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Do Dolphins want LB Simoneau?

On the free agent market, middle linebackers are few. New Orleans' Mark Simoneau, 6-0, 238 and 31 years old, helped the Saints improve enough for the team to make the 2006 NFC title game. Beyond him, the starting material looks rather thin. Simoneau's agent William Vann McElroy said he had a meeting scheduled with Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland at next week's NFL Scouting Combine, but he doesn't know which specific players will be discussed. -- Miami Herald


Asante Samuel made sure the Patriots can't use their franchise tag on him again this offseason, but that doesn't mean the team can't stop the coveted cornerback from reaching free agency, which begins Feb. 29. Samuel staged a de facto holdout during last season's training camp by refusing to sign his $7.79 million franchise tender until the team included provisions (12 or more wins by the team or his participation in 60 percent of the defensive snaps) that would allow him to avoid the franchise tag. What if the Patriots offered Samuel the contract he wants prior to the free agency period? Samuel's agent, Alonzo Shavers, didn't rule out such an option. "There is always an option, without saying yea or nay, we're not opposed to anything," Shavers said yesterday. "All he did was work to get himself an opportunity to be able to make some decisions. He's not hellbent one way or the other. He just wanted to make sure he had an opportunity to pursue his options as a player in a timely manner, no more, no less."

Arkansas running back Darren McFadden has heard the rumors of the Cowboys possibly trying to make a trade with Miami for the top pick in April's NFL Draft to select him. He's obviously flattered and wouldn't be opposed to it because he was a Cowboys fan. "I loved to watch Emmitt Smith run the ball," he said Thursday. "I was a big Cowboys fan." But McFadden, who is training at the Michael Johnson Performance Center in McKinney for the draft and next week's NFL Combine in Indianapolis, said he wants to run for scouts at the Combine, but no decision has been made. "I've heard so many rumors about what's going on with the draft, I just try not to pay attention to any of it anymore," McFadden said. "You have to block it out, because if you don't, it'll take control of you, getting caught up in where you want to go and where you think you should go. You try to block it out and focus on getting better out here." McFadden knows the rumors won't go away, mainly because of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones' connection to the Razorbacks. -- Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Other obvious targets to be released include several of their highest-priced players. Cornerback Ty Law has the Chiefs' highest individual salary-cap figure at $9.05 million. But Law would cost the Chiefs only $3.15 million against their cap if he is released before June 1. -- KC Star

While Zach Thomas, 34, was told he no longer fits into the team's long-term plans, the seven-time Pro Bowl selection intends to continue playing despite having his 2007 season shortened by concussion-related issues. According to his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, Thomas is healthy and cleared to play, and his goal is to latch on with a contender. Rosenhaus claims the former fifth-round pick, who has led the Dolphins in tackles 10 of his 12 seasons, has already drawn some interest now that he's on the open market. "Zach will most likely be playing for a team that was in the playoffs," Rosenhaus said. "I have been very pleased by the interest so far." -- South Florida Sun-Sentinel

The idea that the Panthers are willing to part with DeShaun Foster could be an indication the team is preparing to make a play for a big-time free agent running back like San Diego's Michael Turner, Dallas' Julius Jones or Derrick Ward of the New York Giants, or that the team is considering selecting one in the NFL draft. Free agency begins Feb. 29. Either way, it's almost certain the Panthers will look for a bigger power back to complement DeAngelo Williams.

The Chiefs could realize further cap savings by releasing linebacker Kendrell Bell (reducing his cap number from $5.2 million to $3.5 million), safety Greg Wesley (from about $4.7 million to about $1.7 million), wide receiver Eddie Kennison (from about $3.9 million to about $533,000), offensive lineman Chris Bober (from about $2.2 million to $425,000) and tight end Jason Dunn (from $1.22 million to $900,000). Running back Priest Holmes, who retired during last season, currently counts almost $4 million against their cap. Once the Chiefs place him on the retired list, he will then count only about $2.7 million. -- KC Star

The Cardinals surprised no one Thursday by announcing they were placing the franchise tag on inside linebacker Karlos Dansby. The move has been expected and comes a week before the NFL's deadline for naming franchise players. The "non-exclusive" franchise designation allows Dansby to receive offers from other teams. If the Cardinals choose not to match, they would receive two first-round draft picks as compensation. But no team is going to be willing to pay that high of a price. -- Arizona Republic

Five-time Falcons Pro Bowl linebacker Keith Brooking could be among those released to the defense. ... Adding at least one defensive tackle is a priority, but it might not come at the expense of cutting players. Brooking isn't expected to play middle linebacker again � for the Falcons � and if he is back with the team, he probably would be moved to his natural weakside position. -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Penn State's Connor to Dolphins?

Only one of the consensus top inside linebackers has the kind of size Dolphins football operations head Bill Parcells considers ideal, such as the 6-5, 270-pound physique of Cleveland's Willie McGinest, whom Parcells drafted in 1994 while with the Patriots. But that one linebacker, 6-3, 233-pound Dan Connor from Penn State, also happens to be ranked in the top three among inside linebackers by most scouting outlets. -- Miami Herald

FOX Sports on MSN - Rumors - Ben Maller's NFL rumors

Insanity is defined as doing the same thing over, over, and over again...and expecting a different outcome!

SapperSaint

The fact that they(Miami) want Brian tells me they never watched a Saints game.

TheDeuce

Please Take Him, Please Please Please!!!!