THE GRAPEVINE: NEWS & RUMORS IN OWINGS MILLS AND AROUND THE NFL

Sponsor

Home > Columns > GRAPEVINE > THE GRAPEVINE NEWS & RUMORS IN OWINGS MILLS AND AROUND THE NFL

Columns

GRAPEVINE - THE GRAPEVINE: NEWS & RUMORS IN OWINGS MILLS AND AROUND THE NFL

Posted On: 1/17/07

Written By:

Tony Lombardi

THE GRAPEVINE: NEWS & RUMORS IN OWINGS MILLS AND AROUND THE NFL

* The offseason for the Ravens is officially and abruptly under way and discussions have turned towards changes in the Ravens roster. The Ravens unrestricted free agents (“UFA”) include: Adalius Thomas, Tony Pashos, Ovie Mughelli, Gerome Sapp and Musa Smith. The Ravens have a $5 million option on Jamal Lewis that they are likely to pass on and re-negotiate or simply allow Lewis to become a UFA.

Should that happen, the Ravens will explore other UFA’s, the 2007 NFL Draft or both to fill the potential void at running back. One restricted free agent that could tempt the Ravens is Michael Turner. Turner has averaged 6 yards per carry during his three year career with the Chargers and will likely be offered no less than the middle tender offer which would assure the Chargers of a No. 1 pick in return if another team signs him to a deal the Chargers refuse to match. Turner is a fifth round pick out of Northern Illinois.

A trade could also be a possibility with other clubs rich in the backfield such as the New Orleans Saints or the Chicago Bears.

As for Adalius Thomas, the chatter regarding the Ravens All-Pro LB focuses on the franchise tag. The Ravens believe that they can make a serious run at Super Bowl XLII and that AD is a vital cog in such a run. However it hasn’t been the Ravens preference to use the tag on players that have been solid, stable teammates and good citizens in the community. To that extent AD has few peers.

The tag might also be a negotiating ploy by Ozzie to give the Ravens some leverage that will result in AD's return or at least allow the Ravens to get a No. 1 pick in return as part of a sign and trade deal. According to Pro Football Weekly, the Detroit Lions may have some interest in AD, indicating that AD has interest in playing for Rod Marinelli.

Detroit? Marinelli?

The Ravens offseason might not be very busy in terms of numbers in the free agent market, but it will be intriguing nonetheless.

* “Every player that we brought here, we brought here because we think that they can help us win. At some point in time, they were a winner in the past. I think they know that, but at the same time, they are being measured to a Jim Brown, Otto Graham, Lou Groza or Brian Sipe. Some of our players weren’t even born yet when these guys played and don’t have an idea of who some of these guys were. You have questions trying to live up to someone who they don’t know. We try to educate some of our younger players. We show videos to them, and we talk to them. It’s a lot of pressure to live up to and when it doesn’t go well, we have to figure out the equation.” That’s Browns GM Phil Savage describing the pressures playing in Cleveland. For some reason I can’t stop laughing every time I read this. LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

* Speaking of laughing, it has been reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune that Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson did just that when reminded that should the Patriots lose the AFC Championship Game on Sunday, Bill Belichick will be the coach of the AFC Pro Bowl squad. The AFC roster includes nine Chargers as of this writing.

You may recall how upset LT was after the Chargers‘ loss to the Patriots on Sunday, feeling disrespected by Patriots‘ players that mimicked Shawne Merriman‘s “Light‘s Out” dance at midfield. LT accused the Patriots of showing “no class at all” and he added that “maybe it comes from the head coach.”

LT would later say that, “When you're a three-time Super Bowl champion, I just wouldn't think you would need to act that way. But obviously that's the way they reacted to it, and there's nothing we can do about it.

“Marty (Schottenheimer) always tells us after the game to act like we've been there before. To me, if guys are acting like that, then it comes from top to bottom, in my opinion. Now I may be wrong.”

LT, you are wrong!

If Marty’s message is so clear then why is it that Shawne Merriman doesn’t get it? He goes into that “Light’s Out” dance after every play he’s supposed to make. He leaves himself and the Chargers open to such ridicule with that ridiculous dance. Maybe both teams should listen to Marty and act like you've been there before. Those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones...

* As for Marty Schottenheimer, the Chargers’ front office seems to be leaving him dangling in the SoCal wind. Schottenheimer has another year remaining on his contract but no one is confirming his return after a 14-2 season. There is no love lost between the Bolts’ skipper and GM A.J. Smith. Might this be Smith’s chance to turn the screw on Marty? Could he use Schottenheimer’s 5-13 playoff record against him?

The silence so far is deafening. Keep this in mind…Jimmy Johnson is a good friend of Chargers’ owner Alex Spanos. Luring Jimmy from the cozy confines of the Florida Keys might be tough.

* In other coaching news, the Steelers have narrowed their search to three: Steelers offensive line coach Russ Grimm, Vikings defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin, and Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera.

Meanwhile the Dolphins search for a new head coach continues. Reports have surfaced that Fins’ defensive coordinator Dom Capers is being considered along with other candidates such as Georgia Tech’s Chan Gailey. Another name that has surfaced is Mike Shula. According to Miami’s CEO Joe Bailey, ''He's got a lot of his dad in him. Very smart, very assertive, very firm. A very attractive potential person for us.''

Don’t be shocked if it goes that way. It could be a PR boost for the Fins and it would make for an interesting story that comes full circle -- Saban to Alabama from Miami and Shula from Alabama to Miami.

PROGRAMMING NOTE: 24x7 will soon begin promoting two offseason contests. The first is a GAMETIME co-host contest. We will invite some of our best callers and participants in Letters 2 TL into the studio with us for a segment of GAMETIME. The best of the guest co-hosts (determined by an online poll) will win a 5 day/4 night stay in Ocean City including dinner at 4 fine O.C. establishments. Also we will be holding our first annual swimsuit contest. Prizes will be awarded to the top three participants. Pictures of all participants will be featured in a 24x7 Swimsuit Calendar which will be an 18 month calendar and available this spring. The winners will be determined by fan voting at a 24x7 hosted party sometime early this spring. More details on both contests will be provided soon. In the meantime, bone up on your radio skills and scour the Baltimore area for talented ladies for the Swimsuit Calendar. All interested parties should shoot us an email or send their pictures to: tl@profootball24x7.com