The Washington Post reports contract negotiations between the Washington Redskins and first-round draft pick QB Patrick Ramsey were stalled yesterday, increasing the possibility that the quarterback won't report to training camp in Carlisle, Pa., on Monday as scheduled. Both sides remained hopeful, however, of completing an agreement before Ramsey misses a significant portion of camp. The Redskins completed a deal yesterday with TE Robert Royal, a fifth-round choice, and have been close to an agreement with their sixth-round choice, OT Reggie Coleman. They likely will sign their seventh-round pick, LS Jeff Grau, on Monday but, as of yesterday, still had work to do to sign their second-round pick, RB Ladell Betts, and their two third-round selections, CB Rashad Bauman and WR Cliff Russell.
The offocial website of the Cincinnati Begals reports the team again upped their offer to the free-agent DT Sam Adams (Ravens) Friday, but won't get an answer until he talks with Denver Broncos HC Mike Shanahan this coming Monday. It's believed the Bengals have spent this past week tweaking their offer daily so that no team can touch what they are offering Adams in the first year of a three-year deal with a combination of bonus and salary. While Bengals President Mike Brown has no problems with Adams not giving him an answer until early next week, he made it clear Friday the Bengals have gone as far as they're going to go and that they have no desire to negotiate beyond Thursday's opening of training camp. "I think he knows now he has our best offer," Brown said. "We think it's very competitive because we've got more room under the salary cap than the other interested teams. They can give him money, but it would be money in future years. We can give it to him this year. That's why we think it's such a strong offer, but we're not sure how it's going to go." Adams prefers a multi-year deal, but Denver and Seattle are in one-year positions when it comes to the cap and depth chart. Still, Adams considers Seattle home and he has reportedly patched things up with HC Mike Holmgren. Jim Lippincott, the Bengals director of pro/college personnel who has continually upped the offer to agent Eugene Parker, thinks the club has a shot with Adams even though there have been gaps.
The Florida Times-Union reports QB David Garrard, the quarterback drafted by the Jaguars in the fourth round, signed a four-year deal with a $424,000 signing bonus yesterday. His agent said it was the best deal for a player drafted on the fourth round. Besides the signing bonus, he will receive the rookie minimums of $225,000, $300,000, $380,000 and $455,000 per year. The player picked in front of Garrard, RB Omar Easy, got a $318,000 signing bonus from Kansas City, but signed for only three years.
AP reports the Cleveland Browns still have yet to sign their top three draft picks, including No. 16 overall pick RB William Green. Green's agent is expected to come to Cleveland on Monday to finalize a contract.
ESPN's Len Pasquarelli reports Denver Broncos RB Olandis Gary, who has recovered well from a broken leg and is showing some of his old quickness, has looked the best of the veteran tailbacks this spring. The team wants to trade Gary, Terrell Davis, or Mike Anderson for a first round draft pick, but they won't likely get that. Denver will either have to reduce its asking price or keep all three.
ESPN's Len Pasquarelli reports the New York Jets really bolstered their defensive tackle corps by adding free agent DT Josh Evans, who has twice been suspended by the league, and DT Larry Webster, who has been suspended once. Provided they keep their noses clean and DT Jason Ferguson returns fully after missing the entire 2001 season because of shoulder surgery, the Jets have a nice set of defensive tackles.
Allen Wilson, of the Buffalo News, reporting for the Sporting News, reports Bills veteran OG Jerry Ostroski, who is coming off minor offseason knee surgery, will be watched closely in training camp. He missed most of last season after suffering a broken leg in the second preseason game. The metal plate put in his leg to promote healing aggravated his knee. So, he had some of his meniscus tissue in the knee joint removed in early June. The team doesn't want to overwork him in camp.
Rich Cimini, of the New York Daily News, reporting for the Sporting News, reports Jets C Kevin Mawae, who recovering from arthroscopic shoulder surgery, is expected to miss at least two pre-season games. He will be replaced by OG J.P. Machado, who will resume his left-guard competition with rookie OG Jonathan Goodwin when Mawae returns. ORG Randy Thomas, who missed the final three weeks of the spring passing camp with a bruised shoulder, will be ready for the start of camp.
Pat Yasinskas, of the Charlotte Observer, reporting for the Sporting News, reports Panthers QB Chris Weinke, would took plenty of lumps as a rookie starter last season, will be very prepared this season. He's had a whole offseason to learn a new offense and the team has gone to great lengths to tailor its scheme to Weinke's strength. The shotgun formation will be utilized and there will be more downfield passing. The running game also will be emphasized and that will take a lot of pressure of Weinke, who needs to improve his accuracy. Weinke's poise and his high contract compelled the Panthers to forego drafting QB Joey Harrington.
The offocial website of the Cincinnati Begals reports the team again upped their offer to the free-agent DT Sam Adams (Ravens) Friday, but won't get an answer until he talks with Denver Broncos HC Mike Shanahan this coming Monday. It's believed the Bengals have spent this past week tweaking their offer daily so that no team can touch what they are offering Adams in the first year of a three-year deal with a combination of bonus and salary. While Bengals President Mike Brown has no problems with Adams not giving him an answer until early next week, he made it clear Friday the Bengals have gone as far as they're going to go and that they have no desire to negotiate beyond Thursday's opening of training camp. "I think he knows now he has our best offer," Brown said. "We think it's very competitive because we've got more room under the salary cap than the other interested teams. They can give him money, but it would be money in future years. We can give it to him this year. That's why we think it's such a strong offer, but we're not sure how it's going to go." Adams prefers a multi-year deal, but Denver and Seattle are in one-year positions when it comes to the cap and depth chart. Still, Adams considers Seattle home and he has reportedly patched things up with HC Mike Holmgren. Jim Lippincott, the Bengals director of pro/college personnel who has continually upped the offer to agent Eugene Parker, thinks the club has a shot with Adams even though there have been gaps.
The Florida Times-Union reports QB David Garrard, the quarterback drafted by the Jaguars in the fourth round, signed a four-year deal with a $424,000 signing bonus yesterday. His agent said it was the best deal for a player drafted on the fourth round. Besides the signing bonus, he will receive the rookie minimums of $225,000, $300,000, $380,000 and $455,000 per year. The player picked in front of Garrard, RB Omar Easy, got a $318,000 signing bonus from Kansas City, but signed for only three years.
AP reports the Cleveland Browns still have yet to sign their top three draft picks, including No. 16 overall pick RB William Green. Green's agent is expected to come to Cleveland on Monday to finalize a contract.
ESPN's Len Pasquarelli reports Denver Broncos RB Olandis Gary, who has recovered well from a broken leg and is showing some of his old quickness, has looked the best of the veteran tailbacks this spring. The team wants to trade Gary, Terrell Davis, or Mike Anderson for a first round draft pick, but they won't likely get that. Denver will either have to reduce its asking price or keep all three.
ESPN's Len Pasquarelli reports the New York Jets really bolstered their defensive tackle corps by adding free agent DT Josh Evans, who has twice been suspended by the league, and DT Larry Webster, who has been suspended once. Provided they keep their noses clean and DT Jason Ferguson returns fully after missing the entire 2001 season because of shoulder surgery, the Jets have a nice set of defensive tackles.
Allen Wilson, of the Buffalo News, reporting for the Sporting News, reports Bills veteran OG Jerry Ostroski, who is coming off minor offseason knee surgery, will be watched closely in training camp. He missed most of last season after suffering a broken leg in the second preseason game. The metal plate put in his leg to promote healing aggravated his knee. So, he had some of his meniscus tissue in the knee joint removed in early June. The team doesn't want to overwork him in camp.
Rich Cimini, of the New York Daily News, reporting for the Sporting News, reports Jets C Kevin Mawae, who recovering from arthroscopic shoulder surgery, is expected to miss at least two pre-season games. He will be replaced by OG J.P. Machado, who will resume his left-guard competition with rookie OG Jonathan Goodwin when Mawae returns. ORG Randy Thomas, who missed the final three weeks of the spring passing camp with a bruised shoulder, will be ready for the start of camp.
Pat Yasinskas, of the Charlotte Observer, reporting for the Sporting News, reports Panthers QB Chris Weinke, would took plenty of lumps as a rookie starter last season, will be very prepared this season. He's had a whole offseason to learn a new offense and the team has gone to great lengths to tailor its scheme to Weinke's strength. The shotgun formation will be utilized and there will be more downfield passing. The running game also will be emphasized and that will take a lot of pressure of Weinke, who needs to improve his accuracy. Weinke's poise and his high contract compelled the Panthers to forego drafting QB Joey Harrington.
