The Mini-camp/Preseason NFL Thread

[MrRant 0]

Detroit Lions: Tight end Mikhael Ricks, who became expendable when the Detroit Lions signed unrestricted free agent Stephen Alexander a week ago, has been released.

 

A six-year veteran, Ricks, 29, spent the past two seasons with the Lions, catching 64 passes. He started six games in 2003, splitting the No. 1 job with rookie Casey Fitzsimmons, and had 37 receptions for 434 yards.

 

Ricks was under contract through the 2005 season. He was scheduled to earn a base salary of $1 million for this season and next and was also due a $200,000 roster bonus for 2005. The Lions will count $400,000 each in 2004 and 2005 against their cap, but will recoup $1 million on this season's spending limit.

 

A former Stephen F. Austin standout, Ricks still has good speed and solid hands and should be able to land a job before training camps open. He originally entered the NFL as a wide receiver, a second-round draft choice of the San Diego Chargers in 1998, but then subsequently moved to tight end.

 

After spending his first three NFL seasons with the Chargers, he signed with Kansas City and played two years with the Chiefs before joining the Lions in 2002. For his career, he has 155 catches for 1,939 yards and eight touchdowns. His best season came in '99, when he had 40 receptions. Ricks has appeared in 81 games and started 43 contests.

 

Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs have signed unrestricted free agent cornerback Cliff Crosby, a four-year veteran who played the last three seasons for the Indianapolis Colts.

 

Crosby signed a one-year contract for $535,000, the minimum base salary for a player with four years of experience. The former Maryland standout, who was released five different times before finally earning a regular-season roster spot in 2000, likely will be used as a fourth cornerback and on special teams.

 

In 44 games, Crosby has 25 tackles and three passes defensed. His special teams skills were evidenced, however, by 25 tackles on punt and kickoff coverage units in 2003. Under coach Dick Vermeil, the Chiefs have one of the NFL's premier special teams units and Crosby should be an excellent fit.

 

Philadelphia Eagles: Backup quarterback Koy Detmer, injured during an Eagles minicamp practice on Wednesday, has undergone surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right knee. Detmer injured the knee dropping back to pass and initial fears were that the injury might be far more serious.

 

The primary backup to starter Donovan McNabb for the past four years, Detmer, 30, is expected to be fully recovered by training camp.

 

The seven-year veteran is held in high esteem by his teammates and Eagles coaches and was having an excellent offseason. His stature notwithstanding, Detmer could be pushed in camp for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart by recently acquired Jeff Blake. The 12-year veteran, who signed a one-year contract with the Eagles two weeks ago, is said to have been very sharp in recent workouts.

 

St. Louis Rams: With the status of their two starters questionable for the start of training camp, the Cardinals have added depth at offensive tackle, signing street free agent and two-year veteran Jeff Hatch.

 

The former Penn standout was recently waived by the New York Giants, who chose him in the first round of the 2002 draft. Hatch missed his entire rookie season following back surgery in the spring of 2002, but started at right tackle for the Giants in the final four games last year. The new coaching staff, however, did not retain him.

 

Hatch, 24, has great size (6-feet-6, 302 pounds) and movement skills, but some people have questioned his toughness. He should get plenty of snaps in training camp since Kyle Turley, the Rams' starting right tackle, is coming off back surgery. Left tackle Orlando Pace, the club's franchise player, remains at an impasse in contract negotiations and could miss the start of camp.

 

St. Louis also added two more free agents, defensive back Nijrell Eason, who has been in two other NFL training camps, and wide receiver Brian Stump from the Arena League.

 

Denver Broncos: The Broncos have signed sixth-round draft choice Triandos Luke, a wide receiver from Alabama, to his first NFL contract. The 171st player selected overall, Luke is the first of Denver's 10 choices in the 2004 lottery to reach a contract accord.

 

The three-year contract is worth about $1 million.

 

One of the fastest prospects in the entire 2004 draft pool, having been clocked in sub-4.4 times, Luke was a two-year starter for the Crimson Tide. He finished his career with 90 receptions for 1,072 yards and nine touchdowns, and started in 26 of 44 appearances. He also returned 13 kickoffs for a 19.7-yard average.

 

New England Patriots: Patriots tight end Christian Fauria, who has started 27 games in his two seasons with the club, has signed a one-year contract extension through 2005.

 

Fauria, 32, was entering the final season of his contract and the extension provided him security and gave the Patriots some modest cap relief. Scheduled to have a base salary of $1 million for 2004, Fauria dropped his base to $660,000 and took the $340,000 balance in a signing bonus. New England then added an extra year to the deal, at a base salary of $765,000, with a $35,000 roster bonus.

 

On a roster that now includes a pair of tight ends drafted in the first round over the past three years, Fauria remains a key role player. The nine-year veteran is a very effective receiver in the red zone and a solid blocker. Fauria posted 28 catches for 285 yards and two touchdowns in 2003.

 

Dallas Cowboys: Second-year tailback Erik Bickerstaff underwent Friday surgery to repair an Achilles tendon ruptured Wednesday in practice and will likely miss the '04 season.

 

The injury to Bickerstaff, who made the Dallas roster as an undrafted free agent in 2003, further thins an already shallow tailback position. Rookie Julius Jones, a second-round pick in this year's draft, is projected as the starter. The most veteran tailback now on the roster, Aveion Cason, has just 77 carries in three seasons, and is more a situational type player. ReShard Lee has never played in a regular-season game.

 

The Cowboys released their 2003 starter, Troy Hambrick, last month. The club may now be forced to sign one of several veteran tailbacks still in the free agent market. Bickerstaff carried 19 times for 56 yards and one touchdown in 2003.

[MrRant 0]

Bronco's Mini Camp Observations

 

Denver -- If the Denver Broncos are still hurting from their stinging playoff defeat at the hands of the Indianapolis Colts, they are hiding it pretty well. Denver opened its final mini-camp before training camp on Wednesday and the optimism and confidence that has defined the Mike Shanahan era was on full display.

 

Taking the field in helmets and shorts, offense in white and defense in blue, the 2004 Broncos reflected the offseason personnel changes wrought by Shanahan and the usual player turnover. Here are some observations from mini-camp:

 

The Broncos acquired Champ Bailey from the Redskins this offseason.

 

During one-on-one pass catching drills, old Denver hand wide receiver Rod Smith was consistently matched up with prized newcomer cornerback Champ Bailey. Smith and Bailey battled each other energetically but always walked away from the play in discussion about what had just happened. Smith said at one point: "I think I can always get that one on you" and then they discussed how Bailey could stop it. Shanahan's rosters always have several players who "get it." Smith, as a team leader, was welcoming Bailey to the team by talking football and helping him with fine technique points. Smith makes a point of helping new Broncos get adjusted just as John Elway, Steve Atwater and others did for him 10 years ago.

 

With strong safety Ryan McNeil departing as a free agent, new safety John Lynch was able to secure his favored uniform number of 47 without having to buy anyone a trip to Hawaii. Lynch and Bailey, proven vets, were not tentative during practice but were listening intently to coaches and watching closely as drills continued.

 

Quarterback Jake Plummer looked especially sharp during 7-on7 drills as did WR Willie Jackson. At one point, Plummer jogged about 30 yards downfield to punch fists with Jackson after an acrobatic catch. Jackson, a 10-year vet, could ease the loss of WR Ed McCaffrey to retirement if he can fill in behind Smith and WR Ashley Lelie.

 

The energy and spirit that was lost when tight end Shannon Sharpe retired will be made up by linebacker Al Wilson, a talker easily on Sharpe's level. Other than line coach Keith Millard, an enthusiastic and natural teacher, the main voice heard all morning was Wilson's. Rarely a play went by without Wilson commentary:

 

"Somebody has to make that play. I had three of 'em on me."

 

"You're gonna be tired, son, chasing me around all day."

 

When Smith went offsides on a play , the defense took great joy in it, whooping and hollering at a rare mistake by a cool veteran. When it all subsided, Wilson called out "I'm not saying anything Rod Smith. You were right. Ten guys were wrong!"

 

Around noon, the veterans left the field for weight lifting and lunch, the rookies staying another hour. As they drilled, dark clouds moved in while a tornado watch was in effect further south. The Broncos just kept on working, ignoring the change in weather that had ruined a perfectly nice day. They know that storms, and bad playoff games, eventually pass. So you might as well keep working and get ready for the next one.

 

ESPN.com

[MrRant 0]

Titans head coach Jeff Fisher's sales pitch to Eddie George last week was simple -- the plan for his ninth season would be no different than his first. Fisher and George agreed the Titans' running strategy would continue to be to wear down defenses by pounding George 20 to 25 times a game. George's rushing average has been 3.4 yards a carry or less the past three seasons, but many of his carries are in short-yardage situations or when the Titans are killing the clock. George has never missed a game or had fewer than 312 carries a season. Expect the same in 2004 if George agrees to replace $2 million of base salary with incentives.

 

 

 

Cure to a problem

Seahawks receivers Koren Robinson, Darrell Jackson and Bobby Engram have gotten the "drop" on bouncing back from the team's 41 dropped passes last season, second only to Detroit. Immediately after each drop in practice, they now drop to the ground and do pushups. They also do quick-catch drills with softballs and spend more time in front of the Jugs machine. The extra pushups and workouts inspired by drops in the April minicamp have added more muscle to Robinson.

 

Contact drills

For the past two seasons, David Boston shocked cornerbacks by coming onto the field wearing wild-colored contact lenses, making his eyes purple or red or blue. A standard eye test by the Dolphins revealed one of the league's most dangerous deep threats needed a contact correction for a depth-perception problem. The new contacts have Boston picking up balls quicker and a new diet has him on pace to play at under 230 pounds. The only mandate by the team is that Boston wear only natural-colored lenses during games.

 

 

 

Good advice

Former Cowboys fullback Robert Thomas found a way to resurrect his career. Inspired by his girlfriend's suggestion, Thomas, who didn't get an NFL job last year, dropped 50 pounds and became a runner-linebacker for the Georgia Force of the Arena League. He made the all-rookie team and now is getting calls from NFL clubs with West Coast offenses that are looking for a fullback who showed he could catch, run and block in Arena ball.

 

John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

I can't wait for a Seattle receiver to drop a pass during a game and immediately start doing pushups.

 

It's also good that someone reminded Boston that's he's a football player and not a bodybuilder.

[Guest El Satanico]

Cleveland rookie defensive back Sean Jones is likely to miss the season after tearing a ligament in his left knee.

 

The Browns' second-round draft pick out of Georgia, Jones tore his ACL when he jumped to intercept a ball during practice on Tuesday. When he planted his leg, receiver Dennis Northcutt dove into his knee.

 

If it wasn't for bad luck it seems we'd have no luck at all.

[MrRant 0]

"Hot spot" found on Shockey's foot causing concern with Giants

 

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Tests on the right foot of two-time Pro Bowl tight end Jeremy Shockey have found a "hot spot" that is causing concern among the New York Giants.

 

Team doctors have made a recommendation on how to treat the injury, but Shockey is probably going to get a second opinion, coach Tom Coughlin said Monday after the team finished a minicamp workout.

 

When Shockey had surgery on his left knee in February, he went outside the team and had it performed by Dr. John Uribe, the University of Miami team surgeon.

 

"Once all the information is collected then the decision will be made as far as the direction we are going to go," said Coughlin, who wants treatment to start as soon as possible.

 

Orthopedic surgeons said hot spots may lead to surgery in some cases although rest is an option in some.

 

The Giants open training camp in late July.

 

Coughlin did not provide specific information on the injury, which is to the same foot that bothered Shockey last season.

 

Shockey, who missed two minicamp workouts Wednesday, was not at the minicamp on Monday because a flight he was to take from a wedding he attended over the weekend was canceled.

 

Shockey, who had 48 catches for 535 yards last season despite missing seven games, is one of three injured tight ends on the team. Marcellus Rivers has a hernia and Darnell Dinkins has a broken foot.

 

"There is no question everyone wants him in the huddle," quarterback Kurt Warner said of Shockey. "We know what he brings to the table and we are praying and believing it is the best case scenario and we are going to have him out there as soon as possible. He is going to be a difference maker for us this year."

 

Shockey has battled injuries in his two NFL seasons. A toe injury bothered him early in his rookie season, when he had 74 catches for 894 yards, and the foot bothered him until the left knee injury ended his season in November of this year.

[Guest FrigidSoul]

Cleveland rookie defensive back Sean Jones is likely to miss the season after tearing a ligament in his left knee.

 

The Browns' second-round draft pick out of Georgia, Jones tore his ACL when he jumped to intercept a ball during practice on Tuesday. When he planted his leg, receiver Dennis Northcutt dove into his knee.

 

If it wasn't for bad luck it seems we'd have no luck at all.

"Don't want to let me be a FA? Fine, I'll injure your rookies and damage your future chances"

[MrRant 0]

• The Seahawks claimed offensive lineman Jeff Roehl off waivers from the New York Giants.

 

Roehl, who is in his second NFL season, was released June 1 and is insurance for the Seahawks in the absence of left tackle Walter Jones and several linemen who are coming off offseason surgeries.

 

Roehl started two games at left tackle for the Giants last season and appeared in 12 games. The former Northwestern University player made his practice debut yesterday at the team's minicamp.

[Guest El Satanico]

Cleveland rookie defensive back Sean Jones is likely to miss the season after tearing a ligament in his left knee.

 

The Browns' second-round draft pick out of Georgia, Jones tore his ACL when he jumped to intercept a ball during practice on Tuesday. When he planted his leg, receiver Dennis Northcutt dove into his knee.

 

If it wasn't for bad luck it seems we'd have no luck at all.

"Don't want to let me be a FA? Fine, I'll injure your rookies and damage your future chances"

bah...all of that ugly business with Dennis Northcutt was already put to rest.

[HarleyQuinn 0]

Ravens sending Corey Fuller back to the S position

 

Gildon meeting with Cincinnati as well

 

ESPN's John Clayton reports the Panthers have signed QB Jake Delhomme to a five year, $38 million extension.

 

The Patriots extended LB Tedy Brushchi's contract to the 2007 season.

The deal will pay Bruschi a $3.5 million signing bonus in addition to roughly $1 million a year in base salary. Bruschi will once again main the middle of the Pats linebacker corps and be an IDP force.

Credit: Rotoworld

[MrRant 0]

Washington Post are reporting that the Ravens don't want to resign Chris McAllister as well.

[Guest Flyboy]

Washington Post are reporting that the Ravens don't want to resign Chris McAllister as well.

That would be bad for Baltimore... McAllister is the #1 or #2 corner in the league.

[NoCalMike 0]

Washington Post are reporting that the Ravens don't want to resign Chris McAllister as well.

That would be bad for Baltimore... McAllister is the #1 or #2 corner in the league.

Bailey

Woodson

Ty Law

McCallister

 

I'd say he is #4 possibly......

[Guest Flyboy]

Bailey = gambles too much -- #2 CB, yes.

Woodson = has YET to live up to his hype and I like the guy

Law = might have a point

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

McAllister top 2?!?!

 

HAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA

 

He gets abused regularly when the Ravens play the Steelers. He's not even top 10. He's a highly overrated burner who plays horrible in big games.

[Guest The Winter Of My Discontent]

Woodson = has YET to live up to his hype and I like the guy

Huh? From 98-2001, he was the best CB in the league. He was regarded as one of the best EVEr during that period. I'd say he hasn't been able to live up to the hype of his first three years since 2001. Thats the problem. Of course he has been injured the past two years, and hopefully with a new contract and health, he'll be ready to regain his past form. The Raiders may still pass up on him, which would be a shame, as I doubt he has peaked as a player yet.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

McAllister top 2?!?!

 

HAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA

 

He gets abused regularly when the Ravens play the Steelers. He's not even top 10. He's a highly overrated burner who plays horrible in big games.

I totally agree with this. The guy's only got 5 INTs in 3 years. A top corner can get 4x that in the same amount of time.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Actually I saw some columnists rating Mike McKenzie as high as #4 on their DB chart.

 

If that was the case I'd like to see someone make a trade by now.

[HarleyQuinn 0]

Past 3 Years

- Ty Law has 13 INT's and 3 TD's

- Charles Woodson has 5 INT's but he only played in 8 games in 2002(Also of Note: From 1998-2001, Woodson had 11 INT's but 1999 and 2001 he only had 1 INT)

- Chris McAlister had 5 INT's and 1 TD

- Champ Bailey has 8 INT's

 

Best CB in the league EASY is Patrick Surtain of the Miami Dolphins though. 7 INT's last year and 6 the year before. 16 INT's total over the past 3 years and also had 2 TD's.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

The Cards named Emmitt Smith the starting RB for next season further proving this team doesn't have a clue.

[NoCalMike 0]

meanwhile in DC there are rumors the Skins might be interested in setting up some sort of trade for DE Ogyluwhatever from Miami.

 

It would be great to have a beast for a DE, considering that is Washington's biggest weakness right now, but I dunno how they could take on ANOTHER big contract.

[NoCalMike 0]

Bailey = gambles too much -- #2 CB, yes.

Woodson = has YET to live up to his hype and I like the guy

Law = might have a point

my biggest problem with Bailey is that he doesn't move to the ball well, or at least not lately. He might not give up TDs, but he doesn't have the blanket coverage skills he used to have. Of course Washington's HORRID D-line probably made the job a lot harder. Also, for the speed he shows in training camp, I dunno how he gets burned so much in games. Maybe his instincts are lacking or something.

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

meanwhile in DC there are rumors the Skins might be interested in setting up some sort of trade for DE Ogyluwhatever from Miami.

 

It would be great to have a beast for a DE, considering that is Washington's biggest weakness right now, but I dunno how they could take on ANOTHER big contract.

As a Dolphins fan, I'm very much against this. Losing Ogunleye would mean Jason Taylor would get more attention by opposing offenses.

 

As for his contract, I believe he was a restricted FA, so I don't think he's making big bucks.

 

Who would the SKins be sending to Miami, according to the rumors?

[the pinjockey 0]

Being a RFA he would have to sign with the Dolphins before being traded and he isn't going to do that unless he gets a big extension. So they would end up taking on another big contract.

[HarleyQuinn 0]

Upon looking over the 2004 FA Signings for the AFC(AFC Signings) I noticed that the New England Patriots signed CB Otis Smith after playing with Detroit last year. New England also got a P in Josh Miller(w/Pittsburgh in 2003) who will hopefully not suck as much as Walter and Barnard. Shame the Patriots have lost quite a few guys too. Chris Akins to Miami, Mike Compton to Jacksonville, Bobby Hamilton to Oakland, Ted Washington to Oakland and Damien Woody to Detroit.

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

Did some checking on Ogunleye. From ESPN.com:

 

The Miami Dolphins have raised the stakes in negotiations with restricted free agent defensive end Adewale Ogunleye by lowering the ante, a prerogative afforded them by the collective bargaining agreement.

 

As anticipated, the Dolphins on Tuesday reduced their qualifying offer to the three-year veteran from the original high-level tender of $1.824 million to $412,500. The team made the initial offer in March, to retain a right of first refusal, in the event another team signed Ogunleye to an offer sheet. The CBA permits a team to reduce a qualifying offer to 110 percent of a restricted free agent's base salary from the previous season -- if the player has not signed by June 15.

 

Ogunleye, who led the AFC with 15 sacks last season, had a $375,000 base salary in 2003.

 

General manager Rick Spielman called the maneuver a "business decision," saying the Dolphins had to do it to protect themselves against a possible long holdout by Ogunleye, who has not participated in any of Miami's offseason workouts. Miami recoups more than $1.4 million on its salary cap total by reducing the qualifying offer.

 

How the gambit affects the climate of these rollercoaster negotiations, which agent Drew Rosenhaus last week declared at an impasse, remains to be seen.

 

"A lot of people are overreacting," said Spielman, explaining a decision Ogunleye and Rosenhaus knew was coming anyway and which ought to have no bearing on future discussions if the sides continue to seek a long-term agreement.

 

"Since we were never going to sign a one-year deal, (reducing the qualifying offer) is irrelevant, really," Rosenhaus said.

 

The decision to lower it came only a few weeks after both sides expressed guarded optimism that a deal could be reached, and after Ogunleye, 26, recently used a team banquet -- at which he was named the Dolphins' most valuable player -- to lobby Miami officials in attendance to get negotiations moving in a positive direction.

 

Rosenhaus reiterated that, absent a long-term contract, Ogunleye will sit out the first part of the season. He would sign the one-year deal after seven games, providing him enough time to be on the active roster long enough to qualify for his fourth season toward the NFL pension. Doing so would make Ogunleye eligible for unrestricted free agency next spring when, Rosenhaus said, "There are teams that will be waiting with open arms."

 

Ogunleye and his representatives are seeking a long-term deal commensurate to those signed the last two years by Jevon Kearse and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila.

 

In a deal negotiated by Rosenhaus, Kearse two months ago left the Tennessee Titans to sign an eight-year contract for $66 million ($16 million was paid upfront) with the Philadelphia Eagles. Last spring, Gbaja-Biamila received an $11 million signing bonus as part of a seven-year, $37.1 million contract to re-sign with the Green Bay Packers as a restricted free agent.

 

In 2002, his first as a starter at left end, the former Indiana University star had 9½ sacks. Before the draft it appeared that a few teams, most notably Chicago and Minnesota, might be interested in trading for Ogunleye, but talks never reached the substantive point.

 

I'm not sure what the Dolphins' issue is. It seems like primarily a money issue. 24.5 sacks over the last 2 seasons, plus add in 2003 team MVP.

[2GOLD 0]

Ahhh, you know the football season is getting close.

The Patriots once again sign Buckley and Smith, only for them to be cut or waived by midseason.

 

Every year it feels like New England signs these two and except for one year they are usually gone before the end of the season.

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

New England also got a P in Josh Miller(w/Pittsburgh in 2003) who will hopefully not suck as much as Walter and Barnard.

 

Fat chance. Miller gets off a huge boom every once in a while, but he holds onto the ball and inspects the signature for like 24 seconds before he kicks it. He'll get quite a few blocked, probably.

[MrRant 0]

Houston Texans: Still trying to add offensive line depth before the start of training camp, the Texans on Friday signed veteran free agent Marcus Spears, who had been released by the Kansas City Chiefs on June 16.

 

A versatile 10-year veteran, Spears figures to be a valuable backup for the Texans at both tackle and guard. He becomes the second veteran tackle added by Texas this offseason, with the club having acquired former Miami Dolphins starter Todd Wade earlier in the signing period. Wade is slated to be the starting right tackle.

 

Spears, 32, had been with the Chiefs since 1997 and started at guard and tackle at various times in his tenure with the club.

 

"By letting him go now," said coach Dick Vermeil upon Spears' release, "it enhances his opportunities to get a job, and he will get a job."

 

Indeed, there were several teams interested in adding Spears, who is also regarded as a player of high character. Details of his contract with the Texans were unavailable, but the deal is expected to be a modest one.

 

In releasing Spears, Vermeil and general manager Carl Peterson cited the improvement of young players for creating a tight "numbers game" on what traditionally has been one of the league's top offensive line units. The Chiefs added offensive linemen Brett Williams and Jordan Black in the 2003 draft and Kevin Sampson in this year's lottery.

 

Kansas City traded for former Philadelphia Eagles starter John Welbourn seven weeks ago and also added former New York Giants starter Chris Bober early in the free agency signing period. The combination of those elements has created considerable competition and provided great depth, but also made Spears expendable.

 

Originally a second-round pick of the Chicago Bears in 1994, Spears played little during his three-year stint with the club, appearing in only nine games. He signed with Kansas City as a free agent in 1997, after spending some time in the Green Bay Packers camp, and his most extensive playing time came in 2001 when he started all 16 games, five at right guard and 11 at right tackle.

 

For his career, Spears has appeared in 89 games and has 18 starts. He also played for the Amsterdam Admirals of the NFL Europe League in 1996.

 

The Texans also on Friday claimed rookie wide receiver Andrae Thurman off waivers from the New York Giants.

 

 

Washington Redskins: In the wake of his Sunday arrest for alleged public intoxication, the Redskins have released second-year tight end Kevin Ware, who appeared in 11 games as a rookie in 2003. Ware, 23, is now subject to NFL waivers.

 

He was arrested early Sunday outside a downtown night spot, confirmed a spokesman from the Houston Police Department. "Obviously, this is a very serious situation, but we will refrain from comment until we have more details," the Redskins originally noted in a statement. The team did not announce his release.

 

Ware is a Houston native who played collegiately at the University of Washington. He made the Redskins roster in 2003 as an undrafted free agent, alternated between the active roster and practice squad, and caught three passes for 17 yards and no touchdowns.

 

 

Minnesota Vikings: A trio of Vikings players arrested outside a downtown Minneapolis night club last month will not face felony charges. Instead, the case involving middle linebacker E.J. Henderson, outside linebacker Mike Nattiel and tight end Steve Farmer will be referred to the city attorney's office for consideration of misdemeanor charges.

 

"This is behavior we don't like to see, but it's not a felony-level assault, due to the fact the victim had no broken bones or fractures," said Hennepin County (Minn.) attorney Amy Klobuchar in announcing the decision. [but] this behavior was abhorrent and it's not what we want to see on the streets of any city, and it's certainly not what we want to see from Minnesota Vikings [players]."

 

The incident occurred June 6 and there are varying accounts as to what transpired. Troy Lamont Jones, a non-player involved in the fight, suffered substantial bruising. The attorney for the three players said his clients acted in self-defense. Farmer has since been released by the Vikings.

 

It is unlikely, even if they are subsequently charged with misdemeanor counts, that the players will face NFL sanctions. Coach Mike Tice had contended all along an in-house investigation showed the players did not instigate the incident. "But my big concern," Tice said, "is that it occurred three days after we had an attorney talk to them about avoiding these types of incidents."

 

 

Indianapolis Colts: The Indianapolis Colts have signed free agent offensive tackle Patrick Venze, who was in camp with the team last summer, to a one-year, minimum salary contract.

 

Venze recently completed his second season in the NFL Europe League, playing this spring for the Frankfurt Galaxy, after spending 2003 with the Rhein Fire. Venze was an early camp cut by the Colts last summer.

 

The former University of Idaho standout has been in previous camps with Jacksonville and Philadelphia. He spent part of the '02 season on the Eagles' practice squad but has never appeared in a regular-season game.

 

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com

[MrRant 0]

Knee surgery performed Friday on Zach Thomas likely will sideline the Miami Dolphins middle linebacker for at least six weeks, meaning he will miss much of training camp and will have to rehabilitate arduously to recover in time for the start of the regular season.

 

University of Miami team orthopedist Dr. John Uribe repaired the torn lateral meniscus cartilage in Thomas' left knee. Thomas was injured Thursday when he lost his footing while running a "cone drill," which emphasizes a player's change of direction skills.

 

Uribe diagnosed the injury Friday and recommended immediate surgery. Thomas, who was already home by Friday evening, will rest over the weekend and probably begin rehabilitation sometime next week.

 

"It will take about six weeks but he should be ready for [the start of] the season," said agent Drew Rosenhaus.

 

Miami faces Tennessee in its Sept. 12 season opener. Barring complications, Thomas should have about three weeks to get back on the field and prepare for that game. He is known as a quick healer, and a veteran who will play even when less than 100 percent. The knee will be reevaluated when Thomas reports to training camp July 30.

 

As the leader of the Miami defense, Thomas topped the Dolphins in tackles in 2003 with 184, the third-most tackles in franchise history. Thomas has posted 100-plus tackles in each of his eight NFL seasons.

 

In his absence, the Dolphins have a few alternatives. Coordinator Jim Bates could move strongside starter Morlon Greenwood, coming off an excellent '03 season, to the middle. Or second-year veteran Eddie Moore, who missed his entire 2003 rookie season after he fractured his foot in camp, could move up to the first unit.

 

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com

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Wide receiver D.J. Hackett, Seattle's fifth-round choice in the 2004 draft, has reached agreement on his first NFL contract, ESPN.com has learned.

 

The former Colorado standout is the third of the Seahawks' seven choices to come to terms on a deal, joining sixth-round defensive tackle Craig Terrill and seventh-round punter Donnie Jones. Like those two players, Hackett received a three-year contract.

 

The 157th overall prospect selected, Hackett will sign a contract worth $1.032 million. It includes a signing bonus of $112,750 and NFL minimum base salaries of $230,000 (2004), $305,000 (2005) and $385,000 (2006). The 2004 salary cap charge on the Hackett contract is $267,583.

 

Seattle is now one of six franchises with at least three draft choices under agreement; no team has more than four signings. As of Saturday, just 35 of the 255 choices in the '04 draft had agreed to terms.

 

Hackett, 22, had a breakout season in 2003, with 78 receptions for 1,013 yards and seven touchdowns, while starting all 12 games. He transferred to Colorado in 2002, after playing two seasons at Cal State-Northridge, following the school's decision to eliminate its football program.

 

Including two seasons each at Cal State-Northridge and Colorado, he started in 33 of his 46 appearances, and totaled 186 catches for 2,731 yards and 28 touchdowns.

 

Not regarded as a sprinter, Hackett has very good size (6-foot-2½, 199 pounds), runs very precise routes and will break tackles, as demonstrated by the fact more than 40 percent of his yards came after the catch. Hackett is a physical receiver who goes aggressively after the ball in the air.

 

Carving out time in a Seahawks wideout corps that includes starters Koren Robinson and Darrell Jackson, along with steady No. 3 receiver Bobby Engram, will be difficult. But he is a good fit for the West Coast offense and, with Engram now 31 years old, Hackett may be groomed as his eventual replacement.

 

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