick in the draft and will likely select a defensive player. (4/7)

Carolina Panthers
Updated: 4/4/2003

The Charlotte Observer reports that free-agent tight end Ernie Conwell visited with the Panthers on Thursday. Other teams interested in Conwell are Jacksonville and St. Louis, which looks to re-sign him. (4/4)

Cincinnati Bengals
Updated: 3/26/2003

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis told the Cincinnati Enquirer that the Bengals will draft one of four players with their first pick. Those players include Carson Palmer, who worked out for the Bengals on Friday. Palmer threw around 80 passes to four wide receivers in front of Bengals brass that included coach Marvin Lewis, offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski and quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese. "I've been impressed with him (Palmer) every time I've seen him," Lewis said. "He did nothing on Friday to dispel that." The other three players include quarterback Byron Leftwich, cornerback Terence Newman and wide receiver Charles Rogers. (3/26)

Dallas Cowboys
Updated: 4/3/2003

The Cowboys don't intend to trade away their No. 5 pick in this month's draft for two picks, according to owner Jerry Jones. The Dallas Morning News reports that Jones would rather have a one superstar rather than two really good players. The Cowboys are hoping to find a good cornerback or defensive end. (4/3)

Detroit Lions
Updated: 4/3/2003

The Detroit News reports that the Lions took a look at Dwayne Rudd despite signing linebacker Wali Rainer on Wednesday. Rudd visited with the team on the same day. Tampa Bay and Green Bay are also interested in Rudd's services. (4/3) ... The Detroit Free Press reports that Charlie Rodgers will most likely be selected with the Lions' No. 2 overall pick in the April draft, but the Lions are not entirely sold on the Michigan State wide receiver. Coach Steve Mariucci said the Lions may try to upgrade their defense by selecting either Terrell Suggs or Terence Newman. Mariucci told the Detroit News that there has been some interest in the team's No. 2 pick from other teams. Mariucci wouldn't give anymore details. (3/27)

Green Bay Packers
Updated: 4/3/2003

The Green Bay News Chronicle reports that the Packers have expressed an interest in Junior Seau. The Dolphins appear to be in the frontrunning for Seau, who is expected to be waived by the Chargers if the team can't work out a trade soon. (3/26)

Houston Texans
Updated: 4/3/2003

With Wednesday's signing of free agent linebacker Charlie Clemons, the likelihood of the Texans signing Terrell Suggs is minimal, according to the Houston Chronicle. (4/3)

Jacksonville Jaquars
Updated: 3/31/2003

The Florida Times-Union reports that the Jaquars worked out quarterback prospect Carson Palmer on March 27. The team has the No. 8 pick in the draft and, as a result, Palmer may not be available. (3/31) ... The Times-Union reports that Jacksonville has spoken with the agent of Olandis Gary, but no visit has been scheduled. Gary visited with the Bills on March 26 and is expected to meet with the Giants. The Jaquars are looking for a quality backup to Fred Taylor. (3/31)

Kansas City Chiefs
Updated: 4/7/2003

SportsLine.com's Jay Glazer reports that the Chiefs have signed free-agent Vonnie Holliday to a deal. It's a five-year deal worth around $20 million, according to Glazer sources. (4/7) ... The Kansas City Star reports that the Chiefs intend to invite several prospects to town in the next couple of weeks. Two players invited who are considered legitimate first-round picks include Oklahoma State defensive lineman Kevin Williams and Oklahoma cornerback Andre Woolfolk. However, the Chiefs haven't tip their hand as to which player they favor, but have invited only defensive players into town. (4/1)

Miami Dolphins
Updated: 4/7/2003

The Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel reports that Brian Griese's agent denied a report that the quarterback would sign with the Dolphins after he is released June 1. The Sun-Sentinel reports that the Packers are entering the fray for Griese. The Pack envisions Griese as a successor to Brett Favre, who could retire after this upcoming season. (4/7) ... The Miami Herald reports that the Dolphins may use a late-round pick to swing a deal with the Chargers for Junior Seau. Seau believes he can play three more seasons, and has expressed a desire to play with the Dolphins. The Cardinals entered the fray and have expressed an interest in trading for Seau. Detroit and Green Bay are also interested. (4/3)

Minnesota Vikings
Updated: 3/31/2003

The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that the Vikings are exploring the possibility of trading their No. 7 overall pick to the [b:16c31a84ad] Saints, who possess the 17th and 18th overall picks in the draft.[/b:16c31a84ad] The Vikings, who are looking to upgrade on the defensive side of the ball, remain interested in both Terrell Suggs and Jimmy Kennedy. The two players may be available to Minnesota after each performed unfavorably in personal workouts. (3/31) ... Feeling good about having upgraded their linebacking and secondary, the Vikings are looking at the draft to upgrade their defensive line, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. The Vikings, who own the No. 7 pick in the April draft, feel Kentucky's Dewayne Robertson may be the best fit. The team is also wondering whether Georgia's Johnathan Sullivan or Kennedy are worthy of being selected that high in the draft. (3/27)

New England Patriots
Updated: 4/3/2003

The Providence Journal reports that the Patroits, who own the Nos. 14 and 19 picks in the first round, could likely select Georgia linebacker Boss Baily, who is expected to be available. Baily is the brother of Champ Baily and says he has his fingers crossed that New England will select him. He is considered one of the most athletic players in the draft. (4/3) ... The Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel reports that Willis McGahee, who blew out his knee three months ago, participated in a pre-draft workout with the Pats. The Sun-Sentinel says Dolphins Senior VP Rick Spielman believes McGahee will be drafted before the fourth round and could play this season. (4/3)

New York Giants
Updated: 4/3/2003

The New York Daily News is reporting that Tiki Barber wants Ron Dayne to contact coach Jim Fassel. Barber, who has earned the starting halfback position, understands why Dayne is frustrated. However, Barber believes that Dayne needs to communicate with the Giants. The Giants, meanwhile, have brought in three running backs that could serve as Barber's backup, including Dorsey Levens, Olandis Gary and Stacey Mack. The Giants have no intention of trading Dayne, who they consider a valuable reserve. Dayne has opted to train in Wisconsin rather than attend an offseason conditioning program in New York, much to ire of Fassel. (4/3)

New York Jets
Updated: 4/4/2003

The Washington Post reports that the NFL Player's Association is arguing that Chad Morton should be awarded to the Redskins. The NFLPA asserts that the Jets improperly matched Washington's offer sheet. An arbitrator, Richard Bloch, is slated to make a decision on Monday on Morton's status after hearing the complaints on April 3. (4/4)

Pittsburgh Steelers
Updated: 4/1/2003

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Steelers have scheduled visits with two college quarterbacks. Florida's Rex Grossman will visit on Tuesday and California's Kyle Boller is expected to visit sometime next week. The Steelers own the 27th pick in the first round. Tommy Maddux is slated to start next season. Charlie Batch is expected to back Maddux up. (4/1)

San Francisco 49ers
Updated: 4/4/2003

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the 49ers have given permission to wide receiver J.J. Stokes to seek a trade. General manager Terry Donahue said that it doesn't mean Stokes will not return to the team, but Donahue is taking a wait-and-see approach. Stokes lost his starting position to Tai Streets. (4/4)

Seattle Seahawks
Updated: 4/2/2003

The Seattle Times reports that restricted free agent Darrell Jackson attended an optional workout on Monday, which is a strong indication that he will re-sign with the team. The Jets invited Jackson to New York last month, but he has maintained all along that he likes playing in Seattle. The Seahawks have offered him a one-year, $1.3 million deal. (4/2)

St. Louis Rams
Updated: 4/4/2003

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the Ernie Conwell will not likely re-sign with the Rams. He has visited with Jacksonville and Carolina, but the Rams are the only team to make an offer. If Conwell signs with either the Jags or Panthers, the Rams will likely pursue tight end Cam Cleeland. The team also has its eye on Johnny Mitchell and Justin Swift. (4/4)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Updated: 4/4/2003

The Tampa Tribune reports that Dwayne Rudd will make a decision in the next 24 hours as to which team he will play for -- Detroit, Green Bay or Tampa Bay. (4/4) ... The Tribune reports that Jamir Miller has visited his last team and will now wait to see which team will extend to him an offer sheet. Kansas City, Baltimore or the Bucs are the three teams vying for his services. (4/4) ... The Tribune reports that coach Jon Gruden is fed up with general manager Rich McKay. It has become well known that Gruden is upset at McKay's inability to upgrade certain positions on offense. The Tribune reports that Gruden's stormy relationship with McKay is a prime reason Emmitt Smith decided to sign not with Tampa Bay, but with Arizona. Gruden denied any rift in the St. Petersburg Times. (4/1)



[Edited on 4/8/2003 by pakowitz]