And, please, don't even get started on involving the Miami Dolphins. Don't so much as whisper a Jason Taylor-for-Favre trade scenario. Because the Dolphins don't need — and shouldn't want — Favre. Is he better at 38 than young bucks John Beck or Chad Henne or Josh McCown or anybody else the Dolphins might trot out this year in their endless search for a quarterback to command the position? Yes. Would he be better than anybody Miami has tried since Dan Marino was great? Almost certainly. Doesn't matter.

But it's a cinch there are Miami fans salivating at the farfetched thought that Favre could and should land in South Florida if he: a) comes out of retirement, and b) is rejected by the Packers. Well, he should have stuck around until he was sure.

The truth is that Favre probably could lead the Dolphins to a couple of wins this season that they wouldn't get without him. He also would be a terrific teacher to a protégé such as Beck or Henne. But what Favre wouldn't do is push the Dolphins along a course to the future. They need to go through whatever it is they're going to go through on the climb back from 1-15, and they need to do it on their own. Favre would interrupt the timeline.

Kearse, who was arrested and charged with DUI near Vanderbilt University on June 22, told ESPN'S Paul Kuharsky that the Eagles and their fans will be surprised at how well he plays this season.

"They'll say, 'Why the hell did we let that dude go?' " Kearse said. " 'What were they thinking?' "But everything happens for a reason. Maybe it was a good reason: So I can get [hissed] off and get more motivated."

The ads are bad enough. Now fans have to live with the possibility Packers quarterback Brett Favre will unretire, or whatever it is you do when you have told the world you never will play football again, only to later wonder whether the "itch" you're feeling will require more than a mere scratch. On the other hand, what if he came out of retirement to play for the Bears? More than a few of you would change your names to Curly Lambeau for that, right?

Favre, the future Hall of Famer, apparently is struggling with his March retirement announcement, specifically the part of the announcement in which he said he was, you know, retiring. Sources have told ESPN.com that Favre is feeling the urge to play again and has told coach Mike McCarthy of his "itch" for competition. One gets the distinct feeling the Packers would prefer Favre deal with the problem by visiting a dermatologist's office, not team headquarters.

We in Chicago don't understand this, for the simple reason the Bears have been without a quarterback since 1794 B.C. If the Packers decide they no longer need a 36-year-old quarterback who led them to the NFC championship game last season, the Bears might want to take a gander at this Favre fellow. They might want to put together a caravan of Jerry Angelo, Lovie Smith and Brian Urlacher and head for Mississippi. They might want to tell Favre how much fun it would be to finish his career in Chicago. He might just appreciate being appreciated.

When Favre's agent, Bus Cook approached those other teams this spring, he told them that Favre was disappointed the Packers didn't make more of an effort to talk him out of retiring. The quarterback's mother said as much to a Milwaukee TV station this week.

"He felt like that the last couple of years, that the Packers didn't really want him back," Bonita Favre told WITI-TV. ". . . You know, it's just been bits and pieces throughout the last couple of years, things would come up, and it just didn't seem like they went out of their way to keep him. It was kind of like, 'You're done.' "

Meanwhile, Favre's brother told a Milwaukee station that he can envision No. 4 playing for another franchise if the Packers don't want him back. Scott Favre said: ""I don't see why not. I'm sure plenty of other teams would want him. If the Packers decide it's time to move on, it's time for Brett to move on, if that's the case."

Scott Favre put the chances of his brother coming out of retirement at 50/50. As it stands, there's no graceful way for Favre to return. If he comes back to Green Bay, he's stepping on Rodgers. If the Packers trade Favre, General Manager Ted Thompson is forever the guy who moved Babe Ruth.

Cut Favre loose, and there's a chance he'll wind up in a place such as Tampa Bay or Carolina — or with one of the Packers' bitter rivals, such as Minnesota or Chicago. Then again, who could have dreamed Joe Montana would finish his career with Kansas City, Franco Harris would end his in Seattle, Johnny Unitas in San Diego.

The paper reported that Favre sent a text message saying there's "no reason" for a media frenzy.

ESPN reported that an unidentified Green Bay Packers source said the 38-year-old Favre told Coach Mike McCarthy in the last two weeks that he has the itch to play.

"The Packers have no reaction," team spokesman Jeff Blumb told the Associated Press.

The Times reported in April that, according to NFL sources, Favre's agent, James "Bus" Cook, had quietly inquired with teams about their interest in trading for the three-time NFL most valuable player.

Cook didn't return a message seeking comment. Packers General Manager Ted Thompson and McCarthy were on vacation

Frank, personal and philosophical, the letter amounts to a treatise from the grave.

"Steve deserves this chance to continue to speak and it was a godsend in a way to get this," said friend and author Matt Chaney, who says he plans to quote from the document in a book titled "Spiral of Denial: Muscle Doping in American Football," due out next year.

Courson, who became one of professional sports' first steroids whistle blowers by detailing his use in a 1985 Sports Illustrated interview, wrote the letter to a former Pittsburgh Steelers teammate he played with on Super Bowl-winning teams in 1978 and 1979. Chaney believes Courson never sent it because it was unfinished.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen said Wednesday a Green Bay Packers source told him the 38-year-old Favre told coach Mike McCarthy in the past two weeks that he has the itch to play. The Packers' former quarterback retired March 6 after a 17-year career.

Cornerback Al Harris said on ESPN's NFL Live that Favre also made similar comments to him. Harris said: ``I know he has the itch to come back and play,'' Harris said. ``If he will or not, I don't know.''

The Packers had planned to use Aaron Rodgers as their quarterback for the upcoming season.

``Aaron is our quarterback,'' Harris said. ``Brett's retired. But if he wanted to come back, there would be some guys who wouldn't mind it. I would welcome him back with open arms.''

Mortensen also said his source told him the Packers would be reluctant to open the door for Favre because ``Brett retired for the right reasons, even though I know his family is tugging on him (to play).''

A message left with the Packers was not immediately returned.

There's nothing new in all this. Seldom does honor trump pragmatism in the world of professional sports. Did I say "professional"? Make that sports, period. The late and truly great Abe Lemons was once asked why he didn't have a curfew for his Oklahoma City University basketball team. " 'Cause you always catch the wrong guys," he explained.

Nothing ever changes. Talent is just too precious, and exceptions to the rule are very, very rare. Yes, Bear Bryant threw Joe Namath off the Alabama team for both the final regular- season game and the Orange Bowl during his junior year, citing "general misconduct." Go ahead. Give me another one at that level. And while you're pondering, keep in mind that the hallowed Tom Osborne did not toss that miscreant Lawrence Phillips off his squad prior to a big Nebraska bowl game.

If the allegations against Willie Andrews are true, then he absolutely, positively should have been released by the New England Patriots. Already in trouble for a postseason pot bust, he holds a gun against the head of a woman? That's not a wise career move if you are an expendable special teams player. But if the transgressor had been any one of a dozen other Patriots players, is there any doubt the star would still be employed by the team? You'd be hearing a lot about how "we're gathering the facts," and how "the legal process has to play itself out." It's a little tougher call when you think you need that player.

Please, let us not lose sight of the Pacman Jones issue. He was a participant in a Las Vegas incident in which Tom Urbanski, a bouncer at the Minxx Gentleman's Club, was shot and permanently paralyzed from the waist down. During the course of the altercation, which began when Pacman and his buddies were "raining" money down on the dancers, Jones grabbed a dancer and punched her in the face before threatening another security man, saying, "I'm gonna [expletive] kill ya'; matter of fact, all yous are gonna get it."

And yes, Jerry Jones did say the talks with Terry Glenn probably ends any discussion for a veteran wide receiver. Jones was even asked about the Horn rumors. Jones denied the reports. But that's what he's supposed to do because he can't talk about players on other teams under contract. However, say, Glenn refuses to sign the injury wavier the Cowboys want him to sign so he can get on the field. If that's the case, the Cowboys could release Glenn and then try to get Horn.

James Gould, Glenn's agent, is talking to the team in an attempt to get his client back on the field. The Cowboys have told Glenn numerous times he would get cut if he doesn't sign the injury wavier.

The assumption is based on a perception that Cook has been yapping openly (but not yet publicly) about Favre's supposed desire to play in 2008. Because Favre seems, at least superficially, to be content with the notion of retirement, the assumption then is that Cook is trying to get Favre to change his mind and unretire.

Cook said in the immediate wake of Favre's decision to retire that Cook thinks Favre wanted to play in 2008, but that Favre believed the Packers didn't want him to return. There also was a report from Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times of Cook quietly shopping Favre via trade, and we later confirmed that report.

If Favre would decide to play, his options would be to play for the Packers or no one. As to the Packers, the options would to welcome him back (and pay him an eight-figure base salary), trade him, or cut him loose.

Clearly the Texans situation would be appealing to Benson. He would be close to home and playing in front of a crowd that includes Longhorn fans who may be inclined to give him another chance. Kyle Shanahan, the offensive coordinator for the Texans played on the same University of Texas team as Benson.

And most importantly, the Texans have a need for better running back play. Their group of backs is still not where you want it to be for a team that aspires to dominate in the running game.

Last season, Hagler started seven regular-season games and then the AFC Divisional Playoff against the San Diego Chargers. He finished the season with 54 tackles and one sack. His absence sets up an intriguing position battle in which several other young Indianapolis linebackers will be given the chance to win additional playing time.

Clint Session, a fourth-round pick in 2007 out of Pittsburgh, shined in the limited opportunities he had last season; he now could get more. The Colts invested a third-round pick in Georgia Tech linebacker Philip Wheeler, and he is expected to be given his chance. Victor Worsley, an undrafted free agent from North Carolina, also will be given a shot.

But a bigger problem for the Colts might be the fact that they keep losing bodies before camp begins. With teams allowed to bring only 80 players to camp, Indianapolis will be somewhat shorthanded. Starters expected to miss some of camp include wide receiver Marvin Harrison, defensive end Dwight Freeney, safety Bob Sanders and now Hagler.

But Meyer was at fault, Henry's lawyer told a Hamilton County Municipal Court jury Tuesday.

"The aggressor clearly was Greg Meyer," attorney Perry Ancona said this afternoon in his closing argument.

Henry likely needs to be acquitted if he hopes to continue his professional football career. The Bengals cut him days after his arrest, costing Henry a $520,000 salary this year. At the time of the incident, Henry was charged with criminal damaging and assault. But the judge ruled Friday that prosecutors didn't prove Henry threw a beer bottle through a window on Meyer's car, so the charge was dismissed. Now, the jury is considering if Henry is guilty of assault after Meyer said the formal Bengal punched him.

The ten tickets commemorate great moments in Patriots history. And a franchise that has been to six Super Bowls, winning three of them, should be able to quickly come up with a ten-pack of great moments - for example, the six AFC title game victories, the three Super Bowl wins, and the Snow Bowl/Tuck Rule game against the Raiders in the 2001 playoffs that launched the run of three Super Bowl titles in four seasons.

But, somehow, the Pats have opted to include their largest single-game margin of victory as one of the ten moments.

Possibly because the team on the wrong end of that 56-3 score was the New York Jets.

Sapp was never shy about speaking his mind, and in an interview with the St. Petersburg Times last week, he took a powerful swipe at longtime Buccaneers defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin. While Kiffin is widely respected in NFL circles, Sapp fingered him as leading the charge for him being released after nine seasons in Tampa Bay. "It was always his defense, and he barked people out of the building," Sapp said. "It was too much about him."

And Sapp's thoughts on the Raiders? "Stuff went on in that organization that shouldn't go on in sports," he said. "I don't think there's one person who knows who is making the call."

2. NFC East: N.Y. Giants, Dallas, Philadelphia, Washington

3. AFC North: Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Baltimore

4. AFC East : New England, Buffalo, N.Y. Jets, Miami

5. NFC North: Green Bay, Minnesota, Chicago, Detroit

6. NFC South: Tampa Bay, New Orleans, Carolina, Atlanta

7. NFC West: Seattle, Arizona, San Francisco, St. Louis

8. AFC West: San Diego, Denver, Kansas City, Oakland

"I have contract offers on the table and could have signed a deal early in free agency," said Law, who after requesting his release from the Chiefs following his second season in Kansas City remains an unrestricted free agent. "There is no rush for me at this point. I'm just going to wait for the right situation and the best fit for both me and the team."

Law visited the New York Jets, and has had phone discussions with Bill Belichick in New England and Romeo Crennel in Cleveland. At 34, he knows that some might think his best days are behind him. Not that he needs the motivation, but such talk is indeed fueling him to get into tip-top shape as he's once again working out with noted strength and speed coach Bob Kersee.

The Cleveland Browns would seemingly be the perfect landing spot. Cleveland was thin at cornerback after trading starter Leigh Bodden to Detroit in the Shaun Rogers deal, and then lost Daven Holly —- who was set to compete for a starting job - to a season-ending knee injury in offseason work.

But general manager Phil Savage has said the Browns don't have much room in their budget. Of course, that could always change if the team gets to training camp and realizes a cornerback of Law's ilk might indeed be the final piece to make a legitimate run at the AFC championship.

Spicer, 32, is a nine-year veteran. He was due to earn $2.5 million in 2008, the final year of his contract.

In 2007, his eighth year with the Jags, Spicer appeared in 15 games, starting 12 of them. He'll likely be counted on to provide leadership and depth if/when rookies Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves develop, and the magnitude of the salary indicates that Spicer will still be a key component of the rotation.

Davenport, who became expendable when the Steelers picked running back Rashard Mendenhall in the first round of the draft, had career highs in carries (107), yards (499) and touchdowns (five) in 2007.

As the eighth overall pick, Harvey likely will want a deal similar to the one signed by last year's No. 8 pick, Atlanta Falcons defensive end Jamaal Anderson — a five-year deal that could max out at $31 million, with more than $15 million in guarantees. Harvey is represented by Ken Kremer of CAA football, an agency that includes Tom Condon, who represented former Jaguars quarterback Byron Leftwich when he was a holdout in 2003.

The Jaguars would like Harvey in camp on time because they want him to make an immediate impact on their pass rush this season, and a holdout could be a setback for him.

Paul Vance, who negotiates contracts for the Jaguars, said the two sides are continuing to have discussions.

The Associated Press reports that a federal judge has given the fan, a Jets season ticket holder named Carl J. Mayer, more time to amend his lawsuit, in which he accuses the Patriots and Bill Belichick of "deceiving customers" by taping opponents' signals.

Mayer claims new revelations have been uncovered thanks to Senator Arlen Specter looking into the matter, although it's not clear what those revelations are.

Mayer says ticket holders paid a combined $61.6 million to watch eight "fraudulent" games and are therefore entitled to triple that amount, $184.8 million, under the federal RICO Act and the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act.

Williams told the Associated Press that t his limited gridiron action over the past four years has kept his body from accumulating too much wear and tear and will translate to success on the field this season. It's also given him a new insight into himself, which has led to a renewed desire to leave behind a better NFL legacy than that of a pothead who squandered considerable talent.

"It was never something I thought about until it turned into a negative legacy. Now it's my responsibility to make the life of my family and my children better [by] leaving the game on a positive note . . . I think people need to know I'm dependable."

"I'm definitely excited about it, and I know he's excited about it too, especially when we get in two-minute situations, and he takes command of the offense and is able to move our team down the field so easily. He does such a good job. I'm able to point out a couple things here and there ... ," Crumpler said. "It's just been a match made in heaven thus far."

Call it a welcome fresh start for a man looking to escape Atlanta and the mess he had endured last year with coach Bobby Petrino, who abruptly left before his first NFL season had ended.

"I love those fans in Atlanta. The situation that was last season, I'm just glad it's over with and I'm glad I have a fresh start somewhere else. I ... sure don't want to be there right now," said Crumpler, a four-time Pro Bowler.

To make sure he didn't make a mistake moving onto a new team, the seven-year veteran did his homework and chose Tennessee because he felt the Titans are a contender.

What makes Crumpler so happy? Finding himself on a team filled with players who push themselves to work harder. The feeling has been mutual for a team whose biggest offseason catch was Crumpler with his 316 receptions for 4,212 yards and 35 touchdowns. Even in 2007 when Crumpler missed a couple games with a sore knee, he still caught 42 passes for 444 yards. His five TD catches would have led the Titans, who had only nine TD passes in 2007.

So the players wear helmets and no pads. Brayton looked good in OTAs, but then everyone does. Camp will be different, with the intensity ratcheted up and Brayton ramming into Carolina's revamped and enlarged offensive line. There in Spartanburg, someone - whether it's Brayton or one of the youngsters, Stanley McClover or Charles Johnson - must assert himself and take control of the position if the Panthers' defense is to be of playoff quality.

For now, at least, Brayton feels reborn in the sport.

Brayton was supposed to be a star. Oakland drafted him out of Colorado in the first round in 2003, but then spent the next five years trying to decide what to do with him. The Raiders worked him some at defensive end, some at outside linebacker; he even played a little defensive tackle in passing situations.

By the time those five seasons were up, Brayton had a total of six sacks and no contract offer from Oakland. Others were interested, though, including Carolina, which was losing Mike Rucker to retirement. So Brayton came east to try again, signing a two-year deal

What does he think the Giants should do with disillusioned tight end Jeremy Shockey?

"He doesn't want to play here; that's obvious with everything that's going on," Strahan told Newsday yesterday after being introduced as the newest cast member on "Fox NFL Sunday."

"I don't think you gain much by keeping a guy around. Regardless of how well he plays for you, there's always that tension, and that's one thing you can't have if you're expected to go back and repeat."

Strahan added Shockey might do his job well, but that doesn't mean he would be happy.

"You don't need that out of one of your leaders," the recently retired defensive end said. "So I think the best thing for them and for Shockey is if they have the opportunity, let him go."

That's the kind of thing Fox will be looking for from Strahan, who signed a four-year deal believed to be worth about $2.3 million a year after fielding offers from other networks.

Sheppard was asked by a local television station about his status with the Eagles. (You can access the video from the link above, too.)

"That part of the business has to take care of itself," Sheppard said. "I'm just preparing myself to play, wherever that might be, but I'm going to be ready."

Of course, the thing that stands out is the phrase "wherever that might be." Hard to know what his intent was, without being able to ask any follow-up questions.

Perhaps, Sheppard is just being realistic as trade rumors persist, despite assertions by Andy Reid and defensive coordinator Jim Johnson that Sheppard remains a big part of the Eagles' plans. Perhaps, Sheppard is girding himself for the possibility that he might not be with the team. Perhaps, it means nothing.

However, Sheppard's status will continue to be a talking point as the offseason continues and training camp approaches. Sheldon Brown, Sheppard's fellow corner, was sure that Sheppard would show up for the start of camp for one reason: the fines for not showing up.

The best way to find a cornerback may be to find a team looking for a tight end or a fullback. Think about all the tight ends on the Cleveland roster: Kellen Winslow, Steve Heiden, Martin Rucker and Darnell Dinkins. The Browns believe Dinkins has made a lot of progress, based on how he played in the organized team activities and minicamp. They also like how Rucker, the rookie from Missouri, caught the ball. It was exciting to see how Winslow has recovered from his latest knee surgery and played well in minicamp. Heiden was ahead of schedule from back surgery. They have a tight end to spare. That's probably Dinkins, who has been in the league for six years.

Another possible player for trade is Charles Ali, although the Browns love the way their 270-pound fullback blocks. Ali is behind Lawrence Vickers, whom the Browns believe will develop into a consistent Pro Bowl fullback. He is above average in blocking, running and even catching passes from the fullback spot. Ali could be attractive to a team needing a fullback with a cornerback to spare. Or they could package a tight end like Dinkins and Ali.

Many athletes take corticosteroids in the form of cortisone shots, which are neither illegal nor banned by professional sports leagues. But Bradshaw then brought up late Steve Courson, his former teammate in those years.

Courson certainly used anabolic steroids, describing to Sports Illustrated in 1985 a complex regimen of Anadrol-50, Dianabol, Winstrol and Deca Durobilin. He became an avowed anti-steroid activist before he died in 2005 in a tree-cutting accident.

"Steve Courson didn't die of steroid use but he had severe problems with it," Bradshaw said.

Bradshaw said the medical care in the years he played in the NFL was less than stellar and that a recent MRI revealed two broken vertebrae he was unaware of.

Benson is facing separate charges of boating and driving while intoxicated. Travis County Court-at-Law Judge Elisabeth Earle ordered him to install the device as a condition of his bail at a pretrial hearing Monday.

On May 3, the former Texas star was charged with boating while intoxicated on Lake Travis and resisting arrest. A few weeks later, he was charged with driving while intoxicated when he was pulled over in downtown Austin.

The Bears cut Benson after the second arrest. Chicago drafted him in the first round in 2005

"He's African-American," Mr. Wolf responded.

"Well, there you go," Mr. Imus said. "Now we know."

Mr. Imus's comment was soon picked up on several Web sites, including Politico.com and Deadspin.com, a sports site, as well as the America Online home page.

Asked in an e-mail message what he had intended by his remark, Mr. Imus wrote, "I meant he was being picked on because he's black." He added that the veteran black comedian and activist Dick Gregory would be a guest on his show on Tuesday, to discuss the death of George Carlin.

"We'll see what he thinks," Mr. Imus wrote. "I mean ... come on!"

Sims chose the 49ers because they offered him the best chance to compete for a starting job. The Ravens are looking to start Jared Gaither at left tackle this season following the recent retirement of Jonathan Ogden.

"I had to go through these whole OTAs healthy, which was my number one goal," Finneran said. "I'll just look forward to training camp now."

Few players have made it back into the league after missing two full seasons. Last season, Falcons quarterback Chris Redman achieved that feat.

"It's rare that it happens," Finneran said. "I think six guys have done it since 1994. It's tough to do."

Finneran appreciated the new coaching staff's understanding.

"If I feel like it's getting sore I can talk to those guys, they understand and I can take some plays off or something," Finneran said.

Things are so good with the Cowboys that Terrell Owens is all smiles, a happy camper with a new, $34 million deal. Things are so bad with the Giants that wide receiver Plaxico Burress attends off-season workouts but refuses to participate because he's upset at making less than half of what Owens is getting. Things are so good with the Cowboys that Adam Jones is a new man, his troubled "Pacman" persona a thing of the past. Things are so bad with the Giants that they don't know who will start in place of their retired longtime Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan.

Things are so good with the Cowboys that coach Wade Phillips thinks young wide receivers Miles Austin and Sam Hurd can fill the void if the team can't come to terms with Terry Glenn. Things are so bad with the Giants that one Super Bowl running back (Brandon Jacobs) wants a new contract while the other one (Ahmad Bradshaw) sits in a Virginia jail cell.

Can all of this really be true? Have the Cowboys honestly replaced the Super Bowl champions as NFC favorites? Well, it's true that much has happened this off-season to favor Dallas. The Giants did not add a player with the capacity to be as much of a playmaker as Jones, who can do it both at cornerback and as a punt returner when he can avoid his off-the-field problems. And New York is suffering the Super Bowl hangover that can infect a team sometimes for an entire season. It can happen anywhere, but when a team from New York wins something, there is a tendency to overdo it.

But the reality is that if the Giants have taken full advantage of the New York media market to capitalize on their Super Bowl, the status of their troubles is much exaggerated, too. And that's why they still go into the 2008 season as the favored team. Not the Cowboys according to Dallas Morning New columnist Tim Cowlishaw.

Philbin, entering his second season as Packers offensive coordinator, is not slighting one of the game's all-time competitors. Far from it. His thoughts reflect more of a vote of confidence for fourth-year man Aaron Rodgers, who faces the challenge of following up Favre's remarkable iron-man streak of 253 regular-season starts. Can Rodgers get it done?

It just might be the top question in the NFL entering the 2008 season.

"It's sort of like when you went to watch Roger Clemens pitch in the late '80s, you knew he could throw the ball - and this guy can, too," Philbin said. "That's probably the first thing that excites you about him, and that's a great place to start. I think people are going to be impressed with his arm strength and accuracy. Ultimately, at some point in time, in a tight situation, or a tight coverage, you're going to have to put the ball in the right spot, at the right time, with the right velocity. I think he has the qualities to get that done."

As fan protests mounted and Congress threatened to get involved, the NFL unexpectedly reversed field and allowed NBC and CBS to also broadcast the game, which the Patriots won. Earlier in the season, the dispute had restricted viewership of a game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers to those whose cable television systems carried the NFL Network.

The NFL and ESPN on Friday declined to confirm or deny that talks are underway

"My view on the overall situation is that we may well see the other shoe drop somewhere," Specter said. "We went about as far as we could go, given the public attitude today about the economy and gas prices and Iraq. We're always very careful about initiating a Congressional investigation.

"But that isn't to say, by any means, it's over."

An NFL spokesman declined to comment. Specter said he had not talked to Commissioner Roger Goodell recently, but they now hold similar positions on the videotaping controversy that came to light last September.

They have promised to revisit the controversy and the Patriots should new information become available. They differ on the likelihood of new information coming out.

"Oh, people haven't asked," corrected Keenan, who has tested the resolve of his goalies more than once over the years. "I've just volunteered the information."

Keenan has been around long enough to know the value of a pre-emptive strike in situations such as these. Clearing the air with his players and easing fan apprehension aren't the only things Keenan has been up to since the Flames' campaign ended in April.

Emery's buyout marks the end of a tumultous era with the Ottawa Senators. At one time, Emery was considered the future of the Senators between the pipes. But a series of incidents this season, including showing up to practice late on several occasions, soured Emery's relationship with the team.

The move comes as no surprise to neither Emery, nor his agent JP Barry. Back in April, following the Senators' elimination from the playoffs, Murray confirmed that Emery would not return to the team. Emery went 12-13-4 with a 3.13 GAA and a .890 save percentage in 31 games this year.

Cloutier played just nine games for the Kings this year. He spent most of the season with Manchester of the AHL and sidelined with a hip injury.

"While the details of exactly what happened in the hours leading up to the assault remain sketchy, we do know Javon Walker was attacked and whoever is responsible is still out there.''

The Oakland Raiders receiver claims that gunmen appeared at his room at Bellagio, knocked him unconscious, robbed him, and then dragged to him a car and dumped him in the street.

Metro Police say they interviewed Walker Tuesday night at Sunrise Hospital. The NFL player reportedly lost more than $100,000 worth of cash and jewelry. Walker claims

According to the Green Bay Press-Gazette, General Manager Ted Thompson brought in three veterans for offseason physicals and interviews as potential backups for Rodgers: Gus Frerotte, Quinn Gray and Daunte Culpepper. According to a source with knowledge of the situation, Thompson offered a contract to only Culpepper, who in the spring turned down a one-year deal worth about $1 million.

So Thompson turned to the NFL draft, where he selected Brohm in the second round, No. 56 overall. Brohm has had his share of struggles in the offseason workouts that finished Thursday, but the Packers have seen enough in him that they appear unlikely to bring in a veteran to compete for the No. 2 job before training camp starts in late July. They'll bring in a veteran only if Brohm has a particularly difficult time in the first two or three weeks of practice and exhibition play.

"Daunte's a good guy," receiver Donald Driver said, "but I guess he felt like he wanted to come in and vie for a starting spot and (the Packers) already knew who their starting quarterback was. So what do you do? They felt like if he didn't want the title to be a backup, you have to move on."

But Johnson said Thursday that he hopes his fans here understand the trade tirades had nothing to do with his feelings for them and it was venting from a 7-9 season and what he felt was a lack of attention to upgrading the defense. What he called "in-house" criticism also set him off. He doesn't think he had a good year ("I set a high standard," he says), but he also knows he's not the only one.

"I love them. I hope they understand it's just business," Johnson said. "I felt in that three-month period the best thing for me was to get out of Cincinnati. I was just going through some things and I thought it was the best move for me. Obviously not. I'm still here. Yeah, it was the losing. It got on my nerves.

"I did everything under the sun to get out of here. I acted psycho. I posed my case. I talked with my owner, who loves me dearly. He must. Those offers were unheard of. And he still said no. Really, I'm not that good."

Bengals president Mike Brown informed Johnson that he was going nowhere because the club didn't believe it could immediately replace the value of a four-time AFC receiving yardage champion. That included Washington's offer of what amounted to two first-round draft picks. Plus, the Bengals didn't want to deal with salary cap acceleration.

Clark refused to disclose what criminal charge Lynch will face in court. He expects the investigation and prosecution of the traffic offense will be resolved "by midweek next week." Clark said that after "a great deal of back and forth" negotiations, he and Lynch's attorney, Michael P. Caffery, "have reached an agreement in principle."

"Once it's undertaken, it will resolve this matter," he added.

But he refused to say the nature of the expected misdemeanor or traffic violation that Lynch will be charged with. Lynch left town last week after the end of the Bills minicamp and Caffery is in Chicago for the graduation of his son from Northwestern University. Neither could be reached for comment.

Clark stressed that "the whole agreement is predicated on the fact that he (Lynch) was driving the vehicle" that struck an Ontario woman at about 3:30 a.m. May 31 at Delaware Avenue and Chippewa Street. Clark stressed that "I'm not dismissing the charges," meaning a guilty plea must be entered.

The Bears have called a Friday morning news conference to announce a package that will make Harris the NFL's highest-paid defensive tackle. Harris was at a gathering with family and friends Thursday night celebrating his new largesse and paused only briefly to send a text message that said, "I'm blessed."

The Bears feel just as fortunate to have locked up young, core defensive players Harris and linebacker Lance Briggs this off-season. Briggs was an unrestricted free agent and Harris was headed there, entering the final year of his rookie contract.

The 49ers took Morgan in the sixth round after his four-year career at Virginia Tech. Morgan led the Hokies last season with 46 catches for 552 yards and five touchdowns.

San Francisco still is working on a deal with first-round pick Kentwan Balmer, a defensive lineman from North Carolina.

"The underlying charge in this matter stems from an offense which occurred while Mr. Bradshaw was a juvenile," his attorney, Charles A. Stacy, said in a statement. The charge came from the Tazewell County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, which serves Bradshaw's hometown of Bluefield, Va.

Bradshaw, 22, had run-ins with the law before he was drafted by the Giants. In 2006, while at Marshall University in West Virginia, he pleaded guilty to petty larceny. In 2004, he pleaded guilty to underage alcohol possession and resisting arrest. Those incidents caused him to drop in the draft until the Giants selected him in the seventh round. They also constituted the violation of probation from the sealed juvenile charge in Tazewell County.

"We are aware of the situation and have been in contact with Ahmad's legal representative," the Giants said in a statement. "This situation is not the result of any recent incident. It stems from an issue that occurred prior to Ahmad being drafted by the Giants. Beyond that, we have no further comment."

In speaking to the media Wednesday for the first time since a story surfaced last week linking him to convicted steroids dealer David Jacobs, Fowler was asked if he could definitively say he had never done steroids, and answered, "I can tell you that."

Fowler's attorney Peter Ginsberg said last week when the story surfaced that Fowler had never had a positive test during his NFL career.

Jacobs, who was found dead along with a female companion in his suburban Dallas home recently, had told The Dallas Morning News of a relationship with Fowler when the linebacker played for the Dallas Cowboys. Fowler signed with the Titans as a restricted free agent in 2007, receiving a four-year, $11.5 million package.

Under terms of the NFL's policy for banned substances, Fowler could face the discipline of a four-game suspension from the league if it is ruled he has committed a violation. But both he and Titans coach Jeff Fisher sounded cautiously optimistic Wednesday that the matter would be resolved in his favor.

"Obviously, it's not good for us to have Antonio on the sidelines," Chandler said recently. "For me personally, it's a good opportunity to get a lot of reps and to really improve."

Chandler is betting that Gates will be ready when the regular season begins Sept. 7, but he is preparing as if Gates won't be recovered. He's among many people in the organization stunned that Gates played in two playoff games in January with a dislocated toe.

"He can't walk during the week and he gets a little boost at game time, a little adrenaline rush," said Chandler, shaking his head. "He's obviously a tough guy. He loves to play the game, so I'm sure he'll be out there when he can be."

Chandler would like to be out on the field, too. He appeared in just one game last season as a rookie after being the team's fourth-round draft choice out of Iowa.

Gostfrand says that while "initially, studio work is more appealing" to Strahan, the just-retired New York Giants defensive lineman is also interested in calling games - and going beyond football: "Anything from sitcoms to movies to hosting his own late-night talk show. Hosting a late-night talk show would be his dream."

Don't laugh. Sometimes, nearly iconic sports figures — Bill Walsh, Joe Montana, Bob Knight and, now, Brett Favre — get shots at TV stardom because their fame trumps questions about how they might perform. Those on-air experiments produced mixed results, such as Montana's deer-in-the-headlights demeanor.

But Strahan, after engaging cameos on various networks while playing in the NFL, is seen as a can't-miss. Like Johnny Miller, Bill Walton, Cris Collinsworth, John McEnroe and Barkley, he combines athletic stardom with a willingness to talk smack. Blurting out thoughts without seeming to worry whether others will agree, approve even comprehend them can produce great live TV.

"We don't comment on rumors," Dolphins spokesman Harvey Greene said of the report.

The story explains the Packers are in need of pass-rush help with Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila coming back from knee surgery. Packers defensive coordinator Bob Sanders and defensive assistant Robert Nunn know Taylor well because they were on the Dolphins' staff under Dave Wannstedt.

"Anytime you can get a guy of that caliber, you'd want to try to get him," Nunn said. "But I don't get involved in anything like that. All I know is that when I coached him, he was a great football player and a great person. I hope it works out for him because he's had such a great career, and I'd hate to see it end on a bad note in the public's eye. The guy is such an outstanding individual and a great football player, and I just hope for the best for Jason and hope it ends well, and he's able to compete for a Super Bowl."

The article goes on to say Packers GM Ted Thompson might not be willing to meet the Dolphins' asking price for Taylor. Thompson wasn't willing to part with anything better than a fifth-round pick last year for WR Randy Moss.

''We like the running backs we have right now,'' Smith said. ''We don't have any plans to [sign one]. From Matt to Adrian Peterson to Garrett Wolfe to P.J. Pope, Matt Lawrence, we like all of our players, and those are the ones that we're going with.''

So scratch Kevin Jones off your list, as well as Shaun Alexander, Ron Dayne and Lamont Jordan (if he's finally cut). And if you even considered Travis Henry in the first place, you must have been dreaming.

It looks like the Bears are treating the release of Cedric Benson as addition by subtraction, ensuring at least one new starter — Forte — on an offense that might not have a starting quarterback named until the end of August.

But Grant doesn't want to anger his coaches or teammates in the process, so he has been in Green Bay for the team's offseason workout program, attended meetings and been present for practices — even if he isn't participating in them.

"I want to let it be known that I'm a part of this team and I want to be one of the leaders," Grant said Tuesday. "I want to do everything possible. The business aspect doesn't allow me to practice, but everything I can do, I'm definitely doing."

Grant was in uniform Tuesday morning, hitting a blocking sled at the other end of the Packers' indoor practice facility while his teammates ran plays.

The surgery was "completed without complication." Given that every surgical procedure involving a pro athlete is always touted as a success (even with a staph infection), we can assume that this means only that Johnson's foot and ankle were not accidentally amputated during the operation.

Johnson is expected to be ready for training camp, which opens on July 27.

Though the rumors don't implicate Mayweather, the unfounded innuendo making the rounds on the web are that Mayweather and Walker were in a champagne bidding war at some point over the weekend, and that at some point thereafter one or more persons with ties to Mayweather came across Walker and proceeded to pound the living crap out of him. Of course, it's entirely possible that the rumors among NFL players trace to the Internet rumors, and not to anyone who knows anything about what happened.

As for Walker, it's unknown whether he has said anything to anyone about what occurred. There's a chance that Walker will opt for the "I don't remember nothing" approach, if he has any concerns about possible retaliation. Per media reports, Walker was robbed of $3,000 in cash and $100,000 in jewelry.

Walker claims: "I was just back at my room and at about 5:30 in the morning, I got a knock at the door, I opened it and 3 guys with guns were there, they cracked me in the head a few times knocking me unconcious [sic]. They then robbed me of everything I had- my watch- money- everything! Somehow they got me to the car and dropped me off in the street. That's what happened."

Instead of attempting to adopt a new moniker (e.g., "T-Bone"), Jones simply wants to be known as "Adam."

Jones is, as a practical matter, parting ways with an identity that has been with him for most of his life. The name was applied to Jones during infancy, because of the zeal with which he attacked a bottle of milk. But maybe Jones realizes that the time has come for him to part ways with the person he has been for most of his life. Though it's symbolic, it's a symbol that he just might be maturing.

"It's one of the most amazing comebacks that I've seen," Gruden said. "He hasn't come back yet, but he is banging on the door. Our fans would be proud of him."

Williams suffered a career-threatening knee injury on Sept. 30, 2007, against Carolina, tearing his patellar tendon after sprinting up the right sideline on an 18-yard gain. He tried to plant his right leg to cut and was simultaneously knocked to the ground by a hard hit from Panthers SS Chris Harris. Williams had surgery in October and has been rehabilitating since. While the coaching staff initially believed Williams would not play in 2008, prompting the immediate re-signing of Michael Bennett and the acquisition of Warrick Dunn, his progress has many around One Buc Place believing he could see the field this season. During Tuesday's practice, Williams did several 100-yard sprints, including some at full speed.

"He's ready to go now, if you ask him," Gruden said. "He's really putting some good tape together in his individual workouts ... the explosive movement appears to be coming back. Change of direction, confidence, stamina, all those things day after day after day a running back has to do are coming to him. That's what's really exciting.

"He doesn't appear to have any setbacks at this point. I just keep my fingers crossed and hope it continues, because it's exciting."

An example is that, during the team's voluntary workouts, he's getting the ball to receivers more quickly in blitz situations rather relying on his protection to save the play.

"Alex is very athletic," Nolan said. "He probably has the strongest arm of all the guys. He's really intelligent. Now he's got to go in there and put in four quarters and move the ball consistently and make plays he should make."

Given Smith's physical advantages, is it fair to say he has an edge at this point?

"I wouldn't go there right now," Nolan said. "For one, I don't have to go there."

Challenger Shaun Hill tends to play better in games than he shows in practice, Nolan said. "Shaun's been OK in practice, but he's that type of player."

"There has been no significant movement from the Titans on a long-term deal since prior to the Combine in February and I don't think this will change before July 15,'' agent Chad Speck said in an e-mail. We have spoken several times in the past few weeks and our conversations have recently focused on an idea that I proposed in March which would require Albert to sign the tender but in return the Titans would agree not to use the franchise tag on him again next year.''

The Titans, who declined to comment on Tuesday, designated Haynesworth their franchise player in February. If the two sides don't agree to a long-term contract by July 15, Haynesworth would play this fall under a one-year, $7.25-million contract that can't be extended until after the last game of the regular season.

If the Titans agree to Speck's request, they would have to sign Haynesworth to a long-term contract next offseason or risk losing him to another team in free agency. The Collective Bargaining Agreement allows teams to place the franchise tag on a player for up to three years in a row.

"If there's one thing I learned growing up in that area it's that you can't worry about" expectations, Ryan said by telephone from Atlanta last week. "You can't even think about it. If you do, if you get caught up in it, it can only distract you. For me, I certainly have high expectations for myself and what I want to accomplish as a player. You have to live up to those expectations, and that's really the way I've gone about it."

As the Falcons this week finish up their final minicamp of the off-season, Ryan essentially is third on the depth chart, behind journeymen Chris Redman and Joey Harrington and alongside D.J. Shockley. But as Smith has said since taking over in January, every starting position — including quarterback — is up for grabs. No one associated with the Falcons wants to rush Ryan, but no one is going to baby him, either.

Team president Rich McKay told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution at the time that signing Ryan was "the right thing to do so he doesn't at all fall behind where he has one of those rookie years where he never catches up."

Translation: We need him, and we need him now.

Lynch's attorney, Michael P. Caffery, told The Buffalo News this morning that he hopes to have the case resolved soon, but he declined to comment further.

"We'd like to obtain a resolution soon," Caffery said. "I can't say any more than that."

He declined to say whether Lynch, 22, now plans to tell investigators his version of what happened early on the morning of May 31, when his vehicle struck and injured a woman in the Chippewa Street area.

District Attorney Frank J. Clark would only tell The News he hopes his office will file some kind of criminal charges in the case sometime this week. He said he could not be more specific.