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| Brunell |
Negotiations have begun between the Jaguars and quarterback Mark Brunell. The
Jaguars need to get Brunell to agree to lower his salary-cap figure for next
season, which stands at $13.35 million at the moment. The Jaguars are
hopeful that they can get that number down to about $9 million for next
season by giving Brunell a long-term extension. The Jaguars are targeting
early February to have this resolved.
While it's been reported before that the Giants have been pleased with the
development of second-round pick defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin, word is they are even
more encouraged with the rookie of late. In the playoff win against the
Eagles, Griffin had 1½: sacks and four tackles, and was used as a spy on
ultra-mobile Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. Word has it that the Giants had
Griffin ranked among the top 20 players in last year's draft. They acquired
him with the 42nd overall pick.
Even though Bears personnel boss Mark Hatley issued a statement saying he
has no intention of joining Marty Schottenheimer in Washington, we keep
hearing rumors that he will head to the Redskins after April's draft.
Though he has expressed an interest in returning to Chicago, defensive end Bryan
Robinson said he wouldn't re-sign with the team until after testing the
free-agent market.
With Terry Bradway being named the Jets' general manager, Buccaneers DB
coach/assistant head coach Herman Edwards becomes one of the candidates for
the Jets' head-coaching job. Edwards used to be an assistant with the
Chiefs, for whom Bradway was in charge of personnel, and Chiefs GM Carl
Peterson thinks very highly of Edwards.
Another scenario involving Edwards has him becoming the defensive
coordinator under new Chiefs head coach Dick Vermeil. Edwards played for the
Eagles when Vermeil was the head coach.
Jets running back coach Maurice Carthon is a long shot for the team's open
head-coaching job. We hear the Jets would prefer to give him more experience
as an assistant before turning the team over to him.
The Jets will likely allow their soon-to-become free agents to test the
market. They re-signed linebackers Mo Lewis and Bryan Cox before the resignations of
Al Groh and Bill Parcells, but we hear the other free agents aren't of major
concern to them at the moment.
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| Beuerlein |
While there were reports last week that Panthers quarterback Steve Beuerlein expects
to be fully recovered from the recent surgery he had on his left shoulder in
time for the team's April minicamp, we hear his latest injury was more
serious than initially expected, and that the 35-year-old quarterback might
not be completely healthy until the team's June minicamp.
As explosive as he is, we hear the Rams might think twice about matching
any offers that restricted free-agent wide receiver-return specialist Az-Zahir Hakim might receive
because of his persistent fumble problems this season.
Our sources will not be surprised at all if the Saints say goodbye to wide receivers
Jake Reed and Keith Poole and TE Andrew Glover this offseason.
Bills defensive end Marcellus Wiley, an unrestricted free agent, has made mention of
his fondness for former general manager John Butler, who has since taken the
position in San Diego. Although Butler refuses to comment on Wiley because
he remains employed by the Bills, it's pretty clear he could be pursued by
the Chargers once the free-agent season opens.
Former Chiefs defensive coordinator Kurt Schottenheimer says he has plenty
of options for work. Schottenheimer says he is "seriously interested" in the University of
Kansas defensive coordinator position.
There is some talk in Kansas City that veterans Tim Grunhard and James
Hasty may rethink their futures with the Chiefs now that Dick Vermeil is in
charge. Both were critical of Gunther Cunningham before his dismissal and
were not expected to be back next season.
The Bengals are reportedly close to signing free-agent offensive left tackle John Jackson to
a two-year extension that would pay him close to $2 million. The 13-year
veteran signed a one-year deal with Cincinnati before the season started and
was a leader and solid contributor for the Bengals despite missing time with
a hamstring
injury.
Material from Pro Football Weekly.
Visit PFW's web site at http://www.profootballweekly.com
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