Gridiron News/Rumors Feb 8 Options

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NFL Rumors & Notes



Browns eye Eagles QB Kevin Kolb?

A source close to the situation thinks at least half a dozen teams ultimately will inquire about Kevin Kolb - including Cleveland, where Tom Heckert, of course, is now the GM, working under Andy Reid’s mentor, Mike Holmgren. Almost any team looking to draft a QB this season would be smart to look into Kolb, who presumably wouldn’t need several years of training to take over. This is not a great quarterback draft; if Kolb came out this year, he’d almost certainly be a first-rounder. Of course, with McNabb heading toward his 12th season and not under contract after 2010, trading Kolb would be quite a gamble for the Birds. — Philadelphia Daily News




Seahawks’ Walter Jones says on his Twitter page that he’s retiring

Maybe Walter Jones truly has decided to retire from the NFL as he indicated on his Twitter account on Sunday morning. Or maybe Jones is once again teasing by Tweeting about his playing future as he has at least a couple of times before. This time, though, Jones left no gray area with regard to his intentions when he posted that he had reached the conclusion “it is time for me to retire from football.” The statement appeared on Jones’ Twitter account about four hours before Sunday’s Super Bowl began. His only subsequent post was to correct a typographical error. But while Jones’ statement on Twitter was straightforward, whether it constitutes a retirement announcement for one of the greatest players in Seahawks history is not nearly so clear. Jones remains under contract for the next three seasons though the third year is voidable by Jones. He is scheduled to make $7.3 million next season. And while Jones indicated on Twitter he would be retiring, that’s not necessarily the final word on the subject. — Seattle Times




Julius Peppers to Chicago Bears?

The Bears will have to consider Julius Peppers if he does in fact become a free agent, but it’s a longshot that he will be playing in Chicago. I would be surprised if the Panthers let him leave. If they did, you would have to ask why. For all of Peppers’ production, he has been an inconsistent player throughout his career who gets sacks in spurts. Whoever signs him would probably have to make him the highest paid defensive player in football, raising expectations to an unreasonable level. I’m not sure how Peppers would respond to that kind of money and those kinds of expectations. And I’m not sure I would want to gamble with my money if I were running an NFL team. It bears contemplating though. — Chicago Tribune




Vikings might deal for Matt Hasselbeck or Donovan McNabb?

The Vikings, although they won’t say it, need to know Brett Favre’s plans before March 5, when the trading deadline opens, so they would be able to compete with other teams to acquire, for instance, a Donovan McNabb from Philadelphia or a Matt Hasselbeck from Seattle, or whomever they would try to bring in. If it’s March 5 and Favre is saying, “I don’t know yet,” that would put the Vikings in a tough position. It’s also in early March that Vikings season-ticket holders are initially asked to renew. If Favre does plan to return, he shouldn’t need more time than March 1 to say he’s coming back. — Pioneer Press




Saints reimburse Sean Payton $250k

The Saints have reimbursed coach Sean Payton $250,000 for the time he gave up the money to lure Gregg Williams to New Orleans. — Football Scoop




NFLer ‘hit’ strip joint, then gal

An early-morning visit to a Miami strip joint sparked the volatile throw-down between former NFL great Warren Sapp and his girlfriend, leading to the retired player’s arrest, sources said yesterday. Sapp posted $1,500 bond and walked out of jail yesterday morning after being charged with misdemeanor domestic battery. Sapp, 37, had been at a party until 3 a.m., when he hit the town with buddies, witnesses at the bash said. His crew descended on a nearby jiggle joint, and he didn’t get back to his hotel until 5 a.m. His angry gal pal was waiting and they got into a fight, the sources said. — NY Post




Rams coaches interested in Michael Vick?

Our media spies in Philadelphia tell us that that Rams assistant coaches have been calling Eagles assistants to get scouting reports on quarterback Michael Vick. — St. Louis Post-Dispatch




Vikings Chester Taylor to Redskins or Seahawks?

It still seems highly unlikely that the Vikings will be able to afford to keep free-agent running back Chester Taylor, who would be a good fit for the free-spending Washington Redskins or the Seattle Seahawks. — Pioneer Press




Bucs looking to trade up for Ndamukong Suh?

Lots of buzz in the the Super Bowl media center this week about the Rams’ No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 draft. Rams GM Billy Devaney may have an option to trade down; Tampa Bay (No. 3 overall) is said to covet Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. — St. Louis Post-Dispatch




Vikings need to hear from Brett Favre soon

If Brett Favre has decided to retire as Vikings quarterback, it would seem an announcement could come this week, after the Super Bowl, because the NFL prefers not to have distractions that would interfere with its big game. If Favre is undecided and wants the Vikings to improve the $13 million deal for which he is signed for next season, that should be known by the end of the month. The consensus guess is that Favre, 40, will return. But Favre has proved it’s virtually impossible to predict what he’ll do next. If Favre has decided to retire, he no longer has any motive to drag out the drama as he did with the Green Bay Packers to get to the New York Jets, and with the Jets to get to the Vikings. — Pioneer Press




Steelers NT Casey Hampton to Dolphins?

With New England expected to keep Vince Wilfork, the next best unrestricted free agent nose tackle is Casey Hampton, who said he prefers to re-sign with Pittsburgh but would consider good teams with a 3-4 defense, including Miami, if needed. — Miami Herald




Vikings could be crushed by lack of NFL revenue sharing

Vowing to cease subsidizing low-revenue teams such as the Vikings, NFL owners are taking their fight with the NFL Players Association to a Minnesota judge, intensifying labor tensions and the team’s campaign for a new Twin Cities stadium. The league said last week it would appeal an arbitrator’s ruling blocking owners from dissolving a revenue-sharing system that supplements the Vikings with $15 million to $20 million annually. The threat of losing that financial assistance is a key talking point in the team’s lobbying the Minnesota Legislature to negotiate funding to replace the Metrodome. At issue is $220 million in subsidies the NFL’s wealthiest teams are projected to pay 10 clubs that generate the least revenue in 2010. The Vikings consistently have ranked at or near the bottom in revenue among the 32 teams, according to Lester Bagley, the Vikings’ vice president of public affairs and stadium development. — Pioneer Press




Colts Peyton Manning fails to congratulate Saints Drew Brees on field after Super Bowl

Peyton Manning left the field so quickly Sunday after the Super Bowl that he didn’t get a chance to congratulate Drew Brees. The Indianapolis Colts quarterback said he plans to speak with his New Orleans Saints counterpart soon. “I certainly know how it was three years ago when we won … ” Manning said. “There’s the stage being set up, and the celebration, and it’s time for the Saints to celebrate. It’s their field. They deserve the moment. “But I certainly congratulate all their players and the Saints organization. I will speak to Drew Brees, speak to Sean Payton, and they deserve all the credit.” — LA Times




WR Dez Bryant says he’s similar to Larry Fitzgerald

Oklahoma State’s Dez Bryant, the NFL Draft’s top receiver, said he likes the idea of playing for Miami if he’s available when the Dolphins pick 12th. “If they draft me, it will be worth it,” he said. “I feel like I have no weakness. I’m fearless running across the middle. I’m similar to Larry Fitzgerald, the way I attack the ball.” — Miami Herald




Rev. Jesse Jackson: Bears legend victim of a robbery

It appears Richard Dent will need a bigger push to make it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That’s not to be confused with Operation PUSH. Although if push comes to shove, the Rev. Jesse Jackson certainly is in the former Bears defensive lineman’s corner regarding enshrinement in Canton, Ohio. ”He was robbed again,” Jackson told Quick Hits on Sunday before the Super Bowl. — Chicago Sun-Times




Patriots dealing RB Laurence Maroney?

Laurence Maroney, the New England running back, could be moved by the Patriots this offseason. — St. Louis Post-Dispatch




Outdoor stadium would be more valuable for Vikings

An open-air Vikings stadium not only would cost less, it would be more valuable for owner Zygi Wilf than an enclosed stadium because he could charge more for enclosed private suites. — Pioneer Press




12 food-safety violations found at hotel where 25 NFL employees got sick

Inspectors found a dozen critical food-safety violations this week in the restaurant of the NFL’s headquarters hotel, where 25 league employees here for Super Bowl XLIV got sick from a stomach bug. The oceanfront Westin Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale also had failed a restaurant inspection in September, and let its license expire in December by not paying a $457 renewal fee, state officials said Friday. Health officials were quick to say they did not yet know what caused the outbreak, how the guests got it or whether the hotel bore any blame. Samples were still being tested. “It’s an ongoing investigation, a routine investigation we are doing” after someone complained Wednesday, said Candy Sims, a spokeswoman for the Broward County Health Department. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy described his co-workers’ illness as a 24-hour bug. Hotel general manager Amaury Piedra said the hotel was cooperating with the investigation. He does not believe the hotel’s food was the cause of the illnesses, saying the symptoms match a virus. — South Florida Sun-Sentinel




Ex-Chiefs president Carl Peterson not interested in NFL jobs

Some have speculated ex-Chiefs president Carl Peterson — Dolphins owner Stephen Ross’ friend — could replace Bill Parcells when Parcells leaves. But Peterson, chairman of USA Football, said he has no interest in taking a football-oriented NFL job again. He said he’s working for Ross on non-NFL projects. — Miami Herald




Sports better lost $2 million wager on Colts in Super Bowl

The largest wager reported was a $2 million money-line play on Indianapolis, and it looked good when the Colts went up 10-0 in the first quarter. Spot 10 points to Peyton Manning and you would expect to be cashing. — Las Vegas Review-Journal




Archie Manning TV prop bet goes under



How long will it take Carrie Underwood to sing the National Anthem?
Over/Under 1 minute and 42 seconds
WINNER = OVER (1:45)


What color will the Gatorade dumped on the winning head coach be?
WINNER = Orange (5 to 1) * third biggest long shot


How many times will Archie Manning be shown on TV: over/under = 4.5
WINNER = UNDER *contrary to heavy action on “over”


How many times will Kim Kardashian be shown on TV: over/under = 2.5
WINNER = UNDER *contrary to heavy action on “over”


Will The Who smash a guitar on stage during the halftime show? No = -180
WINNER = NO


How many times will Pete Townshend do his “windmill” move? Over/Under = 6
WINNER = OVER


Who will the Super Bowl MVP “thank” first?
WINNER = “does not thank anyone” (2 to 1) — Pregame.com (R.J. Bell)




Cowboys get some credit for Saints Super Bowl victory

CBS analyst Phil Simms offered an early shout out to the Cowboys, who can take solace that they beat the Super Bowl champion Saints in December. “Well, the Saints said they learned from playing the Dallas Cowboys,” he said. “They didn’t think DeMarcus Ware would play in the game, and he single-handedly destroyed them.” — Dallas Morning News




NFL player wants spanking instead of fines

Best line: Redskins tight end Chris Cooley, at Roger Goodell’s news conference, asking if there are alternatives to fining players for uniform violations, such as “maybe a spanking?” — Miami Herald




NFL broadcasters suck up to Brett Favre more than even Peyton Manning

In the AFC Championship game two weeks ago, CBS commentators discussed Colts quarterback Peyton Manning for 169 seconds when he wasn’t actively involved in a play or the aftermath of a play. That amount was more than three times the 55 seconds that Saints quarterback Drew Brees received from Fox broadcasters during the NFC Championship game. (Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez had 75 seconds.) The fourth quarter was Mr. Manning’s best, featuring 80 seconds of adoration ranging from video of him playing football as a child to discussion about how much he impressed the Colts’ front office when they drafted him 12 years ago. The best Mr. Brees got was a first-quarter reference to his ability to draw opposing defenses offside. Of course, all this chatter was dwarfed by the 430 seconds of fawning over Minnesota’s Brett Favre, who was hailed for—among other things—popularizing wearing earplugs in loud stadiums, taking brutal hits and having recuperative powers that are “almost inhuman.” — Wall Street Journal




Browns eye Gators cornerback in draft?

Yes, Florida cornerback Joe Haden is very attractive to the Browns, who want to add at least three defensive backs between the draft and free agency. The coaches believe they have only two legitimate starters in the secondary — Eric Wright and Abe Elam. They consider Elam the No. 2 safety, meaning they want a real playmaker at the position. They have no idea what will happen with Brodney Pool, who was making significant progress before suffering a season-ending concussion in Game 11. It was at least his fourth concussion since turning pro in 2005. — Cleveland Plain Dealer




Terrell Owens battles former NBA All-Star in pickup hoops game

NFL star Terrell Owens and former Knick Charles Oakley caused a stir at W South Beach Friday during the Tide Sport launch. While host Venus Williams made her rounds, the restless pro athletes struck up an impressive pickup game on the W’s basketball courts. Spies said Owens put on a great show for fellow attendees Serena Williams, Solange Knowles, Gabrielle Union, Kelly Rowland, Kellan Lutz, Lance Bass and Pete Wentz. — NY Post




Browns high on CB Eric Wright

The Browns believe Eric Wright can develop into a top-10 cornerback. They thought he did a solid job in coverage, but his casual approach to tackling was disturbing. They did see some improvement near the end of the season. They also were encouraged when Wright began to show some improvement in his willingness to go to the blackboard and diagram coverages in meetings with his position players and coaches — because they want him to show some leadership. — Cleveland Plain Dealer




NFL star’s mansion foreclosed on while he’s in prison

Plaxico Burress’ illegal gunplay cost him his job and his freedom. Now it’s costing him his castle. The former Giant wide receiver was slapped with a foreclosure notice on his Florida estate on Jan. 26, according to Broward County court records. He owes more than $250,000 to creditors American Home Mortgage Investment and Deutsche Bank National Trust, records show. Burress and his wife, Tiffany, bought the mansion in tony Lighthouse Point for $4 million in 2005, according to records. But its value went south during the housing crunch and is now at only $2.3 million. In September 2008, Burress inked a five-year, $35 million deal with the Giants after catching the winning touchdown in the 2007 season Super Bowl. Two months later, he shot himself in the leg in a Manhattan nightclub while fumbling with an unregistered gun in his waistband. The team dropped Burress in April, costing him the $27 million left on the contract. — NY Post




Las Vegas sports books make small profit on Super Bowl?

Results were mixed at Las Vegas sports books. Despite an early wagering rush on Indianapolis, driving the opening line from 31/2 to as high as 6, most of the late money showed on the Saints. The line closed at 4 and 41/2. A high volume of money-line bets on New Orleans to win straight up at about plus-180 (wager $100 to win $180) cut into the books’ profits. ”I think it’s probably going to be a small winner (for the state) when it’s all said and done,” Las Vegas Hilton sports book director Jay Kornegay said. “We’re probably going to end up on the losing end, as a small loser. We had a lot of play on the Saints.” — Las Vegas Review-Journal




Flash Back: Charles Barkley won $787,000 on Patriots at Mandalay Bay in 2002 Super Bowl

Retired NBA star Charles Barkley won $787,000 at Mandalay Bay in 2002 when he bet $550,000 on the New England Patriots, who were 14-point underdogs to the St. Louis Rams. Barkley also bet $50,000 on New England on the money line. New England won, 20-17. Barkley’s big win was one of the most controversial among local sports books. It cost the sports book director his job because Barkley was given the betting slips without having a sufficient line of credit and he had not signed a marker. Mandalay Bay wanted the bets voided, but Barkley insisted on collecting. — Las Vegas Review-Journal (Norm Clarke)




Super Bowl halftime show performers score 555% post game sales bump

The Super Bowl offers tremendous exposure not just for the sport and its advertisers, but also for the A-list musicians who perform at halftime. A Nielsen SoundScan analysis shows that songs played during the last five Super Bowl halftime shows enjoyed an average 555% surge in sales the following week. Meanwhile, the performers’ top albums saw a 478% average spike in next-week sales. — Nielsen Wire




Vegas: Colts Favored to Win Super Bowl After 2010 Season

The Indianapolis Colts are favored by Las Vegas oddsmakers to win the Super Bowl next season even though they lost to the New Orleans Saints in last night’s National Football League championship game. The Colts were beaten 31-17 after getting outscored 25-7 in the second half at Sun Life Stadium in Miami. Indianapolis, which had an NFL-best 14-2 record during the regular season, is given 13-2 odds to win next year’s Super Bowl in Arlington, Texas, according to Las Vegas Sports Consultants, which advises Nevada sports books on gambling lines. The Saints, who entered this season with 20-1 odds of winning the Super Bowl, are a 7-1 shot to successfully defend the first NFL championship in their 43-year history. — Bloomberg




Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie watch Super Bowl together

While they arrived at Sun Life Stadium separately to watch the New Orleans Saints beat the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV, superstar actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were very much together for most of the game. As a matter of fact, a source who saw the couple in the Seattle Seahawks suite in the upper tier told me they were more than friendly. “They held hands and Angelina kept leaning into him on the seats,” the source said. — Palm Beach Post




Kim Kardashian: Reggie Waited His Entire Life to Win Super Bowl

It turned out to be one Super Sunday for Kim Kardashian and her Super Bowl-winning beau Reggie Bush, of the victorious New Orleans Saints. “I am so proud of Reggie and the Saints!” an overjoyed Kardashian tells PEOPLE. “New Orleans deserves this - it’s such a huge accomplishment!” Kardashian made the Miami trip a family affair, bringing along mom Kris Jenner and brother Robert. The group dined with Bush and his family at Prime 112 Friday night. The Saints’ stunning 31-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts was the perfect ending to a long road that Kardashian witnessed firsthand. “Reggie has waited his whole life for this moment. It came and they conquered.” — People




Owner makes sure nuns keep habit of rooting for Saints

Saints owner Tom Benson surprised two New Orleans-based nuns who have long served the Cathedral Academy in the French Quarter by inviting them to Super Bowl XLIV. Sister Mary Rose and Sister Mary Andrew stood out even among the body-painted with their cream-colored habits and black veils, but also for their genuine joy at attending the ultimate prize for long-suffering Saints fans. Sister Mary Andrew, a Lafayette, La., native, said she was happy to see the Saints get this far, even if they don’t win it all. “We’ll love our Saints no matter what. I don’t know about those Colts fans, though,” she joked. — Palm Beach Post




Who Knew?

In 1980, an unidentified gambler reportedly put down $1.5 million on the Los Angeles Rams, who were 11-point underdogs to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers covered, winning by 12, 31-19. The late Bob Stupak placed a $1 million 1989 Super Bowl bet and won when he took the Cincinnati Bengals and seven points against the San Francisco 49ers, who won 20-16. But there were reports that Stupak hedged his bet by placing halftime bets to minimize a loss. — Las Vegas Review-Journal (Norm Clarke)




Former President Bill Clinton a Super Bowl no show

Also expected: actors Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx, Hillary Swank, Cameron Diaz, Jessica Alba, David Caruso and Jim Carrey. A law enforcement source is telling me that former Prez Bill Clinton flew in yesterday and was expected to catch the Super Bowl but plans changed at the last minute and he’s a no show — Palm Beach Post




Saints QB Drew Brees treats lineman to $5k dinner

Sightings: Saints QB Drew Brees, before the Super Bowl, treating his offensive line to a $5,000-plus dinner at Prime Italian. — Miami Herald




How About That?

The Saints won the Super Bowl despite the fact that opponents completed 65.3 percent of their passes against them in three postseason games. — Philadelphia Daily News




NFL running back works as guest DJ in Vegas

Larry Johnson, the Cincinnati Bengals running back, is the guest DJ at Drai’s After Hours on Saturday. — Las Vegas Review-Journal




Did You Know?

Don Coryell was the best head coach in St. Louis football Cardinals history. In Coryell’s five seasons, the Cardinals captured two division titles (there was no wild card) and went 42-27-1 for a winning percentage of .607. In their other 22 seasons in St. Louis, the Cardinals won 45 percent of their games. — St. Louis Post-Dispatch




Spike Lee working on New Orleans Saints documentary

Filmmaker Spike Lee tells the Palm Beach Post’s Carlos Frias he is working on a documentary of the Saints’ Super Bowl run and what it has meant to the recovering city of New Orleans. Lee said he hopes the documentary will be out for the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina in August. The little New York Knicks fan will be filming the team on the field after the game and was cheering hard for a Saints win. “We want to be there to capture the pandemonium,” Lee said as he posed for pictures with fans. — Palm Beach Post




Floyd Mayweather Jr. neighbors with NFL running back

Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. told me that one of his neighbors in Las Vegas is Rams running back Steven Jackson. — St. Louis Post-Dispatch




Saints Reggie Bush has HUGE dinner with Kim K

Before the Saints Super Bowl victory, Kim Kardashian took some time for a sweet dinner with her boyfriend Reggie Bush - and their families. The large group ventured to Prime 112 in South Beach, Fla., a favorite spot for the couple. “There was a big table filled with both families, including Kim’s mom Kris and her brother Rob and Reggie’s parents,” a source tells us. “They were all laughing and having a blast. Looked like one big happy family.” — People




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