FIEDLER HAS HIP SURGERY
Dolphins quarterback Jay Fiedler underwent arthroscopic surgery on Saturday to repair torn cartilage in his left hip, according to the Miami Herald.
The problem was spotted earlier in the week, after Fiedler reported discomfort in the joint. An MRI confirmed the problem.
Fielder had a similar procedure on his right hip in early August of 2000, which forced him to miss three pre-season games.
Though Fielder is expected to miss joint practices and a scrimmage with the Titans on August 2 and 3, he is expected to be ready for the first exhibition game.
In Fiedler's absence, Ray Lucas will take the snaps with the first-team offense, and this development likely will intensify the team's search for a veteran backup. As we previously have reported, Miami is looking to add a veteran third-stringer in lieu of the pair of undrafted free agents who otherwise will fight for the job.
CAP CUTS COMING FOR THE PANTHERS?
According to the Gaston Gazette, Panthers G.M. Marty Hurney acknowledges that more cap room will be needed to sign rookie first-rounder Julius Peppers and second-rounder DeShaun Foster.
Thus, contracts will need to be restructured, and cuts might be required.
Though Hurney wouldn't comment on possible candidates for the chopping block, the Gazette fingers defensive end Jay Williams, offensive tackle Melvin Tuten, linebacker Hannibal Navies, defensive tackle Brentson Buckner, and safety Damien Richardson as possible victims.
A big part of the problem is more than $10 million in dead money under the Panthers' 2002 cap. Former cornerbacks Jimmy Hitchcock and Doug Evans account for $6.1 million alone -- even though the seven cornerbacks presently on the roster will chew up a mere $2.5 million in 2002 cap space.
PHILLIPS UPDATE: 2 TD'S
Former NFL back Lawrence Phillips rushed for 105 yards and two more touchdowns in the Montreal Alouettes' recent 26-20 win over Saskatchewan.
Phillips leads the league with six scores in three games (all wins) with the 'Ettes. He also has 299 yards rushing.
Phillips previously walked out of Montreal training camp in a storm of irrational complaints. He returned less than a week later, and both sides have benefited from the change of heart.
So far.
NUGGETS
PATRIOTS: The team added another former Jet on Saturday. According to the New York Daily News, the Pats signed S Victor Green, presumably to a one-year minimum-salary deal. Green joins DL Rick Lyle, DL Steve Martin, S Chris Hayes, and CB Tony Scott as former Jets who have made the intra-division move to the Pats. Green was released by the Jets in February.
CARDINALS: Mike Freeman of the New York Times offers an intriguing reason for former NFL defensive back Pat Tillman's decision to retire prematurely and join the Army. Says Freeman, "It is believed that someone close to Tillman died in the [Sept. 11] attacks, but no one knows for sure." Why the mystery? Because Tillman and his brother (who also signed up for service) are saying nothing, and family members have kept quiet, too.
LIONS: The Detroit News reports that CB Andre Goodman, the Lions' third-round draft choice from South Carolina, has agreed to terms on a three-year contract. Goodman's contract reportedly calls for a signing bonus of $538,000 and a 2002 base salary of $225,000.
COWBOYS: Owner/G.M. Jerry Jones has hired former offensive coordinator Jack Reilly as a consultant, according to the Dallas Morning News. Jones reportedly offered the job to Reilly, who is 57, in order to enable him to qualify for a pension sooner. With three more years of service, Reilly's pension will kick in at age 60, instead of at age 65. "He gave it everything he had and was a good soldier, and that factored into it," Jones said. "He's not here day-to-day, and that was never the intent. But Jack's available to look at different things in personnel or otherwise." Reilly served as quarterbacks coach in 1997, and as offensive coordinator in 2000 and 2001.
POSTED 9:01 a.m. EDT, UPDATED 10:35 a.m. EDT, July 13, 2002 (SATURDAY)
HUTCHINSON TO START FOR COWBOYS?
A league source tells us that Chad Hutchinson has drawn rave reviews at the Cowboys' final off-season quarterback school -- and that some in the organization now believe he eventually will wrest the stating job from second-year signal-caller Quincy Carter.
This is the first pro season for Hutchinson, a former Stanford quarterback who spurned the NFL for major league baseball in 1998.
In January, the Cowboys signed Hutchinson to a seven-year deal with a $3.1 million bonus and $5 million in total guaranteed money over the first three years of the contract.
Hutchinson, 24, started 23 games for Stanford in 1996 and 1997, completing 379 of 627 passes for 4,235 yards, 20 touchdowns and 22 interceptions.
DOLPHINS STILL LOOKING FOR D-LINEMEN
According to a league source, the Miami Dolphins remain in the market for additional defensive linemen, despite the recent addition of free-agent end Rob Burnett.
The source tells us that the Dolphins plan to enter the pursuit of newly-reinstated defensive tackle John Evans. The Titans and the Jets are the other primary suitors for Evans, whose widely-rumored indefinite suspension for violation of the league's substance abuse policy abruptly evaporated early this week.
The Dolphins also are keeping a close eye on the fate of Panthers defensive end Jay Williams, according to the source. Though Williams' impasse with the Panthers temporarily was resolved last month with a decision that he'd report for training camp under the terms of his current contract, the Panthers still could decide to give him a pay-cut-or-else ultimatum. If Williams declines, he could be free to go elsewhere.
Miami's lingering interest in adding defensive linemen bolsters our prior report that the team's concerns regarding DT/DE Daryl Gardener could result in his release. Though the Gardener watch has been quiet of late, it's not out of the question for a guy to get released this late in the off-season.
Just ask Levon Kirkland.
SNYDERBRENNER MEDDLING IN D.C.
When the Redskins elected not to hire a new general manager in the wake of the termination of Marty Schottenheimer, we reported that owner Dan Snyderbrenner planned to take a more active role in the day-to-day operation of the team, serving essentially as the G.M., but without the title.
A league source tells us that Snyder indeed has become more involved in the team's football affairs -- and that it's annoying some of the folks who actually have qualifications to run a pro team.
After the hiring of Steve Spurrier to coach the Redskins, Snyder embarked on hiring a G.M. Instead, Snyder re-acquired personnel man Vinny Cerrato and capologist Joe Mendes, both of whom had pre-dated the Schottenskins era.
During the short reign of Marty Schottenheimer, Snyder specifically agreed to keep his nose out of the team's affairs. And Snyder, desperate to repair his football team and his own credibility, agreed to give total control to Schottenheimer.
And then, after an 8-8 season that included an 8-3 finish, Snyder fired Schottenheimer because he refused to give up any of the control that Snyder specifically had given him in order to lure the coach to the organization.
So without a General Manager for 2002, the idea moving forward was that the 'Skins would employ a G.M.-by-committee approach. The reality, however, is that Snyder is taking a leading role in this committee, and that his lack of credentials and/or actual skill quietly is chafing his charges.
Then again, Snyder is the emperor, and if he wants to ride down Pennsylvania Avenue buck naked on a Shetland pony, no one who wants to continue to receive an NFL paycheck will say "boo." (Or, given the image we've just conjured, "ewwww.")
CULPEPPER'S MOVE TO REEBOK BLOCKED
Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper has lost round one of his legal fight with Nike. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, a federal judge in Oregon ruled on Friday that Culpepper cannot participate in an endorsement deal with Reebok until the issues in the lawsuit filed by Nike are resulted via a jury trial.
As a result, Culpepper cannot film a commercial for Reebok, which was scheduled to be shot on Monday.
Nike claims that it had a right to match any other deal after its endorsement contract with Culpepper expired in June 2001. Nike also contends that Culpepper signed with Reebok without giving Nike a chance to match the new deal.
Exclusive Profootballtalk Legal Analysis: Technically, the judge's decision is known as a preliminary injunction, which is intended to preserve the status quo until the merits of the claim can be addressed. The fact that the judge granted a preliminary injunction, however, indicates that Nike most likely will win at trial, since one of the factors necessary to obtaining relief of this kind is proof that the party seeking the preliminary injunction has a substantial likelihood of success at trial.
So when Culpepper says that he is "confident that the jury will reach a more favorable conclusion," he's either uninformed, or he's blowing smoke.
KIRKLAND'S BIG CAN GETS HIM CANNED
The Seahawks surprisingly released veteran linebacker Levon Kirkland on Friday, according to the Seattle newspapers.
"Levon filled an important role for this team and its development last season," said G.M./coach Mike Holmgen. "He brought toughness and leadership to the club while our young guys were growing and maturing."
No specific reason for the move was given. Instead, Holmgren said that the team wants to move in a "different direction."
Though the Seattle print media has provided no further insight regarding the move, the Tacoma Tribune reports that the decision was driven by Kirkland's inability to control his weight.
"They drew the line," said Kirkland's agent, Mason Ashe. "They wanted him to be at a certain weight and he wasn't at that weight."
Kirkland is listed at 6'1", 275 pounds. A team source told the Tribune, however, that Levon had ballooned to 308 at one point during the 2001 season.
The Seattle papers likewise gave no details regarding the cap consequences of the move. The Tribune reports that the 'Hawks will save $1.8 million in base salary this year, and that the team will carry $766,666 in so-called "dead money" for 2002 and 2003.
LEVENS HEADS TO PHILLY
Free-agent running back Dorsey Levens, who was released early in the off-season by the Packers, has signed a one-year, $850,000 contract with the Eagles, according to the Phildelphia Inquirer.
Levens will compete for playing time behind starter Duce Staley. The other reserve running backs are rookie Bryant Westbrook of Villanova, who signed on Thursday, and XFL alum Rod Smart, who made English teachers throughout the nation wince with the "He Hate Me" placard on the back of his Las Vegas Outlaws jersey.
Also in the mix is ageless veteran Brian Mitchell, who'll likely be used only on kick and punt return teams.
Levens first visited the Eagles two days after Correll Buckhalter tore an ACL in the team's first off-season mini-camp. According to the Inquirer, coach/G.M. Andy Reid delayed signing a veteran running back in order to give Westbrook and Smart a full opportunity to be evaluated.
Before Buckhalter was hurt, the team had flirted with the idea of signing free-agent Warrick Dunn, who would have rendered Staley expendable. Even after Dunn signed with the Falcons for more money than a 175-pound running back ever should be paid, rumors persisted that Staley would be released.
When Buckhalter's ACL went snap, crackle, and/or pop, however, Staley went from red-headed stepchild to fair-haired boy, and barring an unexpectedly development he'll be a key part of the offense this year.
Reid knows Levens well from their mutual time in Green Bay. For the first five years of Levens' career, Reid was an assistant coach with the Packers.
"I know what he can do," Reid said. "He knows this offense very well. He can run and is also a good pass-catcher."
EDELSTEIN TRIED TO AVOID JAIL TERM
The New York Daily News reports that full-time NFL Insider and part-time flim-flam man Fred Edelstein attempted to avert prison time earlier this week by 'splaining to the judge that he had a plan in place for making nearly $600,000 in restitution to the victims of his money-for-nothing investment scam.
According to the Daily News, Edelstein said that the Eagles, Rams, Panthers, Browns and Patriots were willing to hire him as a media consultant for $1,500 a month each, and that he would use the money to make restitution to his victims.
The notion that any organization would give this yutz a job is amazing enough; the fact that elite organizations like the Eagles, Rams, and Patriots would consider such a move is puzzling, at best.
However, prosecutors told the court that Edelstein got $155,000 in 2001 from Miami Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt, Browns president Carmen Policy, former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo and superagent Leigh Steinberg -- and that Freddie didn't use the money to compensate his victims.
Despite Edelstein's attempts to avoid 21 months of doing the shower-room limbo, the judge's hands were tied. Under the federal sentencing guidelines, the judge was required to impose a sentence in the range of 18-to-24 months. Period.
Exclusive Profootballtalk Legal Analysis: Roughly 15 years ago, the federal government created a uniform set of guidelines in order to address broad inconsistencies in the criminal sentences that federal judges were imposing. The guidelines created a far more narrow band of discretion, which essentially prevents a judge from allowing a genuinely contrite defendant to get away with a slap on the wrist.
Even more curious is the fact that Freddie hasn't filed a federal tax return since 1996, when he reported only $12,224 in taxable income. Thus, the 21-month prison term could merely be the first phase of a longer stay by Edelstein in federal custody.
NUGGETS
JAGUARS: The Florida Times-Union reports that the Jags will enter the pursuit of WR Darnay Scott. Scott visited with the Falcons on Thursday, and the Chargers also are interested. The Jaguars confirmed that they have been in contact with Scott's agent regarding a possible visit. Scott was released by the Bengals last week after they signed free-agent WR Michael Westbrook.
BUCCANEERS: WR Keith Poole was released on Friday, according to the Tampa Tribune. The Tribune attributes the move to a glut of receivers. However, this decision had its roots in Poole's lingering uncertainties regarding his career. Indeed, the Bucs previously had given to newcomer Joe Jurevicius the number that already had been issued to Poole, which is the football equivalent of dropping the coffin into the vault.
BEARS: The Chicago Tribune reports that the Bears have added DT Christian Peter. Peter spent 2001 with the Colts, but he was on injured reserve for the entire season. He started out as a fifth-round draft pick of the Patriots in 1996, who relinquished their rights to him after they learned that he had pled guilty to assaulting a woman in 1994. "He does have a past, but it's in the past," said G.M. Jerry Angelo. "What he has done, he has paid for. We think he has done a great job of getting his head straight."
VIKINGS: Owner Red McCombs still backs the efforts of the Twins to get a new baseball-only stadium, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press. This report meshes with our earlier story that the Vikes understand that the Twins are first in line for a stadium, and that the football team will get its new digs thereafter. Though McCombs declined comment on the status of the team's potential efforts to sell or move the team, we've reported that McCombs is now more patient, and that he'll likely wait for the process to run its course in Minnesota.
RAVENS: Local authorities will engage in drills on Saturday to prepare for a terrorist attack at the Ravens' stadium, according to the Baltimore Sun. "If something happens, we want to be prepared for it," said Ravens president David Modell. "I saw [The Sum of All Fears], and it took my breath away." The reality, folks, is that these venues provide tempting targets for those who hate us, and we can only hope that preventive measures are being taking not only at NFL stadiums, but also at the many collegiate arenas throughout the country.
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