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According to reports out of both cities late in the week, Tampa Bay and Philadelphia have joined the list of serious suitors for the disgruntled Henry, who received permission to seek a trade back in January after losing his starting job to Willis McGahee last season.

Arizona also is still in the mix.

The Buccaneers are without a starting-caliber running back and are exploring ways to obtain Henry so they can concentrate on selecting one of the top receivers in the draft.

General manager Bruce Allen confirmed to reporters in Tampa Bay he has spoken with Buffalo.

"I spoke to the Bills," Allen said Thursday, careful not to elaborate.

Henry's agent, Hadley Engelhard, told the St. Petersburg Times he has had a discussion with the Bucs and anticipates further conversation.

"We have had dialogue, and will continue to talk," Engelhard said Thursday. "There are several teams that would be a good fit for Travis."

A Florida native who lives in Orlando, Henry has said he'd be interested in playing for the Bucs.

The Bucs running game has struggled. They finished 24th in 2003 and 29th in 2004 in rushing offense and haven't had a 1,000-yard rusher since Warrick Dunn's 1,133 in 2000.

According to Times staff writer Roger Mills, the possible acquisition of the 5-foot-9, 215 pound Henry, who has two 1,000-yard campaigns in four seasons, could seriously alter their approach on draft day this coming Saturday.

Mills went on to explain that, should the Bucs pull off a trade (which is unlikely to happen before draft day), they could turn their attention to the two highly rated receivers, USC's Mike Williams or Michigan's Braylon Edwards. Head coach Jon Gruden has also expressed interest in moving up to take either Utah quarterback Alex Smith or Cal's Aaron Rodgers.

The Bills, meanwhile, continue to pursue talks with the Eagles, who have two second-round picks and might be willing to part with one.

While the company line emanating from team headquarters says the Eagles would like to add a complementary punch to Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Daily News beat man Les Bowen suggested on Saturday that it seems possible the Eagles' interest in Henry is designed to serve as a warning shot across Westbrook's bow.

This after Friday's league deadline passed without Westbrook, a restricted free agent, receiving an offer sheet from another team.

According to Philadelphia Inquirer staffer Bob Brookover, that leaves the versatile halfback only two options: Sign the one-year deal from the Eagles or boycott the team's three-day mini-camp that begins April 29.

The Eagles have not received any indication that Westbrook will fail to report for the camp, but they are concerned that he will leave when he becomes an unrestricted free agent after this season.

As Bowen pointed out, Henry is a more accomplished runner than Westbrook, but has not shown Westbrook's receiving ability.

In fact, there might not be a back in the NFL better suited to meet the needs of Andy Reid's pass-intensive West Coast offense than the former Villanova standout. Last season, when Westbrook made his first Pro Bowl, he led NFL running backs in receptions (73) and receiving yards (703). Henry caught a career-high 43 passes in 2002, for 309 yards.

Nonetheless, FOXSports.com insider Jay Glazer, who first reported discussions between the two parties on Friday, advised readers that the Bills have phoned the Eagles on more than one occasion and that Philly's interest seems genuine.

One of the obstacles for any team trying to trade for Henry, however, is his desire for a lucrative contract.

As Delaware County Times staff writer Bob Grotz noted, the fact Henry wants a new contract -- and a starting job -- doesn't make him a great fit for the Eagles. Especially with Westbrook on board for at least another season and Correll Buckhalter returning from last summer's torn patellar tendon.

As for the Cardinals, head coach Dennis Green said a Henry deal for tackle L.J. Shelton "still has a heartbeat." A deal depends on what Arizona does with the No. 8 overall pick.

The Cardinals should have a chance to take one of the top three running backs in the draft -- Cedric Benson of Texas and Ronnie Brown and Carnell "Cadillac" Williams of Auburn -- with that pick.

According to Arizona Republic staff writer Kent Somers, if they take one of them, it would put the kibosh on a deal for Henry.

"If the draft goes a certain way, and we take a player and that player happens to be a running back, that phone will never ring," Green said. "If the draft goes on and we don't take a running back, [the Bills] will probably still be trying to move up. They are probably trying to move up with other people also."

Somers added that holding off until draft day gives the Cardinals additional leverage. It's possible that other teams might want to trade up to take one of those three running backs. The Cardinals don't want to eliminate the possibility of trading down by dealing for Henry now.

If Green elects to take a much-needed cornerback -- he rates Miami's Antrel Rolle, West Virginia's Adam Jones and Auburn's Carlos Rogers as Top 10 picks -- then the Cardinals might be more likely to spice up a deal for Henry. Swapping the Cardinals' 44th slot in the second round for Buffalo's 55th might get it done.

It's worth noting that Green wouldn't rule out the possibility of swapping those second-round picks, telling Somers it depended how the draft developed and what would be available with that 55th pick.

Of course, he still might decide to use his own second-round pick on one of the many good young running backs in the draft, such as California's J.J. Arrington or Florida's Ciatrick Fason.

"We keep our options open," Green said. ...

For what it's worth, NFL Network's Pat Kirwan has reported that the Cardinals and Bills have agreed on compensation for a possible Henry trade. According to Kirwan, Arizona is still unsure whether they want Henry or hope that Benson falls to them. ...

Stay tuned. ... As I've suggested in the past, we're not likely to have resolution on this one before the draft cranks up this coming Saturday.

Other Fantasy-specific news and notes from around the NFL. ...

Following up on this past week's biggest story. ... Terrell Owens, who spent most of last week telling anybody willing to listen that is looking to renegotiate the seven-year deal worth almost $49 million he signed last March, has apparently said enough.

Owens released a statement through a public relations firm Friday night saying he was done talking to the media about a possible contract extension with the Eagles.

Owens blames the media for fueling the controversy over his decision to fire longtime agent David Joseph and replace him with Drew Rosenhaus, who met with Eagles president Joe Banner last week.

"Again I find my words being misinterpreted by the media, therefore at this time I have decided to refrain from discussing the recent series of events surrounding my contract with the Philadelphia Eagles," Owens said.

Owens' complaint might have something to do with his perception of the way a not-so-veiled shot at Donovan McNabb, uttered during an interview with ESPN.com insider Len Pasquarelli, has been the focus of subsequent media reports.

Owens on Friday said he was still friends with McNabb, who made a recruiting pitch for the outlandish wide receiver to join the team before last year.

"With respect to Donovan McNabb, I have been his teammate for the past year and we have worked closely together," Owens said. "He knows me both on and off the field, therefore, he knows how much I respect and value our friendship."

A Thursday night appearance on CNBC's "The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch" -- or at least the coverage of it -- didn't go his way either.

Owens became emotional while talking about his grandmother, who raised him and now suffers from Alzheimer's disease. When he continued talking about his contract situation and the firing of his agents, the tears were still rolling down his cheeks.

The clip played endlessly on ESPN and other outlets showed only the tears and the contract talk. The earlier stuff about his grandmother disappeared, leaving an extremely unflattering impression.

As Inquirer columnist Phil Sheridan suggested, "Here, literally, was a millionaire athlete crying about his contract."

The end result? Team officials haven't had to waste their energy squabbling with Owens in the court of public opinion.

As Sheridan framed it: "All they have had to do is let Owens and his new agent, Drew Rosenhaus, do the talking. The more they have said, the weaker their case for a new contract has become. By the time Owens announced [Friday night] that he wasn't talking to reporters about his contract anymore, his case was beyond repair."

And then some. ...

In a related note. ... The NFL Players Association advised Owens last year not to sign the contract that he now wants to renegotiate.

In an article published Saturday, Washington Post staffer Mark Maske, citing a union source, said on Friday the deal contains contract language that's unfavorable to Owens. The source declined to elaborate but said Owens told union officials at the time he was ignoring their recommendation because he trusted Reid.

In fact, union chief Gene Upshaw said at the time -- just before Owens agreed to the settlement, that he asked Owens if the wideout indeed wanted to bypass free agency to go to the Eagles, and Owens said yes.

Rosenhaus and Owens now say that Owens had no leverage in negotiations with the Eagles and was forced to accept a below-market-value deal. ...

In Denver. ... As the Sports Xchange noted on Monday, the Broncos have become a home for wayward former first-round picks this offseason, adding four of them. The most recent addition, running back Ron Dayne, was surprising and potentially intriguing.

Dayne, a former Heisman Trophy winner and the NCAA Division I-A all-time leading rusher at the University of Wisconsin, was a huge disappointment with the New York Giants. He was the 11th overall pick of the 2000 draft but after rushing for 770 yards as a rookie, he never became an impact player.

And the big fella is looking to turn things around.

In fact, Dayne chose to sign with the Broncos in large part because of their history with 1,000-yard running backs. Terrell Davis, Olandis Gary, Mike Anderson, Clinton Portis and Reuben Droughns have all had 1,000-yard seasons in Denver under head coach Mike Shanahan.

"It seems like they are always bringing in a 1,000-yard rusher or a 1,500-yard rusher," Dayne said.

Of course, Dayne's great failure as a pro -- at least as far as the Giants are concerned, has been his inability assume the short-yardage/power back role team officials expected of him.

It was a role he was simply ill-suited to handle.

"He is a small back in a big body," the Xchange quoted an unnamed scout as saying of Dayne. "The Giants never did use him right. ..."

Or as Denver Post staff writer Thomas George suggested this morning, "Dayne is a tailback, pure and simple, and his history says that the more he gets work, on the edges as much as inside, the more he succeeds."

Dave Klein, who spent more than 30 years as Giants' beat writer for the Newark Star-Ledger,agrees with that assessment. According to Klein: "[Dayne] is not a 'big back,' nor is he a 'power back,' regardless of his bulk. He has quick feet. He is better running wide. In fact, of all the backs coming out in that 2000 draft, no one had more runs of 40-plus yards than did Dayne."

For the record, that 2000 draft class included three other first-round backs: Thomas Jones, Jamal Lewis and Shaun Alexander.

And the Broncos think Dayne fits their offense. After all, his success at Wisconsin came while running behind a zone-blocking scheme, which is what the Broncos are famous for.

It's also worth noting that Dayne is currently said to weigh about 238 pounds, which is 15-20 pounds less than he was when he was in college.

"We're very excited about bringing Ron into the fold," Broncos general manager Ted Sundquist said. "He's a big, powerful, one cut, downhill runner that brings a bit of physical toughness to our running game."

The Xchange went on note that Dayne will have to battle Anderson and Quentin Griffin to be Tatum Bell's primary backup. But much like Droughns, a successful tailback in college who finally got a chance to carry the ball last season and ended up surprising everyone with 1,240 yards, Dayne is hopeful he will be the latest beneficiary of Denver's track record with backs.

"I think he's committed to getting his career back on track and feels that we can give him that chance," Sundquist said. ...

In San Diego. ... Although it's too soon to say with any certainty, the Chargers receiving corps could get a boost from Reche Caldwell this year.

In the midst of his best season as a pro last year, Caldwell tore the ACL in his right knee in the Chargers' Week 6 game at Atlanta. Entering the contest, he was the team's second-leading receiver with 17 catches for a career-high 301 yards. He led the team with a career-high 17.7 yards per catch and was tied with tight end Antonio Gates with three touchdown receptions.

As Chargers.com staff writer Nick Schenck reminded readers, having played a total of nine games in 2003 due to a fractured wrist, the 2002 second-round draft pick from the University of Florida finally was fulfilling the expectations he had for himself after disappointing results in his first two seasons, when he made only 30 catches and had three touchdowns.

"He was really making progress," head coach Marty Schottenheimer said. "Any time you have a player injured, it's tough, but particularly a young player who you see beginning to ascend."

Unfortunately, Caldwell never was able to fully realize the fruits of his labor as his season came to a premature end.

The good news? Caldwell has been a participant in offseason workouts and has impressed some with his straight-away speed.

But what hasn't returned, as of yet, is the ability to cut on routes. He hasn't tested the knee by planting and pushing off.

And he may not do so until the July training camps.

"When it comes to running a route, he's not quite there yet," Chargers trainer James Collins told Schenck. "Along with that is the other issue most ACL patients have, which is being able to stop. And a lot of that is confidence in knowing that the knee is not going to give out. It's not always strength. Strength is a part of it. But it's having confidence in the knee."

"I'm almost 100 percent," Caldwell said. "In my mind, I think I am 100 percent. But there is still stuff I need to work on, but pretty much I'm almost there. If we had a game in a week or so, I think I would be able to play. I think I could do it. Most of it is in your head and what you think you can do."

"I'll be there by camp," Caldwell said. "I'll be ready to roll. ..."

If Caldwell can return, it would help a receiving unit which is still on the thin side.

Keenan McCardell was a good pickup, but age could begin catching up with him at any time. And Eric Parker was solid last season, but he's not considered a No. 1 receiver.

According to the Sporting News, the team will likely address the wide receiving position in the draft, probably with one of its two first-round picks. That's especially true given the questions still surrounding Caldwell and and his rebuilt knee. ...

In Miami. ... Since incoming head coach Nick Saban maintains a format for the impending competition between semi-incumbent starter A.J. Feeley and free-agent addition Gus Frerotte has yet to be fully determined, any discussion of quarterbacks tends to become immediate fodder for public scrutiny.

That already intense scrutiny only increases when you factor in the possible addition of yet another quarterback with second pick overall in Saturday's draft.

"That would be tough," Frerotte admitted Thursday, in one of a limited number of media sessions the Dolphins will have this offseason.

As Miami Herald beat man Jason Cole noted, Thursday also was the same day Utah's Smith departed after spending two days interviewing with the Dolphins.

Frerotte added: "But you know, if they did, we'd just help him out the way we'd help anybody else out. You've just got to work harder because you know you're fighting an uphill battle. I've fought against No. 1 picks my whole career and I've done well. So I'm not worried about it."

Feeley is taking a similar approach.

"It's one of those things that if it happens, it happens," Feeley, who started eight games last year, said Thursday. "You look at it down the line. It's something I can't control right now."

According to South Florida Sun-Sentinel staffer Alex Marvez, Feeley said he wasn't surprised by the Dolphins' decision to sign Frerotte, a 12-year veteran with 64 career starts, or that Saban has opened the position to competition despite hinting that wouldn't be the case earlier this offseason.

"Right now, the thing for me is to improve my individual skills," said Feeley, who has bulked up 13 pounds since last season to 223 through offseason workouts. "I want to learn as much of the offense as I can right now, so I really don't worry about the depth chart or the reps."

Given the head start Frerotte gained while working with new Dolphins coordinator Scott Linehan in Minnesota the last two years, Feeley's focus on learning the system is understandable and commendable.

But I'm still not sure he'll have the time or get the reps necessary to close that gap. That would be even less likely if the Dolphins toss a first-round pick into the mix.

As Feeley said, he'll need plenty of snaps to learn the offense and that he didn't get enough of them last preseason. And as Palm Beach Post staffer Joe Schad reminded us: "Saban is already on the record about this topic: If Feeley wants those snaps, he'll have to earn them. ..."

In Tennessee. ... Titans quarterback Steve McNair says he's throwing the ball better than he did at any point last season.

Receiver Drew Bennett, who was on the field catching passes from McNair recently, backed McNair's contention.

"Steve looked great. He was throwing the ball with some zip," Bennett told Nashville Tennessean beat writer Jim Wyatt. "It was exciting and good to see him shoot the ball across the field like he has in the past. I have only thrown once with him, but he was throwing the ball with more velocity than he did all last year."

McNair made it official last week that he's coming back for the 2005 season. He had surgery in December to repair his injured sternum, and over the past few months has been cleared for more activity.

"It definitely is a good feeling now that everyone knows he's coming back," Bennett said. "It's like, now we can get down to business. I'm excited. ..."

In New York. ... Veteran receiver Wayne Chrebet is working out with the Jets in their off-season conditioning program and after receiving $250,000 at the start of March as part of a roster bonus, it appears the veteran receiver will remain a Jet for at least one more season.

The role, however, will be a diminished one as the Jets are set with Justin McCareins and Laveranues Coles as the starters and last year's fourth round pick Jerricho Cotchery as the third receiver.

Five years ago, Chrebet was the team's No. 1 receiver -- coming off eight touchdowns and 937 yards receiving -- but as the Xchange reminded readers last weekend, when head coach Herman Edwards and former offensive coordinator Paul Hackett arrived in 2001, his role got smaller and smaller every season.

By the end of last season, Chrebet's playing time was cut in half and he finished the year with 31 receptions and 397 yards receiving. Both totals were career lows outside of the 2003 season, when he was limited to just seven games because of a concussion.

While new offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger likes to rotate running backs, tight ends and receivers in his offense, Chrebet still may not get as much opportunity as the speedier Jonathan Carter, who could be the fourth receiver by the end of training camp.

In a couple of related notes. ... Star-Ledger staffer Dave Hutchinson advised readers last week that Edwards is excited about Heimerdinger and plans to work closely with him to rev up the offense. ...

And finally. ... Edwards told the New York Times last week that Chad Pennington is on schedule to resume throwing in June after surgery in February on his torn right rotator cuff. ... Edwards also said that Coles will not require surgery on his injured big toe.